Rating: 
Summary: STNG - Diplomatic Implausibility
Review: I had bought this book a year ago and packed it away when I moved, but I am glad to have been reunited with it. Keith R.A. DeCandido has a unique writing style, one that makes the character jump out and talk, a style that you can picture in your mind. I have read other stories by this author in the SCE series and wasn't disappointed when reading this book.Worf is a dynamic character in the STNG and DS-9 series for television and the transfer of what Michael Dorn brought to the character is evidenced in this book. Worf is promoted to ambassador to the Klingon Empire from the Federation. His first assignment is to the ice world of taD where a force of rebels on this world are wanting the Klingons off their planet. They have appealed to the Federation for recognition. Now, in lies the rub, how does Worf handle this situation? Worf's loyalties to the Federation, yet keep the fragile peace with the Klingon Empire, and the inhabitants of taD all working toward a peaceful settlement. This book is filled with Klingon intrigue as both sides are working toward their respected ends. The Klingon Empire wants control and the rebels wanting the Klingon gone. Now, Worf has to weave a tenuous peace or the two sides will go to war. In the book we get some of the characters background as to how they play with respect to Worf and how they think Worf got his position. But, with true Worf character, we see him carry out the ambassador roll and with honor. This is a well written story with good character rolls and a plot that along the way can be treacherous with pitfalls. This was an enjoyable well thought out book and the characters are true to what we know. A fast read with plausibility. Buy and enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: STNG - Diplomatic Implausibility
Review: I had bought this book a year ago and packed it away when I moved, but I am glad to have been reunited with it. Keith R.A. DeCandido has a unique writing style, one that makes the character jump out and talk, a style that you can picture in your mind. I have read other stories by this author in the SCE series and wasn't disappointed when reading this book. Worf is a dynamic character in the STNG and DS-9 series for television and the transfer of what Michael Dorn brought to the character is evidenced in this book. Worf is promoted to ambassador to the Klingon Empire from the Federation. His first assignment is to the ice world of taD where a force of rebels on this world are wanting the Klingons off their planet. They have appealed to the Federation for recognition. Now, in lies the rub, how does Worf handle this situation? Worf's loyalties to the Federation, yet keep the fragile peace with the Klingon Empire, and the inhabitants of taD all working toward a peaceful settlement. This book is filled with Klingon intrigue as both sides are working toward their respected ends. The Klingon Empire wants control and the rebels wanting the Klingon gone. Now, Worf has to weave a tenuous peace or the two sides will go to war. In the book we get some of the characters background as to how they play with respect to Worf and how they think Worf got his position. But, with true Worf character, we see him carry out the ambassador roll and with honor. This is a well written story with good character rolls and a plot that along the way can be treacherous with pitfalls. This was an enjoyable well thought out book and the characters are true to what we know. A fast read with plausibility. Buy and enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: Great Start for Post-DS9 Worf
Review: If you're eagerly awaiting J.G. Hertzler's "Left Hand of Destiny" duology, this should onnly further wet your appetite. This is the first DeCandido book I've read, and I'm glad to see that he shows a thorough knowledge of the continuity. Characters that you may not even remember (Klag ["A Matter of Honor", TNG], Leskit ["Soldiers of the Empire", DS9], Rodek [AKA Kurn, "Sons of Mogh", DS9], Drex ["The Way of the Warrior", DS9], Kurak ["Suspicions", TNG]) make return appearances, more fleshed out than before, along with returning old favorites (Martok, Ezri, the TNG cast) and a few New Frontier cameos (Mark McHenry and Soleta -- Worf's classmates from Peter David's ST:TNG Starfleet Academy #1-3). It even seems to hint at events from the DS9 relaunch (although I'm not sure whether the surprising new security officer is supposed to be Ro or Nog). This is backed up by a fast-paced story where Worf first cuts his teeth as ambassador. We also get to see a lot of Worf's feelings about the job, making some great connections to TNG with Tasha Yar and K'Ehleyr. Good story, great characterization, interesting aliens, and all of the "continuity porn" you can handle. A great, fun read.
Rating:
Summary: Delightfully Inventive
Review: Keith R.A. DeCandido has really captured Star Trek in his first full length trek novel. If you are a fan of the Klingons, this book is a must read. Skillfully woven into the story are numerous Klingon characters from various episodes of both TNG and DS9. A delightful story of Worf's first assignment as a Federation Ambassador. To me trek novels fall into three catagories. There's the we've got to save this world, the federation or the galaxy type of story. The character study stories. And those stories that are truly unique. Diplomatic Implausibity falls into the last catagory. And as a bonus, you'll learn a lot of Klingon words and phrases. I can't see this book disappointing any trek fan.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent novel, and highly recommended
Review: Keith R.A. DeCandido's first Star Trek: The Next Generation novel satisfies everything I want from a Star Trek novel: a solid story, a well-written novel, and value for the money. While 2001 may be young, I venture that there will be few Star Trek novels this year to match Diplomatic Implausibility (hereafter DI). Quite simply, DeCandido has crafted an excellent novel, one that tells a sound story and captures well the essence of the Star Trek characters and their universe. Immediately, DI sets itself apart from Trek-as-usual; the main character of the novel is Worf, but a Worf no longer in Starfleet and in the service of the Federation's Diplomatic Corps. At the conclusion of Deep Space Nine's final episode, "What You Leave Behind," Worf left Starfleet to become the Federation's Ambassador to the Klingon Empire, and DI relates Worf's first assignment as Federation Ambassador. Thus, we have a Star Trek novel is which one of the usual hallmarks of Star Trek storytelling, namely Starfleet, is barely present and has little bearing upon the events of the novel. While the Enterprise does appear, her role in the story is minimal, amounting to a cameo appearance that conveys some important character moments for Worf. Instead, the Enterprise's usual role is filled by the IKS Gorkon, a Klingon Defense Force ship assigned to ferry newly-minted Ambassador Worf to the planet taD. Here is where DI shines. Not only does DeCandido convey effectively Worf's efforts to find a solution to the taD crisis while bridging his Klingon heritage and his Federation upbringing, he also introduces us to the crew of the IKS Gorkon, bringing these characters vividly to life. While most of these characters have appeared in The Next Generation or Deep Space Nine before, they were largely unknown, disposable characters. Given life here they come across well on the printed page with histories and personality quirks. Klag, the one-armed hero of Marcan, saddled with a crew not of his liking for his first command. Drex, the son of Martok, unable to conceal his distaste for being second-in-command of the Gorkon and his hatred for Worf. Vall, the engineering genius, ill-suited by disposition to serve on a Klingon ship. B'oraq, the ship's doctor, wanting to bring Federation medicine to an Empire badly in need of it. These characters and others come to life, each with his or her own motivations, their own role in the unfolding drama. I was intrigued by these characters. I could understand their motives, whether they assisted Worf in his mission or hindered his progress. I would welcome a return engagement of the Gorkon and her crew. To some extent the novel stands as a study in characterization. Worf faces hostility from the Klingons and the al'Hamatti while at the same time dealing with the realization that he might be ill-suited for his new role as Ambassador. Klag must confront his prejudice against medicine and his distrust of those who gained their positions through familial connections. In the end these characters learn something about who they are and why their beliefs, while not necessarily wrong, might require reappraisal. DI uses characterization to further the plot; events happen because of who the characters are and what they believe, and in the end to rise above who they are. Nothing comes across more clearly in DI than the fact that DeCandido is clearly a fan of Star Trek. Continuity references are unobtrusive, but provide an extra level of shading for the long-time fan. Additionally, references are made to two of Peter David's works, his first Next Generation novel Strike Zone and to the New Frontier series. A mention of The Captain's Table, setting of the crossover novel series of the same title from 1998, is so unobtrusive that a non-fan would pay it no mind while to the long-time fan would find a welcome smile crossing his face. As a fan who would like to think that the television shows, films, novels, and comics all occur within the same universe, the acknowledgement of other novels contributes to the sense that these other novels "matter." Those passing up on Diplomatic Implausibility are passing up on an excellent novel. DeCandido has written a well-crafted novel that carries forward Worf's life while also introducing us to a group of characters that I hope to see more of in the future. I look forward to more from Keith R.A. DeCandido's pen. But for now, I have Diplomatic Implausibility, and this book fulfills what I want in a Star Trek novel: a story well-told and worth every penny. While some might quibble with the designation of this novel as a Next Generation novel when the Enterprise-E and crew appear but barely, they would be missing out on what may well be one of the best Star Trek novels published this year, and what is certainly the best debut Star Trek novel in some time.
Rating:
Summary: A real Star Trek novel at last!
Review: Many years ago, Trek novels were rolled out, with fan driven fantasy stories, produced to fill a need; that being, the lack of Trek on TV. Then, for a short time, there was what I call the Golden Era of Trek fiction. Diane Duane, Vonda McIntyre, John Ford, Margaret Bonanno. Great Trek stories told in novel form. In recent times, the Trek line has become a mass market glutton with a string of the same writers who are churning out mudane stories that are clearly written to fill a need rather than to tell a good story. It was great to see that Keith DeCandido is getting his shot at being a Trek writer. I will say I am a friend of Keith's and have followed his progress as a writer and this is his best work to date. You can clearly tell that Keith is a fan of Worf in the way he writes without it reading like a "fanboy" product. You can clearly see his influences in the Golden Age I spoke of. My only complaint with the book, as it is with much of his writings in media genre pieces, is his need to rely so heavily on the history of his subject to the point where it makes for a less credible story. It is hard to beleive that so many facets of modern Trek Klingon history would converge at one point. This might be the only aspect of the novel I would consider "fanboyish." Thankfully, it doesn't deter from the story which I highly recommend.
Rating:
Summary: A real story, at last.
Review: Set after the events of "What you Leave Behind," this book makes me glad DS9 ended! No, no, maybe that's too strong a sentiment, but this novel is sure a long way from some of the other pro Trek novels I've read, and it gets an A+ for continuity. This one contains resolution on many levels - something the pro novels have notorioiusly lacked up till now. We learn what became of Worf's brother, Kurn. We get to feel some of Worf's grief over the death of Jadzia. We even get to taste the heartache he still carries for K'Ehleyr - even as he now tackles his first job as Klingon Ambassador to the Federation. Why, this little story is just *packed* with tidbits of continuity and resolution, at the same time delivering a sturdy, believable tale about a race of beings who simply want their planet back. Not only that, but there's a Glossary of Klingon Terms in the back. Who could ask for more? I could! More, I want more!
Rating:
Summary: Great Story
Review: Star Trek from a Klingon point of view. This is a great story showing Worf having to become a diplomate. I highly recomend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Klingons they way they were meant to be.
Review: There is little I can add to Allyn's excellent review of Diplomatic Implausibility. Character development was what the book was really all about and the story served that purpose well. It was a pleasure to see Worf being independent and in charge. Like Allyn I look forward to seeing the Gorkon crew again. I highly recommend this book to anyone liking Star Trek
Rating:
Summary: Avid Star Trek Fan
Review: This is definetly one of the best Trek novels to come down the pike in a while. The author crafted a believable, fast paced story line, that gave a fascinating insight into the world of the Klingon. My favorite part of the story is the extensive use of existing Trek lore and tie-ins to almost every "Klingon" episode in all four existing series. Well done.
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