Star Trek Book Challenge 51: Grounded (Star Trek: The Next Generation #25)

While answering a distress call from a scientific station in a remote part of the galaxy, the U.S.S. Enterprise becomes infected with a mysterious alien life form which feeds on and transforms inorganic materials. The Starship begins to gradually disintegrate, and Starfleet is forced to order its evacuation and destruction to prevent the dangerous infection from spreading throughout the galaxy. It’s the end of an era for Captain Picard and his crew, who are scheduled for transfers that will split them up among different Starfleet vessels.
But even as the end draws near for the Starship Enterprise, Captain Picard begins to formulate a desperate plan to save his ship and preserve his crew—a plan that will force him to defy Starfleet orders and lead him to a confrontation with a malevolent alien force which has the power to destroy the entire Federation.

Grounded (Star Trek: The Next Generation #25) by David Bishoff….. Hmmmmm, where to begin with this book. First off, I’m going to flat out say I don’t like it at all.. First lines of dialog written here reminds me of another point I meant to raise – one of grammar. I know that many of us struggle with the terms “to”, “too” and “two”. English is positively machiavellian in that way sometimes. But when an author, an editor, a publisher, and whoever else vets a work before it goes on mass production allows no less than 2 blatantly incorrect uses of the word “to” to go unchecked, a few eyebrows cannot but help be raised. I’m no demigod of the english language (I daren’t count my mistakes). But then if I were publishing this review and expecting to make money out of it then I’d be sure to attempt to conform to the linguistic guidelines of my chosen medium. To cap this rant off, louvois’ line was “Don’t gloat, Picard. It’s almost more irritating then when you’re being self-righteous”. I’d point out precisely where the error sits – but you’re not blind. even if you are, you can see it.

I’m not going to tell you not to read this book. Deadly danger to the Enterprise, interesting new characters, a little light profanity (not even from Riker) and following the early TV format wherein the last fifth of the thing finishes the threat, with little previously accumulated data to help. I quite liked the proposed theories on autism, though… What else? data was quite central, and that worked well. Worf might as well have been on vacation, for all the useful input he had.

This novel was badly written , I just stopped caring half way through the book. Just after a few chapters you can get an idea on what the plot was or lack there of. The history for the characters were not there or butchered beyond belief, for example:

(From Riker)

“Let’s get a move on, then, folks. There are doubtless lives out there to be saved.”

What? That’s not how people talk and that’s not how Riker talks at all! You have all the TNG characters here, but not one of them are who they are. It’s hard to explain the bewilderment that is caused by this book… Just over look this novel and find something better. Save yourself the time and headache..