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Star Trek: New Frontier #17
Treason
Tensions are at a fever pitch following the murder of Prime Minister Si Cwan, and the sudden power vacuum will have ramifications for Captain Mackenzie Calhoun... It is a time of political upheaval and uncertainty in the New Thallonian Protectorate. Following the brutal assassination of her husband, Si Cwan, former Starfleet officer-turned-newly-appointed-Prime Minister Robin Lefler must now face the growing danger and intrigue surrounding her newborn son and heir to the noble line of Cwan. Following a harrowing assassination attempt, Robin has no choice but to flee New Thallon with her child...seeking refuge with Captain Mackenzie Calhoun and the crew of the U.S.S. Excalibur and creating a major diplomatic crisis in Sector 221-G. The political fallout between the Federation and the New Thallonian Protectorate pales, however, in comparison to the threat of an enigmatic alien race determined to seize the infant Cwan for its own mysterious purposes. But nothing could possibly prepare Calhoun for the shocking betrayal from within—an act of treachery to aid and abet this alien race—forever altering the lives of the Excalibur crew....
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2010
36 people are currently reading
486 people want to read
About the author
Peter David
3,567 books1,362 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 37 reviews
September 12, 2018
Der letzte Band, "Vermisst", endete mit der überraschenden Ermordung von Si Cwan durch seine politischen Gegner. In diesem Band wird nun der politische Zwist zwischen der Föderation und dem Thallonischen Protektorat auf die Spitze getrieben, als auch dessen Frau, Robin Lefler, ihres Lebens nicht mehr sicher ist und die Erziehung ihres Sohnes in die Hände ihrer politischen Gegner zu gelangen droht. Nach einem Attentatsversuch flüchtet sie von New Thallon ins Exil an Bord auf der Excalibur zu ihrer Mutter, die dabei ist, sich in eine allmächtige Computerentität zu verwandeln. Als ihr toter Ehemann sich als Geist in seiner Schwester manifestiert und mit Robin auch noch kommuniziert und als eine rätselhafte fremde Alienrasse mit Hilfe der Bordärztin der Excalibur auch noch ihren neugeborenen Sohn entführt, ist der Höhepunkt des Bandes nur scheinbar erreicht...
Hier wird mal wieder das gesamte New Frontier-Universum auf den Kopf gestellt. Altbekannte Charaktere, insbesonders die vulkanische Bordärztin Selar, die man nun schon eine ganze Zeitlang kennt, verhalten sich scheinbar völlig irrartional. Das zarte Bündnis zwischen New Thallon und der Föderation ist in Gefahr und droht endgültig zu kippen, als sich eine unbekannte Alienrasse hier einmischt und das Baby Cwansi entführt. Keine Frage; dieser Band ist wieder spannend, witzig, temporeich und actiongeladen, meiner Meinung nach, ist hier noch nicht alles zu Ende erzählt, denn was genau die Motive der Entführer sind, bleibt im Dunkel. Auch das Verhalten des Bord-Computers, in dem Morgan Lefler hochgeladen wurde, deutet auf eine Fortsetzung hin, auf die ich mich auf jeden Fall schon freue...
Hier wird mal wieder das gesamte New Frontier-Universum auf den Kopf gestellt. Altbekannte Charaktere, insbesonders die vulkanische Bordärztin Selar, die man nun schon eine ganze Zeitlang kennt, verhalten sich scheinbar völlig irrartional. Das zarte Bündnis zwischen New Thallon und der Föderation ist in Gefahr und droht endgültig zu kippen, als sich eine unbekannte Alienrasse hier einmischt und das Baby Cwansi entführt. Keine Frage; dieser Band ist wieder spannend, witzig, temporeich und actiongeladen, meiner Meinung nach, ist hier noch nicht alles zu Ende erzählt, denn was genau die Motive der Entführer sind, bleibt im Dunkel. Auch das Verhalten des Bord-Computers, in dem Morgan Lefler hochgeladen wurde, deutet auf eine Fortsetzung hin, auf die ich mich auf jeden Fall schon freue...
April 2, 2024
Who is next on the dart board for the "Dark Period"? Well, *spins the wheel*, it looks like it is Doctor Selar who tragically dies this time around! While not reaching Coda's level of killing beloved Trek characters (for firehouse sale reasons, admittedly), I have to say this was still very much a gut punch when it happened and started my disenchantment with the series or at least how it ended. Doctor Selar, like Si Cwan, had been in the series from the very beginning and them dying in such a terrible way leaves me feeling a bit empty despite her accomplishing what she'd set out to do in saving her son.
