Review: Imzadi by Peter David, 1992

Imzadi by Peter David, 1992
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As a long-time Star Trek: The Next Generation fan and on reccommendation , I was excited to dive into "Imzadi" by Peter David, a novel that explores the complex romantic history between Commander William Riker and ship's counselor Deanna Troi. I have to say, it didn't disappoint.

What struck me the most about "Imzadi" was its focus on character development. The story offers a unique glimpse into Riker and Troi's lives before their service on the U.S.S. Enterprise, providing valuable insights into their personalities and the enduring bond they share. As a fan, I appreciated the authenticity of the characters' voices and the way their dialogue often infused humor into the narrative.

David's nonlinear storytelling also piqued my interest, as it added an element of surprise and kept me guessing throughout the novel. I found this approach to be a refreshing departure from the typical prequel format.

However, I must admit that "Imzadi" isn't without its flaws. At times, the novel felt overly melodramatic, and I couldn't help but wish for more focus on Troi's character development instead of centering mainly on Riker's perspective. The time-travel elements, while fascinating, were occasionally confusing, and the book's meta-commentary sometimes felt dated or out of place.

Despite these issues, "Imzadi" remains a memorable and emotionally compelling addition to the Star Trek literary universe. For me, the exploration of Riker and Troi's relationship deepened my understanding of their characters and added a new layer to my appreciation of the show. The novel's blend of romance, action, and mystery kept me engaged and invested in the story.

"Imzadi" may not be perfect, but if you're a fan of the show and interested in a unique take on Riker and Troi's relationship, then I recommend giving "Imzadi" a read.

I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars.

#Imzadi #StarTrekTNG #RikerAndTroi #PeterDavid #StarTrekNovel #SciFiRomance #TrekLit  #StarTrekBooks #BetazoidLove #StarTrekFans #StarTrek #Trek

View all my reviews

Review: The Dark Veil (Star Trek: Picard #2), by James Swallow, 2021

The Dark Veil by James Swallow
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Dark Veil (Star Trek: Picard #2), by James Swallow, 2021

Taking place after the Synth revolt on Mars Shipyard but before the Romulan Star supernova, this second installment in this series isn't a direct sequel but could have easily been a standalone novel. The book follows the adventure of the USS Titan, captained by Will Riker. Here we learn more about the secret Tal Shiar subcompartment Zhat Vash their plottings mired in paranoia and subterfuge by way of how the story's adventure unfolds.

I feel as though the point of this book is to give weight and provenance to the Zhat Vash threat, who are introduced in the television show Picard season 1. Perhaps reading this book first before watching the first season of Picard might have eased stalwart Star Trek viewers into the existence of a credible threat that underpinned the entire show. Much of what happens in the book doesn't really move Star Trek lore forward, as most things that occur are sealed in a bubble of confidentiality, never to be shared with anyone else nor put in any Starfleet reports.

Overall, the book moved at a decent pace, became engaging about a quarter of the way in, and was a fun read.

I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.

View all my reviews