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octavia_cade's review
2.0
The first in the New Frontier sub-series in the Star Trek universe, and it's clearly a set-up novel. Nearly the entire first half of the book is taken up introducing three new characters, giving them all separate origin stories. The second half is all plot set-up. Spock is shoe-horned in, I assume for the sake of ratings, while Picard and other Enterprise characters decide that, for humanitarian purposes, a starship needs to be sent into a war-torn region of space. Together, they need to find a captain to take on this likely disaster. Now, credit where it's due, I thoroughly enjoyed the TNG characters in this, and I think the mission itself has the potential to be interesting, although it hasn't started yet. Presumably that's what book #2 is for.
What's causing this to get a two star rating is the new characters. Of those three, I'm afraid I'm only interested in Dr. Selar. The other two just make me want to roll my eyes. Soleta is deeply annoying just on the face of her. I rather suspect I'm supposed to see her as spunky, whereas she really just comes across as rude. But the bigger problem is the chosen captain. Mackenzie Calhoun, once we get rid of all those bloody apostrophes... boy rebel genius turned adult rebel genius, apparently, albeit this constant state of rebellion is against two different institutions. Well. Like most people I have a streak of perversity, and you can only tell me so many times just how edgily fantabulous some character is before I start thinking bollocks to that. Picard's constant slavish praise does not help. I get that it's authorial manipulation: You trust Picard, and Picard says Calhoun is the best thing ever, therefore you'll think Calhoun is the best thing ever. Well I don't. I'm quite prepared to be manipulated for the sake of story, but this is just too damn blatant. Maybe it'll improve. I hope so, because right now it's all subtle as a sledgehammer, and about as realistic.
And, finally, if any Trek author feels the need to write about Orion slave girls ever again, they should put down the keyboard and go have a nice lie-down until the upper brain reasserts itself, because there is only so much eye-rolling one girl can reasonably be expected to perform in a single sitting. That is all.
What's causing this to get a two star rating is the new characters. Of those three, I'm afraid I'm only interested in Dr. Selar. The other two just make me want to roll my eyes. Soleta is deeply annoying just on the face of her. I rather suspect I'm supposed to see her as spunky, whereas she really just comes across as rude. But the bigger problem is the chosen captain. Mackenzie Calhoun, once we get rid of all those bloody apostrophes... boy rebel genius turned adult rebel genius, apparently, albeit this constant state of rebellion is against two different institutions. Well. Like most people I have a streak of perversity, and you can only tell me so many times just how edgily fantabulous some character is before I start thinking bollocks to that. Picard's constant slavish praise does not help. I get that it's authorial manipulation: You trust Picard, and Picard says Calhoun is the best thing ever, therefore you'll think Calhoun is the best thing ever. Well I don't. I'm quite prepared to be manipulated for the sake of story, but this is just too damn blatant. Maybe it'll improve. I hope so, because right now it's all subtle as a sledgehammer, and about as realistic.
And, finally, if any Trek author feels the need to write about Orion slave girls ever again, they should put down the keyboard and go have a nice lie-down until the upper brain reasserts itself, because there is only so much eye-rolling one girl can reasonably be expected to perform in a single sitting. That is all.
ir85's review
Turns out that this is a novella, one of four interconnected ones that were collected into a single volume. Consequently I will give out stars once I finish all four. Still so far it's a fun read and Peter David handles the familiar ST characters well while creating some interesting new ones.
ryano1124's review
3.0
This book was really just a set up/introduction book. It isn't very long but does little more than set up another book to tell an actual story. It DOES introduce you to the main characters very well but that's about it. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
thisisbert's review
3.0
Basically a pulpy action read set in the Trek universe, which feeling is only enhanced by the fact that the early entries into this series are serialised. Occasional lapses in pov management and the familiar canon characters feel just marginally off the mark, but a quick fun read if you like pulp, and definitely more accessible than most science fiction franchise tie-in novels.
amysofta's review
2.0
I received the first part of what could be the final book in this series from the publisher through Net Galley, not knowing it was part of a larger series. I did enjoy the book, review here, but felt like I was missing out on the chemistry between the characters. I decided to go back and start the series from the beginning as my first true venture into Trek fiction. Now I still feel like I am missing out on some character history, but I think this is probably still a good starting point for this series and will continue to work my way through the books…probably. This is my biggest complaint about Trek fiction, the confusing crossover of series, characters, and authors. It makes it difficult for a reader to know where to begin.
