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Star Trek: A Time to... #1
A Time to Be Born
On the cusp of their epic battle with Shinzon, many of Captain Jean-Luc Picard's long-time crew were heading for new assignments and new challenges. Among the changes were William Riker's promotion to captain and his new command, Riker's marriage to Counselor Deanna Troi, and Dr. Beverly Crusher's new career at Starfleet Medical. But the story of what set them on a path away from the Starship Enterprise™ has never been told.
UNTIL NOW.
The site of one of the Dominion War's fiercest battles, the Rashanar Sector now contains a vast interstellar graveyard littered with the lifeless hulks of hundreds of devastated starships. The explosive destruction of so many varied warp drives has severely distorted the space-time continuum in this region, resulting in dangerous unleashed energies and bizarre gravitational anomalies.
The Enterprise has been assigned to patrol the perimeter of the danger zone, while other vessels carry out the difficult and highly hazardous task of retrieving the bodies of the dead from the wrecked warships.
To some alien races, the former battleground is hallowed space. To others, including the rapacious Androssi, it is a scavenger's paradise, ripe for salvage. None expect this ship's graveyard to hold a deadly secret that will force the android Data to make a heart-wrenching decision about the path his life will take -- and that will endanger not only the Enterprise, but Picard's future in Starfleet.
UNTIL NOW.
The site of one of the Dominion War's fiercest battles, the Rashanar Sector now contains a vast interstellar graveyard littered with the lifeless hulks of hundreds of devastated starships. The explosive destruction of so many varied warp drives has severely distorted the space-time continuum in this region, resulting in dangerous unleashed energies and bizarre gravitational anomalies.
The Enterprise has been assigned to patrol the perimeter of the danger zone, while other vessels carry out the difficult and highly hazardous task of retrieving the bodies of the dead from the wrecked warships.
To some alien races, the former battleground is hallowed space. To others, including the rapacious Androssi, it is a scavenger's paradise, ripe for salvage. None expect this ship's graveyard to hold a deadly secret that will force the android Data to make a heart-wrenching decision about the path his life will take -- and that will endanger not only the Enterprise, but Picard's future in Starfleet.
304 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2004
70 people are currently reading
772 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
July 4, 2025
The Good: John Vornholt is one of my favorite Star Trek authors, and he does an excellent job here. The start of the course of events that led to Nemesis makes for enjoyable reading. Profanity is kept to a minimum, and I didn't see any sexual content; both of those content issues have plagued this franchise for a while, so, that was a nice surprise. The ending made me glad I have the next installment on hand.
The Bad: The problem with prequels is that you already know how it's going to end; unless you're completely unfamiliar with the final Next Generation film, there isn't much suspense. Still, that isn't the author's fault.
Conclusion: Other than one novelization a few weeks ago, this is the first Star Trek book I've read in quite a while; it was a nice return to the franchise. One of these days, I'll check out the TV series!
Score: 4/5
The Bad: The problem with prequels is that you already know how it's going to end; unless you're completely unfamiliar with the final Next Generation film, there isn't much suspense. Still, that isn't the author's fault.
Conclusion: Other than one novelization a few weeks ago, this is the first Star Trek book I've read in quite a while; it was a nice return to the franchise. One of these days, I'll check out the TV series!
Score: 4/5
December 17, 2021
[3.5/5] The first in a 9-book series that follows the Enterprise-E crew in the time period leading up to the film Star Trek: Nemesis. There were a number of strange discrepancies in that film that went without explanation, and these novels attempt to do that.
This is a slightly odd story that ends up being fairly good. The first two-thirds show us the crew's mission to help patrol an enormous starship graveyard, the site of a Dominion War battle that is plagued with mysterious space/time anomalies. Numerous events happen here, but this entire section of the book feels slightly perfunctory. It's not all that engaging even as it builds to some meaty conflicts, both with the dangers of the area and other Starfleet vessels.
Something then happens which pushes the final third of the novel in an entirely different direction, and this is where it began to grab me. I assume the repercussions of this are going to flow into the rest of the series, and I quite look forward to that now.
The writing here is a bit of a let down, though. The characters we know and love don't always feel quite like themselves, and nobody is given much depth. In some respects I'm okay with that, because it makes for a short book that is easy to read, but from the way things end up I would hope that characters are going to be at the absolute forefront from here on. The same author writes book #2, so let's see how things go there.
This is a slightly odd story that ends up being fairly good. The first two-thirds show us the crew's mission to help patrol an enormous starship graveyard, the site of a Dominion War battle that is plagued with mysterious space/time anomalies. Numerous events happen here, but this entire section of the book feels slightly perfunctory. It's not all that engaging even as it builds to some meaty conflicts, both with the dangers of the area and other Starfleet vessels.
