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Star Trek: New Frontier #18
Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff
Captain MacKenzie Calhoun has faced incredible odds before, but nothing he has ever experienced could prepare him for the simultaneous threats from two of the most destructive forces he's ever encountered. The first is the D'myurj--a mysterious and powerful alien race bent on either the complete domination of humanity or its destruction . . . a potentially massive risk to the very foundations of Starfleet, one that goes so deep it's impossible to determine whom to trust. The second is even more alarming: Morgan Primus, once a living creature with a soul and a conscience, now an incredibly sophisticated computer simulation taking up residence within the very core of the "U.S.S. Excalibur ." . . and quickly becoming a growing menace for the Federation. MacKenzie Calhoun is playing a dangerous game as he attempts to outwit and outmaneuver these new enemies, with the fate of the "Excalibur "crew members and potentially the lives of billions at stake. . . .
344 pages, Paperback
First published April 26, 2011
37 people are currently reading
435 people want to read
About the author
Peter David
3,568 books1,365 followersaka David Peters
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 18, 2011
Since the first installment of Peter David's New Frontier series debuted over a decade ago, Captain Mackenzie Calhoun has been the center of the series and stories. Other characters have had their moments and novels to shine, but the New Frontier universe has always and probably will always revolve around Calhoun.
So it shouldn't come as a surprise to fans that the latest installment in the series, "Blind Man's Bluff," centers firmly on threats to Calhoun in multiple fronts. As Calhoun tries to find a way to neutralize the ever growing threat of the sentient computer system Morgan, little does he know events and characters are transpiring to move him off stage and make him pay for his involvement in the defeat of the Brethern at the end of the last novel.
Of course, Calhoun being Calhoun, he's more than up to the task, though there are a few times throughout "Bluff" that fans may wonder just how Calhoun will survive the latest threat to his person, his reputation and his career.
And while Calhoun is front and center for this story, a majority of the supporting cast get a moment or two to shine. Long time fans of the series may be disappointed to know that two TV series characters get a lot more page-time than long-time favorites like Shelby. But given how vital they are to the overall arc of the story, the inclusion of Seven of Nine and the Doctor from Voyager are vital to the final chapters of the story. In fact, the inclusion of both characters almost makes David's entry in the Next Generation Borg mini-series, "Before Dishonor", a bit more palatable since it sets up certain points for this story.
As with other New Frontier novels, the action isn't just focused to one ship or setting. Events take place on New Thallon, the starship Excaliber, Calhoun's home world of Xenex and even on Earth at Starfleet Headquarters. But even as sweeping as the landscape (or should I say spacescape) is for the story, David never loses his focus or his readers. You'll easily be able to keep up with events, developments and the twists and turns of this enjoyable entry in the series.
It all leads to an astounding finish that while it doesn't end on a life or death cliffhanger, will leave you ready for more. And that may be where the largest tragedy of all comes in. At this time, David isn't contracted to write any more novels in the New Frontier series with Pocket. Hopefully, that will change based on the sales and clamor for more from fans. David clearly still has stories left to tell in this universe and with these characters and it would be a shame to see what has been the most enjoyable Trek fiction series in recent years be put out to pasture or given to someone else to write the next installments.
So it shouldn't come as a surprise to fans that the latest installment in the series, "Blind Man's Bluff," centers firmly on threats to Calhoun in multiple fronts. As Calhoun tries to find a way to neutralize the ever growing threat of the sentient computer system Morgan, little does he know events and characters are transpiring to move him off stage and make him pay for his involvement in the defeat of the Brethern at the end of the last novel.
Of course, Calhoun being Calhoun, he's more than up to the task, though there are a few times throughout "Bluff" that fans may wonder just how Calhoun will survive the latest threat to his person, his reputation and his career.
And while Calhoun is front and center for this story, a majority of the supporting cast get a moment or two to shine. Long time fans of the series may be disappointed to know that two TV series characters get a lot more page-time than long-time favorites like Shelby. But given how vital they are to the overall arc of the story, the inclusion of Seven of Nine and the Doctor from Voyager are vital to the final chapters of the story. In fact, the inclusion of both characters almost makes David's entry in the Next Generation Borg mini-series, "Before Dishonor", a bit more palatable since it sets up certain points for this story.
As with other New Frontier novels, the action isn't just focused to one ship or setting. Events take place on New Thallon, the starship Excaliber, Calhoun's home world of Xenex and even on Earth at Starfleet Headquarters. But even as sweeping as the landscape (or should I say spacescape) is for the story, David never loses his focus or his readers. You'll easily be able to keep up with events, developments and the twists and turns of this enjoyable entry in the series.
It all leads to an astounding finish that while it doesn't end on a life or death cliffhanger, will leave you ready for more. And that may be where the largest tragedy of all comes in. At this time, David isn't contracted to write any more novels in the New Frontier series with Pocket. Hopefully, that will change based on the sales and clamor for more from fans. David clearly still has stories left to tell in this universe and with these characters and it would be a shame to see what has been the most enjoyable Trek fiction series in recent years be put out to pasture or given to someone else to write the next installments.
April 9, 2024
Blind Man's Bluff is yet another installment of the Dark Period and kills the entirety of the Xenexian race, including Mac's brother D'ndai. I never liked D'ndai much but he was a believable and interesting character. The book also kills Morgan Primus and possibly kills Admiral Nechayev but she gets better as that was never something Peter David was going to be allowed to do forever (probably).
