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Star Trek: New Frontier #10
Renaissance
The ship is only a memory, but the drama unfolds....
The USS Excalibur has been obliterated. Its captain, Mackenzie Calhoun is gone. Now the surviving crew members are dispersed throughout the galaxy, seeking to forge new lives in the wake of the Excalibur's destruction. For Dr. Selar, the ship's former medical officer, that means facing a very personal crisis.
Following the birth of her child, the Vulcan doctor returned to her homeworld, determined to raise the child exclusively in the way of logic. But the child's father, the Hermat Lieutenant Commander Burgoyne, has hir own views regarding their offspring's future, and s/he intends to fight for hir paternal rights, even if it means appealing to the highest authorities of two worlds!
Elsewhere in the Alpha Quadrant, Lieutenant Robin Lefler and her enigmatic mother travel to the pleasure planet Risa where they encounter a genuine Starfleet legend...
The USS Excalibur has been obliterated. Its captain, Mackenzie Calhoun is gone. Now the surviving crew members are dispersed throughout the galaxy, seeking to forge new lives in the wake of the Excalibur's destruction. For Dr. Selar, the ship's former medical officer, that means facing a very personal crisis.
Following the birth of her child, the Vulcan doctor returned to her homeworld, determined to raise the child exclusively in the way of logic. But the child's father, the Hermat Lieutenant Commander Burgoyne, has hir own views regarding their offspring's future, and s/he intends to fight for hir paternal rights, even if it means appealing to the highest authorities of two worlds!
Elsewhere in the Alpha Quadrant, Lieutenant Robin Lefler and her enigmatic mother travel to the pleasure planet Risa where they encounter a genuine Starfleet legend...
270 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 2000
23 people are currently reading
390 people want to read
About the author
Peter David
3,568 books1,363 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 30 reviews
January 21, 2022
This trilogy is rather entertaining. I can't wait to see what happens in the conclusion.
August 20, 2009
I have a love/hate relationship with Peter David's book...I love them so much that I can read them in one sitting, but I hate that they have to come to end. Such is the case with the new addition to the New Frontier series--itself the second portion of a trilogy that won't be completed until November (thankfully it's not a year otherwise I'd have to be seriously upset with Pocket Books). The storyline continues to follow the crew after the destruction of the Excaliber. There are only two plotlines going this time around. The first finds Selar and Burgy battling (literally and figuratively) for the future of their son. The other features the mother-daughter team of Robin Lefler and her mother, Morgan. Of the two, the vacation that Robin and Morgan takes seem the more lightweight of the two until the final fifty pages when David pulls the rug out from under the reader (to say too much would, honestly, ruin the fun).
David pays homage to the history of Trek by bringing in old characters from the past and actually making them useful to the story. The characters aren't just there for shock value but actually contribute to the plot. Especially nice is a chance to catch up with David's vision of how Scotty might turn out, trapped in the 24th century, many years after his time.
This is an enjoyable and fun novel to read. The final 50 pages are staggering in that they take some disparaging threads together and serve as the jumping off point for the final leg of the trilogy in which we will hopefully find out the fate of Captain Calhoun (I don't think for an instance he's dead) and what really happened to the Excaliber (we're told how the ship was destroyed here and it's truly a wonderful moment of revelation).
Staggering and superb, this series only gets better and better. And it only makes waiting until November that much harder.
David pays homage to the history of Trek by bringing in old characters from the past and actually making them useful to the story. The characters aren't just there for shock value but actually contribute to the plot. Especially nice is a chance to catch up with David's vision of how Scotty might turn out, trapped in the 24th century, many years after his time.
This is an enjoyable and fun novel to read. The final 50 pages are staggering in that they take some disparaging threads together and serve as the jumping off point for the final leg of the trilogy in which we will hopefully find out the fate of Captain Calhoun (I don't think for an instance he's dead) and what really happened to the Excaliber (we're told how the ship was destroyed here and it's truly a wonderful moment of revelation).
Staggering and superb, this series only gets better and better. And it only makes waiting until November that much harder.
January 2, 2025
The 2nd part of a trilogy of "what happened to the Excalibur" novels. Again, this tells the story of what's currently going on with a dispersed crew.
