Spirit Walk, Book One : Old Wounds

Rating:
Summary: Keep hoping it will get better
Review: "Old Wounds" is the first book in the Spirit Walk series and the third book in Voyager "Re-lunch series." Chakotay is now the new captain of Voyager, who has been given the task of taking some colonist back to their home planet. But things are not like they seem on both Voyager and the planet. Now Chakotay and his sister will both have to face some the Alpha quadrent's darkest memories if they are going to survive.
I keep hoping with each book that the Voyager relunch will improve, but it didn't. I still find that the storyline invovling Libby Webster to be just unblievible. I would also that Ms. Golden would back Voyager characters the reader miss. Die-hard will more than likly enjoy but other might was to skip this book.

Rating:
Summary: Very much looking forward to the rest of this story.
Review: Captain Chakotay takes command of Voyager, the starship that was his home through seven years in the Delta Quadrant, following its complete refit. Once again the ship carries a mixed crew, but this time the tension isn't between Starfleet and Maquis. This split is between returning crew members, who shared the long journey with Chakotay, and those who spent the last seven years in an Alpha Quadrant where the horrific Dominion War recently ended.

Chakotay knows that he's received his first command only thanks to Admiral Kathryn Janeway's impassioned advocacy. He also knows that although he has many old friends with him, he doesn't have Lieutenant Commander Tom Paris as his first officer because Starfleet absolutely refused to chance two former Maquis on the same ship. Instead he has Andrew Ellis, an officer so by-the-book that the young man's nickname is Priggy. Also sharing this new journey are Chief of Security Harry Kim, Chief Engineer Vorik, Chief Helm Officer Lyssa Campbell, and - from the first two Voyager relaunch books, although not from the series - Trill physician Jarem Kaz. When Chakotay's sister, Sekaya, joins the expedition as spiritual advisor to the displaced colonists Voyager is returning to their home world, he's delighted. But something is wrong; and initially, at least, an obviously troubled Sekaya won't tell him what.

In subplot threads the book also follows Tom Paris and B'Elanna Torres on the Klingon sacred moon Boreth; Harry Kim's secret agent and concert musician girlfriend, Libby, on Earth; and Admiral Janeway, who gets a break from her desk job at Starfleet Command when she's assigned to prevent several disillusioned planets from leaving the Federation. By this book's end (an excellent cliffhanger) I could see hints of how the author plans to pull all the threads together. I was especially pleased that the plot grew naturally out of events Voyager fans will remember from the series. I wasn't as happy to have Libby and Akolo Tare - the latter a new character introduced by Golden - still around, but I enjoyed the other holdovers from her first Voyager relaunch duology. I'm very much looking forward to this one's second volume and the story's resolution.



Rating:
Summary: Kind of a Slow Continuation, But Still Keeps My Interest...
Review: I'm not a trekker or a trekkie, but I enjoy watching the shows and reading the novelizations. "Voyager" was probably my favorite installment of the show and up until now, I've very much enjoyed Golden's novelizations of the continuation of the story.

"Spirit Walk: Old Wounds" mainly focuses on Chakotay, who is now Captain of the Starship Voyager and his new crew. While there are a lot of interesting ideas set up, the book focuses far too much on middling interpersonal issues and conflicts. Basically, this a book where for large stretches of time, nothing very interesting happens and then you get something that's only somewhat exciting. Although some time is spent with Janeway, The Doctor, Paris and Torres, I really feel that these best characters of the series are largely ignored, particularly the show's standout - Captain Janeway. She's turned into some big-time Admiral who is off running diplomatic missions and doesn't seem to have that old spark. Did I mention that Commander Tuvok is entirely absent from the story, save only a passing mention?

I'd say that "Spirit Walk: Old Wounds" did just enough to keep my interest to make me want to continue reading Christie Golden's novelizations of the continuation of "Voyager." I'm really looking forward to the next edition becuase if Golden properly pays off what was set up in "Old Wounds," then "Enemy of My Enemy" should be a very good book. I just really hope that the format for this next book is a lot different because if not, I will quit about halfway through, like I felt like doing with "Spirit Walk."

