What do you think?
Rate this book
Star Trek: New Frontier #7
The Quiet Place
Ever since the fall of the Thallonian Empire, Si Cwan has been searching for his younger sister, the only other survivor of the royal family. His quest has been a hard one, filled with many disappointments, but now it may be nearing its end.... On the planet Montos, a mysterious young woman, whose past is shrouded in secrecy, finds herself pursued by both the fanatical Redeemers and a vicious race of feral predators known only as the Dogs of War. All are in search of information regarding the true nature and location of the Quiet Place, a mystical realm celebrated in myth and legend. Only this same woman, now called Riella, may hold the secret of the Quiet Place, a secret that the Redeemers and others will kill to possess.
Is Riella indeed Si Cwan's long-lost sister? Before he can learn the truth, he and his crewmates must brave the unchecked savagery of the Dogs of War -- and enter the terrifying heart of the Quiet Place.
Is Riella indeed Si Cwan's long-lost sister? Before he can learn the truth, he and his crewmates must brave the unchecked savagery of the Dogs of War -- and enter the terrifying heart of the Quiet Place.
258 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1999
37 people are currently reading
433 people want to read
About the author
Peter David
3,567 books1,363 followersaka David Peters
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 29, 2017
The family got bigger!
FINDING KALLINDA
The journeys of the USS Excalibur through the tumultuous Space Sector 221-G (formerly the Thallonian Empire) keep bringing more and more, thought-lost family, to the boldly crew of the USS Excalibur...
...Robin Lefler got reunited with her mother, along with all the mystery surrounding her return and her played role a century before in the Star Trek universe...
...but to other crewmembers like the recently-appointed Ambassador Si Cwan, he is still looking for her young sister, the only other remaining alive member of the deposed Thallonian Royal Family...
...but new clues may lead to the long awaited reunion of the last members of the Cwan Family...
...however, Captain Mackenzie Calhoun is totally clueless that helping to Si Cwan to find her sister, Kallinda, it will provoke another kind of totally unexpected family reunion with unpredictable repercussions...
...one thing is sure...
...the Excalibur's family getting bigger and bigger!
But a good cause isn't guarantee of not facing evil menaces...
...since the zealot Redeemers aren't alone, but also bringing the savage Dogs of War into their fanatic fray against the USS Excalibur to keep in chaos the religious and political ambiance in the Space Sector 221-G
A new frontier, a new crew, new threats!
FINDING KALLINDA
The journeys of the USS Excalibur through the tumultuous Space Sector 221-G (formerly the Thallonian Empire) keep bringing more and more, thought-lost family, to the boldly crew of the USS Excalibur...
...Robin Lefler got reunited with her mother, along with all the mystery surrounding her return and her played role a century before in the Star Trek universe...
...but to other crewmembers like the recently-appointed Ambassador Si Cwan, he is still looking for her young sister, the only other remaining alive member of the deposed Thallonian Royal Family...
...but new clues may lead to the long awaited reunion of the last members of the Cwan Family...
...however, Captain Mackenzie Calhoun is totally clueless that helping to Si Cwan to find her sister, Kallinda, it will provoke another kind of totally unexpected family reunion with unpredictable repercussions...
...one thing is sure...
...the Excalibur's family getting bigger and bigger!
But a good cause isn't guarantee of not facing evil menaces...
...since the zealot Redeemers aren't alone, but also bringing the savage Dogs of War into their fanatic fray against the USS Excalibur to keep in chaos the religious and political ambiance in the Space Sector 221-G
A new frontier, a new crew, new threats!
January 17, 2022
Same series, same technical problem.
May 24, 2020
This felt like an odd Star Trek: New Frontier book to me, since we barely get to see the USS Excalibur, and aside from a great joke with Robin Lefler in the beginning, we're on completely separate worlds and 90% of the action deals with the new characters of Xyon and Riella, the new villains Dogs of War, and the return of the Redeemers from Martyr with some slight presence of Si Cwan, Kebron, and Soleta.
It's still fun, but we don't get a major connection until literally the last page, which ends in a bit of a cliffhanger.
It's still fun, but we don't get a major connection until literally the last page, which ends in a bit of a cliffhanger.
