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Star Trek: New Frontier #14
Stone and Anvil
Fans of Peter David's best selling New Frontier saga have been eagerly awaiting a new adventure featuring Captain Mackenzie Calhoun, Captain Elizabeth Shelby, and the crews of the Starships Excalibur and Trident. Now at last Calhoun and Shelby return in an exciting page-turner the explores the past of both captains - while simultaneously confronting them with a perilous dilemma in the present.
A crewman has been murdered aboard the USS Trident, and all evidence points to Ensign Janos of the Excalibur. Calhoun is reluctant to accept that Janos, a powerful non-humanoid whom the captain has known and trusted for years, could be a killer an immediately launches an investigation into the crime. But this troubling murder mystery soon escalates into a full-fledged diplomatic crisis that threatens to pit Calhoun and Shelby against the entire United Federation of Planets and the starship Enterprise.
Meanwhile, the turmoil involving Ensign Janos forces Calhoun to recall his own tempestuous past, his rocky relationship with a young Elizabeth Shelby, and a long-ago exploit that may have everything to do with the deadly emergency that now confronts them all.
A crewman has been murdered aboard the USS Trident, and all evidence points to Ensign Janos of the Excalibur. Calhoun is reluctant to accept that Janos, a powerful non-humanoid whom the captain has known and trusted for years, could be a killer an immediately launches an investigation into the crime. But this troubling murder mystery soon escalates into a full-fledged diplomatic crisis that threatens to pit Calhoun and Shelby against the entire United Federation of Planets and the starship Enterprise.
Meanwhile, the turmoil involving Ensign Janos forces Calhoun to recall his own tempestuous past, his rocky relationship with a young Elizabeth Shelby, and a long-ago exploit that may have everything to do with the deadly emergency that now confronts them all.
360 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 28, 2003
22 people are currently reading
408 people want to read
About the author
Peter David
3,570 books1,360 followersaka David Peters
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 26, 2024
A murder mystery is a timeless Star Trek plot and no surprise works very well here. The victim was hated by a large part of the crew but Security Officer Janos is the one who is believed to have done it, mostly because all of the evidence points to him. A lot of great flashbacks to Shelby and Calhoun's time in Starfleet Academy as well, including the best handling of the Kobayashi Maru test since Kirk's own.
I believe this is possibly the best of the NF novels but it is also one that is a gut punch in the way it unambiguously embraces it's downer ending. It also contains one of my all-time favorite Star Trek plots and that is MacKenzie Calhoun attending Starfleet Academy and his unique solution to the Kobayashi Maru. More on that later but this is the Dark Period's real beginning.
The main plot is that Ensign Janos, a genetically altered Mugatto, is accused of murder. Part of what makes the murder mystery work so well is that it's not really a mystery at all. He did it and did it because the victim was a complete disgrace of a Starfleet officer to someone he cared about. It's just that he's losing his mind in a manner akin to THE ISLAND OF DOCTOR MOREAU. Which may have been his origin to begin with.
What makes this novel powerful is that our heroes completely fail to save the day. Janos has a fate arguably worse than death, albeit understandable given the crew won't want to mercy kill their friend. There's also plenty of people who think a life as an animal in a verdant paradise is better than death. Really, it's up to your values. It's a gut punch but, unfortunately, just the first of many that the series is about to deliver to us.
The best part of the book is learning about how MacKenzie Calhoun went from being a William Wallace-style Highland rebel to being the captain of a Federation starship. The adjustments he has to make are enjoyable to read about even if they are very much of the kind that would have gotten him expelled several times. Watching Mac steal Shelby from her fiance is handled well even if it doesn't particularly paint Mac in a very good light. He's a really crappy friend.
As mentioned twice already, the best part of the book is the Kobyashi Maru as handled by Mac and I think his handling of it is actually valid, reasoning wise. It also makes perfect sense why Shelby would assume it was just Mac doing a stunt and unwittingly torpedo her own career. She became emotionally compromised by her relationship with Mac and couldn't see him as her superior officer--which is why these relationships are banned in real life.
