Nightshade (Star Trek The Next Generation, No 24)

Rating:
Summary: Good, but not an exceptional Trek.
Review: This book was interesting, but mostly a long, drawn-out cliché. You could basically just see what was going to happen before it did. I didn't really get a sense of the aliens' culture or themselves as people. Also, I found that the characterization of Talanne kept changing, which was rather odd. The captain was relegated to the background and didn't seem like himself either. What was good, though, was the way Worf and Troi had to work together to solve the mystery. I also enjoyed the way Troi felt emotions. That was descriptive and interesting. Another thing - the book was a bit on the dark side, what with torture, deformities, and death, but it really hit home in several parts - especially the nursery scene. And the numerous small errors got annoying - especially where two short sentences would read much smoother as one sentence or one long sentence would work much better as two. And the subplot? Well, you didn't even see how it tied in until the end, and even then it was contrived. Oh yeah, and why wouldn't Picard let Troi negotiate instead of Worf? That would have made much more sense, but not much of a story. Anyways, I never felt the sense of complete involvement in the story like I do with a great book. Only read this one if you want to see Worf and Troi working together and see what a story's like through their points of view.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but not an exceptional Trek.
Review: This book was interesting, but mostly a long, drawn-out cliché. You could basically just see what was going to happen before it did. I didn't really get a sense of the aliens' culture or themselves as people. Also, I found that the characterization of Talanne kept changing, which was rather odd. The captain was relegated to the background and didn't seem like himself either. What was good, though, was the way Worf and Troi had to work together to solve the mystery. I also enjoyed the way Troi felt emotions. That was descriptive and interesting. Another thing - the book was a bit on the dark side, what with torture, deformities, and death, but it really hit home in several parts - especially the nursery scene. And the numerous small errors got annoying - especially where two short sentences would read much smoother as one sentence or one long sentence would work much better as two. And the subplot? Well, you didn't even see how it tied in until the end, and even then it was contrived. Oh yeah, and why wouldn't Picard let Troi negotiate instead of Worf? That would have made much more sense, but not much of a story. Anyways, I never felt the sense of complete involvement in the story like I do with a great book. Only read this one if you want to see Worf and Troi working together and see what a story's like through their points of view.

Rating:
Summary: No Anita Blake but a solid STNG story about Worf and Troi
Review: Those who come to "Nightshade" as fans of writer Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series might be a bit disappointed with this novel, but fans of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" will find this a solid effort. There is a common element between the two bodies of work and that is Hamilton's devotion to character, specifically the relationship between Worf and Troi. This time around the Enterprise is visiting the planet Oriana, which has been waging civil war for two hundred years. The biosphere is just about completely destroyed and as a last ditch effort the two warring parties are sitting down with Picard to talk peace. The captain is accompanied down to the planet by Worf and Troi, but just as they beam down the Enterprise is called away on another emergency mission. This means that when Picard is falsely accused of murder, the volatile Worf is suddenly in charge of the delicate negotiations. At least he has Troi to help him, and the best part of this novel are those that explore their relationship, which had been on shaky ground ever since the episode of the television series where Troi gave birth to Ian and Worf wanted to kill the invader. Given that the couple would become romantically involved down the road, "Nightshade" makes sense as a transitional story and is a solid STNG novel, although admittedly not the equal of Hamilton's best efforts with her own characters.

Rating:
Summary: No Anita Blake but a solid STNG story about Worf and Troi
Review: Those who come to "Nightshade" as fans of writer Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series might be a bit disappointed with this novel, but fans of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" will find this a solid effort. There is a common element between the two bodies of work and that is Hamilton's devotion to character, specifically the relationship between Worf and Troi. This time around the Enterprise is visiting the planet Oriana, which has been waging civil war for two hundred years. The biosphere is just about completely destroyed and as a last ditch effort the two warring parties are sitting down with Picard to talk peace. The captain is accompanied down to the planet by Worf and Troi, but just as they beam down the Enterprise is called away on another emergency mission. This means that when Picard is falsely accused of murder, the volatile Worf is suddenly in charge of the delicate negotiations. At least he has Troi to help him, and the best part of this novel are those that explore their relationship, which had been on shaky ground ever since the episode of the television series where Troi gave birth to Ian and Worf wanted to kill the invader. Given that the couple would become romantically involved down the road, "Nightshade" makes sense as a transitional story and is a solid STNG novel, although admittedly not the equal of Hamilton's best efforts with her own characters.

Rating:
Summary: No Anita Blake but a solid STNG story about Worf and Troi
Review: Those who come to "Nightshade" as fans of writer Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series might be a bit disappointed with this novel, but fans of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" will find this a solid effort. There is a common element between the two bodies of work and that is Hamilton's devotion to character, specifically the relationship between Worf and Troi. This time around the Enterprise is visiting the planet Oriana, which has been waging civil war for two hundred years. The biosphere is just about completely destroyed and as a last ditch effort the two warring parties are sitting down with Picard to talk peace. The captain is accompanied down to the planet by Worf and Troi, but just as they beam down the Enterprise is called away on another emergency mission. This means that when Picard is falsely accused of murder, the volatile Worf is suddenly in charge of the delicate negotiations. At least he has Troi to help him, and the best part of this novel are those that explore their relationship, which had been on shaky ground ever since the episode of the television series where Troi gave birth to Ian and Worf wanted to kill the invader. Given that the couple would become romantically involved down the road, "Nightshade" makes sense as a transitional story and is a solid STNG novel, although admittedly not the equal of Hamilton's best efforts with her own characters.

Rating:
Summary: Decent
Review: When Captain Picard is imprisoned as a murder suspect on the planet Oriana, it is up to Lieutenant Worf and Counselor Troi to clear his name and successfully conclude negotiations between the opposing parties in a civil war. The writing seems hurried and clunky and the Orianians themselves are not particularly interesting, but Hamilton handles the characters of Worf and Troi well. She evokes Worf's frustration over the necessity of restraint and provides a plausible imagining of how Troi experiences her empathic ability. It would have made a decent but not remarkable episode of the series.

Rating:
Summary: Worf and Deanna solve a mystery
Review: Worf and or Trai fans will like this novel that features both characters. Fairly typical STTNG premise and storyline.

Rating:
Summary: Worf and Deanna solve a mystery
Review: Worf and or Trai fans will like this novel that features both characters. Fairly typical STTNG premise and storyline.