About Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Demons of Air and Darkness:
"Many characters are well handled, particularly ... Quark and Kira, and these two novels [this and Doors Into Chaos by Robert Greenberger] are confident in storytelling and plot development. ... These two novels spice up the current saga in style, with an eye for characterization, continuity, and references Star Trek fans will love.""It's close, but I'd have to say that this was the strongest of the Gateways books; in such a close race, I stick with my favorite series. But as I said, it was a real close call."
"This was also part of a continuing, evolving narrative about events that take place after the final season of the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine television series. This novel actually made me want to read the preceding books about these same new-to-DS9 characters: Avatar Books 1 and 2, and Section 31: Abyss. So I guess that says something for DeCandido's novel -- if it made me want to read more. ... Fun to read, especially if you're a Deep Space Nine fan. I had not read preceding novels in either the post-series DS9 books, or the Gateways books, but that didn't matter. Demons of Air and Darkness is complex, but written well so that it is easy to follow. Lots of great character moments. Nice to see Nog and Ezri trying to fit into leadership roles. Quark is very amusing. Cousin Gaila makes an appearance. The fight between the Jem'Hadar and the Hirogen hunter is pretty exciting."
"We revisit the meeting scene presided by Ross in the previous volume from another point of view (that of Elias Vaughn), which maintains continuity with the whole unit, but the main interest in this fourth volume is in the fine treatment of the Kira Nerys character ... it's not surprising that this volume has received the highest critical acclaim of the series."
"If you've been needing lessons on how to keep a thousand plot threads in the air at the same time, just ask Keith R.A. DeCandido! Thanks to the Gateways and a boatload of cleverness, he's all over the galaxy in this novel, and it's a good thing the chapters tell the locations, or otherwise you'd need to make notes.
"This novel abounds with fine characterizations of the people we love the most (Kira, Nog, Quark, Bashir, Dax, Laren, Yates), a few new ones (Shar, Vaughn, Taran'atar), several we love to hate (Hirogen, Orion, Malon), and a whole host of people on the outside edges that I hope we'll learn more about.
"Grand adventure awaits, with some mystery and downright confusion thrown in for good measure. Read the book."
"This is yet another excellent addition to the Relaunch series. DeCandido manages to beautifully balance and develop all the characters throughout the entire novel, while at the same time presenting an interesting and engaging story."
"As with his previous ST:TNG novel Diplomatic Implausibility, DeCandido writes a swift and engaging read, with a well-told plot that doesn't drag. Demons of Air and Darkness also uses the gateways to bring together two members of Star Trek's toughest races -- the Delta Quadrant's Hirogen hunters and the Gamma Quadrant's Jem'Hadar warriors -- for a slam-bang one-on-one fight to the death. ... Overall, the novel keeps the tone of ST:DS9 as well as advancing the ongoing plots of both fiction streams."
"My favorite of all the Gateways books, Demons is one of the finest Kira stories ever written and demonstrates great affection for the old DS9 ... DeCandido absolutely nails the personalities of the main characters, particularly Quark and Ro, who end up on a mission together and exchange hilarious dialogue as they perform an essential function, scamming to keep the galaxy safe. Ro -- whom we don't even recognize when she first appears -- kicks Quark's butt in spectacular fashion, yet it's obvious they're developing a wonderful working relationship. ... [Kira's] intricate backstory comes up in surprising ways in Demons. At one point she catches herself thinking nostalgically about how simple things were during the Occupation, then realizes how insane this line of thinking sounds. She misses Odo, resents herself for missing Odo, becomes introspective, gets moody, yet remains very strong. The colonel acts like a starbase commander but sounds like her old self, trying to be a team player without sacrificing the independence that has always been her trademark. One of my favorite lines -- 'So, with extreme reluctance, Kira decided that she had no choice but to do something she rarely did: pass the buck' -- sums up her dilemma very well."
"DeCandido's novel ... lives up to all the previous 'DSN relaunch' books preceding it while adding quite a bit to this crossover as well. Kira's maturing across seven years has never been more evident than here, where she's forced to persuade a planetary leader to accept Cardassian help. (What makes it worse is the identity of the Cardassian in question, but I'm reluctant to give away a truly sneaky trick on DeCandido's part.) A lot of the dangling plotlines left from previous books are kept firmly in focus, with a few new additions as well.
