Getting back into ST books after several years... how is Vanguard?

[James Cole]

For the past several years I gave up buying ST books (save for NF and the DS9 relaunch), waiting to see how eBook/e-reader/iPad technology and DRM would play out. I bought several SCE eBooks, some even twice, and had most of them wiped out which really soured me on eBooks. I recently decided to stick with real paper copies that couldn't disappear on you short of physical destruction and went on an Amazon shopping binge so I'll be able to catch up.

I recently read David Mack's expanded version of Sorrows of Empire and enjoyed it. I'm not a TOS fan but the mirror version of Vanguard looked interesting setting the stage for the Genesis technology.

In general, how is the Vanguard books series structured, and does it tie in a lot to TOS? I don't like getting beat over the head with every single thing happening in the 23rd century being tied to Kirk, but at the same time really liked the Pike Early Voyages stories.

It looks like the book series has been a success since it didn't meet the fate of Challenger. Plus it looks like none of the books are out of print either (unlike some of the VGR relaunch, Stargazer, and A Time To... books) so there wouldn't be any books unavailable if I wanted to get them. So after catching up with TNG and VGR, should I consider Vanguard?

 

[Thrawn]

YES. A thousand times yes. It's the best TrekLit out there right now, hands down.

To answer your specific question, it effects a quite lovely balance between original situations and TOS references, but does so in a way that makes all the TOS references way more awesome anyway. But either way, it's pretty irrelevant; the storytelling & arcs are just so freaking outstanding it wouldn't matter one way or the other.

Do it. Go.

 

[JD]

What he said. Vanguard is made of pure awesomeness.

 

[James Cole]

Thanks guys. Have ordered "Harbinger" along with about (yikes) 20 other Trek books on Amazon. Just wanted to make sure it wasn't a problematic botched series like Challenger or the VGR relaunch.

I was recently laid off but luckily have several months of unemployment benefits. I'm thinking about going back to grad school if my job search is unsuccessful, but on the bright side I have time to get caught up on Trek Literature!

 

[DigificWriter]

Vanguard is my favorite of the ST 'lit-only' series, and managed to accomplish something that nothing else had: make me care about the 23rd Century and the characters/situations explored in TOS, so I would definitely recommend reading the series.

I'd also like to mention that it is very much the 23rd Century equivalent to Deep Space Nine, so if you liked DS9 and the ways that it changed the formula of what Star Trek was/is, you should enjoy Vanguard as much as the rest of us have.

 

[Smellincoffee]

I'm sure several people here have Vanguard listed as their religion on facebook. I'm halfway through the fourth book now and do recommend the series. Great characters! Good luck finding Reap the Whirlwind, though -- it can be problematic.

 

[GalaxyClass1701]

The best there is and should totally be the next TV series!!

 

[James Cole]

I'm sure several people here have Vanguard listed as their religion on facebook. I'm halfway through the fourth book now and do recommend the series. Great characters! Good luck finding Reap the Whirlwind, though -- it can be problematic.

I just noticed that. Amazon wants $15 for a trade paperback edition and used in a decent condition is around $15 too.

Luckily Amazon has this 4-for-3 deal going that applies to most MMPBs. Which uh made me comfortable spending around $250 to lock in a good deal. So one 1-for-2 won't be a problem.

Oh this is my Amazon activity for the week:

DS9 Terok Nor 1-3
DS9 Hollow Men
DS9 Never Ending Sacrifice
DS9 Soul Key

VGR Spirit Walk 1-2 (hated Homecoming/Furthest Shore, but well completionist)
VGR String Theory 1-3 (already have eBooks)
VGR Full Circle
VGR Unworthy

Mirror Universe TPBs (have eBooks, again want real copies)

Stargazer 4-6

A Time to 7/8/9 (#6 looks like a search to find, already have the rest from several years ago)

TNG Resistance / QA / Before Dishonor / Greater than the Sum (skimmed in the bookstore but didn't buy in case I was going all eBook)

Destiny 1-3 (skimmed in the bookstore, killer)
TNG Losing the Peace

Seven Deadly Sins

some heavily discounted SCE books, will track down the rest later

and now Vanguard 1 & 2

wow 33 total...

 

[JD]

You can get Reap the Whirlwind for the regular MMPB price of $7.99 in ebook form.

 

[shanejayell]

I think Vanguard is one of the best current Trek series. It's up there with the Voyager relaunch under Beyer & the best chapter of the DS( reboot.

 

[JHoffman555]

Vanguard is fantastic. It is a pretty decent blend of DS9 setting and the geo-political adventure vibe of The Undiscovered Country.

I've read the first 3 and own the final 2, but actually don't want to read them yet - 'cause I know I'll be sad when it's over. (There is also a prequel of sorts with an SCE novella called Distant Early Warning that is fun, but not essential.)

 

[David Mack]

^ Go ahead and read them, JHoffman555 -- we'll write more.

 

[JD]

Vanguard is fantastic. It is a pretty decent blend of DS9 setting and the geo-political adventure vibe of The Undiscovered Country.

I've read the first 3 and own the final 2, but actually don't want to read them yet - 'cause I know I'll be sad when it's over. (There is also a prequel of sorts with an SCE novella called Distant Early Warning that is fun, but not essential.)

^ Go ahead and read them, JHoffman555 -- we'll write more.

There are already three more in the works. They are Declassified (a collection of four novellas (I think) spread throughout the history of Vanguard coming in July, What Judgments Come in October, and Storming Heaven sometime next year.

 

[Defcon]

There are already three more in the works. They are Declassified (a collection of four novellas (I think) spread throughout the history of Vanguard coming in July, What Judgments Come in October, and Storming Heaven sometime next year.

And Doug Drexler has posted a large text-free version of the Declassified cover and a sneak peek at the What Judgments Come cover on his blog.

 

[James Cole]

Vanguard Harbinger and Summon the Thunder arrived today (along with 20 other ST books, including the SCE book with the Vanguard tie in). Looking forward to reading them. Thanks for your responses.

 

[popsicle]

Wow, you guys have just totally sold me on Vanguard. Buying it now! Are there any other books I should read before i start on the Vanguard series?

 

[shanejayell]

It's not necessary to get for Vanguard but there was a 'prequel' story in the Startrek Corps of Engineers books. 'What's Past' is the name of the trade it appears in.

 

[popsicle]

Thanks!

 

[Judith Sisko]

I'm a little late to the party here, but Vanguard is the only Trek Lit I buy anymore. It definitely is worth your time.

 

[GalaxyClass1701]

Just finished reading Precipice and it was amazing my favorite by far!

Vanguard had everything you need for great series!!