Then this is the book for you!!!! Diane Carey has teamed up with a fellow who really knows his dino-history and they have truly succeded in making an exciting and beliviable story. Do not wait. Read it today!!!1

First Frontier by Diane Carey and James I. Kirkland is a fantastic Star Trek adventure with the fate of the Human existence on the balance. There is an alternate timeline in the story, one that if it plays out the Human Race would be nonexistant.

Not only does this book have the classic Star Trek characters, but it incorporates a very excellent dinosaur story. As with any good adventure, there has to be a causal effect to make the story play and here in lies our classic Trek.

Millions of years hence, before the great extinction of the dinosaurs on Earth, there were travelers in space who noted that there were intellegent dinosaurs and transplanted them on another planet to develop into a society. As they developed, they noted that their DNA was similar to that on Earth present day. So they set off to change the timelime and history as we know it.

As the Starship Enterprise was testing a new shield and emerged from the Sun, they find themselves in the middle of an on going battle between the Klingons and Romulans. As Kirk et.al. pick up a lifepod, they find that the Klingon who survives has no knowledge of human existence. As the Enterprise crew further investigates , Starfleet Headquarters has been replaced by a jungle where large dinosaurs now inhabit the Earth.

The Guardian of Forever is Kirk's only recourse. Left as a relic from a race known as the Iconians eons ago, it is one of the constants still left in this alternate time that corresponds to the time Kirk knows. Now you have all the tools for a classic conforntation between two cultures so diverse as to create a fantastic adventure.

Reading this story puts you right in the middle of this mystery and you live it vicariously through Kirk et. al. with the dinosaur fauna hunting them. Excellent writing, storytelling and a plot that keeps you rivited.

I highly recommend this combination Star Trek - Dinosaur tale. For the people who like a good story with adventure this is it, one of the all time best Star Trek adventures ever written.

This book shows a remarkable attention to detail. (Yes, I know we don't really know this much about dinosaurs, but hey, what's a little artistic license to a sci-fi fan?) The environment created by this book is stunning in its power to draw the reader in. I couldn't put it down after I started, and it remains among my all time favorite Star Trek novels. The plot is complex, involving such fun things as superstrings, time track changes, the Guardian of Forever, Kirk matching wills with dinos (that's a combo, I can tell you!) and a horrifying vision of a universe gone mad which will haunt those bold enough to place themselves in it. To cap it all off, you get to see the impact which destroyed all the large dinosaurs. How can you say no to a show like that? Adventure and the trial of human nature is at its best here. Highly recommended!

In all the Star Trek lore that's been written over 30 plus years, it's rare to see books that delve into the past of the primary characters in anything other than alternate realities or brief flashbacks. More of this book takes place in Kirk's teenage years than in the "present" (Kirk's last voyage before the Enterprise "A" gets mothballed). I hate reviews that ruin good books by giving away major plot points, so I'll resist. Overall, the flashback scenes really make the story while the current events are less interesting. The end of the "present" events are anticlimactic compared the the end of the flashback events, but kudos to the Authors for further fleshing out characters from earlier books: Captain Robert April (first Captian of the original Enterprise), Commander George Kirk (Jimmy's father), and Kirk's right hand man Drake (great comic relief). McCoy & Spock sadly are reduced to small roles, but the book is, after all, a story about a young Jimmy Kirk, and in that respect it does an admerable job.

One of the "prequels" to the Star Trek universe created by Gene Roddenberry, Diane Carey's BEST DESTINY introduces the reader to the Enterprise at her birth. Commanded by Robert April, the Enterprise is on her "test-run". April's security officer, George Kirk, brings along his troubled son, Jimmy, for the ride.

STAR TREK fans will enjoy experiencing the first voyage of this famous ship, at this time still a carefully-guarded military secret without identifying insignia. The "mission" to Faramond is intended to be a short run to test the engines, but when the Kirks take a shuttlecraft to study a cosmic phenomenon, a run-in with space pirates begins young Jim Kirk's first adventure in space.

Also of interest is the look into Kirk's past. The story is told in flashback, as a late-career Kirk reflects on his wild adolescence and the single event that changed his life and set his destiny in the stars. For those less technically-inclined, basic STAR TREK physics (such as inertial dampers) are explained from the viewpoint of young Jimmy (read: lay terminology!)

A definite recommendation for Trekkers, Trekkies, and those who just wish they were!

Heather Foutz

Star Trek: Best Destiny written by Diane Carey is a flashback novel of James T. Kirk. This book mixes the past with the present in the Trek genre.

