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Star Trek: Enterprise: Rise of the Federation #5
Patterns of Interference
The saga of the Star Trek: Enterprise TV series continues with this thrilling original novel!
The time has come to act. Following the destructive consequences of the Ware crisis, Admiral Jonathan Archer and Section 31 agent Trip Tucker both attempt to change their institutions to prevent further such tragedies. Archer pushes for a Starfleet directive of non-interference, but he faces opposition from allies within the fleet and unwelcome support from adversaries who wish to drive the Federation into complete isolationism. Meanwhile, Tucker plays a dangerous game against the corrupt leaders of Section 31, hoping to bring down their conspiracy once and for all. But is he willing to jeopardize Archer’s efforts—and perhaps the fate of an entire world—in order to win?
™, ®, & © 2016 CBS Studios, Inc. Star Trek and related marks are trademarks of CBS Studios, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The time has come to act. Following the destructive consequences of the Ware crisis, Admiral Jonathan Archer and Section 31 agent Trip Tucker both attempt to change their institutions to prevent further such tragedies. Archer pushes for a Starfleet directive of non-interference, but he faces opposition from allies within the fleet and unwelcome support from adversaries who wish to drive the Federation into complete isolationism. Meanwhile, Tucker plays a dangerous game against the corrupt leaders of Section 31, hoping to bring down their conspiracy once and for all. But is he willing to jeopardize Archer’s efforts—and perhaps the fate of an entire world—in order to win?
™, ®, & © 2016 CBS Studios, Inc. Star Trek and related marks are trademarks of CBS Studios, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
354 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 29, 2017
61 people are currently reading
441 people want to read
About the author
Christopher L. Bennett
69 books219 followersChristopher L. Bennett is a lifelong resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, with a B.S. in Physics and a B.A. in History from the University of Cincinnati. A fan of science and science fiction since age five, he has spent the past two decades selling original short fiction to magazines such as Analog Science Fiction and Fact (home of his "Hub" series of comedy adventures), BuzzyMag, and Galaxy's Edge. Since 2003, he has been one of Pocket Books' most prolific and popular authors of Star Trek tie-in fiction, including the epic Next Generation prequel The Buried Age, the Star Trek: Department of Temporal Investigations series, and the Star Trek: Enterprise -- Rise of the Federation series. He has also written two Marvel Comics novels, X-Men: Watchers on the Walls and Spider-Man: Drowned in Thunder. His original novel Only Superhuman, perhaps the first hard science fiction superhero novel, was voted Library Journal's SF/Fantasy Debut of the Month for October 2012. Other tales in the same universe can be found in Among the Wild Cybers and the upcoming Arachne's Crime, both from eSpec Books. His Hub stories are available in two collections from Mystique Press.
Christopher's homepage, fiction annotations, and blog can be found at christopherlbennett.wordpress.com. His Patreon page with original fiction and reviews is at https://www.patreon.com/christopherlb..., and his Facebook author page is at www.facebook.com/ChristopherLBennettA....
Christopher's homepage, fiction annotations, and blog can be found at christopherlbennett.wordpress.com. His Patreon page with original fiction and reviews is at https://www.patreon.com/christopherlb..., and his Facebook author page is at www.facebook.com/ChristopherLBennettA....
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 12, 2020
In diesem Band aus der Frühzeit der Förderation gibt es verschiedene Handlungsstränge, die die Zeit nach dem Ende der Ware beschreiben, zum einen der Versuch Trip Tuckers, die geheimnisvolle Sektion 31 zu Fall zu bringen, zum anderen wird die Nichteinmischungs-Direktive, die von Admiral Archer ausgeht und als Erste Direktive in die Geschichte eingehen wird, von vielen Förderationsmitgliedern kritisiert. Außerdem wird im Handlungsstrang um den saurianischen Diktator Maltuvis beide Handlungsstränge, Sektion 31 und die erste Direktive, behandelt, unterstützt und konterkariert...
Ein guter, aber kein großartiger Star Trek Roman, immerhin wird auf die Erste Direktive eingegangen und viele moralische und ethische Fragen erörtert, Archer agiert hier zum ersten mal als der charismatischer Politiker, wie er im Star Trek Kanon als künftiger Förderationspräsident erwähnt wird; ... und Portas stirbt !
Ein guter, aber kein großartiger Star Trek Roman, immerhin wird auf die Erste Direktive eingegangen und viele moralische und ethische Fragen erörtert, Archer agiert hier zum ersten mal als der charismatischer Politiker, wie er im Star Trek Kanon als künftiger Förderationspräsident erwähnt wird; ... und Portas stirbt !
January 6, 2018
“Patterns of Interference” by Christopher L. Bennett is the fifth novel in the “Birth of the Federation” series which continues the adventures of the crew from Star Trek Enterprise. This book was probably the weakest in this series which is a shame as up until now I had been finding the series to be incredibly enjoyable.
The novel is set in the first few months of 2166 as the federation continues to deal with multiple issues. The main plot point however is in relation to the planet Sauria and the dictator, Maltuvis who is determined to undermine the Federation in order to cement his own power. Into this dangerous situation comes Tucker who is determined to undermine Maltuvis's authority in a manner which could also bring down Section 31 as well. This is supported by various other plotlines such as Hoshi and the crew of the Endeavor on the world Birnam who are dealing with what could be a sentient race of Dryads. In addition, we also get to see the growth in relationship between Malcolm Reed & Caroline Paris
I suppose the reason why this book disappointed me in comparison to the earlier books is that it simply felt like a filler and it feels like Bennett is sometimes struggling to give some characters interesting things to do. I worry that the series appears to be turning into “The Adventures of Trip” rather than properly progressing all the characters and delving into some of the open plot points from the series.
What Bennett does do well is that he once again showcases his understanding of the characters in the Enterprise universe and his skill at bringing them to the page. I just didn’t feel as entertained as I had with the previous entries in the series although this doesn’t make “Patterns of Interference” a bad book, it just makes it an average book.
Overall, this is still a reasonably solid Trek novel but it just didn’t capture my attention to the same extent as the previous novels. I am hoping that in the next book we will see some of these plots get closed down and maybe give less page time to Trip!
The novel is set in the first few months of 2166 as the federation continues to deal with multiple issues. The main plot point however is in relation to the planet Sauria and the dictator, Maltuvis who is determined to undermine the Federation in order to cement his own power. Into this dangerous situation comes Tucker who is determined to undermine Maltuvis's authority in a manner which could also bring down Section 31 as well. This is supported by various other plotlines such as Hoshi and the crew of the Endeavor on the world Birnam who are dealing with what could be a sentient race of Dryads. In addition, we also get to see the growth in relationship between Malcolm Reed & Caroline Paris
I suppose the reason why this book disappointed me in comparison to the earlier books is that it simply felt like a filler and it feels like Bennett is sometimes struggling to give some characters interesting things to do. I worry that the series appears to be turning into “The Adventures of Trip” rather than properly progressing all the characters and delving into some of the open plot points from the series.
