Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
Yup, me too. Got it at midnight and started reading.
Yup, me too. Got it at midnight and started reading.
NF: Blind Man's Bluff by Peter A. David Review Thread (Spoilers!)
- Thread starter Thrawn
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Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
Galaxy in Sydney received it Tuesday and I took mine home last night. As I posted last week, when DTI came in last week, they knew the trade was coming a week later. Sometimes books from Amazon can get stuck in the post for three weeks or so.
Galaxy in Sydney received it Tuesday and I took mine home last night. As I posted last week, when DTI came in last week, they knew the trade was coming a week later. Sometimes books from Amazon can get stuck in the post for three weeks or so.
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Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
I mean on the UK kindle store.
I mean on the UK kindle store.
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
Have just finished reading BMB & would rate it above average.
I have to agree with cal888 regarding the timeframe -
Have just finished reading BMB & would rate it above average.
I have to agree with cal888 regarding the timeframe -
I see BMB falling at the beginning of the 3-month period between Before Dishonor and Nechayev's next appearance in Greater then the Sum - so most likely ~July-Aug 2380. So it would fall 12months at most since After the Fall (which I thought was about mid-2379 since Nemesis was in the second-half of 2379) and only a month after Treason at the most (which I thought was about mid-2380).
Given this time-frame, in the remaining period between BMB & Greater then the Sum (which is towards the very end of 2380), Nechayev has been 'rescued' and has returned to active duty with a possible end of the D'myurj/Brethren threat & Jellico has been promoted to C&C.
Regarding Seven's losing her implants in BMB, since Robin was able to still identify her as someone who had 'apparently once been a Borg', I actually had taken it that only part of her implant/s had been removed and the remaining parts is what Robin had associated with the Borg. So what is remaining is what she ended up losing at the end of Destiny.
As for the New Thallonian Protectorate joining the Federation - with the amount of resources the Federation had lost coming out of the Dominion War & the recent Borg incidents that occurred in the TNG relaunch books pre-Destiny, I can see the Federation 'pushing' through membership of states that they would normally not have accepted if they had something that would assist the Federation with rebuilding what they had lost as quickly as possible. Given the size of the Protectorate (which I think was about 50-member worlds), I think it is highly possible they would have something the Federation would consider valuable.
Given this time-frame, in the remaining period between BMB & Greater then the Sum (which is towards the very end of 2380), Nechayev has been 'rescued' and has returned to active duty with a possible end of the D'myurj/Brethren threat & Jellico has been promoted to C&C.
Regarding Seven's losing her implants in BMB, since Robin was able to still identify her as someone who had 'apparently once been a Borg', I actually had taken it that only part of her implant/s had been removed and the remaining parts is what Robin had associated with the Borg. So what is remaining is what she ended up losing at the end of Destiny.
As for the New Thallonian Protectorate joining the Federation - with the amount of resources the Federation had lost coming out of the Dominion War & the recent Borg incidents that occurred in the TNG relaunch books pre-Destiny, I can see the Federation 'pushing' through membership of states that they would normally not have accepted if they had something that would assist the Federation with rebuilding what they had lost as quickly as possible. Given the size of the Protectorate (which I think was about 50-member worlds), I think it is highly possible they would have something the Federation would consider valuable.
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
Well finally got it from the US Store as it is not getting released in the UK on ebook according to Simon & Schuster. They told me this is because of the ongoing Legal issue around them setting the prices and most trek books will no not be released in the UK until the OFT and EU make a rulling.
Well finally got it from the US Store as it is not getting released in the UK on ebook according to Simon & Schuster. They told me this is because of the ongoing Legal issue around them setting the prices and most trek books will no not be released in the UK until the OFT and EU make a rulling.
With regard to the book I have voted poor, there were a few funny moments, especially the Doctor Who refrences, but for the most part the book was not as funny or enjoyable as the previous 17 books.
I think that the Seven and Doctor sections were really poor and done because he wanted to include voyager characters. I have to say I think Peter David has went downhill recently on Trek novels, Before Dishonor was poor as well.
I think that the Seven and Doctor sections were really poor and done because he wanted to include voyager characters. I have to say I think Peter David has went downhill recently on Trek novels, Before Dishonor was poor as well.
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
Hmm, I wonder if that has any impact on the German Kindle store.
I guess not, since while BMB isn't listed there either (I have the TPB, so I don't mind that much), in contrast to the British store we have the upcoming books up to Rise Like Lions listed for preorder.
Hmm, I wonder if that has any impact on the German Kindle store.