James T. Kirk is seen as a teenager wanting to show his father that he can and will be worthy of wearing the Starfleet uniform someday. This is the first adventure we get to read about where James T. Kirk plays a sugnificant role. There is personal danger, self-discovery, and unparalleled adventure.

We read about James T. Kirk about to retire from his long tenure with the fleet. Now, events draw him back to a youthful adventue with his father George and Captain Robert April. A part of the galaxy only left in James Kirk's memory, a world called Faramond, mysterious in nature Kirk takes us back when he was sixteen years old.

Although he was estranged from his father he admired what his father did for him, but Captain Robert April changes James Kirk's life forever. This is a good Father-Father image/ son book. The adventure now only in James' memory they face life or death... but a glimpse of the future sets James T. Kirk on a Trek of his own... best destiny.

The concept of soldiers hidden within DS9 coming to life and emobodying an age old rage is original and makes the book stronger than most of the series lot.
What I did appreciate about this book is Diane Carey's work, she is one of the better Star Trek writers because her books tend to be more thoughtful and drawn on.
I recommend this book for the on target characterization it has as well as the strong writing. Sisko really comes to life on these pages.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Station Rage written by Diane L. Careyis a fast paced action-adventure book set on the space station Deep Space Nine.

Deep Space Nine used to be a Cardassian stronghold neighboring Bajor durning the Cardassian occupaton. As Starfleet takes over the station, they fine a tomb of Cardassian soldiers on the station and they begin to pulsate life signs and seek revenge upon the Starfleet/Bajorian crew.

Commander Benjamin Sisko seeks to return these Cardassian soldiers to Cardassia through diplomatic means, but the carnage has already commenced and is starting to cripple the station.

The reader has a very good story replete with political intrigue and action just short of full-scale chaos. You'll be entertained with this well-written book till the ending. This is one of the better Deep Space Nine books written to keep the reader involved with the story plot till the end.

The character development fleshes out well and you are left thoroughly entertained. Fast paced action-adventure with Cardassian intrigue from the past could destroy the entire galaxy. Commander Benjamin Sisko and the crew are upto the task making this book a keeper.

This is one the better DS9 books. Particularly if you like The Cardassians and my personal favorite charecter Garak the tailor/spy.

With Challenger, the New Earth saga comes to a very nice finish. All plot lines are tied up (some unfortunately so), a new ship and crew take over from the Enterprise, and all is well. All being well is the problem. I dont know if this was set up to be a story on it's own, or a launch of yet a new Star Trek series. As a finale it comes short of target, but works great if it is an introductory tale of the Challenger and her crew. This particular ship and crew I wouldnt mind seeing again, just like those of the Excalibur. These new faces are fun, a refreshing change from the same adventures of Kirk, Spock, and company. I hope a visit to the Sagitarius cluster comes again soon.

I thought Thin Air was pretty good as far as this horrible series goes, but Star Trek, New Earth Book Six - Challenger - might actually be the best. We do get a little Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Scotty, but the main action centers around Nick Keller and his mutiny aboard the doomed Peleliu. Now I didn't give a flying damn about the Peleiu and her crew until Keller brained his captain with a monkey wrench and took over command - then things just got downright fun! The book is an enjoyable, fast-paced read. A lot of the New Earth series plot lines that were left dangling in the other five books get cleaned up very nicely in this final chapter, and the Enterprise finally gets to leave this lucklorn colony. Some of the BEST parts of the book were:

UHURA - Bad, nasty Billy Maidenform is BACK and Uhura kicks his butt, quite nicely. You go girl!

SHUCORION - He was a nice addition in this book as his character and beliefs are fleshed out a bit. He had a GREAT line about leadership late in the book, "You must lead them, not herd them." There are a few ex-bosses I'd like to say that to.

KIRK - I hate Kirk...always have. But his relationship with Keller in this book is interesting as he acts like an all-knowing mentor. Plus Kirk doesn't get "any" in this book.

SPOCK - Author Diane Carey finally explains the relationship between Spock & McCoy; they are Yin & Yang, each needing one other to be whole. Nice touch!

ZOA - A new alien, and this one has a BAAAAAADDDDD attitude that's too much fun.

Anyway, if you've read all six books, you deserve a reward! Thin Air is your first reward and Challenger is your second.

I read this book with two frames of mind. On the one hand, I wanted it to satisfy as a fun Star Trek adventure, and as the wrap-up to the New Earth story. On the other, I knew that Challenger was designed to set up a potential spin-off series featuring an all-new ship and crew, along the lines of Peter David's Star Trek New Frontier series (which I have just started reading and enjoying). So, with that in mind . . .

