Customer Reviews

Immortal Coil (Star Trek The Next Generation)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Science fiction mysteries are difficult to pull off well. Given the difficulty of science fiction in general to effectively mix science fiction worldbuilding with the conventions of the mystery thriller, one would expect (and find) that Star Trek's own track record with mysteries is dismal. "A Matter of Perspective"? Disappointing. "Suspicions"? Dreadful. "Ex Post Facto"? A laughingly bad homage to 1940s hard-boiled detective films. "A Man Alone"? The less said the better. Star Trek and murder mystery don't mix. In the wrong hands, even in the right hands, mixing Star Trek and mystery could easily be a recipe for disaster.

On a distant scientific outpost one man is murdered, another is brutally beaten, and the culmination of their lives' work is destroyed. In the wreckage of their laboratory one of the victims scrawled a name in his own blood, the name of a person hundreds of light-years distant. Who attacked the laboratory? Why was one of the Federation's leading roboticists killed? Why was his partner left for dead? Why was the project destroyed? And why was the name "Data" found written in blood? From that premise Jeffrey Lang's Immortal Coil stakes its ground early on as a mystery and allows the story to unfold from there. Immortal Coil succeeds admirably, telling a compelling mystery mixed with a healthy dose of character exploration. Quite possibly, this is the definitive Data story.

Comparisons to Asimov's Lije Baley/Daneel Olivaw novels come easily. In both cases we have a human detective (Lije Baley/Enterprise-E security chief Rhea McAdams) paired with a robotic companion (R. Daneel Olivaw/Data) to track down the murderer and solve the crime. Both explore how robotics and artificial intelligence have affected their respective universes. But where Asimov explores the sociological implications of human/robotic interactions and their influence on future human development, Jeffrey Lang delves into the secret history of artificial intelligence in the Star Trek universe. That exploration of artificial intelligence makes Immortal Coil the perfect venue for exploring Data's character. In the past, Data stories have tended not to dwell upon the ideas and implications inherent in what being an artificial being means. Data might in the course of the story learn something of where he came from and his developmental potential, but it never seems to matter--becoming human in Jean Lorrah's Metamorphosis prompted an "imaginary story" for Data, while installing the emotion chip in Star Trek: Generations had no lasting effects on his personality by the time Star Trek: Insurrection was released.

Of all the Star Trek characters, Data is perhaps the most alien because he's the least human. Odo and the Doctor, while plainly not human, also recognize their non-human natures. Odo appears outwardly human because he wants to, but he also knows that he can be so much more. The Doctor also appears human, but he is limited by his semblance of intelligence and independence. But Odo can compare himself to the other Founders, and the Doctor is but one of many holograms that have grown beyond their original programming. Data, on the other hand, is alone in the universe. No one else knows what it means to be Data because there are no other Datas. Data has no frame of reference against which he can measure his development. Surrounded by humans, raised by humans, Data can only measure himself against them, but it's not a fair comparison. Data might look human, Data might have human emotions with his emotion chip, but Data isn't human. His actions are not human actions, his thoughts are not human thoughts, his reactions are not human reactions. Data exists as something else entirely. What that something else is, however, stands as the central question of Data's character, and a good Data story should, I think, explore the essential nature of Data's alienness. Immortal Coil succeeds here by using the trappings of the mystery story to propel Data into an exploration of his own origins and the artificial precedents that came before him. No other character, save perhaps Jean-Luc Picard, could explore the history of artificial intelligence, but even then Picard's interest would only be in the abstract sense, while for Data the exploration goes to the very root of his existence.

Most impressive in Immortal Coil are the quiet moments. A conversation Data and Picard have about mortality and losing those closest to them. A middle-of-the-night call Data makes to Geordi asking for advice on when to call a woman after a date. The development and deepening of the relationship between Rhea and Data. Little moments don't make a novel, but they do humanize the characters.

There is something in Immortal Coil for every Star Trek fan, of every series. From an exploration of the Doctor's holographic technology to the fate of some of the artificial intelligences James Kirk encountered in the 23rd-century, Jeffrey Lang ties together disparate threads of Star Trek history into a cohesive whole and spins a strong story. Above all, Immortal Coil was a book that demanded to be read and difficult to put down. I kept turning the pages because I wanted to know what happened next, what revelation would be made, what plot twist was coming. I was especially pleased with the novel's sheer accessibility; this novel could be read by someone completely unfamiliar with Star Trek and still be understood and appreciated. The book starts strong and never lets go, building a solid mystery and running with the implications as matters develop.