I guess not, since while BMB isn't listed there either (I have the TPB, so I don't mind that much), in contrast to the British store we have the upcoming books up to Rise Like Lions listed for preorder.
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
Hi defcon it is possible, I know the EU body responsable raided Simon & Schuster along with other publishers afew weeks ago and took away mobiles, laptops, pda's ipod's ect (anything the exec's had or owned that could hold documents) as the EU is not happy with the price fixing either.
Hi defcon it is possible, I know the EU body responsable raided Simon & Schuster along with other publishers afew weeks ago and took away mobiles, laptops, pda's ipod's ect (anything the exec's had or owned that could hold documents) as the EU is not happy with the price fixing either.
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
On the other hand Germany has the Buchpreisbindung (Fixed Book Price Agreement; publisher sets the prices, to which all retailers have to adhere to) for German books both printed and digital anyway (and that's actually a law in Germany), so I don't see why there should be any problem if the same is done for English (e-)books.
My concern was that the German store probably shares the database with the British shop, but since I already found some discrepancies I hope it is limited to the UK (and that it will be sorted out for you guys soon, too.).
On the other hand Germany has the Buchpreisbindung (Fixed Book Price Agreement; publisher sets the prices, to which all retailers have to adhere to) for German books both printed and digital anyway (and that's actually a law in Germany), so I don't see why there should be any problem if the same is done for English (e-)books.
My concern was that the German store probably shares the database with the British shop, but since I already found some discrepancies I hope it is limited to the UK (and that it will be sorted out for you guys soon, too.).
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
Dang, you guys are a tough crowd. I really enjoyed the book. I didn't find PD off his game. I felt he was as on as he ever is. Perhaps the series is just played out for many. Not for me though. Great ending which makes me quite melancholy at the notion that this may be the last NF book.
On the whole though, I loved it.
Dang, you guys are a tough crowd. I really enjoyed the book. I didn't find PD off his game. I felt he was as on as he ever is. Perhaps the series is just played out for many. Not for me though. Great ending which makes me quite melancholy at the notion that this may be the last NF book.
On the whole though, I loved it.
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
I liked it, and it did answer a question about one of the admirals that was in it, plus I liked the TOS feel.
I liked it, and it did answer a question about one of the admirals that was in it, plus I liked the TOS feel.
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
Mackenzie Calhoun was alone. If it ends here, the final words really sum it up.
Mackenzie Calhoun was alone. If it ends here, the final words really sum it up.
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
I think the comments about the switch from three-a-year to every-three-years schedule doing NF no favors is right on the money. I'm also fairly certain that the books themselves have gotten shorter since the time-jump. The story itself was the kind of read-in-a-sitting roller-coaster that I love from PAD (even if he isn't blowing me away anymore, his writing still hooks right into the ol' brainstem), but a lot of stuff was just glossed over. Xyon pops onto the ship, gets ready to sweep Kallanda off her feet before doing his snake-in-the-grass job and then... what? I don't think she even actually saw he was in the room before he left. Considering how cursory the Kally/Tania relationship is (again, three years between shorter books), I would've much rather had some development of Kally/Xyon. We also got one mention of Moke (still surly!) in that sequence, clumsily referred to in dialogue as Calhoun's adopted son. Now, I recognize the need to inform everyone who Moke is, but it could've been done more artfully, maybe with Xyon phrasing it as a dig at Calhoun, or in a narrative aside between lines of dialogue or, hell, if Moke isn't appearing at all, just let it be implicit and know the people who follow the books will catch it. Speaking of loose editing, there's also a line where the Excalibur is mistakenly referred to as attacking Xenex, not New Thallon. And, to bounce back to Xyon for a moment, he also acted like such a little shit at the very end. Perhaps that and his non-action with Kallanda were meant to set up his return to douchbaggery so he could have some more character growth in the next book, but I think that needs to be set up a bit better when the next book isn't coming out immediately. Call it Captain Sisko Syndrome.
Okay, Peter David's a busy man. I can accept that he might not have the resources to make something to the scale of the old "Giant Novels" (though I picked up BMB with Watching the Clock and Indistinguishable From Magic, and when I opened those two after finishing Bluff to pick which one to start next, I actually swore out loud in surprise at the solid blocks of small-sized text on thinner paper in both books), and that we're solidly in the one-book-a-month era, so we can't go back to the Martyr thought Dark Allies period. But if he can't keep up with the huge cast the way he did up through "Stone and Anvil," maybe it's time to have another New Frontier retool. Bring the focus back into more adventure-y, crisis of the week stuff like in the early days, and just focus in on the Excalibur (which, too be fair, seems to have happened already, with fake Shelby having more time in the book than real Shelby, and the Trident likewise being near-absent).
