This has probably been discussed but I think it's worthwhile to ask every once in a while as the universe of Trek books grows ever-larger and ever-harder-to-read-in-its-entirety. What is your pick for the best single novel from each major Trek lit series (TOS, TNG, DS9, VOY, ENT, and literature series such as Titan, New Frontier, S.C.E., Stargazer, etc. etc.). Also any favorite novelizations of episodes or films, and any favorite miniseries (like Invasion or Captain's Table). I'm curious because I want to dive back in but don't have the time to read everything, and I think it will be helpful to hear the opinion of well-informed individuals like those on this board.
Titan: Orion's Hounds SCE: Wildfire New Frontier: Once Burned TOS: Prime Directive TNG: Q&A VGR: Full Circle GKN/KE: A Burning House
DS9: A Stich in Time, S.C.E. Breakdowns, VOY:String Theory - Fusion TNG: Q Squared, TOS: Crucible McCoy, NF: Stone in Anvil,
TOS - Crucible: McCoy Movie-nov. - Star Trek II TNG - Q Squared TTN - Taking Wing NF - Once Burned Lost Era - Art of the Impossible I didn't read enough books of the other series to really pick a favourite.
TOS: In the Name of Honor by Dayton Ward TNG: A Time for War, A Time for Peace by Keith R.A. DeCandido DS9: Fallen Heroes by Dafydd ab Hugh VOY: Since you asked for novels: String Theory: Cohesion by Jeffrey Lang (The best Voyager story overall is the short story Eighteen Minutes by Terri Osborne, though IMO)) ENT: What Price Honor? by Dave Stern Titan: Orion's Hounds by Christopher L. Bennett Stargazer: Oblivion by Michael Jan Friedman S.C.E./CoE: Wildfire by David Mack New Frontier: Gods Above by Peter David Gorkon/Klingon Empire: A Burning House by Keith R.A. DeCandido Vanguard: Harbinger by David Mack Young Adult novels: Capture the Flag! by John Vornholt Novelization: Far beyond the Stars by Steven Barnes Mini Series: Lost Era
SCE: Still working on it. New Frontier: I really didn't get into the series when it first came out. So I have avoided it since. TOS: I don't read this universe at all. TNG: Destiny Trilogy or A Time to Kill (both by Mr. Mack) VGR: Never read a book yet. Man that show left a bad taste in my mouth. GKN/KE: No clue what those letters even mean.
Two that haven't been mentioned yet: TNG: Vendetta by Peter David DS9: Twilight by David R. George III
GKN/KE represents the IKS Gorkon series, which changed it's title to Klingon Empire for the most recent book, A Burning House. DS9: A Stitch in Time TNG: A Time to Kill/Heal, (sorry, I can't pick just one) Voy: Full Circle TOS: Haven't read enough to feel comfortable picking a favorite. ENT: The Good That Men Do NF: Once Burned SCE: Haven't read enough yet GKN/KE: Only read 1 book Titan: Orion's Hound Vanguard: Reap the Whirlwind Lost Era: Serpents Among the Ruins TNG/TTN/ sort of ENT/sort of DS9 /a tiny bit of Voy/: The Destiny trilogy
TOS: Vulcan's Heart TNG: Immortal Coil DS9: A Stitch in Time VOY: Fire Ship NF: Once Burned Lost Era: The Art of the Impossible (unless Day of the Vipers counts, sorry, Keith) Stargazer: Reunion Miniseries: Lost Era Anthology: Tales of the Dominon War.
Getting harder all the time: TOS: "Uhura's Song" TOS movie era: "Ex Machina" TNG: "Immortal Coil" DS9: "Andor: Paradigm" in WoDS9, Book 1 VOY: "Captain's Table: Fire Ship" NF: Tie: "Captain's Table: Once Burned" and "Stone and Anvil" Lost Era: "The Buried Age" Novelization: Tie: "ST:TMP" and "ST III".
TOS: Final Frontier; Prime Directive (I put two in this category since FF doesn't feature the "regulars") TNG: Q-Squared DS9: Stitch in Time VOY: Ful Circle ENT: Daedulus SCE: Foundations Lost Era: Serpent among the Ruins NF: Gods Above Vanguard: Open Secrets Best Mini-Series: New Earth Novelization: Wrath of Khan
I'm not sure if these are the best from each series, but these are my favorites... TOS- Ex Machina TNG- A Time for War, a time for Peace DS9- Unity VOY- Full Circle NF- Once Burned GKN- A Burning House VAN- Harbinger SGR- Three ENT- The Good That Men Do TITAN- (tie) Taking Wing / The Red King TLE- (tie) The Buried Age / Art of the Impossible Mini Series- Destiny Trilogy Other- Articles of the Federation ...for now
TOS: Strangers From The Sky (Honorable Mention to Entropy Effect and Prime Directive, there are just sooo many good TOS novles) DS9: A Stitch In Time ENT: The Good That Men Do Lost Era: Serpents Among The Ruins Vanguard: Harbinger (I haven't read the latest but will soon! This also gets my vote for best series.) Titan: Orion's Hounds Movie Tie-In: TMP, TWOK I haven't read nearly enough of TNG to make a rec. I also haven't read the NF series but plan to very soo - looking forward to it in fact.
TOS: Crucible: McCoy TNG: Metamorphosis DS9: Mission Gamma VOY: - Ent: - mini-series: Destiny Lost Era: Serpent Among the Ruins Titan: Orion's Hounds others: Article of the Federation / Burning Dreams
ENT: The Good That Men Do Vanguard: Harbinger Titan: Orion's Hounds TNG-R: Greater Than the Sum DS9-R: Avatar (of what I've read so far) VOY: Pathways VOY-R: Full Circle TOS: Crucible: McCoy Miniseries: Destiny
TOS The Lost Years (the only TOS novel I ever read so far) TNG Greater Than the Sum DS9 A Stitch in Time VOY Full Circle (the only VOY novel I read so far) Lost Era Day of the Vipers Mini-series Destiny