Star Trek Vanguard: Harbinger ~David Mack
–published 2005
–374 pages, Pocket Books
–4/5 stars
With the successful reboot of the Star Trek franchise this past summer, it was all I could do to restrain myself from diving head long into original series novels. Wanting to honor the reading I was currently involved in, I squirreled away that desire for another time. Watching the film again on DVD so close to the third annual Sci Fi Experience was just the excuse I required to unleash this hunger for some new adventures with old friends. And I knew just where I wanted to start–with the Vanguard Saga. Although the first novel ultimately does little more than set the stage, it does so with superb writing from an author who is obviously devoted to the franchise. If you are looking for some old school Star Trek with a new flair, your search is at an end.
The Vanguard Saga, 5 novels in all thus far, are the collaboration of writers David Mack, Dayton Ward, and Kevin Dilmore. This first novel, Harbinger, finds the U.S.S. Enterprise badly in need of repairs. Their travels take them to a little-explored section of the galaxy, to a remote Federation outpost under construction–Starbase 47, also known as Vanguard. Mack’s novel alternates between multiple story lines, mostly focusing on characters being introduced into this series of novels. While a handful of the Big Names on the Enterprise get their fair share of the spotlight, the unfolding drama mostly plays out with characters that the reader understands will grow to be a part of this particular series of novels.
The events of Harbinger take place early in the career of Captain James T. Kirk, which provides an interesting contextual back-up to the story. Mack places the story in history between events that took place during two specific television episodes of Star Trek: Where No Man Has Gone Before and The Corbomite Manuever. The manner in which he does this gives weight to the story, and also made me want to go track down both episodes of Trek to watch again. I was really impressed with some of the new characters David Mack introduces, impressed to the point that I cannot wait to pick up the next book in the series. I found that a few of the characters that I initially wrote off really grew on me as the novel progressed and now I look forward to seeing what this trio of authors does with them.
I mentioned early on that Harbinger is largely a novel which undoubtedly sets up future events, and that is true. However, it has many intriguing elements and makes some real emotional connections and because of this it is a book that I would not hesitate recommending to fans of the original series and/or for those looking to try something slightly new in the Star Trek universe with enough of a presence of familiar faces to give the story backbone. Mack brilliantly captures the voice of Kirk and Spock, as well as brief appearances by Scotty. Because so many of us know these characters, his insights into both men during this stage in their Starfleet careers provide an entirely different level of intimacy than if he was creating an entirely new set of characters. And it is that intimacy that makes reading Harbinger feel like spending time with a dear old friend who has some great new stories to tell.
If I sound like I am gushing a bit, please forgive me. I have a deep an abiding love for these characters and this universe, and seeing them treated so well on the printed page is a great delight. You would probably expect my rating to be a bit higher while wearing my Star Trek goggles, but the fact that this is not a self-contained story and a couple of plot decisions that felt like Mack made them merely to make Star Trek more “adult” keeps me from giving it near-perfect marks. It is a darn good adventure despite these minor personal issues.
The covers for the Vanguard Saga are first rate. They are the work of the talented Doug Drexler. I am quite taken with them. You can see the cover art sans title and author information by clicking here. In addition there is a fold-out diagram of Starbase 47 included in the middle of the book. This feels like an old school trait to me and personally I love it. Kudos to the staff at Pocket Books.
Within its 374 pages, David Mack unveils some taut, intense pacing coupled with mystery and intrigue, all the while introducing new characters and revisiting known characters in a way that is fresh and invigorating. The story works well as an introduction to the universe that future Vanguard missions will inhabit. Even though it is the first in an ongoing series of books, readers familiar and unfamiliar with Star Trek could step in and enjoy this novel. This was a very satisfying read, leaving me anxious to partake of the next chapter in the Vanguard Saga.
In case you do want to watch the episodes–
Where No Man Has Gone Before: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXuRfmApREc
The Corbomite Maneuver: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upwPl9_y0F8
I haven’t read any of the Star Trek novels, but after seeing the new movie again, I can certainly see the appeal.
I didn’t realise there were books to accompany the series. I am not a big Star Trek fan, but I envy your choice of reading. I shall definitely look into reading this series.
Tis very strange to me.. if I think of reading any star trek with Kirk, Spock and McCoy I see and hear the “originals”..but since the new movie, I have no trouble seeing them as the younger version of them . But pick up a trek book and my head goes right back to the originals.. weird.
Glad you enjoyed it because I loved it as well.
deslily: It’s not weird. I was picturing the original actors while I read this book as well. I loved the new movie but when I think of Trek it’s still the original actors who come to mind for me.
I have been reading the Star Trek novels since the year 2000 when former Pocket Books editor Marco Palmieri was responsible for the continuation of DS9 storyline through the novels ( DS9 is my favorite trek series ). I loved the idea of the characters stories continuing on past the last episode of the show. With Marco’s guidance the line became a big success with the fans. Since then Pocket books has taken that idea and used it to success on the Next Generation, Voyager and Enterprise book lines as well.
