madisonreadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
factolvictor's review against another edition
3.0
It's an interesting story that unites the Next Generation crew with Spock, Scotty and McCoy. What hooked me was the plot continuation for the Unification episodes. I was anxious to see what happened after those two episodes which introduced Spock as the leader of Unification group in Romulus. His attempt to reunite Vulcans and Romulans is interesting and I believe that in this book, his ideas is better developed. It's not the best Star Trek book I've ever read, but it has its virtues. It was great to revisit the Next Generation again.
birdmanseven's review against another edition
4.0
This had to happen. We establish that Spock, Scotty, and McCoy are all alive in the Next Gen era, so let's get them together! With that in mind, the story is actually stronger than you might think. The author uses the characters well and gets a pretty exciting tale out of the old guard.
We take a deep dive into all things Next Generation in a special episode of the All the Books Show: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/episode-230-picard-and-the-next-generation
We take a deep dive into all things Next Generation in a special episode of the All the Books Show: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/episode-230-picard-and-the-next-generation
happentobeshort's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
So I listened to this as an audiobook instead of reading it, which is definitely more fun when at least one of the OG actors does it, which in this case it was none other than trombone man Riker!
Anyway, it was a fun enough premise and hearing Frakes impersonate the other characters was a gift, but overall it was just, ehhhh. Like a fun enough fanfic that doesn't land that well but you don't mind because you didn't have high hopes from the start and just wanted the comfort of reading about your faves getting up to hijinks. Although I refuse to believe that high ranking Romulans had no idea who Spock was. Like??? SPOCK????? PROBABLY THE FIRST HALF HUMAN VULCAN EVER?????? COME ON!!!
Anyway, it was a fun enough premise and hearing Frakes impersonate the other characters was a gift, but overall it was just, ehhhh. Like a fun enough fanfic that doesn't land that well but you don't mind because you didn't have high hopes from the start and just wanted the comfort of reading about your faves getting up to hijinks. Although I refuse to believe that high ranking Romulans had no idea who Spock was. Like??? SPOCK????? PROBABLY THE FIRST HALF HUMAN VULCAN EVER?????? COME ON!!!
ryano1124's review against another edition
3.0
The book was a satisfactory read for anyone looking to scratch that NextGen itch - especially if you're a fan of how the show has handled a lot of the TOS characters. My only complaint about the book is that... I felt like I'd read it before or seen it on an episode before (and I know I hadn't). The source material, theme, story, and characters used FOR that story has been done to death. A mad trip to Romulan space to save Spock while constantly alluding to the mindmeld between Picard and Sarek is just rehashed ground and while the other books that I've read along this storyline may have copied this one... I have no way of knowing, LOL.
kgagne's review
3.0
A fun, if forgettable, Star Trek novel that features the three TOS characters still alive in the TNG era — Spock, Scotty, and McCoy. Unfortunately, the three are not working together, so there's little teamwork involved. Further, McCoy is reduced to a cantankerous old coot, and much of Spock's drama is predicated on the notion that the Romulans have no photographic evidence by which to identify the Vulcan. Fortunately, Scotty is as ingenious and entertaining as always; the book is worth it almost solely for his scenes.
strikingthirteen's review
4.0
Recent events have turned me to some good old fashioned Star Trek literature. Comfort food along with a good, pulpy horror story but this is one I've never come across and I was sold right away when I cam across it in the library's catalogue. Spock is doing work for Unification on Romulus and is arrested with a bunch of other followers - somehow no one knows that Spock is actually among them. The Federation is, of course, concerned but not for probably the obvious reason. Top brass orders Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the Enterprise to deal with things - and they're sending Admiral Leonard McCoy along as well as an advisor.
Meanwhile out in space on the shuttle Picard loaned to him, Montgomery Scott intercepts a message about Spock's capture and decides it's up to him to rescue his friend. The man has stolen starships before so I think he has developed a taste for it - and I actually really enjoyed watching him do it. While Scott is being a pirate, Picard has to deal with an impatient and holier than thou McCoy who ends up becoming something he always hated. Really though, Picard's crew is superficial and this is a story about our living three original Enterprise crew members and it is so much fun to read.
I have my problems with it (Spock's chosen course of action, the fact that the Romulans don't know Spock is there in their damn jail, some other stuff) but over all it's a fun adventure and a logical progression since we've had Spock, Scott, and McCoy on The Next Generation but not at the same time. Much enjoyment to be had here for original series fans.
Meanwhile out in space on the shuttle Picard loaned to him, Montgomery Scott intercepts a message about Spock's capture and decides it's up to him to rescue his friend. The man has stolen starships before so I think he has developed a taste for it - and I actually really enjoyed watching him do it. While Scott is being a pirate, Picard has to deal with an impatient and holier than thou McCoy who ends up becoming something he always hated. Really though, Picard's crew is superficial and this is a story about our living three original Enterprise crew members and it is so much fun to read.
I have my problems with it (Spock's chosen course of action, the fact that the Romulans don't know Spock is there in their damn jail, some other stuff) but over all it's a fun adventure and a logical progression since we've had Spock, Scott, and McCoy on The Next Generation but not at the same time. Much enjoyment to be had here for original series fans.
jersy's review against another edition
3.0
This is a decent Star Trek story and if there is something objectively wrong with it, I didn't catch it. The writing can be a little close to clunky on some occasions, but it wasn't that often and aside from the typical "you remember that thing from the show?" moments that a lot of ST books I have read tend to have, none of them drew me out of the story.
That said, if this will be a favourite or just meh depends on the type of star trek stories you enjoy. It was a diplomacy and action story, heavily relying on (but not being limited by) the crossover elements of TNG and TOS.
I don't adore the TOS cast as I do Picards crew, but they were all interestingly portrayed and I enjoyed them being there. It has some TNG elements I really like, e.g. Guidance by Guinan, Picard being annoyed by someone and also explored an alien culture a little further. The parts with Spock were the most interesting for me.
Still, my favourite ST episodes / stories are about interpersonal stuff, exploring concepts or putting the crew in weird situations. I don't dislike the interracial conflicts, but they're not my favourites and while I think this is a well done version of it, it didn't do enough to blow me away. It was fun, but there wasn't much that lets this story stand out from other star trek stories, be it episodes or books, at least for me.
That said, if this will be a favourite or just meh depends on the type of star trek stories you enjoy. It was a diplomacy and action story, heavily relying on (but not being limited by) the crossover elements of TNG and TOS.
I don't adore the TOS cast as I do Picards crew, but they were all interestingly portrayed and I enjoyed them being there. It has some TNG elements I really like, e.g. Guidance by Guinan, Picard being annoyed by someone and also explored an alien culture a little further. The parts with Spock were the most interesting for me.
Still, my favourite ST episodes / stories are about interpersonal stuff, exploring concepts or putting the crew in weird situations. I don't dislike the interracial conflicts, but they're not my favourites and while I think this is a well done version of it, it didn't do enough to blow me away. It was fun, but there wasn't much that lets this story stand out from other star trek stories, be it episodes or books, at least for me.
ivaliceforever's review
4.0
While I usually actively avoid reading most things for The Next Generation (Picard is just...a little bit boring after Kirk) I LOVED this particular book. We see Spock and Admiral McCoy and how the TNG cast deals with them.
I enjoyed the book far more than I thought I would going in. I picked it up literally because McCoy was involved and then got sucked in and didn't crawl back out for a week.
I enjoyed the book far more than I thought I would going in. I picked it up literally because McCoy was involved and then got sucked in and didn't crawl back out for a week.
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