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Years before they served together on board the U.S.S. Enterprise, Commander William Riker and ship's counselor Deanna Troi had a tempestuous love affair on her home planet of Betazed. Now, their passions have cooled and they serve together as friends. Yet the memories of that time linger and Riker and Troi remain "Imzadi"—a powerful Betazoid term that describes the enduring bond they still share.
During delicate negotiations with an aggressive race called the Sindareen, Deanna Troi mysteriously falls ill... and dies. But her death is only the beginning of the adventure for Commander Riker—an adventure that will take him across time, pit him against one of his closest friends, and force him to choose between Starfleet's strictest rule and the one he calls "Imzadi."
During delicate negotiations with an aggressive race called the Sindareen, Deanna Troi mysteriously falls ill... and dies. But her death is only the beginning of the adventure for Commander Riker—an adventure that will take him across time, pit him against one of his closest friends, and force him to choose between Starfleet's strictest rule and the one he calls "Imzadi."
342 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1992
About the author
Peter David
3,537 books1,317 followersaka David Peters
Peter Allen David (often abbreviated PAD) is an American writer, best known for his work in comic books and Star Trek novels. David often jokingly describes his occupation as "Writer of Stuff". David is noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real world issues with humor and references to popular culture. He also uses metafiction frequently, usually to humorous effect, as in his work on the comic book Young Justice.
Peter Allen David (often abbreviated PAD) is an American writer, best known for his work in comic books and Star Trek novels. David often jokingly describes his occupation as "Writer of Stuff". David is noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real world issues with humor and references to popular culture. He also uses metafiction frequently, usually to humorous effect, as in his work on the comic book Young Justice.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 415 reviews
February 22, 2016
My personal favorite Star Trek novel of all time!!!
And I believe that if I have to choose only one novel of all that I have read, this one has to be my favorite novel at all too.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY
This book has it all... drama, action, romance, mystery, science fiction, time travel, alternate realities, etc...
...well you couldn't ask for more!!!
When I read the synopsis in the back cover (back then, in 1993), while judging if I'd buy the book or not, I got amazed.
And when I read the book, I just love it!
I am quite glad that I was able to get the book in its first printing with the extra details on the cover with surface effects, since nowadays they only reprint the story as a combo book under the title of Imzadi Forever uniting the first novel with its sequel and honestly it's sad that Imzadi II wasn't nearly that good as the first novel (just to treat it kindly), even my best advice is don't read the sequel .
However, I honestly think that it wasn't the fault of Peter David, the author of both novels, but it was the fault of the writers of the TV show that they mess with a perfect couple like Riker and Troi and to put Worf in the formula. I have nothing against Worf but he is not the soulmate of Deanna.
Imzadi is perfection made into letters on paper. A wonderful example of an exciting sci-fi novel merging with a true romance book, creating an extraordinary story.
Without a doubt, in my humble opinion, I think that this novel is the most solid Star Trek: The Next Generation novel and also the best book of the Star Trek franchise.
MERGING GENERATIONS
It's incredible the way how Peter David could take a recognizable element from Star Trek: The Original Series like the Guardian of Forever, which is part of the best TV episode: The City at the Edge of Forever to make it again as a key factor in a The Next Generation novel.
This is not so rare in various of the best novels by Peter David, since he used too elements from classic episodes of The Original Series in other The Next Generation novels such as Vendetta and Q-Squared.
TALE AS OLD AS TIME
The story is set in three different time periods...
The Past: Telling how William T. Riker and Deanna Troi met for the first time, several years before of their re-encounter in the USS Enterprise-D, while Riker was still a young lieutenant and assigned to a post in the planet Betazed, the homeworld of Deanna.
Making a bond beyond friendship and love, a bond beyond time and space, a bond beyond reality and alternatives, a bond so strong and unique that only can be named with a Betazoid word...
...Imzadi.
The Present: Exposing how wrong what it was supposed to be an easy diplomatic mission causing the shocking death of...
...Counselor Deanna Troi.
The Future: Where William T. Riker is now an admiral but hardly his career is considered a success while commanding a distant space station without any strategic importance. He is now a embittered old man, still suffering due the death of the love of his life. In his heart he knows that Deanna's death was wrong, he knows in very soul that that death shouldn't happened.
And he will go to the Guardian of Forever to change the past and the Temporal Prime Directive can go to hell!
However, Commodore Data, now commanding officer of the USS Enterprise-F will begin a chase against his former comrade since his duty is to protect the integrity of the timeline even if that means that Deanna Troi should remain dead in the past!