March 14, 2019
Took me three months to read this sucker. I didn't put it down because I hated it but it definitely wasn't making me rush back. Peter David spends most of his time introducing a new character and letting us get to know him, which makes you wonder who he is? Where did he come from? But I kept struggling with Why should I care? It has its usual humorous bits that David brings to every story he writes but I was kind of missing the Excalibur crew even with most of the good ones in Kebron, Soleta and Si Cwan being the focus of the Excalibur story line. I would rate it a 2.5 if I could as it feels like it should be above two stars but I wouldn't put it past three in my opinion.
May 14, 2020
A book where the crew of the EXCALIBUR barely shows up, and the story that sidelined them is dull, dull, dull. Both "reveals" are poorly handled and barely above soap-opera level histrionics. Just a bore.
September 18, 2023
Entertaining but maybe would have been better if the 80% of the book wasn’t following completely new characters.
August 11, 2025
It took me over a week to get through this! We spend very little time with our Starfleet crew, and the characters we do spend time with were just not interesting to me.
January 2, 2025
A really good story, yes, it hardly features the crew of the Excalibur, however, it comes as a great addition to the overall mythos of what is The New Frontier.
September 26, 2023
NF #7: The Quiet Place by Peter David
Continuing my journey into the New Frontier, I have arrived at the Quiet Place. But it is far from quiet!
This book starts off slow as the main NF cast is only in the very beginning, some parts in the middle and the end. It focuses primarily on Xyon (Calhoun’s son) and Kallinda ( Si Cwan’s sister). This book starts off slow and I didn’t find myself as engaged as I was in the previous book with Morgan Primus, but I decided to stick it out and I’m happy I did. The mystery in that book I found more interesting than this one. The general mystery of what the Quiet Place is was interesting enough, but at the end of the book they didn’t really answer what it was.
Xyon was probably my favourite character in this. He is a much less jaded character than his father, due to his youth and much more likeable. Calhoun has grown on me as I’ve read the series but I like Xyon more he’s a more heroic and less jaded character than his father. The villains of the story were alright. I very much liked one interaction towards the end where one of the Dogs wanted to learn the name of Xyon, and it felt very Princess Bride like.
The mystery of Kallinda was interesting still enough in its own right. Again, as I have said with the previous NF books is the sense of continuity and consequences from previous books. You feel it here, even if it doesn’t focus on the main crew. Kallinda factors into this as well. Here, the thread of Ci Swan is wrapped up. And the introduction of Xyon ties up stuff from the fifth book and the Captain’s Table, which is incredibly rare to see a tie in book like that acknowledged.
Anyway, this was a fun and short book, although it was wrapped a little quickly for my liking. Peter David likes to go off the rails always at the end of his books, which is fun but it feels repetitive here. I also would have to liked to see more tie ins to the larger Trek universe as that’s what I enjoy so much about Trek, seeing other characters interact with other. Anyway, I’d still give this book a 7.5/10.
Continuing my journey into the New Frontier, I have arrived at the Quiet Place. But it is far from quiet!
This book starts off slow as the main NF cast is only in the very beginning, some parts in the middle and the end. It focuses primarily on Xyon (Calhoun’s son) and Kallinda ( Si Cwan’s sister). This book starts off slow and I didn’t find myself as engaged as I was in the previous book with Morgan Primus, but I decided to stick it out and I’m happy I did. The mystery in that book I found more interesting than this one. The general mystery of what the Quiet Place is was interesting enough, but at the end of the book they didn’t really answer what it was.
Xyon was probably my favourite character in this. He is a much less jaded character than his father, due to his youth and much more likeable. Calhoun has grown on me as I’ve read the series but I like Xyon more he’s a more heroic and less jaded character than his father. The villains of the story were alright. I very much liked one interaction towards the end where one of the Dogs wanted to learn the name of Xyon, and it felt very Princess Bride like.
The mystery of Kallinda was interesting still enough in its own right. Again, as I have said with the previous NF books is the sense of continuity and consequences from previous books. You feel it here, even if it doesn’t focus on the main crew. Kallinda factors into this as well. Here, the thread of Ci Swan is wrapped up. And the introduction of Xyon ties up stuff from the fifth book and the Captain’s Table, which is incredibly rare to see a tie in book like that acknowledged.
