Spoilers TNG: The Light Fantastic by Jeffrey Lang Review Thread

[Sho]

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I think it's no exaggeration to refer to The Light Fantastic (trivia) as one of the most hotly-anticipated releases of the year. Jeffrey Lang's Immortal Coil had already become one of the most-recommended TNG novels on the board (in a number of contexts, from Data- to tech- to continuity-heavy stories, and even locked room mysteries) by the time David Mack picked up the baton, cementing it as the starting point for a major sub-thread in the TrekLit continuity with his Cold Equations trilogy. Now Mr. Lang himself returns with a new chapter -- street date of June 25th.

Note the official blurb is very frank about all of this, including major plot spoilers for the afore-mentioned books:

Returning to the story begun in the novel Immortal Coil and continuing in the bestselling Cold Equations trilogy, this is the next fascinating chapter in the artificial life of one of Star Trek’s most enduring characters.

He was perhaps the ultimate human achievement: a sentient artificial life-form—self-aware, self-determining, possessing a mind and body far surpassing that of his makers, and imbued with the potential to evolve beyond the scope of his programming. And then Data was destroyed. Four years later, Data’s creator, Noonien Soong, sacrificed his life and resurrected his android son, who in turn revived the positronic brain of his own artificial daughter, Lal. Having resigned his commission, the former Starfleet officer now works to make his way on an alien world, while also coming to grips with the very human notion of wanting versus having a child. But complicating Data’s new life is an unexpected nemesis from years ago on the U.S.S. Enterprise—the holographic master criminal Professor James Moriarty. Long believed to be imprisoned in a memory solid, Moriarty has created a siphon into the "real" world as a being of light and thought. Moriarity wants the solid form that he was once told he could never have, and seeks to manipulate Data into finding another android body for him to permanently inhabit...even if it means evicting the current owner, and even if that is Data himself.

 

[Paris]

I'm very excited for this story! I really enjoyed Jeffrey Lang's Immortal Coil, and David Mack's Cold Equations trilogy was wonderful. The ongoing story of Data 2.0 looks like it's going to be a good one. Anyone seen this on the shelves yet?

 

[Defcon]

Anyone seen this on the shelves yet?

It has been "seen" both online and in brick-and-mortar shops:

http://www.trekbbs.com/showthread.php?t=247009

 

[Reanok]

I preordered this book .I.ve been looking forward to reading about Data's adventures and what he's been up to since the Cold Equations trilogy.

 

[Paris]

Do we know when this is supposed to take place? After the Fall in late 2385? Just after Cold Equations in 2384? The whole time in between? I can't recall if I've seen anything about this story taking place on the Enterprise at all. Do the other TNG characters play into it? What about Riker/Troi? We still have not seen their reaction to Data's return, have we? Can't wait!

 

[JD]

I can't remember what he said exactly, or which thread it was in, but I did ask Jeffrey Lang in another thread and he did said that will see more TNG characters than just Data. I think I remember him referring to Geordi, at least, but I'm not 100% sure.

 

[Defcon]

^

Just so you know, we didn't approach the idea of Data being out of Starfleet casually. It felt like the right thing to do for now, especially given the changes in Data's circumstances AND the changes to Starfleet and the Federation since Data's "death." One of the items Margaret Clark kept pushing while I was developing the story is the idea that, for the first time in his life, Data is kind of coloring outside the lines, which makes Geordi very, very nervous. The friction between these two old friends is one of the main drivers of the story.

So does mean we will see more of the main TNG characters than just Data?

Definitely, yes, though very little of the story is set on the Enterprise.

 

[Paris]

^Thanks for that Defcon

 

[Defcon]

You're welcome. I knew which thread JD was referring to, so it was only a short search.

 

[JD]

Thanks.

 

[Paris]

I just finished! I thought it was a great read, and found it hard to put down. Voted above average. Several of my questions from upthread were answered.

One thing I found interesting is that Voyager is said to still be in the DQ (presumably with the rest of the FC fleet) at the time of this novel, which is in November 2385. That's 4.5 years after the Full Circle fleet headed out there on a 3 year mission. I wonder if Mr. Lang/his Editor co-ordinated this tidbit with Kirsten MF Beyer...

I also dug how Mr. Lang dealt with the continuity issue that popped up between Mr. McIntee's Indistinguishable From Magic and Mr. Mack's Cold Equations, in terms of Geordi's love life. Us fanboys love our continuity fixes! Great job Mr. Lang! I hope to read several more Star Trek (or even just Data) stories by you in the future

 

[Deranged Nasat]

This was a delightful book. Bouncy, engaging, a little silly in all the right places while showing us a very serious and convincing picture of Data 2.0 (a wonderful new take on Data), Lal, La Forge, and Moriarty. All very well drawn as characters. It was just generally a fun ride, "lighter" fare compared to the heavy Cold Equations or Fall series. Yes, there's a little too much in the way of cameos, but this is the sequel in spirit to Immortal Coil, so it's almost a requirement. There were some sparkling lines - Moriarty's "I am nothing if not a self-aware villain" being the best. The humour was great - slightly silly without ever becoming farcical, as I remember Lang's humour being from his other Trek books - and Alice is a wonderful addition. Shakti is great too. All in all, just a really enjoyable Trek book. Above average.

EDIT: As Paris said, the little continuity threads were appreciated, too. A fair few nods to Indistinguishable From Magic and The Fall alongside those to Cold Equations.

Data 2.0 is both greatly familiar and alarmingly unpredictable - Lang did a very good job with him. I'm eager for further Data/Lal adventures.

 

[Dsven43]

I liked this book. Thank you Mr. Lang. Any chance you can tell us when the "game" will continue? Lol.

 

[Jeffrey_Lang]

The Game will continue whenever my Editor tells me it will! Glad you enjoyed the book.

 

[Ronald Held]

I saw my copy downloaded overnight. I should start it by the weekend.

 

[Mojomoe]

Absolutely fantastic read. I think I blew through it in a day and a half? Pure joy from beginning to end, and a nice change after The Fall (which was some great drama, but this felt like STIV after the II-III drama fest. After all, no presidents died, no gut wrenching revelations, etc.)

Overall, a damn good time was had. Although, I am simultaneously pleased and completely disappointed - I was hoping we'd have Data back in uniform again by the end .

In fact, that was my hope at the end of CE, and my assumption on seeing TLF announced - "Ok, THIS one will give us Data back, where he belongs."

 

[Jeffrey_Lang]

Glad you enjoyed it. I like the STIV comparison. That's what we were trying for. Sorry you were disappointed by Data not being back in uniform, but I think we'll find ways to keep him busy in casual-wear.

 

[Reanok]

This sounds like a great book I can't wait to start reading it.I got my book in the mail today.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

By contrast, I'm very glad Data isn't in Starfleet. I'll be very disappointed if he (re)enlists.

 

[Mojomoe]

That's an interesting point, Deranged. Why's that?