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Star Trek: The Next Generation
Death in Winter
Long before Captain Jean-Luc Picard took command of the legendary Starship Enterprise, he fell deeply and hopelessly in love with Doctor Beverly Crusher. Though, for one reason or another, Picard never acted on his feelings, he found a measure of contentment as Beverly's close friend, colleague, and daily breakfast partner.
But when Doctor Crusher leaves her position on the Enterprise to become the chief medical officer of Starfleet, the brightest light in Picard's life is taken from him. And he has hardly resigned himself to his loss when he learns that Beverly has been declared missing in action on a distant planet -- and presumed dead.
Kevratas is a bleak, frozen world on the far side of the Romulan Neutral Zone where the Federation has become the plague-ravaged natives' only real hope of survival and freedom. Starfleet has no recourse but to send in another team to try to save the Kevrata -- and Picard is the natural choice. Critical to the success of his mission are two colleagues who served under him when he commanded the Starship Stargazer -- Pug Joseph, a man with a past to live down, and Doctor Carter Greyhorse, who has served time for attempted murder -- as well as a Romulan who left his people years earlier and never expected to return. Together, they follow the trail of Beverly Crusher to Kevratas, determined to succeed where the doctor failed.
On the Romulan homeworld, meanwhile, the political vacuum created by the demise of Praetor Shinzon has been filled by his staunchest supporter, Senator Tal'aura. But there are those who oppose her, including Commander Donatra and the warbird fleets under her command, because of the way Tal'aura has mishandled rebellions on the Empire's subject worlds.
And one rebellion in particular; the movement for self-determination on frigid Kevratas.
So begins a desperate struggle -- not only for the freedom of the long-oppressed Kevrata but also for the soul of the Romulan Empire. Before it's over, destinies will be forged and shattered, the Empire will be shaken to its ancient foundations, and Jean-Luc Picard's life will be changed...forever.
355 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 20, 2005
126 people are currently reading
976 people want to read
About the author
Michael Jan Friedman
374 books205 followersMichael Jan Friedman is an author of more than seventy books of fiction and nonfiction, half of which are in the Star Trek universe. Eleven of his titles have appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list. Friedman has also written for network and cable television and radio, and scripted nearly 200 comic books, including his original DC superhero series, the Darkstars.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
March 13, 2012
This is a Star Trek book, and considering I haven't read a new one in years, when I saw the subject matter, I snatched this one up. This book focuses on Picard's efforts to rescue Beverly after she is abducted while on an undercover mission to provide a vaccine to a non-Federation world under Romulan control. (I'm geeking out!)
That is the main plot, but it is the subplot that was of monumental interest to me, and no doubt to the other fans who picked up this book. Because - FINALLY - Trek focuses on the relationship of Picard and Crusher, a relationship that was glossed over for the course of 7 seasons on TV.
Although the book didn't deal with their relationship as much as I would've liked (used to that, though), I did like how Friedman (one of Trek's better authors) gave us meaningful insight into Beverly's past and the history of Picard's and her relationship.
And to be honest, the main plot was pretty interesting.
Sadly, Trek books have never been "canon," so on the off chance that we ever get another TNG movie, I'm sure there will be no mention of this whatsoever and Picard will have another passing love interest that the fans could really care less about. *Ahem*
Good book - I recommend if you're a Trek fan.
That is the main plot, but it is the subplot that was of monumental interest to me, and no doubt to the other fans who picked up this book. Because - FINALLY - Trek focuses on the relationship of Picard and Crusher, a relationship that was glossed over for the course of 7 seasons on TV.
Although the book didn't deal with their relationship as much as I would've liked (used to that, though), I did like how Friedman (one of Trek's better authors) gave us meaningful insight into Beverly's past and the history of Picard's and her relationship.
And to be honest, the main plot was pretty interesting.
Sadly, Trek books have never been "canon," so on the off chance that we ever get another TNG movie, I'm sure there will be no mention of this whatsoever and Picard will have another passing love interest that the fans could really care less about. *Ahem*
Good book - I recommend if you're a Trek fan.
June 21, 2009
Subpar and underwhelming, but the same could be said for much of Friedman's work. Far too many unresolved and unnecessary subplots (was there any point at all to the Geordi + Worf storyline?), an abundance of woefully underdeveloped characters, a rushed ending, and little at all to recommend it. On the other hand, Crusher rescues herself! And Picard/Crusher! So, conflict.
November 3, 2012
So I'm a Star Trek fan. For those who know me you either already know this or would be totally unsurprised to find this out. In point of fact I'm a Star Trek the Next Generation fan - just to be clear. I doubt I've seen more than a dozen original series episodes and while I enjoyed many of the adventures of Capt. Kirk on the big screen my heart has always been securely on the bridge of the Enterprise-D.
That said, I probably hadn't seen an episode of this show in 20 years when, quite by accident, Rachel and I started watching it just about every night in reruns on MeTV here in Chicago. The picture and sound quality were terrible, sometimes little better than a grainy YouTube video for some reason, but they were showing the entire series from beginning to end and we'd wandered in right at the start. So for the next six months to a year we would watch episode after episode of the show, missed a few here and there, but generally finding ourselves completely hooked - in my case all over again. As a 14 year old in 1987 when STNG premiered I was totally blown away. From then on, for the first three seasons anyway, I was there Friday nights at 9pm to watch the show. As the years went on my obsessive viewing waned, more due to growing up and having better things to do on Friday nights than watch TV, but whenever I would run across it in reruns on the weekend I would still get sucked in and avidly watch it. Like many people I was disappointed by the STNG movies, mostly because I thought they got the shaft on story and budget, and when the last one hit theaters in 2002 and I watched it, shrugged, and let STNG drift off into the void.
However, watching the show again made me realize how very, very good it really was. And after the final two-part episode brought the whole thing to an end I felt like I wanted more adventures with these characters and if it had to be through mass-market paperback novels then so be it. With that in mind Rachel was kind enough to purchase this for me for my birthday this year. This particular books starts a series of novels that pick up right after the end of the final STNG movie and the fingerprints of that film are all over this story, for good or bad.
In short what attracted me to this book was the claim that the romantic (?) relationship between Capt. Picard and Dr. Crusher would be explored and explained. Their history would be told and a new evolution of this relationship would take place within the covers of this book. Watching the show again I found myself really enjoying the weird are-they or aren't-they in love dynamic between Capt. Picard and Dr. Crusher. Obviously any work relationship would be complicated, let alone one between a commanding officer and the only person on the ship who can relieve that officer of command, but add in that Capt. Picard gave the order than got Dr. Crushers husband, Jack Crusher, killed and that he was hopelessly in love with her at the time he issued that order and that he was Jack Crusher's best friend and you get some particularly excellent romantic complications.
Unfortunately many of those complications are left off limits in this book. While early on some nice details, like Capt. Picard's awkward toast at Dr. Crusher's wedding to Jack Crusher, gave me what I wanted but too often Friedman rolls out ideas only to let them go unexplored or choked off before they can go anywhere - interesting or otherwise. In general, this book reads like a very middle of the road two-part episode of STNG, which is really disappointing since there should be no budget constraints on a novel. I think the fact that Friedman had written some scripts for the original STNG show really hamstrung him here. You could just see all the ways he could have blown open this story only to leave it confined to a sound stage in his head.
In short, the story follows the improbable idea that Dr. Crusher, once again the head of Starfleet Medical, would, for some very flimsy reasons, personally go undercover into the Romulan Empire to cure a race of creatures who live under the heel of the Romulans from a terrible plague. Of course she is found out an captured and it's up to Capt. Picard to complete her mission, and maybe save her if he has time, only after he finally figures out that she is one of the best things about his life. This is a books full of frustrated characters who are all seem to be doing something other than the thing they really want to be doing. Capt. Picard is completing a mission while he'd rather be saving Dr. Crusher. Dr. Crusher is trying saving herself from the Romulan Empire when she's rather be curing the native population of a deadly plague. Geordi and Worf would like to be helping Capt. Picard find Dr. Crusher only they have to keep fixing the new Enterprise-E the whole book. Hell, even the bad guys would all rather be doing something else which, of course, just keeps reminding the reader that they too could be doing something else. Not exactly the kind of thing that keeps you glued to the page.