What Bennett does do well is that he once again showcases his understanding of the characters in the Enterprise universe and his skill at bringing them to the page. I just didn’t feel as entertained as I had with the previous entries in the series although this doesn’t make “Patterns of Interference” a bad book, it just makes it an average book.
Overall, this is still a reasonably solid Trek novel but it just didn’t capture my attention to the same extent as the previous novels. I am hoping that in the next book we will see some of these plots get closed down and maybe give less page time to Trip!
March 13, 2019
It's another incredibly busy "Rise of the Federation" entry, but this time the plots all come to an interesting climax, and there is much interest to be found in all of its stories. The Saurian revolution is actually the plot I found least interesting; I was far more engaged by the beautiful exploration of the dryads, and all the emotional struggles of the various Federation characters dancing around Section 31 and the proto-prime directive discussions. I do hope there is another entry, because Christopher Bennett has certainly made me give more of a damn about "Enterprise" with his novels than the TV show ever managed with the majority of its episodes.
July 16, 2021
*** Spoiler alerts *** Mixed reviews. Section 31, Trip and T'Pol
This was another great adventure. I loved everything about it. The story line was less convoluted than the Romulan war books. There was an A story, Trip Tucker stops Section 31, and a B story, Hoshi and the dendriforms, and both were very satisfying. The adventure held my attention through the very last moment. And I did not predict anything that happened. I've loved reading all of the Enterprise Books that I've read so far. I started reading where the TV series left off, so I can go back to the first books in the series to keep the fun going.
Which brings me to my central problem: I started reading these books to find out what really happens Trip and T'Pol. I, like many fans of Star Trek Enterprise, found the series finale very unsatisfying. Because Trip is killed, and he and T'Pol never get together. The Enterprise books do resolve that question somewhat. There is an epilogue that shows a future happily ever after. But my great hope was that this would be the book that would show me how they got "from there to here". Instead, I'm left with more questions than answers, and only the vague satisfaction that eventually, somehow, they find a way to be together. I don't know if this ending makes this a better book from a literary standpoint. All I know is, seeing Trip and T'Pol have a second chance at happiness was my main motivation for reading the Enterprise books. And that goal feels only partly fulfilled. I'm one of those romantic readers that wants to see every step of the way along the path of two people finally finding each other and beginning their life together.
Frankly, I really need one more book, from this author, that does just that. I would love to see Trip and Devna have one last adventure before she makes her life among the Deltans, and Trip installs himself on Vulcan in T'Pol's house as her groundskeeper, and eventually finds a way to communicate to her safely through subspace. That he's alive, and well.… and waiting. Fill in the blanks, blah, blah, but I need that book. And I think lots of other Enterprise fans do too. For now, I'll have to satisfy myself with reading the series again, from the beginning.
Don't get me wrong, I loved the entire ride. But I have questions that need to be answered. Which is what the best writers do, I guess; leave you wanting more. Thanks for that.
This was another great adventure. I loved everything about it. The story line was less convoluted than the Romulan war books. There was an A story, Trip Tucker stops Section 31, and a B story, Hoshi and the dendriforms, and both were very satisfying. The adventure held my attention through the very last moment. And I did not predict anything that happened. I've loved reading all of the Enterprise Books that I've read so far. I started reading where the TV series left off, so I can go back to the first books in the series to keep the fun going.
Which brings me to my central problem: I started reading these books to find out what really happens Trip and T'Pol. I, like many fans of Star Trek Enterprise, found the series finale very unsatisfying. Because Trip is killed, and he and T'Pol never get together. The Enterprise books do resolve that question somewhat. There is an epilogue that shows a future happily ever after. But my great hope was that this would be the book that would show me how they got "from there to here". Instead, I'm left with more questions than answers, and only the vague satisfaction that eventually, somehow, they find a way to be together. I don't know if this ending makes this a better book from a literary standpoint. All I know is, seeing Trip and T'Pol have a second chance at happiness was my main motivation for reading the Enterprise books. And that goal feels only partly fulfilled. I'm one of those romantic readers that wants to see every step of the way along the path of two people finally finding each other and beginning their life together.
Frankly, I really need one more book, from this author, that does just that. I would love to see Trip and Devna have one last adventure before she makes her life among the Deltans, and Trip installs himself on Vulcan in T'Pol's house as her groundskeeper, and eventually finds a way to communicate to her safely through subspace. That he's alive, and well.… and waiting. Fill in the blanks, blah, blah, but I need that book. And I think lots of other Enterprise fans do too. For now, I'll have to satisfy myself with reading the series again, from the beginning.
Don't get me wrong, I loved the entire ride. But I have questions that need to be answered. Which is what the best writers do, I guess; leave you wanting more. Thanks for that.
November 8, 2020
Since this book was published in 2017 and there's been no news since I can only assume this is the final book in the Enterprise Relaunch series, at least for the time being.
The TV series Star Trek: Enterprise was the first Star Trek series to be cancelled since The Original Series back in the 1960s, and it was just as it was getting interesting. It had an arguably rocky start, but found its footing by the fourth season, really becoming something special. Episodes had story arcs that began connected the disparate elements of the prequel with the later series, they began to have fun with the format. It gradually became a really great part of Star Trek.
Then it had the worst finale of any Star Trek series. It somehow became a Star Trek: The Next Generation episode featuring characters from Enterprise.
This relaunch series corrected that finale in a really interesting way and continued the adventures of the characters, it allowed them to grow and evolve so they were no longer together on one ship, but took them in completely different directions. It's been fun being able to revisit these characters, meet new ones and flesh out more of this era.
This final book fell a bit flat for me. It was fine dealing with ethical and moral questions relating to the Federations interactions with other societies and whether it's the right thing to do. We know later this leads to the Prime Directive, a Starfleet rule that prohibits the involvement in pre-warp civilizations. I found these debates in the novel very Star Trek, and I enjoyed seeing both sides of the argument.
T'Pol and the USS Endeavour have a very Star Trekky story on a planet full of maybe sentient trees, trying to figure out if they are in fact sentient and whether harvesting them for their chemical properties would be right. I liked this element of the book because it does feel like a Star Trek episode, but it would have worked better as its own novel. It didn't connect at all with the main plot points of the book, except for a tenuous connection with the questions of non-interference.
The main story focused on Maltuvis, the dictator of planet Sauria and whether Starfleet should intervene considering they inadvertently helped establish his rule. Trip attempts to destroy the clandestine organisation "Section 31" for good by framing them in a plot with Maltuvis, but it's hard to take that much interest in the destruction of the group considering we know they're alive and well in the 24th Century, some two hundred years later.
Overall, it was nice connecting with these characters again, but I hope it's not the last we hear from them as it really didn't feel like any kind of grand finale they deserve. Although it was still better than the final episode of the series.
