The Romulan Stratagem

Star Trek: The Next Generation #35

by Robert Greenberger

On a mission to an unexplored planet near the Klingon/Romulan border, the U.S.S. Enterprise travels to the planet Eloh to negotiate Federation membership. But upon arrival, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his diplomatic team find themselves face to face with Commander Sela, an old Romulan enemy--who's there to convince the Elohsians to join the Romulan empire.

When a series of fatal incidents casts suspicion on both delegations, Data must form an uneasy alliance with Sela to prove the innocence of the Starship Enterprise crew--or lose a strategic stronghold to the Federation's greatest enemy.

Genres: Star Trek, Science Fiction, Star Trek The Next Generation, Fiction, Ebooks, Media Tie In, Novels

273 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 1995

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many in this series, this one had its moments, but was overall a dud.

EDIT: I enjoyed this one much more the second time around.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read this one because I wanted to fill in the gaps concerning Sela (Denise Crosby), the enigmatic Romulan commander who was the daughter of an alternate timeline Tasha Yar. I must say that Mr. Greenberger did an admirable job capturing the essence of these TNG characters, especially considering this was his first Star Trek novel to have authored alone. Still, the story itself was a little lacking in action and plot. Not a bad ST book, just not a great one either.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this: it felt like a solid TNG episode, with an excellent command of the regular cast, a more ambiguous-than-usual take on the Romulans (which is a good thing), an interesting moral dilemma at the heart of the A-story, and an amusing B-story than doesn't outstay its welcome. Aside from a slightly odd take on Ensign Ro (she's more strident here than the awkward I was expecting) and a lack of any action set-pieces, this is archetypal Trek.

[Patrick Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had everything I wanted in a book: 1. Star Trek; 2. Ensign Ro; 3. Sela; and 4. Edgar Allan Poe. It lived up to my expectations.

The Eloh, their world located between the Klingon and Romulan Empires, have finished a long civil war, banded together, and wish to join the Federation or Romulan Empire. The Enterprise has been dispatched to win them over. Sela has been sent by the Romulans along with one of their massive D'deridex starships. The dialogue from every character is true, with Sela being a standout. The pacing of the book is perfect, as something occurs in the middle of the book to shake up this competition and then things start moving quickly. And what a great climax!

I really liked the role Picard had, with his every word, choice, and action perfect. Geordi had some great moments, as did Data, who almost ran away with the book.

There's a subplot with Ro that seemed like it was going to be a stinker, but author Greenberger makes it something I wish the series had shown her to do. I was laughing out loud at its conclusion.

I went into this book unobjectively loving it due to the characters involved and left it completely satisfied.

[Luke Sims-Jenkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had some expectations for this book. Sela fascinates me and I wish she was used more. Trek lit fans tend to regard this one highly as well. The world of Eloh is fine and all the characters are true to their on screen selves. The problem I have with the Romulan Strategem is that it's boring.

It was more than halfway through the book that anything interesting happened and then the book seemed to slow right back down again. If it takes me over a week to read a book, thats not good. I felt like this was a faithful adaptation of the TNG series, but sadly one of the more average episodes.

I was surprised at how dull I found this book considering I usually enjoy fan favourite Trek stories. This one though dragged and does one thing I really don't like, which is long chapters. If a book is boring, long chapters make it feel even longer. This is just personal preference however.

I will say though that for some reason by the time I had finished it I was curious what would have become of Eloh further in the timeline.

[Sean Randall · Rating 2 out of 5]

As with any long-running saga, some books are good and some are... less so. This one was quite insightful, in its own way; where the Romulan's were concerned.

Unfortunately the predictability of the story and the referring to Data as a "synthezoid " ruined this one. Ah, well.

[Skylar · Rating 1 out of 5]

An overdone plot, bland to unbelievable characters (Ensign Ro solely included as a teenage heartthrob?), and gaping plot holes (not even trying to contact the ship for help in an emergency?) made me wish I had skipped this one.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid philosophical explorations of themes. Characters ok. Plot effective for what it was. Side bits fun. Fits the Roddenberry vision, imo, better than many. I liked it. But I do think that I've had about enough and am likely to be glad, not sad when I get to the end of the ones that have been handed down to me.

(Again, though, I really don't have consistent star ratings on this series, and there's a fair chance I liked this even more than some of those I've given four stars to... sometimes I think I shouldn't have star ratings on them at all, what with them being pulp genre & all....)

[Andrew Beet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good TNG novel the a story was more interesting than the b story with ensign Ro showing a teenager and his family round the ship and then the teenager then falls in love with Ro the a story I liked because it was interesting to find out who the inhabitants of the planet Eloh would go with either the federation or the romulan empire as sadly the eloshians go with the romulan empire to be honest I thought they would've gone with the federation but that's my opinion overall a good well written novel

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one has felt the most like an episode of the past few TNG novels that I have read. It was slow moving and not very action-packed (though there were moments) but the contest of ideas between the Federation and the Romulans was the main focus along with a mystery. The Ro storyline was kind of dumb and I think she would have just told the kid off and not had a second thought about it. However, it was nice to have Ro story and see Sela return and see where she ended up.

[RougeMyst · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give it 4.5 stars I would. This book’s plot is very good, I feel like the writing could be better, however the superb editing makes up for some of it. The fact that the prime directive wasn’t mentioned is a little concerning but simple enough to overlook. Could have improved but still recommended read if you want to get into the literature side of Star Trek nonetheless.

