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Summary: The untold love story of the young Will and Deanna
Review: ...If telling the backstory of William Riker and Deanna Troi was not ambitious enough, David is also audacious enough to work in the Guardian of Forever from the classic original "Star Trek" episode "The City on the Edge of Forever," scripted by Harlan Ellison (and you all know how Ellison felt about what Gene Roddenberry did to the episode, so you can imagine the second thoughts David had to have about picking up on the idea--the volume is dedicated to Harlan). The result is as fine a "Star Trek" novel as you will ever read, with an ending that I still pick up and read from time to time, and which still touches me. The novel actually begins with the end of "The City on the Edge of Forever," as Captain James T. Kirk says, "Let's get the hell out of here." The event is being observed by several people, including Commander Data. The setting is the future, in which Riker is now an admiral, Wesley Crusher is the Captain of the "Hood," and Lwaxana Troi dies cursing Riker for letting Deanna die many years before. We then go back to the beginning, when young William Riker was assigned to Betazed and found himself intrigued by the tantalizing but completely uninterested Deanna Troi. What follows is one of those rare times that a love story in the "Star Trek" universe reaches a believable level of pathos, which, granted, is hard to do in a television episode. In addition to the aforementioned challenges of coming up with a compelling story for the Riker-Troi romance and working off of the Ellison episode, David also decides to tell the story of "Imzadi" by jumping around in time from "The End" to "The End of the Beginning" and eventually to "The Beginning of the End." However, this is not a concern because David has worked out the logic of his story. Besides, if you have any questions, the Guardian of Forever can answer them. This is obviously my favorite "Star Trek" novel. I have a tendency to like stories that connect the dots more than those that try to tell stories that are too big for the small screen (or too expensive for a theatrical film). Even though I had already read the book at the library I went out and bought a copy, in hardcover, and when Marina Sirtis cane to the Zenith City for a "Star Trek" convention it was my copy of this book that I had her autograph.
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Summary: A FASCINATING BIT OF FORESHADOWING
Review: After returning to this novel after ten years, it is amazing to look at this and what has transpired in TNG lore. The characterization of Admiral Riker throughout the book is absolutely dead-on to the Admiral Riker of "...All Good Things." Both are bitter, hollow, and dull because of the circumstances and the aftermath of the "death" of Deanna Troi. Both blame themselves and fall into a lifetime of despair. Also intriguing is the picture painted of Lt. Riker before he meets Deanna. He is a brash, womanizing, and ambitious officer who is on his way to replacing James T. Kirk as the youngest man ever to captain a Federation starship. Indeed, his actions toward attractive women is very much in the same vain as the historic captain. One has to wonder when this go getting attitude lessened, perhaps when the transporter malfunction created Thomas Riker?
Also fun to rediscover is Deanna's relationship with her mother. The young, naive empath has a yearning to be more than what she ultimately is expected to become: Daughter of the Fifth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Riix,etc. However, the overbearing Lwaxana wants nothing to do with her daughters rebellios ambition. Deanna relents and leads her mother to believe that she will indeed become all of these things, but when a certain attractive, emotional, and completely inappropriate Starfleet lieutenant arrives, she begins to exert her own ambitious ideas upon herself and her mother.
There are some features of the novel which do not coincide with the future of TNG, ie. Captain Wesley Crusher, but these only add to the enjoyment of seeing what TNG might have become. Another instance is presented in the persona of Data. Does he use contractions in the movies? I don't recall. It is so much fun to read a book and try and find small inconsistencies whether you mean to or not, it is inevitable.
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Summary: All in a days work!
Review: All I have to say is "EXCELLENT". The book came in the mail Saturday morning, and by Saturday afternoon, I had finished reading it. Definately a page turner and definately recommended if you are a fan of the Riker/Troi relationship. A must have.
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Summary: Absolutly stunning!
Review: I first read this book about three years ago, but I recently decided to read it again. Imzadi is defintly my favorite book, and I truly believe it deserves its place among the classics. I regret to believe that this will probably not happen, simply bcause it is a Star Trek book, so many people will not give it a chance. Imzadi is wonderfully written, sexy, adventureous, romantic, and action-packed. It would make a wonderful movie, but that is unnecessary, because it is so well written that you can visulize the scenes as they take place. I reccomend this book to everyone who loves the relationship between Riker and Troi.
