So I just finished A Time to be Born

[label]

And I had a few comments/questions.

Comments:
This wasn't nearly as bad as some of you guys made it sound in other threads. Granted, it wasn't chock full of action but there was a definite sense of tension and intrigue surrounding the debris field and I enjoyed the story pretty well. So much so, I read it in about 3 sittings over 2 days. I didn't care for the railroading of Picard at the end, nor did I think given his record with StarFleet that it was even realistic - but - the fact that that type of red tape and bureaucracy exists is pretty realistic, especially for our time. I'm not sure how much I buy it in the supposed idealistic, enlightened 24th century, but it made sense to me in this century. All in all I'd give the book about 7.3/10.

Questions:
Why were so many of you down on this book? Granted, it's my first one in many years so I may just be out of touch but I thought it was a pretty decent story and different feel than many Trek episodes I'm used to seeing.

So I feel like I was missing a lot of back story with the Dominion war arc. I've seen all of TNG and DS9, but haven't read any Trek books since Q-Squared many years ago, so I'm obviously familiar with the dominion war as it's been portrayed in those TV series but I feel like I was missing info on how things got to this point. Any suggestions on if there's something I should go back and read or should I just plow forward with Time to Die.

Also, is the first time we've run into Wesley/Traveller since the series or am I missing out on back story there as well.

Finally, is there any other books I should read before I continue onwards? Thanks in advance.

 

[Dancing Doctor]

And I had a few comments/questions.

Comments:
This wasn't nearly as bad as some of you guys made it sound in other threads. Granted, it wasn't chock full of action but there was a definite sense of tension and intrigue surrounding the debris field and I enjoyed the story pretty well. So much so, I read it about 3 sittings over 2 days. I didn't care for the railroading of Picard at the end, nor did I think given his record with StarFleet that it was even realistic - but - the fact that that type of red tape and bureaucracy is pretty realistic, especially for our time. I'm not sure how much I buy it in the supposed idealistic, enlightened 24th century, but it made sense to me in this century. All in all I'd give the book about 7.3/10.

Ah, but you forgot the political aspect of the situation. The Ontailians were threatening to leave, and the Federation doesn't like that, especially in light of the Trill almost being forced out, and the Selelvians actually leaving (and never being heard from again). In order to maintain the status quo and keep the Ontailians in, as well as appease the public and the media, they threw Picard under the bus.

Questions:
Why were so many of you down on this book? Granted, it's my first one in many years so I may just be out of touch but I thought it was a pretty decent story and different feel than many Trek episodes I'm used to seeing.

I personally enjoyed it.

So I feel like I was missing a lot of back story with the Dominion war arc. I've seen all of TNG and DS9, but haven't read any Trek books since Q-Squared many years ago, so I'm obviously familiar with the dominion war as it's been portrayed in those TV series but I feel like I was missing info on how things got to this point. Any suggestions on if there's something I should go back and read or should I just plow forward with Time to Die.

In order to get a better picture of the time period leading up to Nemesis, you *might* (though it is by no means required) want to read things like the Genesis Wave books, or the Worlds of Star Trek: Deep Space 9, just because they round out the picture.

Also, is the first time we've run into Wesley/Traveller since the series or am I missing out on back story there as well.

Nope, this is the first time they've been back.

Finally, is there any other books I should read before I continue onwards? Thanks in advance.

Well, the rest of the A Time to... series

Other than those, most of the others I'd recommend reading later.

 

[Thrawn]

Finally, is there any other books I should read before I continue onwards? Thanks in advance.

Nah. I mean, there are plenty of other books that are referred to, but you've picked the best jumping on point. If you're totally in love with the ongoing continuity, you might want to read the DS9 relaunch before you get to Typhon Pact, but wait a while before you make that call.

 

[LightningStorm]

Questions:
Why were so many of you down on this book?

IMO: A Time to Be Born is pulled down by the 2nd half of that duology: A Time To Die. I personally thought A Time to Be Born was quite good, A Time to Die however was kinda bad. So I think Born gets lumped in with Die and as a result suffers.

 

[Christopher]

Also, is the first time we've run into Wesley/Traveller since the series or am I missing out on back story there as well.

They appear in "Gods, Fate, and Fractals" in Strange New Worlds II.

 

[label]

Ah, but you forgot the political aspect of the situation. The Ontailians were threatening to leave, and the Federation doesn't like that, especially in light of the Trill almost being forced out, and the Selelvians actually leaving (and never being heard from again). In order to maintain the status quo and keep the Ontailians in, as well as appease the public and the media, they threw Picard under the bus.

I understood that after the dominion war, allies were desperately needed and they couldn't afford to lose anymore, but, given the situation and log files it seems like they would have focused more on isolating Data as it was his recommendation that directly caused the situation. Yes, Picard as captain in ultimately responsible and gave the order, but he did so by listening to one of his most senior, trusted officers. *If* star fleet were going to realistically throw anyone under the bus, I would have thought they would have targeted Data more directly than they did and tried to keep Picard out of the situation when they are already so low on experienced captains.

In any case, it's a minor quibble in a book I enjoyed for the most part.

Well, the rest of the A Time to... series

Yep. That's my plan. I've already purchased the rest of the series and am starting "To Die" tonight.

