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Star Trek: New Frontier #9
Requiem
When the U.S.S. Excalibur was suddenly and mercilessly destroyed, Starfleet lost one of its finest starships. But the crew members of the Excalibur lost their captain... and home. Now, in mourning for their ship and Captain Mackenzie Calhoun, First Officer Elizabeth Shelby and the rest of the crew await their new assignments.
For Lieutenant Soleta, that means a painful reunion with her Romulan father, while Zak Kebron and Mark McHenry are sent undercover to investigate a series of mysterious alien abductions on a low-tech world. Going their separate ways throughout the Alpha Quadrant, the Excalibur's survivors must face diverse challenges and dangers on their own.
The ship is history, but the adventure continues...
For Lieutenant Soleta, that means a painful reunion with her Romulan father, while Zak Kebron and Mark McHenry are sent undercover to investigate a series of mysterious alien abductions on a low-tech world. Going their separate ways throughout the Alpha Quadrant, the Excalibur's survivors must face diverse challenges and dangers on their own.
The ship is history, but the adventure continues...
267 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2000
28 people are currently reading
409 people want to read
About the author
Peter David
3,569 books1,364 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 33 reviews
January 19, 2022
Another enjoyable Star Trek book from Peter David. This is a crackling start to the trilogy; can't wait to see what happens next!
August 20, 2009
Peter David's "New Frontier" series is easily the best thing to happen to the Star Trek franchise in years. In a time in which Voyager is mired down in dull plots and a lack of character development, David is following the Trek credo and exploring "strange new worlds" with his series of novel. The New Frontier books have always been about finding the perfect blend of gripping plots, humorous moments and superlative character development. And just when you think you've got it all figured out and are getting comfortable, David pulls the rug out from under you.
Such is the case with the latest novel. At the end of the last book, David ended with the destruction of the starship Excaliber. The novel picks up several weeks after the destruction of the ship and finds the crew in a mandatory "cooling down" period before they are given new assignemts--all except Shelby who uses the Excaliber's destruction to force Starfleet to give her what she's always wanted--command of her own. After a lengthy scene in which the surviving regulars (everyone but Calhoun) commiserate on the ship and say farewell, the book takes off in several directions--all of them intriguing. One is a lightweight one featuring McHenry and Kebron going to a backwater planet to stop a series of practical jokes pulled by Starfleet ensigns (they convince the natives that aliens are attacking by doing such typical things as using flashing lights and tipping cows). Along the way, the stumble across something far more insidious--an old foe from TNG is back...but to tell who would be to ruin it all. Next up, Si Cwan's sister Kalenda is haunted by dreams of the death of their teacher and Si Cwan swears vengeance. Add to it the book's best plotline--Soleta finding out the Romulan who raped her mother and is her biological father has been set free and how she confronts him and the news that he's dying. The scene in which Soleta confronts him for the first time is chilling and complusively readable. You can almost feel the book getting heavier in your hands as you read it and the temperature in the room get colder. It's that good.
All in all, David gives each of the plots balance and a great deal of depth and interest. The pages fly by as everything spirals out of control into the final pages in which you find out that not everything can or will be resolve in one book. As with all the best books of a series, this one leaves you with more questions than answers and leaves you utterly begging for more. For my fellow reader who complained that you don't find out why the Excaliber is destroyed, keep reading. The explanation will come to you soon enough and it's certainly shocking.
A must-read for any Star Trek fan out there. This is Trek at its best.
Such is the case with the latest novel. At the end of the last book, David ended with the destruction of the starship Excaliber. The novel picks up several weeks after the destruction of the ship and finds the crew in a mandatory "cooling down" period before they are given new assignemts--all except Shelby who uses the Excaliber's destruction to force Starfleet to give her what she's always wanted--command of her own. After a lengthy scene in which the surviving regulars (everyone but Calhoun) commiserate on the ship and say farewell, the book takes off in several directions--all of them intriguing. One is a lightweight one featuring McHenry and Kebron going to a backwater planet to stop a series of practical jokes pulled by Starfleet ensigns (they convince the natives that aliens are attacking by doing such typical things as using flashing lights and tipping cows). Along the way, the stumble across something far more insidious--an old foe from TNG is back...but to tell who would be to ruin it all. Next up, Si Cwan's sister Kalenda is haunted by dreams of the death of their teacher and Si Cwan swears vengeance. Add to it the book's best plotline--Soleta finding out the Romulan who raped her mother and is her biological father has been set free and how she confronts him and the news that he's dying. The scene in which Soleta confronts him for the first time is chilling and complusively readable. You can almost feel the book getting heavier in your hands as you read it and the temperature in the room get colder. It's that good.
