Rating: 
Summary: "We don't need no thought control..."
Review: "...no dark sarcasm in this novel!"Ultimately, this was the book that put me off of the New Frontier series. Until this point, I'd been able to take the rather bizarre approach used in the series, even imagine the very un-Trek-like things some of the characters were doing. Several reviewers have used the words "soap opera", and I think that's exactly what it is--a soap opera, perhaps with satire thrown in, rather than anything I associate with any of the true Star Trek series. Perhaps the most grating aspect of this series (and nowhere is it more apparent than here) is his constant attacks upon religion, particularly the monotheistic variety. Although yes, some people do become zealots, Mr. David seems out to discredit the entire concept of religion, and that becomes tiresome to say the least. Quite frankly, I don't read Star Trek for a soap opera or to hear the author pushing his views to such an extent, and I hope Mr. David pursues better writing in the future, such as his earlier novel Vendetta. Even his children's Star Trek books were better than this.
Rating:
Summary: "We don't need no thought control..."
Review: "...no dark sarcasm in this novel!" Ultimately, this was the book that put me off of the New Frontier series. Until this point, I'd been able to take the rather bizarre approach used in the series, even imagine the very un-Trek-like things some of the characters were doing. Several reviewers have used the words "soap opera", and I think that's exactly what it is--a soap opera, perhaps with satire thrown in, rather than anything I associate with any of the true Star Trek series. Perhaps the most grating aspect of this series (and nowhere is it more apparent than here) is his constant attacks upon religion, particularly the monotheistic variety. Although yes, some people do become zealots, Mr. David seems out to discredit the entire concept of religion, and that becomes tiresome to say the least. Quite frankly, I don't read Star Trek for a soap opera or to hear the author pushing his views to such an extent, and I hope Mr. David pursues better writing in the future, such as his earlier novel Vendetta. Even his children's Star Trek books were better than this.
Rating:
Summary: "We don't need no thought control..."
Review: "...no dark sarcasm in this novel!" Ultimately, this was the book that put me off of the New Frontier series. Until this point, I'd been able to take the rather bizarre approach used in the series, even imagine the very un-Trek-like things some of the characters were doing. Several reviewers have used the words "soap opera", and I think that's exactly what it is--a soap opera, perhaps with satire thrown in, rather than anything I associate with any of the true Star Trek series. Perhaps the most grating aspect of this series (and nowhere is it more apparent than here) is his constant attacks upon religion, particularly the monotheistic variety. Although yes, some people do become zealots, Mr. David seems out to discredit the entire concept of religion, and that becomes tiresome to say the least. Quite frankly, I don't read Star Trek for a soap opera or to hear the author pushing his views to such an extent, and I hope Mr. David pursues better writing in the future, such as his earlier novel Vendetta. Even his children's Star Trek books were better than this.
Rating: 
Summary: A must have for any New Frontier Fan
Review: A fantastic read! The crew is the Excalibur is blackmailed into helping the Redeemers save their planet. The ending is unbelievable, makes you jaw drop.
Rating:
Summary: Inconsistancies all around, but you still gotta love it
Review: A great book, I love the whole New Frontier Series. #1: 'Fie!' to the person who said it read like an unedited draft. Let's see YOU write a better book. #2: I believe that the covers in-between 'The Quiet Place' and 'Dark Allies' are switched. It shows the black mass on the Quiet Place cover, so that seems to be the right one for #8. #3: When I finished 'Dark Allies', I threw the book down in anger. That cliffhanger REALLY REALLY makes me mad. I had already waited long enough for #7 and #8; I didn't need another long wait. Still, New Frontier is a great series. And for those of you who like these books, I recommend the William Shatner Trek books. They have great cliffhangers as well. Live Long and Prosper
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: A totally fun, exciting and hilarious read. An all-out riot. Great characters and action, as well as plenty of inside jokes, like Burgoyne fighting the 'Purple People Eater'. I'd have to say that Peter David has done a great job with the New Frontier series. They are honestly some of the best Trek books I've read in a long time.
