 [Larger view] | No Man's Land (Star Trek Voyager: Gateways, Book 5)
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Average user rating:  | |
 Least A Part of Gateway Series | |
| This book stands alone as much as any of the 5 Gateways I've read, except that like the others, it says "to be continued" in book 7. However, the story to this point does have some partial conclusion. It is a good Voyager story and involves all the crew, but a lot of focus is on Janeway's dilemas leading the caravan. I must say it isn't totally clear why ships from all over the galaxy would want to follow Voyager the direction they are going, especially since danger lies that way. But once you get past that, OK. | |
 Enjoyable but not Outstanding | |
| Often when a Voyager novel is included in a crossover series it falls flat. Seemingly just along for the ride. "No Man's Land" certainly did not fall flat. It's an enjoyable, if not outstanding read. But it as far as placing it among the other Gateways books it does feel as if it's just along for the ride. Perhaps because the plot is so far removed from the main story line of the series. Author Christie Golden always captures the Voyager crew members very well. Her characterizations in "No Man's Land" are one of the books highlights. With a deft touch she brings the crew and factious aliens to life, leaving you despising some while admiring others. Set during the sixth season of Voyager, the crew is beginning to feel like they will actually be getting home someday. The recent contact with Starfleet has raised hopes and spirits. But directly in their path lies an extremely hazardous region of space that the crew dubs 'No Man's Land'. After deciding that traveling around the region is not an option, Janeway concludes that they could all benefit from a little R & R on a nearby uninhabited class-M planet before the ship undertakes this Shore leave is cut short when a mysterious portal opens on the planet depositing one very lost and confused alien canine. Investigation of the portal provides no answers and the crew seems to have acquired a grateful mascot when suddenly large portals begin to open all around Voyager in the surrounding space. Voyager soon finds itself overwhelmed and outnumbered by ships from all over the galaxy that have suddenly found themselves displaced. 62 vessels, representing 48 different By now the crew has realized that these portals are some kind of Gateways. Gateways which seem to have closed, at least for the moment. Janeway decides to extend Voyager's companionship, protection and assistance to any of the vessels that wish to accompany them on their travels. Hoping that by working together they can solve the mystery of the Gateways, share resources and all somehow arrive home. A number of the ships, representing very diverse species decide to take Janeway up on her offer. Some of these species are obviously peaceful. Others arrogant or hostile. As this ragtag fleet of disparate ships sets out they have no way of knowing what dangers lie ahead as they attempt to traverse 'No Man's Land'. Or if they can truly trust each other. One thing after another goes wrong with the situation quickly becoming even more tense and desperate. The Gateways keep reappearing and disappearing. Each contact draining the ships of power. Just as it seems that they may all be forced to abandon their vessels Janeway makes the decision to step through a Gateway and try to discover if the answer to finding a way home can be found in what lays beyond. "No Man's Land" is a very short, light and fast read. The plot moves quickly. While there is nothing particularly outstanding about the story it is filled with interesting characters and has nice touches of humor. The story never really develops a sense of urgency, although it does present a number of small mysteries and subplots. | |
| What??? | |
| I don't know what to say about this book. For a Star Trek story, it was good, not the greatest thing but a good book. For a Voyager story it was even better, Janeway's ability to lead and conquer impossible situations shines though in this book. For the Gateways series... this book was useless. I'm a huge Voyager fan, so this was the very first Gateways book I read. After reading it I thought it was phenominal, Janeway, all alone in the Delta Quadrant, happens upon SEVERAL other ships now also lost with her. Some of them friendly, some of them hostile, some of them at war back on their home planets, and some of them (the Hirogen) who are supposed to be enemies but don't seem to be. And then the end (in book 7) was "WOW." But, now I've read three other Gateways books (TNG, DS9, and NF), and I have found that the Voyager installation in the Gateways series really had absolutely nothing to do with the Gateways in the other books. The only link is that you find out where the Iconians got the Gateways to begin with. But the Gateways in Voyager were not of the same sort as those in the other series, making this a useless read if you want to follow the Gateways series specifically. My recommendation here is if you like Voyager and want to see some typical Janeway diplomacy and tough-as-nails leadership read this book. But if you are only getting this book for the Gateways' series skip it. |
