W. R. Thompson (1) (1955–)

Solid Next Gen Adventure that is especially heavy on Star Trek's trademark self-righteousness.

As far as the plot goes, the Ferengi are secretly running an undeveloped planet with a more nefarious plot spurring the Ferengi on. To combat the Ferengi, the Enterprise is sent with an ambassador from its past. Remember that episode where they unfroze those dudes from our time and then they cause some trouble on the Enterprise? Remember that lounge-act country singer wants Data to join him in his show more act? Sadly the ambassador is not the lounge act or this would be an instant 5-star. Instead, it is the greedy- go go 80s stockbroker as he might be the only person who can understand Ferengi behavior.

Some highlights: Wesley is hanging out with a bug alien and some interesting details are given for her species. Also, the political scheme the Ferengi are involved in isn't anything new but is a solid Next Generation-era plot. Plus, it turns out the stockbroker has some ties to Khan and has a tragic backstory. Not anything brilliant but it fleshes out a minor character from an obscure episode, and if that's not the primary purpose of Star Trek novels I don't know what is.

Cons: Wesley is in this. The native planet's people all talk like Yoda. The diplomat is supposed to be from the 80s but wears a top hat.

The main problem is how much of the book is taken up with characters lamenting how awful and stupid everyone living in our time is. Even as someone who agrees with those sentiments, it was a little much. Plus I cannot stand when other Star Trek characters lament how idiotic and savage the Original Series Star Trek characters are, and Picard commits this sin.

Overall enjoyable and readable, but nothing to make someone choose this over any of the other 800 Star Trek novels. show less

I see the top review on my feed for this claims 'well-constructed.' And yet, the primary thing I find problematic about it is what a mess it is. And what wasted potential: yes, the exploration of eugenics is mildly interesting, but there is so very much more that can be done with theme; it's a rich source of ideas and the author just looked at a few of them. Also Worf is way too bloodthirsty. Oh, and if you aren't ready to read something that reminds you of the plague of Covid-19, skip show more this.

I'm almost done with the box of TNGs that I inherited from my brother. Mixed feelings, but mostly Whew! show less

A typical Star Trek novel. In this case the Ferengi have taken over a planet, basically enslaving the native population. So, the Enterprise is sent to the planet to find out what is going on. They get to take a former 20th Century Businessman turned Ferengi Ambassador along too (he, Ralph Offenhouse was found in suspended animation by the Enterprise and saved) That part was weird in some ways, because some of the ‘history’ stuff that he had the Enterprise crew was so totally show more wrong.

Anyway. There are lots of twists and turns along the way, most of them quite predictable. There was quite a lot of Worf and Data in this one, which was okay, but not a lot of Beverly or Deanna, which was unfortunate. On the other hand I was very surprised at just how much Wes there was in the novel. Not to mention the author sorta got his character right (not that the writers on the show were every subtle with Wesley Crusher’s character). The new characters were interesting too and overall (except for the whole calling Alex Al, which drive me crazy). I thought that the characters were a strong part of this story.

On the not as great side I did have a problem with the Yoda speak that the natives spoke in. Yes, towards the end it was explained and well explained, but I kept picturing Yoda when anyone spoke and that was distracting.

Overall I liked the book. It was a solid Star Trek Novel, even if the plot was not overly inventive or a surprisingly twisty. show less

A feel-good story: An evangelist, a thug, an aspiring dictator—all against the government; with all trying to use telepaths as an excuse for violence. While things start out painfully leisurely, the character development is done well and the plot thickens. Meanwhile the “bible” of this story, “Sense and Non-sense”, provides a back-drop of mental & emotional stability from which we gain a certain distance from the different characters of the book—and an understanding of them…and show more maybe, even of the “real life” characters of today’s political turmoils.

“It’s time for me to come clean and confess that there truly is magic afoot. If you wish to have unlimited power, the proper spell is writ ‘E = mc2’. For the ability to shape the destiny of the world with words,
read the speeches of Winston Churchill. This is white magic. It takes both talent and years of study to master it, as any scientist or statesman can tell you, but if you persevere you will develop the ability to
do everything a wizard might do, and then some.”

This book was written in 1988…and, while it is well written, it lacks the emotional strength to make the necessary impact today (2021). So, even though it provides a useful message for modern America, I can’t recommend it for other than the benefit of a pleasant story with a positive (and sad) ending. [The story gets a solid 3-stars from me, and the moral gets an extra 1/2-star] And I don't like the cover illustration....it looks like a bunch of interns at a carnival.

“Indifference to me, is the epitome of all evil.” Elie Wiesel show less