(Star Trek: The Next Generation, No. 45) Intellivore

Title: Intellivore
Date Published: 1997
Author/s: Diane Duane
Main Plot:
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The Enterprise leads a small fleet of Starfleet vessels to investigate the disappearance of starships in an almost starless region of the galaxy. One of the ships had already been in the area conducting archaeological research on civilizations that disappeared eons ago. Legends and the little proof they gather are all they have to repel the greatest threat to the galaxy ever imagined.

My Short Review:
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An exhilarating story of how greed can take over the simple need to survive. An enemy so primal and yet so intelligent, it can anticipate your next move and be there with an open mouth just waiting for you to fall in. The parallels that Diane Duane invokes are all too real in today's world.

My Overall Rating:
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(Star Trek: The Next Generation) Dark Mirror

Title: "Dark Mirror"
Date Published: 1994
Author/s: Diane Duane
Main Plot:
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The Enterprise-D gets pulled into an alternate universe where a barbaric Empire exists instead of the peace loving Federation. A ship, one which is almost an exact copy of their own, is the first thing they encounter. The crew discovers the differences between the lives they know and the lives they could have had as they interact with their counterparts in this realm, and their battle to survive depends on their ability to outwit themselves.

My Short Review:
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At last! A mirror universe story of "The Next Generation" crew. I've always imagined how the alternate Picard would have been like. Diane Duane did a great job on this one.

Choices, the ones we make because it's easier than the alternative, could profoundly affect our future as a race. The way we go about our daily lives, the way we deal with other people, even the things we teach our children. What books to read, what shows to watch, even who we vote for during the elections. These freedoms, and all our other freedoms, are a responsibility that should be taken seriously. It's scary knowing that a lot of us make these mistakes because we couldn't care less, or even see them affecting the way we think and, ultimately, our future.

My Overall Rating:
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(Star Trek: The Next Generation, No. 23) War Drums

Title: "War Drums"
Date Published: 1992
Author/s: John Vornholt
Main Plot:
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Selva, a young Federation Colony world, becomes a battlefield when the settlers meet Klingon refugees that have been there long before they landed. The refugees, having landed on the planet as children, have had to rely on their instincts for most of their lives making them as primal as can be imagined. Without the support of the Enterprise, which has been called on another urgent mission, Worf leads a small away team to prevent a bloodbath before the planet reveals its past, and a deadly secret that could mean the end for all.

My Short Review:
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I'm reminded of how small we are against the grander scheme of the universe and yet warned that, more often than not, our actions have more repercussions than we intend them to. A classic Star Trek lesson. John Vornholt gives us that same old lesson in a unique action packed package.

Bigotry, Hatred, Prejudice, Revenge, Fear. We deal with these words daily, and yet never seem to outgrow them. It is the urge to reject what we do not understand, and therefore only hold fast to that which we do, that limits our capabilities. It will only be when we learn to work together and see what is beyond ourselves that we will overcome our own deficiencies. Perhaps one day, with books written as skillfully like this, we will listen to the lessons of our past.

My Overall Rating:
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(Star Trek: The Original Series, No. 09) Triangle

Title: "Triangle"
Date Published: 1983
Author/s: Sondra Marshak
Main Plot:
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A new power is growing in the galaxy. A power so irresistible that few can stand up against it. Captain Kirk and Spock are joined by Free Agent Sola Thane in the ultimate battle between the seductive forces of the Totality and Oneness. Individuality and freedom are caught in between as the titans struggle for control of the Enterprise and her crew, and the fate of the galaxy.

My Short Review:
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This book reminds me so much of the horrors of Borg assimilation, only it is increased tenfold here. Not that any of us have experienced it, but I'd rather be assimilated into the Borg Collective than be consumed by this new threat. Totalitarianism has always been resisted in our history, but this time, it is so subtle, we won't even feel it. Fighting back doesn't come to mind and that's scary. You realize the scale of things very slowly until you're just past the middle of the book, and then it hits you. Wow! I pray this threat will never come to pass.