October 12, 2022
Basically, this continues the three-book Excalibur plot that follows the crew as they're separated from each other by the events of Requiem. In this case, it is Burgoyne, Doctor Selar, Robin Lefler, her mother, and a certain part of Thallonian royals. I'm not actually a fan of the crew being separated like this and feel like it should have been one big huge book but this came out in 2001, so I'm not exactly in a position to complain.
Part of what I like about the book, though, is that it does tackle very un-Trekkian sort of things like a custody battle with Burgoyne and Doctor Selar. Frankly, it hasn't aged well as a plot, though. In addition to Burgoyne sexually harassing the Doctor for the first few books, their desire to involve themselves in the life of a child conceived during Pon Farr that he has only a biological link to hasn't exactly aged well.
Basically, I'm going to be blunt that I think the relationship between these two is probably my least favorite part of [i]New Frontier[/i] as a whole. I never liked the two of them together and they sort of make each other look worse, even with child on the way (especially with a child on the way). Which is a shame because Bugoyne is a character that has become more relevant with the introduction of non-binary people.
Really, though, the best part of the book is definitely the Risa story. I don't know what it is about Risa but I find it a place where some of my favorite Star Trek stories are set. Yes, even the one where Worf becomes a terrorist. I think it's just the juxtaposition of the fact there's a vacation planet and everyone loves this world with the fact that it is apparently also a place no one can ever get any decent vacation time in. Perhaps also the fact that the utopian Federation is so nice that you kind of wonder why a vacation planet even exists.
Mind you, I hope what I heard that Risa was based on Hawaii isn't true, though. Because, really, tourism is such a colonialist awful influence on that island and its natives that it becomes in incredibly poor taste.
But the real appeal of the book is SCOTTY! Yes, James Montgomery Scott himself, now tending bar on Risa and enjoying his retirement in a way that I think sounded a lot better than him going off to a nursing home planet. Certainly, it has a lot more dignity and the fact that "Relic" suffered from a lot of ageism (the idea that old people didn't have anything to contribute in a futuristic world) was a pretty awful one. Here, at least, I think he's having fun and while I'm glad later books put him back in engineering, I think being a bartender isn't the worst thing he could do in his elder years. It's a shame he and Morgan Primus didn't hook up, though.
Part of what I like about the book, though, is that it does tackle very un-Trekkian sort of things like a custody battle with Burgoyne and Doctor Selar. Frankly, it hasn't aged well as a plot, though. In addition to Burgoyne sexually harassing the Doctor for the first few books, their desire to involve themselves in the life of a child conceived during Pon Farr that he has only a biological link to hasn't exactly aged well.
Basically, I'm going to be blunt that I think the relationship between these two is probably my least favorite part of [i]New Frontier[/i] as a whole. I never liked the two of them together and they sort of make each other look worse, even with child on the way (especially with a child on the way). Which is a shame because Bugoyne is a character that has become more relevant with the introduction of non-binary people.
Really, though, the best part of the book is definitely the Risa story. I don't know what it is about Risa but I find it a place where some of my favorite Star Trek stories are set. Yes, even the one where Worf becomes a terrorist. I think it's just the juxtaposition of the fact there's a vacation planet and everyone loves this world with the fact that it is apparently also a place no one can ever get any decent vacation time in. Perhaps also the fact that the utopian Federation is so nice that you kind of wonder why a vacation planet even exists.
Mind you, I hope what I heard that Risa was based on Hawaii isn't true, though. Because, really, tourism is such a colonialist awful influence on that island and its natives that it becomes in incredibly poor taste.
But the real appeal of the book is SCOTTY! Yes, James Montgomery Scott himself, now tending bar on Risa and enjoying his retirement in a way that I think sounded a lot better than him going off to a nursing home planet. Certainly, it has a lot more dignity and the fact that "Relic" suffered from a lot of ageism (the idea that old people didn't have anything to contribute in a futuristic world) was a pretty awful one. Here, at least, I think he's having fun and while I'm glad later books put him back in engineering, I think being a bartender isn't the worst thing he could do in his elder years. It's a shame he and Morgan Primus didn't hook up, though.