Anyway, this was a fun and short book, although it was wrapped a little quickly for my liking. Peter David likes to go off the rails always at the end of his books, which is fun but it feels repetitive here. I also would have to liked to see more tie ins to the larger Trek universe as that’s what I enjoy so much about Trek, seeing other characters interact with other. Anyway, I’d still give this book a 7.5/10.
September 12, 2020
I wasn't planning on continuing New Frontier (NF), because I felt it was becoming a soap opera, but I suppose I missed Peter David's sarcastic writing style. The Quiet Place (TQP) was the first in the series to make the step beyond short story and into novel (or novella rather) territory, and in my opinion it didn't need to be.
For starters, TQP doesn't follow up on anything that came before it. I didn't mind that too much (see above), but there was almost no focus on the regular characters, and that includes the Excalibur. The general plot was also not very interesting or as engaging like the average Trek story. And finally, the Dogs of War? Really? (minor SPOILERS) They're literally dogs; genetically enhanced dogs. I get that NF is trying to be original and introduce new things, but at this point in Trek continuity there's probably at least a hundred known species, many of which we still know little about even to this day. Why not expand on one of them and add a little background, instead of concocting a species a child could've came up with?
Despite all that; as well as multiple grammar errors and not using the metric system for some reason, it's not all bad! Xyon, one of the new characters, is actually quite good. I didn't like him at first; seemed too good at too many things, but he quickly grew on me. The banter between Kebron and Si Cwan remains excellent, and now the duo becomes a trio adding Soleta into the group of smart a... I guess that term can describe most of the characters in this series now that I think about it.
Overall, TQP was uncomplicated and well-paced, but I'd say the good and bad are equally balanced, so unless you're a completest it's probably safe to skip altogether. Having said that, I've found that good Trek is hard to come by, and Peter David's writing style is a refreshing change of pace.
For starters, TQP doesn't follow up on anything that came before it. I didn't mind that too much (see above), but there was almost no focus on the regular characters, and that includes the Excalibur. The general plot was also not very interesting or as engaging like the average Trek story. And finally, the Dogs of War? Really? (minor SPOILERS) They're literally dogs; genetically enhanced dogs. I get that NF is trying to be original and introduce new things, but at this point in Trek continuity there's probably at least a hundred known species, many of which we still know little about even to this day. Why not expand on one of them and add a little background, instead of concocting a species a child could've came up with?
Despite all that; as well as multiple grammar errors and not using the metric system for some reason, it's not all bad! Xyon, one of the new characters, is actually quite good. I didn't like him at first; seemed too good at too many things, but he quickly grew on me. The banter between Kebron and Si Cwan remains excellent, and now the duo becomes a trio adding Soleta into the group of smart a... I guess that term can describe most of the characters in this series now that I think about it.
Overall, TQP was uncomplicated and well-paced, but I'd say the good and bad are equally balanced, so unless you're a completest it's probably safe to skip altogether. Having said that, I've found that good Trek is hard to come by, and Peter David's writing style is a refreshing change of pace.
May 27, 2021
You ever play Mario Bros 2, and think about how it doesn't feel very much like a Mario game? When you later learn that it was a totally different Japanese game that was rebadged for English audiences, it totally makes sense.
It wouldn't surprise me if that happened here, because this might as well be a totally different story. It doesn't feel like a New Frontier story, since it barely features the main cast. It barely feels like a Star Trek story, and that's allowing for the wide variety of genres that can fit inside that universe.
My negative reaction is mostly based from expectation: I got invested in the soap operatics of the previous books, only to hit this sargasso sea of plot. It feels like a filler episode stuck between a two-parter with a cliffhanger ending: perfectly find, but poorly placed.
I also really started to grate against the writing this time. You could trim a third of the word count and lose nothing. I don't want to be too hard on PED, since licensed book writing pays so little you can't take your time to trim it into a masterpiece, but yikes man.
It wouldn't surprise me if that happened here, because this might as well be a totally different story. It doesn't feel like a New Frontier story, since it barely features the main cast. It barely feels like a Star Trek story, and that's allowing for the wide variety of genres that can fit inside that universe.