"What's most interesting, however, is how well the two books [this and Star Trek: The Next Generation: Doors Into Chaos by Robert Greenberger, Book 3 in the crossover] mesh. At least one major scene occurs in both books, with the reader getting a different character's perspective each time. That's a risky move sometimes, but here it definitely works. As I suspect we'll see the scene yet again later in the series, I'm glad it works so well. Some events occurring in one book have a serious impact on the other, and there are several cases where simply knowing what happened in one gives you an edge in understanding the other. I can only imagine how much work it took to make events that seamless, and my hat is off to the authors for it. Both novels are enjoyable in their own right, DeCandido's somewhat more so, but as parts of this ongoing crossover, both are downright essential."
"It is tempting to think that given the fascinating and complex cast of new and old characters assembled for this relaunched Deep Space Nine series, practically anybody could write a great book. But of course that would be completely insulting to Keith DeCandido, who is establishing himself as one of my favorites among the current staff of regular Star Trek writers. ...
"The challenge of Demons of Air and Darkness was that it had to succeed as the next installment of the complex DS9 story, and as an integral part of a seven-book crossover concept, and as a good novel in its own right. That meant coordinating a lot of editorial requests from different offices (Palmieri, Ordover, Block, Greenberger…) as well as getting the finer points of the internal story nailed down. Despite the odds, the result is truly seamless....
"Of all the separate story elements that DeCandido kept rolling toward the finish, the most poignant was Kira’s continuing journey of self-discovery. Since her excommunication from the Bajoran faith, her pensive mood has focused down to the realization that she is truly a woman alone, alone not just due to the isolation of command, but alone now in all of her life. Before this book, I had not realized how great is the litany of dear people she has lost—Odo, Sisko, Jadzia, Bareil, her murdered resistance companions, Vedek Istani Reyla, even Tiris Jast. Kira may yet become the ultimate tragic hero, and her lonely loss of faith and resignation to death at the end of this story is far more compelling a take on the Gateways cliffhanger formula (lead character plunges into the Gateway not knowing 'what lay beyond') than the noblest of save-the-world motives the other captains may have had. ...
"Last year, DeCandido delved into the life of that other great tragic hero Worf, in Diplomatic Implausibility. It did not disappoint, and neither does Demons of Air and Darkness. If solid character drama is to be your hallmark, then, Mr. DeCandido, I eagerly await your next offering."
"I just read Demons of Air and Darkness. That book is just what I go to Star Trek for. (Best characterized by thought provoking escapism with great characters and a plot I can't guess at in the first chapter.) I am thrilled that there is still some real Trek going on. The DS9 relaunch (I think I've read them all) is fabulous. Thank you."
"KRAD definitely knows how to write a female captain and in general women in command positions. He showed [Kira's] qualities very well but also her personality and the way she thinks. I liked it how she looked critically at herself, how she showed that she is able to learn from the past. The way she dealt with Gul Macet and his offer was impressive and showed how much Kira has grown over the years. This book also shows Kira's strength, her determination and her leadership abilities. And I like it that KRAD mentioned Kira's faith, not only that Bajoran representatives cast her out, not the Prophets, but that her faith helped her to survive as it did in the past during the occupation. I found these scenes very powerful."
"There’s plenty of political complication and outright action in this book as author DeCandido explores the tortured personal life of the station’s resident Andorian, hints at Commander Vaughn’s involvement in a secretive past mission involving Iconian hardware, dives deep into Ezri Dax’s considerably complicated psyche, and finds the humor in a delicate negotiation gone wrong for Quark (while avoiding the usual Ferengi doldrums). But the kicker has got to be exactly what the book’s banner claims: a fierce face-to-face between Jem’Hadar observer Taran’atar and a Hirogen Alpha. Testosterone all around, and a jolly good ass kicking into the bargain! Still, the book’s heart remains with Kira, who is as good as dead by the closing pages — though she might have found a way to join the Prophets, her excommunication from the Bajoran faith notwithstanding. To be continued!
