The Devil's Heart (Star Trek: The Next Generation) [ABRIDGED]

Rating:
Summary: Great book, especially the history portions on the Romulans.
Review: The best portions of this book have to do with the dream sequences Picard experiences as a result of his possession of the Devil's Heart: Surak as a boy, Garamond, the Romulans, the early Andorians and the early Klingon Empire. Also intriguing was the revelation that Guinan has a fellow Listener of her El Aurian race.

One nitpick however: Romulans were given their name by the humans. Their original race name is Rihannsu. Please see Spock's World and The Romulan Way for this explanation of how Romulans became a separate race from Vulcans.

Rating:
Summary: Proud Picard!!!
Review: The Devil's Heart is a magnificent tale of morality and power. Carter has an in-depth way of presenting Picard and his morality, and does so immediately from the start. Carmen allows you a chance to see what kind of mind our friend Jean-Luc has, and allows us to test it's limits! The fate of the quadrant rests on Jean-Luc's shoulders again......but this time.......he is faced with an irresistable power that has it's price. Mike Scott Hamilton, Ontario

Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended
Review: There are a handful of more entertaining TREK novels, but this one comes as close to being a literary masterpiece as an entry in this series can get. I was astonished by Carter's overall writing and storytelling abilities which weren't so evident in her previous entries for TOS and TNG. Be warned, however, that there are about twice as many words in this book as in your average TREK novel, while at the same time it's not the kind of book to put aside during a busy week. Immerse yourself in it.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book, excellent reading by Gates McFadden
Review: This exellent Star Trek book is read with clarity and expression by Gates McFadden. Easily captivated my family during a LONG car trip.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent quest
Review: This is a reverse quest in the tradition of the Lord of the Rings: Picard gains possession of an artefact that gives its wielder power over time, but will eventually betray him to his death, and every power in the Quadrant comes after the Enterprise to seize the artefact. In addition, we are shown how Trek ancient history has (supposedly) revolved around this artefact, including the rise and fall of the Iconians, Surak of Vulcan, the Romulan Empire, the Klingon Empire and the great plague on Andor. The tone of this book is quite sombre, but uniquely among Trek authors the book is still a very enjoyable read despite that. The quality of the writing is excellent. The descriptions and characterisations are very good, and the whole Enterprise cast has good roles in this. The book specific characters are well done also. There are many short sequences of people and action beyond the Enterprise and all are well done. The author captures the air of a truly epic quest, both in contemporary scope and through time. This is an excellent and thoroughly enjoyable book.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent novel.
Review: This is a very powerful novel, well-written and well-plotted. At first, I thought that it was going to bear too much resemblance to Original Series Novel #30, J.M. Dillard's "Demons" (Vulcan archaologist finds relic that proves dangerous, and leads to much death and devastation) but that is the extent of the similarities between the two; this book is much better written, and has a much more evolved plot. Then I thought that it was too close in concept to "The Lord of the Rings" (mystical item possesses its bearer, making him reluctant to let anyone else touch it, or to put it down, and becoming his "precious" to the detriment of his health, both physical and mental.) But there are enough differences to pass the "original concept" test, although if the book were not so well-written, I might be less tolerant on this score.

Definitely one of the better Star Trek books, good enough to be worth a look from non-Trek fans.

Rating:
Summary: "...the blood never stops flowing."
Review: This said by the last bearer of the Ko N'ya as she dies aboard the Enterprise, and just after Picard has taken possession of a stone which throughout history has played major roles, and which has had turmoil, war, and bloodshed follow this relic through the universe. And now, Picard holds it on the eve of a prophesy which brings a number of the many races and cultures who have at one time held this Devil's Heart, and each wants to reclaim it.

As the mission moves on, the senior officers become concerned with thier captain's obcession with a stone which the Captain is rarely seen without, on the times that he is even seen. Captain Picard feels it is his duty to be a warden of this stone, and as he begins to understand the importance of the stone, learning from it, he begins to be tempted by the power it promises to bring him.

This is an enjoyable TNG book, well written with few faults. I'm reminded in a way of another great story about an ancient relic which is now recieving heightened interest after the three movies have been made, Lord of the Rings...even the name "Gem-bearer" is not far removed from "Ring-bearer" and the stone seems to have similar powers of corruption on whoever holds it.

Rating:
Summary: Best Star Trek novel that Carmen Carter has written so far.
Review: This Star Trek novel is one of those that were published initially as a hard cover. Thus, it appears that more research, re-writing and flair were included compared to Carmen's earlier works.

An original storyline brings out the true essance of Picard. Thus we are given a novel that entertains us as a novel, not just another Star Trek novelization.

Put this one towards the top of your Star Trek "list to read".

Rating:
Summary: A true trek story with a theatrical reading
Review: Well, for those who are into star trek this story is just perfect: vulcans, myths and action. For those who are not it still is due to a fantastic 'performance' by Gates McFadden. The story itself a fantastic one with some scifi violence included comes totally to life with its talented reader. It's worth listening to this audiobook wherever time allows to. And its always worth relistening.