Rating: 
Summary: I find that I don't like the "Challenger" cyle of Trek...
Review: ...any more than I do the "New Fontier" cycle. Both are built on a premise of a Long John Silver clone skipper and his raffish crew of square wheels. There's a growly amazonian officer here who decks her captain without really being in mutiny--presumably it's "for his own good". In the "New Earth" series this book is a sequel to, Starfleet pulls the cliche Cold War era stunt of taking sides in a nasty regional conflict in which neither side--Blood Many or the Kauld--are particularly civilized. In this book, a Bood Many "guest officer" tries to impose his culture's strictures on a Fleet vessel when an officer disobeys an order--their penalty for that is death...This is definitely beneath what I've come to expect from Diane Carey...
Rating: 
Summary: Great Book
Review: After reading New Earth Book 6: Challenger, I was looking forward to the first book of the Challenger series, and I wasn't let down by this book. After reading this book, which features a new ship and a new crew, I am waiting for the next Challenger novel. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Chainmail
Review: Book Two picks up right where Star Trek: New Earth Book Six left off, with the crew of the Challenger exploring the space near the planet Belle Terre. The return of an alien force that fled through a gateway eons ago finds the Challenger in a deadly battle to protect two innocent races from marauding superbeings.
Rating:
Summary: The most amazing Trek book I have read in quite a long time!
Review: I found myself unable to stop reading and going back to my room again and again to see wht would happen next. I wasnt the biggest fan of New Earth, but keller made quite an impression on me in the Challenger book. Here, theres no hand holding and no easy reading. any eye closers and bored folks need not apply, this is teh most challenging and unexpected story format In some time. Even though I love NEW FRONTIER, its not quite this challenge filled. I am amazed I liked this so much, because I see so clearly in my head Bones and Data when they speak in the easy, familiar books I have read, and this is all new stuff, and like algebra instead of multiplication. I have read every single pocket books star trek novel of every series, so I know of what i speak. Out of the 4 or 5 hundred novels to date, this easily makes the top 50, and just might be in the top 25. Bring on more Keller, Diane! You got all the magic!
Rating:
Summary: Great new story with great new crew
Review: I haven't read any of the New Earth books (yet) but this book gives a great feel for both the new characters and the region of space they are in. I really enjoyed the story, it was pure excitement, and the cliffhanger was excellent, especially the last line of the book. I strongly recommend this book to all.
Rating:
Summary: Not an easy read but very rewarding
Review: I think if you like Peter David`s New Frontier series, you should give Challenger a try. But there is a difference between the two: NF is a mix of new and known characters. Challenger takes place in the Star Trek universe but now that Kirk & Co. have left in the first book of the series, the New Earth novel "Challenger", these are all new characters. What interests me most in any story are the characters and this is Chainmail`s strength. As in NF, Diane Carey populated her corner of the Star Trek universe with very complex, colourful characters. I like them, especially the relationship between the captain of this ship, Keller, and his alien first officer, Shucorion. Shucorion is a Blood, an alien with a different mentality, different culture and beliefs but nevertheless both men are good friends who complement each other well. Part of the book deals with a conflict due to these differences, a struggle to find a compromise both sides can accept and how other members of the crew react to it. I could understand both sides of the argument and found this part of the story not only very interesting but also very touching. The captain and crew of the Challenger have to deal with a mystery, an enigmatic, powerful race. The problem but at the same time, also the strength of this novel is, this book is not a light read. You have to concentrate on what is going on, so that reading it is a, well, challenge. When I read it the first time, I didn`t understand the background of these aliens immediately, but everything became clear in time. And when I read these parts again afterwards, they made sense and gave the whole book a deeper meaning. It was quite a fascinating experience. I needed time and patience to read it but it was very rewarding and I am very much looking forward to the next book of the series.
Rating: 
Summary: Saddle up, let's ride!
Review: I went right to this book from Book Six of the "New Earth" series, because I couldn't wait to read more about OTC Nick Keller and the *Challenger.* This story did not disappoint me, though there were moments I had trouble getting my head around. The aliens from the other side of the Gateway were introduced rather abruptly, so it was tough reading for a while. But I stuck with it, and it was well worth it. This story has substance and purpose, and it reads like a breeze (well, sometimes a breeze through a stable, but a breeze nonetheless). You can't beat Diane Carey's writing style, and with this one she's pulled off some mighty good ones. Don't know exactly what it is about Keller, Savannah, Zane, Zoa, and Shucorion, but I'm connecting better with this crowd than I did the New Frontier crew. Sorry, Peter! The only disappointment for me, I guess, was that the ending made me think I should be reading the "Gateways" series in order rather than skipping around. No matter, I'm still skipping around. If it looks like I'm missing something by doing that, oh well. Won't be the first time. Two warnings: 1) Anyone still hunting for familiar Trek characters (or even familiar Belle Terre characters) will not find them in this book. On the other hand, if you loved Keller & Crew in Book Six of the "New Earth" series and are looking for more adventures from them, this is definitely the one to read. 2) This apparently ain't the last we'll be hearing of *Challenger.* And to that I say yee-haw!
