Rating: 
Summary: Series Highlight: "A Time to Love"
Review: There is a lot to 'love' about this book. The "A Time To..." series serves as a setup to the last TNG movie, Star Trek: Nemesis. In it, the crew and ship we know are undergoing many changes, many which were rather unexpected. In it, Data is without his emotion chip that we've been used to since Star Trek: Generations. Troi and Riker, who got back together during the course of Star Trek: Insurrection, took their relationship to the next level by joining together in marriage. Apparently, Beverly Crusher also decides to return to her Season 2 position as head of Starfleet Medical. While the "A Time to..." series has been an interesting concept, I as a reader haven't seen the idea executed all that well. The first two books, Born/Die, started the series with an awkward story that isn't very believable by TNG standards. As another reviewer said, the Enterprise's reputation is tarnished and those in the Federation and Starfleet Command begin to cast doubts at Picard. The crew is shaken and people are leaving the Enterprise left and right. While the previous books, Harvest/Sow, shows the crew getting back on the saddle, this book really hits the nail on the head in terms of the premise. We get an idea why the decisions were made by the main crew. This book deals with a planet in distress. Something is causing two races living on one planet to suddenly turn against one another after nearly a century of peace and unity. The Enterprise is there to investigate the reasons behind the sudden change; and they're there to capture and detain Kyle Riker, Commander Riker's estranged father. "A Time to Love" in some manners fills in the gaps to the Kyle/William Riker relationship that another book, Star Trek: Lost Era; Deny thy Father, left out. We get the chance not only to see Riker in action as an investigator and showing off his command skills, but we get to go inside his head and understand his troubled relationship with his father. The book builds up on this 'Fugitive' theme with son hunting down father and ends on a thrilling note, making you want more but having to wait for the conclusion in the next book, "A Time to Hate." Another great part of this book is the exploration of relationships. If you're a fan of Crusher, she's given a lot of attention in this book. Her character begins to make comments and observations about how things are changing. She strikes it home with the Next Generation theme of family and how hard it is at times to let go and move beyond the comforts of this close-knit relationship. Crusher makes some shocking and revealing comments about what's keeping her on the Enterprise, including comments on her relationship with Picard. Finally, a book that doesn't shy away from such things. Troi and Riker really seem closer in this book to moving on to that next step in their relationship. Picard comes off as a tragic hero, moving beyond the events that nearly ended his career but being worn down by them and having to accept that time changes things and people. There is a nice balance between the mission at hand and the character's personal lives. I felt as if the previous books in the series left little time for the reader to understand or get the chance to see the characters change and move towards making their decisions about their futures on the Enterprise. This book though takes the time out and keeps things moving smoothly so you can't grow tired of one plot or another. Part of the B Plot involving La Forge and Data and the lack of equipment and replacement parts did seem out of place and to take away from the other plots but this minor thing can be looked over I think. "A Time to Love" works in that it really takes on the premise and drives it home. The questions opened by Nemesis finally seem to be taken on. They aren't answered but they are at least dealt with finally in the series. It is shorter than the others but I don't see this as a hang up. It seems to have the right amount of material and nothing seems over-done. I actually finished this book wanting more, exicited, anxious to read how this ends and how the characters will be changed by the conclusion. It is a mystery and is filled with suspense, action, death, love and a mix of emotions. Robert Greenberger seems to take on these books and delivers.
Rating:
Summary: Series Highlight: "A Time to Love"
Review: There is a lot to 'love' about this book. The "A Time To..." series serves as a setup to the last TNG movie, Star Trek: Nemesis. In it, the crew and ship we know are undergoing many changes, many which were rather unexpected. In it, Data is without his emotion chip that we've been used to since Star Trek: Generations. Troi and Riker, who got back together during the course of Star Trek: Insurrection, took their relationship to the next level by joining together in marriage. Apparently, Beverly Crusher also decides to return to her Season 2 position as head of Starfleet Medical. While the "A Time to..." series has been an interesting concept, I as a reader haven't seen the idea executed all that well. The first two books, Born/Die, started the series with an awkward story that isn't very believable by TNG standards. As another reviewer said, the Enterprise's reputation is tarnished and those in the Federation and Starfleet Command begin to cast doubts at Picard. The crew is shaken and people are leaving the Enterprise left and right. While the previous books, Harvest/Sow, shows the crew getting back on the saddle, this book really hits the nail on the head in terms of the premise. We get an idea why the decisions were made by the main crew. This book deals with a planet in distress. Something is causing two races living on one planet to suddenly turn against one another after nearly a century of peace and unity. The Enterprise is there to investigate the reasons behind the sudden change; and they're there to capture and detain Kyle Riker, Commander Riker's estranged father. "A Time to Love" in some manners fills in the gaps to the Kyle/William Riker relationship that another book, Star Trek: Lost Era; Deny thy Father, left out. We get the chance not only to see Riker in action as an investigator and showing off his command skills, but we get to go inside his head and understand his troubled relationship with his father. The book builds up on this 'Fugitive' theme with son hunting down father and ends on a thrilling note, making you want more but having to wait for the conclusion in the next book, "A Time to Hate." Another great part of this book is the exploration of relationships. If you're a fan of Crusher, she's given a lot of attention in this book. Her character begins to make comments and observations about how things are changing. She strikes it home with the Next Generation theme of family and how hard it is at times to let go and move beyond the comforts of this close-knit relationship. Crusher makes some shocking and revealing comments about what's keeping her on the Enterprise, including comments on her relationship with Picard. Finally, a book that doesn't shy away from such things. Troi and Riker really seem closer in this book to moving on to that next step in their relationship. Picard comes off as a tragic hero, moving beyond the events that nearly ended his career but being worn down by them and having to accept that time changes things and people. There is a nice balance between the mission at hand and the character's personal lives. I felt as if the previous books in the series left little time for the reader to understand or get the chance to see the characters change and move towards making their decisions about their futures on the Enterprise. This book though takes the time out and keeps things moving smoothly so you can't grow tired of one plot or another. Part of the B Plot involving La Forge and Data and the lack of equipment and replacement parts did seem out of place and to take away from the other plots but this minor thing can be looked over I think. "A Time to Love" works in that it really takes on the premise and drives it home. The questions opened by Nemesis finally seem to be taken on. They aren't answered but they are at least dealt with finally in the series. It is shorter than the others but I don't see this as a hang up. It seems to have the right amount of material and nothing seems over-done. I actually finished this book wanting more, exicited, anxious to read how this ends and how the characters will be changed by the conclusion. It is a mystery and is filled with suspense, action, death, love and a mix of emotions. Robert Greenberger seems to take on these books and delivers.
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