Not sure if anyone else has started a review thread, if so sorry, I've overlooked it.
First of all, I've enjoyed much of Ward's work so in order to read Open Secrets I had to correct an error. I accidently had the books shipped to my address from four years ago and couldn't get anyone to change the address. So yesterday between my first and second class I drove 90 miles round trip to pick up the books.
Started reading it when I arrived back at work and finished it by 1900hrs.
The opening is interesting and quickly leads into a flashback covering the immediate aftermath of Reyes arrest. The story can be divided into several subplots, including the Reyes court-martial, the Pennington-M'Benga, and the meta-gene plot among others.
Overall, I reallly liked the court-martial subplot, which does an excellen job of dealing with the lead up to the trial and the actual trial itself, without going into a blow by blow account. I thought it was extremely realistic including the way the trial ends.
The Pennington-M'Benga plot I thought was bit weaker, but blame part of that on the "Ancient Vulcan traditions/ceremony" aspects which has been built into canon within the series and movies. However, it is well handled and at least fits into probable canon concepts.
The metagene plot was alright, but I don't qiute find it as interesting as the other sections within the books.
Excellent examples of "cameo events" are placed throughout the book and well done, as well as dealing with the other characters in the series.
Overall, I'll say the ending was a complete surprise, believing that the resolution of of the ending should at least another 2 good books.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading the novel and I'd drive another 90 miles round trip to get the next book. (However, think I'll fix the flaw so its delivered to my address instead.)
First of all, I've enjoyed much of Ward's work so in order to read Open Secrets I had to correct an error. I accidently had the books shipped to my address from four years ago and couldn't get anyone to change the address. So yesterday between my first and second class I drove 90 miles round trip to pick up the books.
Started reading it when I arrived back at work and finished it by 1900hrs.
The opening is interesting and quickly leads into a flashback covering the immediate aftermath of Reyes arrest. The story can be divided into several subplots, including the Reyes court-martial, the Pennington-M'Benga, and the meta-gene plot among others.
Overall, I reallly liked the court-martial subplot, which does an excellen job of dealing with the lead up to the trial and the actual trial itself, without going into a blow by blow account. I thought it was extremely realistic including the way the trial ends.
The Pennington-M'Benga plot I thought was bit weaker, but blame part of that on the "Ancient Vulcan traditions/ceremony" aspects which has been built into canon within the series and movies. However, it is well handled and at least fits into probable canon concepts.
The metagene plot was alright, but I don't qiute find it as interesting as the other sections within the books.
Excellent examples of "cameo events" are placed throughout the book and well done, as well as dealing with the other characters in the series.
Overall, I'll say the ending was a complete surprise, believing that the resolution of of the ending should at least another 2 good books.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading the novel and I'd drive another 90 miles round trip to get the next book. (However, think I'll fix the flaw so its delivered to my address instead.)