Anyway, plots are resolved, needless characters are added to appease different rabid nerd populations within the Trek universe (like a cameo by now Admiral Janeway (that's for you Voyager nerds!) and a referance to a brilliant medical paper by Dr. Bashir (that's for you DS9(nerds!) and even a reference to the episode of STNG that Spock appeared in (and... that's for you Original Trek nerds!). In the end if you were to pair away the subplots that go nowhere and just focus on the main plot this book would be about 200 pages long, in big type, with small pages. Probably a three hour read max. As is, the subplots, particularly the Geordi and Worf one which, no kidding, after about five chapters litterally ends with Adm. Janeway saying "Hey, boys, whatever your up to knock it off." and then they do, do nothing to enhance the story or any character in it. That's some pretty weak writing.
Anyway, I've always thought Romulans were lame bad guys, just pissed off Vulcans basically, and while I like the whole getting the gang of the Stargazer (Capt. Picards previous ship before the Enterprise) back together, especially since one of them is in prison for murder, it never really goes anywhere. Look, long story short, I read the whole thing so it's not terrible. Over all I don't feel like I wasted my time, except for that Geordi and Worf subplot (total garbage), and I will likely read another in the series - mainly because I really miss the show. Would I recommend this to anyone? Not really.
So, until my dream comes trues (i.e. that HBO remakes STNG or at least an Adventures of Jean-Luc Picard young Starfleet Officer) I'll have to get my newly reawakened STNG fix though these books. I'm okay with that. And, frankly, sometimes it nice to give your brain a break from awesome writing by slumming it in the mass-market paperbacks. It only makes me appreciate the good books more.
That said, I probably hadn't seen an episode of this show in 20 years when, quite by accident, Rachel and I started watching it just about every night in reruns on MeTV here in Chicago. The picture and sound quality were terrible, sometimes little better than a grainy YouTube video for some reason, but they were showing the entire series from beginning to end and we'd wandered in right at the start. So for the next six months to a year we would watch episode after episode of the show, missed a few here and there, but generally finding ourselves completely hooked - in my case all over again. As a 14 year old in 1987 when STNG premiered I was totally blown away. From then on, for the first three seasons anyway, I was there Friday nights at 9pm to watch the show. As the years went on my obsessive viewing waned, more due to growing up and having better things to do on Friday nights than watch TV, but whenever I would run across it in reruns on the weekend I would still get sucked in and avidly watch it. Like many people I was disappointed by the STNG movies, mostly because I thought they got the shaft on story and budget, and when the last one hit theaters in 2002 and I watched it, shrugged, and let STNG drift off into the void.
However, watching the show again made me realize how very, very good it really was. And after the final two-part episode brought the whole thing to an end I felt like I wanted more adventures with these characters and if it had to be through mass-market paperback novels then so be it. With that in mind Rachel was kind enough to purchase this for me for my birthday this year. This particular books starts a series of novels that pick up right after the end of the final STNG movie and the fingerprints of that film are all over this story, for good or bad.
In short what attracted me to this book was the claim that the romantic (?) relationship between Capt. Picard and Dr. Crusher would be explored and explained. Their history would be told and a new evolution of this relationship would take place within the covers of this book. Watching the show again I found myself really enjoying the weird are-they or aren't-they in love dynamic between Capt. Picard and Dr. Crusher. Obviously any work relationship would be complicated, let alone one between a commanding officer and the only person on the ship who can relieve that officer of command, but add in that Capt. Picard gave the order than got Dr. Crushers husband, Jack Crusher, killed and that he was hopelessly in love with her at the time he issued that order and that he was Jack Crusher's best friend and you get some particularly excellent romantic complications.
Unfortunately many of those complications are left off limits in this book. While early on some nice details, like Capt. Picard's awkward toast at Dr. Crusher's wedding to Jack Crusher, gave me what I wanted but too often Friedman rolls out ideas only to let them go unexplored or choked off before they can go anywhere - interesting or otherwise. In general, this book reads like a very middle of the road two-part episode of STNG, which is really disappointing since there should be no budget constraints on a novel. I think the fact that Friedman had written some scripts for the original STNG show really hamstrung him here. You could just see all the ways he could have blown open this story only to leave it confined to a sound stage in his head.
In short, the story follows the improbable idea that Dr. Crusher, once again the head of Starfleet Medical, would, for some very flimsy reasons, personally go undercover into the Romulan Empire to cure a race of creatures who live under the heel of the Romulans from a terrible plague. Of course she is found out an captured and it's up to Capt. Picard to complete her mission, and maybe save her if he has time, only after he finally figures out that she is one of the best things about his life. This is a books full of frustrated characters who are all seem to be doing something other than the thing they really want to be doing. Capt. Picard is completing a mission while he'd rather be saving Dr. Crusher. Dr. Crusher is trying saving herself from the Romulan Empire when she's rather be curing the native population of a deadly plague. Geordi and Worf would like to be helping Capt. Picard find Dr. Crusher only they have to keep fixing the new Enterprise-E the whole book. Hell, even the bad guys would all rather be doing something else which, of course, just keeps reminding the reader that they too could be doing something else. Not exactly the kind of thing that keeps you glued to the page.
Anyway, plots are resolved, needless characters are added to appease different rabid nerd populations within the Trek universe (like a cameo by now Admiral Janeway (that's for you Voyager nerds!) and a referance to a brilliant medical paper by Dr. Bashir (that's for you DS9(nerds!) and even a reference to the episode of STNG that Spock appeared in (and... that's for you Original Trek nerds!). In the end if you were to pair away the subplots that go nowhere and just focus on the main plot this book would be about 200 pages long, in big type, with small pages. Probably a three hour read max. As is, the subplots, particularly the Geordi and Worf one which, no kidding, after about five chapters litterally ends with Adm. Janeway saying "Hey, boys, whatever your up to knock it off." and then they do, do nothing to enhance the story or any character in it. That's some pretty weak writing.
Anyway, I've always thought Romulans were lame bad guys, just pissed off Vulcans basically, and while I like the whole getting the gang of the Stargazer (Capt. Picards previous ship before the Enterprise) back together, especially since one of them is in prison for murder, it never really goes anywhere. Look, long story short, I read the whole thing so it's not terrible. Over all I don't feel like I wasted my time, except for that Geordi and Worf subplot (total garbage), and I will likely read another in the series - mainly because I really miss the show. Would I recommend this to anyone? Not really.
So, until my dream comes trues (i.e. that HBO remakes STNG or at least an Adventures of Jean-Luc Picard young Starfleet Officer) I'll have to get my newly reawakened STNG fix though these books. I'm okay with that. And, frankly, sometimes it nice to give your brain a break from awesome writing by slumming it in the mass-market paperbacks. It only makes me appreciate the good books more.
May 17, 2019
A mostly interesting start to the TNG post-Nemesis novels. It really does feel like the beginning of a new chapter, both in the lives of the crew and on the interstellar political stage. I found myself fascinated by the Romulan intrigue and in-fighting more than with the romantic plot between Picard and Crusher, but I'm very happy with the direction things are headed in both arenas. A worthy read, but not the best that Trek lit has to offer.
Full review: https://www.treklit.com/2019/05/Death...
Full review: https://www.treklit.com/2019/05/Death...
May 16, 2012
Perfunctory writing at its best/worst (take your pick). A paint by number "Rescue the Fair Maiden" narrative populated by paper thin characters and pointless plot lines (although it seems likely that any author writing for the Star Trek franchise is obligated to meet some sort of fan service quota, even if it contributes virtually nothing whatsoever to story development).
The most startling aspect of 2005's "Death in Winter" is that it is not Michael Jan Friedman's first book; in fact I was flabbergasted to learn that he has authored at least 60 novels dating back to the early 90's (most of them for the Star Trek franchise). And based on the desultory results on display here I can only imagine (because I don't think I will be following his writing further) the dire product he has brought to market prior.
The most startling aspect of 2005's "Death in Winter" is that it is not Michael Jan Friedman's first book; in fact I was flabbergasted to learn that he has authored at least 60 novels dating back to the early 90's (most of them for the Star Trek franchise). And based on the desultory results on display here I can only imagine (because I don't think I will be following his writing further) the dire product he has brought to market prior.