The premise of this book is that the Thallonian Protectorate is a complete failure because no sooner does Robin Lefler become its Prime Minister then the evil nobility set out to kidnap her child to raise them as a puppet ruler. It kind of makes all of Si Cwan's efforts to rebuild the region into a more stable one a complete wash as not only did he cause a meaningless civil war but the government he creates in its place is one that is just as scheming as well as tyrannical as the one that he replaced. Poor Robin is reduced to being a homeless refugee that must run back with her child to the Federation (who almost hands her back over to the Protectorate despite the fact they're obviously going to murder her).
We also have a pretty brutal handling of the series long-running romance arcs. Selar and Burgo are obviously never going to get back together (and she uses a mind-meld to take away the pain he'd feel from her death), Robin is tortured by Si Cwan's ghost the entirety of the book, Lucius and Soleta end with the death of the Romulan (which was obviously going to happen TBH), and Xyon abandons Kalinda in the middle of the story in such a way that it makes it impossible for you to root for them ever getting back together.
Seriously, Xyon's selfishness has been a running theme throughout the series but you'd think when Kalinda's nephew has been kidnapped, he'd be capable of seeing past his own butthurt issues with Si Cwan until the end. Nope! Apparently, Xyon has learned nothing from his situation and it leaves me feeling like I suspect Calhoun does, "disappointed but not surprised."
The D’myurj and Brethren are introduced as villains, which is a case of why you should always sound out new names when trying to remember their names. For a decade, I could never figure out how to say the first name before I realized, "Oh, they're the Demiurge." Which makes sense because they're a bunch of aliens obsessed with uplifting other species. Sadly, Peter David doesn't really do much with this interesting anti-Prime Directive-esque concept and instead makes them one dimensionally evil and the Brethren to be Space OrcsTM or maybe Space Sontarans. A nod is made they could have been the people who uplifted the probe from "The Changeling" but that doesn't work with the Demiurge any better than it does the Borg.
In any case, neither the Demiurge or Brethren are particularly interesting as villains compared to the Redeemers, Danteri, or even the Wanderers. They're just too evil and there's no real engagement with the idea that they're going around helping other races out of their technology as well as "barbarism." Which has been used as an excuse for colonialism many-many times in the past but doesn't even get a fig leaf here. It was handled much better, IMHO, in Rise of the Federation where the Ware (which isn't even sentient) had many positive effects on the people it encountered despite Starfleet's attempts to eradicate it.
Finally, just to make one more statement about how this might be the only New Frontier book I actually don't like (2 1/2 stars), I would have to say that there's a lot of consent issues throughout the book. Si Cwan sleeps with Tania Tobias (the little blonde girl that Worf liked in the Starfleet Academy books).
The premise of this book is that the Thallonian Protectorate is a complete failure because no sooner does Robin Lefler become its Prime Minister then the evil nobility set out to kidnap her child to raise them as a puppet ruler. It kind of makes all of Si Cwan's efforts to rebuild the region into a more stable one a complete wash as not only did he cause a meaningless civil war but the government he creates in its place is one that is just as scheming as well as tyrannical as the one that he replaced. Poor Robin is reduced to being a homeless refugee that must run back with her child to the Federation (who almost hands her back over to the Protectorate despite the fact they're obviously going to murder her).
We also have a pretty brutal handling of the series long-running romance arcs. Selar and Burgo are obviously never going to get back together (and she uses a mind-meld to take away the pain he'd feel from her death), Robin is tortured by Si Cwan's ghost the entirety of the book, Lucius and Soleta end with the death of the Romulan (which was obviously going to happen TBH), and Xyon abandons Kalinda in the middle of the story in such a way that it makes it impossible for you to root for them ever getting back together.
Seriously, Xyon's selfishness has been a running theme throughout the series but you'd think when Kalinda's nephew has been kidnapped, he'd be capable of seeing past his own butthurt issues with Si Cwan until the end. Nope! Apparently, Xyon has learned nothing from his situation and it leaves me feeling like I suspect Calhoun does, "disappointed but not surprised."
