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Title: A Time to Be Born (Star Trek The Next Generation) by John Vornholt ISBN: 0-7434-6765-5 Publisher: Star Trek Pub. Date: 01 February, 2004 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (9 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: The ghosts of Rashanar, the dangers of Traveling
Comment: First off, let me start by saying that "A Time to Be Born" cannot be reviewed merely as a stand-alone; it is half of a story continued in "A Time to Die," and those who lambaste it for being either too rushed or too slow obviously have not finished the second half. With that out of the way, on to the review.
Simply put, if this is what the "A Time to..." series is going to be like, then we are certainly in for a treat. Vornholt probes deeply into the psyches of the "Enterprise" crew, giving even the little-used (but known) characters of Perim and Vale face time. Empathy is key in "Born," as we see in the opening chapters when the Traveler (Wesley Crusher, completing his training) comforts the old woman. We see the possibility of "Enterprise" self-destructing, alone in space, and feel the horror, pain, and shock Wesley feels watching his home explode. He feels helpless and decides to go against his Traveler training to help his former comrades.
And then the action begins. "Enterprise" is sent to assist with the recovery efforts in the Rashanar sector, working in tandem with "Juno" and the Ontailians, a superstitious race whose fear of Rashanar borders on devotional. Quickly we learn the politics and dangers of Rashanar; Picard, Data, and LaForge are ambushed on the hulk of a dead starship, and the result is the theft of the captain's yacht, "Calypso" (really, there is no luck with these captain's yachts). The Androssi are the culprits (for those who have not read the S.C.E. e-books, where we have the first mention of this pirate/foraging race, there is background information, so all is not totally new) and become the catalyst for the novel.
Something is haunting Rashanar, a sort of vampiric ship that feeds of antimatter, causing chaos, confusion, and conflict; it is Starfleet Captain versus Starfleet Captain in a battle of wills and wits. All is not what it seems in Rashanar, and Vornholt pulls off the destruction of the "Juno" and her crew so quickly, efficiently, and shockingly that the reprecussions resonate well after completing the novel.
After "Juno's" destruction, action returns to Earth, where Picard is forced to face a tribunal (Admirals Ross, Nakamuru, and Paris) defended by Vornholt's favorite admiral, Necheyev. With her is an indistinct, unnoticable ensign named Brewster, a young man with years of experience and a hidden agenda. Picard is railroaded, Riker is put in command, and Rashanar is still a bloodbath. With Picard under the ministrations of Starfleet Mental Health and Counsellor Colleen Cabot, Vornholt leaves the reader desiring the answers to the biggest question of them all: what is the secret of Rashanar?
In all, this was a great read and a welcome return to focus of the Next Generation crew. It is somewhat sobering to realize that this is what will set them on the road to their ultimate fate, but in the end, this is a great first step, and one that answers a few questions...but raises more.
Rating: 1
Summary: Utter garbage
Comment: I really fail to see how this book could have gotten seven positive reviews, except perhaps via the time-honored tradition of fake reviews by advertising peons.
The characterizations are extremely one-dimensional and are different from just about any other Star Trek story, canon or otherwise. In most cases the dialogue is outrageously painful to read. The setup and plot for the first half of the novel are extremely contrived, and I dislike being lead through an excessive number of hoops just so the author can set up the exact scenario he wants for the second half of the book.
I bought this novel as an ebook. After reading it, I'm contemplating perhaps skimming the next 1-2 in Borders. If those don't seriously impress me, I won't even bother with the rest of the series, and I strongly recommend that nobody else do so either.
If you want plot arcs in the Star Trek universe, I suggest looking elsewhere. If you want to preserve a respectable opinion of this author, I suggest reading his TNG novel "Masks" or TOS novel "Sanctuary" instead.
Rating: 4
Summary: FUN
Comment: Vornholt has written a very memorable and well done novel. This is a great start to a long series of books. I found the plot exciting and orginal. The book goes at a very quick pace, and I found myself caught up in the action and twisting plot. The novel does what it should: It reads like a television show. This novel will satisfy readers that love ST:TNG. It gives wonderful insight into the long forgotten Traveler, and fans finally get to see just what Wesley Crusher has been up to. Picard is put in a bad situation, and the the crew has a mystery to solve. Satisfying read!
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Title: A Time to Sow (Star Trek The Next Generation) by Dayton Ward, Kevin Dilmore ISBN: 0743482999 Publisher: Star Trek Pub. Date: 01 April, 2004 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: A Time to Harvest (Star Trek The Next Generation) by Dayton Ward, Kevin Dilmore ISBN: 0743482980 Publisher: Star Trek Pub. Date: 01 May, 2004 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Catalyst of Sorrows (Star Trek: The Lost Era, 2360) by Margaret Wander Bonanno ISBN: 0743464079 Publisher: Star Trek Pub. Date: 01 January, 2004 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Deny Thy Father (Star Trek: The Lost Era 2355-2357) by Jeff Mariotte ISBN: 0743464095 Publisher: Star Trek Pub. Date: 01 December, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Well of Souls (Star Trek: The Lost Era, 2336) by Ilsa J. Bick ISBN: 0743463757 Publisher: Star Trek Pub. Date: 01 November, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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