About Spider-Man: Down These Mean Streets:
"This is superbly well written, and stands up as a novel a great deal more than you might believe a superhero novel could. The characterisations feel right, Spider-Man / Peter Parker is well presented, complete with wise-cracks, and Mary-Jane and May Parker feel true to their comics equivalents. ..."...the drug story line here is a wise choice on the part of the author, bringing in just the right amount of traditional Spidey-foe to complete the mix.
"Added to this are lots of wonderful supporting elements in this tale. In particular the interaction between Spider-Man and the police officers is excellent, ranging from devoted fans to very negative. But it's the reason why some officers dislike the 'costumes' that makes this work so well. We're not talking about the irrational hatred exhibited by Jonah Jameson (Daily Bugle editor), this time there is logic to their feelings -- but you'll have to read the book to find out what this is, I'm not going to spoil the surprise here.
"I was hoping to enjoy this novel when I picked it up, and I was not disappointed. It's good stuff. A good first taste of this Marvel comics range..."
"Possibly the best story in the entire anthology, Letting Go is a great piece of writing full of emotion."
"TALES FROM THE CAPTAIN'S TABLE is part adventure, part reflection, part mischievousness, part BS, and all fun.
It's one of the most enjoyable anthologies to come down the pike from Pocket Books, so don't be surprised if we see another installment down the road.
Just don't forget to pay your tab and tip the barkeep on your way out."
"Tales from the Captain's Table is an enjoyable collection of stories that will satisfy the reader regardless of whether or not you've read the original novels that the concept is built upon.
The bar itself is as much a character as any of the aliens who frequent it,
and that's part of the charm of this anthology.
The stories told so ably in Tales from the Captain's Table may span the Star Trek universe but no matter what the era or location is the tales of adventure within its pages will leave you wanting more."
"Trek very rarely does politics. A couple of glimpses of the Federation President during DS9, a few more in
The Undiscovered Country -- but nothing of enough substance to really be compelling. That's where Articles of the Federation
is different: it's covering new territory and it's damned interesting, too. Rather than being bored by endless diplomatic ponderings
to-and-fro, I found myself caring about the characters, excited about how situations would turn out, and sad when things didn't
work the way Bacco planned. Articles draws you in, holds you there, and doesn't let go until the very last page.
"At the climax of the book, a major character from the TV series falls from grace dramatically, and DeCandido's skill as a writer
is highlighted. In a scene pumped to the maximum with emotion and secrecy, Bacco's character shines, and as a reader you'll be engrossed
in a way that no other author can achieve. You simply can't miss out on such a powerful and irresistably dynamic novel,
and it'll be a shame if there's never a sequel. Keith R.A. DeCandido has produced yet another riveting book that breaths fresh life
into a neglected area of the Trek canon."
"Anybody who thinks, misguidedly, that Star Trek fiction is fluff ought to read this. Described as 'Star Trek meets the West Wing,'
this is a fascinating political novel that has some parallels to draw with our own times and a message surely of "nothing new under the sun."
It is a tubby book, and if you are hoping for a breathless political thriller a la 24, then you will have to go on wanting.
But political machinations make for fine reading too and with DeCandido, you are in safe hands.
I particularly liked the way various different beings were seen settling down to watch Illuminating The City of Light
and following the various debates. The character of the president and a few others get thoroughly put through their paces and emerge
as fascinating, well-rounded people. If you were disappointed at the TV series "Enterprise," then you will no doubt be wondering, as am I,
why this sort of story set during the same post-war period wasn’t the sort of thing they should have made instead. Intelligent, modern SF."
"Plotting in this novel is strong, and character development a definite plus. We get inside the minds and emotions of these people as they
work toward their goals or deal with difficulties. The internal logic rings true, and the attention to detail in this novel is wonderful.
There are moments of drama and emotion that make this a good read."
"Right off the bat, ARTICLES is a most atypical STAR TREK novel in that it fits nowhere with any of the established series or its multiple spinoffs, yet the action and intrigue that permeates its 400 pages has far-reaching effects in every venue of the established TREK universe and beyond. With roots steeped into our own presidential history, and inspiration taken from the popular series THE WEST WING, DeCandido paints a very complex portrait of one president's continuing struggles and daily dealings in maintaining the peace throughout the galaxy. ...
