Customer Reviews

Section 31: Rogue (Star Trek The Next Generation)

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I'm glad this Star Trek novel has a gay character, and some of the web-based fan films have gays. Too bad the movies and TV shows aren't as enlightened as Star Trek strives to be, or they would go beyond just the occasonal gay undertone. This is a good novel and has a lot of action for Star Trek fans.

This was a good story about the Next Generation Crew and an awsome tribute to a fine starfleet officer who's presence on the scene, although short lived, was deep in character. This is the story of Lieutenant HAWK from the Star Trek TNG Borg movie First Contact. This story is set six months prior to the events that took place in the First Contact movie, and center mainly around the life of Hawk, Picard, and Picards two long standing friends. The book uses many references to previous movies, and scenes in episodes from TNG series. I really enjoyed the book because the plot surrounded more than just one person. Something i found a little shallow about the last Trek book i read entitled "Immortal Coil" in which Commander Data is the subject of the entire plot. "Rogue, Section 31" was a fun read, and i would recommend it to anyone into the Next Generation theme, or those of you who may have read other books in the "Section 31" collection. As a pre-requisite, i might suggest watching the episode from the Next Generation in which Picard looses his heart in an a fight with three naussicans. This episode is referred to, and is the basis for much of this books' plot.

The second of four novels exploring the covert dark side of the Star Trek universe. Old friends may become bitter enemies when startling revelations, including a covert operation by Section 31 goes disastrously awry

The authors obsession with creating a homosexual character added absolutely nothing to the story line. If anything it only served to reinforce out dated theories that homosexuals very susceptable for being converted into "spys" having finally found a group who accepts them, at least on the surface.

Perhaps the author did not view his writing a a soap box to promote an agenda. But the poor thought or lack of talent to bring in the topic with some relevance was lost. You could rip out the pages which broach the homosexual topic and find that the remainder of the story whould have been totally unaffected.

Hugely disappointing. Steer well clear of this author.

This was an exceptionally weak book in an already mediocre series. Which is a shame really because it had such fantastic potential. The story sets Section 31, Star Fleet's answer to the CIA, against their Romulan counterpart, the Tal Shiar. I imagined spies hiding, chasing and foiling one another's schemes employing a dizzying array of high tech 24th century James Bonds inspired gadgetry. Instead I was delivered a ponderous novel with glacial pacing and dull characters that are given precious little to do.
Lieutenant Hawk laments to his gay lover about choices he has to make. Captain Picard broods about not having the power to make the choice he wants to make. Deanna Troi cries at everything and makes no choices at all. Not very interesting to read.
Another problem is that the conflict (what little there is) is resolved by page 300, leaving a 60-page epilogue where the main characters cry over the events that have transpired and talk about their feelings. Reading it reminded me of an extended "Jerry Springer: Final Thought"
Still another issue is one of motive, why do these character behave like this? Not one has a reason (compelling or otherwise) driving their actions and if they do it is not revealed until the end of the book, long after you have ceased to care.
I would not recommend this book to anyone, Star Trek fan or non-fan. It is a tremendous disappointment.

One word, "Excellent". This book has it all. You won't be able to put it down.

The Section 31 story line was continued rather well in this book. I liked the reunion between Picard, Marta, and Corey, and the moral issues they had to face. I also enjoyed the involvement of the Tal Shiar, and the shades of gray that must be explored in this novel.

Of course, this book deals with the sexual orientation of a short-lived character in the Star Trek Universe. While reading, it occurred to me that if one truly had an evolved, futuristic point-of-view on the whole subject, it would simply be a non-issue. We would neither judge people nor dwell on it (as I feel has been done in this book.) Take the interracial kiss on the Original Series, for example, it happened and people had to deal with it for what it was. No one had to insult the viewers' intelligence and tell them how to think about it. It's the thought people have to put behind it that matters. Let the viewer/reader decide for themselves: "what's wrong with the way we treat others?" instead of outright telling them, "this is how others should be treated."

