Rating: 
Summary: Three sub-plots in search of a plot.
Review: This is easily the worst novel by Peter David I've ever read. He is generally a fine author, particularly of Star Trek novels (which is where I am familiar with his work, for the most part.) In this "New Frontier" series, generally, the only complaint that I've had has been the "to be continued" non-endings. This book continues that tradition, but I can't really complain, considering that there isn't really any plot to be continued; I've never objected to sub-plots being continued from one book to the next, and sub-plots are all this book has. Further, it seems a bit much when things as major as the destruction of the Excalibur and the apparent death of Captain Calhoun happen "offscreen"; book #8 ended with the teaser the the ship was going to blow up in five minutes; this book begins with the command crew, minus Captain Calhoun, gathering for a "Requiem" weeks later. I thought at first that perhaps the book was being told in flashback mode, and we'd eventually be clued in on what happened, but that never happened. I'm left to assume that there was another story, not part of the numbered sequence, which details the destruction of the ship, but nowhere in the book that I can find (certainly not on the back cover blurb, or anywhere in the text of the story) are we told what book that might be, what book this is a sequel to. It's not the "New Frontier" entry in the "Gateways" series; that book was written the year after this one was, and clearly happens after this one does. Sloppy.What's worse, the sub-plots themselves aren't really up to David's usual standards; both Soleta and McHenry seem oddly out of character. Granted, the actual writing itself is still managed with a fairly deft touch; David is still capable of crafting a compelling story. But this book just seemed sloppy on a number a levels. I got the impression that David had gotten bored with the direction he'd been taking his characters, and decided to play games with them for amusement, much the way "Q" (who puts in a cameo here, by the way) would play games with lesser beings just because he could.
Rating:
Summary: What A Bore
Review: This novel was utterly boring and not even necessary. Yes, I understand that Peter David is using the destruction of Excalibur as a way to delve into the inner thoughts and private lives of the former Excalibur crew, but unfortunately it just doesn't work. Soleta's story is moderately interesting, but after awhile it just got tedious. As for the McHenry and Kebron story, not worth the effort and often found myself skimming through for the interesting spots. One of the things that has made this series so enjoyable is the interaction between the crew. The way in which the different personalities clashed and worked out how to get along in a crunch. Of course, I'm going to continue on. I've invested too much time to give up now and I want to know what happenes to everyone.
Rating: 
Summary: The Supporting Players Finally Get Their Due!
Review: Those expecting any details regarding the loss of the Excalibur and Captain Calhoun will be disappointed (We'll probably have to wait until "Excalibur: Restoration" for that). However, "Requiem" is notable for focusing on some of the "New Frontier" characters who've gotten little attention: Zak Kebron, Mark McHenry and especially half Vulcan/half Romulan Soleta. The Kebron & McHenry plot is rather whimsical, but it winds up adding a whole new layer of mystery to McHenry's character and gives Kebron a faint hint of genuine feeling. While I look at McHenry in a whole new light, I wish author Peter David had concentrated more on Kebron and the toll his solitary nature has taken on him. However, I expect we'll see more of that in the future. The standout story in "Requiem" by far is the Soleta plot. Since "New Frontier" began, Soleta has been a character with great potential that was never utilized--until now. David has taken this character's blood lines and created a personality that is distinct from that of Spock, yet quite natural, and I for one look forward to seeing more of her. There is also a little sub-plot involving Si Cwan and Kalinda which, although interesting, doesn't shed any new light on either character. All in all, Peter David is making the most of the Excalibur's destruction by concentrating on what's really important: characters. Once the crew reunites (you don't really think they won't, do you?), it's going to make future stories that much more interesting.
Rating: 
Summary: STNF #9 Excalibur Requiem - An excellent beginning!
Review: With the beginning of the Excalibur trilogy in Star Trek New Frontier #9 "Requiem," Peter David, one of Star Trek's premier authors, has once again proven why this series is as popular as it is. As is usual with his Star Trek novels, "Requiem" is a humorous yet serious story that I found to be a very quick read, all due to the author's excellent writing style, which lends heavily to a fast paced story. Simply put, Peter David knows what Star Trek is all about and in the case of the New Frontier stories; it's very much about the quirky but terribly interesting crew and their personal stories. The cover art is excellent, just as the cover art for all of the New Frontier books have been. The only oddity would be Zak Kebron, giving the multiple descriptions of him, every time he's on a cover, they just don't seem to match. The premise: After the shocking conclusion of Star Trek New Frontier #8 "Dark Allies" in which the conclusion revolved around the Excalibur blowing up all around its crew, "Requiem" raises even more questions. Captain Mackenzie Calhoun is now "dead" and Excalibur is gone. The crew are all on a "cool down" period, awaiting new assignments. After a very interesting meeting between the command crew, on Earth at a bar called "Strange New Worlds," everybody goes their separate ways. Here is where the story starts taking place. "Requiem" revolves around three extraordinarily interesting stories. Leading the way is the story of Soleta and her trip home to visit with her "father," which soon segues into a very introspective tale in which she must track down her true father, a Romulan who had raped her mother. Mark McHenry and Zak Kebron soon find themselves on a mission given to Kebron by Admiral Nechayev where they must go to a backwater, pre warp planet to stop some Federation college students from harassing the locals. This story quickly turns into an extremely intriguing one given the "guest" appearance and a subtle revelation about McHenry. Si Cwan and Kalinda embark on their own tale as Kalinda is still having visions from her time in "The Quite Place" and she "witnesses" the murder of a friend of Si Cwan's and they head off to find the murderer. I very much enjoy the way Peter David wrote this novel and his decision to tell some very good stories about each character, broken down into this trilogy. I highly recommend not only "Requiem" or the Excalibur trilogy, but the entire series as you will soon find that Star Trek The New Frontier is the most refreshing and exciting story telling in the Star Trek genre at this time. {ssintrepid}
Rating:
Summary: STNF #9 Excalibur Requiem - An excellent beginning!
Review: With the beginning of the Excalibur trilogy in Star Trek New Frontier #9 "Requiem," Peter David, one of Star Trek's premier authors, has once again proven why this series is as popular as it is. As is usual with his Star Trek novels, "Requiem" is a humorous yet serious story that I found to be a very quick read, all due to the author's excellent writing style, which lends heavily to a fast paced story. Simply put, Peter David knows what Star Trek is all about and in the case of the New Frontier stories; it's very much about the quirky but terribly interesting crew and their personal stories. The cover art is excellent, just as the cover art for all of the New Frontier books have been. The only oddity would be Zak Kebron, giving the multiple descriptions of him, every time he's on a cover, they just don't seem to match. The premise: After the shocking conclusion of Star Trek New Frontier #8 "Dark Allies" in which the conclusion revolved around the Excalibur blowing up all around its crew, "Requiem" raises even more questions. Captain Mackenzie Calhoun is now "dead" and Excalibur is gone. The crew are all on a "cool down" period, awaiting new assignments. After a very interesting meeting between the command crew, on Earth at a bar called "Strange New Worlds," everybody goes their separate ways. Here is where the story starts taking place. "Requiem" revolves around three extraordinarily interesting stories. Leading the way is the story of Soleta and her trip home to visit with her "father," which soon segues into a very introspective tale in which she must track down her true father, a Romulan who had raped her mother. Mark McHenry and Zak Kebron soon find themselves on a mission given to Kebron by Admiral Nechayev where they must go to a backwater, pre warp planet to stop some Federation college students from harassing the locals. This story quickly turns into an extremely intriguing one given the "guest" appearance and a subtle revelation about McHenry. Si Cwan and Kalinda embark on their own tale as Kalinda is still having visions from her time in "The Quite Place" and she "witnesses" the murder of a friend of Si Cwan's and they head off to find the murderer. I very much enjoy the way Peter David wrote this novel and his decision to tell some very good stories about each character, broken down into this trilogy. I highly recommend not only "Requiem" or the Excalibur trilogy, but the entire series as you will soon find that Star Trek The New Frontier is the most refreshing and exciting story telling in the Star Trek genre at this time. {ssintrepid}
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