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nick_27's review against another edition
5.0
Such a great installment to the Star Trek universe. Also the next book is released tomorrow!
vingilot's review against another edition
4.0
The federation has been formed, but what exactly is the Federation? That is a question Admiral Archer wrestles with, as forces inside and out try and force the Federation into boxes that it does not quite fit into.
Enterprise had a lot of one off encounters with interesting phenomena, or races that were never further explained because the story was not truly about them. This book aims to rectify some of that, by exploring the Mushroom headed "silent Enemy" in some more depth. Of course this too is merely the setting for a larger struggle over what the federation should be. As the newly united Starfleet leads an even larger coalition of ships into investigating disappearances, darker forces are seeming involved in pressuring the federation to take a more militaristic stance.
This was a great read, the world building is top notch, and the inclusion of the NX refit design, now dubbed the Colombia class was a real treat. As was the inclusion of one Tobin Dax. Christopher L bennet was a great choice to take the helm of the post Romulan War Enterprise books.
Enterprise had a lot of one off encounters with interesting phenomena, or races that were never further explained because the story was not truly about them. This book aims to rectify some of that, by exploring the Mushroom headed "silent Enemy" in some more depth. Of course this too is merely the setting for a larger struggle over what the federation should be. As the newly united Starfleet leads an even larger coalition of ships into investigating disappearances, darker forces are seeming involved in pressuring the federation to take a more militaristic stance.
This was a great read, the world building is top notch, and the inclusion of the NX refit design, now dubbed the Colombia class was a real treat. As was the inclusion of one Tobin Dax. Christopher L bennet was a great choice to take the helm of the post Romulan War Enterprise books.
vingilot's review against another edition
4.0
The Federation is founded, the NX-01 mothballed, and a new united Starfleet needs to find out what they are meant to be as the Federation does the same.
What is the Federation? That is the primary question the characters in this book keep asking themselves. We the readers of course know what it will become, but it is not there yet! Will it be a trade alliance? Or just a mutual self defense pact? Or as Archer was once given a brief vision of a full on interplanetary government of equals striving for peace and prosperity? The latter still seems quite unlikely with new threats popping up, and divisions already showing their ugly head, but it is up to archer to make this new vision a reality.
The story revolves mostly around two ships, Endeavour, the first in the new NX refit fleet captained by T'pol and many enterprise veterans, and Pioneer captained by Malcolm Reed, with special guest star Tobin Dax, an unassuming engineer with a big secret hiding in his tummy. Both stories are largely independent, as they find their way in a changed universe, but both are incredibly compelling.
The book is just good, nothing incredibly special beyond what is already mentioned, but well written. I also really love to see Doug Drexler's NX Refit design in action!
What is the Federation? That is the primary question the characters in this book keep asking themselves. We the readers of course know what it will become, but it is not there yet! Will it be a trade alliance? Or just a mutual self defense pact? Or as Archer was once given a brief vision of a full on interplanetary government of equals striving for peace and prosperity? The latter still seems quite unlikely with new threats popping up, and divisions already showing their ugly head, but it is up to archer to make this new vision a reality.
The story revolves mostly around two ships, Endeavour, the first in the new NX refit fleet captained by T'pol and many enterprise veterans, and Pioneer captained by Malcolm Reed, with special guest star Tobin Dax, an unassuming engineer with a big secret hiding in his tummy. Both stories are largely independent, as they find their way in a changed universe, but both are incredibly compelling.
The book is just good, nothing incredibly special beyond what is already mentioned, but well written. I also really love to see Doug Drexler's NX Refit design in action!
amphybius's review against another edition
2.0
Least favorite book of the entire series so far.
===Spoilers===
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The basic premise of the primary antagonists is farcical.
IMHO, a space faring species, such as us, must be sentient as it requires tool usage and cooperation on a massive scale to construct spaceships.
Further, explaining to the cloud creatures how to help was far fetched.
The end felt abrupt.
===Spoilers===
.
.
.
The basic premise of the primary antagonists is farcical.
IMHO, a space faring species, such as us, must be sentient as it requires tool usage and cooperation on a massive scale to construct spaceships.
Further, explaining to the cloud creatures how to help was far fetched.
The end felt abrupt.
graff_fuller's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This is a set of books (five last ones in the Enterprise time period) that have shifted from War to political intrigue and shinanigans. All our favourites...in different roles, and new characters to push them.
This is actually where I believe Admiral Archer would've flourished on screen. Scott Bakula would have chewed up these scenes.
Also, having Captain T'Pol and Sato on the same ship. Yes! AND...Captain Reed with his #1 being Merryweather. Love these pairings. Also, having Trip still in Section 31. You can see that it is wearing on him, but how much a "good person" is needed in an organization that does SO many shady things.
I will probably pick up the sequel...in a day or two. I think I'm going to head back over to the Odyssey One series by Evan Currie.
#SpaceOperaSeptember2023
This is actually where I believe Admiral Archer would've flourished on screen. Scott Bakula would have chewed up these scenes.
Also, having Captain T'Pol and Sato on the same ship. Yes! AND...Captain Reed with his #1 being Merryweather. Love these pairings. Also, having Trip still in Section 31. You can see that it is wearing on him, but how much a "good person" is needed in an organization that does SO many shady things.
I will probably pick up the sequel...in a day or two. I think I'm going to head back over to the Odyssey One series by Evan Currie.
#SpaceOperaSeptember2023
taaya's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Finally a book that feels like Trek. Not just action for action's sake, but really thoughtful interactions, finding a balance between values and an upcoming threat, ...
Also a book with a greater focus. Not just one ship, not just one region, not just a single mission, but showing us the history of how the Federation grew and took baby steps towards what it one day will become.
Also a book with a greater focus. Not just one ship, not just one region, not just a single mission, but showing us the history of how the Federation grew and took baby steps towards what it one day will become.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War and Death
Minor: Racism and Sexual content
books_with_style's review against another edition
4.0
Started it after it was delivered to my kindle. So glad they continue the series after the Romulan war arc. So much untapped history there to touch on.
This was very good. I am not quite sold on the three Orion females from the on shoot enterprise episode being the big baddies that are trying the destroy the new Federation.
I really enjoyed the adjustment that Thanien, T'Pol's first officer, goes through in order to work with his new Vulcan captain.
I liked how they continue to get Trip in the stories and how he is still working with Section 31. I am not sure the original creators of the secret group realized how big 31 would become. Including being mentioned in the new movie.
Overall a great book looking at the formative years of the Federation we all love and thought we knew
This was very good. I am not quite sold on the three Orion females from the on shoot enterprise episode being the big baddies that are trying the destroy the new Federation.
I really enjoyed the adjustment that Thanien, T'Pol's first officer, goes through in order to work with his new Vulcan captain.
I liked how they continue to get Trip in the stories and how he is still working with Section 31. I am not sure the original creators of the secret group realized how big 31 would become. Including being mentioned in the new movie.
Overall a great book looking at the formative years of the Federation we all love and thought we knew
wondawilson's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
shiv91's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the story with the 'Mutes' but there were all these subplots that it all seemed bit of a mess. As if the writer couldn't decide which story he wanted to go with so mushed them all in to the one book.
Something else that's been bothering me with the books, which really got to me with this one, is what's been done with Trip's character. Yes, going through awful things can have an affect on people but it's like he's a completely different person now. With the TV show, Trip was one of my favourite characters but the books have made him nearly unlikeable.
Another thing is Archer. I LOVE Archer but considering the cover has him on it, you'd thing he'd be in the book a lot. He was basically a side character, watching from the sidelines with the occasional input.
Maybe my main issue is that it's not the Enterprise crew all together anymore but it just irks me how it's been written after the series.
Something else that's been bothering me with the books, which really got to me with this one, is what's been done with Trip's character. Yes, going through awful things can have an affect on people but it's like he's a completely different person now. With the TV show, Trip was one of my favourite characters but the books have made him nearly unlikeable.
Another thing is Archer. I LOVE Archer but considering the cover has him on it, you'd thing he'd be in the book a lot. He was basically a side character, watching from the sidelines with the occasional input.
Maybe my main issue is that it's not the Enterprise crew all together anymore but it just irks me how it's been written after the series.
spiffytools's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0