Some thoughts on Losing the Peace (spoilers for the book obviously)
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Re: Some thoughts on Losing the Peace (spoilers for the book obviously
The Mintakan tapestry was lost too, wasn't it?
Sadly if that happened the way I remember, then it probably was. Unless it was in his quarters?
Re: Some thoughts on Losing the Peace (spoilers for the book obviously
Wow. Just... wow. Thanks, Thrawn, for all that.
Wow. Just... wow. Thanks, Thrawn, for all that.
Re: Some thoughts on Losing the Peace (spoilers for the book obviously
I only say it when I mean it
I only say it when I mean it
Re: Some thoughts on Losing the Peace (spoilers for the book obviously
I understood what you were doing, and it did provoke a reaction. I suppose I just wondered why the flute too had to fall victim, considering that over the last decade or more the poor Captain has lost an awful lot of personal items and family heirlooms in space and at home - literally by fire.
The Mintakan tapestry was always in the Ready Room, so while sad, my reaction was, thems the breaks; same story with the Shakespeare volume.
An absolutely niggardly fangirl issue, I confess, but I can't help it.
On the upside, loved the desk from the LaBarre estate finding its way to the new RR. That was neat.
I understood what you were doing, and it did provoke a reaction. I suppose I just wondered why the flute too had to fall victim, considering that over the last decade or more the poor Captain has lost an awful lot of personal items and family heirlooms in space and at home - literally by fire.
The Mintakan tapestry was always in the Ready Room, so while sad, my reaction was, thems the breaks; same story with the Shakespeare volume.
An absolutely niggardly fangirl issue, I confess, but I can't help it.
On the upside, loved the desk from the LaBarre estate finding its way to the new RR. That was neat.
Re: Some thoughts on Losing the Peace (spoilers for the book obviously
I'm just a couple chapters in and really enjoyed seeing some our characters again while not at "work". Picard in the vineyard with dreams of his childhood; Geordi in Africa with his sister... I'm interested to see where this first TNG post-Destiny book goes.
I'm just a couple chapters in and really enjoyed seeing some our characters again while not at "work". Picard in the vineyard with dreams of his childhood; Geordi in Africa with his sister... I'm interested to see where this first TNG post-Destiny book goes.
Re: Some thoughts on Losing the Peace (spoilers for the book obviously
Well I picked it up on Thursday and sat down yesterday morning to read only one chapter. By early evening I had read it straight through to the very end - something I have not done with a Trek novel in a very long time. I just couldn't put it down so much so that, like Arandis, I was disturbed by my stomach grumbling because I'd forgotten to eat lunch and dinner.
I was very impressed by what I read. The characters were, for the first time in my opinion, perfectly spot on with what I thought they should be. Picard was back to himself and back to wanting to be an explorer. I love the little shots of his past and the reminders of where he came from (the desk in the new Ready Room, the painting Data completed, his dream about his father giving his Starfleet career his blessing, and the ending where Picard stared up into the stars of his quarters and fell asleep beneath them with Beverly). Those were character moments that I really enjoyed. Too bad he's becoming too frequent with the illegal orders. First he wants to rebuilt a Thalaron Generator now he kidnaps not one BUT TWO Federation officials? Eh I would've done the same thing. Great line by Worf when Enterprise left Alpha Centauri.
Worf and Choudhury were very good in this novel as well. I really enjoyed seeing XO Worf in place and being the leader that we all knew he could be. Choudhury dealing with - or in a way not dealing with - her emotions regarding her parents and family was also very well played. I had hoped that they would be explored and not simply ignored or explained away as not important. I somewhat expected, somehow, her parents and family survived and would be found alive in one of the settlements. Nice to see the new Counselor get some time in the story also and I hope that he gets explored more in upcoming novels (especially since he was a member of the Underground).
Chen was another good piece with the story and her dealing with her family relationship. Strangely I'm hoping that she develops a friendship with Taurik even though they are very different in a Vulcan sense (which may be impossible). This novel made me care even more about Geordi LaForge and it gave him some very good moments. I loved the soccer scene and when he was talking with Worf. I hope that he's made Second Officer since Kadahota requested to stay with the Pacifican Camp. Plus Elfiki got some time on the pages which was nice. I hope she gets more.
