Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
 A Pleasant Digression August 25, 2006
Stegofreak (Ireland)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Published in 2004, by Fandemonium, `Trial by Fire' is the first book in a new series of Stargate SG-1 novels. Written by long-time Stargate fan, and fan-fiction writer, Sabine C. Bauer, `Trial by Fire' is an imaginative yarn that fits nicely into the Stargate universe.
In `Trial by Fire', SG-1 visit P2X 159, a world on the brink of a global war. However, this time they do not go alone. Drafting in a new archaeological expert to help with the study of the culture of P2X 159, SG-1 gets more than they can handle when this new character proves to be as impulsive and headstrong as the members of SG-1 have, at times, shown themselves to be.
Matters become much worse when, on a semi-routine scouting mission, Colonel O'Neill is captured by the `enemy' along with the aforementioned additional character. As expected, SG-1 mount a rescue mission but all is not what it seems as the team have to face the sectarian politics of P2X 159 and an unexpected old enemy.
At the beginning of the novel there is definitely a slow and often tedious pace that may make readers want to drop the book in frustration. However, should you persevere and get into the book you will find an adventure worthy of SG-1.
Adding a new character into the mix, Bauer takes us on an amazing journey of exploration, not just of P2X 159 but also of the mind of Colonel Jack O'Neill. When the new character and Jack are separated from the rest of SG-1 Bauer takes time to delve into their characters in great detail. This, however, gives many fans a negative view of the additional character who I found a pleasant addition to the cast. Without her knowledge and expertise of the culture into which the team are thrown, many questions posed in the novel would be left unanswered.
The focal point of the novel, however, seems to be the mental state of O'Neill following his imprisonment by Baal in Season 6 (`Abyss' [606]). Throughout `Trial by Fire' we are given an insight into how this affected the SG-1 CO especially when confronted with this new imprisonment.
In all `Trial by Fire' is a nice little journey into the Stargate universe. Unfortunately, though it is an enjoyable read, it is perhaps not as good as it could have been. This does not take from the fact that it is a wonderful story that should be a must read for any Stargate fans.
I thought it was ok March 30, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I rather liked it actually, it was one of the better of the series so far, there were some aspects of SG-1s characters, mainly O'Neill which were not true to the TV series in my opinion. I did like it when it got going a bit and there was some action. I would recommend this book to O'Neill fans. Whether you like it or not, its miles better than the original books written when the series first came out, these books are actually written by people who like the series and the characters and are fans of the series. if you go on the stargate book website I think it tells you that fans sent their book ideas in and the best ones were chosen, so atleast you know their hearts were in the right place when they wrote them and allows O'Neill and the rest of the original SG-1 to keep galavanting around the universe without having to worry about being promoted or getting too old or leaving the show.
 Worth reading December 9, 2005
nomadic_writer (Essex, England)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Having read TV tie-ins for various shows and found most of them somewhere between bland and godawful, I didn't have great hopes for the Fandemonium Stargate SG-1 series. However, I was pleasantly surprised."Trial By Fire" is not flawless - in particular, it suffers from the presence of a character who is fully intended to be annoying, but succeeds at it rather too well - but the standard of writing is pretty good and the plot interesting once it gets going. Even better, it does what most tie-ins don't, and actually delves into issues left unresolved by the TV show: in this case Jack's capture by Baal, and Daniel's missing memories from his Ascension. Despite its flaws, a very readable adventure for SG-1, and far above average for a TV tie-in.
 A bit of a dissapointment August 21, 2005
Andrea M. Collier (Bremerton, WA USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
It took a long time for this book to get interesting. I had to force myself to read it because I spent a lot of money for it. About half way through it got better. Too bad these books aren't available in the US. It would have cost less. Also, the author seems to keep switching back and forth between British English and American English. It was a bit distracting...
 Wasted Potential June 17, 2005
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
I expected quite a bit better from the author, given the characters and the premise, but ended up with an empty, disappointed feeling by the novel's end. Not an auspicious beginning to a new series of licensed tie-in novels. I hope future ones improve!
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