Customer Reviews

Stone and Anvil (Star Trek New Frontier)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Peter David has done it once again. We waited two years for the conclusion of the Beings saga, and we were all very relieved not to have to wait so long to see the resolution of Gleau's murder. I'll get the prose praise out of the way; David writes with a flourish, an edge-of-your seat pace that is somewhat rare in this selective genre. His character development is second-to-none, and it is easy to believe that he cares for each one of them. There are a few tongue-in-cheek references peppered throughout the book; I had to laugh when Picard comments that he would never be able to run a school for gifted youngsters.
The focus here is on Calhoun, Shelby, Janos, and Kebron; at least, in the present. It is fascinating to see the new (and, in my opinion, improved) Kebron handle the investigation; he draws upon hard-boiled detectives of "old" and adamantly refused to believe that Janos was responsible for the murder of the manipulative, unlamented Gleau. His search takes him in new directions, and it is here where Calhoun ponders his past at Starfleet academy.
Calhoun recalls his savage days, his first meeting with Shelby, his roommate experience. We also see a rather laid-back Jellico (sort of) and finally have a lot of innuendo exposed. This reflection leads to a point when Calhoun finally comes to head with his savage side...and the ultimate reconciliation of savage and civilized soldier. We see a Calhoun who was so certain of himself, yet at the same time vulnerable. The progression of feelings he has for Shelby drives this point across quite well. As does his recollection of meeting Janos for the first time; one has certain expectations of meeting a white-furred creature after coming out of a fight for survival. The first encounter is both humorous and bittersweet; Calhoun and Shelby are still cadets, and they both realize that they have encoutered new life and it is their duty to ensure his survival.
Those hoping for a resolution or a glimpse of the Tholian/Danteri negotiations will be disappointed; the only time we glimpse Spock is when he melds with Janos. Si Cwan and Kalinda are likewise out of the picture, and for the last section of the novel, so is the "Trident." But that is understood and even appreciated; this is meant to be a focus on Calhoun and Janos. Yes, the murder happened on the "Trident," but when Calhoun absconds with Janos, it quickly becomes a Starfleet matter. The Selevians have petitioned the Federation to have Janos extradited in order to execute him.
This conflict leads to the action; "Enterprise" arrives on-scene to force Calhoun's hand, but he is convinced the Selevians are manipulating the Federation, and both ships face-off with a Selevian warship waiting in the wings, all vying for one thing: Ensign Janos.
Thankfully, "Stone and Anvil" does not end with a cliffhanger, but it will still leave you wanting more. Yes, there are unanswered questions, but not the big one.

Mackenzie Calhoun isn't Starfleet's typical captain, nor did he spring from a pampered background. On his homeworld, he was a warlord at age 20, a man who led an almost conquered people to rebellion and eventual victory with cunning and courage. In STONE AND ANVIL, Peter David takes the readers on a whirlwind trip that exposes Calhoun's beginnings, his four years at Starfleet Academy, and his captaincy. After a crewman aboard his wife's ship is killed by another crewman, Calhoun shoulders the harsh burden of finding out what truly happened. That trail leads back to secrets about his homeworld, his own past, and a change in his present and future. Janos, an incredible creature and now one with a human intelligence and Starfleet training, hangs in the balance, his life forfeit if he truly is the murderer everyone believes him to be.

Peter David writes in the Star Trek universe, several product lines as well as the New Frontier line he created, fantasy novels, and hundreds of comic books for DC and Marvel. His Sir Apropos fantasy novels are well-received, his run on HULK and SUPERGIRL unsurpassed, and movie novelizations of FANTASTIC FOUR and other lead new fans to him all the time.

STONE AND ANVIL is a lightning-paced read with a lot of backstory and deep characterization. Told on two time tracks, the present involving the murder and Mackenzie Calhoun's Starfleet Academy days, the novel ties both up in a blistering climax that proves one can't have been told without the other. For sheer phaser-in-your-face, can't-put-it-down-till-you've-finished-it, the novel is a guilty pleasure. Maybe your life won't be changed as a result, but you'll be glad you spent the few hours it takes to read it.