"DeCandido infuses ARTICLES with a kind of action rarely seen in STAR TREK: political action. And this opens up the field for an entirely new battlefield we've seen before in the STAR WARS prequels, Fox News, CNN, and on THE WEST WING: the political arena. His careful, precise attention to detail and to what has come before in past novels never gets pushed to the backburner; rather, it is DeCandido's reference to what happens in the final frontier that not only influences but also determines the destiny of the heart of the Federation itself. (That's definitely a good thing for all of the TREK novels, their even more careful attention to continuity that harkens back to the STAR WARS: NEW JEDI ORDER series.) Those decisions both good and bad affect everyone back home, as in real life, and whether it is the Dominion War, the Gateways incident, the Selelvian/Tholian war, or the Iraq-like disaster at Tezwa, President Bacco has to absolve not only the Federation government but also Starfleet of any sins that former President Zife and anyone connected with him has borne. And along the way, she and her staff find out that it's not an easy road to hoe. (Recently, Keith DeCandido completed an appendix of references to the novel, in the similar vein as Christopher Bennett's EX MACHINA, so this would be a wonderful addition to future TREK novels in the Pocket Books line.)
"ARTICLES OF THE FEDERATION is one of those rare breeds of STAR TREK novels in that it transcends the familiar to take a life of its own and yet is rooted in the tradition we have all come to know and love. Keith DeCandido gives us a rare glimpse into the future of the Federation while painting us a careful eye of our own nation's political struggles. Needless to say, we have not heard the last of President Nan Bacco, so it should be really interesting to see DeCandido follow up with the next three years of her presidency and how the STAR TREK universe is shaped in the months and years to come."
"Nan Bacco and her staff spring from DeCandido's extremely fertile mind and were first introduced in his novel A Time for War, a Time for Peace which was published last October.
They are a very appealing group of characters who you very quickly feel sympathy for and want to see succeed and they elucidate the notion that a leader is only as good as those they choose to surround themselves with.
Bacco herself is the most noteworthy;
witty, intelligent and at the beginning of her term a bit naive.
When it comes to interstellar politics however she proves to be a quick study and more than up to the task.
"The way DeCandido has chosen to structure the plot of Articles of the Federation is one of the reasons the novel works so well.
It would be very easy to become overwhelmed by the numerous plot threads and large cast of characters but by breaking the overall story down into six distinct parts the reader is never inundated with too much at once.
The action and events flow along quickly but the narrative is never rushed and the transitions are seamless.
"I could go on at length about the numerous reasons that Articles of the Federation is an outstanding novel,
the many ways it is both original and exceedingly entertaining.
... [DeCandido] has demonstrated time and again that he has too much talent and imagination to be predictable.
With Articles of the Federation he has cemented that reputation."
"DeCandido makes this extremely ambitious novel work by going at it full-tilt. The pace never lets up; narrative threads weave deftly together
as we cut from one débacle to another, drawing in a large castof superbly drawn supporting characters. ... This is a quantum leap
away from Picard's ethical agonizing, or Roddenberry's perfected Human race; but it's still a hundred per cent Star Trek.
The difference is that this time, DeCandido really has gone where no Trek writer has gone before. 9 [out of 10]"
"The rigid oligarchy of the Elabrej Hegemony is so wonderfully rendered,
and the unique Klingon reactions to the situation so entertaining that it is very easy to overlook how familiar many of the plot elements are in Enemy Territory.
DeCandido pays close attention to the details and provides multiple points of view throughout,
allowing you to see all sides of the conflict and the potential repercussions.
"The ongoing development of the regular characters in this series has been excellent and Enemy Territory doesn't disappoint in that respect.
The handling of Chief Engineer Kurak's alcoholism and depression is wonderful ...
"Bottom line: Enemy Territory is a quick, action packed read distinguished by a high level of invention that provides an atmospheric and engaging story."
"What makes ENEMY TERRITORY another winner is DeCandido's continued exploration of the many different members of the Gorkon crew.
Just when you think you know everything there is to know about Klag, or Toq, or Wol, or Kurak, DeCandido pulls another targ out of his hat and surprises us in the process.
That's what makes the Klingons among the richest and most intriguing of all the alien species in the STAR TREK universe.
"Plots within schemes, mutinies, all on top of kick-ass action that you've come to expect from the Klingons and from the muse of Keith DeCandido.
And the fun is just beginning. Qapla'!"
"Thanks ... to DeCandido's ability to brew up credible and intriguing politics on both the large and small scale, and his proven talent for fast-paced narrative and incisive characterization, Enemy Territory manages to aquaplane over the absurdities of its premise and deliver a package of absorbing, high-octane, bloodthirsty fun."
"It's the usual mix of inventive heroism, but with just enough of a twist to stand out."
