Customer Reviews

A Time to Die (Star Trek The Next Generation)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I did not enjoy reading this book, or the first one in this series. Poor characterizations, disjointed action, plodding plotlines, and a lack of flow in the writing style made me feel like I had to work hard just to get through these books.

While I was glad to see Wesley get some play time, I couldn't figure out the Colleen Cabot character at all. Not only did she feel fake, not a genuine person, but she also did some odd things for an intelligent female - the way she started her relationship with Wesley, for example, just rang false. Dr. Crusher's reactions to the return of Wesley also didn't ring true. The author has some difficulty writing female characters.

After getting through the first book in the "A Time To..." series, I read the second only so that I could read on in the series, simply as background. I did not enjoy Vornholt's style of writing. I've heard the other books are better, so I plodded through this one. The characterizations were just, well, not very good.

Two stars because I've read worse Star Trek (See "A Hard Rain" to know what I mean!)

Let me preface this review by saying first and foremost I am a serious Star Trek fan and have been for a very long time. I've had a hard time watching each new TV series fall further and further in quality and have turned to books for my "Trek-Fix".
So without further ado......

(Also please note, some of my comments may spoil things for you if you haven't read the books. I'll attempt to note before hand what is a spoiler)
These first two books written by Mr.Vornholt are mediocre at best. This easily could have been a single book. Nevertheless the books have other faults as well (Note: I'm writing one review for both Vornholt books Time to be Born and Time to Die). Let's start from the beginning of this book.
It takes place pretty much right as the last book ended. I suppose my first real problem with it comes here. Seeing Picard in a nuthouse seems.... well.... silly. The books explains this away as a device to keep him from getting court-martialed for the incident that happened in the previous novel. His "keeper" is named Colleen Cabot. She has little or no personality and seems to take a strange glee in needling Jean-Luc. The first 1/4 of this book is completely disposable except for a couple little plot driving points stuck in haphazardly here and there. Then we move back to Rashanar. The scene of the most horrible battle ever in the Dominion Wars (How many times I've heard that I can't count). The idea behind Rashanar is interesting for the first book and about halfway into this book. Then it becomes the typical "Get the alien" fair, with a little conspiracy thrown in.

--SPOILER AHEAD--
My major gripe with this particular book is the sudden turning of Colleen Cabot into a vibrant, annoying, opinionated brat and that somehow Wesley and her fall in love in the space of a paragraph and all it right with the universe. Colleen questioning herself as to whether she loves Wesley as Wesley or Wesley the Traveler is just sad. Clearly it is in my mind, filler. The author seems to desperately be trying to make you like her as a character and quickly develop her character.
--SPOILER OVER--

The book (including Time to be Born) moves at jerky rates. Giving the reader reading whiplash from the lack of any kind of coherant flow or pacing. The entire middle of the book, with crew members dorking around inside Rashanar was so drawn out I actually started skimming paragraphs. I just took to long with little or no point... more filler material obviously.
The dialogue is sometimes archaic in Trek references (Food SLOT?!) and Data's Dialogue is very forced. In fact I found most characters dialogue forced as if the author had never seen a Next Generation episode in his life.
I do look forward to other authors taking over the helm (pun intended) and doing something interesting with this series of Trek books.
I am not sure what else Mr.Vornholt has written or even if he has written other Trek books. I'm sure he's a fine writer but he just didn't do it this time around.

Fresh on the heels of A Time to Be Born, its companion novel, A Time to Die shows up. And what a clunk it makes. Star Trek novels have their detractors, but I'm not one of them. This one, however, almost makes me change my mind. There is so much wrong with this book that I don't know where to begin. Just to start at the easy part, how about a summary?

