Spoilers Coda Trilogy Discussion Thread

[rfmcdpei]

Which goes without saying, since of course all the books were written to be consistent with the shows at the time.

True. I think it does need to be said, both because some people might not get it and because it does indicate the general direction of the difference.

And really, it's not uncommon in fiction to show time-travel changes being selective, with most things staying the same aside from certain variations -- e.g. everything in the "Yesteryear" timeline somehow worked out the same aside from events surrounding Spock and Thelin, so much so that the two versions of the ship were even on the same mission at the same time. (Which is weird, given all the episodes where Spock's unique Vulcan gifts were critical to saving the day.) And in the Arrowverse, all the various timeline alterations over the years have left the bulk of the shows' characters and continuity intact with only selective changes, even after Crisis on Infinite Earths merged several different realities together.

Quite frankly, a point of divergence only leading to major divergences in a half-dozen years—the difference between a Romulan Star Empire that was battered but physically intact, say, and a Romulan Star Empire that was facing the loss of its homeworld and gigadeaths—is perfectly plausible. Sometimes the butterfly's wings can trigger storms. If someone had murdered Hitler in the mid-1930s, say, then depending on who did it and why that could easily mean that the Second World War as we knew it might not have happened. In that case, in a decade's time the map of the world would be very different. I see no reason to think that the divergence between the Prime timeline and the First Splinter could not have led to comparable divergences.

 

[ryan123450]

I finally finished reading the review thread for Book 3, and my predominate thought at this point seems to fit best in this thread instead.

Seems to me that the golden age of Treklit, the high point which will probably never be surpassed or even again be reached, was 2000-2012. And half of those years were in the 24-30 books a year era. The last nine years has been treading water and sputtering attempts at recreating those heights. Which despite the authors most noble intentions, and their best efforts, is the category Coda definitely falls into. And not that there haven’t been great stories here and there in the last 9 years, but compared to that dozen year long span…a pale comparison.

Probably not coincidentally, and correct me if I’m wrong, but this was the era of Marco Palmieri, and then the last residual effects of his influence. We really have him to thank for the grandness of the Litverse, and loosing him was the worst thing that has ever happened to Treklit (even including the return of Trek to TV.)

I’ll also point out something which I don’t think we’ve officially known until now, but David Mack just matter-of-factly said on this week’s Literary Treks that they are only publishing six novels per year now.

Treklit just really ain’t what it used to be.

 

[Christopher]

I’ll also point out something which I don’t think we’ve officially known until now, but David Mack just matter-of-factly said on this week’s Literary Treks that they are only publishing six novels per year now.

Treklit just really ain’t what it used to be.

Well, it kinda literally is, because six novels per year was the normal pace of Pocket Trek releases for most of the '80s, until TNG came along and the output doubled (six each per year for TOS and TNG, in alternate months).

 

[ryan123450]

Well, it kinda literally is, because six novels per year was the normal pace of Pocket Trek releases for most of the '80s, until TNG came along and the output doubled (six each per year for TOS and TNG, in alternate months).

Well I wasn’t only talking about quantity.

I also meant to say in my previous post that 2012 (the end of what I’m saying was Treklit’s golden age) is also the moment when the Pocket license was almost not renewed and the end of the Typhon Pact novels and an alternate version of Cold Equations would have been the end of the Litverse. There would have been plenty of DS9 threads left hanging in that scenario too. Really was a turning point for Treklit.

 

[Avro Arrow]

I’ll also point out something which I don’t think we’ve officially known until now, but David Mack just matter-of-factly said on this week’s Literary Treks that they are only publishing six novels per year now.

That is disappointing, but at least it mitigates the price increase from moving to trade paperback.

I haven't heard the interview yet. How much detail did they go into? The Picard novels have so far all been hardcovers; did they mention if these were included in the six per year, or is that only counting the TP releases?

I wonder how that would break down in a typical year? One or two TOS novels, a DSC novel, a PIC novel (if they're included), an SNW novel, and then one or two novels for either TNG, DS9, VOY or ENT? I'm assuming the TOS novels will continue, because it's been said in here a few times that they are the best sellers, but do we know if the Berman-era shows will be getting novels moving forward?

Between the end of the litverse and this, it does really feel like the end of an era.

 

[ToddCam]

Having thought about it, I think I am going to say I did not like the trilogy as a whole.

