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Star Trek: The Next Generation #30
Debtors' Planet
When a Vulcan space probe reports that the Ferengi are advancing the people of the planet Megara from a primitive agricultural state to a sophisticated technological society, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the Starship USS Enterprise-D are ordered to transport an unlikely passenger to the system, a ruthless twentieth-century businessman who is now a Federation ambassador.
The Ferengi have been changing Megaran culture, turning a hard working and honorable people into vicious xenophobic killers. But the Ferengi are only hired hands. They have hidden masters, with plans to use the Megaran people as a powerful weapon against the Federation.
Now Picard must find a way to use the talents of this new ambassador to free the Megarans. But the ambassador is hiding a deadly secret of his own – a secret that could unleash an unstoppable destructive force on the Federation.
The Ferengi have been changing Megaran culture, turning a hard working and honorable people into vicious xenophobic killers. But the Ferengi are only hired hands. They have hidden masters, with plans to use the Megaran people as a powerful weapon against the Federation.
Now Picard must find a way to use the talents of this new ambassador to free the Megarans. But the ambassador is hiding a deadly secret of his own – a secret that could unleash an unstoppable destructive force on the Federation.
274 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 16, 2024
Some fun moments, but, overall, a dud.
EDIT: I enjoyed it more the second time around; maybe I read too quickly the first time.
EDIT: I enjoyed it more the second time around; maybe I read too quickly the first time.
July 17, 2017
The main issue I have with this novel is that there is simply too much going on. Too many sub-plots, and while all of them are fascinating, and all of them have potential, some are far better developed than others. Most of the action on Megara didn't do much for me, and there are a number of fanwank character moments that don't ring true (especially nicknaming Alexander as "Al" -- it's just wrong). By far the best thing about this novel is the return of Ralph Offenhouse, from the first season TNG episode "The Neutral Zone". His coming to grips with adapting to the 24th century, his emotional baggage from his 20th century life, and his new role as a Ferengi's worst nightmare...all of that is easily the highlight of reading "Debtors' Planet", and is worth the time & effort to enjoy.
May 8, 2018
Star Trek books are my indulgence reads. Sometimes they hit the mark, and sometimes they don't. This one was okay. A few eye-rolling moments regarding prose and style, but the story was interesting enough to keep me reading.
December 12, 2020
I was not looking forward to reading this book because it featured the return of Ralph Offenhouse from the Next Gen episode "The Neutral Zone." Offenhouse is now a Federation ambassador that's using the Enterprise to check on the primitive planet Megara. A Ferengi ship destroyed a Vulcan probe that had come upon the world. It's that probe's data that has the Federation concerned: the world has made impossible technological leaps.
I was impressed with what Thompson did with this book. He's created a crafty mystery about why an alien force would meddle with Megarans, he made Offenhouse bearable and surprisingly sympathetic, the society of the Megarans is full realized, making everything that happens believable, and Wesley sparks a friendship with a crew member that is fantastic. I have horrid memories of Offenhouse from that television episode, but he is an absolute necessity for this story and what he contributes is true to his appearance on Next Gen and he's grown well beyond it. The alien threat to Megara is awesome and these characters were wonderful to see. The new character that Wesley bonds with was fantastic. So outstanding is this character that I would love to see her in other novels, but I have a feeling this is her only appearance.
The negatives to this tale are minor: Riker engaged in getting Worf to do something, Troi's reaction to a certain substance, and the fighting in the last third came off as rote.
This was a pleasant surprise to reread (something I haven't done since the book first came out in 1994). I really enjoyed this.
I was impressed with what Thompson did with this book. He's created a crafty mystery about why an alien force would meddle with Megarans, he made Offenhouse bearable and surprisingly sympathetic, the society of the Megarans is full realized, making everything that happens believable, and Wesley sparks a friendship with a crew member that is fantastic. I have horrid memories of Offenhouse from that television episode, but he is an absolute necessity for this story and what he contributes is true to his appearance on Next Gen and he's grown well beyond it. The alien threat to Megara is awesome and these characters were wonderful to see. The new character that Wesley bonds with was fantastic. So outstanding is this character that I would love to see her in other novels, but I have a feeling this is her only appearance.
The negatives to this tale are minor: Riker engaged in getting Worf to do something, Troi's reaction to a certain substance, and the fighting in the last third came off as rote.
This was a pleasant surprise to reread (something I haven't done since the book first came out in 1994). I really enjoyed this.
