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Star Trek: The Next Generation #31
Foreign Foes
The Hidran race and the Klingon Empire have been at each other's throats for seventy years, and Captain Jean-Luc Picard has been asked to do the near-impossible: take the "U.S.S. Enterprise(TM) to the planet Velex to mediate a treaty that will end the conflict between these two aggressive species. Things get off to a rocky start -- then turn deadly as the Hidran ambassador mysteriously dies, and kills a Klingon delegate as a last act of vengence.
When Lt.Worf is charged with the ambassador's assassinaton, and Commander Riker and Counselor Troi are trapped far below the surface of the planet, Captain Picard must not only act to save the Hidranas and Klingons from each other, but to save his Klingon officer from a hideous death sentence...
276 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 19, 2017
Much better than usual for this series! Exciting, and with a convoluted plot!
December 20, 2020
A very clever novel that has all the members of the crew involved in different elements of the overall plot. Normally one or two get cameos, but that's not the case in this book.
The book opens right in the thick of things with Riker trying to calm the Hidrans who are upset at Worf's presence. BACKSTORY: Twenty years ago the Hidrans drove the Klingons from their world, so there is no love lost between them. Picard is trying to mediate a treaty between the Hidrans and Klingons. Tensions only increase when a Klingon battle cruiser appears. Adding to the Enterprise's troubles is Geordi's body rejecting his implants, Riker and Troi ending up trapped in a mysterious location, and Data seems really focused on something unusual.
This novel reads like a lost episode with lots of surprises, action, and outstanding Picard speeches. The most interesting component of the novel, without spoilers, is what's causing problems for everyone. I did figure it out before it was revealed, but I was deep into the book before I started to put the clues together. The characters' dialogue is outstanding, with Picard sounding absolutely true to character, Geordi and Data fantastic, Crusher being wonderfully forceful, Riker and Troi hinting at the past while in dire situations, and Worf having to prove his Klingon-ness to other Klingons. In fact, the boldest move in the book comes from Worf. I wish he had done something as dramatic in the series.
A very fun read that has me excited to read the next Next Gen book from Pocket Books!
The book opens right in the thick of things with Riker trying to calm the Hidrans who are upset at Worf's presence. BACKSTORY: Twenty years ago the Hidrans drove the Klingons from their world, so there is no love lost between them. Picard is trying to mediate a treaty between the Hidrans and Klingons. Tensions only increase when a Klingon battle cruiser appears. Adding to the Enterprise's troubles is Geordi's body rejecting his implants, Riker and Troi ending up trapped in a mysterious location, and Data seems really focused on something unusual.
This novel reads like a lost episode with lots of surprises, action, and outstanding Picard speeches. The most interesting component of the novel, without spoilers, is what's causing problems for everyone. I did figure it out before it was revealed, but I was deep into the book before I started to put the clues together. The characters' dialogue is outstanding, with Picard sounding absolutely true to character, Geordi and Data fantastic, Crusher being wonderfully forceful, Riker and Troi hinting at the past while in dire situations, and Worf having to prove his Klingon-ness to other Klingons. In fact, the boldest move in the book comes from Worf. I wish he had done something as dramatic in the series.
A very fun read that has me excited to read the next Next Gen book from Pocket Books!
December 13, 2017
Really enjoyed the interplay of the characters in this one and them having to deal with situations that they didn't ever encounter before. I can't think of too many times where Geordi had to battle Data and do it while completely blind - He was pretty awesome in this book. The plotline with Riker and Troi and their frustration with where they are had been done before but not with Riker and Troi bouncing off each other (not in that sense perverts). I did not expect this story to go the way that it did and so a book I had lower expectations for actually rose above. I have to note that I really enjoyed the minor character of the helmsman and the situations that he was put in and how he thought he was having the worst time - really led to some comedic moments.
September 20, 2020
Another example of a Trek novel where good ideas are present...but the plot is less engaging than it should be, and the TNG crew feel very off-kilter as characterized. There's a lot of material to work with here, but in the end, all I remember is lots of "Mr. Riker" references, lots of shouting about honour and death, and a Beverley Crusher who sounds more like a cross between Doctors McCoy & Pulaski.
February 1, 2014
Okay TNG book. Most aspects of the story were believable and would have been worth an episode or two. I liked the interaction between Geordi and Data. 3.75/5
October 8, 2019
Honestly, too much happening to keep up with. It's very chaotic and hard to read.
September 10, 2026
I must confess that I totally judged a book by its cover. The plain white background did not inspire confidence at all, but apparently I was totally missing out, this book is great, and I would absolutely recommend it to any TNG fan.
The book is extremely successful at juggling a huge number of plot lines at once. Each one of the plots of the book (feuding aliens, Riker and Troi trapped, Data going haywire, weird planet with weird food) could easily have been a full episode of the show, but the book manages to handle each of them quite capably, and fully ties them together into a complete whole. No plot or character felt lost, and they all felt connected to each other in logical ways. Picard’s growing exasperation at the situation made perfect sense amidst the expanding chaos, and the conclusion to each story tied with each other. I was particularly a fan of LaForge and Data’s plotline, which I think explored LaForge’s blindness in an interesting way, particularly in the context of how it would be handled in the future.