June 21, 2020
This is the second of the Excalibur sub-trilogy which follows various characters after the destruction of the USS Excalibur. This volume focused primarily on Burgoyne 172, Selar, Robin Lefler, and her mother Morgan.
Burgoyne and Selar's plot was the major focus, and the biggest reason why I rated this lower than the other books in this series, as they're my two least favorite characters of the crew. It's annoying to see two otherwise competent characters acting so dumbly with each other. At least it's resolved now for future books? One thing I really don't like about Burgoyne's general characterization in this series is how Peter David often portrays hir as an object of ridicule in some ways. The elder Vulcan T'Pau also purposely misgenders Burgoyne, too, so that's really annoying. There are a lot of issues with Vulcans in Star Trek, and I don't think they're properly treated with here. There's also a lot of "haha gay"-type humor that was probably a thing in the '90s but rather fall flat in the year 2020 (even if Peter David writes a sympathetic gay Vulcan in this one).
The other plot follows Robin and Morgan to a vacation on Risa, and it just ends up as a rather vapid storyline (Robin and Morgan are great characters, but they're usually better with the rest of the Excalibur crew, not each other).
And the plotline left hanging by Si Cwan in the previous book gets touched upon here, only to end in a cliffhanger yet again. Here's hoping the author finishes off this story strongly (and I'm really missing Captain Calhoun's presence right now).
Burgoyne and Selar's plot was the major focus, and the biggest reason why I rated this lower than the other books in this series, as they're my two least favorite characters of the crew. It's annoying to see two otherwise competent characters acting so dumbly with each other. At least it's resolved now for future books? One thing I really don't like about Burgoyne's general characterization in this series is how Peter David often portrays hir as an object of ridicule in some ways. The elder Vulcan T'Pau also purposely misgenders Burgoyne, too, so that's really annoying. There are a lot of issues with Vulcans in Star Trek, and I don't think they're properly treated with here. There's also a lot of "haha gay"-type humor that was probably a thing in the '90s but rather fall flat in the year 2020 (even if Peter David writes a sympathetic gay Vulcan in this one).
The other plot follows Robin and Morgan to a vacation on Risa, and it just ends up as a rather vapid storyline (Robin and Morgan are great characters, but they're usually better with the rest of the Excalibur crew, not each other).
And the plotline left hanging by Si Cwan in the previous book gets touched upon here, only to end in a cliffhanger yet again. Here's hoping the author finishes off this story strongly (and I'm really missing Captain Calhoun's presence right now).
February 13, 2018
I knew I was going to hate this book, and I was right. I flinched the entire way through it.
Though there's a subplot with Morgan & Robin (dull - nothing that you can't get from a rerun of Reba, sadly) and a subplot with Si Cwan (meh ... might be leading somewhere interesting), this book is mostly about Burgoyne & Selar's custody battle over their child.
Here's the thing: There are some interesting concepts brought up here, and some fun little almost-twists (Selar's brother's character & part in the overall scheme could have been so much more interesting), but through the whole thing I knew PAD was going to give it a shitty, expected ending. And he did. UGH. It just ... Peter, you're better than this.
Anyway, at least it's done now.
Though there's a subplot with Morgan & Robin (dull - nothing that you can't get from a rerun of Reba, sadly) and a subplot with Si Cwan (meh ... might be leading somewhere interesting), this book is mostly about Burgoyne & Selar's custody battle over their child.
Here's the thing: There are some interesting concepts brought up here, and some fun little almost-twists (Selar's brother's character & part in the overall scheme could have been so much more interesting), but through the whole thing I knew PAD was going to give it a shitty, expected ending. And he did. UGH. It just ... Peter, you're better than this.
Anyway, at least it's done now.
