Book Review: Timetrap by David Dvorkin

Timetrap by David Dvorkin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The premise of Timetrap by David Dvorkin is a slight of hand that the reader falls for from the experience of James Kirk, who himself falls for the Klingon deception.  The Enterprise encounters a Klingon Bird-of-Prey in Federation territory near the Tholian space, Kirk beams over in an attempt to grab a Klingon for questioning only for the ship to disappear as the result of an interstellar storm that also affects the Enterprise.  Kirk waits up among Klingons supposedly 100 years in the future during a period called "The Great Peace" between the Federation and Klingons to learn he is the reason it occurred.  However, the battered Enterprise arrives at Starbase Seventeen where Spock starts his investigation into Kirk disappearance.  Events quickly transpire that sends Kirk with a Klingon fleet into Federation space, but along the way the deception starts to unravel and completely falls apart as the two hostile factions face off with one another.

While the pace and overall story of the novel were good, it was the character development of Kirk that was really off putting and though at the end of the novel his behavior is hand-waved as a product of chemical manipulation it's still off putting.  The internal conflict of the Klingon undercover spy is well done and completely tricks the reader when the true is revealed.

Overall Timetrap is an quick, average read.  If your a Star Trek fan, I halfheartedly recommend it with the warning about Kirk.  If you're not a Star Trek fan then watch out because your perception of Kirk could get warped.


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Book Review: To Green Angel Tower, Part 1 by Tad Williams

To Green Angel Tower, Part 1 by Tad Williams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The first part of To Green Angel Tower hooks the reader from the first page with suspense, action, growing tensions that are unique to particular characters, and mysteries both solves and still unanswered.  Tad Williams begins the finale of his series Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn with major characters still separated throughout the vast terrain of Osten Ard, but through course of the events bring many of them together only to separate them once again.  The majority of the action takes place in and around the Stone of Farewell as newly knighted Simon Snowlock joins the battle for the survive of the town of refugees that had sprouted on the ancient Sithi site as Prince Josua begins to openly challenge his brother's rule.

The journey of Miriamele to the Stone of Farewell along with the dubious Cadrach brought together Isgrimnur, Tiamak, and the mentally lost Casamir in a journey through the dangerous Wran and enemy held borderlands.  The reunion of nearly all the major characters results in very interesting dynamics and sometimes annoying with Simon and Miramele's interactions varying on the situation.  The situation in Hernystir sees the Sithi ride to war and Maegwin lose her mind, which is neither improves or worsens her character development instead of just continuing to make it frustrating as usual.  And Williams turns his attention to Pryrates, Elias, Rachel the Dragon, and blind Guthwulf to give the situation in the Hayholt.

To Green Angel Tower (Part 1) builds on the first two books in the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series as well establishing the endgame for entire story.  Part 1 ends just as important things look like they are about to take place, especially as Simon and Miriamele separate from Josua's ragtag army on a mission only Miriamele knows the objective.  It's an ending that makes the reader want to go straight to Part 2.


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Book Review: Time for Yesterday by A. C. Crispin

Time for Yesterday by A.C. Crispin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

On it's own Time for Yesterday by A.C. Crispin is a decent, fun Star Trek novel whether one has read it's precursor novel Yesterday's Son.  With that said, one's enjoyment of the novel and understanding of the interactions between Kirk, Spock, and McCoy (as well as the majority of the TOS Enterprise crew) with Zar can only come after having read Yesterday's Son.  The book contains two plots that cross with one another thanks to time travel, but it's the initial one of the malfunctioning Guardian of Forever that comes across as the better of the two especially as the reader meets the creators of the Guardian.

Having been given this book by a relative, I didn't know what to expect.  The book was a fun read, but after the Guardian plot was wrapped up the rest of the book was missing the backstory that Yesterday's Son would have provided.  So you're thinking about reading this book without having read Yesterday's Son, I recommend you don't.  Find Yesterday's Son either on Kindle or at a used book store or at a friend's house and read it first before Time for Yesterday.  I fully intend to find Yesterday's Son so I can re-read this book and have a better appreciation (and review of it).


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