Customer Reviews

Martyr (Star Trek New Frontier, No 5)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

After reading each book in the series, decided I really liked the story and character development in this book. The characters have feeling, depth, and comedy tastefully entwined. When are the next books coming out? For a 51 year old grandmother this is an excellent series. If they don't take away from the characters, this would also make a fantastic tv series or a few good movies. The handling of the romance issues are wonderful; after all, let's get real, what mixed group of people would go gallivanting out in space for up to five years with no romance? None! This is really must read Star Trek for the fans. Star Trek Voyager and Deep Space Nine got so boring I couldn't stay with those series, but will stay with this series if it stays as hip as the first 6 books in the series. Publish more! The Plots and action are excellent, too!

I have to say, I did not enjoy Martyr as much as the previous books in this series. First, there is the whole high school romance issues involving Dr. Selar, Burgoyne 172, Captain Calhoun, and Commander Shelby. The major disappointment here is the way Peter David chose to write Commander Shelby. In the two-part episode, Best of Both Worlds, in which Shelby appeared she was a strong, confident woman who was not afraid stand up for what she felt was the correct decision, and in the first four books, David really captured that quality. In this book, however, she comes off as a jealous, jilted lover and that diminishes her in my eyes. Second, the whole religion sub-plot, while original, just was not very interesting. Overall, this was an unnecessary addition to the New Frontier series.

It seems to me Peter David, in this fifth book, has settled into the characters now... There was a great scene between Shelby, Calhoun and Admiral Jellico in the beginning... If you like that feel of Trek... Where you find the laughs... They are in this book.

If you want to see what is happening with Selar and Burgy... Read... read...

Anyway I enjoyed this book...

Martyr is the first full length novel in the New Frontier series. Peter David, as with all of his Star Trek work, does an absolutely great job with this one. One of the things I like most about the New Frontier books is how Peter David will, as in this one; start off with chapters titled "Five Hundred Years Earlier." He does a great job establishing the basis for the plot.

The premise: "Five Hundred Years Earlier" on the planet Zondar, a war torn planet. A prophet named Ontear prophesizes that a Messiah will come from the stars. A bird of flames will herald his coming. He will bear a scar and he will be a great leader. He will come from the air and return to the air. He will be slain by the appointed one. The appointed one will be an unknowing acolyte and he will slay the Messiah. The Messiah's death will unite Zondar. Upon pronouncing this prophecy, the prophet is taken by way of a mystical storm. Doe's this Messiah sound like anyone we know!

"Nineteen Years Earlier" on Xenex. The young warlord M'k'n'zy of Calhoun faces a challenge that he would prefer not to face. A widowed woman of his tribe has called on tribal law and preference. She wants M'k'n'zy to sire her child. An extremely interesting chapter to say the least!

"Now" Selar, she herself widowed is going through the agony of Pon Farr. Since she is a widow, this makes for a very interesting story as to who she shall seek out to assist her with relieving the Pon Farr. We are introduced to the Redeemers, who are from Tulane IV. They are a race of conquerors, which conquer in the name of their god Xant. Those who do not follow the word of Xant are basically not worth their time. Once they conquer a planet they leave behind one High Priest. This is where Peter David's talent as a writer shows up big time! The Redeemers have an extremely interesting way to deal with their High Priest being killed.

I do not wish to spoil any more for those who've not read this wonderful addition to the New Frontier series. Suffice it to say that I highly recommend this and the other books in this great series, by one of Star Trek's premier authors.

I enjoyed this book very much. It took about a week to read but when I got to the end I couldn't put it down. Wow what a great story! I hope that there are more to come.

A very good story. Very intradition to TOS. (Strange beings with bizzare powers.) But the character development that is presented is even better than the action.

Soleta's encounter with the Old Wise guy in the mountin was a nice touch. (A neat way to explain how the guy knew all he knew: He saw the future.)

The baby Phenix was great too. The series is just going to get better and better. (As of now, I am half way through "Once Burned" and it is the most stunning plot that a Star Trek book has had in a long time.)

I do not think this novel is too much about sex and Trek characters. I think Mr.David has done an excellent job in narrating a very character driven novel. As far as I know - and somebody correct me if I'm wrong - no one has treated Pon Farr like he has on the novel. And what about Calhoun and the woman in the beggining? Forget not that on the 20th.Century, people do worst things. Parents violate their children, and all these on National TV with no taste. I think he gives Trek the human breath that it deserves. And the characters all are well thought and prepared. About the mugato sec.officer, let me remind the gentle reader a couple of lines below that colored people were considered less than apes during the slavery period, and now you have prominent people like M.Luther King Jr, Colin Powell, Will Smith, Mike Jordan et al...Let's be tolerant people. Next time, If you don't like, don't read.

May I first say that I partially agree with the above reviews. The s/he character is the weak link in the series, but is not an entire loss. I was also astounded by the amount of sex in the book (especially considering David's usual asexual style), but it does show the everyday tension not shown in the shows (except DS9 occasionally) or movies. I think that it is about time that someone expanded upon the Star Trek lore without pulling major characters in as essential figures. Besides, I thought it was funny.

I felt the first four books were better than this, but this one wasn't so bad I won't read the next when it comes out. The character development in this bok is great, but it seems to take a front seat to the plot, which started out quite interesting, but I felt the ending was contrived, as though David were trying to dig himself out of the hole he'd created. Not David's best work, but even his mediocre work is pretty darn good.

The book is now out, and it's good.. I'd say it's slightly better than the beginning set, as this story gets in deeper with the characters, and could be a stand-alone story. Like the first four, the end of the book leaves an obvious plot path that the next one is going to follow..