Anyway, what about House of Cards? What did I think about the start of this series. I’m not sure. This book had a strong set-up feel to it. There was the necessary background information on the main players for the series and a few familiar faces from Next Generation and even Spock. The problem with Picard, Riker, Data, and Spock though is that they felt off. Several times I kept thinking they wouldn’t say that or that isn’t how so-and-so would react/think/behave. Of course I only know these characters through the TV shows and perhaps their characters have transformed a bit in the written universe of Trek. It is just going to take a bit for me to let go of how I think the characters should be and let the authors tell the story. I picked this series to start because I was hoping it would be an easier introduction to Trek fiction, by reading a new set of characters, separate from the shows, I wouldn’t be bringing and Trek baggage with me. Reading this book made me believe my assumptions were right on that point.
Like I said this is a set-up book, very short only around 165 pages and beyond the background character info little else besides the problem set up takes place. Just around the end the action was starting to pick up as the main characters in this series were starting to be drawn into the mix. I am looking forward to the next book, as I think it will become much more enjoyable once the TV characters have a less prominent role in the plot. I like this new captain though, Calhoun reminds me a bit of Kirk and should be a fun leader for this new band of crew mates.
I’m only giving this two stars. I did enjoy it, but wish they hadn’t released this in serial format. Just give me a full length book… Also the odd personalities of the TV characters hurt the story a bit for me. Gave it a fan-fiction feel to it, and I know that’s what it is, but it felt like poorly done fan-fiction at times. I do expect things to get better.
Anyway, what about House of Cards? What did I think about the start of this series. I’m not sure. This book had a strong set-up feel to it. There was the necessary background information on the main players for the series and a few familiar faces from Next Generation and even Spock. The problem with Picard, Riker, Data, and Spock though is that they felt off. Several times I kept thinking they wouldn’t say that or that isn’t how so-and-so would react/think/behave. Of course I only know these characters through the TV shows and perhaps their characters have transformed a bit in the written universe of Trek. It is just going to take a bit for me to let go of how I think the characters should be and let the authors tell the story. I picked this series to start because I was hoping it would be an easier introduction to Trek fiction, by reading a new set of characters, separate from the shows, I wouldn’t be bringing and Trek baggage with me. Reading this book made me believe my assumptions were right on that point.
Like I said this is a set-up book, very short only around 165 pages and beyond the background character info little else besides the problem set up takes place. Just around the end the action was starting to pick up as the main characters in this series were starting to be drawn into the mix. I am looking forward to the next book, as I think it will become much more enjoyable once the TV characters have a less prominent role in the plot. I like this new captain though, Calhoun reminds me a bit of Kirk and should be a fun leader for this new band of crew mates.
I’m only giving this two stars. I did enjoy it, but wish they hadn’t released this in serial format. Just give me a full length book… Also the odd personalities of the TV characters hurt the story a bit for me. Gave it a fan-fiction feel to it, and I know that’s what it is, but it felt like poorly done fan-fiction at times. I do expect things to get better.
eliwray's review
4.0
This is a compelling start to the exploration of a new sector of space and a new set of characters, all already richly woven into the ST universe. In this particular volume, it's refreshing to get such a long look at life outside Starfleet. While the main character is more of a warrior than I'm usually drawn to, he has some complex potential. The central new female character of this book has captured my attention, and I hope to learn more about her. I have eagerly gone looking for the next books in the series.
apostrophen's review
3.0
A "new" series in the Trek Universe, Peter David took a few characters from TNG, added a splash of his own characters, and began the "New Frontier" series.
Now, all that said, the first four books in this series are a little clunky to begin with. The inclusion of Shelby and Lefler keep a lot of it afloat, and the Dr. Selar is quite well done. The new characters need more time to warm up, but once they do, the series takes off.
Now, all that said, the first four books in this series are a little clunky to begin with. The inclusion of Shelby and Lefler keep a lot of it afloat, and the Dr. Selar is quite well done. The new characters need more time to warm up, but once they do, the series takes off.
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