I'm interested in checking out the Voyager relaunch novels, but I am not exactly sure where to start. The String Theory trilogy? Full Circle? Unworthy? I get the impression that String Theory and Full Circle wrap up some older plot lines - is that true? If so, I don't know if those would be the best places to start since I've never read a Voyager book before and I have no idea what's going on. p.s. I'm not particularly interested in the numbered books, but if there are one or two that are absolutely positively fantastic must-reads, I'd be willing to give 'em a shot, too.
Best bet is to start with Full Circle, or Homecoming. String Theory is a mini-series that takes place during the run of the show.
If you are already really comitted to reading all 15 books you are talking about, start at String Theory. While they are a seperate trilogy from the post series novels, they do relate in a way that will make sense in later books. But if you just want to head into the post- series novels, start with Homecoming. But be aware that the first four post-series novels aren’t nearly as well loved by many fans as the one’s starting with Full Circle. However the first half of Full Circle (which is your absolute must read), is devoted to wrapping up the storylines in those four books, so you may want to ahead and read them so you aren’t jumping in to the middle of things. And if you do end up starting at Homecoming instead of Full Circle, you’ll want to read TNG: Before Dishonor after those first four books. And if you haven’t read it already, the Destiny trilogy couldn’t hurt to toss in there before Full Circle as well. You might enjoy checking out my site to make sure you have the right order of things. Link in my signature.
The String Theory trilogy takes place between Season 4 and 5, and explain why Janeway was staying in her cabin during the episode Night. As for the after-series novels, I would start with the Endgame novelization, as Homecoming picks up right after the final episode (and the Endgame novelization has sample chapters to Homecoming at the end, so you can see just how close the two books are. But you should check out the numbered and earlier books. #2The Escape, #4 Violations, #6 The Murdered Sun, #8 Cybersong, #13 The Black Shore, #14 Marooned, #15 Echoes, #16 Seven Of Nine, #17 Death Of A Neutron Star and #'s 19-21, which make up the Dark Matters Trilogy (which is a sequel to the Season 1 episode Eye Of The Needle). Also Flashback is one of the top novelizations of all-time, and Mosaic & Pathways, which were considered canon for a while due to being written by series co-creator Jeri Taylor, provide background stories for Janeway (Mosaic) and the rest of the crew (Pathways, including Kes, even though it takes place after The Gift).
I'd say yes, the "Endgame" novelization is fairly worth reading, well didn't read it myself until a couple years ago, but found it interesting. And Homecoming/ Farther Shore are IMO rather important, as they provide the foundation for the Voyager "relaunch', and since Homecoming starts just after when Voyager the TV show finished, gives VOY fans some info they might liked to have seen on screen, ie what more happened after Voyager arrived in the Sol system, even before getting back to Earth. PS Before Dis. is not a Voyager novel, or too enjoyable, so maybe just read a summary somewhere, eh.
The people on this board are all huge fans of the literature, obviously, so answers like this that say "read EVERYTHING!" are pretty common. But truly, the answer is you can start wherever. They do tie together so if you enjoy understanding all the references, great, but also Full Circle is the first great Voyager novel and it also makes sense to start there. If you do start with Full Circle, just be aware that the first half of the book is tying up stuff you haven't read; if you know that going in, then Beyer's summaries will make sense, and you'll have no problem getting into the story. It's just sort of structurally a mess, because it had to be given all the things it had to resolve, but that's no obstacle to enjoying the story. If you WANT to go full-on obsessive, then String Theory, the first four books starting with Homecoming, Before Dishonor, Destiny, Full Circle and onwards is the way to go. (Forget the numbered books; I'm not sure why tomswift2002 mentioned those. They have nothing to do with Beyer's stories.) But Beyer's novels starting with Full Circle are the real prize here; they are remarkably good and this way takes you a while to get there. String Theory is uneven, the four books that start with Homecoming are pretty awful, and most Voyager fans really hate Before Dishonor. The Destiny trilogy is fabulous, but that's the only unequivocally good set of books you'll get if you go through all the backstory. Beyer's novels are such a highlight of the TrekLit universe that I almost recommend option A instead; if you love them enough that you want to learn the backstory, go back and read the other stuff later. I hesitate to recommend that someone wade through 8 mediocre books just so they can start reading great ones.
Aside for providing backstory for Kes in the post-Endgame stories, String Theory has really nothing to do with the relaunch novels, as it's set during the series, just like the numbered novels. But the numbered novels should not be forgotten.
