The Fall: The Poisoned Chalice (Star Trek)

I liked it a lot. I like the entire "The Fall" series, I cannot say which one is better. They are all good in their own way. And the story they are touching, rotten things at the heart of the Federation, is something that I enjoy reading about, because this is the way to bring back the things we all believe in and what stands at the base of this wonderful organization.I liked Tuvok and Nog, they are two of my favorite characters from the Star Trek universe. I enjoyed seeing more involvement from Akkaar's side (he was not very present in the other books I read). And, of course, I enjoyed reading about Riker and Troi (and Christine Vale) getting into the battle. Now, I am looking forward to the last volume.

The fourth book of "The Fall" miniseries, this story focuses on William Riker and the crew of the USS Titan. This book is set in the year 2385, about 6 years after Captain Riker began his adventures aboard Titan after the movie Star Trek: Nemesis. Unlike the last couple books in this miniseries, this title works to bring all those previous plotlines together and provide a more singular focus. This is the books greatest strength as it gives everything a greater sense of purpose and urgency. It also marks the point where the heroes seems to stop reacting to the events around them and start acting to rectify the source of the problems.The story focuses on Riker's efforts to investigate the strange dealings that have been happening within the Federation over the course of the last few books. Over the course of the story schemes and masterminds are revealed and the heroes begin taking steps to thwart them. The book, while not being strictly an action story manages to keep up a strong steady pace which some of the previous books in the series have lacked.The only real flaws with the story are the endings seeming lack of short term consequences. Aside from resolving a couple hanging plot threads from a previous book, the status quo remains relatively unchanged. Despite the clashes the heroes and villains both come out relatively unscathed with the only outcome being that they both know they are enemies now. The books ending clearly paves the way for the next book in the series to resolve the miniseries.With all that said, I found the book to be a breath of fresh air in an otherwise dull miniseries. This book seemed overcome the flaws of poor pacing that the previous books have suffered from. A very solid addition to an otherwise mediocre miniseries.

I'm a Star Trek fan and I enjoy reading. I don't mind book "series", other then the fact when it takes a LONG time for them to come out. The release rate of this series, "The Fall" is a good speed/rate. You can read the book, re-read it and still have it in your mind when the next book comes out- you won't forget it.As the starship on the cover shows, this is the USS Titan, under the command of Capt. William Thomas Riker. It took long enough for him to be put in the 'center seat', but the head of Starfleet, Admiral Leonard James Akaar (yes, he's named after Capt. James T Kirk and Dr. Leonard McCoy- go find the TOS series episode to under stand). had different ideas. In the last book of the series, Akaar needed a man he could trust.....(and left us hanging wondering who it was). This book, answers who that person was..... Will Riker! And this time, he wasn't able to decline the promotion.....take it or get out of Starfleet!!!!(Also, the price of ordering via Amazon was less then the list price on the book...)

James Swallow manages to maintain a vast array of characters and plot lines, and keep you hooked on the goings on of each of them. He does so while staying true to the characters we know from the shows and building the book-world characters. I won't give away much as far as plot. Suffice it to say, the story is concerned with moving the events of The Fall series forward after the Federation president's assassination. Swallow does so in a captivating way; he has the rare gift among writers to deeply invest you in his characters after a few lines. There are, for example, a set of characters you meet early on, ever so briefly, but you are truly struck by their plight. His writing is superb, and despite being a "middle book" his is the best in the series (McCormack's coming in a close second)

This was an excellent story, focusing on the hard choices that one is faced with when legally constituted authority is criminally corrupt, but one can't prove it unequivocally yet, and if one continues to follow orders, one never will have that proof. Yet to disobey is not only to run the risk of being labelled a criminal yourself but is to actually have to COMMIT criminal acts in order to get the evidence that is needed to remove criminals from power. Much more nuanced, much deeper in scope, than is usual in Star Trek books. (And as an added bonus, the villains in this case aren't renegade Starfleet admirals, but civilian leaders of the federation -- a nice change of pace.) My only objection is that it does not complete the story, but leaves us waiting for a finale. At least the immediate plot points were addressed, and only an overarching subplot is left for later; I still would have preferred closure. Oh, and while Amazon's reviews do mention that this is book four of five, there is nothing on the book itself which makes that clear; I had read book one of the series, but didn't realize that I was missing two books worth of plot until I got into this one. It would help if that oversight could be addressed next time.

