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fbone's review
2.0
This book is mostly background info and character introduction. There's not much action but it does have enough mystery and intrigue to set the reader up for the next in the series. Several minor plot lines that involve personal relationships add to the sci-fi theme.
dreamwanderer's review
4.0
Harbinger is the initial story in the Vanguard series. James Kirk is the new Captain of the Enterprise and the ship has docked at a new Space Station. The mystery in the story is why does Starfleet have a starbase this big on the edge of nowhere? Well, not exactly the edge of nowhere. It borders on Tholian and Klingon space and who naturally want to know what's going on and why are the Tholians experiencing weird species-wide interruptions in their telepathic link? Does it have to do with the strange DNA genome found a few years earlier by another Starfleet Crew?
This story is more of a setup, introducing us to the crew of the Space Station. We see all types of people here, the reporter, the raffish trader, the commander, the JAG officer, the spy and we get to know the Tholians and Klingons. Interesting bunch.
Amusing note-Mack constantly is bringing up the fact that the 'new uniforms' for women are miniskirts. Several times he brings it to the reader's attention but in all fairness he points out that while the men might like them, the women aren't all that fond of them and even mentions Uhuru being annoyed at having to tug at it.
Minus a star for the relationship drama. I don't care for it and with the exception of the Pennington/Orianna story (it is his motivation for finding out what happened to her ship, The Bombay) the rest could have been cut out completely and the story wouldn't have suffered.
A good beginning to what I hope is an interesting series.
This story is more of a setup, introducing us to the crew of the Space Station. We see all types of people here, the reporter, the raffish trader, the commander, the JAG officer, the spy and we get to know the Tholians and Klingons. Interesting bunch.
Amusing note-Mack constantly is bringing up the fact that the 'new uniforms' for women are miniskirts. Several times he brings it to the reader's attention but in all fairness he points out that while the men might like them, the women aren't all that fond of them and even mentions Uhuru being annoyed at having to tug at it.
Minus a star for the relationship drama. I don't care for it and with the exception of the Pennington/Orianna story (it is his motivation for finding out what happened to her ship, The Bombay) the rest could have been cut out completely and the story wouldn't have suffered.
A good beginning to what I hope is an interesting series.
jwilker's review
3.0
a good start to a series, but definitely slow as they introduce every character in turn.
the pacing throughout this and the following books picks up which is good.
the pacing throughout this and the following books picks up which is good.
brian's review
3.0
A new Star Trek series, set in the early period of Kirk's command of the Enterprise.
The action focuses on Starbase 47, also known as Vanguard. Situated between Klingon & Tholian space, it's build was significantly fast-tracked by the UFP for reasons unknown.
It now houses a mix of alien races both as crew, civilians and tradespeople; imagine an early Deep Space Nine/Terok Nor.
It takes a while to get used to the new crew as they're introduced. The Enterprise makes a stop there which lets Kirk size up Commodore Diego Reyes and some of the other key characters.
There are several threads to the story, as the Klingons, Tholians and UFP jostle up against each other, possibly heading for war.
The action focuses on Starbase 47, also known as Vanguard. Situated between Klingon & Tholian space, it's build was significantly fast-tracked by the UFP for reasons unknown.
It now houses a mix of alien races both as crew, civilians and tradespeople; imagine an early Deep Space Nine/Terok Nor.
It takes a while to get used to the new crew as they're introduced. The Enterprise makes a stop there which lets Kirk size up Commodore Diego Reyes and some of the other key characters.
There are several threads to the story, as the Klingons, Tholians and UFP jostle up against each other, possibly heading for war.
alireadstoomuch's review
4.0
In my quest to read my star trek novels, this was definitely one of the best, plot and character wise, but it just wasn't a Star Trek book. It was a very good sci-fi with some cameos from the Enterprise. Not that I'm complaining, I'm a sucker for space operas and flawed characters like the many we see in Harbinger, but the tone, much darker than the original series, was somewhat harsh when remembering Kirk once fought a lizard in a tarzan costume.
Nevertheless, this is probably one of the most accessible titles in the saga exactly because of the reasons above. The character were complex and the plot much intriguing.
Addition touch of a f/f relationship? *chef's kiss*
Will definitely be reading the sequel.
Nevertheless, this is probably one of the most accessible titles in the saga exactly because of the reasons above. The character were complex and the plot much intriguing.
Addition touch of a f/f relationship? *chef's kiss*
Will definitely be reading the sequel.
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