Full Circle Review Thread (Spoilers)

[T'Ressa Dax]

Well, almost halfway through and I've started skimming ahead a little because I'm eager to find out what's next.

I'm now convinced Cambridge was meant to be annoying, but I also think if everyone always got along that'd be a bit boring. Besides, he's the new guy, he's supposed to annoy the characters who've been together for years.

 

[Judith Sisko]

I'm now convinced Cambridge was meant to be annoying, but I also think if everyone always got along that'd be a bit boring. Besides, he's the new guy, he's supposed to annoy the characters who've been together for years.

Keep reading! Cambridge is the right man for the job. He's, without a doubt, my favorite of the new characters.

... and I agree, they needed someone to stir things up a little.

 

[LightningStorm]

Sorry for the long delay on this one while behind the scenes discussions were taking place in differing timezones.

Yes, very good question. Please do tell Kimc, if not, don't let the door hit you on the arse when you leave.

This post is walking a fine line. Consider this a friendly to try to keep it civil in the future.

There's a difference between having an opinion about an editorial decision to kill a Trek captain and having an opinion about a book that appears after that decision has been made. The fact I need to explain that to you doesn't speak well for your intelligence.

This post crossed the line and is flaming. Warning issued for flaming.

Yikes. I go out of town on a four-day holiday only to return to the boards and find kimc still at it. I enjoyed Full Circle immensely. As has been said so well by Judith Sisko, it clearly was written as a labor of love. Not that kimc would ever know it. But let's talk about that, kimc. This thread is about reviews for Full Circle. "The fact I need to explain that to you doesn't speak well for your intelligence," to borrow a delightful quote above. You have not read the book, you have no intention of reading the book, and yet you continue to come to this very thread and stand by your opinion as if said opinion actually means something. Allow me to repeat: this thread is about the book's reviews. Until you've read Full Circle your opinion is unearned. Your opinion is without credible authority. Janeway was not killed in Full Circle, but Kirsten showed her great honor and respect in laying her to rest in a way that PAD did not. Yet you've relentlessly caused trouble in this thread and I'm amazed that TPTB have allowed you to stay on as a moderator when clearly that is well beyond your capacity. You want to talk intelligence? Let's have a chat, kimc.

This post goes even further over the line. Because someone flames first does not give you carte blanche to flame back -- at least not without consequences. You too receive a warning for flaming.

Comments on any or all of this should be via PM.

 

[Jean-Luc Picard]

Back on topic, my copy of "Full Circle" should be arriving soon...I can't wait to get started.

 

[Kopernikus]

Back on topic, my copy of "Full Circle" should be arriving soon...I can't wait to get started.

Well, mine arrived today from Amazon Germany and I was really looking forward to spend the afternoon witht he first chapteres. But thanks to some ***** of warehouseman the book feel out of the package in pieces......
(Not to mention the two missing artivles in the order, the only article out out of four which arrived here as expected is Shards and Shadows....)

 

[shanejayell]

About 2/3 through. VERY good book, really enjoying it. Will now reread thread to avoid asking redundant questions...

 

[bennyrex]

I haven't posted here in a while, but something amusing happened today, and Kirsten, I wanted you to know about it.

My sister is not a Star Trek fan. She's one of the types that looks down her nose at tie-in books. She reads "literature."

Now, I had Full Circle lying on the kitchen table, and I guess she just picked it up and read the first bit of it, because later that evening she sheepishly came to my room asking if she could borrow my Star Trek book?

Turns out she was hooked. She thought it would be something to distract her for a bit while she was snacking on something in the kitchen, and found she just didn't want to stop reading. She was amazed that the writing itself was of as high a quality as it was. She didn't expect that in a Star Trek book, and found the characters to be very compelling. She said that it gave her flashbacks to when I was a kid watching Voyager for the first time, and she would watch with me.

To clarify: She's not a Star Trek fan. She knows a little, but not much about Voyager, and that knowledge would have come from the earlier seasons. (I don't think she watched anything beyond the second season... She definitely wasn't watching once 7 of 9 came around.) She has no knowledge of Destiny, or Before Dishonor or any of that stuff. And she's really, really enjoying the book.