December 27, 2021
A decent enough Star Trek novel. The character voices are well done and the plot is thoughtful.
January 6, 2023
This was ok, typical STNG, there were lapses in the storie, long parts without action just some describing of things not pertinent to the overall book. It turned out well, defeating the Ferengi and Cardasians. Maybe even a little romance between Wesley and another cadet.
January 5, 2023
Lots of political-social commentary and philosophy, esp. "Klingonese" philosophy. Ralph Offenhouse redeems himself. Plenty of 'aliens' with different perspectives, motivations, and talents. Wesley is almost outshined by Alexander.
Guess who says "Pride is unworthy. Selfishness is unworthy. I must think of others. Alone we are weak."
And who says "Whether by evolution or engineering, we are all molded by the forces that created us."
Guess who says "Pride is unworthy. Selfishness is unworthy. I must think of others. Alone we are weak."
And who says "Whether by evolution or engineering, we are all molded by the forces that created us."
May 8, 2022
Quite an entertaining book, no biggies but also nothing too much to complain about it, well, excepting Ralph Offenhouse ( that weird-ass businessman dude from the 2o the century put in a frozen unit and saved by Data?). I wasn't very fond of him then, now even less, especially since he's some sort of Ambassador and commanding Picard as he wants. But seeing Cardassians kicked in the balls and Ferengis outsmarted in their own game (and some lovely insults traded by Offenhouse and some Ferengi dude) was really funny.
March 2, 2019
Another pretty good Trek novel. We have a planet being overrun by Ferengi, who have enslaved the Megarans, in order to industrialize a once primative society into building starships. Ambassador Offenhouse is sent by the Federation, aboard the Enterprise, to resolve this situation. We find out that Offenhouse was a businessman from the 20th century, who was frozen after death, then apparently thawed out after finding a cure. Thompson never got into explaining this. Some of the Eugenics War was brought up where Offenhouse lost his son.
Meanwhile, Offenhouse uses his financier wit to tick off the Ferengi. An away team beams down to find out what is going on, then are attacked by the Megarans, or so they thought. Enter the Cardassians, who are the real string pullers on this planet.
Of course, Worf gets involved as does most of the main crew of the Enterprise to figure out what is going on. The Cardassians are discovered by an Ensign, who is an insectoid, resembling a bee! The Cardassians use the Ferengi and try to ambush the Enterprise in orbit.
All in all, this book had action and humor mixed in. All of the main crew gets involved at some point. The only gripe I had was the way the book ended. It seemed to just stop all of a sudden, and leaves you wondering what else was going to happen.
Meanwhile, Offenhouse uses his financier wit to tick off the Ferengi. An away team beams down to find out what is going on, then are attacked by the Megarans, or so they thought. Enter the Cardassians, who are the real string pullers on this planet.
Of course, Worf gets involved as does most of the main crew of the Enterprise to figure out what is going on. The Cardassians are discovered by an Ensign, who is an insectoid, resembling a bee! The Cardassians use the Ferengi and try to ambush the Enterprise in orbit.
All in all, this book had action and humor mixed in. All of the main crew gets involved at some point. The only gripe I had was the way the book ended. It seemed to just stop all of a sudden, and leaves you wondering what else was going to happen.
June 8, 2021
A little way into this I was really regretting picking it up. It was about the Ferengi. Wesley had a large role. And one of the guest characters was one of those science fiction staples: the person from the past, thawed out of cryogenics and trying to find their way in the future. I am entirely indifferent to that trope, I am largely irritated by the Ferengi, and I fucking loathe Wesley Crusher. But I stuck with it and you know what? Thompson subverted pretty much all of my expectations, and this ended up a likeable read.
First off, the Ferengi, though awful, were used effectively (i.e. sparingly) and got theirs in the end. Secondly, Wesley was also used effectively for once in his plot-armoured life, by which I mean no barely trained super genius saving the day. He was pretty much in disgrace anyway, back on the Enterprise after the Nick Locarno incident at the Academy, and much of his storyline was quietly doing junior officer level stuff with another junior officer from an insect race, and their friendship was low-key and well developed and if this was how Wesley had always been used, I wouldn't hate him nearly so damn much. Finally, the cryogenic time-jumper was clearly going through trauma from having to adapt to a new century, and trying to move on from what he had lost, and while that isn't a new twist in the trope it was honestly a fairly well-executed one, and married well with the main plot, which involved the exploitation of an developing world by Federation enemies. Much more enjoyable than I thought it would be, and given Thompson made me like this despite the three expected handicaps described above, I'll be keeping an eye out for other Trek novels by them in future, as I wade my way through the enormous backlist of this franchise.
