I thought they were phasing them out because they took too long to build and were more susceptible to the computer-hijack weapon. It will be interesting to see what they name them. I'm guessing they'll name them similar to the later Connies, which is why the Connies were thus named, as an homage to the earlier NX-class. I love prequels, I can't wait for this book, and then we'll finally get to see the founding...which I wish KRAD could write, a 22nd century version of Articles of the Federation.
I would just like to point out that there are two NX-01's in the picture... both the main ship and the one in the upper left have NX-01 on their hull. Perhaps the new novel features an open subspace rift that allows multiple NX-01's to engage a superior Romulan fleet? I suppose they finished what had already started. I imagine you'll get the Enterprise, Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, Endeavour roll, perhaps followed by Buran, Pitchka, Hermes, perhaps even the Dream Chaser... famous reuseable spaceplanes from earth that signaled a major change (well, in Trek lore) in how astronautics was handled. I'll second that particular wish! Rob+
His three solo efforts so far (Seize the Fire, The Needs of the Many and Beneath the Raptors Wing) have been exceedingly dull affairs. I like books where the author tells the story that needs to be told in an efficient way, to me pacing is everything. Martin is downright painful in this area. It feels like he has about fifty thousand words of actual story that he keeps filling out to a hundred-thousand.
I certainly like the idea of KRAD wrting a new Startrek Enterrpise novel it would be nice to have other authors write new Enterprise novels that take place during the tv series..
Maybe they were trying to include the SS Mariposa era DY class ships which were established as being active in the 22nd century?
It is a cool title if nothing else. I really miss the days of Martin and Mangels collaborations; the novels read so much more smoothly. It is too bad Andy Mangels is not writing Trek at the moment. I would really like to read a novel that he authors solo.
I'm with FatherRob, in that I prefer artist renditions of the characters and whatever crazy-do interpretation on the covers. In fact I tend to dislike covers with ships and planets. But this one I like, probably because it is so full and busy with ships.
Looking forward to this. As for phasing them out, I believe in 'Indistinguishable From Magic' Picard said there were 15 or 16 NX class ships. There have already been six built, since Daedalus class ships are holding up better maybe a few more are constructed during & the rest after the war? (Just thinking out loud there.) Just thought of something, I thought Enterprise had a big refit w/ a secondary hull added.