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Star Trek: The Next Generation #3
The Children of Hamlin
The Hamlin Massacre – every Starfleet officer knows the tale. The tiny Federation outpost of Hamlin was destroyed, its entire adult population ruthlessly slaughtered, before the first defense shields could be raised. Even worse, the colony's children disappeared without a trace, abducted by the aliens who attacked with a ferocity and speed that outmatched their Starfleet pursuers.
Now, fifty years later, the Choraii ships have appeared again. But this time the Federation is ready; this time the Choraii must pay for what they need. The precious metals can only be bought with the Hamlin children still living with their captors.
This time the Choraii must face Captain Jean-Luc Picard – and the crew of the starship USS Enterprise-D…
Now, fifty years later, the Choraii ships have appeared again. But this time the Federation is ready; this time the Choraii must pay for what they need. The precious metals can only be bought with the Hamlin children still living with their captors.
This time the Choraii must face Captain Jean-Luc Picard – and the crew of the starship USS Enterprise-D…
252 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
August 29, 2024
Title: ST: TNG #3 "The Children of Hamlin"
Author: Carmen Carter
Genre: Science Fiction, Space Opera
Publication Year: 1988
Review: One of the major issues with the early novelizations of Star Trek: The Next Generation (or any new show) is that as the fans begin to familiarize themselves with the characters, they can detect the discrepancies between the way the character was portrayed back then, and how the character would later be portrayed. Such is the case here. Although Picard would later become a titan at diplomacy, that is not a skill on display in Children of Hamlin. Other characters also suffer the same ignominy in this otherwise perfectly acceptable story.
Another issue I have is the fact that there is really no direct confrontation between the Chorali and the Federation. There is a buildup of the Chorali race as a heinous enemy by reputation through a historical battle that plays on the familiar children's story, but there really does not seem to be any evidence of their ruthlessness in the narrative. Therefore the ending falls a little (maybe more than a little) flat. Still, the story was good. The payoff, not-so-much.
Author: Carmen Carter
Genre: Science Fiction, Space Opera
Publication Year: 1988
Review: One of the major issues with the early novelizations of Star Trek: The Next Generation (or any new show) is that as the fans begin to familiarize themselves with the characters, they can detect the discrepancies between the way the character was portrayed back then, and how the character would later be portrayed. Such is the case here. Although Picard would later become a titan at diplomacy, that is not a skill on display in Children of Hamlin. Other characters also suffer the same ignominy in this otherwise perfectly acceptable story.
Another issue I have is the fact that there is really no direct confrontation between the Chorali and the Federation. There is a buildup of the Chorali race as a heinous enemy by reputation through a historical battle that plays on the familiar children's story, but there really does not seem to be any evidence of their ruthlessness in the narrative. Therefore the ending falls a little (maybe more than a little) flat. Still, the story was good. The payoff, not-so-much.
November 27, 2022
The Children of Hamlin is a fun read, a typical Star Trek story riffing on the Pied Piper of Hamlin, but not very well-written. The aliens are villainous, but there's not very much of a confrontation between the crew and the bad guys. There's a good deal of diplomacy although it's not coming from Picard himself. The Next Generation cast is not really used correctly, but one can excuse it as an early TNG work (#3 in the Pocket Books series). The writers hadn’t fleshed out the characters yet, and who was to know that they would grow to be as iconic in their own way as those from TOS -- the original series. (That’s right I said it.) Not terrible, but a little underwhelming. I'm not convinced that Carmen Carter is a very good writer (I was wrong and I've since revised that erroneous opinion although this was not a strong demonstration of her literary ability), so most of this review is made from my assessment from what I read here. In other words, she's gotten better.
January 21, 2024
More enjoyable space opera.
January 21, 2025
The title is appropriate enough in a tongue-in-cheek sort of manner, but the fact that the actual colony from which children were stolen by the music-speaking aliens was actually called Hamlin is just too much...
So, going off the cover, we suppose that Picard, Crusher, and some random woman were the mains...and, I mean, maybe...kind of...the rando is I'm guessing supposed to be this week's guest star - Ruthe...who is allegedly in her mid-20's...whilst the artistic rendition here seems to make her middle-aged. The collection of bubbles is the enemy ship, which was apparently an organic, quasi-living collection of spherical structures which could reshape, at will...and were not transparent...Oh, and Wesley does not have a girlfriend-of-the-week...he has a boyfriend, uh, I mean best-friend-of-the-week...although, it is the 24th century, I think Wesley should be more exploratory (oh, it's a double-entendre)...
Okay...so, enough of that...the story was okay. I can't really fault much there. It wasn't all too surprising, it wasn't THAT predictable - though, the shoe-drop moment on like page 185 was not really that surprising - but it was to Picard, somehow. The B plot was entirely unnecessary...I remember from the show that there sometimes was a B plot, but it ordinarily tied-in somehow to the A plot...this did not...at all...well, okay it did tangentially, but that's not really the same as Mr. 1990s-business-man-calling-out-the-Romulans...
