A review by octavia_cade
Strike Zone by Peter David

2.0

I don't care much for reading about battles, and much of this was two species trying to brain each other, with a very long running fight through corridors at the end. I wanted them all dead just for it to be over. Neither do I care much for stories that are all about higher beings forcing humanity to go through arbitrary tests, and while I'm pleased that Picard shares my dismay, I've got about as much interest in reading it as he has in living it. Against all odds - because I generally can't stand him - the best part of this book was Wesley Crusher. It's set just after that point in the second series where his mum leaves him alone on the Enterprise to further her career at Starfleet Medical, or whatever it was. When I saw the programme as a kid, I could completely understand her wanting to ditch him, but David makes it painfully clear that this 16 year old kid has essentially been abandoned and isn't coping that well because of it. Which is actually pretty realistic, and all the adults around him have just left him to flounder. Clever does not mean mature, and even intelligent adolescents shouldn't be expected to raise themselves.

I actually felt for him. I'm sure it won't last, but all credit to David that he's managed to eke some sympathy out of my cold black heart anyway.