Geektoberfest Day 15: Reading Sanctum #2

Posted on by The Beard

STAR TREK – TITAN – TAKING WING

a review

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STAR TREK: TITAN – TAKING WING is the first of a series of Star Trek novels taking place after the events shown in the film STAR TREK NEMESIS. The novel deals with the adventures of the U.S.S. TITAN commanded by a newly promoted Captain William T. Riker. The novel was written by Michael A. Martin and Andy Mangels

Plot

With the Dominion, the Cardassians, and the Romulans no longer a threat the Federation decides to go back to using its Starfleet for peaceful exploration and science. The U.S.S. TITAN is the first of a new class of starship designed for just this purpose. To assist Captain Riker in his mission is the most biologically and culturally varied and diverse crew in Starfleet’s history.

Because of the actions by Shinzon – the villain of STAR TREK NEMESIS – the Romulan Empire is in disarray and threatening to collapse. Neither the Federation nor the Klingons want this, as it would leave a power vacuum that would destabilize the quadrant and lead to chaos.

For this reason rather than send the U.S.S. TITAN on its stated mission of exploration, Riker and his crew are sent to Romulus to mediate power-sharing talks among the various factions battling for power. Along the way he has to deal with Klingons, the Romulan military, the dreaded Tal Shiar, Remans, and a certain Federation Ambassador named Spock who may be following his own agenda.

Main Characters

CAPTAIN WILLIAM T. RIKER

He is Captain of the U.S.S. TITAN after having served fifteen years as First Officer with Captain Picard.

COMMANDER DEANNA TROI

She is the Diplomatic Officer and Chief Counselor – as well as Riker’s wife.

COMMANDER TUVOK

He starts out as an undercover intelligence agent after having served seven years with the U.S.S. VOYAGER as its Chief of Security. With the demise of Lt. Cmdr. Keru, Tuvok then becomes Security Chief and Tactical Officer onboard the TITAN.

LIEUTENANT ALYSSA OGAWA

She is head nurse on the U.S.S. TITAN after having served in a like capacity on the ENTERPRISE.

LIEUTENANT COMMANDER MELORA PAZLAR

She is the head of Stellar Cartography on the TITAN. She first appeared in the STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE episode titled “MELORA.”

ADMIRAL AKAAR

He is the extremely tall high-ranking Starfleet Admiral who accompanies the TITAN on her diplomatic mission to Romulus. He first appeared as a newborn baby in the STAR TREK original series episode “FRIDAY’S CHILD” where he was given the name Leonard James Akaar after Leonard McCoy and James Kirk.

COMMANDER DONATRA

She is a Romulan ship’s captain and one of the two leaders of the Romulan military. She first appeared in STAR TREK NEMESIS.

Thumbs Up

This was an almost perfect effort. I so very much enjoyed reading this book and did not want to put it down nor did I want it to end. The pacing is perfect and the authors know how to perfectly balance characterization with action. It was also wonderful to see so many old friends from past STAR TREK series while at the same time meeting new friends. The first in a new series I can’t wait to read the follow up books. 

Thumbs Down

Apparently the authors of this book (Michael A. Martin and Andy Mangels) are proud of themselves for having mastered the Klingon and Romulan languages. I say this because they have this predilection to throw Romulan and Klingon phrases willy-nilly all over the place. I had no intentions of reading this book with my Romulan and Klingon dictionary next to me so I can stop and look up words. This was distracting, it was annoying, it was boring, and totally unnecessary. It took away from what otherwise would have been a superb effort.

Final Comments

I give STAR TREK: TITAN – TAKING WING four and a half geeks out of five.

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I would have given it a perfect five if the authors hadn’t been so fascinated with their mastery of alien languages.

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Published by The Beard

I’m Eliseo Figueroa Jr. and you’re not. I was born in Saint Francis hospital across the street from Saint Mary’s Park in the Bronx. I was born there because that was where my mother was and I wanted to be near her. My parents came from Puerto Rico and moved to New York City when they were kids. My dad spoke fluent English – with an accent – but he’d had a stint in the army and had mastered the language. However, he needed a little work on reading and so everyday on the way to work he would buy a comic book and read it on the subway. In those days they were ten cents, a quick read, you could fold them and put them in your pocket, and when you finished you threw them away. Back home my mom would tell my dad to read me a story to put me to sleep. My dad had no desire whatsoever to read me any of my baby books so he read me one of his comic books instead. While other kids dreamed of Mother Goose, the Old Lady who lived in a shoe, or Little Red Riding Hood, I dreamt of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. And this went on for years. When I got older I asked him to give me the comic books. At that point he stopped throwing them out and I had a comic book collection even though I still didn’t know how to read. During the day I would make my mom read me my comics over and over again. I was dying to learn how to read and had been told that you learn to read in first grade. I remember being so excited the first day of school for the first grade. I couldn’t contain myself. I thought it was like magic – poof! – I was going to come back home and be able to read all of my comics. My mom had to sit me down and explain that it was a process. That over time I would learn how to read and by the time I finished the first grade I would be reading. I must say I was disappointed but more determined than ever to master this thing called reading. Over the years my comic collection grew (my dad had to keep building bigger and better shelves) and so did my interests. I mastered reading and went on to read books. I discovered the library where they actually let you borrow books – what a concept! And my interests in literary science fiction and fantasy expanded to include television and movies. Yes, I was and still am a full-blown geek! By the way, I’m the beard in our little duet. I have a goatee and no moustache. In all that time while growing up my dad never once complained. How could he? This was all his fault and he knew it. One time we were in a store where I was purchasing some comics and it all came to twenty bucks. As my dad was paying the man the owner commented on how much I was spending on comic books. My dad’s reply was, “Well, at least he’s not on drugs!” Science fiction, fantasy, horror, secret agents, giant monsters, and more are my drug of choice. Anyone who has ever sat in a darkened theater and has had their heart start racing in excitement as the music to STAR WARS begins to play knows exactly what I mean.