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Star Trek: The Next Generation
Headlong Flight
An exhilarating thriller from bestselling author Dayton Ward set in the universe of Star Trek: The Next Generation, following Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew as they explore the previously uncharted and dangerous Odyssean Pass.
Surveying a nebula as part of their continuing exploration of the previously uncharted “Odyssean Pass,” Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the Starship Enterprise encounter a rogue planet. Life signs are detected on the barren world’s surface, and then a garbled message is received: a partial warning to stay away at all costs. Determined to render assistance, Picard dispatches Commander Worf and an away team to investigate, but their shuttlecraft is forced to make an emergency landing on the surface—moments before all contact is lost and the planet completely disappears.
Worf and his team learn that this mysterious world is locked into an unending succession of random jumps between dimensions, the result of an ambitious experiment gone awry. The Enterprise crewmembers and the alien scientists who created the technology behind this astonishing feat find themselves trapped, powerless to break the cycle. Meanwhile, as the planet continues to fade in and out of various planes of existence, other parties have now taken notice….
™, ®, & © 2016 CBS Studios, Inc. STAR TREK and related marks and logos are trademarks of CBS Studios, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Surveying a nebula as part of their continuing exploration of the previously uncharted “Odyssean Pass,” Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the Starship Enterprise encounter a rogue planet. Life signs are detected on the barren world’s surface, and then a garbled message is received: a partial warning to stay away at all costs. Determined to render assistance, Picard dispatches Commander Worf and an away team to investigate, but their shuttlecraft is forced to make an emergency landing on the surface—moments before all contact is lost and the planet completely disappears.
Worf and his team learn that this mysterious world is locked into an unending succession of random jumps between dimensions, the result of an ambitious experiment gone awry. The Enterprise crewmembers and the alien scientists who created the technology behind this astonishing feat find themselves trapped, powerless to break the cycle. Meanwhile, as the planet continues to fade in and out of various planes of existence, other parties have now taken notice….
™, ®, & © 2016 CBS Studios, Inc. STAR TREK and related marks and logos are trademarks of CBS Studios, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2017
115 people are currently reading
405 people want to read
About the author
Dayton Ward
112 books318 followersDayton is a software developer, having become a slave to Corporate America after spending eleven years in the U.S. Marine Corps. When asked, he’ll tell you that he left home and joined the military soon after high school because he’d grown tired of people telling him what to do all the time.
Ask him sometime how well that worked out.
In addition to the numerous credits he shares with friend and co-writer Kevin Dilmore, he is the author of the Star Trek novels In the Name of Honor and Open Secrets, the science fiction novels The Last World War and The Genesis Protocol, and short stories which have appeared in the first three Star Trek: Strange New Worlds anthologies, the Yard Dog Press anthology Houston, We’ve Got Bubbas, Kansas City Voices Magazine and the Star Trek: New Frontier anthology No Limits. Though he currently lives in Kansas City with wife Michi and daughters Addison and Erin, Dayton is a Florida native and still maintains a torrid long-distance romance with his beloved Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Ask him sometime how well that worked out.
In addition to the numerous credits he shares with friend and co-writer Kevin Dilmore, he is the author of the Star Trek novels In the Name of Honor and Open Secrets, the science fiction novels The Last World War and The Genesis Protocol, and short stories which have appeared in the first three Star Trek: Strange New Worlds anthologies, the Yard Dog Press anthology Houston, We’ve Got Bubbas, Kansas City Voices Magazine and the Star Trek: New Frontier anthology No Limits. Though he currently lives in Kansas City with wife Michi and daughters Addison and Erin, Dayton is a Florida native and still maintains a torrid long-distance romance with his beloved Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
February 27, 2017
Parallel dimensions and time travel in the same book!
This is the second book in the “new era” of “Star Trek: The Next Generation”, in the literary expanding universe (Relaunch Universe), but you didn’t need per se having read the previous book if you wish to engage right away into this novel.
CAPTAIN'S LOG
The USS Enterprise-E is exploring an uncharted space sector named “The Odyssean Pass”, far away from Federation’s territory, once again going boldly where no one has gone before. After its first adventure dealing with a time travel battle cruiser and a long dispute between two races, now in this second adventure, the crew has found a planet inside a nebula that it seems to appear and disappear.
Senior Staff:
Capt. Jean-Luc Picard (Commanding Officer)
Cmdr. Worf (First Officer)
Cmdr. Geordi La Forge (Chief Engineer & Second Officer)
Dr. Beverly Crusher (Chief Medical Officer)
Lt. Aneta Šmrhová (Chief Security Officer)
Glinn Ravel Dygan (Operations Manager)
Lt. Dina Elfiki (Chief Science Officer)
Lt. T’Ryssa “Trys” Chen (Contact Specialist)
Support Crew:
Lt. Cmdr. Taurik (Assistant Chief Engineering Officer)
Lt. Joanna Faur (Helmswoman)
Dr. Tropp (Assistant Chief Medical Officer)
Dr. Tamala Harstad (Medical Officer)
Lt. Rennan Konya (Deputy Chief Security Officer)
Lt. Kirsten Cruzen (Security Officer)
Others:
Rene Picard (4 years-old son of Picard & Crusher)
NOW YOU SEE ME, NOW YOU DON’T
So, what’s better than time travel?
Parallel dimensions, of course!
And even better than that?
Easy!
Parallel dimensions AND time travel in the same story!
And moreover, you may take this tale as a kinda of “crossover” story too, since two Enterprise’s crews will be involved!
OH, YEAH!!!
The USS Enterprise – NCC-1701-E (Sovereign-class) continues its exploring mission through the uncharted “Odyssean Pass” when its crew detects inside of a nebula what it seems to be the phenomenon of a “Rogue Planet”, a world without an established orbit, but most relevant than that, it seems that this world appears and disappears in unpredictable intervals, shifting through dimensions, even appearing in different space sectors on each dimension!
But, af first, they didn’t know the full scope about the experiments done at the planet, they just thought that the world was been hiding due the nebula’s radioactivity interference.
Captain Picard sends an away team lead by Cmdr. Worf since they found that the world is inhabited by some unknown race doing some kind of experiment and they seemed to be in distress, however the world continues with its random interdimensional shifts and the away team is lost, out of contact of the Enterprise-E.
THE ANOTHER DIMENSION’S ENTERPRISE
And soon this mission become something so big that they’ll need the help of…
…another USS Enterprise!!! (This isn't a spoiler, you just need to watch the book's cover)
ENTER: USS-Enterprise NCC-1701-D (Galaxy-class)
But…
…from another dimension!!!
And from the past, according to the point of view of Enterprise-E’s crew!
This twist isn’t so rare, since in Star Trek: Enterprise, in the episode “Through a Mirror, Darkly., the USS Defiant – NCC-1764 was sent to another dimension, the Mirror Universe, but also the vessel got back in time more than 100 years.
And obviously here, they got the chance to play with this big time.
And if you notice in the book cover, if you think that dealing with a interdimensional shifting planet was enough troubles…
…they’ll need to face a Romulan Warbird too (of course, it’s from Kirk’s era, therefore with outdated technology but with the support of two escort vessels and the factor that both Federation cruisers will have several damages due the quantum energies liberated by the rogue planet).
I won’t spoil the crew of this USS Enterprise-D from another dimension, since discovering it along the reading is a huge part of the fun about engaging this novel, I just let you know that, as you may guess, you’ll find differences in this crew in comparison with the crew that you knew from the TV Series’ era, different decisions, different paths, lead this USS Enterprise-D to present a different crew where you’ll find easily four key changes.
Two Enterprise's crews working together!
Maybe the only regret for such irresistible plot is that those different crewmembers of the Enterprise-D weren’t exploited enough to increase the impact in the development of this adventure, and therefore kinda wasting such wonderful unique opportunity.
However, still is a solid novel and certainly something that any fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation would love to read.
This is the second book in the “new era” of “Star Trek: The Next Generation”, in the literary expanding universe (Relaunch Universe), but you didn’t need per se having read the previous book if you wish to engage right away into this novel.
CAPTAIN'S LOG
The USS Enterprise-E is exploring an uncharted space sector named “The Odyssean Pass”, far away from Federation’s territory, once again going boldly where no one has gone before. After its first adventure dealing with a time travel battle cruiser and a long dispute between two races, now in this second adventure, the crew has found a planet inside a nebula that it seems to appear and disappear.
Senior Staff:
Capt. Jean-Luc Picard (Commanding Officer)
Cmdr. Worf (First Officer)
Cmdr. Geordi La Forge (Chief Engineer & Second Officer)
Dr. Beverly Crusher (Chief Medical Officer)
Lt. Aneta Šmrhová (Chief Security Officer)
Glinn Ravel Dygan (Operations Manager)
Lt. Dina Elfiki (Chief Science Officer)
Lt. T’Ryssa “Trys” Chen (Contact Specialist)
Support Crew:
Lt. Cmdr. Taurik (Assistant Chief Engineering Officer)
Lt. Joanna Faur (Helmswoman)
Dr. Tropp (Assistant Chief Medical Officer)
Dr. Tamala Harstad (Medical Officer)
Lt. Rennan Konya (Deputy Chief Security Officer)
Lt. Kirsten Cruzen (Security Officer)
Others:
Rene Picard (4 years-old son of Picard & Crusher)
NOW YOU SEE ME, NOW YOU DON’T
So, what’s better than time travel?
Parallel dimensions, of course!
And even better than that?
Easy!
Parallel dimensions AND time travel in the same story!
And moreover, you may take this tale as a kinda of “crossover” story too, since two Enterprise’s crews will be involved!
OH, YEAH!!!
