TEST
Before you even ask, yes, I am a big fan of Star Trek. Although I really enjoy Star Trek, I don’t automatically love all things Trek, so when I say this book is good, you can trust my opinion as a finicky reader. This book is good.
Vulcan’s Heart begins with a Vulcan wedding betrothal. More specifically, an unusual betrothal in that, unlike almost all Vulcan wedding betrothals, the Vulcans who are getting betrothed are adults. Spock, whom everyone should know as the Vulcan from the original Star Trek series and numerous movies, is becoming betrothed to Saavik (some of you will probably recognize her from the second and third Star Trek movies). This betrothal, which is strongly supported by Spock’s numerous friends and his father, Ambassador Sarek, is also slightly controversial, not only due to the couple’s ages, but also because Saavik is only half Vulcan – she is also part Romulan. Romulans share the same genetics as Vulcans, but left their home planet Vulcan during The Sundering – a time when the Vulcan populace chose the path of logic over emotion. The Vulcan ancestors who became Romulans disagreed with the path of logic enough to permanently leave their home world and travel the long distances to populate Romulus.
It has been fifteen years since the betrothal. Spock continues his work as a Federation mediator and Saavik goes on with her life as second in command of the Federation Starship U.S.S. Armstrong. These fifteen years have been unproductive for Spock in terms of his personal goals. He has applied to both the Federation and Vulcan Science Academy for permission to extend a diplomatic hand to the Romulans. With the little exposure to Romulans that Spock has had, he believes the logical course would be to once again unite Vulcan and Romulus – to bring the path of logic to the emotional Romulan people. With no support from official quarters, he gets his opportunity from a direction he has least likely expected – Charvaneck, Commander of the Romulan Star Empire. Charavaneck and Spock have a history. While Spock was serving on the U.S.S. Enterprise under Captain Kirk (any of you that do not recognize Captain Kirk should be tied to a chair and forced to watch the Sci-Fi channel for a week) he stole a Romulan cloaking devise from Charvaneck, which not only ended her first career in the military, but almost ended her life.
Now Charvaneck claims to need Spock’s help to save not only the Federation, but the Romulan Empire as well.
I could not possibly explain all of the complexities of this book in one page. Vulcan’s Heart is full of believable characters and has several fascinating story lines which include political intrigue, espionage, personal relationships, old grudges, and new friendships. There are vivid battle scenes, and tender and funny moments between friends, lovers, and allies. There are descriptions of Vulcan and Romulan culture and a hint of the Federation’s less known espionage community.
There are also visits from old friends from both the original series and Star Trek: The Next Generation, for those of you who are fans. The characters from the TV series add many memorable moments to the story (with a few exceptions), yet they are not confusing for those readers who are unfamiliar with them (as hard to imagine as that is).
Vulcan’s Heart has much to offer for any fan of science fiction or political intrique. It also, not too surprisingly, is a romantic story – a story about the journey of two wonderful people who sacrifice an awful lot for the universe, with no hope of ever finding their own fulfillment. Do they make it? Well, we are talking about Spock, after all.
Grade: A
Book Type: Science Fiction
Sensuality: N/A
Review Date: 25/07/99
Publication Date: 2000
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.