Spoilers PRM: Ins Herz des Chaos / In the Heart of Chaos by Perplies & Humberg Review Thread

[Kertrats47]

Today is the release day for the English translation of the third Star Trek: Prometheus novel: In the Heart of Chaos by Bernd Perplies & Christian Humberg.

Originally published as Ins Herz des Chaos in Germany in 2016.

Back-cover blurb (German):

Die Lage im Lembatta-Cluster spitzt sich zu! Während Flotten der Föderation und des Klingonischen Reichs an den Grenzen in Position gehen und die Vorgänge in der Tiefe der Sternenballung argwöhnisch beobachten, liefern sich die Mannschaften der U.S.S. Prometheus und der I.K.S. Bortas ein Wettrennen gegen die Zeit, um die Spirale der Gewalt zu durchbrechen, die sich mehr und mehr ausbreitet.
In einem schicksalhaften Verzweiflungsakt machen sich Captain Richard Adams und Captain Kromm auf die Spur einer geheimen Waffenfabrik. Doch sie finden einen Gegner aus den Tiefen der Vergangenheit, der unbezwingbar scheint. Nur gemeinsam haben die ungleichen Kommandanten vielleicht noch die Chance, Antworten auf ihre Fragen zu finden. Gelingt es ihnen rechtzeitig – oder geht die Galaxis einmal mehr in Flammen auf?


Back-cover blurb (English translation):

The situation in the Lembatta Cluster is deteriorating rapidly. Fleets from the Federation and Klingon Empire are heading for the borders. The crews of the U.S.S. Prometheus and I.K.S. Bortas are racing against time to break the cycle of violence that is spreading through the Alpha Quadrant. Adams and Kromm are on the trail of a secret weapons facility, but instead discover an enemy from their pasts who seems utterly unstoppable. Together, they search for the answers to their questions, before the galaxy goes down in flames.

 

[Kilana2]

Thanks for posting this. As I've already read the German edition I voted outstanding. It was the closure of a big epic Trek story established in Germany. I guess I have to re-read the Trilogy one day.

 

[tomswift2002]

Hard to believe but a year ago we were getting Part 1 and now, finally, Part 3. Hopefully Part 3 is better than Part 2.

 

[thribs]

Just finished reading the Q Continuum trilogy a few months ago and so it should be fun to read the next story of *.
Let’s hope these stupid Klingons behave this time round.

 

[Ronald Held]

Finally downloaded. Should start it this weekend.

 

[thribs]

Just finished it. I really enjoyed it. The story was easy to follow and had a good, satisfying ending. Kromm wasn’t as annoying this time round. He seemed to behave himself for the most part.
I liked the cameos as well but the Wesley one is confusing as I thought he couldn’t leave that massive robot thing for a long long time. I know it was only a minute or so but what he said to his mum in Cold Equations made it feel like she was never going to see him again.
I liked all the references to previous stories. Especially the one from the novel, Probe which is the first reference I’ve seen from that.

Now from we learn from the end is that the Son wasn’t * from Q Continuum but something similar. Since it’s stated in that that it came from a different “realm” from the Guardian of Forever, are these the versions that are native to our reality? * is still out there it seems. Causing havoc.
Speaking of that Continuum novel, couldn’t they just go to the Guardian and ask it where the White Guardian is? Spock should have suggested that.

So when’s the next Prometheus novel coming? I quite like the idea of more battle orientated Star Trek stories. It makes sense there since it’s a battle ship.

Also, did that guy find his son? I need to know.

 

[Jinn]

So when’s the next Prometheus novel coming?

As far as I know the answer is "probably never". Apparantly the trilogy didn't do all that well over here in Germany, which isn't surprising considering that it has barely any canon characters on the cover and in the blurb.

 

[thribs]

Really? Perhaps they should have put Spock on the cover. For a book callled Prometheus, this is the most I’ve seen Spock do in a story since TOS. Could be his last big adventure before he’s “lost” as well.

