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A Time to Kill (Star Trek The Next Generation)
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Author: David Mack
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Our Price: $6.99
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Manufacturer: Star Trek
Author: David Mack
Publisher: Star Trek
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A Time to Kill (Star Trek The Next Generation) Description
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9780743491778
ISBN: 0743491777
Label: Star Trek
Manufacturer: Star Trek
Number Of Items: 1
Book Pages: 368
Publication Date: 2004-07-27
Publisher: Star Trek
Studio: Star Trek
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9780743491778
ISBN: 0743491777
Label: Star Trek
Manufacturer: Star Trek
Number Of Items: 1
Book Pages: 368
Publication Date: 2004-07-27
Publisher: Star Trek
Studio: Star Trek
Editorial Review of A Time to Kill (Star Trek The Next Generation)
On the cusp of their epic battle with Shinzon, many of Captain Jean-Luc Picard's long time crew were heading for new assignments and new challenges. Among the changes were William Riker's promotion to captain and his new command, Riker's marriage to Counselor Deanna Troi, and Dr. Beverly Crusher's new career at Starfleet Medical. But the story of what set them on a path away from the Starship Enterprise™ has never been told.
UNTIL NOW.
At the height of the Dominion War and unknown to all save those in the highest levels of command, the Federation secretly armed the neutral planet Tezwa with devastating weapons -- part of a contingency plan against the Dominion if the front lines collapsed. But Tezwa also lies near the border of the Klingon Empire...making the Federation's covert strategy in direct violation of their fragile peace treaties,and creating the potential threat of scandal and all-out war.
Now Tezwa's power-hungry prime minister is all too eager to flex his newfound military muscle, menacing a nearby Klingon border world. Sent on an urgent diplomatic mission, Captain Picard and the Enterprise crew are caught in the crossfire as the crisis quickly escalates. With time running out and billions of lives at stake, only one man can avert the looming disaster -- Ambassador Worf, who must choose between his oath to the Federation and his loyalty to Martok, Chancellor of the Klingon Empire....
Customer Reviews of A Time to Kill (Star Trek The Next Generation)
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Book One of David Mack's triumphant Dulogy
Review: "A Time to Kill", the seventh installment in the current "A Time to..." series of Next Generation novels, weaves together for the reader a complex storyline, enthralling characterizations, deep convictions, and heartfelt emotions.
Focusing around a rising problem on the neutral world of Tezwa, the United Federation of Planets is rushing to prevent a disaster that could spread into a quadrant-wide conflict. In an effort to cover-up for possible treaty breaches in the past, the Federation now finds itself stuck between the Klingons, Starfleet, and the people of Tezwa, each of whom could uncover the secrets that might plunge the Alpha Quadrant into a new and sustained conflict that would cost countless lives.
David Mack is a relative newcomer to Star Trek fiction, having previously penned the "Starfleet Survival Guide" and a reference to the "New Frontier" book series. His previous fictional works have both been in the "Starfleet Corps of Engineers" series. "A Time to Kill" and its follow-up "A Time to Heal" represent his first full-length paperback novels, and Mack comes to the table with a tour-de-force read that I simply couldn't put down.
At the risk of sounding like a crazed internet gusher, I was utterly stunned at the magnificent accuracy with which Mack was able to write the beloved crew of the Enterprise-E, as well as Worf and Martok. As each character appeared in the novel, I could literally see, hear, and experience this novel like it was a movie or television show.
Mack's story is deeply complex, and to truly delve into the complexity needs to be avoided for this review, for to truly reveal the nature of the complexity would be to spoil the sheer joy of reading this novel. Mack goes to great lengths to make this story a fast-paced thriller, and succeeds with short chapters that make it easy to follow the many plots that meet within the covers of this book.
Seeing the struggles of power in the Tezwan capital, the political machinations behind the scenes in their planetary council, and seeing the sacrifices of good Starfleet officers has never been so palpable or enjoyable in my experience of reading Star Trek novels. This novel has a soul all it's own, one that will draw the reader in and that simply won't let go.
David Mack makes a worthy addition to the roster of novel-length Star Trek fiction writers, and has earned a nearly flawless review from me.
This is a Star Trek novel for the ages, and one can only hope that "A Time to Heal", Mack's follow-up (due within the month) will bring the story to the boiling head it needs to enter into October's finale for the "A Time to..." series, "A Time for War, A Time for Peace", penned by Keith R. A. DeCandido.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: An Exercise in DoubleThink
Review: A Time to Kill is most definitely head and shoulders above the previous six "A Time To" novels. The book is dense, but also moves at a lightening quick pace.
