TNG Genesis series

[RonG]

Having found a copy of Genesis Force, I've decided to re-read the series starting with the Genesis Wave.

I read the first two books years ago, and never really finished the third one, but I want to give it another chance.

Before starting the first book, I do have some questions for the board:

1. what are your opinions of the series as a whole? as individual books?

2. I've heard (read) people refer to the Genesis arc as one of THE epic TNG-centric stories.. what is your take on it?

3. Do these books have connections to other Trek / TNG / Vornolt novels? (I remember reading that Mind Meld (TOS) and Gemworld (TNG) are connected to it, but can't seem to recall details..)


Looking forward to reading your answers

 

[Therin of Andor]

1. what are your opinions of the series as a whole? as individual books?

As a duology, "Genesis Wave" was gripping, if you can over the fact that elderly Carol Marcus and elderly Maltz survived into the 24th century. I can't say I was too thrilled by the unveiling of the secret of the antagonists' identities. I was predicting the Melkotians, going by the alien eyes on the cover of Book 2.

The third book was seemingly hastened into existence because the duology sold incredibly well. And, as a retread/parallel story, GW3 was pretty awful.

"Genesis Force" is also godawful, improving only when Worf and Alexander show up halfway through. I seems the original concept of a Federation ship of "ST aliens with superpowers" was much diminished after it was first mooted.

Do these books have connections to other Trek / TNG / Vornolt novels? (I remember reading that Mind Meld (TOS) and Gemworld (TNG) are connected to it, but can't seem to recall details..)

Yes, the female Spock relative (originally to have been Sybok's daughter when created for "Mind Meld") is part of the team sent to clean up after the wave.

IIRC, this series features, at various points, both an Elaysian (TOS episode, "Elaan of Troyius") and an Elasian (DS9's "Melora" episode; "Gemworld" duology).

Ogawa has an only child, a daughter, in this series of books and the "Titan" novel series reveals that her only child is a son. Ooopsie. Husband Andrew Powell, Suzi/Noah's Dad, is alive in the GW books, but dead-during-the-Dominion-War in "Titan".

 

[Christopher]

IIRC, this series features, at various points, both an Elaysian (TOS episode, "Elaan of Troyius") and an Elasian (DS9's "Melora" episode; "Gemworld" duology).

Other way around.

 

[Therin of Andor]

Other way around.

No wonder the Elaysian tears had no after-effects!

 

[garoo1980]

1. what are your opinions of the series as a whole? as individual books?

As a duology, "Genesis Wave" was gripping, if you can over the fact that elderly Carol Marcus and elderly Maltz survived into the 24th century. I can't say I was too thrilled by the unveiling of the secret of the antagonists' identities. I was predicting the Melkotians, going by the alien eyes on the cover of Book 2.

The third book was seemingly hastened into existence because the duology sold incredibly well. And, as a retread/parallel story, GW3 was pretty awful.

Totally agree. The first two are some excellent reading and its clear they were well thought out and planned. The third is quite forgettable.

 

[Trent Roman]

The first two books were quite enjoyable, though I think the second one was slightly less so. Vornholt does a good job building the crisis, but fumbles a bit when it comes to the after-effects and the antagonists. I also liked what this series did with Nechayev (a Vornholt habitué, as she had a similar role in Rogue Saucer), and it must be the only time Mot the Barber actually has a role to play.

The third's a blotch. If you tried reading it once and failed, I wouldn't bother to try again.

The fourth book is very uneven; although, in contrast to Thelin, I actually preferred the worldbuilding and suspense of the first part of the book, which was essentially an original sci-fi setting having little to do with Trek, and found the book went downhill after the wave hit and 'our' characters show up, getting bogged down and losing all sense of the urgency animating the earlier portion.

Fictitiously yours, Trent Roman

 

[ryan123450]

I think it was the 3rd book which contained the most rediculous plot point (in my opinion) of any Trek book ever: Our beloved heroes solution to the book's conflict results in every creature in the entire universe experiencing a moment of pure heavenly bliss.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

I'm in an apparent minority; I quite liked "Genesis Force" and the Aluwnan plotline. It was pretty interesting world-building, and it was nice to see something "different" - something disassociated from the Starfleet/Federation viewpoint that dominates Trek. That said, I can see easily enough why others don't like it.

Genesis Wave books one and two were also enjoyable, but I didn't like Three at all. Luckily, one and two fit into the mainstream continuity (plenty of references in A Time To..., etc), where three doesn't. So I have an excuse to disgard it.

 

[Therin of Andor]

in contrast to Thelin

You have me confused. I am less animated than my brother, Thelin. (And the family doesn't discuss him, since he seems to have Aenar genes from somewhere.)

I actually preferred the worldbuilding and suspense of the first part of the book, which was essentially an original sci-fi setting having little to do with Trek

The young male and female protagonists were annoying as Hell. Totally unlikeable and now, utterly forgettable except that they annoyed me.

'our' characters show up, getting bogged down and losing all sense of the urgency animating the earlier portion.

I least I got some characters I cared about by then.

I quite liked "Genesis Force" and the Aluwnan plotline. It was pretty interesting world-building

I'm all for interesting world-building - any time - but do it for a planet and race that needs some expanding, not for some backwater planet and race with no connection with the Star Trek universe, and one we're unlikely to ever see again. You kinda know, going in, that the Wave is gonna hit (again), so all the world-building in the world is going to get really frustrating when it all goes kablooey.

"Aluwnan"? - you had to look that up, didn't you. Totally forgettable.

The third is quite forgettable.

Mind you, the cover art - of the transparent skull over a starfield- is probably one of Pocket's most wonderful!

 

[Deranged Nasat]

in contrast to Thelin

You have me confused. I am less animated than my brother, Thelin. (And the family doesn't discuss him, since he seems to have Aenar genes from somewhere.)

"Less animated" That was a PAD joke wasn't it?

 

[Christopher]

^Actually I think it was in Kevin Dilmore's NF story "The Road to Edos."

 

[Therin of Andor]

^Actually I think it was in Kevin Dilmore's NF story "The Road to Edos."

Spock, M'Ress and Arex were seen having "an animated conversation" in a "New Frontier" novel, but Kevin did it first.

 

[Trent Roman]

in contrast to Thelin

You have me confused. I am less animated than my brother, Thelin. (And the family doesn't discuss him, since he seems to have Aenar genes from somewhere.)

Bugger; you'd think I'd know your name by now. I've been slogging through Chimes at Midnight, so I've got Thelin on the mind.

Fictitiously yours, Trent Roman

 

[RandyS]

The first two books were excellent and part two effectively ended the story in a satisfying way. Adding two more was pointless. It reminds me of the similar situation with the Terminator films. The result was the same.

 

[RonG]

thanks, everyone, for your input!

I think I'll still try to get through the third and fourth books... I'll post my thoughts when appropriate