"DeCandido takes what must have already been a highly developed story — needing to fit into the Deep Space Nine relaunch, as well as tie in to the Gateways storyline — and puts his stamp upon it. The happy result is a highly charged romp which tears along at maximum velocity, though pausing artfully to allow the characters the kind of introspective moments of which DS9, even more than the other Trek titles, makes a specialty."
"Diehard fans who love detail will be delighted with the numerous little references that author DeCandido seamlessly drops into the story. This novel moves. You are gripped from the opening paragraphs and skillfully drawn in to a enthralling plot that is adroitly executed. Adventure and heroics, balanced with humor, and several twists that just come out of left field make this story a joy to read. In addition DeCandido has taken the time to make the characters unique to the story as interesting and important as the regulars. That is something that is too often overlooked in some Trek novels where all the emphasis is on the established characters everyone knows and expects while the development of the story specific characters is sort of left one dimensional. It leaves the book with an unfinished feeling, as if something was missing from the story. Even the minor characters in Demons stand out.
"The use of the characters in Demons is well balanced. Something unique in Star Trek fiction based on the television series to the DS9 novels. Both the male and female characters exhibit multifaceted personalities, and both the male and the female characters get to play a vital role. That is one of the reasons I have always enjoyed the DS9 novels, and with the relaunch novels that tradition has carried through. Demons of Air and Darkness left me with that happy, satisfied feeling that a really good Star Trek episode or novel can produce. And a great big smile on my face. A good book will do that for you."
"Taran'atar faces a Delta Quadrant Hirogen Hunter in a truly amazing battle scene. ... This book blows you away in comparison to other Trek novels."
About Farscape: House of Cards:
"For those of you who haven't read the book, please go outside so that Larry the razor tooth vorlag can explain the error of your ways. BTW, Dad gives the book six beers. Yes, the coveted Golden Six Pack. The only thing that kept it from getting the Golden Six Pack with Pizza Clusters is a depressing lack of wet, passionate, sloppy nonstop sex between John and Aeryn. Hey, fifty pages would have been fine.""What makes this book work is not the plot but the characterization. The characters' voices are perfectly captured (not necessarily an easy task given the, um, unique nature of some of the characters' speech habits), their actions are all perfectly in character, their reactions and motivations all totally spot on. Better still, everybody has something to do, which isn't always easy when you're dealing with an ensemble cast. Chiana's eulogy for a dead biological ship is especially memorable, as is Aeryn's impersonation of a Peacekeeper bent on business negotiations Aeryn hasn't actually got a clue about. I'm also quite pleased with the portrayal of Rygel. It seems to me that it would be very easy simply to peg him as the comic relief character or as nothing more than the jerk who screws everything up and makes trouble for the rest of the crew. But, while Rygel does qualify on both those counts, the author also realizes that the annoying little guy does, after all, have some useful skills when it comes to playing politics, and even he ends up being useful in bringing the plot to its resolution. ... it's a chance to spend a little more time with a cool group of people, and for that reason alone it should appeal. A-"
"Pure and simple, the story was fun. It was light. It was enjoyable. It got that fix nicely taken care of. John got to be the smart boy. Rygel got to be the master of the total fuckup who finds devious ways to redeem himself (and be delightfully self-righteous at the same time). The created world was unique and interesting, as were the aliens. It was a fun little romp. The plot was not only clever, but the characters themselves were clever. Crichton solves a planetwide crisis with human ingenuity and human technology. Rygel masterfully manipulated everyone he came into contact with after he was suckered that first time. D'Argo was an annoyed gem and I even dug the lapping booze from a bowl."
"This slim spinoff of the hit Sci-Fi Channel series of the same name reads like a high-energy episode. ... DeCandido ... keeps the action brisk and the ongoing arguments between the characters sparkling with humor."
"In his first Farscape novel House of Cards, Keith R.A. DeCandido has captured the elements, the tone, and the characterisations perfectly. ... House of Cards is great storytelling and reads like an adaptation of an episode you'll regret never getting to see. It's most definitely a good romp in the Farscape playground. The Farscape spin-off novels still have to take off and gain momentum, but DeCandido's work at least gets them off the starting bocks."