But yes, BLOW THE SHIP UP!
I believe this is possibly the best of the NF novels but it is also one that is a gut punch in the way it unambiguously embraces it's downer ending. It also contains one of my all-time favorite Star Trek plots and that is MacKenzie Calhoun attending Starfleet Academy and his unique solution to the Kobayashi Maru. More on that later but this is the Dark Period's real beginning.
The main plot is that Ensign Janos, a genetically altered Mugatto, is accused of murder. Part of what makes the murder mystery work so well is that it's not really a mystery at all. He did it and did it because the victim was a complete disgrace of a Starfleet officer to someone he cared about. It's just that he's losing his mind in a manner akin to THE ISLAND OF DOCTOR MOREAU. Which may have been his origin to begin with.
What makes this novel powerful is that our heroes completely fail to save the day. Janos has a fate arguably worse than death, albeit understandable given the crew won't want to mercy kill their friend. There's also plenty of people who think a life as an animal in a verdant paradise is better than death. Really, it's up to your values. It's a gut punch but, unfortunately, just the first of many that the series is about to deliver to us.
The best part of the book is learning about how MacKenzie Calhoun went from being a William Wallace-style Highland rebel to being the captain of a Federation starship. The adjustments he has to make are enjoyable to read about even if they are very much of the kind that would have gotten him expelled several times. Watching Mac steal Shelby from her fiance is handled well even if it doesn't particularly paint Mac in a very good light. He's a really crappy friend.
As mentioned twice already, the best part of the book is the Kobyashi Maru as handled by Mac and I think his handling of it is actually valid, reasoning wise. It also makes perfect sense why Shelby would assume it was just Mac doing a stunt and unwittingly torpedo her own career. She became emotionally compromised by her relationship with Mac and couldn't see him as her superior officer--which is why these relationships are banned in real life.
But yes, BLOW THE SHIP UP!
August 15, 2016
It's all about the dialog.
Even more than most Star Trek books, Peter David's books have ridiculous plots. Calhoun's superior is a clown character and lets him do whatever he wants while meekly protesting. What makes David's books fun is that he doesn't care and Calhoun does the ridiculous things anyway and they are usually entertaining.
In this book, we get to learn much of the history behind Shelby and Calhoun, mostly at the Academy. The Academy story also merges neatly into the current timeline story.
Overall a fun book.
Even more than most Star Trek books, Peter David's books have ridiculous plots. Calhoun's superior is a clown character and lets him do whatever he wants while meekly protesting. What makes David's books fun is that he doesn't care and Calhoun does the ridiculous things anyway and they are usually entertaining.
In this book, we get to learn much of the history behind Shelby and Calhoun, mostly at the Academy. The Academy story also merges neatly into the current timeline story.
Overall a fun book.
October 26, 2020
Unlike some of the recent ST:NF books, this book stood surprisingly well on its own. Yes, it helps to know what's been going on, but the author gives a quick recap/introduction at the beginning and then it's off to the races. Peter David really shines with his characters, and his dialogue had me laughing several times throughout books. This particular volume also took a "Now" and "Then" aspect, with the current timeline following the events at the end of Gods Above, and the past timeline following Calhoun and Shelby when they were at Starfleet Academy together. (I so wish we had a Starfleet Academy TV show.) I really enjoyed seeing a post-Xenex/pre-Captain Calhoun. The adjustment to Starfleet after being a planetary warlord has got to be big!
One disappointment in this volume is how little Soleta was in it, though she did have a few choice lines. I was also sad about the fate of a minor character However, the conclusion sure makes me curious about where the series will go next with Selelvians (also I hate how hard that name is for my brain to pronounce).
One disappointment in this volume is how little Soleta was in it, though she did have a few choice lines. I was also sad about the fate of a minor character However, the conclusion sure makes me curious about where the series will go next with Selelvians (also I hate how hard that name is for my brain to pronounce).