Then there was Kadahota and Crusher. This novel was the vest take on both of these characters I think. I loved Crusher again and this novel reminded me of why I always liked the character. Beverly is a tough character, but she has her soft side as a Doctor and this played both sides. Her dedication to finding a way to rescue Matthew and the refugees was very inkeeping with the character and it was nice to see her in a leadership role again. This story also reminded me of why I liked Miranda and I'm a little upset to see her go. As Picard said the crew was all finally coming together and then they lose another. I loved how it portrayed a military family and it did it very accurately. I hope that she gets to return at some point in the future.
Finally we saw Barash again too. I always wondered what happened to him. Then there is the myriad of lower decks characters. Doctor Tropp, I'm sorry to say, I had a bit of a problem with because he seemed like a Phlox carbon copy - but that's just me (I've said that for a while because I remember him previously). Lieutenant Faur got to press a button at least. Ensign Rosado got to make a return and I think I might like it if she replaces Miranda. Rennan Konya was a nice addition to keep around (I was worried he'd be killed off or transfer). I always liked Jellico, but I admit he's not the right person to lead Starfleet right now. I think Akaar is the best choice in a long time.
Then there was one last reference I have to admit kept me smiling: Picard and Kirk's conversation in Generations was revisited. It would've been nice to see Picard as an Admiral, but I can live with him as a Captain. Nice though that Admiral Akaar told him Starfleet needed more Kirks these days (reminded me of Pike in the new film).
I'm happy to say that this has become my favorite relaunch novel. I apologize to the other writers.
Well I picked it up on Thursday and sat down yesterday morning to read only one chapter. By early evening I had read it straight through to the very end - something I have not done with a Trek novel in a very long time. I just couldn't put it down so much so that, like Arandis, I was disturbed by my stomach grumbling because I'd forgotten to eat lunch and dinner.
I was very impressed by what I read. The characters were, for the first time in my opinion, perfectly spot on with what I thought they should be. Picard was back to himself and back to wanting to be an explorer. I love the little shots of his past and the reminders of where he came from (the desk in the new Ready Room, the painting Data completed, his dream about his father giving his Starfleet career his blessing, and the ending where Picard stared up into the stars of his quarters and fell asleep beneath them with Beverly). Those were character moments that I really enjoyed. Too bad he's becoming too frequent with the illegal orders. First he wants to rebuilt a Thalaron Generator now he kidnaps not one BUT TWO Federation officials? Eh I would've done the same thing. Great line by Worf when Enterprise left Alpha Centauri.
Worf and Choudhury were very good in this novel as well. I really enjoyed seeing XO Worf in place and being the leader that we all knew he could be. Choudhury dealing with - or in a way not dealing with - her emotions regarding her parents and family was also very well played. I had hoped that they would be explored and not simply ignored or explained away as not important. I somewhat expected, somehow, her parents and family survived and would be found alive in one of the settlements. Nice to see the new Counselor get some time in the story also and I hope that he gets explored more in upcoming novels (especially since he was a member of the Underground).
Chen was another good piece with the story and her dealing with her family relationship. Strangely I'm hoping that she develops a friendship with Taurik even though they are very different in a Vulcan sense (which may be impossible). This novel made me care even more about Geordi LaForge and it gave him some very good moments. I loved the soccer scene and when he was talking with Worf. I hope that he's made Second Officer since Kadahota requested to stay with the Pacifican Camp. Plus Elfiki got some time on the pages which was nice. I hope she gets more.
Then there was Kadahota and Crusher. This novel was the vest take on both of these characters I think. I loved Crusher again and this novel reminded me of why I always liked the character. Beverly is a tough character, but she has her soft side as a Doctor and this played both sides. Her dedication to finding a way to rescue Matthew and the refugees was very inkeeping with the character and it was nice to see her in a leadership role again. This story also reminded me of why I liked Miranda and I'm a little upset to see her go. As Picard said the crew was all finally coming together and then they lose another. I loved how it portrayed a military family and it did it very accurately. I hope that she gets to return at some point in the future.