As a last hurrah for these characters, for me it failed as a means of saying goodbye. I think the final scene on Titan's bridge exemplified my feelings. The first officer, Sarai, noting the corpses strewn about. What was I supposed to feel with that? Look at all these people dead? Isn't it noble how they died? As a reader who was so excited about the once upcoming Titan novels, to see each of these characters' deaths as a line or two near the end of the story... it felt very hollow. What am I supposed to feel about Christine Vale, a character with a 21-year history, dying between scenes minutes before she was wiped from history and existence? I felt nothing.

You can of course say, it wasn't about saying goodbye, it was about the three particular authors getting a sense of closure. And that you can't please everyone. Well, as a consumer, and on a discussion board, I am saying that I wasn't pleased, and have every right to say so.

So much of the story was taken up by pointless tangents. The biggest one of all being the crazy Riker story. It made everyone else seem like a complete idiot, because it was so obvious he was off from almost the beginning. The apprehension of taking him from the chain of command was stretched beyond silliness. He should have been taken down in the second book. He repeatedly throws temper tantrums on the bridge, can't remember the details of his own life, arrests the captain and CMO, tells the CiC and president to fuck off, and there was still cautiousness. And the Riker thing didn't even go anywhere. The most interesting thing about that whole arc was that the other Riker had a history more similar to the version on Picard. Did it mean anything? It felt like a conflict for the characters to overcome to drag out a suspense I didn't feel. I guess it felt good to have Riker be triumphantly himself at the end, but that also felt mostly hollow.

The whole idea of this being a story about sacrifice was very much undermined in the final book by characters acting completely and utterly irrationally. Going on suicide missions to rescue people hours or minutes before the end of the universe. You want to save Rene to make sure he's there to be wiped from existence with you? You risk losing the only people who can save all realities for that opportunity to see your husband/brother/son one last time? How goddamn selfish. I will give the returned Riker one thing over Picard and his annoying family; he went down to the base to ensure the mission succeeded, even though it meant he could not be with Deanna and Tasha at the end.

I think a story that was less about killing people and worlds off in spectacular fashion would have been my preference. Something that focused more on characters, especially the ones native to the Litverse. Probably the most interesting thing in this entire story was dealing with having a childhood stolen, and the Worf and K'Ehleyr story (I wish we could have seen her meeting Alexander). There's some value in seeing how a character faces certain death, but after a while that became very tired as yet another person learned that all existence was ending. There were some very good character moments at other times, a lot about grief. T'Ryssa Chen's regrets, Nog's sacrifice, Bashir's reflections. Some very good stuff.

But just too much Picard.

So yeah, overall, not my cup of tea. As I am getting older, I understand more and more that the universe is very, very grey, and that our human minds try to categorize everything, and so I try and step away from that rigidity. Years ago, when I first heard the term, I found 'headcanon' to be incredibly stupid. But now, what the hey. I'll use it because, why do I have to be beholden to rules on how I sort the adventures of people who never existed? I'm not on the writing team. I declare Coda headapocrypha.

I appreciate the work these authors did here, and what all who came before and among them did. Good night, Litverse.

 

[ryan123450]

That is disappointing, but at least it mitigates the price increase from moving to trade paperback.

I haven't heard the interview yet. How much detail did they go into? The Picard novels have so far all been hardcovers; did they mention if these were included in the six per year, or is that only counting the TP releases?

He didn’t break it down with any more details, just saying that they were doing 12 per year, then 8, now 6. Your idea about hardcovers not counting is a good possibility/hope though.

 

[frkcd]

I finally finished reading the review thread for Book 3, and my predominate thought at this point seems to fit best in this thread instead.

Seems to me that the golden age of Treklit, the high point which will probably never be surpassed or even again be reached, was 2000-2012. And half of those years were in the 24-30 books a year era. The last nine years has been treading water and sputtering attempts at recreating those heights.

Probably not coincidentally, and correct me if I’m wrong, but this was the era of Marco Palmieri, and then the last residual effects of his influence. We really have him to thank for the grandness of the Litverse...

Interesting observation about the golden age and which years that encompassed and the treading water years after this period of time. I've not gone back to compare the published dates of novels and my own ratings of them, but I'm inspired now to do so and see if I find a similar golden streak, as it were. I do recall noticing as the years progressed that there were fewer and fewer times after finishing a book that I'd excitedly talk about it with friends who are into televised Trek but not Treklit.

As for your assertion about Marco Palmieri, I have wondered the same thing. I recall reading some posts way back when I discovered the Litverse in late 2004 (and maybe even on this site at that time) that left me with the impression that, at least with the DS9 books, he was the architect and "showrunner" not only in the initial launching narratives but also in shaping and directing the line. I remember thinking back then that I did not realize that an editor's role would or could include such a deep involvement in books, almost like he was "running a writers' room with the authors."