In many ways, A Time to Kill is more how I have always envisioned Trek: decisions made at the very top and bottom of the chain of command have repercussions upon each other and create a more epic feelings. The leaders of other galactic empires have been important characters in Trek. Why hasn't the Federation president? Here we finally get to see how the Federation works from the top executive down to the lowest noncoms onboard the Enterprise.
The story itself is just far more large-scale and important than I've considered the stories at the center of the previous "A Time To" books. Those felt like they were spinning their wheels. A Time to Kill hits the ground running. The interstellar incident created on Tezwa was endlessly fascinating and each side's reaction and behavior was what we would expect. The book culminates in a heavy dose of covert ops and Mack (and editors) effortless cross-cuts between them to keep a steady pace.
Continuity bits were sprinkled about to create just the right amount of effect to remind us when the books are specifically taking place. Character work is across the board pretty good. I especially like Data's conundrum of trying to remember emotion as if from a dream. The plot seamlessly works in Will Riker's growth from throughout the "A Time To" series and doesn't call attention to itself. Like when it becomes readily apparent that Will just may be feed up with away missions and is all the more incentive to move over to the Titan. However, Christine Vale (and now Jim Peart) still draw a complete blank in my mental picture beyond their dedication to the job.
There's very little to nitpick in the book. One scene that sort of stood out for me was how the Enterprise seemed to effortlessly enter the Tezwan atmosphere and fly right over the city. Never got the impression before that the Sovereign's could fly so low to a planet surface. Secondly, "scanning for bio-signs" of particular species has become standard procedure anymore, so I'm curious as to why they couldn't just scan for Riker when he didn't check in and beam him up.
Probably best of all about A Time to Kill is that it's probably the first "A Time To" book that also felt pretty self-contained and could be read on its own. The other books have not felt that way.
Now all that said...there is the discouraging trend in Trek literature lately to make the Trek universe as grungy and depressing as real life that seems so overt and self-conscious as to border on exploitation. There's a heavy dose of cynicism in the latter "A Time To" books where the tiresome cliche of government corruption makes the Federation just as villainous as the Romulans or whomever. The corrupt admiralty was already a worn out cliche in the Trek universe, so I guess the writers and editors have decided to move on up the chain of command. So while I can really enjoy the book on its own, I really don't like the pattern that A Time to Kill started that progressed in the sequel.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: A Time to Kill Review
Review: This book is one of the better Star Trek books I have read and would recommend it. The book starts in Commander Rikers quarters as he is thinking over the events that have shamed the Enterprise and its captain. When Picard is given an assignment to reesablish honor, obstacles form.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Weapons, weapons, where are the weapons?
Review: David Mack's entry into the A Time to... series of books opens up a lot of political intrigue that could shake the Federation to its core. A Time to Kill is another outstanding entry into this series. Marred only by a mildly "everything works out for the best" atmosphere that doesn't quite fit the difficulty of the Enterprise's mission, Mack still gives us a stellar book. The style fits the situation perfectly, making the reader read "just one more chapter" until the end of the book is reached.
Federation president Min Zife has a problem. During the Dominion War, the Federation sold advanced weaponry to the ruler of Tezwa to establish a fallback option in case the war went badly. Unfortunately, the ruler of Tezwa, Kinchawn, is a power-mad zealot who is willing to go to war with the Klingons to satisfy his own material needs. This would be very bad for Zife, as any war between the Klingons and Tezwa would reveal the weapons on the Klingon doorstep, sparking a war between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. Unfortunately, Kinchawn uses the weapons to wipe out a fleet of Klingon ships and almost takes out the Enterprise as well during a diplomatic mission to calm hostilities. The Klingons want blood, and the Enterprise is sent to try and resolve the crisis before the Klingons can discover what's there. Captain Picard must find a way to neutralize the weapons as well as neutralizing the Klingon fleet that's been sent to conquer Tezwa, all at the same time. How will he do this? It will take coordinated attacks to prevent the guns from firing on Tezwa, as well as a little help from Ambassador Worf on the Klingon homeworld to stop the Klingons. If one thing goes wrong, the Federation will be plunged into a war that will weaken both parties, leaving everything open for the Romulans.