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Summary: Best in the series!!
Review: I really loved this book, it was the best Star Trek book I have ever read. I highly recommend it!!
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Summary: One Of My Favorites
Review: I've never been a great fan of Star Trek novels, but for a few years several good novels based on ST:TNG came out that I really enjoyed, Imzadi is probably one of the best. In this book, we get a look into the past hisotry of Deanna Troi and Wil Riker, their love affair, and their eventual reunion on Enterprise-D. Majel Barrett's Lwaxana Troi was a favorite of mine on the series and I always looked forward to her appearances. She and Marina Sirtis really seemed to play well together and acted so much like a real-life mother and daughter. Peter David really captures Majel's Barrett's Lwaxana in this story. She's brash, opinionated, rude, and downright funny. This is one of the few Star Trek novels I've read more than once and I enjoy it every time.
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Summary: What an amazing tale...
Review: If you are a fan of The Next Generation, you might be familiar with the term, 'Imzadi'. It was a Betazed term that was between Deanna Troi and William Riker when they first met years ago before they served on the Enterprise. This story is an incredibly creative account of how Troi and Riker first met all those years ago. As many of Peter David's stories go, this one has many different levels. We first begin with an older Riker taking a ship to the Guardian of Forever (serious Trek fans will remember this from the original series)-illegally I might add, and using the Guardian to alter the past to save Troi from dying years before. The plot jumps back to their first meeting on Betazed many years before the events which take place on Next Gen. The creativity that went into writing this is really amazing, and my hats off to Peter David for conjuring up a story worthy of Star Trek and STILL keeping true to the original series. I in particular enjoyed the addition of the Guardian of Forever into the plot. Was Troi SUPPOSED to live and NOT die? As you may know, altering history is a no-no under the Prime Directive and that is exactly what Riker plans on doing...along the way we uncover a very sinister murder/mystery that is well calculated and plotted out, and well I just can't say enough good about this great story. Pick up 'Imzadi' and if you are a true Trek fan, you just can't be disappointed. (unfortunately 'Imzadi II' doesn't live up to the first story--but it was still pretty good).
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Summary: Another Fine Installment From Peter David!
Review: If you are a fan of the Riker/Troi relationship or Peter David's work, or just a hopeless romantic, I definitely recommend this book! David writes in the humorous and engaging style I've come to love and almost expect from a Star Trek novel. The flashbacks to Betazed, the return of the Guardian of Forever, and the complex storyline are well-written and interestingly presented. I particularly enjoyed Barclay's scenes towards the end! Yes, it does get pretty sappy at some points, but that is a major part of romance and it is tempered by timetravel, alien diplomats, and a good murder mystery. Those of you who focus more on technology and the science of Trek probably won't be as interested in this novel, but it offers character development and humor. It should be read more for fun than analyzed for detail.
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Summary: Absolutely Brilliant
Review: If you read only one Star Trek books this year, make this the one! Seriously, I've read around two dozen Star Trek books, and this one is by far the best. I wish all Star Trek books were this good. The non-linear way in which this story is told and the way it's integrated with the rest of the Trek universe was brilliance on David's part. This book read much more like a real novel than most other Star Trek books -- you can tell a huge amount of effort and thought went into this book. The only remotely negative thing I can say about this book is that it contradicts what we learn in "Infections" about Deanna calling Riker "Bill" when they first meet (which explains why Deanna calls Riker "Bill" in TNG First Season). This book is just as good of an addition to the Trek universe as any television episode you've seen. Highly recommended.
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Summary: The most romantic story I have read in a long time.
Review: Imzadi - even the word is beautiful. And Peter David brings it to life and gives it meaning in a way no other author could. His depections of the young Riker and Troi are insightful and filled with emotions that range from humor and amusement to sheer sadness. And the same can be said of the characters of the future timeline as well. The story had enough action and suspense to keep it interesting to the very end. Yet it also had enough romance to capture my imagination, and hold my attention so intensely I often forgot where I was while I was reading. This is one of the most beautifully written and romantic stories I have ever encountered. If you like Deanna Troi or Will Riker, or are just an Imzadi fan at heart, you will cherish this book.
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