Off to New Frontiers

I just finished reading the first four books of the New Frontier series by Peter David. Don’t be too shocked, each of the books is only about 150 pages long. Given the font size of the books compared to other books I’ve read that means they weren’t that long. I read all 4 at once because they are basically one book, and allowed them only one place on the read list. In fact given a slightly smaller font they could easy have been combined into a 400 page book instead of a 600+ one. The books were sold at the lesser price of $4 to try to get people interested (My guess). I acquired two new ones and two used ones in excellent condition, and the books are old enough that the pulpy paper has started to yellow. I’ll put the covers up as I ramble.

I’ve talked about several Peter David books on here, and this is definitely him. The basic story is the beginning of a new Star Trek series that was created by David and John J. Ordover. David writes or edits all of the books in the series, as far as I know. That provides a consistency to plots, characters, back story, etc. that is usually not seen in ST shows until the middle of the second or beginning of the third season. In fact it is more like the Babylon 5 series in that regard. Anyway, that also means that the books are more serial in nature than many of the ST TV shows.

Anyway, the basic storyline is that the Thallonian Empire has essentially collapsed and the ruling family is basically dead. The space they controlled is suddenly rife with conflict now that the iron fist of peace the Empire wielded is gone. The Federation isn’t pleased by the chaos that is ensuing in the area, and after negotiations with nearby peoples, exert itself and decides to send in one lone Starship to map the unknown area and help stabilize what it can. The Captain chosen is Mackenzie Calhoun. At the age of 19 he led his people to throw an occupying force off his home planet. Since the planet is near that area, he knows some of the parties involved. He’s also battle hardened from the word go, quick of wit, crazy like a fox, an expert at infiltration and hand combat, and he knows how to handle despots. He’s either going to beat the sector into submission, or he is going to blow it up. And for this fun ride he takes along one of the oddest crews Starfleet has ever put together.

I liked the book about like I’ve liked most of the stuff I’ve read from PD. He puts enough humor in them to make them fun, and enough twists and problems to keep you thinking. One of the beauties of being a book is that he can have characters that would be nearly impossible to have one a TV show or movie. As you would expect, knowledge of the Star Trek universe is of great beneficial, but it isn’t required. In fact, it wouldn’t be PD without it, there are little jokes and touches that are added in that require knowledge if the TV series and movies to fully understand.

If you like ST and follow the series, then you will probably like these as well. I think they are little crack books. I seriously finished one a day. I’m going back to non-fiction now.