The premise is basically Morgan Primus is terrifying Calhoun due to her absolute control over the starship as well as near infinite ability to affect the Federation. This is a bit like my dislike of DISCO's Control and the novelverse version of CONTROL as well. Basically, it seems to act as if AI can just bypass cybersecurity at will and wield ultimate power because cyber-magic. It's not enough that she has absolute control over the EXCALIBUR, which is already a massively powerful battleship but she has to be an existential threat to the Federation as a whole.
Ironically, my favorite part of the book is where Peter David takes a break from the New Frontier crew (that he seems to be honestly a bit tired of) and instead inserts 7 of 9 and the Doctor into the story. The questionable role of recruiting the Doctor into an assassination plot against a fellow AI is questionable and I wish he'd attempted to talk her down before realizing,. "No, sorry, you're an Agrimus or Landru not a Data" aside, there's some genuinely gut bustingly hilarious moments like Soleta's extensive anti-AI rant that the Doctor only hears, "You thought my novel was overwritten?" from. That was fantastic.
Unfortunately, I can't say I recommend this book because of the sheer bleakness of the ending as well as the fact that it goes against so many Star Trek themes. Morgan points out that she is new life that the Federation is seeking but our heroes go to elaborate lengths to destroy her. Mac seeking a new life after freeing Xenex ends up in having the entirety of his species exterminated. Thus, essentially, rendering a massive amount of their plotline in the background to be pointless. The Demiurge and the Brethren are so wholly evil and vile that they are up there with the Daleks as well as Borg for, "these people should go." We even have hundreds of thousands of Thallonians wiped out by our heroes not being able to do much.
Weirdly enough, I'm reminded of GI JOE: RETALIATION where the fact our heroes are so ineffective that Cobra gets away with killing ten million people in London. Like MAN OF STEEL or the ending of INTO DARKNESS, you start to wonder if our heroes were remotely effective in the greater spetacle of villain mass murder.
An interesting tidbit here is that Tania Tobias and Kalinda have started a relationship so either Si Cwan wasn't in charge of the latter's body when they slept together last book or it wasn't a deal breaker. As much as I like Xyon and Kalinda, Peter David pulls no punches in making it clear which is the healthier relationship. Xyon doesn't even bother to check on his ex when he sees her with someone else and considers straight up murdering Tania when he sees it. It's an ugly look for our resident Outrageous Okona.
Awkward beginning or not, is this the first queer relationship in the novels among "regulars"?
The premise is basically Morgan Primus is terrifying Calhoun due to her absolute control over the starship as well as near infinite ability to affect the Federation. This is a bit like my dislike of DISCO's Control and the novelverse version of CONTROL as well. Basically, it seems to act as if AI can just bypass cybersecurity at will and wield ultimate power because cyber-magic. It's not enough that she has absolute control over the EXCALIBUR, which is already a massively powerful battleship but she has to be an existential threat to the Federation as a whole.
Ironically, my favorite part of the book is where Peter David takes a break from the New Frontier crew (that he seems to be honestly a bit tired of) and instead inserts 7 of 9 and the Doctor into the story. The questionable role of recruiting the Doctor into an assassination plot against a fellow AI is questionable and I wish he'd attempted to talk her down before realizing,. "No, sorry, you're an Agrimus or Landru not a Data" aside, there's some genuinely gut bustingly hilarious moments like Soleta's extensive anti-AI rant that the Doctor only hears, "You thought my novel was overwritten?" from. That was fantastic.
Unfortunately, I can't say I recommend this book because of the sheer bleakness of the ending as well as the fact that it goes against so many Star Trek themes. Morgan points out that she is new life that the Federation is seeking but our heroes go to elaborate lengths to destroy her. Mac seeking a new life after freeing Xenex ends up in having the entirety of his species exterminated. Thus, essentially, rendering a massive amount of their plotline in the background to be pointless. The Demiurge and the Brethren are so wholly evil and vile that they are up there with the Daleks as well as Borg for, "these people should go." We even have hundreds of thousands of Thallonians wiped out by our heroes not being able to do much.
Weirdly enough, I'm reminded of GI JOE: RETALIATION where the fact our heroes are so ineffective that Cobra gets away with killing ten million people in London. Like MAN OF STEEL or the ending of INTO DARKNESS, you start to wonder if our heroes were remotely effective in the greater spetacle of villain mass murder.
An interesting tidbit here is that Tania Tobias and Kalinda have started a relationship so either Si Cwan wasn't in charge of the latter's body when they slept together last book or it wasn't a deal breaker. As much as I like Xyon and Kalinda, Peter David pulls no punches in making it clear which is the healthier relationship. Xyon doesn't even bother to check on his ex when he sees her with someone else and considers straight up murdering Tania when he sees it. It's an ugly look for our resident Outrageous Okona.
Awkward beginning or not, is this the first queer relationship in the novels among "regulars"?
May 25, 2019
Mit diesem Roman endet eine der erfolgreichsten und langlebigsten Star Trek Buch-Reihen, die alleine von Peter David konzipiert und geschrieben wurde.