A Time to Kill is quite intricate, almost too much so. Enterprise personnel must disable all six guns at the same moment, and Worf must come through at the same time. If even one thing goes wrong, everything goes wrong. Yes, the assault teams have their problems and setbacks, causing what tension there is in the novel, but everything ends up being a little too convenient. One thing that doesn't quite work out leaves a plot point for the next novel, but otherwise it feels a little unrealistic. I felt this would be the case when the situation was set up, so by the time it actually happened, I had grown used to it and went along for the ride. Thus, it's not a major problem. It's just something that's mildly annoying at the time.
Otherwise, A Time to Kill is a non-stop thrill ride, full of tension. The book has very short chapters, adding to the intense feeling. The chapters jump from one assault team to another, back to the Enterprise, to the President's office, as well as to another secret organization that's watching all this from elsewhere. There is a lot at stake, which just adds to the tension. It's almost like a music video, never giving the reader time to relax. The only parts that seem to drag a bit are the ones on Qo'nos, but that's only in relation to the rest of the book. I found Worf's attempts to do what Picard needs him to do to be duller than the events on Tezwa.
The book is very plot-driven, but Mack does do a good job with the characters as well. Dr. Crusher is still considering the offer to assume the position of Head of Starfleet Medical, and she's hurt that Picard hasn't come to her about it. Picard, meanwhile, is hurt that Crusher hasn't come to him to talk to him about it. This does seem a little bit "high school," but it doesn't come out that way in the book (well, not very much). Instead, the book examines their relationship as it has gone throughout the years of the television series and the movies. It's actually quite effective.
Even better is the characterization of the assault teams. We get to see a lot of new characters in action, and we're given some meaty looks at them. Most impressive (though a bit clichéd), is Razka, a reptilian non-commissioned security guard who acts like most sergeants do in war films. He's experienced, he's gruff, and he gets the job done. He is stereotypical, but I still found myself drawn to him. Maybe it was the scales. The other security officers are also given a lot to do. One thing this series has been wonderful with has been the security officers. They are not just nameless redshirts, and they aren't treated that way, either. We are starting to really get to know some of them, and while some of them die, some of them don't. Since the characterization of them is so good, it actually hurts when one of them does die.
One annoying aspect of characterization, however, was Zeitsev, one member of the mysterious organization that is following all of these events. His superior officer, a Vulcan, is evidently very attractive and he has a crush on her, despite her being a lot older than he is. This crush does nothing in this book except detract from the character. I hope it becomes a plot point somewhere in the next two books, as otherwise it just stands out as a grating character trait with no purpose.
This entire series has been a slow starter, but the last three books have been wonderful. They keep the reader coming back for more, wondering what's going to happen next. The end of A Time to Kill leaves a nice cliffhanger as well as a possible opportunity to comment on current events. We'll see what A Time to Heal gives us. I know I'm reading them as fast as I can.
David Roy
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: very well written
Review: this book delves in with a lot of action. the enterprise is visiting a planet that has a military coup with several of the crew being held hostage. add to that the new government has control over some new weapons that nearly annilate a klingon fleet. the klingons are bent on revenge and it is up to the enterprise to put back the government in the hands of the old government, stop the new weapon at all cost and prevent the klingons from anniliating everyone on the planet.
this book is well written and probaly the best of the 8 in the series. it will keep you in suspense the whole time.
Review Summary: Book One of David Mack's triumphant Dulogy
Review: "A Time to Kill", the seventh installment in the current "A Time to..." series of Next Generation novels, weaves together for the reader a complex storyline, enthralling characterizations, deep convictions, and heartfelt emotions.
Focusing around a rising problem on the neutral world of Tezwa, the United Federation of Planets is rushing to prevent a disaster that could spread into a quadrant-wide conflict. In an effort to cover-up for possible treaty breaches in the past, the Federation now finds itself stuck between the Klingons, Starfleet, and the people of Tezwa, each of whom could uncover the secrets that might plunge the Alpha Quadrant into a new and sustained conflict that would cost countless lives.
David Mack is a relative newcomer to Star Trek fiction, having previously penned the "Starfleet Survival Guide" and a reference to the "New Frontier" book series. His previous fictional works have both been in the "Starfleet Corps of Engineers" series. "A Time to Kill" and its follow-up "A Time to Heal" represent his first full-length paperback novels, and Mack comes to the table with a tour-de-force read that I simply couldn't put down.
