Imzadi II: Triangle (Star Trek The Next Generation)

Rating:
Summary: A very good read.
Review: I for one enjoyed the book. A fascinating read. Although it is not as good as the first one but a definite purchase. I really like how Peter David explored the relationship between Worf and Deanna Troi. Something that wasn't truly explained in the TV series.

The reason I gave it four stars (and it might be me just nit picking). There was reference to money or purchases of things on Earth. If anyone can correct me on this be my guest. But in the ST universe I had thought money and finances on earth was no more. I had thought people on earth gave up money for the pursuit of higher knowledge and to better man kind. There was no need for money because everything was plentiful on earth and that no one ever starved and had shelter for all.

But that point is minor. It's a fantastic read with twist and turns. I for one could not put it down. I especially liked the last chapter about Worf in an emotional side I have never thought was capable (for a Klingon).

I hate to admit it but it left me kind of choked up for the guy.

That alone was worth getting this book. So pick it up.

Rating:
Summary: As good as or better than the first!
Review: I had read this when it was originally released and felt it was lacking. I recently decided to re read it and give it another chance. I don't regret that at all. Imzadi II is, as stated above, as good as or better than the first.

The book starts off with Worf dealing with the pain and anguish over Jadzia, his wife, be killed. Then, it casually rolls over into his reflecting upon his failed engagement to Deanna Troi. Then we meet again with Tom Riker, Commander William T. Riker's doppelganger, who was created through a transporter accident. He's living in misery on Lazon II, a Cardassian labor camp. A result of his joining the Maquis and consequent capture after hijacking the Defiant and attempting to destroy Cardassian targets. We're immediately hurled to when the Enterprise D was destroyed and everybody is on Veridian III. Worf makes the decision to ask for Deanna's hand in marriage. Meanwhile, Riker is speaking with LaForge and decides to tell Deanna he's still in love with her and wants to be with her. Unfortunately for Riker, he's a couple minutes to late and has to bite the bullet for his friend's sake.

From there, Peter David crafted another absolutely wonderful Star Trek story. It involves several key players from Star Trek The Next Generation and even someone from Deep Space Nine. One chapter even includes Lwaxana sparring not too successfully with Worf. This is another fine Star Trek novel by Peter David, a wonderful follow up to the earlier Imzadi and a great addition to your Star Trek library

Rating:
Summary: DISAPPOINTING
Review: I was very excited to read this book. Part one was great, and I love Peter David as an author. But, this book, I felt, was so boring. Only 20% of the book was good. It was one of the worst Star Trek - The Next Generation books I have ever read. I cannot reccommend it to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: Good. Amusing. Interesting. But not great.
Review: I've always been a big fan of Peter David's writing, and I seem to recall saying of the first "Imzadi" novel something along the lines of, "In spite of the fact that I've never been that fond of these characters, the novel was wonderful; Peter David could make a recipe for tapioca interesting."

I can't say that about this novel.

I'm not entirely sure why; the style is unmistakably Peter David's usual style, which I've always maintained was the optimal style for a Star Trek novel: plenty of action, plenty of drama, but still managing to inject more than a bit of wry humor into the story. His style is reminiscent of some of the best episodes from the original series: "Trouble With Tribbles", "A Piece of the Action", "Shore Leave", "I, Mudd". This story fits that mold perfectly. Yet somehow, it just didn't connect.

There are two possibilities as to "why": either there are some stories that just don't lend themselves to this style, that need to be told straight, without the sly and ironic bits of humor (can you see the third movie, "Search For Spock", being told in this style? I can't) or else his style simply gets tiresome if one is overexposed to it, and needs to be rationed. After all, the above-mentioned episodes were fun, but the series really wouldn't have been as good if ALL of the episodes were in that style. Perhaps I've just been reading too much of Mr. David's work, and need to cut back for a while.

I don't think so, though. I'm inclined to believe the first explanation. There are some stories that simply do not lend themselves to humor. This was one of them.

Rating:
Summary: Good. Amusing. Interesting. But not great.
Review: I've always been a big fan of Peter David's writing, and I seem to recall saying of the first "Imzadi" novel something along the lines of, "In spite of the fact that I've never been that fond of these characters, the novel was wonderful; Peter David could make a recipe for tapioca interesting."

I can't say that about this novel.

I'm not entirely sure why; the style is unmistakably Peter David's usual style, which I've always maintained was the optimal style for a Star Trek novel: plenty of action, plenty of drama, but still managing to inject more than a bit of wry humor into the story. His style is reminiscent of some of the best episodes from the original series: "Trouble With Tribbles", "A Piece of the Action", "Shore Leave", "I, Mudd". This story fits that mold perfectly. Yet somehow, it just didn't connect.

There are two possibilities as to "why": either there are some stories that just don't lend themselves to this style, that need to be told straight, without the sly and ironic bits of humor (can you see the third movie, "Search For Spock", being told in this style? I can't) or else his style simply gets tiresome if one is overexposed to it, and needs to be rationed. After all, the above-mentioned episodes were fun, but the series really wouldn't have been as good if ALL of the episodes were in that style. Perhaps I've just been reading too much of Mr. David's work, and need to cut back for a while.

I don't think so, though. I'm inclined to believe the first explanation. There are some stories that simply do not lend themselves to humor. This was one of them.