Finally we saw Barash again too. I always wondered what happened to him. Then there is the myriad of lower decks characters. Doctor Tropp, I'm sorry to say, I had a bit of a problem with because he seemed like a Phlox carbon copy - but that's just me (I've said that for a while because I remember him previously). Lieutenant Faur got to press a button at least. Ensign Rosado got to make a return and I think I might like it if she replaces Miranda. Rennan Konya was a nice addition to keep around (I was worried he'd be killed off or transfer). I always liked Jellico, but I admit he's not the right person to lead Starfleet right now. I think Akaar is the best choice in a long time.
Then there was one last reference I have to admit kept me smiling: Picard and Kirk's conversation in Generations was revisited. It would've been nice to see Picard as an Admiral, but I can live with him as a Captain. Nice though that Admiral Akaar told him Starfleet needed more Kirks these days (reminded me of Pike in the new film).
I'm happy to say that this has become my favorite relaunch novel. I apologize to the other writers.
Re: Some thoughts on Losing the Peace (spoilers for the book obviously
I was really pleased to see Arandis again. I'm one of very few people who like "Let He Who Is Without Sin".
I was really pleased to see Arandis again. I'm one of very few people who like "Let He Who Is Without Sin".
Re: Some thoughts on Losing the Peace (spoilers for the book obviously
"Then there was one last reference I have to admit kept me smiling: Picard and Kirk's conversation in Generations was revisited."
I thought that was signficant enough to go to the DVD and view that scene with Kirk and Picard.
"Then there was one last reference I have to admit kept me smiling: Picard and Kirk's conversation in Generations was revisited."
I thought that was signficant enough to go to the DVD and view that scene with Kirk and Picard.
Re: Some thoughts on Losing the Peace (spoilers for the book obviously
As a rule, I'm not a big fan of postwar reconstruction stories. The work that needs to be done is hard, necessary, often ugly, and very time-consuming. It's not fun for those doing the work or those reading about it. That said, I think William Leisner did about as good a job with this type of story as anyone can. The story focuses on the characters, and the talk of industrial replicators and medical treatments is kept mostly in the background.
I very much enjoyed seeing the La Forges in Africa and the Picards in France at the beginning of the novel. As a continuity geek, I love all the callbacks to previous stories, particularly seeing our friend Barash from "Future Imperfect." I cheered inside when Picard quoted Kirk's words back to Akaar at the end.
Regarding the biography page: you are a writer, William. Great job on this story!
As a rule, I'm not a big fan of postwar reconstruction stories. The work that needs to be done is hard, necessary, often ugly, and very time-consuming. It's not fun for those doing the work or those reading about it. That said, I think William Leisner did about as good a job with this type of story as anyone can. The story focuses on the characters, and the talk of industrial replicators and medical treatments is kept mostly in the background.
I very much enjoyed seeing the La Forges in Africa and the Picards in France at the beginning of the novel. As a continuity geek, I love all the callbacks to previous stories, particularly seeing our friend Barash from "Future Imperfect." I cheered inside when Picard quoted Kirk's words back to Akaar at the end.
Regarding the biography page: you are a writer, William. Great job on this story!
Re: Some thoughts on Losing the Peace (spoilers for the book obviously
Well, there are at least two people then. I'd like to see what Fullerton thought of the destruction of Risa. He was damn right.
Well, there are at least two people then. I'd like to see what Fullerton thought of the destruction of Risa. He was damn right.
Re: Some thoughts on Losing the Peace (spoilers for the book obviously
Damn. Many more reviews like this, and I'm going to need a valve implanted in my head so I can manually deflate it. But thank you, NX.
Damn. Many more reviews like this, and I'm going to need a valve implanted in my head so I can manually deflate it. But thank you, NX.
Tiernan was aboard voluntarily, and though he was hoping to meet with Bacco sooner rather than later, Picard didn't owe it to him to stop at Earth before heading for Pacifica, or Alpha Centauri, for that matter.
Yeah, I really would have liked to have done more with him, too, but some things had to give during the writing/editing process.
Many thanks, Smiley.
