Rating: 
Summary: A Must Read
Review: One word, "Excellent". This book has it all. You won't be able to put it down.
Rating: 
Summary: Beware Rogue Clichés
Review: The Section 31 story line was continued rather well in this book. I liked the reunion between Picard, Marta, and Corey, and the moral issues they had to face. I also enjoyed the involvement of the Tal Shiar, and the shades of gray that must be explored in this novel.Of course, this book deals with the sexual orientation of a short-lived character in the Star Trek Universe. While reading, it occurred to me that if one truly had an evolved, futuristic point-of-view on the whole subject, it would simply be a non-issue. We would neither judge people nor dwell on it (as I feel has been done in this book.) Take the interracial kiss on the Original Series, for example, it happened and people had to deal with it for what it was. No one had to insult the viewers' intelligence and tell them how to think about it. It's the thought people have to put behind it that matters. Let the viewer/reader decide for themselves: "what's wrong with the way we treat others?" instead of outright telling them, "this is how others should be treated." My problem with Lt. Hawk's character is not his sexual orientation, but the fact that if he had been anymore hyped up throughout this book, the author would have risked creating a Byronic hero of sorts. Hawk is simply not a believable, human character; he has no visible flaws! (Unless you count being completely unbelievable as a flaw.) My other issue with this book is that, while I know this is science FICTION, it is a little too much fiction for me. I don't want to spoil the book for anyone, but suffice to say that this book lacks considerably in the science department. I had to force myself to read the rest of the book after one or two very incredulous notions. Overall, it's an okay read for the avid Star Trek fan that is willing to overlook a few clichés.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Worth the Time
Review: When I bought this book it was right after I read the Deep Space Nine Section 31 book. The Deep Space Nine book was a straight forward action story with good writing and good characters. This book was just boring. I have read tons of Trek books and most I can make it through with no problem. With this booK i found myself skipping pages, putting it down for days at a time and just plain groaning. One thing that bothered me was the authors need to constantly remind us that Lt. Hawk was gay... Mention is once and I'm fine, but this author seemed to like to bring it up all the time... The sub-plot about diplomatic tensions dealing with one planets application to Starfleet was interesting, but was intertwined too much with Section 31's lame (and somewhat stupid) plot to control this planets outcome. When Section 31 was introduced they were a subversive, intellegent organization that could manipulate anyone they pleased. In this book it seems that the agents are just dumb pawns trying to convice people to join them. Buy the book if you have read every other trek book out there. Otherwise leave this one alone.
Rating:
Summary: STNG: Section 31 Rogue
Review: This Star Trek Next Generation book, Section 31 Rogue, is set prior to the Borg coming to Earth with the main focus being on Lt. Hawk. Again, in this book, Section 31 the covert operation arm of the Federation, trys to recruit Hawk and now he has a moral dilemma to resolve. The book is extremely well written and moves along with quite rapidly keeping your interest with all of the twists and turns. I found that the character fleshing out of Hawk to be very well written. A world in turmoil, Romulans, Borg and Section 31 all put into one book brings to the reader a lot of action, conspiracies and betrayal. Also, one man, Hawk has to choose what he really wants out of life. Morally, ethically, and the greater ideals of Federation all play an important roll for Hawks decision. Out of the four books released for this series, I found that this one to be the most compelling, deeply poignant, and resonant with a power that will force Hawk to stake a claim for his own life. Engagingly fascinating with a character caught in the crossroads of his life. This book may not appeal to some readers but remember that this is fiction and there is a whole universe out there, so if we can have all of the other alien life, why can't there be an alternate lifestyle aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise. I found the story to be well written with a flowing narrative and plausible... and that is what really matters. Life can be very complex, complicated, and convoluted, reading this book is no different than life in general.
Rating: 
Summary: A different kind of Trek book
Review: This one will get you going "hmmm" quite a bit. Rogue is a very exciting but more complicated than most of your episodic trek fare. I must say learning that one of our guest heroes, Lt. Hawk, has an alternative lifestyle took me by surprise. It's a sutble subtext and doesn't impact the story or the character at all. It merely gives a context in which Hawk and his partner work and live on the Enterprise, just as if it had been Riker and Trio. That tidbit out of the way, the complex and layered nature of deception and diplomacy make this an truly unique adventure for our heroes. What starts as a political situation turns into a scientific battle with five different factions working towards their own agendas, usually unaware of several of the other players. It's a 5-player 3D chess game. Interestingly, the time frame of this story puts us 3 days after First Contact (the movie) and then flashing back six months. This is what allows us to explorer the character of Lt. Hawk (the young officer assimilated in the deflector dish scene in First Contact). I enjoyed getting to know this remarkable character more. There is a small prologue and epilogue that harkens back to First Contact with some interesting questions about how events transpired with the Borg. Friends of Picard's, Cortin and Marta from the TNG: Tapestry episode, are major players and it's difficult to think of them as old as Picard now. The question of who is playing for which team carries through the story. Finally, the Section 31 element, while integral to the situation we find our heroes in, plays a very small part in the action. It becomes more of a moral dillema and discussion of the Prime Directive.