November 18, 2011
I liked the plot, but this book would've been better if:
1) The sections detailing episodes of TNG weren't so annoyingly detailed. I've seen every single episode of TNG more than once, I know my canon. I didn't need 3 pages reminding me of who Sela was, for example. I can understand wanting to make sure the reader knows some of those details, but are there really people that have never seen Star Trek out there that actively seek out and read Star Trek books? Seriously.
2) The whole Picard and Crusher thing was just poorly done and kind of cheesy, very much UNLIKE their characters. It was like reading someone's boring fanfic. If I wanted to read fanfic, I'd read fanfic. I might go read some fanfic, because I bet the Picard/Crusher thing is better somewhere in fanfic.
1) The sections detailing episodes of TNG weren't so annoyingly detailed. I've seen every single episode of TNG more than once, I know my canon. I didn't need 3 pages reminding me of who Sela was, for example. I can understand wanting to make sure the reader knows some of those details, but are there really people that have never seen Star Trek out there that actively seek out and read Star Trek books? Seriously.
2) The whole Picard and Crusher thing was just poorly done and kind of cheesy, very much UNLIKE their characters. It was like reading someone's boring fanfic. If I wanted to read fanfic, I'd read fanfic. I might go read some fanfic, because I bet the Picard/Crusher thing is better somewhere in fanfic.
December 31, 2009
Beverly is sent to Kevratas to develop a vaccine. She is captured by Sela. Picard teams up w/ Pug Joseph & Dr. Carter Greyhorse. Greyhorse must make a vaccine before a rescue attempt can be made. I loved this book because it went deeper in Jean Luc's & Beverly's feelings for each other.It also went in some detail about how her husband Jack died. The best part though was when she arrives on the Enterprise as the new chief medical officer. I thought there were some pages in the book that were really unnecessary and did not contribute in any way to the story. But all in all though I enjoyed reading it!!
March 2, 2019
It moves at warp speed, and occasionally it feels like it sacrifices depth for pace...but only occasionally. In fact, I find this to be far deeper and more culturally focused than almost anything else Mr Friedman has written for "Star Trek", although the speed means that focus tends to be mostly Romulan. My favourite moments are the pauses that examine Picard and Crusher, especially the opening scene at the wedding. A passing familiarity with Picard's old Stargazer crew does help with the reading, and I do find the ending a touch abrupt...but in the end, these are minor caveats that don't detract from the overall quality of this novel.
May 7, 2023
Well written TNG story. Focus in on the Romulans and Dr. Crusher. Kept me turning the pages. Recommended for all TNG fans.
September 12, 2010
Finally a book that dealt with Picard's feelings for Crusher. It's not the best written ST:TNG novel I've read, but I'm glad someone decided to delve into this love that Picard had been caring for almost 30 years before this book was written. We've already seen in episodes the length he would go for Beverly (remember he stayed to be tortured by a Cardassian just because he thought the Cardassian was going to torture Beverly), so it was believable that once again he would risk everything for her (which was something avoided in the movies...ugh).
January 22, 2019
Perfect weekend read. I really enjoyed it.
December 14, 2017
I wanted to love this book so much, but even my inner shipper couldn't get past the fact that this is basically really terrible fanfiction. There's a subplot with Worf and Geordi that goes nowhere, a needless cameo by Admiral Janeway, and a bunch of Romulans running around plotting against each other that added very little to the story. And yet the random Romulans still managed to be more interesting than the main plotlines with Picard and Crusher. I swear I'd rather have read a whole book about Donatra and Breag. At least they had chemistry. Picard and Crusher, despite the author's best efforts, do not. Picard mopes through the novel, irrationally certain that Crusher is alive when Srarfleet thinks she's dead, and more interested in finding her than in completing the official mission of helping to cure a plague. (Which, by the way, he's of use on this mission why?)
I'm sure part of my problem with this book stems from the fact I have seen the basic premise done much better in fanfiction. But that's not all. The Picard I remember from TNG is selfless to a fault - if he has to choose between saving Crusher and saving an entire species, he's going to choose the latter. And suffer in silence about it. Friedman's Picard is a lovesick schoolboy, and all he thinks about is Crusher. All. The. Time.
Crusher does a little better, though seeing her in the role of covert operative after she's just become head of Starfleet Medical again is a bit of a stretch. (As for Starfleet Medical, does no one else want that job?) At least her focus is where it should be- except for totally unnecessary flashbacks to such memorable TNG episodes as the one in which she falls randomly "in love" with a creepy ghost who seemed to be ripped straight from the pages of an Anne Rice novel. But I digress.
Another thing that rubbed me the wrong way was the inclusion of Friedman's Stargazer characters. I vaguelly remember them from a 1990's -era read of his novel Reunion, but anyone unfamiliar with them would be lost, and I'm not sure they add anything to the story.
In short, I'd skip this one. If you plan to read others of the TNG relaunch novels, as I do, I think all you need to know is that Picard and Crusher finally get together. Oh, and of course she goes back to the Enterprise. Because a woman should always change her career plans around for a man. A mature, rational discussion about why Crusher was or wasn't staying at Starfleet Medical would not have gone amiss here. I have a feeling, though, that Friedman may have been looking at it from the angle of her choosing to take the post at Starfleet Medical because she couldn't deal with the angst of her feelings about Picard anymore, and once she sorted that out, she could be where she really wanted to be. Which doesn't work for me.
I'm sure part of my problem with this book stems from the fact I have seen the basic premise done much better in fanfiction. But that's not all. The Picard I remember from TNG is selfless to a fault - if he has to choose between saving Crusher and saving an entire species, he's going to choose the latter. And suffer in silence about it. Friedman's Picard is a lovesick schoolboy, and all he thinks about is Crusher. All. The. Time.
Crusher does a little better, though seeing her in the role of covert operative after she's just become head of Starfleet Medical again is a bit of a stretch. (As for Starfleet Medical, does no one else want that job?) At least her focus is where it should be- except for totally unnecessary flashbacks to such memorable TNG episodes as the one in which she falls randomly "in love" with a creepy ghost who seemed to be ripped straight from the pages of an Anne Rice novel. But I digress.
Another thing that rubbed me the wrong way was the inclusion of Friedman's Stargazer characters. I vaguelly remember them from a 1990's -era read of his novel Reunion, but anyone unfamiliar with them would be lost, and I'm not sure they add anything to the story.
In short, I'd skip this one. If you plan to read others of the TNG relaunch novels, as I do, I think all you need to know is that Picard and Crusher finally get together. Oh, and of course she goes back to the Enterprise. Because a woman should always change her career plans around for a man. A mature, rational discussion about why Crusher was or wasn't staying at Starfleet Medical would not have gone amiss here. I have a feeling, though, that Friedman may have been looking at it from the angle of her choosing to take the post at Starfleet Medical because she couldn't deal with the angst of her feelings about Picard anymore, and once she sorted that out, she could be where she really wanted to be. Which doesn't work for me.
January 7, 2014
Good story to help move us beyond the events of Nemesis. Picard's feelings for Beverly are something we've always known were there. Clearly they weren't going to be acted upon onscreen, but that's why it's great that we have the literature to move us beyond the constraints of television storytelling.
To be honest, though, the most interesting aspect of Death In Winter is the political upheaval within the Romulan Empire. I wasn't thrilled to have Sela back, if only because I don't like it when familiar faces like her pop up in stories. The same could be said for Tomalak. However, it did make sense in this story that they would be playing pivotal roles in the affairs of the Empire. And Sela's desire for vengeance against Picard gives an added layer to story. The person who did not need to turn up is Admiral Janeway. Completely pointless cameo, but it fell into another part of the story that really felt like filler—the rescue attempt by Worf and Geordi.
The point at which I feel Friedman stumbled a bit comes near the end where [SPOILER ALERT] Picard reveals his feelings to Beverly. The reaction to this felt inappropriate for the situation. Whilst in a life or death situation, a few words from Picard turn into a high school drama show. I cannot believe Beverly would react that way, nor that Picard would fret the way he does. They have known each other too long, are too old, and have had too many shared experiences for this to be the reaction. The final scene is also painfully obvious before it plays out. All of this isn't terrible, but it could have been handled more deftly and given us a more satisfying resolution to the build-up.
