Opinions on Titan series?

[CaptJimboJones]

I haven't yet jumped into the Titan series, but at the bookstore yesterday I noticed that there are already four volumes out. Times flies indeed ...

Anyway, I'm tempted to just go buy all four books and catch up, but first I'd like to get some general opinions on the Titan novels. Are they worth the time? Good stories? Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[Smiley]

Taking Wing and Orion's Hounds are fantastic, and The Red King and Sword of Damocles are decent. If you've got the time and desire, then I would recommend looking at all four.

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

I've enjoyed the Titan books despite not being a huge fan of the TNG-era, especially that latter movies. That being said, I find the crew dynamics interesting and feel the stories, especially Orion's Hounds, are what I wanted TNG to be more like.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

I've only read Taking Wing, which I enjoyed it a lot, but mostly for the Romulan intrigue. Beyond Riker, Troi, Ogawa, and Melora, I wasn't really taken in by the crew. I was never a fan of Tuvok and beyond Dr. Ree, I don't remember anyone else who was new. I wasn't interested in checking out the second book considering who it featured.

 

[DS9forever]

I actually prefer the new characters to Riker, Troi (A Diplomatic Officer!?!), Tuvok etc. The Cardassian (Dakal?) is a great character, as is Jaza, the Bajoran science officer.

 

[Smiley]

The Titan series actually gives Tuvok some characterization and plotlines, something the TV series was pretty stingy with. I don't remember Tuvok stealing the show in TRK, either. He was featured, but so were Akaar, Riker, and several others.

 

[J47]

DS9forever said:
I actually prefer the new characters to Riker, Troi (A Diplomatic Officer!?!), Tuvok etc. The Cardassian (Dakal?) is a great character, as is Jaza, the Bajoran science officer.

Troi as a Diplomatic Officer probably makes more sense than having a ship of 350 people with 3 counselors does. She was certainly shown to have some skills in the area, perhaps acquired from her mother (probably not), on TNG (though admittedly no episode comes to mind at this moment).

 

[JD]

I love Titan. It is one of my absolute favorite Trek series period (along with DS9,TNG and Vanguard), IMO it's got one of the most unique and interesting crews in any of the Trek series, and so far all of the books have been good. I don't really remember much of the second one, other than the fact that it was good, but not as good as the first or third ones. I've only just started the fourth one, but so far it seems to be in line with the quality of the first and third books.

 

[J47]

You know, it occurs to me as I read "Sword of Damocles" that I find the execution of the exceptionally multi-cultural crew tiring at times throughout this series, but at the same time one of my biggest complaints with the TNG Relaunch is the uniformly non-diversified new regulars. Just goes to prove that Trek fans are never happy.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

I never said I didn't like non-diversified regulars. I love New Frontier and you can't get anymore diversified than that. I was just wasn't pulled in by the Titan crew.

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

J47 said:

DS9forever said:
I actually prefer the new characters to Riker, Troi (A Diplomatic Officer!?!), Tuvok etc. The Cardassian (Dakal?) is a great character, as is Jaza, the Bajoran science officer.

Troi as a Diplomatic Officer probably makes more sense than having a ship of 350 people with 3 counselors does. She was certainly shown to have some skills in the area, perhaps acquired from her mother (probably not), on TNG (though admittedly no episode comes to mind at this moment).

I thought Troi should've been more of a First Contact specialist and a civilian coordinator, which she sorta did during the seven-year run, than a ship's counselor in TNG as it would explain why she got to a seat right next to Picard.

 

[Enterpriserules]

I really like the whole series. I, like JD, find it to be one of the freshest and most original series. Riker and Troi are much better in the series then when they where on TNG. They actually have personalities and Riker is a good captain. Other than the DS9r and the ENT continuation, which I love, this is the series that I am really liking. Read it, I do not think that you will be disappointed.

 

[Julio Angel Ortiz]

Everyone here knows that I think this series sucks.




Psych. I'd pimp my sister out for more books a year. I love this series just a little bit.

 

[JD]

Nice page. Where did you find that bridge schematic? Because I would love to see more of those. Also, who is the Keru model?
ETA: Never mind, I found the ex-astris-scinetia bridge schemativs.

 

[Christopher]

J47 said:
Troi as a Diplomatic Officer probably makes more sense than having a ship of 350 people with 3 counselors does. She was certainly shown to have some skills in the area, perhaps acquired from her mother (probably not), on TNG (though admittedly no episode comes to mind at this moment).

Deanna's job on the Enterprise always involved diplomatic aspects -- she advised Picard on contact situations, alien cultures and languages, etc. Her diplomatic officer role on Titan is merely an extension of that.

She wouldn't have acquired diplomatic skills from her mother, since Lwaxana wasn't appointed an ambassador until "Manhunt" in the late 2nd season -- and ambassador or no, Lwaxana has never been diplomatic.

