good reader gone bad

It’s too bad that Margaret Wander Bonanno hasn’t written a few more Star Trek novels. Her Star Trek characters are familiar and her secondary characters are well drawn. This tale takes place near the end of Admiral Uhura’s Starfleet career and also features characters from Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The inclusion of a young Ben Sisko is very well done.

The Lost Era series illuminates events that take place prior to and between Star Trek television series. Published in paperback by Pocket Books. ISBN 0743464079

Previously, the New Frontier saga was penned entirely by Peter David. Now, a legion of Star Trek writers can say that they’ve played in his Trek sandbox.

These tales of the U.S.S. Excalibur crew complement the novels by telling us more about their past history. All of the short stories in this collection blend well with what we already know about the New Frontier characters. I find it difficult to choose a favorite. They’re all entertaining. In addition to a story, Keith R. A. DeCandido also contributed a New Frontier timeline.

No Limits was edited by Mr. David and published in trade paperback by Pocket Books. ISBN 0743477073

Samuel T. Cogley defends a Klingon accused of killing the Federation administrator of a mining colony. Lt. Areel Shaw is the prosecutor, eager for a rematch with Cogley. Both originally appeared in TOS episode “Court Martial”. This is a well-paced and entertaining courtroom mystery, as well as a tribute to Earl Stanley Gardner’s Perry Mason, down to the book’s design and red-dyed edges. Sam Cogley is familiar enough after more than 35 years of reruns that I can easily see him in a series of mystery novels. The authors also effectively use TOS and Enterprise tube history to paint the background.

I got the impression that authors Bob Ingersoll and Tony Isabella, both veterans of Star Trek comics and novels, have something more in mind for Lt. Areel Shaw in a future story.

Published in paperback by Pocket Books. ISBN 0743464974

Ensign Janos is the prime suspect in the murder of an officer aboard the U.S.S. Trident. The investigation stirs up old memories for Captains Elizabeth Shelby and MacKenzie Calhoun. Of course, there’s also another pesky threat to the Federation and a sad goodbye.

Peter David is one of the most prolific and consistently entertaining Star Trek writers. Some Trekkies may find fault with his occasionally irreverant view of the Trek universe. I like his stuff.

Stone and Anvil was published simultaneously in hardcover by Pocket Books and as an eBook. The hardcover comes with a CD-ROM containing eBook versions of Mr. David’s previous New Frontier novels and short stories. The eBook I read came from Palm Digital Media. I admit to purchasing the eBook because it was much, much cheaper than the hardcover. ISBN 0743480171

Author S. D. Perry has crafted a terrific conclusion to the opening chapter of Pocket Books continuation of the DS9 saga. At least, I hope it’s just the opening chapter. In this novel, we get a summary of the DS9 relaunch, and many loose ends are tied up. While there is sort of a whirlwind feel to the entire narrative, I was left wanting to know what happens next. That’s good, right?

This book was published in hardcover by Pocket Books. ISBN 0743448405

Of the various Star Trek television series that have aired over the years, my favorite is Deep Space Nine. Unlike the rest, this series had an engaging backstory, intrigue, and a little mysticism thrown in for good measure. I was disappointed when the series ended, but evidently others feel the same way. A host of authors have continued the DS9 saga in print and this collection of short stories features their work. Read it.

Of particular interest are the stories by Andrew J. Robinson, the actor who plays Garak, Michael A. Martin and Andy Mangels, and Jeffrey Lang.

This book, part of the tenth-anniversary DS9 celebration, was edited by Marco Palmieri and published in trade paperback by Pocket Books. ISBN 0743470737