Andy Mangels & Michael A. Martin, geniuses?

[Johnhead99]

I just finished Kobayashi Maru. A few weeks ago, I finished Last Full Measure and The Good That Men Do.

Enterprise Seasons 1 and 2 were rough. 3 was good and 4 was really quite great, expect for the finale.

These books were fantastic. I bought the first 2 books used and the other brand new. But I feel like I should send him a bonus check for writing such fantastic material.

I need to talk to this fella, and see how much it will cost to get him in on a Voyager novel.

Finishing such quality reading has me stoked for the Destiny release.

I don't mean to leave out Michael A Martin either; I just do not know who wrote what. Doesn't matter. Bottom line is I was sad there wasn't another to read.

 

[ronny]

Re: Andy Mangels a genius?

not quite sure why the subject wasn't "martin & mangels a genius" since by your own admission you don't know who wrote what.

 

[Johnhead99]

Re: Andy Mangels a genius?

not quite sure why the subject wasn't "martin & mangels a genius" since by your own admission you don't know who wrote what.

True. I however cannot go back and edit the topic. But I do agree with you. It's late. Cut me some slack.

 

[The Grinch Doctor]

Ah, yes, but I can change the topic title for you.

 

[DimesDan]

Re: Andy Mangels & Micheal A. Martin, geniuses?

I would agree they are very good, but not genius's and I will explain why.

I have read by M&M the following:

Cathedral - This I loved, I gobbled it up like my ex's spagetti bolonise, I really felt for Bashir slowing becoming what he should have been if it was for the genetic augmentation, plus the end was just a gut punch to one of the best post finale DS9 Books so far.

The Shundered - Okay, I read this when it first came out five or so years ago and in my first year at uni and I didn't have much time to read given all the studying I was doing back then but it took me a good six weeks to get through. I really liked the back story of the Nyrel (sp) and the past/future history of how they evolved, but the Sulu story was just blur and in parts just dragged on.

Taking Wing and the Red King - I must admit I wasn't a big fan of the Titan concept, but after reading all four books, when a new one is out, I must read it. I thought Taking Wing was good and handled the slight restrictions impossed by Nemesis very well. As for The Red King, I liked the fact they bought the Nyrel home to humanity, but other than that, I really can't remember much about it!

Last Full Measure - Although not a massive fan of Enterprise, I liked the concept of this story, but for some reason, I can not fathom, I just did not enjoy it so after about 30 pages I put it down and started reading something else.

Forged in Fire - After my reaction to LFM I was sceptical about this book, but I enjoyed Blood Oath and the whole Klingon thing in general. I didn't find this story fantastic and like a fair few other people, I thought it dragged it parts, but it wasn't a bad story either, and one of the highlights was discovering how Curzon became so respected with in the Empire.

Ofcourse, the above is just my own personal opinion and I'm sure they are doing fantastic work with the post These are the Voyages fiction, but I would not go as far as saying they are Genius's. Now if it where Misters Bennet, DeCandido or Mack, I would happily agree.

 

[JD]

Re: Andy Mangels & Micheal A. Martin, geniuses?

I think I have to agree here. They do some good stuff, but I don't know if I'd go so far as to call them geniuses. I've enjoyed most of their stuff that I've read, but TBH there are other authors whose work I enjoy more. Now don't think I'm bashing them, because I'm really not, like I said, I have really enjoyed most of their stuff I've read.

 

[Zane Gray]

Re: Andy Mangels & Micheal A. Martin, geniuses?

I haven't read any of their other books, but I agree that their Enterprise books are terrific. Especially the relaunch titles so far. Sad that they're no longer writing together after KM.

 

[Sci]

Re: Andy Mangels & Micheal A. Martin, geniuses?

They won't be writing together after Kobayashi Maru? Any word on why? Where was this announced?

 

[Trent Roman]

Re: Andy Mangels & Micheal A. Martin, geniuses?

^ The upcoming Romulan War trade paperback will be written only by Michael A. Martin. As to why, Andy Mangels said they were going to announce something after the schedule was revealed, but haven't done so yet. Perhaps they've changed their minds. Not like it's any of our business, when you get right down to it.