At the risk of sounding like a crazed internet gusher, I was utterly stunned at the magnificent accuracy with which Mack was able to write the beloved crew of the Enterprise-E, as well as Worf and Martok. As each character appeared in the novel, I could literally see, hear, and experience this novel like it was a movie or television show.
Mack's story is deeply complex, and to truly delve into the complexity needs to be avoided for this review, for to truly reveal the nature of the complexity would be to spoil the sheer joy of reading this novel. Mack goes to great lengths to make this story a fast-paced thriller, and succeeds with short chapters that make it easy to follow the many plots that meet within the covers of this book.
Seeing the struggles of power in the Tezwan capital, the political machinations behind the scenes in their planetary council, and seeing the sacrifices of good Starfleet officers has never been so palpable or enjoyable in my experience of reading Star Trek novels. This novel has a soul all it's own, one that will draw the reader in and that simply won't let go.
David Mack makes a worthy addition to the roster of novel-length Star Trek fiction writers, and has earned a nearly flawless review from me.
This is a Star Trek novel for the ages, and one can only hope that "A Time to Heal", Mack's follow-up (due within the month) will bring the story to the boiling head it needs to enter into October's finale for the "A Time to..." series, "A Time for War, A Time for Peace", penned by Keith R. A. DeCandido.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: An Exercise in DoubleThink
Review: A Time to Kill is most definitely head and shoulders above the previous six "A Time To" novels. The book is dense, but also moves at a lightening quick pace.
In many ways, A Time to Kill is more how I have always envisioned Trek: decisions made at the very top and bottom of the chain of command have repercussions upon each other and create a more epic feelings. The leaders of other galactic empires have been important characters in Trek. Why hasn't the Federation president? Here we finally get to see how the Federation works from the top executive down to the lowest noncoms onboard the Enterprise.
The story itself is just far more large-scale and important than I've considered the stories at the center of the previous "A Time To" books. Those felt like they were spinning their wheels. A Time to Kill hits the ground running. The interstellar incident created on Tezwa was endlessly fascinating and each side's reaction and behavior was what we would expect. The book culminates in a heavy dose of covert ops and Mack (and editors) effortless cross-cuts between them to keep a steady pace.
Continuity bits were sprinkled about to create just the right amount of effect to remind us when the books are specifically taking place. Character work is across the board pretty good. I especially like Data's conundrum of trying to remember emotion as if from a dream. The plot seamlessly works in Will Riker's growth from throughout the "A Time To" series and doesn't call attention to itself. Like when it becomes readily apparent that Will just may be feed up with away missions and is all the more incentive to move over to the Titan. However, Christine Vale (and now Jim Peart) still draw a complete blank in my mental picture beyond their dedication to the job.
There's very little to nitpick in the book. One scene that sort of stood out for me was how the Enterprise seemed to effortlessly enter the Tezwan atmosphere and fly right over the city. Never got the impression before that the Sovereign's could fly so low to a planet surface. Secondly, "scanning for bio-signs" of particular species has become standard procedure anymore, so I'm curious as to why they couldn't just scan for Riker when he didn't check in and beam him up.
Probably best of all about A Time to Kill is that it's probably the first "A Time To" book that also felt pretty self-contained and could be read on its own. The other books have not felt that way.
Now all that said...there is the discouraging trend in Trek literature lately to make the Trek universe as grungy and depressing as real life that seems so overt and self-conscious as to border on exploitation. There's a heavy dose of cynicism in the latter "A Time To" books where the tiresome cliche of government corruption makes the Federation just as villainous as the Romulans or whomever. The corrupt admiralty was already a worn out cliche in the Trek universe, so I guess the writers and editors have decided to move on up the chain of command. So while I can really enjoy the book on its own, I really don't like the pattern that A Time to Kill started that progressed in the sequel.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: A Time to Kill Review
Review: This book is one of the better Star Trek books I have read and would recommend it. The book starts in Commander Rikers quarters as he is thinking over the events that have shamed the Enterprise and its captain. When Picard is given an assignment to reesablish honor, obstacles form.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Weapons, weapons, where are the weapons?
Review: David Mack's entry into the A Time to... series of books opens up a lot of political intrigue that could shake the Federation to its core. A Time to Kill is another outstanding entry into this series. Marred only by a mildly "everything works out for the best" atmosphere that doesn't quite fit the difficulty of the Enterprise's mission, Mack still gives us a stellar book. The style fits the situation perfectly, making the reader read "just one more chapter" until the end of the book is reached.