"T." IS FOR...
A curious trivia in this novel was that it was supposed to explain the meaning of the "T." in William T. Riker, and back then could be considered a spoiler, but after the TV episode Second Chances now is not a spoiler anymore but a non-canon curiousity.
The "T." was supposed to be for "Thelonious" that you may think as something odd, but it wasn't a bad idea then since the concept was to make something similar to the "T." in James T. Kirk that it's for "Tiberius", in that way both characters of different generations would have a second name taken from ancient history.
However, due ignorance about the novel or just not wanting to use the ancient name, on the Second Chances episode was canonically established that the "T." in William T. Riker was for "Thomas".
I have nothing against the name "Thomas", I only think that it could be cooler that the novel Imzadi would be respected and keep the name used there.
Just like "Tiberius" was never explained on the original TV series but in the following animated series that its canonicity was always a polemic issue, but finally in Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country was honored the animated series mentioning that the "T." in James T. Kirk was indeed for "Tiberius".
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING RIKER
I always have been fan of William T. Riker's character, obviously I like Picard too and many other The Next Generation's characters for not saying of the rest of the franchise, but people use to underestimate the character of Riker and if you ever watched key TV episodes of The Next Generation like 11001001, Peak Performance, A Matter of Honor, The Best of Both Worlds (Parts 1 & 2), Future Imperfect, Chain of Command (Parts 1 & 2), Second Chances and The Pegasus, just to name a few, you will realize how richful and valuable is the character of William Riker to the reason of The Next Generation success.
And certainly there isn't a best option in novels as this one to get to learn in depth the psyche of the character of William T. Riker.
And I believe that if I have to choose only one novel of all that I have read, this one has to be my favorite novel at all too.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY
This book has it all... drama, action, romance, mystery, science fiction, time travel, alternate realities, etc...
...well you couldn't ask for more!!!
When I read the synopsis in the back cover (back then, in 1993), while judging if I'd buy the book or not, I got amazed.
And when I read the book, I just love it!
I am quite glad that I was able to get the book in its first printing with the extra details on the cover with surface effects, since nowadays they only reprint the story as a combo book under the title of Imzadi Forever uniting the first novel with its sequel and honestly it's sad that Imzadi II wasn't nearly that good as the first novel (just to treat it kindly), even my best advice is don't read the sequel .
However, I honestly think that it wasn't the fault of Peter David, the author of both novels, but it was the fault of the writers of the TV show that they mess with a perfect couple like Riker and Troi and to put Worf in the formula. I have nothing against Worf but he is not the soulmate of Deanna.
Imzadi is perfection made into letters on paper. A wonderful example of an exciting sci-fi novel merging with a true romance book, creating an extraordinary story.
Without a doubt, in my humble opinion, I think that this novel is the most solid Star Trek: The Next Generation novel and also the best book of the Star Trek franchise.
MERGING GENERATIONS
It's incredible the way how Peter David could take a recognizable element from Star Trek: The Original Series like the Guardian of Forever, which is part of the best TV episode: The City at the Edge of Forever to make it again as a key factor in a The Next Generation novel.
This is not so rare in various of the best novels by Peter David, since he used too elements from classic episodes of The Original Series in other The Next Generation novels such as Vendetta and Q-Squared.
TALE AS OLD AS TIME
The story is set in three different time periods...
The Past: Telling how William T. Riker and Deanna Troi met for the first time, several years before of their re-encounter in the USS Enterprise-D, while Riker was still a young lieutenant and assigned to a post in the planet Betazed, the homeworld of Deanna.
Making a bond beyond friendship and love, a bond beyond time and space, a bond beyond reality and alternatives, a bond so strong and unique that only can be named with a Betazoid word...
...Imzadi.
The Present: Exposing how wrong what it was supposed to be an easy diplomatic mission causing the shocking death of...
...Counselor Deanna Troi.
The Future: Where William T. Riker is now an admiral but hardly his career is considered a success while commanding a distant space station without any strategic importance. He is now a embittered old man, still suffering due the death of the love of his life. In his heart he knows that Deanna's death was wrong, he knows in very soul that that death shouldn't happened.
And he will go to the Guardian of Forever to change the past and the Temporal Prime Directive can go to hell!
However, Commodore Data, now commanding officer of the USS Enterprise-F will begin a chase against his former comrade since his duty is to protect the integrity of the timeline even if that means that Deanna Troi should remain dead in the past!
"T." IS FOR...