Der Plot aus dem letzten Buch wurde hier unmittelbar fortgesetzt in welchem Captain Calhoun von seinem Schiffscomputer, in der das Bewußtsein von Morgan Primus hochgeladen wurde, auf seinem Heimatplaneten Xenex ausgesetzt, auf dem ein Kommando der D'myorj ein Massaker an der Bevölkerung durchführen und in das Calhoun hineingerät.
Die D'myorj sind eine mächtige Spezies, die die Menschheit unterwerfen oder ausrotten wollen, sie haben die Fähigkeit, die Gestalten und Persönlichkeiten einzelner Individuen anzunehmen. So haben sie auch die Zentrale der Sternenflotte infiltriert und sind in Gestalt von Admiral Nechayev dort vertreten. Die allmächtige Schiffsintelligenz der EXCALIBUR hat die Gestalt von Captain Calhoun angenommen und steuert das Kampfschiff gegen die Förderation, indem sie diverse Förderationswelten angreift. Derweil kontaktiert Soleta, das ehemalige Besatzungsmitglied der EXCALIBUR, Seven of Nine und den Doktor, um etwas gegen die KI Morgan Primus zu unternehmen. Auch deren Tochter Robin Lefler ist mit dem Kurs ihrer "Mutter" nicht einverstanden, sie glaubt, dass die KI verrückt geworden ist. So steuert der Konflikt aus verschiedene Richtungen zu einem Höhepunkt zu; die Sternenflotte macht Jagd auf die EXCALIBUR, die Konflikt zwischen deren Besatzung und der Schiffs-Intelligenz wird blutig geführt, während Robin Lefler, Seven of Nine und der Doktor versuchen, sie durch einen Computer-Virus lahmzulegen. Die Verschwörung innerhalb der Sternenflotte wird schließlich durch Mackenzie Calhoun aufgedeckt...
Ein spannender Roman der in gewohnt humorvoller Weise die verschiedenen Schauplätze und Protagonisten beleuchtet, allerdings mit einem unbefriedigenden und unspektakulären Ende.
Ich denke, es war geplant, in dieser Reihe noch weitere Bände zu veröffentlichen, denn der Ausgang ist eher ein Cliffhanger als ein gutes, befriedigendes und nachvollziehbares Ende. So begann auf den letzten Seiten ein Konflikt von Mackenzie Calhoun mit seinem Sohn der weitreichende Folgen haben könnte.
Ich finde es schade, dass diese Romanreihe ihr Ende gefunden hat, die Geschichte würde noch viel Raum zum Erzählen bieten, aber was mich immer am meisten fasziniert hat, sind die Charaktere, der humorvolle, schnoddrige Umgangston und die vielen Crossovers zu den anderen Star Trek Serien- und Romanreihen.
Ich werde es vermissen !...
Der Plot aus dem letzten Buch wurde hier unmittelbar fortgesetzt in welchem Captain Calhoun von seinem Schiffscomputer, in der das Bewußtsein von Morgan Primus hochgeladen wurde, auf seinem Heimatplaneten Xenex ausgesetzt, auf dem ein Kommando der D'myorj ein Massaker an der Bevölkerung durchführen und in das Calhoun hineingerät.
Die D'myorj sind eine mächtige Spezies, die die Menschheit unterwerfen oder ausrotten wollen, sie haben die Fähigkeit, die Gestalten und Persönlichkeiten einzelner Individuen anzunehmen. So haben sie auch die Zentrale der Sternenflotte infiltriert und sind in Gestalt von Admiral Nechayev dort vertreten. Die allmächtige Schiffsintelligenz der EXCALIBUR hat die Gestalt von Captain Calhoun angenommen und steuert das Kampfschiff gegen die Förderation, indem sie diverse Förderationswelten angreift. Derweil kontaktiert Soleta, das ehemalige Besatzungsmitglied der EXCALIBUR, Seven of Nine und den Doktor, um etwas gegen die KI Morgan Primus zu unternehmen. Auch deren Tochter Robin Lefler ist mit dem Kurs ihrer "Mutter" nicht einverstanden, sie glaubt, dass die KI verrückt geworden ist. So steuert der Konflikt aus verschiedene Richtungen zu einem Höhepunkt zu; die Sternenflotte macht Jagd auf die EXCALIBUR, die Konflikt zwischen deren Besatzung und der Schiffs-Intelligenz wird blutig geführt, während Robin Lefler, Seven of Nine und der Doktor versuchen, sie durch einen Computer-Virus lahmzulegen. Die Verschwörung innerhalb der Sternenflotte wird schließlich durch Mackenzie Calhoun aufgedeckt...
Ein spannender Roman der in gewohnt humorvoller Weise die verschiedenen Schauplätze und Protagonisten beleuchtet, allerdings mit einem unbefriedigenden und unspektakulären Ende.
Ich denke, es war geplant, in dieser Reihe noch weitere Bände zu veröffentlichen, denn der Ausgang ist eher ein Cliffhanger als ein gutes, befriedigendes und nachvollziehbares Ende. So begann auf den letzten Seiten ein Konflikt von Mackenzie Calhoun mit seinem Sohn der weitreichende Folgen haben könnte.
