Rating: 
Summary: New Frontier meets the old west.
Review: 'Restoration', the 10th installment of Peter David's new vision of the Star Trek Universe is a pretty fun read, but nothing overall surprising stands out, and a return to a type of sci-fi genre not to uncommon in books of old, especially for Trek fans. That is the survival of Calhoun (What good captain of Trek lore ever dies when the ship goes down?) and his adventures on a technological primitive planet patterned after any old western movie. Of course, Calhoun is the stranger in town and through some good ole fashion fights becomes the town sheriff. As his story unfolds he befriends a single mother and her child, who come to look to him as their knight in shining armor and father figure respectfully. But this is Trek, and not everything is so predictable....see, the woman can control the weather and the townsfolk of this simple western town both need and fear her, and the story is her struggle for acceptance, while Calhoun is looking for a way off the planet. There is the obligatory showdown in town, the strong moralistic town leader, the bumbling town folk, and of course the moronic criminal brothers who live just outside of town just looking for a fight. What is the strong point here is the relationship forged between the boy, Moke, and Calhoun (who recently lost his son), and the mother, Rheela and her mysterious past and feelings fro Calhoun. The other part of the novel takes Captain Shelby (who was just promoted) and gave her command of her own ship, the Exeter. On her first shakedown mission, she finds that many of the rules that she was so adamant about adhering to serving under Calhoun, are not that easy when she herself is now in the Captain's chair. While trying to negotiate a peace treaty between two planets, she reminisces about her time with the presumed dead Calhoun, her old shipmates, and trying to fit in with her new crew. She is torn between Starfleet doctrine and the decision that made Kirk and Calhoun legends. Towards the end of the novel, Robin Leffler is back to tie up events from book 9, and unfortunately was kind of boring. This was longer than it needed to be and took away from Calhoun and Shelby's story. In the end, things come full circle as a new Excalibur is being commissioned, and other New Frontier characters return. I don't want to spoil the ending, but it was a bit too predictable. Looks like this book will be the re-launch point for new New Frontier stories.
Rating:
Summary: Truly where no one, or at least no series, has gone before..
Review: At the end of book eight in the New Frontier series by Peter David, we learn that the Excalibur was destroyed. In books nine and ten, the reason it blew up is never mentioned, and we followed the path of the surviving crewmembers. The only casualty, we were told, was Captain Mackenzie Calhoun. Leaving a distraught Commander Shelby behind in book nine, we finally pick up on her tale here, in "Restoration." As was obvious to all of us reading the series, Calhoun is not dead, and while he lives through a very Clint Eastwood-esque adventure on the planet where he crashed, we parallel Shelby's promotion to Captain, and her first command: the USS Exeter. Something I found rather interesting to note was that Shelby decided upon forming a very straight-laced, by-the-book command crew, and - drumroll please - they were all human. I sometimes get a little frustrated at Peter David's over-use of aliens, but this was a nice parallel, and drew the point home that the USS Excalibur was definately made up of the more "oddballish" officers of Starfleet. As Shelby learns that the rules are indeed meant to be bent (or broken), much to the chagrin of her new staff, and she puts Mackenzie Calhoun to rest in her heart, we follow Calhoun as he strives to find a way off a low-tech planet where he has been given a rather difficult role: a lawman. All in all, this was a great enty in the New Frontier books, and I can't wait for the next in the series (I'm rather hoping there's a Section 31 book coming out for the New Frontier books, as they did in all the other series). It was also interesting to read the conclusion of Lt. JG Robin Lefler's (mis)adventure from book ten. Once again, Peter David has proven that his characters in the Star Trek world have more than enough power on their own, despite having never been seen on screen, and definately deserve their place on the Star Trek shelf. The conclusion of this book will have you doing a jig in your seat, and the only thing I can really say is: More!
Rating:
Summary: Full Circle
Review: Despite his many critics Peter David continues to astound and delight true Star Trek fans everywhere. Anyone who has not read any Star Trek: The New Frontier is missing out on the best continuing Star Trek series. In my knowledge, Peter David is the only author that has ever addressed the issue of homosexuality within the confines of the Trek Universe, as he did within book 10 of this series. Restoration is the conclusion of the Excalibur trilogy which examines the lives of the crew of the USS Excalibur after the apparent death of Calhoun and the destruction of the mighty starship Excalibur. My only complaint about the book is the question of what really happened to Calhoun is quickly answered by the artwork depicted on jacketcover and the description of the book found inside the jacket. What I really loved about Restoration, is that it was more of a Western than a straight up science fiction story. And while that fact may put some Star Trek fans off, it shows Mr. David's diversity as a writer. From a cameo appearance of Marvel Comics the Mighty Thor,a magical woman, a child descended from a God,a story of unrequited love, to an old fashoined show down at noon in the Old West Restoration is a book that literally tries to encompass it all! Written for the fans, by a true Star Trek fan!
