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Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek - The Next Generation: Der Stoff, aus dem die Träume sind
Der Nexus, das mysteriöse Raum-Zeit-Phänomen, das aus Star Trek - Treffen der Generationen bekannt ist, hat seinen Kurs geändert. Er steht kurz davor, in den Raum der Kinshaya, einem Mitglied des Typhon-Paktes, einzutreten. Nun liegt es an Captain Picard, zu verhindern, dass die Gegner der Föderation die Macht über ihn erlangen.
117 pages, Audiobook
First published March 25, 2013
25 people are currently reading
333 people want to read
About the author
James Swallow
305 books1,072 followersJames Swallow is a New York Times, Sunday Times and Amazon #1 bestselling author and scriptwriter, a BAFTA nominee, a former journalist and the award-winning writer of over sixty-five books, along with scripts for video games, comics, radio and television.
DARK HORIZON, his latest stand-alone thriller, is out now from Mountain Leopard Press, and OUTLAW, the 6th action-packed Marc Dane novel, is published by Bonnier.
Along with the Marc Dane thrillers, his writing includes, the Sundowners steampunk Westerns and fiction from the worlds of Star Trek, Tom Clancy, 24, Warhammer 40000, Doctor Who, Deus Ex, Stargate, 2000AD and many more.
For information on new releases & more, sign up to the Readers’ Club here: www.bit.ly/JamesSwallow
Visit James's website at http://www.jswallow.com/ for more, including ROUGH AIR, a free eBook novella in the Marc Dane series.
You can also follow James on Bluesky at @jmswallow.bsky.social, Twitter at @jmswallow, Mastodon at @jmswallow@mstdn.social and jmswallow.tumblr.com at Tumblr.
DARK HORIZON, his latest stand-alone thriller, is out now from Mountain Leopard Press, and OUTLAW, the 6th action-packed Marc Dane novel, is published by Bonnier.
Along with the Marc Dane thrillers, his writing includes, the Sundowners steampunk Westerns and fiction from the worlds of Star Trek, Tom Clancy, 24, Warhammer 40000, Doctor Who, Deus Ex, Stargate, 2000AD and many more.
For information on new releases & more, sign up to the Readers’ Club here: www.bit.ly/JamesSwallow
Visit James's website at http://www.jswallow.com/ for more, including ROUGH AIR, a free eBook novella in the Marc Dane series.
You can also follow James on Bluesky at @jmswallow.bsky.social, Twitter at @jmswallow, Mastodon at @jmswallow@mstdn.social and jmswallow.tumblr.com at Tumblr.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 6, 2016
Trek on and hop in the Nexus, baby!
This is a novella from "Star Trek: The Next Generation". A short story which serves as a sequel to the events on the theatrical film "Star Trek: Generations".
NEXUS AGAIN
Thirteen years later, Captain Jean-Luc Picard found himself again in front of the mysterious space phenomenon known as "The Nexus", which has atemporal properties and it's able to bring a "perfect" life to anybody, IF they are able to get into it.
I enjoyed a lot the reading of the novella. One has to take in account that in barely 100 pages, one can't expect a lot of development on characters and/or a complicated story. The best way to view it, it's to do it like if it was some kind of "episode" of the series.
Still, I think that James Swallow, the author, was able to acomplish a lot of things in such short lenght of pages.
"The Nexus" has been if huge impact to the history of the starships named Enterprise. Since, for one reason or another, "The Nexus" has been in the middle of the "death" of legendary Captain James T. Kirk, who was in command of the original Enterprise and Enterprise-A. Also, it almost destroyed the Enterprise-B, under command of Captain John Harriman, on its maiden voyage. And finally, it was involved in the events of the destruction of the Enterprise-D.
UNSTABLE TIMES
The Federation has been dealing with a lot of crisis such like the Dominion War, the massive Borg Invasion, and the rising of the Typhon Pact.
So, resources to investigate "The Nexus" weren't assigned until two years ago, when the USS Newton started to follow the space phenomenon.
And since then, "The Nexus" has been well into Federation space, but now, it's almost reaching the space borders of The Holy Order of the Kinshaya, a member of the Typhon Pact.
"The Nexus" is able to change the history with time travel-like capabilities, so the dangers of that space phenomenon got into enemy territory is too dangerous.
AN EPISODE-LIKE EXPERIENCE
If you read this novella with the expectation of finding a wonderful "episode" of Star Trek: The Next Generation, I think you will enjoy it as much as I did.
If you liked the movie of Star Trek: Generations, definitely you will love to read this short story. And certainly it's undeniable that if you don't want to feel kinda "lost" in the reading, you must have watched the movie before.
This is a novella from "Star Trek: The Next Generation". A short story which serves as a sequel to the events on the theatrical film "Star Trek: Generations".
NEXUS AGAIN
Thirteen years later, Captain Jean-Luc Picard found himself again in front of the mysterious space phenomenon known as "The Nexus", which has atemporal properties and it's able to bring a "perfect" life to anybody, IF they are able to get into it.
I enjoyed a lot the reading of the novella. One has to take in account that in barely 100 pages, one can't expect a lot of development on characters and/or a complicated story. The best way to view it, it's to do it like if it was some kind of "episode" of the series.
Still, I think that James Swallow, the author, was able to acomplish a lot of things in such short lenght of pages.
"The Nexus" has been if huge impact to the history of the starships named Enterprise. Since, for one reason or another, "The Nexus" has been in the middle of the "death" of legendary Captain James T. Kirk, who was in command of the original Enterprise and Enterprise-A. Also, it almost destroyed the Enterprise-B, under command of Captain John Harriman, on its maiden voyage. And finally, it was involved in the events of the destruction of the Enterprise-D.