Ich finde es schade, dass diese Romanreihe ihr Ende gefunden hat, die Geschichte würde noch viel Raum zum Erzählen bieten, aber was mich immer am meisten fasziniert hat, sind die Charaktere, der humorvolle, schnoddrige Umgangston und die vielen Crossovers zu den anderen Star Trek Serien- und Romanreihen.
Ich werde es vermissen !...
August 15, 2012
Sadly, I think this series has lost most of its steam. I *loved* the earlier books. They're among my favorite Star Trek books. The latest installment wasn't as funny, and I felt the voices from the 'canon' characters were off.
June 7, 2018
PAD's final(?) print Star Trek: New Frontier book manages to resolve some of the problems of recent releases. Though the crew is still very scattered, PAD manages to use that fact to create a more epic plot that stretch across the Federation, while still presenting a very consistent through-line. He even is able to believably bring in a few Star Trek: Voyager characters, and it's nice to see how they're doing, and how they act under PAD's deft writing hand.
The plot focuses on Morgan with a secondary focus on the Demiurge and the Brethren. All around, it's a nice continuation of the plots that have appeared in the later New Frontier books, bringing some to conclusion and continuing others into ... the ebooks, where hopefully they're resolved before the series dies of that style of publication.
The plot focuses on Morgan with a secondary focus on the Demiurge and the Brethren. All around, it's a nice continuation of the plots that have appeared in the later New Frontier books, bringing some to conclusion and continuing others into ... the ebooks, where hopefully they're resolved before the series dies of that style of publication.
October 11, 2014
This was quite a bleak story, with allies turning to enemies. It certainly held my attention, but it doesn't really have many of the aspects that first appealed to me about the series and I was disappointed at how some of the characters have turned out. I haven't read the Destiny books yet, so I was a bit confused by some of the character developments that have happened "off-page". Still, even when PAD's not at his best, his stories are still worth reading.
January 17, 2012
So far I'm just really not feeling it, which is a shame because I really loved the New Frontier books for a long time. But I think they've been going downhill for a while now, and while I'll finish this one to give it it's fair shot it certainly won't be a high priority.
Update: Okay, I slogged through a couple more chapters and still just can't get into the book. I'm going to have to abandon this one. It's sad because I loved where this particular series started out but I think it has just lost sight of itself.
Update: Okay, I slogged through a couple more chapters and still just can't get into the book. I'm going to have to abandon this one. It's sad because I loved where this particular series started out but I think it has just lost sight of itself.
January 9, 2012
I love Peter David's work, but felt a little let down with this latest installment. I feel as though this novel would have benefited from a more rigorous editorial process. The continuity issues could have been avoided completely with only a few very minor changes, and the other issues are minor enough to be overlooked. I feel bad giving Blind Man's Bluff a low score, but the high expectations I have for Peter David's work force me to be more critical of this latest effort.
Full review: http://treklit.blogspot.com/2011/06/b...
Full review: http://treklit.blogspot.com/2011/06/b...
May 1, 2011
Oh, how I loved these books! And I still have a lot of affection for them, given how quickly I pre-ordered this one! My emotional attachment isn't quite the same and I don't find them as funny--not sure if that's me or the book--but I enjoyed it! Will probably read this series as long as it exists . . . or, well, as long as Peter David is writing it.
May 16, 2011
Note to Self: Rage-rant in a few days when you wont spoil things.
Suffice to say ... it was a reasonable Star Trek book, but I don't think the NF books have been the same for quite some time.
Suffice to say ... it was a reasonable Star Trek book, but I don't think the NF books have been the same for quite some time.
February 6, 2013
I wish they'd make Peter David's New Frontier books into a TV series. It would probably be the best of all the Star Trek series (or not live up to my expectations). Can't wait for the next one.
November 1, 2020
So the promise of the final chapter of Treason comes back with a vengeance here and sets in motion a mostly interesting tale of "How the hell is Calhoun going to get out of this this time?" The author does an interesting job of mixing up timelines a bit, though it got a bit confusing with the oddly structured "flashback" chapters after the in media res of the first chapter in terms of keeping it fully straight. The problems with Morgan really rear their head here, but uh, are resolved.
That was also a rather brutal final chapter, and I wonder how the final "trilogy" of The Returned is going to handle the consequences of this, and I know those are likely to be the final Star Trek: New Frontier stories ever.
Also, I was rather surprised and happy to see in this volume, though clearly they had some adventures in other non-New Frontier books. I'm not sure they were written quite like their canonical characters, but I was amused by the Doctor Who easter eggs the author made a few times by one of the characers.
That was also a rather brutal final chapter, and I wonder how the final "trilogy" of The Returned is going to handle the consequences of this, and I know those are likely to be the final Star Trek: New Frontier stories ever.
Also, I was rather surprised and happy to see in this volume, though clearly they had some adventures in other non-New Frontier books. I'm not sure they were written quite like their canonical characters, but I was amused by the Doctor Who easter eggs the author made a few times by one of the characers.
May 27, 2021
Nu äntligen är bokserien på banan igen. Ni som sett mina recensioner över tidigare böcker i New Frontier-serien vet att jag blivit alltmer irriterad över den stora flora av gigantiska och övernaturliga fiender. Men nu är berättelsen igång och det är en riktigt spännande, dessutom. Trådar från tidigare böcker tas upp och vidareutvecklas och det är bra och värdefullt. Karaktärsbeskrivningarna är fortfarande delvis platta där man inte tillräckligt kommer nära individerna. Undantaget är kommendör M'k'n'z som jag fick en mycket bättre och djupare bild av.