May 6, 2022
Well I figured this was coming. Outside of Calhoun, the first novel focused on the characters I did like and this one focused on the ones I don't. I hate the soap opera level drama from the Selar/Burgoyne relationship and how David utilizes Robin is stupid as well. All three of them behave like idiots and I don't particularly care for Robin's mother either so this one was doomed from the get go. Higher points are the inclusion of other characters that I did not expect (although one's appearance is a bit of a stretch for me). Anyway, I kinda forced myself to get through this one and was kind of confused by the cover to be honest...shouldn't have that been on the previous book - especially since the prior book dealt so little with the death of Calhoun with a funeral shot on the cover.
August 14, 2018
A little slower than the other New Frontier titles, mostly dealing with the relationship between Selar and Burgoyne, Vulcan culture, and a vacation on Risa with Morgan and Robin. Like all Peter David titles, if you're not overly familiar with his other works and the Star Trek universe in general, there are a lot of references that will fly right over you, as they are mentioned in passing but actually carry a lot of plot with them.
Read
May 13, 2020I love SciFi and I really enjoyed this book - the characterisations are vivid, and you become really interested to see them develop and where they are going. I don't want to give too much away but Captain Calhoun's marooning is central to the story, along with Elizabeth Shelby's loss and finally, them coming back together, albeit with a new son to add to the equation...
I will be looking out for further books in this series
I will be looking out for further books in this series
August 15, 2022
I didn't despise this so I feel like I can't give it one star - but I don't care for Selar or Burgoyne's story, and anything to do with Risa seems to be required to be boring in Star Trek canon. It did end with a twist but because I was dragged into the sunken place by two hundred pages of Selar and Burgoyne having the same conversation they've had for the last NINE BOOKS over and over and over again... I had forgotten why I cared about Si Cwan and Kalinda in the first place.
September 15, 2024
SPOILERS
Even with Spock and Scotty in this I found it to be a real slog to get through. One storyline had Robin and her mother on a resort planet with the daughter trying to avoid hooking up while the mother is all in. Dull.
The other storyline was repetitive and lasted the whole book. Essentially: "I want to be a father but she doesn't want me. No, I must do this alone". 268 pages to get to "OK, let's be together".
Not one of the better ones in the series in my opinion.
Even with Spock and Scotty in this I found it to be a real slog to get through. One storyline had Robin and her mother on a resort planet with the daughter trying to avoid hooking up while the mother is all in. Dull.
The other storyline was repetitive and lasted the whole book. Essentially: "I want to be a father but she doesn't want me. No, I must do this alone". 268 pages to get to "OK, let's be together".
Not one of the better ones in the series in my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2025
A lower stakes book, but enjoyable for the length of it.
Word of warning, seems that it would be advisable to read Double Helix: Double or Nothing before reading this.
I didn't experience it with the previous book (Requiem) but there do seem to be links in this one that I don't fully appreciate because I haven't yet read Double or Nothing.
Word of warning, seems that it would be advisable to read Double Helix: Double or Nothing before reading this.
I didn't experience it with the previous book (Requiem) but there do seem to be links in this one that I don't fully appreciate because I haven't yet read Double or Nothing.
July 27, 2022
A step down from the last Excalibur entry, for me, but I still enjoy spending time with most of these characters.
3.5/5 Guess I have to go back and read the Double Helix books before moving on with New Frontier?
3.5/5 Guess I have to go back and read the Double Helix books before moving on with New Frontier?
June 19, 2023
This is the second part of a trilogy within the New Frontier series of books by Mr David. This takes off where the first one ended. Quite a few twists come along for the ride and a couple of them are quite surprising. Can't wait to delve into part 3. Definitely recommended.
October 23, 2017
Burgoyne 172 doesn't take no for an answer.
May 27, 2019
Another excellent chapter in the lives of the Excalibur's crew!
September 23, 2022
Burgoyne is awesome. Not sure who I see playing hir is a movie or episode though
June 3, 2024
The weakest book in this series so far.
May 9, 2025
genius
Peter David is amazing. Binge reading this entire series because the character development and storytelling are so compelling that I can’t stop.
Peter David is amazing. Binge reading this entire series because the character development and storytelling are so compelling that I can’t stop.