All in all, however, Death In Winter is a good story and certainly propels us forward into the rich post-TV literary world of Star Trek.
To be honest, though, the most interesting aspect of Death In Winter is the political upheaval within the Romulan Empire. I wasn't thrilled to have Sela back, if only because I don't like it when familiar faces like her pop up in stories. The same could be said for Tomalak. However, it did make sense in this story that they would be playing pivotal roles in the affairs of the Empire. And Sela's desire for vengeance against Picard gives an added layer to story. The person who did not need to turn up is Admiral Janeway. Completely pointless cameo, but it fell into another part of the story that really felt like filler—the rescue attempt by Worf and Geordi.
The point at which I feel Friedman stumbled a bit comes near the end where [SPOILER ALERT] Picard reveals his feelings to Beverly. The reaction to this felt inappropriate for the situation. Whilst in a life or death situation, a few words from Picard turn into a high school drama show. I cannot believe Beverly would react that way, nor that Picard would fret the way he does. They have known each other too long, are too old, and have had too many shared experiences for this to be the reaction. The final scene is also painfully obvious before it plays out. All of this isn't terrible, but it could have been handled more deftly and given us a more satisfying resolution to the build-up.
All in all, however, Death In Winter is a good story and certainly propels us forward into the rich post-TV literary world of Star Trek.
June 16, 2009
I have read countless Star Trek novels in my life, and this one was an impulse pick at the local library. While I have read other books by Friedman and have enjoyed them, this book seemed a little too formulaic. After finishing the book, I had the impression that I got less out of the story than I might have otherwise if I had read Friedman's Stargazer books beforehand. As I haven't read them, I didn't really get any sense of overall motivation for characters like Pug Joseph or Dr. Greyhorse. They seemed like two-dimensional set pieces to me. Also, the plot for me was a little thin and poorly laid out. Dr. Beverly Crusher, chief medical officer of Starfleet is sent by herself on a secret mission to save an ubiquitous alien race from a deadly plague seemingly right after inviting Picard down for dinner. And of course, she promptly runs into trouble with some stock cookie-cutter scheming Romulan characters. Naturally, only Picard can finish her mission and save her, with the help of some officer who was formerly his chief medical officer on his old ship Stargazer. That this story is to give a deeper meaning to the long-standing hidden love that Picard has held for Crusher throughout the entire Next Generation run of shows and books is clear.
It's just all a little too convenient. Picard coming to save Crusher. The Romulan defector happening to be in the right place at the right time to save her. The Romulan side-plot with characters pulled from past shows and books. There really isn't much depth here.
I would not buy this book, although I wouldn't have a problem recommending that you check it out from your local library.
It's just all a little too convenient. Picard coming to save Crusher. The Romulan defector happening to be in the right place at the right time to save her. The Romulan side-plot with characters pulled from past shows and books. There really isn't much depth here.
I would not buy this book, although I wouldn't have a problem recommending that you check it out from your local library.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2025
In the wake of Riker becoming a captain and taking Troi with him to his new command and Dr. Crusher leaving to head up Starfleet Medical, Captain Picard has to break in virtually a whole new crew. But before he can do that, he has to settle the ghosts of his past.
He and Beverly have spent years dancing around one another, and decided to be just friends. With her off the ship, Picard is miserable. Before he can say or do anything about it, he gets word from an admiral that she is missing and presumed dead on a clandestine mission.
She was sent to Kevratas, a Romulan controlled world, to find a cure for a plague ravaging the population. She first encountered this race and this virus as a teenager on Arvada III, and this is her chance to do what she didn't know how to do back then- heal those suffering from it. Unfortunately she was captured by Romulans before she could create the cure.
Picard is tasked with leading a team to finish what she started- former Starfleet Dr. Carter Greyhorse to find the cure, former Starfleet officer Pug Joseph for protection and a Romulan defector named Decalon to help them find their way around.
I enjoyed this look into Picard and Crusher's pre-Enterprise past and finally getting resolution on Picard and Crusher's potential for romance. A wonderful launch into the voyages of the new Enterprise- can't wait to see how that goes.
He and Beverly have spent years dancing around one another, and decided to be just friends. With her off the ship, Picard is miserable. Before he can say or do anything about it, he gets word from an admiral that she is missing and presumed dead on a clandestine mission.
She was sent to Kevratas, a Romulan controlled world, to find a cure for a plague ravaging the population. She first encountered this race and this virus as a teenager on Arvada III, and this is her chance to do what she didn't know how to do back then- heal those suffering from it. Unfortunately she was captured by Romulans before she could create the cure.
Picard is tasked with leading a team to finish what she started- former Starfleet Dr. Carter Greyhorse to find the cure, former Starfleet officer Pug Joseph for protection and a Romulan defector named Decalon to help them find their way around.
I enjoyed this look into Picard and Crusher's pre-Enterprise past and finally getting resolution on Picard and Crusher's potential for romance. A wonderful launch into the voyages of the new Enterprise- can't wait to see how that goes.
March 29, 2007
Okay I'd be ashamed of reading this book...but I just won't.
I mean look at that cover! At first glance you assume it's a book in which Patrick Stewart tells tales regarding his adventures as an actor. Maybe just his Shakespeare work. You see it and you think "man I like Patrick Stewart. He's smart and cool and I bet this would be a good read."
Then you realize it is in the Sci Fi section, and that the shadow isn't Stewart in a wig but an ex-Muppeteer (no really she is), and that it says STAR TREK on the cover.
But you know what? You liked the old show. You liked those characters. That one episode where they could read each other's thoughts was neat. How bad can it be?
Then you realize the first scene is a young Picard mooning over Crusher at her wedding and that you are just reading fan fic written by a guy with a bitchin' literary agent.
Then you cry.
But I still refuse to be ashamed because they talk about their feelings.
I mean look at that cover! At first glance you assume it's a book in which Patrick Stewart tells tales regarding his adventures as an actor. Maybe just his Shakespeare work. You see it and you think "man I like Patrick Stewart. He's smart and cool and I bet this would be a good read."
Then you realize it is in the Sci Fi section, and that the shadow isn't Stewart in a wig but an ex-Muppeteer (no really she is), and that it says STAR TREK on the cover.
But you know what? You liked the old show. You liked those characters. That one episode where they could read each other's thoughts was neat. How bad can it be?
Then you realize the first scene is a young Picard mooning over Crusher at her wedding and that you are just reading fan fic written by a guy with a bitchin' literary agent.
Then you cry.
But I still refuse to be ashamed because they talk about their feelings.
May 24, 2010
I back tracked and picked up this book, hoping it would fill in some events that led up to the events in Destiny. I admit, I'm a bit disappointed. It filled in a little of the backstory but it had little to do with their relationship and ended up delving into Romulan politics and some of Picard's old crewmates from the Stargazer. It almost seems as if there was a previous book that needed to be read that filled in some information. The characters were very one dimensional and the plot was rather flat.
May 15, 2012
I was waiting very long to read a book about Picard and Crusher, but actually I was expecting something completely different. I did expect a fast running story ... and at last the long waiting lovestory between Jean-Luc and Beverly. but to get that, one had to wait until the last word. It is quite disappointing, also if there is a happy-end in that story.
I thought it would be something like "Imzadi". That was really good and it doesn't messed up the Star Trek Canon. So why Friedman doesn't write just a nice little P/C-Story ... finally.
I thought it would be something like "Imzadi". That was really good and it doesn't messed up the Star Trek Canon. So why Friedman doesn't write just a nice little P/C-Story ... finally.
May 7, 2017
(3.7)
The Picard/Crusher ship is basically the only reason I tolerate Next Gen, so when I saw that this book focused on that, I was totally on board. Unfortunately, it doesn't focus too much on them, but it's nice to see how Picard really feels about Beverly. There was also Geordie and Worf trying to come help, but another character from ST:V comes to stop them. Most importantly, everyone was in character and the plot wasn't ever slow.
I miss Data. *sniff*
Recommended 11+ for Star Trek violence, kidnapping, and a little language
The Picard/Crusher ship is basically the only reason I tolerate Next Gen, so when I saw that this book focused on that, I was totally on board. Unfortunately, it doesn't focus too much on them, but it's nice to see how Picard really feels about Beverly. There was also Geordie and Worf trying to come help, but another character from ST:V comes to stop them. Most importantly, everyone was in character and the plot wasn't ever slow.
