From: v075q5fr@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (Scott J Gorcey)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.current
Subject: Peter David, Diane Duane, MW Bonano (was re Da Books)
Date: 14 Oct 92 21:00:00 GMT
Organization: University at Buffalo
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41


> 
>Ready anything by: Peter David, Diane Duane, Margaret Bonano, AC

     I half agree with you, Matt, which is a switch!  
     I would read Peter David's "Sulu and the Excelsior" book -
     the idea is like an unknown quantity - imaginative and
     possibly innovative, and at a very interesting time in
     the Federation-Star Trek chronology - it could be the only
     good Star Trek book in quite a while.  (I assume Janice
     Rand would still be there, and perhaps Christine Chapel
     as CMO?) 
     But I wouldn't recommend IMZADI or VENDETTA to my worst
     enemies - formulaically plotted, sloppily written, I come
     away with this feeling: PAD wrote these books in a weekend.
     (Which he confirms by BRAGGING about it at conventions -
     Peter: if you're reading: Don't brag about how fast you
     write.  S please.  ROCK AND A HARD PLACE was pretty good,
     you know: the best, comparatively with the rest of the
     TNG novels...
     material, ple
     Diane Duane is definitely the best author in the Star Trek
     staple - if she's really returned with THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY,
     or is just visiting.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if Richard
     Arnold's ouster allowed Diane to bring back her Rihannsu?
     Anyone reading her DOORS series?  (The third book is out in
     England and Ireland now).

     As for Ms Bonano: DWELLERS, I admit, was pretty amazing. 
     One of the best Star Trek novels.  But I didn't like a lot
     of STRANGERS FROM THE SKY.  Some of it was very interesting -
     like the Kelp farmers - but the most interesting aspects
     needn't be Star Trek specific, and would be energy better
     used on independant projects (as she did with the real gold
     that was censored from PROBE - turned it into THE OTHERS and
     its sequel).

     AC Crispin...  Well.  Ah.  Whatever.  She's okay.  Which puts    
     her above the average-dregs of Star Trek author's talent.
     I admit the books are as bad as they are MORE because of
     Roddenberry's and Arnold's ridiculous "reign of terror" -
     but that's over now, and Paramount seems like it will allow
     more creativity, under a disclaimer, than in the last few
     years - so I'm expecting the books to get better (especially
     with the reutrn of Duane).

     Add to the list of "read anything by" - Vonda McIntyre, who
     is another wonderful author (SUPERLUMINAL, DREAMSNAKE - both
     Hugo and Nebula Award winners; STARFARERS, etc) in her own
     right.  If she should return to the Star Trek staple - READ
     HER (she also has a UseNet account, and reads rec.arst.sf.books
     regularly.

>Also avoid: Diane Carey, Gene DeWesse, Marshak/Culbreath.

     As you know, I agree with the Carey assessment: she's pathetic.
     Gene DeWesse, even if he was good - which he's not - I wouldn't
     read on basic "he's an asshole for what he done" principle.  But
     then the same must go for Brad Whatshisname who wrote FLAG FULL
     OF STARS.  

     As for Marshak/Culbreath -- didn't they write the K/S stories,
     or the Spock Must Die ones?  I don't think we have to worry 
     about THEM writing future Trek!  That was so long ago!


                 Shortly  thereafter, the health of  Annie
                 Blackburn still in question, the behavior
                 of Special Agent  Dale Cooper was noticed
                 __________________________to have changed.
                                              Scott Gorcey.            
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