Rating:
Summary: Finally Some Gay Characters
Review: Good story, too bad the only openly gay character in TOS, TNG, or Voyager has to end up Borg-bait. Perhaps we'll see more "reality" in terms of gay characters and storylines in the coming years ... It's about time!
Rating:
Summary: A Fantastic Tale Reuniting Some Guest Characters
Review: Before reading this book and the rest of the Section 31 series, I was a little weary about reading the series. I read many of the reviews concerning Lt. Hawk and questioned whether or not I should bother - but I'm glad I did Not only does Hawk's sexual persuasion have very little to do with the overall novel, but there is absolutely nothing that should detract anyone from reading it. As I recall, Jadzia Dax shared a passionate embrace with a female in an episode of DS9. Although Dax had a relationship with the woman as Curzon, we saw two women kissing each other. Did this bother the overly critical reviewers as much as reading this novel. Of much greater importance to the novel is the reintroduction of two of Picard's comrades from the Academy: Marta Batanides and Corey Zweller who appeared in the TNG episode "Tapestry." It was enjoyable to see Picard interact with characters from his wild and crazy youth when he was a hell-raising cadet. Unfortunately, the reunion does not end happily. Perhaps some of the other reviewers should reread the novel as very few actually focused on the whole book but only on one minor subplot. Some of them missed an enjoyable trip.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Star Trek Book: Action and Substance
Review: This is an excellent book. The aliens introduced and the plot surrounding them were very interesting. I loved hearing Picard and others weigh in on the issue of Section 31, even if it meant ending a friendship. The book is full of action. Sometimes I wished they spent more time discussing this issues (Section 31, the Romulans, incorporating new Federation words). But I am very content with the book how it is. Readers who find sexual content in this book must be using their own sexual imaginations. There is NO sexual content in this book. And that's fine with me because Star Trek shouldn't have to rely on sexual themes. Comments about sexual themes in this book say more about the reviewer than the book.
Rating: 
Summary: A Disturbing Trend, Indeed!
Review: I read science fiction novels for their entertainment value... a temporary escape from reality, if you will. Having read most of the Star Trek novels since their inception I believe I am qualified to comment on a disturbing trend. Namely, the sexualization of some Star Trek novels. In particular, Section 31 Rogue. What bothers me most isn't just the blatant depiction of homosexuality in this patched together novel but the lack of responsibility on the publishers part of not warning us what we are buying. I stopped buying Star Trek - New Frontier novels when some of their books began detailing the sexual exploits of alien characters on the good ship lollipop. I really don't care who or why somebody sleeps with who or what. I read these novels to be lightly entertained without having to muddle through someone's sexual orientation. If I wanted sex in a book then I'd buy a book with that subject matter. I'm not advocating that authors refrain from writing about sex or sexual orientation. What they write is their business and they're entitled to write whatever they want to. But I, as a consumer, have a right to know what I'm buying. I don't buy into sexual exploitation. And that's what's going on here. Not just the sexual exploitation of Star Trek characters in this and some of the other ST novels but the sexual exploitation of you. The consumer. Publishers aren't stupid. If a series of books isn't selling what they think it should, they know that by adding controversy to the literary content it will enhance sales. At least for the short term, and if they're lucky it will breathe new life to sagging sales in an overpopulated market. As for me, I'm keeping my sales receipts from now on. And the next time I find I've been duped I'm going to raise a big stink from wherever I bought it from. Which is what Section 31 Rogue is, a big stink. Indeed!
Rating:
Summary: SECTION 31 ROGUE HITS THE MARK
Review: The authors, Mangels, and Martin, demonstrate a keen grasp of STAR TREK lore and an excellent grasp of awesome and challenging science fiction concepts. The "secret" of what's REALLY going on in that sector of space is a real jaw-dropper! The whole thing plays like an elaborate TREK movie or even a TV miniseries; you can hear the voices of the TREK characters in your head as you read it. The story is original and skillfully told, both in plot and character and in craft of writing. As for "the gay stuff", it does NOT overwhelm the principal TREK characters or the main plot of the story, and it is NOT there to advance any "agenda" except for portraying people loving and caring about each other, regardless of WHO they are. It makes the characters more real, unique, and distinctive, and the casual way the relationship of Hawk and his companion is accepted by the TREK regulars underscores the series message of diversity and acceptance of differences. This is all that gay fans ever wanted and never got from the TV series. SECTION 31 ROGUE is a great read on all levels. DEFINITELY pick it up and don't be swayed by the opinions of prejudiced people who obviously can't stand to see the existence of gays acknowledged anywhere, in any way, at any time.
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