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[ryanpfw]

Hi all,

First post. I've been a Trek fan for years, specifically of the series. Deep Space Nine is my favorite, but I find enjoyment in all of them.

Even Voyager.

I've recently been watching Season 7 DS9 in the background and know the universe has continued in the novels. While not canon, it's the closest I am likely to ever get, and it can be canon to me.

I don't have as much time to read as I'd like, so I'm looking to jump into the novels somewhat chronologically, but as it would take me years to read everything, I'm looking for a recommended, ordered reading list for post-series books that will let me hit the essentials and allow me to pick up more books as I find the time.

Or is that utterly impossible and do I need to go in order no matter how long it takes?

Looking forward to the advice!

 

[Defcon]

This reading chart created by TrekBBS members Thrawn and 8of5 should help you a bit with the chronology:

http://www.thetrekcollective.com/p/trek-lit-reading-order.html

As for hitting the essentials with DS9 it's kind of hard IMO, as the story is developing in the background of pretty much all novels to a certain extent, even those that are more stand-alonish.

 

[ryanpfw]

That's very helpful. Thank you! There were a couple of series I heard of over the years that weren't listed (Double Helix) that I assume are not relaunch stories.

So in other words, if I want to read DS9 stories, go to that flow chart and start at the top. Got it. As you said I was intimidated knowing of so many side and crossovers stories.

Two more questions.

Of the particular sub series, are any considered must-reads or subpar?

What is the fandom opinion of the particular Trek series in book form? Are any considered more going strong or abandoned or losing steam? I would hate to get caught up only to have something dropped.

 

[Thrawn]

Most of the books on that flowchart are fantastic.

If you're looking for advice on stuff to weed out:

- Stargazer is fairly lightweight and doesn't add much
- New Frontier stands very much alone, and is a rollicking good time (though some people think it's too cartoony) but there isn't anything of importance to the overall DS9 / Wider Federation narrative in there
- The set of books that starts with The Left Hand of Darkness in the DS9 column and follows its way into the Klingon Empire are all about Klingons. And they're great, if you like Klingons, but you don't need them to understand anything else.
- All the stuff listed in "DS9 Backstory" is phenomenal, but the only one that I'd say you really shouldn't skip if you want to get to the ongoing narrative as soon as possible is The Lives of Dax. The rest are great, but you can return to them later if/when you want to.
- n-vector, the comic listed in the DS9 column, is terrible. Skip.
- When you get to the Gateways crossover, as you're reading through DS9, don't read the whole thing. Trust me. Just read the DS9 novel and its accompanying ending novella from What Lay Beyond. (Both of these are in the omnibus Twist of Faith, along with the three prior novels, which you should buy instead of finding them individually.)
- If you get around to TNG, it's often recommended to skip the first 6 "A Time To" novels and just start with "A Time To Kill". The "A Time To" miniseries is formed of standalone pairs of novels, and the really good ones happen at the end.
- The Enterprise post-finale stories are loved by some, but have some pretty major logistical problems. Only read if you really really loved Enterprise.

Aside from that, the first few TNG books after A Time To... (namely, Death In Winter, Resistance, Q&A, and Before Dishonor) have some issues, but they're pretty essential to the ongoing narratives. There are a few other duds scattered around, but not many. You'll be amazed at how consistent the quality is.

So: start with Lives of Dax, then A Stitch In Time, then Avatar begins the post-finale stories proper and you'll be hooked in no time.

 

[ryanpfw]

Very helpful! Thank you!

I also take it this list is a bit out of date? I noticed Star Trek: The Fall in the kindle store. I take it from the release date that is at the very end?

 

[Defcon]

If I'm not mistaken 8of5 plans an update once The Fall is finished. (Book Four of FIve is just hitting the stores.)

 

[8of5]

If I'm not mistaken 8of5 plans an update once The Fall is finished. (Book Four of FIve is just hitting the stores.)

A daunting prospect this time around, I sense there will be many new arrows!

I noticed Star Trek: The Fall in the kindle store. I take it from the release date that is at the very end?

Correct, if you've got to the bottom of the TNG, crossover, and Titan columns, you'll be up to date to go into The Fall.

My personal recommendation, especially as you're coming in from DS9, would be to go through the entire DS9 relaunch from Avatar (or maybe squeeze in A Stitch in Time first), and then switch tracks over to Articles of the Federation, which sets up some important characters to lead you into Destiny and the many stories that branch off from there. You could always go back and fill in the earlier books from other series later, but Destiny is a good place to jump in as it brings many series together before they all split out again.

 

[R. Star]

I should say.... having consulted that chart a number of times, it's really quite well done!

 

[ryan123450]

Don't forget about my website. It's updated every month. Hope that's a help to you as well ryanpfw.

 

[Thrawn]

If I'm not mistaken 8of5 plans an update once The Fall is finished. (Book Four of FIve is just hitting the stores.)

A daunting prospect this time around, I sense there will be many new arrows!

No kidding. Especially if you list the books separately by focus series, like you did with Typhon Pact. More arrows than the DC bus map!

 

[JD]

Memory Beta is also a really good resource for the Trek novels. Just beware of spoilers.

 

[BrentMc]

Ryan, welcome to the forum! Enjoy reading Star Trek and do any of us ever have as much time to read as we would like? Even if I had the lifespan of a Vulcan I don't think I could read as much as I would like!

 

[dansigal]

Memory Beta is also a really good resource for the Trek novels. Just beware of spoilers.

Agreed on Memory Beta. Plus this entry here is a spoiler free timeline of the relaunch novels, which has helped me out a lot http://memory-beta.wikia.com/wiki/Relaunch_novels_timeline

My other piece of advice would be, if you're not in a particular hurry, don't be thrown off by the idea of it "taking you years" to get through everything. I actually started around this time in 2011 with the Left Hand of Destiny series at the beginning of the DS9 relaunch. Two years later, I still haven't reached the Destiny series (though I'm getting super close), but I've enjoyed every second of it, and I love that I still have years worth of reading to look forward to.

I started with the DS9 relaunch, then did the first 4 books in the Voyager relaunch, then the Time To series, now I'm working my way through the post-Nemesis TNG books and the Titan series. It's a blast.