Good thing I have a library card.
First off, the Ferengi, though awful, were used effectively (i.e. sparingly) and got theirs in the end. Secondly, Wesley was also used effectively for once in his plot-armoured life, by which I mean no barely trained super genius saving the day. He was pretty much in disgrace anyway, back on the Enterprise after the Nick Locarno incident at the Academy, and much of his storyline was quietly doing junior officer level stuff with another junior officer from an insect race, and their friendship was low-key and well developed and if this was how Wesley had always been used, I wouldn't hate him nearly so damn much. Finally, the cryogenic time-jumper was clearly going through trauma from having to adapt to a new century, and trying to move on from what he had lost, and while that isn't a new twist in the trope it was honestly a fairly well-executed one, and married well with the main plot, which involved the exploitation of an developing world by Federation enemies. Much more enjoyable than I thought it would be, and given Thompson made me like this despite the three expected handicaps described above, I'll be keeping an eye out for other Trek novels by them in future, as I wade my way through the enormous backlist of this franchise.
Good thing I have a library card.
December 16, 2021
This a good one! I read this book because of Offenhouse, the frozen man of high finance. He's from an early episode of TNG where he's pulled out of a cryogenic slumber and has trouble adjusting from our time to TNG's time of moneyless abundance. The bums won and he can't deal.
It's a fun read. I was kind of expecting more debate of way money is useless in Star Trek with Offenhouse as a villain. But I didn't quite get that and we see how there is a place for Offenhouse in the future. He's still obnoxious, but he doesn't get ideologically body slammed like he does in the TNG episode.
The plot is fun and I really liked the subplot with Wesley and his Insect Ensign friend. More books with Ensign Shrev please!
What I didn't like: Offenhouse has too much power. I feel like Picard isn't really "the Captain" in some spots. And there's also an odd subplot with Worf and Riker. Lastly, it tended to drag in some parts, which didn't take away from my enjoying it.
Bonus points: the author describes how some of the Star Trek tech works, such as how the warp drive uses matter and anti-matter with dilithium crystals. And he also explains neutrinos. These science lessons are brief but clear. I find this refreshing compared to other Trek books that drop jargon like it's Shakespeare.
It's a fun read. I was kind of expecting more debate of way money is useless in Star Trek with Offenhouse as a villain. But I didn't quite get that and we see how there is a place for Offenhouse in the future. He's still obnoxious, but he doesn't get ideologically body slammed like he does in the TNG episode.
The plot is fun and I really liked the subplot with Wesley and his Insect Ensign friend. More books with Ensign Shrev please!
What I didn't like: Offenhouse has too much power. I feel like Picard isn't really "the Captain" in some spots. And there's also an odd subplot with Worf and Riker. Lastly, it tended to drag in some parts, which didn't take away from my enjoying it.
Bonus points: the author describes how some of the Star Trek tech works, such as how the warp drive uses matter and anti-matter with dilithium crystals. And he also explains neutrinos. These science lessons are brief but clear. I find this refreshing compared to other Trek books that drop jargon like it's Shakespeare.
August 29, 2021
I really enjoyed this Star Trek novel. The planet of Megara of fascinating, as were its people. I think the author did a great job in giving us a sense of this world - everything felt so complete. The plot was definitely Star Trek, and the intrigue about the planet was well crafted.
I can't recall the race of the Zhuik being mentioned before. Wesley's friend, Shrev, is an office on the Enterprise, a Zhuik, and an amazing character. This would be one character I'd want to see again.
Some of the sub-story lines were also well done, and for once I didn't find them distracting. I thoroughly enjoyed the Data-Riker-Worf interactions in this novel. It added a contrast to the main story and reminded me that Star Trek is as much about these interactions as it is about action and space travel.
I can't recall the race of the Zhuik being mentioned before. Wesley's friend, Shrev, is an office on the Enterprise, a Zhuik, and an amazing character. This would be one character I'd want to see again.
Some of the sub-story lines were also well done, and for once I didn't find them distracting. I thoroughly enjoyed the Data-Riker-Worf interactions in this novel. It added a contrast to the main story and reminded me that Star Trek is as much about these interactions as it is about action and space travel.
January 9, 2024
Solid Next Gen Adventure that is especially heavy on Star Trek's trademark self-righteousness.