The original characters were also very fun. As always, I’m a sucker for the Klingons, and I enjoyed getting to see Worf having to struggle with his own identity, as well as seeing how other Klingons respond to that. It’s familiar ground from the show, but I don’t mind going down that path again. Riker’s love-interest-of-the-week (Barbara) was also fun, and I appreciated the non-Starfleet perspective on the story. I am often hesitant when it comes to female love interests created for these books, but she had a character arc completely separate from the men. Kudos for that. The original aliens (Hidran) were… fine. I don’t think they had anything interesting to say about the world, and that’s ok.
I also want to give a quick shoutout to the prose. There were some great visual metaphors in here. A few were a little clunky, but I think it is the mark of the authors really loving the show, trying to find artful ways of describing bad CGI. Big fan.
The only major criticism of this book that I have is that some of the physical actions were a little hard to follow. I had trouble keeping track of where various groups were on the planet or what Riker and Troi were doing in the maze, which made some of the negotiation tough to understand. But the broad strokes of the story were excellent, and I would be happy to read this again.
4.5 stars.
The book is extremely successful at juggling a huge number of plot lines at once. Each one of the plots of the book (feuding aliens, Riker and Troi trapped, Data going haywire, weird planet with weird food) could easily have been a full episode of the show, but the book manages to handle each of them quite capably, and fully ties them together into a complete whole. No plot or character felt lost, and they all felt connected to each other in logical ways. Picard’s growing exasperation at the situation made perfect sense amidst the expanding chaos, and the conclusion to each story tied with each other. I was particularly a fan of LaForge and Data’s plotline, which I think explored LaForge’s blindness in an interesting way, particularly in the context of how it would be handled in the future.
The original characters were also very fun. As always, I’m a sucker for the Klingons, and I enjoyed getting to see Worf having to struggle with his own identity, as well as seeing how other Klingons respond to that. It’s familiar ground from the show, but I don’t mind going down that path again. Riker’s love-interest-of-the-week (Barbara) was also fun, and I appreciated the non-Starfleet perspective on the story. I am often hesitant when it comes to female love interests created for these books, but she had a character arc completely separate from the men. Kudos for that. The original aliens (Hidran) were… fine. I don’t think they had anything interesting to say about the world, and that’s ok.
I also want to give a quick shoutout to the prose. There were some great visual metaphors in here. A few were a little clunky, but I think it is the mark of the authors really loving the show, trying to find artful ways of describing bad CGI. Big fan.
The only major criticism of this book that I have is that some of the physical actions were a little hard to follow. I had trouble keeping track of where various groups were on the planet or what Riker and Troi were doing in the maze, which made some of the negotiation tough to understand. But the broad strokes of the story were excellent, and I would be happy to read this again.
4.5 stars.
March 2, 2019
First off, as I started reading this book for the first few chapters, I was disappointed in the writing style and the choppiness of the words the authors used. There really was no background at the start as in most Star Trek books, you were just thrown into the middle of a mission. Toward the middle half of the book it got better, both story and writing, so the average overall comes to three stars.
Basically, the foreign foes are the Hidran and Klingons who have a long history of fighting. Well, Picard and associates are sent to settle a crisis on the planet Velex. The Klingons need something from the Hidran and vice versa. Well, this planet already has a Federation prescence of scientists there, studying the field of so called grain. This grain however, rejuvenates ones health if eaten. Well, during the Hidran/Klingon proceedings, which are full of conflict, Worf apparently kills one of the Hidran ambassadors in private, and this sets the stage for Picard being taken hostage by the Hidran. Meanwhile, Riker and Troi, get beamed below ground into a maze of machinery, some of which start attacking them...and they have to figure a way out of there.
Aboard the Enterprise, Data is in command and one of the scientists from Velex gives him the grain and he trys it out.
Afterwards, Data has this premonition that Geordi and all Klingons are bad and he must destroy the Klingons in orbit around Velex and then take off to their homeworld Qo' NoS to settle matters there.
So, basically the book is a mystery in why Data is acting the way he is, and how can he be stopped...with Picard and most of the crew stuck on Velex with irritable Klingons and Hidrans about to kill each other. Only Geordi, without his VISOR, which malfunctions after beaming back from Velex can try and stop Data. He actually fails, but other things take place on the planet that may settle this whole conflict, and Picard must figure it out.
Basically, the foreign foes are the Hidran and Klingons who have a long history of fighting. Well, Picard and associates are sent to settle a crisis on the planet Velex. The Klingons need something from the Hidran and vice versa. Well, this planet already has a Federation prescence of scientists there, studying the field of so called grain. This grain however, rejuvenates ones health if eaten. Well, during the Hidran/Klingon proceedings, which are full of conflict, Worf apparently kills one of the Hidran ambassadors in private, and this sets the stage for Picard being taken hostage by the Hidran. Meanwhile, Riker and Troi, get beamed below ground into a maze of machinery, some of which start attacking them...and they have to figure a way out of there.
Aboard the Enterprise, Data is in command and one of the scientists from Velex gives him the grain and he trys it out.
Afterwards, Data has this premonition that Geordi and all Klingons are bad and he must destroy the Klingons in orbit around Velex and then take off to their homeworld Qo' NoS to settle matters there.
So, basically the book is a mystery in why Data is acting the way he is, and how can he be stopped...with Picard and most of the crew stuck on Velex with irritable Klingons and Hidrans about to kill each other. Only Geordi, without his VISOR, which malfunctions after beaming back from Velex can try and stop Data. He actually fails, but other things take place on the planet that may settle this whole conflict, and Picard must figure it out.
March 30, 2026
Foreign Foes introduces the most singleminded, boring, and stupid race in the form of the Hidrans. They are angry for the entirety of the book without any charm or nuance.
Riker has sex with a doctor within the first few pages, a woman doctor who of course instantly falls in love with him. Riker disappears and the doctor starts to irrationally argue with Picard about finding him. MANY eyeroll moments.
The characters are way off, rude and extremely unlikable. Geordi is maybe the exception. The first 80% of the book is a confusing mess. The highlight for me, is when Riker is fighting robot dogs in a shockingly uncreative scene. It literally is page after page of "Oh no here comes dog no 6 which is stronger than no 5. Riker manages to kill it. Oh damn dog no 7 is even stronger!" - I am paraphrasing, but I honestly believe my version is more interesting.
The last 20% is better. It finally focuses on one of the many boring plot points and resolves it, albeit in a rewardless fashion.
This is a strong contender for the worst Trek book as of yet for me.
Riker has sex with a doctor within the first few pages, a woman doctor who of course instantly falls in love with him. Riker disappears and the doctor starts to irrationally argue with Picard about finding him. MANY eyeroll moments.
The characters are way off, rude and extremely unlikable. Geordi is maybe the exception. The first 80% of the book is a confusing mess. The highlight for me, is when Riker is fighting robot dogs in a shockingly uncreative scene. It literally is page after page of "Oh no here comes dog no 6 which is stronger than no 5. Riker manages to kill it. Oh damn dog no 7 is even stronger!" - I am paraphrasing, but I honestly believe my version is more interesting.
The last 20% is better. It finally focuses on one of the many boring plot points and resolves it, albeit in a rewardless fashion.
This is a strong contender for the worst Trek book as of yet for me.
July 3, 2026
Good first book by a new author. Picard is in a familiar role asking as a negotiator between the Klingons and the Hidran. He is negotiating when the Hidran ambassador falls forward dead. Worf is standing next to him so he is accused of murder since he has Klingon ancestors. Geordi losses his sight because his body rejects the implants. Data has been curiously effected and now wishes to attack all Klingons. Riker and Troi crash while searching for a hidden base. Somehow all these separate instances are in fact related and you learn the complete story at the end.
January 25, 2023
Mixed feelings. Geordi got to have a grueling adventure and I loved watching his mind at work. Picard's diplomacy skills shone - even though I find the whole political situation implausible. Riker's physical courage is over-the-top unbelievable. A fun read, better than I expected, but I just can't give it more stars or a stronger recommendation.
October 25, 2022
Good solid plot and decent writing. The dialogue especially sparkles. The whole crew gets to shine with more or less equal showtime. It felt like a typical episode of the series — not in the top 10 but definitely not painful to watch. Enjoyable, competent, and unobjectionable all around.
March 22, 2023
When you've watched every TNG episode several times, what more can you do? You can read the books. A buddy of mine picked up Foreign Foes at a used book sale, and I'm embarrassed to admit that I loved having a another chance to hang out with Captain Picard and the gang.
May 14, 2024
My first Star Trek book, wasn't sure what to expect but it had everything!
Picard being all "peace not war" while also still showing that he can kick butt.
Worf being proud and confident.
Geordie having fun.
Data pondering human nature.
Riker being...Riker
Lot of fun, thoroughly enjoyed.
Picard being all "peace not war" while also still showing that he can kick butt.
Worf being proud and confident.
Geordie having fun.
Data pondering human nature.
Riker being...Riker
Lot of fun, thoroughly enjoyed.
September 17, 2022
Excellent read and enjoyed it!
March 4, 2014
A very good TNG book. Very good use of the familiar characters, playing to their characteristics, presented with different circumstances: Picard with his diplomacy, Worf with his toughness, Geordi with his knowledge of the ship, and Data with his logic.
The plot flowed very well, but seemed to me to be rushed as it got towards the end. I think it could have been done at the same pace as the rest of the book with just as much engagement.
The plot flowed very well, but seemed to me to be rushed as it got towards the end. I think it could have been done at the same pace as the rest of the book with just as much engagement.
March 18, 2012
There's a lot of things happening in this book: Klingons, peace conference with a race who hate Klingons, a strange healing grain, a weird planet and Data acting oddly. I think that's the problem there's too much happening and it all seems rushed.
October 5, 2015
Better than average star trek story. Fast paced and exciting.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews