Rating: 
Summary: It's Mackenzie Calhoun--What More Do You Need To Know?
Review: Given Peter David's unswerving talent for dialogue and characterization, the "first-hand" storytelling style of Mackenzie Calhoun's ill-fated tour of duty on the U.S.S Grissom is--not surprisingly--a real page-turner. Calhoun is the best character to come out of David's "New Frontier" series, and this story will probably convince you of that, too."Once Burned" is a tale which revolves around the darker aspects of human nature, and as a result the Starfleet characters do not fit the 'almost-perfect' molds of their "Next Generation" counterparts. In fact, a few of David's characters are downright shallow and thuggish--a little too much so. However, despite this drawback, this book contains enough of that familiar Trek flavor to make the story enjoyable. This is a must-read for "New Frontier" fans, but it's accessable enough for new readers as well. Either way, this is a Trek book worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: It's Mackenzie Calhoun--What More Do You Need To Know?
Review: Given Peter David's unswerving talent for dialogue and characterization, the "first-hand" storytelling style of Mackenzie Calhoun's ill-fated tour of duty on the U.S.S Grissom is--not surprisingly--a real page-turner. Calhoun is the best character to come out of David's "New Frontier" series, and this story will probably convince you of that, too. "Once Burned" is a tale which revolves around the darker aspects of human nature, and as a result the Starfleet characters do not fit the 'almost-perfect' molds of their "Next Generation" counterparts. In fact, a few of David's characters are downright shallow and thuggish--a little too much so. However, despite this drawback, this book contains enough of that familiar Trek flavor to make the story enjoyable. This is a must-read for "New Frontier" fans, but it's accessable enough for new readers as well. Either way, this is a Trek book worth reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Before You Buy - Read & Consider This First...
Review: I am writing this as a word of caution to future buyers. I recently read "Once Burned" and it started off grabbing my attention. (This was my first "Star Trek: New Froniter" book.) Immediately drawn into the opening plot, I was not ready for what laid ahead. In chapter three, Capt. Calhoun suddenly has sex with one of his female officers; in fact, the entire chapter is nothing more than graphic bedroom scene. I was appalled, and especially considering that this scene had nothing to do with the rest of the story. Having read several "Star Trek" books - none of which contained even a hint of sexuality - this one had me floored! I'm sure not everyone who reads this review will agree that such material is offensive, but sex just isn't necessary for the success factor of a book; in fact, it just might spoil a good thing.
Rating:
Summary: Completely turned me away from the "New Frontier" series
Review: I own the entire "Captain's Table" series in paperback, and, like other reviewers, this book was my first brush with the only Star Trek series to have no strong ties with the TV series'--Peter David's "New Frontier". I must say that if this story is a representative sample of what that series has to offer, I would advise others who might be considering taking a look at the series to read something else instead--perhaps one or two of Peter David's other novels, such as DS9's "The Siege" or Q-SQUARED. These other novels are prime examples of what Peter David really does well: a subgenre I shall call Star Trek Horror. "Once Burned" is horrifying too--but for its bloodthirsty captain, shallow plot, and air of foredoomed menace over Calhoun's whole experience, rather than for any genuinely scary experiences. In my opinion, this is one to miss.
Rating: 
Summary: The best NF book, and a top of the line TREK book
Review: If anyone hasn't picked up Peter David's NF/Captain's Table book ONCE BURNED, I urge you to do so NOW. This is IT, folks. Yes, I read the first NF books, and yes I liked them. And I liked the other two as well. But this one is easily the best. And, since it takes place early in his career, you don't have to have read the others to understand this one. Calhoun, as second in command, finds himself in a sticky spot when his captain's orders regarding a diplomatic mission which has failed don't seem to be quite right. You've got humor, you've got pathos, you've adventure, excitement and really wild things. This is a winner! -Kevin
Rating:
Summary: It was very good!
Review: If you have read the New Frontier books, you have to read this! If you read this, you have to read the New Frontier books! This was another hit for Peter David. It was almost as good as the New Frontier books and Peter Davids's B5 books. At the end I just wanted to walk up to the Captin and smack him and say, "you cheated, tell someone elce a story."