Quick edit: I only just discovered Christopher Bennett's blog, I highly recommend it. He goes into great detail about each of his books, references to other works and his thinking behind certain elements. It's so nerdy, I love it.
The TV series Star Trek: Enterprise was the first Star Trek series to be cancelled since The Original Series back in the 1960s, and it was just as it was getting interesting. It had an arguably rocky start, but found its footing by the fourth season, really becoming something special. Episodes had story arcs that began connected the disparate elements of the prequel with the later series, they began to have fun with the format. It gradually became a really great part of Star Trek.
Then it had the worst finale of any Star Trek series. It somehow became a Star Trek: The Next Generation episode featuring characters from Enterprise.
This relaunch series corrected that finale in a really interesting way and continued the adventures of the characters, it allowed them to grow and evolve so they were no longer together on one ship, but took them in completely different directions. It's been fun being able to revisit these characters, meet new ones and flesh out more of this era.
This final book fell a bit flat for me. It was fine dealing with ethical and moral questions relating to the Federations interactions with other societies and whether it's the right thing to do. We know later this leads to the Prime Directive, a Starfleet rule that prohibits the involvement in pre-warp civilizations. I found these debates in the novel very Star Trek, and I enjoyed seeing both sides of the argument.
T'Pol and the USS Endeavour have a very Star Trekky story on a planet full of maybe sentient trees, trying to figure out if they are in fact sentient and whether harvesting them for their chemical properties would be right. I liked this element of the book because it does feel like a Star Trek episode, but it would have worked better as its own novel. It didn't connect at all with the main plot points of the book, except for a tenuous connection with the questions of non-interference.
The main story focused on Maltuvis, the dictator of planet Sauria and whether Starfleet should intervene considering they inadvertently helped establish his rule. Trip attempts to destroy the clandestine organisation "Section 31" for good by framing them in a plot with Maltuvis, but it's hard to take that much interest in the destruction of the group considering we know they're alive and well in the 24th Century, some two hundred years later.
Overall, it was nice connecting with these characters again, but I hope it's not the last we hear from them as it really didn't feel like any kind of grand finale they deserve. Although it was still better than the final episode of the series.
Quick edit: I only just discovered Christopher Bennett's blog, I highly recommend it. He goes into great detail about each of his books, references to other works and his thinking behind certain elements. It's so nerdy, I love it.
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November 24, 2017עד כאן בספרות מסע בין כוכבים - עליית הפדרציה, עד הודעה חדשה, הקריאה מתאימה למעריכים המושבעים
January 26, 2020
"Saurians were a confident, self-reliant people on the whole, and understandable attribute given their great physical robustness. They had evolved in response to a harsh, dangerous environment, and that response had essentially amounted to 'Oh yeah? Take your best shot!'" (Page 191)
I'm tapping out. I am so beyond upset I couldn't get into this book. I love Star Trek, especially Enterprise. And believe me, I love (LOVE) me some Trip Tucker.
But (HUGE but) the writing, the forced encounters, the multitude of characters, the exposition (nearly 200 pages in, no less)... I can't finish this.
It reminds me of H2G2: It is not a great read, because it was meant to be heard -- as it started as a BBC Radio 4 broadcast. No wonder I had such a hard time reading it.
Now accepting your favorite (better-written) Star Trek novels.
I'm tapping out. I am so beyond upset I couldn't get into this book. I love Star Trek, especially Enterprise. And believe me, I love (LOVE) me some Trip Tucker.
But (HUGE but) the writing, the forced encounters, the multitude of characters, the exposition (nearly 200 pages in, no less)... I can't finish this.
It reminds me of H2G2: It is not a great read, because it was meant to be heard -- as it started as a BBC Radio 4 broadcast. No wonder I had such a hard time reading it.
Now accepting your favorite (better-written) Star Trek novels.
September 29, 2024
This was a terrible book. The virtue signaling in the recent books has been a real turn off, and this was the worst yet. You can tell the authors own personal biases pretty easy, and there's a lot of projection going on. I think I'm done with this series as its been going down hill, but this was the bottom of the barrel.
July 22, 2025
Lots of thoughts. This is three reviews in one, including the book itself, the Rise of the Federation series, and the relaunch novels as a whole.
In A Choice of Futures, Trip and Devna have a discussion about freedom, and that discussion is brought back and expanded on in big ways. Trip has been doing clandestine side quests for nine books and has been struggling with it for five books, so to come to some sort of conclusion is important. It's the fact that he doesn't really do anything that makes it. It's an interesting position because on one hand, who wants an anticlimax?, but on another I never expected a wonderful ending for him with this book. I think the fruitlessness of his actions is powerful, but I can understand if it "subverted expectations." Trip really has been the most compelling person in these books, and it's very neat that Mangels, Martin, and Bennett were able to put him in such an interesting direction and keep him there. This may be the place to say that Devna is very compelling as well.
When I was watching Enterprise, I found Archer petulant and annoying, but I began to think that less and less as the show reached its conclusion. The relaunch authors have done a fine job continuing that and keeping me emotionally involved. Bennett narrowed the focus to his job, his personal life, and his relationships with other characters in a sincere and thoughtful way. Porthos' death may be a metaphor for end of the halcyon days of the books. 2017 was the last year that all the novel lines were firing on all cylinders. It was the end of an era in that respect and I feel as though I missed out on something I would have enjoyed had I been born a little earlier. The last scene was very cute and it serves as a good contrast to a previous scene with Soval.
It couldn't be more obvious that this book was written in 2017. There are just some things about it. I used the subverting expectations line partly in reference to The Last Jedi, the most 2017 movie ever. But it's just obvious that something large on a socio-cultural scale happened between Live by the Code and Patterns of Intereference. There's a lot more of what me who was twelve years old at the time would call "woke." I have definitely evolved since then into a well-adjusted human being but I remember the kinds of things that I would see that would set off my "woke radar" and those things are present. Over reading this book I have come to understand it as an artifact of its time, but the change should have been more gradual nonetheless. I don't disagree with anything that was said, but I feel a little patronized because I was able to recognize the themes in Uncertain Logic on my own.
I could understand how an unemployed Gen X er with a boom mic and a comic collection could see Trip's arc in this book and think "bastardization" and "white man bad" as at the time they were searching for any instant of that to feel attacked. I think the real character disappointment was Hoshi. I'm not saying "the woke mob ruined Hoshi" because I don't think that anything that I have spoken about before is related to what happens with her. I had expressed before that a relationship arc for a character can be kind of lazy because the character is being developed in relation to another person. I think that jeopardizing that relationship for plot was lazy. I don't care about Hoshi's engagement as much as I care about her in the context of herself. I think there could have been a better way for her inner emotions to be expressed within the plot of the story. A way that wouldn't compel me to dislike her. I think more "friend nuggets" with her and T'Pol would have been good, as that was a major improvement over the TV show.
I was worried halfway through the book that Section 31 would lose too much of its mystery, because I feel like the less we know about it the more compelling is. Enough of the mystery was preserved for me to not be disappointed.