UNSTABLE TIMES
The Federation has been dealing with a lot of crisis such like the Dominion War, the massive Borg Invasion, and the rising of the Typhon Pact.
So, resources to investigate "The Nexus" weren't assigned until two years ago, when the USS Newton started to follow the space phenomenon.
And since then, "The Nexus" has been well into Federation space, but now, it's almost reaching the space borders of The Holy Order of the Kinshaya, a member of the Typhon Pact.
"The Nexus" is able to change the history with time travel-like capabilities, so the dangers of that space phenomenon got into enemy territory is too dangerous.
AN EPISODE-LIKE EXPERIENCE
If you read this novella with the expectation of finding a wonderful "episode" of Star Trek: The Next Generation, I think you will enjoy it as much as I did.
If you liked the movie of Star Trek: Generations, definitely you will love to read this short story. And certainly it's undeniable that if you don't want to feel kinda "lost" in the reading, you must have watched the movie before.
September 12, 2021
This was a good predictable short story.
May 28, 2013
Book Info: Genre: Science Fiction/TV and Movie Tie-in
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: ST:TNG fans, especially those interested in the Nexus.
Trigger Warnings: suicide, genocide (historical Borg attacks mentioned), religious zealots
My Thoughts: This book is definitely for fans of Star Trek: The Next Generation. If you haven't watched the show and/or followed the various books that have been written in the cannon and/or seen the movie Star Trek: Generations you will not have any idea what is going on in this book. Then again, why would someone who is not a fan of ST:TNG even want to read this novella? So, there you go.
This was, however, for a fan a neat story. It takes place thirteen years after Star Trek: Generations and involves the Nexus. It also occurs after Star Trek: Nemesis. There are a number of new crewmembers, and Worf is the first officer. There is not a lot of character development as such; this book is mostly action and events, so if you prefer a more character-driven story you probably won't enjoy this much, but I was entertained. Then again, I am a Trekker, so of course I would enjoy it. I didn't find anything to nitpick about; the story flows quickly, and the Nexus, of course, allows a bit of temporal flux to give things a bit of excitement. If you are a fan of ST:TNG, and especially if you were interested in the Nexus, be sure to grab this fun novella. If you aren't, you'll want to find something else.
Disclosure: I received an e-galley from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: The Enterprise-E arrives in unclaimed space for a rendezvous with the Starfleet science vessel Newton. Jean-Luc Picard and his crew have been ordered to assist the Newton with the final phase of its current mission—a mission that brings Picard face to face with something he never thought he would see again: the phenomenon known as the Nexus. Less than twelve years after it left the Alpha Quadrant, the Nexus ribbon has now returned. Tasked to track and study the phenomenon as it re-entered the galaxy, the specialist science team on the Newton discovered that the orbital path of the Nexus has been radically altered by the actions of the rogue El-Aurian Tolian Soren—taking it deep into the territory of The Holy Order of the Kinshaya, one of the key members of the Typhon Pact. Starfleet Command is unwilling to allow the Kinshaya—and by extension, the Typhon Pact—free access to what is essentially a gateway to anywhere and anywhen, as a single operative could use the Nexus to change the course of galactic history….
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: ST:TNG fans, especially those interested in the Nexus.
Trigger Warnings: suicide, genocide (historical Borg attacks mentioned), religious zealots
My Thoughts: This book is definitely for fans of Star Trek: The Next Generation. If you haven't watched the show and/or followed the various books that have been written in the cannon and/or seen the movie Star Trek: Generations you will not have any idea what is going on in this book. Then again, why would someone who is not a fan of ST:TNG even want to read this novella? So, there you go.
This was, however, for a fan a neat story. It takes place thirteen years after Star Trek: Generations and involves the Nexus. It also occurs after Star Trek: Nemesis. There are a number of new crewmembers, and Worf is the first officer. There is not a lot of character development as such; this book is mostly action and events, so if you prefer a more character-driven story you probably won't enjoy this much, but I was entertained. Then again, I am a Trekker, so of course I would enjoy it. I didn't find anything to nitpick about; the story flows quickly, and the Nexus, of course, allows a bit of temporal flux to give things a bit of excitement. If you are a fan of ST:TNG, and especially if you were interested in the Nexus, be sure to grab this fun novella. If you aren't, you'll want to find something else.
Disclosure: I received an e-galley from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: The Enterprise-E arrives in unclaimed space for a rendezvous with the Starfleet science vessel Newton. Jean-Luc Picard and his crew have been ordered to assist the Newton with the final phase of its current mission—a mission that brings Picard face to face with something he never thought he would see again: the phenomenon known as the Nexus. Less than twelve years after it left the Alpha Quadrant, the Nexus ribbon has now returned. Tasked to track and study the phenomenon as it re-entered the galaxy, the specialist science team on the Newton discovered that the orbital path of the Nexus has been radically altered by the actions of the rogue El-Aurian Tolian Soren—taking it deep into the territory of The Holy Order of the Kinshaya, one of the key members of the Typhon Pact. Starfleet Command is unwilling to allow the Kinshaya—and by extension, the Typhon Pact—free access to what is essentially a gateway to anywhere and anywhen, as a single operative could use the Nexus to change the course of galactic history….
February 7, 2025
Star Trek: Post-Nemesis:The Stuff of Dreams by James Swallow
adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense
Fast-paced
Plot or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters are a main focus? It's complicated
4.25 Stars
This is a book/story that revolves around the story of the Nexus that we were introduced to in the movie Star Trek: Generations (the crossover film between the TOS crew and the TNG crew).
The Nexus has been explored a few more times in the books, and I truly believe that the story told here...was very well paced and explored, though my one negative...is that it was TOO short (which obviously could've been longer, but in actuality could've ruined the story and/or the pace).