"Keith DeCandido's enjoyable Farscape tie-in novel, House of Cards, is set during season two of the TV show, and plays nicely to the main characters' strengths. ... DeCandido has successfully captured the feel of the show with very non-human, bird-like aliens, jokey dialogue, and good character interplay. The plot is intriguingly complicated as Netoros manoeuvres for power and Crichton and the others try to rescue Moya and solve the problem of the larik particles ... there are some nice insights into the characters' backgrounds, in particular Aeryn, who as usual is having trouble with her Peacekeeper past catching up with her."
"The dialogue, especially Crichton's Erp-isms and Aeryn's caustic wit, is perfect--I don't think there's a line in there that didn't ring perfectly in the appropriate cast member's voice. The crew's inner monologues--particularly Aeryn's self-loathing at times, and her fear of change (too much, or not enough?)--are spot on. And best of all are the interactions between characters. D'Argo and Zhaan's scenes together evoke the gentle relationship seen mostly during the first season ... Zhaan, as she always did, manages to bring out the best in Rygel. D'Argo and Aeryn have a fantastic scene early on. Aeryn and Zhaan, too, are wonderful together--a relationship that never really had enough time to shine on the show, sadly, before Virginia Hey decided to leave. There's some great John/Aeryn shippiness, too. Perhaps ironically, some of the best shippiness comes out when these two fight--only because they know each other so well and care about each other so much can they argue quite like they do. Overall, this is not a novel that strains Farscape's boundries, but it sits very comfortably within them--and will make you feel right at home too. Season 3, whether you love it, loathe it, or are just 'waiting for the wheel,' has been a heavy one so far. House of Cards is a great way to kick back with your favorite characters and remember that the Uncharted Territories, for all its insanity and danger, can be a frelling lot of fun--and will be again very soon, I have no doubt."
"Author Keith R.A. DeCandido does a good job of capturing the various voices of Farscape's protagonists ... from the calm philosophy of the priest Zotoh Zhaan to the grave impetuousness of the warrior D'Argo--and the book does possess much of the action, humor, imagination and drama (including some of the emotional-sexual tension) viewers of the television series have come to expect."
"The storyline for Worf as it developed in The Next Generation, feature films and Deep Space Nine over the past fourteen years has been perhaps the most fascinating and emotionally rich of all those developed for any character of the modern Star Trek series. Keith R. A. DeCandido insightfully and faithfully reflects on the powerful events of Worf’s past as he brings us the first story of Worf’s new career as the Federation’s chief ambassador to the Klingon Empire. ...
"I found the first third of the book to be the most powerful, as it focused on Worf’s transition from Starfleet Officer to civilian ambassador. DeCandido writes in a number of familiar cameos and reflections on Worf’s past to bring closure to Worf’s years of Starfleet service. The tone of Chapter One is almost melancholy, but nicely done, and wraps up the full arc of Worf’s momentous Starfleet years before ushering him into his new ambassadorial role with his first assignment. A culminating scene in the new Enterprise’s Ten-Forward lounge gives a heartfelt punctuation to the end of Worf’s first career, as Captain Picard ... offers a toast to the departing ambassador. It is DeCandido’s most poignant and eloquent passage.
"As the story develops, the real stars become not the primary players in the diplomatic crisis, but the supporting cast of the Klingon Starship Gorkon. ... I found the characters remarkably fresh and interesting enough that I would enjoy seeing them reunited in a future story. DeCandido rewards the reader’s investment in coming to know the various Klingons by avoiding a static ending; each of the characters enjoys, to some degree, a dynamic experience throughout the story, and finds a destiny at the end of the book quite different from what they might have expected at the start. ...
"The book on Worf’s Starfleet career has been closed. This story opens the book on a new, fulfilling future. I eagerly await the further tales."