The D’myurj and Brethren are introduced as villains, which is a case of why you should always sound out new names when trying to remember their names. For a decade, I could never figure out how to say the first name before I realized, "Oh, they're the Demiurge." Which makes sense because they're a bunch of aliens obsessed with uplifting other species. Sadly, Peter David doesn't really do much with this interesting anti-Prime Directive-esque concept and instead makes them one dimensionally evil and the Brethren to be Space OrcsTM or maybe Space Sontarans. A nod is made they could have been the people who uplifted the probe from "The Changeling" but that doesn't work with the Demiurge any better than it does the Borg.
In any case, neither the Demiurge or Brethren are particularly interesting as villains compared to the Redeemers, Danteri, or even the Wanderers. They're just too evil and there's no real engagement with the idea that they're going around helping other races out of their technology as well as "barbarism." Which has been used as an excuse for colonialism many-many times in the past but doesn't even get a fig leaf here. It was handled much better, IMHO, in Rise of the Federation where the Ware (which isn't even sentient) had many positive effects on the people it encountered despite Starfleet's attempts to eradicate it.
Finally, just to make one more statement about how this might be the only New Frontier book I actually don't like (2 1/2 stars), I would have to say that there's a lot of consent issues throughout the book. Si Cwan sleeps with Tania Tobias (the little blonde girl that Worf liked in the Starfleet Academy books).
May 15, 2020
To be honest it had been awhile since I read a New Frontier novel. But it was easy to jump right back in and all the things I forgot sorta fell into place.
Here we find the recently widowed and brand new mother Robin Lefler once again in need of Federation assistance. As prime minister in place of her dead husband of the New Thallonian Protectorate, the life of her son becomes endangered by opposing political parties.
Calhoun and the USS Excalibur come to her aid despite the diplomatic miasma it puts the Federation in. That doesn't stop him from rendering aid for an old friend, just like it never stopped him before.
But the real danger to Lefler's son resides elsewhere and it's in the hands of someone she counts as one of her most trusted friends.
I suppose Trekkie purists have a problem with PAD's New Frontier series but intrigue, action, romance, sci fi and paranormal like this entry contains, makes it a sure fire hit for me. It was in fact one of my favorites. It's been a while since the author has written a new one, I hope he hasn't given up on it for the sake of us Calhoun fans.
Here we find the recently widowed and brand new mother Robin Lefler once again in need of Federation assistance. As prime minister in place of her dead husband of the New Thallonian Protectorate, the life of her son becomes endangered by opposing political parties.
Calhoun and the USS Excalibur come to her aid despite the diplomatic miasma it puts the Federation in. That doesn't stop him from rendering aid for an old friend, just like it never stopped him before.
But the real danger to Lefler's son resides elsewhere and it's in the hands of someone she counts as one of her most trusted friends.
I suppose Trekkie purists have a problem with PAD's New Frontier series but intrigue, action, romance, sci fi and paranormal like this entry contains, makes it a sure fire hit for me. It was in fact one of my favorites. It's been a while since the author has written a new one, I hope he hasn't given up on it for the sake of us Calhoun fans.
July 5, 2022
Was a very slow start, I almost found boring but then about halfway through really picked up and caught my attention. Overall a good story. Little hard to follow at first.
May 26, 2009
The only problem with Peter David's success in other areas of publishing is that it means we have to wait longer for each new installment in the "New Frontier" series.
At least David understands this and makes each new adventure with Captain Calhoune and the "New Frontier" crew worth the wait.
The latest installment, "Treason" is no exception.
The Excalibur crew comes across a Hermite space-ship with a Hermite aboard that has remarkable restorative powers. Doctor Selar, becoming increasingly desperate to find a way to reverse or slow her son's Xy rapid aging, sees her new patient as a possible solution to her current crisis and begins heading down a road that will eventually lead her to kidnap the newborn child of the Si Cwan and Robin Lefler and head off to a mysterious part of space in hopes of finding a cure. David's story breathlessly weaves in a lot of various threads and allows each remaining "New Frontier" character his or her own moment in the sun. David is a master of keeping readers up to date on the current storylines without bringing the plot to a halt to summarize what's happened until now or giving us long, drawn-out "info-dumps."
Each "New Frontier" book is something to be savored and enjoyed. That can be hard to do, however, simply because there are moments when the story is moving at such a brisk clip that the pages can't turn fast enough. Even if the book were twice the number of pages we get here, it wouldn't be enough. You'd still come away wanting more, anxious to find out what happens next out there in the "New Frontier."
I don't know when the next installment is coming, but I'm counting down the days until I get to read it...
