Finally started it. Apparently a lot has happened since the mid-season cliffhanger of the Protostar having been turned into a weapon to destroy Starfleet.
It may be too late, you may have already been spoiled, but I believe you watch the shows through their DVD releases… the second half of season 1 is already out, so you could put the book on hold and watch the rest of the season first, if you wanted. My understanding is that the book takes place between season 1 and 2.