I have failed to mention Val Williams and Sam Kirk in any of my reviews for this series. In terms of just this book, they are good but they are not players. I think they have been good in previous books, but maybe a little bit better. They are done better than Hoshi in regards to my comments about relationships. The ships' crews remain well-developed and not forgettable.
Points taken for random goon tangents.
Patterns of Interference is the weakest in its subseries, but it's not disappointing in the areas that count the most. I am okay with something low-key and more personal. I can view it more favorably in the context of the subseries rather than on its own. I also view it well when it is compared to the whole relaunch. Overall, all of these are good, and I didn't have trouble getting through them. Bye Bye Enterprise.
Enterprise relaunch novels ranked:
1. The Good That Men Do
2. Kobayashi Maru
3. Beneath the Raptor's Wing
4. Uncertain Logic
5. To Brave the Storm
6. A Choice of Futures
7. Tower of Babel
8. Live by the Code
9. Patterns of Interference
In A Choice of Futures, Trip and Devna have a discussion about freedom, and that discussion is brought back and expanded on in big ways. Trip has been doing clandestine side quests for nine books and has been struggling with it for five books, so to come to some sort of conclusion is important. It's the fact that he doesn't really do anything that makes it. It's an interesting position because on one hand, who wants an anticlimax?, but on another I never expected a wonderful ending for him with this book. I think the fruitlessness of his actions is powerful, but I can understand if it "subverted expectations." Trip really has been the most compelling person in these books, and it's very neat that Mangels, Martin, and Bennett were able to put him in such an interesting direction and keep him there. This may be the place to say that Devna is very compelling as well.
When I was watching Enterprise, I found Archer petulant and annoying, but I began to think that less and less as the show reached its conclusion. The relaunch authors have done a fine job continuing that and keeping me emotionally involved. Bennett narrowed the focus to his job, his personal life, and his relationships with other characters in a sincere and thoughtful way. Porthos' death may be a metaphor for end of the halcyon days of the books. 2017 was the last year that all the novel lines were firing on all cylinders. It was the end of an era in that respect and I feel as though I missed out on something I would have enjoyed had I been born a little earlier. The last scene was very cute and it serves as a good contrast to a previous scene with Soval.
It couldn't be more obvious that this book was written in 2017. There are just some things about it. I used the subverting expectations line partly in reference to The Last Jedi, the most 2017 movie ever. But it's just obvious that something large on a socio-cultural scale happened between Live by the Code and Patterns of Intereference. There's a lot more of what me who was twelve years old at the time would call "woke." I have definitely evolved since then into a well-adjusted human being but I remember the kinds of things that I would see that would set off my "woke radar" and those things are present. Over reading this book I have come to understand it as an artifact of its time, but the change should have been more gradual nonetheless. I don't disagree with anything that was said, but I feel a little patronized because I was able to recognize the themes in Uncertain Logic on my own.
I could understand how an unemployed Gen X er with a boom mic and a comic collection could see Trip's arc in this book and think "bastardization" and "white man bad" as at the time they were searching for any instant of that to feel attacked. I think the real character disappointment was Hoshi. I'm not saying "the woke mob ruined Hoshi" because I don't think that anything that I have spoken about before is related to what happens with her. I had expressed before that a relationship arc for a character can be kind of lazy because the character is being developed in relation to another person. I think that jeopardizing that relationship for plot was lazy. I don't care about Hoshi's engagement as much as I care about her in the context of herself. I think there could have been a better way for her inner emotions to be expressed within the plot of the story. A way that wouldn't compel me to dislike her. I think more "friend nuggets" with her and T'Pol would have been good, as that was a major improvement over the TV show.
I was worried halfway through the book that Section 31 would lose too much of its mystery, because I feel like the less we know about it the more compelling is. Enough of the mystery was preserved for me to not be disappointed.
I have failed to mention Val Williams and Sam Kirk in any of my reviews for this series. In terms of just this book, they are good but they are not players. I think they have been good in previous books, but maybe a little bit better. They are done better than Hoshi in regards to my comments about relationships. The ships' crews remain well-developed and not forgettable.
Points taken for random goon tangents.
Patterns of Interference is the weakest in its subseries, but it's not disappointing in the areas that count the most. I am okay with something low-key and more personal. I can view it more favorably in the context of the subseries rather than on its own. I also view it well when it is compared to the whole relaunch. Overall, all of these are good, and I didn't have trouble getting through them. Bye Bye Enterprise.
Enterprise relaunch novels ranked:
1. The Good That Men Do
2. Kobayashi Maru
3. Beneath the Raptor's Wing
4. Uncertain Logic
5. To Brave the Storm
6. A Choice of Futures
7. Tower of Babel
8. Live by the Code
9. Patterns of Interference
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2017
Overall a very pleasant read. Between the figures introduced during the series, the assorted spouses / SIs and supporting characters like Devna and Anthony Ruiz, the Enterprise Timeline is right now the Star Trek subseries I find the easiest to relate to. Honorary Mention goes to Valery Williams and Sam Kirk of USS Pioneer, whose romance in the previous books was more of an annoyance to me, but here really took an important place in the story and outshone everybody else. I like such pleasant surprises.
Also a wonderful experience was seeing how so many previously opened and interconnected strings were brought to an end... Section 31, the Saurian Civil War started by the Tyrannical Emperor Maltuvis, the secretive dealings of the Orion Sisters whom Tucker met time and again, even Tucker himself found kind of a closure and after the multiple book string dealing with the Ware and later the Partnership, this was a much needed bout of spring cleaning so the Federation and its proudest vessels could go on to new tasks. I thought that this part of the story was handled very well.
Sadly some of the dealing with old things got at times too close to climbing onto a soapbox and there were dozens of thinly veiled currently debated subjects written into the dialogue with a sledgehammer. I liked the storyarc around Morgan Kelly the transwoman serving as Bryce Shumar's Security Officer on USS Essex, but the mentioning of homosexual rights got a bit thick for people living not in 2016 but in 2165.
Not too big a fan of the too open parallels to our modern world in "escapist" literature i want to read for relaxation.
Lastly there was a storyarc nearly exclusively centered on Sato Hoshi and her dealing with the problematic nature of her relationship to the still deformed Kimura Takashi. Parts of this storyarc were amongst the highlights of the book, like the onsen-scene (just a few lines really, but very strong emotionally) but the poor Hoshi also had to serve as the vehicle for the most clumsily inserted tearjerker / emotional blackmail scene of the novel as she could emphatically pronounce her undying love for her disfigured fiancé and how it was this loving too much that drove her to distraction and almost into a heartbreaking affair on the world whose environment is comparable to having an IV drip of Energy drink 24/7. Didn't enjoy that pathos in the least, the quiet comfortable support earlier was way more moving and relatable. This speech otoh was pure theater dramatism. But other than that, the Dryads, the sentient plants studied during her mission and almost falling victim to capitalist space-merchants (Boomers like Mayweathers family but specialiced in pharmaceutical components and harvesting them from newly discovered worlds) were still a treat, despite their plot falling almost aside due to the romantic distress of Commander Sato...
at the end of the book - with Archer giving up (at least for now) on his dream of a Federation non-interference directive like the Vulcans had from the onset of the Enterprise series - Tucker is presumably dead and definitely AWOL, Reed has taken over as Archers AdC, his ship goes to his girlfriend Caroline Paris (who therefore won't die with the rest of the Essex crew as known from TNG) and Endeavour and Essex are still on exploration missions.
