Customer Reviews

Restoration (Star Trek New Frontier: Excalibur, Book 3)

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

 

 

I've praised Peter David's "Excalibur" series left and right, and the conclusion to his recent three book series is as strong as ever. At last we find out what happened in the final moments of the Excalibur, and that Captain Mackenzie Calhoun survived (aw, c'mon now, did you ever doubt it?). Like "Requiem" and "Renaissance" before it, "Restoration" follows just a few members of the Excalibur's (ex-Excalibur's?) crew: Calhoun and first officer Elizabeth Shelby.

Calhoun's adventure is a solid and exciting Star Trek western: a mix of "High Noon" and "Shane," but following Shelby is much more interesting to me: the 'by-the-book' officer, a captain of her own starship at last, takes the first steps in learning what makes a captain great: the ability shared by Kirk, Picard, Sisko, and yes, especially Calhoun, to follow not necessarily what Starfleet training says, but to *do right*. It's a maturation for Shelby that is mirrored in the Calhoun plot, where he finds that his cowboy diplomacy doesn't and can't solve all his problems and save everyone. A "New Frontier minipedia" at the end is a great reference to the persons and events of the Excalibur series (although why not indicate which book is being referenced in each entry?)

Why four stars when I've given Peter David's previous Excalibur books such enthusiastic five star ratings? The exciting cliffhanger of the previous book is wrapped up in a flashback narrated by Robin Lefler (and, I'm sorry, not a very exciting cliffhanger at that). I've praised David's abilities to write dramatic and edge-of-your-seat cliffhangers, but I think he dropped the ball with the conclusion to this one.

That said, this is still one of the best Trek series out there, and I'll praise Peter David for allowing his characters to grow, change, learn, and mature--and for shaking up the status quo that so-seldom is shaken on a weekly TV Star Trek series. By the end of this book there's an adoption and a wedding, both of which seem natural and fulfilling as a storyline, as well as leading into potential future fascinating plots. That's David's top strength and my favorite aspect of his writing:, his characters are always uniquely human, and like all people, their lives change as they go on. "Star Trek" may appear to some people to be all about starships and phasers and weird future electronics, but in the hands of the best of Trek writers like David, it's the characters, not the gadgets, we care best about, whether earthling, hermaphrodite or Vulcan. As Gene Roddenbury would say: "The human adventure is just beginning."

Despite his many critics Peter David continues to astound and delight true Star Trek fans everywhere. Anyone who has not read any Star Trek: The New Frontier is missing out on the best continuing Star Trek series.

In my knowledge, Peter David is the only author that has ever addressed the issue of homosexuality within the confines of the Trek Universe, as he did within book 10 of this series.

Restoration is the conclusion of the Excalibur trilogy which examines the lives of the crew of the USS Excalibur after the apparent death of Calhoun and the destruction of the mighty starship Excalibur.

My only complaint about the book is the question of what really happened to Calhoun is quickly answered by the artwork depicted on jacketcover and the description of the book found inside the jacket.

What I really loved about Restoration, is that it was more of a Western than a straight up science fiction story. And while that fact may put some Star Trek fans off, it shows Mr. David's diversity as a writer.

From a cameo appearance of Marvel Comics the Mighty Thor,a magical woman, a child descended from a God,a story of unrequited love, to an old fashoined show down at noon in the Old West Restoration is a book that literally tries to encompass it all!

Written for the fans, by a true Star Trek fan!

Peter David's final installment with the former crew of the USS Excalibur as existing without one another. Finally we find out what happens to Mac. His path leads him to a desolate world that seems inescapable. Shelby is moving forward but keeps looking back. Not one of the better STNF novels. David has created a very dynamic starship captain that is reminiscent of Kirk in style and attitude. Something sorely missed in the next gen ST universe. However, he slows down Mac's character development by putting him on a backwater planet. Mr. David's dialogue among the characters is witty as usual which makes up for the lack of excitement in the novel. Still, it's worth reading if you're a NF fan.

Move over Clint Eastwood. There's a new gringo in town, and his name is Mackenzie Calhoun. A villain, a hero, a love story, a show down at high noon, a jail, a bar, a shootout, a child's youthful innocence at stake, and a ride out into the sunset. A new captain, a new starship, a peaceful race brought to reality, an over populated race set on genocide, a new crew, an old crew, and a new family formed. What more could you ask for.

Peter David adds another fantastic addition to the New Frontier world. This is really could be two separate books that just happen to converge at the end. One story has the feel of a spaghetti western, and the other a classic jaunt in space. Both lines are well written and enjoyable to read. I really don't see how David could have packed much more into this one.

If you loved all the others your definitely love this one. I'll leave it at that.

Overall, I'd say that Peter David set this trilogy up perfectly, with the first two books covering the crew and everything they went through after the destruction of Excalibur and this last, exceptionally outstanding novel "Restoration," covering mostly Shelby and her command of Exeter and what happened to Captain Calhoun.

The one thing I never truly expected in the New Frontier series was a western which is exactly what you get in Captain Calhoun's story and it is written very well, reminding one of days gone by reading Louis L'Amour classics. Shelby's story is just as interesting as you see her going through some angst during her first command.

As is usual with Peter David's writing, "Restoration" is another fine example of some the best writing in the Star Trek universe from one of Star Trek's finest authors. You'll find that this novel is a quick read given the high level of intrigue, humor and overall feel of the novel.

