NF: Blind Man's Bluff by Peter A. David Review Thread (Spoilers!)
- Thread starter Thrawn
- Start date
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
Downloaded it to my Kindle today and finished it off this evening. What a ride! I'd say the series is back in fine form after being less than impressed with the last two books.
I'd highly recommend this to anyone who's ever enjoyed New Frontier.
Oh, and I absolutely loved
Downloaded it to my Kindle today and finished it off this evening. What a ride! I'd say the series is back in fine form after being less than impressed with the last two books.
If this is the final New Frontier book, you wouldn't know it, as the book ends on a massive cliffhanger.
I'd highly recommend this to anyone who's ever enjoyed New Frontier.
Oh, and I absolutely loved
both references to Doctor Who... the second one near the end of the book had me in stitches for several minutes!
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
I voted "below average", I'm afraid. It had moments of genius, moments of genuine greatness, moments where Peter David still demonstrates why he's such a popular writer. But sadly it was largely...tired. The spark that used to make this series so engrossing is just gone. It's played out. I was just tired. I feel like I've lost interest in the series and its characters, which is a real shame. I mean, I wanted to still be invested in Calhoun for what happens in this one, but I think between Treason and this novel I'm all New Frontiered out. To be honest, I personally think Peter David really needs a firm editor. If his talent was being harnessed correctly these novels could be fantastic, but there's just not, I suspect, a tight enough control - I suspect (and please forgive me if this is nonsense, I'm just musing) his reputation and popularity is such that he's pretty much allowed to do what he wants, and I personally think (just my opinion based on comparing the last few books to his earlier ones) he's gotten a bit sloppy. I mean, one supporting character even changed species between the last book and this one. And there still seems to be confusion as to what the Federation actually is.
Of course, we all know and support the fact that continuity between novel series is an option, not a requirement, but still, my view is that if Peter David were challenging himself to work within the restraints of the mainstream and under (working only on assumption here) tighter editorial control, his talents would reassert themselves more productively. A highly personal desire, of course, but that's my little lament for the day.
At least, as I said near the beginning, there are still moments of greatness.
Well, as usual with New Frontier it doesn't fit into the mainstream continuity at all well. There are several references to events from other novels, including several that pretty much confirmed for me this was set post-Destiny, but actually slotting it into the mainstream is pretty much impossible. Jellico and Nechayev don't add up at all (Jellico resigned after Destiny but he's still here in BMB, and Nechayev is even more problematic - and while Seven might well work (I'll need to reread Full Circle to see if it can be squinted away), I don't know if it fully fits. As always, nothing says it has to, but given my personal biases I would have liked it if the story could have been told in a way that allowed it to rest comfortably with the various other series. I had high hopes at the beginning with the references to the Deep Space Nine Relaunch; I thought "holy grozit, New Frontier is finally reciprocating with continuity, this is great!" But it turned out not to be so. Oh well. It's odd though, because everything up to and including Treason is acknowledged by the mainstream (explicit references to Selar's death, etc), and now it seems the next phase of the story will be at odds with that continuity.
EDIT: Actually, having tracked my copy down, Seven and the Doctor might well fit in with Full Circle's continuity. And looking back over the Seven scenes, if it isn't actually acknowledging what's been revealed in Full Circle several character moments might well be easily read as compatible. So if we can work around the Admirals issues (pretty big if), it still might nestle in to the mainstream continuity, for those who care.
EDIT: Actually, having tracked my copy down, Seven and the Doctor might well fit in with Full Circle's continuity. And looking back over the Seven scenes, if it isn't actually acknowledging what's been revealed in Full Circle several character moments might well be easily read as compatible. So if we can work around the Admirals issues (pretty big if), it still might nestle in to the mainstream continuity, for those who care.