I'm happy to see this crossroads pass and curious what big story will be presented to us next. It's a big galaxy for a newfangled Federation and lots of exciting possibilities are open.
Also a wonderful experience was seeing how so many previously opened and interconnected strings were brought to an end... Section 31, the Saurian Civil War started by the Tyrannical Emperor Maltuvis, the secretive dealings of the Orion Sisters whom Tucker met time and again, even Tucker himself found kind of a closure and after the multiple book string dealing with the Ware and later the Partnership, this was a much needed bout of spring cleaning so the Federation and its proudest vessels could go on to new tasks. I thought that this part of the story was handled very well.
Sadly some of the dealing with old things got at times too close to climbing onto a soapbox and there were dozens of thinly veiled currently debated subjects written into the dialogue with a sledgehammer. I liked the storyarc around Morgan Kelly the transwoman serving as Bryce Shumar's Security Officer on USS Essex, but the mentioning of homosexual rights got a bit thick for people living not in 2016 but in 2165.
Not too big a fan of the too open parallels to our modern world in "escapist" literature i want to read for relaxation.
Lastly there was a storyarc nearly exclusively centered on Sato Hoshi and her dealing with the problematic nature of her relationship to the still deformed Kimura Takashi. Parts of this storyarc were amongst the highlights of the book, like the onsen-scene (just a few lines really, but very strong emotionally) but the poor Hoshi also had to serve as the vehicle for the most clumsily inserted tearjerker / emotional blackmail scene of the novel as she could emphatically pronounce her undying love for her disfigured fiancé and how it was this loving too much that drove her to distraction and almost into a heartbreaking affair on the world whose environment is comparable to having an IV drip of Energy drink 24/7. Didn't enjoy that pathos in the least, the quiet comfortable support earlier was way more moving and relatable. This speech otoh was pure theater dramatism. But other than that, the Dryads, the sentient plants studied during her mission and almost falling victim to capitalist space-merchants (Boomers like Mayweathers family but specialiced in pharmaceutical components and harvesting them from newly discovered worlds) were still a treat, despite their plot falling almost aside due to the romantic distress of Commander Sato...
at the end of the book - with Archer giving up (at least for now) on his dream of a Federation non-interference directive like the Vulcans had from the onset of the Enterprise series - Tucker is presumably dead and definitely AWOL, Reed has taken over as Archers AdC, his ship goes to his girlfriend Caroline Paris (who therefore won't die with the rest of the Essex crew as known from TNG) and Endeavour and Essex are still on exploration missions.
I'm happy to see this crossroads pass and curious what big story will be presented to us next. It's a big galaxy for a newfangled Federation and lots of exciting possibilities are open.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2017
Obvious benefits of a media tie-in novel are the lack of production value constraints. This means authors are free to make use of a vast array of characters and create new planets beyond the typical constrictions of special effects. Bennett has capitalized on these abilities to great extent, especially writing a familiar cast of characters no longer centered on a single starship. He brings the crew of the original Enterprise to life as they continue their lives beyond the course of the television series, both separately and yet still inextricably linked. He also expands beyond the names on the title cards to create reader bonds to both new and unique characters and those with some familiar names, such as Kirk and Paris.
In addition, the unique planets of “Sauria” and Birnam come alive on the page. In both cases, the environments and life-forms (sentient or otherwise) aren’t reduced to what the special effects team of a network television show could afford. Sauria would not be as well-developed without the specific details revealed about the world and its varied inhabitants (extra points especially given to the author for breaking beyond the SF stereotype of a planet with a monoculture). And Birnam on screen might be a CGI nightmare instead of the fantasy-inspired magical landscape filled with unique bioforms.
The downside to such a sprawling cast of characters is that the reader is constantly bounced between story lines. For the most part, our familiar favorites are given solid arcs of growth and development, but there are a few cases where representation seems to exist solely to support a later plot twist.
Conversely to that critique, however, is the acknowledgement that must be made of the very deliberate way Bennett has structured this series, with side plots in previous books growing to major events in later installments. It could be very easy to be irritated that T’Pol and Sato’s contributions to this novel were inspecting a random planet and having relationship angst (both in their own unique ways), but I find myself hoping that the events on Birnam spawn another fantastic narrative in a future book (especially if it means yet a closer look at Space Boomer culture as it conflicts with the growth of the Federation and the corresponding increased presence and role of Starfleet in previously “Boomer” domains).
Finally, a hat-tip must be made to the deft way Bennett has written a major villain of this novel, the despotic Maltuvis. His character progression began years ago, in real time, based on the way novels are written and published, but the author has managed to weave relevant real-world parallels into the character and his actions without making him seem too obvious a caricature or beating the reader over the head with an overt political viewpoint.
Though I read the first four novels in the Rise of the Federation sequence in quick succession almost two years ago, I quickly fell back into this particular slice of Star Trek “history” and I can’t wait to see where things go from here.
In addition, the unique planets of “Sauria” and Birnam come alive on the page. In both cases, the environments and life-forms (sentient or otherwise) aren’t reduced to what the special effects team of a network television show could afford. Sauria would not be as well-developed without the specific details revealed about the world and its varied inhabitants (extra points especially given to the author for breaking beyond the SF stereotype of a planet with a monoculture). And Birnam on screen might be a CGI nightmare instead of the fantasy-inspired magical landscape filled with unique bioforms.
The downside to such a sprawling cast of characters is that the reader is constantly bounced between story lines. For the most part, our familiar favorites are given solid arcs of growth and development, but there are a few cases where representation seems to exist solely to support a later plot twist.
Conversely to that critique, however, is the acknowledgement that must be made of the very deliberate way Bennett has structured this series, with side plots in previous books growing to major events in later installments. It could be very easy to be irritated that T’Pol and Sato’s contributions to this novel were inspecting a random planet and having relationship angst (both in their own unique ways), but I find myself hoping that the events on Birnam spawn another fantastic narrative in a future book (especially if it means yet a closer look at Space Boomer culture as it conflicts with the growth of the Federation and the corresponding increased presence and role of Starfleet in previously “Boomer” domains).
Finally, a hat-tip must be made to the deft way Bennett has written a major villain of this novel, the despotic Maltuvis. His character progression began years ago, in real time, based on the way novels are written and published, but the author has managed to weave relevant real-world parallels into the character and his actions without making him seem too obvious a caricature or beating the reader over the head with an overt political viewpoint.
