Star Trek: DS9
Lust’s Latinum Lost (and Found)
By Paula M. Block & Terry J. Erdmann
Release Date: September 1, 2014
Pocket Books (eBook exclusive)

About this novella:

Business is down at Quark’s Public House, Café, Gaming Emporium, Holosuite Arcade, and Ferengi Embassy to Bajor. Way down. Lower level of hell down. The station is bustling, but residents and visitors are spending more time (and latinum) at the new Deep Space 9’s park, sports fields, theater, swimming complex, and who knows what else, than they are at Quark’s establishment.

All of Quark’s misfortunes just could be reversed, however, when he finds out that one of the steamiest holonovels to hit the Alpha Quadrant in years is up for grabs. And he has an inroad to acquiring it before anyone else. Or does he?

My thoughts:

Lust’s Latinum Lost (and Found) marks the first story released since The Never-Ending Sacrifice back in 2009 to carry the Deep Space Nine title. Granted, we’ve had stories that focused on the station and its characters since then, but they were all branded under alternative titles such as Typhon Pact or The Fall. This return to Deep Space Nine-titled stories is very welcome, and I look forward to seeing the trend continue!

This novella features a small, simple story that focuses on Quark and his efforts to obtain the newest entry in the Vulcan Love Slave series for his struggling business. While the “Ferengi episodes” weren’t my favorite aspect of Deep Space Nine, there were some very good ones such as “Rules of Acquisition” and “The Magnificent Ferengi.”

Lust’s Latinum Lost (and Found) plays out much like one those Ferengi-centric episodes, and I for one am very glad we get the opportunity to explore these smaller stories. It is very unlikely that this sort of story could be told if Pocket Books had to dedicate an entire full-size novel to it. Instead, because the costs of producing an e-book novella are so much lower, we are able to get a story such as this.

The story itself is a lot of fun, as Quark is thwarted at nearly every turn in his attempts to obtain the new holonovel. I especially enjoyed the character of Shmenge, a young Ferengi sent to Quark to become his apprentice. While reading the opening chapters, Shmenge began to remind me of someone, but I couldn’t initially think of who it was.

Finally, I realized that he reminded me of Pel, a female Ferengi who posed as a male to become Quark’s waiter and business partner in a second season DS9 episode, the aforementioned “Rules of Acquisition.” I was later pleasantly surprised when Pel shows up in this story! I had always wondered what became of her, as she was one of my favorite Ferengi characters in Deep Space Nine.

The writing team of Paula M. Block and Terry J. Erdmann are probably best known for their reference books (such as the amazing Deep Space Nine Companion). Beyond that, however, Paula Block also oversees all licensed Star Trek publishing and therefore has intimate knowledge of that side of the Trek business.

That knowledge comes through clearly when, in the course of trying to track down the new Vulcan Love Slave program, Quark and Shmenge attend a holo-entertainment convention. I’ve been to a few Star Trek conventions and other events such as VidCon, and I’m very familiar with the type of environment that is showcased in this story. The novella lightly pokes fun at the culture of conventions and expos. Particularly amusing were the armloads of “swag” that Shmenge managed to acquire, as was his wide-eyed enthusiasm that you often see in the faces of first-time convention goers.

Finally, I liked the idea of Vulcan Love Slave embracing a wider audience. I’m reminded of the well-publicized success of Fifty Shades of Grey among female audiences. I love that Vulcan Love Slave has female authors and that this new version is more egalitarian in the “adventures” it provides to the users!

Final thoughts:

Another glowing example of the type of story that is perfect for this shorter, e-book novella format! Lust’s Latinum Lost (and Found) was a fun romp in the style of the old Ferengi episodes of DS9. I would enjoy seeing more e-book releases in this vein in the future. Perhaps another Ferengi story from Paula and Terry?

– Reviewed by Literature Editor Dan Gunther

Order Star Trek DS9: Lust’s Latinum Lost (and Found)