My negative reaction is mostly based from expectation: I got invested in the soap operatics of the previous books, only to hit this sargasso sea of plot. It feels like a filler episode stuck between a two-parter with a cliffhanger ending: perfectly find, but poorly placed.
I also really started to grate against the writing this time. You could trim a third of the word count and lose nothing. I don't want to be too hard on PED, since licensed book writing pays so little you can't take your time to trim it into a masterpiece, but yikes man.
November 11, 2025
Two New Frontier books in a row that don't suck, and I think I've cracked the code here. The less time spent on the Excalibur in this series, the better the book is. Unfortunately, any part of the series set on that ship is consistently saddled with David's poor characterisation of the regular crew, which I find really hard to understand - I've read other Trek books by him that don't have this problem so it's not a matter of inability on his part. It's just this set of characters that comes across so badly to me.
Fortunately, The Quiet Place occurs almost entirely off-ship, and the regular characters of the series end up being supporting cast at most. The improvement is marked. Riella, especially, was sympathetic, but now that she's returned to herself and on the Excalibur I'm sure she'll be soon be as unlikeable as the rest. And talking of odd character choices, why is the Vulcan/Romulan Soleta constantly referencing Earth culture all the time?
Fortunately, The Quiet Place occurs almost entirely off-ship, and the regular characters of the series end up being supporting cast at most. The improvement is marked. Riella, especially, was sympathetic, but now that she's returned to herself and on the Excalibur I'm sure she'll be soon be as unlikeable as the rest. And talking of odd character choices, why is the Vulcan/Romulan Soleta constantly referencing Earth culture all the time?
December 23, 2023
Another Star Trek analysis of what is beyond science
For the most part, this book really doesn’t focus on the Excalibur crew, but after six books, it was a well-earned break. At its core this book is about several different parties seeking the mysterious Quiet Place that holds some cultural significance to each of them. This was a decent book and definitely a step up from Fire on High.
Of course, this book ends on a shocking cliffhanger leading right into the next book.
I am having fun with this series, but there’s not a whole lot of substance to ramble on about, so reviews on the series will most likely continue to be shorter than most other reviews.
For the most part, this book really doesn’t focus on the Excalibur crew, but after six books, it was a well-earned break. At its core this book is about several different parties seeking the mysterious Quiet Place that holds some cultural significance to each of them. This was a decent book and definitely a step up from Fire on High.
Of course, this book ends on a shocking cliffhanger leading right into the next book.
I am having fun with this series, but there’s not a whole lot of substance to ramble on about, so reviews on the series will most likely continue to be shorter than most other reviews.
July 29, 2022
Absolutely bonkers how off the wall this went! I think the addition of Xyon was great - him and Riella's story really felt like a Star Wars style galaxy spanning crazy alien race dodging adventure and it was SUCH a riot. The Dogs of War, the Redeemers, the Federation were all great people to throw in the mix and I loved giving Soleta a chance to shine, as well as a break from most of the Starfleet characters and into something new.
Best one yet!!
Best one yet!!
June 3, 2023
In previous volumes of this series, Si Cwan has been looking for his long lost sister to no avail. This entry is the sister’s side of the story. She and Xyon take up the vast majority of this book dealing with their adventures. For the most part, the Excalibur crew is mostly not involved in the story until the end. That’s when a couple of twists come into play to keep our interest sated until the next book in the series. Definitely recommended
January 2, 2024
Possibly the weakest novel to date in the entire saga from my point of view. It feels like it's more of a seeding of the background for future strong characters in the future of STNF than an adventure in itself.
********
Posiblemente la novela más floja hasta la fecha de toda la saga según mi punto de vista. Da la sensación de que sea más bien la siembra del trasfondo de futuros personajes fuertes en el futuro de STNF que no una aventura en sí misma.
********
Posiblemente la novela más floja hasta la fecha de toda la saga según mi punto de vista. Da la sensación de que sea más bien la siembra del trasfondo de futuros personajes fuertes en el futuro de STNF que no una aventura en sí misma.
October 29, 2025
A story that feels almost completely apart from the rest of the New Frontier series and in fact could almost be its own sci-fi novel separate from the Star Trek IP. If that’s how it started out I would believe it as very few elements from the overarching series are present here. Not that the story is bad because of it though. There’s a great quest for a mystical planet that could be heaven or hell for whoever visits it.