Seeing how Captain Picard dealt with this reunion, was both purely Captain Picard, but also shows his compassion and dictate to doing the right thing.
Can't talk too much about what happened, since this is a novella, and I don't want to ruin the story for anyone.k
adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense
Fast-paced
Plot or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters are a main focus? It's complicated
4.25 Stars
This is a book/story that revolves around the story of the Nexus that we were introduced to in the movie Star Trek: Generations (the crossover film between the TOS crew and the TNG crew).
The Nexus has been explored a few more times in the books, and I truly believe that the story told here...was very well paced and explored, though my one negative...is that it was TOO short (which obviously could've been longer, but in actuality could've ruined the story and/or the pace).
Seeing how Captain Picard dealt with this reunion, was both purely Captain Picard, but also shows his compassion and dictate to doing the right thing.
Can't talk too much about what happened, since this is a novella, and I don't want to ruin the story for anyone.k
April 21, 2013
Originally posted at Reading Reality.
The Stuff of Dreams is a competent addition to the TNG series, but works best as a palate cleanser between novels. Readers who are new to the recent TNG book series may find themselves a bit lost. To best appreciate Swallow’s entry, I recommend first reading the Destiny trilogy by David Mack and at least dipping into one or two of the Typhon Pact stories.
One of the (guilty?) pleasures of reading media tie-ins is getting the chance to see loose ends tied up. It can also be nice to see connections being drawn between apparently separate stories in the fictional universe. However, stories that aim to invoke that apophenia risk overshooting. The fallout from the events of the Destiny trilogy are going to provide a deep well for TNG reboot authors to dip into for a long time. However, by touching on that and Generations and the Typhon Pact and time travel (including a throw-away reference to the Department of Temporal Investigations), The Stuff of Dreams crossed the line into being too much of a name-checklist of recent Trek. In particular, I think that dropping either the Kinshaya or the Newton would have made for a tighter story.
As an exploration of survivor guilt, The Stuff of Dreams has a place on the shelf for folks who have enjoyed the TNG reboot novels, but does not otherwise stand alone or stand out.
The Stuff of Dreams is a competent addition to the TNG series, but works best as a palate cleanser between novels. Readers who are new to the recent TNG book series may find themselves a bit lost. To best appreciate Swallow’s entry, I recommend first reading the Destiny trilogy by David Mack and at least dipping into one or two of the Typhon Pact stories.
One of the (guilty?) pleasures of reading media tie-ins is getting the chance to see loose ends tied up. It can also be nice to see connections being drawn between apparently separate stories in the fictional universe. However, stories that aim to invoke that apophenia risk overshooting. The fallout from the events of the Destiny trilogy are going to provide a deep well for TNG reboot authors to dip into for a long time. However, by touching on that and Generations and the Typhon Pact and time travel (including a throw-away reference to the Department of Temporal Investigations), The Stuff of Dreams crossed the line into being too much of a name-checklist of recent Trek. In particular, I think that dropping either the Kinshaya or the Newton would have made for a tighter story.
As an exploration of survivor guilt, The Stuff of Dreams has a place on the shelf for folks who have enjoyed the TNG reboot novels, but does not otherwise stand alone or stand out.
July 15, 2016
Great stort novel that has Generations ties.
September 19, 2016
DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE PUBLISHER THROUGH NET GALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW. RECEIPT OF THIS BOOK IN THIS MANNER DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR THE CONTENT OF MY REVIEW!
I'd originally gotten a copy of this a few years ago, and promptly forgot about it. With the changes to Net Galley, it came to my attention that I had never read or reviewed this title, so I set about correcting that error.
If you are unfamiliar with the events of Star Trek: Generations, I highly recommend you investigate that movie/movie novelization before attempting to read this book. I was slightly lost, due to some new races/alliances that had been discussed in other books, but it was easily overcome, as most of this story focuses on the Nexus phenomenon and not those events. I was pleased to see that this was a worthy conclusion, for now, of the Nexus story, and the events that led up to that conclusion. It was especially interesting to see the revelations as well as the realizations that Picard came to while in the Nexus a second time. It made me pause and think about my own choices and life, which is always a good thing for a book to do.
However, I thought it could be so much more than it was! Things felt rushed, and not well explained, and it just felt like there were large chunks of it missing for the sake of brevity. I would have much preferred to see this as a full fledged novel, rather than a short novella, but I am glad that I took the time to read it nonetheless.
I'd originally gotten a copy of this a few years ago, and promptly forgot about it. With the changes to Net Galley, it came to my attention that I had never read or reviewed this title, so I set about correcting that error.
If you are unfamiliar with the events of Star Trek: Generations, I highly recommend you investigate that movie/movie novelization before attempting to read this book. I was slightly lost, due to some new races/alliances that had been discussed in other books, but it was easily overcome, as most of this story focuses on the Nexus phenomenon and not those events. I was pleased to see that this was a worthy conclusion, for now, of the Nexus story, and the events that led up to that conclusion. It was especially interesting to see the revelations as well as the realizations that Picard came to while in the Nexus a second time. It made me pause and think about my own choices and life, which is always a good thing for a book to do.
However, I thought it could be so much more than it was! Things felt rushed, and not well explained, and it just felt like there were large chunks of it missing for the sake of brevity. I would have much preferred to see this as a full fledged novel, rather than a short novella, but I am glad that I took the time to read it nonetheless.
June 4, 2013
An enjoyable short read, though a tad predictable. I did not see the thing with the Orion operative but I called it with the scientist sabotaging the nexus experiment a mile away. Still, it was a good read, and nice to see a somewhat happier alternative for Soren.
December 22, 2021
We're heading back to the Nexus! Womp womp what a romp!
