It's pretty much the other way around for me. I really liked Orion's Hounds a lot and thought that Sword of Damocles was a huge letdown and by far the weakest of the four Titan novels.
TNG post-Nemesis novels: Any must-reads out there?
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It's pretty much the other way around for me. I really liked Orion's Hounds a lot and thought that Sword of Damocles was a huge letdown and by far the weakest of the four Titan novels.
^Orion's Hounds is the most "must read" of the Post-Nemesis bunch, IMHO. Best of the Titan series, better than any of the TNG-R, and better than the post-Nemesis New Frontier books. The only post-Nemesis book that is even in the same league as Orion's Hounds is Articles of the Federation.
Well, both the next TNG book and the next TTN book (aside from the Destiny trilogy which features both about equally) are by that same hack who wrote Orion's Hounds....
Well, both the next TNG book and the next TTN book (aside from the Destiny trilogy which features both about equally) are by that same hack who wrote Orion's Hounds....
we are all doomed...
there aren't any post NEM NF novels. ATF and MIA occur simulataneous to, or prior to, the events of NEM
I've heard a few people complain about OH "because Troi is in it too much, being all empathic", or because it picks up a plot thread from "Encounter at Farpoint", but I thought it was very well written. What did you dislike about it?
Soleta is told that Shinzon is dead in Missing in Action, which places MiA at least after the the main events of the movie, if not the epilogue, which where the generally-considered-to-be-after-Nemesis Death in Wnter takes place.
I don't know if I'd say it's going to be going "off the radar" at all. The Titan crew is supposed to be one of the three(?) main crews in the Destiny crossover starting in October, and then it will be getting it's own 5th solo book a few months later, so if anything I'd say Titan is going to be very visible for the next year.
There's the Shatnerverse books Captain's Blood and Captain's Glory which follow upon NEM, and semi-aknowledge Death in the Winter, as Crusher is the CMO in Enterprise E in it.
Hey, don't get me wrong. I like Christopher's work. But I can't take the Troi screaming and yelling. Give me a story, not another headache book and change my mind about Troi. She is a weak character because of her ability and I guess because it is one characteristic that is so "out there" for me to get with out of all TNG characters I have come to know and love (minus Pulaski which I can't stand). She should be in a supporting role unless it is a strong story.
When I say off the radar, I just mean, there are no books coming out within the next 4 to 5 months. I am having problems adjusting to the so few books per year we get now compared to ~8 years ago when they were flying on shelves as a new comer to the TNG novels.
And no, we are not all doomed. It is my opinion and it is what it is.
Well, one of my main goals in Orion's Hounds was to prove that Troi doesn't have to be a weak character, that her abilities (psionic and otherwise) give her great potential if handled properly. I regret I failed to convince you of that.
Wizkid, I'm surprised that you think that. One of the things I loved about Orion's Hounds was what strength Troi had - Christopher even compared that strength to others in the crew with similar abilities. Plus, it was Troi's brand of strength - of compassion and understanding, rather than big guns and aggression - that ended up being what was needed to save the day. I went into Orion's Hounds having read some complaints about how Troi was handled as 'screaming and yelling from emotional headaches', and was feeling some trepidation in that regard, but I ended up being floored with how awesome she was. I'm trying to think through it... I'm not sure if all the moments that had me muttering 'yes!' and pumping my fist in the air were Troi moments, but some of them definitely were.
I think how 'out there' you think she is depends on your own perspectives. Another reason I loved Orion's Hounds as much as I did was because of how close in spirit I felt to Troi. I may not have psionic, empathic abilities, but I'm very affected by the emotions of people around me, and have similar moral values to how Troi is portrayed in this book. I found it hugely encouraging watching her using her abilities to gain a greater understanding of the people and creatures around her, and seeing her successfully trying to promote forgiveness and compassion and non-violent solutions.
Compared to Troi, I find most of the other characters much more 'Out There', whether it's Geordi with his implants and crazy engineering skills; Picard as a leader of a gigantic ship; Worf from a completely alien warrior culture; Data, the robot with no emotions; or Dr. Crusher, the Miracle Healer... When I think about it, Troi, the empathic counselor (at least as Christopher portrays her in OH) is really the closest to me in most ways.