Something then happens which pushes the final third of the novel in an entirely different direction, and this is where it began to grab me. I assume the repercussions of this are going to flow into the rest of the series, and I quite look forward to that now.
The writing here is a bit of a let down, though. The characters we know and love don't always feel quite like themselves, and nobody is given much depth. In some respects I'm okay with that, because it makes for a short book that is easy to read, but from the way things end up I would hope that characters are going to be at the absolute forefront from here on. The same author writes book #2, so let's see how things go there.
May 24, 2024
Certainly enjoyed this book a lot more the second time around.
January 18, 2024
Auch wenn der Star Trek Literatur-Kanon zerstört wurde (siehe Star Trek: Star Trek - Coda: Tor des Vergessens Coda-Trilogie) konnte CrossCult noch einige, auf deutsch bisher nicht veröffentlichte, Romane nachschieben, so diese 8-Bände umfassende "Zeit des Wandels"-Reihe. Die Orginale erschienen schon im Jahre 2004, jedoch bleiben sie durch ihre zeitliche Ansiedelung zwischen den 9. und 10. Kinofilm in der Prä-Nemesis-Ära, von der Zerstörung des Kanons durch die unselige Star Trek: Picard-Streaming-Serie, verschont.
Die Cover sind für die deutsche Ausgabe neu gestaltet worden, wie oft bei CrossCult durch den Cover-Künstler Martin Frei, der für die, m.E. besten Star Trek Cover, verantwortlich ist.
Die Geschichte wird als Fortsetzungsstory erzählt, was heißen soll: Der vorliegende Band ist nur der erste Teil der Geschichte und hat ein offenes Ende.
Die Enterprise soll das einstige Schlachtfeld von Rashanar aus der Zeit des Dominion-Krieges (siehe: Star Trek Deep Space Nine) aufräumen. Der Friedhof von Raumfahrzeugen sämtlicher Nationen, wird unter der Führung der Föderation bewacht, deren Hauptauftrag darin liegt, die Toten zu bergen. Doch tut sich auf dem weitläufigen Feld noch einiges mehr, was Picard mit der Enterprise unangenehmerweise erfahren muss, als er auf die Schrott sammelnden Androssi stößt.
Eine Singularität im Zentrum des Friedhofs birgt darüber hinaus ein Geheimnis, das Picard zu einer Handlung zwingt, die ihm erheblichen Ärger einbringt, weil ihm seine Begründung niemand aus der Admiralität abnimmt und er um seine Karriere bangen muss.
Hinzu kommt, das Captain Leeden, die Captain des zweiten Schiffes vor Ort, alles tut, um Picard Steine in den Weg zu legen. Sie ist aggressiv und glaubt ihm nicht. Das mag vielleicht sein, wenn man ein Jahr auf einem Weltraumfriedhof arbeitet, trägt aber nicht dazu bei, das man mit ihrem Charakter warm wird. Im Gegenteil schließen sich die Admirals (die damit ganz in der alten Tradition wieder zu den "Badmirals" werden) der Dame in ihrer Meinung an und versuchen, wo es nur geht, Picard abzukanzeln. Da wirkt die spätere Bemerkung auf der Trauerfeier, man hätte es mit einigen hochdekoriertesten Offizieren zu tun gehabt, wie blanker Hohn.
Vor diesem Hintergrund sind leider auch die Enterprise-Charaktere nicht vollständig gelungen und wirken in vielen Szenen steif und nur schwer wieder zu erkennen. Immerhin wird dies gegen Ende etwas besser und vor allem die Szenen um Wesley und seinen Aufstieg zum Reisenden wecken unselige Erinnerungen an die Coda-Reihe.
Dabei ist das Rätsel, das in der Rashanar-Region aufgebaut wird, sogar einigermaßen interessant. Ohne zu viel spoilern zu wollen, kann man sich zurecht fragen, ob das Dominion hier eine neue Waffe hatte, das alles ein Lebewesen ist oder was sonst dahinter steckt. Allerdings dauert es etwas, bis die Handlung so richtig in Fahrt kommt, was auch an den etwas blassen Bösewichtern liegt.
Die Androssi (kennt man aus Corps of Engineers) werden hier einfach als Plünderer aufgebaut, die nicht allzuviel Tiefgang bekommen. Hinzu kommt, das Oberschurkin Ghissel bereits nach 140 Seiten das Zeitliche segnet, ohne je zu einem interessanten oder ebenbürtigen Gegenspieler zu werden. Hier wurde einiges an Potential liegen gelassen.
Die zweite Hälfte des Bandes beschäftigt sich dann mit einer Anklage gegen Picard, die zwar in den Grundzügen, ebenso wie das Rätsel des Schlachtfelds, gut aufgebaut ist, allerdings muss man auch das ein oder andere Auge zudrücken. Denn hier benimmt sich die Sternenflotte wirklich bereits so, wie man es aus der späteren, unseligen, Picard-Serie kennt und ist nur darauf bedacht, ihr Gesicht zu wahren und nicht, die Wahrheit herauszufinden. Die Sternenflotte wirkte hier für mich wie die Inquisition, aber wir werden im 2. Band ja herausfinden, wie sich alles erklären läßt?
