IMZADI is an exciting, well written novel that plays with the chronological aspect of a story. I haven't read any Star Trek books before, but I intend to read more now! For any Treky that cares, it goes back and explains the mysterious history behind Riker and Troy, and it shows us what the scars of time can turn us into. The characters interact realistically together, and every page is relevant and entertaining. The story begins with the future William Riker, a disgrunteled old man with unresolved issues. Forty years prior, his Imzadi (Deanna Troy) mysteriously fell ill and died. "Imzadi" is a Betazoid term describing the strong psychological bond they share, and Riker falls deep into a perpetual state of depression when he looses what he describes as, "the greater half of himself." When Lwaxana Troy (Deanna's mother) calls Riker to her death bed, old ghosts start popping out at him from his past, forcing him to remember, and he tries to remember back to a time when he felt no pain. From there, the story is told of how they came to know eachother, after which interisting plot twists and timeline jumps keep you on the edge of your seat. This book is realistically written, with an entertaining story line and well dedigned characters; one of them, whom the uncaring streams of time have forced into an intollerable universe, decides he wants to change his own destiny. And maybe he can-if he can get to the Guardian of Forever...

If you are a fan of the Riker/Troi relationship or Peter David's work, or just a hopeless romantic, I definitely recommend this book! David writes in the humorous and engaging style I've come to love and almost expect from a Star Trek novel. The flashbacks to Betazed, the return of the Guardian of Forever, and the complex storyline are well-written and interestingly presented. I particularly enjoyed Barclay's scenes towards the end! Yes, it does get pretty sappy at some points, but that is a major part of romance and it is tempered by timetravel, alien diplomats, and a good murder mystery. Those of you who focus more on technology and the science of Trek probably won't be as interested in this novel, but it offers character development and humor. It should be read more for fun than analyzed for detail.

If you are a fan of The Next Generation, you might be familiar with the term, 'Imzadi'. It was a Betazed term that was between Deanna Troi and William Riker when they first met years ago before they served on the Enterprise. This story is an incredibly creative account of how Troi and Riker first met all those years ago.

As many of Peter David's stories go, this one has many different levels. We first begin with an older Riker taking a ship to the Guardian of Forever (serious Trek fans will remember this from the original series)-illegally I might add, and using the Guardian to alter the past to save Troi from dying years before. The plot jumps back to their first meeting on Betazed many years before the events which take place on Next Gen. The creativity that went into writing this is really amazing, and my hats off to Peter David for conjuring up a story worthy of Star Trek and STILL keeping true to the original series.

I in particular enjoyed the addition of the Guardian of Forever into the plot. Was Troi SUPPOSED to live and NOT die? As you may know, altering history is a no-no under the Prime Directive and that is exactly what Riker plans on doing...along the way we uncover a very sinister murder/mystery that is well calculated and plotted out, and well I just can't say enough good about this great story. Pick up 'Imzadi' and if you are a true Trek fan, you just can't be disappointed. (unfortunately 'Imzadi II' doesn't live up to the first story--but it was still pretty good).

This was a pretty enjoyable book. Judged against other Star Trek novels it is not the best but is far from the worst. It won't really give you more than the movie does. I enjoyed it about as much as the movie but in different ways. Instead of being impressed by visual effects i was intrigued by the thoughts of the crew. Two blunders: on page 97 Data is described as "near breathless"--well Data doesn't breathe. And on page 157 describing B'Etor's attraction to Soran the author writes "...despite the fact that he was a puny human..." but he isn't he is El Aurian. But I can live with those mistakes.

Star Trek Klingon is a wonderful audio experience. It is narrated by Michael Dorn (Lt. Cmdr Worf) and Robert O'Reilly (Chancellor Gowron). The main character is a young Klingon named Pok. He is thrust into the center of Klingon politics, when on the day of his Rite of Ascension his father is murdered in his own home. Chancellor Gowron immediately takes young Pok under his wing and sets out for revenge. The entire plot and the way it plays out is very, very good. This tape is a wonderful way to spend an hour and a half on the highway. The book makes it even better, giving you the full details of the entire story. If you're a fan of Klingons and you've not picked this one up yet, you're wrong.

A novelized version of the CD:ROM game of the same name, this is an intimate insider's view of the Klingons, and of Gowron, their(previously confined to the role of two-dimensional Trickster only) leader. A wonderful tale of a male, adolescent initiation into society, with the story continuing forward, with action in the last third of the story to complete to tale. Sound confusing? Once you begin reading it you won't be able to put it down. Interesting presentation of a three-dimensional Gowron and "Reggie" interacting.

Which is a shame, because the basic idea had potential: Star Trek meets Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451". And the writing wasn't completely hopeless; as the story progressed, I did find myself caring what happened next, and moved by the fate of the characters. But there were too many flaws for a high rating; the entire subplot of Deanna Troi's visions/hallucinations was superfluous and pointless, and the concept that the planetary culture that the Enterprise was in conflict with could have provided as much of a challenge as they did required too much supension of disbelief for my taste.

Not the worst Star Trek book I've ever read by a long shot, but definitely on the weak end of the scale.

I really think "Gulliver's Fugitives" is one of the better novels of the lot. IMO it wipes the floor with about 95% of all ST novels.

Actually, it's one of the very few 'message' novels in the whole bunch. This is a book about the power of man's imagination and his right to dream. Imagination as one of the most powerful forces that man possesses. It's full of delightful references to mythology and literature. This author sure knows his classics.

And since Star Trek is often called a modern myth, I'm pretty sure the author actually intended this novel to be about Trek fans and their right to like the series without being ridiculed, as sadly often is the case.

These are the kind of messages that Star Trek has always stood for, and it's something that nearly all of the novels have forgotten. Really, there are only a few which have that kind of messages ("Spartacus" & "Metamorphosis" come to mind). I read this book when it first came out, nearly 10 years ago, and I don't remember much of the goings-on, but that powerful statement is still strong in my memory. Sure, it was not very easy to read and I do understand that it could be confusing if you don't recognise all the references. But some effort on the reader's part reveals lots of stuff that really is very interesting food for thought. So, have your "ABC of Mythology" and "Encyclopedia of Literature" near at hand and read this one...

I believe that as consumers of mass media, we all value our freedom to choose to read, watch, or listen to whatever we desire. But what would happen if the planet we call Earth became a totalitarian state where the expression of creativity is utterly forbidden? That is the premise of "Gulliver's Fugitives."

In the first Next Generation audio book ever made, read by Jonathan Frakes (Riker), the away team encounters an underground movement of individuals, much like that found in the movie "Demolition Man", who seek to restore the imagination to its proper place of value. This story is an excellent take on censorship and First Amendment issues.

...[This] book needed a lot of work. One thing I found very irritating was the continual use of And or But to start sentences, very bad practice according to what I learned in my school days. I also noticed that AK-47 M-16 blunder, made me think that the writers (assuming that Frakes actually DID do any writing)have no experience with weapons. I thought the assaults against the Klar were also weak as well. If you really want to read the book try the discount section of your local bookstore, I got it in hardback for 40 cents less than the quoted paperback price.

The premise of the book is worthy of the "Roswell" TV theme. It is what it is and it's doing what it wants. It's science fiction set in the present with present-day characters acting and reacting to a situation. I would almost bet the book is the basis for a TV series or movies and the main character is centered around the style of acting Frakes used in STNG. Thus, you have another character Frakes can portray. (Sort of like John Wayne could only be one type of tough guy so all his successful movies were about the one type of guy.)

Aside from the above, the premise is good, the action is thin, the characters have some depth and will develop more. There could easily be a more complex plot but this one introduces the idea well enough. The book should not go down in history as a best seller but it captures the 'western' spirit of survival that exists in the Pacific Northwest. It really is a quick read and worth the time, especially if you like the Roswell TV program's base idea. It could be a good TV show but keep it out of the theaters.

As a native Oregonian and a former resident of Portland, I must add that the fictional mayor of Portland in no way resembles the current mayor. Our Eugene, Oregon ghostwriter is politically very smart.

Writing may not be Frakes' greatest talent, but he is a great storyteller. I came here looking for a sequel and am disappointed to not find one. Even though the writing is not the best, I very much enjoyed the story. As for the few mistakes in the book, well even the Great Stephen King makes them; that's why they have editors, but I guess sometimes the editor needs an editor. The book is a good read and the quotes at the beginning of each chapter are intriguing.