September 3, 2022
It's been a long while since I last read a Star Trek novel so, when The Stuff of Dreams came along for review, I found myself anxious to catch up with the original timeline and forget about the cinematic 'reboot'.
Right off the bat, you have to gives James Swallow credit for revisiting the problematic first cinematic adventure of Picard and crew. In taking us back to the Nexus, he can't help but prompt memories of the awkwardness of the Kirk/Picard encounter, and the weakness of Kirk's death. Rather than dwell on it, he mentions, forgets it, and smartly moves on.
Taking place within the post-Nemesis, post-Typhon Pact continuity, the story opens with the Enterprise being called to assist with destroying the Nexus before it can pass into the borders of the Typhon Pact. Of course, nothing ever goes precisely to plan, and Picard is dropped back into the Nexus itself on a desperate, ill-advised rescue mission. It's within the Nexus that the story gets interesting, with Picard rejecting its fantasy constructs for his life with Dr. Crusher and René, and Dr. Kolb desperately seeking its fantasy construct to erase the pain of his life. There are some nice glimpses of TNG events within those constructs, including one significant even that we've only heard of, but never before seen. Perhaps more importantly, the Nexus is given purpose, and the threat posed by its uncontrollable wandering is dealt with in a clever fashion.
Oddly, for somebody who has written several Star Trek novels, I felt it took a long time for Swallow to settle in and become comfortable with his characters. Worf, especially, felt and sounded wrong for the first half of the story, and Picard seemed too relaxed, too casual, too lacking in terms of his usual class and aplomb. It gets better, and by the end all is natural and right, but it made for a difficult beginning.
It's a short tale, and one that doesn't really add much to the Star Trek universe, but it's still an enjoyable read.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
Right off the bat, you have to gives James Swallow credit for revisiting the problematic first cinematic adventure of Picard and crew. In taking us back to the Nexus, he can't help but prompt memories of the awkwardness of the Kirk/Picard encounter, and the weakness of Kirk's death. Rather than dwell on it, he mentions, forgets it, and smartly moves on.
Taking place within the post-Nemesis, post-Typhon Pact continuity, the story opens with the Enterprise being called to assist with destroying the Nexus before it can pass into the borders of the Typhon Pact. Of course, nothing ever goes precisely to plan, and Picard is dropped back into the Nexus itself on a desperate, ill-advised rescue mission. It's within the Nexus that the story gets interesting, with Picard rejecting its fantasy constructs for his life with Dr. Crusher and René, and Dr. Kolb desperately seeking its fantasy construct to erase the pain of his life. There are some nice glimpses of TNG events within those constructs, including one significant even that we've only heard of, but never before seen. Perhaps more importantly, the Nexus is given purpose, and the threat posed by its uncontrollable wandering is dealt with in a clever fashion.
Oddly, for somebody who has written several Star Trek novels, I felt it took a long time for Swallow to settle in and become comfortable with his characters. Worf, especially, felt and sounded wrong for the first half of the story, and Picard seemed too relaxed, too casual, too lacking in terms of his usual class and aplomb. It gets better, and by the end all is natural and right, but it made for a difficult beginning.
It's a short tale, and one that doesn't really add much to the Star Trek universe, but it's still an enjoyable read.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
January 6, 2018
Author James Swallow takes us to 13 years after the events of the film Star Trek: Generations as Captain Picard returns to the nexus but this time him and the crew of the Enterprise-1701-E are tasked with destroying the nexus before it falls into the hands of the Typhon Pact. While during the operation to destroy the nexus the Nebula-class starship Newton who has been shadowing the nexus falls under sabotage but their chief civilian scientist sees this as a change to enter the nexus so he can rejoin his family of which was killed in the Borg invasion. Captain Picard follows him in and returns with his data which allows the Enterprise to close the nexus to anyone at least for the time being. This is a great short read and a great revisit of the nexus from Generations. I highly recommend that you pick up a copy you won't be disappointed.
June 27, 2018
I really like the basic concept behind this e-novella but I disagree with how Picard’s experience in the Nexus was executed. Without spoiling anything, I think it negates a couple of very important story points from the series and from Generations, weakening those works.
May 16, 2019
Return to the Nexus
Outstanding return to the Nexus of movie fame. We have Picard’s Enterprise once more called on to save the day. Excellent recreation of our favorite Next Generation characters. Great read. Couldn’t put it down.
Outstanding return to the Nexus of movie fame. We have Picard’s Enterprise once more called on to save the day. Excellent recreation of our favorite Next Generation characters. Great read. Couldn’t put it down.
June 17, 2022
It's refreshing, now and then, to read something like that. Really, really good, IMHO.
You'll find my complete review on my website (https://www.chiarasaroglia.com), but I must warn you: it'll be written in Italian.
You'll find my complete review on my website (https://www.chiarasaroglia.com), but I must warn you: it'll be written in Italian.
March 6, 2019
Fun read
Great story line with favorite characters. Nice ending with a temporal twist. The DTI must get tired of ships named Enterprise
Great story line with favorite characters. Nice ending with a temporal twist. The DTI must get tired of ships named Enterprise
March 13, 2020
Interesting short story with Picard revisiting Nexus, plus a spy mystery. Not a lot of meat to the story, but explaining the problems of a time ribbon floating in space is good.
May 30, 2020
A short but fascinating read
This is a very interesting story of a return to the nexus, and a lesson in the importance of reality.
This is a very interesting story of a return to the nexus, and a lesson in the importance of reality.
October 11, 2020
A really good story. Has a bit of a Typhon Pact story feel to it.
February 9, 2023
I wanted to like this book and it was great until the very end. As with all things Nexus, one major plot hole destroys the story.