I voted "below average", I'm afraid. It had moments of genius, moments of genuine greatness, moments where Peter David still demonstrates why he's such a popular writer. But sadly it was largely...tired. The spark that used to make this series so engrossing is just gone. It's played out. I was just tired. I feel like I've lost interest in the series and its characters, which is a real shame. I mean, I wanted to still be invested in Calhoun for what happens in this one, but I think between Treason and this novel I'm all New Frontiered out. To be honest, I personally think Peter David really needs a firm editor. If his talent was being harnessed correctly these novels could be fantastic, but there's just not, I suspect, a tight enough control - I suspect (and please forgive me if this is nonsense, I'm just musing) his reputation and popularity is such that he's pretty much allowed to do what he wants, and I personally think (just my opinion based on comparing the last few books to his earlier ones) he's gotten a bit sloppy. I mean, one supporting character even changed species between the last book and this one. And there still seems to be confusion as to what the Federation actually is.
Of course, we all know and support the fact that continuity between novel series is an option, not a requirement, but still, my view is that if Peter David were challenging himself to work within the restraints of the mainstream and under (working only on assumption here) tighter editorial control, his talents would reassert themselves more productively. A highly personal desire, of course, but that's my little lament for the day.
At least, as I said near the beginning, there are still moments of greatness.
Last edited:
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
Tusari Gyn, unless I'm mistaken. I'm pretty sure he was Boragi last time, now he's Thallonian.
Unless I've totally brain burped, in which case sorry!
Tusari Gyn, unless I'm mistaken. I'm pretty sure he was Boragi last time, now he's Thallonian.
Unless I've totally brain burped, in which case sorry!
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
My copy came in yesterday and I'm couple of chapters in. I'm loving it already and I can't wait to get back to reading it (blasted work).
My copy came in yesterday and I'm couple of chapters in. I'm loving it already and I can't wait to get back to reading it (blasted work).
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
I don't recall him/her at all, but is Borag in what used to be (still is) known as Thallonian space? Not seeing a huge problem here.
Is he a Borgi born on Thallonia in the time of its empire? A Thallonian born on Borag?
Tusari Gyn, unless I'm mistaken. I'm pretty sure he was Boragi last time, now he's Thallonian.
I don't recall him/her at all, but is Borag in what used to be (still is) known as Thallonian space? Not seeing a huge problem here.
Is he a Borgi born on Thallonia in the time of its empire? A Thallonian born on Borag?
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
Too early in the morning and no where near enough coffee to even think about those questions
Therin:Tusari Gyn, unless I'm mistaken. I'm pretty sure he was Boragi last time, now he's Thallonian.
I don't recall him/her at all, but is Borag in what used to be (still is) known as Thallonian space? Not seeing a huge problem here.
Is he a Borgi born on Thallonia in the time of its empire? A Thallonian born on Borag?
Too early in the morning and no where near enough coffee to even think about those questions
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
I felt the same anger when in another New Frontier book where someone said that the Klingon Empire was part of the Federation. I love the Klingons, but not as members of the Federation!
What also made me sad was the Seven's beautiful relationship with her aunt, Irene Hansen, was trampled over. While I like the concept of Annie Kalandra, I don't like it superceding the relationship between Annika and Irene.
Basically, it's come to the point with these books that I've decided that they belong in their own universe, ala Shatnerverse. Trying to make them work in the wonderful galaxy of all the other books just isn't worth the headache.
And this is actually my first post on these forums. Been lurking a long time, but my disappointment in this book is what made me actually register and post for the first time. So... hello everyone!
That's one of my main problems with this book and PAD's sense of the Star Trek Universe. When I read that the Thallionians were new members of the Federation, I put down my Kindle in disgust. There's no way that they would ever be members of the Federation. Not after all that happened in After the Fall and Missing in Action.
I felt the same anger when in another New Frontier book where someone said that the Klingon Empire was part of the Federation. I love the Klingons, but not as members of the Federation!
What also made me sad was the Seven's beautiful relationship with her aunt, Irene Hansen, was trampled over. While I like the concept of Annie Kalandra, I don't like it superceding the relationship between Annika and Irene.
Basically, it's come to the point with these books that I've decided that they belong in their own universe, ala Shatnerverse. Trying to make them work in the wonderful galaxy of all the other books just isn't worth the headache.