Fictitiously yours, Trent Roman

 

[Johnhead99]

Re: Andy Mangels & Micheal A. Martin, geniuses?

Great feedback given. The community here at bbs is great.

And I am anxious to read any upcoming work either of them may do.

 

[The Grim Ghost]

Re: Andy Mangels & Micheal A. Martin, geniuses?

Hmmm, genius? I tend to think that genius should be held in reserve a bit..the term gets thrown around a bit much for my liking.

I am a fan though, I tend to enjoy their work for the most part. They seem to make a great team.

 

[KRAD]

Re: Andy Mangels & Micheal A. Martin, geniuses?

Cathedral - This I loved, I gobbled it up like my ex's spagetti bolonise,

Sorry, but as an Italian-American, I must speak: it's "spaghetti bolognese." As in "from Bologna."

Okay, got that off my chest.............

 

[Man of Steel]

Re: Andy Mangels & Micheal A. Martin, geniuses?

^ The upcoming Romulan War trade paperback will be written only by Michael A. Martin. As to why, Andy Mangels said they were going to announce something after the schedule was revealed, but haven't done so yet. Perhaps they've changed their minds. Not like it's any of our business, when you get right down to it.

Fictitiously yours, Trent Roman

Maybe Michael wants to try writing such a big project on his own.

 

[Thrawn]

Re: Andy Mangels & Micheal A. Martin, geniuses?

Yeah, I have to agree with the "good but not really genius" people. With the notable exception of The Red King, which I actually thought was quite terrible, I think they are consistently enjoyable 8/10 authors. I haven't read the Enterprise books yet, but I've read all the rest, and I don't think anything really rises above that level. They're always good, and I'm always happy I read each book, but there are always a couple things that bug me that keep me from totally loving any of them.

For instance, the Neyel had books. If they had books, they had computer data. If they had computer data, there is no reason I can determine why they wouldn't be aware of what a human used to look like. So the whole premise of The Sundered I thought was slightly off. Also, in their first two Titan books, it seemed like everyone that had a character arc was an already-established onscreen character or a guest for just their novels; it seemed to me like they created a huge and fantastic new crew only for them to not really do much for two books while Mekrikuk and Tuvok and Akaar and that Neyel dude and everyone got to have actual stories. And Forged In Fire had that looooong section where Sulu just kept agonizing over whether or not to go do something, and we were thus presented with effectively identical scenes about 7 times.

I look forward to every new release of theirs, and I will definitely read the Enterprise books, but I don't think they're quite in the same league as (say) Bennett and Mack.

 

[Lonemagpie]

Re: Andy Mangels & Micheal A. Martin, geniuses?

Technically it should say "Genii?"

 

[The Grinch Doctor]

Re: Andy Mangels & Micheal A. Martin, geniuses?

Technically it should say "Genii?"

No, I checked. For this word use, "geniuses" is acceptable.

 

[JAG]

Re: Andy Mangels & Micheal A. Martin, geniuses?

I love their work. I always know that I am in for a good read.

 

[Enterpriserules]

I am going to concur and say that I have enjoyed all of their books as much as any other Trek writer. The consistently write quality Trek stories that are not afraid to connect the series and many different threads. Well done!

 

[Procutus]

I just started KM at lunch today, and am liking it a lot. I thought that TGTMD was an excellent read, and this seems to be a great continuation of the storyline.

 

[ireactions]

Geniuses? I don't know about that. However, Andy Mangels and Michael Martin have taken the dull, meandering, terminally boring "Enterprise" series and actually made it rather interesting. The ENT cast have far more compelling interactions and conflicts in the build-up to war than they do just having episodic adventures.

My only real complaint is that Jonathan Archer remains vaguely defined and not at all memorable, while T'Pol, Tucker, Mayweather and Reed have benefitted tremendously from Mangels and Martin's touch. But I didn't expect the relaunch to be perfect; this is the ENT cast we're talking about, after all. Considering how abysmal ENT was, the fact that Mangels and Martin have managed to reconfigure the series into three books of tension and thrills is nothing short of amazing.

The landscape of concluded "Trek"-serieses is a golden opportunity for the novels to tell meaningful stories of relevance and impact with the characters, and the ENT relaunch reflect this freedom rather well.

- Ibrahim Ng