Reviews

Architects of Infinity by Kirsten Beyer

pangalactics's review against another edition

5.0

Um, OMG.

It was good, yeah. Some of my general problems with the storylines remain but this was moving in a better direction. Loved the emphasis on the „new“ crew members, loved most of Ichebs story (Why can’t people just be asexual, why does it have to be a „medical problem“, ugh, like that whole bit was super relatable until the „your genes are wrong“ part ... :-/)
It was super intense start to finish. In a good way.
And what a finish. Holy cow.

even_steven's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

Beyer states in the afterward that this book was released following a busy time in her life and the birth of her child. It shows. The plot is paper thin and is mainly driven by bouncing between scenes of interpersonal drama. This would be absolutely fine if these scenes were interesting or insightful. They’re not. Without being too hyperbolic, it’s safe to say that virtually nothing notable happens in the first three quarters of the book.

Beyer also assumes that everyone picking up this book will be clued in on everything else she’s written in the Voyager series. She kind of drops you in the deep end without much context and certainly very little foundation-building to give you much reason to care for any of the characters introduced since the television series ended. Beyer refers to enemies and conflicts that are completely unrelated to the self-contained narrative of this book. If you’re just a casual fan of Voyager or are simply vaguely familiar with its characters and storylines, be prepared to be befuddled at the start.

The level of sentimentality and the constant references to babies and parenthood are sickeningly saccharine. Many of the women in the book are situated firmly in relation to their pregnancy, imminent birth, decisions about carrying a foetus to term, or caring for their young children. One character only discovers her true purpose once she develops a lifelong bond with someone else’s foetus. I’m serious. Also, last time I checked, B’Elanna Torres was a tenacious and highly competent engineer and fighter. In this book, she’s a background character caring for her litter of children. Even Janeway isn’t safe from this characterisation, as she reflects on the fact that she never had children.

The Janeway/Chakotay love(making) scenes are next level cringeworthy. If you like your Star Trek to read like Mills & Boon, this may be the book for you. The writing in these scenes is diabolical. Look, I realise Star Trek paperbacks are essentially sanctioned and licensed fan fic, but there has to be a bar somewhere.

judenoseinabook's review against another edition

4.0

Another cliff hanger ending after an exciting shore leave for the Full Circle team

birdmanseven's review against another edition

2.0

I'm pretty tired of this arc. I keep waiting for the series to have a back-to-basics story and it just doesn't seem to happen. At this point, I think I'll tap out until a new author comes in.

kbc's review

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

dreamwanderer's review

4.0

I was bored by this book which is unusual as I normally find all of Byer's ST: Voyager books to be page turners. This one I could barely slog through. I suppose most of her creative focus has gone toward Star Trek Discovery which is fine, its a good career move for her.

There were some good parts. Patel's feelings of inadequacy, the new planet, and its mysteries were interesting and the ending was a good cliffhanger. Developing Icheb more was a good choice. I might be cold and heartless but the whole Kim/Conlin storyline left me feeling 'meh'.

Maybe the sequel will make up for it but for now, this one isn't going to be on my 're-read' list.

queenofhistoricalfiction's review

5.0

I love these books Kirsten Beyer writes so much! It is such a nostalgia trip. But the main reason I love them so much is that she drives the characters and plots well into the future. I loved seeing some of the side characters finally getting their own voices. Patel's was beautiful as she comes into grip with what it really means to be a leader and a Starfleet officer. My favorite character development was definitely Gwyn's. The mirroring of what she goes through and what women have gone through for centuries past was so inspiring. The thing that I love most about these novels, especially in the latest ones are their morals, the reflections of what is right, what is wrong, and why we choose the paths that are before us.

harmony's review

1.0

I spent 3/4 of this book feeling like I barely knew what was going on, not because it was too technical but because it felt too hand-wavey, as if the author also had only a vague idea of what was going on. The drama surrounding Kim and Conlon continued to feel contrived and honestly kinda squicky to me the longer it went on, and increasingly out of character. Also what is with this 'every woman needs a baby to be complete' theme I'm seeing creep in?! First the Janeway alternate reality storyline and then hints all along the edges of this story... Finally the ending was more obnoxious than dramatic and at this point I'm not even sure I want to finish the relaunch series.