What is your favorite series of books?

[Daddy Todd]

Perry Rhodan. Lordy, but I miss 'em.

Not enough to learn to read German and catch up on 2400 back issues, but still I miss 'em.

 

[Ktrek]

I've said it many times and will probably say it again: The DS9 Relaunch is the best conceived and best executed series of novels I've ever seen. On top of that, I had my doubts that DS9 could enjoyably translate from one medium (TV) to another (novels).

I heartily recommend the entire run of books to anyone who loves Deep Space 9. I've introduced the two-part Avatar to other folks with the provision that if the person didn't like it, he or she could tell me I'm an idiot. So far, I've had no takers on the "idiot' thing, but I have been thanked for introducing them to the series.

And that's the truth.

I fully appreciate your enthusiasm Randy and one would have to wonder why TPTB did not maintain the momentum they started? I mean I did enjoy the Terok Nor series but I would much rather have had three DS9 post finale books!

Kevin

 

[Thrawn]

Ktrek, it's pretty well-documented that the delay was caused by difficulties with the first author of Fearful Symmetry, Leanna Morrow, and that finding a new author and getting her through the process is what took so long. Marco wanted to do it well, instead of quickly.

We're back on track with 2 more books this year, though, so it would appear the wait is over.

 

[Ktrek]

And I sure am glad Thrawn and so looking forward to it! It's by far my most favorite post finale series. Not that others have not been interesting but the DS9 series was like the show never ended. I may be a bit predjudice because DS9 was/is my favorite of all the Star Trek shows. I just think that the DS9 post finale books have done right by the series and I can't say that about the other post finale books for the other shows.

I do love Vanguard, Titan and New Frontier though and, just so I don't make a certain person more upset, I would add SCE up there too!

Kevin

 

[The Grim Ghost]

Another vote for DS9 here, though I would have voted for S.C.E. if it was a choice. I feel that both of these series have maintained the highest level of quality. There are still a few bad stories mixed in here and there, but their quality is much higher as a whole. I think part of that is because they both have the strongest characters to draw upon.

All of the other series listed have some real gems, but their quality is all over the place. You never really know what you're going to get unless you stick with your favorite authors.

 

[Ktrek]

Another vote for DS9 here, though I would have voted for S.C.E. if it was a choice. I feel that both of these series have maintained the highest level of quality. There are still a few bad stories mixed in here and there, but their quality is much higher as a whole. I think part of that is because they both have the strongest characters to draw upon.

Again I apologize for that oversight destro but you did have the option for more than one vote and you could have cast a vote in "other" and explained why. I do agree with you that S.C.E. does have strong characters and that has been the strength of the series overall. It makes you wonder what if the series had not started as an ebook only format if it would have done better? It must be doing sufficiently well in paper because they have not pulled the plug on printing the series yet! I hope they don't either because I have only ever bought one ebook and that was when I was trying out a Sony Reader and I still prefer paper. I'm old fashioned I guess!

Kevin

 

[KRAD]

I've introduced the two-part Avatar to other folks with the provision that if the person didn't like it, he or she could tell me I'm an idiot. So far, I've had no takers on the "idiot' thing, but I have been thanked for introducing them to the series.

Well heck, Randy, if you're looking for people to call you an idiot.............................

 

[captcalhoun]

New Frontier (natch), Titan, Vanguard, Gorkon/Klingon Empire.

woulda voted for SCE too...

 

[RonG]

DS9R - one of the very best - the arc from Avatar to Unity is an all-time favorite. It does, however, rely too much IMO on readers' familiarity with the series.

Titan - a breath of fresh air, with its "classic", exploration-themed setting

SCE - the eBook series (although I read them in MMPB's) was the next best thing to having a Trek series on TV...

but, my current favorite ongoing series is Vanguard - the setting, characters and storytelling make for the best Trek series in recent memory!

 

[JAG]

What about SCE?

That gets my vote.

 

[Dayton Ward]

I'm admittedly biased, but I voted for Vanguard and Star Trek: Other, formerly S.C.E/CoE.

 

[TerriO]

Again I apologize for that oversight destro but you did have the option for more than one vote and you could have cast a vote in "other" and explained why. I do agree with you that S.C.E. does have strong characters and that has been the strength of the series overall. It makes you wonder what if the series had not started as an ebook only format if it would have done better? It must be doing sufficiently well in paper because they have not pulled the plug on printing the series yet! I hope they don't either because I have only ever bought one ebook and that was when I was trying out a Sony Reader and I still prefer paper. I'm old fashioned I guess!

Kevin

Here you sink your own argument, Kevin. S.C.E. is published in paperback. So those "old fashioned" qualifications are being filled. Granted, it's not fully up-to-date in paperback, but using the old "I prefer paper" discriminatory comment (and yes, I consider it to be prejudicial as it's biased against an entire series and an entire group of Trek writers) doesn't wash when over half the series is out in paperback format.