January 2, 2024
Not the best
Since Requiem followed some of my favorite characters, I suppose it’s only fitting that Renaissance followed the characters I don’t like as much. The plot lines in this book were just a lot less engaging. Burgoyne and Selar’s relationship has never been enjoyable to read and half of this book was about their relationship difficulties… And the other plot line was set on Risa, which is a fine side story, but there just wasn’t a lot of substance to this book. Honestly the best parts were the cameos from legacy characters.
Since Requiem followed some of my favorite characters, I suppose it’s only fitting that Renaissance followed the characters I don’t like as much. The plot lines in this book were just a lot less engaging. Burgoyne and Selar’s relationship has never been enjoyable to read and half of this book was about their relationship difficulties… And the other plot line was set on Risa, which is a fine side story, but there just wasn’t a lot of substance to this book. Honestly the best parts were the cameos from legacy characters.
October 25, 2014
Excalibur: Renaissance is book 10 of Star Trek: New Frontier, book two of the Excalibur Trilogy and chapter 13 overall series. It continues from where Excalibur: Requiem left off. Capt. Calhoun is still dead and the former crew of the destroyed USS Excalibur are still scattered across the galaxy. In this installment we follow Burgoyne 172 and Selar to Vulcan for family drama and then we follow Robin Lefler and her mother Morgan to Risa for family drama of a different type. With this novel the New Frontier series officially becomes Star Trek: The Prime Time Soap Opera--not that that's a bad thing necessarily, as I happen to like the occasional soap.
Burgoyne and Selar's story begins on Earth, in the Nevada desert. Burgy had bought a house there because of the area's resemblance to Vulcan. But there is really no domestic bliss--Star Trek's Oddest Couple cannot find a way to agree on how best to raise their son Xyon. Then Selar decides to leave suddenly Earth without warning, taking Xyon with her to Vulcan. Once there, Selar accepts a job filling in for another doctor who needed to go on an extended leave and we meet her brother, Slon, and best friend Giniv (who for some reason I feel resembles Velma from Scooby-Doo or Peppermint Patty from Peanuts).
Burgy, after unsuccessfully trying to secure aid from his homeworld (it seems that Xyon's singular gender renders not legally a Hermat, in spite of his parentage), tracks Selar to Vulcan where his efforts to have a part in his son's life end with calling for an ancient Vulcan ritual the Kunit Ka'fa'ar, established waaaay back when the Vulcans who did not accept the teachings of Surak were leaving the planet in an exodus that would finally end with the settling of Romulus. The ritual would decide parental rights of families torn apart by the exodus. Officiating the ritual, we have none other than T'Pau who despite all logic clings to life. To find out the outcome of this ritual and to see why Spock makes a cameo near the end, buy the book.
A word on Slon. When we first meet him, we are told that he has " exceedingly curved eyebrows that gave his face a look of perpetual disdain." The first thought that flashed thru my head is that if he was wearing traditional Vulcan garb, he'd look a bit like a drag queen. Later we find out he IS gay (complete with on-again-off-again "friend" Sotok, whom we do not meet). I was prepared to ignore the appearance and friend-with-benefits thing and to chalk it up to being a little overly sensitive (my years of enjoying Peter David's writing make it easy to give him the benefit of the doubt), but then we are hit with the theory that Slon, by virtue of his homosexuality, is exempt from Pon Farr, the biological urge Vulcans experience to mate every seven years. Really? In more scatological terms, the biological urge to mate is referred to as being "horny," and I don't think there's anyone who would claim that homosexuals do not get horny. This bugs me to no end as it seems to subtly claim that there is something physically wrong or perhaps even something that can be "cured" about homosexuality. I hope I am wrong about this. One final word about Slon--despite the above, Slon's behavior and logic remain largely within the Vulcan norm. So that's something.
On to Robin and Morgan--a k a The Gilmore Girls In Space. They head to Risa, check in at the huge resort the El Dorado, meet Scotty at a bar called the Engine Room, and become involved with the father and son team Rafe and Nik Viola. After a few dates with the Violas we learn Scotty doesn't like them at all. Eventually, while tracking down the source of some mysterious computer ailments to the El Dorado computer core, Scotty is seemingly killed by the hacker responsible. Next we learn that the Violas are not all they seem as it turns out they are behind the troubles with the El Dorado computer core as part of a plan to rob the resort blind. We also learn that the galaxy is a small place as we learn that Rafe and Nik are not their real names, that Rafe is actually Olivan, the man Si Cwan suspects of killing his teacher, Jereme, and that he may have had something to do with the destruction of the USS Excalibur...