I'd be very interested if any authors would be able to share their knowledge or observations about his involvement and impact, just for the sake of curiosity and my own interest in how publishing works.

 

[frkcd]

ToddCam, I read your post twice as I found myself resonating with several things you noted (I finished the third book last night). I'm only responding to one thing you noted. I thought I was being too insensitive when I was shocked that Beverly (and Jean-Luc to a lesser degree) would be willing to risk the mission in order that Rene would not what . . . die alone? Being single and not being a parent, I assumed that my own personal situation colored my reaction and that this was a failing of mine because I'd assumed that the mantra from the start has been how important the mission is to complete to prevent the deaths of those who may not be aware of what is happening and to ensure that some timeline(s) endure. It was a relief to read what you wrote because it validated my gut reaction to much of the ending vis-a-vis the Crusher-Picard family: if the mission is so damned important and we're all going to die anyway then make the hard calls even if it means you cannot do what you'd like for your family.

 

[The Wormhole]

Seems to me that the golden age of Treklit, the high point which will probably never be surpassed or even again be reached, was 2000-2012. And half of those years were in the 24-30 books a year era. The last nine years has been treading water and sputtering attempts at recreating those heights. Which despite the authors most noble intentions, and their best efforts, is the category Coda definitely falls into. And not that there haven’t been great stories here and there in the last 9 years, but compared to that dozen year long span…a pale comparison.

Something I realized while reading this part of your post, it was 2012 or shortly thereafter when the Litverse had to start slowing down and pacing itself in order to hold off hitting the 2387 glass ceiling since at the time they were not allowed to reference the Romulan supernova, but also couldn't ignore it either.

 

[Christopher]

As for your assertion about Marco Palmieri, I have wondered the same thing. I recall reading some posts way back when I discovered the Litverse in late 2004 (and maybe even on this site at that time) that left me with the impression that, at least with the DS9 books, he was the architect and "showrunner" not only in the initial launching narratives but also in shaping and directing the line. I remember thinking back then that I did not realize that an editor's role would or could include such a deep involvement in books, almost like he was "running a writers' room with the authors."

Marco was definitely the architect and guiding spirit behind post-finale DS9, Titan, The Lost Era, etc. But the "showrunner" analogy doesn't quite hold, unless you use it very figuratively, because a showrunner is a head writer who writes the final draft of every script, in order to maintain a consistent voice and vision. Marco provided a lot of editorial and conceptual guidance, but didn't rewrite anyone's work himself. He just helped us make our writing better.

 

[ToddCam]

ToddCam, I read your post twice as I found myself resonating with several things you noted (I finished the third book last night). I'm only responding to one thing you noted. I thought I was being too insensitive when I was shocked that Beverly (and Jean-Luc to a lesser degree) would be willing to risk the mission in order that Rene would not what . . . die alone? Being single and not being a parent, I assumed that my own personal situation colored my reaction and that this was a failing of mine because I'd assumed that the mantra from the start has been how important the mission is to complete to prevent the deaths of those who may not be aware of what is happening and to ensure that some timeline(s) endure. It was a relief to read what you wrote because it validated my gut reaction to much of the ending vis-a-vis the Crusher-Picard family: if the mission is so damned important and we're all going to die anyway then make the hard calls even if it means you cannot do what you'd like for your family.

That drove me crazy. I counted three times that the Crusher-Picards put their family above all realities: when Crusher went back for Picard (which IIRC directly resulted in Sisko's death), when Rene insisted they go back for Wesley (and mirror Picard acceded, resulting in huge losses), and when Picard went back for Rene. When Sisko died, I was thinking, Jake doesn't know. Kasidy doesn't know. Becca doesn't know. Sisko didn't even get to die with someone he was close to (I am sure he cared for Bashir, but It wasn't like Kira or Dax or someone in his family). How is this fair? I could excuse it if any of them was essential, and so I give a kind of pass for Rene's petulance, because he was mostly still mentally a child, and because Wesley was uniquely capable, but Picard nor Rene fulfilled a unique purpose after their rescues, iirc. All Picard did was press a button. If there was some omniversal reason he had to be there at the end, it eluded me.

 

[Enterprise1701]

Seems to me that the golden age of Treklit, the high point which will probably never be surpassed or even again be reached, was 2000-2012. And half of those years were in the 24-30 books a year era. The last nine years has been treading water and sputtering attempts at recreating those heights. Which despite the authors most noble intentions, and their best efforts, is the category Coda definitely falls into. And not that there haven’t been great stories here and there in the last 9 years, but compared to that dozen year long span…a pale comparison.

