OTF's Blue Publication August 2015
In 1997 Peter David introduced Star Trek Fans to a new
story 
and a new crew. Most of us had grown up with Kirk, Spock, and McCoy or
Picard, Riker, and Data. David's attempt to recreate this chemistry on the page
was successful with the New Frontier series. He brought back characters such as
Selar and Elizabeth Shelby whom we knew and created a bunch of new ones like
Captain Mackenzie Calhoun, Zak Kebron, and Soleta. His first 4 books
established the crew and their mission in an unknown region of space, and 18
years and 19 books later, we are still enthralled by the adventures.
The
Returned picked up 3 months after Blind Man's Bluff. Captain Calhoun, still searching for signs of
life on his home plant after a genocide at the hands of another race not native
to the Milky Way, decided to return with some coaxing and take the fight to
those who annihilated his people. Meanwhile, Robin Lefler, trying to protect
her son from those who want to harm him must make a choice. The crew of the
Excalibur have to get used to having their Captain back after being AWOL for a
while, and those calling the shots have to sit back and watch. The story deals
with questions of right and wrong, power and weakness, inner strength,
loyality, and protection.
The characters seem like old friends and you want to see
what they been doing since last you read and I think that this adds to the
readability of this story. The interpersonal dynamics of Calhoun and Shelby,
Burgoyne and Xyon, Soleta and Xyon, as well as the returning Mark McHenry and
Lefler are what make things move along. They each seem to play off one another.
Peter David decided to release this story, his first in
over 4 years, as a 3 part ebook and I will be looking at each part of the next
several months. I can't say that I am
surprised at the way the book turned out. It is a very easy read. Upon hearing
that this was coming out a few months ago I knew I just had to have it. I
wasn't disappointed. I've become a accustomed o Mr. David taking the plot in a
different direction that you think it is going to go... that hasn't happened
yet, but I still expect some fireworks as this is just part one of 3.
Part 2 will be released soon with Part 3 to be released in
September. After reading the first part I am very interested to see where the
story goes. I'll admit I am a fan of the books, but I think anyone that loves a
good trek story will enjoy the table Mr David has set. My advice, check this
out and then go back and get the rest if you haven't read them already.
Remember these are ebooks so you will need a tablet to enjoy these.