I think that's kind of cool. She has no idea if the death of Janeway is a fake out or not at this point. When Chakotay learns of her death in the first chapter, she gave it no mind, because she figured no main character would ever actually die like that.

I'm curious to see whether she'll enjoy it the whole way through, or whether once she gets to the stuff that weaves with Destiny, if that will be too confusing for her. I'll definitely post more of her reactions when she finishes the book. I was floored that she would even pick it up and try it, let alone enjoy it as much as she obviously has so far.

(For the record, I'm really enjoying it as well.)

 

[Judith Sisko]

(I finally have the time to do this!)

I had been anticipating this book for a long time. Although I was a Voyager fan when it was on the air, I was let down somewhat by the abrupt ending of the series finale. So I thought surely that the triumphant homecoming of the crew and the effects and reactions of their families would be delved into more deeply with Homecoming.

I was wrong.

I forced myself to finish reading Homecoming, thinking it was building up to something big that I just couldn't see.

It didn't.

Then, I started reading the first chapter of The Farther Shore. (Was that even the name of it? I don't remember.) Soon after, I stopped reading and donated both books to my local branch of the public library. I skipped the next two books completely.

Now we come to Before Dishonor.

I didn't care for that book either. I'll admit, I'm not much of a PAD fan, even though I know he's got a faithful following. I thought the portrayal of most of the characters in BD was a disservice to them.

So again, why was I so eager to read Full Circle?

I had faith in Kirsten Beyer's writing ability.

Before I read the book, I had checked it out extensively on bn.com. I had also been following this thread and occasionally popped into the "Cast the Characters" thread.

So I knew:

- FC was really two books in one,
- many of the previous story lines were tied off quickly,
- the timeline skipped around a lot in the second half of the book,
- the book was obviously a set up for the next book,
- people either loved or hated "Hugh Laurie" Cambridge,
- Voyager had a new captain who may or may not bear a passing resemblance to Angela Bassett,
- Seven and Chakotay remain in the Alpha Quadrant,
- Chakotay has an intense personal struggle and makes an unexpected decision, and
- Voyager was returning to the Delta Quadrant.

So, when the book finally hit the shelves here in Oklahoma (but never in a timely fashion!) I cleared my calender and made reading it a priority.

By page 52, when Admiral Janeway said, "I'm going with you," to Captain Chakotay, I was no longer eager to read the book.

I was compelled to read the book.

I could hear Kate Mulgrew. I could picture the scene vividly. If you were all my close friends, I'd start discussing the instrumentation of the musical score with you! I thought, "Oh, wow. This is going to be good."

And it was.

As I said in my brief comments upthread, FC was a beautiful tribute to Kathryn Janeway. It truly gave her the respectful send-off she deserved. Without giving away too much more than I already have, let me just say that there is a lot of potential for future storytelling here. In addition to the resolution of the Paris family conflict, we have a blended crew learning how to work together. We can already see that not everyone from the "old" crew is accepting the new captain at the beginning. We have the artifact. And we have Counselor Cambridge. As I said earlier, I believe he is the right one for the job. I'd really like to talk about him more, but I'll wait until more people have finished reading the book.

Everyone (fictitious characters and real-world readers alike) is going through the grieving process of Kathryn Janeway's death at his or her own rate. I can only hope that as faithful Voyager readers work through their shock, denial, and/or anger at the demise of Admiral Janeway and move more toward acceptance (again, in their own timeframes,) that they will give the book a chance. It is truly a remarkable collection of stories.

 

[Jean-Luc Picard]

My copy arrived today Already started reading, could barely put it down because I've been looking forward to it since it was announced. Good start so far, I loved the first scene with Chakotay waiting for Janeway.

 

[Kirsten Beyer]

Yes, it does deal with it.

