Rating: 
Summary: reviews
Review: To those of you both writing and reading reviews of series novels, keep in mind that many aspects of the novels are pressed upon authors by marketing forces. For instance, I might write a TNG book, like Ship of the Line, and Pocket Books will require that James Kirk be woven into the story. He's not necessarily there because I'm rushing to write yet another Kirk scene. Actually, I think if I were on a ship with Captain Kirk, he and I would probably be fifty-nine feet apart on a sixty footer (often the case with real captains . . .) There are ship details in my books because fans tell Pocket they want more. Also, it has fallen upon the novels to fill in gaps and explain certain character growths that aren't addessed on the screen. Pocket Books calls authors frequently with requests to accomodate readers' wishes to see these elements played out. More often than not, story elements and indeed whole plotlines are requested by the publisher, for transitional purposes. We constantly scour the Trek universe for one new element, one unturned stone, and a new angle--which is why my books are not all "the same" in style or point of view. (I do that on purpose. Why bother reading them if they're all alike?) It's up to the authors to stitch requested elements in. That's why this is a job and not a hobby. Authors cannot possibly read each other's stories for accuracy and consistency, because most of these novels are written and published almost simultaneously, and change during the fluid writing process. Other inconsistencies occur because of the lag time between publishing books and producing TV or movies. If you find something or someone in a novel which you don't like or didn't expect, it's very possible that element was threaded in based upon fan reaction to TV episodes or other novel elements (such as Morgan Bateman or the ancillary colonists in Wagon Train to the Stars, which were both requested elements). It's all part of a neverending effort, coordinating hundreds of desks, to breathe new life into Star Trek after 35 years, on a daily basis. Pocket Books deserves credit for tackling an impossible job--they hold hundreds of kite strings, publishing over 40 new titles every year, while herding dozens of authors (attitudes included!) and combing over the many scripts and revisions wafting around Hollyweird. So enjoy the good parts. Star Trek is mighty big garden. Pick your favorite flowers.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting Concept for Star Trek
Review: Wagon Train to the Stars is an interesting twist on the Star Trek concept. The story takes place between the first and second movies and tells the tale of Captain Kirk and his crew leading a band of colonists on their way to a new planet.Throughout the novel, Kirk and his crew deal with a variety of situations which have been created out of tales of old west wagon trains but now with a sci fi twist. Kirk is essentially the trail boss dealing with dissension, food shortages, colonist fear and finally maurauders as the wagon train makes its way to its new planet. I found the starship battles to be very interesting and the battle tactics reminiscent of the old Star Trek. The plot line is a good concept and the novel is a good start for a six book series but I found the characters to be a bit different from the characters which we all know and love. For instance, Kirk is a bit more authoritarian than usual. All together though a good, fun read.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting Concept for Star Trek
Review: Wagon Train to the Stars is an interesting twist on the Star Trek concept. The story takes place between the first and second movies and tells the tale of Captain Kirk and his crew leading a band of colonists on their way to a new planet. Throughout the novel, Kirk and his crew deal with a variety of situations which have been created out of tales of old west wagon trains but now with a sci fi twist. Kirk is essentially the trail boss dealing with dissension, food shortages, colonist fear and finally maurauders as the wagon train makes its way to its new planet. I found the starship battles to be very interesting and the battle tactics reminiscent of the old Star Trek. The plot line is a good concept and the novel is a good start for a six book series but I found the characters to be a bit different from the characters which we all know and love. For instance, Kirk is a bit more authoritarian than usual. All together though a good, fun read.
Rating:
Summary: A nice start
Review: Well, it's summer time and that can only mean one thing--the beginning of a new, multi-novel Star Trek saga, courtesy of Pocket Books. Last year's Double Helix series was a hit-or-miss affair that dealt with events in the TNG universe. This summer, Pocket treats us to the long-awaited classic Trek crossover series. And first up, is Diane Carey's "Wagon Train to the Stars." All in all, I've got to say this is a good start to the series. What really works is that Carey plunks us down in the middle of the story and fills in details via flashbacks and the characters interacting. The series takes place between the events seen in The Motion Picture and Wrath of Khan and finds Kirk, having temporarily taken a reduction in rank to Captain, leading a fleet of colonists to a new world that is nine months away. The first novel sets up the secondary characters and establishes the mood and the scene. It also sets into place the fact that the planet our heroes are headed for isn't what it seems (frustratingly enough, one of the characters knows what is going on but refuses to tell any one or give any hints....oh well, I guess it is a six-part series and we'll find out soon enough). Before you know it, Kirk is up to his ears in squabbles, disputes and egos other than his. It's interesting look at Kirk as he tries to deal with leading a group of people that aren't in Starfleet and don't necessarily want or have to follow his orders. There's internal intrigue as well as an external threat or two (the planet the colonists are heading for is at the center of two, ancient warring races and the Orions aren't far behind--seeing the colonists as potential profit in the slave trade). Carey balances a lot of elements to make an entertaining novel and one that sets up events well. The stage is set for the next five books and there's enough mysteries involved to keep me curious as what's to come next. My only fear is that we won't find out the planet's myterious secret until book six and the other four books will be a holding pattern of sorts. Also, minor characters are being set up to be in conflict and you can see some of Kirk's headahces that are ahead. I only hope Carey and the rest of the authors will take some chances and not give into a standard, cliched Trek storyline. All that said, I will say that Wagon Train to the Stars is a good start. It's an enjoyable summer Trek read--not too heavy, but not too light. I'm definitely interested to see what happens next.
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