Spoilers TF: The Poisoned Chalice by James Swallow Review Thread

Discussion in 'Trek Literature' started by Sho, Nov 17, 2013.

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Rate The Poisoned Chalice.

  1. Outstanding

    55 vote(s)
    50.0%
  2. Above Average

    49 vote(s)
    44.5%
  3. Average

    5 vote(s)
    4.5%
  4. Below Average

    1 vote(s)
    0.9%
  5. Poor

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. Christopher

    Christopher Writer Admiral

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2001
    Re: TF: The Poisoned Chalice by James Swallow Review Thread (Spoilers!

    ^If you're so eager to find out what's in the book, then spend the eight bucks and get your own copy.
     
  2. Mage

    Mage Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Jun 17, 2007
    Re: TF: The Poisoned Chalice by James Swallow Review Thread (Spoilers!

    Perhaps he has, but it just hasn't arrived yet. Like mine.
     
  3. Agony_Boothb

    Agony_Boothb Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Melbourne, Australia
    Re: TF: The Poisoned Chalice by James Swallow Review Thread (Spoilers!

    what the hell, i was joking around?


    Has it occurred to you christopher, that maybe i haven't read the book yet because perhaps i haven't been able to actually find a copy in australia yet?

    Not that i need to justify myself to you, but for your information i've got it on pre-order and i'm enjoying the fall series and just want to know what happens.

    Your books are probably among my favourites of trek-lit but this comment just makes you come across as really arrogant and ignorant
     
  4. David Brennon

    David Brennon Lieutenant Commander Red Shirt

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    Re: TF: The Poisoned Chalice by James Swallow Review Thread (Spoilers!

    I personally find that he makes those kinds of off putting comments quite often. I too enjoy his novels, but it really irritates me. I suppose you don't have to like the person to like the stories they craft.

    At least he isn't OSC dickish.
     
  5. ITCH

    ITCH Ensign Red Shirt

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    Costa Rica
    Re: TF: The Poisoned Chalice by James Swallow Review Thread (Spoilers!

    I'm doing exactly the same thing :p


    To think people already have the book in their hands and I have to wait until Tuesday midnight… well… 34 hrs. and counting…


    It’s just me but unlike the previous The Fall authors, I couldn’t find a promotional interview with James Swallow?
     
  6. Raisor

    Raisor Ensign Red Shirt

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2008
    Re: TF: The Poisoned Chalice by James Swallow Review Thread (Spoilers!

    I finished it today. Lots of good stuff there.

    Going to spoil only one thing: ice hockey has survived into the future!
     
  7. DEWLine

    DEWLine Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Re: TF: The Poisoned Chalice by James Swallow Review Thread (Spoilers!

    Wondering which worlds have their own leagues...
     
  8. RTOlson

    RTOlson Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Provo, Utah
    Re: TF: The Poisoned Chalice by James Swallow Review Thread (Spoilers!

    I do so love it when my local bookstore has a book in early. I powered through the book this weekend and generally enjoyed it. Perhaps the best part was that <spoiler>I was right about who directly killed Bacco.</spoiler> :D

    The book is a good setup for the endgame. It was a rousing adventure, although the Federation/Starfleet that breathed down Bashir and Dax's backs in "A Ceremony of Losses" seem pretty lackadaisical in this one despite a decent amount of bluster. For example, Starfleet repeatedly attempts to recall Titan, but the request is simply ignored (such defiance would've been met with more deliberate action in the prior story).

    Also, it's pretty obvious in one situation where the powers-that-be will need to kill everyone involved (their agents even say it repeatedly), but the characters are allowed to live long enough for the situation to change. That's some classic Bond-style supervillain plotting right there (but without the frickin' sharks with lazers on their frickin' heads).

    There was also something that appeared to be an inconsistency between this novel and "The Crimson Shadow." IIRC, the new Cardassian castellan has already been elected by the time the events in this novel transpire, but the election appeared to have happened "After the Fall" in Crimson Shadow. I don't think things have fallen yet, but I could be wrong.

    As the book concludes, we're presented with what appears to be two conspiracies. One centered around the people who killed Bacco and the other around our heroes. Our heroes make an argument that sounds good primarily because of their status as heroes and the fact we trust them to do what's right. However, I could also picture similar words coming from nefarious figures, like Admiral Leyton from "Paradise Lost."