And this is actually my first post on these forums. Been lurking a long time, but my disappointment in this book is what made me actually register and post for the first time. So... hello everyone!
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
Hi, and that's pretty much my feelings in regards to the series. The main series is in a parallel universe, but the stuff that is referred to in the in continuity books is the stuff that happened in our universe too.
Hi, and that's pretty much my feelings in regards to the series. The main series is in a parallel universe, but the stuff that is referred to in the in continuity books is the stuff that happened in our universe too.
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
I'm about halfway through the book.
I'm about halfway through the book.
I'm liking the Voyager cameos. Seven realizing that children are the ones that are afraid of her (looking beyond her physical beauty) and the Doctor and Soleta debating the "overwritten" Photons be Free.
Also liked the line about Calhoun telling D'ndai that Starfleet isn't a military organization and the usual retort about weapons, rank, uniforms etc.
Also liked the line about Calhoun telling D'ndai that Starfleet isn't a military organization and the usual retort about weapons, rank, uniforms etc.
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
Yeah, I've just barely started, and I'm already having some of the same problems as Nasat.
Yeah, I've just barely started, and I'm already having some of the same problems as Nasat.
I agree that there isn't any particular trouble with Seven entering the story, as I feel like this could fit immediately after Destiny.
But... isn't it almost two whole years from Nemesis to Destiny? And Missing In Action took place during Nemesis, more or less. I have a hard time imagining how the comic and Treason could cover more than a year!
I think the editors lost track of this one, a bit. It seems just barely bitch-fix-able, but you'd have to try really hard.
I know it's kind of a nerdy, whiny complaint, but it is annoying. I feel like PAD could deal with these things if he had to, he's a hell of a storyteller. Just no one made him, for some reason.
But... isn't it almost two whole years from Nemesis to Destiny? And Missing In Action took place during Nemesis, more or less. I have a hard time imagining how the comic and Treason could cover more than a year!
I think the editors lost track of this one, a bit. It seems just barely bitch-fix-able, but you'd have to try really hard.
I know it's kind of a nerdy, whiny complaint, but it is annoying. I feel like PAD could deal with these things if he had to, he's a hell of a storyteller. Just no one made him, for some reason.
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
That's why it's frustrating to me, because I know what Peter David is capable of and I like the New Frontier series. It was never a favourite, but I always enjoyed it. If I didn't, or if I thought Peter David wasn't a good writer, I'd just shrug it off, but he is a good writer (as he's proven many times in the past) and New Frontier is a unique series. It's just that, to me, the last few books needed a sweep over and a tighter edit - as I say, the moments of genius are still there, but the whole operation feels, I don't know...rushed?
That's why it's frustrating to me, because I know what Peter David is capable of and I like the New Frontier series. It was never a favourite, but I always enjoyed it. If I didn't, or if I thought Peter David wasn't a good writer, I'd just shrug it off, but he is a good writer (as he's proven many times in the past) and New Frontier is a unique series. It's just that, to me, the last few books needed a sweep over and a tighter edit - as I say, the moments of genius are still there, but the whole operation feels, I don't know...rushed?
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
Ok, so let's talk about the continuity (or lack thereof) of this thing. I realize this is probably missing the point, but hey, treat it as an intellectual exercise if nothing else.
A few big questions that I don't remember the answers to:
Ok, so let's talk about the continuity (or lack thereof) of this thing. I realize this is probably missing the point, but hey, treat it as an intellectual exercise if nothing else.
A few big questions that I don't remember the answers to:
1) When, exactly, did Jellico retire from being commander in chief, and afterwards, is there anything preventing him from becoming a normal admiral again? Jellico clearly isn't CinC in this book, but also hasn't resigned.
2) Does Nechayev appear in any books post-Nemesis?