At least David understands this and makes each new adventure with Captain Calhoune and the "New Frontier" crew worth the wait.
The latest installment, "Treason" is no exception.
The Excalibur crew comes across a Hermite space-ship with a Hermite aboard that has remarkable restorative powers. Doctor Selar, becoming increasingly desperate to find a way to reverse or slow her son's Xy rapid aging, sees her new patient as a possible solution to her current crisis and begins heading down a road that will eventually lead her to kidnap the newborn child of the Si Cwan and Robin Lefler and head off to a mysterious part of space in hopes of finding a cure. David's story breathlessly weaves in a lot of various threads and allows each remaining "New Frontier" character his or her own moment in the sun. David is a master of keeping readers up to date on the current storylines without bringing the plot to a halt to summarize what's happened until now or giving us long, drawn-out "info-dumps."
Each "New Frontier" book is something to be savored and enjoyed. That can be hard to do, however, simply because there are moments when the story is moving at such a brisk clip that the pages can't turn fast enough. Even if the book were twice the number of pages we get here, it wouldn't be enough. You'd still come away wanting more, anxious to find out what happens next out there in the "New Frontier."
I don't know when the next installment is coming, but I'm counting down the days until I get to read it...
May 10, 2011
Rather than "Treason," the better title here might be "Madness." It seems, at times, like everyone is going insane-mad, or is deeply depressed, or possibly possessed, or is simply getting really, really *angry* mad. And given that one of the insane-mad types is potentially the most powerful beings in the universe, things are even more dire ... and that's before some Grand Guignol ship-board battling that manage to kill of a number of supporting cast members, and a climax that sees yet another original player in the series die.
For all of that winnowing of the overly-large cast -- and for all that the new galactic antagonists feel a bit much like an attempt to come up with some even more powerful (if demonstrably mortal) bad guys -- this is still a fun book. After criticizing the past few volumes in the series with focusing on cast I didn't care for, that's turned right around here, as Burgy, Soleta, Selar, even (oddly enough) Si Cwan all step into the limelight (even if not all of them are in their right minds, or bodies). Amidst rampant paranoia of conniving conspiracies, shadowy aliens, omniscient computers, and secrets than you can shake a stick at, and a final scene to ramp things up still further ...it's a book that grabbed me for all 436 (large-type, wide-spaced) pages.
For all of that winnowing of the overly-large cast -- and for all that the new galactic antagonists feel a bit much like an attempt to come up with some even more powerful (if demonstrably mortal) bad guys -- this is still a fun book. After criticizing the past few volumes in the series with focusing on cast I didn't care for, that's turned right around here, as Burgy, Soleta, Selar, even (oddly enough) Si Cwan all step into the limelight (even if not all of them are in their right minds, or bodies). Amidst rampant paranoia of conniving conspiracies, shadowy aliens, omniscient computers, and secrets than you can shake a stick at, and a final scene to ramp things up still further ...it's a book that grabbed me for all 436 (large-type, wide-spaced) pages.
August 25, 2019
one of the best books of the series and oh my what a ending
May 31, 2021
Ett stort fel med Peter Davids berättelser är att alla tycker att han är så bra, men jag bara ser en medioker författare som tyvärr inte kan berätta en historia tillräckligt trovärdigt. Vissa av hans böcker/serietidningar är bra och vissa berättelser drar verkligen med en, men i det stora hela så tröttnar man mycket snart. I New Frontier-serien är det stora problemet just att han har för många övernaturliga väsen inblandade. Det är gamla gudar i någon tidigare bok, det är människan Morgan som dör men på något sätt blir en superdator som nu verkar ha fått överslag och tenderar att ta över hela Stjärnflottan med alla sina subprogram som hon installerar överallt. Vi har döda personer som tar över levande kroppar, vi har diverse arter som är det värsta hotet någonsin mot civilisationen och mycket, mycket mer. Jag börjar faktiskt tröttna på den här serien och vet inte om jag lyckas glömma bort allt det här så att jag kan ge den en ny chans.
Till råga på allt är det så många snabba och ologiska vändningar att inte mycket längre känns trovärdigt. Nej, denna bok får ett mycket lågt betyg av mig.
Till råga på allt är det så många snabba och ologiska vändningar att inte mycket längre känns trovärdigt. Nej, denna bok får ett mycket lågt betyg av mig.