Rating:
Summary: Captain Chakotay's First Trek
Review: Old Wounds is an interesting new addition to the Star Trek: Voyager story and a good, fast read. All but two of the characters we have come to know & love are there: Chakotay, new Captain of the Voyager, with Harry Kim as his head of security; Admiral Janeway & Tuvok teaching at Star Fleet Academy, where Seven of Nine and the Doctor are members of a Think Tank and the Doctor continues his fight for Holographic Rights. Tom, B'Elanna, and their daughter are on the Klingon world Boreth searching for clues about why some think their daughter is a Messiah. Neelix is still in the Delta Quadrant; Kes' whereabouts are unknown.

On his first Starfleet mission as a Captain, Chakotay is ferrying some colonists back to their home planet, evacuated during the Cardassian War. His sister, Sekaya, is along as a spiritual advisor to the colonists, helping to make their reintegration into the world easier. Back on earth, Harry Kim's beloved Libby is combining her career as a musician with her other calling as a spy for the Federation, rooting out moles. And several new characters are included, most notably Dr. Jarem Kaz, a joined Trill whose last host was active in the Maquis, the ship's physician, and Astall, the counselor from a race called the Huanni, who are even more empathetic than Betazoids. Commander Andrew "Priggy" Ellis, a by the book officer, is his second in command.

The trip is uneventful until they near the planet, when things go horribly wrong. . .

It's good to see most of the old faces in a new Voyager adventure. I enjoyed this and am looking forward to the sequel.

One criticism: the book cover read Spirit Walk Book One. It didn't specify one of two, one of three, one of six thousand. It would have been helpful to know how many were in this series.

Rating:
Summary: Voyager's "De-Launch"
Review: Starting off, this book wasn't terribly bad. I felt like the story lines Golden came up with all had the potential to be great. "Homecoming" and "The Farther Shore" were both interesting novels. These gave the fans of the show the finale they wanted to see; the crew got home and yet their time in the Delta Quadrant led to an even bigger situation to deal with. The final pages of those two books left you interested and having the feeling that there was a great follow-up coming.

For me, the main plot was recycled from various other Trek episodes and wasn't given any fresh perspective. Kaz is one of the Re-launch series' best characters. He was made to be different and to stand out in the last two books. Here though, Golden takes her most interesting creation and turns him into a run-of-the-mill Trill. He's given a history somewhat similar to that of Ezri's joining where how Jarem and Kaz are joined is almost exactly how Ezri and Dax come together. The whole idea that he wasn't prepared for the joining and has many issues to get over now was done in the final season of Deep Space Nine. Ellis, Chakotay's news XO, also could be interesting if he didn't seem like a mock version of Peter David's Commander Shelby character. A by the book kind of a guy who's there to keep his captain in line. To make it even worse, Shelby's nick was always "Eppy" and this guy's nick is "Priggy." The scenes between him and Chakotay could have been ripped from the pages of a Star Trek: New Frontier novel.

The plot of the mysterious sky spirits that play importantly into Chakotay's life and was even featured in a Voyager episode was another "has been done" plot. This read like an old TNG episode where the Enterprise is ferrying a group of colonist to their home or a new planet and, couldn't see this happening, a mystery awaits them and things aren't as they seem. Been done. The Kaz plot and the Loran II situation dominate this book. It was also strange that Chakotay's sister, who hasn't been heard of before, was suddenly here. Sure, it's nice to get to know Chakotay's familly but it seems like the audience would have heard of her before now. She too isn't made any more interesting because she comes to Voyager with a secret she needs to share with Chakotay.

As for the other plots? Well, Admiral Janeway as the most interesting situation to deal with. She has to deal with her new position and needs to convince people wanting to leave the Federation that they should stay in. A running theme that doesn't seem to get explored much is the clash between the Voyager people and the Dominion War veterans. It's handled a little on the ship but then is watered down by a forced "I don't agree with this person but I find them attractive" type of thing. Janeway getting Paris involved in diplomacy was another thrilling plot event that doesn't get its fair share of attention. B'Elanna and Tom are on Boreth and discovering more about their child, continuing the plot events of the episode "Legacy." Golden leaves you wanting to know more as she puts this aside for more Chakotay gushing.