All in all, David gives each of the plots balance and a great deal of depth and interest. The pages fly by as everything spirals out of control into the final pages in which you find out that not everything can or will be resolve in one book. As with all the best books of a series, this one leaves you with more questions than answers and leaves you utterly begging for more. For my fellow reader who complained that you don't find out why the Excaliber is destroyed, keep reading. The explanation will come to you soon enough and it's certainly shocking.
A must-read for any Star Trek fan out there. This is Trek at its best.
January 21, 2017
Disappointing.
After the mysterious destruction of the Starship Excalibur, her crew has scattered. In this volume we follow Soleta, McHenry and Kebron, and Si Cwan and Kalinda as they find something else to do.
The Si Cwan and Kalinda story doesn't amount to much. Kalinda has a vision of Si Cwan's old martial arts instructor getting killed. They travel to investigate, but the story isn't resolved in this volume.
McHenry and Kebron travel to a world similar to Earth in the 20th Century where the local are seeing strange lights in the sky, crop circles are appearing in fields, and people are disappearing, possibly being abducted by ... aliens! It's a good premise, offworlders investigating alien abductions. The stoic, no-nonsense Kebron and the flighty, aspergers-ish genius of McHenry should make a good odd couple. But the story is not as funny as it could have been.
And the Soleta story! This could have been amazing. Soleta confronts her biological father, Rajari, the man who raped her mother, though he has no idea that she is his daughter. He's had a come-to-God epiphany, is out of prison, but has a terminal disease. The potential drama here could have created a masterpiece, but instead we're twiddling our thumbs until we get to the action sequences when people from Rajari's criminal past come back for revenge.
So, the premises of the two main stories were good, but the execution was poor. I realize that Peter David was working to release three books that year; Requiem, Renaissance and Rebirth. This book would have benefitted from more time spent writing and better editing, rather than the rush to print.
After the mysterious destruction of the Starship Excalibur, her crew has scattered. In this volume we follow Soleta, McHenry and Kebron, and Si Cwan and Kalinda as they find something else to do.
The Si Cwan and Kalinda story doesn't amount to much. Kalinda has a vision of Si Cwan's old martial arts instructor getting killed. They travel to investigate, but the story isn't resolved in this volume.
McHenry and Kebron travel to a world similar to Earth in the 20th Century where the local are seeing strange lights in the sky, crop circles are appearing in fields, and people are disappearing, possibly being abducted by ... aliens! It's a good premise, offworlders investigating alien abductions. The stoic, no-nonsense Kebron and the flighty, aspergers-ish genius of McHenry should make a good odd couple. But the story is not as funny as it could have been.
And the Soleta story! This could have been amazing. Soleta confronts her biological father, Rajari, the man who raped her mother, though he has no idea that she is his daughter. He's had a come-to-God epiphany, is out of prison, but has a terminal disease. The potential drama here could have created a masterpiece, but instead we're twiddling our thumbs until we get to the action sequences when people from Rajari's criminal past come back for revenge.
So, the premises of the two main stories were good, but the execution was poor. I realize that Peter David was working to release three books that year; Requiem, Renaissance and Rebirth. This book would have benefitted from more time spent writing and better editing, rather than the rush to print.
October 10, 2021
I am a huge fan of NEW FRONTIER and the series by Peter David is among there with the Dresden Files and Buffy the Vampire Slayer for some of the biggest influences on my writing. No one can quite combine genre fiction, humor, and rabid fire quips with dedicated use of continuity quite like these books. Star Trek: Lower Decks comes close but I feel the world of New Frontier is a bit better at managing it all.
REQUIEM is the first of the three EXCALIBUR books that follow up a bold and perhaps strange choice by Peter David to break up the entirety of the Excalibur crew. The Excalibur is destroyed, Captain Calhoun is presumed dead, and the crew is scattered across the Alpha Quadrant. These are both some of the best stories in the series and also the end of what I feel is the "classic" New Frontier stories as well since the series starts becoming darker after these are complete. For all intents and purposes, the "Five Year Mission" period of exploring Thallonian Space is over and a tighter continuity is imposed with events bound to get darker and darker.
I think my favorite part of the book is the opening where the crew is gathered together to mourn the Excalibur and discuss their future career prospects. Commander Shelby has the opportunity to command a new vessel and get the band back together. It's a shocking but believable twist to the tired and true formula that, no, she doesn't want Calhouns' ragtag band of misfits to join her on a new starship.
