Rating: Summary: Somewhat Better than Vornholt's previous novel Review: John Vornholt's "A Time to Die" works better as a work of Star Trek fiction than his earlier "A Time to be Born", since he does a better job fleshing out characters. However, this novel is still replete with serious plot errors and oversights, most notably in its depiction of Wesley Crusher's love affair with Star Fleet Counselor Colleen Cabot. Why they fall for each other is simply glossed over, and Wesley's coming to grips with her tragic demise could have been written in such a way to show some growth in his character. Still, to Vornholt's credit, he has written a somewhat better installment in this series.
Rating: Summary: Ugh and Holy cow Review: Let me preface this review by saying first and foremost I am a serious Star Trek fan and have been for a very long time. I've had a hard time watching each new TV series fall further and further in quality and have turned to books for my "Trek-Fix".
So without further ado......
(Also please note, some of my comments may spoil things for you if you haven't read the books. I'll attempt to note before hand what is a spoiler)
These first two books written by Mr.Vornholt are mediocre at best. This easily could have been a single book. Nevertheless the books have other faults as well (Note: I'm writing one review for both Vornholt books Time to be Born and Time to Die). Let's start from the beginning of this book.
It takes place pretty much right as the last book ended. I suppose my first real problem with it comes here. Seeing Picard in a nuthouse seems.... well.... silly. The books explains this away as a device to keep him from getting court-martialed for the incident that happened in the previous novel. His "keeper" is named Colleen Cabot. She has little or no personality and seems to take a strange glee in needling Jean-Luc. The first 1/4 of this book is completely disposable except for a couple little plot driving points stuck in haphazardly here and there. Then we move back to Rashanar. The scene of the most horrible battle ever in the Dominion Wars (How many times I've heard that I can't count). The idea behind Rashanar is interesting for the first book and about halfway into this book. Then it becomes the typical "Get the alien" fair, with a little conspiracy thrown in.
--SPOILER AHEAD--
My major gripe with this particular book is the sudden turning of Colleen Cabot into a vibrant, annoying, opinionated brat and that somehow Wesley and her fall in love in the space of a paragraph and all it right with the universe. Colleen questioning herself as to whether she loves Wesley as Wesley or Wesley the Traveler is just sad. Clearly it is in my mind, filler. The author seems to desperately be trying to make you like her as a character and quickly develop her character.
--SPOILER OVER--
The book (including Time to be Born) moves at jerky rates. Giving the reader reading whiplash from the lack of any kind of coherant flow or pacing. The entire middle of the book, with crew members dorking around inside Rashanar was so drawn out I actually started skimming paragraphs. I just took to long with little or no point... more filler material obviously.
The dialogue is sometimes archaic in Trek references (Food SLOT?!) and Data's Dialogue is very forced. In fact I found most characters dialogue forced as if the author had never seen a Next Generation episode in his life.
I do look forward to other authors taking over the helm (pun intended) and doing something interesting with this series of Trek books.
I am not sure what else Mr.Vornholt has written or even if he has written other Trek books. I'm sure he's a fine writer but he just didn't do it this time around.
Rating: Summary: A Time to Die (Book 2 of 7) Review: Picard has been cleared of all charges. But he wants to go back to the Rashanar Battle Site. Counselor Coleen Cabot is his caretaker now, and Picard is still seperated from his ship and his crew. But now, at least, he doesn't have to worry about court-martials. Then Wesley Crusher meets Cabot and whisks her away to another place. Using his powers as a Traveler, Wesley takes her to Rashanar, hwere anything can happen. The Ontaillians are in charge, and it seems that anyone can go in-but not out. Picard is finally released to his ship, but is considered a civilian. He cannot help to command his ship, nor can he help get the mission underway, until a unique opportunity presents itself, and he takes it, to find the doppleganger and unlock his shackles for freedom!I liked this book a lot better than the first one-for one thing, it was easier to follow, and it had a lot more action in several parts. i would definately reccommend this to whoever would read it.