Although the book is a great read on its own, chances are that only true Star Trek fans and space opera buffs will want to pick it up. There's no cutting-edge SF here or introduction of scientific thinking, but it's a good one to blast through over a weekend or on a plane flight.

Usually, Peter David's books in the New Frontier series are funny, entertaining and a pleasure to read. However, this storyline seems rushed. In previous books, Janos is introduced as a Mugato. Now, we are expected to forget anything we have read about Janos as a new background is written about him that seems, even in the Star Trek realm, hard to digest. I won't give away the details, but, this book is a disappointment, unusual considering the breadth of David's writing.

The New Frontier series is far and away the best Star Trek novel series, even including the recent (and excellent) DS9 relaunch and Lost Era series. As simply as possible, this novel is why. Never before in Star Trek has there been a series that so consistently created characters of depth, realism, and interest. Period.

When you add on to that the fact that the characters are also the most colorful bunch of people to ever grace the Star Trek universe, and that the plots are of a particular type of ingenious wackiness that is entirely surprising and yet completely believable, you find...well, this. I was surprised roughly twice per chapter, I never once felt that any scene was anything short of completely realistic, and, overall, I haven't felt this engrossed in a Star Trek book in a long time.

The previous NF book, Gods Above, was up with the greatest the series had previously offered. This rose above them all.

Excellent job, Peter David, and may the rest of the series continue this way.

There were flaws, to be sure. I never have cared for the character of Shelby, and I still don't (although there was a scene in which she was absolutely marvellous, an indication that David's actually allowing the character to grow) and the ending was more of a downer than I expect out of Peter David. But in general, the "main" plot was interesting enough, though by itself might not have quite made it to four stars. But the flashback scenes to Calhoun's days at Starfleet Academy were marvellous, even if I still don't understand what he's EVER seen in Shelby, or what she sees in him, given how little she respects everything that he's about. That relationship has always struck me as just too artificial, something OBVIOUSLY forced by the author for cheap plot conflict, rather than something that grew out of the characters naturally.

I think this may actually be the first book in this series that can actually stand on its own; granted, we had a bit of a teaser for the beginning at the end of the last book, but that's rehashed at the beginning of this one, and it actually has a full story (TWO full stories, from one way of looking at it) complete with ending. David should do this more often.

While I was somewhat concerned over the 'flashback' chapter layout--switching back and forth between present day and Calhoun's first days at the Academy--that concern was apparently unwarranted. In addition to providing some insight into Calhoun's character--through his progression at the Academy, as well as his...unusual...approach to the classic Kobayashi Maru scenario--the novel contains more than its share of humor and suspense. It's been a while since I've laughed out loud at anything Trek; to be honest, I had been planning to read about half tonight and continue tomorrow, but stayed up till 2.30am to finish the book! I will confess that, if you haven't kept up with previous New Frontier stories, there may be a few references that go over your head, but otherwise this is a five-star read. Any chance Mr. David can lend his talents to Star Trek: Enterprise?

This book takes up where Gods Above ends. The part in the present day trek universe follows the investigation of the murder of Gleau and all evidence points to Janos as the perp. This part of the story follows the new and in my opinion improved Kebron as he tries to clear his friend of the charges. The part of the story in the past follows Calhoun and Shelby during their time at Starfleet Academy. The book is fast paced and hard to put down. The ending for a change isnt a cliffhanger but it is very bittersweet. If you are a New Frontier fan you will not be disappointed.

Let me admit up front that I'm guilty of owning every New Frontier book except Double Time, so I may be a tad biased.

Stone and Anvil was as entertaining and ironic as it's prequels, but had a different feeling to it. I sort of want to say it was calmer, but that's only true to the extent that there were no giant birds erupting from planets, etc. The book's focus on the past didn't make it unusual--clearly, Once Burned shares that distinction--but it had a reflective tone, which showed a depth to Calhoun and Shelby we haven't seen before. Their previous relationship is brought to the forefront for the first time.