After the destruction of the Ontailian ship at the Rashanar graveyard in A Time to Be Born, and after the Ontailians destroy the starship Juno, Captain Picard is back on Earth being held in a mental institution for ongoing medical tests. He has accepted a deal that will avoid a court martial, but he is determined to discover what really happened at Rashanar, site of one of the fiercest battles of the Dominion War. To clear his former captain, Acting Captain William Riker takes the Enterprise, with a skeleton crew, back to Rashanar to find out what the Ontailians are really hiding at the graveyard. Thankfully, he has the help of Picard, the counselor performing his medical evaluation, and an old friend. Wesley Crusher is back, and he's determined to help the Enterprise and his old captain, even if it means he can no longer be a member of the mythical beings called "The Travelers." However, death and destruction await them amidst the wreckage of so many ships.

A Time to Be Born was a book about Picard (and a little bit of Data). Wesley was in it, and he actually became a little annoying prancing around during the inquiry back at Starfleet command (the only annoying part of that entire section of the book). But it was Picard's book. A Time to Die makes the whole thing Wesley's story, and it really suffers for it. I have never been a Wesley detractor as so many Star Trek: The Next Generation fans have been, but he's never been a favourite of mine. However, this book has a lot of Wesley using his Traveler powers, jumping from ship to ship to planet to outer space, observing things. He almost makes things too easy, despite Picard's insistence that they can't begin relying on him. Wesley is a Deus ex Machina throughout the entire book, except for the fact that the book is actually about him so maybe that term doesn't apply. Still, it does make the book less interesting. He convinces Picard's counselor of what happened by whisking her away to the Rashanar graveyard, something she must find very erotic because the next time she sees him she's all over him.

Which brings me to why this book suffers so much. First, Wesley's actions and manner are incredibly annoying, making me want to blow him out an airlock at times. Secondly, the relationship that develops between Wesley and Cabot comes literally out of nowhere. One minute, she's resisting releasing Picard, and then after Wesley takes her to Rashanar, she's suddenly hot for him? And he for her? Yes, he does find her attractive in their first scene together, but to go from "finding her attractive" to "being all over each other" in the span of a few pages? And then to have their relationship be this intense love that makes neither one of them want to be apart from one another? The whole thing is ridiculous, and every time they were together I wanted to belt them one. Then, her inevitable fate is so perfunctorily done that it had no affect on me whatsoever. I also found that this relationship brought out a giddiness in Cabot that just suddenly manifested itself too. She does almost a complete 180 degree turn in attitude that I just can't fathom. Yes, love can change somebody like that, but when I don't buy the love story, I certainly don't buy the character change.

There are other characters problems, too, though most are ok. The most striking is Admiral Nakamura, who goes from an almost ruthless man in a meeting with a character to crying over that character's death at the end. The first part I thought was very good, but I certainly didn't buy the crying, at least not for that character. Vornholt once again gets the regulars right, though that's coloured by Cabot's presence in so many scenes. Wesley's reluctance to reveal himself to his friends is very pertinent (he thinks the more he reveals himself, the more likely it is that he will lose his powers), but it makes for some very awkwardly done scenes between when both he, his mom, Cabot, and others are in a room together.

I'm looking for something positive to say about this book, and I'm having trouble. The scenes that don't have either Cabot or Wesley in them are usually well done. Unfortunately, there aren't many of them. The mystery of Rashanar is interesting, especially the secret behind the creature in the graveyard. Wesley also solves the problem in a very interesting way, fulfilling his vision from the beginning of the first book without allowing any of the main characters (who you know will survive, as Paramount would not allow their deaths) to die. In fact, the entire concept is intriguing.

It's just too bad that it had to end with such a bad book. A Time to Die is worth reading once, just to continue the story. But try to beg or borrow it before wasting money on it.

David Roy

I can't begin to tell you how shocked I was at the reviews for this book. Not only does the author have trouble representing the characters truthfully (I mean he only has seven years of TV episodes and four movies to study), but the writing was horrendous, just like every other book I've read by this author.

But overall, I was most disappointed with the characterizations. I didn't see the crew I love, which was what I was hoping for. If you want to see a Star Trek crew back in action where the books read so clearly that you can actually see the story as if it were an episode, go get the DS9 relaunch.