Probably not coincidentally, and correct me if I’m wrong, but this was the era of Marco Palmieri, and then the last residual effects of his influence. We really have him to thank for the grandness of the Litverse, and loosing him was the worst thing that has ever happened to Treklit (even including the return of Trek to TV.)

With respect to every author's work post-Destiny pre-Coda given the availiable premises generally handed down by editorial, I have to agree with this sentiment. The Typhon Pact era just deflated me by time-skipping away from the Deep Space Nine crew's tightly-knit narrative, lacking S.C.E. novellas that were also closely-linked, moving the Titan crew away from previous novels' themes, and in general covering too much time without the same feeling of cohesive cross-story narrative.

To this day, I have re-read Unity many times, but I can't get myself into the Typhon Pact stories about Benjamin Sisko. I read the opening pages, lose interest, and walk away. I even read Original Sin, but I can't bring myself to find out how the preceding Ascendant crisis happened!

Ironically, I got into Trek novels right during the Typhon Pact era when I discovered The Brave and the Bold and Greater than the Sum in my local library. Going online to research the ongoing narrative led me to the...giant floating faces on the covers of Typhon Pact.

 

[Vox24]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I basically agree with ToddCam and what Thrawn wrote in the Coda Book 3 Review thread. I did not like this trilogy at all. I appreciate that the authors fought for a concluding trilogy and didn't just want to leave readers hanging. I like and respect all three authors. If this trilogy worked for others and resonated with them, awesome. For me, it just didn't work.

Let me give some background. I came into Treklit late. I bought a few Trek books here and there (the Invasion! books stands out as a series I remember buying when they were released) but never really got into them. Heck, I even bought the two Avatar novels when they were released but never got around to reading them.

It was probably six or so years ago that I really dived into Treklit. I'm pretty sure the entire "The Fall" series had been released when I started reading. I remember I wanted to see what happened to the Voyager crew once they returned to the Alpha Quadrant so I bought those books.

That opened the doors to a whole world of Star Trek novels. I started reading New Frontier and fell in love with those quirky characters. I became engrossed in the DS9 relaunch and devoured those books. I couldn't believe there was a series set on a Klingon ship so of course I had to get those novels. I read Destiny really early and was confused because I didn't know the majority of the characters but I loved it. I wasn't sure about the Corps of Engineers but those came to be some of my favorite stories. I loved that crew just as much as any of the TV crews. The Titan series was amazing and had a sense of wonder about them. It seemed like I kept finding a new book or concept that I just had to read. I gobbled up Vanguard, the Double Helix series, Typhon Pact, The Fall, the Mirror Universe novels, Section 31, etc. I was a huge fan of Christopher's Rise of the Federation novels and am really sad that we will probably never get another book in that series.

Treklit made me a better Star Trek fan and made me love the franchise even more. I knew it was coming to an end. I knew that once PIC started we wouldn't get any new adventures set in this continuity. I was sad but everything ends. I was excited for the trilogy when it was announced.

I knew it would be dark and that there would be deaths but I thought it would still be a celebration of everything that made the books great. I was hoping that we would see the various crews united to combat whatever threat the authors came up with. I thought we would focus on the unique characters that will probably never be seen again. I believed we would get a sad but hopeful ending, one where this universe could continue its adventures even if we never see those adventures again.

Instead we got three books of pointless deaths, plot lines that dragged on and went nowhere, a focus on characters that will probably show up in the new ST shows, and a bleak ending where everyone dies.

I get that the point is not that they died, but how they died. They went out fighting to save all of reality yadda yadda yadda. That's fine, but it doesn't negate three books of grimness that weren't fun to read. Not only that, but once it became clear in Oblivion's Gate that the entire First Splinter timeline was going to be destroyed all of the suspense went away. What do I care who dies first since everyone's going to be dead by the end of the book? What do I care if they succeed or not? The book could have ended in abject failure and the TV series would still keep chugging along. I wasn't invested at all once I realized where the book was headed and honestly just started skimming to get it over with.

The Naga attacks became so repetitive and a chore to read in all three books and I say this as someone who loves action scenes and think that all three authors have written some thrilling action scenes in prior Trek books.

So much time was spent on that pointless Riker going crazy plot for no reason. It added nothing to the story. Why couldn't we see Picard and Riker side by side for one last time? It side-lined the Titan crew and made them all look incredibly stupid and incompetent.

