Rating: 
Summary: Review of "The Romulan Way".
Review: This book is the second of a (thus far) four book "series" by the same author involving related plotlines and characters. The first is "Star Trek #18: My Enemy, My Ally", the third is "Star Trek #95: Swordhunt", and the last is "Star Trek #96, Honor Blade". This is a very well-written book, with a reasonably plausible plot, excellent characterizations, and a very interesting back-history of the Romulans told alongside the current story.The only real flaw is that, since this book was written, the "canonical" back-history of the Romulans has been created, and it isn't this one. Worse, the back-history of the first Federation-Romulan war she writes here involves contact between the Federation and the Romulans BEFORE contact was made between the Federation and the Vulcans, and that's CLEARLY wrong. But it isn't really fair to hold this author responsible for that; she wrote her history first, it simply wasn't accepted by the canonical writers. The only other thing that needs to be mentioned is that some Star Trek readers will doubtless be unhappy with the fact that the ONLY Enterprise regular that we see in this book is McCoy. Some will doubtless consider this a failing; I found it kind of refreshing. Not that I don't enjoy the other characters, but there's no reason why ALL Star Trek stories have to include Kirk and Spock. They've had their share of books in which they get the lion's share of the action, and McCoy appears little or not at all. No reason not to feature him for a change.
Rating:
Summary: Review of "The Romulan Way".
Review: This book is the second of a (thus far) four book "series" by the same author involving related plotlines and characters. The first is "Star Trek #18: My Enemy, My Ally", the third is "Star Trek #95: Swordhunt", and the last is "Star Trek #96, Honor Blade". This is a very well-written book, with a reasonably plausible plot, excellent characterizations, and a very interesting back-history of the Romulans told alongside the current story. The only real flaw is that, since this book was written, the "canonical" back-history of the Romulans has been created, and it isn't this one. Worse, the back-history of the first Federation-Romulan war she writes here involves contact between the Federation and the Romulans BEFORE contact was made between the Federation and the Vulcans, and that's CLEARLY wrong. But it isn't really fair to hold this author responsible for that; she wrote her history first, it simply wasn't accepted by the canonical writers. The only other thing that needs to be mentioned is that some Star Trek readers will doubtless be unhappy with the fact that the ONLY Enterprise regular that we see in this book is McCoy. Some will doubtless consider this a failing; I found it kind of refreshing. Not that I don't enjoy the other characters, but there's no reason why ALL Star Trek stories have to include Kirk and Spock. They've had their share of books in which they get the lion's share of the action, and McCoy appears little or not at all. No reason not to feature him for a change.
Rating: 
Summary: yucky
Review: this book like Duane's other book (Romulan Way) is overrated.
Rating:
Summary: Great Star Trek; Good Sci-Fi
Review: This book, along with "The Romulan Way", is one of the best Star Trek books I've read. It is also pretty good Science Fiction in general. The story is about a Romulan Starship Commander who defects to the Federation with her ship and crew in order to fight an injustice being done to Vulcans by her government. Duane is a good writer, her style is flowing and easy to read. Her stories are generally good, but her real strength is character development. She makes the Romulans and living breathing race, with their own language and culture. If you like Star Trek, chances are good you'll enjoy reading this book. I also highly recommend "The Romulan Way", by the same author.
Rating:
Summary: Great Star Trek; Good Sci-Fi
Review: This book, along with "The Romulan Way", is one of the best Star Trek books I've read. It is also pretty good Science Fiction in general. The story is about a Romulan Starship Commander who defects to the Federation with her ship and crew in order to fight an injustice being done to Vulcans by her government. Duane is a good writer, her style is flowing and easy to read. Her stories are generally good, but her real strength is character development. She makes the Romulans and living breathing race, with their own language and culture. If you like Star Trek, chances are good you'll enjoy reading this book. I also highly recommend "The Romulan Way", by the same author.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous: not just for trekkies
Review: This is a wonderful stroy in its own right, never mind if you have never read or watched any Stra Trek. Duane weaves a fabulous story of adventure and intrigue. We learn a lot about the Romulans, tradition and corruption. Ael (the Romulan commander) is extremely well-developed, a very noble character. The only down side is I don't always find Kirk's views very believable - for him. But that is probably as I'm not a Kirk fan... Read it.
Rating: 
Summary: A New Insight
Review: This is one of my favorites because it gives a small glance at the lifestyle of the "Rihannsu" people...showing that they are far different than their enemies view them. I admire the Author's treatment of the people, and the story. She portrays them as having morals, honor, and a sense of duty not often seen. A fabulous book!!!
Rating:
Summary: Kirks best Frind or Worst Enemy
Review: This is the book to the latest of the series done by Diane Duane. She has really worked really hard to show there is more to the Enterprise then the Kirk, Spock, and the bridge personal. Here you see even a new horta from Janas VI, or a creature that plays the paino with 4 tenticles while at the same time keeping time with 2 others. This is one of the few that will be the clasic star trek. Kirk must trust an old enemy that he has delt with many times before, but this time he has a hard choice. Trust the old enemy, or let the federation be destroyed from a thought.
Rating:
Summary: The Adventure Continues
Review: This is the second Star Trek novel that Ms. Duane wrote, with "The Wounded Sky" being the first. While there are some carryover themes from her first work to this terrific story, this book stands on its own as a complete adventure in its own right. Once again, we are treated to the inner workings of the Starship Enterprise, and are priviliged to see how the main characters interact with each other when they are away from the Bridge. Each of the characters are treated as real people, with real backgrounds, interests and personalities -- something that the original TV seried was unable to demonstrate. It makes the book highly enjoyable, and interesting to both die hard Star Trek fans and those who may have never seen the original show. Originally published back in the early eighties, this book established a completely different Romulan-Federation relationship than would ultimately unfold through Star Trek: The Next Generation. However, I find Ms. Duane's portrayal of the "Rihannsu" as she calls them to be every bit as dramatic, if not far more interesting and complicated. (Someone else must agree with me on that: recently, Ms. Duane has written two more novels that roughly serve as sequels to the action in this novel. If you want to read those, you'll really need to have this one first in order to follow the action!) Looking for a real page turner, filled with twists and turns that will keep you guessing until almost the very end? This will fit your needs quite nicely.
Rating:
Summary: The Adventure Continues
Review: This is the second Star Trek novel that Ms. Duane wrote, with "The Wounded Sky" being the first. While there are some carryover themes from her first work to this terrific story, this book stands on its own as a complete adventure in its own right. Once again, we are treated to the inner workings of the Starship Enterprise, and are priviliged to see how the main characters interact with each other when they are away from the Bridge. Each of the characters are treated as real people, with real backgrounds, interests and personalities -- something that the original TV seried was unable to demonstrate. It makes the book highly enjoyable, and interesting to both die hard Star Trek fans and those who may have never seen the original show. Originally published back in the early eighties, this book established a completely different Romulan-Federation relationship than would ultimately unfold through Star Trek: The Next Generation. However, I find Ms. Duane's portrayal of the "Rihannsu" as she calls them to be every bit as dramatic, if not far more interesting and complicated. (Someone else must agree with me on that: recently, Ms. Duane has written two more novels that roughly serve as sequels to the action in this novel. If you want to read those, you'll really need to have this one first in order to follow the action!) Looking for a real page turner, filled with twists and turns that will keep you guessing until almost the very end? This will fit your needs quite nicely.
| 