Though I read the first four novels in the Rise of the Federation sequence in quick succession almost two years ago, I quickly fell back into this particular slice of Star Trek “history” and I can’t wait to see where things go from here.
July 10, 2020
In the wake of the Ware crisis and its aftermath, the Federation debates policies of non-interference. But a situation of their own creation on Sauria may make non-interference an impossibility. Trip conspires with Archer and Reed to discredit Section 31 while bringing a resolution to the issue and prevent loss of life.
I have to admit that as the final novel in the Enterprise series so far, there is no real resolution for any of the on-going cast, except for Porthos. In fact, most of the main characters were left on the sidelines in this book in favor of original characters created by Bennett or a few other authors. For that reason, it didn't really feel like an Enterprise novel so much as one about the early years of the Federation. While that's not a bad thing, I'd prefer the title characters (if not the ship) get the majority of the action beats. I noticed that we were also not treated to one of Bennett's signature afterwards where he talks about his many influences and Easter Eggs.
The main plotline was overly convoluted and the twists seemed mundane and rote by comparison with some of the previous books. While there are still things to enjoy, this book isn't as solid as Bennett's earlier entries in the line. He does some interesting world-building as usual in a side story involving potentially sentient plant life (called Dryads) and even manages to expand upon the role and daily life of "boomers" during this time. The problem is that this storyline has no bearing on the Section 31 arc or the Saurian plot. While it give Hoshi and some of the Endeavor crew something to do, it doesn't amount to enough.
Likewise, the main plots end abruptly with little more than descriptions of the major resolutions. The revelation of the Saurian issues is described over a couple of pages and it just lacks the intensity that was built up. We get a small scene to wrap up Tucker's confrontation with Section 31, but it feels more like an afterthought than a real resolution. It was just a little disappointing after all of this had built up for years of novels.
While this wasn't a bad novel, it just didn't leave me feeling satisfied. Still, it was a better stopping point than the original TV series finale.
I have to admit that as the final novel in the Enterprise series so far, there is no real resolution for any of the on-going cast, except for Porthos. In fact, most of the main characters were left on the sidelines in this book in favor of original characters created by Bennett or a few other authors. For that reason, it didn't really feel like an Enterprise novel so much as one about the early years of the Federation. While that's not a bad thing, I'd prefer the title characters (if not the ship) get the majority of the action beats. I noticed that we were also not treated to one of Bennett's signature afterwards where he talks about his many influences and Easter Eggs.
The main plotline was overly convoluted and the twists seemed mundane and rote by comparison with some of the previous books. While there are still things to enjoy, this book isn't as solid as Bennett's earlier entries in the line. He does some interesting world-building as usual in a side story involving potentially sentient plant life (called Dryads) and even manages to expand upon the role and daily life of "boomers" during this time. The problem is that this storyline has no bearing on the Section 31 arc or the Saurian plot. While it give Hoshi and some of the Endeavor crew something to do, it doesn't amount to enough.
Likewise, the main plots end abruptly with little more than descriptions of the major resolutions. The revelation of the Saurian issues is described over a couple of pages and it just lacks the intensity that was built up. We get a small scene to wrap up Tucker's confrontation with Section 31, but it feels more like an afterthought than a real resolution. It was just a little disappointing after all of this had built up for years of novels.
While this wasn't a bad novel, it just didn't leave me feeling satisfied. Still, it was a better stopping point than the original TV series finale.
October 21, 2023
Patterns of Interference by Christopher L. Bennett
Challenging, dark, hopeful, inspiring, mysterious, reflective, sad, and tense.
Medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25 ⭐
Such bitter/sweet moment...finish a series of books.
The story did not end the way that I thought it would, though there were "endings" that brought tears to my eyes.
The closure needed for this "era" of Star Trek: Enterprise books to be finished was not there...so there is a hope, that some time (in the future, obviously...without using the Temporal Accords), we will again be able to read some more stories in this time frame. Fingers crossed.
The growth of Charles "Trip" Tucker in this series has been amazing. So much better than what he got in the TV series. But, still...I want more.
The growth of Admiral Jonathon Archer has been fun to read, too...though not as much as I hoped...once he got to the rank of Admiral. Sad to say.
Loved all the new characters, too.
Good to see Captain Malcolm Reed get some focus. That was great...even a love interest. Yes!
I was thinking that the Prime Directive would've been the final thing achieved, but...I guess another book deals with that as the main focus.
The Section 31 portion of this series...makes me look at our own clandestine arms of the government with more scrutiny and eire. Are they truly needed? OR do we say that...so that we can do things without permission...and only ask forgiveness...when caught (hand in the cookie jar)?
One of the things that makes Star Trek (and other Science Fiction novels) so fun to read...is that most (if not all) the problems that are faced in these stories...are extension of our own struggles...here in the 21st Century.
These tales, allow us to see these problems, find solutions, and become better citizens...through removing them from the current politcal situation, so that we are not blinded by our own prejudices.
I'm not sure we'll ever get to the Star Trek future, but I am hoping that is damn near close.
Challenging, dark, hopeful, inspiring, mysterious, reflective, sad, and tense.
Medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25 ⭐
Such bitter/sweet moment...finish a series of books.
The story did not end the way that I thought it would, though there were "endings" that brought tears to my eyes.
The closure needed for this "era" of Star Trek: Enterprise books to be finished was not there...so there is a hope, that some time (in the future, obviously...without using the Temporal Accords), we will again be able to read some more stories in this time frame. Fingers crossed.
The growth of Charles "Trip" Tucker in this series has been amazing. So much better than what he got in the TV series. But, still...I want more.
The growth of Admiral Jonathon Archer has been fun to read, too...though not as much as I hoped...once he got to the rank of Admiral. Sad to say.
Loved all the new characters, too.
Good to see Captain Malcolm Reed get some focus. That was great...even a love interest. Yes!
I was thinking that the Prime Directive would've been the final thing achieved, but...I guess another book deals with that as the main focus.
The Section 31 portion of this series...makes me look at our own clandestine arms of the government with more scrutiny and eire. Are they truly needed? OR do we say that...so that we can do things without permission...and only ask forgiveness...when caught (hand in the cookie jar)?
One of the things that makes Star Trek (and other Science Fiction novels) so fun to read...is that most (if not all) the problems that are faced in these stories...are extension of our own struggles...here in the 21st Century.
These tales, allow us to see these problems, find solutions, and become better citizens...through removing them from the current politcal situation, so that we are not blinded by our own prejudices.
I'm not sure we'll ever get to the Star Trek future, but I am hoping that is damn near close.