However, there's also other subversive and interesting stories in this book that carry Peter David's usual wit and interest. Soleta attempts to meet her biological male tissue donor (and mother's assailant) who seems to have repented of his crimes. It could have been a saccharine story about her finding out anyone could be redeemed but the ending really threw me for a loop. Sadly, I don't think it fits with Soleta's later actions in the series and just flat out confuses me in how they relate.
There's also a parody I didn't realize I needed with Zak Kebron and Mark McHenry of the Men in Black and X-files. They go to a Pre-Warp Drive world to investigate a series of alien abductions being conducted by rambunctious teenagers and Starfleet cadets that they have to put a stop to, only to get an even more strange set of company. It reminded me of an episode of Farscape and it was all the more entertaining for it.
Finally, we have a Si Cwan and Kalinda story that is straight out of martial arts epic but sadly it isn't resolved in this book but another. Part of the issue I have with Requiem is it feels like part one of a much-much larger book that I kind of wish it had been. It's a weirdly wacky Game of Thrones-sized one in my head and broken up for space. Still, if you love the characters of New Frontier then you will enjoy this diversion. Sadly, it still feels like a diversion and we never get back to the adventures of the Excalibur as we knew them.
REQUIEM is the first of the three EXCALIBUR books that follow up a bold and perhaps strange choice by Peter David to break up the entirety of the Excalibur crew. The Excalibur is destroyed, Captain Calhoun is presumed dead, and the crew is scattered across the Alpha Quadrant. These are both some of the best stories in the series and also the end of what I feel is the "classic" New Frontier stories as well since the series starts becoming darker after these are complete. For all intents and purposes, the "Five Year Mission" period of exploring Thallonian Space is over and a tighter continuity is imposed with events bound to get darker and darker.
I think my favorite part of the book is the opening where the crew is gathered together to mourn the Excalibur and discuss their future career prospects. Commander Shelby has the opportunity to command a new vessel and get the band back together. It's a shocking but believable twist to the tired and true formula that, no, she doesn't want Calhouns' ragtag band of misfits to join her on a new starship.
However, there's also other subversive and interesting stories in this book that carry Peter David's usual wit and interest. Soleta attempts to meet her biological male tissue donor (and mother's assailant) who seems to have repented of his crimes. It could have been a saccharine story about her finding out anyone could be redeemed but the ending really threw me for a loop. Sadly, I don't think it fits with Soleta's later actions in the series and just flat out confuses me in how they relate.
There's also a parody I didn't realize I needed with Zak Kebron and Mark McHenry of the Men in Black and X-files. They go to a Pre-Warp Drive world to investigate a series of alien abductions being conducted by rambunctious teenagers and Starfleet cadets that they have to put a stop to, only to get an even more strange set of company. It reminded me of an episode of Farscape and it was all the more entertaining for it.
Finally, we have a Si Cwan and Kalinda story that is straight out of martial arts epic but sadly it isn't resolved in this book but another. Part of the issue I have with Requiem is it feels like part one of a much-much larger book that I kind of wish it had been. It's a weirdly wacky Game of Thrones-sized one in my head and broken up for space. Still, if you love the characters of New Frontier then you will enjoy this diversion. Sadly, it still feels like a diversion and we never get back to the adventures of the Excalibur as we knew them.
February 28, 2016
i thought this one was very good for charter development, it was interesting to see what there personal life's looked like and once again peter david did not let the us the readers down, i will continue on with this series
January 2, 2025
Kind of a mysterious novel, about the crew moving on from serving together. I won't say too much, because really there's not too much that can be said. lol.
January 1, 2025
I wasn’t going to read this, but I heard there’s was little-to-no soap opera drama, so I thought I’d give it a chance. Well, I can confirm the melodrama is at a minimum, but it probably could’ve been skipped entirely because this book was firmly mid. It felt like Peter David was under pressure by the publisher to spit out something so he just threw Requiem together. This is particularly noticeable due to the fact that we never really learn how the Excalibur blew up in the first place, and how all of the senior staff survived… with a caveat to that statement. Also, two of the three plots are largely uninteresting and they left me wondering why I should care. Soleta’s story was easily the best with the most potential, but even it was a little bland in its execution.