Rating: 
Summary: Most enjoyable of the Captain's Table
Review: Much better effort by Peter David in his New Frontier series! Four stars for drastic improvement. Been following the Captain's Table and this was by far the best one. Janeway's Fire Ship - while an enjoyable read - just wasn't her; Picard's story deserves to be chucked in the fire; Pike's story was too bittersweet - you know the fate that awaits him not too far away; Cisco's was only average; Kirk and Sulu deserved their own books, darn it! This story is much tighter, less scattered than other New Frontier stories, and gives you true insight into Mackenzie Calhoun's maverick character. He is by far the toughest, most ruthless of all the Captains so far. Of course you'd have to be if you lead a successful planetary rebellion as a teenager. Don't you just hate it when you see one of Starfleet's finest heading for destruction? Mackenzie's a better character after this book than he has been so far in the New Frontier series. I just hope David can carry this growth/insight back to that series (because it desperately needs it). The intimate relationships were more sensitvely handled in this book, too. Bravo, David, and keep it going.
Rating:
Summary: Without a Doubt, Peter David's Best!
Review: No. Scratch that first remark. This is without a doubt the best Star Trek book ever writen! It was so good, a perfect beld of action/comedy/drama. The story was spectacular! Never has a Star Trek book been able to do such a story. (You can't have Kirk, Picard, Sisko, or Janeway go crazy.) The story was so sad. I was almost in tears when Kenyon explained that he could still hear his brother and sister's screams. Excellent. The end, without a doubt, was extreamly funny! The final joke was a riot! I won't spoil it for you, but lets just say there is a reason the listener of the story never speaks.... Just great....
Rating:
Summary: Forget the other Captain's Table novels, this is the one!!!!
Review: Okay, well, you can read "Fire Ship" too... But this book ROCKS!! This invention of Peter David's is truly mesmerizing and compelling. This book took me maybe five or six hours total to read. I simply could not put it down. The only thing the book didn't clarify for me (and I'm sure everyone else wants to know, too) is whether or not Mac and Kat still ... visit. :) Fantastic work, Mr. David.
Rating:
Summary: Finally, a New Frontier story focusing on Mackenzie Calhoun
Review: One of the reasons I was interested in the New Frontier series of Star Trek novels written by Peter Davis was not only because he is one of my favorite Star Trek authors but because Mackenzie Calhoun is an obvious reincarnation of Quentin Stone, a character created in David's Next Generation novel "A Rock and a Hard Place." Stone is arguably the most fascinating character ever created in a Star Trek novel, and while Calhoun is toned down a bit for rather obvious reasons, he is still a very interesting character. However, the New Frontier soap opera has tended to put the captain of the Excalibur in the background as the series has progressed. For that reason "Once Burned," a story focusing on Calhoun's earlier career as First Officer of the Grissom, is a most welcomed event. This fifth book in The Captain's Table series is the one in which the captain telling their first person story is most aware of the fact this rather special bar violates time and space. Apparently Alexander the Great wondered in once upon a time and believe it or not the captain of the Titanic is in the corner muttering about that damned iceberg. But for Calhoun the surprise is the solitary figure of Captain Norman Kenyon. Here is another story of tragedy and Calhoun is compelled by Cap, the mysterious entity who runs the Captain's Table, to tell the story. However, he cannot tell the story to Kenyon. What happened must happen. But M'k'n'zy of Calhoun does not like to be forced to live by the rules. As always, he will do what is required, but in his own way and on his own terms. "Once Burned" is very reminiscent of one particular episode in "A Rock and a Hard Place," and even knowing that we are about to hear the story of a tragedy of horrific proportions does not detract from the impact of the story that unfolds. This is an unforgettable story made more compelling by Calhoun relating what he was thinking every step of the way. While this is not the best book in this series (that honor goes to Kathryn Janeway's tale in Book Four), this work can claim second place. Fans of the New Frontier series will find it superior to what has been happening in recent volumes, and helpful since it provides the back story on Calhoun and Kat Mueller, his XO on Excalibur.
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