A curious trivia in this novel was that it was supposed to explain the meaning of the "T." in William T. Riker, and back then could be considered a spoiler, but after the TV episode Second Chances now is not a spoiler anymore but a non-canon curiousity.
The "T." was supposed to be for "Thelonious" that you may think as something odd, but it wasn't a bad idea then since the concept was to make something similar to the "T." in James T. Kirk that it's for "Tiberius", in that way both characters of different generations would have a second name taken from ancient history.
However, due ignorance about the novel or just not wanting to use the ancient name, on the Second Chances episode was canonically established that the "T." in William T. Riker was for "Thomas".
I have nothing against the name "Thomas", I only think that it could be cooler that the novel Imzadi would be respected and keep the name used there.
Just like "Tiberius" was never explained on the original TV series but in the following animated series that its canonicity was always a polemic issue, but finally in Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country was honored the animated series mentioning that the "T." in James T. Kirk was indeed for "Tiberius".
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING RIKER
I always have been fan of William T. Riker's character, obviously I like Picard too and many other The Next Generation's characters for not saying of the rest of the franchise, but people use to underestimate the character of Riker and if you ever watched key TV episodes of The Next Generation like 11001001, Peak Performance, A Matter of Honor, The Best of Both Worlds (Parts 1 & 2), Future Imperfect, Chain of Command (Parts 1 & 2), Second Chances and The Pegasus, just to name a few, you will realize how richful and valuable is the character of William Riker to the reason of The Next Generation success.
And certainly there isn't a best option in novels as this one to get to learn in depth the psyche of the character of William T. Riker.
October 22, 2008
4.0 stars. Nobody does Star Trek better than Peter David and this is another superb example. It is what you get when you take a richly defined universe (star trek) and pair it with a writer with true chops.
January 27, 2023
Peter David is a master. His treatments of other franchises, such as Marvel's cinematic universe, were amazing, and he blew me away with this Star Trek novel that spans great lengths of time and space. The only thing preventing me from giving this a perfect score is the content, specifically the sex and excessive profanity.
EDIT: Not only was the amount of sexual content higher than I remembered, but the edition I read this time had such tiny print, it was rather hard to read.
EDIT: Not only was the amount of sexual content higher than I remembered, but the edition I read this time had such tiny print, it was rather hard to read.
May 21, 2011
I had two reasons to look forward to this book: the author had been recommended to me, and I yearned to learn more about the origins of the Riker/Troi romance. The author's nonlinear storytelling and the time travel elements of the book were creative enough to keep me reading until the last page. He has skill at crafting plot and action. The relationship as written here, however, fell completely flat for me. Their story was filled from start to finish with bad cliches, current gender stereotypes masquerading as insights, and just plain uninteresting characterization. It's unfortunate that the author's creativity didn't extend into this very important TNG bond.
June 2, 2022
This was an (abridged) audiobook experience for me.
Listening to Jonathan Frakes' narration, augmented with cheesy sound effects and some proper '90s softcore porno music cues during the loooooove scenes had me grinning non-stop, though I honestly don't know how someone who didn't grow up loving the Star Trek: TNG series would find it, but I imagine the word to describe it would start with "cr" and rhyme with "hinge"...
Because '90s.
Listening to Jonathan Frakes' narration, augmented with cheesy sound effects and some proper '90s softcore porno music cues during the loooooove scenes had me grinning non-stop, though I honestly don't know how someone who didn't grow up loving the Star Trek: TNG series would find it, but I imagine the word to describe it would start with "cr" and rhyme with "hinge"...
Because '90s.
October 27, 2021
This was supposedly a huge bestseller back in the day (1992). I gotta say, I don’t really get it. I think I missed the boat here.
A while back I went looking for people’s favorite Star Trek novels and then found some of them in my local used bookstores. This was one of the three I ended up picking up, and as my first Star Trek tie-in novel, I could probably have done better. Or, maybe I’m just missing the cultural context. It’s thirty-years old at this point, and it was published during the middle of TNG‘s run. (For more context, I probably wouldn’t have picked this up for a long time except I pulled it out of my TBR Jar.) (For even more context, this is going back to the bookshop from whence it came.)
I mean, it’s not like it was terrible or anything, but it was such a dude book, and turned what could have been a cool concept into a melodramatic feelings fest. How you mess up time travel like that, bro? Deanna is the supposed center of this book, and yet she has almost no actual character presence, and while the plot centers on saving her life (thus preventing old Riker from being Very Sad in another timeline) she herself has little to do with it. It’s the Riker and Data show. Which, to be fair, was kind of the case on the show as well, but it was somehow worse reading it over hours instead of seeing it over the course of one forty-five minute episode.