I miss Data. *sniff*
Recommended 11+ for Star Trek violence, kidnapping, and a little language
July 1, 2018
Totally figured I'd love it. And I did. Just like the show, any Picard-centered episode is definitely one of the best, but this book brought in all the other juicy bits of a story that you wanted from a televised episode but never got to see because of time restraints. Romulan intrigue, alien conflict, medical mystery/disaster. I had completely forgotten some of the canon regarding particular characters (Data being #1) so that bit came as quite a depressing shock. Otherwise, an overall enjoyable read for this TNG nerd.
May 1, 2009
This was the absolute worst ST:TNG book I've ever read.
July 13, 2019
Take a trek on the USS Missed Opportunity
Synopsis:
After a deadly outbreak ravages the people of a distant world, the Federation brass decide to send one of its most esteemed doctors into enemy territory in an attempt to end the suffering. But after that doctor is captured, and assumed dead, a second command sends its most regarded Captain in to finish the job of finding a cure and a determining the fate of the lost doctor.
It's a risky endeavor, one that will call on old friends to find success. A former crew mate, a man serving time in prison for attempted murder, and a once Romulan defector intent on paying an old debt join forces. But this will be no easy task as old enemies rear their ugly heads in an attempt to stop them. In battling harsh environments, new and old enemies, and political turmoil that could pin an entire quadrant against itself, time will only tell if a small band of Federation do-gooders can save the day and cure the ill.
SPOILERS AHEAD...
The Goods:
The book starts out pretty good. New stories are given to old characters in what promises to be a deep plot full of character building and new adventures built on tales of old triumph and failure. Old characters that once graced the small screen are brought back to give the reader a tie to bind the book to the TV series. New environments and species are developed to help expand the Trek universe.
The Bads:
What was promised in the beginning of the book, depth of characters, new and exciting adventures, and a battle of wills built on tales of previous lives, are cut off at the knee to give way to a watered down series of 'remember these characters you once saw on TV or read in other books?' storytelling. Doctor Crusher's tale of growing up does little to help her in her battle against the Romulans. Her quest to fight a disease as a young girl does nothing to help cure the disease the threatens two species. Picard's battle against the Romulans featured in Nemesis and retold in the opening chapters of the book does nothing as the pages turn. The Romulan's political wrangling and history of subterfuge is watered down to a point of irrelevancy. And worst yet, is all the characters brought into the tale to provide a foundation for all you would expect from characters and species in the Trek franchise are so grossly thin that the book offers nearly nothing for the reader to get excited about.
In conclusion:
The book unfortunately gives the reader nothing that it promised in the opening chapters. Doctor Crusher does not cure the disease. Picard does not save Crusher. Sela does not complete her mission. The Romulan rebels do not overthrow the government. The other doctor does not find new found salvation in finding a hard fought cure. An old crew mate is just kinda there. And the author seems more interested on surprising the reader with new character introductions than surprising them with intriguing character depth or storylines.
How it could have been better:
In my opinion the entire Worf and Geordi arc could have been scrapped given it didn't go anywhere or teach the reader anything. Crusher's past story arc about curing a disease could have been how the new disease was cured, either through her or a shared remembrance with the new Doc. More attention to the rebellion and less attention to minor characters. And a much larger focus on the bond between Crusher and Picard that would propel the two characters along and make them fight death to come to the conclusion that they love each other. And finally after each character reaches their breaking point, they find a cure, they find love, and they find a better future. All three of which are just kinda thrown into the book to get them done and over with.
Just a watered down nothing-burger.
Synopsis:
After a deadly outbreak ravages the people of a distant world, the Federation brass decide to send one of its most esteemed doctors into enemy territory in an attempt to end the suffering. But after that doctor is captured, and assumed dead, a second command sends its most regarded Captain in to finish the job of finding a cure and a determining the fate of the lost doctor.
It's a risky endeavor, one that will call on old friends to find success. A former crew mate, a man serving time in prison for attempted murder, and a once Romulan defector intent on paying an old debt join forces. But this will be no easy task as old enemies rear their ugly heads in an attempt to stop them. In battling harsh environments, new and old enemies, and political turmoil that could pin an entire quadrant against itself, time will only tell if a small band of Federation do-gooders can save the day and cure the ill.
SPOILERS AHEAD...
The Goods:
The book starts out pretty good. New stories are given to old characters in what promises to be a deep plot full of character building and new adventures built on tales of old triumph and failure. Old characters that once graced the small screen are brought back to give the reader a tie to bind the book to the TV series. New environments and species are developed to help expand the Trek universe.
The Bads:
What was promised in the beginning of the book, depth of characters, new and exciting adventures, and a battle of wills built on tales of previous lives, are cut off at the knee to give way to a watered down series of 'remember these characters you once saw on TV or read in other books?' storytelling. Doctor Crusher's tale of growing up does little to help her in her battle against the Romulans. Her quest to fight a disease as a young girl does nothing to help cure the disease the threatens two species. Picard's battle against the Romulans featured in Nemesis and retold in the opening chapters of the book does nothing as the pages turn. The Romulan's political wrangling and history of subterfuge is watered down to a point of irrelevancy. And worst yet, is all the characters brought into the tale to provide a foundation for all you would expect from characters and species in the Trek franchise are so grossly thin that the book offers nearly nothing for the reader to get excited about.
In conclusion:
The book unfortunately gives the reader nothing that it promised in the opening chapters. Doctor Crusher does not cure the disease. Picard does not save Crusher. Sela does not complete her mission. The Romulan rebels do not overthrow the government. The other doctor does not find new found salvation in finding a hard fought cure. An old crew mate is just kinda there. And the author seems more interested on surprising the reader with new character introductions than surprising them with intriguing character depth or storylines.
How it could have been better:
In my opinion the entire Worf and Geordi arc could have been scrapped given it didn't go anywhere or teach the reader anything. Crusher's past story arc about curing a disease could have been how the new disease was cured, either through her or a shared remembrance with the new Doc. More attention to the rebellion and less attention to minor characters. And a much larger focus on the bond between Crusher and Picard that would propel the two characters along and make them fight death to come to the conclusion that they love each other. And finally after each character reaches their breaking point, they find a cure, they find love, and they find a better future. All three of which are just kinda thrown into the book to get them done and over with.
Just a watered down nothing-burger.
June 2, 2024
Death in Winter by Michael Jan Friedman - First book in the Trek-Lit Reading Flowchart (TNG portion) AKA - Star Trek: TNG - Second Decade series
Adventurous, challenging, emotional,
hopeful, inspiring, mysterious, reflective, sad, and tense.
Slow-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75 Stars
This was/is my first Star Trek: TNG book. I've always read TOS and before, but never in this era...so it was fitting that it was this one...that starts the HUGE series of books I've got planned to read (over 75 books, when totaled). I am reading the Trek-Lit Reading Flow Chart, put together by The Trek Collective.
I am starting in the TNG portion. This was decided on, pretty much...solely on the fact that I had more of these books...so I could read without having to buy FULL price novels...until months/years down the line, and in the mean time...I'm hoping that THOSE that are not in my library NOW, will be in it...when I NEED to read THAT novel(s). I think, at the start of this journey, only have NINE books that I do not have.
Okay, about this story...
I really love being in the head of Captain Jean Luc Picard (in written form). The Next Generation is one of my favourite series/casts. Captain Picard, is my favourite captain. he leads with conviction/dispassion/honesty and integrity. Obviously, these qualities are needed in all captains, but I think HE exudes them...the most naturally.
Also, having watched all three seasons of Picard (TV series on Paramount+), I desired to know some of the adventures that happened after Nemesis...and leading up to Picard.
Obviously, we know about the relationship between him and Doctor Beverly Crusher, and this story expands upon that tension and love.
The setting of this story is with the backdrop of a disease that is effecting a portion of people within the Romulan Star Empire, but near enough to The Federation...that the UFP felt it was their duty to send help, to this suffering and oppressed race of people.
We get time with Sela, too...which is both great and a "pain in the rear". The struggle of seeing Tasha Yar, but NOT Tasha Yar. Ugh.
The Romulan Star Empire's politics is a little TOO convoluted...for my tastes, but what can you do.
