Shadows Have Offended is a pretty mediocre entry into the catalog of Star Trek: The Next Generation novel range. The writer responsible for this fairly disappointment reading experience is Cassandra Rose Clarke.
While the Enterprise is having to take some prominent guests to Betazed for some cultural ceremony, an away team comprised of Commander Riker, Dr. Crusher, and Lt, Commander Data are sent to a planet called Kota to assist after the commanding officer of a science station is killed in a storm. There is also a strange affliction affecting the crew there, and even the android Data is not immune to the effects. Captain Picard is having to contend with the overly amorous mother of Counselor Deanna Troi. The ceremony is interrupted by the theft of some cultural Betazoid artifacts. Lt Worf and Counselor Troi start the investigation while Picard copes with the panic of the crowd.
I know that I shouldn’t set the bar all that high for a Star Trek novel, but this one was just a little too bland for my liking. Part of my disdain is likely due to it taking place in the seventh season of the television series where the producers through it would be a good idea to have Troi and Worf engage in some kind of romantic relationship. It just seemed like such a stupid idea back then, and Clarke does little to make it more palatable.
Anyway, I suppose some Star Trek novel readers may find some reason to appreciate this effort from Clarke, and it’s probably not the worst in the series, but it certainly is on the lower rung of quality. If one must read it, keep the expectations low.
`Next up, I will be looking for the source of The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman.
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