As far as the plot goes, the Ferengi are secretly running an undeveloped planet with a more nefarious plot spurring the Ferengi on. To combat the Ferengi, the Enterprise is sent with an ambassador from its past. Remember that episode where they unfroze those dudes from our time and then they cause some trouble on the Enterprise? Remember that lounge-act country singer wants Data to join him in his act? Sadly the ambassador is not the lounge act or this would be an instant 5-star. Instead, it is the greedy- go go 80s stockbroker as he might be the only person who can understand Ferengi behavior.
Some highlights: Wesley is hanging out with a bug alien and some interesting details are given for her species. Also, the political scheme the Ferengi are involved in isn't anything new but is a solid Next Generation-era plot. Plus, it turns out the stockbroker has some ties to Khan and has a tragic backstory. Not anything brilliant but it fleshes out a minor character from an obscure episode, and if that's not the primary purpose of Star Trek novels I don't know what is.
Cons: Wesley is in this. The native planet's people all talk like Yoda. The diplomat is supposed to be from the 80s but wears a top hat.
The main problem is how much of the book is taken up with characters lamenting how awful and stupid everyone living in our time is. Even as someone who agrees with those sentiments, it was a little much. Plus I cannot stand when other Star Trek characters lament how idiotic and savage the Original Series Star Trek characters are, and Picard commits this sin.
Overall enjoyable and readable, but nothing to make someone choose this over any of the other 800+ Star Trek novels.
As far as the plot goes, the Ferengi are secretly running an undeveloped planet with a more nefarious plot spurring the Ferengi on. To combat the Ferengi, the Enterprise is sent with an ambassador from its past. Remember that episode where they unfroze those dudes from our time and then they cause some trouble on the Enterprise? Remember that lounge-act country singer wants Data to join him in his act? Sadly the ambassador is not the lounge act or this would be an instant 5-star. Instead, it is the greedy- go go 80s stockbroker as he might be the only person who can understand Ferengi behavior.
Some highlights: Wesley is hanging out with a bug alien and some interesting details are given for her species. Also, the political scheme the Ferengi are involved in isn't anything new but is a solid Next Generation-era plot. Plus, it turns out the stockbroker has some ties to Khan and has a tragic backstory. Not anything brilliant but it fleshes out a minor character from an obscure episode, and if that's not the primary purpose of Star Trek novels I don't know what is.
Cons: Wesley is in this. The native planet's people all talk like Yoda. The diplomat is supposed to be from the 80s but wears a top hat.
The main problem is how much of the book is taken up with characters lamenting how awful and stupid everyone living in our time is. Even as someone who agrees with those sentiments, it was a little much. Plus I cannot stand when other Star Trek characters lament how idiotic and savage the Original Series Star Trek characters are, and Picard commits this sin.
Overall enjoyable and readable, but nothing to make someone choose this over any of the other 800+ Star Trek novels.
April 18, 2021
I was pleasantly surprised with this TNG novel written in season 7. As I started reading it, I was dreading reading a story about the least favorite things in TNG - the Ferengi, plus bringing back that annoying 20th century character Offenhouse from that bad TNG episode, plus including Alexander as part of the storyline. What I didn't expect was an intriguing plot that would have made a good episode. Offenhouse was given a good backstory, depth, and used his original one dimensional traits into a plausible motivation. It also showed how the capitalistic traits of the Ferengi would impact another race. Including little bits for Guinan, Geordi, Worf, Deanna, and Beverly were also very nice. Overall, an enjoyable TNG novel.
December 13, 2017
Well this one is kind of bonkers for how the characters are but I appreciated seeing Oppenhouse return as it was interesting to see where someone from our time would end up in the TNG era. I also appreciated the character of Shrev as you could tell that Thompson really thought her character and culture out. As for the story it was interesting enough and had some fun moments but Riker and Worf were really off and I did not expect Wesley to play such a large role in these books this late in the game. Plus it had an enjoyable Alexander. Who would have thought?
October 31, 2020
Light, breezy entertainment. This captures the feel of a middling Star Trek episode, which is probably what this book's audience is looking for. The canon characters' spotlight moments are a tad hokey and forced. Building a story around Ralph Offenhouse seems like a writer's dare, but it actually works and is a satisfying callback to the oft-forgotten first season of TNG.
September 11, 2024
I've given this four stars, but that's slightly generous. Maybe 3.75 stars would be more accurate. It's a good, fun runaround with a plot that isn't immediately obvious and has some good character moments. It manages to turn Ralph Offenhouse (from the Season One episode The Neutral Zone) from an officious prick into a fairly decent - and funny - character with a subplot about grief layered on the top.