This is like one of those English examples in school where the teacher says now the meaning of a sentence can be changed when the comma is moved. I glanced at your answer and saw

Yes it does, deal with it.

and I thought "that's kind of harsh". Nevermind...

My brain did the exact same thing the first time I saw that sentence. Pesky commas.

I haven't posted here in a while, but something amusing happened today, and Kirsten, I wanted you to know about it.

My sister is not a Star Trek fan. She's one of the types that looks down her nose at tie-in books. She reads "literature."

Now, I had Full Circle lying on the kitchen table, and I guess she just picked it up and read the first bit of it, because later that evening she sheepishly came to my room asking if she could borrow my Star Trek book?

Turns out she was hooked. She thought it would be something to distract her for a bit while she was snacking on something in the kitchen, and found she just didn't want to stop reading. She was amazed that the writing itself was of as high a quality as it was. She didn't expect that in a Star Trek book, and found the characters to be very compelling. She said that it gave her flashbacks to when I was a kid watching Voyager for the first time, and she would watch with me.

To clarify: She's not a Star Trek fan. She knows a little, but not much about Voyager, and that knowledge would have come from the earlier seasons. (I don't think she watched anything beyond the second season... She definitely wasn't watching once 7 of 9 came around.) She has no knowledge of Destiny, or Before Dishonor or any of that stuff. And she's really, really enjoying the book.

I think that's kind of cool. She has no idea if the death of Janeway is a fake out or not at this point. When Chakotay learns of her death in the first chapter, she gave it no mind, because she figured no main character would ever actually die like that.

I'm curious to see whether she'll enjoy it the whole way through, or whether once she gets to the stuff that weaves with Destiny, if that will be too confusing for her. I'll definitely post more of her reactions when she finishes the book. I was floored that she would even pick it up and try it, let alone enjoy it as much as she obviously has so far.

(For the record, I'm really enjoying it as well.)

First of all, this absolutely made my day. I currupted my older brother in a similar manner last year when I took him to Shoreleave for the first time. He sat there listening to all of this information about the upcoming books and then he'd take me aside and ask, "Wait, when did that happen? Who is so-and-so?" A year later he's hooked. Tee-hee. We got another one!

And I'm glad you're enjoying it as well. Do keep me posted.

So, when the book finally hit the shelves here in Oklahoma (but never in a timely fashion!) I cleared my calender and made reading it a priority.

Would you think it was weird if I asked where in Oklahoma? I spent 8 years in OKC growing up, did a Shakespeare Festival SEOSU in Durant, have friends from all over the state...I'm just curious.

By page 52, when Admiral Janeway said, "I'm going with you," to Captain Chakotay, I was no longer eager to read the book.

I was compelled to read the book.

I could hear Kate Mulgrew. I could picture the scene vividly. If you were all my close friends, I'd start discussing the instrumentation of the musical score with you! I thought, "Oh, wow. This is going to be good."

And it was.

This is the highest praise I can imagine. This is what we shoot for...to write these people as clearly as they appeared when we were watching them. Sometimes different people will take different things away from a performance. But there is something so fun and gratifying in sharing an experience of a character in this way.

As I said in my brief comments upthread, FC was a beautiful tribute to Kathryn Janeway. It truly gave her the respectful send-off she deserved.

I'm so glad you felt this way. That's what I meant it to be.

Your kind words have lifted my spirit today. Thank you so much.

Best,
Kirsten

 

[Bec]

I finally got my hands on this book today! And before even reading the first page... I'm prejudging this book as a 5 star book based solely on the quote before the Prologue.

"Destiny... is a fickle bitch." --Benjamin Linus

NICE!! Quoting Lost! I love it.

Right.. that's it. I'm sold. I'm so getting this book.

 

[Judith Sisko]

Would you think it was weird if I asked where in Oklahoma? I spent 8 years in OKC growing up, did a Shakespeare Festival SEOSU in Durant, have friends from all over the state...I'm just curious.