June 8, 2025
This book spends almost all it's time setting up new characters with the characters we know nowhere in sight, and doesn't explain their relationship to the characters we know until the very end. Wasn't a bad book, just annoying that it wasn't what I thought it would be. I am interested in seeing where the story is going tho, it sort of ends on a cliffhanger.
August 26, 2019
Had its ups, some funny moments, but maybe after reading 6 books in this series I feel like it is somewhat bland and could have been much more than it is. It was an ok read nevertheless, continuing the story of cpt. Calhoun, thus 3 stars.
July 17, 2020
It was okay. I'm annoyed that the main characters were barely in it. But there's a nice twist at the end which now makes this feel like the first part of a longer story. Not my favorite off the series so far, but we'll see off things pay off in the next book.
October 4, 2023
Mostly a side quest
This novel treats the crew of the Excalibur as guest stars. The story centers mostly around new characters that eventually interact with the Excalibur near its conclusion. While the characters were interesting enough I missed the characters I know and love.
This novel treats the crew of the Excalibur as guest stars. The story centers mostly around new characters that eventually interact with the Excalibur near its conclusion. While the characters were interesting enough I missed the characters I know and love.
May 10, 2019
Really loved this one. Feature 2 new characters in a swashbuckling adventure. I think it's the most fun I've had reading all year.
March 26, 2021
A decent story, but a little too much violence and not enough of Mac for me.
June 21, 2022
We get some interesting new perspectives on the localized conflicts and power struggle.
4.5/5 Really liking how things are starting to pay off!
4.5/5 Really liking how things are starting to pay off!
July 14, 2022
A couple of interesting new characters, but the story crumbled at the end into a hurried mess. Too many inconsistencies.
June 27, 2023
I enjoy this series and I'm only giving this one 3 stars as it was all quite predictable and the inclusion of the Dogs of War species which as hard as I tried seemed cartoonish.
September 26, 2022
Love this series. Nice progression of characters with each book
May 18, 2017
For those of you unfamiliar with the series: Star Trek: New Frontier is a series which takes place contemporaneously with Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. It is a series which manages to avoid the almost painfully continuity-obsessed Star Trek Expanded Universe which could really use a book similar to Star Wars: The Essential Chronology by Kevin J. Anderson.
Instead, the premise of the series is a fairly simple one: there's a starship (U.S.S Excalibur), an area of mostly-unexplored space (The former Thallonian Empire), and a bunch of oddball crewmembers you get to know as the series carries on. Star Trek: New Frontier is the series I tend to recommend for people who want to get into a series without having to know what Y character did in X book as well as Episode 73 of Star Trek: The Next Generation. They're also entertaining, funny, and adventure-filled, books.
The Quiet Place begins with a young woman who has been cursed with visions of the supernatural "Quiet Place" for years on an alien world where she lives as an outcast. Unbeknownst to her, the woman who raised her is a spy keeping her a prisoner. Events conspire to take the U.S.S Excalibur to said world even as a mysterious rogue named Xyon, who steals back cultural treasures stolen from other worlds, finds himself heading that way as well. All of them are in danger of the Redeemers, a fanatical (albeit short) collection of theocrats who will do anything to acquire the Quiet Place. Further complicating things are the Dogs of War, literal dog-men who are some of the most feared mercenaries in the Quadrant.
This novel takes place away from the U.S.S Excalibur for the most part and focuses on new characters Xyon and Riella. Xyon is basically the Star Trek version of Han Solo but is a good deal less mature, being closer to Luke's age rather than Harrison Ford's. Riella is, as the book's back cover indicates, related to one of the main characters as well as being not who she thinks he is. My favorite element is Robin Lefler, mid-level shipwoman, decides to pledge her love to Si Cwan the Prince traveling with the Excalibur only to have one of the most hilarious moments in the book where she gives it without bothering to check who is in the room first.