Die Cover sind für die deutsche Ausgabe neu gestaltet worden, wie oft bei CrossCult durch den Cover-Künstler Martin Frei, der für die, m.E. besten Star Trek Cover, verantwortlich ist.
Die Geschichte wird als Fortsetzungsstory erzählt, was heißen soll: Der vorliegende Band ist nur der erste Teil der Geschichte und hat ein offenes Ende.
Die Enterprise soll das einstige Schlachtfeld von Rashanar aus der Zeit des Dominion-Krieges (siehe: Star Trek Deep Space Nine) aufräumen. Der Friedhof von Raumfahrzeugen sämtlicher Nationen, wird unter der Führung der Föderation bewacht, deren Hauptauftrag darin liegt, die Toten zu bergen. Doch tut sich auf dem weitläufigen Feld noch einiges mehr, was Picard mit der Enterprise unangenehmerweise erfahren muss, als er auf die Schrott sammelnden Androssi stößt.
Eine Singularität im Zentrum des Friedhofs birgt darüber hinaus ein Geheimnis, das Picard zu einer Handlung zwingt, die ihm erheblichen Ärger einbringt, weil ihm seine Begründung niemand aus der Admiralität abnimmt und er um seine Karriere bangen muss.
Hinzu kommt, das Captain Leeden, die Captain des zweiten Schiffes vor Ort, alles tut, um Picard Steine in den Weg zu legen. Sie ist aggressiv und glaubt ihm nicht. Das mag vielleicht sein, wenn man ein Jahr auf einem Weltraumfriedhof arbeitet, trägt aber nicht dazu bei, das man mit ihrem Charakter warm wird. Im Gegenteil schließen sich die Admirals (die damit ganz in der alten Tradition wieder zu den "Badmirals" werden) der Dame in ihrer Meinung an und versuchen, wo es nur geht, Picard abzukanzeln. Da wirkt die spätere Bemerkung auf der Trauerfeier, man hätte es mit einigen hochdekoriertesten Offizieren zu tun gehabt, wie blanker Hohn.
Vor diesem Hintergrund sind leider auch die Enterprise-Charaktere nicht vollständig gelungen und wirken in vielen Szenen steif und nur schwer wieder zu erkennen. Immerhin wird dies gegen Ende etwas besser und vor allem die Szenen um Wesley und seinen Aufstieg zum Reisenden wecken unselige Erinnerungen an die Coda-Reihe.
Dabei ist das Rätsel, das in der Rashanar-Region aufgebaut wird, sogar einigermaßen interessant. Ohne zu viel spoilern zu wollen, kann man sich zurecht fragen, ob das Dominion hier eine neue Waffe hatte, das alles ein Lebewesen ist oder was sonst dahinter steckt. Allerdings dauert es etwas, bis die Handlung so richtig in Fahrt kommt, was auch an den etwas blassen Bösewichtern liegt.
Die Androssi (kennt man aus Corps of Engineers) werden hier einfach als Plünderer aufgebaut, die nicht allzuviel Tiefgang bekommen. Hinzu kommt, das Oberschurkin Ghissel bereits nach 140 Seiten das Zeitliche segnet, ohne je zu einem interessanten oder ebenbürtigen Gegenspieler zu werden. Hier wurde einiges an Potential liegen gelassen.
Die zweite Hälfte des Bandes beschäftigt sich dann mit einer Anklage gegen Picard, die zwar in den Grundzügen, ebenso wie das Rätsel des Schlachtfelds, gut aufgebaut ist, allerdings muss man auch das ein oder andere Auge zudrücken. Denn hier benimmt sich die Sternenflotte wirklich bereits so, wie man es aus der späteren, unseligen, Picard-Serie kennt und ist nur darauf bedacht, ihr Gesicht zu wahren und nicht, die Wahrheit herauszufinden. Die Sternenflotte wirkte hier für mich wie die Inquisition, aber wir werden im 2. Band ja herausfinden, wie sich alles erklären läßt?
July 26, 2025
Star Trek: TNG: A Time to... 01 A Time to Be Born by John Vornholt
challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense
Medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0 Stars
This is a good start to a nine book series. It did take me a bit to find my feet in the timeline, especially since I had been reading Star Trek novels that were at the beginning of the Star Trek franchises (TV versions), and was still in that mindset.
This story is about trust. Who do you trust, and why do you trust them.
When you are a crew member on a ship (or a team in the workplace), you have to trust the person next to you, to be doing the best at their job.