Carl may not know it but Marco was also responsible for co-creating the Vanguard series with David Mack. David Mack has become my favorite Trek writer ( used to be Peter David, sorry Mr. David ) with his excellent emphasis on character development and action scenes. He has this way of getting me to connect with so many of characters in a short amount of text. Then when events good or bad befall them I just buy into it so much. He won me over with his Time to… books and I’ve been devouring David Mack books ever since. It’s hilarious to me now because at first I didn’t like the fact there was another person out there using the David Mack name in the writers world because I was fan of the artist David Mack ( Kabuki ) since the mid-90’s. I was like who’s this guy using the same name as my favorite artist. Now I’m huge fans of them both. I love the fact the David the writer even has a picture of himself with David the artist on his website.
As much as I love the new movie I’m now worried it is going to hurt the Vanguard line. Pocket books is now focused on getting out JJ Abrams Trek universe books with the movies success which is understandable ( David Mack is writing one them atleast which is cool ). I’m afraid that Pocket books won’t want to still support the Vanguard line as it might be confusing to fans to have multiple original series book lines. I hope I’m wrong because I so want this series to go on. I’m hoping that sales are good for the recent release of the Vanguard series by David Mack, Precipice, which just came out this month. I know that David and Dayton each have proposals in for possible books six and seven of this series. I just hope they get picked up. Pocket books has laid off a lot of editors this past year, both Marco P. and Margaret Clark who took over the Vanguard series after Marco was laid off first. Now a new editor is in control, Jamie ?. I’m praying she will embrace the series as her own and that there is room for both the new JJ universe and the Vanguard tales to go on sided by sided in the future.
I also want to mention that Dayton Ward and Kevin Dilmore are Kansas City area residents as am I. They are both extremely nice guys and quite funny. I was lucky enough to meet them at a book signing many years back now for some Star Trek SCE books. I hope to meet them again one day to get them to sign my Vanguard books.
Sorry to go on and on but I love Star Trek and the novels. They are one of my passions. I’m cracking into the new Voyager series now as well by Kirsten Beyer and enjoying it so far as well. I could talk Trek and the its books for hours.
Great review Carl !!!
Jeff: Nicely done! Guess I should hire you to write the review for book two once we both get through it! Great to have that history of the editors, how the book lines have changed over the years, etc. I have only read Original Series novels in the past (with the exception of the very first Voyager novel) and I have to say that by and large I have enjoyed all those that I have read, the books by Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens being my favorite. This new book certainly makes me a fan of David Mack and I hope to enjoy the other books in the series by the Kansas City authors. I too hope they make the next two books and allow the series to have a natural closing point, if that is the direction the company chooses to go. I will probably check out the David Mack book for the reboot series as well. I just hope the company remembers that there are still a large number of original Trek fans out there and we’ll all still be alive for a bit longer. Hopefully they will have something for us as well over the coming years.
I loved DS9 so much that I really do want to start reading those novels at some point. Whenever the sci fi jones strikes I find myself missing this crew an awful lot.
And feel free to talk on them for hours.
Deslily: It was really easy for me to imagine the original characters the minute I started reading this, despite having seen the film about 4 times now. I did have a weird moment during the book where Sarek was mentioned and I instantly pictured the guy from the latest film.
Vivienne: I grew up with Trek and just love it. I am so glad that there are good novels out there to allow the characters to live on, and in the case of this series, to see other adventures with familiar characters as well as be introduced to new characters in the same universe.
Mosker: Thanks so much!!! Very cool. I actually got to thinking and I might actually have both of these on DVD. I have a few original Trek episodes. I’m going to have to go look now.
David Mack is a favorite author of mine from his Star Trek novels, but if you haven’t yet.. Check out his original novel, “The Calling.” It’s excellent!
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas too!
Hello from England. I’ve just discovered your page tonight, and it’s great to read all the comments from people who clearly love good Trek and good novels. I have been watching the Original Series since the mid-1970’s, and whilst I have certainly enjoyed the various shows which have sprung from this, there is just something about classic Trek, so I am also indebted to Mr Mack and associates for their masterful work in this series of books – certainly amongst the best in the genre. As someone who has also spent most of the last three decades enjoying good science fiction, including the best Trek novels, I think this series shows there is a great deal more mileage in the classic era, and I hope this bodes well, not only for this particular series, but for other writers in the years to come – I for one would be delighted to see more works which share the relish for the era which Gene Roddenberry crafted so well, and which the Vanguard novels evoke with masterful engagement. Thanks for the opportunity to drop a line.
Hello back, Howard. Great to have your thoughts on Star Trek. There really is something about classic Trek, you are quite right. I tend to hold it above every other version on its own pedestal, not even considered among the others because it is sacred due to my childhood love of it. Deep Space Nine is by far my favorite series, but I cannot compare it to the classic. I hope novels continue to explore the original series. I don’t read them often, but I like knowing they are still being done. And I look forward to reading the rest of the Vanguard line.
Sci Fi Chick: Christmas was great. Ended all too soon, as usual. I will take a look at The Calling, thanks for the recommendation.
This summer Netflix had the remastered Season 1 of the original Star Trek for instant play and I was an incredible nerd and sat at my computer for days obsessively watching every one of them. It was awesome. I freakin’ love Star Trek and am a huge Star Trek nerd.
I thought the new movie was really good. It captured the flavor of the old TV series in a kind of unique way that really worked for me.
I was completely stoked for the new MMO (Star Trek Online) and dreadfully disappointed with it. It’s kind of cool, but is mostly flying around in your spaceship missions rather than away type missions and that just didn’t feel right to me, somehow.
Dang – now I have to go look for this book.
Okay, I think I’m done bogarting your comments now. *grins*