December 6, 2016
I really liked this book! OK, it's Star Trek and with that alone, it's a huge leg up for me... however, I still really liked the book. I liked the characters, not all of whom I was previously acquainted and the story was intriguing. Jumping between then and now, added another interesting layer to get some insights into what was going on. I'd like to read more about the characters in this story.
July 27, 2017
"Stone and Anvil" is the 14th book in the series at this point. If you've read the first 13 + the short story anthology + "Once Burned" from the Captain's table series + a couple other books (Double Helix and Gateways), you're pretty invested in these characters and there's little I can say to sway you to choose to read this book or not. Your experience will guide you. That being said, "Stone and Anvil" is as much a stand-alone novel as any of the New Frontier Novels I've read up to this point. In other words, this one doesn't leave you with a cliff-hanger. The book starts with a premise, a murder about which we learn in just that last section of Book #13 but the plot is resolved by the end of #14. Almost all of the main characters get 'screen time' in this novel but it is one of the more Calhoun/Shelby centered novels.
Every other chapter is labeled "Then" or "Now" depending upon whether it occurs during their academy days or whether it occurs in the present. I was surprised as usual by the way Calhoun resolved the Kobayashi Maru. Did not see it coming. And that may be why I keep reading and enjoying these -because they're surprising and delightful. The characters, as usual, are rich and well-developed and this novel is not short on Peter David's incredibly humorous dialogue.
Would I recommend that you jump into #14, not having read the first 13 + the other ancillary works? No. I would recommend that you first go through those -because I gave those other books five stars as well!
Every other chapter is labeled "Then" or "Now" depending upon whether it occurs during their academy days or whether it occurs in the present. I was surprised as usual by the way Calhoun resolved the Kobayashi Maru. Did not see it coming. And that may be why I keep reading and enjoying these -because they're surprising and delightful. The characters, as usual, are rich and well-developed and this novel is not short on Peter David's incredibly humorous dialogue.
Would I recommend that you jump into #14, not having read the first 13 + the other ancillary works? No. I would recommend that you first go through those -because I gave those other books five stars as well!
July 12, 2025
I think it was a great story and I liked how Peter David tied it together with Calhoun and Shelby's time at the Academy. At first I was worried it was going to detract away from the main story but it tied together so well I actually enjoyed the interludes and Calhoun's solution during the Kobiyashi Maru test. What David never gets and what annoys me the most about this series is that he never captures the voices of these characters and they speak too much like 21st Century people. However, this has one of the better stories and I really liked it - 4.5 stars. Just can't give it a perfect score.
February 16, 2019
Better than the previous novel, this book is in essence two stories in one very loosely connected. Each story would have benefited from their own volume to flesh them out further, but instead the book jumps from the present (a murder mystery) to Calhoun and Shelby's adventures at the academy.
I found the payoff rather abrupt and once again threads have been left dangling, no doubt for the next book.
Very late on in this book there was a rare spelling mistake 'sercurity' and Calhoun starts talking to himself when a reference to Picard is incorrectly given to the hero of the book.
I found the payoff rather abrupt and once again threads have been left dangling, no doubt for the next book.
Very late on in this book there was a rare spelling mistake 'sercurity' and Calhoun starts talking to himself when a reference to Picard is incorrectly given to the hero of the book.
May 27, 2021
Boken pendlar mellan berättelser från Calhouns år på Stjärnflotteakademin och från år 2376, alltså i den skrivande nutiden. Det kändes lite rörigt till en början men upplägget har sitt giltiga syfte. Det blir en djupare beskrivning av samtliga karaktärer och Peter David är extremt duktig i sitt skrivande, som vanligt. Vi får läsa om mycket, hur Janos kom till stjärnflottan, hur Shelbys och Calhouns första kärlek såg ut och mycket mer. En bok väl värd att läsa och kanske den hittills mest beskrivande av samtliga New Frontier-böcker.