I pray that the other authors in this series show me the TNG crew, because this author couldn't find them.

Oh, one last thing: It is not 'witty' or 'inventive' to rehash dialogue directly from episodes or movies.

"A Time to Die" picks up immediately where "Born" leaves off; Picard is railroaded by the tribunal, and Nechayev bargains for his career. Riker is made acting captain, Data has his emotion chip removed--voluntarily--and everyone else is left to deal with the reprecussions of Rashanar. It is key to remember that there will be a grand total of nine books in the "A Time to..." cycle, and not all answers can be--nor are they expected to be--revealed in the first two novels.

Vornholt has given the reader a taste of the changes--such as Data's loss of his emotion chip--and set the stage for what will surely be a poignant, bittersweet exit for the crew and family of the "Enterprise" prior to Nemesis; these characters are not archtypes, and by making them simply do the expected would not be conducive to good storytelling. For example, the admiralty; Ross has always been a good guy, but his dealings with Section 31 as seen in "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges" and his firm desire to keep the Ontailians as allies in the time of rebuilding merely add to his character.
Nechayev has always been somewhat standoffish, but she is one of Vornholt's favorite guest characters, and again, this is character building; I believe Peter David gave a throwaway line about how she had newfound respect for Picard because of his familiarity with Spock.

Onto the plot; yes, it is fairly obvious what will happen. The "Enterprise" travels back to Rashanar; Wesley reveals himself to the skeleton crew of the ship, worried about interfering with the outcome of the fate of Rashanar and being kicked out of Traveler society; and, of course, Colleen Cabot, new supporting character and Crusher's love interest and the one thing that helps return his humanity, is killed. Again, obvious, but with the inclusion of the seedy denizens of the Jem'Hadar battle cruiser (Orions, Kreel, and Androssi--oh my) Vornhold keeps the reader's interest.

Vale and Perim are further developed as well, and considering this is a Picard/Crusher story, they are handled expertly and the reader truly empathizes with Wesley's plight; losing Cabot and fearing exile from Traveler society is quite a load on the former ensign. Yes, the Rashanar plot is concluded, but there is still more story to tell--seven books left, and it is only then will we have a complete piece of the puzzle that lead to the breaking of the "Enterpise" family. Keep this in mind as you read each novel in the cycle; no one book will have all the answers, and if "Born" and "Die" are any indication, each novel will be amongst the finest "Next Generation" stories ever told.

This book is well-written, has a good mix of action, drama, and characterization, and does a good job of finishing the plot started in "A Time To Be Born", without seeming TOO incomplete on its own. For anybody who actually LIKES the character of Wesley Crusher, consider this a five-star review; the main reason that I docked it a star is because Wes is the main character, and I've never liked that particular character. He WAS handled well, though, and if I didn't have an established antipathy for the character, I wouldn't have developed one from this book.

I must admit, that for some reason I have always been a Wesley Crusher hater. Wil Wheaton is fine, but I hate Wesley. I never liked the character. OK. I'm OK now, just had to get that off my chest.

Anyway, it turned out that A Time To Die, the conclusion to A Time To Be Born is a pretty good story, probably better than the first part.

The major plot lines involve the situation in a `haunted' space graveyard that causes Picard to destroy a ship of an ally which lands him in hot water back at Star Fleet Command and under the control of a counselor who seems to be a control freak. The second plotline is of Wesley's initiation into the Travelers, a group of beings who, through mental powers can move through time and space at will. During a vision, Crusher notices the plight of Picard and the destruction of the Enterprise and at the risk of losing his place with the Travelers and the special powers they have granted him, decides to help out.

Somehow he and Riker and the crew must clear Picard's name and solve the riddle of the spaceship graveyard. Meanwhile, the councilor takes Picard onto the Enterprise and together, they all return to the site of the disaster.

Wesley assists in solving the mystery and eliminating the problem, but then he must face his fellow Travelers. Will they revoke his powers? Read on and see.

Overall I thought the two volumes were pretty good.

