Rating: 
Summary: A wave of terror sweeps across the galaxy
Review: An intense page turner, this book is the first of three about a terrible menace, the Genisis Wave. It's creator has been kidnapped, and six months later the wave is unleashed. On the first planet in it's path, Leah Braums is testing a new experimental radiation suit.....she is inside when the wave passes over the planet, changing everything around her and killing billions of people in an instant. She makes a mission to swiftly move before it's path, telling someone who will listen to save lives.She is found by the Enterprise, after picking up a few survivors, one who has information about what they're up against. Soon after, they race the clock, and must share this secret information with the Romulans and Klingons who all pull in to help with the rescue efforts, although thier intentions aren't entirely benevolant. This first book leaves you hanging only minutes before the Genisis wave hits the planet, with Starfleet personell, including Geordi LaFordge, on the planet with some special shelters based on the ratiaion suit design. To add to some mystery, another vessel, which Dr. Crusher has taken command of begins behaving erratically, going against orders. I'm glad I had the second book on hand right then! This is a thoroughly enjoyable read, and a well thought out story, however, I don't really care for the three book delivery method, a giant novel would have been better.
Rating: 
Summary: When "let there be light!" has a negative effect...
Review: As a Star Trek books fan, I'm not one who likes books that dwell needlessly on series continuity. I picked up the Genesis Wave books, by John Vornholt, because they looked interesting and they are another link from the Original Series (TOS) to the Next Generation (TNG). I was hoping that it wouldn't be wallowing in continuity, and surprisingly, it doesn't. Instead, we get a rollicking adventure (if you can call a book where millions, perhaps billions, of people die as "rollicking") that creates another tie to the old series but yet does something fresh. Just a little bit of character whining detracts from an otherwise quite enjoyable book.
Vornholt does a wonderful job of giving us just enough continuity to explain what's happening without going into excessive explanations about the whole thing. I always wondered what had happened to the device after the Star Trek III movie, as it's never referenced again. Sure, the planet was unstable and blew up, but that's it? Vornholt takes what happened in the movies and extrapolates, giving us a horrifying force that is able to wipe out entire planets. There is one chapter that is a report on the Genesis Device, from four different sources as Starfleet examines the ramifications of the entire project. This gives enough background information for those who haven't seen the movies, but also gives additional information that even those who have seen it don't have, keeping it interesting. Otherwise, the continuity references are kept to a minimum, which I loved.
The body count grows quite quickly, but it's abstract enough that it doesn't get overwhelming. On the other hand, we do see, first-hand, the effects of the Wave, as Leah Brahms (the love of Geordi LaForge's life, though she doesn't know that) weathers it in a specially modified environmental suit that she was experimenting with for other reasons. The descriptions of this can get a little graphic, but only in a PG-13 way.
Vornholt also balances the personal and the cosmic pretty well, giving the reader a lot of character moments interspersed with the Wave itself. Counselor Troi finds herself stuck on a planet taking readings of the Wave (in a modification of Brahms' suit) and also seeing it first-hand. Riker has to do a last-minute rescue of Troi on another planet just before the Wave hits. LaForge pines for Leah, as well as finding himself increasingly attracted to a geologist on board, Dolores Linton. In fact, Geordi became the only annoying part of the book, as he was constantly thinking about Brahms, whining that she didn't know how he felt. Or, later, wanting to tell her but unable to because her husband had just been killed by the Wave and she was after revenge. Very human, but also annoying to read.
One wonderful addition to the book is Maltz, the only Klingon to survive the events of Star Trek III. It's now 90 years later and he's an embittered drunk. He's never been able to live down what happened to him, being captured by Kirk & Company. He's lived on the idea of vengeance against Carol Marcus since then, but when Leah meets him, he's just a drunk on an out-of-the-way Tellarite colony. However, he recognizes Leah's description of the Genesis effect, and hitches a ride with her. He becomes one of the more delightful characters, filled with gusto and energy, willing to follow Leah to the ends of the galaxy because he knows she feels the same way he does about the whole thing. He gives a light edge to the whole thing, balancing out the enormous devastation in the book. Of course, I had a hard time picturing John Larroquette playing him, but it *has* been 90 years. Even better, Vornholt again gives us just enough information to know that *something* happened back then with Jim Kirk, but he doesn't spend two pages explaining the plot of Star Trek III.
The rest of the characters are also well done, even if they don't stand out as exceptional. I loved the relationship between Picard and Admiral Nechayev, mirroring perfectly what we saw in the series. They exasperate each other some times, but both know that the other is good at his/her job and there is a great deal of respect there as well. Riker & Troi are also handled well, given their relationship at the end of the movie Insurrection. Good points all around for Vornholt on this basis.
The plot seems simple at first, but Vornholt adds just enough intrigue to make it even better. Ostensibly, the plot is just to stop the Wave and find out who is using it. But little side-plots, some having to do with the main one and some tangents, are scattered all over, giving the book a lot more depth than it may seem to deserve. The tension is palpable, and the twists and turns are interesting and not *that* predictable. It moves at a steady pace, which also makes for a quick read. It's hard to put down.
