Published:
August 2017
Reviewer Rating:
Avg User Rating:
(3.52)
In the wake of the Ware crisis and its aftermath, the Federation debates policies of non-interference. But a situation of their own creation on Sauria may make non-interference an impossibility. Trip conspires with Archer and Reed to discredit Section 31 while bringing a resolution to the issue and prevent loss of life.
I have to admit that as the final novel in the Enterprise series so far, there is no real resolution for any of the on-going cast, except for Porthos. In fact, most of the main characters were left on the sidelines in this book in favor of original characters created by Bennett or a few other authors. For that reason, it didn't really feel like an Enterprise novel so much as one about the early years of the Federation. While that's not a bad thing, I'd prefer the title characters (if not the ship) get the majority of the action beats. I noticed that we were also not treated to one of Bennett's signature afterwards where he talks about his many influences and Easter Eggs.
The main plotline was overly convoluted and the twists seemed mundane and rote by comparison with some of the previous books. While there are still things to enjoy, this book isn't as solid as Bennett's earlier entries in the line. He does some interesting world-building as usual in a side story involving potentially sentient plant life (called Dryads) and even manages to expand upon the role and daily life of "boomers" during this time. The problem is that this storyline has no bearing on the Section 31 arc or the Saurian plot. While it give Hoshi and some of the Endeavor crew something to do, it doesn't amount to enough.
Likewise, the main plots end abruptly with little more than descriptions of the major resolutions. The revelation of the Saurian issues is described over a couple of pages and it just lacks the intensity that was built up. We get a small scene to wrap up Tucker's confrontation with Section 31, but it feels more like an afterthought than a real resolution. It was just a little disappointing after all of this had built up for years of novels.
While this wasn't a bad novel, it just didn't leave me feeling satisfied. Still, it was a better stopping point than the original TV series finale.
I have to admit that as the final novel in the Enterprise series so far, there is no real resolution for any of the on-going cast, except for Porthos. In fact, most of the main characters were left on the sidelines in this book in favor of original characters created by Bennett or a few other authors. For that reason, it didn't really feel like an Enterprise novel so much as one about the early years of the Federation. While that's not a bad thing, I'd prefer the title characters (if not the ship) get the majority of the action beats. I noticed that we were also not treated to one of Bennett's signature afterwards where he talks about his many influences and Easter Eggs.
The main plotline was overly convoluted and the twists seemed mundane and rote by comparison with some of the previous books. While there are still things to enjoy, this book isn't as solid as Bennett's earlier entries in the line. He does some interesting world-building as usual in a side story involving potentially sentient plant life (called Dryads) and even manages to expand upon the role and daily life of "boomers" during this time. The problem is that this storyline has no bearing on the Section 31 arc or the Saurian plot. While it give Hoshi and some of the Endeavor crew something to do, it doesn't amount to enough.
Likewise, the main plots end abruptly with little more than descriptions of the major resolutions. The revelation of the Saurian issues is described over a couple of pages and it just lacks the intensity that was built up. We get a small scene to wrap up Tucker's confrontation with Section 31, but it feels more like an afterthought than a real resolution. It was just a little disappointing after all of this had built up for years of novels.
While this wasn't a bad novel, it just didn't leave me feeling satisfied. Still, it was a better stopping point than the original TV series finale.