To be concluded in Star Trek: The New Frontier book 11, Excalibur: Restoration, book 3 of the Excalibur Trilogy...
Burgoyne and Selar's story begins on Earth, in the Nevada desert. Burgy had bought a house there because of the area's resemblance to Vulcan. But there is really no domestic bliss--Star Trek's Oddest Couple cannot find a way to agree on how best to raise their son Xyon. Then Selar decides to leave suddenly Earth without warning, taking Xyon with her to Vulcan. Once there, Selar accepts a job filling in for another doctor who needed to go on an extended leave and we meet her brother, Slon, and best friend Giniv (who for some reason I feel resembles Velma from Scooby-Doo or Peppermint Patty from Peanuts).
Burgy, after unsuccessfully trying to secure aid from his homeworld (it seems that Xyon's singular gender renders not legally a Hermat, in spite of his parentage), tracks Selar to Vulcan where his efforts to have a part in his son's life end with calling for an ancient Vulcan ritual the Kunit Ka'fa'ar, established waaaay back when the Vulcans who did not accept the teachings of Surak were leaving the planet in an exodus that would finally end with the settling of Romulus. The ritual would decide parental rights of families torn apart by the exodus. Officiating the ritual, we have none other than T'Pau who despite all logic clings to life. To find out the outcome of this ritual and to see why Spock makes a cameo near the end, buy the book.
A word on Slon. When we first meet him, we are told that he has " exceedingly curved eyebrows that gave his face a look of perpetual disdain." The first thought that flashed thru my head is that if he was wearing traditional Vulcan garb, he'd look a bit like a drag queen. Later we find out he IS gay (complete with on-again-off-again "friend" Sotok, whom we do not meet). I was prepared to ignore the appearance and friend-with-benefits thing and to chalk it up to being a little overly sensitive (my years of enjoying Peter David's writing make it easy to give him the benefit of the doubt), but then we are hit with the theory that Slon, by virtue of his homosexuality, is exempt from Pon Farr, the biological urge Vulcans experience to mate every seven years. Really? In more scatological terms, the biological urge to mate is referred to as being "horny," and I don't think there's anyone who would claim that homosexuals do not get horny. This bugs me to no end as it seems to subtly claim that there is something physically wrong or perhaps even something that can be "cured" about homosexuality. I hope I am wrong about this. One final word about Slon--despite the above, Slon's behavior and logic remain largely within the Vulcan norm. So that's something.
On to Robin and Morgan--a k a The Gilmore Girls In Space. They head to Risa, check in at the huge resort the El Dorado, meet Scotty at a bar called the Engine Room, and become involved with the father and son team Rafe and Nik Viola. After a few dates with the Violas we learn Scotty doesn't like them at all. Eventually, while tracking down the source of some mysterious computer ailments to the El Dorado computer core, Scotty is seemingly killed by the hacker responsible. Next we learn that the Violas are not all they seem as it turns out they are behind the troubles with the El Dorado computer core as part of a plan to rob the resort blind. We also learn that the galaxy is a small place as we learn that Rafe and Nik are not their real names, that Rafe is actually Olivan, the man Si Cwan suspects of killing his teacher, Jereme, and that he may have had something to do with the destruction of the USS Excalibur...
To be concluded in Star Trek: The New Frontier book 11, Excalibur: Restoration, book 3 of the Excalibur Trilogy...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2012
Like the first book in the "Excalibur" miniseries of New Frontier, Renaissance has two plot lines that go back and forth.
The first storyline deals with Burgoyne and Selar and their new child, Xyon. Selar wants Xyon raised in the Vulcan way but she doesn't want Burgoyne to be involved at all in Xyon's life. So, she takes Xyon and flees to Vulcan. Burgoyne follows her, intent on being part of Xyon's life and invokes an ancient Vulcan ritual to decide for the rights of the child.
