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jecamp86's review against another edition
slow-paced
2.0
I want to preface this review by saying firstly I really like JJM as an author and he’s done some terrific work. This book references an episode of Enterprise which was easily one of my least favorites and is a trope of Trek that I’m beyond tired of (dumping a humanity of the future into our past) so it was a fair bet I wasn’t going to like this book and sure enough I didn’t. I thought it was really boring and dragged on WAY too long. It didn’t get going till about 3/4 of the way through and I’m almost DNF’d it. I didn’t feel like the characters were fleshed out well and it seemed like characters moved around this world with no explanation and unfortunately it was a very frustrating experience.
isethia's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
hollaffl's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rachelbz's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
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? No
3.75
jlynnelseauthor's review against another edition
4.0
This 100% feels like a classic Trek episode but with the Pike-era casting. First off, I love everything about Strange New Worlds the series, particularly the casting of the characters. Its magical. I could hear the characters within the written dialogue and envision the "episode" playing out. Hemmer was fantastic--his dialogue was exceptional! The book overall gains an extra star just for its characters.
That being said, when I said it felt like a classic Trek episode, I meant the low-budget kind. This is basically a space Western with a few twists thrown in. And really, Firefly is the gold standard for space Westerns.
There's a lot of leaning into an Enterprise episode I didn't remember much about. The pace gets slow at times as travel and constructing things takes days to weeks before the plotline can move forward. Now there are things that the author does to distract from that, but that's my next not-so-stellar observation: Lila. I didn't feel for her at all. She was not fleshed out other than her past connection to Pike, which is such a Star Treky plot device I almost rolled my eyes.
Also, MORE SPOCK please! After the first few chapters, he doesn't show up until mid-way through. I needed much more Pike-Spock banter. I understand why his character was held back a bit due to what he brought into the mix, but less time could have been spent on Pike-Lila stuff.
Overall, I want more Strange New World books. This was a good start. It focused on some of my favorite characters, but (let's be honest) they're all good. And after that season finale, I need more. Paramount, what's next in the storybook lineup? I'll devour it all!
That being said, when I said it felt like a classic Trek episode, I meant the low-budget kind. This is basically a space Western with a few twists thrown in. And really, Firefly is the gold standard for space Westerns.
There's a lot of leaning into an Enterprise episode I didn't remember much about. The pace gets slow at times as travel and constructing things takes days to weeks before the plotline can move forward. Now there are things that the author does to distract from that, but that's my next not-so-stellar observation: Lila. I didn't feel for her at all. She was not fleshed out other than her past connection to Pike, which is such a Star Treky plot device I almost rolled my eyes.
Also, MORE SPOCK please! After the first few chapters, he doesn't show up until mid-way through. I needed much more Pike-Spock banter. I understand why his character was held back a bit due to what he brought into the mix, but less time could have been spent on Pike-Lila stuff.
Overall, I want more Strange New World books. This was a good start. It focused on some of my favorite characters, but (let's be honest) they're all good. And after that season finale, I need more. Paramount, what's next in the storybook lineup? I'll devour it all!
starwarrior91's review against another edition
5.0
Easily a top ten Star Trek novel for me. When John Jackson Miller wrote Kenobi a decade ago he delivered one of the best Star Wars books with a western spin. The High Country offers a similar experience for Trekkies. As a sequel to the Enterprise episode “North Star” and as a standalone adventure for the Strange New Worlds crew you couldn’t ask for much better. It’s a pretty crazy story to try to describe to someone, but give it a read and see for yourself.
If you liked Anson Mount in the series Hell on Wheels you’ll be in for a treat.
If you liked Anson Mount in the series Hell on Wheels you’ll be in for a treat.
doomedyuri's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
tentative 3.25 stars... characterisation for the main gang was great and i enjoyed this one well enough but also it felt so very long. it reached a point where i was just wanting things to wrap up already, which is a bit unfortunate considering this is one of my favourite tv series atm.
nivek1385's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
betanine's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I like the idea of this book and enjoyed reading it. I found I got bogged down with the telling sections and found times when I didn't understand terminology unique to book. The continued inclusion of the wider Star Trek universe appeals to me, as Miller did with the Picard novel Rogue Elements.
The theme of this book is born out of our collected experience of the pandemic. I appreciate the perspective Miller provides. Now understanding this point, I find I enjoy a reread more than the first time through.
The theme of this book is born out of our collected experience of the pandemic. I appreciate the perspective Miller provides. Now understanding this point, I find I enjoy a reread more than the first time through.