Rating: 
Summary: Worth the wait!
Review: I admit -- I've been counting the hours until this one was released. I had a lot of questions left over from books 8, 9, and 10, and Restoration answered all of them. Not only that, it tied up some ends that I didn't even realize needed tying, and it had an UNBELIEVABLY GREAT ending.It also comes with an expanded New Frontier minipedia. Do yourself a favor and don't read it before you read the book -- it gives away plot details.
Rating:
Summary: This is one of Peter David's best
Review: I was quite surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. The two books following up to the hardcover were good but not as good as this one. So if you think you shouldn't get it because it is hardcovered and might be like the other two, get it because its really great. Well worth the money, and its cheaper than usual hard backs. This novel focuses on Shelby and Clahoun. Yea he didn't die as you probably already knew. But in the end, questions from Renaissance are answered, mainly what happened on Risa. This book also has David's humor, which I thought was getting dull, but I didn't find it this way in his latest book. Overall, one of the best of the star trek series. And don't think this is any trek story because since its David, nothing is ordinary and its also not based ona TV series, so there is a lot more surprises and character development that can be seen compared to the other series. 5 stars all the way.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent conculsion to the cliffhanger!
Review: I was so annoyed the way the last book in the series left me hanging. But, I can't have been more thrilled with the way Peter David has concluded this trilogy. He wraps up a lot of the loose ends, and introduces some really intrigueing new elements into the New Frontier universe. HIGHLY recommended!
Rating: 
Summary: Restoration was a Disappointment
Review: I will keep this brief. This is Peter David's worst New Frontier book. I recommend it only if you are an avid New Frontier fan. The plotting is poor, the dialogue stilted. Shelby's handling of her crew was terribly portrayed. The resolution of the Lefler plot from the previous book was out of place. Calhouns tale on the planet read like a poorly done western. There is so much about this book that needed improving I am leaving it to other reviewers to say. The book seemed as though it needed a re-write.
Rating:
Summary: Restoration was a Disappointment
Review: I will keep this brief. This is Peter David's worst New Frontier book. I recommend it only if you are an avid New Frontier fan. The plotting is poor, the dialogue stilted. Shelby's handling of her crew was terribly portrayed. The resolution of the Lefler plot from the previous book was out of place. Calhouns tale on the planet read like a poorly done western. There is so much about this book that needed improving I am leaving it to other reviewers to say. The book seemed as though it needed a re-write.
Rating: 
Summary: The Human Adventure is Just Beginning
Review: I've praised Peter David's "Excalibur" series left and right, and the conclusion to his recent three book series is as strong as ever. At last we find out what happened in the final moments of the Excalibur, and that Captain Mackenzie Calhoun survived (aw, c'mon now, did you ever doubt it?). Like "Requiem" and "Renaissance" before it, "Restoration" follows just a few members of the Excalibur's (ex-Excalibur's?) crew: Calhoun and first officer Elizabeth Shelby. Calhoun's adventure is a solid and exciting Star Trek western: a mix of "High Noon" and "Shane," but following Shelby is much more interesting to me: the 'by-the-book' officer, a captain of her own starship at last, takes the first steps in learning what makes a captain great: the ability shared by Kirk, Picard, Sisko, and yes, especially Calhoun, to follow not necessarily what Starfleet training says, but to *do right*. It's a maturation for Shelby that is mirrored in the Calhoun plot, where he finds that his cowboy diplomacy doesn't and can't solve all his problems and save everyone. A "New Frontier minipedia" at the end is a great reference to the persons and events of the Excalibur series (although why not indicate which book is being referenced in each entry?) Why four stars when I've given Peter David's previous Excalibur books such enthusiastic five star ratings? The exciting cliffhanger of the previous book is wrapped up in a flashback narrated by Robin Lefler (and, I'm sorry, not a very exciting cliffhanger at that). I've praised David's abilities to write dramatic and edge-of-your-seat cliffhangers, but I think he dropped the ball with the conclusion to this one. That said, this is still one of the best Trek series out there, and I'll praise Peter David for allowing his characters to grow, change, learn, and mature--and for shaking up the status quo that so-seldom is shaken on a weekly TV Star Trek series. By the end of this book there's an adoption and a wedding, both of which seem natural and fulfilling as a storyline, as well as leading into potential future fascinating plots. That's David's top strength and my favorite aspect of his writing:, his characters are always uniquely human, and like all people, their lives change as they go on. "Star Trek" may appear to some people to be all about starships and phasers and weird future electronics, but in the hands of the best of Trek writers like David, it's the characters, not the gadgets, we care best about, whether earthling, hermaphrodite or Vulcan. As Gene Roddenbury would say: "The human adventure is just beginning."
