Rating: 
Summary: STNG #22 Imbalance - Slow start but fast finish!
Review: "Imbalance" is but only the second of three Star Trek novels written by this somewhat talented author. It is too bad that this author hasn't visited either the twenty third or twenty fourth centuries in quite some time, because they did some fairly decent work. As some of the other reviewers have pointed out, this one definitely has a very slow paced beginning to it but that is soon worked out as the plot turns from a plodding setup into a well paced conclusion.Capitalizing on the Star Trek The Next Generation first season episode, "The Big Goodbye," the author brings forth some non canon knowledge of the Jaradan race which was never actually seen in the episode. This too was unfortunate as I've always found insectoid races to be an interesting aspect in the Star Trek universe but one that is only practically used in the novels but given the latest technology, we're now able to see them, such as one of the species of Xindi in the third season opener of Enterprise, "The Expanse." As cover art goes, this early STNG novel has fairly decent cover art but it's nothing too spectacular. Of note though is that the images of Riker and Crusher are "realistic," unlike the cartoon like covers of old. The premise: The Enterprise is ordered to Jarada to negotiate an exchange of Ambassadors when the Jarada, a mysterious race of insectoid beings that possess an extreme devotion to protocol seemingly come out of their reclusive nature and offer to open diplomatic relations. Upon arrival at Jarada, Captain Picard and crew suddenly find that the Jarada are being uncharacteristically friendly. Without preamble, the Jarada change their demeanor and Commander Riker and the rest of his away team are cut off from the Enterprise. At the same time, the Jarada attack the Enterprise. What follows from there is, as stated above, a slow starter that has a well paced finished as Picard must find a way to rescue his away team and salvage any hopes of a diplomatic relationship with the Jarada. I'd definitely recommend this early STNG novel as it makes an excellent addition to your Star Trek library. {ssintrepid}
Rating:
Summary: STNG #22 Imbalance - Slow start but fast finish!
Review: "Imbalance" is but only the second of three Star Trek novels written by this somewhat talented author. It is too bad that this author hasn't visited either the twenty third or twenty fourth centuries in quite some time, because they did some fairly decent work. As some of the other reviewers have pointed out, this one definitely has a very slow paced beginning to it but that is soon worked out as the plot turns from a plodding setup into a well paced conclusion. Capitalizing on the Star Trek The Next Generation first season episode, "The Big Goodbye," the author brings forth some non canon knowledge of the Jaradan race which was never actually seen in the episode. This too was unfortunate as I've always found insectoid races to be an interesting aspect in the Star Trek universe but one that is only practically used in the novels but given the latest technology, we're now able to see them, such as one of the species of Xindi in the third season opener of Enterprise, "The Expanse." As cover art goes, this early STNG novel has fairly decent cover art but it's nothing too spectacular. Of note though is that the images of Riker and Crusher are "realistic," unlike the cartoon like covers of old. The premise: The Enterprise is ordered to Jarada to negotiate an exchange of Ambassadors when the Jarada, a mysterious race of insectoid beings that possess an extreme devotion to protocol seemingly come out of their reclusive nature and offer to open diplomatic relations. Upon arrival at Jarada, Captain Picard and crew suddenly find that the Jarada are being uncharacteristically friendly. Without preamble, the Jarada change their demeanor and Commander Riker and the rest of his away team are cut off from the Enterprise. At the same time, the Jarada attack the Enterprise. What follows from there is, as stated above, a slow starter that has a well paced finished as Picard must find a way to rescue his away team and salvage any hopes of a diplomatic relationship with the Jarada. I'd definitely recommend this early STNG novel as it makes an excellent addition to your Star Trek library. {ssintrepid}
Rating:
Summary: STNG #22 Imbalance - Slow start but fast finish!