A good portion of the second book was set on the new DS9 but none of its unique features were used. It might as well have been the old one. Also, none of the DS9 novel characters show up. They aren't even mentioned. Where was Blackmer, Cenn, Slaine, Candlewood, or Stinson during the crisis? Tenmei appears but she doesn't do much.

I was also hoping the Corps of Engineers would have more than a glorified cameo. I admit that is a bit of wishful thinking on my part because of how much I love that series and I realize that the authors couldn't fit every character in.

It also seemed strange that Rebecca, who is shown to have time alteration powers, isn't used at all and has no part to play in the trilogy.

I enjoyed the Mirror Universe novels and I liked the direction they went in but I did not want to spend so much time in that universe with those characters when unique Treklit characters in the main universe weren't utilized at all. Did we really need two Picards running around in the last book taking up so much focus?

I don't want to be all negative. They were well written novels. Some of the scenes did tug at my heart. I loved that Ro and Quark were a couple and went out together even if it did completely ignore that DRGIII ended the relationship between those two. I was rooting for them to end up together so I appreciated that moment.

I laughed at the mention of the transporter clones. Finally that pressing and oh so important plot point got resolved.

This timeline may not have ended at all how I hoped and I'll probably never read this trilogy again but I appreciate the authors and realize they can't please everyone. I am happy for all the amazing novels that they and so many others wrote. Heck, there are still plenty of novels I haven't gotten a chance to read yet.

 

[frkcd]

Marco was definitely the architect and guiding spirit behind post-finale DS9, Titan, The Lost Era, etc. But the "showrunner" analogy doesn't quite hold, unless you use it very figuratively, because a showrunner is a head writer who writes the final draft of every script, in order to maintain a consistent voice and vision. Marco provided a lot of editorial and conceptual guidance, but didn't rewrite anyone's work himself. He just helped us make our writing better.

Thanks, Christopher. I did not know what a showrunner actually was; I remember reading that Manny Coto was the showrunner for the last year of ENT, which was the first time I heard that word with regard to a television show. I figured it meant "person in charge." Yeah, I meant it so figuratively that it meant something else!

Also, thanks for the insight. Now, I know what that word means so will keep that in mind when I read that X or Y is the showrunner for Discovery or Picard or Strange New Worlds.

 

[frkcd]

That drove me crazy. I counted three times that the Crusher-Picards put their family above all realities: when Crusher went back for Picard (which IIRC directly resulted in Sisko's death), when Rene insisted they go back for Wesley (and mirror Picard acceded, resulting in huge losses), and when Picard went back for Rene. When Sisko died, I was thinking, Jake doesn't know. Kasidy doesn't know. Becca doesn't know. Sisko didn't even get to die with someone he was close to (I am sure he cared for Bashir, but It wasn't like Kira or Dax or someone in his family). How is this fair? I could excuse it if any of them was essential, and so I give a kind of pass for Rene's petulance, because he was mostly still mentally a child, and because Wesley was uniquely capable, but Picard nor Rene fulfilled a unique purpose after their rescues, iirc. All Picard did was press a button. If there was some omniversal reason he had to be there at the end, it eluded me.

Wow. All well said. And thanks for the reminders. I'd forgotten completely Bev's demand that she is not leaving without Jean-Luc. I thought, WTF. Really? I rolled my eyes and imagined Scotty appearing across time and space to inform her, "Ma'am he's dead already." Again, totally understandable if there was not this ultra ticking clock that they were racing against. Frankly, now that I think about it, it would have been more validating of the noble sacrifice that all of the characters were making (and in which the reader was being asked to believe) if there had been examples of people like Picard or others making the hard choice not to rescue members of their family. And your comparison with Sisko was spot on.

 

[frkcd]

With respect to every author's work post-Destiny pre-Coda given the availiable premises generally handed down by editorial, I have to agree with this sentiment. The Typhon Pact era just deflated me by time-skipping away from the Deep Space Nine crew's tightly-knit narrative, lacking S.C.E. novellas that were also closely-linked, moving the Titan crew away from previous novels' themes, and in general covering too much time without the same feeling of cohesive cross-story narrative.

To this day, I have re-read Unity many times, but I can't get myself into the Typhon Pact stories about Benjamin Sisko. I read the opening pages, lose interest, and walk away. I even read Original Sin, but I can't bring myself to find out how the preceding Ascendant crisis happened!

Ironically, I got into Trek novels right during the Typhon Pact era when I discovered The Brave and the Bold and Greater than the Sum in my local library. Going online to research the ongoing narrative led me to the...giant floating faces on the covers of Typhon Pact.