The book also explored the new Kebron. I find the adult Zak just as entertaining as the adolescent one, and enjoyed being in his head as he struggled to clear Janos.

I have really enjoyed all these books, but this book may be the best yet. The story alternates between Mackenzie and Shelby during their academy days and the investigation of Lt. Gleau's death on the USS Trident.

The academy days were outstanding, not only do we find out how Mackenzie met Shelby, but we also find out why Jellico dislikes him, and how Calhoun handles the Kobayashi Maru test.

I was hesitant about this novel because I dislike Star Trek "detective" stories. Fortunately, this isn't the case (at least not mainly). Instead the story flows naturally and ends with an ending...not a cliffhanger.

In fact, the only small item that irritated me was a couple of lines said by Ambassador Spock that included a bit too much colloquialism.

This is a excellent novel, and it should be a movie. Better yet, Peter David could revitalize Star Trek series from the Voyager and Enterprise disasters.

Beyond the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle and the secrets of the Pyramids, the other great mystery of the universe is why exactly I keep reading New Frontier novels. I recently realized though that I enjoy the stories and the idea of the characters, but I just don't like the execution of either. So I guess I found what it was that kept me coming back, but Stone and Anvil was standard New Frontier: pretty average. There's good. And there's bad.

The good: seeing Mackenzie Calhoun's days at Starfleet Academy was quite interesting. I especially loved how he handled the dreaded Kobayashi Maru test and his reasoning behind it. His growth from outsider to someone slightly more civilized was fun to read about, even if it was really skimmed over. Frankly, despite its relevance coming in later, this should have been a whole book on its own. Might have even been able to spin off a couple of Harry Potter-esque novels about Calhoun at the Academy. You even had a Hermoine character in Shelby and a Ronald character in Wexler. Why even Dean Jellico was sort of a Professor Snape-like character. Lordy, are Calhoun and Jellico going to be attached at the hip their whole lives?

The book at first looks to be like one of those mediocre Voyager episodes where the A-plot and the B-plot seemed to have absolutely nothing to do with each other. Thankfully, the two do eventually come together thanks to the rather bland cliché of the mad scientist and his pet, though the whole thing ends in probably the stupidest twist I've seen in a Trek book. Seriously, I don't use the word "stupid" much when writing about something, but that's fits the bill for that ending. It was quite groan inducing. Luckily, the very end managed to salvage it a bit with a surprise bittersweet ending.

The present day story about investigating the murder of Gleau was interesting, but could honestly have been more so if we had more of a sense of the Selelvians. They make a brief appearance at the end, but despite all the talk of their abilities, I never really felt like it was any kind of serious threat. Again, there's the fascinating idea of a memberworld working in their own interest possibly to even to subvert the Federation eventually, but again it felt glazed over.

The bad: I think I'm actually growing to hate Elizabeth Shelby. Am I the only one who feels like she's almost regularly being portrayed in a negative light anymore? Both her and Robin Lefler have been taken from their admittedly brief appearances on the show as strong and intelligent women and reduced to shrill, whiny children. Perhaps that's too harsh when it comes to Shelby, but definitely not in the case of Lefler, who for the last many books including Stone and Anvil has been almost defined solely by her constant over-reaction to pretty much anything having to do with her mother. It stopped being interesting a long time ago.

For Shelby, it's become more the constant portrayal as the one trying to think rationally when Peter David likes to make so much of New Frontier about instincts this and instincts that. I really can't put more of a finger on it than that right now, but it's just this feeling I get myself. Everyone else stays the same, with some characters like Si Cwan not even appearing in the book this time around. Calhoun has always been David's strength since he's the center of the whole series and it's really no different here, though I almost get the sense that the writer is "really" fond of his main character.

With the news that the next several New Frontier books will all be hardcovers (why exactly I don't know), I find that that doesn't really bother me. New Frontier has become the harlequin romance trash of Trek and as I keep saying, that doesn't exactly make them bad. But it sure doesn't make them all that great either.