What doesn't work for this book mostly is the spotlight being put on the things that are less interesting. She digs her heels into Chakotay, trying to make you see him as a captain and accept the changes that have happened to Voyager's crew. She doesn't take the time to show the reader how Harry Kim went from Ops to security, she leaves Tuvok alone and makes him an eyebrow arching typical Vulcan. Seven and Icheb seem to have completely gotten over being threatened and seem to have fit in the most back on Earth. The usual speech the captain gives when first taking command of the ship... it's overlooked and everything seems rushed or just assumed that the reader doesn't need to know about it.

A lot of the book also seemed over the top or cheesey. Hearing the phrase "hip-hip-hooray" so many times in one book was too much. Golden's writing comes off as fan-fiction more than a Re-launch of a series. DS9 seems to have more attention and more authors working on it than this. She also goes back to using Picard and crew to lead in the book. I'm sure there are other crews out there that could be dealing with these big situations. The Picard "teaser" has nothing to do with the book until the final few pages. Those seem to contain an original story that hopefully will be an improvement of these books.

This book has three stars becuase I feel as if the plot-lines that were ignored could have made this a novel on par of a what you would expect from a "Re-Launch." Golden seems to be jumping the gun in the series, and perhaps that is because she is (for some reason) the only author of the Re-Launch. Voyager's crew has been away from Earth and the Alpha Quadrant for seven years. The idea that they could just adjust within six months is a little hard to believe. There should be a story about them reuniting with their families, having individual battles with not fitting in ... something. Instead, Chakotay accepted command without a second thought (which I'm not sure fit with his character), it seems as if the conclusion of "Farther Shore" turned out as a real happy ending with now consequences. Also, I thought Deanna Troi remained behind on Betazed to help out with its reconstruction right after the events of "The Battle of Betazed?" In this novel, she's with the Enterprise and doesn't seem bothered at all that her planet was just attacked.

This was a major step down from what was written in the last novels. I hope Golden gets some help in this series because things are far too rushed and lacking in good substance.

Rating:
Summary: Just a really long introduction
Review: The intent of this book was to establish the main characters of the new Voyager crew. Unfortunately, that's all there is to it, and it's not even well done. The character descriptions are quite vivid, but there is not a lot of depth to them. Essentially, the major characters are either suffering from psychological "old wounds", or the people attempting to heal them. The character interactions are well done, but similarly shallow. The general descriptions of people and places are fairly good but still shallow. I would normally describe the action now - but there isn't any! Up to about page 200, nothing solid happens, and not much really happens after that. The author begins story after story, virtually one for each of the characters, but there is almost nothing beyond that. In a duology, at worst you should be halfway through most of the stories by the end of the first book. Here *nothing* is developed beyond the first elements.

I cannot recommend this book in any way. This will almost certainly not help decide whether the second book is worth getting. It is not remotely worth it as a stand-alone book, because it isn't even half of one. Finally, I have not gotten or read the second book yet, but I strongly suspect you could read that book without any need to read this.

Rating:
Summary: Voyager books are Golden!
Review: The new Spirit Walk Voyager books are nothing short of amazing! The first 2 post tv show books, homecoming and farther shore, were marvelous captavating tales that didn't let the reader OR the voyager fan down at all!! The new Spirt Walk books keep up the great work with fantastic writing and great character insight! The author captures the crew of voyager perfectly in the amazingly fantastic super charged voyager thriller! I just finshed reading parts 1 and 2 and would reccomend ANYONE who ever had a slight INTEREST in Voayger, to pick these books up! You really can't put them down until you have finished them! My only comment is i want MORE!!! I can't wait for the next Golden Voyager books to come out because Spirit Walk 1 & 2 were so great!!! From raw cookie dough to ferocious looking gentle Klingon babysitters, the 2 Spirit Walk books do not dissapoint in the slightest!!! They need to make an animated series or an animated movie out of the 4 Golden Voyager books that are out because these books are the BEST!!!
I look forward to hearing about when the next Golden Voyager books are going to come out!!!!
Pick these books up folks, ANY fan of Voyager or Star Trek is SURE to love em!!!

Rating:
Summary: Voyager Season 8 with Captain Chakotay
Review: Too bad the actor; Robert Beltran didn't get the chance to portray this character for a TV episode. Chakotay shines in this new book by Christine Golden. It's almost like reading an episode adaption only it isn't! I wish that the two book format was one of choice for the editors. The six and seven book sagas really get too drawn out. This one pits the old Voyager crew against the new recuits that have joined the ranks. It is like going home again with this series because the books transend anything the TV show has done with it's uneven quality.