"There is a lot to like about this book. Keith R. A. DeCandido knows Worf,
and knows Klingons. ... DeCandido takes these characters and
breathes additional life in them, and does it so well I hope to see these
Klingons in future books. ... The strength of the book comes not from the
mission, but the interaction of these characters -- Klag adjusting to a crew
not his own and a mistrust of Worf, a Klingon he thinks has benefited by
nepotism; Worf, adjusting to his new role as an ambassador, dealing with
several people from his past, including Kurn, now a Klingon named Rodek with
no memory of his true lineage, trying to get past the mistrust of fellow
Klingons; a brief fling between the Klingon pilot and chief engineer (and
the romantic overtures will delight any Klingon fans) -- all of this makes a
delightful read and reread. My grade: A-."
"At any rate, by the time I was finished with the book, I was already hooked into the possibility of seeing not only further appearances of Worf-as-Ambassador, but perhaps even more adventures of the I.K.S. Gorkon and her melting-pot crew. As a longtime Trek fan, I give Diplomatic Implausibility high marks, and encourage all you Trekkers to smell what Keith's cooking!"
"I'm not going to give you a complete list of all the Klingon side-characters we once saw in one episode or another that he's managed to bring together in a way that's not only plausible, but also very entertaining, but suffice it to say that such a list would be quite large indeed. Besides this, references to other Star Trek books are also included (noticably: Peter David's New Frontier series), leading to a book that's placed solidly within the Star Trek universe. And also very important: DeCandido knows how far to go, stopping with bringing in new references just before it could get annoyingly unbelievable. ...
"This story alternates between showing Worf's and Klag's point of view, and offers great insight into Klingon society. Since Worf is transported from Earth to Klag's ship by the Enterprise, this book can indeed be called a NextGen book, but none of the rest of the crew play any part after the second chapter. Not that you miss their presence. Far from it, in fact. Because Worf is the focus of this book, he gets the time and attention he deserves. ...
"All in all this book was more than worth reading, and I'm looking forward to future books by DeCandido."
"Not only does DeCandido convey effectively Worf's efforts to find a solution to the taD crisis while bridging his Klingon heritage and his Federation upbringing, he also introduces us to the crew of the IKS Gorkon, bringing these characters vividly to life. ... While we've seen Klingon ships before, most notably in John M. Ford's The Final Reflection and Peter Morwood's Rules of Engagement, I don't believe that we've seen such rich characterization. I was intrigued by these characters. I could understand their motives, whether they assisted Worf in his mission or hindered his progress. I would welcome a return engagement of the Gorkon and her crew. ...
"Those passing up on Diplomatic Implausibility are passing up on an excellent novel. DeCandido has written a well-crafted novel that carries forward Worf's life while also introducing us to a group of characters that I hope to see more of in the future. I look forward to more from Keith R.A. DeCandido's pen ... this book fulfills what I want in a Star Trek novel: a story well-told and worth every penny. While some might quibble with the designation of this novel as a Next Generation novel when the Enterprise-E and crew appear but barely, they would be missing out on what may well be one of the best Star Trek novels published this year, and what is certainly the best debut Star Trek novel in some time.
"Recommended without reservation."
"While
the story is interesting, the characters exceptionally well written, and
the book well paced, it is the little things that make this novel really
stand out. Things like the use of Klingon phrases and words in the
dialogue. And the attention to detail. Overall a very entertaining,
well written and truly unique Trek adventure."
"I recently read Coetzee's Disgrace, which won the Booker prize and The Roaring Girl by Greg Hollingshead, which won the Governor General's award (Canada's highest literary honor). The prose in these books is just beautiful and has totally ruined me to most media tie-in fiction. ... Diplomatic Implausibility was a joy for me ... My diet of ST books has been greatly reduced by my inability to switch off my internal editor, but DI posed no significant problems. ...
"Based on DI, I will look forward to anything by KRAD."
"The portrayal of the Klingon culture and society is what
makes this book special compared to other good standard Star Trek books.
It is not done so distinctively and obviously as Diane Duane (and
Peter Morwood) did in their excellent Rihannsu series, but by
observing the actions and reactions of the characters you can get very
interesting insights. ...
"Usually I am no Klingon fan, but I found this book extremely enjoyable.
It contains ... a lot of interesting Klingon
characters and also shows that not every Klingon would love to die
young in a bloody battle. ...
"Conclusion: For Klingon fans and people interested in them, this book is
a must, but other readers who like interesting characters, well-written dialogue, and insights into Star Trek cultures will also
enjoy Diplomatic Implausibility very much."
"The best part of it all: not once in the book did Worf express distaste or lack of understanding when the other Klingons suggested genocide or orbital bombardment or other drastic courses of action. Not once did he find something inherently faulty at the concept of the Klingons enslaving these ursinoids. Not once did he apply human morals to the issues at hand, or express human softness and sympathy where it most definitely was not due ... the Human Way was not marketed as inherently superior."
"But this does not only apply to Worf: I think this is the way Klingons should have been portrayed all the time. They certainly have more to offer than honor, battles, bloodwine and Klingon opera. The Klingon culture is much more sophisticated than that, although we didn`t see that too often on screen. Again I could see the advantages books have in that regard: We meet a lot of different Klingon personalities in that book. Not all of them are warriors and also the warriors are people with strengths, weaknesses and some interesting quirks. ... I had no problem at all to find an emotional connection to these characters. I liked these people, it mattered to me what happens to them and I enjoyed this detailed insight into the Klingon culture. It is very obvious that KRAD knows the Klingons very well and it was interesting and fun to discover the rich variety of known elements and names in the book. Diplomatic Implausibility never gets boring. Something interesting, something exciting or funny is happening all the time. I wish the book would be longer, not because something is missing but just because I enjoyed the book so much. ...
"I think part of the charm of this crew is this variety of distinctive characters. I found it touching that in battle, they managed to form a unity that enabled them to triumph. With Vall, Leskit and Drex gone now, I can only hope that KRAD will be able to replace them with other fascinating, lively characters. I can understand now why quite a few people have compared this book with New Frontier. Part of what makes NF special is the colourful crew, the mix of different personalities, some of them very unusual. Diplomatic Implausibility offers the same. Therefore it is very important that this element doesn`t get lost in future books. I have the feeling that Klag started to value his unusual crew that was forced on him at the end, that he could see the potential it had after he got rid of some bad apples. Therefore I am hoping that Klag will choose similar characters again, people who offer fresh ideas, attitudes and viewpoints. ...
"I think it is a big compliment when fans associate a writer with fondness with a specific element in Star Trek, like Peter David's New Frontier, Diane Duane's Rihannsu and Susan Shwartz/Josepha Sherman's books dealing with Spock and the Romulans. KRAD is definitely the Klingon and Worf writer to me. I am looking forward to more."
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About Star Trek: The Next Generation: Diplomatic Implausibility:
"Combine the ingredients, stir liberally, and you have a good cerebral story: can the warrior find a diplomatic solution that will satisfy everyone? Will he be overwhelmed by his proximity to so many Klingons? And what path can he chart for himself in this unfamiliar position? Worf, of course, succeeds, though how he gets there is unexpected."
"The crew of the Gorkon actually includes several familiar faces ... True, familiar faces alone do not a plot make, but they do comfortably ease us into the story, and incline the reader to be interested in seeing more in-depth appraisals of these characters, which Mr. DeCandido does quite well. In fact, it is in exploring the different personalities that crew the Gorkon that one can see that all Klingons, like all humans, are not cut from the same cloth. Some are irrational, some are reasonable. Some tend to violence and some, astonishingly enough, are timid. ... By the end of the book, I found I oculd sympathize with them all--to my surprise--even those whose obtuseness was remarkably frustrating. In short, it was the palpable fallibility of the cast of characters that made them interesting...
"I must say I'm impressed. Keith R.A. DeCandido shows an excellent knowledge of many Star Trek details (or at the very least excellent skill in finding these details in all sorts of reference material).
"The Gorkon’s crew [is] as mixed and colorful a cast of characters as one could ask for -- in the words of her one-armed captain, 'An incompetent second officer ... an eccentric pilot ... a radical chief medical officer ... not exactly the stuff that songs are made of.' Just the thing, however, for a Klingon story full of bone-breaking mating rituals, glorious battles, promotion-by-dagger, and 'subliterate' love poetry ... with, of course, tankards of ale and rokeg blood pie all around. Author DeCandido frolics freely with his mixture of old and new characters, and pulls every Klingon insult and idiosyncrasy ever devised over the last fifteen years into one well constructed story."
