Customer Reviews

What Price Honor? (Star Trek Enterprise)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book probably should rate a bit higher than three stars, but four would definitely be too high for it; it is a gripping action-adventure novel, with good characterization and an interesting plot, but it is really nothing out of the ordinary as Trek novels go (although it WAS nice to see a more in-depth look at Lt. Malcolm Reed, who is usually just a background character.)

On the down side, this is one of those novels that prominently contains a mystery that the reader sees coming by no later than chapter four, but that the characters just can't imagine the solution to until the very end. At least in this case it isn't because the characters are being portrayed as dolts, but simply because this sort of thing is not something one would expect in real life, but any reader of fantasy or science fiction knows that in a fictional story, it is very possible; still, even if their relative lack of speed on the uptake is not unreasonable, it still makes the story very frustrating for the reader.

I enjoyed reading this book, but I can't say that there was anything particularly spectacular about it that would make it stand out in the crowd of Star Trek books, other than the fact that it is (at this point) one of very few "Enterprise" novels. If you enjoy the show, or would like a good introduction to it, this book is certainly worth the read, as it is if you simply want a good, action-packed Star Trek novel. But if you want more than that, this isn't the book for you.

The plot itself held my interest enough that I wanted to
find out how it would end, but I did manage to figure out
the basics of what was happening well before the end of
the story. I have to agree with others that the characters
did not seem to come across as strongly as they do in the
series. Their "spark" was missing. And yet, even with its
shortcomings, this story came across to me much better than
Enterprise: By the Book.

The plot's been done to death, and much more effectively: A Starfleet vessel, in this case the Enterprise NX-01, caught up in a war between two species. This time around it is the Sarkassians and the Ta'alaat. Mind control, mysterious alien technology beyond the crew's comprehension and a crewmember, Lieutenant Malcolm Reed, racked with guilt. Yawn.

The text of the book makes several references to the Enterprise being approximately a year into its mission, which would place the story in 2152. Consequently I found it very trying to have a large bold chapter heading glaring at me every few minutes, with a date that places the events well before Enterprise even left earth.

Even if you can get past the cookie-cutter plot and conspicuous errors, it's hard to care what happens in What Price Honor?. The writing is stiff and flat. It is impossible to feel any empathy for the downtrodden Ta'alaat as you learn next to nothing about them. The aggressors, the Sarkassians, are easy to dislike, but that is based on the behavior of one particularly obnoxious ambassador. The whole story feels incomplete somehow, as if it was all written in a big rush without the author really thinking about it.

I love Star Trek, I’m a fan of the shows and have read several of the books, and this by FAR is the best I’ve read yet. When I pick up a ST book, I’m usually looking for a quick, fun, enjoyable read, but I don’t really expect grand and glorious things. You see, once you’ve seen the shows and read the books you begin to see that it is usually the same plot line, just using different people or places. It gets hard after a while to find originality, not because the author’s don’t know what they’re doing, but because there are more books out there than new plot lines. And that is just fine, they are still great reads and I love it when I get a new ST book.

“What Price Honor?” was completely different. I was hooked from the first page and it kept me guessing until the very, very end. That is refreshing, most of the time you figure out what is going to happen long before the characters do. But in this book there are so many twists and turns that you have no idea which way is up, let alone what is going to happen in the end.

The book is focused around Lt. Malcolm Reed, and has all the elements of a great story, adventure (how does creeping through very ancient, very powerful technology, trying to prevent a war sound?), mystery (what would make a loyal member of the crew suddenly sabotage Enterprise, with the intent of starting a catastrophic galactic war?) and just enough romance to spice things up. The story is told through present action, what is happing in the now, and flashbacks that Reed must struggle with through out the entire book. The balance is wonderful; especially at the end as the line between memory and reality becomes increasing blurred. The characters are very believable, and the challenges they face are intense. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I highly recommend this book, it is a great read, one of the finer works out there, I hope to see more Enterprise work from this author.

"What Price Honor?" (this title sounds more appropriate for a Klingon-themed book) is entertaining. It is a fast read. The author does a nice job of fleshing out the Lt. Reed character.

Yes, the so-called mystery is no mystery at all.

The core of the novel wasn't plot but emotion: Lt. Reed, Alana Hart, regulations, duty to Starfleet, loneliness, and communication - be it human to human or human to alien.

Recommended. Like I said, it's a fast read.

Reed's character was front and center in this compelling novel. His relationship with a subordinate careens out of control. Reed was indirectly resposible for her demise. When Captain Archer sees the relationship was inappropriate; Reed attempts to distance himself from a disasterous career move. The internal conflict makes this in what would have been a mediocre episode.