LHWIWS wasn't a bad episode. It wasn't a great episode, and compared to the rest of the series, it was a below-average DS9 episode. But there were some good bits in there, and the idea of introducing a disident group within the shiny happy Federation was a good one, even if they came across as cartoonishly evil sourpusses and scolds.
Re: Some thoughts on Losing the Peace (spoilers for the book obviously
Sweet! I've been wondering what happened to him for years.
Re: Some thoughts on Losing the Peace (spoilers for the book obviously
Finished reading LTP the other day, and I felt that it was well done. While overall I liked ASD better, primarily due to the larger scope of that book, LTP gives us a good view of at least one planet and the E-E's crew.
Good:
-Really happy to see some follow-up on the whole thalaron weapon situation and the tension between Geordi and Picard that existed from 'Destiny'. I'm pretty sure I wrote in one of my reviews for 'Destiny' about how I was surprised that thread was abandoned rather quickly. That was about the best character moment for Geordi in some time, and it returns here with somewhat of a conclusion.
-Follow-up on what happened to Barash after that TNG episode ended
-Strong and accurate characterization of the main crew, better than usual
-The scene near the end with Picard and Akaar discussing Kirk
-Mentioning events in other books, such as the deployment of the new fleet to explore the DQ in 'Full Circle', the Titan exploring deep space, etc.
Issues
-I didn't see the point in the story of several of the crew of Crusher's runabout, other than to show their various methods of detachment from the humanitarian crisis on Pacifica
-Wheeler only seemed to have a purpose as a plot device, where he gets badly smacked by the Selkie soldier with a phaser rifle that starts a riot
-Barash completely disappears from the story after one of the early chapters and is not seen again (and barely mentioned, for that matter)
-I felt like Jasminder recovered from her anguish over the death of her family a bit too quickly to be realistic, especially considering how deep her despair was for most of the book
-On a personal level, I felt like the civil rights lawyer or whatever who was working with Dr. Crusher came off as a really over-the-top stereotype, which is disappointing to me considering how many good things the majority of them do for impoverished or underprivledged people
Overall I would give the book a B+.
Finished reading LTP the other day, and I felt that it was well done. While overall I liked ASD better, primarily due to the larger scope of that book, LTP gives us a good view of at least one planet and the E-E's crew.
Good:
-Really happy to see some follow-up on the whole thalaron weapon situation and the tension between Geordi and Picard that existed from 'Destiny'. I'm pretty sure I wrote in one of my reviews for 'Destiny' about how I was surprised that thread was abandoned rather quickly. That was about the best character moment for Geordi in some time, and it returns here with somewhat of a conclusion.
-Follow-up on what happened to Barash after that TNG episode ended
-Strong and accurate characterization of the main crew, better than usual
-The scene near the end with Picard and Akaar discussing Kirk
-Mentioning events in other books, such as the deployment of the new fleet to explore the DQ in 'Full Circle', the Titan exploring deep space, etc.
Issues
-I didn't see the point in the story of several of the crew of Crusher's runabout, other than to show their various methods of detachment from the humanitarian crisis on Pacifica
-Wheeler only seemed to have a purpose as a plot device, where he gets badly smacked by the Selkie soldier with a phaser rifle that starts a riot
-Barash completely disappears from the story after one of the early chapters and is not seen again (and barely mentioned, for that matter)
-I felt like Jasminder recovered from her anguish over the death of her family a bit too quickly to be realistic, especially considering how deep her despair was for most of the book
-On a personal level, I felt like the civil rights lawyer or whatever who was working with Dr. Crusher came off as a really over-the-top stereotype, which is disappointing to me considering how many good things the majority of them do for impoverished or underprivledged people
Overall I would give the book a B+.
Re: Some thoughts on Losing the Peace (spoilers for the book obviously
Thanks for the comments, Luther... sorry that the minor characters didn't quite work for you.
I do just want to respond, though, about Jasminder. Yes, she does recover somewhat over the course of the book, but she shouldn't be seen as being over her mourning and at peace with her losses. In Chapter 15, where she's offering comfort to Tiernan, and then reassuring Worf, she's just as much trying to convince herself of what she's saying as the others, and still struggling with it. As you say, it's an almost unimaginable loss, and it's not something that's going to heal in a couple of weeks. Again, sorry if it didn't quite come across on the page.