The other storyline is Robin and Morgan going to Risa. They meet Scotty who is the engineer in charge of keeping the hotel El Dorado running. They also meet two men named Rafe and Nik. At the end of the book, Si Cwan and Kalinda come in because apparently Rafe and Nik aren't who they seem...
This book has a bit more serious tone with the child custody battle. I wasn't too keen on the whole Risa plot but the first storyline made up for it. There are still moments of lightness interspersed to lighten the mood a bit.
The first storyline deals with Burgoyne and Selar and their new child, Xyon. Selar wants Xyon raised in the Vulcan way but she doesn't want Burgoyne to be involved at all in Xyon's life. So, she takes Xyon and flees to Vulcan. Burgoyne follows her, intent on being part of Xyon's life and invokes an ancient Vulcan ritual to decide for the rights of the child.
The other storyline is Robin and Morgan going to Risa. They meet Scotty who is the engineer in charge of keeping the hotel El Dorado running. They also meet two men named Rafe and Nik. At the end of the book, Si Cwan and Kalinda come in because apparently Rafe and Nik aren't who they seem...
This book has a bit more serious tone with the child custody battle. I wasn't too keen on the whole Risa plot but the first storyline made up for it. There are still moments of lightness interspersed to lighten the mood a bit.
December 8, 2014
This is an original Star Trek series by Peter David, that doesn't star any of the big names in the Star Trek Mythos. It's set roughly when Next Generation and Titan are, for those that care about such things, and it's a mix of minor characters from the shows and David originals.
In this one, the USS Excalibur has been destroyed. Captain Calhoun is missing, believed dead. Dr. Selar needs to deal with the complications of her new child by Burgyone. And Robin Lefler and her secretive mother, Morgan, have a vacation together where they meet a legend and uncover a plot.
Peter David is a skilled writer, and these books are fun. They combine his unique mixture of new ideas and humor, which combine for great stories.
I strongly recommend this book, and series, to anyone who enjoys Star Trek, Peter David, good stories, and humor.
In this one, the USS Excalibur has been destroyed. Captain Calhoun is missing, believed dead. Dr. Selar needs to deal with the complications of her new child by Burgyone. And Robin Lefler and her secretive mother, Morgan, have a vacation together where they meet a legend and uncover a plot.
Peter David is a skilled writer, and these books are fun. They combine his unique mixture of new ideas and humor, which combine for great stories.
I strongly recommend this book, and series, to anyone who enjoys Star Trek, Peter David, good stories, and humor.
April 25, 2009
Well now, this is certainly a worthy continuation of the previous title and no mistake. You might call it the second half of something having more than 2 parts, as it were - "to be concluded" may indicate 3.
With Requiem focusing on Cwan, McHenry, kebron and Soleta, Renaissance gives us some of the other characters (The Leflers, Selar and family etc). It provides a very necessary link in the chain; with the characters so fragmented, it made sense to put them into more than one book, I'm sure.
Interestingly enough, the next one is called "Restoration". So perhaps Shore Leave is over now?
With Requiem focusing on Cwan, McHenry, kebron and Soleta, Renaissance gives us some of the other characters (The Leflers, Selar and family etc). It provides a very necessary link in the chain; with the characters so fragmented, it made sense to put them into more than one book, I'm sure.
Interestingly enough, the next one is called "Restoration". So perhaps Shore Leave is over now?
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.
December 18, 2010
Not bad as far as Star Trek books go until I bumped into a To Be Continued at the very end as if it was a television episode. That really steamed my vegetables. Seriously though, it was okay with spot visits from Scotty and Spock. Not good enough to make me to keep it though.
June 22, 2017
Another quality entry from Peter David. I love how the plotlines begin to connect at the end, and the major revelation we're left with. It made me run to grab the next volume off the shelf.
April 17, 2013
Another good entry in the New Frontier series, this one featuring a great focus on Robin, Burgoyne, and Selar.
August 8, 2013
Much better than Requiem.
May 18, 2015
This book focuses on Selar/Burgoyne and Robin/Morgan storyarcs. It's finally back to awesome NF beginning - great star trek story with lot of good humor.
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