Rating: 
Summary: A fantastic look into the lives of Spock and Saavik
Review: I found VULCAN'S HEART to be a fascinating look into the lives of Spock and Saavik. Not only do we learn of their marriage -- often hinted at but never revealed -- but TREK fans also get an in-depth look into the world of the Romulan Empire like never before!!This has a little something for everyone: adventure, well-developed characters, and a plotline that keeps you turning pages for more. I thoroughly enjoyed VULCAN'S HEART, and I for one hope to see more from Ms. Shwartz in the future!
Rating:
Summary: When is a sequel not a sequel? When it can stand on its own
Review: Have you read Vulcan's Forge? Don't worry, you will, after reading Vulcan's Heart. Each book stands on its own quite nicely. Forgive me if I cover topics you already know; I hope to interest people who are not necessarily fans of the original series as well as those of us who have every episode memorized. :-) This is a complex novel, which opens with the formal marriage bonding of Spock and Saavik. "Less than a marriage, yet more than a betrothal," they will be drawn together when the time is right to mate. Some few years later, a member of the Romulan nobility calls upon the person who captured both her heart and herself to help save the Empire from its corrupt praetor. As fans of the original show will remember, that person is Spock. Starfleet Intelligence gets wind of Spock's destination if not his mission, and "requests" Saavik go to the Romulan homeworld to find Spock. There's no such thing as a "simple" mission to the Romulan Star Empire, which is as riddled with intrigue as ancient Byzantium, but Saavik's relatively uncomplicated task gets more complex as it becomes increasingly obvious that Spock and Saavik are entering Pon Farr. Pon Farr, the Vulcan mating drive, creates both a dilemma and a deadline, for the ancient drives strip Vulcans of their logic, and failure to take a mate is fatal. This tale uses ancient themes that still stir: love that transcends life, duty that transcends love, the difficulty of reconciling honor with reality, and the necessity of civil disobedience in the face of corruption. Heady stuff for those who consider Star Trek "light reading."
Rating: 
Summary: This one stands out
Review: Not being a fan of genre novels, I've read very few of the Star Trek novels, and liked even fewer. I've always had a problem with these kind of novels because it's been abundantly clear to me when reading them that the information the reader is given is carefully controlled, so that only a little of the on-going story is given in a very fixed, formulaic sort of way. Vulcan's Heart, however, gave me a pleasant surprise. The story keeps moving quickly, and the reader doesn't have to know anything about any of the other Star Trek novel plots to enjoy it. It was particularly enjoyable to get a closer look at the Romulans, and their world. I felt the authors gave the Romulan people an added dimension as real, living, breathing people, not just the usual one-dimensional villians. The story, of course, gives the reader more insight into Spock's inner feelings, and the Pon Farr. The only problem I had with this book was that it was obvious that the authors held back on this last, so the reader would be set up for a sequel. Still, if you're a Trek fan, this book is a must read.
Rating:
Summary: In a word...
Review: In a word...WOW! As a general rule, I am not a TOS person. Yes, I've seen all the movies, and I know who's who, but I have no real knowledge of what and where and when. Well, I knew who the Klingons were, and EVERYONE knows the Vulcans, but in Vulcan's Heart, I certainly got an introduction to the Romulans. Of course I had a basic knowledge of Romulans, (those pointy-eared guys that look like Vulcans, right?) but I spent a whole book interacting with commanders, sub-commanders and Praetors. I roamed through the capital city on the Romulan homeworld and met new friends and local heroes. More interesting to me though, was the fact I was starting to relate to these guys. In the new trek timeframe, I have always considered myself Trill. I like them, I tend to relate to them, and they're fun. TOS was never my thing, so I hadn't thought about it...I knew I wasn't Klingon (I like tribbles), and I couldn't be Vulcan (I yell too much for that, just ask my kids!), and who *wants* to be a human when there are all these other cool species? Nope, I'm pretty sure I must be at least part Romulan. The characterization offered in this book was superb. From Starfleet offices we've known before, to Romulan street kids we get to meet...each person encountered rang true. The battle scenes, too, made great reading. I admit it, too much tech talk and I skim, but I found myself actually following what was happening in these battles. And a pleasant surprise for all of us who are new age trek fans was the appearance of Tasha Yar, and her subsequent relationship with Volskiar. Without giving the plot away too much, my review has to simply be...WOW!
Rating: 
Summary: Good read for TOS fans
Review: The book did a good job of exploring the Romulan culture and not contradicting "Yesterday's Enterprise." It would have been nice to have more of the book set on the Enterprise-C and what happened during the battle from Tasha's perspective, but it is a TOS book. Also making a small appearance in this book is Mike Friedman's Stargazer crew from Reunion and First Virtue. TNG/DS9/Voyager fans should skip the book if they aren't into Vulcans and TOS.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting read. It fills in some missing gaps.
Review: Well, this was a different kind of "Star Trek" adventure. At least it wasn't the same story of a crises on the Enterprise the entire time. It ties in a few years of "after Kirk" and up to the time Picard commands the Stargazer. Saavik and Spock getting married...now there's a different twist in the "Trek" universe! I always knew the two of them would someday end up together. It was meant to be after their time on the Genesis Planet. A good read, with plenty of space battles and adventure.
Rating:
Summary: An Exception to the Cookie-Cutter Rule
Review: From THE NEW YORK SUNDAY POST (August 1, 1999) Science Fiction reviewed by Todd Seavey "Half the science-fiction books out there these days seem to be cookie-cutter volumes in an ongoing series. And it's usually best to avoid these assembly-line products, but VULCAN'S HEART, by Josepha Sherman and Susan Shwartz, is an exception. "A new entry in the massive line of STAR TREK novels, it links scattered elements of the series' mythos into a new story that answers some old questions for views of the show and movies. "The book begins with Spock's wedding, revealing the bride as none other than Saavik, the half-Vulcan, half-Romulan lieutenant from STAR TREK moves II-IV. Attending the wedding is a young Captain [sic] Picard who encounters the bride and groom again decades later when they're despatched to the Romulan Star Empire on a secret peace mission. "There are lots of fan-pleasing moments: we see Spock confirming for the first time that the Vulcans and Romulans are two halves of the same race, and revisit an attractive Romulan commander from a 1968 episode. We even see the starship ENTERPRISE-C in its final battle. "Sherman and Shwartz smoothly connect the dots between bits of the STAR TREK universe that have always deserved closer attention. This book should be a great relief to fans now that STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE 9 has gone off the air."
Rating:
Summary: One of the best Trek novels I've ever read!
Review: This is a real page-turner! Plots, counter-plots, and action keep the reader wondering "What happens next?" Beautifully written and well thought-out, Vulcan's Heart combines love Vulcan style with the kind of intrigue we enjoyed in the old Trek series. The characters come to life vividly. Buy it. Read it. You won't be sorry! :)
Rating:
Summary: A truely stunning book. A must have for Spock Fans
Review: I ordered 'Vulcan's Heart' about two days after it first arrived in bookstores and I have read it about three times since then. I would have to agree completely with the praise that has been given to this book. It is not often that an author is able to mesh together old and new characters successfully in a story that is both interesting and holds true to the Star Trek Universe. This book is filled with juicy little memories that any veteran 'TREK lover would love, along with some not-so-forgotten characters, such as the Romulan commander from "The ENTERPRISE Incident.'(TOS) and the Vulcan-Romulan Starfleet Officer, Saavik. Although I would NOT recomend this book to an immature reader. The wording and phrases are quite sedate, but it is for content that I would rate it as such. (sex, some violence and general adult fiction ideas.) This novel is Definantly setting a precedent in STAR TREK fiction. A sequel to 'Vulcan's Forge', 'Vulcan's Heart' has a wonderfull plot and storyline, along with passion and insight into the secret love-life of a Vulcan. Not to mention a lost part of Spock's life. This book has everything from a Vulcan bonding (marriage), between Spock and Saavik, to Romulan battles. From Pon Farr to Romulan mythology. The authors, Josepha Sherman And Susan Shwartz, have done an amazing thing in this piece, both captivating the reader and making it a truely enjoyable experience. I have been a Trekkie for a very long time, so I know what I'm talking about. After having read over one hundred and fifty books involving the STAR TREK theme, and owning over seventy five different STAR TREK titles, I can tell you that 'Vulcan's Heart' stands out as one of the most remarkable so far. It has earned a place on my bookshelf next to 'Sarek' (A.C.Crispin) and 'Prime Directive' (Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens). An instant classic and a must for the Adult STAR TREK book lover. A well deserved five stars.
Rating:
Summary: Great space battles and a Vulcan romance: it's wonderful.
Review: I got this book because I adored the character of Saavik from the movies, and wanted -more-. Sherman and Shwartz come through and give us passion and vividly written space battles and great Romulans and Uhura and Tasha Yar and Beverley (not yet) Crusher and Jean-Luc Picard as a young captain and of course, McCoy. This one novel answers what-happened-next questions I'd had from original episodes, from Next Generation episodes, and did it all seamlessly with a great story. And, of course, lots of Saavik and Spock. Highly recommended.
| 