Challenger seemed to get off to a real slow start. I was about a quarter of the way through the book before I got hooked. Once that happened, however, I was very hooked indeed. Diane Carey managed to take a number of seemingly unrelated elements from across the various New Earth books and brought them together in a fairly satisfying way. I don't think this makes the book the ideal jumping-on point, but enough is explained that readers who just want to see how the Challenger adventures start shouldn't feel too lost.

If I hadn't known that this was a sort of pilot for Challenger, I would probably have been disappointed at the somewhat minimal role that Kirk, Spock, and the Enterprise take. However, once the future crew of the Challenger finally started taking center stage, those thoughts vanished. Ms. Carey has put together a collection of colorful, likeable characters. With a healthy mix of Starfleet officers, civilians, and aliens, things should be diverse and interesting enough for a long while. Here's hoping we see more of these folks in the future!

Diane Carey and Company have created a series of books (one conviently from each series)that are a major storyline in the Star Trek universe.

The Furies are quite a believable bunch of aliens when taken in the context and referenced to humanities own dark pre-history. They are however, not really viable as a life form. But if you can gloss over that part, the novel conforms to the tried and true Star Trek themes.

Note the error on page 120.

This book manages to bring together the Star Trek world with myths & legends from the deep past of Klingons & humans. Ms. Carey is a writer who uses clear & descriptive language & has captured the psychology behind the relationships of the main characters. It also uses humor as effectively as the best Star Trek episodes & books do. An enjoyable read for any Star Trek fan.

Imagine for a moment, the scariest and most foul thing you can think of. Now, take that to the power of 100 and you will have the creatures in the Invasion Book series. First Strike is the first book in a 4 book series which travels over all 4 Star Trek shows. The Enterprise crew comes across a species so foul looking, that they can't even bare to look at them. This species, appears to come in peace, but as we know, that always isn't the case. I don't want to give too much away, but this book is very exciting and well written. All 4 of these are unique, but I felt that Book # 1 was the best. Even if you don't care for Star Trek books, you should read these. I could hardly put the books down.

Along with book two of this series, this book covered seven episodes from Deep Space Nine. I enjoyed the different presectives in these two books. Good work Diane Carey! She has done plenty of covers of episodes and has done well again.

This book was really well done. Diane Carey did a wonderful job

The John Vornholt books were pathetic attempts at a good story, but the novelizations were great! Since Diane Carey is writing them, that immediately makes it good. Anyway, the whole thing is excellent, and I get to learn what happened on the mission to the Argolis Cluster. Deep Space 9 kicks the crap out of every other Star Trek series, one main reason being that the Executive Producer is Ira Steven Behr. So, this automatically is a great book!

In my reviews of Classic Star Trek novels, it must be understood that I adhere to the original canon as invisioned by Gene Roddenberry, and not the "Star Trek" universe accepted by Rick Berman and company.

I generally rate a classic novel thus:

Adherence to Canon -- does this novel adhere to the vision of the original Star Trek?

Again, seems to.

Believability (within the confines of 23rd century Star Trek viability) -- is this novel well-plotted and well written? Can I picture this novel or imagine myself in it?

Yes, it's a pretty vivid story.

Coherence and Consistency -- does this novel internally consistent? Is it consistent with other Star Trek novels by the same author? Is it consistent with what is known of the CLASSIC Star Trek universe?

Yes, especially with the author's previous novel.

Mitigating Factors -- pluses or minuses which dramatically affect the enjoyment of this book

Again, like "Dreadnaught", this book is not a brilliant work of literature, but it's a fun read and certainly a welcome contribution to the Classic Star Trek canon.

This book is a sequel to the novel "Dreadnought"; it is somewhat better than that novel, in that the plot is a bit more original, if still an offshoot of the same old worn-out concept. Like Dreadnought, it is rather untraditional as a Star Trek novel, in that the main character is a young officer just out of Starfleet academy, and we only see Kirk, Spock, etc, through her eyes. It is an interesting and worthwhile variation, almost making up for the unoriginality of the basic storylines; Piper is transparently a female equivalent of the young Kirk, with just as much talent and potential as Kirk had as a youth, and just as much inexperience. So in a way, watching her adventures has the advantage of giving us some insight into the early development of the Kirk character, without the disadvantage that "flashback" stories have of being restricted to events that fit into what we know of Kirk's history, and without the guarantee that he will come through successfully (after all, we KNOW Kirk got through those early trials, but there's no guarantee that the next young hotshot officer will).

