Two upcoming Star Trek novels will focus on “legacy female characters”

(Clockwise from top left) Marina Sirtis as Deanna Troi and Gates McFadden as Beverly Crusher in Star Trek: The Next Generation; Nana Visitor as Kira Nerys and Terry Farrell as Jadzia Dax in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Simon and Schuster’s Gallery Books division has announced two new Star Trek novels that will feature “legacy female characters” from the 24th century. SYFY WIRE first broke the news, along with a look at the authors who wrote them.

Based on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Revenant will focus on the characters Jadzia Dax and Kira Nerys. The novel’s author, Alex R. White, has penned more than 30 novels, including Alien: The Cold Forge, based on the 1979 film Alien. “Star Trek has always struck me as a universe with a place for everyone: empathetic, intelligent, empowered and vibrant,” White said in a statement. “Those stories were there for me when I needed to hear them, and I'm privileged to tell the next set all these years later.”

The next novel comes from speculative fiction author Cassandra Rose Clark, whose 2013 novel The Mad Scientist’s Daughter earned her a nomination for the Phillip K. Dick award for Best Book. Her new Star Trek novel is called Shadows Have Offended. The story is a thrilling standalone feature, set during the seventh season of Star Trek: The Next Generation and features Counselor Deanna Troi, Doctor Beverly Crusher and Lieutenant Worf. Clarke, who has been a fan of The Next Generation since she was young, reflected on what writing this book means to her. “Those characters have been an enormous source of joy, inspiration, and comfort throughout my life,” Clarke said, “and I am honored to have this chance to send them on a brand new adventure."

Gallery Books’ senior editor Ed Schlesinger welcomed the two authors into the fold, saying, "For decades, the Star Trek franchise has been at the forefront of diversity and inclusion, and we're truly thrilled to be introducing [Alex] and Cassandra's distinct and acclaimed voices to the ST novel program."

No release date has been announced yet for either novel.