Federation president Min Zife has a problem. During the Dominion War, the Federation sold advanced weaponry to the ruler of Tezwa to establish a fallback option in case the war went badly. Unfortunately, the ruler of Tezwa, Kinchawn, is a power-mad zealot who is willing to go to war with the Klingons to satisfy his own material needs. This would be very bad for Zife, as any war between the Klingons and Tezwa would reveal the weapons on the Klingon doorstep, sparking a war between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. Unfortunately, Kinchawn uses the weapons to wipe out a fleet of Klingon ships and almost takes out the Enterprise as well during a diplomatic mission to calm hostilities. The Klingons want blood, and the Enterprise is sent to try and resolve the crisis before the Klingons can discover what's there. Captain Picard must find a way to neutralize the weapons as well as neutralizing the Klingon fleet that's been sent to conquer Tezwa, all at the same time. How will he do this? It will take coordinated attacks to prevent the guns from firing on Tezwa, as well as a little help from Ambassador Worf on the Klingon homeworld to stop the Klingons. If one thing goes wrong, the Federation will be plunged into a war that will weaken both parties, leaving everything open for the Romulans.
A Time to Kill is quite intricate, almost too much so. Enterprise personnel must disable all six guns at the same moment, and Worf must come through at the same time. If even one thing goes wrong, everything goes wrong. Yes, the assault teams have their problems and setbacks, causing what tension there is in the novel, but everything ends up being a little too convenient. One thing that doesn't quite work out leaves a plot point for the next novel, but otherwise it feels a little unrealistic. I felt this would be the case when the situation was set up, so by the time it actually happened, I had grown used to it and went along for the ride. Thus, it's not a major problem. It's just something that's mildly annoying at the time.
Otherwise, A Time to Kill is a non-stop thrill ride, full of tension. The book has very short chapters, adding to the intense feeling. The chapters jump from one assault team to another, back to the Enterprise, to the President's office, as well as to another secret organization that's watching all this from elsewhere. There is a lot at stake, which just adds to the tension. It's almost like a music video, never giving the reader time to relax. The only parts that seem to drag a bit are the ones on Qo'nos, but that's only in relation to the rest of the book. I found Worf's attempts to do what Picard needs him to do to be duller than the events on Tezwa.
The book is very plot-driven, but Mack does do a good job with the characters as well. Dr. Crusher is still considering the offer to assume the position of Head of Starfleet Medical, and she's hurt that Picard hasn't come to her about it. Picard, meanwhile, is hurt that Crusher hasn't come to him to talk to him about it. This does seem a little bit "high school," but it doesn't come out that way in the book (well, not very much). Instead, the book examines their relationship as it has gone throughout the years of the television series and the movies. It's actually quite effective.
Even better is the characterization of the assault teams. We get to see a lot of new characters in action, and we're given some meaty looks at them. Most impressive (though a bit clichéd), is Razka, a reptilian non-commissioned security guard who acts like most sergeants do in war films. He's experienced, he's gruff, and he gets the job done. He is stereotypical, but I still found myself drawn to him. Maybe it was the scales. The other security officers are also given a lot to do. One thing this series has been wonderful with has been the security officers. They are not just nameless redshirts, and they aren't treated that way, either. We are starting to really get to know some of them, and while some of them die, some of them don't. Since the characterization of them is so good, it actually hurts when one of them does die.
One annoying aspect of characterization, however, was Zeitsev, one member of the mysterious organization that is following all of these events. His superior officer, a Vulcan, is evidently very attractive and he has a crush on her, despite her being a lot older than he is. This crush does nothing in this book except detract from the character. I hope it becomes a plot point somewhere in the next two books, as otherwise it just stands out as a grating character trait with no purpose.
This entire series has been a slow starter, but the last three books have been wonderful. They keep the reader coming back for more, wondering what's going to happen next. The end of A Time to Kill leaves a nice cliffhanger as well as a possible opportunity to comment on current events. We'll see what A Time to Heal gives us. I know I'm reading them as fast as I can.
David Roy
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: very well written
Review: this book delves in with a lot of action. the enterprise is visiting a planet that has a military coup with several of the crew being held hostage. add to that the new government has control over some new weapons that nearly annilate a klingon fleet. the klingons are bent on revenge and it is up to the enterprise to put back the government in the hands of the old government, stop the new weapon at all cost and prevent the klingons from anniliating everyone on the planet.
this book is well written and probaly the best of the 8 in the series. it will keep you in suspense the whole time.