I don't really know what to rate the book. I enjoyed it as an exciting adventure romp, but considering that by and large everything since "After the Fall" has been New Frontier-lite (I think the main exceptions would be Shelby's Captain's Table story, and the extended cameo in "Before Dishonor"), I'm not sure if that's enough to give it high marks.
I think the comments about the switch from three-a-year to every-three-years schedule doing NF no favors is right on the money. I'm also fairly certain that the books themselves have gotten shorter since the time-jump. The story itself was the kind of read-in-a-sitting roller-coaster that I love from PAD (even if he isn't blowing me away anymore, his writing still hooks right into the ol' brainstem), but a lot of stuff was just glossed over. Xyon pops onto the ship, gets ready to sweep Kallanda off her feet before doing his snake-in-the-grass job and then... what? I don't think she even actually saw he was in the room before he left. Considering how cursory the Kally/Tania relationship is (again, three years between shorter books), I would've much rather had some development of Kally/Xyon. We also got one mention of Moke (still surly!) in that sequence, clumsily referred to in dialogue as Calhoun's adopted son. Now, I recognize the need to inform everyone who Moke is, but it could've been done more artfully, maybe with Xyon phrasing it as a dig at Calhoun, or in a narrative aside between lines of dialogue or, hell, if Moke isn't appearing at all, just let it be implicit and know the people who follow the books will catch it. Speaking of loose editing, there's also a line where the Excalibur is mistakenly referred to as attacking Xenex, not New Thallon. And, to bounce back to Xyon for a moment, he also acted like such a little shit at the very end. Perhaps that and his non-action with Kallanda were meant to set up his return to douchbaggery so he could have some more character growth in the next book, but I think that needs to be set up a bit better when the next book isn't coming out immediately. Call it Captain Sisko Syndrome.
Okay, Peter David's a busy man. I can accept that he might not have the resources to make something to the scale of the old "Giant Novels" (though I picked up BMB with Watching the Clock and Indistinguishable From Magic, and when I opened those two after finishing Bluff to pick which one to start next, I actually swore out loud in surprise at the solid blocks of small-sized text on thinner paper in both books), and that we're solidly in the one-book-a-month era, so we can't go back to the Martyr thought Dark Allies period. But if he can't keep up with the huge cast the way he did up through "Stone and Anvil," maybe it's time to have another New Frontier retool. Bring the focus back into more adventure-y, crisis of the week stuff like in the early days, and just focus in on the Excalibur (which, too be fair, seems to have happened already, with fake Shelby having more time in the book than real Shelby, and the Trident likewise being near-absent).
I don't really know what to rate the book. I enjoyed it as an exciting adventure romp, but considering that by and large everything since "After the Fall" has been New Frontier-lite (I think the main exceptions would be Shelby's Captain's Table story, and the extended cameo in "Before Dishonor"), I'm not sure if that's enough to give it high marks.
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
Pocket Books - enough with the font so big that I don't need my glasses. It's padding out the page count. Dead set! I don't mind 300-400 page books with regular font even 600 or 800 page for that matter -(think Jean Auel or Julian May size books), but far out, this size font - rip off. Plus, the only NF book that I haven't devoured in 1 sitting. I still haven't finished it yet.
Pocket Books - enough with the font so big that I don't need my glasses. It's padding out the page count. Dead set! I don't mind 300-400 page books with regular font even 600 or 800 page for that matter -(think Jean Auel or Julian May size books), but far out, this size font - rip off. Plus, the only NF book that I haven't devoured in 1 sitting. I still haven't finished it yet.
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Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
Wasn't the concept of trade paperbacks partly meant to appeal to a demographic that found regular MMPB fonts too small?
Wasn't the concept of trade paperbacks partly meant to appeal to a demographic that found regular MMPB fonts too small?
Re: Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff Review Thread
It's set after Destiny...if you squint a bit...I'm not being funny but every other author has had no problem accommodating themselves within the extended universe - including incorporating whatever whacky thing Peter David's done now...would it really have been too much for him to have made it fit with the Post-Destiny Universe?
It's set after Destiny...if you squint a bit...I'm not being funny but every other author has had no problem accommodating themselves within the extended universe - including incorporating whatever whacky thing Peter David's done now...would it really have been too much for him to have made it fit with the Post-Destiny Universe?
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