I will not be reading the sequel. Hopefully the other books I picked up (both written by Michael Jan Friedman, not Peter David) go over better than this one did when I eventually get to them.
A while back I went looking for people’s favorite Star Trek novels and then found some of them in my local used bookstores. This was one of the three I ended up picking up, and as my first Star Trek tie-in novel, I could probably have done better. Or, maybe I’m just missing the cultural context. It’s thirty-years old at this point, and it was published during the middle of TNG‘s run. (For more context, I probably wouldn’t have picked this up for a long time except I pulled it out of my TBR Jar.) (For even more context, this is going back to the bookshop from whence it came.)
I mean, it’s not like it was terrible or anything, but it was such a dude book, and turned what could have been a cool concept into a melodramatic feelings fest. How you mess up time travel like that, bro? Deanna is the supposed center of this book, and yet she has almost no actual character presence, and while the plot centers on saving her life (thus preventing old Riker from being Very Sad in another timeline) she herself has little to do with it. It’s the Riker and Data show. Which, to be fair, was kind of the case on the show as well, but it was somehow worse reading it over hours instead of seeing it over the course of one forty-five minute episode.
I will not be reading the sequel. Hopefully the other books I picked up (both written by Michael Jan Friedman, not Peter David) go over better than this one did when I eventually get to them.
June 24, 2013
2.5
Despite having seen, I think, every episide of TNG when it was on, I never got into reading the various novels. Thgouh I don't really do a lot of expanded universe stuff as a general rule. But this was picked for a group BotM, so I decided to give it a go.
I will say that it started well enough, despite the fact that I sort of cottoned on to the probably plot in the first few pages. But I liked seeing some of the alternate future, with Captain Crusher doing the Picard tug at his jacket, and Commodore (I think) Data, and an embittered Riker, never able to get over a Troi who died in the halcyon days of a beardless face. (Ick.)
But once we started down memory lane into the budding Troi/Riker pairing, I was less interested. Actually, I sort of hated this part.
For one, Riker was a womanizing douchebag. I mean, I know he was sort of the Kirk of TNG and all but, in this, it's "pre-enlightenment", and he's just a cocksure, arrogant, smarmy jerk.
Troi, on the other hand, is a dutiful mama's girl (and, ye gods, since when was Lwaxana such a harpy for tradition and shit?) who is all cerebral and emotional and stuf.
She first spurns Riker's purely animalistic attention but, really, she was flattered and just needed to let her guard down and be taken by the big, hairy man.
*barf*
A friend called this book a "starlequin" and, yeah, it's got so many bad romance novel cliches I don't even know where to begin.
But finally - blessedly - we get past that shit and into some time travelling shenanigans, and things kinda pick up at that point... though I did sort of start thinking, towards the end, that if they threw in one more random plot I might hafta scream.
For all its faults - of which characters that seemed off isn't even the half of it - I did find parts of it pretty compelling read, especially when shit was going down.
If we had foregone the whole horrible "starlequin" bit in the middle, I probably would've liked it a shit-ton more, though.
Despite having seen, I think, every episide of TNG when it was on, I never got into reading the various novels. Thgouh I don't really do a lot of expanded universe stuff as a general rule. But this was picked for a group BotM, so I decided to give it a go.
I will say that it started well enough, despite the fact that I sort of cottoned on to the probably plot in the first few pages. But I liked seeing some of the alternate future, with Captain Crusher doing the Picard tug at his jacket, and Commodore (I think) Data, and an embittered Riker, never able to get over a Troi who died in the halcyon days of a beardless face. (Ick.)
But once we started down memory lane into the budding Troi/Riker pairing, I was less interested. Actually, I sort of hated this part.
For one, Riker was a womanizing douchebag. I mean, I know he was sort of the Kirk of TNG and all but, in this, it's "pre-enlightenment", and he's just a cocksure, arrogant, smarmy jerk.
Troi, on the other hand, is a dutiful mama's girl (and, ye gods, since when was Lwaxana such a harpy for tradition and shit?) who is all cerebral and emotional and stuf.
She first spurns Riker's purely animalistic attention but, really, she was flattered and just needed to let her guard down and be taken by the big, hairy man.
*barf*
A friend called this book a "starlequin" and, yeah, it's got so many bad romance novel cliches I don't even know where to begin.
But finally - blessedly - we get past that shit and into some time travelling shenanigans, and things kinda pick up at that point... though I did sort of start thinking, towards the end, that if they threw in one more random plot I might hafta scream.
