Is it time for Peter David to go?

[Ktrek]

I know that there are many PAD fans around here and I am included in that group. However, PAD's most recent Trek submissions show he is no longer, in my humble opinion, at the top of his game. I was thinking that maybe Pocket should start thinking about either wrapping the New Frontier series up or turning it over to another writer or writers.

I know it's possible that PAD is just in a creative slump but perhaps the real problem lies with him spreading himself so creatively thin that all his work is beginning to suffer. Where as, if he concentrated on just a couple of projects he might get his mojo back.

Anyway, please bear in mind that this is just my opinion. I'm not saying anyone should agree with it and I expect the most die hard of PAD fans will be the most vocal but I still would be interested in what others think.

Kevin

 

[donners22]

The last two New Frontier books are among the best of the series, and certainly better than most recent Trek fiction as far as I am concerned.

Considering we have had very few NF novels in recent times, I hardly think he is compromising their quality with his committments to other projects.

I think the series has such a distinct tone and flavour that it would not really work with another author. There were very mixed reactions to some of the stories in No Limits, as I recall.

 

[captcalhoun]

no

 

[Geoff Thorne]

Hell, no.

 

[Therin of Andor]

I know it's possible that PAD is just in a creative slump

Not that I've noticed. His recent IDW NF comic works much better in omnibus form, than it did as separate issues, although I'm sure some ST comics-only readers found all the new characters (since WildStorm's "Double Time") incredibly confusing - such as where Arex and M'Ress had sprung from; a bald, God-like McHenry; and why a seemingly magically-powered Number One (of "The Cage") was suddenly amongst the action. Etc.

And I enjoyed "Before Dishonor" more than most, so I'm not the one to ask.

 

[T J]

Hell, no.

 

[LaBarre]

Ktrek, looking forward to seeing you put your money (or at least your creative intelligence) where your mouth is. Where's your output....

I'm craving for you to get us all over this "creative slump." Come on, don't be shy. We are all waiting breathlessly for your contribution. Don't keep us waiting.

PAD is dead. Long live....

What? Nothing?!

 

[Emissary of the Prophets]

Not for a minute. I've been behind with my reading (due to work), only just finished Before Dishonor and have just started Missing In Action (sorry, CLB...I got the PAD itch. Greater Than The Sum is next). The only thing that disappointed me about BD, was that is was lacking in PAD's usual humour. I've always liked the little jokes and one liners he slips in. As for lack of quality...nah!

 

[Dale]

Reading Peter David is like eating malted milk balls. Too much will spoil you for more substantial fare, but you just can't stop.

 

[Baerbel Haddrell]

I think “Before Dishonor” is a flawed book. It has a lot in it I enjoyed but also a lot I wasn`t happy with. This certainly wasn`t PAD at his best but I very much disagree that his other more recent novels are weaker than the usually high quality he provides.

I enjoyed his latest NF books. Especially “Stone and Anvil” is wonderful. I am very much looking forward to “Treason”.

PAD has written so much I am very fond of that I can forgive one bad apple on the tree easily.

On the other hand, why not having both? We already had “No Limits”. I would love to be able to buy another anthology with NF stories written by other people than PAD. Maybe even a book in the style of the three-in-one trade paperbacks!

 

[DarKush]

Of PAD's more recent works:

Enjoyed Stone and Anvil and Missing in Action, thought Before Dishonor was horrible, and thought the NF comic was lackluster.

I don't think it's time for him to go, but I would like to see a return to form for my favorite Trek author.

 

[Hardin]

I hated Before Dishonor tbh but that was the first book by Peter David I didn't enjoy (and this may also be a reason why BD disappointed me so much: my expectations were way too high). So, no way. I hope he writes many more Trek books. One can never have too many of those anyway

 

[Turbo]

Not at all. Before Dishonor missed the mark, but it's the exception rather than the rule.

 

[Allyn Gibson]

His recent IDW NF comic works much better in omnibus form, than it did as separate issues,

I'd agree with that. It wasn't that there was anything wrong with the singles, it's just that in a straight shot the story's pacing felt more natural, without the artificial break every twenty-some pages.

 

[BillJ]

I think I would like him to just write another stand-alone novel set during either the TOS or TNG TV run.

 

[BrotherBenny]

I think I would like him to just write another stand-alone novel set during either the TOS or TNG TV run.

No one seems to be doing standalones. The last one I think was DS9's Hollow Men, 2-3 years IIRC.

 

[Therin of Andor]

I think I would like him to just write another stand-alone novel set during either the TOS or TNG TV run.

No one seems to be doing standalones. The last one I think was DS9's Hollow Men, 2-3 years IIRC.

I would argue that each of the "Titan" novels have been standalones. Sure, many of the characters have continuing story arcs, but each book works quite well if that's the only one you read.

What about "Last Full Measure"? "Burning Dreams"? "Ex Machina"?

 

[BrotherBenny]

I think I would like him to just write another stand-alone novel set during either the TOS or TNG TV run.

No one seems to be doing standalones. The last one I think was DS9's Hollow Men, 2-3 years IIRC.

I would argue that each of the "Titan" novels have been standalones. Sure, many of the characters have continuing story arcs, but each book works quite well if that's the only one you read.

What about "Last Full Measure"? "Burning Dreams"?

I stand corrected, I forgot about those. But the basic point still stands. Most novels today are in the novel-only series or relaunches.

 

[Marco Palmieri]

No one seems to be doing standalones. The last one I think was DS9's Hollow Men, 2-3 years IIRC.

I would argue that each of the "Titan" novels have been standalones. Sure, many of the characters have continuing story arcs, but each book works quite well if that's the only one you read.

What about "Last Full Measure"? "Burning Dreams"?

I stand corrected, I forgot about those. But the basic point still stands. Most novels today are in the novel-only series or relaunches.

Ex Machina, Articles of the Federation, Orion's Hounds, Death in Winter, The Buried Age, Sword of Damocles, Forged in Fire, A Burning House, Day of the Vipers...

Then you have the Mirror Universe and Myriad Universes books, which collectively comprise twelve standalone novels.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

No way. I love After the Fall, Missing in Action, "Stone Cold Truths," "Pain Management," "Cutting Ties," and "Turnaround." I also enjoyed Before Dishonor, but I'll admit it has some flaws.