[Daniel Shaw · Rating 1 out of 5]

Barely Sci-Fi

Wow, what a slog! The Federation and the Romulans each try to woo a newly unified planet. This is a tale of diplomacy, not action or adventure or really anything else you’re looking for from a TNG novel. Also don’t be fooled by Ensign Ro on the cover - she is only featured in a cringeworthy b-plot.

[SamB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very solid, a decent, entertaining read. The Ro-focused plot on board ship is pointless and total filler, but the planet-bound side, which takes up most of the length, is pretty strong. Good Picard work and the stuff with Sela works well too.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid Star Trek novel with an interesting and unexpected ending.

[Judith Paterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Competent Star Trek story. A new planet is being wooed by the Federation and the Romulans and things start to go wrong

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite like it.

[Peter G · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the Romulan stories are always intriguing, the main plot of this book felt like it was missing something and the Ro Laren sub plot, while funny/interesting, felt tacked on.

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

How can a Star Trek novel with Romulans be so disappointing?

[Jefferson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid story that, while not terribly exciting, reads like an episode of the show and doesn't end as predictably as you might expect it to.

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

4 stars for the main plot which I really enjoyed. Subtracting a star for the cringy, completely superfluous B-plot that did nothing but distract from the main.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The least you need to know: it's got Ro Laren.

A planet on the border of the Federation, Klingon, and Romulan empires has invited the Enterprise to sell its government on Federation membership. When the Big E arrives, however, they find a Romulan warbird waiting for them. The Romulans have also been invited to make a pitch for membership, and their negotiator is no less than Admiral Sela. Sela, who claims to be the daughter of an alternate-universe Tasha Yar, fell from grace after Picard dismantled her last set of nefarious plans, and for her snatching this planet from under his nose will be sweet revenge. During the week of meetings, however, several deadly explosions implicate the crews of both the Enterprise and Sela's warship, threatening both powers' desires. Incredibly, Data finds himself working with Sela to work out what third party is sabotaging the conferences. While this plot thread has considerable interest, given Data's intimate history with Yar, that angle is never pursued. The ending is a departure from the unexpected, but on the whole there's nothing really remarkable about the book. Ro Laren lends interest in her comic-relief thread, being assigned to babysit a civilian family after bodily throwing one too many civilians out of her way attracts the Wrath of Riker. A teenage boy in said family develops a raging crush on Ro, one which she is far too slow to pick up on. All told, this is enjoyable enough, but I only read it for the characters featured on the cover.

[Danie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's interesting how some of the Star Trek Novel writers believe that they have this great idea, and it sorta winds up that it's all the same great idea over and over. Take an alien race, and give them 20th Century equivalent technology and 20th Century problems and then have the Enterprise (and in this case the Romulans led by Sela, supposed daughter of Tasha Yar) make a first contact with the aliens, then have Picard and the Enterprise feel bad for them, but try their hardest not to judge the poor young race.

Yes, I get it, the alien race is us (or at least the 20th Century us). But, if you can get by the preaching, it's not a bad book. (And for the record, way back when those writing the Star Trek TV shows predicted that we'd already have had a World War Three by now. And while Earth's had our share of some humdinger wars, we've not yet had any that we've though big enough to call another World War.)

Truthfully, since the main story has been done before, both on the TV shows and other novels, I focused on the funny and interesting subplot concerning Ro Laren (she's still on the Enterprise in this story). The author seemed to have a good handle on the Ro character and all the subtlies that Michelle Forbes managed to portray on the TV show were present, as well as the humor being a good counterpoint to the highly stressful nature of the main plot. All in all a solid three stars Star Trek Novel.

[Breanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes. I read a Star Trek book. And I'll probably read another.

Just to start, I love the television series. I love the characters, I love the missions, I love the quiet hum of the ship in the background of each scene. I've passed by this section at the library and been tempted for a long time. Dignity held me back, but as I've learned working here, some of the books we readers indulge in hold little dignity for us. (Am I right, romance people?)

…There are just some books that receive more scorn than others. Like dorky sci-fi novels.

I really enjoyed reading this. It wasn't a gripping suspense that kept me turning pages, but still I enjoyed almost every minute of it. This author had a really good sense of each character's personality; he describes the thought processes of several characters (not just a one-person perspective), so you get a feel for the story through each person's eyes.

This book had the genuine feel of the television series, complete with side-story, humorous quips, and awkward moments.

Negatives?
Yes, at times, the dialogue or themes could get a little hackneyed: it's Star Trek. Lofty unrealistic utopian ideals? Sure. Vague explanations for technical complexities? Of course. But if you're prepared to suspend reality for a bit and relax, you might enjoy it.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both Romulans and the Federation are invited to a planet, so that the residents can choose a side. Things get pretty complicated after that including terrorist attactives, a detective mystery and an unwanted crush. This is mainly a Picard, Data and Geordi story. There is a small B plot with Ro but not enough to put her on the cover. A good read.

[Sean Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

So-so adventure where the Federation and the Romulans clash in a popularity contest to win over the newest planet to reach 'advanced' status. Ensign Ro Laren, the best Star Trek character in the whole 'verse, is wasted in a sub-plot about a teenage boy on the Enterprise developing a crush on her.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not too bad of a book, interesting reading more about Sela (Tasha Yar's Half-Romulan daughter).

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually a really good Star Trek novel. The story was well written and it was nice to see Tasha's daughter again!

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

slow beginning but steady pace

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one. Was one of the first I purchased many years ago