Captain Picard inherently trust his crew. They've been with him for about twelve years, some longer. If he didn't trust them, they would have moved on (on their own), or he would've replaced them with others that he DID trust. Such is Starfleet. You have to succee and perform at high levels (in harrowing circumstances).
The ship boneyard is NOT normal, and suspicious things are happening there.
Also, I'll say it again, the admiralty have it in for Captain Picard. His accolades and accomplishments just rankle them. Either it is out of jealousy or being PLAIN wrong (idiots, fools, morons, etc...you get the picture).
I also love how Wesley is in this story. How it ended in the TV series was SO unsatisfied, but now...we get to see further, and how he has "aged" and "grown up".
The idea of Data being on trial, also frustrates me NO end. How many times are we going to hold him to a different standard, especially when he has been given sentience?
I am so looking forward to picking up the next book in this series, A Time to... 02 A Time to Die (with Data on the cover). Why are they doing this to me? Hmm?
challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense
Medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0 Stars
This is a good start to a nine book series. It did take me a bit to find my feet in the timeline, especially since I had been reading Star Trek novels that were at the beginning of the Star Trek franchises (TV versions), and was still in that mindset.
This story is about trust. Who do you trust, and why do you trust them.
When you are a crew member on a ship (or a team in the workplace), you have to trust the person next to you, to be doing the best at their job.
Captain Picard inherently trust his crew. They've been with him for about twelve years, some longer. If he didn't trust them, they would have moved on (on their own), or he would've replaced them with others that he DID trust. Such is Starfleet. You have to succee and perform at high levels (in harrowing circumstances).
The ship boneyard is NOT normal, and suspicious things are happening there.
Also, I'll say it again, the admiralty have it in for Captain Picard. His accolades and accomplishments just rankle them. Either it is out of jealousy or being PLAIN wrong (idiots, fools, morons, etc...you get the picture).
I also love how Wesley is in this story. How it ended in the TV series was SO unsatisfied, but now...we get to see further, and how he has "aged" and "grown up".
The idea of Data being on trial, also frustrates me NO end. How many times are we going to hold him to a different standard, especially when he has been given sentience?
I am so looking forward to picking up the next book in this series, A Time to... 02 A Time to Die (with Data on the cover). Why are they doing this to me? Hmm?
December 8, 2022
Für alle TNG Fans ein Muss!
Eine schöne Geschichte aus dem Star Trek Univerum aus der Zeit nach den Dominion Kriegen, die mich ab der ersten Seite gepackt hat. Die Geschichte Picards ist nie zuende und wer den Captain und die Crew der Enterprise vermisst, kann sich auf eine tolle Buchreihe freuen, die die bekannten Charaktere wieder zu Leben erwacht und alte Geschichtsstrenge wieder aufgreift. Es finden sich auch einige Anspielungen an die besten TNG Folgen wieder ;)
enjoy
Eine schöne Geschichte aus dem Star Trek Univerum aus der Zeit nach den Dominion Kriegen, die mich ab der ersten Seite gepackt hat. Die Geschichte Picards ist nie zuende und wer den Captain und die Crew der Enterprise vermisst, kann sich auf eine tolle Buchreihe freuen, die die bekannten Charaktere wieder zu Leben erwacht und alte Geschichtsstrenge wieder aufgreift. Es finden sich auch einige Anspielungen an die besten TNG Folgen wieder ;)
enjoy
March 26, 2017
After watching all the Star Trek movies and tv shows, I still wanted more and decided to start reading some of the many Trek books out there. I chose to begin with the "A Time to" series of books which fills in the gap between Insurrection and Nemesis movies.
Noting I do not have a basis of comparison between other Trek novels, I thought "A Time to be Born" did a poor job of representing the characters. Picard and Wesley Crusher are the main focus of the story and their dialogue just seems off. Although the setting of the story in a vast battlefield left over from the Dominion war is very interesting, I do not believe the book follows through. The end of the book is a dud and didn't leave me with a desire to jump right in to the next novel. Although a little disappointed in my first Star Trek book, I'm going to continue with the "A Time to" series and give the other books a chance.
Edit: After further research in to the Trek litverse, I discovered a website that helps navigate your way through all the different books out there and gives guidance to where you may want to jump in without missing anything. A really invaluable tool once you grasp what you're looking at!
http://www.thetrekcollective.com/p/tr...
Noting I do not have a basis of comparison between other Trek novels, I thought "A Time to be Born" did a poor job of representing the characters. Picard and Wesley Crusher are the main focus of the story and their dialogue just seems off. Although the setting of the story in a vast battlefield left over from the Dominion war is very interesting, I do not believe the book follows through. The end of the book is a dud and didn't leave me with a desire to jump right in to the next novel. Although a little disappointed in my first Star Trek book, I'm going to continue with the "A Time to" series and give the other books a chance.
Edit: After further research in to the Trek litverse, I discovered a website that helps navigate your way through all the different books out there and gives guidance to where you may want to jump in without missing anything. A really invaluable tool once you grasp what you're looking at!
http://www.thetrekcollective.com/p/tr...
February 20, 2011
It took me two tries to finish this. Not the best writing I've seen, and I didn't buy some of the characterizations (Picard especially seemed "off"). Perhaps we can ascribe that to the intentions of this series, a nine-novel attempt to tell what happened between the last two (and worst) TNG movies. So maybe it's because the characters were "off" in Nemesis as well.
All that said, the story did eventually take me in, and I'm onto the next one in the series. I can't wait to be on to subsequent volumes, as this writing hasn't impressed me. Admiral Hakamura, "inscrutible"? Was that necessary?
All that said, the story did eventually take me in, and I'm onto the next one in the series. I can't wait to be on to subsequent volumes, as this writing hasn't impressed me. Admiral Hakamura, "inscrutible"? Was that necessary?
October 16, 2022
Set after the Dominion War, the Enterprise is sent to patrol a graveyard of ships where odd events are occurring. Things rapidly spin out of control, with nothing explained, Data acting odd, and Picard making a terrible choice.
The book begins with Wesley, almost a full-Traveler, watching these events, but not acting. It was neat to have him back in Trek with God-like powers, but unable to act. He returns at the end of the book and looks to be taking a more active hand in the books that follow.
There's some good tension here, but nothing is explained. That's (hopefully) going to be explained later in the series. I really enjoyed Picard, Data, and LaForge. I was not impressed with the other Starfleet captain who seemed crazy.
I enjoyed this book and will continue to the next book to learn what's going on.
The book begins with Wesley, almost a full-Traveler, watching these events, but not acting. It was neat to have him back in Trek with God-like powers, but unable to act. He returns at the end of the book and looks to be taking a more active hand in the books that follow.
There's some good tension here, but nothing is explained. That's (hopefully) going to be explained later in the series. I really enjoyed Picard, Data, and LaForge. I was not impressed with the other Starfleet captain who seemed crazy.
I enjoyed this book and will continue to the next book to learn what's going on.
March 24, 2025
Ich wurde heute, nachdem ich mit Freunden über dieses Buch geredet hab, gefragt ob ich jetzt Star Trek bevorzuge und Star Wars jetzt abgrundtief verabscheue.
Ehrlich, ist's nicht möglich beides bis zum Umfallen zu lieben? Bei beidem gleich begeistert zu sein? Beides geschaut zu haben und zu denken 'boah, so cool'?
Wirklich ein super Buch, konnte es kaum aus den Händen legen. Jeder der die Serie kennt und feiert, wird hier einen schönen Zusatz finden, der ein paar Lücken anfängt zu füllen.
Ehrlich, ist's nicht möglich beides bis zum Umfallen zu lieben? Bei beidem gleich begeistert zu sein? Beides geschaut zu haben und zu denken 'boah, so cool'?
Wirklich ein super Buch, konnte es kaum aus den Händen legen. Jeder der die Serie kennt und feiert, wird hier einen schönen Zusatz finden, der ein paar Lücken anfängt zu füllen.
November 26, 2020
This series charts the time between the last two Next Gen movies and how some of the crew got to the crossroads they were facing at the beginning of Nemesis. This time around we focus on Wesley Crusher and his adventures toward becoming a Traveler, Data and his emotion chip, Geordi getting an upgrade and it seems that Riker is going to get his first taste of extended command of a starship. Other things that were interesting included a spooky “graveyard of ships” that was actually the site of what might have been one of the strangest and most tragic battles in the Dominion War—the scenes there were atmospheric and tense—and Jean-Luc Picard having to fight for his career after a series of events brings him in conflict with Starfleet itself. John Vornholt really understands the characters he’s writing and seems to have quite the grip on how bureaucracies like Starfleet Command would behave under various circumstances. He ends it on a really good cliffhanger so I’m happy I have book 2 close at hand
August 13, 2020
A massive salvaging operation turns badly after an apparent friendly fire incident.
Confusion and mystery are abound when the Ebterprise is send to help with a post dominion war salvage operation. Many parties are involved, not the lead of which a group of scavengers, and a new federation addition who act rather suspiciously at times.
So... Not a great book, the story is okay, the concept is fine, and I enjoyed it. However the author doesn’t really get the voices of the characters quite right, nor the federation as a whole in my opinion. I did enjoy the return of the Androssi an enemy first introduced in the SCE series, a personal favourite of mine.
I didn’t dislike this book, but it just didn’t excite me as much as it should either. It’s conclusion does make me want to read the next one though.
Confusion and mystery are abound when the Ebterprise is send to help with a post dominion war salvage operation. Many parties are involved, not the lead of which a group of scavengers, and a new federation addition who act rather suspiciously at times.
