Customer Reviews

Imzadi II: Triangle (Star Trek The Next Generation)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I've had a love-hate thing going on with Peter David's writing for many a moon now, and IMZADI II is an excellent example of just why that is.

Ostensibly, what we have here is a sequel to the highly popular IMZADI, in which David was permitted to explore one of the many untold elements comprising the backstory of the STAR TREK universe: the meeting, romance, and separation of Commander William Riker and Counselor Deanna Troi. That novel was fairly guaranteed a massive audience response due, if nothing else, to the fact that reference after reference to the characters' pre-ENTERPRISE dealings had been made throughout the run of ST:TNG, but no such events had actually been depicted. David, as both a novelist and comic book scribe, has a definite penchant for "filling in the blanks" by offering moments and/or entire storylines that seem to be "missing" from a particular canon, and IMZADI is no exception.

IMZADI II attempts to similarly illuminate a perhaps more grievous leap in diegetic logic by broaching the question, "What happened to Worf and Troi's relationship?" By the end of season seven of the late, lamented ST:TNG, the Klingon security officer and the Betazoid counselor were well on their way to a serious romance; however, there was no mention of that thread in either the theatrical release STAR TREK GENERATIONS or ST:TNG sister show STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE, despite the fact that Worf became a regular character on the latter. Fans were left wondering, "What the hell happened?" -- especially once Worf took up a serious relationship with Trill science officer Jadzia Dax.

So, again, David plunges into ripe territory. Unfortunately, the result is somewhat less than satisfying. Yes, there are some amusing and pointed moments once Troi brings Worf and his son Alexander home with her to Betazed, most of them involving efforts by Troi's impossibly stubborn and haughty mother (played by Majel Barrett Roddenberry in ST:TNG and ST:DS9) to acclimatize her warrior son-in-law-to-be to the more cerebral ways of the peaceful, telepathic Betazoids. But those moments -- as well as any solid focus on Will Riker's last-minute desire to confound Worf and Troi's romance for his own purposes -- get lost in the shuffle a bit as David weaves a sinister espionage plot into the mix.

I won't lambast this seemingly ill-fitting element of the novel overmuch, though, since David is savvy enough to center it around yet another bit of untilled TREK soil, the "duplicate man" known as Thomas Riker, introduced in ST:TNG as a Will Riker clone of sorts created by a transporter accident and subsequently dumped into a Cardassian labor camp on ST:DS9 after committing well-intended but nonetheless treasonous acts. His presence in the events of IMZADI II make for some terrific reading, as he provides a foil for not only Will Riker, but in a way for Worf as well. Additionally, his interaction with Sela, the half-Romulan daughter of ST:TNG casualty Tasha Yar (if you don't know, trust me: don't ask), are incisive and cleverly written. I truly enjoyed seeing Tom Riker again, even if only on the written page.

But again, I have to express more disappointment with than approval of the overall package. The "explanation" of what happened to Worf and Troi -- and where Will Riker and Troi find themselves in the eventual wake of that relationship -- is neither insightful nor interesting, and it's certainly not any kind of a surprise. Worst of all, one is left with the feeling that _that_ part of the story could have been told in about a quarter of the space that IMZADI II takes up.

So go right ahead and dive into IMZADI II. There's some truly fun material in it, and as always with Peter David's work, some moments that will stay with you for a long time to come. But if you're looking for the kind of emotional intensity and romantic focus contained in the original IMZADI, you'll be left wanting. I know I was.

If you are a Next Generation and Deep Space 9 fan and love Worf this book is the one for you. It will make you laugh and maybe cry a little, yet one thing is true you will never want to put it down. It follows the end of the Generations Movie, to Worf entering DS9, the death of Jadzia and what really happened to the relationship between Worf, Deanna Troi and the Rikers. If you remember that at the end of The Next Generation there was a romance between Worf and Troi, DS9 never really cleared what happened and believe me it is quite an adventure. If you didn't read the first one it is irrelevant still I really recommend it. Peter David is the excellent capturing each and every cast member down to their every manerisms. Worf is captured as the true warrior, impressive lover and most caring he's ever been portrayed on written page. You will be surprised to find the life of a forgotten character that you may remember as the accidental-clone-twin of Will Riker better known as Tom Riker. Will Riker will impress you with his feelings towards Deanna. Deanna will make you as she tries to understand Worf. The ever loving Lwaxana Troi will never make you laugh harder, specially when she interacts with Worf, and Riker. A visit to the adoptive parents of Worf will make you love them even more. As a person who never really reads any Star Trek books there is something about the two Imzadi's, I don't know if it was intuition or just curiosity that drew me to the tittles but once I opened the first page, I couldn't stop reading. If you are a true fan you will never forgive yourself if you haven't read it and if you already read it you will wish you never read it so you could read it for the first time. Francisco

Another one of Peter David's insightfull TNG novels continuing in the tradition of the original Imzadi book.

While not as good as it's predesessor it was an enlightening read regarding the forgotten relationship of Commander Troi and Liutenant Worf. Although a bit soapy the book was an original insight to the characters of Worf and even Commander Riker wich in my opinion only Peter David can make sound anything else but an undeveloped megalomaniac without changing the character completely. That compensated for the minor lapses in plot that was very satisfactory for the most part, at least.

Deanna Troi, on the other hand, was strangelly annoying.

This is a character greatly missunderstood by many, making her sound like a stupid, overemotionall, prom princess, wich I think she definitely is not. Her strong side is hugely ignored by many authors by, for example, leaving her out of fighting scenes.

There's a huge potentiall there wich Mr. David has often used, but in this book she was nothing else but an object to be saved from the bad guys and that actually hurt the story, with Troi supposedly not being the unexperienced psychology student she was in Imzadi I.