I don't think it's weird at all. I live down the street and around the corner from Shannon Lucid's girlhood home (Bethany) and teach down a longer street and around TWO corners from Garth Brooks' boyhood home (Yukon.) I used to live in the "Belle Isle" area of OKC once upon a time. I didn't grow up here though; I moved here in my early 20's.

 

[Kirsten Beyer]

I don't think it's weird at all. I live down the street and around the corner from Shannon Lucid's girlhood home (Bethany) and teach down a longer street and around TWO corners from Garth Brooks' boyhood home (Yukon.) I used to live in the "Belle Isle" area of OKC once upon a time. I didn't grow up here though; I moved here in my early 20's.

We lived in a couple of houses over the years we were there but I always remember their proximity to May Ave. The first was across from Nichols Hills. We drove through that to get to school. The others were up off of May nearer Northpark and then Quail Springs Mall.

I'm vividly remembering this pharmacy/general store somewhere on the way to my high school - Bishop McGuinness - that made these amazing hamburgers. I can't imagine it's still there. It was basically a pharmacy but in the back was a soda fountain type counter and a grill and they just made great hamburgers. I've never tasted anything as good since.

Anyway...very cool. Thanks.

Kirsten

 

[Csalem]

I finished this book the other day and loved it. I think the best thing I can say about it is that I spent every minute reading it, and normally the only Trek books I do that for are New Frontier. Voyager is now one of my favourite literature series, possibly ahead of the DS9-R. Looking forward to reading more about Cambridge and I can so see Hugh Laurie in that role.

One quick question, when the Kahless hologram appeared in the 'A Time To...' book was it always planned to be paid off in a Voyager novel or was it something that was originally just planned for that book and was later decided to use in FC?

 

[Kirsten Beyer]

I finished this book the other day and loved it. I think the best thing I can say about it is that I spent every minute reading it, and normally the only Trek books I do that for are New Frontier. Voyager is now one of my favourite literature series, possibly ahead of the DS9-R. Looking forward to reading more about Cambridge and I can so see Hugh Laurie in that role.

Thanks so much!

One quick question, when the Kahless hologram appeared in the 'A Time To...' book was it always planned to be paid off in a Voyager novel or was it something that was originally just planned for that book and was later decided to use in FC?

It was just planned for Keith's book but I remembered reading it and thinking...hmmmmm. So I asked him a couple of years ago if he had any intentions of taking that thread anywhere and he graciously gave me the okay to go ahead and do what I wanted with it. And there was much rejoicing in my head.

Best,
Kirsten

 

[T'Ressa Dax]

Just finished enjoying the book and am already wanting more. I was having so much fun reading that I actually had to drag myself away to go wash clothes. I'm left wondering just what Chakotay was planning with Seven. And if Tom will end up leaving Voyager or B'Elanna will join them...
Forgot to add I'm also curious about the new doctor.
Think I'm now going to be thinking about Cambridge every time I watch House. He'll probably grow on me same as House did.

In otherwords I'm eagerly looking forward to reading Unworthy. I barely remember Golden's four, but I can't imagine I'll forget much of Full Circle even years from now, it was that much better!

 

[shanejayell]

Two random questions:

I understand Borath got the crap kicked out of it in "Left Hand of Darkness." I presume a lot of rebuilding?

Has Captain Eden appeared before now, or is she original to Full Circle? If there are any prelude stories, I'd love to read 'em.

Also, please don't go for a Seven/Chakotay romance in Unworthy. It'd feel like he was taking advantage of a ill woman or something....

 

[JB2005]

I understand Borath got the crap kicked out of it in "Left Hand of Darkness." I presume a lot of rebuilding?

This was mentioned in Spirit Walk, I think...

 

[Christopher]

Has Captain Eden appeared before now, or is she original to Full Circle? If there are any prelude stories, I'd love to read 'em.

She's a new character.

 

[DimesDan]

It'd feel like he was taking advantage of a ill woman or something....

It works both ways, she could take advantage of him in his time of grief and I've not seen Full Circle over here yet (it'll probably be in bookshops in a couple of weeks) but I did pick up Mosaic in paperback today from an Oxfam for a couple of quid.