Rating:
Summary: Oh, this does not bode well...
Review: With the train wreck that was The Farther Shore, one had to wonder about the continuation of the Star Trek: Voyager series. With Spirit Walk: Old Wounds, would Christie Golden be able to recover from it, or would she continue to wallow in overly emotional characterization and romance novel elements that permeated that book (and, to a lesser and more tolerable extent, Homecoming)? Golden is finally able to create her own characters and take the familiar Voyager characters into uncharted waters. Unfortunately, she falls more into the latter category than the former, and the book really suffers for it.

I have four words for you: Harry Kim, Security Chief. With this jaw-dropping development, a lot of the believability of the novel just flies out the window. Why Chakotay would choose Kim to be his security chief when Kim has not only not shown any desire to be in security before, but he has a truly appalling naiveté even up toward the end of the series. This is not a man I would want taking charge of security. He certainly deserves a promotion, but a new position as well? What makes matters worse is that Kim is the only recognizable face that Chakotay takes with him on Voyager (the only other main character who served on the ship during the series is Lyssa Campbell, but she's also a creation from one of Golden's previous books and never actually appeared on television). Thus, we are given a brand new crew for the most part, forcing us to trust in Golden's characterization skills to get to know the new people.

Unfortunately, that doesn't go over too well. Kaz, the medical officer, is from the previous two books and gets a bit more development here. However, he treads old ground like it was new, as he's a Trill that wasn't meant to be joined with a symbiont but had to because there was no other host available. We've seen this before in Ezri Dax, and only the circumstances have changed. He's not a bland character, but the constant references to Grandak, his symbiont's previous host, started getting annoying. He enlists the help of the new ship's counselor in dealing with the problem of the previous host coming to the forefront.

Which brings me to Astall. She is a Huanni, a race introduced in Golden's The Last Outpost. The Huanni are overly emotional beings who have been absorbed into the Federation and have made wonderful counselors. What Astall makes, however, is a really annoying character. Her emotions are all over the place, and she shows little of the competence that I complimented Golden on in The Last Outpost. Instead, Astall's emotions take over. She's very affectionate to everybody, giving hugs in inappropriate places and tearing up at odd times for no apparent reason. She got on my nerves in almost every scene she was in.

The rest of the introduced characters are rather bland, though there is an indication that one of them will not be so bland in the future. The problem with this is that we now get into another bad aspect of this book, which is the overly emotional writing. The character in question, Lieutenant Tare, suffered a personal assault when she was a prisoner of vicious holograms in The Farther Shore, and it's deeply affecting her. Not much is done with it in Old Wounds, but I foresee a very melodramatic subplot at some point coming up. I don't really see why this would be such a stigma in the Trek universe that we've been presented with, but for some reason she's keeping it a secret from as many people as possible. In our time? Sure. But not in the 24th century.

In addition to romance novel subplots, we have our share of romance novel plotting and writing as well. The Libby Webber storyline just has to go. It's completely unrealistic, and her relationship with Harry is also grates on the nerves, as we get the standard "oh, I can't marry you because I have a secret that I must keep from you" plot. Give me a break. She is not a believable Starfleet Intelligence agent and I roll my eyes every time she's "on screen." As for the writing, here's an example:

"She closed her eyes and leaned forward, giving the honor of her first kiss to this sweet boy she had loved all her life, who pressed his lips to hers with at first a kind of hesitant awe, then with increasing passion, not dreamy and distant from her, not any more..." pg 208-209

I believe "trite" is the right word for it.

Finally, there is the attempt to shoehorn every Voyager character into the story, despite the fact that the story has nothing to do with them. The Doctor and Seven of Nine have a few scenes together that do not further the plot at all and don't even further much of their own story either. There's no reason for these scenes to be in there other than to pad out an already sparse book. Large typeface and a short book make for a story that *really* should have been combined into one book.

There's not enough space to go into everything else that's wrong with this book, but there is lots. I already have the second book, so I'll be finishing the series, but unless it's a major step up, this will be the last. I do like these characters, despite the weaknesses of the television show, but this novel series is doing them a disservice. It's predictable (anybody who can't guess one of the major villains of the story is not paying attention) and it's poorly written. On to book two!

David Roy