New Frontier: Where do I start if...

[neogothboy74]

I read the first 4 when they were new and didn't enjoy them. I had some problems with certain characters. I didn't like the way Robin Lefler was written and couldn't imagine it being the same character, even though she was only in 2 Next Gen episodes. I figured the series just wasn't for me. Then in 2006 I decided I wanted to give the series another chance. I found the books used on Amazon - and a few new ones were available too. I bought the entire series and read them over 2007-2009. I'm completely up to date on the series, and it's now one of my favorite Treks of all time - with Captain Calhoun as my favorite Trek Captain ever.

I agree with others. Read it from the beginning. It's worth it.

 

[Manisphere]

Okay, so I bought the first 4 books online and am finishing the fourth. I'm really enjoying them.

Thing is, I was able to pick up Fire on High and Gods Above at a used bookstore. Previous books like Being Human, Dark Allies, The Quiet Place etc are pretty pricey for me to buy online at the moment. (I'm in Canada)

Question: Can I leap into Fire on High and Gods Above and collect books 5, 7-12 later? Or do these books really need to be read in order? (I realize that for maximum enjoyment they do) Since GA is based loosely on a TOS episode it seems kind of an isolated story.

ETA: And ebooks aren't practical for me.

 

[Trent Roman]

New Frontier has a number of ongoing plot and character arcs; I'd recommend waiting to see if you can find the intervening books.

Fictitiously yours, Trent Roman

 

[JD]

Yeah, I'm with Trent here, it's pretty arc heavy, so it probably would be best to read them in order. And be sure to get the Double Helix, Captain's Table, and Gateways books, they play a pretty big role in the series.

 

[LutherSloan]

Yeah, I'm with Trent here, it's pretty arc heavy, so it probably would be best to read them in order. And be sure to get the Double Helix, Captain's Table, and Gateways books, they play a pretty big role in the series.

Probably Gateways the most, although the NF 'Captain's Table' entry goes into Calhoun's Starfleet backstory some more.

 

[Paris]

I agree with Trent & JD. Reading them in order is the best way to go. The New Frontier Captain's Table entry, Once Burned, is one of the best (if not the best) books in the entire run and should not be missed. However, as it deals with Calhoun's past in Starfleet, including the incident on the Grissom, I think you can actually read that one whenever. It was released after Fire on High, but I still think you can read it whenever you want. The Double Helix book was kind of forgetable but not bad, and the Gateways book was great, but doesn't come until after Restoration (book #11) and if you read it before you've read the numbered books in the series, it will ruin those books to a certain degree.

 

[Manisphere]

Hmm. Well that's a bit disappointing. I guess I'll hold onto Gods Above until I get all of previous books. Whenever that day is.
I am going to start Fire on High though as I don't think missing Martyr will be that major.

 

[JD]

There is one fairly major element in Martyr, but if you can't find the book you could probably get the info here or on Memory Beta.

 

[Paris]

There is one fairly major element in Martyr, but if you can't find the book you could probably get the info here or on Memory Beta.

True enough. If you don't mind spoilers, or if you actually want some spoilers, then memory beta is probably the place to look .

 

[Manisphere]

There is one fairly major element in Martyr, but if you can't find the book you could probably get the info here or on Memory Beta.

True enough. If you don't mind spoilers, or if you actually want some spoilers, then memory beta is probably the place to look .

I pretty much hate spoilers but collecting these books without buying an iphone or new ipod is a long shot. They're expensive to ship here. Also, I'm sure you can understand, I'm loving Peter David. I'm just wanting a good story.

I found this, from another thread, helpful:

Nobody's writing Trek novels that "require" you to read prior books first. That would be self-defeating, because it would drive people away just the way you describe. The books are designed to be accessible, to include all the information any reader needs to follow the stories within them. But for those readers who are interested in taking it further, in connecting the individual novels into a larger whole, there's extra information provided to show them how they can do that.

I'll just have to weigh my hatred of spoilers against my desire to tear into the book.

I agree with Trent & JD. Reading them in order is the best way to go. The New Frontier Captain's Table entry, Once Burned, is one of the best (if not the best) books in the entire run and should not be missed. However, as it deals with Calhoun's past in Starfleet, including the incident on the Grissom, I think you can actually read that one whenever.

One of the few I was able to find for a reasonable price on Amazon Marketplace.

 

[Paris]

I agree with Trent & JD. Reading them in order is the best way to go. The New Frontier Captain's Table entry, Once Burned, is one of the best (if not the best) books in the entire run and should not be missed. However, as it deals with Calhoun's past in Starfleet, including the incident on the Grissom, I think you can actually read that one whenever.

One of the few I was able to find for a reasonable price on Amazon Marketplace.

Read it immediately and come back and talk about it !!! IMO, it's a great read; hopefully you like it as much as I remember liking it

 

[Paris]

Yo Manisphere,

I was trolling ebay this morning and I came across a copy of Martyr for a good price plus shipping. I don't think i'm aloud to provide a link, as per board rules, but the item# is: 270396309227. I would have sent you this via PM, but I think you still can't receive them .

 

[Manisphere]

Yo Manisphere,

I was trolling ebay this morning and I came across a copy of Martyr for a good price plus shipping. I don't think i'm aloud to provide a link, as per board rules, but the item# is: 270396309227. I would have sent you this via PM, but I think you still can't receive them .

Thanks Paris. I saw the same thing. I found one on Amazon Marketplace that around the same price. Thanks so much.

 

[Paris]

Yo Manisphere,

I was trolling ebay this morning and I came across a copy of Martyr for a good price plus shipping. I don't think i'm aloud to provide a link, as per board rules, but the item# is: 270396309227. I would have sent you this via PM, but I think you still can't receive them .

Thanks Paris. I saw the same thing. I found one on Amazon Marketplace that around the same price. Thanks so much.

Hope you enjoy it, and hopefully it doesn't take too long to arrive. Now you definetly have to hold off on Fire on High until later

 

[Tino]

Thanks so much. I'm going to start After the Fall unless I break down and go with amazon.

Why don't you start with the previous one, "Stone and Anvil"?
It has an extra CD-Rom with all previous 16 adventures! :-)

You'll get 17 for the price of one. :-)

 

[captcalhoun]

only if he can find a first edition hardback.

 

[RoJoHen]

I could not even imagine reading this series out of order.

 

[Manisphere]

Because of you guys I've been driven. Driven to acquire these books. I've finally made headway. I just picked up Martyr to Restoration for $6 on Ebay!

I had to tell somebody and no one I know could or would possibly care. Since this forum is responsible for my current preoccupation, I've come here to thank you!

Now if only Once Burned would arrive already, I'd have something to get me started.

 

[T'Ressa Dax]

Sounds like your patience paid off! Enjoy the books!

 

[DGCatAniSiri]

I had some problems with certain characters. I didn't like the way Robin Lefler was written and couldn't imagine it being the same character, even though she was only in 2 Next Gen episodes.

I didn't realize it until I reread them a few years ago, but up until 'After The Fall,' I really agree with this statement - PD's characterization of Robin doesn't sit well up until recently. Personally, I think it's the fact that she almostly instantly becomes smitten with Si Cwan and most of her thoughts and characterization seem to revolve around him -

Spoiler: Later NF spoilers

now that he's been removed from the equation, she's got a little more personality because she has to develop without him. Now, if her child becomes the entire universe to her, again I'm going to have a problem with her.

It's one of the reasons I like the fanseries Hidden Frontier's take on the character, since she's got a character separate from someone else.