I really do wish that we had gotten more of Worf and Geordi, but the story was more focused on Picard and Beverly and the Romulans.
Also, a great cameo was brought in, a certain admiral that we love (and there are SO very few of those, so you may be able to guess).
Overall, I thought the story was GOOD, not great. It meandered a bit...in the weeds TOO much, for my tastes in stories, but the setting and the cast of characters in the book...held my attention...allowing me an adventure that I didn't know i needed.
So, next up in the Trek-Lit Reading Flowchart is Resistance by J.M. Dillard (aka Jeanne Kalgridis). #StarTrek #TNG
Adventurous, challenging, emotional,
hopeful, inspiring, mysterious, reflective, sad, and tense.
Slow-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75 Stars
This was/is my first Star Trek: TNG book. I've always read TOS and before, but never in this era...so it was fitting that it was this one...that starts the HUGE series of books I've got planned to read (over 75 books, when totaled). I am reading the Trek-Lit Reading Flow Chart, put together by The Trek Collective.
I am starting in the TNG portion. This was decided on, pretty much...solely on the fact that I had more of these books...so I could read without having to buy FULL price novels...until months/years down the line, and in the mean time...I'm hoping that THOSE that are not in my library NOW, will be in it...when I NEED to read THAT novel(s). I think, at the start of this journey, only have NINE books that I do not have.
Okay, about this story...
I really love being in the head of Captain Jean Luc Picard (in written form). The Next Generation is one of my favourite series/casts. Captain Picard, is my favourite captain. he leads with conviction/dispassion/honesty and integrity. Obviously, these qualities are needed in all captains, but I think HE exudes them...the most naturally.
Also, having watched all three seasons of Picard (TV series on Paramount+), I desired to know some of the adventures that happened after Nemesis...and leading up to Picard.
Obviously, we know about the relationship between him and Doctor Beverly Crusher, and this story expands upon that tension and love.
The setting of this story is with the backdrop of a disease that is effecting a portion of people within the Romulan Star Empire, but near enough to The Federation...that the UFP felt it was their duty to send help, to this suffering and oppressed race of people.
We get time with Sela, too...which is both great and a "pain in the rear". The struggle of seeing Tasha Yar, but NOT Tasha Yar. Ugh.
The Romulan Star Empire's politics is a little TOO convoluted...for my tastes, but what can you do.
I really do wish that we had gotten more of Worf and Geordi, but the story was more focused on Picard and Beverly and the Romulans.
Also, a great cameo was brought in, a certain admiral that we love (and there are SO very few of those, so you may be able to guess).
Overall, I thought the story was GOOD, not great. It meandered a bit...in the weeds TOO much, for my tastes in stories, but the setting and the cast of characters in the book...held my attention...allowing me an adventure that I didn't know i needed.
So, next up in the Trek-Lit Reading Flowchart is Resistance by J.M. Dillard (aka Jeanne Kalgridis). #StarTrek #TNG
March 18, 2024
Summary: Beverly Crusher, once again off the Enterprise and in charge of Starfleet Medical, is sent on a top secret mission to the Romulan satellite planet Kevratas. The Kevratans are being ravaged by a plague called Bloodfire, but the Romulans won't aid them; fortunately, Beverly already devised a cure years ago (a ship of the infected crash-landed on her home planet of Arvada III when she was a teen, and this convinced her to become a doctor). However, she's not on the planet long before Commander Sela abducts and imprisons her in a bar shoot-out.
Starfleet sends Picard as a backup to go help the Kevratans; and while he's there, if he happens to find Beverly, he can rescue her too--but the mission comes first. Jean Luc puts together a team consisting of his former Stargazer buddies, and, most importantly, Carter Greyhorse: the Stargazer chief medical officer who helped Beverly devise the cure years ago. Carter has been in an asylum in New Zealand because he went crazy and tried to kill Picard and some other senior officers on the Stargazer; he blamed them for the death of his Klingon wife. He's apparently rehabilitated now--but he still seems a little "off".
The new team infiltrates Kevratas with the help of a Romulan defector, Decalon. He takes them to his friend Phajan's house, who helped him escape Romulus and who still has a servant that works in the underground railroad--he'll be right back after he goes and finds her. Picard notices how dusty the place is and realizes this may be a trap, so they leave. Moments later a squad of Romulan centurions shows up, lead by Sela, who is not pleased that Picard escaped.
The Stargazers flee to some caves where they happen upon the rebels in the underground railroad. They get Greyhorse all set up, and he's off to finding a cure. Picard spends most of his time moping, wistfully thinking about Dr. Crusher.
Meanwhile, Beverly escapes imprisonment with the help of Manathas, a Romulan spy (who happens to have been at Beverly's wedding to Jack Crusher years ago, under cover as a servant; he was there to collect a tissue sample from Picard, which the Romulans would later use to create his clone, Shinzon). Unfortunately, he works for praetor Tal'Aura and just wanted to make sure Sela would get in trouble for losing her prisoner--so he says he's going to have to kill Beverly now. However, Bloodfire plague has mutated and now he has it too, so he'll have to keep Beverly around to devise a cure for the Romulan strain.
Manathas leads Beverly out into a blizzard, en route to their transport site (the mountains contain ore that scatters transporter beams). She sees the Kevratan who was supposed to take her to the underground railroad, so she kicks Manathas in the shin and gets away. The Kevratan squirrels her away in a hidey hole, where she's safe for the time being.
With the vaccine in tow, Picard et. al. head out of the caves to distribute the medicine--and to meet up with Beverly. They're intercepted by Sela, who had a spy in the underground. Sela attacks Picard and is about to beat him to death when Beverly comes to his rescue. Crusher puts up a good fight, but Sela gets the upper hand--until Manathas shows up and saves Beverly again, with the intent of re-abducting her. Decalon tries to save her, but is killed. Picard ultimately saves her with some well-aimed phaser blasts.
Jean Luc takes Beverly in his arms and breathily whispers in her ear that he loves her, he's always loved her--she does not reciprocate his passionate vow of affection.
Picard, back on the Enterprise, is crestfallen that he's ruined his relationship with Beverly. The ship's new chief medical officer arrives and it's none other than Dr. Crusher. She quit Starfleet Medical (again), and is here to stay. She kisses Picard.
Review: 2.5 stars. This book is OK, but definitely not "good". There are a lot of extraneous subplots that never really go anywhere, and ultimately just detract from the main story of Picard/Beverly--which is also kind of a let down.
The sole point of this novel was to hook up Picard and Beverly, once and for all--but they're not even in the vicinity of one another until the last 20 pages of the book or so. I thought maybe they'd both be captured and with no hope of escape they'd finally pledge their love for each other, or something equally dramatic--but nope, they both just realize they really miss each other when they don't have breakfast together. It was fairly anticlimactic, and I didn't think there was much heart to it--not to mention how absurd Beverly's reaction was when Jean Luc saves her life and confesses his love. She's spent her entire imprisonment thinking about how she feels the same, but when he reciprocates, she just totally shuts down? I didn't get it at all--and apparently she didn't either, because a few pages later she quits her job and starts making out with him.
And let's not forget Beverly's daring escape; she gets away from Manathas--a total bad-ass-ninja-spy-killing machine--by kicking him in the shin and running away. While he has a disruptor pressed right up against her spine. Terrible, lazy writing.
The Worf and Geordi sections could be completely excised. Basically they spend the whole book trying to figure out where Picard and Crusher went and how they can help. Just as they're piecing it together and start hatching a plan, Admiral Janeway shows up and tells them to drop it--so they do. Utterly pointless. (It was pretty neat to see Janeway again though.)
I think the story probably would've been better if Worf or Geordi was on Picard's away team instead of the Stargazer people; it really just felt like the author trying to shoehorn his own characters into the story. Maybe if I'd read the Stargazer novels I'd be more invested, but they were such 2-dimensional characters in this book that I really doubt it. I didn't understand why Greyhorse was repeatedly shown to be totally crazy pants, only for it to have absolutely no effect on the outcome whatsoever; he makes the vaccine, complains that it gave him a headache, and that's the last we ever really hear from him. All that build-up wasted. He should've at least gone crazy and killed a bunch of Romulans when they were ambushed at the end, then turned his phaser on Picard... But no, he just can't do it--he forgives him! Or ANYTHING else, really!