My problem with Lt. Hawk's character is not his sexual orientation, but the fact that if he had been anymore hyped up throughout this book, the author would have risked creating a Byronic hero of sorts. Hawk is simply not a believable, human character; he has no visible flaws! (Unless you count being completely unbelievable as a flaw.)

My other issue with this book is that, while I know this is science FICTION, it is a little too much fiction for me. I don't want to spoil the book for anyone, but suffice to say that this book lacks considerably in the science department. I had to force myself to read the rest of the book after one or two very incredulous notions.

Overall, it's an okay read for the avid Star Trek fan that is willing to overlook a few clichés.

When I bought this book it was right after I read the Deep Space Nine Section 31 book. The Deep Space Nine book was a straight forward action story with good writing and good characters.

This book was just boring. I have read tons of Trek books and most I can make it through with no problem. With this booK i found myself skipping pages, putting it down for days at a time and just plain groaning.

One thing that bothered me was the authors need to constantly remind us that Lt. Hawk was gay... Mention is once and I'm fine, but this author seemed to like to bring it up all the time...

The sub-plot about diplomatic tensions dealing with one planets application to Starfleet was interesting, but was intertwined too much with Section 31's lame (and somewhat stupid) plot to control this planets outcome. When Section 31 was introduced they were a subversive, intellegent organization that could manipulate anyone they pleased. In this book it seems that the agents are just dumb pawns trying to convice people to join them.

Buy the book if you have read every other trek book out there. Otherwise leave this one alone.

This Star Trek Next Generation book, Section 31 Rogue, is set prior to the Borg coming to Earth with the main focus being on Lt. Hawk. Again, in this book, Section 31 the covert operation arm of the Federation, trys to recruit Hawk and now he has a moral dilemma to resolve.

The book is extremely well written and moves along with quite rapidly keeping your interest with all of the twists and turns. I found that the character fleshing out of Hawk to be very well written.

A world in turmoil, Romulans, Borg and Section 31 all put into one book brings to the reader a lot of action, conspiracies and betrayal. Also, one man, Hawk has to choose what he really wants out of life. Morally, ethically, and the greater ideals of Federation all play an important roll for Hawks decision.

Out of the four books released for this series, I found that this one to be the most compelling, deeply poignant, and resonant with a power that will force Hawk to stake a claim for his own life. Engagingly fascinating with a character caught in the crossroads of his life.

This book may not appeal to some readers but remember that this is fiction and there is a whole universe out there, so if we can have all of the other alien life, why can't there be an alternate lifestyle aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise.

I found the story to be well written with a flowing narrative and plausible... and that is what really matters. Life can be very complex, complicated, and convoluted, reading this book is no different than life in general.

This one will get you going "hmmm" quite a bit.

Rogue is a very exciting but more complicated than most of your episodic trek fare. I must say learning that one of our guest heroes, Lt. Hawk, has an alternative lifestyle took me by surprise. It's a sutble subtext and doesn't impact the story or the character at all. It merely gives a context in which Hawk and his partner work and live on the Enterprise, just as if it had been Riker and Trio.

That tidbit out of the way, the complex and layered nature of deception and diplomacy make this an truly unique adventure for our heroes. What starts as a political situation turns into a scientific battle with five different factions working towards their own agendas, usually unaware of several of the other players. It's a 5-player 3D chess game.

Interestingly, the time frame of this story puts us 3 days after First Contact (the movie) and then flashing back six months. This is what allows us to explorer the character of Lt. Hawk (the young officer assimilated in the deflector dish scene in First Contact). I enjoyed getting to know this remarkable character more. There is a small prologue and epilogue that harkens back to First Contact with some interesting questions about how events transpired with the Borg.

Friends of Picard's, Cortin and Marta from the TNG: Tapestry episode, are major players and it's difficult to think of them as old as Picard now. The question of who is playing for which team carries through the story.

Finally, the Section 31 element, while integral to the situation we find our heroes in, plays a very small part in the action. It becomes more of a moral dillema and discussion of the Prime Directive.