Rating:
Summary: Star Trek New Frontier No 8 Dark Allies
Review: At the end of Star Trek New Frontier #7 "The Quiet Place" the Overlord of the Redeemers learns that the Black Mass is headed towards Tulane IV, the home world of the Redeemers. He quickly surmises that the only prospect he has of stopping the destruction of his home world is to enlist the aid of Captain Calhoun and the USS Excalibur, hence the title "Dark Allies," considering the previously established animosity between them. In "Dark Allies," we are treated to another finely crafted furtherance of the New Frontier series and the goings on aboard the USS Excalibur. As I've stated in previous reviews of these novels, one of the things I like about how Peter David sets the story up is how he starts them off with, more or less, a historical chapter. "Dark Allies" is no different in this aspect... "Twenty years earlier" - Dark Allies begins on Rolisa, a small out of the way planet which is subjugated by the Thallonian Empire. We are introduced to the Black Mass that had been eluded to somewhere in one of the first four books, and brought to the forefront at the end of "The Quiet Place". The Black Mass is in the process of destroying Rolisa and aboard a Thallonian war vessel, a young Si Cwan is with his uncle, Sedi Cwan who is in command of the fleet. Sedi Cwan and the Thallonian fleet quickly discover that they can't even get the attention of the Black Mass and watch in horror as it devours an entire solar system. Imagine the impression this put on a young Si Cwan. "Now" - The continuing saga of the USS Excalibur unfolds. The plotline of Ensign Lefler's desire for Si Cwan; the continued pregnancy of Dr. Selar; the interaction between Captain Calhoun and Commander Shelby; a very good scene with Commander Katerina Mueller, a great character from "Once Burned," carried over to the Excalibur; Ensign Janos gets a really good and funny scene; the story line between Xyon, Captain Calhoun's son and Kalinda is really well written, and finally Si Cwan gets some very good lines in this one. One of the great things about the New Frontier series and Peter David's excellent writing is the fact that he's allowed a lot of freedom with this series. In reading these great books, you will encounter character interactions that are simply not possible with other stand alone Star Trek novels. Peter David also does a good job of writing humor into these books, even in situations where you wouldn't think there should be humor, you find yourself laughing through and saying, "that was a good scene." One final note, the cover art for "Dark Allies" and its predecessor, "The Quiet Place" is outstanding. Thank you once again to Peter David for another great read.
Rating:
Summary: Star Trek New Frontier No 8 Dark Allies
Review: At the end of Star Trek New Frontier #7 "The Quiet Place" the Overlord of the Redeemers learns that the Black Mass is headed towards Tulane IV, the home world of the Redeemers. He quickly surmises that the only prospect he has of stopping the destruction of his home world is to enlist the aid of Captain Calhoun and the USS Excalibur, hence the title "Dark Allies," considering the previously established animosity between them. In "Dark Allies," we are treated to another finely crafted furtherance of the New Frontier series and the goings on aboard the USS Excalibur. As I've stated in previous reviews of these novels, one of the things I like about how Peter David sets the story up is how he starts them off with, more or less, a historical chapter. "Dark Allies" is no different in this aspect... "Twenty years earlier" - Dark Allies begins on Rolisa, a small out of the way planet which is subjugated by the Thallonian Empire. We are introduced to the Black Mass that had been eluded to somewhere in one of the first four books, and brought to the forefront at the end of "The Quiet Place". The Black Mass is in the process of destroying Rolisa and aboard a Thallonian war vessel, a young Si Cwan is with his uncle, Sedi Cwan who is in command of the fleet. Sedi Cwan and the Thallonian fleet quickly discover that they can't even get the attention of the Black Mass and watch in horror as it devours an entire solar system. Imagine the impression this put on a young Si Cwan. "Now" - The continuing saga of the USS Excalibur unfolds. The plotline of Ensign Lefler's desire for Si Cwan; the continued pregnancy of Dr. Selar; the interaction between Captain Calhoun and Commander Shelby; a very good scene with Commander Katerina Mueller, a great character from "Once Burned," carried over to the Excalibur; Ensign Janos gets a really good and funny scene; the story line between Xyon, Captain Calhoun's son and Kalinda is really well written, and finally Si Cwan gets some very good lines in this one. One of the great things about the New Frontier series and Peter David's excellent writing is the fact that he's allowed a lot of freedom with this series. In reading these great books, you will encounter character interactions that are simply not possible with other stand alone Star Trek novels. Peter David also does a good job of writing humor into these books, even in situations where you wouldn't think there should be humor, you find yourself laughing through and saying, "that was a good scene." One final note, the cover art for "Dark Allies" and its predecessor, "The Quiet Place" is outstanding. Thank you once again to Peter David for another great read.
Rating: 
Summary: Excalibur returns
Review: Book 8 in the series begins shortly after 'The Quiet Place' left off. In this novel, we see the return of all our favorite Excalibur characters and plot lines that had been started early in the series. Again, I commend Peter David for writing a fascinating Star Trek novel, this time packed with science, action, humor, and above all more character development. The science aspect was ingenious, something that you can only expect in the Trek universe. We learn much more about the inner-workings of Calhoun, Selar, McHenry, Kalinda, Xyon, and especially Si-Cwan. Si-Cwan is written expertly and many of his internal/emotional dealings are very common for us 'humans'. There is also the constant fun-barbing between Si-Cwan and Kebron a futuristic odd-couple. There were a few surprises (don't wanna give 'em away).....always fun. And the cliffhanger demands the new novel arrive shortly. Overall, this installment was much more fast paced than the last, and the result was a 'fun' Trek novel.
Rating:
Summary: Please don't be the end!
Review: Great book...great series...but please don't let this be the end of Mackenzie Calhoun and the Excalibur crew...Just when the characters were well rounded and interesting, I would hate to see this series end. Hopefully, this is a cliffhanger to beat all cliffhangers. Grozit!
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