The cover art is among the best in the New Frontier series. What's most interesting about this novel, both in the hardback and paperback versions is the Star Trek New Frontier Minipedia which covers all of the significant and not so significant people, places, and events from the very first New Frontier novel to "Restoration."

The premise:

During the first two books of this series we were lead to believe that Captain Calhoun sacrificed himself in an incredible attempt to get everybody off of Excalibur as it was in the middle of a warp core breach. What would the New Frontier series be without its brazen captain though and we soon find out what happened.

Captain Mackenzie Calhoun finds himself stranded on a pre warp planet and no way to communicate with Starfleet and in the middle of great "western" style story. He soon finds himself living with Rheela who has a very special gift and her son Moke.

Captain Elizabeth Shelby is now in command of Exeter and on a mission to invite a new planet into the United Federation of Planets but they soon find that this may not be as easy as it was originally thought it would be.

Here's where Peter David's superior talents as an author strike you, when he ties in the first two novels and ties in this trilogy with another series of Star Trek novels and throughout this series he brings in some great "guest" characters.

Not only do I highly recommend this New Frontier Excalibur trilogy but I highly recommend the entire Star Trek New Frontier series. You will be hard pressed to find such fresh, innovative, intriguing and humorous stories within the other series. {ssintrepid}

This novel is clearly the finale of the Excalibur trilogy, so I started it with the hope of finally learning what happened to Calhoun. Did he really survive the explosion as one could surmise after Peter David's subtle hints and his refusal to go into details about the events shortly before the disaster? Well, if you want to know the same thing you won't be disappointed. The veil of mystery is lifted in "Restoration" as we do indeed learn that Calhoun is one of those Star Trek captains that manage to survive against impossible odds (and be honest: How could New Frontier continue without this extraordinary man who is so much more than just a captain?). The book is (as the previous two have also been) split into a couple of parallel stories. There's Calhoun, marooned on an unknown planet, quickly getting involved in the almost medieval actions of the indigenous populace against a woman with a curious gift... The second story focuses on Captain (!) Shelby, newly assigned to the starhip Exeter who struggles to feel comfortable in the role fate has cast her and to come to terms with the loss of Calhoun...
I won't say more about the contents here, you have to read for yourselves. I still don't feel at ease with his splitting of stories, though. Possibly designed to keep the suspense I still find it faintly annoying to be always yanked out of one story to be thrust into the next one - and back again. It just disrupts the flow one can get so quickly into - anyway, the language itself is fluent as usual, the events lead so smoothly into one another, that each chapter is a pure pleasure to read.
To put it in a nutshell: I loved the book. I hated the ending (that's why there are only four stars). Let me just say that I do enjoy happy endings - they simply have to be plausible. This one, sadly, is not. Too swift, too nice - in my opinion, not the way that Calhoun would act, even considering all that happened on that planet, and especially his resolutions concerning Shelby. It just didn't feel right.
Nevertheless, this one is worth a read!

Just when you think Peter David can't get any better, he steps up to the plate and belts one out of the park again. It's no secret that I think New Frontier is the most exciting Star Trek series out today--television, movies, print or otherwise. Peter David has created a universe that positively hums and the best part is that we're allowed to watch the characters grow and develop over the course of the novels. And for once in a Trek series (outside of DS9) previous actions have consequences in the long-term story arc.

The latest book in the series is no exception. This book, which I think is one of the longest New Frontier efforts David has given us, is an enjoyable read from beginning to end. Whereas the previous book in this latest storyline read as if written at warp speed, this one is content to unfold slowly and delicately, giving the reader a chance to slow down and enjoy the worlds David has created. First of all, I will say this--Calhoune is not dead and there is praise all around. Secondly, we get to Shelby in action as the captain of her ship and it's a joy to read. It's amazing how far David has taken a one-time character and developed her.

But the real strength is the supporting cast. David gives Calhoune and Shelby real people to interact in their respective stories. Indeed, characters who may only get a few paragraphs of book time are memorable and interesting.

I will say that the ending is a bit much at times, but it's a fun rollercoaster ride and one that is worth taking. I can overlook certain parts being overdramatic when it's done with such obvious joy and zeal.

So, by all means get to a bookstore and get this one. It's superb and a great wrap-up to the trilogy. It's not got a huge cliffhanger as the last four books have. But instead it's got an end that will leave me curious until the next book comes out in October.

This book I could not put down. A wonderful conclusion to the New Frontier trilogy. Full of the usual humor, and adventure that I've come to expect from a Peter David trek novel. The New Frontier series that he has so wonderfully brought to life is a masterpiece! Don't want to give away the surprises in the book so I'll just conclude with FANTASTIC ENDING!!

Peter David has once more taken us on a roller coaster ride as much as any of the Star Trek series and films have. In the series of 11 books you actually care about the characters and the wonderful Star Trek momments they have. The interaction between Shelby and Calhoun is unique and familiar at the same time. Zak Kebron is as interesting as he is funny in his own way. Restoration brings a new Excalibur and brings the crew back together. All in all great Star Trek. Gene would be proud.

I was so annoyed the way the last book in the series left me hanging. But, I can't have been more thrilled with the way Peter David has concluded this trilogy. He wraps up a lot of the loose ends, and introduces some really intrigueing new elements into the New Frontier universe. HIGHLY recommended!