Call to Darkness

Normally a good writer. But everyone can be off their game now and then. I couldn't even finish it. The book really petered out, long before it got near the end.

"A Call to Darkness" is Michael Jan Friedman's second Star Trek novel and first Star Trek The Next Generation novel which has lead to him being Star Trek's most prolific author altogether. This was the first of his novels that I'd read and from this very beginning I found his writing to be quite compelling and a true joy to read. If you've read any of his later novels and not read this one yet, I suggest that you go back and check this one out for you will not be disappointed in the least.The premise:Captain Picard and the Enterprise discover a lifeless Federation research vessel in orbit of a planet that his hidden behind a mysterious energy shield. Despite the strong and ever present objections of his first officer, Commander Riker, Captain Picard leads an away team to the abandoned vessel to search for the crew; then they disappear. Commander Riker now finds himself in the position of having to find his missing Captain and crew and at the same time a mysterious disease strikes the crew of the starship...Of the many early Star Trek The Next Generation novels, this one stands a cut above the rest due to Michael Jan Friedman's captivating and intriguing writing style. I would definitely recommend this early STNG novel to any and all fans. {ssintrepid}

Having read the previous eight ST:TNG books as well, I must say that this one is in my three favourites. It's well written, the battles are quite exciting, and the characters are well aligned as we see them in the series on television. (Some previous authors failed in that.) Of course half of them has amnesia, but nevertheless you can see the characters shine through : they can not remember who they are, but what they do and how they respond to certain things makes them the characters like we know them. Nicely done. This book is a must-read for Worf fans. Data fans can skip this book, because he has only a little part in it.

THIS IS A GOOD READ. THE STORY FLOWED WELL AND WAS A GOOD CONCEPT. MR. FRIEDMAN KEEPS IT INTERESTING.

While not necessarily a book that you just can't put down, it was an enjoyable read.