Jag blev positivt överraskad över berättelsen i denna bok och ger därför boken ett mycket högt betyg. Jag räknar nu kallt och med förväntan med att New Frontier utvecklas vidare i samma positiva anda!
Jag blev positivt överraskad över berättelsen i denna bok och ger därför boken ett mycket högt betyg. Jag räknar nu kallt och med förväntan med att New Frontier utvecklas vidare i samma positiva anda!
August 19, 2023
Calhoun and company face off against a super race and their almost indestructible thugs who mete out destruction wherever their superiors deem necessary. Plus they have to deal with Lefler’s mother who became engrained into the Excalibur computer system and is creating havoc. Plus, plus there seems to be a conspiracy to get Calhoun either discredited or dead by any means possible. Just another day at the beach. Definitely recommended
September 10, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. I enjoy Peter David and have read several of his Star Trek books.
My only regret is that it was the last in the series! Any more reading that I do from this author, will seem old.
My only regret is that it was the last in the series! Any more reading that I do from this author, will seem old.
October 9, 2019
Bailing on this at Chapter 9. I've been reading all the relaunch novels in order and the continuity issues and off character moments from the Voyager characters are really taking me out of it. Moving on.
August 16, 2025
I love your books
This Star Trek new frontier series is awesome. My son got me started on it and I can't but the books down. I wish Amazon was a little easier to search for the next book in the sequence.
This Star Trek new frontier series is awesome. My son got me started on it and I can't but the books down. I wish Amazon was a little easier to search for the next book in the sequence.
February 1, 2018
Great read. Hopefully this is our future.
January 4, 2014
Star Trek: New Frontier: Blind Man's Bluff by Peter David is the 18th novel in the New Frontier series proper and the 28th chapter in what I like to refer as to Star Trek: The Prime Time Soap. Sadly, from what I have gathered from across various sources, it appears that Blind Man's Bluff may be the final novel to this series. But I am going to hold onto hope and declare that this novel is merely the third season finale as there is quite a lot left unresolved for a true ending to the series (If you're wondering, I consider Gods Above the season 3 premiere).
We start off in mid story, with Capt Mackenzie Calhoun back on his homeworld of Xenex, leading his people once again against an overpowering alien force--in this case the D'myurj. Thru flashbacks we discover how our good Captain Calhoun came to reclaim his old title of Warlord M'K'N'ZY of Calhoun and find out he is in fact fighting a two pronged war--one side vs the D'myurj, the other side vs The Thing That Was Morgan Primus. We also discover to our horror that a character with a long standing in the TV shows and the NF series has turned traitor and helps the former Morgan Primus into framing Calhoun for an act of genocide against New Thallon. Things don't look good for Mac and he seems likely to be buried by his foes.
Throughout the novel we seem to run into a number of people that have had an important impact on Mac's life: Admirals Jellico and Nechayev, Mac's brother D'Ndai, his son Xyon, even his old Starfleet Academy nemesis Joshua "Glass Jaw" Kemper (now a Commodore in the fleet). David takes the time to briefly contrast Mac's former and current relationship with each of these, and when you add to this list the Xenexians and the world of Xenex itself one gets the impression that David is starting a long build to an ultimate climax to the series.
Meanwhile in other parts of the universe, Soleta, late of the Federation, late of the Romulan Star Empire and current Person For Hire works on her secret mission to bring down The Thing That Was Morgan Primus, given to her by Capt Calhoun before the start of the novel. To achieve this goal she enlists the aid of one Annika Hansen aka Seven of Nine, late of the Borg, late of USS Voyager and current Person Trying To Find Her Own Humanity and The Doctor, late of Voyager's Emergency Medical Hologram program and current Artificial Life Trying To Find His Own Humanity. The plan they employ is well thought out and simply played. There is a lot of ethical debate on whether what they plan to is murder and if Morgan truly is alive or even Morgan herself anymore. I wasn't entirely convinced by the arguments against Morgan's life status, especially given that Lt Cmdr Data of the USS Enterprise has been formally given the status of a living being by a Starfleet court of law. Eventually Soleta and Co. convince themselves of the rightness of their quest and go off to face Morgan. Eventually I come to the conclusion that when the Mirror Universe Mark McHenry forcibly shut down Morgan in the graphic novel Turnaround, she finally died her true death. The crew of the Excalibur thought they had pieced her back together but what they actually did was unleash a corrupted Frankenstein Monster of an artificial intelligence obsessed with its own survival: The Thing That Was Morgan Primus.
There was little else to the novel--no mention of Mac's adopted son Moke, some material on the relationship between Lt Tania Tobias and the Lady Kalinda and Cmdr Burgoyne 172 starts to get a clue as to emotional "adjustments" Selar made to him via Vulcan mind meld but still doesn't get it. All of this makes me think that Blind Man's Bluff is the second act to a trilogy--particularly the very end where Mac receives a devastating "parting gift" from the D'myurj. I hold out hope for at least one more novel, but even if there are no more novels, this isn't the final end to the series--that will likely be the next short story where a much older Kebron has a story to tell the younger generation. The story is part of the Tales of the Dominion War anthology.