You should read this book if you read the first one, by the way, because it at least tries to repair the inconsistancies between that book and the TV series, although it's too hard for even Peter David to handle well enough. In short: an original book that does justice to the series.

If you enjoy book series that meld past shows and previous books with the work, then Peter David's "Imzadi II" won't disappoint.

Readers will be transported from scenes in ST:Generations to past ST:TNG episodes with a ST:DS9 character thrown in for good measure. All this blends together cleanly to create a marvelously structured and exciting storyline.

Mr Worf's relationship with Troi takes center stage this time 'round, with a humorous confrontation on Betazed with Mother Troi, Lwaxana. Though I'd be hardpressed not to find any situation involving Lwaxana unhumorous. Disappointing many of the Riker/Troi fans I've spoken to is Riker's somewhat backseat position. While his double plays an important role, *our* Riker doesn't show his mettle until the closing battle. But, as I mentioned to them, what is there is all Riker, and it sets us up nicely for a possible third Imzadi.

The plot twists and planet hopping, Earth to Betazed to Qu'onos and beyond, should keep any fan of ST:TNG or these wonderful characters page turning to the end.

Here's to Imzadi III,

Barbara

Fascinating! Peter David, of "Q-Squared" and "Q-In-Law" fame, (along with several other dozen dozen high-level titles), has topped not only himself, but arguably any other Trek book written.

He wraps together plotlines from the "Next Generation" series, weaves strands between scenes in "Generations" and "First Contact," and ties in characters and dialogue from his book's unparalleled predecessor, "Imzadi."

This work is nothing short of astounding in its breadth, its scope, and its commitment to staying true to the Trek universe as we have seen it. He treats each character as a three-dimensional individual, and throws in so many welcome surprises while doing this that the storytelling never gets stale... regardless of the in-depth character development that some lament.

He ties together many dangling threads that were never dealt with, both on the TNG series, the last two movies, and Deep Space Nine -- all while staying true to what we've seen thus far. There aren't too many things to praise about this book, up to and including an all-out fight between Worf and Riker, with surprising results!

In the final analysis, his book is excellent because it makes one think, it brings it down to where the reader lives. The story may be on a fantastic scale, but it stays grounded because it deals with issues that every human being that has ever been in love must deal with.

For all its intrigue, romance, and action, you still have a masterfully-written, well-handled, thought-provoking novel worthy of a rank among the Top Five Trek Stories Ever.

I've always been a big fan of Peter David's writing, and I seem to recall saying of the first "Imzadi" novel something along the lines of, "In spite of the fact that I've never been that fond of these characters, the novel was wonderful; Peter David could make a recipe for tapioca interesting."

I can't say that about this novel.

I'm not entirely sure why; the style is unmistakably Peter David's usual style, which I've always maintained was the optimal style for a Star Trek novel: plenty of action, plenty of drama, but still managing to inject more than a bit of wry humor into the story. His style is reminiscent of some of the best episodes from the original series: "Trouble With Tribbles", "A Piece of the Action", "Shore Leave", "I, Mudd". This story fits that mold perfectly. Yet somehow, it just didn't connect.

There are two possibilities as to "why": either there are some stories that just don't lend themselves to this style, that need to be told straight, without the sly and ironic bits of humor (can you see the third movie, "Search For Spock", being told in this style? I can't) or else his style simply gets tiresome if one is overexposed to it, and needs to be rationed. After all, the above-mentioned episodes were fun, but the series really wouldn't have been as good if ALL of the episodes were in that style. Perhaps I've just been reading too much of Mr. David's work, and need to cut back for a while.

I don't think so, though. I'm inclined to believe the first explanation. There are some stories that simply do not lend themselves to humor. This was one of them.

I for one enjoyed the book. A fascinating read. Although it is not as good as the first one but a definite purchase. I really like how Peter David explored the relationship between Worf and Deanna Troi. Something that wasn't truly explained in the TV series.

The reason I gave it four stars (and it might be me just nit picking). There was reference to money or purchases of things on Earth. If anyone can correct me on this be my guest. But in the ST universe I had thought money and finances on earth was no more. I had thought people on earth gave up money for the pursuit of higher knowledge and to better man kind. There was no need for money because everything was plentiful on earth and that no one ever starved and had shelter for all.

But that point is minor. It's a fantastic read with twist and turns. I for one could not put it down. I especially liked the last chapter about Worf in an emotional side I have never thought was capable (for a Klingon).

I hate to admit it but it left me kind of choked up for the guy.

That alone was worth getting this book. So pick it up.

There is a lot of action, suspense, and some seriously complicated relationships are explained in-depth. I enjoyed it, but not as much as the first book. Several charachters are brought in that were not in the last book, even Thomas Riker(if you remember that transported accident in which Riker was duplicated) which adds quite an interresting plot. There were still a few questions which I don't think were answered well enough but the book contains betrayal, romulans....and I thought of writing more but don't want to ruin the reading experience of discovering it for yourself.

I haven't actually read the first Imazidi book, but I indend to. I have been told basically what happened in it, so it was easier for me to understand some of the things that were going on that was established in Imzadi. I recommend that you read the first book first. Peter David has done very well again since this book is very well written. It has a whole bunch of guest stars: Thomas Riker, Sela, Gowron, the Kahless clone, and even the U.S.S. Excalibur (from Peter David's New Frontier series) makes a brief appearence.

This book was great! Just like the other book it keeps you wondering what is going to happen next. Troi's mother does not like Worf even though Troi and Worf are ging to get married. What is Mrs. Troi going to do to break up this relationship?