"Double Helix", Any Good?

[BillJ]

I'm reading Star Trek: New Frontier, and I'm getting close to the "Double Helix" book. The standalone novel is $8.99 for the Kindle, or I can get the omnibus for $13.99. Are the other books worthwhile in their own right? Are they integral to the New Frontier entry?

 

[Jinn]

The thing about Double Helix is that it is has a mystery that is revealed in the final book, I think you can read all of the first five books on their own; other than references along the lines of "something similar happend [number] years ago on [planet/station/ship]".

I only vaguely remember these novels but I think I liked all of them reasonably well except for the third. Then again you and I have pretty much opposite tastes so you should probably read none

Basically, if you every think "I want to read more Tasha", "what was Chakotay up to before Voyager" or "What's happening on DS9 just before the Federation comes in" the first, second and fourth novels may be to your itnerest. I'd definitely also read the final book, IIRC it had some minor NF connections and also reveals the big mystery.

 

[Aaron44126]

Same boat. (I'm actually making my way all the way through the litverse and I'm at least 15 years behind!)

I'm a little bit further in New Frontier than you. I decided to skip Double Helix at first. At the end of NF #10 there is a direct reference to the events of the Double Helix series. I don't want to spoil but something big has happened and it seemed like I was missing part of story by skipping Double Helix. I decided to read it before proceeding to NF #11. I've gotten through the first four. I was afraid that it was going to be repetitive after the first two, but three and four were both different and great. I think it's worth a read.

 

[Reanok]

The Double Helix books are okay but it's not my favorite Star trek miniseries. I've reread in the last few years.I realy liked the ds9 novel with Kira and Pulaski and the one with Beverly Crusher,That book ties into another miniseries The Tng Fall miniseries when it comes to a Cardassian Doctor and Doctor Crusher in a major storyarc for The fall miniseries.

 

[BillJ]

Thanks everyone for the input. Might as well get the omnibus. It a particular novel isn't working for me, I can just skip over it.

 

[Damian]

I thought they were all pretty good (it's been a few years). I got the Omnibus myself.

I remember the DS9 in particular because it was one of the few that takes place on Terok Nor, before Bajor was liberated, and it involves Dr Pulaski.

 

[Csalem]

I enjoyed the Pulaski book and reread it a few times years ago. I think Red Sector is one of the most divisive books on the forum.

 

[David cgc]

I'm a little bit further in New Frontier than you. I decided to skip Double Helix at first. At the end of NF #10 there is a direct reference to the events of the Double Helix series. I don't want to spoil but something big has happened and it seemed like I was missing part of story by skipping Double Helix. I decided to read it before proceeding to NF #11. I've gotten through the first four. I was afraid that it was going to be repetitive after the first two, but three and four were both different and great. I think it's worth a read.

At the time, I didn't get the NF Double Helix book because it was branded as TNG, and I hadn't been interested in that miniseries. It wasn't until a while later I doubled back and got it, and it cleared up a number of things that had confused me (a seemingly-dropped plot thread from the end of book six, and a reference to it in NF #7 or #8), plus the major reference you mention in "Restoration."

 

[Enterprise is Great]

I enjoyed the Pulaski book and reread it a few times years ago. I think Red Sector is one of the most divisive books on the forum.

Oh, yeah. I hate Red Sector...I loath it.

 

[thribs]

Weird this topic came to be as i just purchased all 6 books. Thinking of getting to it once I've finished the "A Time To..." series.

 

[historypeats]

Infection is...a pretty spare novel. A very fast read, but it doesn't leave much of an impression. Vectors has some interesting elements, but they don't come together as well as they should. Red Sector is a pretty tough slog. Quarantine was surprisingly unmemorable - Vornholt had done a pretty solid job on most of his TNG work, but didn't seem to know what to do with characters outside that cast. But Double or Nothing turns out to be an enjoyable read - a good old-fashioned New Frontier adventure - and The First Virtue does tie things up in ways you weren't necessarily anticipating four books in.

Ultimately, I don't know that the mystery/structure of the whole endeavor ever lives up to its potential. I'd probably feel different if I'd enjoyed the earlier books more. But I do think Double or Nothing is worth your time, and it's probably better to have read the first four than going in blind. Maybe just skim Infection through Quarantine?

 

[Csalem]

Double or Nothing is an enjoyable read and probably the best of the series. And as the title implies answers the questions "What would Star Trek be like if it did James Bond?"

 

[F. King Daniel]

Read the NF entry by itself. The continuity between Helix novels is shaky at best and anything you need to know is recapped.

I recommend Red Sector also. Everyone else seems to hate it, I loved every minute.

 

[BillJ]

Read the NF entry by itself. The continuity between Helix novels is shaky at best and anything you need to know is recapped.

I recommend Red Sector also. Everyone else seems to hate it, I loved every minute.

If I plan on reading two of them, I might as well go ahead and buy the omnibus edition. It'll be cheaper.

 

[rahullak]

I enjoyed the Pulaski book and reread it a few times years ago. I think Red Sector is one of the most divisive books on the forum.

I thought Red Sector and the one before it were awesome when i read them over 10 years ago.

 

[Therin of Andor]

I think Red Sector is one of the most divisive books on the forum.

Yes indeed. I had just read - and loved! - "Red Sector", then found the old Psi Phi bbs - and walked into a minefield. At the time I had no idea of the fan hatred for Diane Carey's books (although her first two were understandably controversial, being told in the first person), and "Red Sector" in particular.

 

[Nyotarules]

I read the NF one and did not feel I missed out on the other Helix stories . I am on NF Renaissance at the moment. My fav character is Burgoyne and Selar's brother Slon lol

 

[JD]

Same boat. (I'm actually making my way all the way through the litverse and I'm at least 15 years behind!)

I'm a little bit further in New Frontier than you. I decided to skip Double Helix at first. At the end of NF #10 there is a direct reference to the events of the Double Helix series. I don't want to spoil but something big has happened and it seemed like I was missing part of story by skipping Double Helix. I decided to read it before proceeding to NF #11. I've gotten through the first four. I was afraid that it was going to be repetitive after the first two, but three and four were both different and great. I think it's worth a read.

I really think they should have found some way to make it clearer that Double or Nothing is an essential part of NF's story arc. I was originally not going to read it when I first read through NF back around the time the series started, but my mom read them first and told me that I had to read DoN.

 

[TheAlmanac]

I really think they should have found some way to make it clearer that Double or Nothing is an essential part of NF's story arc. I was originally not going to read it when I first read through NF back around the time the series started, but my mom read them first and told me that I had to read DoN.

Any comic book fan who's ever realised a crucial moment for their favourite character(s) could only be found in the middle of a huge intertitle crossover can also feel your pain.

 

[Therin of Andor]

I really think they should have found some way to make it clearer that Double or Nothing is an essential part of NF's story arc. I was originally not going to read it when I first read through NF back around the time the series started, but my mom read them first and told me that I had to read DoN.

As a keen NF reader, there was no way I was leaving one out...