Captain Kirk and Spock's friendship is put to a test, like I've never seen, as an irresistible woman gets in the mix complicating things further. This has to be the deepest test of any friendship. Sondra Marshak describes the strain on each of their minds so vividly that I can't help but wince in imaginary pain myself.

My Overall Rating:
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(Star Trek: The Original Series) The Lost Years

Title: "The Lost Years"
Date Published: 1990
Author/s: J.M. Dilliard
Main Plot:
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After five years together, Captain Kirk, Spock and Dr. McCoy go their separate ways and try to establish new lives. Kirk had just been forced to accept a promotion after a disastrous last mission, Spock is back in Vulcan teaching at the Science Academy, and McCoy had just resigned his position in Starfleet in protest of it's treatment of James T. Kirk. Little do they know that their paths would soon cross again to try to diffuse a galactic time bomb set thousands of years ago.

My Short Review:
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Nice. Bridging the gap between the television series and the movies is difficult, but J. M. Dillard does a great job here. He portrayed the trio as at their humblest and yet succeeded in making me feel the fire that drove each of them to the top of Starfleet's honor roll. The chemistry between Kirk, Spock and McCoy has always been at the top of my list of things to note when I read an original series book. This book stayed true to form. I will definitely be looking for the sequels every chance I get.

This book is the 1st in a series of 4 books known as "The Lost Years Saga". The other books in the series are:

2. (Star Trek: The Original Series, No. 54) A Flag Full of Stars
3. (Star Trek: The Original Series, No. 70) Traitor Winds
4. (Star Trek: The Original Series, No. 73) Recovery

My Overall Rating:
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(Star Trek: The Next Generation, No. 17) Boogeymen

Title: "Boogeymen"
Date Published: 1991
Author/s: Mel Gilden
Main Plot:
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The Enterprise is sent out to escort Eric Baldwin, a renowned exologist and good friend of Captain Picard's, back to Memory Alpha for a debriefing. His latest discoveries could possibly change the future of interstellar travel. Or they could destroy the Enterprise.

My Short Review:
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It's stories like these that make me want to use a different operating system for my personal computer. Here, the Enterprise's main computer gets infected by an alien virus. It amazes me how easy it is for alien entities, or their software, to read and manipulate a Federation Starship's computer code. Ok, ok, I'll just let it slide as a writing tool.

One of the key characters in this book is acting-Ensign Wesley Crusher, another favorite writing tool of Star Trek authors. Somehow, he ends up compounding the ship's problems by trying to solve one of his own. He's young, prone to make mistakes, and therefore is the one who gets the blame whenever he is involved. Or so I thought when I started reading. He gets through this one quietly and yet admirably.

I found the story quite interesting got a few lessons from this one. Most of the action, answers, revelations, and/or solutions came too near the end though. While they took care of the tons of questions that were compiling in my head, I do not want to wait too long for some excitement in a book.

My Overall Rating:
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I'll give this one a passing mark. It didn't hurt to read it.

(Star Trek: New Frontier, No. 2) Into the Void

Title: "Into the Void"
Date Published: 1997
Author/s: Peter David
Main Plot:
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The final days of the Thallonian Empire is at hand and the U.S.S. Excalibur is finally ready to launch on her errand of mercy. A First Officer, whose past is intertwined with Captain Calhoun's, joins the crew. A stowaway becomes an unexpected ally as the ship speed towards its destiny, alone, outside Federation Space.

My Short Review:
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Wow, Commander Elizabeth Paula Shelby... This has to be the most volatile pairing of a ship's top two commanding officers of all time, and they have a past to boot. Commander Shelby, of "The Best Of Both Worlds" fame, is a by-the-book Starfleet officer that compliments Captain Calhoun's gut-instinct style of command perfectly. Together, they should test Federation regulations, and even the Prime Directive, to their limits. Great setup here.