July 24, 2023
This entry goes back and forth between present day events to about 20 years ago when Calhoun earned his title of warlord of Xenex. It also covers how Jean-Luc Picard discovered the raw talent that would become Captain Mackenzie Calhoun. In the present day part of the book, which goes back and forth with each chapter as the book progresses, the crew of the Excalibur finds a murderer amongst them. This leads to a few twists and turns as time goes by. It also interconnects the two time periods together in the end. Definitely recommended.
January 5, 2018
Peter David writes good Star Trek. This is no exception. I didn't know these characters very well, and yet it wasn't necessary to be super familiar with these crews in order to enjoy the story. Though, it did make me want to go back and pick up the previous books.
October 7, 2019
Really enjoyed this book!! Been re-reading all the NEW FRONTIER series, and after a couple of mediocre books, this is a return to greatness! The dual time perspective helped keep my interest, and discovering Calhoun’s past was engaging. Recommended for NEW FRONTIER fans!
September 15, 2022
I enjoyed the storyline regarding the Selelvians as well as how naturally they were introduced to this story (via Gleau a couple of books previously). Hoewver I'm getting tired of Calhoun's whole schtick and could have done with more Soleta (obviously the best one)
January 29, 2017
especially last sentence in the book - made me happy and sad at the same time - really liked this one
October 30, 2018
I liked this book and really liked the return of Captain Picard, This has been an Excellent series, and this book is a Good Read.
July 17, 2019
The past parts were more interesting than the current story. Wished TNG did not get involved to solve the final problem
January 4, 2021
Every Trekkie must read this volume with its twists and turns that make you want more.
October 14, 2022
Leads to some intriguing possibilities that could see our heroes thoroughly challenged.
3.5/5 A bit underwhelming after the gods saga, but sill a good entry in the series.
3.5/5 A bit underwhelming after the gods saga, but sill a good entry in the series.
May 2, 2009
"In any case, Dr. Bethom was quite explicit that he had no desire
to communicate with you until a particular change in climate at an indeterminate
point in the future."
"Let me guess: When Hell freezes over."
"That was it!"
The repartee is brilliant. The narrative, superb. And whilst we can argue that the setting of the story itself is simply a backdrop for a recitation of things gone by, what a recitation it was...
"No one's dying, I hope?"
"no, but I haven't gotten there yet."
We see "one-punch Calhoun" in all his academy glory, and whilst there's certainly more to it than is told, its riveting stuff nonetheless.
I loved everything about "then" - it added so much to Calhoun's character and filled in so much of the history that I could have happily consumed another volume on the subject. His unbending positions on almost everything made the whole thing absolutely worth reading, and as for the Kobayashi Maru, I at least had always assumed it was a rescue mission. even knowing that there was no way to win the damned thing I'd assumed that. And then Calhoun takes the test and completely debunks that theory forevermore.
"Kebron, for his part, was briefly stuck. He was wearing a mutilated monster on
his right arm, and was having trouble shaking it off."
The "now" portions of the thing were interesting in their own way and they filled in background on other characters in their own right, but what made this such an excellent read for me was the glimpse into the history of a character that has been built up and done so much throughout this whole series. The unending irony, the ceaseless banter and the whole view of a universe that some authors make so bleak and militaristic gives this book and the series itself a degree of light fun. Certainly one to come back to when you're feeling a bit fed up with the whole high-handedness of the universe, I'd say.
Oh, and wasn't that "mind control some of the people some of the time"stuff on page 294 a bit of a Lincoln crib? I thought it sounded vaguely familiar...
to communicate with you until a particular change in climate at an indeterminate
point in the future."
"Let me guess: When Hell freezes over."
"That was it!"
The repartee is brilliant. The narrative, superb. And whilst we can argue that the setting of the story itself is simply a backdrop for a recitation of things gone by, what a recitation it was...
"No one's dying, I hope?"
"no, but I haven't gotten there yet."
We see "one-punch Calhoun" in all his academy glory, and whilst there's certainly more to it than is told, its riveting stuff nonetheless.
I loved everything about "then" - it added so much to Calhoun's character and filled in so much of the history that I could have happily consumed another volume on the subject. His unbending positions on almost everything made the whole thing absolutely worth reading, and as for the Kobayashi Maru, I at least had always assumed it was a rescue mission. even knowing that there was no way to win the damned thing I'd assumed that. And then Calhoun takes the test and completely debunks that theory forevermore.