The story of the Rashanar mystery was interesting and clever. The story of Picard and the political solution he represented was realistic. How it was resolved wasn't clearly stated. The story of Wesley and Colleen's romance was silly. She didn't seem to have any admirable attributes other than beautiful blond hair. His previous girlfriends have had a lot more character. I prefer books that stand alone. These prolonged series are so unsatisfying that I just feel like reading the end of each book.

The second in the "A Time To..." series, "Die" picks up where "Be Born" left off. The U.S.S. Juno has been destroyed, and after an inquiry has been convened, Captain Picard has been relieved of command, with Riker made acting captain. To clear Picard's name, the crew goes back to the Rashanar battle site to find whatever it was that destroyed the Juno. There's more action in this book than there was in its prequel, but that unfortunatley doesn't do much for it. The characterisations are still off, and there are some big plot points that just get written off way too quickly.

Spoilers...
First off, the love story between Wesely and Coleen Cabot. They talk, have sex and BOOM, they're in love. All within the space of a few paragraphs. It seems that most of the affair is written only for filler, because it's badly done and Cabot dies towards the end of the book.

Second, Wesely is on the Enterprise, having left Picard and co. on the Skegge for like, ten minutes. He comes back and Picard tells him, "Oh yes, we met up with some looters and struck a deal with them, and they've installed a cloaking device on our ship." If I were Wesely, my only question would have been "When?"
End spoilers...

It seemed like as the ending drew nearer, there was a bigger rush to resolve different matters, and that hurt the story. Again, completionists will want to read "A Time to Die" just so they won't be lost in subsequent books. I'm glad that the torch is passed on to other Trek authors in the next book. John Vornholt just didn't do it for me.

Star Trek-The Next Generation: "A Time to Die" written by John Vornholt is the conclusion to the book "A Time to Be Born." As "A Time to Die" takes off just where "A Time to Be Born" left off in a cliffhanger. This book is the second installment of a nine book series that tells the untold story of the events that have transpired between Star Trek: "Insurrection" and Star Trek: "Nemeses."

The book starts out quickly can gets the reader involved with the events seen by Wesley Crusher in the "Pool of Prophecy" by the Travelers. These events are what will happen, but the outcome of these events are the providence of the Travelers. The book's main character is Wesley Crusher and how he copes with the powers vested in him by the Travelers and the events that happen are the totally Wesley's to solve.

We find Wesley Crusher older now (nine years) but he still has his enthusiasm for solving problems. Captain Jean-Luc Picard is in big trouble with Starfleet Command and is confined to the a holosuite wing of Starfleet Medical Mental Health for further observation. Now, the true test comes when Picard can leave Medical Mental Health, but only with Counselor Colleen Cabot in tow. All of the problems that Picard faces stemmed of the story "A Time to Be Born" as Picard and the U.S.S. Enterprise and her crew were assigned to the Rashanar Battle Site.

"A Time to Die" is a character driven book with action-adventure as the spice that keeps you interested in the book. Captain Jean-Luc Picard must redeem himself and prove that the Ontailian ship that he destroyed was only a doppelganger and not the real ship... now he has to go back to the Rashanar Battle Site to prove his innocence. There is some backbiting among the admirals and Starfleet Command has its hands full.

Acting Captain William Riker, taking over for Picard, comes to his former Captain's aid when Admiral Nechayev and Colleen Cabot hatch a covert plan to get Picard back to the Rashanar Sector. Oh, there are twists and turns in this book along with some very tight situations. You'll read this book quickly as it moves right along and you'll be not wanting to put the book down till you find out what happens next. I read this book in one setting wanting to know if Picard's illustrious career may be coming to an end.

I found the characters to be believable and they meshed very well together making for an interesting story and the ending will surprise you. I gave this book a solid 5 stars for this reason. Not only was I entertained, but we are given some insight into the Travelers and what they do. This fills in some gaps in Trek lore. I hope you'll find this story as interesting as I did as it was most entertaining.