For all its faults - of which characters that seemed off isn't even the half of it - I did find parts of it pretty compelling read, especially when shit was going down.
If we had foregone the whole horrible "starlequin" bit in the middle, I probably would've liked it a shit-ton more, though.
December 6, 2017
Back in 1996 this was No.3 of year out of 145 books but was my Top book of the year.Set around the most important thing in Star Trek History The Guardian of Forever (the Joan Collins Star Trek Emie award )
An Imzardi is beloved in Beltazod Diana Troy & Riker lovers across time even wrong time
An Imzardi is beloved in Beltazod Diana Troy & Riker lovers across time even wrong time
June 2, 2013
I remember watching Star Trek with my dad when I was a kid. It would come on after school, and I loved it. The adventures, the crazy escapes, the close calls... It was good stuff.
I had SUCH a crush on Will Riker when I was younger. Not baby-faced Riker, but more mature, bearded Riker. Man I loved him. (And to this day, I love a man with facial hair. But that's beside the point. LOL)
As much as I loved the show, I'm not much of a tie-in fiction reader. I love Star Wars too (yeah, I swing both ways) and but struggled through the tie-in story collection I read. And I read a Firefly tie-in and thought it was OK. I haven't really tried any others though... Maybe I will someday, but it's generally not a "genre" that calls my name.
So a friend chose this book for a group of us to read, and I enjoyed it. I didn't love it, and I think that there were times when things felt a little much, especially the romance, but overall, I did like it. I think that the characters were true to the characters that I've loved from the show, and I enjoyed seeing them here.
The story was a little more complex than I expected, in all honesty, and jumped around quite a bit. It was a bit hard to follow, considering that the ebook formatting was atrocious and there weren't line or chapter or section breaks where they should have been.
The last 50 pages of the book were by far my favorite. I liked the humor here, and the way that things came together. It was a little too perfect, but... enjoyable. I'd recommend it...
I had SUCH a crush on Will Riker when I was younger. Not baby-faced Riker, but more mature, bearded Riker. Man I loved him. (And to this day, I love a man with facial hair. But that's beside the point. LOL)
As much as I loved the show, I'm not much of a tie-in fiction reader. I love Star Wars too (yeah, I swing both ways) and but struggled through the tie-in story collection I read. And I read a Firefly tie-in and thought it was OK. I haven't really tried any others though... Maybe I will someday, but it's generally not a "genre" that calls my name.
So a friend chose this book for a group of us to read, and I enjoyed it. I didn't love it, and I think that there were times when things felt a little much, especially the romance, but overall, I did like it. I think that the characters were true to the characters that I've loved from the show, and I enjoyed seeing them here.
The story was a little more complex than I expected, in all honesty, and jumped around quite a bit. It was a bit hard to follow, considering that the ebook formatting was atrocious and there weren't line or chapter or section breaks where they should have been.
The last 50 pages of the book were by far my favorite. I liked the humor here, and the way that things came together. It was a little too perfect, but... enjoyable. I'd recommend it...
January 15, 2009
My favorite Trek novel ever (and of course made me a die-hard Imzadi shipper). I have it in paperback...and hardcover...and audiobook...
August 30, 2009
I'm almost embarrassed to give this, a Star Trek novel, five stars, but I am compelled to go back every few years and read it, so I guess it must be pretty good. It might be because I am something of a romantic and whenever I start to feel the need for a good love story, this is the one I pick up! I loved The Next Generation, it was my favorite Trek, but I've never read any other novels in this genre. Every time I've tried, I have found that the author's ideas about extrapolating the characters' personalities does not fit with my own ideas and I just get annoyed. For some reason this one didn't bother me, perhaps because the story line was so good that I didn't care. One little flaw in this book is the obvious reference here and there to the show. It's almost like someone (an editor) said to the author, "yeah, the story's great, but you need to go back and make it clear that you actually watched the show." There's an idiotic passage in which the grown Wesley Crusher admits to having an adolescent crush on Deanna Troi because of the gray jumpsuit she wore in the early seasons of the show. Please. We all know that poor Marina Sirtis looked like a cow in that horror.
February 9, 2017
Imzadi wasn't bad. It was a little bit cheesy, and it was written at a lower reading level than expected, but it contained a surprising amount of emotional punch for a book that is both pulpy and a cheesy romance. I'm sure that it's a crowd-pleaser for anyone who wants to know a little bit more about Riker and Troi's history/relationship previous to that portrayed in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Imzadi is entertaining, better-than-average Star Trek fan fiction, but I don't think that is has much to offer to non-fans or the many TNG fans who don't like Riker and/or Troi much.