 

[PaulSimpson]

Again I apologize for that oversight destro but you did have the option for more than one vote and you could have cast a vote in "other" and explained why. I do agree with you that S.C.E. does have strong characters and that has been the strength of the series overall. It makes you wonder what if the series had not started as an ebook only format if it would have done better? It must be doing sufficiently well in paper because they have not pulled the plug on printing the series yet! I hope they don't either because I have only ever bought one ebook and that was when I was trying out a Sony Reader and I still prefer paper. I'm old fashioned I guess!

Kevin

Here you sink your own argument, Kevin. S.C.E. is published in paperback. So those "old fashioned" qualifications are being filled. Granted, it's not fully up-to-date in paperback, but using the old "I prefer paper" discriminatory comment (and yes, I consider it to be prejudicial as it's biased against an entire series and an entire group of Trek writers) doesn't wash when over half the series is out in paperback format.

If it's upsetting people so much, why not start afresh with a new poll that includes SCE?

 

[Christopher]

I fully appreciate your enthusiasm Randy and one would have to wonder why TPTB did not maintain the momentum they started? I mean I did enjoy the Terok Nor series but I would much rather have had three DS9 post finale books!

Well, "TPTB" was one person named Marco Palmieri, and he didn't "maintain the momentum [he] started" because he never intended to. The post-finale DS9 series was "relaunched" (a term that became inaccurately applied to the series itself rather than the process of, well, relaunching it) with a big push that included heavy publicity and the release of the first several books in quick succession. But it was never intended to keep up that same pace indefinitely, because that would've shortchanged all the other series.

Anyway, we've gotten 17 post-finale novels plus Terok Nor, 20 books in all, in just over 7 years. That's an average of nearly three books per year, which, despite the occasional fluctuation, is an excellent overall pace considering that it has to be balanced with over a half-dozen other ongoing series plus various occasional series and standalones.

 

[TerriO]

Again I apologize for that oversight destro but you did have the option for more than one vote and you could have cast a vote in "other" and explained why. I do agree with you that S.C.E. does have strong characters and that has been the strength of the series overall. It makes you wonder what if the series had not started as an ebook only format if it would have done better? It must be doing sufficiently well in paper because they have not pulled the plug on printing the series yet! I hope they don't either because I have only ever bought one ebook and that was when I was trying out a Sony Reader and I still prefer paper. I'm old fashioned I guess!

Kevin

Here you sink your own argument, Kevin. S.C.E. is published in paperback. So those "old fashioned" qualifications are being filled. Granted, it's not fully up-to-date in paperback, but using the old "I prefer paper" discriminatory comment (and yes, I consider it to be prejudicial as it's biased against an entire series and an entire group of Trek writers) doesn't wash when over half the series is out in paperback format.

If it's upsetting people so much, why not start afresh with a new poll that includes SCE?

Because pretty much the only current qualifier for "Other" is S.C.E.?

 

[KRAD]

Because pretty much the only current qualifier for "Other" is S.C.E.?

Indeed. The (as I type this) 9 people who voted "Other" all voted for SCE because there is no other "Other."

 

[Marie1]

DS9R as choice #1, SCE/CoE choice #2 (and as noted- not given a little radio button!)
I must saw that I've been really impressed with how much I enjoy SCE, even as someone that jumped in headfirst at random points... can't wait to read the series through.

Good work peoples!!

 

[Ktrek]

Here you sink your own argument, Kevin. S.C.E. is published in paperback. So those "old fashioned" qualifications are being filled. Granted, it's not fully up-to-date in paperback, but using the old "I prefer paper" discriminatory comment (and yes, I consider it to be prejudicial as it's biased against an entire series and an entire group of Trek writers) doesn't wash when over half the series is out in paperback format.

Terri - Your post seems to imply that if people like me would "get with the times" the series would have done better and would still be publishing new titles. Granted the series is coming out in paper but how long after the ebook for do we have to wait from publication to paper? There was also no guarantee that they would be published in paper or even that the remaining numbers will see paper publication. You can call it a "prejudice" if you like but I call it a "preference". Unlike many at least I did try the ebook format to see if I would like it! I still much prefer holding and handling a book. To me the experience is not the same using a reader. Yes the words on the pages may be the same but the experience is not. Plus I cannot add an ebook to display on my shelf with all my other Star Trek books.

Anyway, maybe one of the moderators can edit the poll and add SCE to appease you guys?

Kevin

 

[Ktrek]

Because pretty much the only current qualifier for "Other" is S.C.E.?

Indeed. The (as I type this) 9 people who voted "Other" all voted for SCE because there is no other "Other."

Not sure if you're being facetious here KRAD but I can think of one other "other" and that is the New Earth series. I suppose "Gateways", "A Time To" and "Section 31" books can be considered series too.

Kevin

 

[Thrawn]

I read the first three SCE e-books and thought they were kind of simplistic and lame; does the series get way, way better than that as it goes, or was I just missing something?

There's so much love for it around here that I'm thinking of giving it another try, but it's honestly the only ongoing Trek series at all that didn't grab me in any way. I didn't even make it through the 4th e-book (the last one in the first MMPB); I was just bored. Should I give it another shot?