I like the story but it's not the best example of the series and relies a little too much on the new faces to carry the story. Still, I like both Xyon as well as Riella as they're characters you want to see succeed and are entertaining. Star Trek enthusiasts may be a little put off by the focus on action and adventure over science as well as diplomacy but there's room for all four in the setting. Others may dislike the level of supernatural material which exists alongside science in Peter David with the Redeemer's "Words" being the worst example but if you accept science works like it does in Doctor Who (like magic) it's not a problem. It's not like Star Trek isn't guilty of this to begin with. Q is basically God after all and they cloned Klingon Jesus at one point.
Like all novels in series, the story relies on the strength of the characters and Peter David is a master of crafting quirky but lovable misfits. In a very real way, he's similar to Joss Whedon and one-ups him in several ways. While my favorite character in the series, Mackenzie Calhoun, only makes a couple of minor appearances, I still enjoyed it. The Redeemers and Dogs of War both make good, if two-dimensional, villains who succeed primarily due to the unexpected amount of humor regarding both their appearances. They're immensely funny when they're not being terrifying and that's to the story's benefit.
Overall, this is a good entry into the franchise even if it's unlikely to blow readers away.
8/10
Instead, the premise of the series is a fairly simple one: there's a starship (U.S.S Excalibur), an area of mostly-unexplored space (The former Thallonian Empire), and a bunch of oddball crewmembers you get to know as the series carries on. Star Trek: New Frontier is the series I tend to recommend for people who want to get into a series without having to know what Y character did in X book as well as Episode 73 of Star Trek: The Next Generation. They're also entertaining, funny, and adventure-filled, books.
The Quiet Place begins with a young woman who has been cursed with visions of the supernatural "Quiet Place" for years on an alien world where she lives as an outcast. Unbeknownst to her, the woman who raised her is a spy keeping her a prisoner. Events conspire to take the U.S.S Excalibur to said world even as a mysterious rogue named Xyon, who steals back cultural treasures stolen from other worlds, finds himself heading that way as well. All of them are in danger of the Redeemers, a fanatical (albeit short) collection of theocrats who will do anything to acquire the Quiet Place. Further complicating things are the Dogs of War, literal dog-men who are some of the most feared mercenaries in the Quadrant.
This novel takes place away from the U.S.S Excalibur for the most part and focuses on new characters Xyon and Riella. Xyon is basically the Star Trek version of Han Solo but is a good deal less mature, being closer to Luke's age rather than Harrison Ford's. Riella is, as the book's back cover indicates, related to one of the main characters as well as being not who she thinks he is. My favorite element is Robin Lefler, mid-level shipwoman, decides to pledge her love to Si Cwan the Prince traveling with the Excalibur only to have one of the most hilarious moments in the book where she gives it without bothering to check who is in the room first.
I like the story but it's not the best example of the series and relies a little too much on the new faces to carry the story. Still, I like both Xyon as well as Riella as they're characters you want to see succeed and are entertaining. Star Trek enthusiasts may be a little put off by the focus on action and adventure over science as well as diplomacy but there's room for all four in the setting. Others may dislike the level of supernatural material which exists alongside science in Peter David with the Redeemer's "Words" being the worst example but if you accept science works like it does in Doctor Who (like magic) it's not a problem. It's not like Star Trek isn't guilty of this to begin with. Q is basically God after all and they cloned Klingon Jesus at one point.
Like all novels in series, the story relies on the strength of the characters and Peter David is a master of crafting quirky but lovable misfits. In a very real way, he's similar to Joss Whedon and one-ups him in several ways. While my favorite character in the series, Mackenzie Calhoun, only makes a couple of minor appearances, I still enjoyed it. The Redeemers and Dogs of War both make good, if two-dimensional, villains who succeed primarily due to the unexpected amount of humor regarding both their appearances. They're immensely funny when they're not being terrifying and that's to the story's benefit.
Overall, this is a good entry into the franchise even if it's unlikely to blow readers away.
8/10
February 1, 2013
The Quiet Place is book 7 of Star Trek: New Frontier and chapter 10 of the overall series. After all the delays the Captain's Table and Double Helix story arc provided, I was ready to jump back into the main storyline of New Frontier with The Quiet Place, only to get what feels like merely the set up to a new story. That's not to dismiss the book entirely--we did get the introduction of two major new characters and a new group of adversaries who promise to shake things up on the USS Excalibur for some time to come.