All I can think of are nit-picks. The USS Ferrell was described as a Constitution-class, but also described as having four warp nacelles, so I think that they meant Constellation-class - like the Stargazer and the Hathaway (the Constellation was a popular guest-star ship in Seasons 1 and 2). The aliens lived in ships full of liquid oxygen, ala "The Abyss"...I'm guessing they're supposed to be aquatic...and they communicate through music - which makes total sense and I get, you know like whales and stuff, but Ruthe communicates with them via a flute. I don't think wind instruments are quite the appropriate way to convey whale-song. Likewise, when Humans are on the alien ship - the Choraii (get it, like Choral - 'cause they sing...or Coral - 'cause fish-people...sigh) - they can talk, too - though it says it sounds weird. How?!? How do vocal chords work without air? Liquid Oxygen doesn't work like that...remember the aforementioned "The Abyss" and how they typed everything...
It's sad, too, because I actually liked the idea behind the Choraii. I think it would be interesting to get to know more about them. We have hints that their ships grow over time rather than being created. The bigger the ship, the more the prestige...they seem quasi-feudal. And, when ships meet, an exchange of goods is the customary greeting...little things like that are neat...
Oh well, it's early Star Trek, I can't complain too loudly. Oh, there's a neat part where they state that this takes place about two weeks after the events of "The Arsenal of Freedom," Dr. Crusher is still limping from the leg wound...
So, going off the cover, we suppose that Picard, Crusher, and some random woman were the mains...and, I mean, maybe...kind of...the rando is I'm guessing supposed to be this week's guest star - Ruthe...who is allegedly in her mid-20's...whilst the artistic rendition here seems to make her middle-aged. The collection of bubbles is the enemy ship, which was apparently an organic, quasi-living collection of spherical structures which could reshape, at will...and were not transparent...Oh, and Wesley does not have a girlfriend-of-the-week...he has a boyfriend, uh, I mean best-friend-of-the-week...although, it is the 24th century, I think Wesley should be more exploratory (oh, it's a double-entendre)...
Okay...so, enough of that...the story was okay. I can't really fault much there. It wasn't all too surprising, it wasn't THAT predictable - though, the shoe-drop moment on like page 185 was not really that surprising - but it was to Picard, somehow. The B plot was entirely unnecessary...I remember from the show that there sometimes was a B plot, but it ordinarily tied-in somehow to the A plot...this did not...at all...well, okay it did tangentially, but that's not really the same as Mr. 1990s-business-man-calling-out-the-Romulans...
All I can think of are nit-picks. The USS Ferrell was described as a Constitution-class, but also described as having four warp nacelles, so I think that they meant Constellation-class - like the Stargazer and the Hathaway (the Constellation was a popular guest-star ship in Seasons 1 and 2). The aliens lived in ships full of liquid oxygen, ala "The Abyss"...I'm guessing they're supposed to be aquatic...and they communicate through music - which makes total sense and I get, you know like whales and stuff, but Ruthe communicates with them via a flute. I don't think wind instruments are quite the appropriate way to convey whale-song. Likewise, when Humans are on the alien ship - the Choraii (get it, like Choral - 'cause they sing...or Coral - 'cause fish-people...sigh) - they can talk, too - though it says it sounds weird. How?!? How do vocal chords work without air? Liquid Oxygen doesn't work like that...remember the aforementioned "The Abyss" and how they typed everything...
It's sad, too, because I actually liked the idea behind the Choraii. I think it would be interesting to get to know more about them. We have hints that their ships grow over time rather than being created. The bigger the ship, the more the prestige...they seem quasi-feudal. And, when ships meet, an exchange of goods is the customary greeting...little things like that are neat...
Oh well, it's early Star Trek, I can't complain too loudly. Oh, there's a neat part where they state that this takes place about two weeks after the events of "The Arsenal of Freedom," Dr. Crusher is still limping from the leg wound...
May 20, 2023
I marked this (finally) read but in all honesty I had 50 pages left before I just couldn't read anymore. The story really didn't engage me and some of the characters got on my last nerve by withholding information until absolutely necessary to tell. I dislike that in ANY story, but in this case the Enterprise was trying to help and still info wasn't forthcoming.
I see this author penned some other Star Trek books so I'm hoping they may be better than this one. The only good thing I can say is that I've finally finished it.
I see this author penned some other Star Trek books so I'm hoping they may be better than this one. The only good thing I can say is that I've finally finished it.
October 11, 2023
Decent tale
There's some aliens who kidnapped a bunch of human colonists over the years but the Enterprise is there to negotiate their release. A fairly typical Trek tale but dark in places. It reminds me of a better written "Almost Human".
There's some aliens who kidnapped a bunch of human colonists over the years but the Enterprise is there to negotiate their release. A fairly typical Trek tale but dark in places. It reminds me of a better written "Almost Human".
November 28, 2018
A very solid TNG novel that occasionally stumbles in ways that aren't really the author's fault. For example, I never cared for how TNG turned the Enterprise's saucer separation into something fairly routine, nor am I a fan of the holodeck being regularly trotted out to resolve problems. Sure, I enjoy seeing the crew use it for VR entertainment purposes, but it's a technology that all-too-often borders on magic and therefore leads to lazy storytelling.
The novel was written back when the show was still brand new, so the characters don't feel fully fleshed out yet; rather, they tend to display only one or two major character traits: Yar is tough, Worf is brooding, Riker is dashing, Data is perpetually curious, Crusher is frazzled, Troi is an emotional wreck, etc. Author Carmen Carter never portrays them as one-dimensional, but you can't help but miss the complex relationships these characters would later develop with each other over the course of the series.