The USS Enterprise – NCC-1701-E (Sovereign-class) continues its exploring mission through the uncharted “Odyssean Pass” when its crew detects inside of a nebula what it seems to be the phenomenon of a “Rogue Planet”, a world without an established orbit, but most relevant than that, it seems that this world appears and disappears in unpredictable intervals, shifting through dimensions, even appearing in different space sectors on each dimension!
But, af first, they didn’t know the full scope about the experiments done at the planet, they just thought that the world was been hiding due the nebula’s radioactivity interference.
Captain Picard sends an away team lead by Cmdr. Worf since they found that the world is inhabited by some unknown race doing some kind of experiment and they seemed to be in distress, however the world continues with its random interdimensional shifts and the away team is lost, out of contact of the Enterprise-E.
THE ANOTHER DIMENSION’S ENTERPRISE
And soon this mission become something so big that they’ll need the help of…
…another USS Enterprise!!! (This isn't a spoiler, you just need to watch the book's cover)
ENTER: USS-Enterprise NCC-1701-D (Galaxy-class)
But…
…from another dimension!!!
And from the past, according to the point of view of Enterprise-E’s crew!
This twist isn’t so rare, since in Star Trek: Enterprise, in the episode “Through a Mirror, Darkly., the USS Defiant – NCC-1764 was sent to another dimension, the Mirror Universe, but also the vessel got back in time more than 100 years.
And obviously here, they got the chance to play with this big time.
And if you notice in the book cover, if you think that dealing with a interdimensional shifting planet was enough troubles…
…they’ll need to face a Romulan Warbird too (of course, it’s from Kirk’s era, therefore with outdated technology but with the support of two escort vessels and the factor that both Federation cruisers will have several damages due the quantum energies liberated by the rogue planet).
I won’t spoil the crew of this USS Enterprise-D from another dimension, since discovering it along the reading is a huge part of the fun about engaging this novel, I just let you know that, as you may guess, you’ll find differences in this crew in comparison with the crew that you knew from the TV Series’ era, different decisions, different paths, lead this USS Enterprise-D to present a different crew where you’ll find easily four key changes.
Two Enterprise's crews working together!
Maybe the only regret for such irresistible plot is that those different crewmembers of the Enterprise-D weren’t exploited enough to increase the impact in the development of this adventure, and therefore kinda wasting such wonderful unique opportunity.
However, still is a solid novel and certainly something that any fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation would love to read.
February 7, 2017
Well, that was a satisfying day's literary inhaling. A bit of time travel, a bit of dimensional transference, interfering Romulans, lots of character study, and just the right amount of fanwank. This is about as classic and entertaining a TNG novel as you are likely to find.
March 17, 2017
This novel ended up being a bit of a surprise hit for me. I was prepared for a pretty standard, run-of-the-mill TNG adventure, but this novel turned out to be one of my favorite Dayton Ward books ever. The action was tightly plotted, the situations the characters found themselves in were fresh and interesting, and the inclusion of alternate realities gave the story just the little extra it needed without feeling like it was fan service or gimmicky.
Full review (video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z86r2...
Full review (video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z86r2...
February 9, 2017
Excellent TNG adventure!
November 14, 2019
Es handelt sich hier um einen hübschen Roman, der die Herzen der Star Trek Fans höher schlagen läßt, es es handelt sich um eine symphatische Mischung um die Crews der ENTERPRISE D und E. Eine Mischung aus Zeitreise und Alternativ-Welt-Story.
Die ENTERPRISE E stößt im Jahre 2386, nur wenige Monate nach den Ereignissen, die in der Trilogie: "Star Trek - Prey" erzählt wurden, auf eine kosmisches Kuriosität. Bei einer Forschungsmission in einen unerforschten Nebel finden sie einen unwirtlichen Planeten, der aus dem Nichts auftaucht und wieder verschwindet. Vorher empfangen sie eine Nachricht von der Oberfläche, dass vom Planeten eine Gefahr ausgeht und dass sie nicht landen dürften. Jean-Luc Picard schickt trotzdem ein Kommando unter seinen Ersten Offizier Worf zum Planeten hinunter, der sich danach in einen Quantengewitter auflöst. Das Einsatzteam Worf stößt auf dem Planeten auf eine Wissenschaftlergruppe einer unbekannten Spezies, die erklärt, dass sie an einem Quanten-Experiment arbeiten, das jedoch außer Kontrolle geraten ist. Der Planet springt danach von einem Parallel-Universum in ein anderes. In einer dieser Universen stoßen sie auf die ENTERPRISE D unter dem Kommando von Will Riker, der das Kommando nach dem Tod von J.L. Picard übernommen hat, der bei der Übernahme durch die Borgs bei Wolf 359 getötet wurde. An Bord befindet sich auch noch Tasha Yar, Worf, LaForge, Dr. Pulaski u.a.
Im Laufe des Hin-und Her-Springens des Planeten werden die Raumschiffe, die beiden Enterprises, aber auch ein romulanischer War Bird von der Quanten-Signatur erfasst und mitgenommen. Es kommt zur Begegnung der Besatzungen der drei verschiedenen Schiffe aus den unterschiedlichen Existenzebenen und auch unterschiedlichen Zeitebenen. Nach anfänglichen Problemen mit den Romulanern erfolgt schließlich eine Zusammenarbeit, bei der alle Besatzungen, auch der Planet, wieder in ihr Heimat-Universum zurückkehren können...
Die Geschichte der ENTERPRISE D in diesem Roman ist eine interessante alternative Star Trek-Geschichte, bei der Picard bei seiner Übernahme durch die Borgs (siehe Staffel 3 von "Star Trek: The Next Generation") getötet wurde. In der damaligen TV-Geschichte haben sich Will Riker und Elizabeth Shelby (die später eine der Hauptpersonen bei Star Trek: New Frontier wurde, das Kommando geteilt, es war damals nicht klar, dass Riker das Kommando über die ENTERPRISE bekommen würde, tatsächlich wurde er nach den Ereignissen von Star Trek: Nemesis, Captain auf der TITAN. Auch Natasha Yar ist noch am Leben, bekanntlich wurde sie nach der 1. Staffel STNG getötet und Dr. Pulaski ersetzte Beverly Crusher in der 2. Staffel. Wie gesagt, eine interessante Konstellation, die viel Spaß macht, insbesondere wenn man sich im Star Trek-Universum auskennt. Ein routiniert geschiebener Roman, der mäßig spannend ist, das war aber auch nicht der Haupt-Fokus des Romans, er verschafft den ST-Liebhaber ein wohliges Gefühl...
Die ENTERPRISE E stößt im Jahre 2386, nur wenige Monate nach den Ereignissen, die in der Trilogie: "Star Trek - Prey" erzählt wurden, auf eine kosmisches Kuriosität. Bei einer Forschungsmission in einen unerforschten Nebel finden sie einen unwirtlichen Planeten, der aus dem Nichts auftaucht und wieder verschwindet. Vorher empfangen sie eine Nachricht von der Oberfläche, dass vom Planeten eine Gefahr ausgeht und dass sie nicht landen dürften. Jean-Luc Picard schickt trotzdem ein Kommando unter seinen Ersten Offizier Worf zum Planeten hinunter, der sich danach in einen Quantengewitter auflöst. Das Einsatzteam Worf stößt auf dem Planeten auf eine Wissenschaftlergruppe einer unbekannten Spezies, die erklärt, dass sie an einem Quanten-Experiment arbeiten, das jedoch außer Kontrolle geraten ist. Der Planet springt danach von einem Parallel-Universum in ein anderes. In einer dieser Universen stoßen sie auf die ENTERPRISE D unter dem Kommando von Will Riker, der das Kommando nach dem Tod von J.L. Picard übernommen hat, der bei der Übernahme durch die Borgs bei Wolf 359 getötet wurde. An Bord befindet sich auch noch Tasha Yar, Worf, LaForge, Dr. Pulaski u.a.
Im Laufe des Hin-und Her-Springens des Planeten werden die Raumschiffe, die beiden Enterprises, aber auch ein romulanischer War Bird von der Quanten-Signatur erfasst und mitgenommen. Es kommt zur Begegnung der Besatzungen der drei verschiedenen Schiffe aus den unterschiedlichen Existenzebenen und auch unterschiedlichen Zeitebenen. Nach anfänglichen Problemen mit den Romulanern erfolgt schließlich eine Zusammenarbeit, bei der alle Besatzungen, auch der Planet, wieder in ihr Heimat-Universum zurückkehren können...
Die Geschichte der ENTERPRISE D in diesem Roman ist eine interessante alternative Star Trek-Geschichte, bei der Picard bei seiner Übernahme durch die Borgs (siehe Staffel 3 von "Star Trek: The Next Generation") getötet wurde. In der damaligen TV-Geschichte haben sich Will Riker und Elizabeth Shelby (die später eine der Hauptpersonen bei Star Trek: New Frontier wurde, das Kommando geteilt, es war damals nicht klar, dass Riker das Kommando über die ENTERPRISE bekommen würde, tatsächlich wurde er nach den Ereignissen von Star Trek: Nemesis, Captain auf der TITAN. Auch Natasha Yar ist noch am Leben, bekanntlich wurde sie nach der 1. Staffel STNG getötet und Dr. Pulaski ersetzte Beverly Crusher in der 2. Staffel. Wie gesagt, eine interessante Konstellation, die viel Spaß macht, insbesondere wenn man sich im Star Trek-Universum auskennt. Ein routiniert geschiebener Roman, der mäßig spannend ist, das war aber auch nicht der Haupt-Fokus des Romans, er verschafft den ST-Liebhaber ein wohliges Gefühl...
April 26, 2017
This Next Gen nerd is happy.
Ignored warnings, parallel universes, time travel, and all the awesome people I love... and some that I don't love so much. Sorry Geordi and Tasha, but you'll just never be Riker or Worf. But you're still part of the team! So I'll accept you.
Ps: the narrator did an excellent job.
Ignored warnings, parallel universes, time travel, and all the awesome people I love... and some that I don't love so much. Sorry Geordi and Tasha, but you'll just never be Riker or Worf. But you're still part of the team! So I'll accept you.
Ps: the narrator did an excellent job.
September 24, 2024
3.5 rounded up
Haven't read a Star Trek book in a while and I enjoyed this one.
Haven't read a Star Trek book in a while and I enjoyed this one.
bin
February 1, 2024They say you should never go back.
I gave this a try because I was nostalgic for TNG. unfortunately I gave it up pretty much after the first couple of chapters. Every character was simply trotting out their tired old phrases and thoughts as if their voice boxes had been attached to pull strings.
“There’s a snake in my boot!”
I’m not sure what I was expecting. This story wasn’t set 20 years after TNG, so I don’t know why I should have expected character growth. It’s just that I wasn’t expecting something THIS formulaic.
I don’t do star ratings for books I don’t finish.
I gave this a try because I was nostalgic for TNG. unfortunately I gave it up pretty much after the first couple of chapters. Every character was simply trotting out their tired old phrases and thoughts as if their voice boxes had been attached to pull strings.
“There’s a snake in my boot!”
I’m not sure what I was expecting. This story wasn’t set 20 years after TNG, so I don’t know why I should have expected character growth. It’s just that I wasn’t expecting something THIS formulaic.
I don’t do star ratings for books I don’t finish.
August 14, 2018
This was a big ole dud for me. I barely read half before giving up. Felt like it was phoned in. It's a shame because they really could have had fun. If we're going to bounce around the multiverse, let's give some playful nods to previous crossovers into the DC, Marvel, Doctor Who and My Little Pony universes. If we're going to do parallel universes, then let's shake it up, show me a universe where the Borg won then. Such a waste.
April 29, 2021
Like a bonus two-part episode of Star Trek: TNG - what a surprising gift
A-
A-
June 17, 2017
This was a really good story. I have to say though Dayton Ward is my least favorite ST author currently writing by some margin. Ive never really been able to articulate why, & for the most part still can't. However I can one of the things that bother me about his writing is his internal monologue,....its just not very good & its comes off fairly corny to me. A couple of times I just had to stop & laugh. But that's not to say he doesn't come up with some pretty good stories, such as this one which ended up being my 2nd favorite Dayton story just behind Peacable Kingdoms in which I thought he was in rare form. Highly recommend.
March 6, 2017
Over 100 Star Trek books have been made. The biggest criticism is that you really have to be a fan to love them. Certainly one needs to be a fan to understand the background. And although this one is no exception, I think it is quite well written in comparison to others and really captures the style of the original series. So if you’re a fan, and looking for a short, solid, Trek, easily better than any of the recent movies, this is your book.
And as other reviewers point out it has: time travel AND parallel dimensions, with crews from both the Enterprise-E, Enterprise-D, AND a Romulan Warbird from Kirk’s era - 100 years in the past!
And as other reviewers point out it has: time travel AND parallel dimensions, with crews from both the Enterprise-E, Enterprise-D, AND a Romulan Warbird from Kirk’s era - 100 years in the past!
July 31, 2017
Hmm So, do I consider myself a Trekkie... That's a hard question as I find many aspects of the show and movies utterly fascinating...while other parts of the Trekkie
lore and idea's...more cringeworthy at times. Though the arguement that a show and storyline that has been continuing since the 1970's...that's a pretty good record.
I think we all know what makes the hallmarks of Star Trek shine. It's many different pieces, but the core really has to do with what I consider three main pieces. The characters
and their interactions and dealings with each other, the metaphorically charged stories, and of course...the cool ships,and technology. Again that's not to say every episode of
Star Trek is a deep contemplative and thought provoking entry into screen writing. Far from it. But from what I've seen, in general, there is usually a good amount of thought
and social awareness placed in episodes or atleast overall themes of seasons.
So what am I rambling on here for? Well one of the downsides that prevents me from going full pro Trekkie, is the problem that they made in decisions of stories.
There are just too many and too frequently used "super undo" buttons. Or Time travel fixes, alternate universes, space magic, and temporal displacement gotcha's.
To put it bluntly, many of the stories in order to I suppose, keep the interest and action and shock value high, is to toss in time travel and an alternate universe and
call it a day. Now to me, when I hear or see something like this I instantly think, "Okay...lazy story writing excuse time". It's just too easy to create a "it was all a dream" excuse
plus to me, it does harm down the road when you're a new fan or even someone just trying to catch up, which story goes with what time arc, etc.. For this reason, while I was
intrigued by the story of the the quantum fluxing planet idea... it was the alternate dimension/time travel story that prevented me from really digging my teeth into
wanting to read Headlong Flight. Now prior to this, I have only read one or two Star Trek novels in the past, and neither did much for me. (It was back when I was younger and probably
just wanted all space battles or something). So I wasn't expecting (and rightfully so...) a grand literary masterpiece with this.
But I will admit, I was very surprised at the very least of the effort put in by Dayton to bring the crew of the Enterprise D and E to life. Now I remind you...
I'm not at all a fan of these big cross over time shifting stories, where old crew meets young... Captains meet from different era's. All that stuff seems silly to me, I
would just rather have a normal "Realistic" story that's....parden the pun... more down to earth. Well despite all of that and despite the obviously large impact that time
travel would have on this particular story, it was done...gracefully. By that I mean while it still felt completely cheesy and a bit "forced" there is actually a very large
amount of depth to this story and characters.
The story still focuses heavily on the idea of time travel, but and this is what I really appreciated, each crew of the factions involved (except oddly enough the newly discovered alien race..)
is given time to really dig down into their characters. I was particularly surprised by the backstory and characterization of Sarnath, the Romulan commander, and the crew of the Enterprise that
seem to have been created for the novels. I think this approach to writing was a wise wise choice in that even as someone who just picked up a random Star Trek book. I could get a feel for those
characters. I was almost ready to assume that the characters presented here were just "red shirt" cannon fodder and only the main crew would survive. But alas no! And real emotions and feelings
were given to the crew members all around. Again I stress the importance of this doubly so on the Romulan ship. This let's use get a very high level view of what Romulan society is like. The book treads
a very careful line, not having to fill every reader in on past events, but yet, make the story engaging and so that you know where and what the overall feel is for the races, and characters. For that...
well done! What sticks out the most to me is the inner turmoil and self doubt that Commander Ryker displays. Feeling as though he's in the shadow of Picard he feels incompetent to carry on his mantle after his death
(again...that damn paralell time line stuff...) we're given a much softer view of what Ryker could have been. The classic character tropes of Data and Jordi Laforge all are written with a very
"classic" if not cliched style, but it's something that feels just right. As I stated earlier, the author has come up with some very good and well thought out characters to fill the ship with.
I'm not actually sure if these are characters created by Dayton, but he's given them something to cling onto.
As a side note, the narration with this book was a bit odd. Certain times I got the feeling that the narrator really went out of his way and nailed the characters
Worf...hmm not so much, but that's a hard order to fill I admit.
and accents of the cast and crew, but other times where he comes off just very flat, and monotone. Overall though I think he did a pretty good job especially with Picard and Data.
What I also liked about this was the very balanced writing. Despite the Romulans being the enemy here, they aren't given an unfair, cheesy upper hand. Things go just as wrong for them as things go wrong for Federation.
Good thing about the novel is that even though it doesn't just come out and hold your hands with the background of races and politics, it does a great job in letting
us know where each race stands, how they feel and best of all their natural temperments and racial characteristics.
My real only complaint about the book, and this is one that was actually handled much better than it could have been, is the *slight* confusion of storylines
Because there's 3 main stories taking place, and two of them involved different crews and times of the same ship, if you're not careful you may get a bit turned around
with who is who and on what ship. But this rarely happened, and like I said, it was handled surprisingly well. The new alien race we're presented with didn't get a whole lot of
actual time to establish why we should really care about them to be honest. The Sidrac goof'd went too far with their experimenting and screwed themselves over! No real development of any
of their characters, and looking back I sort of agree with this approach as it would have distracted too much from the main crew and the Romulan interactions.
Overall this book was really fun. I legitimately wanted to know what was going to happen to the two varying story lines, and I was really happy to see some the crews displaying
their on screen behaviours and even some of the new crew members who seem to be shaping into their own. I'm eager to see and read about Glen Deagan a prospective Cardassian Science officer. I think I'm
actually going to pick up the "next" book in this series "Hearts and Minds". It's not really a direct sequel, from what I hear but definitely set in the Post Nemesis time...
lore and idea's...more cringeworthy at times. Though the arguement that a show and storyline that has been continuing since the 1970's...that's a pretty good record.
I think we all know what makes the hallmarks of Star Trek shine. It's many different pieces, but the core really has to do with what I consider three main pieces. The characters
and their interactions and dealings with each other, the metaphorically charged stories, and of course...the cool ships,and technology. Again that's not to say every episode of
Star Trek is a deep contemplative and thought provoking entry into screen writing. Far from it. But from what I've seen, in general, there is usually a good amount of thought
and social awareness placed in episodes or atleast overall themes of seasons.
So what am I rambling on here for? Well one of the downsides that prevents me from going full pro Trekkie, is the problem that they made in decisions of stories.
There are just too many and too frequently used "super undo" buttons. Or Time travel fixes, alternate universes, space magic, and temporal displacement gotcha's.
To put it bluntly, many of the stories in order to I suppose, keep the interest and action and shock value high, is to toss in time travel and an alternate universe and
call it a day. Now to me, when I hear or see something like this I instantly think, "Okay...lazy story writing excuse time". It's just too easy to create a "it was all a dream" excuse
plus to me, it does harm down the road when you're a new fan or even someone just trying to catch up, which story goes with what time arc, etc.. For this reason, while I was
intrigued by the story of the the quantum fluxing planet idea... it was the alternate dimension/time travel story that prevented me from really digging my teeth into
wanting to read Headlong Flight. Now prior to this, I have only read one or two Star Trek novels in the past, and neither did much for me. (It was back when I was younger and probably
just wanted all space battles or something). So I wasn't expecting (and rightfully so...) a grand literary masterpiece with this.