December 5, 2020
2.5 stars. I know this is a favorite Trek novel for many, but it just doesn't inspire me. The main reason is that I couldn't see the relationship between Riker and Troi as transcendent. This is just a romance, complete with all the usual annoying tropes. Riker is just another hypermasculine guy doing and saying anything it takes to persuade someone into a physical relationship, and Troi, who should know better being an empath and psychology student, falls for it. I read this hoping I would see another side of Riker and like him more, but the book had the opposite effect. Also, I don't see it as noble to be willing to destroy 40 years of timeline for your entire universe just to get your romantic love back. I can't imagine a more horrifically selfish act!
December 11, 2023
From my understanding, this is the most bestselling Star Trek novel out there, and certainly one of, if not the most famous Star Trek novel. I've had the paperback and the Hardcover for a few years now, but never felt the urge to pick it up until now.
And while I have one big complaint, this is a well developed book!
Without giving too much away, this is a time travel book, featuring Will Riker, Deanna Troi, and a future version of Riker (all of whom grace the cover of the book). The first portion of the story takes place in the future, the second portion takes place in the past, and the third portion takes place in the present. The third act was break-neck paced and was a fantastic read, with many deep themes and great exploration of the dynamic between Troi and Riker. The opening was a bit difficult to get into, but it was a solid opening.
The middle portion of this book is what I take issue with. Primarily, it is so...inappropriate. Most Star Trek books are PG-13, and if they have anything delving into a sexual nature, they tend to be fairly careful about the writng. But the middle portion of this book is crude nad explicit and absolutely over the top. Certain elements made sense, but the single word to describe this book is "gratuitous". I told one of my friends that I am surprised that Peter David was able to convince Pocket Books to let him write a bodice ripper (literally).
I can already feel the response to this being that it was integral for the story. But what bothers me is that so much of the inappropriate elements of this book could be cut out and still it would tell the love story of Troi and Riker. So much of it was unnecessary.
That being said, the story is compelling and had me on the edge of my seat. I guessed at how it ended, but I didn't know for sure how it would resolve itself. The episodic nature of TNG helped keep this book's potential open-ended.
And I think that is part of why this book is so revered. For so long in media tie-in fiction, authors couldn't mess up the characters, their backstories, or even their families and potentials. All books had to set everything neatly back in the book. This book puts some things back in the box, but it also introduces a lot of elements (specifically backstory and character motivations) that cannot be put back in the box later. It is a definitive novel for the characters of Deanna Troi and William Riker.
No single novel previously (and probably not until the Post-Nemesis novels) has had such an effect on the characters and series. (Granted, there are still 600+ Star Trek books left for me to read, but I'm pretty confident saying that).
Overall, this is an excellent book, and it would be a top-notch one if not for the crude nature of the book. 8.8 out fo 10!
And while I have one big complaint, this is a well developed book!
Without giving too much away, this is a time travel book, featuring Will Riker, Deanna Troi, and a future version of Riker (all of whom grace the cover of the book). The first portion of the story takes place in the future, the second portion takes place in the past, and the third portion takes place in the present. The third act was break-neck paced and was a fantastic read, with many deep themes and great exploration of the dynamic between Troi and Riker. The opening was a bit difficult to get into, but it was a solid opening.
The middle portion of this book is what I take issue with. Primarily, it is so...inappropriate. Most Star Trek books are PG-13, and if they have anything delving into a sexual nature, they tend to be fairly careful about the writng. But the middle portion of this book is crude nad explicit and absolutely over the top. Certain elements made sense, but the single word to describe this book is "gratuitous". I told one of my friends that I am surprised that Peter David was able to convince Pocket Books to let him write a bodice ripper (literally).
I can already feel the response to this being that it was integral for the story. But what bothers me is that so much of the inappropriate elements of this book could be cut out and still it would tell the love story of Troi and Riker. So much of it was unnecessary.
That being said, the story is compelling and had me on the edge of my seat. I guessed at how it ended, but I didn't know for sure how it would resolve itself. The episodic nature of TNG helped keep this book's potential open-ended.
And I think that is part of why this book is so revered. For so long in media tie-in fiction, authors couldn't mess up the characters, their backstories, or even their families and potentials. All books had to set everything neatly back in the book. This book puts some things back in the box, but it also introduces a lot of elements (specifically backstory and character motivations) that cannot be put back in the box later. It is a definitive novel for the characters of Deanna Troi and William Riker.
