By: Peter David

Brief Summary: A rift in space opens up, providing a diplomatic opportunity to a new race.

An average book for Peter David, an above average book for everyone else. And so it goes again...

The premise of The Rift is this: Every thirty-three years a rift in space connects the Federation with a race called the Calligar who live on a planet too far to travel in a Starship. Captain Kirk and the Enterprise are sent to transport a Federation delegation to Calligar directly - during the brief period of time that the rift will be open.  As it turns out, the Calligar have their share of secrets... that lead to a potentially explosive ending.

This action in this novel really did not pick up until the last half. This is not disparaging the introduction at all.  We are given a nice treat because it is one of the few books that actually delves into Captain Christopher Pike's Enterprise. The Rift is one of a serious tone for Peter David, but as usual - you appreciate the way all of his characters are written and the narrative flows.  Even the new species, the Calligar are fun to read about - if not weird.   Depending on if you like it or not, there is a touch of a romantic plot in in the mix as well.