But I will admit, I was very surprised at the very least of the effort put in by Dayton to bring the crew of the Enterprise D and E to life. Now I remind you...
I'm not at all a fan of these big cross over time shifting stories, where old crew meets young... Captains meet from different era's. All that stuff seems silly to me, I
would just rather have a normal "Realistic" story that's....parden the pun... more down to earth. Well despite all of that and despite the obviously large impact that time
travel would have on this particular story, it was done...gracefully. By that I mean while it still felt completely cheesy and a bit "forced" there is actually a very large
amount of depth to this story and characters.
The story still focuses heavily on the idea of time travel, but and this is what I really appreciated, each crew of the factions involved (except oddly enough the newly discovered alien race..)
is given time to really dig down into their characters. I was particularly surprised by the backstory and characterization of Sarnath, the Romulan commander, and the crew of the Enterprise that
seem to have been created for the novels. I think this approach to writing was a wise wise choice in that even as someone who just picked up a random Star Trek book. I could get a feel for those
characters. I was almost ready to assume that the characters presented here were just "red shirt" cannon fodder and only the main crew would survive. But alas no! And real emotions and feelings
were given to the crew members all around. Again I stress the importance of this doubly so on the Romulan ship. This let's use get a very high level view of what Romulan society is like. The book treads
a very careful line, not having to fill every reader in on past events, but yet, make the story engaging and so that you know where and what the overall feel is for the races, and characters. For that...
well done! What sticks out the most to me is the inner turmoil and self doubt that Commander Ryker displays. Feeling as though he's in the shadow of Picard he feels incompetent to carry on his mantle after his death
(again...that damn paralell time line stuff...) we're given a much softer view of what Ryker could have been. The classic character tropes of Data and Jordi Laforge all are written with a very
"classic" if not cliched style, but it's something that feels just right. As I stated earlier, the author has come up with some very good and well thought out characters to fill the ship with.
I'm not actually sure if these are characters created by Dayton, but he's given them something to cling onto.
As a side note, the narration with this book was a bit odd. Certain times I got the feeling that the narrator really went out of his way and nailed the characters
Worf...hmm not so much, but that's a hard order to fill I admit.
and accents of the cast and crew, but other times where he comes off just very flat, and monotone. Overall though I think he did a pretty good job especially with Picard and Data.
What I also liked about this was the very balanced writing. Despite the Romulans being the enemy here, they aren't given an unfair, cheesy upper hand. Things go just as wrong for them as things go wrong for Federation.
Good thing about the novel is that even though it doesn't just come out and hold your hands with the background of races and politics, it does a great job in letting
us know where each race stands, how they feel and best of all their natural temperments and racial characteristics.
My real only complaint about the book, and this is one that was actually handled much better than it could have been, is the *slight* confusion of storylines
Because there's 3 main stories taking place, and two of them involved different crews and times of the same ship, if you're not careful you may get a bit turned around
with who is who and on what ship. But this rarely happened, and like I said, it was handled surprisingly well. The new alien race we're presented with didn't get a whole lot of
actual time to establish why we should really care about them to be honest. The Sidrac goof'd went too far with their experimenting and screwed themselves over! No real development of any
of their characters, and looking back I sort of agree with this approach as it would have distracted too much from the main crew and the Romulan interactions.
Overall this book was really fun. I legitimately wanted to know what was going to happen to the two varying story lines, and I was really happy to see some the crews displaying
their on screen behaviours and even some of the new crew members who seem to be shaping into their own. I'm eager to see and read about Glen Deagan a prospective Cardassian Science officer. I think I'm
actually going to pick up the "next" book in this series "Hearts and Minds". It's not really a direct sequel, from what I hear but definitely set in the Post Nemesis time...
July 26, 2017
This year marks the 30th anniversary of TNG on television. “Pretty cool, huh?” author Dayton Ward asks in his Acknowledgements. Yup, especially given the fact that Star Trek returns to the small screen this year courtesy of CBS, as well as continuing on the big screen in the form of the reboot movies.
Headlong Flight is such a better book than the rather plodding and lacklustre Armageddon’s Arrow that it took me completely by surprise. It tells a thoroughly engrossing story that had me enthralled, to the extent I gobbled the book up in a couple of days.
“I hate time travel,” Data proclaims early on. I suppose it is a good thing that Star Wars never latched onto the narrative possibilities (complications?) engendered by time travel, for then fans of both franchises would truly have their brains fried.
Headlong Flight has the Enterprise send an away team to investigate a wibbly-wobbly planet in NGC 8541. Said away team disappears mysteriously, popping up in a parallel dimension where another version of the Enterprise, sans Picard (who was killed by the Borg in this time stream), is investigating the same phenomenon … And then a bunch of pre-Federation Romulan warships also rock up. Uh oh.
What makes this such a joy to read is the careful attention to detail, and the fun it affords Star Trek aficionados. Dayton’s geeking-out does not detract from the overall plot in anyway, which accelerates with the speed of a warp engine.
The real skill here lie in the characterisation, with both Riker and Picard, on either side of a time/dimensional divide, reflecting on very different versions of history. All the characters have their moments in the limelight (even Wesley; and he’s not that irritating either, which is no small achievement).
Headlong Flight is such a better book than the rather plodding and lacklustre Armageddon’s Arrow that it took me completely by surprise. It tells a thoroughly engrossing story that had me enthralled, to the extent I gobbled the book up in a couple of days.
“I hate time travel,” Data proclaims early on. I suppose it is a good thing that Star Wars never latched onto the narrative possibilities (complications?) engendered by time travel, for then fans of both franchises would truly have their brains fried.
Headlong Flight has the Enterprise send an away team to investigate a wibbly-wobbly planet in NGC 8541. Said away team disappears mysteriously, popping up in a parallel dimension where another version of the Enterprise, sans Picard (who was killed by the Borg in this time stream), is investigating the same phenomenon … And then a bunch of pre-Federation Romulan warships also rock up. Uh oh.
What makes this such a joy to read is the careful attention to detail, and the fun it affords Star Trek aficionados. Dayton’s geeking-out does not detract from the overall plot in anyway, which accelerates with the speed of a warp engine.
The real skill here lie in the characterisation, with both Riker and Picard, on either side of a time/dimensional divide, reflecting on very different versions of history. All the characters have their moments in the limelight (even Wesley; and he’s not that irritating either, which is no small achievement).
February 4, 2017
I always feel a little sad when reading these, because I've missed so much of what's happened before. But it was really good to see some of the old crew again, and I got into this as much as I ever did any of the best TV episodes.
August 17, 2017
Dayton Ward's books rate up there with those from David Mack, Chris Bennett, & Peter David!
August 25, 2022
Started off strong and I enjoyed the alternate Enterprise D storyline. I wish we'd had more of that in place of the Romulans, who didn't add much to the overall plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2020
The following review was originally published in the online newspaper The Orkney News in August 2020. Link here. https://theorkneynews.scot/2020/08/07...
Star Trek: The Next Generation – Headlong Flight by Dayton Ward
Hello to my readers! I hope you are all doing well. Now that I’ve finished my two overdue reviews for Thrawn and Dune that I’ve been planning for quite some time I think I’ll go back to the world of Star Trek. Although this time I’ll be focusing on the adventures of The Next Generation crew. Captain Picard and crew were how I was introduced to Star Trek so I have a fondness for them all. Much like The Original Series there are quite a few Next Generation based novels and audios. Now I think it’s time to get to today’s review.
Headlong Flight is a 2017 novel and audiobook by Dayton Ward who I mentioned when I reviewed Agents Of Influence. He is certainly one of the most prolific authors of Star Trek media having written more than 30 novels either solo or alongside Kevin Dilmore. Ward isn’t the only Trek writer of note for novels and other tie-in media however with other examples being John Jackson Miller, Una McCormack, David Mack and Christopher L. Bennett among others.
The plot of Headlong Flight is as follows: The crew of the USS Enterprise-E has been given a new mission to explore and survey a nebula in the previously uncharted Odyssean Pass. To begin with all is well for Captain Jean-Luc Picard and company…until they find a planet that simply wasn’t there when they first began their scans. The planet does display life signs but the Enterprise receives a message from the planet to stay away for their own safety. Determining to provide assistance if at all possible, Picard sends Commander Worf at the head of an away team, only for an emergency landing to occur and the entire planet to disappear. Just what is occurring with this planet? And what will happen when the Enterprise isn’t the only ship or power of note scanning this mysterious world?
This was a very entertaining return to The Next Generation! This novel is technically set in the future far beyond the film Star Trek: Nemesis but that’s somewhat beside the point. The characters are very much in the spirit of the originals with Picard, Worf and the surprisingly prominent LaForge being the main examples. When the other ships appear in proceedings (which are somewhat spoiled by the excellent front cover art!) they pique the listener’s interest well. Just what happened on this planet? How can the problem be solved? And how will the character dynamics between the multiple ships come into things?
The book original characters – who I believe all come from previous Trek novels either written by Ward or others – are also quite endearing characters. Even if they are new to readers or listeners like they were to me First Contact Specialist Lieutenant ‘Trys’ Chen and Chief Science Officer Dina Elfiki among others make quite a positive first impression and prove to be somewhat instrumental in the overall story. By the end of Headlong Flight I was quite keen to jump ahead to the sequels and see what happened to the crew after this. What were they in for!? I can’t promise that it’s an all time classic (everyone has their own tastes and preferences in Star Trek especially!) but it is definitely an enjoyable story and one I would recommend to fans of The Next Generation in particular and Trek in general. Just keep an eye out for magically appearing planets and certain time displaced starships!