So... Not a great book, the story is okay, the concept is fine, and I enjoyed it. However the author doesn’t really get the voices of the characters quite right, nor the federation as a whole in my opinion. I did enjoy the return of the Androssi an enemy first introduced in the SCE series, a personal favourite of mine.
I didn’t dislike this book, but it just didn’t excite me as much as it should either. It’s conclusion does make me want to read the next one though.
January 27, 2021
I needed a place to start with the Star Trek books and chose this series. Luckily I already had a great understanding of the TNG characters and relationships. Had I not been a fan, I wouldn’t have been able to understand the parts book I don’t think, even though it’s the first book of the series. I do enjoy the ability to read about my favorite characters in new adventures. I enjoyed not recognizing the names of some species and looking them up. Not every episode was fantastic, so
I don’t expect every book to be either, but I’ll continue on with A Time To Die next.
I don’t expect every book to be either, but I’ll continue on with A Time To Die next.
August 20, 2008
The Enterprise is sent to a battleground from the Dominion War, Rashanar, where every ship lost all hands and the hulks have been left in space. There, they find looters, an ethnocentric race that lives near the site, and spacial anomalies galore. The Enterprise fires on the ethnocentric race’s flagship and they fire on the other Starfleet vessel in the battlefield, killing all hands. Picard is made the fall guy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2014
Though I do realize that this is the first in a very long series, I did not find it to be very true to the characters. Jean-Luc Picard becomes magically inept, and Starfleet seems to chunk every principle that it was ever founded on out the window. Maybe the other books explain it and clear this up, but I was definitely left wanted by the time I finished this tale.
June 15, 2021
My review will be up on Roqoo Depot soon. While this book had elements that hooked me, particularly the last 1/3 of the book, I found that Vornholt had difficulty balancing the characters and crew. Nevertheless, a very decent start to what I'm hoping will be an excellent series. 3 out of 5 stars.
September 4, 2016
A good start to the beginning of the end of the TNG crew, leading up to Nemesis.
Read
September 11, 2015Very fast paced and very interesting.
April 26, 2024
I went into the "A Time to..." series having heard good things about it, so I was hoping for a good read. As of now, I've finished the first two books, and I have to hope that the series gets better, because if I had to base the series on the way these first two have gone, I would not recommend it. I hope that the other authors can redeem this series. This first book was better than the concluding story in the second book, but not by much.
The premise of the story is actually quite intriguing, and I was in for what seemed to be a mystery unfolding around the Rashanar battle site between the Federation and the Dominion which is in Ontalian space. There are scientific mysteries at the site that have confounded explanation and rumors of hauntings cause many to stay away from it, though some try to recover the dead, while others try to scavenge. The Enterprise is sent to help the Juno (commanded by Leeden) and though the two ships get off on the wrong foot, it seems that they are going to work together.
Unfortunately the positives mostly end there. Picard and Leeden's not getting along was understandable based on communication interference and perhaps Leeden's raggedness from how long she had been there, but still, you'd think that there would have been some benefit of the doubt. Furthermore, it felt like the situation regarding Data and the SCE was horribly written and I can't fathom a way that Data would agree to the situation, nor that the Enterprise crew would not fight back against it.
The premise of the story is actually quite intriguing, and I was in for what seemed to be a mystery unfolding around the Rashanar battle site between the Federation and the Dominion which is in Ontalian space. There are scientific mysteries at the site that have confounded explanation and rumors of hauntings cause many to stay away from it, though some try to recover the dead, while others try to scavenge. The Enterprise is sent to help the Juno (commanded by Leeden) and though the two ships get off on the wrong foot, it seems that they are going to work together.
Unfortunately the positives mostly end there. Picard and Leeden's not getting along was understandable based on communication interference and perhaps Leeden's raggedness from how long she had been there, but still, you'd think that there would have been some benefit of the doubt. Furthermore, it felt like the situation regarding Data and the SCE was horribly written and I can't fathom a way that Data would agree to the situation, nor that the Enterprise crew would not fight back against it.
August 4, 2025
"Star Trek - Zeit des Wandels" bietet einen unterhaltsamen Auftakt zu einer neuen Reihe, die sich jetzt beweisen muss. Die Handlung folgt Captain Picard und der Enterprise-Crew, die im Rashanar-Sektor unterwegs sind, um eine Zone zu überwachen, die einst ein Schlachtfeld war. Dabei stoßen sie auf Anomalien und müssen sich mit den Androssi auseinandersetzen, die die Jacht des Captains stehlen und über die Fähigkeit verfügen, Schiffe zu klonen.
Die Dynamik zwischen den Charakteren und das Katz-und-Maus-Spiel bei der Suche nach der gestohlenen Jacht sorgen für Spannung. Besonders das Gerichtsverfahren im letzten Drittel der Geschichte hält den Leser in Atem. Allerdings wird die Handlung manchmal etwas unübersichtlich, da der rote Faden nicht immer klar gehalten wird.
Trotz kleiner Schwächen ist "Zeit des Wandels" ein gelungener und unterhaltsamer Beginn einer neuen Star-Trek-Reihe. Es bleibt abzuwarten, wie sich die Geschichte weiterentwickelt und ob die Reihe ihr volles Potenzial entfalten kann. Fans von Star Trek werden diesen Auftakt sicherlich genießen und gespannt auf die nächsten Abenteuer sein.
Die Dynamik zwischen den Charakteren und das Katz-und-Maus-Spiel bei der Suche nach der gestohlenen Jacht sorgen für Spannung. Besonders das Gerichtsverfahren im letzten Drittel der Geschichte hält den Leser in Atem. Allerdings wird die Handlung manchmal etwas unübersichtlich, da der rote Faden nicht immer klar gehalten wird.
Trotz kleiner Schwächen ist "Zeit des Wandels" ein gelungener und unterhaltsamer Beginn einer neuen Star-Trek-Reihe. Es bleibt abzuwarten, wie sich die Geschichte weiterentwickelt und ob die Reihe ihr volles Potenzial entfalten kann. Fans von Star Trek werden diesen Auftakt sicherlich genießen und gespannt auf die nächsten Abenteuer sein.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2018
This first volume in the "A Time To..." series of novels that bridge the gap between Star Trek Insurrection and Nemesis is a fast read and a welcome return for me to TNG characters and their timeline. I debated whether to read this series or just skip it and move on to post-Nemesis stories but saw later that these are foundational to additional TNG Relaunch stories and knew them I'd need to digest them.
As for the story itself, it is centered around a mysterious battlefield from the Dominion War that the Enterprise-E has been sent to, to help with cleanup, rescue and defense of the derelict technology and unrecovered casualties. While helping and investigating the mysteries of the site we get some interesting interplay between various pairs of characters--hints of romance between Picard and Crusher, the Imzadi pair of course, and some buddy moments between Data and Geordi. We even get some epic space battles of course, and the reintroduction of a long-lost... Traveler!
All in all, I enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the rest of the series.
As for the story itself, it is centered around a mysterious battlefield from the Dominion War that the Enterprise-E has been sent to, to help with cleanup, rescue and defense of the derelict technology and unrecovered casualties. While helping and investigating the mysteries of the site we get some interesting interplay between various pairs of characters--hints of romance between Picard and Crusher, the Imzadi pair of course, and some buddy moments between Data and Geordi. We even get some epic space battles of course, and the reintroduction of a long-lost... Traveler!
All in all, I enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the rest of the series.
September 28, 2022
A quick read with only one real complaint. Because I've been a fan of the show my entire life I think Captain Picard is less clearly like the person seen on screen in this book. The rest of the characters basically find themselves within where this would be in the timeline of the show and films.
What I appreciate about this book is that if someone isn't a Star Trek fan but enjoys science fiction they can come to this book without trouble. Necessary backstory is quickly filled in where relevant, but the rest is original material without needing any information from the show.
The page to page writing is good and doesn't slow to a boring crawl anywhere despite many opportunities to fall apart if the writer had felt like just writing by the numbers scenes without any intent.
Need to clear your head after something longer or heavier or boring? Try this thing out! Four out of five stars.
What I appreciate about this book is that if someone isn't a Star Trek fan but enjoys science fiction they can come to this book without trouble. Necessary backstory is quickly filled in where relevant, but the rest is original material without needing any information from the show.
The page to page writing is good and doesn't slow to a boring crawl anywhere despite many opportunities to fall apart if the writer had felt like just writing by the numbers scenes without any intent.
Need to clear your head after something longer or heavier or boring? Try this thing out! Four out of five stars.
August 28, 2024
The Start of An Adventure
This opening novel finds the Enterprise assigned to a graveyard left from the Dominion War. This area of space is not just a normal random zone though. In it are anomalies, unexplained gravity wells, and many scavengers looking for salvage to sell to the highest bidder. The section of the novel involving this zone was excellent. Hearing of the wreckage and those lost in it is an area Trek seldom covers with any depth. The different races involved are mysterious and interesting. I know moving forward following this entry there will be more uncovered about all involved as it does end on a cliffhanger. I know this is a series of nine books, but I wasn't sure if it was episodic or serialized. A Time to be Born was a breezy, interesting diving off point for this adventure, and I can't wait to find out what comes next.
This opening novel finds the Enterprise assigned to a graveyard left from the Dominion War. This area of space is not just a normal random zone though. In it are anomalies, unexplained gravity wells, and many scavengers looking for salvage to sell to the highest bidder. The section of the novel involving this zone was excellent. Hearing of the wreckage and those lost in it is an area Trek seldom covers with any depth. The different races involved are mysterious and interesting. I know moving forward following this entry there will be more uncovered about all involved as it does end on a cliffhanger. I know this is a series of nine books, but I wasn't sure if it was episodic or serialized. A Time to be Born was a breezy, interesting diving off point for this adventure, and I can't wait to find out what comes next.
nope
August 15, 2022To be perfectly honest, I only read the first chapter of this book before giving up on it, and even then I skimmed the last few pages. I've been waiting to start this series for a while (not for any particular reason; I've just had some of the series on my shelf for a few years and finally found the first book), and for it to have such a lousy beginning, well, it's just not a good sign. I've said this in other reviews of ST books- I don't expect them to be Literature, but they still have to be readable and at least somewhat true to the series. I have way too many books in my to-read list to stick with crappy books.
August 31, 2024
Star Trek: A Time to… #1: A Time to Born
This book was frustrating. I’ve enjoyed another books of Vornholt such as the Dominon War miniseries and Rogue Saucer was one of my favourite Trek books I read last year. But this was frustrating. The initial hook of Picard dealing with a battle site from the Dominon War wasn’t really that interesting. And the Andorissi really pissed me off and came off as really dickish and unlikable. Idk why they irked me so much. I also didn’t see the point of taking such a critical look at Picard and putting him on trial. I’m not opposed to it but it was done in a way that was disrespectful. This book was a frustrating mess for me.
6/10
This book was frustrating. I’ve enjoyed another books of Vornholt such as the Dominon War miniseries and Rogue Saucer was one of my favourite Trek books I read last year. But this was frustrating. The initial hook of Picard dealing with a battle site from the Dominon War wasn’t really that interesting. And the Andorissi really pissed me off and came off as really dickish and unlikable. Idk why they irked me so much. I also didn’t see the point of taking such a critical look at Picard and putting him on trial. I’m not opposed to it but it was done in a way that was disrespectful. This book was a frustrating mess for me.
6/10
March 2, 2018
I'm not great at reviews, but bear with me.
This book frustrates me so much. It was entertaining for the most part but to get a "to be continued" type ending in a book, in my opinion, is like a slap in the face.
Then there's a story line that pops in and out throughout the book that was really frustrating because I felt like I didn't have enough details, and it seemed completely pointless... until the last paragraph.
Then the most enjoyable part of the book, the court room stuff, seemed rushed through.
I will be buying the next book, but I'm not happy about it.
This book frustrates me so much. It was entertaining for the most part but to get a "to be continued" type ending in a book, in my opinion, is like a slap in the face.
Then there's a story line that pops in and out throughout the book that was really frustrating because I felt like I didn't have enough details, and it seemed completely pointless... until the last paragraph.
Then the most enjoyable part of the book, the court room stuff, seemed rushed through.
I will be buying the next book, but I'm not happy about it.
January 5, 2023
wow that was so much fun! what a good star trek book for the beginning of my MASSIVE star trek year (I'm aiming to get through 60 ST books!). It started off as a bit of a basic storyline but about 2/3 through it really stepped up with the destruction of the Ontallian flagship, and then the revenge attack on the Juno! That was like a horror movie moment imo. Then the final third with the court case was excellent. The only thing I don't love is everything with the Traveler - Wesley and the magical Traveler stuff are never gonna be interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2021
Lite snärjig bok att läsa, men om man gillar TNG-besättningen är den ett måste. Den är början på en längre berättelse om vad som hände före Star Trek Nemesis när besättningen splittrades. Denna bok har en fokus på Picard och Data. Den har sin avslutning i nästa bok, A Time to Die, och den känns alltså lite snärjig och lite väl mycket utan något större djup i personporträtten. Personerna kunde ha beskrivits bättre och jag är lite besviken på Vornholt, han borde kunna bättre. En trevlig bok ändå, och för alla TNG-fans ett kärt återseende.
May 30, 2021
I read this when it came out in 2004, and I remember enjoying it, but it really doesn't hold up that well. Most of the characters seem, well, a little out of character. No one behaves the way people really behave. The legal battle the fills the last 50 or so pages is really rather dull. The whole experience has slightly dampened my enthusiasm to do a full reread of Relaunch Trek but I think I'll persevere. It'll get better. It has to.
August 31, 2023
The fact that this novel is so straightforwardly structured is, surprisingly, to its detriment. The trial at the end serves to recap everything we have already read, without new context or passion, making the final 30 pages even more of a slog than the rest of the novel.
Having now read 4 of his books (and staring down the barrel of at least 3 more), I can definitively state that i am not a fan of John Vornholt as a TREK writer.
Having now read 4 of his books (and staring down the barrel of at least 3 more), I can definitively state that i am not a fan of John Vornholt as a TREK writer.
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