We start off in mid story, with Capt Mackenzie Calhoun back on his homeworld of Xenex, leading his people once again against an overpowering alien force--in this case the D'myurj. Thru flashbacks we discover how our good Captain Calhoun came to reclaim his old title of Warlord M'K'N'ZY of Calhoun and find out he is in fact fighting a two pronged war--one side vs the D'myurj, the other side vs The Thing That Was Morgan Primus. We also discover to our horror that a character with a long standing in the TV shows and the NF series has turned traitor and helps the former Morgan Primus into framing Calhoun for an act of genocide against New Thallon. Things don't look good for Mac and he seems likely to be buried by his foes.
Throughout the novel we seem to run into a number of people that have had an important impact on Mac's life: Admirals Jellico and Nechayev, Mac's brother D'Ndai, his son Xyon, even his old Starfleet Academy nemesis Joshua "Glass Jaw" Kemper (now a Commodore in the fleet). David takes the time to briefly contrast Mac's former and current relationship with each of these, and when you add to this list the Xenexians and the world of Xenex itself one gets the impression that David is starting a long build to an ultimate climax to the series.
Meanwhile in other parts of the universe, Soleta, late of the Federation, late of the Romulan Star Empire and current Person For Hire works on her secret mission to bring down The Thing That Was Morgan Primus, given to her by Capt Calhoun before the start of the novel. To achieve this goal she enlists the aid of one Annika Hansen aka Seven of Nine, late of the Borg, late of USS Voyager and current Person Trying To Find Her Own Humanity and The Doctor, late of Voyager's Emergency Medical Hologram program and current Artificial Life Trying To Find His Own Humanity. The plan they employ is well thought out and simply played. There is a lot of ethical debate on whether what they plan to is murder and if Morgan truly is alive or even Morgan herself anymore. I wasn't entirely convinced by the arguments against Morgan's life status, especially given that Lt Cmdr Data of the USS Enterprise has been formally given the status of a living being by a Starfleet court of law. Eventually Soleta and Co. convince themselves of the rightness of their quest and go off to face Morgan. Eventually I come to the conclusion that when the Mirror Universe Mark McHenry forcibly shut down Morgan in the graphic novel Turnaround, she finally died her true death. The crew of the Excalibur thought they had pieced her back together but what they actually did was unleash a corrupted Frankenstein Monster of an artificial intelligence obsessed with its own survival: The Thing That Was Morgan Primus.
There was little else to the novel--no mention of Mac's adopted son Moke, some material on the relationship between Lt Tania Tobias and the Lady Kalinda and Cmdr Burgoyne 172 starts to get a clue as to emotional "adjustments" Selar made to him via Vulcan mind meld but still doesn't get it. All of this makes me think that Blind Man's Bluff is the second act to a trilogy--particularly the very end where Mac receives a devastating "parting gift" from the D'myurj. I hold out hope for at least one more novel, but even if there are no more novels, this isn't the final end to the series--that will likely be the next short story where a much older Kebron has a story to tell the younger generation. The story is part of the Tales of the Dominion War anthology.
January 1, 2017
Man, that got dark. Good, but so very, very dark.
February 27, 2013
I am a fan of Star Trek in all of its incarnations.I usually prefer the TV shows over the books.So I was not that familiar with the New Frontiers storyline.The series(or at least this book)is set after Voyager has returned from the Delta Quadrant.The only characters I was familiar with was Seven of Nine (but she has has all Borg implants removed by this book) and The Doctor (he has a mobile emitter which allows to move freely).
Captain MacKenzie Calhoun comes from a race of warriors and has never really lost this warrior attitude.(Imagine Captain Kirk turned up to level 11).This time he has two threats to contend with.First is the mysterious race known as the D'myurj who are either trying to totally dominate or destroy humanity.(For those like me, a demiurge is a supernatural being imagined as creating the world in subordination to the Supreme Being.So naturally the D'myurj-read it out loud-think of themselves as those supreme beings.)They lead the warrior race known simply as the Brethren to MacKenzie's homeworld,Xenex.He also has to deal with Morgan Primus who was once a living being and is now a powerful computer simulation who has taken up residence(and control of)the computer system of the U.S.S. Excalibur,MacKenzie's own ship.Not knowing who to trust, MacKenzie will have to rely on some old allies and his own considerable skills to protect his ship's crew and potentially billions of lives.
While the plot seems incredibly convoluted, it really isn't.There is plenty of action and it moves the story along at a quick pace.The characters seem to be alittle more down to earth then you normally get with Star Trek.(Usually Star Trek officers seem almost perfecti most things they do and in their actions.The characters here screw up, get mad or sarcastic and even curse upon certain occasions.)There is mild language-the words can be heard on broadcast TV stations.Those not familiar with the New Frontier line will need to play catch-up with some of the backstory but is easy enough to do.A fun read.