^ Oh, I agree twice, but if the goal is to read the Voyager relaunch and you're just looking for backstory, the complete obsessive probably wants that backstory, and the numbered novels have none at all. Lots of the numbered novels are great, they just aren't what the OP asked about.
Well there is one bit of continuity between a few of the numbered novels and the post-series books. Lyssa Campbell appeared in several by Christie Golden and then continued in Homecoming and beyond.
^Yeah, but IIRC Lyssa Campbell didn't play a large role in any of the books she was in. She was just kinda there.
THIS. I'd read none of the Voyager novels (that I recall) before picking up "Full Circle". (I was always very "meh" towards Voyager in general while it aired.) I could follow events through the first part of the book while Beyer wrapped up old storylines and brought the characters current with the rest of the Trek litverse. Then it took off at warp speed and dared you to keep up. Especially for someone who wasn't a big Voyager fan, these novels are terrific, exploring big science fiction ideas and small, personal character moments. The Voyager re-re-launch books have been one of my favorite 21st century novel runs, ranking up there with the initial DS9 relaunch, Vanguard, DTI, and Destiny. So don't be afraid at all of just starting with "Full Circle". You can pick up some of the details as you go, without the need to slog through so-so stories just to fill in a few small blanks.
I stand corrected. I still don't think any of the ones you posted are "absolute must reads" for someone generally uninterested in the category of publication, though. They're good examples of standalone numbered novels, but they don't exactly transcend the form, with the possible exceptions of Mosaic and Pathways.
I finished Full Circle last night. I liked it. I wish I had made notes while I was reading it because I had some thoughts and questions. 90% of them I've already forgotten. So I'll just randomly throw out the few bits that are still rattling around in my head. - There was a lot going on, but the author did a good job of catching me up. I had read Destiny so I had some idea what was going on. It would probably have worked better as two separate novels, but considering all the ground there was to cover I think she did an excellent job. - I also think she has a good grasp of all the characters. Everyone felt like they did in the show, but with added maturity. - I like Chakotay in this. I always favored the Voyager episodes where he showed some fire so it was nice to read a story where we really get to dig into his emotions. - Hugh Cambridge. I don't know what to think of this character. Much like Chakotay, I hated him at first, but he grew on me by the end. Still not exactly crazy about him though. - Cool Tuvok scene. I watched the TNG episode "Violations" earlier this week so it was fun to see a Ullian again so soon. I liked the villainess in this scene. There is just something I've always found intriguing about evil, obsessive, alien collectors like Kivas Fajo or the Collector from the old Avengers comic books. - Crell Moset. I missed out on this story by skipping ahead. I like Cardassians so i'll probably have to go back and check this one out. - Hologram Kahless? Is that from another book? It seemed like it may have been part of a bigger story or maybe it was just something that there wasn't room to explore in this one since everything had to be condensed. Between this book and Left Hand of Destiny I've come to like the Kahless clone. - Afsarah Eden: I did not see her being given Voyager. - I'm interested in seeing how Seven copes with her lack of Borg accessories. I wonder if her humanity will make her less useful as a member of the crew. If she actually becomes a member of the crew again, of course. - I think I will end up liking the Voyager books more than the series. My biggest gripe about the series was the inconsistent writing, and I think having a single, talented writer who knows the characters will eliminate that problem. Looking forward to reading the next book.
Two more random Voyager thoughts 1) You know what would have made a terrible, but completely unforgettable, ending to "Endgame"? If they finally made it back home only to find that the Borg had assimilated Earth while they were gone. A real Rod Serling-esque gutpunch. 2) Slipstream drive. It's cool because it allows Voyager to go back to the DQ, but does it make the galaxy too small? I know the galaxy is huge, but doesn't the DS9 wormhole lose some of its importance if you can just take a slightly longer trip via slipstream?
I think the importance of the wormhole as the home of the Prophets and the focus of Bajoran faith has long since eclipsed its importance as a means of transportation, as far as the storytelling is concerned. Besides, slipstream drive is rare, depending on benamite crystals that are difficult to come by. So it can't be used routinely. The wormhole is permanently there and accessible to anyone.
Cool. I'm glad there are some limitations. Sometimes the tech gets a little too advanced. At least when it's easily accessible by the protagonists. I haven't read that one. Thanks for the info!