January 31, 2024
Well written, enjoyable return to the Nexus for Jean Luc.
April 2, 2024
I actually never saw the Nexus as a loose end, so it did feel kinda weird to revisit it here.
March 17, 2013
I haven't read much in the way of Star Trek universe novels in a while. I used to read novelizations of the original series quite often. I also like ST:TNG and Voyager novelizations. I even have a couple in my queue.
For this book, I got an advance copy for review. I had never heard of James Swallow, so I didn't have much in the way of expectations. Turns out James Swallow has a very large history in the Star Trek universe. He has written novelizations of various Star Trek properties, scripted Star Trek games and even developed the concept for two Voyager episodes.
The author has a fine grasp of what makes Star Trek, Star Trek. It's about big ideas and the way the crew handles them. Rarely does technology or boogeymen become the focus. It's all about the people.
This story if ST:TNG afterwards. Riker is gone on his own commission, Data has left the ship. Jean Luc is married to Beverly Crusher, and the have a son named Rene. LaForge is still chief engineer. Worf is the new Number one. We're introduced to some new characters.
Everyone has a part to play, but this is a story about Picard. The nexus has made its return, out of schedule. It is being monitored by a science ship, and the Enterprise has been sent to assist. Turns out that the Nexus is heading towards a bad part of the galaxy (boogymen) and the captain of the Newton (the science ship) has a starfleet approved plan to destroy it. The story goes on from there.
Minor spoiler: A saboteur is on board. At first you think you know who it is. Turns out it's not. But wait, you were right. Hilarity never ensues.
This is not an epic novel. Take that as you will. You won't learn anything new about the crew. Everyone has a bit part except Picard. Worf's part is fun, and I wish he had a bigger part.
What I really liked was that this book feels like one more episode from the series. Maybe if the series had continued into year 11 or 12. It was comfortable, like putting on an old pair of sneakers. I was glad to read this one. From beginning to end, I returned to a universe where I have spent a lot of time and enjoy quite a bit. It made me a bit sad that there is no Star Trek series on right now.
This is not a long book. I finished in a couple of sittings in one 24 hour period. If you are not a fan of Star Trek, especially The Next Generation, this book is not for you. This is not a starter book for a Star Trek newbie. However, if you are a fan, this is a great book. I do recommend it to those people.
For this book, I got an advance copy for review. I had never heard of James Swallow, so I didn't have much in the way of expectations. Turns out James Swallow has a very large history in the Star Trek universe. He has written novelizations of various Star Trek properties, scripted Star Trek games and even developed the concept for two Voyager episodes.
The author has a fine grasp of what makes Star Trek, Star Trek. It's about big ideas and the way the crew handles them. Rarely does technology or boogeymen become the focus. It's all about the people.
This story if ST:TNG afterwards. Riker is gone on his own commission, Data has left the ship. Jean Luc is married to Beverly Crusher, and the have a son named Rene. LaForge is still chief engineer. Worf is the new Number one. We're introduced to some new characters.
Everyone has a part to play, but this is a story about Picard. The nexus has made its return, out of schedule. It is being monitored by a science ship, and the Enterprise has been sent to assist. Turns out that the Nexus is heading towards a bad part of the galaxy (boogymen) and the captain of the Newton (the science ship) has a starfleet approved plan to destroy it. The story goes on from there.
Minor spoiler: A saboteur is on board. At first you think you know who it is. Turns out it's not. But wait, you were right. Hilarity never ensues.
This is not an epic novel. Take that as you will. You won't learn anything new about the crew. Everyone has a bit part except Picard. Worf's part is fun, and I wish he had a bigger part.
What I really liked was that this book feels like one more episode from the series. Maybe if the series had continued into year 11 or 12. It was comfortable, like putting on an old pair of sneakers. I was glad to read this one. From beginning to end, I returned to a universe where I have spent a lot of time and enjoy quite a bit. It made me a bit sad that there is no Star Trek series on right now.
This is not a long book. I finished in a couple of sittings in one 24 hour period. If you are not a fan of Star Trek, especially The Next Generation, this book is not for you. This is not a starter book for a Star Trek newbie. However, if you are a fan, this is a great book. I do recommend it to those people.
April 6, 2013
There was a time in my life when I read every Star Trek novel that came out. That time has long passed. I think I stopped when I couldn't keep up, and when Star Trek: The Next Generation started putting out a couple of novels a month, I stopped buying the books altogether.
What I like about reading a TV-tie-in novel is that you don't have to work too hard as a reader. You are already familiar with the characters and the basic settings, so it's all about plot and adventure.
The down side, of course, is that the author has to be very 'spot-on' with the characters. If a character in a novel says or does something that seems out of character to what the reader is already familiar with, it's easy for the reader to lose interest.
I have to admit that despite being an out-of-the-closet Trekkie, I am not uber-familiar with the Next Generation series. I remember watching the first few seasons when they first came out, but i don't know that I've seen them all (which I suppose a true Trekker would never admit). That said, there were times that I felt like someone (specifically Worf) said or did things in this book that didn't seem in character at times. Not often, but enough for me to re-read a passage or two to try to hear his voice.
Tying this novel (or novella) to an incident that most of us remember because it was a movie moment, definitely helps bring the theme in to focus. And as with nearly any sci-fi book that treads in timeline history, it poses problems that can make the mind reel.
Despite being a short novel, it took me some time to get involved in the story (in large part due to my feeling that the was out-of-character action), but maybe half way through, it got much more interesting and onvolving.
For 'escapist' fiction (which is how I see a TV-tie-in book), this served its purpose and I mostly enjoyed my time with the familiar characters.
What I like about reading a TV-tie-in novel is that you don't have to work too hard as a reader. You are already familiar with the characters and the basic settings, so it's all about plot and adventure.