IMO: A Time to Be Born is pulled down by the 2nd half of that duology: A Time To Die. I personally thought A Time to Be Born was quite good, A Time to Die however was kinda bad. So I think Born gets lumped in with Die and as a result suffers.

Bummer. And I was looking forward to "To Die"......perhaps I'll enjoy it a bit more with lower expectations.

 

[JD]

I don't remember if there was anything specific that stood out for me as being really bad. I just didn't like it.

 

[Destructor]

I remember really enjoying it all of the 'Time To' series.

 

[label]

Also, is the first time we've run into Wesley/Traveller since the series or am I missing out on back story there as well.

They appear in "Gods, Fate, and Fractals" in Strange New Worlds II.

But I take it that I didn't miss anything essential to continue from where I'm at?

I just felt like there were gaps in what I know versus what was in the books and wondered if that was due to books I hadn't read or if the story had just jumped forward. (Like Travellers' ability to look like someone else as Wesley does in the book).

 

[Starbreaker]

I read A Time To Be Born and liked it.... didn't read any of the other A Time To's after that though. I fell out of Trek reading for a few years.

 

[William Leisner]

Also, is the first time we've run into Wesley/Traveller since the series or am I missing out on back story there as well.

They appear in "Gods, Fate, and Fractals" in Strange New Worlds II.

Though that story is totally unrelated to Be Born/Die, so you're not missing any back story if you missed it. (That said, SNW2 is still available in ebook format from the good people at Pocket Books.)

 

[William Leisner]

I just felt like there were gaps in what I know versus what was in the books and wondered if that was due to books I hadn't read or if the story had just jumped forward. (Like Travellers' ability to look like someone else as Wesley does in the book).

Well, that was established in "Journey's End," when the Traveller posed as Lakanta through the whole episode.

 

[label]

I just felt like there were gaps in what I know versus what was in the books and wondered if that was due to books I hadn't read or if the story had just jumped forward. (Like Travellers' ability to look like someone else as Wesley does in the book).

Well, that was established in "Journey's End," when the Traveller posed as Lakanta through the whole episode.

Ahhhhh. You're right! I'm just now re-watching the TNG series for the first time in like 6-8 years and I'm only up through Season 2 and I totally forgot about that.

Tell you what, DS9 it still my favorite series but I have been loving re-watching the TNG series and reading some TNG books after taking such a long break from it. I can't wait to start on my DS9 rewatch and then read the DS9 launch up through the latest books.

 

[craig keith]

I agree DS9 is still the best tv trek but as you said, Theres nothing like going back and watching some classic TNG

 

[21Spike65]

I also liked all of the A Time... books. I agree that they get stronger as you go, but I still enjoyed A Time to Be Born/Die. Especially when you compare the A Time... miniseries against a lot of other miniseries we've had, it's a level above most of them. I've actually been itching to reread them, I have very fond memories of these books.

 

[label]

I dunno, Time to Die so far has been a pretty big step down in quality from the first one....I'm about 25% of the way through and most of the bad writing revolves around Wesley so perhaps the author just doesn't write him well. With Wesley transporting people out in space so they can "oooh" and "aaah" about the site so they can magically come back and now every thinks Picards' innocent just didn't make much sense. Plus, he transports Picard's counselor (Cabot, I think) and she goes from being afraid for her life to amazed by Wesley so much so that the next time he drops by they end up sleeping together despite knowing almost nothing about each other at all. The whole Wesley storyline has really been fan-fictiony to this point. Here's hoping the rest of the book concentrates on the rest of the characters.

Other questions:
Also, they talk about a continuing threat from the shape-shifting ship but didn't Picard blow it up in Time To be Born? Does that mean there's more and they're just guessing it's still dangerous?

 

[Dancing Doctor]

I dunno, Time to Die so far has been a pretty big step down in quality from the first one....I'm about 25% of the way through and most of the bad writing revolves around Wesley so perhaps the author just doesn't write him well. With Wesley transporting people out in space so they can "oooh" and "aaah" about the site so they can magically come back and now every thinks Picards' innocent just didn't make much sense. Plus, he transports Picard's counselor (Cabot, I think) and she goes from being afraid for her life to amazed by Wesley so much so that the next time he drops by they end up sleeping together despite knowing almost nothing about each other at all. The whole Wesley storyline has really been fan-fictiony to this point. Here's hoping the rest of the book concentrates on the rest of the characters.

It kinda does. However, this is the last time we see Wesley until A Time for War, A Time for Peace.

Other questions:
Also, they talk about a continuing threat from the shape-shifting ship but didn't Picard blow it up in Time To be Born? Does that mean there's more and they're just guessing it's still dangerous?

Or maybe they just thought they destroyed the shape-shifting ship.

 

[Christopher]

Or maybe they just thought they destroyed the shape-shifting ship.

It shapeshifted into a cloud of debris?

 

[Dancing Doctor]

Or maybe they just thought they destroyed the shape-shifting ship.

It shapeshifted into a cloud of debris?

It would be a brilliant move, no?

 

[indianatrekker26]

overall, i enjoyed the Born/Die duology. I found the plot quite engaging. The only thing that really brings it down was the wesley subplot. And how it featured another one of those cases where two characters fall in love in 5 minutes.
I liked the ontailians, the stuff at the graveyard, and the whole dilemma the crew goes through. it's just, as i said, the wesley stuff dragged it down in book two.