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TNG: Immortal Coil by Jeffrey Lang Review Thread (Spoilers!)

Rate Immortal Coil.

  • Outstanding

    Votes: 30 46.2%

  • Above Average

    Votes: 32 49.2%

  • Average

    Votes: 2 3.1%

  • Below Average

    Votes: 1 1.5%

  • Poor

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    65
Sho said:
Here's what I didn't like:

  • Connecting Soong to Exo III sort of cheapens Soong's achievement in my book. Now, I realize this is sort of silly, because of course it makes sense that Soong's genius would not have developed in a vacuum. However it hit a sore point with me at the time because I felt like I could see a pattern of the franchise undermining its own legends by over-explaining them through continuity acrobatics. The major, most grating example of this for me is the Temporal Cold War on Enterprise during which Archer gets tipped off to the later creation of the Federation, thus emotionally cheapening the entire premise of the franchise of humanity managing to better itself under its own power. It's also just a big small universe syndrome thing ...
  • I have a thing for good locked room mysteries and Coil kind of tickles that in the beginning, but then unceremoniously sweeps it under the rug ...
  • Parts of it just felt a bit shaky and not very fleshed out, in particular some of the actiony bits were quite rough (e.g. that hand-to-hand combat scene with Riker) and the hideout towards the end.
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  • Pretty much covers it. I'd add that the interesting locked room mystery is thrown away cheaply and disappointingly, the book reads like a loosely thrown together continuity exercise and was a real let down.
 
I enjoyed this book. It had the right amount of action, emotional moments and exposition. Nothing was overdone, except maybe the continuity references, although I haven't seen or read any TOS so that wasn't a deal-breaker for me.
 
Kertrats47 said:
I really enjoyed this one. I thought Jeffrey Lang nailed it, and to heck with it, I enjoy "continuity porn" from time to time, especially when it makes sense. Here's my review!
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It used elements from TOS to tell its story but those elements didn't feel forced, like they do in a lot of crossover stories. :techman:
 
Allright, just got this in today and since PoM should arrive in a few days, I'm making a pot of coffee and start Immortal Coil.
 
I thought this was a beautifully written novel. Data's courtship of Rhea was fun, charming and fascinating to witness from Data's POV. Lang treats the reader to brilliant insight into the character of Data through his emotional exploration and unique inner thought processes. A favorite scene of mine from the book is the flashback to Soong's past that takes Data just a handful of milliseconds to experience.

My compliments to the author for creating such a marvelous character as Rhea and my thanks, in advance, to David Mack for the possibility of her turning up in his new trilogy (my fingers are crossed). But if she fails to make an appearance, I'll still be grateful to at least see this fine story built and expanded upon in his books.

This is the first Jeffery Lang Trek novel that I've ever read -- does he have any other Trek offerings worth checking out?
 
Sto-Vo-Kory said:
This is the first Jeffery Lang Trek novel that I've ever read -- does he have any other Trek offerings worth checking out?
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"Dead Man's Hand" from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The Lives of Dax

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Section 31: Abyss with David Weddle

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The Left Hand of Destiny books 1 and 2 with J.G. Hertzler

"Foundlings" from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Prophecy and Change

"Mirror Eyes" with Heather Jarman, from Star Trek: Tales of the Dominion War

Star Trek: Voyager: String Theory, Book One: Cohesion

"Talent Night" from Star Trek: Voyager: Distant Shores

"Where Everybody Knows Your Name" from Star Trek: Constellations
 
I've read and really enjoyed everything on that list except "Where Everybody Knows Your Name". I would highly recommend all of them.
 
Just finished this last night. It makes me wish for more Data. I loved the way Mr.Lang handled him. Rhea is now one of my favorite litverse characters. I really hope she shows up in Mack's trilogy. I would also like to see the cabal of sentient artificial life forms that Sam mentioned..

Gret job Mr. Lang :techman:
 
Paris said:
Just finished this last night. It makes me wish for more Data. I loved the way Mr.Lang handled him. Rhea is now one of my favorite litverse characters. I really hope she shows up in Mack's trilogy. I would also like to see the cabal of sentient artificial life forms that Sam mentioned..

Gret job Mr. Lang :techman:
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I finished today. Otherwise, exactly my sentiment! Although I had read the book years before, I had completely forgotten the ending, so it was thrilling and all new to me again. :bolian:
 
JD said:
I've read and really enjoyed everything on that list except "Where Everybody Knows Your Name". I would highly recommend all of them.
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Yeah, that's a good list of stuff. His two cowritten books are probably my favorite, but I enjoyed all of it-- including "Where Everybody Knows Your Name."
 
I'd previously only read his DS9 Section 31 novel with David Weddle, and The Left Hand of Destiny. Loved them both!
 
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Oh wow, Vaslovick just used the servo Garry Seven gave him waaaaay back in the 1980's!

I love those sorts of continuity nods. Not spelled out in explicit detail, just slipped in there.
 
Therin of Andor said:
I love that I also have the MMPB novelization of "The Questor Tapes", as written by DC Fontana!
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I have that too, and I keep it in my Trek bookcase, since I choose to believe that TQT actually happened in the Trek universe (an idea that's bolstered by an oblique reference to it in Assignment: Eternity and by Flint using the name of Questor's creator Vaslovik in Immortal Coil, although of course it can never be made official unless CBS merges with NBCUniversal).
 
I was just tipped off that there was a thread here about "Immortal Coil." I'm really flattered by all the kind words and (mostly) in agreement with the kind criticism. I'm very much looking forward to seeing what David has in store for Data and company. We had a couple longish conversations last year about his plans for the series and I can guarentee we're all in for a wild ride. Have fun, everyone!

Jeff
 
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