What really irked me about this book though was how many little things are just plain wrong with it. Soleta goes to a Federation world, namely one of Saturn’s moons, and it’s some western-like small town where she has to pay for drinks at a bar (the Federation doesn’t use money). Then the silly thing McHenry and Kebron are involved in chasing down people going to a pre-first contact world (which isn't protected or under observation for some reason) because they’re from “influential families” within the Federation. How exactly are they influential if the hierarchal classes don’t exist anymore? The use of the imperial system of measurement was also somewhat jarring; the Feds use metric…
There’s more, a lot more, and it’s all so lazy and silly, pulling me right out of the story, but not so eyerolling as to pluck one of the most meme-able lines from Aliens “they mostly come out at night. Mostly.” Requiem is proof that without Mack Calhoun the story falls apart on almost every level.
I don’t want to say Peter David doesn’t know Trek, because that simply isn’t true, but it genuinely seemed like he phoned this one in or had it ghost-written. If you like this series skip this one; nothing important happens as it’s just filling the gap between the crew getting new ship assignments; anything you missed will likely be mentioned in the next installment anyway, but I don’t know that because I won’t be reading it. Cheers
What really irked me about this book though was how many little things are just plain wrong with it. Soleta goes to a Federation world, namely one of Saturn’s moons, and it’s some western-like small town where she has to pay for drinks at a bar (the Federation doesn’t use money). Then the silly thing McHenry and Kebron are involved in chasing down people going to a pre-first contact world (which isn't protected or under observation for some reason) because they’re from “influential families” within the Federation. How exactly are they influential if the hierarchal classes don’t exist anymore? The use of the imperial system of measurement was also somewhat jarring; the Feds use metric…
There’s more, a lot more, and it’s all so lazy and silly, pulling me right out of the story, but not so eyerolling as to pluck one of the most meme-able lines from Aliens “they mostly come out at night. Mostly.” Requiem is proof that without Mack Calhoun the story falls apart on almost every level.
I don’t want to say Peter David doesn’t know Trek, because that simply isn’t true, but it genuinely seemed like he phoned this one in or had it ghost-written. If you like this series skip this one; nothing important happens as it’s just filling the gap between the crew getting new ship assignments; anything you missed will likely be mentioned in the next installment anyway, but I don’t know that because I won’t be reading it. Cheers
June 19, 2020
This is the first of a trilogy within Star Trek: New Frontier called Excalibur (books #9 through 11 of the main series). At the end of Dark Allies, we learn that the ship was just about to blow up. At the beginning of this, we're clearly several weeks past, and Captain Mackenzie Calhoun is apparently dead and the crew is about to be scattered. Sad, I guess, but this is Star Trek, so I have to assume Mac will show up by the end of this sub-trilogy, especially since there are by my count, at least 10 more books after this (that I own) and Mac is clearly on the cover of some of them.
Anyway, back to this book. The command crew all have "cooling off" periods due to the trauma of aforementioned ship-go-boom-boom, so this allows the author Peter David to construct side adventure for all the character. This volume focuses on Soleta, McHenry, Kebron, and Si Cwan and Kalinda. Soleta had the major focus, which I'm glad, because she's probably my favorite character in the series so far. Tragic background and funny to boot. I did get annoyed with her storyline a bit here, because there was a bit too much talk of "blood will tell"-type thinking, which felt a bit gross. the McHenry and Kebron storyline was apparently supposed to be the comic relief of this volume, which semi-worked, though we do get some interesting revelations about McHenry (or do we?). The most unsatisfying one was Si Cwan, since apparently it's to be a revenge tale that will be continued later in another volume. Great.
From what I can tell (and sneaking a look at the beginning of the next book), Peter David intends to leave the question of just how the Excalibur exploded as a question for later, so if you're reading these, try not to get bothered by the active avoidance of the question.
P.S. Despite my love for Soleta and her humor, the single best and funniest line in this book was her father in her last chapter.
Anyway, back to this book. The command crew all have "cooling off" periods due to the trauma of aforementioned ship-go-boom-boom, so this allows the author Peter David to construct side adventure for all the character. This volume focuses on Soleta, McHenry, Kebron, and Si Cwan and Kalinda. Soleta had the major focus, which I'm glad, because she's probably my favorite character in the series so far. Tragic background and funny to boot. I did get annoyed with her storyline a bit here, because there was a bit too much talk of "blood will tell"-type thinking, which felt a bit gross. the McHenry and Kebron storyline was apparently supposed to be the comic relief of this volume, which semi-worked, though we do get some interesting revelations about McHenry (or do we?). The most unsatisfying one was Si Cwan, since apparently it's to be a revenge tale that will be continued later in another volume. Great.