The down side, of course, is that the author has to be very 'spot-on' with the characters. If a character in a novel says or does something that seems out of character to what the reader is already familiar with, it's easy for the reader to lose interest.
I have to admit that despite being an out-of-the-closet Trekkie, I am not uber-familiar with the Next Generation series. I remember watching the first few seasons when they first came out, but i don't know that I've seen them all (which I suppose a true Trekker would never admit). That said, there were times that I felt like someone (specifically Worf) said or did things in this book that didn't seem in character at times. Not often, but enough for me to re-read a passage or two to try to hear his voice.
Tying this novel (or novella) to an incident that most of us remember because it was a movie moment, definitely helps bring the theme in to focus. And as with nearly any sci-fi book that treads in timeline history, it poses problems that can make the mind reel.
Despite being a short novel, it took me some time to get involved in the story (in large part due to my feeling that the was out-of-character action), but maybe half way through, it got much more interesting and onvolving.
For 'escapist' fiction (which is how I see a TV-tie-in book), this served its purpose and I mostly enjoyed my time with the familiar characters.
July 18, 2025
Picard and the Enterprise are assigned to assist the Newton, a scientific vessel tasked with unlocking the secrets of the Nexus. Starfleet wanted Picard there because of his prior experience inside the Nexus, but the mission is under the command of Captain Thomas Bryant.
After Dr. Tolian Soren interfered with the Nexus' path, it resurfaced sooner than expected and on a direct path to pass through Kinshaya space. Starfleet could not allow the Nexus to fall into Kinshaya hands, and by connection, the Typhon Pact. Kinshaya probes were detected at the far end of the system, and poorly cloaked Kinshaya liberators lurking just inside their own territory, waiting to strike if necessary.
During an attempt to destroy the Nexus, an act of sabotage damaged the Newton and killed eight of her crew. The Enterprise's investigation revealed an Orion spy in disguise. His capture and interrogation revealed that he did not in fact sabotage the ship- he never had the chance. The real culprit (an old friend of Picard) tried to get away in a shuttlecraft and wound up getting both himself and Picard trapped in the Nexus.
It was interesting to see Picard experience the Nexus a second time, as this time he didn't have to imagine a family to spend time with- he already had one to ahare the perfect dream life with. Picard found his old friend and learned that the man lost his wife and son when the Borg destroyed Deneva. Dr. Kolb chose to leave the Nexus and travel to Deneva to die with his loved ones. Picard returned to the Enterprise armed with Kolb's research, which enabled them to lock the Nexus, perhaps forever.
I enjoyed yet another look into Next Generation's past, and another look at the Kinshaya. These were a splinter group, not sanctioned by their legitimate government, who wanted to return to their old ways and saw the Nexus as a way to do just that. Another great read!
After Dr. Tolian Soren interfered with the Nexus' path, it resurfaced sooner than expected and on a direct path to pass through Kinshaya space. Starfleet could not allow the Nexus to fall into Kinshaya hands, and by connection, the Typhon Pact. Kinshaya probes were detected at the far end of the system, and poorly cloaked Kinshaya liberators lurking just inside their own territory, waiting to strike if necessary.
During an attempt to destroy the Nexus, an act of sabotage damaged the Newton and killed eight of her crew. The Enterprise's investigation revealed an Orion spy in disguise. His capture and interrogation revealed that he did not in fact sabotage the ship- he never had the chance. The real culprit (an old friend of Picard) tried to get away in a shuttlecraft and wound up getting both himself and Picard trapped in the Nexus.
It was interesting to see Picard experience the Nexus a second time, as this time he didn't have to imagine a family to spend time with- he already had one to ahare the perfect dream life with. Picard found his old friend and learned that the man lost his wife and son when the Borg destroyed Deneva. Dr. Kolb chose to leave the Nexus and travel to Deneva to die with his loved ones. Picard returned to the Enterprise armed with Kolb's research, which enabled them to lock the Nexus, perhaps forever.
I enjoyed yet another look into Next Generation's past, and another look at the Kinshaya. These were a splinter group, not sanctioned by their legitimate government, who wanted to return to their old ways and saw the Nexus as a way to do just that. Another great read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2013
I���m just going to warn you now, I grew up watching Next Gen.
That experience colors this review.
For the first half of the book, I was disappointed. Again, thanks to my aforementioned nostalgia for all things Next Gen. Okay, not so much disappointed, but there was so much blah blah blah with new names and explaining different races and fuck-all if the federation isn���t fucking annoying in text format when you have to describe all the fucking bone ridges instead of just being able to see it.
I was left thinking I���d made a terrible mistake.
Actually, I was left muttering ���I shouldn���t have come, I���m endangering the mission��� because I always quote Star Wars while I���m upset with Star Trek.
Then you get to the point where characters have been described down to their belly buttons and things get good. Meaning there���s a plot. And it���s a good plot. I mean, there���s a saboteur, another saboteur, deplorable orders, Worf, and the Nexus. Oh yes��� the Nexus���
I love me some the Nexus.
(I don���t care what anyone says, Generations was an awesome movie���)
Basically, in the end, it was like an episode of Next Gen, for my mind. Which totally works for me. Especially since it didn���t feature Wil Wheaton in any redonkulous sweaters. Something I can���t say for the first season of Next Gen which hubs and I are watching on Netflix. And any book that makes you go ���goddamn, I need to watch me some 180 episodes of an hour long show��� is worth at least the 3.5 stars I���m giving it.
And in case you missed it in my mini wall o��� text:
3.5 stars
That experience colors this review.