"I am still impressed that DeCandido has got under the skin of the Klingons so well, and the whole scenario is a world away from Federation adventures in every possible way.
The conflicts on San-Tarah continue to cast long shadows,
and when the crew is not fighting the Elabrej there is much in-fighting and a potential mutiny in the offing.
The crew is made up of well-rounded characters (in more ways than one), and short of actually serving on such a ship it is hard to imagine a better viewpoint.
Then there are the Elabrej themselves—a bizarre non-humanoid race that fascinates in its totally alien way.
Throughout, there is plenty of action both on board ships and down on the planet,
and by the end I was satisfied that I had read a good tale with lively well-drawn characters and been thoroughly entertained.
I am looking forward to reading more of the IKS Gorkon’s adventures filled with honor, battle and glory,
and surely Star Trek’s best creation has always been the Klingons. Stirring stuff."
"On the minus side, Enterprise has crashed and burned, and there'll be no more TV Trek. On the positive side, the two best writers in Pocket's Trek
stable are responsible for part three of the Worlds of DS9 series, and they're both on top form. Some you win, some you lose.
"The Great Ferengi Novel is still David George's 34th Rule, but Keith DeCandido's Ferenginar is a sharp, wry, crisp piece of work
that fits into the 'New DSN' plotline and still has scope for some delightful observations about our favourite elephant-eared capitalists. ...
Quark finds his loyalties painfully divided, and DeCandido makes excellent use of the character's essential dilemma, his yearing to be a good traditional
Ferengi while his nearest and dearest wallow in the slough of degenerate Federation values ... an excellent contribution, well worth sampling."
"As so often in Ferengi tales, Keith DeCandido flips brilliantly from comedy to chills. One moment, we're getting an out-and-out parody
of American electoral advertising; the next, a genuinely chilling portrait of the "traditional" life of a Ferengi female, lived without clothes or possessions, until she's so crushed that she couldn't even contemplate having a mind of her own. Sometimes, you get both at once, as in one chapter about ex-Nagus Zek, which is effectively a 12-page comedy riff on Alzheimer's, a subject that would normally give me a total humour failure, but which works. Laugh out loud funny on occasions, and also food for thought."
"DeCandido shines once again in this comic tale of political scandals and business dealings gone wrong. He clearly proves himself just as knowledgeable and capable of immersing himself in the entire Ferengi culture as he has done over the years with the Klingons. DeCandido has his finger on the pulse of Ferengi society as a race of beings whose goals are simple -- to screw each other over, no matter what the cost, and to financially profit as a result. He also brings out a rare streak of goodness and nobility in Quark in seeking to come to Rom's aid, but that's something that Quark himself would rarely own up to admitting.
"DeCandido also addresses our own problems in society and history, complete with the historical portrayal of women in society over the millennia, as well as the many political and financial scandals that have rocked society in recent years, painting us a portrait of what our world has been through. He even sneaks in an inside joke or two for all of you Coca-Cola lovers out there (like me, you gotta love those 20-ounce bottles of Coke!). In the hands of Keith DeCandido, "Satisfaction is Not Guaranteed" makes for fun reading through and through."
"DeCandido further expands the characters we have come to know and love, and as usual creates a plausible, effective story that never
loses sight of its characters; the plot is secondary to characterization. Sharp and witty dialogue coupled with the seriousness of the
situation makes for a great juxtaposition--much like the Ferengi themselves, once a laughingstock and now a (somewhat) respected civilization. ...
"Satisfaction is Not Guaranteed is a truly great read, the perfect way to spend a rain-soaked day."
"The broad strokes and overall themes of the novel aren't what makes it so great -- it's the tiny scenes and one-lines that make this
such a helluva fun read. ... Another standout chunk of the book is the character of Prinadora --
Rom's ex-wife, and Nog's mother. On Deep Space Nine, we only met two Ferengi women, and both of them were fighting against the
Ferengi oppression of women and taking on stronger roles in society. Prinadora, however, accepts the idea that she's sub-human in
Ferengi eyes, and she believes everything she's told about her role without question. It's a painful and uncomfortable scene to read,
but it's carried off very well indeed.
"Satisfaction... is better than any Ferengi episode we were treated to on the TV series, and is the kind of in-depth look at
their world that I've always wanted. Touching, funny, and frighteningly similar to modern human civilization,
this is one of the author's best stories yet."
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About "Letting Go" in Star Trek: Voyager: Distant Shores:
"The best of the bunch has to be between the Keith R.A. DeCandido story following the lives of the families of the Voyager crew
seen through the eyes of Kathryn Janeway's other half, the ones left behind when Voyager was transported to the Delta Quadrant."