From what I can tell (and sneaking a look at the beginning of the next book), Peter David intends to leave the question of just how the Excalibur exploded as a question for later, so if you're reading these, try not to get bothered by the active avoidance of the question.
P.S. Despite my love for Soleta and her humor, the single best and funniest line in this book was her father in her last chapter.
February 13, 2018
So as I'm sure you're all aware, the last book ended with the ship blowing up. We start with essentially a wake for Calhoun, and PAD continues his frustrating habit of overexplaining damn near everything. I'm not sure where this started, but he ... constantly has this thing he does with Selar especially where he'll have her act as a foil for explaining obvious things. It gets ... INSANELY tiresome super fast.
In any case, by far the best part of this book is following McHenry & Kebron as they investigate a possible prime directive offense on a pre-warp world. This subplot is seriously all that's keeping me reading the series at this point.
The Si Cwan subplot shows some hints of promise, also.
In any case, by far the best part of this book is following McHenry & Kebron as they investigate a possible prime directive offense on a pre-warp world. This subplot is seriously all that's keeping me reading the series at this point.
The Si Cwan subplot shows some hints of promise, also.
May 27, 2021
Wow! Nu börjar jag bli biten av denna besättning! Jag älskar framför allt Zak Kebrons närmast stoiska karaktär men Mark McHenry förbryllar mig. Vem är han, eller framför allt: vad är han? Intensiv historia som bara ökar intresset för besättningen. Jag har fortfarande svårt för Peter Davids berättarteknik och kan egentligen inte förklara varför vissa karaktärsbeskrivningar inte ”når fram” till mig.
June 14, 2023
This is part one of a trilogy within the confines of this series I'm currently reading. The last page of the previous book has the Excalibur exploding quite suddenly and for no apparent reason. This first part of the trilogy finds many of the command crew on various assignments, covert and otherwise. There are a few surprises along the way plus a twist or two for good measure. Definitely recommended.
May 2, 2022
Was odd not having Calhoun or a ship for the characters to be on. I appreciate that it took the time to do some downtime before they inevitably get a new ship. Probably something we haven't seen since Star Trek IV and that's not the best example of downtime. Anyway, a good read if you like the New Frontier series.
May 16, 2018
it's a bit weird without Captain Calhoun & kind of likevwhy are we still going on with the story, But it's actually pretty good. it has a good storyline and it leaves you with some interesting questions about some of the remaing crew.
September 18, 2020
Really didn't care for this one. The Soleta story wasn't bad but the other two failed to capture me. I'm not a fan of these stores where everyone is separated the whole time. I'll be anxious to get back to everyone being together.
August 11, 2022
I KNEW soleta was the best character of this series. Her storyline in this is ELITE. Visiting Romulus was UNPARALLELED. The whole finale ... breathtaking. As for the other storyline... obviously anything to do with Q loses a star.
May 16, 2019
After the events of the previous book, the scattered crew go on with their lives. Another excellent chapter in the life of the Excalibur.
July 27, 2022
Some good story and character progression, but I could do without being strung along about what happened to the ship.
4/5 Okay then, McHenry...
4/5 Okay then, McHenry...
September 23, 2022
Kebron and McHenry's story is worth this whole book
January 2, 2024
A crew in mourning
The USS Excalibur has exploded! This happens without explanation at the end of Dark Allies, and Requiem shows the lives of the crew while wait to be assigned to a new ship. It only followed a few of the characters from the series, but I quite enjoyed it since my favorite characters were featured. Requiem is definitely one of the better New Frontier books. I’m curious to see where the story goes after this trilogy.
The USS Excalibur has exploded! This happens without explanation at the end of Dark Allies, and Requiem shows the lives of the crew while wait to be assigned to a new ship. It only followed a few of the characters from the series, but I quite enjoyed it since my favorite characters were featured. Requiem is definitely one of the better New Frontier books. I’m curious to see where the story goes after this trilogy.
February 1, 2013
Requiem is book 9 of Star Trek: New Frontier, the first book of the Excalibur Trilogy and chapter 12 to the series overall. It deals with the aftermath of book 8's surprise cliffhanger, the destruction of the USS Excalibur. Apparently Capt. Calhoun went down with the ship, as the rest of the bridge crew arrived to hold a wake in an old San Francisco bar called Strange New Worlds. Most of the crew is on a "cool down" period between assignments, except for Shelby, who has waived cooling down for a possible promotion to captain her own ship. The scene is beautifully written and filled with tension and recent loss. At the end of the wake Shelby has a rather intense one-on-one conversation with Soleta in which Soleta reveals her hidden half-Romulan heritage.