The novel details his feelings for ensign Alana Hart; who had just been through a tragic incident prior to her post on Enterprise. She had inadvertantly phasered some hostages that were made to look like the enemy. The guilt and sense of resposiblity gnawed at her. If you are a Malcolm Reed fan, this book will give you glimpse of what motivates him as an armory officer.

Most of the conflict takes place aboard the ship. The plot was straight out of the Trek database; the warring diplomats. The diplomats, whose planets have been at war for years, intend to use the Enterprise as a pawn.

Author Dave Stern, was an editor for the Star Trek book series some time ago. However, he can still write a story that will interest fans of the show. This one was worth the price of admission. Unlike some of the new stories being done today; which are padded and drawn out, this one delivers.

This book focuses on Malcolm Reed; as Reed is one of my favorite characters--next to Travis Mayweather, Hoshi Sato, T'Pol, Phlox--I was open to reading this novel.

I thought the first original novel 'By The Book' was a fun and interesting novel that gave all characters exposure., and was a definitive Trek novel: Exploring strange new worlds, making friends with species on strange new worlds, and crew learns from experiences.

This novel is a poor follow-up.

This novel, though focused on Reed, gives everyone except Travis Mayweather exposure. On Page 101, all the senior officers are to report to the situation room; for some reason Mayweather and Phlox are not invited. I would think Mayweather, since the man IS part of the bridge crew. (Mayweather only turns up sparsely to call someone to the bridge, or say 'Aye, sir').

Thank you, Dave Stern.

The story concerns an occurance that made Reed kill a fellow officer, Alana Hart...whom he had a brief relationship--professionally and romantically--with.

The book starts off interesting, as we cut from December 2150 to January 2151 as Reed tries to move forward. (That is pretty much how the book is set up, cutting to either December or January). In the occurances in December, Reed has to fight his 'by the book' feelings of having a relationship with an officer--Alana-- under his command, and trying to be a listening ear to Alana, who is battling some demons on a ship she served on before Enterprise. In January, we are dealing with what happens after; and also, dealing with a matter between alien races who are battling over a piece of land(?)....a plot point that isn't quite clear.

Of the aliens: One character is named Commodore Roan, another--of the same race--Ambassador Valay; and there is a third character named a Goridian who is murdered by Valay....and they speak a Hajjleran language. Moreover, we have Sarkassians, Ta'alaat, Anu'anshee, which is not clear if these are the same individuals that were described, or another race of beings.

Obviously, the plot gets muddled, and the story begins to really drag; and the back and forth between December and January begins to be confusing.

I actually stopped at chapter 17.

With me, if a story is really engaging, I am able to pick up a book; even when I'm reading while on the run, or waiting, and start where I left off. Here, I found myself trying to understand who these characters were--the aliens--why they were fighting one another; and, why the Enterprise crew is down on this planet involving these races, etc...

A novel--Star Trek or not--should not take this much work to read and understand. Reading a novel 'should be an adventure,' for lack of a better term. Novels should give you something that wouldn't be seen on television, and should give a bit more expansion on characters.

It seemed like the author tried to include too much in the story, and didn't do any quality control. We don't get much on Travis Mayweather; and the main Malcolm Reed story is muddled; the aspect of the aliens is confusing, etc...

What price, Honor is the third book of Dave Stern's that I've read. The first two had been the two-part Daedalus Enterprise series. As much as I appreciate Stern's straight-forward style, I'm ready to move on to other Enterprise authors.

WPH was an entertaining and fast read. The story would be typical of a single mid-season episode, involving responding to a distress call, underestimating the species encountered, being accused of interference, and eventually resolving the conflict after some sacrifice.

After Daedalus, I desired something a little more run-of-the-mill, with more time on the ship and attention spread more evenly among the characters. In many ways, this book fit that bill.

But ultimately, the story was just not that great, and for this reason my rating lacks two stars. The whole book hinges on a plot mechanism that, like Daedalus's, comes across as gimmicky. Unlike that series, though, there just wasn't enough else going on in this story to make up for it.

Still, WPH is entertaining and fast-paced enough to recommend it to any dedicated fan of Enterprise.

If you are a fan of this version of Star Trek, this along with Stern's other Enterprise books are great. I wish Mr.Stern had been writing for this much maligned series. Characterizations, plot and emotional hooks are all in here.
ENJOY!!!!

Having read nearly all the other books, I enjoyed this one. It's kind of surprising, especially since Reed is not one of my favorite characters.

The plot was intriguing and the character seemed like he jumped off the page.

If you're going to read any of the books, this is the one thus far.