Great series.

Book four in the series and it just keeps getting better. This story is a mix of political thriller and good Trek sci-fi, featuring Klingons, Cardassians, Bajorans and Andorians in major roles and a host of other races in lesser roles, all relevant to the overall story. The central character this time is Will Riker, who is recalled back from his adventures in the Beta Quadrant and within seconds of arrival at Starfleet Headquarters receives a major surprise and a new posting behind a desk. A few paragraphs are spent dealing with his reaction to the changes, as he struggles to make sense of what’s going on. Other characters are not neglected however with Tuvok and Nog being recruited into a covert action squad, charged with hunting down Nan Bacco’s killer, and Commander Vale given instructions to locate and contact both Captain Dax and Dr Bashir. Even Captain Picard features near the end.We see more of the new president elect and even get a small hint of his back story, which only serves to increase our sense of unease that things are not quite right and need investigating before the impending Presidential elections take place, which would only consolidate his power base and make life even more difficult for those in Starfleet that suspect wrongdoing. Riker and the president clash at one point, but without evidence Riker has to back down and “toe the line”.As the story progresses, doubts start to crop up as to who is to be trusted, who may be working covertly for the other side and even whether it’s safe to hold private conversations. Covert surveillance seems a real possibility. All the major characters start to question the circumstances they find themselves in, but a few potential “allies” emerge. Unfortunately circumstances go against those seeking the truth- Bacco’s killers are discovered but are killed themselves. Just when some credible evidence comes to light, the aide to the president elect ‘falls on his sword’ and accepts blame for the wrongdoing, thus protecting his boss. Riker feels thwarted at every turn, but is determined to dig deeper and find the proof he needs.In a positive move, Andor seeks re-admission to the Federation and one of its leaders decides to run for Federation President as well. This does however mean that Dr Bashir, who was given asylum on Andor, will most likely face extradition and charges of High Treason. All in all this adds up to a nicely taut little story, with lots of strands continuing, developing and hopefully culminating in the last book. I can’t wait to see it all come together. More of the same please!!

暗い雰囲気と政治色が濃い、The Fallシリーズですが、本作はライカ―のTitanが主役とあって、動きが良くなってます。時系列的には、The Fallの3作目直後のお話。いきなり、地球に呼び戻されたTitanに待っていたのは、ライカ―のいきなりの提督昇格。戸惑っている間にトゥボックが別命令で艦を離れ別行動に。キーは次期Federationの大統領に誰がなるか？で行きかう、政治的陰謀。ライカ―は副長のクリスティンを医療船ライオンハートの臨時艦長にし、とある探査任務に当たらせます。そして、自身はTitanの指揮を執り、前大統領の暗殺の真相を探索する事になります。トゥボックはノーグ、トムライカ―と共に、大統領暗殺者の身柄確保に向かう極秘任務に。この３つの物語が交互に語られ、ラストへと。The Fallシリーズは5作予定で、本作では決着はつきません。ただし、前3作までのもやもやしていたものが無くなり、本来にスタートレックのリズムに戻ったのではないでしょうか？ラストはエンタープライズが第五作で活躍する事を示唆する内容となっており、否が応でも期待させられますね。

Gott, bin ich froh, dass nicht Michael A. Martin für dieses Buch verantwortlich ist/wahr - so ist es nämlich sehr spannend und gut geworden!Die Ereignisse überschlagen sich in der Föderation - ich will hier nicht mehr verraten, nur dass endlich absolut klar wird, dass irgendwas nicht stimmt mit den Befehlen, die einzelne Star-Fleet- Schiffe erhalten.Spannend vom Schluss bis zum Ende, für jeden Star Trek Fan der wie ich wissen möchte, wie es weiter geht in der "alten Zeitlinie". Und wie froh bin ich, dass viele Autoren immer noch gerne weiter hier schreiben (nach diesem unsäglich Re-Boot *würgs*) und sich nicht der Diktatur von Paramount beugen.

this is a good book but crimson and ceremony i thought were more edge of your seat with revealtions this book does more to show that there werent just acusations there is something going on and proof is found in some ways lost in others it leads to a big showdown in the last book unfortunaly written by a bad writer hopefully the last book will be good