Review: "Imbalance" is but only the second of three Star Trek novels written by this somewhat talented author. It is too bad that this author hasn't visited either the twenty third or twenty fourth centuries in quite some time, because they did some fairly decent work. As some of the other reviewers have pointed out, this one definitely has a very slow paced beginning to it but that is soon worked out as the plot turns from a plodding setup into a well paced conclusion. Capitalizing on the Star Trek The Next Generation first season episode, "The Big Goodbye," the author brings forth some non canon knowledge of the Jaradan race which was never actually seen in the episode. This too was unfortunate as I've always found insectoid races to be an interesting aspect in the Star Trek universe but one that is only practically used in the novels but given the latest technology, we're now able to see them, such as one of the species of Xindi in the third season opener of Enterprise, "The Expanse." As cover art goes, this early STNG novel has fairly decent cover art but it's nothing too spectacular. Of note though is that the images of Riker and Crusher are "realistic," unlike the cartoon like covers of old. The premise: The Enterprise is ordered to Jarada to negotiate an exchange of Ambassadors when the Jarada, a mysterious race of insectoid beings that possess an extreme devotion to protocol seemingly come out of their reclusive nature and offer to open diplomatic relations. Upon arrival at Jarada, Captain Picard and crew suddenly find that the Jarada are being uncharacteristically friendly. Without preamble, the Jarada change their demeanor and Commander Riker and the rest of his away team are cut off from the Enterprise. At the same time, the Jarada attack the Enterprise. What follows from there is, as stated above, a slow starter that has a well paced finished as Picard must find a way to rescue his away team and salvage any hopes of a diplomatic relationship with the Jarada. I'd definitely recommend this early STNG novel as it makes an excellent addition to your Star Trek library. {ssintrepid}
Rating: 
Summary: The devil is in the details.
Review: And in the case of this book, some of those details are just devilishly WRONG. Other than those few details, this is a fairly middle of the road Next Generation novel; the pace is a bit slow at times, although it does pick up at others, and the basic plot is fairly standard Next Generation fare, so if the idea of a Vulcan commissioner demonstrating unadulterated impatience, to the point of repeatedly requesting information without allowing enough time from the previous request to pass for it to be POSSIBLE for an answer to have been received doesn't strike you as illogically emotional; if the characterization of Miles O'Brien as a surly, possessive, jealous, chauvinistic jerk doesn't strike you as completely out of character, AND if you're willing to believe that birth control technology hasn't improved sufficiently by the 24th century to make unplanned pregnancies EXTREMELY rare, but that in fact both Molly O'Brien AND Wesley Crusher were the result of unplanned, accidental pregnancies, then by all means, consider this a three star review. If it weren't for those whoppers, this would qualify as a mediocre book.
Rating: 
Summary: Personaly, I thought this was a wonderful book!
Review: I read Imbalance when I was about 14, maybe 13, and I absolutely loved it. It may have had a slow plot....but interesting, with a good message. The story between Beverly and Lorens is really touching, in my opinion.
Rating: 
Summary: The Jarada culture is interesting,and that's all!!!
Review: I'll be short, because this book doesn't even deserve a review. The plot builts up slowly, then when the readers expect a surprise at the end, they're left empty-handed except for a corny hypothesis
Rating:
Summary: An Imbalanced Book
Review: I'll be short, because this book doesn't even deserve a review. The plot builts up slowly, then when the readers expect a surprise at the end, they're left empty-handed except for a corny hypothesis
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely aweful trek material
Review: If I could give this book zero stars, I would. This piece of trash should never had made the shelves. One would think that the editors of Pocket Books would have screened this novel and put a stop once they found how bad this is. Hopefully, V.E. Mitchell will never be allowed to write another Trek novel. Take my word from a very experienced trek reader. Also, those who rate this one star are also dead on the money.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely aweful trek material
Review: If I could give this book zero stars, I would. This piece of trash should never had made the shelves. One would think that the editors of Pocket Books would have screened this novel and put a stop once they found how bad this is. Hopefully, V.E. Mitchell will never be allowed to write another Trek novel. Take my word from a very experienced trek reader. Also, those who rate this one star are also dead on the money.
Rating: 
Summary: Better than average Trek
Review: Perhaps those who gave Imbalance only one star didn't stick around to finish it. It does start slowly, painfully slowly. However, it picks up soon and has some fine scenes. Riker, Worf, Keiko, and Crusher each find themselves alone and trapped on an alien world, with the former three in particular undergoing interesting, tension building adventures. In the end, the only major complaints to be had are a too petty O'Brien and a deus ex machina via transporter. There are no deep revelations or insights here, just a pleasant read with some fun images that will linger - like that of Riker becoming a human toboggan.
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