3) Correct me if I'm wrong, here, but Cwan dies in Missing In Action. Lefler discovers she's pregnant. That book is directly tied to Nemesis. Then, in Treason, Lefler gives birth, and there's the D'myurj attack. In this book, after Seven's stuff that we know is after Destiny, crewmen are still being healed from the wounds they got in that attack. Maybe - MAYBE - a couple of weeks have passed since Treason. Maybe. (Destiny seems to have taken place in the mean time.) So do Thallonian babies take 2 freaking years to gestate or something?
4) I haven't read Full Circle in a while either. Where in Seven's arc could this realistically fall? I thought she was having some major identity crisis issues, which this doesn't really seem to mention? Would this be between Destiny and her freaking out, before it really hits her?
2) Does Nechayev appear in any books post-Nemesis?
3) Correct me if I'm wrong, here, but Cwan dies in Missing In Action. Lefler discovers she's pregnant. That book is directly tied to Nemesis. Then, in Treason, Lefler gives birth, and there's the D'myurj attack. In this book, after Seven's stuff that we know is after Destiny, crewmen are still being healed from the wounds they got in that attack. Maybe - MAYBE - a couple of weeks have passed since Treason. Maybe. (Destiny seems to have taken place in the mean time.) So do Thallonian babies take 2 freaking years to gestate or something?
4) I haven't read Full Circle in a while either. Where in Seven's arc could this realistically fall? I thought she was having some major identity crisis issues, which this doesn't really seem to mention? Would this be between Destiny and her freaking out, before it really hits her?
Last edited:
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
Oh, and as far as a review goes: PAD is a good writer, like on the small scale, just in terms of putting sentences together. I didn't want to stop reading, it really held my attention. Lots of fun moments. Good ending, I suppose.
But really (and I say this as someone who was defending the series staunchly, even through Missing In Action): PAD is just cranking these out on auto-pilot. Hasn't really been a new idea in four novels, now; not really. Main character death has been used so often it's predictable and not emotional anymore. Really - After The Fall is the only NF book since the Excalibur trilogy not to kill off at least one main character, if you include Janos. No joke.
Overall: give the man one more trilogy to end this thing, release them every six months instead of every two years so we can wrap this up quickly, and let's move on.
Oh, and as far as a review goes: PAD is a good writer, like on the small scale, just in terms of putting sentences together. I didn't want to stop reading, it really held my attention. Lots of fun moments. Good ending, I suppose.
But really (and I say this as someone who was defending the series staunchly, even through Missing In Action): PAD is just cranking these out on auto-pilot. Hasn't really been a new idea in four novels, now; not really. Main character death has been used so often it's predictable and not emotional anymore. Really - After The Fall is the only NF book since the Excalibur trilogy not to kill off at least one main character, if you include Janos. No joke.
Overall: give the man one more trilogy to end this thing, release them every six months instead of every two years so we can wrap this up quickly, and let's move on.
Last edited:
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
Got mine in the mail today!
Got mine in the mail today!
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
Some additional thoughts on BMB's place in the timeline.
Some additional thoughts on BMB's place in the timeline.
I almost got the feeling that it was supposed to be set a couple months after Before Dishonor in summer/fall 2380, with the Seven losing her implants/the Borg no longer being an issue parts grafted on at the very end. The woman on Annie's colony world talking about the Borg eating Pluto line also was implied to be very recent. The timeline does seem to be off about 6-8 months. It just doesn't feel like something on the scale of Destiny happened either just before Treason or BMB. Before Dishonor with tens or hundreds of thousand dead potentially yes, but not ~30 billion. It's almost easier to find a retcon over Seven losing her occular implant temporarily than trying to fit Destiny in. And with the Borg transwarp corridor destroyed and the supercube eliminated, people might feel like the Borg didn't pose as much a problem anymore only to fall victim to knocking on wood syndrome.
Oh, the NF Turnaround story gets referenced as "last year". Comic book time strikes again, but it's definitely not an easy fix to mash timeline wise with the rest of the books.
Oh, the NF Turnaround story gets referenced as "last year". Comic book time strikes again, but it's definitely not an easy fix to mash timeline wise with the rest of the books.
Similar threads