Rating:
Summary: Finished this in one day! Loved it.
Review: If you are a Trek fan, this is a great book! It helps to have read the prior books in the New Frontier Series, but Peter David does his usual job of telling a great tale and fils in some of the gaps if you haven't! If you like this series, this book is a must read!
Rating:
Summary: Just when you think it can't get any better
Review: Just when you think Peter David can't get any better, he steps up to the plate and belts one out of the park again. It's no secret that I think New Frontier is the most exciting Star Trek series out today--television, movies, print or otherwise. Peter David has created a universe that positively hums and the best part is that we're allowed to watch the characters grow and develop over the course of the novels. And for once in a Trek series (outside of DS9) previous actions have consequences in the long-term story arc. The latest book in the series is no exception. This book, which I think is one of the longest New Frontier efforts David has given us, is an enjoyable read from beginning to end. Whereas the previous book in this latest storyline read as if written at warp speed, this one is content to unfold slowly and delicately, giving the reader a chance to slow down and enjoy the worlds David has created. First of all, I will say this--Calhoune is not dead and there is praise all around. Secondly, we get to Shelby in action as the captain of her ship and it's a joy to read. It's amazing how far David has taken a one-time character and developed her. But the real strength is the supporting cast. David gives Calhoune and Shelby real people to interact in their respective stories. Indeed, characters who may only get a few paragraphs of book time are memorable and interesting. I will say that the ending is a bit much at times, but it's a fun rollercoaster ride and one that is worth taking. I can overlook certain parts being overdramatic when it's done with such obvious joy and zeal. So, by all means get to a bookstore and get this one. It's superb and a great wrap-up to the trilogy. It's not got a huge cliffhanger as the last four books have. But instead it's got an end that will leave me curious until the next book comes out in October.
Rating:
Summary: The Good, The Bad, and The Mackenzie.
Review: Move over Clint Eastwood. There's a new gringo in town, and his name is Mackenzie Calhoun. A villain, a hero, a love story, a show down at high noon, a jail, a bar, a shootout, a child's youthful innocence at stake, and a ride out into the sunset. A new captain, a new starship, a peaceful race brought to reality, an over populated race set on genocide, a new crew, an old crew, and a new family formed. What more could you ask for. Peter David adds another fantastic addition to the New Frontier world. This is really could be two separate books that just happen to converge at the end. One story has the feel of a spaghetti western, and the other a classic jaunt in space. Both lines are well written and enjoyable to read. I really don't see how David could have packed much more into this one. If you loved all the others your definitely love this one. I'll leave it at that.
Rating:
Summary: STNF #11 Excalibur Restoration - A true gem of a story!
Review: Overall, I'd say that Peter David set this trilogy up perfectly, with the first two books covering the crew and everything they went through after the destruction of Excalibur and this last, exceptionally outstanding novel "Restoration," covering mostly Shelby and her command of Exeter and what happened to Captain Calhoun. The one thing I never truly expected in the New Frontier series was a western which is exactly what you get in Captain Calhoun's story and it is written very well, reminding one of days gone by reading Louis L'Amour classics. Shelby's story is just as interesting as you see her going through some angst during her first command. As is usual with Peter David's writing, "Restoration" is another fine example of some the best writing in the Star Trek universe from one of Star Trek's finest authors. You'll find that this novel is a quick read given the high level of intrigue, humor and overall feel of the novel. The cover art is among the best in the New Frontier series. What's most interesting about this novel, both in the hardback and paperback versions is the Star Trek New Frontier Minipedia which covers all of the significant and not so significant people, places, and events from the very first New Frontier novel to "Restoration." The premise: During the first two books of this series we were lead to believe that Captain Calhoun sacrificed himself in an incredible attempt to get everybody off of Excalibur as it was in the middle of a warp core breach. What would the New Frontier series be without its brazen captain though and we soon find out what happened. Captain Mackenzie Calhoun finds himself stranded on a pre warp planet and no way to communicate with Starfleet and in the middle of great "western" style story. He soon finds himself living with Rheela who has a very special gift and her son Moke. Captain Elizabeth Shelby is now in command of Exeter and on a mission to invite a new planet into the United Federation of Planets but they soon find that this may not be as easy as it was originally thought it would be. Here's where Peter David's superior talents as an author strike you, when he ties in the first two novels and ties in this trilogy with another series of Star Trek novels and throughout this series he brings in some great "guest" characters. Not only do I highly recommend this New Frontier Excalibur trilogy but I highly recommend the entire Star Trek New Frontier series. You will be hard pressed to find such fresh, innovative, intriguing and humorous stories within the other series. {ssintrepid}
| 