October 20, 2017
The latest installment in Christopher L. Bennett's "Rise of the Federation" series, "Patterns of Interference", takes us through the first quarter of 2166 as the Federation continues dealing with issues on a couple of fronts and the threat from Section 31 continues to be a problem. The main plot involves the dealings w/ Maltuvis on Sauria who continues to try to do whatever is necessary to prove that the Saurian people are capable of handling things on their own w/out outside interference. His radical methods also involve trying to find methods to essentially undermine the Federation and all off worlders to make sure that Sauria stays for itself. It's in this plot where Tucker & an Orion slave girl named Devna whom he's had dealings with before work to try to undermine Maltuvis's authority & also try to bring down Section 31 as well.
The 2nd plot in the story involves Hoshi along with the crew of the Endeavor on the world Birnam which is dealing w/ what could be a sentient race of Dryads which the Boomers aren't convinced are as such. It gets into a continuing thread lately in this series with Admiral Archer's insistence on a non-interference directive (what will eventually become the Prime Directive). This particular plot does reveal the need for the directive as well as the consequences if it isn't properly enforced.
Also, we the reader have 2 very simple continuing story arcs the relationship between Malcolm Reed & Caroline Paris as well as a day we the reader knew eventually would come with the death of Porthos & Archer's saying good-bye to his beloved beagle.
Throughout all the action, drama & heartbreak, Bennett continues his mastery of the characters in the Enterprise universe as well as working towards the ideals that will lead us to the events in both the original Star Trek and now Discovery as well. Overall yet another solid entry in this series one which this reader eagerly awaits the next installment of.
The 2nd plot in the story involves Hoshi along with the crew of the Endeavor on the world Birnam which is dealing w/ what could be a sentient race of Dryads which the Boomers aren't convinced are as such. It gets into a continuing thread lately in this series with Admiral Archer's insistence on a non-interference directive (what will eventually become the Prime Directive). This particular plot does reveal the need for the directive as well as the consequences if it isn't properly enforced.
Also, we the reader have 2 very simple continuing story arcs the relationship between Malcolm Reed & Caroline Paris as well as a day we the reader knew eventually would come with the death of Porthos & Archer's saying good-bye to his beloved beagle.
Throughout all the action, drama & heartbreak, Bennett continues his mastery of the characters in the Enterprise universe as well as working towards the ideals that will lead us to the events in both the original Star Trek and now Discovery as well. Overall yet another solid entry in this series one which this reader eagerly awaits the next installment of.
June 23, 2019
That last Enterprise novel was real good but also it was the final hours for Porthos :(((
It also shows that not everything happens linearly, and just because there’s been discussions and meetings about a noninterference directive after recent events with the Vertians (The Aliens from Silent Enemy) and the Ware (The Self Repairing Station from Dead Stop). The Section 31 plot line mostly gets resolved (while operating within the larger framework established in DS9′s Control) but Trip is more alone than ever even with Devna (an Orion Slave Girl turned intelligence operative who’s still trying to figure things out) but we know how it ends with Trip. A least we think we do (there was an epilogue at the end of the Romulan War books where he was living with T’Pol as a Vulcan).
There’s some pure science and exploration stuff too as T’Pol’s Endeavour is called by a Boomer captain to figure out if a race of walking trees are sentient or not, while Hoshi grapples with her fiancee Kimura’s injuries and disabilities.
There’s also the 31-adjacent plotline of the ongoing crisis on Sauria (a Federation member world in the 23rd Century), where a dictator has taken over the world in a few short years. That doesn’t quite get resolved yet but it is kept interesting. Tucker also gets to realize better people than him can get the job done in an open way without falling for 31′s games.
The epilogue was great.
It also shows that not everything happens linearly, and just because there’s been discussions and meetings about a noninterference directive after recent events with the Vertians (The Aliens from Silent Enemy) and the Ware (The Self Repairing Station from Dead Stop). The Section 31 plot line mostly gets resolved (while operating within the larger framework established in DS9′s Control) but Trip is more alone than ever even with Devna (an Orion Slave Girl turned intelligence operative who’s still trying to figure things out) but we know how it ends with Trip. A least we think we do (there was an epilogue at the end of the Romulan War books where he was living with T’Pol as a Vulcan).
There’s some pure science and exploration stuff too as T’Pol’s Endeavour is called by a Boomer captain to figure out if a race of walking trees are sentient or not, while Hoshi grapples with her fiancee Kimura’s injuries and disabilities.
There’s also the 31-adjacent plotline of the ongoing crisis on Sauria (a Federation member world in the 23rd Century), where a dictator has taken over the world in a few short years. That doesn’t quite get resolved yet but it is kept interesting. Tucker also gets to realize better people than him can get the job done in an open way without falling for 31′s games.
The epilogue was great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2024
Not the spectacular ending I was hoping for…
Something I haven’t touched on in my previous reviews is that Trip Tucker is still working for Section 31 throughout the series, thought he really doesn’t enjoy it. In the novel he wants to take down the Section once and for all, so he can live his life as a free man. Trip plans to expose the section through a catastrophe involving the Orions and Saurians (two of the least compelling peoples from the series). I did not enjoy the Orions before, and I did not enjoy them here. Everything just seemed overly exaggerated and cliche and honestly just so lame.
Amidst all of these events Archer is trying to establish what will become the Prime Directive, due to the fallout of the previous book. I thought this was an interesting concept, but I didn’t really love the execution. In fact, this plot isn’t even resolved by the end of the book (the last book of the series, mind you).
I think this series provides decent closure to Trip and Archer, but the ending did not seem as final as I thought it would be. I did enjoy seeing some of my favorite characters again, but the Rise of the Federation miniseries was just not what I was hoping for. I definitely prefer the writing styles of Martin and Mangels, who wrote the previous ENT novels.
Something I haven’t touched on in my previous reviews is that Trip Tucker is still working for Section 31 throughout the series, thought he really doesn’t enjoy it. In the novel he wants to take down the Section once and for all, so he can live his life as a free man. Trip plans to expose the section through a catastrophe involving the Orions and Saurians (two of the least compelling peoples from the series). I did not enjoy the Orions before, and I did not enjoy them here. Everything just seemed overly exaggerated and cliche and honestly just so lame.
Amidst all of these events Archer is trying to establish what will become the Prime Directive, due to the fallout of the previous book. I thought this was an interesting concept, but I didn’t really love the execution. In fact, this plot isn’t even resolved by the end of the book (the last book of the series, mind you).
I think this series provides decent closure to Trip and Archer, but the ending did not seem as final as I thought it would be. I did enjoy seeing some of my favorite characters again, but the Rise of the Federation miniseries was just not what I was hoping for. I definitely prefer the writing styles of Martin and Mangels, who wrote the previous ENT novels.
May 26, 2019
What bums me out the most about this book is that there is no "Star Trek Enterprise will continue..." at the end of the book. I wonder if this series will come back in the future.
Anyway - even if it is the last book to come out (certainly hope not), this was a rather fun book to read. I was hoping that Trip would come back from the cold, but it seems like he's in the shadows forever (if one considers the Nog & Jake part of the story in the future discussing this topic). Some highlights:
- Federation is debating the non-interference principle (what is to become the prime directive) but not resolutions come of it. Shran and Archer at opposite sides of the debate, but they take a break so that Archer can be by Porthos' side - porthos is dying.