Rating: 
Summary: Excalibur: Restoration - ST New Frontier
Review: Excalibur: Restoration is an excellant book. Why do I say that? Quite obviously, as the title says, a Restoration. We see the struggle of Captain Shelby to command the Exeter thinking of Calhoun and how he would do things, to her own convictions. Shelby is growing into the poistion of Captain of a Starship and all of the trappings that go with the job. Crew and Captain getting to know each other. This is good readng and character development which helps the reader to get to know the inner workings of the crew to the Captain... a new Captain. Mackenzie Calhoun is stranded on an arid planet called Yakaba were he gets involved with the locals, at first not in a good way, but later redeems himself and is appointed the Majister. We see a lot of interacting and good character development in the book... good material for later use down the road in future books. We see Moke enter the picture and you'll see him again in "Being Human" as the author is working past book characters in future books... a good sign here. I like development and growth in Peter David's work... I wasn't disappointed. Reading this book will tell of the demise of the Excalibur and how the crew escaped who went where... but we will find out later how things really got resolved (only McHenry knows). There are bad guys and Calhoun's resolve to let Starfleet know where he is, in play here. Loves and loves lost all making interesting reading. I would recommend reading this book... good for background information, also for the interplay of emotions within each character. A very good read... enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: An appropriately-titled adventure.
Review: Feels like I've been all over the map with my reading of the New Frontier novels. I went through the first ten paperbacks like gangbusters a number of years ago, and then lost interest when this particular installation came out in hardback (another evil marketing ploy). I read Calhoun's "Captain's Table" and "Gateways" stories, plus six or seven (or eight or nine) other Trek novels till I came across this in the library and decided "what the heck?" "What the heck," indeed! Do I need to tell you who is "restored?" I don't think so. But I *can* tell you the way he goes about it is certainly in keeping with the purple-eyed Mackenzie Calhoun we've all come to know and love. Instead of *dying* in the explosion of the Excalibur, Calhoun instead miraculously survives his shuttle's nasty crash-landing and *lives* on an arid back-alley planet called Yakaba, taking up with a rainmaker and her young son in his effort to find a way *off* said planet. He accomplishes this in a big way, and in the end finds himself with another boy to call his son. And there are plenty of hints for the future that this boy, Moke, ain't no one to trifle with any more than is Calhoun himself. Meanwhile, Calhoun's former first officer, Elizabeth Paula Shelby, is busy with problems of her own as captain of the Exeter. These problems include, but are not limited to, dealing with a first officer with an all-too-familiar attitude about the rules and regs of Starfleet, grieving for Mac and what could have been, and trying to come up with a way to "Calhoun" a potential Federation member into doing the right thing. At times, she barely recognizes herself. Add to this a 27-page "Star Trek: New Frontier Minipedia" in the back, and I'm ready to forgive 'em for publishing in hardback first. If you're reading them all, you've got to have this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Restoration was a Disappointment
Review: I will keep this brief. This is Peter David's worst New Frontier book. I recommend it only if you are an avid New Frontier fan. The plotting is poor, the dialogue stilted. Shelby's handling of her crew was terribly portrayed. The resolution of the Lefler plot from the previous book was out of place. Calhouns tale on the planet read like a poorly done western. There is so much about this book that needed improving I am leaving it to other reviewers to say. The book seemed as though it needed a re-write.
Rating:
Summary: Just when you think it can't get any better
Review: Just when you think Peter David can't get any better, he steps up to the plate and belts one out of the park again. It's no secret that I think New Frontier is the most exciting Star Trek series out today--television, movies, print or otherwise. Peter David has created a universe that positively hums and the best part is that we're allowed to watch the characters grow and develop over the course of the novels. And for once in a Trek series (outside of DS9) previous actions have consequences in the long-term story arc. The latest book in the series is no exception. This book, which I think is one of the longest New Frontier efforts David has given us, is an enjoyable read from beginning to end. Whereas the previous book in this latest storyline read as if written at warp speed, this one is content to unfold slowly and delicately, giving the reader a chance to slow down and enjoy the worlds David has created. First of all, I will say this--Calhoune is not dead and there is praise all around. Secondly, we get to Shelby in action as the captain of her ship and it's a joy to read. It's amazing how far David has taken a one-time character and developed her. But the real strength is the supporting cast. David gives Calhoune and Shelby real people to interact in their respective stories. Indeed, characters who may only get a few paragraphs of book time are memorable and interesting. I will say that the ending is a bit much at times, but it's a fun rollercoaster ride and one that is worth taking. I can overlook certain parts being overdramatic when it's done with such obvious joy and zeal. So, by all means get to a bookstore and get this one. It's superb and a great wrap-up to the trilogy. It's not got a huge cliffhanger as the last four books have. But instead it's got an end that will leave me curious until the next book comes out in October.