No single novel previously (and probably not until the Post-Nemesis novels) has had such an effect on the characters and series. (Granted, there are still 600+ Star Trek books left for me to read, but I'm pretty confident saying that).
Overall, this is an excellent book, and it would be a top-notch one if not for the crude nature of the book. 8.8 out fo 10!
January 8, 2019
Several times while reading Imzadi, I was completely surprised by where Peter David took the story. Unpredictable and always interesting, Imzadi is arguably one of the best Star Trek novels out there. In a recent edition of his article "Ten For Ward" at StarTrek.com, author Dayton Ward included Imzadi on his list of Trek novels for the new Star Trek reader. Imzadi was the recommendation of his fellow author David Mack, who said that “its ending is also one of the best I've ever read in a Star Trek novel.” I find myself in complete agreement with this statement. Imzadi is a must-read for any Trek fan.
Full review: https://www.treklit.com/2013/12/imzad...
Full review: https://www.treklit.com/2013/12/imzad...
July 18, 2019
The best Trek fiction - TOS, TNG or other - that I've yet encountered. Very solid writing, tight plot, and excellent audio narration by Jonathan Frakes, i.e. Riker. The story provides some very interesting background on the much speculated about origins of Riker and Troi's relationship, going back quite a bit before their days on the Enterprise. The Guardian of Forever, which seems to come up as a favorite plot device in quite a bit of Trek fiction (and I mean, who can resist the allure of time travel), features as well. Looking at the cover, which shows the likeness of both young Riker, and an older, gray haired Riker, should have clued me into that.
October 7, 2018
The opening and ending of Imzadi is a solid time travel story, but the great majority of this book concerns Riker and Troi's first meeting and the beginnings of their relationship and is very poor. Imzadi is filled with the worst romantic cliches and is unfortunately a very sexist and bad look for Riker who seems to take a "no actually means yes" approach to seduction and Troi who seems overly intellectual seemingly only to contrast stronger with the instinctual Riker in this book and lacks a lot of agency of her own. It's a shame this takes up such an enormous chunk of the book when the time travel story attached at the beginning and end are actually interesting and I liked seeing disillusioned grumbly future Riker. Imzadi was a disappointment to me but especially because of how praised this book was compared to how underwhelming it was to actually read.
July 28, 2007
This is a personal favorite. It was one of the few books in the world I have read more than four times. If you are a Star Trek fan and a fan of romance, action, adventure, and time travel, this book is for you. If not, your loss. I hold this book close to my heart because I love the plot. Can't say much for the writing except it is supreme for popular fiction. I love it! It is truly my guiltiest pleasure.
May 10, 2008
A long-time favorite. One day, I will probably have to replace my copy, and I will probably cry when that day comes. Even if it is a touch melodramatic at times, I love that it's a mostly complete history of their relationship -- and that it's one of the last ST novels sanctioned by Gene before his death.
September 11, 2017
I have loved Star Trek TNG since I was a kid. Counselor Troi is one of my favorite characters. This book would have made a really fun two-part episode. It draws on many of the themes that are so inherent to Star Trek, ethics, causality, and adds in a romance that persists across all of space and time.
August 24, 2009
This is one of the first Star Trek books I read. For fans of the Riker - Troi relationship it's a delight. It tells how they first met, and how they become IMZADI, which means beloved. It's also intersting to see into the future -- well, a possible future.
October 28, 2023
Perfection. Soild Trek tale of one of the best romances of the series. A bit of a deep dive. I loved every minute.
December 4, 2014
There is so much depth to this story. To the realization of the characters, the world of Betazed and what it's like being Betazoid, and to the relationship between Riker and Troi which is never really explored on the show. It also is a beautifully done romance which goes so well with a story that involves the Guardian of Forever (which is from the Original series episode "The City on the Edge of Forever.") And it's beautifully done because there are complications to the romance, and to Riker's actions, which made for some very interesting dilemmas that even Data wasn't able to see his way through clearly. The characterizations of the characters we are familiar with was spot on, although I was sometimes at some doubt to Data's decision-making in the story, since I think as a character he can be swayed from logic sometimes by loyalty.
The story combines action, adventure, time travel and romance to create a very moving tribute to the relationship of Riker and Troi, and I'm a little sad that the potential of exploring their romance and history more wasn't a real part of the show. But perhaps it was only through this novel that their complicated relationship could be explored and come off so believably. Because this book does fit in so well with the way the characters developed on the show.
This is a book that transcends the TV show and fully captures the world and the characters in an absorbing, suspenseful and touching read. It is apparent that this book came out before the end of the TV series as there are some changes from canon as it were, but this was ultimately such a satisfying and believable extension of the the characters' stories that I wish it was canon.
