S P O I L E R
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A typical Ferengi story consists of fun with at least a few elements
that are more serious. When I started reading the story, I relaxed. I
expected something entertaining with some good character moments
inserted here and there and a certain dosage of seriousness as well.
From early on I could see that I was right but wrong at the same time:
"Satisfaction is not guaranteed" is more than just fun entertainment -
not that there anything wrong with that. It has more than the typical
pattern Ferengi stories offer. I certainly had a lot of opportunity
again to be amused or to more or less good naturedly shake my head at
how inventive Ferengi are at doing business. The description of Ferengi
culture and attitudes was certainly insightful. But what made this story
so interesting is that KRAD kind of repeated what he did with the
Klingons in his books: Yes, the typical Ferengi elements are there but
the story treats them seriously and as individuals. The story had
character moments that spelled our some interesting truths and answered
some questions I was left with so far. On top of that, it involves an
intriguing mystery that kept me guessing and wondering, not unlike a
"Who did it?" murder mystery. I also welcomed it to meet a lot of known
Ferengi characters again and I am sure, I missed some references KRAD
included. The story is very character driven, at times very moving and
insightful, especially when it dealt with Ferengi culture and history. I
couldn`t ask for more: I am definitely a very satisfied customer
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When I learned that Ro will accompany Quark and Nog to Ferenginar, I was
even more looking forward to continue reading. Not only did I find out
while reading that Ro indeed added an entertaining but also insightful
element to the story but that it answered one question I had been
wondering about. One element of this answer was obvious to me: I never
expected it that Ro and Quark can be more than friends. I was relieved
to read that this story confirmed that because I can`t imagine how Ro
and Quark could become a couple. What surprised me was what Ro learned
about Quark, his character and his motives to leave Ferenginar. Quark is
indeed the perfect embodiment of Rom`s new Ferenginar. What Ro said made
a lot of sense and I wondered again and again - why did I no think of
that, it is so obvious! "Satisfaction..." helped me to not only respect
Ro more than before but also Quark and that is definitely not something
I expected when I started reading the book. Now that both know where
they stand, I think it will be interesting to see how this friendship
between them will develop. Not that I had any doubt about it, but
nevertheless, it was good to see that this friendship won`t get in the
way of Ro doing her job and, as I also expected, that Quark will
nevertheless continue trying to get more from Ro than she is willing to
give. My feeling is, in some ways their relationship will be the same
but in others, their friendship will be stronger, first of all because
Ro gained a better understanding of Ferengi and their culture. But I
also think, although she disliked a lot of it, in other ways she
respects and accepts the Ferengi culture more than she used to. The
contrast between the Ro/Quark and Odo/Quark relationship has always been
very interesting to me but especially now, the Ro/Quark one is much more
interesting and complex.
"Satisfaction..." did an excellent job of contrasting both attitudes on
Ferenginar, about Ferengi who support the reforms and the ones who
don`t. Especially the graphic advertising examples showed this very
well. When I started the book I was hoping, please, don`t start the
process to undo this reform and move the clock back! Not only do the
reforms make a lot of sense looking at the business angle. I nodded when
I read the explanation why Quark is much more attracted to female aliens
than the ignorant, submissive "good" Ferengi woman. But what impressed
me most was Rom`s wonderful speech towards the end of the story. Again,
I wondered why I didn`t think of this before - it is so true!
After reading this story and especially that speech, I don`t think
anybody who reads it has any reason left to doubt that Rom is the Nagus
the Ferengi needs. It was also a revelation to me when Rom explained how
much Leeta has given him, that she has not only given him her love but
also his confidence. "Satisfaction..." shows very beautifully how much
Rom loves his Bajoran wife and his child. I smiled when I read the parts
with the proud, happy parents and their little girl. I think it is an
interesting choice that she is female. Bena seems to be a beautiful
little girl. I liked the description very much and am somewhat relieved.
I found the revelation about Leeta`s past interesting but not
surprising. I even expected something like that and I certainly don`t
blame her at all. Her personal situation on Ferenginar is not surprising
either and I had to compare her situation with the one that was normal
for Ferengi women before the reforms. Of course the situation is not the
same but nevertheless, Leeta lives in the shadow of her husband and has
nothing to show that is her own. Being the mother of a young child
myself I know how important this task or job is (I am not happy with
either description but they are the best I could think of) but I am
hoping Leeta will eventually find her own feet. Leeta is not a woman who
has a good education to help her. From what I could see, it is not
because Leeta wouldn`t be able to do well at school, she simply didn`t
get the chance. Not being a warrior either she developed other survival
skills and qualities. I am hoping DS9 Relaunch will develop this side in
future books. I can think of some interesting possibilities.
Speaking of Ferengi women, I was always curious about Nog`s mother
Prinadora. I wondered if she is indeed an evil, sly, manipulative woman
which is what she seemed to me whenever she was mentioned briefly in
DS9. I must admit, I was somewhat shocked to find out how wrong I was.
My first instinct was to feel pity for this wreck. I also remembered
Quark`s outrage in a DS9 episode when he pointed out to the humans that
Ferengi never had slavery in its history. What had been done to the
female half of Ferengi`s population was worse than that. The male rule
and laws did not only take away the freedom of the female population, it
destroyed the spirit of many of them. On top of that, it was the most
natural thing to do, also Quark didn`t think anything wrong of that. I
am glad that Ishka gave Prinadora her first job. Hopefully she will be
able to help her in other ways as well.
KRAD was also very good at showing the mental deterioration of Zek as
well. I was often caught between being amused and feeling uncomfortable
because what happened to him is not something that should amuse anybody.
He needs Ishka even more than Rom needs Leeta. I welcomed it to see some
of the Zek emerge towards the end who was the ruler of Ferenginar for
such a long time but it doesn`t look good for his future.
As soon as Brunt, now ex FCA, appeared, I welcomed the return of this
great love to hate character and was looking forward to find out how he
will fail at whatever scheme he has in mind this time. Now that Brunt
and Gaila are a team, I am wondering what they will do next to make life
difficult for Quark and his relatives. This is a story I am already
looking forward to.
Before I finish I want to mention the biggest surprise to me in this
story, that Jake is now married to Korena, a Bajoran artist. That is
great news.
After this hopeful, more uplifting story I am expecting the opposite
from the Dominion one. I am looking forward to start reading it later
today.
Baerbel Haddrell
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