Rating:
Summary: Nothing like the first one
Review: Okay, it was a stupid joke, and overly used, but I have to admit, I laughed every time. At any rate, it also rather nicely sums up my general feelings about the book. An nice piece of work that is pushed beyond it's capabilities and falters, though it does manage to pull you through to the end.

The problem is the disparate elements of the story that are forced together and expected to form a concrete whole. The book begins with two distict storylines that will eventually come together. Unfortunately, from the very start, any connection that is suppose to exist between these storylines is so forced, it's impossible to comfortably jump between them. The flow of the book is just destroyed by it, in addition to expecting you to accept way too much ludicrous coincidence. This should have been two separate books, one dealing with the story of Deanna, Worf and Will and one about Tom Riker. Putting the two stories together simply makes for a less enjoyable read.

But still, there are parts of the story I did enjoy a great deal. The dialogue is excellent. The characters and the interactions between them are handled extremely well. And ultimately, you do get the emotional payoff you're looking for. It's just a shame you have to sift through the wreckage of these two colliding stories to get to it.

Rating:
Summary: The first Imzadi was by far better
Review: Star Trek-The Next Generation: Triangle, Imzadi II written by Peter David is a book devoted to the love triangle between Deanna Troi, William Riker and Worf.

The book starts out with Worf holding his love and wife Jadzia Dax and bellowing into the heavens for her arrival. This book is one of the better Star Trek books in that, the author, Peter David does a really good job of character development and fills in a lot of loose threads, making the fabric of this book richly appointed.

This book has three major characters and the interwoven plot that takes all three on an action-packed adventure, but also, an exploration into their relationship between themselves. As you know, the term Imzadi to the planet of Betazed means beloved and denotes a special affection, a closeness, a compassion that is only felt between two.

As with all good stories, a love triangle can be fatal for one of the parties involved, but this isn't an Earth love triangle... it's far greater than just that. This love triangle is between Wolf a part Klingon/Human, Riker all human and Deanna Troi Betazed/Human.

There are good storylines and the relationship between these three can get a little strained, but all in all, quite civil. Nevertheless, the narrative flows with relatively no incumberments. Fast paced and never lost for words, the author, makes this story come alive as you get genuine feeling for the characters.

The resolution of this love triangle works out, but that is all I'm going to tell you about, the whole relationship and how it affects the characters... otherwise I'd reveal too much and it would not be a good read for you.

Peter David caputures the character's personality and it is true to form with the Star Trek genre.

Rating:
Summary: I was a little disapointed, but not too much
Review: There is a lot of action, suspense, and some seriously complicated relationships are explained in-depth. I enjoyed it, but not as much as the first book. Several charachters are brought in that were not in the last book, even Thomas Riker(if you remember that transported accident in which Riker was duplicated) which adds quite an interresting plot. There were still a few questions which I don't think were answered well enough but the book contains betrayal, romulans....and I thought of writing more but don't want to ruin the reading experience of discovering it for yourself.

Rating:
Summary: VERY ENJOYABLE--Better Than the First Imzadi
Review: This novel is about the brief romance between Worf & Deanna Troi and the causes of its dissolution. It also features Tom Riker (William Riker's double), Sela (Tasha's bitter Romulan daughter), Alexander (Worf's 3/4 Klingon son), and Lwaxana Troi (Deanna's "eccentric" Betazoid mother), among others. I love and watch the shows, but I won't claim to be an expert on the Star Trek universe. I've only read a handful of Star Trek novels, but chronological purity in a series never worries me anyway. That said, I really enjoyed this novel. And it wasn't because I was enamored of David's prose style. He has a habit of quantifying emotional states, with "somewhat mad" and "majorly upset" and "not particularly happy" etc. What I loved about this book was that it featured men probing their emotions and questioning their own inner lives. There was also a lot of action to keep the pace moving. Yet, much of the text consisted of conversation, keeping it firmly rooted in characterization.

The nuances of Deanna's romance with Worf were more interesting to me than that of hers with Riker. Their differences kept the story crackling and alive. In the case of Worf & Deanna, there are the cross-cultural conflicts of custom and philosophy. There is also Alexander to be considered, a possible stepchild. For me, these elements were more interesting than whether Johnny Rocket/Riker would ever manage to appreciate Deanna and look beyond his ego long enough to commit to her. Riker is a woman's cheesy self-help book waiting to happen. I can't say I agree with the author's ultimate explanation of what true love is, but I certainly enjoyed the exploration, the journey getting there. Thanks, Mr. David.

Rating:
Summary: Fills in a missing storyline for TNG fans, but...
Review: When I first ordered this e-book, I was chomping at the bit to know how Worf migrated from his affair with the eminently emotional Deanna Troi at the end of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," to his eventual marriage to the supremely logical, enigmatic Jadzia-Dax on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine." Knowing how much I like Peter David's other Star Trek work, (including the first Imzadi novel, as well as the acclaimed and controversial New Frontier series.) I was pleased to see he had taken a crack at unraveling the mystery. But, sadly, I was disappointed. Peter David is capable of much better writing than he gives us here.

Although the novel begins well (with a typical Peter David high-action conundrum as Tom Riker is extracted, rather violently, from a Cardassian prison moon by...whom?), it goes downhill from there, culmanating in a cheesy prison-brawl. Come on, Peter. Who didn't see that coming?

My advice: If you, like me, just have to know the missing chapter of Worf's life, check it out at the library. Don't waste your money.