For every naysayer who says that singleton Star Trek novels no longer have a place in today's market, they should read Immortal Coil for an example of an epic story that doesn't require six books and an uninspired hardcover to tell the tale. Immortal Coil is one of the best Star Trek books in recent memory, and looking at 2002's schedule, I can't imagine that more than a handful of Trek novels will compare.

I have been reading every Star Trek books I can get my hands on.

This particular one is one of the best I have ever read. It was the last 2 pages of the story that raise the rating from 4 stars to 5. The author need not penned the last two pages but it is precisely these last 2 pages that bring a tear to my eye.

I have a particular fondness for Data and his evolution. I too have wondered why there only one android whereas there were many encounters of androids in the Star Trek world. The story woved a thread connecting many aspects of STTOS and STTNG and the creator of Data including Flint. After reading the story, somehow it seems logical, but why didn't I think of it?

If you like Data and would like some background on androids appearing throughout Star Trek time and space, check this book out.

"Immortal Coil" by Jeffrey Lang is an extraordinary book. I may run out of adjectives trying to describe this suspenseful mystery without spoiling it.

At the heart of this story is one of trek's most beloved characters, Data. As the personnel of the Enterprise-E struggle to unravel the threads that hold the key to the mystery they uncover the hidden history of artificial intelligence. Data is poignantly forced to confront his past, his present and his future. As the story unfolds page by page the reader is drawn into a skillfully woven plot that exhibits an almost Machiavellian flair.

Thanks to a fantastic story premise and the dexterous touch of author Jeffrey Lang, "Immortal Coil" is the type of book that leaves you quenched when you close the cover for the final time. As if you've just finished a large drink after being thirsty for a very long time. Lang manages to perceptively capture the characters, especially Data, whom he characterizes with an acuteness that makes him tangible. This is a character we know and love, but whom we've never seen or thought of in this way before.

"Immortal Coil" is a book to relish. Charming, fascinating, complex, and masterful. A book that leaves you savoring the story long after you finish reading it.

Before you open this book, I'd recommend you first brush up on your Trek history by watching your copy of the TOS episode, "Requiem for Methuselah." Or if you don't own the episode on tape, like I don't, go instead to your handy TOS Companion and the Trek Encyclopedia to read up on it. You might also want to do the same for the TNG episode, "Measure of a Man," just so you'll have a better list of who's who for this novel. (Of course, I only had to go as far as the ruthlessly-organized bookshelf upstairs for my tape of "Measure of a Man," but that's something else entirely.) It's *very* satisfying the way this novel ties these continuity threads together, while at the same time providuing character...growth and change, shall we say?

As I glanced over the other reviews, I noticed Joshua Macy's first paragraph - with his comments about it being a mystery, a meditation on immortality, a romance (yup, *romance*), and a bang-up sci-fi adventure all rolled into one - pretty much sums it up, including that part about giving him the shivers.

There was a hauntingly-delicious moment for me, very near the end, when Data comes to understand why Picard insisted he not deactiviate his emotion chip. If it were anyone else, you might yawn with the obviousness, but it's not anyone else - it's *Data.* He's not supposed to come to these kinds of understandings.

Is he?

I'd say this book is worth it just for that, but it's not. It's worth it for FAR more. Go with your gut: read this one.

A mystery, a meditation on immortality, a character-driven novel about one of the most interesting Star Trek characters, a romance, and a bang-up SF action adventure--all rolled into one book. There were parts of this that were so good that they literally gave me shivers.

As with most ST novels, you have to have watched the show--it's not a primer for the ST newbie, although Lang makes a good faith effort to remind readers (or introduce them) to all the minor characters that appeared in single episodes...and this book has bunches of them; it ties together, in a convincing and compelling fashion, pretty much every android and artificial intelligence that has cropped up in the Star Trek universe.

This is one of the few novels I've read recently that as soon as I closed the book, I wanted a sequel. It's just that good.

Immortal Coil brings the reader back to the days of good original Star Trek paperbacks. For the longest time if you wanted to read a decent S.T. novel you would have to read the newest HC. Immortal Coil breaks the STTNG string of unimaginative and superficial STTNG paperback books which have been the basis of all the publishing over the past 10 years. The story is well plotted. And other than a couple of minor quibles about some minor things done in the book. There are no big gapeing plot holes that tend to riddle the entire ST book line.

