Just Finally Finishing "A Time To..." Series

[Frontier]

I bought all the books as they came out, but after the first or second book I just... stopped. I'm not even sure why. I think it was how they treated Picard and Data. It unnerved me, possibly? Anyway, I never finished. But I finally am doing so now. Good books. I'm about 3 chapters into the final one now. Must say, reading them as we're getting "The Fall" books, I'm looking at the president chief of staff story and feeling in a time loop a bit... :P Also feeling worse about Bacco.

Anywhom, it's made me appreciate Vale more. But it's also made me realize that in spite of great writers crafting good stories for post-Nemesis TNG books, the lack of the familiar (or even a long-term set) senior staff has really been a hindrance over the past half-dozen years or so to the Enterprise-E. Oh well. Nothing to be done about it by me or anyone who reads this, likely, lol.

 

[Tirius]

The final 3 books in that series remain one of, if not THE, best Trek Lit has ever produced for me, especially for TNG. Nothing against the earlier volumes (especially the Dokaalan story, which I really enjoyed), but nothing approaches the sheer suspense of Kill/Heal. In a way I envy you, getting to experience them for the first time.

War/Peace was just the perfect resolution to the series, taking us full circle but also providing a welcome "and now for something completely different", providing excellent balance to the hectic preceding volumes. And of course, it gave us Nan Bacco and her staff. I won't spoil too much for you yet, but you're in for a treat if you're only 3 chapters in.

 

[Mage]

Very much hit and miss for me.

The Vornholt and Greenberger entries didn't really do it for me, the characters felt off in a way, and the entire story line about a 'ghostship' was all a bit out there. The storyline involving Kyle Riker was also one of those farfetched concepts for me.

The reason the Ward/Dilmore, Mack and KRAD entries work so well for me, was mostly the character work. I had no problems seeing Stewart as Picard in their entries.

 

[Tirius]

( ...)and the entire story line about a 'ghostship' was all a bit out there.

I felt it was very reminiscent of Vornholt's previous Dominion Wars entry, where I agree the backdrop of the Badlands made much more sense (and which I enjoyed more). I didn't care much for the Cabot/Wesley story, but the duology had its highlights for me, such as Nechayev finally going to bat for Picard, and I liked the design of the Ontaillians.

The storyline involving Kyle Riker was also one of those farfetched concepts for me.

I agree this was the weaker part of this story, but also believe Riker resolving his father issues was important for his growth as a character, and his ultimate decision to leave the Enterprise. I tend to be rather forgiving of things I don't like much if they lead to something better.

 

[Frontier]

Also, security officer Scott Fillion from Kill/Heal = so obviously Nathan Fillion. Am I right? I could totally hear him, see him, playing such. But maybe it's just me? But not likely.

Finished War/Peace earlier tonight. I liked it, but it felt a little... rushed? I think Worf should have come back at least a book or two earlier. Vale maybe seriously injured in Kill/Heal and thus explaining her absence for the last book+Nemesis as opposed to her being on shore leave. Alexander being made ambassador to Quo'nos at the ripe old age of, what, 19? That... *shakes head* I think Giancarlo Wu should have been made Ambassador and Alexander made his chief of staff maybe. But oh well.

Not sure what I'll read next. But I did the Time To series in about 2 weeks, lol. Having a new kindle fire I've been going back into older works and reading far more than I have for the past few years.

 

[ATimson]

Finished War/Peace earlier tonight. I liked it, but it felt a little... rushed?

It was originally going to be two books, but for various reasons it became one, with the second one becoming Articles of the Federation.