 

[RonG]

Finished the book earlier today, and my opinion on it (and the trilogy as a whole) has remained unchanged throughout the previous volumes.

I enjoyed the trilogy - the plot was quite engaging and the respect and love for Trek lore (both on-screen canon as well as our beloved TrekLit) shines through the plot and prose. It's also a nice "entry point" for the modern 24th century TrekLit and a respectable part of the 50th anniversary of Trek.

There were some parts I felt could have been stronger -

• The prose - or rather the translation to English, felt a bit off in places. Of course, I chalk this up to this being written in German and not in English, but it did feel awkward at times.
• The characters - while enjoyable, I did feel that they were not as deep or three-dimensional in their motivations and characteristics as I would have liked. Perhaps this was affected by the translation as well..
• There was a political undertone with the Renao as a race/society and the conflict between Starfleet/Klingons and the Renao, which was a little too preachy for my taste.. I felt this since book 1, but especially at the very end with the Adams/Roaas dialogue.
• references to Trek canon and TrekLit - while these are common in TrekLit (especally the modern era), and I assume that they are included to celebrate Trek's 50th anniversary, I felt that it was a bit.. too much. When characters' dialogue or even inner thoughts turn to discussing Kirk and Co., constantly referencing the Borg invasion or other TrekLit developments, it did tend to take me out of the story on more than one occasion.

While the points above could have been handled better IMO, I should reiterate that I enjoyed the trilogy and feel that, if nothing else, it deserves an "A" for effort and vision, and is a worthy addition to the TrekLit shelve(s)!

 

[Reanok]

I've read 13 chapters and really liked it so far. I was suprised about Wesley crusher appearing in this book.To help in the search for the mysterious radiation clouds. The Renao under the influnce of The Son make them really ruthless and Dangerous.

 

[JD]

Could be his last big adventure before he’s “lost” as well.

I doubt it. If the books do make it up to the Hobus Supernova, then based on what we know from the first Kelvinverse movie, Spock is going to have a big part in the lead up to it.

 

[thribs]

I doubt it. If the books do make it up to the Hobus Supernova, then based on what we know from the first Kelvinverse movie, Spock is going to have a big part in the lead up to it.

Will be interesting what they’ll do with that. Probably be similar to Countdown but more complex.

 

[JD]

I can't really see it being that similar since the characters are all in very different places, and the political environment of the Alpha and Beta quadrants is totally different.

 

[thribs]

I can't really see it being that similar since the characters are all in very different places, and the political environment of the Alpha and Beta quadrants is totally different.

True but the general concept of the story could still work. Spock helping the Romulans with the problem. Befriending Nero, La Forge building the Jellyfish etc.

 

[JD]

Spock working with the Romulans is canon, so that will have to be a part of any Hobus story, but I'm not a fan Geordi being the one to design the Jellyfish, that's just a bit to fan wanky for me.

 

[thribs]

I would like the novels to go into the source of the Red Matter more. I think that could make an interesting story.

 

[Christopher]

Spock working with the Romulans is canon, so that will have to be a part of any Hobus story, but I'm not a fan Geordi being the one to design the Jellyfish, that's just a bit to fan wanky for me.

Yeah -- it's supposed to be a Vulcan design.

Also, the name "Hobus" is from the comic, not the film, so it's not canon either. Still, there have been cases where the novels have been asked to use a term coined by another tie-in, like "Solanae" for the "Schisms" life forms.

 

[thribs]

La Forge could have helped build it. Vulcans are part of the Federation after all.

 

[E-DUB]

Got a bit of a kick out of the Klingon character named "Koxx".

 

[Reanok]

I finished this book last night I liked how the mystery of the Red son was wrapped up and the mysterious white guardians was really interesting.to see how this storyarc is resolved. I liked how Spock 's story arc throughout the 2 books and the Prometheus Crew members and the Klingons and searching for the Renao fleet was well written. I voted above average.