After the wake, we follow three independent storylines--Soleta alone in one, Kebron and McHenry in another and Si Cwan and Kallinda in the last. In the first we follow Soleta back home for some Vulcan family drama. It's the fifth anniversary of the death of Soleta's mother T'Pas, and whenever possible, Soleta returns to Vulcan to spend time with Volak, the only father she's ever known. This time of remembrance is shattered by a menacing communique sent by Rajari, the Romulan who raped T'Pas and is in fact Soleta's biological father. In his message, Rajari, apparently unaware of T'Pas's passing, seems to threaten her (in a roundabout and not legally actionable way) with the intent to come to Vulcan himself and inflict further violence. Because Soleta cannot be certain that Rajari does not also wish harm to Volak, she decides to track down her mother's assailant in a preemptive strike to secure her family's safety.
Soleta's journey takes her to Titan Colony, orbiting Jupiter, Sol System, where she finally confronts the object of her hunt with surprising results. Rajari, it seems is in the final stages of terminal illness and is unable to endure space travel. Rajari also claims that he has undergone a religious conversion and is no longer the monster he was--and that his message to T'Pas was meant to be an apology, poorly worded as it was to spare her embarrassment should anyone else overhear by accident. Suspicious of the truth of the matter, Soleta decides to stay on Titan to witness Rajari's final days--and confront the Romulan heritage she has spent a lifetime shunning. Upon Rajari's death, Soleta agrees to return a stolen heirloom to his family's mausoleum on Romulus so that "his soul can enter the afterlife." While doubtful of the heirloom's actual religious significance, Soleta finds that she cannot resist the opportunity to further confront her Romulan heritage and where better to do that than on the homeworld of Romulan race itself? There is a final twist here, but you're gonna have to read the book to find out what it is.
Next up we have the odd couple of cynical, brash Kebron and laid-back, distracted McHenry who find themselves on mission to a pre-spaceflight world to stop some students from a private well-to-do Federation-based university (think Harvard in space) from playing pranks on the local populace. While pursuing this mission, Kebron and McHenry run into a larger threat that Complicates things Masterfully and is a greater Terror to this World than the pranksters--yes that's a hint to who it is, no I won't tell you. What I will say that after the adventure is concluded Kebron, the Master Detective FINALLY realizes that there is SOMETHING off about McHenry and he may not be what he seems. And it only took twelve books and one graphic novel for him to get a clue...
Finally we have Si Kwan and Kallinda and the first part of their search to find the murderer Jereme, an influential teacher of Si Kwan in his youth. The search leads them to Jereme's last remaining dojo where he taught in semi-retirement. There they meet one of Jereme's current students (Ookla, a Mook), and find out the name of the murderer--Olivan, a former student who left Jereme's tutelage due to...philosophical...differences. And the hunt is on...
See ya after book 10, Excalibur: Renaissance, where we follow Burgy and Selar and their trouble in paradise, Robin and Morgan Primus Lefler's adventures in mother-daughter bonding, part two of the hunt for Olivan, and perhaps we'll get more information on the final moments of the destruction of the USS Excalibur and the noble sacrifice of Mackenzie Calhoun, and whether Shelby gets that promotion...
After the wake, we follow three independent storylines--Soleta alone in one, Kebron and McHenry in another and Si Cwan and Kallinda in the last. In the first we follow Soleta back home for some Vulcan family drama. It's the fifth anniversary of the death of Soleta's mother T'Pas, and whenever possible, Soleta returns to Vulcan to spend time with Volak, the only father she's ever known. This time of remembrance is shattered by a menacing communique sent by Rajari, the Romulan who raped T'Pas and is in fact Soleta's biological father. In his message, Rajari, apparently unaware of T'Pas's passing, seems to threaten her (in a roundabout and not legally actionable way) with the intent to come to Vulcan himself and inflict further violence. Because Soleta cannot be certain that Rajari does not also wish harm to Volak, she decides to track down her mother's assailant in a preemptive strike to secure her family's safety.
Soleta's journey takes her to Titan Colony, orbiting Jupiter, Sol System, where she finally confronts the object of her hunt with surprising results. Rajari, it seems is in the final stages of terminal illness and is unable to endure space travel. Rajari also claims that he has undergone a religious conversion and is no longer the monster he was--and that his message to T'Pas was meant to be an apology, poorly worded as it was to spare her embarrassment should anyone else overhear by accident. Suspicious of the truth of the matter, Soleta decides to stay on Titan to witness Rajari's final days--and confront the Romulan heritage she has spent a lifetime shunning. Upon Rajari's death, Soleta agrees to return a stolen heirloom to his family's mausoleum on Romulus so that "his soul can enter the afterlife." While doubtful of the heirloom's actual religious significance, Soleta finds that she cannot resist the opportunity to further confront her Romulan heritage and where better to do that than on the homeworld of Romulan race itself? There is a final twist here, but you're gonna have to read the book to find out what it is.
Next up we have the odd couple of cynical, brash Kebron and laid-back, distracted McHenry who find themselves on mission to a pre-spaceflight world to stop some students from a private well-to-do Federation-based university (think Harvard in space) from playing pranks on the local populace. While pursuing this mission, Kebron and McHenry run into a larger threat that Complicates things Masterfully and is a greater Terror to this World than the pranksters--yes that's a hint to who it is, no I won't tell you. What I will say that after the adventure is concluded Kebron, the Master Detective FINALLY realizes that there is SOMETHING off about McHenry and he may not be what he seems. And it only took twelve books and one graphic novel for him to get a clue...
Finally we have Si Kwan and Kallinda and the first part of their search to find the murderer Jereme, an influential teacher of Si Kwan in his youth. The search leads them to Jereme's last remaining dojo where he taught in semi-retirement. There they meet one of Jereme's current students (Ookla, a Mook), and find out the name of the murderer--Olivan, a former student who left Jereme's tutelage due to...philosophical...differences. And the hunt is on...
See ya after book 10, Excalibur: Renaissance, where we follow Burgy and Selar and their trouble in paradise, Robin and Morgan Primus Lefler's adventures in mother-daughter bonding, part two of the hunt for Olivan, and perhaps we'll get more information on the final moments of the destruction of the USS Excalibur and the noble sacrifice of Mackenzie Calhoun, and whether Shelby gets that promotion...
April 24, 2009
So the ship has been destroyed, Shelby is angling for promotion and the rest of our characters are scattered throughout the quadrant, doing their own things. Cwan and his sister investigate the death of an old teacher, Kebron and mcHenry take on a mission for Admiral Nechayev and Soleta tracks down her biological father. In true New Frontier tradition, Soleta's father provides her an emotional roller coaster, Kebron and and McHenry's mission causes us to realise that mark is even weirder than we previously assumed, and Cwan finds himself yet another warpath on which to embark.
Of Captain Mackenzie Calhoun, there's no sign. why the starship "blew up", there's no description. precisely what about Mark McHenry is so fascinating to perhaps the most powerful of beings in the universe, we don't know. And as if that weren't enough, Soleta's adoptive father comes out with the line "They were here, on Vulcan. Caused quite a bit of commotion. Some very spirited debate over...", referring to Selar and Burgoyne.
But over what, precisely? Is Calhoun really dead and how did he die? What's happening with everyone else we've come to care about? Xyon Senior is still roaming the universe, after all, so things are bound to heat up once more.
The destruction of the Excalibre certainly blasted the series to bits - it's gone from following a crew all in one place to a group of people divided. but there's still something between this ragtag displaced group of people. "To maintain the previous crew would be to maintain the ghost of Mackenzie Calhoun at all times," Selar declares. And she's right: so has Mac truly kicked the bucket, heroically holding on to save his crew? Or is he still flying around somewhere, poised to return to the federation and reunite his orphaned shipmates for yet more bitingly amusing adventures? Only time (and the rest of the books in the series) will tell.
Of Captain Mackenzie Calhoun, there's no sign. why the starship "blew up", there's no description. precisely what about Mark McHenry is so fascinating to perhaps the most powerful of beings in the universe, we don't know. And as if that weren't enough, Soleta's adoptive father comes out with the line "They were here, on Vulcan. Caused quite a bit of commotion. Some very spirited debate over...", referring to Selar and Burgoyne.
But over what, precisely? Is Calhoun really dead and how did he die? What's happening with everyone else we've come to care about? Xyon Senior is still roaming the universe, after all, so things are bound to heat up once more.
The destruction of the Excalibre certainly blasted the series to bits - it's gone from following a crew all in one place to a group of people divided. but there's still something between this ragtag displaced group of people. "To maintain the previous crew would be to maintain the ghost of Mackenzie Calhoun at all times," Selar declares. And she's right: so has Mac truly kicked the bucket, heroically holding on to save his crew? Or is he still flying around somewhere, poised to return to the federation and reunite his orphaned shipmates for yet more bitingly amusing adventures? Only time (and the rest of the books in the series) will tell.
April 6, 2012
The book begins with the crew meeting after the destruction of the< I>Excalibur. Calhoun didn't make it.
The book then splits off and starts following individual story lines.
Soleta returns to Vulcan to visit her father and finds a message from the Romulan who is actually her father that was left for her mother who is now dead. She locates him to try to investigate.
Zak and McHenry travel in disguise to Liten, a planet without a lot of technologyto try to stop some university students who are pranking the locals only to find out that there is someone else doing experiments here.
Si Cwan and Kalinda go back to visit the home of their mentor Jerome after Kally senses his murder.
David as always does a good job of balancing the seriousness of the Soleta and" Si Cwan storylines with the quirky Zak and McHenry story.
People annoy me. That's why I do what I do. So I can shoot people while earning a living."
The book then splits off and starts following individual story lines.
Soleta returns to Vulcan to visit her father and finds a message from the Romulan who is actually her father that was left for her mother who is now dead. She locates him to try to investigate.
Zak and McHenry travel in disguise to Liten, a planet without a lot of technologyto try to stop some university students who are pranking the locals only to find out that there is someone else doing experiments here.
Si Cwan and Kalinda go back to visit the home of their mentor Jerome after Kally senses his murder.
David as always does a good job of balancing the seriousness of the Soleta and" Si Cwan storylines with the quirky Zak and McHenry story.
People annoy me. That's why I do what I do. So I can shoot people while earning a living."
December 14, 2014
The book before this in the series ended with a bang. Literally. The USS Excalibur was NOT saved at the last minute. Peter David is great at playing with expectations, and then taking them in another direction. Let's face it, a Star Trek series where you blow up the ship for real is something of a surprise.
The ship is gone, and Captain Calhoun is missing, believed dead in the explosion. There's no last minute miracle here. The still disbelieving crew wrestles with their loss, and get reassigned to various new postings.
Soleta goes back to Vulcan and deals with some unpleasant family business. McHenry and Kebron get an undercover assignment. And the rest of the crew are scattered to the winds.
This some great Peter David writing, including his signature humor and unexpected twists. Recommended to Star Trek fans, sci fi fans, and anyone who enjoys a story with a combination of adventure and humor.
The ship is gone, and Captain Calhoun is missing, believed dead in the explosion. There's no last minute miracle here. The still disbelieving crew wrestles with their loss, and get reassigned to various new postings.
Soleta goes back to Vulcan and deals with some unpleasant family business. McHenry and Kebron get an undercover assignment. And the rest of the crew are scattered to the winds.
This some great Peter David writing, including his signature humor and unexpected twists. Recommended to Star Trek fans, sci fi fans, and anyone who enjoys a story with a combination of adventure and humor.
March 19, 2015
So, we are going to just not bother explaining the cliffhanger from the previous book and jump forward several months.
The crew is scattered, a couple are believed to be dead, and we are given several shorter stories as they try to rebuild their lives and move on.
PAD gets a bit too caught up in having everyones' dialogue being really witty and clever, but otherwise, I like these guys and it was interesting to see them broken up into smaller groups and each getting a turn in the spotlight.
The crew is scattered, a couple are believed to be dead, and we are given several shorter stories as they try to rebuild their lives and move on.
PAD gets a bit too caught up in having everyones' dialogue being really witty and clever, but otherwise, I like these guys and it was interesting to see them broken up into smaller groups and each getting a turn in the spotlight.
January 2, 2009
I started reading the Star Trek:New Frontier series last year (well, rereading the first four, then continuing on), nice for traveling since they're paperbacks. Set within the universe we all know, but with a new crew and ship, Peter David shows a sure hand at mixing elements known and unknown, with his usual humor.
June 22, 2017
A lot of fun. I love how the circumstances of Excalibur's destruction are not revealed, and some of the places the characters have started going are rgeat
April 17, 2013
A great entry for the series, particularly for the focus it places on some of our heroes in environments very different from those we've seen in the series so far.
August 4, 2013
Boo! First you let explode the Excalibur, and then you loose no word about why. This was very disappointing and I guess, that the next book "Renaissance" will not change it... :(
May 18, 2015
Interesting stories focused on Soleta and Kebron with McHenry.
June 2, 2016
Story went in totally different direction. Not the direction i would prefer.
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