For the first half of the book, I was disappointed. Again, thanks to my aforementioned nostalgia for all things Next Gen. Okay, not so much disappointed, but there was so much blah blah blah with new names and explaining different races and fuck-all if the federation isn���t fucking annoying in text format when you have to describe all the fucking bone ridges instead of just being able to see it.
I was left thinking I���d made a terrible mistake.
Actually, I was left muttering ���I shouldn���t have come, I���m endangering the mission��� because I always quote Star Wars while I���m upset with Star Trek.
Then you get to the point where characters have been described down to their belly buttons and things get good. Meaning there���s a plot. And it���s a good plot. I mean, there���s a saboteur, another saboteur, deplorable orders, Worf, and the Nexus. Oh yes��� the Nexus���
I love me some the Nexus.
(I don���t care what anyone says, Generations was an awesome movie���)
Basically, in the end, it was like an episode of Next Gen, for my mind. Which totally works for me. Especially since it didn���t feature Wil Wheaton in any redonkulous sweaters. Something I can���t say for the first season of Next Gen which hubs and I are watching on Netflix. And any book that makes you go ���goddamn, I need to watch me some 180 episodes of an hour long show��� is worth at least the 3.5 stars I���m giving it.
And in case you missed it in my mini wall o��� text:
3.5 stars
May 10, 2013
The Western (settled) frontier of the 19th century United States is transmuted into the infinite frontier of space, in the 24th century (the future). This story features a mysterious phenomenon, the Nexus, which allows a few individuals to transcend time and space.
There are familiar Star Trek tropes of glamourous space ships - battleships are awesome; battleships that can fly! In space! - and incongruous down home contemporary talk (in space, in the 24th century i.e. the future) to let readers feel "those space crew are just regular guys".
In moving pictures, green-skinned humanoids are striking, but in writing, fictional ethnicities need to be described by more than their name. There is an imbalance between the dense descriptive detail (which can be hyperbolic) for space ships and space phenomena weighing down space-action scenes, and the sparse ethnic tags given to otherwise undescribed characters.
The universal appeal of Star Trek, like other American popular art, is that it presents the best of (an idealised) liberal North America in the best possible light, conflicting with no contemporary U.S. interest. But here, slang words in the narrative, and an action scene appropriate to sea ships not spaceships render it mere Americana - a curiosity of limited appeal.
Readers unfamiliar with Star Trek will need to navigate a welter of (1950s) future-tech terms e.g. "padd" - a tablet computer, and space navy jargon e.g. ensign - a junior officer (rank).
I read an advance review copy from the publisher.
There are familiar Star Trek tropes of glamourous space ships - battleships are awesome; battleships that can fly! In space! - and incongruous down home contemporary talk (in space, in the 24th century i.e. the future) to let readers feel "those space crew are just regular guys".
In moving pictures, green-skinned humanoids are striking, but in writing, fictional ethnicities need to be described by more than their name. There is an imbalance between the dense descriptive detail (which can be hyperbolic) for space ships and space phenomena weighing down space-action scenes, and the sparse ethnic tags given to otherwise undescribed characters.
The universal appeal of Star Trek, like other American popular art, is that it presents the best of (an idealised) liberal North America in the best possible light, conflicting with no contemporary U.S. interest. But here, slang words in the narrative, and an action scene appropriate to sea ships not spaceships render it mere Americana - a curiosity of limited appeal.
Readers unfamiliar with Star Trek will need to navigate a welter of (1950s) future-tech terms e.g. "padd" - a tablet computer, and space navy jargon e.g. ensign - a junior officer (rank).
I read an advance review copy from the publisher.
September 8, 2014
Set in the Next Generation series, this novel presents a return to the Nexus featured in the film 'Generations'. Jean-Luc Picard is commanding the Enterprise and travels to aid a science mission. The Newton is a pure science vessel and by studying the nexus, a ribbon-like energy field travelling through space, the scientists have determined that it will pass into an area of the galaxy inhabited by religious fanatic fundamentalists the Kinshaya. Rather than let the irrational enemies of Starfleet use the nexus for destruction, the scientists have decided to try to destroy the nexus.
In a nod to modern readers a Czech officer is on the bridge having replaced an Indian officer, and females have a greatly expanded role. The Kinshaya starships are called Liberators, the name of the starship in British TV series Blake's Seven, for which this author James Swallow has written in the past.
Picard travels inside the marvellous nexus and meets the memory of Soran, from the earlier film, so we see the obsessed man's point of view and why he had been so desperate to return to his illusory family in the energy field. The Kinshaya are feathered and beaked, like griffins we are told, and just as predatory. They make nicely unusual bad guys and their threats to eat Picard and regurgitate him for the nestlings are fun to read. Fans will love STAR TREK: THE STUFF OF DREAMS by a British writer with much history of writing for the series.
In a nod to modern readers a Czech officer is on the bridge having replaced an Indian officer, and females have a greatly expanded role. The Kinshaya starships are called Liberators, the name of the starship in British TV series Blake's Seven, for which this author James Swallow has written in the past.
Picard travels inside the marvellous nexus and meets the memory of Soran, from the earlier film, so we see the obsessed man's point of view and why he had been so desperate to return to his illusory family in the energy field. The Kinshaya are feathered and beaked, like griffins we are told, and just as predatory. They make nicely unusual bad guys and their threats to eat Picard and regurgitate him for the nestlings are fun to read. Fans will love STAR TREK: THE STUFF OF DREAMS by a British writer with much history of writing for the series.
February 12, 2017
Die Enterprise unter dem Kommando von Captain Picard soll dem Raumschiff U.S.S. Newton zu Hilfe eilen. Die Newton untersucht gerade den Nexus (auch bekannt aus den ST Kinofilmen), einem Ort, an dem Träume real werden und der das Potential hat, einen durch Raum und Zeit zu schicken. Der Nexus mäandert durch den Weltraum und kommt dabei dem Gebiet der Kinshaya, den häretischen Mitglieder des Typhon-Pakts, immer näher. Natürlich will die Sternenflotte so eine machtvolle Raumanomalie nicht dem Feind in die Hände fallen lassen.