The story combines action, adventure, time travel and romance to create a very moving tribute to the relationship of Riker and Troi, and I'm a little sad that the potential of exploring their romance and history more wasn't a real part of the show. But perhaps it was only through this novel that their complicated relationship could be explored and come off so believably. Because this book does fit in so well with the way the characters developed on the show.
This is a book that transcends the TV show and fully captures the world and the characters in an absorbing, suspenseful and touching read. It is apparent that this book came out before the end of the TV series as there are some changes from canon as it were, but this was ultimately such a satisfying and believable extension of the the characters' stories that I wish it was canon.
July 4, 2013
This was such a surprise! I am not a huge trekkie. I've seen some of the episodes of the original Star Trek as well as the Next Generation and always enjoyed. I read this for a group read and it was the first time that I have read a book based on a series. I was so surprised with how much I liked it! It's a great story that gives the backstory of how Riker and Deanna meet. We know from the show that they previously been involved, but we never got too much information from the show. This book answers alot of those questions as well as gives us a hint to a possible future. Loved it, loved it! Highly recommended!
November 11, 2013
I forgot that it was possible to love these characters any more than I did. In particular, Riker and Data.
And, yes, thank you, Harlan, for making up the most ridiculous time travel trope in all of sci-fidom.
And, yes, thank you, Harlan, for making up the most ridiculous time travel trope in all of sci-fidom.
October 11, 2007
So, you have to be a Star Trek fan to even think about picking up this book, but if you think Troi and Riker were born for each other, then you have to read their full story.
August 6, 2008
This one really gave you a lot of insight into Troi and Ryker's relationship. I love reading about what you didn't see on-screen.
July 15, 2022
The horniest Star Trek novel I've ever read - and I've read Wesley Crusher: Teenage F#ck Machine.
August 26, 2022
I have no idea what other reviewers say and I'm not going to check. I thoroughly enjoyed this, found it very well-written. Some little bits might have been a bit over-the-top, but don't we expect that, even enjoy that, from Star Trek?
"A traditional entrée into conversation has always been to discuss something utterly inconsequential; Something that no one can do anything about. The weather has always filled the bill... But look at that.... 'Looks like a vacuum today. And they produce more of the same for tomorrow.'" (Guinan, trying to open a conversation with someone looking out the windows of Ten-Forward.)
Guinan does get into it. Someone is feeling guilty for not being a perfect friend, and G. asks whether they did anything horrible, like rough her up, or beat up one of her friends. They say, no, she wouldn't put up with that at all. Well, G. says, why are you beating up yourself then?
The book also makes me want to read at least a summary of Julius Caesar. Somehow I know virtually nothing. Apparently the assassins thought they were doing the right thing, for the sake of the country maybe?
Onward!
"A traditional entrée into conversation has always been to discuss something utterly inconsequential; Something that no one can do anything about. The weather has always filled the bill... But look at that.... 'Looks like a vacuum today. And they produce more of the same for tomorrow.'" (Guinan, trying to open a conversation with someone looking out the windows of Ten-Forward.)
Guinan does get into it. Someone is feeling guilty for not being a perfect friend, and G. asks whether they did anything horrible, like rough her up, or beat up one of her friends. They say, no, she wouldn't put up with that at all. Well, G. says, why are you beating up yourself then?
The book also makes me want to read at least a summary of Julius Caesar. Somehow I know virtually nothing. Apparently the assassins thought they were doing the right thing, for the sake of the country maybe?
Onward!
January 10, 2024
Okay this gets 5 stars but let me be clear there are a few issues I had. Some of the dialogue between young Deanna and Riker was absolutely the same kind you'd find in your average cliché romance novel that is super popular right now and at times I thought Will to be super overbearing in his physical wants regarding Deanna.
Now that being said the lengths to which he later goes to save her life are nothing short of astounding. To watch as Riker goes from brooding old man to one with the determination and conviction to change the past to benefit only yourself and the women you love was beautiful to behold. And the younger Cmdr. Riker in the present to also see the future and combine it with the lessons of the past to progress his relationship with Deanna was the icing on the cake.
Now that being said the lengths to which he later goes to save her life are nothing short of astounding. To watch as Riker goes from brooding old man to one with the determination and conviction to change the past to benefit only yourself and the women you love was beautiful to behold. And the younger Cmdr. Riker in the present to also see the future and combine it with the lessons of the past to progress his relationship with Deanna was the icing on the cake.
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