Couple of comments. I actually enjoyed the creation of the Typhon Pact and enjoyed most of the books. I really liked the concept and thought that it did not need to be a miniseries but could be just a natural evolution of Treklit that could play out in perpetuity and across any number of novels going forward. To me, it presented an opportunity for new and interesting geopolitical challenges that could be used to really keep things fresh. I always fancied that a great plot would be for Nan Bacco to work to get the Romulans to disavow the Pact and either withdraw and remain neutral or even persuade Gell that the Romulans were better served by becoming signatories to the Khitomer Accords. I'd love to have been in the room with her, Martok, Gell, and Ambassador Spock when that came to light.

But to your point, of all those Typhon Pact-identified books, the one I least enjoyed was Rough Beasts of Empire, which saddened me at the time because David R. George III was, and still is, one of my favorite Treklit writers. That novel was difficult to get through. I've always assumed that it was partly due to the mess he was left with in needing to quickly move the DS9 narrative forward.

And Original Sin was, I think, the only book of his I did not find interesting at all. However, I've always had this "sense" or belief that the loss of Marco and Margaret in the 2008 / 2009 financial calamity most directly affected DS9 and in particular Benjamin Sisko. My sense of the DS9 novels was that no one really seemed to know what to do with Sisko after he'd returned from the wormhole. In looking back at the publication chronology of the DS9 books, it seems that things began to lose some of that cohesion after completion of Warpath, Fearful Symmetry, and The Soul Key and after The Never-Ending Sacrifice.

Finally, I enjoyed both Sacraments of Fire and Ascendance and do recommend them. David had to work really hard to find a way to tell the Ascendents story that would keep the characters in the present while ostensibly filling in events from years past. Not stellar but not bad given the reality he faced.

 

[frkcd]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I basically agree with ToddCam and what Thrawn wrote in the Coda Book 3 Review thread. I did not like this trilogy at all. I appreciate that the authors fought for a concluding trilogy and didn't just want to leave readers hanging. I like and respect all three authors. If this trilogy worked for others and resonated with them, awesome. For me, it just didn't work.

Let me give some background. I came into Treklit late. I bought a few Trek books here and there (the Invasion! books stands out as a series I remember buying when they were released) but never really got into them. Heck, I even bought the two Avatar novels when they were released but never got around to reading them.

It was probably six or so years ago that I really dived into Treklit. I'm pretty sure the entire "The Fall" series had been released when I started reading. I remember I wanted to see what happened to the Voyager crew once they returned to the Alpha Quadrant so I bought those books.

That opened the doors to a whole world of Star Trek novels. I started reading New Frontier and fell in love with those quirky characters. I became engrossed in the DS9 relaunch and devoured those books. I couldn't believe there was a series set on a Klingon ship so of course I had to get those novels. I read Destiny really early and was confused because I didn't know the majority of the characters but I loved it. I wasn't sure about the Corps of Engineers but those came to be some of my favorite stories. I loved that crew just as much as any of the TV crews. The Titan series was amazing and had a sense of wonder about them. It seemed like I kept finding a new book or concept that I just had to read. I gobbled up Vanguard, the Double Helix series, Typhon Pact, The Fall, the Mirror Universe novels, Section 31, etc. I was a huge fan of Christopher's Rise of the Federation novels and am really sad that we will probably never get another book in that series.

Treklit made me a better Star Trek fan and made me love the franchise even more. I knew it was coming to an end. I knew that once PIC started we wouldn't get any new adventures set in this continuity. I was sad but everything ends. I was excited for the trilogy when it was announced.

I knew it would be dark and that there would be deaths but I thought it would still be a celebration of everything that made the books great. I was hoping that we would see the various crews united to combat whatever threat the authors came up with. I thought we would focus on the unique characters that will probably never be seen again. I believed we would get a sad but hopeful ending, one where this universe could continue its adventures even if we never see those adventures again.

Instead we got three books of pointless deaths, plot lines that dragged on and went nowhere, a focus on characters that will probably show up in the new ST shows, and a bleak ending where everyone dies.

I get that the point is not that they died, but how they died. They went out fighting to save all of reality yadda yadda yadda. That's fine, but it doesn't negate three books of grimness that weren't fun to read. Not only that, but once it became clear in Oblivion's Gate that the entire First Splinter timeline was going to be destroyed all of the suspense went away. What do I care who dies first since everyone's going to be dead by the end of the book? What do I care if they succeed or not? The book could have ended in abject failure and the TV series would still keep chugging along. I wasn't invested at all once I realized where the book was headed and honestly just started skimming to get it over with.

The Naga attacks became so repetitive and a chore to read in all three books and I say this as someone who loves action scenes and think that all three authors have written some thrilling action scenes in prior Trek books.

So much time was spent on that pointless Riker going crazy plot for no reason. It added nothing to the story. Why couldn't we see Picard and Riker side by side for one last time? It side-lined the Titan crew and made them all look incredibly stupid and incompetent.

A good portion of the second book was set on the new DS9 but none of its unique features were used. It might as well have been the old one. Also, none of the DS9 novel characters show up. They aren't even mentioned. Where was Blackmer, Cenn, Slaine, Candlewood, or Stinson during the crisis? Tenmei appears but she doesn't do much.

I was also hoping the Corps of Engineers would have more than a glorified cameo. I admit that is a bit of wishful thinking on my part because of how much I love that series and I realize that the authors couldn't fit every character in.

It also seemed strange that Rebecca, who is shown to have time alteration powers, isn't used at all and has no part to play in the trilogy.

I enjoyed the Mirror Universe novels and I liked the direction they went in but I did not want to spend so much time in that universe with those characters when unique Treklit characters in the main universe weren't utilized at all. Did we really need two Picards running around in the last book taking up so much focus?

I don't want to be all negative. They were well written novels. Some of the scenes did tug at my heart. I loved that Ro and Quark were a couple and went out together even if it did completely ignore that DRGIII ended the relationship between those two. I was rooting for them to end up together so I appreciated that moment.

I laughed at the mention of the transporter clones. Finally that pressing and oh so important plot point got resolved.

This timeline may not have ended at all how I hoped and I'll probably never read this trilogy again but I appreciate the authors and realize they can't please everyone. I am happy for all the amazing novels that they and so many others wrote. Heck, there are still plenty of novels I haven't gotten a chance to read yet.

So much that you write mirrors my experience and disappointment. I expected everyone to die, so I knew to be prepared to feel sad, shed a tear, and mourn the loss of this 20-year saga. Yet, specific things, and you eloquently identify many of them, made this trilogy not what I had hoped it would be, and none of that has anything to do with the death of the First Splinter and what that means as a fan and reader.

 

[Christopher]

Couple of comments. I actually enjoyed the creation of the Typhon Pact and enjoyed most of the books. I really liked the concept and thought that it did not need to be a miniseries but could be just a natural evolution of Treklit that could play out in perpetuity and across any number of novels going forward.

That was the idea, to have it be the new status quo. It was conceived as something similar to Worlds of Deep Space Nine, a chance to do novels focusing on various alien cultures, but mostly with underdeveloped or overlooked ones like the Gorn, Breen, and Tzenkethi.

I always fancied that a great plot would be for Nan Bacco to work to get the Romulans to disavow the Pact and either withdraw and remain neutral or even persuade Gell that the Romulans were better served by becoming signatories to the Khitomer Accords.

I think that's kind of missing the point. People tend to jump to the conclusion that the Pact were just meant to be black-hat bad guys, but in fact, they were meant to be a parallel to the beginnings of the Federation -- a group of separate, formerly adversarial worlds realizing it was in their best interests to work together for their mutual benefit. The Typhon Pact novels are less about the Pact vs. the Federation and more about the growing pains between the different factions of the Pact, a few of which were hostile and aggressive and just using the Pact for their own ends (mainly the Breen and Tholians) while others were more rational and constructive in their goals and genuinely saw the potential in working together (mainly the Gorn and Kamemor's Romulans). Basically there were two competing visions of the Pact battling for dominance within it. Splitting the Romulans away from the Pact would've been a disastrous mistake, because it would've removed one of their most important stabilizing influences and shifted the balance in favor of the more aggressive factions.

Indeed, trying to "poach" any Pact member to the Federation side would've been the wrong way to go, because it was fear of Federation cultural imperialism that motivated the Pact's formation in the first place. These societies needed to feel that they could be strong on their own and not have to fear being absorbed by the Federation juggernaut. So the best response would've been to let them be on their own, to prove that the Federation didn't intend to absorb them but just wanted to be neighbors.

 

[Burning Hearts of Qo'nos]

My opinions align pretty well with posters above. This wasn't the story or execution I would have preferred. The books are well written and 2/3 of them are exciting page-turners. But that just speaks to the well crafted and written plot. The story itself has left me numb and empty, and wishing for absolutely so much more for the end of the litverse. I 100% appreciate the gift of this ending and the closure and the way it subtly weaves itself back into the prime timeline, but it just wasn't for me. We get goodbyes to all the obvious characters we need to say goodbye to, but so little of the actual litverse was present. Characters who aren't the mainline TV cast are largely ignored or show up as set dressing. I think I would have accepted this insanely high-stakes storyline if we got a little bit more of the Destiny 'ensemble cast of series' vibe and less of it being Action Picard v Time's Arrow and First Contact, starring the TNG cast, guest starring the DS9 cast, with special appearances of the litverse/mirror-litverse characters to man bridge stations.