Rating:
Summary: STNF #11 Excalibur Restoration - A true gem of a story!
Review: Overall, I'd say that Peter David set this trilogy up perfectly, with the first two books covering the crew and everything they went through after the destruction of Excalibur and this last, exceptionally outstanding novel "Restoration," covering mostly Shelby and her command of Exeter and what happened to Captain Calhoun. The one thing I never truly expected in the New Frontier series was a western which is exactly what you get in Captain Calhoun's story and it is written very well, reminding one of days gone by reading Louis L'Amour classics. Shelby's story is just as interesting as you see her going through some angst during her first command. As is usual with Peter David's writing, "Restoration" is another fine example of some the best writing in the Star Trek universe from one of Star Trek's finest authors. You'll find that this novel is a quick read given the high level of intrigue, humor and overall feel of the novel. The cover art is among the best in the New Frontier series. What's most interesting about this novel, both in the hardback and paperback versions is the Star Trek New Frontier Minipedia which covers all of the significant and not so significant people, places, and events from the very first New Frontier novel to "Restoration." The premise: During the first two books of this series we were lead to believe that Captain Calhoun sacrificed himself in an incredible attempt to get everybody off of Excalibur as it was in the middle of a warp core breach. What would the New Frontier series be without its brazen captain though and we soon find out what happened. Captain Mackenzie Calhoun finds himself stranded on a pre warp planet and no way to communicate with Starfleet and in the middle of great "western" style story. He soon finds himself living with Rheela who has a very special gift and her son Moke. Captain Elizabeth Shelby is now in command of Exeter and on a mission to invite a new planet into the United Federation of Planets but they soon find that this may not be as easy as it was originally thought it would be. Here's where Peter David's superior talents as an author strike you, when he ties in the first two novels and ties in this trilogy with another series of Star Trek novels and throughout this series he brings in some great "guest" characters. Not only do I highly recommend this New Frontier Excalibur trilogy but I highly recommend the entire Star Trek New Frontier series. You will be hard pressed to find such fresh, innovative, intriguing and humorous stories within the other series. {ssintrepid}
Rating:
Summary: The mystery is almost solved
Review: Peter David's final installment with the former crew of the USS Excalibur as existing without one another. Finally we find out what happens to Mac. His path leads him to a desolate world that seems inescapable. Shelby is moving forward but keeps looking back. Not one of the better STNF novels. David has created a very dynamic starship captain that is reminiscent of Kirk in style and attitude. Something sorely missed in the next gen ST universe. However, he slows down Mac's character development by putting him on a backwater planet. Mr. David's dialogue among the characters is witty as usual which makes up for the lack of excitement in the novel. Still, it's worth reading if you're a NF fan.
Rating:
Summary: Sad "Resolution " to a once fresh book series
Review: Peter David's latest New Frontier novel is sadly the worst of the series. Like DS9's only hardcover "Warped", this much- anticipated tome was very poor both in prose style and plot. It was actually painful to read for its many fannish and cutesy phrases. I was an avid follower of the New Frontier series and even created the web's most elaborate New Frontier website, but after this latest book I may remove the site. The characters of Shelby and Calhoun are supposed to be senior Starfleet officers, but they act like regular folks "just like you and me." If a book were written in which the captain of a modern Naval vessel talked and acted like Shelby does in this book, it would be high-camp. That example is exactly what Gene Roddenberry encouraged prospective Trek writers to do in 1966 - imagine the story and dialogue in modern times. Also, the words spoken by all of the characters in this latest New Frontier novel are so colloquial, that it is hard to believe that the adventures are supposedly happening in the future. If the distracting prose weren't enough, the book's two plots were far too thin and uninteresting to warrant a full novel, yet alone a hardcover. I am also tired of every other chapter flipping back and forth between the two sub-stories. This clever little device to force some suspense only irritates. The Calhoun "western" sub-plot, rather than being akin to "High Noon" is more in the vein of a bad episode of television's "The Rifleman." Finally, the "big" enemy that Calhoun must face is a petty bureaucrat and an out-of-town gunslinger whose desire to kill Calhoun is painted in such broad strokes that one recalls the days of watching Saturday morning western serials - the bad ones, I mean. I sure hope the next book is better. I suggest you save your money and I recommend instead any Star Trek book by Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens, William Shatner and also the excellent DS9 novel "A Stitch in Time" by Andrew (Garak) Robinson.
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