When it comes to the audio edition, the narration is once again excellently performed by the returning Robert Petkoff. He plays his parts wonderfully with particular mention to his Worf, Picard, Data and the aforementioned First Contact Specialist Chen. Petkoff also brings some detail and personality to the tale’s aliens, making them feel more like true people so you do start to empathise with their plight. This story is definitely somewhat different to Agents of Influence. There is a decent sprinkling of action throughout but it definitely feels more like a character piece designed for the dedicated Trek fan or the knowledgeable casual which Petkoff makes even more clear to listeners of the excellent audio adaptation.
In conclusion Headlong Flight is an entertaining foray into the more classic sci-fi side of Star Trek with alternate dimensions, character exploration and some baffling but fun technobabble courtesy of engineering. It was certainly something I’m glad I took a chance on and I’ll be sure to see what’s on everyone’s Hearts and Minds (forgive the terrible sequel pun) in the future. It may be more for the Trek fans than my previous journey to the United Federation Of Planets but it is still something I hope I can persuade a few of you to join me in giving this a listen. As for my next venture? Who knows!? But we’ll find out together. See you all soon.
Sayonara!
Nephrite
Star Trek: The Next Generation – Headlong Flight by Dayton Ward
Hello to my readers! I hope you are all doing well. Now that I’ve finished my two overdue reviews for Thrawn and Dune that I’ve been planning for quite some time I think I’ll go back to the world of Star Trek. Although this time I’ll be focusing on the adventures of The Next Generation crew. Captain Picard and crew were how I was introduced to Star Trek so I have a fondness for them all. Much like The Original Series there are quite a few Next Generation based novels and audios. Now I think it’s time to get to today’s review.
Headlong Flight is a 2017 novel and audiobook by Dayton Ward who I mentioned when I reviewed Agents Of Influence. He is certainly one of the most prolific authors of Star Trek media having written more than 30 novels either solo or alongside Kevin Dilmore. Ward isn’t the only Trek writer of note for novels and other tie-in media however with other examples being John Jackson Miller, Una McCormack, David Mack and Christopher L. Bennett among others.
The plot of Headlong Flight is as follows: The crew of the USS Enterprise-E has been given a new mission to explore and survey a nebula in the previously uncharted Odyssean Pass. To begin with all is well for Captain Jean-Luc Picard and company…until they find a planet that simply wasn’t there when they first began their scans. The planet does display life signs but the Enterprise receives a message from the planet to stay away for their own safety. Determining to provide assistance if at all possible, Picard sends Commander Worf at the head of an away team, only for an emergency landing to occur and the entire planet to disappear. Just what is occurring with this planet? And what will happen when the Enterprise isn’t the only ship or power of note scanning this mysterious world?
This was a very entertaining return to The Next Generation! This novel is technically set in the future far beyond the film Star Trek: Nemesis but that’s somewhat beside the point. The characters are very much in the spirit of the originals with Picard, Worf and the surprisingly prominent LaForge being the main examples. When the other ships appear in proceedings (which are somewhat spoiled by the excellent front cover art!) they pique the listener’s interest well. Just what happened on this planet? How can the problem be solved? And how will the character dynamics between the multiple ships come into things?
The book original characters – who I believe all come from previous Trek novels either written by Ward or others – are also quite endearing characters. Even if they are new to readers or listeners like they were to me First Contact Specialist Lieutenant ‘Trys’ Chen and Chief Science Officer Dina Elfiki among others make quite a positive first impression and prove to be somewhat instrumental in the overall story. By the end of Headlong Flight I was quite keen to jump ahead to the sequels and see what happened to the crew after this. What were they in for!? I can’t promise that it’s an all time classic (everyone has their own tastes and preferences in Star Trek especially!) but it is definitely an enjoyable story and one I would recommend to fans of The Next Generation in particular and Trek in general. Just keep an eye out for magically appearing planets and certain time displaced starships!
When it comes to the audio edition, the narration is once again excellently performed by the returning Robert Petkoff. He plays his parts wonderfully with particular mention to his Worf, Picard, Data and the aforementioned First Contact Specialist Chen. Petkoff also brings some detail and personality to the tale’s aliens, making them feel more like true people so you do start to empathise with their plight. This story is definitely somewhat different to Agents of Influence. There is a decent sprinkling of action throughout but it definitely feels more like a character piece designed for the dedicated Trek fan or the knowledgeable casual which Petkoff makes even more clear to listeners of the excellent audio adaptation.
In conclusion Headlong Flight is an entertaining foray into the more classic sci-fi side of Star Trek with alternate dimensions, character exploration and some baffling but fun technobabble courtesy of engineering. It was certainly something I’m glad I took a chance on and I’ll be sure to see what’s on everyone’s Hearts and Minds (forgive the terrible sequel pun) in the future. It may be more for the Trek fans than my previous journey to the United Federation Of Planets but it is still something I hope I can persuade a few of you to join me in giving this a listen. As for my next venture? Who knows!? But we’ll find out together. See you all soon.
Sayonara!
Nephrite
April 13, 2025
A story of two Enterprise’s. Parallel universe’s collide when an experiment goes out of control, bringing three worlds together in a race against time. When Captain Picard’s crew encounters a mysterious planet that appears to vanish at random, they are in for a greater surprise when it brings along more than just secrets.
Set in the First Splinter Timeline, the post Nemesis literary interconnected universe, we meet the USS Enterprise E as she continues to explore the Odyssean Pass, an uncharted region of space. In her latest adventure, she discovers a planet in a nebula that suffers from a rather unusual and unexpected problem.
Following two starship Enterprise’s, the story follows both the Enterprise E as it exists in the First Splinter Timeline, and the Enterprise D as it was after Jean Luc Picard was killed by the Borg, they are joined by a Romulan warbird from Kirk’s time. With a few creative liberties taken, such as the survival of Lieutenant Tasha Yar and Dr. Pulaski serving on the Enterprise D following the Borg crisis, we are treated to an overall adventure with the entire Enterprise crew. A rare treat, it is just the kind of adventure that’s right up my alley.
In three different realities, a starship approaches a mysterious disappearing planet in a nebula. Soon, all three will collide. The Enterprise E, the Enterprise D, under the command of Captain Riker, and the 22nd century Romulan Warbird Bloodied Talon will find they must work together if they ever hope to go home.
This book was one of the many I missed in my first read through of Star Trek novels and one I only became aware of while reading the Coda trilogy, which introduced me to another version of the Enterprise, one where Riker was in command and they still had Lieutenant Yar. Always a fan of Denise Crosby, I wanted to learn more about the adventure that they had when they had met ‘our’ Enterprise crew before the trilogy that ended what I would call a grand experiment in trek lit, carrying us through those long years when there was no new trek on our small screens.
Following a Captain Riker uncertain if he is worthy to take up Jean Luc Picard’s mantle, we meet an Enteprise crew at once familiar and very different from the one we know. Having seen a glimpse of a similar reality once before on the show, we now see in depth what the Enterprise is like without Captain Picard. At the same time, we get to see these characters together for the first time in a while, as with the series now spinning off several other book series, it’s an adventure with both Picard and Riker and through the two realities, we now get to see both versions together giving us a ‘complete’ Enterprise crew.
I’d say that this was definitely a love letter to the fans, in word, thought, and deed. With a story that rewards fans new and old, it was a great adventure well told with a wonderful opportunity to see some of the characters as we knew them for so long, and others that we had traveled with for years, mixing together in a single story with each getting to share in the comfort the other provides.
I’m always a fan of what if stories. Parallel dimensions, chances to see familiar characters and actors again, it is always the possibility of what things would be like if events had played out a little bit different that sets the imagination in flight. Perhaps it’s why I find some of the possibilities presented by the marvel multiverse to be so exciting. Now we see all sorts of other realities taking shape, and this one presented two interesting ideas.
Coming on the heels of the Strange New Worlds finale, I was already thinking about Balance of Terror, but one of these three realities presented is one where Kirk and his crew never made it back from the neutral zone, and we see just how much of a difference that one change can make.
If you’re excited by alternate timelines, parallel universes, or just a fan of the next generation, this book is for you. It’s a great story, and one I enjoyed every moment of from start to finish, and I’m glad I went back to read it.
Set in the First Splinter Timeline, the post Nemesis literary interconnected universe, we meet the USS Enterprise E as she continues to explore the Odyssean Pass, an uncharted region of space. In her latest adventure, she discovers a planet in a nebula that suffers from a rather unusual and unexpected problem.
Following two starship Enterprise’s, the story follows both the Enterprise E as it exists in the First Splinter Timeline, and the Enterprise D as it was after Jean Luc Picard was killed by the Borg, they are joined by a Romulan warbird from Kirk’s time. With a few creative liberties taken, such as the survival of Lieutenant Tasha Yar and Dr. Pulaski serving on the Enterprise D following the Borg crisis, we are treated to an overall adventure with the entire Enterprise crew. A rare treat, it is just the kind of adventure that’s right up my alley.
In three different realities, a starship approaches a mysterious disappearing planet in a nebula. Soon, all three will collide. The Enterprise E, the Enterprise D, under the command of Captain Riker, and the 22nd century Romulan Warbird Bloodied Talon will find they must work together if they ever hope to go home.
This book was one of the many I missed in my first read through of Star Trek novels and one I only became aware of while reading the Coda trilogy, which introduced me to another version of the Enterprise, one where Riker was in command and they still had Lieutenant Yar. Always a fan of Denise Crosby, I wanted to learn more about the adventure that they had when they had met ‘our’ Enterprise crew before the trilogy that ended what I would call a grand experiment in trek lit, carrying us through those long years when there was no new trek on our small screens.
Following a Captain Riker uncertain if he is worthy to take up Jean Luc Picard’s mantle, we meet an Enteprise crew at once familiar and very different from the one we know. Having seen a glimpse of a similar reality once before on the show, we now see in depth what the Enterprise is like without Captain Picard. At the same time, we get to see these characters together for the first time in a while, as with the series now spinning off several other book series, it’s an adventure with both Picard and Riker and through the two realities, we now get to see both versions together giving us a ‘complete’ Enterprise crew.
I’d say that this was definitely a love letter to the fans, in word, thought, and deed. With a story that rewards fans new and old, it was a great adventure well told with a wonderful opportunity to see some of the characters as we knew them for so long, and others that we had traveled with for years, mixing together in a single story with each getting to share in the comfort the other provides.
I’m always a fan of what if stories. Parallel dimensions, chances to see familiar characters and actors again, it is always the possibility of what things would be like if events had played out a little bit different that sets the imagination in flight. Perhaps it’s why I find some of the possibilities presented by the marvel multiverse to be so exciting. Now we see all sorts of other realities taking shape, and this one presented two interesting ideas.
Coming on the heels of the Strange New Worlds finale, I was already thinking about Balance of Terror, but one of these three realities presented is one where Kirk and his crew never made it back from the neutral zone, and we see just how much of a difference that one change can make.
If you’re excited by alternate timelines, parallel universes, or just a fan of the next generation, this book is for you. It’s a great story, and one I enjoyed every moment of from start to finish, and I’m glad I went back to read it.
July 30, 2024
From Day One:
My first ever "Star Trek" novel, and my first read of the summer. A quick read - with time to spare, I finished the book in just over three days - and never less than engaging.
I chose Headlong Flight after I read a preview of Dayton Ward's newest novel, Hearts and Minds. Hearts and Minds was released just two days ago. I thought I might read Hearts and Minds during the first few days of my June 3 trip to Peru; Headlong Flight seemed like a natural lead-in.
While one novel does not depend on the other, both are set during the same period on the "Star Trek" timeline: post-Star Trek: Nemesis, featuring the Enterprise-E, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, and a range of familiar officers. Headlong Flight also features the Enterprise-D, captained by William Riker roughly one year after Picard was lost to the Borg during the events captured in Star Trek: The Next Generation's "The Best of Both Worlds," and a Romulan vessel, captained by Commander Sarith roughly one hundred years before the novel's "present." I enjoyed all three casts of characters, and their various interactions.
I believe Riker is the novel's best-developed character. As the novel begins, Riker is tentative, though he enjoys the unequivocal support of a very loyal crew. Data is Riker's First Officer, Geordi LaForge remains Chief of Engineering, and Katherine Pulaski is the ship's Chief Medical Officer. Wesley Crusher is a civilian (he has chosen to forego a career in Starfleet) and Natasha Yar is Chief of Security. Riker and Ship's Counselor Deanna Troi have renewed their romantic relationship; the two share quarters and seem very close. The trouble, of course, is the absence of Picard, Riker's most significant mentor and the Enterprise-D's only other Captain. Though he remains a very capable officer, Riker struggles to find his own way as Captain. By the end of the novel, this has begun to change. As a result, Riker's arc is more developed than that of any other character.
Only two characters make appearances on both Riker's Enterprise-D and Picard's Enterprise-E. These are Worf and LaForge. On Riker's ship, where Yar is Chief of Security, Worf remains Chief of Operations. On Picard's ship, Worf is First Officer. LaForge, of course, holds the same position on both ships. Beverly Crusher has entered into a romantic relationship with Captain Picard, and the two have a son, Rene, who lives aboard the Enterprise-E. The return of Picard and Crusher to the Enterprise-D is one of the novel's most poignant scenes.
Many interesting questions develop. Because the three vessels come not only from different time periods but also from different dimensions, the characters are less inclined to follow the letter of the Temporal Prime Directive. In fact, near the end of the novel, Picard chooses to violate the Temporal Prime Directive, providing Riker schematics for a powerful - and as yet undeveloped - weapon to be used in the Enterprise-D's fight against the Borg.
Of course, the existence of multiple dimensions is central to the plot. Unfortunately, while I have no problem believing in the existence of multiple dimensions (today's theoretical physics is enamored of the idea), I do question the ease with which the novel's characters move among those dimensions. The nature of the different dimensions is challenging, too. If there is an infinite number of different realities, how likely would it be that any one of those realities would correspond more or less directly to our own? That is, how likely would it be for me to assume the basic facts of my life would remain unchanged in a randomly chosen different reality? To me, the answer is "not very," and yet the characters in Headlong Flight seem comfortable with the notion that life "over there" is not much different than life "over here."
My first ever "Star Trek" novel, and my first read of the summer. A quick read - with time to spare, I finished the book in just over three days - and never less than engaging.
I chose Headlong Flight after I read a preview of Dayton Ward's newest novel, Hearts and Minds. Hearts and Minds was released just two days ago. I thought I might read Hearts and Minds during the first few days of my June 3 trip to Peru; Headlong Flight seemed like a natural lead-in.
While one novel does not depend on the other, both are set during the same period on the "Star Trek" timeline: post-Star Trek: Nemesis, featuring the Enterprise-E, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, and a range of familiar officers. Headlong Flight also features the Enterprise-D, captained by William Riker roughly one year after Picard was lost to the Borg during the events captured in Star Trek: The Next Generation's "The Best of Both Worlds," and a Romulan vessel, captained by Commander Sarith roughly one hundred years before the novel's "present." I enjoyed all three casts of characters, and their various interactions.
I believe Riker is the novel's best-developed character. As the novel begins, Riker is tentative, though he enjoys the unequivocal support of a very loyal crew. Data is Riker's First Officer, Geordi LaForge remains Chief of Engineering, and Katherine Pulaski is the ship's Chief Medical Officer. Wesley Crusher is a civilian (he has chosen to forego a career in Starfleet) and Natasha Yar is Chief of Security. Riker and Ship's Counselor Deanna Troi have renewed their romantic relationship; the two share quarters and seem very close. The trouble, of course, is the absence of Picard, Riker's most significant mentor and the Enterprise-D's only other Captain. Though he remains a very capable officer, Riker struggles to find his own way as Captain. By the end of the novel, this has begun to change. As a result, Riker's arc is more developed than that of any other character.
Only two characters make appearances on both Riker's Enterprise-D and Picard's Enterprise-E. These are Worf and LaForge. On Riker's ship, where Yar is Chief of Security, Worf remains Chief of Operations. On Picard's ship, Worf is First Officer. LaForge, of course, holds the same position on both ships. Beverly Crusher has entered into a romantic relationship with Captain Picard, and the two have a son, Rene, who lives aboard the Enterprise-E. The return of Picard and Crusher to the Enterprise-D is one of the novel's most poignant scenes.
Many interesting questions develop. Because the three vessels come not only from different time periods but also from different dimensions, the characters are less inclined to follow the letter of the Temporal Prime Directive. In fact, near the end of the novel, Picard chooses to violate the Temporal Prime Directive, providing Riker schematics for a powerful - and as yet undeveloped - weapon to be used in the Enterprise-D's fight against the Borg.
Of course, the existence of multiple dimensions is central to the plot. Unfortunately, while I have no problem believing in the existence of multiple dimensions (today's theoretical physics is enamored of the idea), I do question the ease with which the novel's characters move among those dimensions. The nature of the different dimensions is challenging, too. If there is an infinite number of different realities, how likely would it be that any one of those realities would correspond more or less directly to our own? That is, how likely would it be for me to assume the basic facts of my life would remain unchanged in a randomly chosen different reality? To me, the answer is "not very," and yet the characters in Headlong Flight seem comfortable with the notion that life "over there" is not much different than life "over here."
March 3, 2019
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**There be spoilers below!**
Back to their mission of exploring uncharted space, the Enterprise-E is checking out a nebula in the “Odyssean Pass” when they encounter what appears to be a rogue planet. This planet seems to be shifting between dimensions - and scans show it has life signs on it. A message from the planet warns the crew to stay away for their own safety, but Captain Picard wants to help them, so he sends Worf and an away team to the surface to investigate. Of course, because it’s Star Trek and the Enterprise crew is incapable of having a normal day (and there would be no story otherwise), the planet chooses that moment to disappear with Worf and friends on the surface. Whoops. Now Picard and the rest of the crew have to figure out where the planet went (hint: not only is there inter-dimensional traveling, but time traveling as well!), but the planet has attracted the attention of the Romulans, too, who think this would make some shiny technology to bring back home. Only, which time/dimension does this lot call home? I don’t know, it’s a mystery!
This was just a good old fun Star Trek story. It was not a tie in to anything else. It wasn’t part of a grand, multi-novel story arc that you had to read a hundred books before to understand the plot. It didn’t have any bullshit social or feminist issues that make me want to scream like some of the newer Voyager novels. There was a mystery, some technobabble, an away mission gone wrong, and Romulans oh noes! I loved it. I wish all the Trek novels would go back to being just standalone, fun novels, like they used to be waaaaayyyyyyy back when they were still numbered books. I could pick one up and read it and it was like its own episode.
This had everything a good Star Trek book (or episode) should have. Action, a little mystery, and sciencey technobabble. There were parts that made me laugh, and one or two parts that made me nostalgic and a little teary, not gonna lie. Those were wonderful, heady days on the Enterprise-D.
It was interesting to see the differences the Other Enterprise-D took in its timeline. Tasha Yar didn’t die, but instead, Picard himself was lost to the Borg at Wolf-359. Riker was the Enterprise-D’s captain, but his experiences turned him from the confident and happy XO we knew to a somber, self-critical man who constantly second-guesses himself and his worth as captain. It was nice to see how he went from that back to a man more familiar by the end of the book. Similarly, it was also nice to see how Yar might have turned out, still vivacious and brave but more seasoned, if she had lived. It made her death hurt all over again because we got a glimpse of what might have been.
It was also good to see how the two Enterprise crews not only worked together but also with the Sidrac to fix the trans-dimensional shifting and time traveling. In true Starfleet tradition, they even managed to play nice with the Romulans, who initially really did not have any interest in playing nice at all.
Overall, just a fun book, very enjoyable. I wish more of the Trek relaunch novels were like this, just a standalone book.
**There be spoilers below!**
Back to their mission of exploring uncharted space, the Enterprise-E is checking out a nebula in the “Odyssean Pass” when they encounter what appears to be a rogue planet. This planet seems to be shifting between dimensions - and scans show it has life signs on it. A message from the planet warns the crew to stay away for their own safety, but Captain Picard wants to help them, so he sends Worf and an away team to the surface to investigate. Of course, because it’s Star Trek and the Enterprise crew is incapable of having a normal day (and there would be no story otherwise), the planet chooses that moment to disappear with Worf and friends on the surface. Whoops. Now Picard and the rest of the crew have to figure out where the planet went (hint: not only is there inter-dimensional traveling, but time traveling as well!), but the planet has attracted the attention of the Romulans, too, who think this would make some shiny technology to bring back home. Only, which time/dimension does this lot call home? I don’t know, it’s a mystery!
This was just a good old fun Star Trek story. It was not a tie in to anything else. It wasn’t part of a grand, multi-novel story arc that you had to read a hundred books before to understand the plot. It didn’t have any bullshit social or feminist issues that make me want to scream like some of the newer Voyager novels. There was a mystery, some technobabble, an away mission gone wrong, and Romulans oh noes! I loved it. I wish all the Trek novels would go back to being just standalone, fun novels, like they used to be waaaaayyyyyyy back when they were still numbered books. I could pick one up and read it and it was like its own episode.
This had everything a good Star Trek book (or episode) should have. Action, a little mystery, and sciencey technobabble. There were parts that made me laugh, and one or two parts that made me nostalgic and a little teary, not gonna lie. Those were wonderful, heady days on the Enterprise-D.
It was interesting to see the differences the Other Enterprise-D took in its timeline. Tasha Yar didn’t die, but instead, Picard himself was lost to the Borg at Wolf-359. Riker was the Enterprise-D’s captain, but his experiences turned him from the confident and happy XO we knew to a somber, self-critical man who constantly second-guesses himself and his worth as captain. It was nice to see how he went from that back to a man more familiar by the end of the book. Similarly, it was also nice to see how Yar might have turned out, still vivacious and brave but more seasoned, if she had lived. It made her death hurt all over again because we got a glimpse of what might have been.
It was also good to see how the two Enterprise crews not only worked together but also with the Sidrac to fix the trans-dimensional shifting and time traveling. In true Starfleet tradition, they even managed to play nice with the Romulans, who initially really did not have any interest in playing nice at all.
Overall, just a fun book, very enjoyable. I wish more of the Trek relaunch novels were like this, just a standalone book.
December 25, 2019
Ich empfand die Geschichte als ein gut zu hörendes Abenteuer, hervorragend gesprochen von Robert Petkoff, der für meine Ohren besonders Picard und Riker sehr gut channelte. Herrn Petkoff ist auch der Grund dafür, dass das Hörbuch von 2,5 auf 3 Sterne kommt. Es gibt verschiedene Dimensionen, zwei Enterprises und noch etwas mehr, wobei auch ein paar "lower Decks" Charakteren etwas Platz eingeräumt wird. Und es gibt eine Begründung, warum Troi so lange keine Uniform trug. ;)
Es gab ein, zwei Dinge, die mich in Bezug auf die Story irritierten und den Unterhaltungswert für mich schmälerten. Aber das ist etwas für den Spoilerbereich, weil durchaus Plotaspekte verraten werden.
Es gab ein, zwei Dinge, die mich in Bezug auf die Story irritierten und den Unterhaltungswert für mich schmälerten. Aber das ist etwas für den Spoilerbereich, weil durchaus Plotaspekte verraten werden.
March 22, 2017
A novel that had to do a lot of things to engage me and it passed with flying colours! As I make my way through the novels I am at the same time rewatching Star Trek TNG and the spinoffs. Most of the episodes I haven't seen since they came out and so I am experiencing a lot of them for the first time again. Right now with TNG I've finished Lessons and am up to Vortex in DS9.
I mention this, because Headlong Flight is set far beyond anything I have read and watched to this point. Hell I barely remember Nemesis! So why did I decided to read Dayton Ward's latest offering? For one this book has come out in TNG's 30th anniversary. There is also the fact that I love alternate reality stories and lastly, because of an interview I listened to with Ward on a wonderful PodCast called Literary Treks.
I had a feeling that with this being a book of a licensed property that whilst I may be woefully behind, the writer would ease me in. Dayton Ward did just that. I had no clue who half the people on the Enterprise-E were, like Chen, Elfiki, Taurik etc, but at no point did I ever feel lost. Were their nods and references to past story-lines? Yes, but nothing that spoiled anything for me or made me feel like I was missing anything, rather it made me want to know more. Some sections on the book are seen through Chen's eyes and through her I got to learn about the new characters. This was a nice touch.
As for the story itself It was wonderful and a fun twist on alternate realities and time travel, featuring an Enterprise-D captained by Will Riker and another featuring a set of Romulans that any reader of Vanguard will recognize. I won't go any further into the plot specifics, but rest assured Ward writes a fun Trek novel that should be tricky and complicated to read, but it was a breeze. I congratulate him on his skill to be able to juggle so much so well.
I might have other excursions into the post Nemesis timeline, Ward has another TNG novel coming out in a couple of months after all, for now though I have plenty of reading and watching to keep me busy.
I mention this, because Headlong Flight is set far beyond anything I have read and watched to this point. Hell I barely remember Nemesis! So why did I decided to read Dayton Ward's latest offering? For one this book has come out in TNG's 30th anniversary. There is also the fact that I love alternate reality stories and lastly, because of an interview I listened to with Ward on a wonderful PodCast called Literary Treks.
I had a feeling that with this being a book of a licensed property that whilst I may be woefully behind, the writer would ease me in. Dayton Ward did just that. I had no clue who half the people on the Enterprise-E were, like Chen, Elfiki, Taurik etc, but at no point did I ever feel lost. Were their nods and references to past story-lines? Yes, but nothing that spoiled anything for me or made me feel like I was missing anything, rather it made me want to know more. Some sections on the book are seen through Chen's eyes and through her I got to learn about the new characters. This was a nice touch.
As for the story itself It was wonderful and a fun twist on alternate realities and time travel, featuring an Enterprise-D captained by Will Riker and another featuring a set of Romulans that any reader of Vanguard will recognize. I won't go any further into the plot specifics, but rest assured Ward writes a fun Trek novel that should be tricky and complicated to read, but it was a breeze. I congratulate him on his skill to be able to juggle so much so well.
I might have other excursions into the post Nemesis timeline, Ward has another TNG novel coming out in a couple of months after all, for now though I have plenty of reading and watching to keep me busy.
May 16, 2023
Star Trek books fall into the hit-or-miss category ~ usually miss.
Headlong Flight is one of those misses.
This book takes place post-Star Trek: Nemesis when Riker has left on his ship with Troi, the USS Titan, and Picard is still with the Enterprise-E with Worf as his first officer and LaForge as his Chief Engineer.
I found the new crew in this new book continuity boring, having encountered them in previous books.
What drew me to the book was that the original Romulans from the classic series(before revamped to ugly humanoids with a bad fashion sense in the Rick Berman-produced eras) also make an appearance, Tasha Yar.
Unfortunately, they come into the story around Chapter 10.
Sidenote: Even though she has a small part, even Doctor Pulaski shows up as Chief Medical Officer on the Enterprise-D that shows up with Tasha Yar.
While I'm okay with Beverly Crusher, I didn't mind Pulaski in the show ~ the only reason I stayed was when the show was going through changes after that first season.
This mixture of characters is due to some timey-wimey, wibbly-wobbly thing going on with a group of aliens called the Ushalon having issues with time distortion, trying to get back to their era. (I liked these guys).
Early on, this book was boring. A lot of sitting around and talking and technobabble ~ almost typical of the later seasons of TNG after the first.
The author mentions Professor Bennett in the book, who likes to give long technical answers:
I wondered if this was a nod (or shot at) to fellow Star Trek writer Christopher Bennett who likes to write his novels with long fictional or non-fictional science.
This book was a slog to get through. Around Chapter 21, it overstayed its welcome. (The book has 27 chapters, not counting the epilogue).
I'm glad I read it, but I won't revisit it.
Headlong Flight is one of those misses.
This book takes place post-Star Trek: Nemesis when Riker has left on his ship with Troi, the USS Titan, and Picard is still with the Enterprise-E with Worf as his first officer and LaForge as his Chief Engineer.
I found the new crew in this new book continuity boring, having encountered them in previous books.
What drew me to the book was that the original Romulans from the classic series(before revamped to ugly humanoids with a bad fashion sense in the Rick Berman-produced eras) also make an appearance, Tasha Yar.
Unfortunately, they come into the story around Chapter 10.
Sidenote: Even though she has a small part, even Doctor Pulaski shows up as Chief Medical Officer on the Enterprise-D that shows up with Tasha Yar.
While I'm okay with Beverly Crusher, I didn't mind Pulaski in the show ~ the only reason I stayed was when the show was going through changes after that first season.
This mixture of characters is due to some timey-wimey, wibbly-wobbly thing going on with a group of aliens called the Ushalon having issues with time distortion, trying to get back to their era. (I liked these guys).
Early on, this book was boring. A lot of sitting around and talking and technobabble ~ almost typical of the later seasons of TNG after the first.
