Customer Reviews

Serpents Among the Ruins: The Lost Era 2311

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

If you're not overly inclined to question the validity of the plots or your Star Trek novels, but are happy to simply read a good action-based story, root for the lead character to succeed and be happy when he does, you'll probably like this book, unless you have a dislike for overly convoluted, cloak-and-dagger type stories. If, on the other hand, you expect your Starfleet officers to not simply accomplish great ends, but to do so honorably and, what's perhaps more important, PLAUSIBLY, then you will find this book, as I did, very disturbing.

Because the plot to this book depends so heavily upon secret twists that the reader is not fully aware of until they are revealed, it is impossible to detail much of the problem without unacceptably spoiling the book for those who actually choose to read it in spite of my negative review; suffice it to say that while this book COULD have been a very interesting look at whether a noble goal can and should be achieved by dishonorable means. Instead, those aspects of the story were only given the most skimpy of attention; there is no real question raised as to the morality of the actions of our "hero". There is no indication that he suffers any second thoughts, no indication that any of his friends would think less of him if they knew what he had done. There IS an indication that he and his friends both are concerned with the riskiness of the plan, which quite honestly was an incredible long-shot and which would have made things much WORSE than they would otherwise have been had it failed (which is another reason for refusing to accept the scheme.) But no one seems to question the idea, debatably acceptable but not nearly as much of a given as the story would make it, that lying, cheating, slandering, and committing sabotage are acceptable if they're done in the interest of preventing an interstellar war. This would have been an interesting question, but was NOT interesting as an idea presented for unquestioning acceptance.

I love the introduction of the UNIVERSE, a new and experimental starship, as tensions mount between the Klingons, Romulans, and the Federation. Tons of action and, more importantly, believable political intrigue. I rank this book up there with: "Stranger in a Strange Land", "Puppet Masters", "2001", "2010", "Rendezvous with Rama", "Ringworld", all the "Star Trek" and "Star Wars" books, as well as books as new to the genre as "Advent of the Corps" and others.

David R. George III is unquestionably, along with Diane Duane and Peter David, among the best writers working in the "Star Trek" universe today. "Serpents Among The Ruins" is a spellbinding account of the events which led to the infamous "Tomed Incident" between the Romulans and the United Federation of Planets. Not surprisingly caught in the middle of escalating tensions between both powers is the Federation flagship USS Enterprise, NCC 1701-B, commanded by Captain John J. Harriman, Jr. with Hikaru Sulu's daughter Demora, as his Exec. Harriman goes on a desperate undercover mission which will involve Starfleet Intelligence officer Lieutenant Elias Vaughn, seeking to stop an insane Romulan admiral. We are also witness to the signing of the Treaty of Algernon, which reaffirms the existence of the Neutral Zones between the Romulan Star Empire and the Federation and Klingon Empires. There is ample political intrigue on Romulus and the Klingon homeworld which will satisfy diehard fans familiar with the politics of both interstellar empires. Without question, this was an enjoyable read and a worthy addition to "Star Trek" fiction.

Star Trek - The Lost Era: "Serpents Among the Ruins" 2311 written by David R. George,III is a well-written complex story that shows that everything is not just black and white, but the gray areas are where the action and the real running of politics comes into play with the Federation, Klingon Empire, and the Romulan Star Empire.

Yes, this is a complex story and I must admit that this story took longer to read to keep all of the characters straight in your mind as you read on. This is a character driven story with some mystery and intrigue and covert actions. This story portrays the Federation as a farther thinking operation than what you'd imagine. Charater driven we have Captain John Jason Harriman, Jr., Captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-B. The famous ship in "Generations" that lost James T. Kirk to the Nexes and supposedly killing Kirk. Elias Vaughn of special ops and later the Commander of the "Defiant," Admiral John "Blackjack" Harriman the hardened Admiral of Starfleet who makes life especially difficult for Harriman, Jr.

Azetbur Chancellor of the Klingon Empire, Demora Sulu daughter of Hikaru Sulu and Exec of the "Enterprise," and Admiral Aventeer Vokar of the Romulan Star Empire and Commander of the "Tomed." All of these charaters interplay making for and interesting story. Anytime you get the Federation, Klingons, and Romulans together you should get an interesting story of duplicitous undertows and this story delivers in spades.

This story takes place in the year 2311... the year famous for the "Tomed Incident," eighteen years after the presumed death of Captain James T. Kirk aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise 1701-B in Star Trek Generations, and fifty-three years before the launch of the Enterprise-D in the "Encounter at Farpoint." This story will fill you in on the escalating tensions among the Klingons, the Romulans, and the Federation.

When reading this book you'll find that it starts on slow and you get a lot of background and character development and the plot is being set. It is interesting that when Starfleet tests a new drive called "Hyperwarp" on the inaugural flight of the U.S.S. Universe things go wrong in a hurry and the story is filled with intrigue and covert operations from that point on in the story.

I can't give you too many details as that would spoil this well-written story. I found that you really need to pay attention to keep all of the characters and their plotting straight as this is not a book that you can scan-read to get the salient points. If you like character driven writing than this is the book to read as you will not be disappointed and the is plenty of action-adventure and tight situations.

I gave this book a solid 5 star rating for good character development and interplay with a plausible plot. Also, this portrays the Federation in a light that the gray areas and not just the black and white can tell a good story. This book reveals the true personalities and shows that this ensamble of characters are worthy of a book that tells the tale of what truly went on with the "Tomed Incident" and the destruction of the Foxtrot Sector near the Romulan Neutral Zone. Where the Romulans have retreated into their empire and closed their borders.

The second entry into the "Lost Era" saga, "Serpents Among the Ruins" brings to life the infamous Tomed Incident of, naturally, 2311. At the heart of the story is Captain John Jason Harriman Jr. and the crew of the "Enterprise-B." Along for the ride are Elias Vaughn, best known for his current posting as Commander of "Defiant," Admiral John "Blackjack" Harriman, Azetbur, Demora Sulu, and Aventeer Vokar, a Romulan Admiral and commander of the Star Empire's flagship "Tomed."

The story begins with the Romulan annexation of a planet along the Neutral zone, leading to a run-in between Vokar's "Tomed" and Harriman's "Enterprise." From there, we are taken on a whirlwind journey through Federation Space and interstellar politics. The Federation and Starfleet feel that a war between the Romulans is inevitable, and relations with the Klingons are tenuous at best; Azetbur's power base is crumbling, and there are many Klingons who feel the Federation has weakened their once-glorious Empire. In order to appease the Klingons and avoid war, the Federation has opened negotiations in the Algeron sector, the ultimate goal a lasting treaty.

However, there is more at play than simple negotiations; the Federation is attempting to develop a new warp drive in secret--Hyperwarp--on the newly commissioned "Universe." The test ends in disaster, with "Tomed" witnessing what they believe is a new Federation weapon. The "Universe" is destroyed (a rather tongue-in-cheek metaphor for the outcome if the three major powers do not come to an accord) and the "Ad Astra" is damaged, sending "Blackjack" Harriman nearly to his death.

After this, "Enterprise" is brought to Algeron, escorted by "Tomed," and brings two new Federation delegates to the conference, one being Vaughn. What follows is an attempt to keep the peace at whatever cost--Romulan, Federation, or otherwise. Harriman, Vaughn, and his associate undertake a covert mission on the "Tomed," and this will change the lives of two of Starfleet's finest.

Not to be forgotten, Sulu and the "Enterprise" are left to discover who amongst them is a Romulan spy, and together with an Alonis Admiral, they will uncover a plot that is far more insidious than anything the Tal Shiar, Section 31, or any other covert organization could devise. Starfleet has undertaken a mission so disastrous that failure would mean a war between the Federation--and a Klingon/Romulan alliance.

This is truly a "page-turner," and one will not want to put it down. Filled with believable, all to realistic characterization and a plot that moves at breakneck speed, "Serpents Among the Ruins" belongs at the top of anyone's Trek reading list, regardless of which series one considers to be their "favorite;" this novel trascends the series'. David R. George III has undertaken the most speculated event in Trek history and turned it into a masterpiece on all levels--there is tech, romance, suspense, and a healthy dose of believable, human condition. Who would have imagined that Harriman is friends with a Romulan ambassador or that Vaughn wasn't always battle-hardened?

Clearly, there is room for a spinoff series with "Enterprise-B," but only time will tell if this will actually occur. And yes, Harriman is no longer "the man who killed Kirk" but a legend in his own time. That alone makes this a standout.

You know, the more Star Trek they write about, the more it looks like Kirk's era was the only real "Golden Age" for Starfleet and the Federation. Not that I really buy that for a moment, I'm sure if Star Trek was under the creative hands of more talented writers and film makers, who wanted to stay true to Gene's original version of the future, they would be making more upbeat Star Trek films right now and not settleing for no plot/badly written books like this. Wake up Paramount.

I find that most Star Trek books as run of the mill plotted by the numbers stories, it was refreashing to read a indepth story that did not include Kirk, Spock, or Piccard. The characters were very well done. For example, I didn't think much of Capt. Harriman and com. Sulu until I read this book. I don't want to give away the book but I was kind of sad to what happen to Harriman, not schocked but sad. This is one of the few books that I did not guess the ending 50 pages before it happen. If your a Star Trek fan, this is a good read.

The author must really love to listen to himself talk (or at least read himself write), because this is just massively overwritten. The events themselves are OK, nothing special, but they're just buried in extraneous details and very formal narriation of people's thoughts and back stories. The results are characters and emotional content that are not at all convincing or interesting.

I knew that a book about the "Tomed Incident" had to be dark. I never expected the Captain of the Enterprise to be the villain.

The overall level of writing is in general good, although the author spends too much time with characters alone thinking about things. Most of the action is a type I can really enjoy: the Federation has to defend itself against false charges during negotiations, while the other factions have to deal with their own treacherous political machinations.

But in the last third of this book, Harriman becomes a terrorist. He frames the Romulans for the mass murder of Starfleet personnel. He's smug, arrogant, self-righteous, hypocritical - and he even enjoys the violence a little. Even worse, this atrocity is committed with the full knowledge and approval of Starfleet Command. That elevates it beyond terror to State Terror: the deliberate murder of citizens by their own government to allow rule by fear and in this case to get their backing for a war of aggression.

This book is in direct contravention to Gene Roddenberry's vision of a bright future for humanity. It is a betrayal and a repudiation of everything that Star Trek stands for. It should never have been published.

George has crafted a great neo-Cold War thriller in this book, and has additionally truly created the characters of Demora Sulu and John Harriman after their bit parts in "Generations." He even salvages their one-dimensional treatment from the dreadful "Captain's Daughter" and incorporates the events of that novel into this denser, more mature work.

This is a dark ride--fittingly so as it portrays the Federation at a crucial juncture in its history. Not yet having solidified an alliance with the Klingons, and still existing in an uneasy peace with the Romulans, the book is shot through with a palpable feeling of dread, which is compounded by the fact that, without any of the regular Trek cast members, these characters might not necessarily live to end the of the novel.

George isn't the most polished writer, but he is thorough and sophisticated in his handling of characters, events, and circumstances. He doesn't hand us another space opera comic-book adventure, but a genuinely tense, pulse-pounding story with real characters agonizing over tough choices with grave consequences for the galaxy. This is a great read!