The alien culture that Carmen Carter introduces is quite fascinating, and it's a real shame no one ever picked up the baton and carried her ideas forward. These aliens are too interesting for me to be content with a "one and done" type of story, so finishing the tale was a bit of a letdown knowing there'd never be a sequel.
The author also did a great job with the character of Andrew Deelor, who serves as a clever subversion of the typical STAR TREK villain. The moral quandaries explored in this novel are surprisingly deep and complicated, and that sort of thing is what, to me, makes TREK so great.
I'm sure THE CHILDREN OF HAMLIN isn't on many people's "to-read" list at this point, and that's probably as it should be. But if you do pick it up, you might be pleasantly surprised. For a 30-year-old novel based on the first season of a TV show spin-off, the book is an adroit piece of storytelling, especially when you consider that Carmen Carter wrote it in only three months.
But perhaps she shouldn't have mentioned that little detail when writing the book's Foreword, since knowing it was a rush job somehow makes it that much easier to dismiss.
The novel was written back when the show was still brand new, so the characters don't feel fully fleshed out yet; rather, they tend to display only one or two major character traits: Yar is tough, Worf is brooding, Riker is dashing, Data is perpetually curious, Crusher is frazzled, Troi is an emotional wreck, etc. Author Carmen Carter never portrays them as one-dimensional, but you can't help but miss the complex relationships these characters would later develop with each other over the course of the series.
The alien culture that Carmen Carter introduces is quite fascinating, and it's a real shame no one ever picked up the baton and carried her ideas forward. These aliens are too interesting for me to be content with a "one and done" type of story, so finishing the tale was a bit of a letdown knowing there'd never be a sequel.
The author also did a great job with the character of Andrew Deelor, who serves as a clever subversion of the typical STAR TREK villain. The moral quandaries explored in this novel are surprisingly deep and complicated, and that sort of thing is what, to me, makes TREK so great.
I'm sure THE CHILDREN OF HAMLIN isn't on many people's "to-read" list at this point, and that's probably as it should be. But if you do pick it up, you might be pleasantly surprised. For a 30-year-old novel based on the first season of a TV show spin-off, the book is an adroit piece of storytelling, especially when you consider that Carmen Carter wrote it in only three months.
But perhaps she shouldn't have mentioned that little detail when writing the book's Foreword, since knowing it was a rush job somehow makes it that much easier to dismiss.
March 20, 2017
With the title and the basic plot as guide (planet is destroyed by music-loving aliens and only the children are saved) this story is an obvious allusion to the nursery rhyme "The Pied Piper of Hamlin." Intertwining the two stories--a 50-yr-old tragedy and the resettlement of a technology-averse people--makes for an interesting narrative on communication.
How do vastly different species/ideologies/hierarchies communicate effectively with each other? What happens when language fails to communicate what the individuals want, not what's best for the group?
These are just some of the questions touched on in this story, but I think the real shine comes from the crews interactions with each other. Carmen Carter did a great job capturing the voices of Enterprise crew. She even goes so far as to extend the narrative of miscommunication to them and their relationships with each other--harkening back to Jack Crusher's death as an impediment between Picard and Dr Crusher's friendship and Wesley Crusher's narrative of himself as a boy without a father.
Also it's really nice to see Wesley have a friend his own age, even if for a short period of time. In the series he is nearly always alone, the only child in a room of adults. It was nice to see him as just a kid for once.
As as side note, I would've loved to see this story as a TOS book. It would've been amazing to see Uhuru, our canon linguist, learning the musical language of the Charaii in order to communicate with them. I can see why TNG was chosen (pretty sure there is already a TOS book the revolves around this idea) and it does work well in the TNG universe. It just fits so well with Uhuru's character that I can't help myself from imagining.
How do vastly different species/ideologies/hierarchies communicate effectively with each other? What happens when language fails to communicate what the individuals want, not what's best for the group?
These are just some of the questions touched on in this story, but I think the real shine comes from the crews interactions with each other. Carmen Carter did a great job capturing the voices of Enterprise crew. She even goes so far as to extend the narrative of miscommunication to them and their relationships with each other--harkening back to Jack Crusher's death as an impediment between Picard and Dr Crusher's friendship and Wesley Crusher's narrative of himself as a boy without a father.
Also it's really nice to see Wesley have a friend his own age, even if for a short period of time. In the series he is nearly always alone, the only child in a room of adults. It was nice to see him as just a kid for once.
As as side note, I would've loved to see this story as a TOS book. It would've been amazing to see Uhuru, our canon linguist, learning the musical language of the Charaii in order to communicate with them. I can see why TNG was chosen (pretty sure there is already a TOS book the revolves around this idea) and it does work well in the TNG universe. It just fits so well with Uhuru's character that I can't help myself from imagining.
February 21, 2025
This is a 3.5, not a 3 (but this app still doesn't have that option!)
Carmen Carter is a great Trek writer (I haven't read her non-Trek stuff so I can only judge the media tie-in stuff) and the huge jump in quality between books 1 and 2 and this one is very notable. The only problem with this one is there is way too much going on. There is a very long subplot with some farmers that seems to go nowhere until literally the last few pages and even in that case it doesn't really pay off emotionally.
What I will say is that this book really nails the later season aesthetic of TNG even though this is a "first season" book. I read (and re-read) these books for comfort. I want extended episodes of the show I love and this delivered. Future episode situations actually occurred here years before they would air on TV.
Fun, but bloated, stuff.
Carmen Carter is a great Trek writer (I haven't read her non-Trek stuff so I can only judge the media tie-in stuff) and the huge jump in quality between books 1 and 2 and this one is very notable. The only problem with this one is there is way too much going on. There is a very long subplot with some farmers that seems to go nowhere until literally the last few pages and even in that case it doesn't really pay off emotionally.
What I will say is that this book really nails the later season aesthetic of TNG even though this is a "first season" book. I read (and re-read) these books for comfort. I want extended episodes of the show I love and this delivered. Future episode situations actually occurred here years before they would air on TV.
Fun, but bloated, stuff.
March 11, 2014
Once again the author messed up with Data: first he said a contraction at the beginning of the book; second the author was trying to give him feelings (which doesn't happen until the movies). The story itself was alright and I know this was set during season 1 so before we know what will happen with the characters of the show. I liked the accuracy of the Crusher family and the descriptive details of everything. I would say yes to read this book if you are a fan of the series, but know that there are better stories out there.
July 17, 2021
4 STARS
July 12, 2025
Well…this was a pleasant surprise
March 13, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Really well paced and great use of the characters. The strongest of the early numbered TNG books I've read, especially in terms of getting the 'voice' of the characters right (a tough task when most likely just working from the series bible and a couple of scripts), but the whole 'feel' of it is right too - it genuinely feels like it could drop into Season 1 on TNG. Recommended.
May 31, 2017
Fast and dramatic it makes you think while still being a good "dime novel".
May 3, 2020
A good read.
November 15, 2020
This was an enjoyable book that raised many interesting "Trekkie" moral and ethical dillemas. The "villains" of the book, the Choraii, flew around in spaceships that were literally giant clumps of bubbles full of breathable liquid that smells like cinnamon. Lol, but totally unique and interesting.
Most interestingly was the issue of Stockholm Syndrome, as the Enterprise was tasked with recovering "The Children of Hamlin." Children who were kidnapped by the Choraii 50+ years ago and are now SO accustomed to their new (literal and figurative) atmosphere/environment, that almost all of the recovered prisoners die shortly after being taken aboard Federation vessels.
Lots of other good stuff too. The "Farmers" from New Oregon, which has some cool Wesley stuff. And a very interesting dynamic between Picard and Deelor, a Federation diplomat who has authority to override Picard's command. Not to mention Ruthe, a Choraii translator who it turns out in the end WAS a captive herself. She ends up scheming her way BACK to the Choraii ship she was born on of her own free will. Stockholm Syndrome, or not?
Overall: 7.5/10 - Lots of interesting plot lines and a fascinatingly unique villain. Good stuff!
Most interestingly was the issue of Stockholm Syndrome, as the Enterprise was tasked with recovering "The Children of Hamlin." Children who were kidnapped by the Choraii 50+ years ago and are now SO accustomed to their new (literal and figurative) atmosphere/environment, that almost all of the recovered prisoners die shortly after being taken aboard Federation vessels.
Lots of other good stuff too. The "Farmers" from New Oregon, which has some cool Wesley stuff. And a very interesting dynamic between Picard and Deelor, a Federation diplomat who has authority to override Picard's command. Not to mention Ruthe, a Choraii translator who it turns out in the end WAS a captive herself. She ends up scheming her way BACK to the Choraii ship she was born on of her own free will. Stockholm Syndrome, or not?
Overall: 7.5/10 - Lots of interesting plot lines and a fascinatingly unique villain. Good stuff!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2020
A good solid read, although it skims over a few places I think. A four year old who's seen her home and family slaughtered, and who's been kidnapped by the aliens who did the slaughtering, is having so much fun after several days with them that she wants to go back after being rescued? Not buying it, sorry. I'm also not buying that someone as clever as Deelor didn't see Ruthe's final strategy coming a mile off, because I certainly did.
Nitpicks like these aside, however, this was a thoughtful and considered story about alienation, I suppose - about what happens when you're ripped from your culture and raised in another one, and whether or not it's in your interest, after a lifetime of assimilation, to be ripped away once again. And, from the other side, how ethical it is to build diplomatic relationships with those who slaughter and kidnap others. It's a book all about price and compromise is what I'm saying, and some of the prices are very heavy, and some of the compromises are fairly repellent. It's more sad than anything, even more sad than hopeful, and that's an unusual approach for Star Trek, though one I think that has paid off here.
Nitpicks like these aside, however, this was a thoughtful and considered story about alienation, I suppose - about what happens when you're ripped from your culture and raised in another one, and whether or not it's in your interest, after a lifetime of assimilation, to be ripped away once again. And, from the other side, how ethical it is to build diplomatic relationships with those who slaughter and kidnap others. It's a book all about price and compromise is what I'm saying, and some of the prices are very heavy, and some of the compromises are fairly repellent. It's more sad than anything, even more sad than hopeful, and that's an unusual approach for Star Trek, though one I think that has paid off here.
November 8, 2017
Still not certain what to make of this one yet. The antagonists brutally massacred a colony of adults and kidnapped the children, who now live in the alien's literally womb-like ships as pets, having all needs met. Federation bargains for them back, and most of the rescued soon die, never adjusting back to "normal" human existence. Humans are better off fat, dumb, and happy?
Also, furthering a TNG trend, anyone who dares to eschew technology is portrayed as a backwards intolerant religious cultist, like the Farmers (read Amish) are here. Don't question the "scientists", they know what's best for you?
Maybe I'm just expecting too much from these books. To me sci/fi should creatively make a point (even if, and especially if, I don't agree with it) to challenge my thinking. Didn't get that here. However, the story, action and pacing were good. As others commented, would make a decent TV episode.
Also, furthering a TNG trend, anyone who dares to eschew technology is portrayed as a backwards intolerant religious cultist, like the Farmers (read Amish) are here. Don't question the "scientists", they know what's best for you?
Maybe I'm just expecting too much from these books. To me sci/fi should creatively make a point (even if, and especially if, I don't agree with it) to challenge my thinking. Didn't get that here. However, the story, action and pacing were good. As others commented, would make a decent TV episode.
June 11, 2011
This was my first Star Trek novel, all those years ago. Reading it today, you'd think the first season of The Next Generation was a glorious triumph all around, as opposed to being an awkward, earnest, occasionally brilliant/occasionally awful pilot year. "The Children of Hamlin" is the first book to "get" everyone well...the first book that understood the characters, and the first book to plunge those characters into a terrific adventure, in conflict with a truly alien culture. I cherish this book...and it still stands as one of the best TNG-era novels. Compared to the previous two disappointments in the range, this is a revelation!
June 22, 2017
As far as Trek books go, this one isn't tops. Even for Sci-fi a good bit of it isn't believable, and the parts that are believable are predictable from the very early stages. It still manages to be a semi-fun read, though.
August 18, 2015
Not bad for an early entry into TNG novels. This could have been a successful TV episode. Characters seem on point and the story moves along well.
March 6, 2025
The events of this book take place between the episodes `Symbiosis' and `Skin Of Evil' in the first season and also references `Angel One' and `The Arsenal Of Freedom'.
The Enterprise picks up a distress call from the U.S.S. Ferrel which is under attack from an unknown alien vessel. When they arrive they find the Ferrel about to collapse and the alien ship resembles nothing more than a cluster of small orange spheres. Succeeded in driving the enemy off, the remaining crew of the Ferrel are rescued.
Among them are Andrew Deelor and his assistant Ruthe. Picard begins to unravel the chain of events that led to the attack and finds himself in a battle of wills with Deelor. When Deelor reveals the real mission that he was on and the authority that he has behind him, Picard finds himself bound by duty and regulations to assist.
The event is all tied in to the infamous Hamlin massacre of over 50 years ago when the Hamlin mining colony was destroyed by unknown assailants, the adults all killed but the children were taken away. Deelor reveals that the aliens, the Choraii, are the same ones responsible for Hamlin and that he is on a mission to retrieve the children and return them home. With other security concerns and the possibility of the Romulans getting their hands on Choraii technology, the Enterprise is sent to continue Deelor's mission before they aliens disappear again.
The novel is an incredibly entertaining read with excellent character development for Picard, Crusher, and Riker. Although all the bridge crew get some time in the story, the focus is primarily on these three. Deelor brilliantly written, with his infuriatingly self-assured attitude and penchant for secrets, while his assistant Ruthe remains an enigmatic figure.
There is a secondary plot involving a group of Amish-like farmers, which somewhat distracts from the main story, and the connection between the two at the end is quite predictable and offers no surprises.
The book is so engaging that it can read cover to cover in a few hours, and you'll find yourself wanting to read on until you've finished. As with her previous Trek novels, Carter does a fantastic job with the characters, capturing the essence of the series and tying in events from recent episodes, making the whole story feel more intertwined with the series.
Overall, it's a great story and must-have for any Next Generation library.
The Enterprise picks up a distress call from the U.S.S. Ferrel which is under attack from an unknown alien vessel. When they arrive they find the Ferrel about to collapse and the alien ship resembles nothing more than a cluster of small orange spheres. Succeeded in driving the enemy off, the remaining crew of the Ferrel are rescued.
Among them are Andrew Deelor and his assistant Ruthe. Picard begins to unravel the chain of events that led to the attack and finds himself in a battle of wills with Deelor. When Deelor reveals the real mission that he was on and the authority that he has behind him, Picard finds himself bound by duty and regulations to assist.
The event is all tied in to the infamous Hamlin massacre of over 50 years ago when the Hamlin mining colony was destroyed by unknown assailants, the adults all killed but the children were taken away. Deelor reveals that the aliens, the Choraii, are the same ones responsible for Hamlin and that he is on a mission to retrieve the children and return them home. With other security concerns and the possibility of the Romulans getting their hands on Choraii technology, the Enterprise is sent to continue Deelor's mission before they aliens disappear again.
The novel is an incredibly entertaining read with excellent character development for Picard, Crusher, and Riker. Although all the bridge crew get some time in the story, the focus is primarily on these three. Deelor brilliantly written, with his infuriatingly self-assured attitude and penchant for secrets, while his assistant Ruthe remains an enigmatic figure.
There is a secondary plot involving a group of Amish-like farmers, which somewhat distracts from the main story, and the connection between the two at the end is quite predictable and offers no surprises.
The book is so engaging that it can read cover to cover in a few hours, and you'll find yourself wanting to read on until you've finished. As with her previous Trek novels, Carter does a fantastic job with the characters, capturing the essence of the series and tying in events from recent episodes, making the whole story feel more intertwined with the series.
Overall, it's a great story and must-have for any Next Generation library.
July 7, 2025
(Spoiler free but gives a few details that you might want to be surprised by, so maybe read this review after you read the book.)
This one gets 5 stars from me both because it is a fun, well-written book, but also because reading it again for the first time in...uh, 35 years (ack my bones just turned to dust) was such a wonderful kick in the nostalgia. I remember devouring this book right when Next Generation was at its height of popularity in the late 80s. I thought the characters were perfectly written then, and I feel the same way now.
The details are fascinating and fun, both the Amish-coded settlers the Enterprise is taking to their new planet, and the bubble-ship aliens who keep humans as pets. I'm amazed how many of those details I remembered from the first time (the breathable water atmosphere, the poor human they rescued who didn't want to be rescued, the fact that they got the rescued toddler to eat grapes because they like round food). And even though I knew how everything was going to turn out, I still got a little choked up at one of the plot resolutions. It's so quietly sad, and doesn't shy away from the fact that all of the available choices were bad, but maybe they still made the wrong one?
I was surprised at how much of the Amish parts I'd forgotten, but I remembered it had a fun resolution, and I was right.
So much of the character interactions I loved in the show are there too: Geordi and Data being friends, the tension between Riker and Troi, even the very quiet will-they-won't-they between Picard and Crusher, they got everything right.
Also despite being as old as it is, I didn’t find anything really problematic. Sedating a subordinate because they refused to go off duty and get some sleep is a little hinky, but it made for a funny scene, and I feel like Knocking Someone Out For Their Own Good is a trope we saw a lot more often in the 80s and 90s. (You still see it today but it’s generally someone like House MD and not someone like Captain Picard.)
I was worried when I bought a used copy that it wouldn't hold up, but I really think it does, especially if you were a Next Gen fan growing up.
This one gets 5 stars from me both because it is a fun, well-written book, but also because reading it again for the first time in...uh, 35 years (ack my bones just turned to dust) was such a wonderful kick in the nostalgia. I remember devouring this book right when Next Generation was at its height of popularity in the late 80s. I thought the characters were perfectly written then, and I feel the same way now.
The details are fascinating and fun, both the Amish-coded settlers the Enterprise is taking to their new planet, and the bubble-ship aliens who keep humans as pets. I'm amazed how many of those details I remembered from the first time (the breathable water atmosphere, the poor human they rescued who didn't want to be rescued, the fact that they got the rescued toddler to eat grapes because they like round food). And even though I knew how everything was going to turn out, I still got a little choked up at one of the plot resolutions. It's so quietly sad, and doesn't shy away from the fact that all of the available choices were bad, but maybe they still made the wrong one?
I was surprised at how much of the Amish parts I'd forgotten, but I remembered it had a fun resolution, and I was right.
So much of the character interactions I loved in the show are there too: Geordi and Data being friends, the tension between Riker and Troi, even the very quiet will-they-won't-they between Picard and Crusher, they got everything right.
Also despite being as old as it is, I didn’t find anything really problematic. Sedating a subordinate because they refused to go off duty and get some sleep is a little hinky, but it made for a funny scene, and I feel like Knocking Someone Out For Their Own Good is a trope we saw a lot more often in the 80s and 90s. (You still see it today but it’s generally someone like House MD and not someone like Captain Picard.)
I was worried when I bought a used copy that it wouldn't hold up, but I really think it does, especially if you were a Next Gen fan growing up.
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June 20, 2022I’m not stating anything earth shattering when I say that the early seasons are always a little rough as the writers and the cast work towards developing their grasp of the universe. And as such, the early novels also tend to be hit and miss and suffer somewhat simply from having to prop up a narrative on uncertain ground. What seems to be the case for the show may very well end up completely changing three seasons down the road so often these early books end up becoming too far separated from the vibe of the show.
This was very much not the case with Children of Hamlin, however. And while there are moments where the voices of the characters and their relationships feel wrong, it’s still a great story. One glaring example I can think of is that Troi and Riker’s relationship seems much more icy and tenuous than it ever was on the show and that was a little distracting. But for the most part, Carter did a good job using the parts and pieces of the show in creating a compelling story that, had it been made into an actual episode I think it would have stood out as one of the better ones from the first season or two.
On the surface we get some fairly “seen that” Next Gen plots. We have an agricultural, anti-technology society that the Entetprise is helping to relocate. We have the overly abrasive ambassador character who ends up redeeming himself somewhat. So it could have been overly stale but again it ends up working. And at least Riker didn’t have to bring his foot rub game to bear this time.
This is a well written story that moves along quickly. The alien species in this is pretty interesting and fans of The Abyss will find a familiar technological element here. Some nicely intense moments with good foreshadowing and payoff at the end. If I had any gripe it would be that the B story involving Wesley and the farmers isn’t really that interesting and there is a use of the holodeck to solve a problem that I found kind of unbelievable. Still, this is highly recommended.
This was very much not the case with Children of Hamlin, however. And while there are moments where the voices of the characters and their relationships feel wrong, it’s still a great story. One glaring example I can think of is that Troi and Riker’s relationship seems much more icy and tenuous than it ever was on the show and that was a little distracting. But for the most part, Carter did a good job using the parts and pieces of the show in creating a compelling story that, had it been made into an actual episode I think it would have stood out as one of the better ones from the first season or two.
On the surface we get some fairly “seen that” Next Gen plots. We have an agricultural, anti-technology society that the Entetprise is helping to relocate. We have the overly abrasive ambassador character who ends up redeeming himself somewhat. So it could have been overly stale but again it ends up working. And at least Riker didn’t have to bring his foot rub game to bear this time.
This is a well written story that moves along quickly. The alien species in this is pretty interesting and fans of The Abyss will find a familiar technological element here. Some nicely intense moments with good foreshadowing and payoff at the end. If I had any gripe it would be that the B story involving Wesley and the farmers isn’t really that interesting and there is a use of the holodeck to solve a problem that I found kind of unbelievable. Still, this is highly recommended.
October 10, 2023
50 years ago, an unknown alien race attacked and killed 300 Federation civilians and kidnapped dozens of now orphaned children. The Federation has not forgotten the Hamlin massacre and has been on a tear to try and bring those stolen kids home. Eventually, the Enterprise is legally commandeered by a divisive ambassador, Andrew Deeler, and his mysterious translator, Ruthe. They’ve been tasked to trade with the Choraii for human captives and Picard cannot refuse this mission, even if it jeopardizes the 1000s of lives aboard the flagship.
THE GOOD
The Choraii are an imaginative species that communicate via musical chords and travel in liquid, cinnamon-scented ships that resemble giant bubbles. They also have a bizarre affinity towards humans (specifically children as adults are too wild) and care for their young captives almost like pets. This twisted dynamic creates a precarious problem: the captives prefer to stay with the Chorrai and fail to acclimate to living outside of the aqueous ships.
Thus, not only is Picard forced to trade with these violent aliens, but he’s also faced with a true no-win scenario. It’s one of those rare problems that the illustrious crew of the Enterprise cannot entirely solve without tragedy. Not all missions have 100% happy endings for all sides, and The Children of Hamlin is an excellent example of the complexity of vengeance and politics.
There is a secondary plot involving a few dozen Oregon farmers on a pilgrimage to a new terraformed colony. Their journey is cut short and then heavily delayed by the arrival of Deeler and Ruthe. I’m not sure what point this B-plot was supposed to serve other than to illustrate what happens when you put all your effort into saving one group of people and inadvertently cause harm to another. Regardless, the technophobic farmers are a nice contrast to the spacefaring crew and Wesley finally makes a friend his own age.
THE BAD
Deeler and Ruthe withhold information until it’s convenient for the plot. It’s an annoying way to progress a story and inadvertently casts a stupid spell over the entire crew as it takes them nearly the entire book to learn of Ruthe’s true identity.
THE GOOD
The Choraii are an imaginative species that communicate via musical chords and travel in liquid, cinnamon-scented ships that resemble giant bubbles. They also have a bizarre affinity towards humans (specifically children as adults are too wild) and care for their young captives almost like pets. This twisted dynamic creates a precarious problem: the captives prefer to stay with the Chorrai and fail to acclimate to living outside of the aqueous ships.
Thus, not only is Picard forced to trade with these violent aliens, but he’s also faced with a true no-win scenario. It’s one of those rare problems that the illustrious crew of the Enterprise cannot entirely solve without tragedy. Not all missions have 100% happy endings for all sides, and The Children of Hamlin is an excellent example of the complexity of vengeance and politics.
There is a secondary plot involving a few dozen Oregon farmers on a pilgrimage to a new terraformed colony. Their journey is cut short and then heavily delayed by the arrival of Deeler and Ruthe. I’m not sure what point this B-plot was supposed to serve other than to illustrate what happens when you put all your effort into saving one group of people and inadvertently cause harm to another. Regardless, the technophobic farmers are a nice contrast to the spacefaring crew and Wesley finally makes a friend his own age.
THE BAD
Deeler and Ruthe withhold information until it’s convenient for the plot. It’s an annoying way to progress a story and inadvertently casts a stupid spell over the entire crew as it takes them nearly the entire book to learn of Ruthe’s true identity.
June 17, 2023
4 stars. An easy read, with interesting and complex original characters, a fascinating new alien species with new technologies, and an exploration of unusual environments and cultures.
There is a "twist" that is painfully obvious from very early on, and it seems unlikely that no one on the crew would have realized it long before it was revealed; then another at the end of the book that, once again, was painfully obvious well in time for it to be stopped, but again no one picked up on it. There is also a portion of the book around the third quarter mark where events suddenly speed up to a frantic pace for no reason, as if a dozen chapters covering the passage of time were cut out from this one section. All of that together was what lost the fifth star for me.
But other than those bits, I really enjoyed this story! Time is given both to the suppressed attraction between Picard and Dr. Crusher as well as the close friendship between Data and Geordi, and even Wesley gets to make a new friend and help him out while managing not to be annoying at all.
The novel takes place soon after the late first season episode The Arsenal of Freedom, and I think the author did a great job with the characterization of the crew as known up until that point.
I'd recommend this to any fan of TNG, so long as you keep in mind this was written in the first season, which means characterization can only be based on what is known by episode 21 and can't be faulted for contradicting what is learned later in the series. This story could have fit seamlessly into the first season of the show as an episode, which I would have loved to see!
There is a "twist" that is painfully obvious from very early on, and it seems unlikely that no one on the crew would have realized it long before it was revealed; then another at the end of the book that, once again, was painfully obvious well in time for it to be stopped, but again no one picked up on it. There is also a portion of the book around the third quarter mark where events suddenly speed up to a frantic pace for no reason, as if a dozen chapters covering the passage of time were cut out from this one section. All of that together was what lost the fifth star for me.
But other than those bits, I really enjoyed this story! Time is given both to the suppressed attraction between Picard and Dr. Crusher as well as the close friendship between Data and Geordi, and even Wesley gets to make a new friend and help him out while managing not to be annoying at all.
The novel takes place soon after the late first season episode The Arsenal of Freedom, and I think the author did a great job with the characterization of the crew as known up until that point.
I'd recommend this to any fan of TNG, so long as you keep in mind this was written in the first season, which means characterization can only be based on what is known by episode 21 and can't be faulted for contradicting what is learned later in the series. This story could have fit seamlessly into the first season of the show as an episode, which I would have loved to see!
May 20, 2020
After reading the first two Star Trek: The Next Generation numbered books, I didn't have high expectations for this one. The first two were rather boring compared to the TV show, and the characters didn't act the way I have become accustomed to on the show. However, this book, The Children of Hamlin, was much better! There were multiple storylines that eventually intertwined, making the story dynamic and entertaining. I wanted to keep reading this book so I could find out what would happen next. While the characters weren't exactly how they are in the show, they were a lot closer than the previous two books.
The Choraii were equal parts mysterious and frightening, which made them a good antagonist. The New Oregon Farmers made for an interesting background story. I wish we could have learned more about the Farmers, but that's really my only complaint about this book. I wanted to know why they used the term "Uncle" so much instead of "Father".
The Choraii were equal parts mysterious and frightening, which made them a good antagonist. The New Oregon Farmers made for an interesting background story. I wish we could have learned more about the Farmers, but that's really my only complaint about this book. I wanted to know why they used the term "Uncle" so much instead of "Father".
July 3, 2021
Finally! the third book of TNG related novels is the first one who feels like TNG. Where Picard is finally Picard, Riker is the galaxy's lovebo..sorry, acting as Riker should act and almost everyone is what is supposed or needed to be. Really enjoyed it and appreciated to see Shut up Wesley in a such out of the tv series style and being as close of a normal teenage as Wesley can be. Worf and Geordi are unfortunately under-developed characters but quite understandable considering the plot and speaking of plot, a very smart and trekkish one, with emphasis not so much on space battles but human dilemmas and ethical choices. I am pretty sure it could have been a great TNG episode, not as good as Drumstick or Measure of a Man, but not very far from those 2 iconic episodes. Really enjoyed this one and yes, we have humor ( a lot of it ) and deamn me, Beverly is cursing? and she's not the only one? wow. never though of that :)) Strongly recommended to any ST- TNG fan.
November 26, 2023
A Star Trek book that exceeded my expectations. The first year of TNG novels was a little bumpy, given the first season of the show was, but this book was a solid read.
A diplomat (or is he?) is found in odd circumstances on another, decimated Starfleet ship and takes control of the Enterprise to continue his mysterious mission. Along with him is a withdrawn woman who speaks little, sleeps on floors, and constantly carries a flute.
When the mission is revealed it is an interesting one, as is both of these characters' motivations. I liked the alien race, which doesn't get a lot of explanation, but that fits with the story. I wasn't too keen on the group that is being (for all intents and purposes, forcibly) relocated to another world. They're essentially the Amish in space and you can guess what their feelings are about being on a starship.
I enjoyed this book and read it very quickly.
A diplomat (or is he?) is found in odd circumstances on another, decimated Starfleet ship and takes control of the Enterprise to continue his mysterious mission. Along with him is a withdrawn woman who speaks little, sleeps on floors, and constantly carries a flute.
When the mission is revealed it is an interesting one, as is both of these characters' motivations. I liked the alien race, which doesn't get a lot of explanation, but that fits with the story. I wasn't too keen on the group that is being (for all intents and purposes, forcibly) relocated to another world. They're essentially the Amish in space and you can guess what their feelings are about being on a starship.
I enjoyed this book and read it very quickly.
April 22, 2019
“The Children of Hamlin,” by Carmen Carter, is the third, and so far best, of the “Star Trek: the Next Generation” novels. There’s a lot going on, and many characters, and as a result the action moves fairly quickly. This is a great improvement on book #2, “The Peacekeepers.”
The Enterprise is transporting families of farmers to their colony base on New Oregon, when they encounter a decimated ship. They bring on an ambassador named Deelor, who asserts his authority almost immediately, much to Captain Picard’s chagrin. The ambassador is working on a deal with the murderous Choraii race, who years ago wiped out a peaceful colony and stole their children. Some of the missing kids have shown up, and Ambassador Deelor is eager to trade with the Choraii for their return. To say there’s some tension between Deelor and Picard (and first officer Riker) would be a great understatement.
The Enterprise is transporting families of farmers to their colony base on New Oregon, when they encounter a decimated ship. They bring on an ambassador named Deelor, who asserts his authority almost immediately, much to Captain Picard’s chagrin. The ambassador is working on a deal with the murderous Choraii race, who years ago wiped out a peaceful colony and stole their children. Some of the missing kids have shown up, and Ambassador Deelor is eager to trade with the Choraii for their return. To say there’s some tension between Deelor and Picard (and first officer Riker) would be a great understatement.
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