The author mentions Professor Bennett in the book, who likes to give long technical answers:
I wondered if this was a nod (or shot at) to fellow Star Trek writer Christopher Bennett who likes to write his novels with long fictional or non-fictional science.
This book was a slog to get through. Around Chapter 21, it overstayed its welcome. (The book has 27 chapters, not counting the epilogue).
I'm glad I read it, but I won't revisit it.
November 13, 2017
A good TNG romp, bringing us back to "The Good Old Days" (kinda) and got sentimental about it. The SF plot was fine too.
Some afterthoughts:
TNG’s Headlong flight is a nice fun read, and not necessarily the heavy, slog that the 3-part Prey series was prior to this. And a good way to indulge some TNG nostalgia as Picard’s Enterprise-E (now 7 years after Nemesis in novel continuity) finds a planet skipping dimensions inadvertently and drags forwards an Enterprise-D from an alternate Season 4 where Picard was killed during Best of Both Worlds. It’s a pretty straight foward plot, fix the thing, put things back the way they were, plus 23rd Century alternate Romulans to season action.
Picard and Beverly get an indulgent moment as they beam over to Riker’s Enterprise, reflecting on all the similarities (the bridge is basically the same, down the carpeting he hated) and changes (Tasha’s still alive, Pulaski’s still CMO, Data is First Officer with Worf as Ops Manager, Wesley decided Starfleet wasn’t for him but is now a civilian consultant and much happier for it, Will and Deanna have gotten together since he took command) which was well done and full of heartwarming nostalgia.
And before everyone goes on their way Riker gives him something for their Ten Forward (actually it’s called The Happy Bottom Riding Club by our Riker before he took command of Titan): A picture of him and his crew, like the promo pics for each season. It’s a nice touch.
The Romulans aren’t exactly one note, but they do behave like you’d expect them to, i.e. making things worse (there’s a quick note that Kirk lost in Balance of Terror hence altverse but that’s just a throwaway really)
Anyhoo, very enjoyable.
Some afterthoughts:
TNG’s Headlong flight is a nice fun read, and not necessarily the heavy, slog that the 3-part Prey series was prior to this. And a good way to indulge some TNG nostalgia as Picard’s Enterprise-E (now 7 years after Nemesis in novel continuity) finds a planet skipping dimensions inadvertently and drags forwards an Enterprise-D from an alternate Season 4 where Picard was killed during Best of Both Worlds. It’s a pretty straight foward plot, fix the thing, put things back the way they were, plus 23rd Century alternate Romulans to season action.
Picard and Beverly get an indulgent moment as they beam over to Riker’s Enterprise, reflecting on all the similarities (the bridge is basically the same, down the carpeting he hated) and changes (Tasha’s still alive, Pulaski’s still CMO, Data is First Officer with Worf as Ops Manager, Wesley decided Starfleet wasn’t for him but is now a civilian consultant and much happier for it, Will and Deanna have gotten together since he took command) which was well done and full of heartwarming nostalgia.
And before everyone goes on their way Riker gives him something for their Ten Forward (actually it’s called The Happy Bottom Riding Club by our Riker before he took command of Titan): A picture of him and his crew, like the promo pics for each season. It’s a nice touch.
The Romulans aren’t exactly one note, but they do behave like you’d expect them to, i.e. making things worse (there’s a quick note that Kirk lost in Balance of Terror hence altverse but that’s just a throwaway really)
Anyhoo, very enjoyable.
November 7, 2017
Headlong flight is a capable Star Trek book, with some interesting pieces, that never quite come together.
Years have passed since Captain Picard faced down a clone of himself and lost his friend Data (Star Trek: Nemesis). Now, while exploring the Odyssean Pass, the crew of the USS Enterprise E have stumbled upon a planet thrust from a parallel dimension. People there are trapped by the effect, and working to save them, an entire away team and the planet vanish.
Mr Ward brings the current standard of Star Trek novel to the table. The characters are presented in character, and the new book-only characters are able to continue growing. Exploring the "what could have been" is left as a feeling and isn't really explored.
The pieces of the story are good, but never are brought together. For a Star Trek fan, there were no surprises. The characters from the other dimensions behave just as we'd expect, the story is very linear, and the action as expected. One thread is dangled at the end, but being in another dimension it's unlikely we'll ever see it paid off.
While not a bad book, it just does not rise very high. It feels like a filler TV episode while we wait for the next big move in the Star Trek Universe.
***Audio***
Mr Petkoff did wonderfully with the text, voices and energy of the book. He continues to impress me in the Star Trek Universe after I'd first heard him on the Richard Castle novels.
Years have passed since Captain Picard faced down a clone of himself and lost his friend Data (Star Trek: Nemesis). Now, while exploring the Odyssean Pass, the crew of the USS Enterprise E have stumbled upon a planet thrust from a parallel dimension. People there are trapped by the effect, and working to save them, an entire away team and the planet vanish.
Mr Ward brings the current standard of Star Trek novel to the table. The characters are presented in character, and the new book-only characters are able to continue growing. Exploring the "what could have been" is left as a feeling and isn't really explored.
The pieces of the story are good, but never are brought together. For a Star Trek fan, there were no surprises. The characters from the other dimensions behave just as we'd expect, the story is very linear, and the action as expected. One thread is dangled at the end, but being in another dimension it's unlikely we'll ever see it paid off.
While not a bad book, it just does not rise very high. It feels like a filler TV episode while we wait for the next big move in the Star Trek Universe.
***Audio***
Mr Petkoff did wonderfully with the text, voices and energy of the book. He continues to impress me in the Star Trek Universe after I'd first heard him on the Richard Castle novels.
August 7, 2017
We all have that Star Trek series that will always hold a special place in our hearts. No matter how much we enjoy subsequent series or movies, when somebody says the words “Star Trek,” our minds will unwaveringly go to a certain crew and a certain starship. For this guy, that is the crew of Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Enterprise-D. So when I was passing through a Barnes & Noble the other day and saw the relatively new Headlong Flight novel featuring MY Star Trek crew ? I’m no fool. That’s a slam dunk as far as purchases go, even though I’ve been out of the Star Trek book game for longer than I’d care to admit.
But, oh boy, as I dove into the Star Trek: The Next Generation’s story from Dayton Ward published in January by Pocket Books, it quickly became apparent that this universe did not remain static during my absence. While this book isn’t a sequel exactly, it does pick up on threads left dangling in the other books that happened after Star Trek: Nemesis. There has been about a dozen of them, so that leaves a lot of threads hanging. This story takes place seven years after the events of that movie, and a lot has changed during that time.
(Read the rest of the Headlong Flight review at the official blog of There Are Four Mics: A Star Trek Podcast.)
But, oh boy, as I dove into the Star Trek: The Next Generation’s story from Dayton Ward published in January by Pocket Books, it quickly became apparent that this universe did not remain static during my absence. While this book isn’t a sequel exactly, it does pick up on threads left dangling in the other books that happened after Star Trek: Nemesis. There has been about a dozen of them, so that leaves a lot of threads hanging. This story takes place seven years after the events of that movie, and a lot has changed during that time.
(Read the rest of the Headlong Flight review at the official blog of There Are Four Mics: A Star Trek Podcast.)
September 12, 2018
I liked The Next Generation the best out of all the Star Treks. When I saw all the good reviews this book got, I had to check it out. But in reality, what appealed to me about this book was the audible narrator. I felt like I was watching Data, Jean Luc, and the rest of the gang on the TV show or movies.
The premise of this book begins with the crew of the Enterprise in a sparsely populated region of space. They encounter a time continuum that traps them between worlds. Along the way, they encounter a new race who needs their help to bring them back to their own time. In a twist of fate, two other starships enter the continuum from different universes: the Enterprise led by Captain Riker and a group of Romulans who threaten their relief efforts.
This is an excellent story. I felt it was like an extended episode of the show, but it’s one of the best Trek books I’ve read. In addition, the voice acting really makes this book special. I bought several other Trek books on audible (and read them) simply because the narrator was on point.
The premise of this book begins with the crew of the Enterprise in a sparsely populated region of space. They encounter a time continuum that traps them between worlds. Along the way, they encounter a new race who needs their help to bring them back to their own time. In a twist of fate, two other starships enter the continuum from different universes: the Enterprise led by Captain Riker and a group of Romulans who threaten their relief efforts.
This is an excellent story. I felt it was like an extended episode of the show, but it’s one of the best Trek books I’ve read. In addition, the voice acting really makes this book special. I bought several other Trek books on audible (and read them) simply because the narrator was on point.
August 19, 2025
This slow burn novel reads like a really good episode of Star Trek TNG and all praise must go to Dayton Ward for being able to capture that magic so well. Without going too much into spoiler territory I can tell you that this story deals with both multiple dimensions/realities and different timelines and, really, that's part of the fun of the book. On one ship you have the Enterprise E where Picard is the captain and Riker has moved on to captain the USS Titan. On another ship, in a time only months after The Borg Invasion and the Battle of Wolf 359 where Picard died, Riker is Captain of the Enterprise D. On yet another ship is a Romulan crew from even further in the past. The slow burn of the story is getting to know these 3 crews and how they all tie into a greater story. But it is well worth the build up. I was not disappointed at all. Good story and a satisfying ending.
November 17, 2017
This is an excellent entry into the greater Star Trek universe that long time readers will enjoy. The plot involves an older Enterprise-D crew working together with a current day Enterprise-E crew to solve a problem. There is a sense of nostalgia here, for a Captain Riker who clearly needs some closure and a Captain Picard who needs a trip down memory lane. There's the usual Star Trek techno solutions that prove smart people are good to have around, but more importantly, readers get a look at how far the franchise has come and how its rich history can be mined for intriguing stories. I look forward to further stories from Dayton Ward.
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