October 31, 2020
I'm really enjoying how Peter David is handling the fallout of previous books and introducing new plots. The antagonists this round were interesting enough, I guess (though the aliens' name for themselves made me roll my eyes with the reference to ), but the star of the show was seeing Dr. Selar finally break after the last couple books in her quest to "solve" her son's condition. Lots of parenting on display in this volume, but Cwansi is a hardier infant than I gave him credit for, haha! (Not quite Willow-style with Elora Danan, though.)
The resolution of this book makes me think we're getting a new arc. I have to admit, looking back, that I'm a little annoyed that we literally got nothing about the Selelvian War other than the "oh yeah, that's why Soleta isn't in Starfleet anymore."
I'm still missing Shelby's presence here, but I'm learning to appreciate the different lenses Peter David is going with in his storytelling.
The resolution of this book makes me think we're getting a new arc. I have to admit, looking back, that I'm a little annoyed that we literally got nothing about the Selelvian War other than the "oh yeah, that's why Soleta isn't in Starfleet anymore."
I'm still missing Shelby's presence here, but I'm learning to appreciate the different lenses Peter David is going with in his storytelling.
August 2, 2019
I have not tread a Peter David book in this series that I didn't enjoy! This one "Treason" was great, kept me interested and amused as the characters are well developed and full of surprises! I've been a Star Trek fan from the beginning and Captain Kirk is my first hero; while I liked Picard, I really liked Captain Mackenzie Calhoun as he is more adventurous than even Kirk at times. This book has lots of twists and turns and insights into all the characters. A really fun read!
August 15, 2023
A good entry in the series as Calhoun and company come across An assassination of Si Cwan and his wife, Robin Lefler, taking over his spot as Prime Minister. Things get squirrelly as Cwan's sister Kalenda starts speaking to phantoms and starts acting like her late brother. Plus the new addition to the family, Robin and Cwan's son Cwansi, is acting strangely for an infant. Plus there are a few plot twists and turns to keep the interest at a good level. Definitely recommended.
May 8, 2025
The gloves are off. Peter David no longer feels the need to have everything return to the status quo at the end of the story.
The Excalibur rescues a stranded Hermat. For some reason Selar loses her mind. She's convinced that in the Hermat's DNA is the answer to saving her son. Searching for the answer and lying about her actions coupled with visions of a being who promises to help take her down a dangerous path.
The Excalibur rescues a stranded Hermat. For some reason Selar loses her mind. She's convinced that in the Hermat's DNA is the answer to saving her son. Searching for the answer and lying about her actions coupled with visions of a being who promises to help take her down a dangerous path.
March 21, 2017
I think this series has "jumped the shark"; it should have ended 2 books ago. Maybe it's because I started so long ago and finished only today, but many plot elements are weak. The ultimate villains are not revealed until towards the end and their goals are nebulous. The previous or next book or comics make no reference to them again. The story went from child kidnapping to alien gene manipulation to dead people coming back from the dead to inhabit their sister's body. Come on!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2017
These just get better and better. Treason is mostly a fast-paced Selar/Soleta story.
March 21, 2018
No! No! No no no no no no no!!! I am in no way OK with how this ended!!!! 😢😢😢😢😢
February 12, 2019
It's pretty much a given...if it's a Star Trek novel...I'll like it... I wish there were more titles in the New Frontier series of the Star Trek world.
October 14, 2022
Sure. Okay. Just keep hurting people with your words, Mr. David. See if I care.
4/5 Maybe just let Kalinda be happy, though? Anyway, new Borg-type threat. No big deal.
4/5 Maybe just let Kalinda be happy, though? Anyway, new Borg-type threat. No big deal.
June 1, 2020
Another good installment in the series, with some quite shocking developments. Although the previous novel was Missing in Action, be aware that there was a comic (Star Trek: New Frontier: Turnaround) set in between. You don't have to read that, because this book summarises the key points for you, but if you don't know it exists then you'll scratch your head wondering if you missed something.
April 2, 2015
Star Trek: The New Frontier: Treason by Peter David is the 17th book in the New Frontier series proper and the 27th chapter of what I like to call Star Trek: The Prime Time Soap. Treason is a bit of a return to the style of some of the earlier books--fast-paced,tightly plotted with a few twists including a possible connection to an earlier TV series episode. The novel is aptly titled as multiple acts of treason and betrayal lie at the heart of the story. First we have Tusari Gyn, Prime Arbiter of the New Thallonian Protectorate--he stages a coup against his opposite number on the Council, Prime Minister Robin Lefler, forcing her, her son Cwansi and the Lady Kalinda to seek asylum aboard the USS Excalibur. Then there's Dr Selar--lying to her captain, Mackenzie Calhoun, ignoring her Hippocratic Oath, kidnapping Robin Lefler's son and another unconscious patient for dubious reasons then running AWOL from the USS Excalibur. The title could also be extended to Tribune Lucius who is tempted to betray Cmdr. Soleta and hijack their ship the Spectre.