The whole Romulan political sublot also felt like nothing more than filler. Tal'Aura is the new praetor, but Braeg, an admiral, says she sucks at her job and he wants it. Donatra loves Braeg so she takes a fleet of warbirds and attacks the praetor's fleet, lead by Tomalak--which basically ends up being a stalemate. Braeg's revolution is quickly cut down when he fails to anticipate that maybe Tal'Aura might use weapons other than just foot soldiers (hovercraft are illegal in the state capitol--but she sends some in anyway! What a twist!). So what was the point of it all? It seems like pretty much every Romulan double-crosses every other Romulan in the story, so why would any of them ever trust anyone else? I guess it established that Tal'Aura sucks at her job, but she's cunning enough that she'll probably keep it for a while anyway? But it wasn't interesting enough for me to care.
So, outside the last few pages where Picard and Crusher hook up, and some slightly interesting continuity porn/backstory, there's not much here. Definitely won't be re-reading this one again.
Starfleet sends Picard as a backup to go help the Kevratans; and while he's there, if he happens to find Beverly, he can rescue her too--but the mission comes first. Jean Luc puts together a team consisting of his former Stargazer buddies, and, most importantly, Carter Greyhorse: the Stargazer chief medical officer who helped Beverly devise the cure years ago. Carter has been in an asylum in New Zealand because he went crazy and tried to kill Picard and some other senior officers on the Stargazer; he blamed them for the death of his Klingon wife. He's apparently rehabilitated now--but he still seems a little "off".
The new team infiltrates Kevratas with the help of a Romulan defector, Decalon. He takes them to his friend Phajan's house, who helped him escape Romulus and who still has a servant that works in the underground railroad--he'll be right back after he goes and finds her. Picard notices how dusty the place is and realizes this may be a trap, so they leave. Moments later a squad of Romulan centurions shows up, lead by Sela, who is not pleased that Picard escaped.
The Stargazers flee to some caves where they happen upon the rebels in the underground railroad. They get Greyhorse all set up, and he's off to finding a cure. Picard spends most of his time moping, wistfully thinking about Dr. Crusher.
Meanwhile, Beverly escapes imprisonment with the help of Manathas, a Romulan spy (who happens to have been at Beverly's wedding to Jack Crusher years ago, under cover as a servant; he was there to collect a tissue sample from Picard, which the Romulans would later use to create his clone, Shinzon). Unfortunately, he works for praetor Tal'Aura and just wanted to make sure Sela would get in trouble for losing her prisoner--so he says he's going to have to kill Beverly now. However, Bloodfire plague has mutated and now he has it too, so he'll have to keep Beverly around to devise a cure for the Romulan strain.
Manathas leads Beverly out into a blizzard, en route to their transport site (the mountains contain ore that scatters transporter beams). She sees the Kevratan who was supposed to take her to the underground railroad, so she kicks Manathas in the shin and gets away. The Kevratan squirrels her away in a hidey hole, where she's safe for the time being.
With the vaccine in tow, Picard et. al. head out of the caves to distribute the medicine--and to meet up with Beverly. They're intercepted by Sela, who had a spy in the underground. Sela attacks Picard and is about to beat him to death when Beverly comes to his rescue. Crusher puts up a good fight, but Sela gets the upper hand--until Manathas shows up and saves Beverly again, with the intent of re-abducting her. Decalon tries to save her, but is killed. Picard ultimately saves her with some well-aimed phaser blasts.
Jean Luc takes Beverly in his arms and breathily whispers in her ear that he loves her, he's always loved her--she does not reciprocate his passionate vow of affection.
Picard, back on the Enterprise, is crestfallen that he's ruined his relationship with Beverly. The ship's new chief medical officer arrives and it's none other than Dr. Crusher. She quit Starfleet Medical (again), and is here to stay. She kisses Picard.
Review: 2.5 stars. This book is OK, but definitely not "good". There are a lot of extraneous subplots that never really go anywhere, and ultimately just detract from the main story of Picard/Beverly--which is also kind of a let down.
The sole point of this novel was to hook up Picard and Beverly, once and for all--but they're not even in the vicinity of one another until the last 20 pages of the book or so. I thought maybe they'd both be captured and with no hope of escape they'd finally pledge their love for each other, or something equally dramatic--but nope, they both just realize they really miss each other when they don't have breakfast together. It was fairly anticlimactic, and I didn't think there was much heart to it--not to mention how absurd Beverly's reaction was when Jean Luc saves her life and confesses his love. She's spent her entire imprisonment thinking about how she feels the same, but when he reciprocates, she just totally shuts down? I didn't get it at all--and apparently she didn't either, because a few pages later she quits her job and starts making out with him.
And let's not forget Beverly's daring escape; she gets away from Manathas--a total bad-ass-ninja-spy-killing machine--by kicking him in the shin and running away. While he has a disruptor pressed right up against her spine. Terrible, lazy writing.
The Worf and Geordi sections could be completely excised. Basically they spend the whole book trying to figure out where Picard and Crusher went and how they can help. Just as they're piecing it together and start hatching a plan, Admiral Janeway shows up and tells them to drop it--so they do. Utterly pointless. (It was pretty neat to see Janeway again though.)
I think the story probably would've been better if Worf or Geordi was on Picard's away team instead of the Stargazer people; it really just felt like the author trying to shoehorn his own characters into the story. Maybe if I'd read the Stargazer novels I'd be more invested, but they were such 2-dimensional characters in this book that I really doubt it. I didn't understand why Greyhorse was repeatedly shown to be totally crazy pants, only for it to have absolutely no effect on the outcome whatsoever; he makes the vaccine, complains that it gave him a headache, and that's the last we ever really hear from him. All that build-up wasted. He should've at least gone crazy and killed a bunch of Romulans when they were ambushed at the end, then turned his phaser on Picard... But no, he just can't do it--he forgives him! Or ANYTHING else, really!
The whole Romulan political sublot also felt like nothing more than filler. Tal'Aura is the new praetor, but Braeg, an admiral, says she sucks at her job and he wants it. Donatra loves Braeg so she takes a fleet of warbirds and attacks the praetor's fleet, lead by Tomalak--which basically ends up being a stalemate. Braeg's revolution is quickly cut down when he fails to anticipate that maybe Tal'Aura might use weapons other than just foot soldiers (hovercraft are illegal in the state capitol--but she sends some in anyway! What a twist!). So what was the point of it all? It seems like pretty much every Romulan double-crosses every other Romulan in the story, so why would any of them ever trust anyone else? I guess it established that Tal'Aura sucks at her job, but she's cunning enough that she'll probably keep it for a while anyway? But it wasn't interesting enough for me to care.
So, outside the last few pages where Picard and Crusher hook up, and some slightly interesting continuity porn/backstory, there's not much here. Definitely won't be re-reading this one again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2020
The recent premiere of Star Trek: Picard reignited my interest in Star Trek, mostly dormant for 20 years or so. I finally watched Nemesis, the only Trek film I hadn't seen (and, aside from Beyond, the only one I hadn't seen multiple times). And then I was finally ready, only 15 years late, to start exploring post-Nemesis fiction. And this is the book that started it all. And it's the worst Star Trek fiction I've ever completed.
Its major problem is that it's boring. Friedman never uses one word when he can use a hundred. This book is endlessly talky, full of dull infodumps, character exposition often in the form of dull re-hashes of TNG episodes, and a whole lot of padded-out nothing. At one point about halfway through he spends seven pages on a passage that could have read "They got through the security checkpoint without incident." Further, all that verbiage is monotonous. Characters don't have distinctive voices or styles. Whether it's Picard pining for Crusher, or Romulan intrigue, or a doctor trying to create a vaccine -- it all reads the same.
The other big problem is that this book is pointless. It exists for one reason: to get Dr. Crusher back on the Enterprise and into a relationship with Picard after it was established in Nemesis that she was leaving for Starfleet Medical. That's something that could have been covered in a prologue of another book and spared us this pablum featuring Picard moping like a lovesick teenager.
Further, it's bizarre to me that this, not just the first post-Nemesis TNG novel but essentially the kick-off of the whole united Star Trek publishing line, is so backward-looking. Instead of blazing forward into an open universe, this story leaves what's left of the Enterprise crew hanging in favor of bringing back some of the Stargazer crew yet again, and most of the character relationships are firmly mired in in past events instead of building toward anything much.