"Kebron, for his part, was briefly stuck. He was wearing a mutilated monster on
his right arm, and was having trouble shaking it off."
The "now" portions of the thing were interesting in their own way and they filled in background on other characters in their own right, but what made this such an excellent read for me was the glimpse into the history of a character that has been built up and done so much throughout this whole series. The unending irony, the ceaseless banter and the whole view of a universe that some authors make so bleak and militaristic gives this book and the series itself a degree of light fun. Certainly one to come back to when you're feeling a bit fed up with the whole high-handedness of the universe, I'd say.
Oh, and wasn't that "mind control some of the people some of the time"stuff on page 294 a bit of a Lincoln crib? I thought it sounded vaguely familiar...
October 25, 2014
Star Trek: New Frontier: Stone and Anvil is the 14th book in the series proper and the 20th chapter in what I like to refer to as Star Trek: The Prime-Time Soap.
Primarily what Peter David does here is to split the story between the present and the past, wrapping up most plotlines from the previous two books and shining a light on the transformation of M'k'n'zy of Calhoun to Mackenzie Calhoun of Starfleet and his first romance with Elizabeth Shelby. Of particular note is Mac's unique solution to the Kobyashi Maru simulation (no, he doesn't cheat) and the role it plays in the breakup of young Mac and Elizabeth.
The conclusion of the Lt Gleau murder plotline isn't much of a surprise as the murderer is revealed early on, but it wasn't meant to be. The main thrust of this story is meant to highlight loyalty and trust. Loyalty for Lt Kebron for a subordinate he feels wrongly accused and loyalty for Capt Calhoun towards Kebron. Trust is highlighted in the interactions between Capt's Shelby and Calhoun in the face of possible career ending consequences in their quest to reverse the disintegration of the mind of Ensign Janos. On a side note, Lt Robin Lefler seems to have made some peace with the fact that her "dead" mother Morgan Primus's consciousness is now part and parcel of the USS Excalibur's computer system.
The next chapter in the soap will be a short story in the Tales From the Captain's Table anthology--featuring Capt Shelby this time. What secrets will be revealed?
Primarily what Peter David does here is to split the story between the present and the past, wrapping up most plotlines from the previous two books and shining a light on the transformation of M'k'n'zy of Calhoun to Mackenzie Calhoun of Starfleet and his first romance with Elizabeth Shelby. Of particular note is Mac's unique solution to the Kobyashi Maru simulation (no, he doesn't cheat) and the role it plays in the breakup of young Mac and Elizabeth.
The conclusion of the Lt Gleau murder plotline isn't much of a surprise as the murderer is revealed early on, but it wasn't meant to be. The main thrust of this story is meant to highlight loyalty and trust. Loyalty for Lt Kebron for a subordinate he feels wrongly accused and loyalty for Capt Calhoun towards Kebron. Trust is highlighted in the interactions between Capt's Shelby and Calhoun in the face of possible career ending consequences in their quest to reverse the disintegration of the mind of Ensign Janos. On a side note, Lt Robin Lefler seems to have made some peace with the fact that her "dead" mother Morgan Primus's consciousness is now part and parcel of the USS Excalibur's computer system.
The next chapter in the soap will be a short story in the Tales From the Captain's Table anthology--featuring Capt Shelby this time. What secrets will be revealed?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2015
Nach längerer Zeit ist David mit diesem Roman wieder ein sehr guter ST-New Frontier-Roman gelungen. Die Handlung setzt unmittelbar nach dem letzten ST-New Frontier-Roman "Mehr als Götter" an, das Mannschaftsmitglied der EXCALIBUR Janos soll den Selevianer Gleau bestialisch getötet haben, die Regierung der Selevianer verlangen von der Förderation daraufhin die Übergabe des vermeintlichen Mörders um ihn umgehend hinzurichten, seltsamerweise geht die Förderation ohne Widerstand auf diese Forderung ein. Calhoun und Shelby, die Captains der beiden Schiffe EXCALIBUR und TRIDENT, sind jedoch nicht bereit, dies zu tun, auch weil Ihre eigenen Ermittlungen Ungereimtheiten ans Tageslicht bringen.
