Recommendations for a guy new to Trek books?

[Therin of Andor]

I just felt her work never did the characters justice, and the novels you mentioned are amongst my least favorite works of Trek fiction. IMO.

I recall The Murdered Sun and Marooned as being much better than many of the other numbered VOY novels, but utterly forgettable as time has gone on. Seven of Nine, though, was great, at the time, and I was surprised that Golden was able to extrapolate so much of Seven's early life when it was probable that the show would want to do its own flashbacks to that period.

Where I felt Golden first faltered was her "Dark Matters" trilogy. A few interesting characters (eg. the returning, canonical Telek R'Mor) tossed into a slow-moving mess of techno babblly plot - suddenly it felt, to me, that everywhere I turned, someone was discussing "dark matter".

I didn't mind "The Last Roundup" hardcover (I'd forgotten she was the author of that one) and her "Double Helix" contribution - but please don't remind me of her "Gateways" Q story. Ick.

 

[Lindley]

I recall liking VOY: Echoes.

 

[Therin of Andor]

I recall liking VOY: Echoes.

Yeah, I know I didn't hate it, but some of Dean Wesley Smith & Kristine Kathryn Rusch's books have been a bit weak, and this one added Nina Kiriki Hoffman to the mix. I recall approaching it with some hesitation. I'm afraid most of the numbered VOY books are now a blur.

 

[Christopher]

I recall The Murdered Sun and Marooned as being much better than many of the other numbered VOY novels, but utterly forgettable as time has gone on.

I'm still fond of them both. The Murdered Sun is a good examination of the early version of Chakotay who actually had a personality, and Marooned is a nice celebration of Kes, my favorite character, even if it's a bit overdone at times. (My one problem with The Murdered Sun is astrophysical. It claims that the titular sun is being "murdered" by having material taken away from it, thereby shortening its lifespan, but in fact, removing matter from a star would extend its lifespan by reducing the heat and pressure in the core and slowing the fusion reaction. And yes, this means the Stargate episode where Carter blew up a sun got it wrong too.)

Seven of Nine, though, was great, at the time, and I was surprised that Golden was able to extrapolate so much of Seven's early life when it was probable that the show would want to do its own flashbacks to that period.

Yeah, the book does unfortunately conflict some with "Infinite Regress," which covers a lot of the same ground -- but the book covers it better than the episode, which kind of fizzled out in the last act.

 

[RandyS]

I recall liking VOY: Echoes.

Oh yeah, another good parrallel universe novel. I also recommend this one.

 

[Dr. Crusher]

Although I haven't read it in nearly 20 years, I have to add my vote for "Imzadi," and I am not suprised to see several people mention the novel here. Although it isn't canon, it had a hard time putting it out of my mind as the best explanation of Riker and Troi's relationship. Since I read it, I struggle not to put their relationship/interaction into the context of that novel--I feel that is the sign of a really good piece of Trek literature.

 

[ryan123450]

Why struggle not to accept it? It's good lit, it's part of the Lit-verse, and not being canon has nothing to do with anything.

 

[Dr. Crusher]

Why struggle not to accept it? It's good lit, it's part of the Lit-verse, and not being canon has nothing to do with anything.

I was more indicating that when I read the book (which was probably while the sixth season was first airing of TNG), I realized that although it was a great story and filled in a huge number of blanks, it could have easily been contradicted by information presented in upcoming, yet unaired episodes of the show. Perhaps the reason it wasn't had to do with how well the story was told there and how many people read the book who were also watching the series?

Obviously today, as TNG has long finished its run of episodes and it is unlikely more movies will be made (and hey, Riker and Troi are married now anyway), there is no reason not to use "Imzadi" to characterize their relationship.

 

[Relayer1]

Although I haven't read it in nearly 20 years, I have to add my vote for "Imzadi," and I am not suprised to see several people mention the novel here. Although it isn't canon, it had a hard time putting it out of my mind as the best explanation of Riker and Troi's relationship. Since I read it, I struggle not to put their relationship/interaction into the context of that novel--I feel that is the sign of a really good piece of Trek literature.

Same here - years since I read it.

I do recall thinking that it was (at the time) the only Trek book I had read that stood up as proper 'literature' (if there is such a thing), a novel in its own right regardless of it being a franchise spin off.

Your memory seems keener than mine - why does it contradict 'canon'. And what about the follow up ?

 

[Dr. Crusher]

Your memory seems keener than mine - why does it contradict 'canon'. And what about the follow up ?

I actually don't think it does--I was only speaking to the possibility that the book might have in the end after all of the episodes of the show had been written and aired. Since it came out about mid-6th season (I think?) something could have come up between then and the last TNG film that contradicted it. Fortunately, it didn't (and I'm glad about that--it is a great story).

 

[Christopher]

There are some inconsistencies between Imzadi and canon, specifically in terms of the timing of Riker's Starfleet career, Deanna's academic career, and how long ago they met. I think "Second Chances" established a timeline that had them meeting later than the novel suggested.

 

[Dr. Crusher]

There are some inconsistencies between Imzadi and canon, specifically in terms of the timing of Riker's Starfleet career, Deanna's academic career, and how long ago they met. I think "Second Chances" established a timeline that had them meeting later than the novel suggested.

In fact, I probably read that book and watched "Second Chances" soon afterward, but it was so long ago that I can't remember mentally comparing the two.

Perhaps it's time I picked "Imzadi" up again.

 

[JWolf]

I have an idea... get the moderators to combine all the threads on new to Trek lit and then sticky it. If someone then asks the same question, we just point to the sticky and done.

 

[Therin of Andor]

I have an idea... get the moderators to combine all the threads on new to Trek lit and then sticky it. If someone then asks the same question, we just point to the sticky and done.

As if that trick ever works.

 

[ryan123450]

Besides, it's so much fun to help someone dive in to the world of TrekLit.