Rating: Summary: ST-TNG: A Time to Die Review: Star Trek-The Next Generation: "A Time to Die" written by John Vornholt is the conclusion to the book "A Time to Be Born." As "A Time to Die" takes off just where "A Time to Be Born" left off in a cliffhanger. This book is the second installment of a nine book series that tells the untold story of the events that have transpired between Star Trek: "Insurrection" and Star Trek: "Nemeses." The book starts out quickly can gets the reader involved with the events seen by Wesley Crusher in the "Pool of Prophecy" by the Travelers. These events are what will happen, but the outcome of these events are the providence of the Travelers. The book's main character is Wesley Crusher and how he copes with the powers vested in him by the Travelers and the events that happen are the totally Wesley's to solve. We find Wesley Crusher older now (nine years) but he still has his enthusiasm for solving problems. Captain Jean-Luc Picard is in big trouble with Starfleet Command and is confined to the a holosuite wing of Starfleet Medical Mental Health for further observation. Now, the true test comes when Picard can leave Medical Mental Health, but only with Counselor Colleen Cabot in tow. All of the problems that Picard faces stemmed of the story "A Time to Be Born" as Picard and the U.S.S. Enterprise and her crew were assigned to the Rashanar Battle Site. "A Time to Die" is a character driven book with action-adventure as the spice that keeps you interested in the book. Captain Jean-Luc Picard must redeem himself and prove that the Ontailian ship that he destroyed was only a doppelganger and not the real ship... now he has to go back to the Rashanar Battle Site to prove his innocence. There is some backbiting among the admirals and Starfleet Command has its hands full. Acting Captain William Riker, taking over for Picard, comes to his former Captain's aid when Admiral Nechayev and Colleen Cabot hatch a covert plan to get Picard back to the Rashanar Sector. Oh, there are twists and turns in this book along with some very tight situations. You'll read this book quickly as it moves right along and you'll be not wanting to put the book down till you find out what happens next. I read this book in one setting wanting to know if Picard's illustrious career may be coming to an end. I found the characters to be believable and they meshed very well together making for an interesting story and the ending will surprise you. I gave this book a solid 5 stars for this reason. Not only was I entertained, but we are given some insight into the Travelers and what they do. This fills in some gaps in Trek lore. I hope you'll find this story as interesting as I did as it was most entertaining.
Rating: Summary: Mixed Review Review: The conclusion of "A Time to Be Born" is an interesting novel. I was excited when I found it on the shelf and jumped right into it. I enjoyed the story and felt the characters were well written but the plot was too predictable. The ending met my expectations to the letter. The fate of the Enterprise, Picard's destiny, and the development of Wesley played out almost like a formula and that is where the rub came in my review. I liked the story and took the extra time to finish it quickly but the formula writing in a way disappointed me. I wished I could have been surprised in the resolution but I knew what the solution would be in the middle of the previous book. It is still a very good book, advancing and developing the characters. A book for the fans.
Rating: Summary: FUN CONTINUED Review: The second book in this series neatly ties up the plot of the first one. While it isn't an Earth shaking experience, the novel is still very entertaining an well paced. It is full of adventure and a lot of excitment. I would have liked to have seen Wesley's relationship with his love developed a bit more. However, I must say that I read the book very quickly and am looking forward to the rest of the series. All in all, this is a great addition to any Trek library.
Rating: Summary: FUN CONTINUED Review: The second book in this series neatly ties up the plot of the first one. While it isn't an Earth shaking experience, the novel is still very entertaining an well paced. It is full of adventure and a lot of excitment. I would have liked to have seen Wesley's relationship with his love developed a bit more. However, I must say that I read the book very quickly and am looking forward to the rest of the series. All in all, this is a great addition to any Trek library.
Rating: Summary: Good story, shallow romance Review: The story of the Rashanar mystery was interesting and clever. The story of Picard and the political solution he represented was realistic. How it was resolved wasn't clearly stated. The story of Wesley and Colleen's romance was silly. She didn't seem to have any admirable attributes other than beautiful blond hair. His previous girlfriends have had a lot more character. I prefer books that stand alone. These prolonged series are so unsatisfying that I just feel like reading the end of each book.
Rating: Summary: Wesley Crusher returns! Review: Wesley decides that he must help Captain Picard from being charged with the destruction of the federation starship. In the last book a phantom ship was destroyed by Picard. It had the ability to change it's shape into any space craft imaginable. In this novel the Enterprise goes back to that region of altered space to see if they can capture or disable this other worldly space craft. Wesley was instumental in helping the mission. In this finely crafted tale by John Vornholt, Wesley has to decide to stay as a traveler or return to his human roots....the ending will surprise you. All I can say is if it were made into a movie it would have been better than "Nemesis"...because it touches on humanity and the need for all of us to be wanted and part of a family.
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