"It's very significant that easily the best story is the one dealing with the adjustment of the relatives left behind, as they accept
Voyager is lost, get on with their lives, and then learn that the ship (but not necessarily their own loved ones) has survived.
It works because, while you only know one thing about the characters, it's one thing with which you can empathize."
"Keith DeCandido tells the story of Janeway's boyfriend Mark, inventing a satisfying and genuinely moving backstory to the Dear Jane letter
in Hunters."
About Star Trek: Tales from the Captain's Table:
"Right from the beginning I immensely liked TALES FROM THE CAPTAIN'S TABLE because of its more straightforward and fun approach to storytelling,
whereas in the different CAPTAIN'S TABLE novels it required coming in at different points through the different novel releases.
That's not to say I didn't like the previous novels;
I say that because with this collection, the captains are free to stay as long as they like or leave whenever they wish,
allowing for opportunities to open up the vast tapestry of the STAR TREK saga at different points in time and allow the captains entry into one common place where all are seen as equals.
The bar itself well serves its fun and laid-back purpose as the framework device for all of these tales to be told,
much in the same way as Geoffrey Chaucer's classic CANTERBURY TALES.
And with a sober, reflective, and sometimes raucous bunch like this, who'd want to leave in the first place? Not me! ...
"DeCandido's own thoughtful and carefully structured contribution, narrated by Captain Klag of the Gorkon, is probably the highlight
of the evening, although John Ordover's rather similar Captain Gold story runs it close."
About Star Trek: Articles of the Federation:
"One of the strengths of the novel is its cast, and that shows DeCandido's immense skill, as only a small handful of the characters in
Articles were shown on screen. The major players of the book -- people like Bacco, Piniero, Phiri, and MacDougan -- are of his
own creation, and they carry the plot of the book well and are easy to follow.
"Gene Roddenberry would have hated Articles of the Federation; in context, that's high praise. It's a gripping, credible, warts-and-all
examination of Federation politics, taking us through a year in the life of President Nan Bacco as she copes with a series of all too
believable crises, messes and bad hair days. ...
"It's 'The West Wing meets Star Trek', obviously, though transporters mean there's less 'peda-conferencing'. [Bacco]
herself is somewhat lacking in charisma, lacking much substance beyond her love of baseball, but in her inter-relations with established
characters, she shows more steel."
About Star Trek: I.K.S. Gorkon Book 3: Enemy Territory:
"Keith DeCandido employs a straightforward and simple method in Enemy Territory.
He gets your attention, piques your interest and hooks you lock, stock and barrel.
By intentionally failing to immediately provide a full physical description of the Elabrej DeCandido tantalizes the reader with plenty of hints and keeps you guessing for quite some time.
About Ferenginar: Satisfaction is Not Guaranteed in Worlds of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Volume 3:
"As enjoyable and satisfying as the four previous stories told in Volumes One and Two of Worlds of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine are, Volume Three saves the best for last and packs quite a punch.
...
With Satisfaction is Not Guaranteed, Keith DeCandido demonstrates that he knows his Ferengi every bit as well as the Klingons with a serious story that still manages to be rousing good fun. The predicament Rom finds himself in is uniquely Ferengi as is the solution."
"[DeCandido] knows his Ferengi as well as he knows his Klingons and delivers and excellent, often comedic tale of political intrigue."
"As so often in Ferengi tales, Keith DeCandido flips brilliantly fromcomedy to chills. One moment, we're getting an out-and-out parody
of American electoral advertising; the next, a genuinely chilling portrait of the 'traditional' life of a Ferengi female, lived without
clothes or possessions, until she's so crushed that she couldn't even contemplate having a mind of her own. Sometimes, you get both at once,
as in one chapter about ex-Nagus Zek, which is effectively a 12-page comedy riff on Alzheimer's, a subject that would normally give me
total humour failure, but which works. Laugh out loud funny on occasions, and also food for thought."
About "A Vampire and a Vampire Hunter Walk Into a Bar" in Amazing Stories #608:
"As the title suggests, 'A Vampire and a Vampire Hunter Walk into a Bar' is a lively romp punctuated by witty one-liners.
This dialogue-only story by Keith R. A. DeCandido features Count Dracula and Van Helsing (presumably)
in a rapid-fire bitch session that includes plenty of ranting about popular culture.
I found this piece very funny, if a bit unfocused; I also wonder how these two find so much to talk about when they meet.
Beneath the laughter lies a gentle lesson about what can give life meaning."
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