 

[Julio Angel Ortiz]

JD said:
Nice page. Where did you find that bridge schematic? Because I would love to see more of those. Also, who is the Keru model?
ETA: Never mind, I found the ex-astris-scinetia bridge schemativs.

Thanks for the compliment.

The Keru model is from Andy Mangel's site, and is a picture of a friend of his on whom Keru is based.

 

[SeerSGB]

My opinion on the books? Book 1 and 2 were good-- though a bit slow in places, I felt. But considering they were stuck with getting the characters in play and introducing the series in general, I think they did a good job overall. Book 3 was just great 'Trek all the way around, it felt like a TNG/TOS hybrid but at the same time something new and fresh. Book 4, just started, and it looks interesting so far.

Have to say the big surprises for me, character wise, has been Troi and Riker. The take on them in the books has brought them out of the shadow of TNG and really into their own as main characters.

 

[Geoff Thorne]

The Grinch said:
I never said I didn't like non-diversified regulars. I love New Frontier and you can't get anymore diversified than that. I was just wasn't pulled in by the Titan crew.

Oh, I think Riker's crew is considerably more diverse than Calhoun's. We haven't even met like 98% of them. Almost none of them are human and almost none of the non-humans are humanoid. Indeed, some of the humanoids aren't always humanoids .

I hope TITAN gets a long run with or without me.

I also like the vast difference in style and approach between Picard and Riker. I always liked Picard as sort of a reaction to Kirk but Riker is the kind of captain I, personally, would prefer.

Unlike Picard, who is fairly austere and even distant from the bulk of his crew, Riker has ALWAYS been portrayed as a "get in there and get your hands dirty" sort of officer. My pref, always.

Whether people love SoD or not, I hope TITAN gets MANY more adventures. This is what I loved about STAR TREK as a child +. Exactly this.

I count TW and RK as a single volume, myself, as they tell one big story. That was the foundation. OH set the tone and the scope. I am DYING to see what Mr. Mack leaves us with.

Or who.

 

[LightningStorm]

Might as well drop in my $0.02.

Having read only the 1st three books: I think Titan is a good series. That is to say not great but it is above average. Taking Wing felt a tad long, but that was necessary in order to introduce much of the highly diverse crew. As someone stated earlier the Romulan stuff was top notch. The Red King, I tend to agree with most on this that it was not as good as the other two. I think it was (thankfully) much better than I expected. Orion's Hounds was fantastic, while I'm sure it had its flaws, thinking back on it I don't remember them so that's definitely a good thing.

Although I haven't read Sword of Damocles, all the synopses that came out before it did make me very eager to get it, it is in fact the reason I caught up on Titan when I did so I'd be ready for it when it came out. (I'm going to read it after I finish with Before Dishonor.)

Overall the only complaint I have with Titan, many have stated before, it does (regardless of the intent of the authors otherwise) seem to force the "Hey, look at me I'm a diverse crew!" thing down your throat.

 

[Geoff Thorne]

LightningStorm said:
Might as well drop in my $0.02.

Having read only the 1st three books: I think Titan is a good series. That is to say not great but it is above average. Taking Wing felt a tad long, but that was necessary in order to introduce much of the highly diverse crew. As someone stated earlier the Romulan stuff was top notch. The Red King, I tend to agree with most on this that it was not as good as the other two. I think it was (thankfully) much better than I expected. Orion's Hounds was fantastic, while I'm sure it had its flaws, thinking back on it I don't remember them so that's definitely a good thing.

Although I haven't read Sword of Damocles, all the synopses that came out before it did make me very eager to get it, it is in fact the reason I caught up on Titan when I did so I'd be ready for it when it came out. (I'm going to read it after I finish with Before Dishonor.)

Overall the only complaint I have with Titan, many have stated before, it does (regardless of the intent of the authors otherwise) seem to force the "Hey, look at me I'm a diverse crew!" thing down your throat.

This interests me. This is precisely the reason I was interested in TITAN.

As the crew has been described as being nearly 100% non-human, how are we to describe them without "shoving the diversity down your throat?"

What would be the point of telling you about the diversity but still focusing on the humans or humanoids exclusively? Also there are many sorts of diversity even within a given species. The Andorians alone are a Rubik's cube of sexuality, spiritual and political views.

How do we ignore all that with a ship full of folks no one has ever seen before? I couldn't if I tried.

Even with the TITAN's obvious bent it's clear that the stories still tilt toward humanoid stars. How could they not? I think the intent is for Riker's experiment within the book to be somewhat of one for the audience as well.

What is wrong with all those knobbly, stringy, oozy people being the focus of stories?

IDIC, baby.

IMO.