- We see a plant-base sentient being - pretty cool (and opens up the door for that plant-based species in the animated series)
-Section 31 is finally gone!....NOT! They go underground. Which really messes with Discovery-era events that show them out in plain sight! Want to know what happened here!
Fun book, but the end with Porthos really tugs at the heart strings...
Anyway - even if it is the last book to come out (certainly hope not), this was a rather fun book to read. I was hoping that Trip would come back from the cold, but it seems like he's in the shadows forever (if one considers the Nog & Jake part of the story in the future discussing this topic). Some highlights:
- Federation is debating the non-interference principle (what is to become the prime directive) but not resolutions come of it. Shran and Archer at opposite sides of the debate, but they take a break so that Archer can be by Porthos' side - porthos is dying.
- We see a plant-base sentient being - pretty cool (and opens up the door for that plant-based species in the animated series)
-Section 31 is finally gone!....NOT! They go underground. Which really messes with Discovery-era events that show them out in plain sight! Want to know what happened here!
Fun book, but the end with Porthos really tugs at the heart strings...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2025
A brilliant continuation of the Star Trek universe at the start of the Federation as they struggle with the idea of noninterference, what will be come the Prime Directive, understanding that people should be left to make their own decisions because outsiders do not grasp the situation as well as the people themselves. At the same time as people are talking about that, lots of other beings are demonstrating the harm that can be done when they follow their own interests - because they can - giving no thought to the impact on others. In many ways, it's as much a political novel as it is a science fiction one. Worth a read in these difficult times. My main problem with it is that it is the last in the series and yet there are many plot threads left dangling. It's a shame the writer didn't go for a crowd-sourcing solution.
August 21, 2022
While it’s clearly not supposed to be the last book of this series, the final book in the Rise of the Federation series proves to be a mediocre conclusion to a mediocre storyline. The attempted takedown of Section 31 was definitely the most interesting part, but the lackluster side plots, focus on characters apart from the core Enterprise series regulars, and the amount of TV-MA content (seriously, is this guy a sex addict?) brought down both this book and this series as a whole. While I enjoyed reading them, they never felt like a truly meaningful continuation of my favorite Star Trek series. It left much to be desired. For instance, I was ready to see Archer as the first Federation President but never got it. Here’s hoping the Enterprise relaunch series someday continues.
January 30, 2018
Bennett’s ongoing Enterprise books are excellent. This one explores some interesting ideas around the development of the Prime Directive while continuing the ongoing stories of Section 31 and The dictatorship of Maltuvis. I couldn’t help but read Maltuvis as a stand-in for Donald Trump. His racism, xenophobia, and propaganda are all too topical.
I also enjoyed the science in this novel. Too many recent Trek novels ignore the concepts of exploration and strange new worlds in favour of galactic political maneuvering. Bennett has T’Pol and Hoshi visit a unique planet that I would love to learn more about.
I also enjoyed the science in this novel. Too many recent Trek novels ignore the concepts of exploration and strange new worlds in favour of galactic political maneuvering. Bennett has T’Pol and Hoshi visit a unique planet that I would love to learn more about.
January 6, 2020
Patterns of Interference is quite possibly the last Star Trek: Enterprise novel that will ever be made. Fitting that it covers one of the biggest questions of morality in Star Trek, the Prime Directive.
The book follows 3 very loosely connected stories with the theme of interference. I enjoyed the author's highlighting a dictator using xenophobia and distrust of journalism to take control.
But what the story lacked was nuance. Everything is straight forward and lacking any depth of nuance. It's redemption laid with its characters not forcing an answer by the final page, but the questions weren't made difficult enough to warrant a deep thought about it after you closed the book.
The book follows 3 very loosely connected stories with the theme of interference. I enjoyed the author's highlighting a dictator using xenophobia and distrust of journalism to take control.
But what the story lacked was nuance. Everything is straight forward and lacking any depth of nuance. It's redemption laid with its characters not forcing an answer by the final page, but the questions weren't made difficult enough to warrant a deep thought about it after you closed the book.
Read
June 4, 2019this book was… kind of boring, i have to say. but there were some things i did like: Star Trek exploring gender (we have a transgender character); Shran and Archer and Porthos; the discussions about the Prime Directive (i hate the Prime Directive, but as Archer wanted it, it was not as bad); and some other details, especially about characterization. some characters could have been better explored, like Hoshi. but it took me forever to finish it cause it would not really hold my attention for long.
August 30, 2022
I usually don't write reviews, but I had to say this: I don't know if this was intended to be the final Enterprise book or not (it's been several years, so I assume it is), but those last few pages are the perfect ending. Never have I been this close to tears finishing a book. The book itself is pretty decent. Gives insight into the beginnings of the Prime Directive as well as other areas of Starfleet (don't want to give spoilers, but it is interesting). But the ending really made this book great. Thank you Christopher Bennett! Hope you can return to this era soon.
November 13, 2021
Everything in Rise of the Federation has been leading up to this. From First Contact with the Saurians to trouble with the Orions to the Ware Crisis, all has been building up to cause a debate: how much should Starfleet and the Federation interfere? The debate over what will become the Prime Directive is the key thread throughout the book, while also tackling the secrets and lies of Section 31. I just wish there was another book in the series so the story could continue!
September 19, 2017
The plot's rather predictable but I did enjoy learning more about the Saurians and Orion Syndicate as well as the philosophical origins of the Prime Directive. I also like how the author explores sexuality in Star Trek. In this case, with a transgender character. Plus there's little touches like Porthos and Shran's friendship with Archer that made me smile.
October 21, 2017
I miss the days when a Star Trek: Enterprise novel were set during the ship's mission. It's interesting to see how the Federation was formed, but less so when the characters are split up on new assignments playing a part in the "What is Trip doing now" game that the Rise of the Federation series is portraying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2017
I'm torn, this series within the greater series around the birth of the Federation and Starfleet is... meh. It's interesting to a degree but the stories aren't super compelling and the 2-3 separate plots don't add much to the whole. It's like they're still trying to figure out what to do with Trip Tucker..
November 25, 2017
Though I very much enjoyed the previous book in this series, this one left me really cold. I felt the author went for complicated and ended up with convoluted. Also, the set up for a new conflict in the last few pages felt very forced. I look forward to next year’s effort and hope it will be back on track.
March 28, 2018
A strong entry in the Rise of the Federation series, possibly my favorite of the bunch so far. A great story that has real-world resonance, and great philosophical debates. Basically, all of the things I love the most about Star Trek.
Full review (video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imtjRB...
Full review (video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imtjRB...
May 31, 2020
The Novel was very good, but it ended very sadly. I was not happy with the ending. It ended with a lot of sad moments that in my mind were not really necessary for character development. It also seemed to contradict an event earlier in the novels. And as this is the last book in the series it really ends the birth of the federation on a very sour note.
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