First up we have Riella (not her real name, tho' is unaware of that herself), who is the key to finding the Quiet Place and a target for all the heavy players looking for it. The Quiet Place itself is a kind of Shamballah/Fountain-of-Youth-ish sort of thing with many myths attached to it. It also apparently plays an important role in Thallonian culture. Somehow information about the location of the Place was implanted in Riella's mind, tho' she does not know how or why she has this knowledge. Riella also has hidden ties to someone on board the Excalibur.
Next up we have Xyon. A kind of loner and a bit of a swashbuckling-rogue-with-a-heart-of-gold, Xyon comes equipped with an ill-repaired ship, the Lyla (named after her AI personality) that he has decked out with a few surprises. In an off-hand comment we discover that Xyon acquired Lyla thru shady means and that Lyla sticks around out of loyalty to him. In short, Xyon appears to be Peter David's answer to Han Solo. Sparks fly in a kind of Han and Leia way between Xyon and Riella, tho' we have to wait till the next book to see if there is any follow thru. Xyon also has hidden ties to a crewmember of the Excalibur.
The new group of adversaries introduced are the Dogs of War--so named because of their appearance (think the Egyptian god Anubis, but with a wider variety of breeds). They and Si Cwan's nemesis Zoran are rivals in the search for the Quiet Place and naturally both eventually run afoul of Xyon. Xyon and the Dog Of War Atik develop a personal enmity. However, accounts may never be settled between those two as the survival of the Dogs does not look bright by the novel's end.
What really got to me was a general feeling of anticlimax. The novel starts off with a strong mother-daughter theme with early scenes depicting Riella and her mother Malia and aboard Excalibur, Robin Lefler and her mother Morgan. Unfortunately, the theme is abruptly dropped quite early on--with the revelation of Malia's betrayal and the fact that the Leflers were merely making a cameo appearance. We never get to find out why Malia acted as she did, for it did seem that in spite of everything she did love Riella in her own way. By the end of the novel it is clear that we never will find out. We also never quite get any answers as to the nature of the Quiet Place--nor even any speculations that might deepen the mysteries surrounding it.
Next up--STNF: Dark Allies.
First up we have Riella (not her real name, tho' is unaware of that herself), who is the key to finding the Quiet Place and a target for all the heavy players looking for it. The Quiet Place itself is a kind of Shamballah/Fountain-of-Youth-ish sort of thing with many myths attached to it. It also apparently plays an important role in Thallonian culture. Somehow information about the location of the Place was implanted in Riella's mind, tho' she does not know how or why she has this knowledge. Riella also has hidden ties to someone on board the Excalibur.
Next up we have Xyon. A kind of loner and a bit of a swashbuckling-rogue-with-a-heart-of-gold, Xyon comes equipped with an ill-repaired ship, the Lyla (named after her AI personality) that he has decked out with a few surprises. In an off-hand comment we discover that Xyon acquired Lyla thru shady means and that Lyla sticks around out of loyalty to him. In short, Xyon appears to be Peter David's answer to Han Solo. Sparks fly in a kind of Han and Leia way between Xyon and Riella, tho' we have to wait till the next book to see if there is any follow thru. Xyon also has hidden ties to a crewmember of the Excalibur.
The new group of adversaries introduced are the Dogs of War--so named because of their appearance (think the Egyptian god Anubis, but with a wider variety of breeds). They and Si Cwan's nemesis Zoran are rivals in the search for the Quiet Place and naturally both eventually run afoul of Xyon. Xyon and the Dog Of War Atik develop a personal enmity. However, accounts may never be settled between those two as the survival of the Dogs does not look bright by the novel's end.
What really got to me was a general feeling of anticlimax. The novel starts off with a strong mother-daughter theme with early scenes depicting Riella and her mother Malia and aboard Excalibur, Robin Lefler and her mother Morgan. Unfortunately, the theme is abruptly dropped quite early on--with the revelation of Malia's betrayal and the fact that the Leflers were merely making a cameo appearance. We never get to find out why Malia acted as she did, for it did seem that in spite of everything she did love Riella in her own way. By the end of the novel it is clear that we never will find out. We also never quite get any answers as to the nature of the Quiet Place--nor even any speculations that might deepen the mysteries surrounding it.
Next up--STNF: Dark Allies.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews