Tooth and Claw

Ok, wow, this is the last of the TNG that I inherited from my brother, and now I'm sad. It's the best of all the one that I read; I even have book-darted passages! It's interesting enough to discuss in a book club even. I may have to look into more by the author.

I like that there was exciting adventure, political intrigue, challenging diplomacy, techno-babble, and humor too. Riker, when written well, does know how to make the wry observation or offer the comic relief:

"'Definitely [I've been] spending too much time in Worf's holodeck calisthenics.' Or rather, in a toned-down version for humans. Worf Lite."

And Worf gets a chance to show us that he has a sense of humor, too. Riker is mocking the two of them, complaining that Worf is going show more to come out of this looking much less messed up than his commanding officer. Worf replies that he should spend an extra day in the jungle... . "Worf, you're patronizing me."
"Yes sir."
"Well stop it. You're bad at it."
"Yes sir."
(Can't you just hear the actors making that exchange? Delightful.)

There's also a fairly substantive sub-thread about Data experimenting with colloquialisms again. La Forge tries to warn him off, but he persists for most of the book, and uses them mostly *almost* appropriately.

But the main thematic plot is how the exposure to Federation members, with their perspectives, helps the Tsoran prince see his own culture in a new light. It starts with a small epiphanic question: "What is more important, saving daleura or being prepared for danger?" And there's a bit of an exchange the other way, of course, too. After all, it is the mission of the Enterprise to "seek out new life" and learn about, and from, it.

The main adventure plot could stand alone, I think, if one wanted to read this book on that level. But there's so much more going on, I really enjoyed savoring this special entry in the series. show less