In addition to all the double dealings, the other theme that drives the novel is parent-child relationships. Selar's obsession about curing her son Xy's medical condition is what the D'myurj--a mysterious race with mysterious motives--use to push the good doctor over the edge and commit her treasonous acts. Robin Lefler faces the theme from both sides--her fight to retain custody of her son then her insistence on taking an active role in the rescue of Cwansi bring her into extended contact with her own mother Morgan Primus. Unfortunately David never really addresses the relationship between Calhoun and his sons, Xyon and Moke.
There are a number of surprising deaths here and out of the three main ships in this series--Spectre, Excalibur and USS Trident--none escape the loss of crew members. Treason ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but that is not surprising as it is currently the penultimate book in the series (I hope there will be more some day). Next up Calhoun and company are out for blood and take the fight to the D'myurj and their shock troopers the Brethren in what may be the final novel of the series Blind Man's Bluff.
In addition to all the double dealings, the other theme that drives the novel is parent-child relationships. Selar's obsession about curing her son Xy's medical condition is what the D'myurj--a mysterious race with mysterious motives--use to push the good doctor over the edge and commit her treasonous acts. Robin Lefler faces the theme from both sides--her fight to retain custody of her son then her insistence on taking an active role in the rescue of Cwansi bring her into extended contact with her own mother Morgan Primus. Unfortunately David never really addresses the relationship between Calhoun and his sons, Xyon and Moke.
There are a number of surprising deaths here and out of the three main ships in this series--Spectre, Excalibur and USS Trident--none escape the loss of crew members. Treason ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but that is not surprising as it is currently the penultimate book in the series (I hope there will be more some day). Next up Calhoun and company are out for blood and take the fight to the D'myurj and their shock troopers the Brethren in what may be the final novel of the series Blind Man's Bluff.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2012
I have long awaited this book. It picks up pretty much where the comic left off and doesn't mention the events of Destiny. I'm fine with that. I'd like to move on.
We found out in the comic that Robin's pregnant. She's about to give birth and Calhoun brings the Excalibur to her so that Selar can assist her with the birth. The ruling body of the Thallonians want to raise the child, and legally they have the right. Robin doesn't want to give the baby up so she flees with Kalinda on Xyon's ship who drops them off with Calhoun, much to Jellico's dismay.
Meanwhile, the Excalibur has picked up a ship with a comatose Hermat on it. This Hermat appears to have been genetically altered to heal quicker. Selar has been looking nonstop for a cure for Xy's condition which is causing him to age at a rapid rate. She thinks the Hermat may be the key. In mind melding with the Hermat, she has a vision where she is told that if she takes the Hermat and Robin's baby to a planet, she will be given the means to save Xy. The question becomes with Selar follow logic or do anything to save her son?
This is typical Peter David. He throws in lots of interesting twists that keep you on your toes for the whole novel. What disturbs me most is the last line of the novel. Things could get interesting in the next book.
We found out in the comic that Robin's pregnant. She's about to give birth and Calhoun brings the Excalibur to her so that Selar can assist her with the birth. The ruling body of the Thallonians want to raise the child, and legally they have the right. Robin doesn't want to give the baby up so she flees with Kalinda on Xyon's ship who drops them off with Calhoun, much to Jellico's dismay.
Meanwhile, the Excalibur has picked up a ship with a comatose Hermat on it. This Hermat appears to have been genetically altered to heal quicker. Selar has been looking nonstop for a cure for Xy's condition which is causing him to age at a rapid rate. She thinks the Hermat may be the key. In mind melding with the Hermat, she has a vision where she is told that if she takes the Hermat and Robin's baby to a planet, she will be given the means to save Xy. The question becomes with Selar follow logic or do anything to save her son?
This is typical Peter David. He throws in lots of interesting twists that keep you on your toes for the whole novel. What disturbs me most is the last line of the novel. Things could get interesting in the next book.
August 22, 2009
Another crazy adventure in the life of the past and present crew of the Excalibur! (Note, at the time of this review, the summary provided is incorrect. Treason follows birth of Robin Lefler's son and events that follow.
