jess – Deep Space Spines

#281: The 34th Rule (DS9 #23)

On 12 May 2026

”War is good for business.”

—The 34th Rule of Acquisition1

In today’s episode, when the Grand Nagus puts an Orb of the Prophets on eBay, the Bajorans’ max bid gets auto-beaten. But when they respond by booting all Ferengi from their space, Quark and Rom spend their summer at camp—and it ain’t Anawanna. How good was Odo in keyboarding class? Who, what, or where is Rokeg? And why do I have to wait six to eight weeks for my Space Etsy order to arrive? All this and more in The 34th Rule, the book that teases us with the Nechayev tea.

By jess

On 22 March 2026

In Meta

Hello Readers,

As it has been nearly three months without a review at this point, I feel I must at least justify the lack of new writing. School has been an absolute back-breaker this semester; I have not been in a very good headspace as a result of stress from all directions; and I’m having a lot of trouble writing about the particular book I’m on right now because I keep going back and forth on certain feelings about it. But you should know that I have no intention of discontinuing the site’s mission. It’s just that I’m having a very hard time devoting mental and emotional resources to it. The aforementioned review is about 50 percent done, if not more, and if I can just get one night where nothing else is going on, no demands are being made of my time and psychic energy, and I can clear my mind, I can get it done.

Thanks as always for being here and enjoying the site. Live long and prosper.

#280: Enterprise (TOS #87, My Brother’s Keeper 3/3)

By jess

On 28 December 2025

In TOS

In today’s episode, Kirk finally gets let in on a secret he’s been shut out of for over a decade. But when actual ridge-headed Klingons get loose on his Enterprise, he has to figure out how to clean up a TNG-level spill with a TOS mop. How much of this trilogy is actually brotherly keeping by volume? Will book Klingons ever fully escape Ford’s shadow? And was there ever a more satisfying team to root against than the late-90s Yankees? All this and more in Enterprise, the book that features scenes from an Italian restaurant.

#279: Constitution (TOS #86, My Brother’s Keeper 2/3)

By jess

On 4 November 2025

In TOS

In today’s episode, when Kirk lets everyone know he’ll be alone in his bunk, he means it. But when the line of succession leaves him in the hot seat on the bridge, he has to learn on the fly who to sacrifice and when. Do Jim and Gary still have the romantic chemistry they had at the Academy? What’s up with all the cover-ups? And is there a satisfying secret option for Kirk to take this time? All this and more in Constitution, the book that wants to know if you would like to know (what’s) more.

#278: Republic (TOS #85, My Brother’s Keeper 1/3)

By jess

On 20 October 2025

In TOS

In today’s episode, Kirk is wracked with guilt when he has to put an old friend down. But when Spock decides that giving his captain an opportunity to yap about his feelings will help him understand humanity better, he ends up getting an earful about a former boyfriend. Where did James “R.” Kirk come from? Do aunts and uncles make better parents? And what makes someone a “walking freezer unit”? All this and more in Republic, the book that has no time for people who can’t make the jump.

Author: jess Page 1 of 68

#281: The 34th Rule (DS9 #23)

#280: Enterprise (TOS #87, My Brother’s Keeper 3/3)

#279: Constitution (TOS #86, My Brother’s Keeper 2/3)

#278: Republic (TOS #85, My Brother’s Keeper 1/3)