    I suppose such things reinforce the belief that actions speak louder than words and so far our heroes appear to be acting in the right. I guess we'll see what actions are taken when "The Fall" concludes next month.
     
  9. James Swallow

    James Swallow Writer Captain

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2004
    Location:
    UK
    Re: TF: The Poisoned Chalice by James Swallow Review Thread (Spoilers!

    Andor, for sure. :)
     
  10. DEWLine

    DEWLine Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Ottawa, Canada
    Re: TF: The Poisoned Chalice by James Swallow Review Thread (Spoilers!

    Yeah, I could see Andorians adopting the sport once Shran or one of his contemporaries learned of it. They might have already had a variation on it, independently invented...

    :-)
     
  11. James Swallow

    James Swallow Writer Captain

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2004
    Location:
    UK
    Re: TF: The Poisoned Chalice by James Swallow Review Thread (Spoilers!

    I think m'colleague Dave Mack is responsible for the earliest "chronological" ref to hockey in Star Trek, which gets a mention in one of his TOS era Vanguard novels. It's also shown on Voyager as one of Tom Paris's holoprograms, so it's still around in the 24th century...
     
  12. David Mack

    David Mack Writer Rear Admiral

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    New York, NY
    Re: TF: The Poisoned Chalice by James Swallow Review Thread (Spoilers!

    ^ That's right. In Reap the Whirlwind, ensigns O'Halloran and Anderson debate the merits of misappropriating refrigeration tech to create a hockey rink that will last for only 12 minutes in the searing heat of Gamma Tauri IV's equatorial region.
     
  13. DEWLine

    DEWLine Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Re: TF: The Poisoned Chalice by James Swallow Review Thread (Spoilers!

    The VOY reference, back when it originally aired, got me wondering if the NHL had outlasted MLB. ;-)
     
  14. David Brennon

    David Brennon Lieutenant Commander Red Shirt

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    May 31, 2009
    Re: TF: The Poisoned Chalice by James Swallow Review Thread (Spoilers!

    Just downloaded my copy to the nook. Already floored! Wish i didnt have work in the am so i could read it in one go!
     
  15. Reanok

    Reanok Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2002
    Re: TF: The Poisoned Chalice by James Swallow Review Thread (Spoilers!

    :)I found this novel while shopping for groceries. I can't wait to start reading this book .All the books in the Fall series have been fantastatic stories.
     
  16. Nob Akimoto

    Nob Akimoto Captain Captain

    Joined:
    May 22, 2001
    Location:
    The People's Republic of Austin
    Re: TF: The Poisoned Chalice by James Swallow Review Thread (Spoilers!

    A rundown civilian freighter, named after a bird which doesn't look like much but has it where it counts...

    With a registry number of 1337.

    It would be right at home with the Gu'Ngho
     
  17. Mage

    Mage Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2007
    Re: TF: The Poisoned Chalice by James Swallow Review Thread (Spoilers!

    Completely ticked off here! Recieved notification of shipping on the night between 22 and 23 november. Usually, that mean the book would be delivered that day. Still haven't recieved anything. :(
     
  18. DEWLine

    DEWLine Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2003
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    Ottawa, Canada
    Re: TF: The Poisoned Chalice by James Swallow Review Thread (Spoilers!

    With that number, it's got to be at least two centuries (with an awfully long run of good luck re: owners careful about maintenance). Or a cover ID.
     
  19. Ronald Held

    Ronald Held Vice Admiral Admiral

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    On the USS Sovereign
    Re: TF: The Poisoned Chalice by James Swallow Review Thread (Spoilers!

    About a third in. Why does this President and COS remind me of Zife and COS? Is that ship Tuvok and Nog are on a Q ship? I just cannot see Riker remaining in the Admiralty when this is over.
     
  20. Nob Akimoto

    Nob Akimoto Captain Captain

    Joined:
    May 22, 2001
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    The People's Republic of Austin
    Re: TF: The Poisoned Chalice by James Swallow Review Thread (Spoilers!

    A good read, finished it in about 4 hours.

    Loved how the various plotlines were juggled and then brought together at the end. That said I was really hoping Riker would do a certain thing at the end.