The New Frontier series is always a fun read, with the hilarious situations and characters, and this book follows in that tradition. In general, with much of Peter David's work, the story-lines are contrived and corny, but the joke is more than worth it-- a feature, not a bug. However, I did not enjoy this newest foray as much as I normally do, but I am not sure why. It just may be that Robin is one of my least favorite of the crew (-- her mother aside, she's relatively normal) or that the series is losing it's luster for me.
The New Frontier series is always a fun read, with the hilarious situations and characters, and this book follows in that tradition. In general, with much of Peter David's work, the story-lines are contrived and corny, but the joke is more than worth it-- a feature, not a bug. However, I did not enjoy this newest foray as much as I normally do, but I am not sure why. It just may be that Robin is one of my least favorite of the crew (-- her mother aside, she's relatively normal) or that the series is losing it's luster for me.
December 12, 2010
Fourteenth (?) book of the school year. I can't say that this book was bad but I did catch myself annoyed with it at times. There were points that I felt weren't explained all that greatly and then once or twice a few weirdly-placed comic moments really freaked with the intensity of the story. So this makes the book not wondrous. Like, it isn't the best thing I've ever read. But it was fun to read, and I think that counts for a lot, especially since it was a Star Trek novel and therefore thoroughly plot-based. I think now I should probably go and read the nineteen books that come before this so I get a better handle on what's actually going on. XD
SPOILERS:
Also Selar was my favorite and it made me sad that she died. D:
SPOILERS:
Also Selar was my favorite and it made me sad that she died. D:
April 8, 2010
Great book! A solid adventure story from start to finish. I was on the edge of my seat for the last 100 pages. Easy, fun, exciting reading. I was a bit surprised by the sexuality in the book, but it was mostly in the background and not unnecessarily focused on. Peter David remains one of my favorite writers. Recommended for anyone who likes a good sci-fi adventure story.
Note: you do not (in my opinion) need to be a Star Trek afficiando to enjoy this book. Even those with limited Star Trek knowledge will be able to enjoy this one.
Note: you do not (in my opinion) need to be a Star Trek afficiando to enjoy this book. Even those with limited Star Trek knowledge will be able to enjoy this one.
July 4, 2013
This is the first New Frontier novel I've read, I got it as part of a bundle on sale. I felt a bit lost, being dropped into a group of characters that I had no background information for. I picked up bits and pieces along the way, but I think the impact of the story was lessened since I didn't have 15 books to build up my feelings for the characters first. It was competently written and well paced, so I gave it 3 stars. I might pick up some other New Frontier novels and start from the start someday.
The cover art is beautiful and striking, definitely a step above most Trek novel art.
The cover art is beautiful and striking, definitely a step above most Trek novel art.
November 24, 2010
I read Star Trek books because they are generally fun easy reads that allow me to get lost in an imaginary universe I know well. They are comfortable, often cheesy, and never great literature, but they are relaxing. However, the overly contrived plot and the staggering number of coincidences in this particular one caused me to have more trouble than usual suspending disbelief and just enjoying the Star Trek universe.
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July 28, 2011Another solid offering by the always excellent Peter David, continuing the "New Frontier" universe he created. After 15+ books, I've really started to "care" about these characters, and this book offers further insights into several of them. David isn't afraid of killing a few of them off either :-) Like always, he leaves a few hanging threads that make you look forward to the next novel in this series.
February 2, 2016
It has been several years since I've read a New Frontier novel and I wasn't sure if I could get back into the world. But this book was enjoyable from the very first. I got re-aquanted with old friends and had a great time. We get to see all the major characters from the previous books with some new villians too. The books is one story that get resolved but with a great last line that leaves it open for more.
July 14, 2012
So far novel is very good except for the spelling mistakes that keep popping up, you would think that an author of his ability could learn how to use spell check ! Finished it and was not very impressed with the book I have read Peter David in the past and have never read a book like this from the likes of his work
May 4, 2009
Another excellent Peter David New Frontier book. Relationships forged, favorite characters, not too much of Shelby, a rescue mission, things being blown up and the bad guys die and the good guys win! Yeah!
September 27, 2009
Are vulcan's ever to blame for their own mistakes? It was fairly heartfelt, I suppose, in a cold, emotionally detached Vulcan kind of a way. Eyes open for a starfleet conspiracy though, looking fascinating.
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