Die Ermittlungen dieses Krimihandlungsfadens ist einer der Stärken des Romans, es wird jedoch parallel die Geschichte erzählt, wie Calhoun und Shelby sich an der Akademie kennengelernt haben und wie sie die Akademie gemeistert haben, alleine diese Geschichte macht den Roman zu einem der Höhepunkte des New Frontier-Zyklus. Peter David schildert das alles mit unerwartenden Wendungen, viel Humor und vielen Querverweisen auf den Star Trek Kanon...
Einziger Minuspunkt ist das Titelbild, in dem Janos als Witzfigur, als Halloween-Monster dargestellt wird, das wird dem Inhalt überhaupt nicht gerecht...
Die Ermittlungen dieses Krimihandlungsfadens ist einer der Stärken des Romans, es wird jedoch parallel die Geschichte erzählt, wie Calhoun und Shelby sich an der Akademie kennengelernt haben und wie sie die Akademie gemeistert haben, alleine diese Geschichte macht den Roman zu einem der Höhepunkte des New Frontier-Zyklus. Peter David schildert das alles mit unerwartenden Wendungen, viel Humor und vielen Querverweisen auf den Star Trek Kanon...
Einziger Minuspunkt ist das Titelbild, in dem Janos als Witzfigur, als Halloween-Monster dargestellt wird, das wird dem Inhalt überhaupt nicht gerecht...
October 20, 2010
I love Peter David. He's always been one of my favorite Trek authors, and this book, the first I've actually read in the New Frontier series, continues to showcase all the things I like about his stories and writing style. It actually made me want to read the rest of the NF series, so I got the first 4 in a bundle edition for Kindle. Yay.
I like how he created a new character and still heavily drew on other official but minor characters from the Star Trek canon. I think that was especially well done. Also as lots of action and tension. I like the moral dilemmas he creates for his characters. And of course I love the bits of the past story. I've always had a soft spot for learning more about beloved characters' pasts, like in _Mosaic_ or _Pathways_ in the Voyager novel series. Love that. Otherwise, this was your typical well-written Trek novel. It felt good to read Trek after all this time. =)
I like how he created a new character and still heavily drew on other official but minor characters from the Star Trek canon. I think that was especially well done. Also as lots of action and tension. I like the moral dilemmas he creates for his characters. And of course I love the bits of the past story. I've always had a soft spot for learning more about beloved characters' pasts, like in _Mosaic_ or _Pathways_ in the Voyager novel series. Love that. Otherwise, this was your typical well-written Trek novel. It felt good to read Trek after all this time. =)
May 3, 2011
This is, to my mind, one of the best of the "Star Trek: New Frontier" novels. Split into two narratives, it provides us on the one hand with Mackenzie Calhoun's Star Fleet Academy career, and his (first) relationship with Elizabeth Shelby. Intermingled, it also gives us a modern murder mystery, exposing not one but two conspiracies against the Federation, and the death of yet another of the STNF cast.
There's some great emotion here, of all sorts, mixed with David's trademark witty banter and occasional metahumor. Action, adventure, drama, tragedy, careers on the line, the fate of the Federation in the balance -- it's the usual mix, but honed more sharply than even this generally fine series provides.
While it wouldn't do too badly as a first-time introduction to the series, it's still better to start at the very beginning (a very good place to start).
There's some great emotion here, of all sorts, mixed with David's trademark witty banter and occasional metahumor. Action, adventure, drama, tragedy, careers on the line, the fate of the Federation in the balance -- it's the usual mix, but honed more sharply than even this generally fine series provides.
While it wouldn't do too badly as a first-time introduction to the series, it's still better to start at the very beginning (a very good place to start).