Voyager deserved to be part of this story too. I know we got their ending already, but to not know how Voyager handles the end of the universe just really left a bad taste. So many action scenes and we don't get to know the fates of a lot of the characters. Odo and Sisko's family and the remaining crews of Voyager, Enterprise, and Aventine. We've seen ensemble crews handled VERY well in Destiny and Prey, and expecting that to happen again led me to disappointment. I hate it when that happens! I feel like there was plenty of space in these books to include more of the litverse.

I don't want to just complain though. I really did enjoy both books 2 and 3 for what they are. But I do not enjoy them as the big goodbye or final mission. But a lot of the things I loved in these books, the sparks of genius, are really well crafted scenes that get me emotional.

Loved:
- Nog's heroic death
- Miles' heroic death
- T'ryssa's tragic death
- Kira, face to face with the Prophets, has her entire life and spiritual journey, her relationship to the prophets, her purpose as the Hand of the Prophets, and her impending death... COMPLETELY VALIDATED. She even finds out she is absolutely and purposefully unique to her own Gods. That is the type of ending I wanted for all our characters.
- Luc and Rene
- The Worf Family
- Riker coming in hot at the end
- Captain Sam Bowers
- Rene actually getting some character development, finally
- Crackpot Wesley
- Did not include Kira's time-displaced not-boyfriend
- Sarai getting as much screen time as she did
- Book 2 and 3 were absolute page-turners. Book 3 is some of the best litverse action hands down, a rampaging bloodbath.

Liked:
- Mirror Universe stand-in cameos for characters that did not get to show up or do anything in the lit-prime timeline (even if they also did not get to do much of anything besides die.)
- Ro and Quark being together as a retcon
- Throwaway transporter clone line
- Sisko and Picard finally teaming up
- Sisko and Kira butting heads with Data and company, this seemed like a very real interaction
- Wesley recognizing Tom

Did not like so much:
- Mirror Universe stand-in cameos for characters that did not get to show up or do anything in the lit-prime timeline just because the story chose not to include any of them.
- Dividians as the big bad. I was pretty disappointed when the bad guys get established very early in the first book, who are so outrageously evil and powerful, turn out to be the actual bad guys.
- Not knowing what happens to ANY Voyager crew member except for Tuvok who died offpage. Its kind of funny looking back now about how Tom and Torres go back to Earth at the end of Voyager specifically for them to appear in Coda, and then for them to do like nothing really except be plot devices.
- What the hell happened to Odo? Kind of funny they specifically let us know that he was released only to be never mentioned again.
- DS9 characters serving the plot so TNG characters can get their emotional goodbyes with each other
- Geordi's (technically heroic) tragic death
- omg another Borg queen
- omg the whole crazy Riker thing lasting SO long. Titan's crew came out looking like real dumbasses here. Riker finally gets his head clear and they applaud him and then the universe ends like 30 minutes later.
- Titan's crew dying largely offpage. Havreii weeping over Melora. Tuvok dead. Vale impaled. Torvig basically cut in half. Keru's death not even stated by name. It was too much to do to a crew that didn't get to do anything but stand around and get yelled at by Riker. It felt like kicking a puppy and then collapsing the timeline that puppy came from.
- The wormhole and DS9-II being a major plot point in book 2, where we spent NO time with DS9-II. A whole story thread could have been the DS9 crew handling the Bajor system before blowing up the station as a way to set up Kira, Sisko, and Bashir's roles in book 3 rather than their weird sneaking onto DS9-II subplot.
- Vastly ignoring the book universe that the trilogy is ostensibly saying goodbye to.

I would have enjoyed this overly high stakes story if they had just included some of the things I felt were missing. There's no way I could have gotten the Coda I would have wanted, though. Each book would have been 500 pages long and probably would have gone for 4 books instead of 3, lol. It would have been a magical balancing act of each major 'crew' working together across space and time to defeat the Dividians. And I mean, every crew. And this is how I set myself up for disappointment in the very beginning.

I am split directly down the middle with this. I definitely liked things and I definitely did not. It's not what I wanted but I was gifted something instead of nothing, so I guess I came up even at least!