Vornholt, as an author, frustrates me sometimes. He's either hit or miss for me. His books in the Time to... series were really iffy, but this one is great. Well worth a read for the Trek fan, and even a not bad one for the non-Trek one.
David Roy
Rating:
Summary: It Was Great
Review: Book 1 and book 2 of the Genesis Wave was about the best Next Generation books I've ever read. The author, John Vornholt did a wonderful job mixing the old generation with the new. All the old charaters were there. Dr. Carol Marcus, Kirk's old flame, Leah Brahms, Picard and cast. Carol Marcus is duded into setting off the Genesis Wave and it destroys an entire solar system. Leah Brahms and Geordi work closely together to figure out how to disengage the wave. The two books keep you at the edge of your seat. Book III, was not very good and I recommend not reading it. It pretty much had nothing to do with book I and 2.
Rating:
Summary: Genesis is back
Review: Fans familiar with the Star Trek movies will recognize the title of the book from events in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn. This book takes the Genesis Device to a whole new level. Someone has stolen the Genesis Device technology, and weaponized it! Along with the technology that was stolen Dr. Marcus is also taken from her secret Federation facility for unknown reasons. Terror reigns on the scale that no one ever dreamed, not just planetary but against entire solar systems. It seems that the Genesis Device works flawlessly, but who started it? And why? This book is thoroughly enjoyable and a blast to read. It ties in story lines from the original Star Trek and the Next Generation seamlessly.
Rating:
Summary: Genesis is back
Review: Fans familiar with the Star Trek movies will recognize the title of the book from events in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn. This book takes the Genesis Device to a whole new level. Someone has stolen the Genesis Device technology, and weaponized it! Along with the technology that was stolen Dr. Marcus is also taken from her secret Federation facility for unknown reasons. Terror reigns on the scale that no one ever dreamed, not just planetary but against entire solar systems. It seems that the Genesis Device works flawlessly, but who started it? And why? This book is thoroughly enjoyable and a blast to read. It ties in story lines from the original Star Trek and the Next Generation seamlessly.
Rating:
Summary: STNG The Genesis Wave I - Thoroughly captivating!
Review: For quite some time now I've been looking forward to getting to John Vornholt's first hardback Star Trek novels, the "Genesis Wave" series and if this first novel is any example of what the whole series is going to be like, that anticipation has been greatly satisfied. I can say with utter certainty that out of all of John Vornholt's great trek tales, this by far has been his best and most complete story. Complete, to a point that is, considering that this is but the first in a trilogy. This first title in the "Genesis Wave" trilogy sets an even higher standard for author John Vornholt with respect to his normally great plot setup and pacing. Book one is nothing short of a spectacular, thrilling, intriguing and enthralling ride as John Vornholt sets up the "impossible" crisis for our heroes to deal with. Along with great pacing and plot setup another standard feature to a Vornholt novel is his visualizations. Few authors, if any, in the Star Trek genre can describe the surrounding scenery as well as he does and it greatly enhances his stories. Many authors in the Star Trek fiction genre attempt to bring guest characters into their stories and use them well, with this novel, John Vornholt has not only used those characters from shows and movies past but he has deeply engrained them into this story and given them a whole new life, which serves very well in making this novel that much better. The cover art for "The Genesis Wave" book one is among the tops for the time in which this novel was published. The premise: During the events depicted in Star Trek II "The Wrath of Kahn" and Star Trek III "The Search for Spock," Captain Kirk and crew dealt with the genesis device which was created by his former lover and mother of his child, Dr. Carol Marcus. Since the conclusion of those events, Starfleet has kept Dr. Marcus hidden away for fear that her knowledge of this ultimate weapon may slip into the wrong hands. After approximately ninety years of seclusion, she's been found and six months later the first of many planets is hit with the genesis wave, which is seemingly all but unstoppable. Now, it is up to not only our heroes, Captain Picard and the crew of the Enterprise, they'll need help from some rather interesting guest characters that we've met in previous movies and episodes... I highly recommend this first title in the "Genesis Wave" trilogy as you will most certainly neither be disappointed nor able to put the book down until you've finished and are able to move on the second and third books. One can only hope that the second and third novels are half as good as this first one. {ssintrepid}
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Read
Review: Genesis Wave is one of the best Next Generation Books to come along in a long time. It is fast paced and hard to put down. I must disagree with the first reviewer. There is a minimal amount of "science" in the book and what is there is necessary to the story. The book starts with an old Carol Marcus being kidnapped and then jumps forward 6 months into the future. Leah Brahms is working with her husband on a planet when unexpectedly the genesis wave hits killing everyone but Leah and a fellow scientist who are wearing specially designed environmental suits. They escape the destruction. Later they encounter and save the life of Maltz the Klingon from Star Trek III. Ultimately they are rescued by the Enterprise as it embarks on a mission to stop the genesis wave which is headed toward the heart of the Federation and the Romulan Empire. Admiral Nechavev enlist the aid of the Romulans and Klingons to help in evacuations and protection of planets as the wave devastates everything in its path. I recommend this book to all Star Trek fans and am looking forward to the final book