Die Befehle lauten: Zerstörung. Denn wie man es aufhalten oder umleiten kann, hat noch keiner herausgefunden. Cpt. Picard hadert mit diesem Befehl, schließlich ist er einer der wenigen, die einige Zeit im Nexus verbracht und wieder herausgefunden haben. Doch Picard beugt sich dem Notwendigen und gemeinsam mit der Newton bereitet sich die Enterprise auf die Zerstörung des Nexus vor.
Doch der Plan schlägt fehl, der Energiestrahl der Newton kollabiert. Ein Unfall oder Sabotage? Und wer steckt dahinter? Während Picard Antworten sucht, nähern sich Schiffe der Kinshaya. Ein Spion ist an Bord der Newton, soviel scheint sicher. Während dieser mit einem Shuttle flieht, versucht Picard ihn aufzuhalten. Dabei werden beide in den Nexus gezogen ...
Persönlicher Eindruck und 3 Zitate auf buchvogel.blogspot.com
Die Befehle lauten: Zerstörung. Denn wie man es aufhalten oder umleiten kann, hat noch keiner herausgefunden. Cpt. Picard hadert mit diesem Befehl, schließlich ist er einer der wenigen, die einige Zeit im Nexus verbracht und wieder herausgefunden haben. Doch Picard beugt sich dem Notwendigen und gemeinsam mit der Newton bereitet sich die Enterprise auf die Zerstörung des Nexus vor.
Doch der Plan schlägt fehl, der Energiestrahl der Newton kollabiert. Ein Unfall oder Sabotage? Und wer steckt dahinter? Während Picard Antworten sucht, nähern sich Schiffe der Kinshaya. Ein Spion ist an Bord der Newton, soviel scheint sicher. Während dieser mit einem Shuttle flieht, versucht Picard ihn aufzuhalten. Dabei werden beide in den Nexus gezogen ...
Persönlicher Eindruck und 3 Zitate auf buchvogel.blogspot.com
March 30, 2013
4 1/2 stars....
I'd like to thank NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for review.
Its been awhile since I've read anything from the Star Trek universe, as much as I consider myself a closet Trekkie (not quite so closet to some of my friends). This was the perfect quick read to get my Trek fix in, since I haven't been able to go back lately and chill to the old episodes of Enterprise.
The author does a great job of adding a little to the Star Trek universe, while keeping to the skeleton of the Star Trek: The Next Generation that we all know and love. Jean-Luc is in there, along with Worf, Beverly Crusher and Geordi LaForge. William Riker, Deanna Troi, Guinan and Data are all given passing mentions.
The story is short, it is a novella in length, and it was just perfect enough to read in a day even with my busy schedule. The storyline wasn't overly complicated, and just short enough to be almost like an episode of the show.
Basically reading the book was like bringing in an old security blanket in for awhile, and enjoying the comfort of an old friend. I would love to read more.
I'd like to thank NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for review.
Its been awhile since I've read anything from the Star Trek universe, as much as I consider myself a closet Trekkie (not quite so closet to some of my friends). This was the perfect quick read to get my Trek fix in, since I haven't been able to go back lately and chill to the old episodes of Enterprise.
The author does a great job of adding a little to the Star Trek universe, while keeping to the skeleton of the Star Trek: The Next Generation that we all know and love. Jean-Luc is in there, along with Worf, Beverly Crusher and Geordi LaForge. William Riker, Deanna Troi, Guinan and Data are all given passing mentions.
The story is short, it is a novella in length, and it was just perfect enough to read in a day even with my busy schedule. The storyline wasn't overly complicated, and just short enough to be almost like an episode of the show.
Basically reading the book was like bringing in an old security blanket in for awhile, and enjoying the comfort of an old friend. I would love to read more.
April 15, 2013
As a major fan of Star Trek (TV, movies and books), I can say this book is a perfect fit for the canon. James Swallow absolutely nails the world and the characters; he made me feel like I was watching one of the better episodes of Next Generation.
In Stuff of Dreams, Picard is married to Dr. Crusher, Worf is his second-in-command, and La Forge is chief of engineering. There is a temporal phenomenon called the nexus that a science vessel is going to destroy. The ship needs the Enterprise's assistance. Picard has had some experience with the nexus and is conflicted about destroying it. As he debates his involvement, there is an explosion aboard the science vessel and many people are killed. Worf and La Forge are convinced it was sabotage.
The best episodes of Star Trek are those that explore the grey areas in which we live. This is no exception. Picard is a fantastic captain (I prefer him to Kirk which is blasphemous, I know!) and he is conflicted in ways that give him great depth. He is thoughtfully conflicted, if that makes any sense.
Now I want to watch TNG. LOL...
In Stuff of Dreams, Picard is married to Dr. Crusher, Worf is his second-in-command, and La Forge is chief of engineering. There is a temporal phenomenon called the nexus that a science vessel is going to destroy. The ship needs the Enterprise's assistance. Picard has had some experience with the nexus and is conflicted about destroying it. As he debates his involvement, there is an explosion aboard the science vessel and many people are killed. Worf and La Forge are convinced it was sabotage.
The best episodes of Star Trek are those that explore the grey areas in which we live. This is no exception. Picard is a fantastic captain (I prefer him to Kirk which is blasphemous, I know!) and he is conflicted in ways that give him great depth. He is thoughtfully conflicted, if that makes any sense.
Now I want to watch TNG. LOL...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews