Rating: 
Summary: The BEST Star Trek Novel
Review: When I first became a Trekkie and decided to read a novel, I checked this one out from the library. Only one 'Trek' novel has come close to being as good as 'Federation,' and that is 'Prime Directive,' also by Judith and Gar Reeves-Stevens. They are exemplary story tellers. From the scores of trek books I have read since, one fact stands out: The majority of them are utter drivel. 'Federation' stands out not just as the best trek novel, but also as good science fiction. It's ideas are thought provoking, particularly those dealing with the ethics of "technology unbound." The characters in this book are vivid, especially Zefram Cochran's nemisis. I won't give any plot away in this review, but don't expect some big show get together of the two crews. That would have been too hokey, and the authors know better. I have read this book twice and purchased the hard cover edition to put with my collection of great science fiction; it's that good. It's too bad that the writers of "First Contact" didn't use this book as a source of inspiration for Zefram Cochran. The Cochran in this book is consistent with the Cochran we meet in TOS, and the one we see in FC isn't(but I still love the movie). Bottom line: if you are considering a Trek novel, read 'Federation' first, and then read 'Prime Directive,' 'Sarek,' and 'Shadows on the Sun.' And for the love of anything that is good, stay away from anything with a number on it.
Rating: 
Summary: A great effort but a little too long.
Review: Star Trek: Federation is the most ambitious Star Trek novel I have ever read but falls a little short of perfection due to its length. This is a book that could have easily told the same story with twenty to thirty less pages. However, those Star Trek fans who are brushed up on their Trek continuity are in for a definite treat with this book. The fusing of elements from Classic and Next Gen Trek is seamless and the storyline deals with the Zefram Cochrane legacy in a much more satisfying manner than the movie First Contact. The epilogue with Picard receiving a letter from Kirk is absolutely wonderful and does a better job of bridging the generations that any of the Next-Gen era films or episodes ever did.
Rating:
Summary: Easily the best Star Trek book for TNG & TOS fan
Review: This is easily my favorite Star Trek book. If you've seen both the original and TNG series and know most of the episodes, this book is for you. It cleverly weaves a story with three timelines using both crews and a number of well known episodes from both series. First Contact was okay, but I wished they had made this into a movie instead (First Contact takes some elements from this book). Advice: Make sure to check out the original series episode called the "Metamorphosis," which had the crew meeting Zefram Cochrane, the father of warp speed (on earth anyway), on a deserted planetoid with the "Companion." This book will go into detail on how Cochrane got to the planetoid and what happens afterwards. If you see the episode first, it'll be more enjoyable.
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Summary: A great story combining both ST crews and Star Trek history!
Review: This is definetely one of the best Star Trek novels I've read. The best elements of the novel were the use of 3 different timelines combining into one pretty good story, as well as the history provided on the life and accomplishments of Cochrane. The "meeting" of the two crews was one of the weaker parts of book, I felt. All in all, however, it's a must read for star trek fans. Particularily if you want more insight into star trek history and if you enjoy books with different plot streams that culminate into one conclusion.
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Summary: Trek novel bridges the Generations gap....but is it canon?
Review: Anytime a television series or movie franchise also becomes a publishing franchise, the question most fans ask themselves is: "Does this story fit into the so-and-so Universe, and if so, how?" Star Wars fans are always faced with this line of inquiry whenever a new book or comic book issue hits the bookshelves, and so are Star Trek fans. A writer (or group of writers) gets creative license by the franchise owners (Paramount/Viacom in this case) and has permission to play in someone else's universe. As long as the novels don't stray too far from the established parameters of characters like Jim Kirk, Jean-Luc Picard, or Mr. Spock, a Star Trek novel can be well-written and entertaining. It can even (as Federation does) take established data points from the series and movies and create an exciting scenario for the "union" of the first two Star Trek series. However, both the authors and the readers know that Star Trek's "official" storyline is confined to the TV shows (all 5 series) and the 10 feature films. So even though Star Trek: First Contact "overruled" Federation's scenario of an unexpected encounter between the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) and its fourth namesake (NCC-1701D), intertwined with plot threads from The Original Series' episodes Requiem for Methuselah, Journey to Babel, and Metamorphosis, as well as TNG's Sarek. Zefram Cochrane plays a central role in this multi-generational saga conceived as a "prequel" to Star Trek: Generations...and the Reeves-Stevens husband-and-wife team did a magnificent job of writing a wonderful "sequel" to Metamorphosis...knowing quite well, as their note to the reader explains, that their contribution to the Star Trek saga could be superseded by a movie in the future. In spite of now being a non-canon Star Trek story, Federation is a well-written and entertaining novel. The authors capture the personalities of the Star Trek characters vividly, and their knowledge of the established Star Trek timelines and episodes give this work a sense of authenticity (if such a thing existed in a fictional universe) that only the best Trek writers can give to their books. So, even if Federation strays from the "official" story, it's still a Star Trek novel worth reading. Alex Diaz-Granados
