Despite the previous book being better than expected, I didn't plan on continuing this series, but I found this one for cheap and figured what heck. I'd say Dark Allies was just an ok story; the problem I had was over half the characters just suddenly became either one-note or downright unlikeable. The only ones I could still tolerate by even the halfway point was Calhoun, Shelby, and Kebron. Throw in another dull antagonist with the Black Mass (last time it was genetically enhanced, man-sized dogs called the Dogs of War), add the references to a side story that was mixed into a TNG series (part 5 of the Double Helix miniseries) which directly effected the end of this book and you get a meh experience with good moments sprinkled within.

A couple of those good moments; at least I liked them anyway, were they way the Redeemers blackmailed Mac et al (thought this was well-written and in character for them), and how Mac had backup plans to negate the Redeemer blackmail attempts.

Peter David is still one of my favorite Trek authors, but between the way this one ended and looking ahead at what follows, as well as several more side tales through multiple media, I'm confident I won't be continuing with the New Frontier... soon to be Excalibur series.

Guess he just ran out of creative ideas.

It happens.