A Star Trek: The Next Generation: Time #7: A Time to Kill

"A Time to Kill", the seventh installment in the current "A Time to..." series of Next Generation novels, weaves together for the reader a complex storyline, enthralling characterizations, deep convictions, and heartfelt emotions. Focusing around a rising problem on the neutral world of Tezwa, the United Federation of Planets is rushing to prevent a disaster that could spread into a quadrant-wide conflict. In an effort to cover-up for possible treaty breaches in the past, the Federation now finds itself stuck between the Klingons, Starfleet, and the people of Tezwa, each of whom could uncover the secrets that might plunge the Alpha Quadrant into a new and sustained conflict that would cost countless lives. David Mack is a relative newcomer to Star Trek fiction, having previously penned the "Starfleet Survival Guide" and a reference to the "New Frontier" book series. His previous fictional works have both been in the "Starfleet Corps of Engineers" series. "A Time to Kill" and its follow-up "A Time to Heal" represent his first full-length paperback novels, and Mack comes to the table with a tour-de-force read that I simply couldn't put down. At the risk of sounding like a crazed internet gusher, I was utterly stunned at the magnificent accuracy with which Mack was able to write the beloved crew of the Enterprise-E, as well as Worf and Martok. As each character appeared in the novel, I could literally see, hear, and experience this novel like it was a movie or television show. Mack's story is deeply complex, and to truly delve into the complexity needs to be avoided for this review, for to truly reveal the nature of the complexity would be to spoil the sheer joy of reading this novel. Mack goes to great lengths to make this story a fast-paced thriller, and succeeds with short chapters that make it easy to follow the many plots that meet within the covers of this book. Seeing the struggles of power in the Tezwan capital, the political machinations behind the scenes in their planetary council, and seeing the sacrifices of good Starfleet officers has never been so palpable or enjoyable in my experience of reading Star Trek novels. This novel has a soul all it's own, one that will draw the reader in and that simply won't let go. David Mack makes a worthy addition to the roster of novel-length Star Trek fiction writers, and has earned a nearly flawless review from me. This is a Star Trek novel for the ages, and one can only hope that "A Time to Heal", Mack's follow-up (due within the month) will bring the story to the boiling head it needs to enter into October's finale for the "A Time to..." series, "A Time for War, A Time for Peace", penned by Keith R. A. DeCandido.

this book delves in with a lot of action. the enterprise is visiting a planet that has a military coup with several of the crew being held hostage. add to that the new government has control over some new weapons that nearly annilate a klingon fleet. the klingons are bent on revenge and it is up to the enterprise to put back the government in the hands of the old government, stop the new weapon at all cost and prevent the klingons from anniliating everyone on the planet. this book is well written and probaly the best of the 8 in the series. it will keep you in suspense the whole time.

This book starts with a seven page recap of the series, and then plunges right into an incredible political intrigue. At one-third through the book, where previous books of the series are ending their recaps, it switches over to commando missions. The pacing never lets up. The descriptions are very clear and the action scenes are very dramatic and generally well done. The characterisations start out a bit flat, but are excellent during the commando sections. The plotting of the story is remarkable. We follow six commando teams, plus asides to the Enterprise, Qo'noS, Earth and other places. I do not think I have read a book that follows so many characters at once. I certainly have never read a book that does it so well, completely clear about who is doing what. On a minor note, there are references to many events since the Dominion War, including from books that have not been released yet, seamlessly worked in. Also, I finally get an explanation of the Federation politics that has underlain the series. That is really interesting, but I do not know why they did not present it earlier. Last, the scope of this story is huge. If the Enterprise crew fails, a war to the finish with the Klingon Empire is an absolute certainty, and the characters never forget it or allow us to. I have only one complaint. Koll Azernal is neither devious nor capable enough to sustain his plots. He probably would have come unglued long before this. That does make me look forward even more to the next book, though, as then the real master schemers should get into the action. It is worth mentioning at this point that this book, unlike previous books in the series, is a complete story in itself. The next book is also the next story. Obviously, I give this my highest recommendation.

The "shadowy spy oprganization" (aka "Section 31) in the "A Time To.." series mentioned in the review below did NOT originate in any novel, it first appeared in the televised DS9 episode "Inquisition". As for the 'bloated' continuity, I really don't see it as being a problem in the current Star Trek novel universe. The continuity displayed is more in simply keeping consistant with previously published novels rather than being dependent upon them (as contrasted to the Star Wars novel universe and its NJO, which while entertaining, was heavily dependent on previous novels). As for David Macks A Time to Kill/Heal duology, I thought it was a brilliant and gripping tale which shows an accurate parellel to current world events. Trek has always been at its best when it comments on the state of the world WE live in. The conclusion of the series, "A Time For War, A Time For Peace" by Keith R. A. DeCandido is much better capstone for the TNG crew than the shaky 'Nemesis' feature. I think if Paramount hired the current batch of Trek novelists to do the shows and movies (as opposed to the hacks who currently do Trek for Paramount) Trek would be in a much better place than it is today.

This is the seventh book in this series and the first of the two written by David Mack. I am not sure why I liked this novel but it is getting the highest rating I can give it. This novel is a step into the ability of the Enterprise crew to pull off true miracles. They are given a mission that they are expected to fail at but with little time, less help and incredible levels of luck, they pull of this feat of greatness and surprise. The real power of this story is the portrayal of the Federation. If you enjoyed the Deep Space Nine episode `In the Pale Moonlight' then you will love this novel.