I loved the reference to Dr.Who ("The Doctor? I met a man called the Doctor once.Wore a long brown coat and a blue suit.Very odd person."-p.133,Soleta)
Captain MacKenzie Calhoun comes from a race of warriors and has never really lost this warrior attitude.(Imagine Captain Kirk turned up to level 11).This time he has two threats to contend with.First is the mysterious race known as the D'myurj who are either trying to totally dominate or destroy humanity.(For those like me, a demiurge is a supernatural being imagined as creating the world in subordination to the Supreme Being.So naturally the D'myurj-read it out loud-think of themselves as those supreme beings.)They lead the warrior race known simply as the Brethren to MacKenzie's homeworld,Xenex.He also has to deal with Morgan Primus who was once a living being and is now a powerful computer simulation who has taken up residence(and control of)the computer system of the U.S.S. Excalibur,MacKenzie's own ship.Not knowing who to trust, MacKenzie will have to rely on some old allies and his own considerable skills to protect his ship's crew and potentially billions of lives.
While the plot seems incredibly convoluted, it really isn't.There is plenty of action and it moves the story along at a quick pace.The characters seem to be alittle more down to earth then you normally get with Star Trek.(Usually Star Trek officers seem almost perfecti most things they do and in their actions.The characters here screw up, get mad or sarcastic and even curse upon certain occasions.)There is mild language-the words can be heard on broadcast TV stations.Those not familiar with the New Frontier line will need to play catch-up with some of the backstory but is easy enough to do.A fun read.
I loved the reference to Dr.Who ("The Doctor? I met a man called the Doctor once.Wore a long brown coat and a blue suit.Very odd person."-p.133,Soleta)
May 11, 2011
In keeping with the previous volume,
Treason
, this is a book of plots and paranoia, of battles and betrayals, of vengeance and counter-vengeance, of the meaning of power and of life, and ... all sorts of other good stuff.
We also end up losing yet another long-time cast member (or perhaps two, and a third is comatose). Given the past several novels, one might almost think David were trying to wrap things up, Hamlet-style. In some ways, this book even provides a nice book-case to the story of MacKenzie Calhoun, bringing him back to Xenex at both the beginning and the end. There's a chance that this will be the New Frontier novel (Pocket has not re-upped David's contract), which would be a heck of away to end things, given the plot hooks dangling at the end ...
In addition to the huge (if dwindling) cast, we get guest appearances from some (very appropriate) Voyager alumni, which David handles with his usual aplomb (demonstrating once again his ability to handle other folks' characters with a remarkably spot-on voice).
If I have a criticism of the book, it's that it's just too short. The 344 pages sounds decent enough, but I've seen smaller text and line space in some of Kay's old chapter books. I'm glad to get what I can from David, and I enjoyed it all, but being able to plow through a new book in about 4 hours is a bit sketchy as far as value for the dollar.
That said, I'm still hoping for more in the series, and sad I've reached the end of this re-read and new-read of the New Frontier series. Not that I'm running low on other things to read ...
We also end up losing yet another long-time cast member (or perhaps two, and a third is comatose). Given the past several novels, one might almost think David were trying to wrap things up, Hamlet-style. In some ways, this book even provides a nice book-case to the story of MacKenzie Calhoun, bringing him back to Xenex at both the beginning and the end. There's a chance that this will be the New Frontier novel (Pocket has not re-upped David's contract), which would be a heck of away to end things, given the plot hooks dangling at the end ...
In addition to the huge (if dwindling) cast, we get guest appearances from some (very appropriate) Voyager alumni, which David handles with his usual aplomb (demonstrating once again his ability to handle other folks' characters with a remarkably spot-on voice).
If I have a criticism of the book, it's that it's just too short. The 344 pages sounds decent enough, but I've seen smaller text and line space in some of Kay's old chapter books. I'm glad to get what I can from David, and I enjoyed it all, but being able to plow through a new book in about 4 hours is a bit sketchy as far as value for the dollar.
That said, I'm still hoping for more in the series, and sad I've reached the end of this re-read and new-read of the New Frontier series. Not that I'm running low on other things to read ...
July 29, 2011
Essentially, the cast of New Frontier gather to decide what's to be done about their increasingly controlling artificial intelligence. It's a perfectly well written book, with the witty banter people have come to expect from David. And in additional to the Usual Suspects, David also proves himself adept at handling established characters (if there was any doubt), as a few familiar faces from the Voyager crew make an appearance. My problem with the book is that, despite the significance of a threat posed by a longtime cast member, it still felt as if the book was more focused on clearing the deck for the next story than selling the significance of this one. It felt like the opening arc of a season of Supernatural; they may build up to a threatening monster of some sort for the first six episodes, and they may tell us that it's the Biggest Threat Ever, but as viewers, we can't help but be aware that something bigger and better is waiting in the wings. The irony in this case being that, with the uncertain state of the Star Trek novel lines, this may very well be the last look we get at the New Frontier crew, which would really be a shame--not because this book is such a horrible note to go out on (or, sadly, a great one), but because it would be a shame to end one of the truly unique corners of the ST expanded universe.
April 27, 2012
The beginning of this book starts with Calhoun on Xenex back as a freedom fighter against the Brethren. Going back in time a bit, the pieces unfold on how he got there.
Morgan Primus is getting out of control and Calhoun knows it. At the beginning of the book, we see things start to go in motion for some kind of plot against Calhoun. When the plot is executed, Calhoun is summoned to Xenex and then is left there. Morgan makes it look like he beamed back up so the crew has no idea he's down there and Morgan blocks all his transmissions.
Morgan then brings the Excalibur to New Thallon and attacks the planet. Everyone in Starfleet thinks that Calhoun is out of control and a manhunt ensues for the Excalibur which is now at the whim of a mad computer.
Meanwhile, Soleta is enlisting the help of the Doctor and Seven of Nine to find someway to get rid of Morgan.
David often likes to go back and forth in time to tell his story. He's good at it and it's easy to follow the story without too much confusion.
Morgan Primus is getting out of control and Calhoun knows it. At the beginning of the book, we see things start to go in motion for some kind of plot against Calhoun. When the plot is executed, Calhoun is summoned to Xenex and then is left there. Morgan makes it look like he beamed back up so the crew has no idea he's down there and Morgan blocks all his transmissions.
Morgan then brings the Excalibur to New Thallon and attacks the planet. Everyone in Starfleet thinks that Calhoun is out of control and a manhunt ensues for the Excalibur which is now at the whim of a mad computer.
Meanwhile, Soleta is enlisting the help of the Doctor and Seven of Nine to find someway to get rid of Morgan.
David often likes to go back and forth in time to tell his story. He's good at it and it's easy to follow the story without too much confusion.
January 30, 2014
As a Voyager fan, I got to revisit characters 7 of 9 and the Doctor. I also enjoyed meeting the new characters of this story as well. My primary interest in this story was the subtrafuge and thriller atmosphere. The battles were short yet intense and therefore did not distract from the underlying themes. I appreciated the use of 7 and the Doctor to convey the sentements of beings once considered by many to be less than alive. This comes into play when discussing the rhetoric concerning Morgan Primus, an entity that once was human but became the consciousness of the ship Excalliber upon her human death. What is alive becomes a debate for part of the novel. And when does suggesting dismantling a computer, thought to be sentient, before it can do harm to life as life is known become catalyst for the computer to stage a preemptive strike? Is there a difference between evil existing and fear creating evil's existence? I may ponder this for a while. 3 stars, makes for a fun Star Trek read in line with Trekie lore.
April 30, 2011
"'You'd rather not.' 'No.' 'Well then, I am now ordering you to tell me.' 'Then I'm afraid we're at an impasse, Admiral.'"
The opening chapter of this book is one of the best things I've read in ages. You do have to know about the world for it to make sense, but for one coming to the New Frontier after a hiatus of twenty months without any recap it is a phenomenal read.
"He had kept his arm extended and away from him so that he didn't chance landing on his own sword, since that would certainly be an ignominious way to end a storied career."
The pithy talk throughout keeps this in David's familiar tones, and even though I'm a little behind on my Relaunch reading, I got enough of the background to follow what was going on. A continuation of the series one-hundred per cent worth reading.
The opening chapter of this book is one of the best things I've read in ages. You do have to know about the world for it to make sense, but for one coming to the New Frontier after a hiatus of twenty months without any recap it is a phenomenal read.
"He had kept his arm extended and away from him so that he didn't chance landing on his own sword, since that would certainly be an ignominious way to end a storied career."
The pithy talk throughout keeps this in David's familiar tones, and even though I'm a little behind on my Relaunch reading, I got enough of the background to follow what was going on. A continuation of the series one-hundred per cent worth reading.
January 6, 2017
I used to be addicted to these New Frontier novels by Peter David, but this one has sat on my bedside table for about four years. I enjoyed this novel a lot, when I finally got around to it. It has several plots, schemes and shenanigans going on across time periods and settings. One chapter takes place ‘nanoseconds later,’ another takes ‘now’ and the third is a ‘sometime earlier.’
“This is the Doctor,” said Seven…
Soleta looked momentarily confused. “The Doctor? I’ve met a man called the Doctor once. Wore a long brown coat and a blue suit. Very odd person. This isn’t him.” (124)
There is a long list of new aliens, old aliens, AIs and former AIs, battles take place on Xenex, and New Thollonia, and nearly the Excalibur. I should look to see if there are any newer New Frontier novels or stories. (Maybe there’s a story where Soleta meets the Doctor!) Bookcloseouts.com 8/20/12 $2.99
“This is the Doctor,” said Seven…
Soleta looked momentarily confused. “The Doctor? I’ve met a man called the Doctor once. Wore a long brown coat and a blue suit. Very odd person. This isn’t him.” (124)
There is a long list of new aliens, old aliens, AIs and former AIs, battles take place on Xenex, and New Thollonia, and nearly the Excalibur. I should look to see if there are any newer New Frontier novels or stories. (Maybe there’s a story where Soleta meets the Doctor!) Bookcloseouts.com 8/20/12 $2.99
April 20, 2009
This is the first book I've read in this series, and I've never been a fan of "alien of the week, more powerful than the last one," so this one didn't really sing for me. It was well-written, and the plot was tight. Just the characters that did not engage me.
April 6, 2015
a good read but there are events that have occurred in a graphic novel that I hadn't read beforehand that have so much relevance. I strongly advise that you read ALL of the New Frontier stories before reading this novel.
July 6, 2016
Crazyness continues. It really looks like Peter David get fed up with his creation, deciding to make life of the crew of Excalibur as hard life as possible.
--- Spoiler! ---
I'm really curious if we ever find out what exactly "Nachayev" told Morgan to trigger such behavior.
--- Spoiler! ---
I'm really curious if we ever find out what exactly "Nachayev" told Morgan to trigger such behavior.
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