Thanks for the comments, Luther... sorry that the minor characters didn't quite work for you.
I do just want to respond, though, about Jasminder. Yes, she does recover somewhat over the course of the book, but she shouldn't be seen as being over her mourning and at peace with her losses. In Chapter 15, where she's offering comfort to Tiernan, and then reassuring Worf, she's just as much trying to convince herself of what she's saying as the others, and still struggling with it. As you say, it's an almost unimaginable loss, and it's not something that's going to heal in a couple of weeks. Again, sorry if it didn't quite come across on the page.
Re: Some thoughts on Losing the Peace (spoilers for the book obviously
At last, TNG seems back on track. I really didn't like much of the build up to destiny books that chopped and changed the crew and passed through so many people's hands that there was just no consistency to it (or simply put, Peter David went nuts and Christopher's book spent more cleaning up the mess before Destiny rather than be as good as it could have been).
It's nice to sit back and read a book that cements the new crew with a brilliant character piece. The only problem is that I can't bring myself to believe that this is the case yet. All of the TNG have felt like they've been a prequel to the next book all the way back to Death in Winter. This book still feels like that but this time I feel hope that the new crew won't be as throwaway.
Leisner seems a safe pair of hands. Good work. I hope the next book gives you some more room to have a stronger plot/concept to work with because that was the only thing lacking ...but I'm assuming there was little wiggle room.
At last, TNG seems back on track. I really didn't like much of the build up to destiny books that chopped and changed the crew and passed through so many people's hands that there was just no consistency to it (or simply put, Peter David went nuts and Christopher's book spent more cleaning up the mess before Destiny rather than be as good as it could have been).
It's nice to sit back and read a book that cements the new crew with a brilliant character piece. The only problem is that I can't bring myself to believe that this is the case yet. All of the TNG have felt like they've been a prequel to the next book all the way back to Death in Winter. This book still feels like that but this time I feel hope that the new crew won't be as throwaway.
Leisner seems a safe pair of hands. Good work. I hope the next book gives you some more room to have a stronger plot/concept to work with because that was the only thing lacking ...but I'm assuming there was little wiggle room.
Re: Some thoughts on Losing the Peace (spoilers for the book obviously
I'm curious as to why you feel like this. Granted, the TNG-post NEM line has had its growing pains, and yes, this book, on top of everything else, leads into the Typhon Pact. But it sounds like you're saying you're not enjoying these books on their own merits, because of the ongoing narrative elements. Is that a fair interpretation, or am I misunderstanding?
)
Thanks for your comments.
I'm curious as to why you feel like this. Granted, the TNG-post NEM line has had its growing pains, and yes, this book, on top of everything else, leads into the Typhon Pact. But it sounds like you're saying you're not enjoying these books on their own merits, because of the ongoing narrative elements. Is that a fair interpretation, or am I misunderstanding?
Well... yeah, this book was always intended as a quieter piece, a chance to catch your breath after Destiny. But I'd strenuously argue against the idea that I was made to work from some kind of disadvantage or position of weakness. (That said, yes, I also hope to get the chance to do a more plot-oriented project in the future.
)Thanks for your comments.
Re: Some thoughts on Losing the Peace (spoilers for the book obviously
I'd just like to say that I really, really enjoyed Losing the Peace, especially the message of it warning against becoming isolationists and arguing for greater social integration in the face of life's problems.
I also think that Losing the Peace did a much better job of showing how desperate and painful the Federation's situation really is than did A Singular Destiny. I loved ASD, but I think that LtP should have been published when ASD was, and vice versa.
I'd just like to say that I really, really enjoyed Losing the Peace, especially the message of it warning against becoming isolationists and arguing for greater social integration in the face of life's problems.
I also think that Losing the Peace did a much better job of showing how desperate and painful the Federation's situation really is than did A Singular Destiny. I loved ASD, but I think that LtP should have been published when ASD was, and vice versa.
Re: Some thoughts on Losing the Peace (spoilers for the book obviously
I just finished it. It seems that it might have been better released after "A Singular Destiny"
I just finished it. It seems that it might have been better released after "A Singular Destiny"
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