Rating:
Summary: Saddle up, let's ride!
Review: I went right to this book from Book Six of the "New Earth" series, because I couldn't wait to read more about OTC Nick Keller and the *Challenger.* This story did not disappoint me, though there were moments I had trouble getting my head around. The aliens from the other side of the Gateway were introduced rather abruptly, so it was tough reading for a while. But I stuck with it, and it was well worth it. This story has substance and purpose, and it reads like a breeze (well, sometimes a breeze through a stable, but a breeze nonetheless). You can't beat Diane Carey's writing style, and with this one she's pulled off some mighty good ones. Don't know exactly what it is about Keller, Savannah, Zane, Zoa, and Shucorion, but I'm connecting better with this crowd than I did the New Frontier crew. Sorry, Peter! The only disappointment for me, I guess, was that the ending made me think I should be reading the "Gateways" series in order rather than skipping around. No matter, I'm still skipping around. If it looks like I'm missing something by doing that, oh well. Won't be the first time. Two warnings: 1) Anyone still hunting for familiar Trek characters (or even familiar Belle Terre characters) will not find them in this book. On the other hand, if you loved Keller & Crew in Book Six of the "New Earth" series and are looking for more adventures from them, this is definitely the one to read. 2) This apparently ain't the last we'll be hearing of *Challenger.* And to that I say yee-haw!
Rating: 
Summary: Not a typical Star Trek Adventure
Review: If you enjoy a book that jumps straight into the action with both feet and hits the ground running then you should be very happy with "Chainmail", the second Gateways novel. Written by Diane Carey this is the Challenger installment in the series. If you are not familiar with the Challenger crew from the New Earth book "Challenger" you definitely want to read that first and become familiar with the characters or it would be very difficult to enjoy "Chainmail". "Chainmail" includes no familiar Star Trek characters. The story is populated with people entirely created from the imagination of the author. Nick Keller and crew are the lone Starfleet presence in the recently settled Belle Terre sector. A very different type of crew on a very unique vessel. So it seems appropriate that Keller and company find themselves slap dab in the middle of a really weird situation. What are they to do with a ship full of animated corpses that seems bound and determined to destroy them, and what is it doing in their little corner of space anyway? It's a mystery all right. This is the type of novel a reader either likes or loathes. A story you really have to pay attention to. Definitely not a light read. I enjoyed the plot immensely and the characters. But at the same time I found the writing style to be a bit too descriptive, very typical Diane Carey. The story is filled with confusion at times, and then suddenly there is a startling moment of clarity. "Chainmail" is certainly different that's for sure. So if you feel in the mood for something different, a mystery/adventure with a true Science Fiction touch and unique characters give it a try. If you're looking for a Star Trek novel of the kind you are typically used to then I would pass on "Chainmail".
Rating:
Summary: Not a typical Star Trek Adventure
Review: If you enjoy a book that jumps straight into the action with both feet and hits the ground running then you should be very happy with "Chainmail", the second Gateways novel. Written by Diane Carey this is the Challenger installment in the series. If you are not familiar with the Challenger crew from the New Earth book "Challenger" you definitely want to read that first and become familiar with the characters or it would be very difficult to enjoy "Chainmail". "Chainmail" includes no familiar Star Trek characters. The story is populated with people entirely created from the imagination of the author. Nick Keller and crew are the lone Starfleet presence in the recently settled Belle Terre sector. A very different type of crew on a very unique vessel. So it seems appropriate that Keller and company find themselves slap dab in the middle of a really weird situation. What are they to do with a ship full of animated corpses that seems bound and determined to destroy them, and what is it doing in their little corner of space anyway? It's a mystery all right. This is the type of novel a reader either likes or loathes. A story you really have to pay attention to. Definitely not a light read. I enjoyed the plot immensely and the characters. But at the same time I found the writing style to be a bit too descriptive, very typical Diane Carey. The story is filled with confusion at times, and then suddenly there is a startling moment of clarity. "Chainmail" is certainly different that's for sure. So if you feel in the mood for something different, a mystery/adventure with a true Science Fiction touch and unique characters give it a try. If you're looking for a Star Trek novel of the kind you are typically used to then I would pass on "Chainmail".
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