Rating:
Summary: Near The Top of the First 10
Review: I started reading these E-books of the various Star Trek incarnations several weeks ago, and, "Genesis Wave Book #1", is the 10th that I have read. It is the first in a trilogy, but if this beginning is an indication of the next 2 books, the series will rank amongst the best I will have read after completing the first dozen Trek books. I will be reading the next 2 books in the coming week, so if you wish for a complete impression from one reader of the three part story arc you will not have long to wait. Project Genesis will be very familiar to all fans who recall one of the earlier films to feature the original crew of the Enterprise. In addition to familiar faces the movie also included the son of Captain Kirk who played a key role in the development of the Genesis project. The book brings back some characters from the original research team, one who remains in her original form, and two who have yet to be explained by book's end. Like many weapons of Science Fiction or in our own world, science can not leave a project alone no matter what the possible consequences may be. The irony here is that after some 90 years of Genesis being kept at the highest levels of clearance requirements it appears once again, but this time seemingly uncontrolled and doing damage exponentially greater than the original. The chief engineer is an extremely capable Starfleet officer, but as Data humorously reminds him he is inept with women. It could be argued that Data has had more success with carbon-based life forms that Geordi has. And as a side story in this tale Data repeatedly attempts to help his dear friend succeed where he has only failed before. A character that Geordi had once created on the Holodeck and then fell deeply in love with only to be caught with his Holodeck fantasy by the real woman, the real married woman, once again makes an appearance as a critical player in this book and likely in the following two, Dr. Leah Brahms. And she brings with her a Klingon that will be the last Klingon you would expect to see, but does serve to tie this 90 year separation of common Genesis events together. This tale has many of the great aspects that make for a good Trek tale, a visit from the past by both characters that were enjoyable, and an event long since believed dead, and then the forced cooperation of species like those from Romulus, Klingons, and a variety of peoples from the Federation. In the midst of all this is the charismatic figure of Captain Jean Luc Picard who always adds to whatever situation he is in the midst of. And depending on the outcome of this first cliffhanger of book #1, another question is will he remain a Captain? So far so good, and I will keep moving toward the middle with Book #2, and the conclusion of Book #3.
Rating: 
Summary: Comic book-ish
Review: I was fairly disappointed with this whole series. Of course, the Genesis technology that was introduced in The Wrath of Khan was a great story device. I expected that this novel would be very exciting and rich with "historical" detail. In my opinion, the challenge with writing for Star Trek characters is to create an engrossing and exciting story, in spite of the familiarity of the characters and environment. In a way, the villains, story lines, and settings need to be even more vivid and realistic when using our familiar Trek settings. This is especially true when an aspect of Trek history, like the Genesis Wave, is selected for the center of the story. Unfortunately, this book focuses almost excluslively on plot; it neglects the care needed with the characters. All of the regular crew are portrayed in a comic book-like fashion. Their actions and dialog are typical of their characters. Nothing surprising or innovative occurs where the characters are concerned. Geordi, in particular, is dull. He spends most of the time reacting to events and people around him. There are a few decent characters in the book. The klingon Maltz returns from ST3 to play a large part in this story. Also, Leah Brahms has an interesting part to play. But, Dr. Carol Marcus lacks even the depth that she had in her small role in The Wrath of Khan. The foe that Vornholt imagines up to wreak the Genesis wave on the galaxy is entirely new. Of course, to wreak such epic havoc on the galaxy, a strong characterization was called for. This was the most critical aspect of the story that was absent. These adversaries simply were not adequately included in the story. I think that this book was based on an interesting but artificial premise, and the result is a story that feels artificial from beginning to end. For a far better read, try The Rise and Fall of Khan Noonien Singh.
Rating: 
Summary: The worst case nightmare becomes a reality.
Review: In the wake of the Genesis Project debacle the Federation attempted to destroy all record of it and placed Dr. Carol Marcus in hiding. While they were successful, they were not successful enough. Some 90 years later, Dr. Marcus is kidnapped and, a few months after that, a monstrous energy wave begins to sweep across the galaxy, reforming every planet it comes in contact with. Just who, or what, is responsible for this genocidal attack? You'll have to find out in Book Two! Book One of the Genesis Wave trilogy is okay when looked at as the first act of a three part story. While it does an excellent job of introducing the monstrous threat to our heroes and laying out the hints and clues of the mysterious forces behind it, that is all that it does well. The novel lacks a strong dramatic story hook. Georgi La Forde's infatuation and search for a possible Wave survivor and how it effects a possible affair with another female visitor on the Enterprise is not the stuff that makes for compelling drama, actually it feels rather juvenile. Weak story aside, the epic threat and the mystery of just who, or what, unleashed it is interesting enough to have me started on the next book, but this is strictly for devoted fans of the long running series.
|