May 6, 2015
Ensign Janos is the prime suspect in the murder of an officer aboard the U.S.S. Trident. The investigation stirs up old memories for Captains Elizabeth Shelby and MacKenzie Calhoun. Of course, there’s also another pesky threat to the Federation and a sad goodbye.
Peter David is one of the most prolific and consistently entertaining Star Trek writers. Some Trekkies may find fault with his occasionally irreverant view of the Trek universe. I like his stuff.
Stone and Anvil was published simultaneously in hardcover by Pocket Books and as an eBook. The hardcover comes with a CD-ROM containing eBook versions of Mr. David’s previous New Frontier novels and short stories. The eBook I read came from Palm Digital Media. I admit to purchasing the eBook because it was much, much cheaper than the hardcover.
Peter David is one of the most prolific and consistently entertaining Star Trek writers. Some Trekkies may find fault with his occasionally irreverant view of the Trek universe. I like his stuff.
Stone and Anvil was published simultaneously in hardcover by Pocket Books and as an eBook. The hardcover comes with a CD-ROM containing eBook versions of Mr. David’s previous New Frontier novels and short stories. The eBook I read came from Palm Digital Media. I admit to purchasing the eBook because it was much, much cheaper than the hardcover.
May 20, 2023
This book follows two timelines. In the present, someone has killed Lieutenant Commander Gleau, and all signs point to Ensingn Janos. And, in the past, we follow Calhoun in his academy days.
More page count is dedicated to the past. Calhoun has to aclimate to quote-unquote civilized life after his life as a quote-unquote barbarian. He meets Shelby, who is already dating his roommate.
In the present, Kebron investigates the murder, trying and failing to find some way to prove Janos didn't do it.
For more than half the book, the two timelines are completely unrelated. Eventually, some points in each become relevant to each other. Then they veer off again.
Calhoun is clearly Peter David's favorite character. He would have been better off writing the entire book about him.
More page count is dedicated to the past. Calhoun has to aclimate to quote-unquote civilized life after his life as a quote-unquote barbarian. He meets Shelby, who is already dating his roommate.
In the present, Kebron investigates the murder, trying and failing to find some way to prove Janos didn't do it.
For more than half the book, the two timelines are completely unrelated. Eventually, some points in each become relevant to each other. Then they veer off again.
Calhoun is clearly Peter David's favorite character. He would have been better off writing the entire book about him.
October 5, 2013
I am always amazed at Peter David's ability to make the reader laugh out loud and in his recent installment Stone and Anvil he has done it again. The storyline, as always, is well told and fun. The pace is quick and the characters are a blast. Only complaint is the lack of military demeanor. The characters are both wild in their actions and in their speech, which can give the reader a sense of being in a high school rather than a military arm of the Federation. But all-in-all a very fun read that I recommend to anyone looking for a lite and fun read.
May 25, 2014
The built A-plot concerning Gleau and M'Ress felt thrown aside quickly and for much of the book in favour of an A-plot about Calhoun and Shelby. While connected, it wasn't until the second half of the book were it became relevant and transcended slow. So below average for that Trek author. On the other hand, it has some of David's funniest phrasings and lovely lyrical descriptions that really wooed me. Some great cosy short scenes.
March 5, 2015
If you like Peter David's take on Trek, and the New Frontier books in general, this one is for you. Lots of good background on the Calhoun/Shelby relationship, the in-jokes you would expect, and snappy dialog which is probably out of place on a 24th century starship but fun to read. If you DON'T like Peter David's Trek, you may want to skip this one too.
June 22, 2017
I enjoyed this one, although with less fervor than the previous few New Frontier novels. An interesting story in the "current" timeline but the Academy backstory lacked much of interest, for me anyway.
February 29, 2016
This one was a bit boring. Even though I usually really like the Academy, the THEN story felt just like a filling. The NOW story was continuing from two previous books, so it also felt unnecessarily stretched.
April 17, 2013
One of the best in the series, thanks in part to the tense main story, but also thanks to the great look at Shelby and Calhoun's past.
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