On a more positive note, I guess these stories have nowhere to go from here but up.
Its major problem is that it's boring. Friedman never uses one word when he can use a hundred. This book is endlessly talky, full of dull infodumps, character exposition often in the form of dull re-hashes of TNG episodes, and a whole lot of padded-out nothing. At one point about halfway through he spends seven pages on a passage that could have read "They got through the security checkpoint without incident." Further, all that verbiage is monotonous. Characters don't have distinctive voices or styles. Whether it's Picard pining for Crusher, or Romulan intrigue, or a doctor trying to create a vaccine -- it all reads the same.
The other big problem is that this book is pointless. It exists for one reason: to get Dr. Crusher back on the Enterprise and into a relationship with Picard after it was established in Nemesis that she was leaving for Starfleet Medical. That's something that could have been covered in a prologue of another book and spared us this pablum featuring Picard moping like a lovesick teenager.
Further, it's bizarre to me that this, not just the first post-Nemesis TNG novel but essentially the kick-off of the whole united Star Trek publishing line, is so backward-looking. Instead of blazing forward into an open universe, this story leaves what's left of the Enterprise crew hanging in favor of bringing back some of the Stargazer crew yet again, and most of the character relationships are firmly mired in in past events instead of building toward anything much.
On a more positive note, I guess these stories have nowhere to go from here but up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2023
3 ½ stars. I really enjoyed this book and starting to dive deeper into The Next Generation stories about what happened after
Star Trek: Nemesis
.
This was a well written book and it was easy to get into it and feel what the characters were going through. I also really liked how we got the backstory on Beverly's experiences with the plague that the Kevratans were suffering from, as well as how this had been a part in shaping her life and choices after this.
Reading about new cultures within the Star Trek universe is also something that I very much enjoy, and the Kevratan culture was no exception. It came alive as I was reading and seeing this cold and snowy world under Romulan occupation in front of me.
I also feel like I can't finish this review without mentioning something about the Picard/Crusher relationship as this is a main storyline here especially with Picard's feelings being very obvious throughout the book. Even though I was never one to root specifically for them to be together, like I was for other Star Trek couples like Janeway and Chakotay or Riker and Troi, I did always think that a relationship between the two of them would make sense. So with that being said I enjoyed seeing that explored deeper.
If I were to reread this book at some point I would probably want to watch Star Trek: Nemesis right before that, but even though I didn't this time it was still easy to get into it which is always a plus. :)
This was a well written book and it was easy to get into it and feel what the characters were going through. I also really liked how we got the backstory on Beverly's experiences with the plague that the Kevratans were suffering from, as well as how this had been a part in shaping her life and choices after this.
She went on holding it until someone took it away and embraced her, and sent her outside to collect herself. But even in the hot Arvadan sunlight she could feel the chill of Bobby's hand, a piece of the winter he had carried inside of him.
Reading about new cultures within the Star Trek universe is also something that I very much enjoy, and the Kevratan culture was no exception. It came alive as I was reading and seeing this cold and snowy world under Romulan occupation in front of me.
I also feel like I can't finish this review without mentioning something about the Picard/Crusher relationship as this is a main storyline here especially with Picard's feelings being very obvious throughout the book. Even though I was never one to root specifically for them to be together, like I was for other Star Trek couples like Janeway and Chakotay or Riker and Troi, I did always think that a relationship between the two of them would make sense. So with that being said I enjoyed seeing that explored deeper.
If I were to reread this book at some point I would probably want to watch Star Trek: Nemesis right before that, but even though I didn't this time it was still easy to get into it which is always a plus. :)
April 27, 2025
The thing about extending media tie-ins beyond canon is that sometimes you have much less to play with. Here, many of the TNG crew are off on other postings, so it's just Picard and Crusher, really. There's advantages and disadvantages to this approach of course: part of the appeal of the tv series was in the characters and their interactions with each other, but there's something to be said for forcing them (and the readers) out of their comfort zones.
Fittingly, the tone of the book is fairly melancholic, and that's mostly centred around Picard. He's about to have a new ship, but his life is looking very different. I quite enjoyed that very quiet storyline, which has something meditative about it. I think I would have liked it to be a little more of the book's focus - most of that focus is given up to an adventure story centred around plague and rebellion and Romulans, and there's nothing wrong with it, that particular storyline's decently written, but it never grabbed me as much as the internal stuff. The change, here was more interesting to me than the more-of-the-same, if that makes sense.
Fittingly, the tone of the book is fairly melancholic, and that's mostly centred around Picard. He's about to have a new ship, but his life is looking very different. I quite enjoyed that very quiet storyline, which has something meditative about it. I think I would have liked it to be a little more of the book's focus - most of that focus is given up to an adventure story centred around plague and rebellion and Romulans, and there's nothing wrong with it, that particular storyline's decently written, but it never grabbed me as much as the internal stuff. The change, here was more interesting to me than the more-of-the-same, if that makes sense.
January 12, 2019
I read this because of the promised Beverly/Picard storyline, which was sweet, but rushed and weird. I would have enjoyed this a whole lot more without the focus on the Romulan political story that I really didn't care about. I couldn't keep track of all of the new Romulan characters, though I guess some of them already existed - I don't remember Star Trek: Nemesis that well, haha. Geordi and Worf's sub-plot seemed to be an excuse to put more TNG characters in there, which is fine I guess. Star Trek TNG novels are always fun because it's my favorite TV show, but this one was a little too unfocused. I guess fans of this author's previous novels would be happy since he inserts so many of his original Stargazer crew members into this, but I just can't do the weird mix of canon and non-canon characters. A couple is fine, but the entire separate plots about them and having more original characters than series characters in the action is draining.
March 24, 2024
My first Star Trek novel and I was left somewhat disappointed.
I was excited that the book would explore more of the relationship between Crusher and Picard that for 7 seasons wasn't explored fully on the TV series. However, what I was left with was lacklustre. Surely the relationship and the complexities of both their positions in Starfleet, the history would have given substantial groundwork for a well-rounded plot that delved deeply into the two characters.
However it seemed much was left unexplored and Friedman seemed to set up plot points and then gave up on them. A typical example of this was the POVs of Geordi and Worf - Was this just filler? What was the point? Why did Admiral Janeway just appear and then disappear in the story?
Also the ending felt rushed and almost like Friedman needed to wrap up the story quickly.
BUT, otherwise... the story was interesting enough. It just about gains a 3 star.
I was excited that the book would explore more of the relationship between Crusher and Picard that for 7 seasons wasn't explored fully on the TV series. However, what I was left with was lacklustre. Surely the relationship and the complexities of both their positions in Starfleet, the history would have given substantial groundwork for a well-rounded plot that delved deeply into the two characters.
However it seemed much was left unexplored and Friedman seemed to set up plot points and then gave up on them. A typical example of this was the POVs of Geordi and Worf - Was this just filler? What was the point? Why did Admiral Janeway just appear and then disappear in the story?
Also the ending felt rushed and almost like Friedman needed to wrap up the story quickly.
BUT, otherwise... the story was interesting enough. It just about gains a 3 star.
April 7, 2020
3/10 is usually the highest I'd rate a novel that reads like an episode of TV. It was good. If this was a star trek episode I don't think it would have made my highlights reel, but it would be on par with other picard/crusher episodes, which this story even references.
One thing I like about a novel like this a lot, is that at 200 pages, I can burn through it in an afternoon and it only takes me a bit more time than watching an episode or two, which provides the same level of escapism that an afternoon of trek provides. I've read trek novels that I didn't get through before closing book due to boredom but this one isn't that.
If you wanna escape into a bit of harmless trek for a few hours this is a good one to go with. I've read a bunch of this author before and he does understand trek better than most.
One thing I like about a novel like this a lot, is that at 200 pages, I can burn through it in an afternoon and it only takes me a bit more time than watching an episode or two, which provides the same level of escapism that an afternoon of trek provides. I've read trek novels that I didn't get through before closing book due to boredom but this one isn't that.
If you wanna escape into a bit of harmless trek for a few hours this is a good one to go with. I've read a bunch of this author before and he does understand trek better than most.
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