Rating:
Summary: Complex Star Trek Novel
Review: This novel is definitely for Trekkies. I'd give it 4 1/2 stars. Basically, 3 timelines take place. One in the late 21st century, with Zefram Cochrane, the discoverer of greater than light speed travel, being pursued by a madman, one Colonel Adrik Thorsen, who is part of the Optimum movement. This movement sounds similar to 1940's Nazis. He believes Cochrane can create a warp bomb, which would be an ultimate weapon against all enemies of the Movement. In the 2nd timeline, Captain Kirk and crew, are boarded by Admiral Kabreigny, who is wanting an investigation into the disappearence of a vacation ship. She believes Kirk is hiding something in regards to the vanishing of this ship, and that it is related to their visit to Gamma Canaris where Nancy Hedford died. Kirk and crew has a secret concerning Zefram Cochrane, Nancy Hedford and the Companion, that they swore not to reveal to outsiders. So, here in lies a struggle on the ship, plus coming into contact with the missing ship, and a dying Companion, searching for lost Zefram, along with Orion pirates and Klingons. Finally, the third timeline concerns Picard and crew. Ferengi and Romulans are involved here. The premise is that the Ferengi steal Romulan warbirds and have in their possession a Borg artifact, that could help the Federation. Upon some investigation, we learn that not only is there a Borg artifact, inside the artifact itself, is yet another, which appears to have come from the Preservers. Another Romulan ship shows up with a defector. While negotiations are taking place, another Warbird decloaks, and begins to attack both Enterprise and the other Warbirds. The connection between all three timelines is Zefram Cochrane and Adrik Thorsen. Eventually, the old and new come together around a Black Hole, trying to rescue Cochrane. Plenty of dialogue, action, and suspense make this one of the better Trek novels I've read so far. Not 5 stars due to the slow start, but the authors really piece together events pretty well, without getting too bogged down in each timeline.
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Summary: Star Trek: Federation
Review: Star Trek: Frederation written by Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens is a book with three storylines all woven together to make a Virgilian tapestry of times and space. Remember this book was written before "First Contact, Broken Bow, and Generations" so the characters may seem a little out of sync, but remember the Borg changed time by going back to Earth's past. This book carries three storylines well and the first is about Zephram Cochrane. The Zephram Cochrane and his Companion in the TOS " Metamophosis" is how we find him in the book all bummed out about World War III and he wanted to get away. Well now, Cochrane is captured by some pretty unsavory characters who want to capture the galaxy and whom do you think comes to his rescue... none other than Captain James T. Kirk and the Enterprise NCC-1701. Captain Jean-Luc Picard, on the other hand, is in standard orbit around Legara IV when he called Lieutenant Geordi LeForge for an opinion on the artifact being displayed in the main viewscreen... a piece of a Borg ship, from a Ferengi trader. As the two crew work hard at finishing their respective missions destiny draws them ever closer together as the solution to Captain Kirk problem lies with the Enterprise NCC-1701-D and Captain Picard's fate lies with the Enterprise NCC-1701. When reading this book pay attention to the chapter's timelines or you could get confused. This is TREK at it's best and I would highly recommend it as this is on my short list of really good TREK.
Rating:
Summary: Federation is outstanding!
Review: Federation is without a doubt the finest Star Trek book ever written. Instead of that piece of [stuff] Generations, this would have been an excellent movie to say goodbye to the old crew and welcome in the new. If you are a Star Trek fan and haven't read this book... well, you letting the best of Star Trek past you by.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Book
Review: I would recommend this book to any Trekker. As soon as I started it, I couldn't put it down. The story line is very clear, it brings together the Original Series and Next Generation crews in a most remarkable way, much better than the movie Generations did. If you are going to read a Star Trek book, this is the one to get.
Rating:
Summary: Star Trek in a Nutshell!
Review: Federation is the Star Trek book that ties it all together. It came out before Star Trek: First Contact, so Cochrane is protrayed a bit differently in the book. Yet, it still does an excellent portrayal of Cochrane. Stevens and others give readers the best picture yet of how the early 21st Trek century was. While Cochrane is the center of the story, the other subplots are equally captivating. The ST:OS storyline involves Kirk, Spock, and McCoy and weaves through that series' mythos very well. The ST:TNG characters are equally interesting. When the two series combine, it moves quickly and is entirely captivating. The end is one of the best conclusions for any novel I have read.
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