Jeffrey Lang does a great job with Data and the whole Star Trek TNG crew in "Immortal Coil". This highly enjoyable novel begins with the death of Data's "mother", the unwitting android Juliana Soong, and takes the reader on an unexpected but magnificent journey through the history of sentient artificial life forms. At times, I almost felt the presence of Issac Asimov, or at least one of his robotic creations.

Lang writes well, although at times fairly simply regarding grammar and syntax. Yet his style and prose do compliment the fine story lines. He interweaves the supposed main story line about the project to create a new artificial humanoid life form, into the actual main story line of the potential existance of secret sentient artificial life forms, with grace and flair. All this plus tremendous insight into and development of Data's personality. The combination of events is exceptionally well crafted and pleasing to the veteran Star Trek fan and reader.

This is one of the finest Star Trek novels I have read, and potentially the best TNG novel I have seen. I want to hear more details on all the tangents the writer touched upon, but was satisfied with the way in which each portion of the plot was ended. Details were brought logically to conclusion, though more intriguing possibilities abound for the future than before this story began.

I most accurately rate this book at 4.30 out of 5.00 stars, rounded down to 4.00 stars. That rating is based on the good usage of Star Trek universe history, strong character development and a great story arc. Jeffrey Lang truly understands the character of Data, and really makes this book a hit for that reason. I could not put this book down once I started; I kept thinking about what would happen next. Highly recommended for all Trek fans.

In this novel Jeffrey Lang presents us with the story of the origins of the android Data in more detail than ever before, and also includes a race of robots many millenia old that may not have the best interests of humans in mind, as well as other android surprises. Noonien Soong, Data's creator, is featured here, as well as the mysterious Dr. Vaslovik, and several other characters in addition to the crew of the Enterprise E. Lang, through Data, illustrates what it means to be an effectively immortal android and how Data's emotions are colored by this, this all being an impressive exploration in this area and seemingly a portent of our own real life technological future. I found this novel fun to read, being written in an easy to read, flowing style. Characters and plot were well executed, and I believe a general science fiction reader should enjoy this, as of course all Star Trek fans should also.

Whoa Nellie, what a read! Get yourself a comfortable seat, something to drink and fasten your seat belts, this is a Sci-Fi mystery, action backed, love story and an intrepid adventure.

This is a single volume story the way Trek should be written, not multi-books. A story that starts seventy years back on the planet Exo III in this genre's time frame. Three men looking at what Starfleet doesn't want anyone to know about. A planet now on the ebb of its life with a mystry of the "Old ones."

Ira Graves, Noonien Soong, and Dr. Emil Vaslovik find an astonishing discovery. Something only rumors and heresay eluded to, but now was born to fact. A laboratory dedicated to the copying of androids with the insertion of humanoid conscience.

After this discovery, the three men make a hasty exit after finding out they awoke the resident androids after thousands of years of rest, and leaving an android on the duplication/repair table.

We next go to the mystery of a lab in the Daystorn Institute Annex on Galor IV and find the the lab is destroyed, one man injured and in a coma, another "murdered" and an android pinned under the building support. The work of Maddox, the man in the coma, Barclay and Dr. Vaslovik a break through in holotronic technology.

Ah, but the game is afoot. Data's name is spelled out on the floor in blood and now enters Jean-Luc Picard and the Enterprise to solve this misdirection of guile. Data and the new security member Rhea McAdams are teamed up to solve this cunning mystery.

This book is captivating and you won't want to put it down. We have good androids, bad ones and a man of immortality who transcends the ages. There are twists and turns and when we find
out, we are surprised to say the least.

This is a very well written story with great character development... even the love story between Rhea and Data, which carries throughout the book is finely crafted.

There are references to Capt. Kirk and Dr. McCoy and even old M-5 makes a come back of sorts.

Read this and enjoy Trek at its best...I did and I was fascinated.

My favorite of all Star Treks Series is by far TNG (The Next Generation). As a pretty avid fan of TNG I have seen probably 90% of the shows, most a few times. I love the show, and movies that have been made about Star Trek and this book is just an extension of that quality i've enjoyed over the years. The book itself, reads really quickly at 330 pages. I read it in 2 days, and i'm not a very fast reader, i just couldn't put the book down. The story is very unique, and as always with Star Trek, very interesting. The characters, and the emphasis in this story on Data's history, are quite believable. The story, after having read it, reminds me more of a Star Trek movie, than just an episode. The only down side to the story that i can think of was that it was purely about Data. The references made in the book (to previous episodes and movies) are what make this really a book written with the true Trekkie in mind. I would reccomend this book to anyone with an interest in TNG.