Imzadi

I first read this classic Trek novel when I was sixteen, and at the time it knocked me off my feet as one of the greatest NextGen stories ever told. Now I'm twice as old and happy to report that Imzadi by Peter David has aged well over the years. Many of the show references are dated to the mid-1990's Trek universe, but that matters little because of the specific trekkie fan base this story is for. Plus the subsequent expanded universe has done very little to diminish the story. The Next Generation TV show remains a cultural milestone, which lends this book relevance by extension.

This is the backstory of Riker and Troi's relationship, and I was surprised by how short their pre-Enterprise encounter was. From the show's point of view, show more their history felt significant, as if they'd known each other for years. Though the more I think about it, a short and passionate affair makes the most sense as Peter David writes it.

The third act of the novel seals the deal for this being one of the best in the Star Trek lexicon. So many great Trek elements are fused together for an unforgettable climax. show less

This is hard to review. I think that David generally knows these characters well and has their voices down pat. While I prefer TNG novels that have substantive parts for all of the crew, while this one focuses on Riker, Troi and Data, I feel like you can't hold that against the book; it's called Imzadi, its obviously going to focus on Riker and Troi. My biggest problem with the book is that, in the end, Troi gets fridged....she is killed just to motivate Riker. Now, to be fair to David, this book was written years before Women in Refrigerators existed, although that doesn't make Troi's fridging any less true. I also want to be clear....David writes very good, strong female characters. I have no doubt that he had no intention of using show more Troi to comment on Riker, but rather saw it as an integral part of the plot, which I don't think works if Riker dies and Troi survives. Still, in 2019, its hard to read this book without considering that. show less

I have no idea what other reviewers say and I'm not going to check. I thoroughly enjoyed this, found it very well-written. Some little bits might have been a bit over-the-top, but don't we expect that, even enjoy that, from Star Trek?

"A traditional entrée into conversation has always been to discuss something utterly inconsequential; Something that no one can do anything about. The weather has always filled the bill... But look at that.... 'Looks like a vacuum today. And they produce more of the same for tomorrow.'" (Guinan, trying to open a conversation with someone looking out the windows of Ten-Forward.)

Guinan does get into it. Someone is feeling guilty for not being a perfect friend, and G. asks whether they did anything horrible, show more like rough her up, or beat up one of her friends. They say, no, she wouldn't put up with that at all. Well, G. says, why are you beating up yourself then?

The book also makes me want to read at least a summary of [b:Julius Caesar|760566|Julius Caesar|William Shakespeare|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1561296734l/760566._SY75_.jpg|2796883]. Somehow I know virtually nothing. Apparently the assassins thought they were doing the right thing, for the sake of the country maybe?

Onward! show less

While I suspect that this book was given to me more as a joke than as for actual reading material, I enjoyed it so much!

I'll admit it, I'm a Trekie, TNG (if you know what it stands for, you're in the club) was *my* show. I watched it growing up, and then again as an adult. 7 years of awesome characters with awesome plot lines and themes--I couldn't get enough.

This book was like jumping into a TNG episode that I hadn't watched before. It was great to picture the characters, and I'd say the writing was pretty accurate to the characters.

Excellent read! My first bout into fan fiction...and I think I liked it!

While I suspect that this book was given to me more as a joke than as for actual reading material, I enjoyed it so much!

I'll admit it, I'm a Trekie, TNG (if you know what it stands for, you're in the club) was *my* show. I watched it growing up, and then again as an adult. 7 years of awesome characters with awesome plot lines and themes--I couldn't get enough.

This book was like jumping into a TNG episode that I hadn't watched before. It was great to picture the characters, and I'd say the writing was pretty accurate to the characters.

Excellent read! My first bout into fan fiction...and I think I liked it!

I liked the story overall, but I didn't like the way Troi and Riker's initial relationship was portrayed (which is arguably the whole point of this novel).


In the show, they seem to be chilled out and adult about their relationship. They seem like a couple that went out for a while, had some good times, didn't work out, became good friends, and re-found each other that way.

In the novel, it's portrayed as a deep and passionate love that neither of them really get into for stubborn reasons. It's also quick, less than a few months. The way they talk on the show makes it seem like they went out for much longer, enough time to have a full relationship at least.

Finally, I can't imagine Data acting the way he did at the end of the novel since show more it goes against all of his character development.
show less

I know most Star Trek novels are considered sub-standard sci-fi fare, but if you're a fan of ST:TNG, this book is as good as it gets. Peter David is one of those writers who can take the source material and move it up a notch. Plus, I'm a sucker for time travel stories.