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Battlestar Galactica: Sagittarius Is Bleeding by Peter David
01/06/2007 . Source: Tomas L. Martin 
pub: TOR/Forge. 350 page enlarged paperback. Price: $14.95 (US), $19.95 (CAN). ISBN: 0-765-31607-2. Buy Battlestar Galactica: Sagittarius Is Bleeding in the USA - or Buy Battlestar Galactica: Sagittarius Is Bleeding in the UK  check out website: www.tor-forge.com and www.scifi.com
'Battlestar Galactica', along with 'Heroes' and 'Lost', have done wonders for the genre of Science Fiction on the small screen, bringing big-budget production values, performances and style to the speculative storylines. Each has shifted the ethos of SF TV significantly towards a more visceral, character driven approach that has seen all three shows see considerable success.
'Battlestar Galactica', the show following the surviving refugees of a massive attack on the human home worlds by the robotic Cylons, has been very successful in its three series to date. Inevitably, this means branching out, which means tie-ins such as this novel by Peter David.
'Sagittarius Is Bleeding' is set in the middle of series two of the re-made show and fits neatly as an episode in its own rights. (A quick bit of research shows that this book falls either before or after episode 15, 'Scar'.)
President Roslin is experiencing hallucinations with blood and warnings that Sagittarius is bleeding. Somehow the Cylons predict where Galactica jumps and a blind jump to avoid the ambush nearly destroys the fleet. Admiral Adama orders Tigh to secretly begin eavesdropping on members of the crew to root out the mole.
Meanwhile, young teenager Boxey, first seen in the initial mini-series but rarely seen since, is suspected of being a spy after sneaking in to see the Cylon imprisoned in the brig. Dr. Baltar is tasked with testing the boy's blood to see if he's a Cylon.
A new group of religious fanatics approach the President to try and get a place on the government. They believe the human race is doomed and a chain of events is set in motion that could endanger everything.
Compared to the other tie-in novel, 'The Cylons' Secret' that I reviewed a few months ago, this book is much better. The first book by Craig Shaw Gardner suffered horribly from the jumps in logic put in place by the book being set far into the past. Gardner tried to include too many characters from the show and restricted his sense of believability a great deal.
Peter David wisely takes another tack. Setting the book within the meat of the TV series means all the major characters have a role but without any stretches of the imagination that would ruin the immersion in the world. Indeed, this feels very much like an episode in its own right.
David does a good job of conveying the feel of the series and the characters. He also explains where the character of Boxey went with some satisfaction and Sharon Valeri, in particular, is well developed by the storyline.
The only thing I don't like about 'Battlestar Galactica' is its heavy handed religious elements and the addition of another religious faction based around Viking myth in 'Sagittarius Is Bleeding' just seemed tacked on and a little irritating. Aside from that, this is a solid read and pleasantly adds to the ethos of the show.
Tomas L. Martin
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