July 30, 2025
This is such an interesting time in Wesley’s development, and Alexander is included in this story as well. I love how Riker showing Data and Worf a so bad it’s good movie called Missing Link 3: Vacation in Armageddon really made this feel like an episode of the show. And Offenhouse added an interesting dynamic to the main story.
August 13, 2017
A fun light read. Bonus points for bringing back a support character from one episode, that's a nice touch.
I started this book and lost it, finding it over a year later. I just picked up where I left off easily enough.
I started this book and lost it, finding it over a year later. I just picked up where I left off easily enough.
February 1, 2022
Solid "bottle" novel. Most character's get at least a little to do. Unusual in that it must be one of the last appearances of the Ferengi as true villians, and a rare TNG appearance of the Cardassians before they where fleshed out.
September 22, 2017
Quick fun read.
December 7, 2017
I loved the Wesley storyline but I found the Megaran's grammar to be very off putting.
May 1, 2020
Fun, fast read for Trekkies.
June 6, 2020
Oh the Ferengi!
April 7, 2024
Gotta love a good Star Trek book!
August 16, 2025
Good read. Would make an excellent episode for television.
August 18, 2020
A good basic plot with a few cute sideplots like Riker trying to make Worf laugh.
August 4, 2012
I got a big kick out of this book. It's an easy, light-hearted read -- I read it in the tub in just a few nights and it was so fun, I ended up in the tub a lot longer than I meant to! Unlike some books in this series, which can be more novel-ish, this book totally has a ST:TNG episode vibe, the author really nailed it. It's got some serious parts, some fight scenes, and some funny scenes that I really enjoyed.
One of my favourite parts was when Geordie and Alexander were exchanging 'racist' lightbulb jokes.
"How many Ferengi does it take to change a lightbulb?"
"Ferengi don't give change!"
Also, nerd alert, the author called the Ferengi planet 'Ferengal' and not 'Ferenginar.' I'm guessing the book was written before DS9 had any Ferengi home planet episodes.
Also, this review of the book is hilarious: http://www.amazon.com/review/RM0GX3I5...
'There IS NO SUCH WORD AS "Klingonese"!'
Bwahahahahahaha! Love it!
One of my favourite parts was when Geordie and Alexander were exchanging 'racist' lightbulb jokes.
"How many Ferengi does it take to change a lightbulb?"
"Ferengi don't give change!"
Also, nerd alert, the author called the Ferengi planet 'Ferengal' and not 'Ferenginar.' I'm guessing the book was written before DS9 had any Ferengi home planet episodes.
Also, this review of the book is hilarious: http://www.amazon.com/review/RM0GX3I5...
'There IS NO SUCH WORD AS "Klingonese"!'
Bwahahahahahaha! Love it!
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September 21, 2012 Product Description
When a Vulcan space probe reports that the Ferengi are advancing the people of the planet Megara from a primitive agricultural state to a sophisticated technological society, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the Starship EnterpriseTM are ordered to transport an unlikely passenger to the system, a ruthless twentieth-century businessman who is now a Federation ambassador.
The Ferengi have been changing Megaran culture, turning a hard working and horoable people into vicious xenophobic killers. But the Ferengi are only hired hands. They have hidden masters, with plans to use the Magaran people as a powerful weapon against the Federation.
Now Picard must find a way to use the talents of this new ambassador to free the Megarans. But the ambassador is hididng a deadly secret of his own -- a secret that could unleash an unstoppable destructive force on the Federation.
July 16, 2008
It was good--like many Star Trek novels, this was a quick read more or less on par with watching an episode on TV. In other words, it was entertaining and pleasant, maybe even something the reader would like to see through to the end without undue interruption, but nothing life-changing.
Besides, I wanted to hide in a bit of fiction, and the library's closed on Sundays, so I pulled it out to reread last night. Can't we pleeeeasssse restore real, healthy funding to our libraries? If Osterhout had been open, I'd have made a run to the library Saturday evening or Sunday afternoon.
(Note: the date below is for when I re-read it, as I've no idea when I first read the book!)
Besides, I wanted to hide in a bit of fiction, and the library's closed on Sundays, so I pulled it out to reread last night. Can't we pleeeeasssse restore real, healthy funding to our libraries? If Osterhout had been open, I'd have made a run to the library Saturday evening or Sunday afternoon.
(Note: the date below is for when I re-read it, as I've no idea when I first read the book!)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews