Maker

Rating:
Summary: A solid stopping point in the series
Review: "Maker", the latest entry in the Stargazer books series, brings to a head several of the plot threads building since "The Valiant", published back in 2000. Over the course of "The Valiant" and the subsequent six books, we've seen Friedman weave together an intricate if not terribly complex framework for the series. As I stated in my review of "Enigma", the balancing act of keeping a series like this interesting is the cast of characters, and Friedman consistently delivers. Jiterica, Cole, and Nikolas are the stand-outs on that front, as we see the various relationships take shape and change. The character development is what really forms the nucleus of the series, considering that the main "plots" of the past six books haven't been earth-shattering or even terribly new.

In "Maker" we get two driving narratives. The first is the Stargazer and the choices Picard must make when he learns that Serenity Santana (who last appeared in "The Valiant") warns him of a threat that is impossible to ignore, but could cost him his command if he helps her. Given that one of the plot threads in this novel (as has been building since "Gauntlet") is Admiral McAteer's dislike of PIcard getting a command so young and the forthcoming hearing to determine whether he should continue as captain, some of the real drama comes from Picard's anxiety over his the decisions he must make and knowing that it will most likely cost him.

The second is the former Engisn Nikolas, and his deadly mis-adventure on the ship he now works aboard. I won't spoil the plot, but it interweaves nicely with the Picard storyline, building to a natural conclusion.

In fact, a lot happens in "Maker" and brings the book series to a nice stopping point, tying up loose ends over the past few years and setting the stage for what could lie ahead in the next few books, given what is said towards the end. The problem with this is that the book might leave people who dip in and out of the range a little cold. For those who have been following since "The Valiant" there definite payoffs and it's great. But for a casual reader, it won't have the same impact.

Friedman's writing style is solid as always, and the acknowledgement of the series' roots by way of an Original Series story (again, continuing a plotline from "The Valiant") is rather nice. If you want a solid Star Trek story that reads like an episode from the series, try out "Maker." But I highly recommend you read the books before it. The books are good, if not groundbreaking, and you'll have a richer experience in the end. More, please.

Rating:
Summary: Finally, a book not just for Stargazer fans
Review: This is a true sequel to The Valiant, thankfully with the quality of writing that deserves. The descriptions of the book are generally good. Many of the characterisations are somewhat shallow, and some Stargazer crew appear just so we do not forget they exist. The few characters important to this story alone get the depth, and they are very well done. Andreas Nikolas is excellent. The depiction of the Barrier-affected Nuyyad is remarkable. He is one of the most inventively sadistic villains in Star Trek. The pacing is also well judged. About halfway through, I thought the book was turning to slow scenes of the life of the Stargazer crew. There were just a couple of those scenes, and then the author brings in some of the mind-bending scenes between Nikolas and the Nuyyad. To sum up, this is a good read. It is enjoyable in its own right, and you probably do not have to have read most, perhaps any, of the previous Stargazer books to understand the characters.