Full Circle (Star Trek: Voyager)

Voyager fans have had a rocky few years. The first 4 Relaunch books were less than fantastic IMO, but at least we had something. Then 5 years without any major post-series action. Of course we had Tuvok in the extremely well written Titan series. There were cameos by multiple crew members in other titles. And we had the death of a beloved character in the shocking if moving 'Before Dishonor' by Peter David; a Next Generation title that starred Janeway & Seven. Seven also saw quite a bit of development in the exciting Destiny trilogy by David Mack. But now we have 'Full Circle' and Voyager hasn't been this good in ages. The author, Kirsten Beyer previously wrote the excellent middle volume in the Voyager "String Theory" trilogy. She got the characters right then, and she's perfected them beyond my hopes in this new integral installment. Those who feel that the loss of 1 character from the ensemble is too much to bear may understandably want to skip this one, but if they choose to do so they are missing out on quite a ride - and easily the best post-series Voyager story yet. Those that felt that the first 4 Relaunch titles by Christie Golden were missing something need to give this one a shot! The characters have rarely been this well written. The story has never been this moving. The series feels reinvigorated. And I for one am very happy with what is happening in the post-Voyager landscape.

Although no one more than myself was extremely depressed over Janeway's death, I thought that it was handled in a really good way. I had already read the reviews of Before Dishonor, so I was curious if this book would continue with that storyline. It does, but in a way that allows all of the characters to evolve and become more human. Each character gets their own story arch, but none of those really detract from the overall story. The story is a little disjointed, jumping within its three-year time frame, but once the story is finished it kinda makes sense. As readers, we aren't meant to see the whole story and how it all fits like puzzle pieces until the last few pages. Thank you thank you for making the Janeway-Chakotay thing happen, if only for a short while. Those two really did deserve happiness together. I am unsure about Captain Eden. Although her intentions are good, we'll see if she becomes more than just a brooding ex-wife of the most self-centered, pompous admiral ever written. I sincerely hope that Seven and Chakotay find their way back to the Delta Quadrant, perhaps with Tuvok in tow. And please, don't break the new slipstream technology!

I have to say right here and now that I hope that every Voyager book from here on out is written by Kirsten Beyer. She nails the characters. Interesting on every level. 561 pages, 2 nights. Couldn't put it down. SPOILERS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hopefully, the next book will fix the mess made in Before Dishonor, and BRING BACK JANEWAY!!! Broke my heart....especially after reading the backstory Beyer created for Janeway and Chakotay, Voyager's ultimate love story. A definite read!

Yeah. Backstory for anyone missing it: in 2007's Before Dishonor, Kathryn Janeway was killed. Well, actually, she's off having fun with the Q, but editorially, it's been made clear that she won't be coming back as a mortal for at least the foreseeable future (next couple years). Before that, Tuvok was moved as a regular character to the Titan series, begun in Taking Wing in 2005. And then last year, the Destiny trilogy did a huge Borg invasion that changed everything for the Federation, and Voyager was involved in that too. So, in the 5 years of real time and 3 years of in-universe time since the last Voyager novel, some serious things have changed. These things are clearly not everyone's cup of tea (especially Janeway's death), and so I'm sure this book is going to get a ton of 1-star reviews based on that alone. But that's unworthy of this magnificent, graceful epic. It gives us one last adventure of everyone from the show together again in the first half, then shows us what happens over the next three years as they drift apart, react to Janeway's death, change as people in startling but truly human ways, and then all end up at the end......well, that would spoil it. But suffice it to say "Full Circle" is an excellent title. And suffice it also to say that anyone complaining about "only a few" characters being left apparently failed to read the novel. Going forward, aside from Janeway and Tuvok, every major Voyager character that made it back to the Alpha Quadrant has a huge role and a fascinating ongoing character arc. This book has one of the most surprising and layered endings of any Trek book you'll read, and it does everyone justice (including Janeway and Tuvok, though they are departed). I can't imagine there'd be a Voyager fan that didn't find something to like here. If Janeway's death is a dealbreaker, well then this probably isn't for you. If a 560 page emotional journey that hits some seriously dark places before coming back to the light seems too intense for a Star Trek book, then maybe this isn't for you. But if you're on the fence at all, I would seriously recommend giving this a try. This is a book about people, flawed but powerful people, in a winding tale that shows more of what that really means than the show ever did. What I mean is, for my money, it's one of the best Trek novels ever published, and easily the best Voyager novel ever published, even with Janeway dying. And while I see many totally valid reasons you could have for disagreeing, I hope that you don't just think "WELL THAT SOUNDS LAME" and give this a pass. There's much more to Full Circle than you expect.

First of all I must say how shameful it has been 5 years since Pocket Books has released any Voyager re-launch novels from "Enemy of my Enemy" but have continuously focused on Titan, TNG, DS9, New Frontier which aren't even nearly as good as Voyager. I must say though Beyer does a great job at finishing up Golden's ideas and she greatly improves upon it. This is the re-launch novel that Voyager fans have REALLY been waiting for. I must say though how disappointed I was with the death of Janeway (why not kill off Picard, Sisko or Dr. McCoy?) Those characters are much older, and should be let go before Janeway. I didn't like the idea of Peter David killing her off in a TNG relaunch novel of "Before Dishonor". But Beyer certainly does not skip a beat on the thrills and going into details with her death (with some surprising romances- that fans have craved for years). Beyer did a great job at restoring Voyager back to it's roots and setting if off again in their home turf at the end of the novel. But I do not like the fact that Captain Eden is in command, when hardly any VOY crew members are left onboard except for Kim and Paris. Also B'lanna cheating death? That is so unlike her- I am sure her closets friends would help her out instead she runs around the quadrant in secrecy. Beyer does a great job at showing Voyager's role in the Desinty series (with tragic consequences- to some of the new characters in the relaunch). I hope Chakotay comes back in command- that is really his ship and Janeways. I believe the height of the show was with her and him in Command. I don't believe Eden will live up to that height. I also believe that the show isn't really much of a relaunch if they kill off the main characters and do little about the old ones. Overall Beyer made a masterpiece. I hope that Unworthy is certainly just as good- this has to be one of Voyager's best novels, if not the best.