I think how 'out there' you think she is depends on your own perspectives. Another reason I loved Orion's Hounds as much as I did was because of how close in spirit I felt to Troi. I may not have psionic, empathic abilities, but I'm very affected by the emotions of people around me, and have similar moral values to how Troi is portrayed in this book. I found it hugely encouraging watching her using her abilities to gain a greater understanding of the people and creatures around her, and seeing her successfully trying to promote forgiveness and compassion and non-violent solutions.
Compared to Troi, I find most of the other characters much more 'Out There', whether it's Geordi with his implants and crazy engineering skills; Picard as a leader of a gigantic ship; Worf from a completely alien warrior culture; Data, the robot with no emotions; or Dr. Crusher, the Miracle Healer... When I think about it, Troi, the empathic counselor (at least as Christopher portrays her in OH) is really the closest to me in most ways.
^^Now, that's more like it. 
Thanks!
Thanks!
"Orion's Hounds" was such a book. I doubt any Troi story will work for you. (Did you like her scenes in "Voyager" episodes? Not many headaches in those, IIRC?)
Re your comments about the publishing schedule. Even though the ST titles aren't two-per-month any more, most novels are at least twice as long as they were back then. So when you do get a TNG book, there's so much more in it to read.
Not to mention releasing three novel-length books in one twice last year and twice this summer.
I understand but I didn't think think story was strong enough to make her more than character she already is. Not to be taken as a slap, just my thoughts on the book.
I had not fist pumping moments but that is not to say there were not some good moments in the book. I just didn't find Troi appealing. Break it down, she still suffered from the headaches and stress that goes along with feelings. She is a hard character to write for and I don't think this is a secret.
^^Now, that's more like it.
I like your work, just not OH so much.
You are probably correct about me liking Troi stories, I haven't read a good one yet save Imzadi. That was a strong Troi story and I may have forgotten a couple but none on the tip's of my fingers at the moment.
Not to mention releasing three novel-length books in one twice last year and twice this summer.
I had no problem with the novel sizes before. It was more of an observation and in no way was meant as a dig at PocketBooks. I appreciate they still support ST.
For what it's worth, the only character in Orion's Hounds who is described at any point as having a headache is Ranul Keru in his first scene with Torvig. When Deanna, Tuvok, and the ship's other telepaths experience pain, it's not something that "goes along with feelings," but is felt because the star-jellies are in actual pain. Nor is it localized in their heads.
Oh, and the "stress that goes along with feelings"? That's called "drama."
Oh, and the "stress that goes along with feelings"? That's called "drama."
Read all of the TNG relaunch. Although they aren't on a par with the excellent DS9 relaunch (though KRAD's Q&A comes close), they are part of the greatest storytelling tapestry known to mankind and are good inand of themselves. Besides which, Christopher L Bennett is writing the next one and his works are excellent, so we know the TNG relaunch will improve.
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Haven't read Death in Winter, but of the TNG relaunch that I've read, Q and A is by far the best. I actually went in a little worried, I had only read the IKS books by KRAD and had only read Q done by Peter David. I thought Peter should do the Q story and KRAD should have the more action oriented Before Dishonor. Ended up finishing Q&A in two days. Just an amazing story and I loved the ending. It even kind of tied in with I,Q. The only problem with it is that it isn't long enough, not in a rushed kind of way, just that I was sad when I came to the last page and wished there was more.
I did not like Resistance. Some of the elements in the story were just so out of left field I can't begin to describe it. Most of my experience with the novels have been at least as good as the better episodes of the series, this one was as bad or even worse than some of the worst episodes.
Before Dishonor is a mixed bag. At times it reads like NF story told with TNG characters, others like a crazy comedy, other times like Galactus coming to Earth, and then moments that are just great Star Trek. Not everyone's thing though, and I can understand why people have problems with it.
The Titan series has been consistantly good, with Taking Wing and Orion's Hounds being my favorites.
I did not like Resistance. Some of the elements in the story were just so out of left field I can't begin to describe it. Most of my experience with the novels have been at least as good as the better episodes of the series, this one was as bad or even worse than some of the worst episodes.
Before Dishonor is a mixed bag. At times it reads like NF story told with TNG characters, others like a crazy comedy, other times like Galactus coming to Earth, and then moments that are just great Star Trek. Not everyone's thing though, and I can understand why people have problems with it.
The Titan series has been consistantly good, with Taking Wing and Orion's Hounds being my favorites.
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