"DeCandido has a marvellous ear for dialogue and for character. It's easy to go over the top while writing for Klingons -- just have them pound their chests a lot and talk about honour, and you're set. DeCandido avoids the obvious pitfalls; even though his Klingons are certainly motivated by the usual mix of honour and bloodlust, most of them are also reasonably well-rounded individuals, leaving the reader with a [great] sense of actually being there."
"One of the best Worf stories ever written, Keith R.A. DeCandido's Diplomatic Implausibility concerns Worf's first mission as Federation Ambassador to the Klingon Empire ... the new ambassador must deal not only with the al'Hmatti, but with a shipful of Klingons with competing agendas, and a few ghosts Worf hasn't laid to rest. It's a compelling crisis, and the deepening complexities of taD's political situation create striking parallels with the personal struggles of Worf, Klag, and several of the minor characters."
"Keith R.A. DeCandido's first Star Trek: The Next Generation novel, Diplomatic Implausibility, satisfies all three things I want from a Star Trek novel. While 2001 may be young, I venture that there will be few Star Trek novels this year to match Diplomatic Implausibility ... Quite simply, DeCandido has crafted an excellent novel, one that tells a sound story and captures well the essence of the Star Trek characters and their universe ...
"If you are a fan of Worf and/or the Klingons, run out immediately and
get a copy of the newest TNG title Diplomatic Implausibility by Keith
R.A. DeCandido. Even if you are not a big fan of the Klingons, but just
enjoy a good Trek adventure you will enjoy this book. DI is
distinctively innovative for a Trek novel. In my own mind, Trek novels
fall into three categories. There are the the crisis novels. A world,
the Federation or even the universe itself must be saved. There are the
character studies. And then there are those handful of books that are
truly unique. For me DI falls into the latter category. ...
"The book's major strength, I think, is how well it draws on the established continuity, both literary (New Frontier, ST: Ency) and canonical (TNG, DS9). It is a well constructed story reminiscent, in a way, of Asimov's robot novels: Worf must interact with a completely alien culture (the al'Hmatti) and two familiar ones (the Empire and the Federation). The reader becomes engrossed immediately because, while many new elements are added, we find ourselves firmly in the familiar world of Star Trek. ... The other great thing about this book, of course, is its characterization. Worf is done very well, as are all of the familiar characters who make appearances. The true surprises here are the supporting players, like Vall, Krevor, and me'Grmat XIX. I also loved the relationships between B'Oraq and Crusher, and Leskit and Kurak. Wu was well-drawn while still remaining fairly mysterious. I certainly hope he is a recurring character. ...
"Diplomatic Implausibility is an excellent book which is a must read.
Both the story itself and the portrayal of the Klingon way of life, which
is an important part of it, provide a very valuable contribution to the
Star Trek universe.
"Captain Klag and his merry men are a wonderful addition the Trek universe. What I found the most delightful about DI was the fact that for this good once, the main heroes were alien aliens, with no balancing 'human' attributes to water down the effect. The minor human roles did not carry the weight to sway the main characters from their alien paths of action and thinking.
"Diplomatic Implausibility shows very well that Worf never lost his Klingon nature, that he learned to use it and control it instead of being used and controlled by it. ... Worf grew and matured a lot over the years. There is a huge difference between the 'young and rash' Worf who was about to shoot a hole into the viewscreen because Q appeared on it and the Worf in this book. ... Worf used the numerous crises and difficulties in his life in order to learn from them. I speak from experience when I say that disasters in your life can either destroy you or make you stronger. I respect Worf`s courage how he managed to overcome all these obstacles in his life, how he never gave up. But I also respect it that Worf is able now to admit that he is not infallible, that he made mistakes in his past, some of them serious. Diplomatic Implausibility showed me that Worf managed to achieve excellent leadership qualities. The Worf in this book is a very complex, fascinating personality, as it should be.
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