There's something of the feel of juvenile fiction to these stories, with the young main character saving the day repeatedly, but to her credit, Ms. Carey doesn't limit the usual main characters to the sidelines; they take their full place in the plot, and are as amazingly competent as they should be. There's simply the addition of another main character, taking her turn at saving the day. Also to Ms. Carey's credit, she resists the temptation to include a romantic entaglement between Kirk and her heroine, a concept which would clearly be out of place, but which many authors would fail to resist (there's a talented, attractive female character; quick, have Kirk seduce her, or at least try.)

(Oh, and Ms. Carey still hasn't learned the difference between a "niggling" doubt and a "sniggering" one, the difference being that there IS such a thing as a niggling doubt, but if there's such a thing as a "sniggering" one, I've never heard of it.)

There's no lack of action in this story, nor any lack of fascinating character insight. It does seem that the attempt to make Piper a parallel for Kirk goes a bit overboard, though, in that her best friend and most trusted colleague is a Vulcan, and her next best friend and most trusted colleague has a southern drawl. It gets a bit forced, but the book is still worth reading for fans of Kirk and Star Trek.

This isn't as good as "Dreadnought!," as most of it takes place not on Enterprise but on a small tug, the T-Rex (renamed Banana Republic). It's a good read though, with lots of fun and action. A must for any Star Trek fan. Also check my review of "Dreadnought!" for more details.

"The Great Starship Race" was everything I expected it to be.

Shallow story, based on a bad premise. Even the Romulans, who usually are a saving factor, couldn't help the book that is all about racing with spaceships, with a weak plot in there somewhere.

The characters are two-dimensional, and the story goes nowhere, and when you combine this to the ending, wich is about as bad as it could have been...

Well, it was written well, had many exellent scenes concentrating around the dynamics of the characters of the Romulan Commander and his Subcommander, so it wasn't a total failure, and the Romulans still were refreshing, even if they weren't nearly at their best.

And I have to mention that unlike so many Carey books, we actually get a prominent female quest-star, and although she is shallow and suffers from the characterization flaw many female sci-fi characters share: the HPS (Hidden Penis Syndrome), we still have some gender stabilization.

Ms. Carey revealed in a recent interwiev that she had to rewrite almost the entire book, and maybe that is the cause of the utter childishness and naiveté of "The Great Starship Race".

This novel is a great, fast-paced Star Trek adventure with lots of twists, turns, and action. My only problem with it is the impracticality of it. The Federation would never take a handful of its most battle-hardened starships and power them down 20%, take shields and weapons offline, and enter them in a race that leads into unexplored space just to impress a single civilization. It just wouldn't happen. The book is unique, entertaining, and a must-read, however! I really liked this story, and I think Diane Carey is one of the best Trek authors to publish.

Star Trek The Original Series: The Great Starship Race written by Diane Carey is a book, not just about a starship race, but a book about saving a whole planet from the treachery of the Romulans as they show up for the festivities.

The call was made throughout the galaxy, as a friendly race of people called the Rey have contacted the Federation for a celebration. The celebration of so many spacefaring and intelligent races, all to be hosted by the Rey, as a starship race is born. The Federation will send the U.S.S. Enterprise their proud flagship of the fleet under the command of James T. Kirk. Everything should be going fine, fine that is, until the Romulans show up, now the poo has hit the fan.

You can always count on the Romulans for treachery, perfidy, deceit, and insidiousness. Well, you will not be disappointed, soon we find out theat the U.S.S. Enterprise is having engine problems, but that's not a the Enterprise is under relentless attack. But that's the least of Kirk's problems, now, Kirk has to prevent the annihilation of an entire world. Brought to you by the Romulans, this deadly game of cat and mouse will soon occupy the entire crew of the Enterprise.

There are twists and turns throughout this book keeping you well entertained till the end.

Diane Carey is an established Star Trek author. "Enterprise: Broken Bow" is not one of her better books--BUT--it must be understood that the story line is from the TV script of the pilot episode of the new Star Trek series, "Enterprise." So Diane is not entirely to blame if the book did not meet my high Star Trek expectations. Could the script have been fleshed out better in a book? I don't really know, maybe some.

If you did not watch the pilot episode of "Enterprise" and wonder what is going on, definitely read this book.

If you are looking for another great Star Trek book, this one rates three stars. Again--not all Diane's fault.

But, to understand my mid-range rating of this book, you must understand my point of view when it comes to Star Trek books: I enjoyed viewing all of the various Star Trek series on television until both the cast and story lines wore out. I am an avid reader and enjoy some, but not all, of the Star Trek: Next Generation, Deep Space-9, and Voyager series books. I do not enjoy nor read books about the TOS (the original series).

I am enthusiastic about the new "Enterprise" series but I wasn't when the pilot episode aired. I changed my mind and began to appreciate and enjoy the new series after reading "Broken Bow" and some articles in Star Trek: The Magazine and Star Trek Communicator magazines (recent issues which explained the focus and differences of the new Star Trek show). Diane's book also contains a very useful section at the end of the book explaining much of the same as the magazines.

I tried to watch the pilot episode twice (it airs on Wed and Sun in my area). I was not interested enough to watch either airing all the way through, but I like the series, anyway, after watching subsequent episodes.

I found the initial TV episode somewhat confusing. I thought that if I read Diane's book, it would fill in the gaps of the TV episode that I did not watch. It did.

What the book is about: "Broken Bow" is set prior to the original TV series with Captain Kirk and is about the maiden voyage of the Enterprise. In this book and series, the captain is Starfleet, but there is no Federation. He is the first captain to have warp 4.5 capability and is the first to have the opportunity to go beyond the known and travelable universe. Earth is aware of aliens (Vulcans and some others). The crew has two aliens: the doctor and science officer. Of course, there is plenty of drama and action.

Do you want to read this book?

Yes, if you want to know about the crew members of the Enterprise and what makes the captain tick.

Yes, if you want to read a new Star Trek book--but it is not as well done as it could have been had Diane been left to her own imagination.

I look forward to reading other "Enterprise" books. I hope Diane Carey writes some of them and that she can use her own skills and imagination.
End of comment.

This novel by veteran Star Trek writer Diane Carey is based upon the first 'Star Trek: Enterprise' episode, Broken Bow. It lays the foundation for the formation of Starfleet, which of course came before 'The United Federation Of Planets', and includes some events leading up to the aquisition of warp technology (this book is more detailed than the television version) including a bit more about Zephran Cochran, the inventor of warp drive on earth. This is really fascinating stuff. The plot and storyline are good, as is character development, required reading for any serious Star Trek fan. This book also goes into some detail concerning the start of Vulcan-Terran cooperation and mutual trust and respect, very interesting coverage here. This is great science fiction on any standard, well worth reading, written in an easy to read, flowing style.

I don't know what some people's problem is with Enterprise, the show, or the books. Both are incredible. I love all the Star Trek series, but Enterprise (and it IS Star Trek people, so get over it) is by far my favourite. It is just so awesome. They've got a great cast of characters, played by excellent actors, with great episode plots. The writers and so on, are doing a great job, that is not easy, because they have to recall all the things about the other series so as not to mess up the timeline. If they do once in a while, give them a break, they have three other seven season shows, and one 3 season show to recall.
The book, Broken Bow, is awesome. I should have read it after I saw the premier not before. The premier was great, but the book really goes into more detail, with some extra scenes and more in depth characterization. So, watch the premier first, then read the book, and it'll all be good.

Take 49 per cent of those highschool series that tell plotless "stories" of succesfull, beautifull, popular young people. Add 50 per cent "Baywatch" and 1 per cent Star Trek, and Voilá!; you have the novelization of the game Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.

We have the story of a young, cocky, white, human, american man named David Forrester (!), who gets to command a group of (other) disagreeing stereotypical cadets. Including the most annoying Star Trek character I've ever seen: Geoffrey Corin, the rich guy who bought his way to the academy. As if that would be possible in the world of Star Trek.

Cadet Forrester is written to be perfect. His hero Captain James T. Kirk (surprise, surprise...) is written as a god. It doesn't help one bit that the other characters are portrayed too stereotypically to feel real. Furthermore the relationships of the characters progress as if in a soap opera. Things are started, but never remembered afterwards.

The actual, weak and uniqually predictable, story of the book tells us the tale of a Federation-era Ku Klux Klan, and tries to make some points about racism, failing miserably.

The issue is over-simplified and underestimated, without even really touching the matter, by stating only the obvious = denying the importance of the issue, with the end result of hurting the very same important point the novel was probably trying to make.

The message of the book? Being a racist is not nice.

This is the kind of the book I read very often. It shows intrigue. Only very disappointing aspect of this book is Diane Carey didn't really develop Forester's relationship with Vanda M'Giia further. This book left me to wonder what will happen to Forester and his team afterwards.

When i first read this book, I was so hooked I kept reading and rereading this splendid book. Man, i never had enough of this book.

The only thing this book disappoints me is that Carey didn't explore Forester's and m'Giia's relationship further.