Si Cwan, a member of the displaced ruling family of Thallon, joins the crew as an expert on the region of space the ship was headed for. Remind you of someone? Right, Neelix. Only this one is royalty, has his own agenda, one that he will obsessively pursue at any cost, even his own life. Calhoun should have his hands full with this one.

The rest of the crew is as colorful as well. Zak Kebron, a Brikar, is Security Chief. He was an old classmate, rival, sparring partner and friend of Worf during their Starfleet Academy days. Burgoyne 172, a Hermat, is Chief Engineer of the Excalibur. Hish dual sexuality makes for interesting interactions with the rest of the crew. Mark McHenry, a Human, is the navigator, also an old classmate of Worf's from the Academy. This guy makes Einstein look like a dinosaur when it comes to brain function. And of course, we shouldn't forget Robin Lefler, and old flame of Wesley Crusher's. Not much character development for her yet, but I expect there will be in the succeeding books.

As the crew settles into what will be their home for the next few years, they receive a distress signal. Captain Calhoun dispatches a shuttle to investigate as the Excalibur speeds on to their primary objective...

Yes, this book leaves us with a cliff hanger. I thought my review should reflect that as well. As a matter of fact, I'm beginning to like the way Peter David is writing this. While I like seeing how goals are met, problems are solved and objectives reached, I also expected a story arch to this series. This is one series that should have hit the television screens.

My Overall Rating:
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(Star Trek: New Frontier, No. 1) House of Cards

Title: "House of Cards"
Date Published: 1997
Author/s: Peter David
Main Plot:
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Sector 221-G, what used to be the Thallonian Empire is now a chaotic region on the fringes of Federation Space. Starfleet sends in Captain Mackenzie Calhoun and the crew of the U.S.S. Excalibur to help where they can and represent the Federation to the unstable governments of worlds on the brink of self-annihilation.

My Short Review:
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The book starts the series off by introducing key members of what will soon be the crew of the U.S.S. Excalibur, namely Mackenzie Calhoun, Selar and Soleta. I appreciate this especially because the crew of the Excalibur is anything but ordinary. As Starfleet was still rebuilding from the destruction left by the Dominion War, the crew was put together without consideration for group dynamics. But that's what make a good story, doesn't it? Anyway, here are my thoughts on the crew members featured in this one.

The young Mackenzie Calhoun reminds me of James T. Kirk and his charisma, only this time he would have some Klingon blood and their ferocity. Leading the Xenexian revolt against the occupation by Danteri off-worlders, he was obeyed without question by his followers. If he asked them to cut their own heads off, they would have. That kind of charisma is hard to find. Peter David does well here to make me feel it for myself.

Nothing can feel worse than the loss of a loved one, more so if your a Vulcan on the throes of Pon farr. Selar, an experienced physician on the U.S.S. Enterprise-E, goes home to Vulcan to fulfill a promise, only to lose the person dearest to her in the most devastating way. Her "logic" directs her to take a position on the U.S.S. Excalibur, the ship that will take her farthest away from all that reminds her of that loss. I grieved with her while reading her story. Do Vulcans grieve? I guess I'll find out in the next books of the series.

Another Vulcan destined to join the crew of the Excalibur, Selar's story starts off on the Thallonian homeworld. On a personal mission to satisfy her curiosity, a trait unusual to Vulcans, Selar encounters someone oddly familiar. A meeting that would lead to her eventual assignment to the Excalibur. I sense some deep dark secrets to this one.

At the time I finished reading this one, I wasn't sure what to be excited about. Will it be the new aliens the Excalibur will encounter in this new sector of space or how the crew will deal with each other? I guess I'll find out. This booked got me, hook, line and sinker.

My Overall Rating:
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Since this is the first time I will be rating a book, here's how I will do it. I will rate books I like and therefore recommend with pips, from one pip (Ensign) to 4 pips (Captain). Books I did not enjoy much I will still review but will remain without pips or an overall rating. It might even contain a nitpicking section.

This one I award 3 pips (Commander)