The Genesis Wave, Book 1

Star Trek: The Next Generation

by John Vornholt, Esther M. Friesner, Tim Russ (Read by)

After hundreds of planets are destroyed by a powerful wave of energy, Captain Picard and his crew investigate a possible connection to the Genesis Device, as the future of Earth and the Romulan Empire hang in the balance.

Genres: Star Trek, Science Fiction, Star Trek The Next Generation, Fiction, Space, Adventure, Audiobook

3 pages, Audio CD

First published September 1, 2000

About the author

John Vornholt also writes as Caroline Goode.

Reviews

[Benjamin Rytting · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wouldn't be good if I didn't already love the show. But still a charming read

[Steven Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for a Next Generation story with some relics from the first generation, look no further.

Strange aliens with hallicinagenic powers capture Kirk's ex-wife and persuade her to finish her Genesis experiments, giving them a mother of all WMDs, and only the Next Gen Enterprise can stop them.

[Frank Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 5-star concept written into a 4-star story.

The genesis wave destruction begins while a science team is going to lengths to circumvent safety precautions.... so I was immediately suspecting an accident but that didn't play out. The set up contains all of the trademarks of Romulan treachery, but it appears the danger is as much a threat to Romulus as it is to Earth.

Cool choice of characters, I liked the easy use of a broad array of alien species. Leah Brahms is back to play a critical role. Vornholt works on Geordi's lack of romantic skills, which is fitting with Leah in this story but I always find it awkward. Data playing mentor and wingman is classic hilarious though. Maltz is a fantastic Klingon warrior too.

Dr Carol Marcus has reached the ripe old age of 135(ish) and apparently the mother of Kirk's son is losing her wits in a long term "care" situation provided (enforced) by the Federation to keep her secrets, secret. Well, so much for that idea.

I liked Vornholt's writing, I thought a bit of the drama was unnecessarily manufactured by exaggerated expressions of fear, which the events themselves could have handled but overall I enjoyed the telling of this story.

A few other reviewers complain about his characterisations but apart from Diana behaving with over the top hysteria I thought the rest of the cast were fairly recognisable. Those other reviews prompted me to briefly survey Vornholt's books, of which it appears I'd read at least a half dozen and all of those I'd rated 4 or 5 stars. I guess it's a matter of taste rather than skill. A lot of people like Peter David's Trek writing but I'm not a fan (and always find an opportunity to say so, like now when it's barely relevant).

Mild trivia note: There are heaps of references to people and events from Trek lore but see if you notice the mention of a Lt. David Mack, a coincidence or an author cameo?

[Lynette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the plot, but not the writing. I'm going to read the second book in this trilogy and hope the writing and character building get a little better.

[Byron · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the idea of bringing back Leah Brahms as it was a great opportunity to redeem the character, a weak female stereotype if ever there was one, and especially the Genesis technology. But this was pretty lackluster and failed to do justice to Brahms’ predicament.

I read (or listen) to Trek books because I’m a big ole Trekkie. But it’s rare for a novel in these series to really impress, and this was basically awful. There are certainly plot-holes, but as problems, they pale in comparison to all the poorly-drawn characters. Especially the women.

All of the women in this story seem to be far more concerned with the safety of their men than doing their jobs. Troi is so distracted from counseling dozens of legitimately traumatized victims that she pushes through them in order to find Will and urge him to resist a dangerous assignment. Because she loves him, and danger for Starfleet officers is a new concept to her, apparently. She comes off as emotional first, intelligent and capable a distant second. Not true to the character in canon, who knows and honors her obligations without question.

Geordi’s interaction (I refuse to say “relationship”) with Dr Brahms was ridiculous on TNG, and it’s equally ridiculous here. The woman has a fiancée, a career, she’s brilliant, and has a litany of reasons to wanna keep him at least a light year away from her. But she tolerates him anyway, because Geordi. In actuality the character is even more stupid here, considering what she experiences in the first scene. She’s basically a Bond girl. A brilliant scientist mostly reduced to humanizing a super-problematic male character.

That said, she does captain a ship and keep cool under pressure, earning the respect of the Klingon, which is cool.

So the inclusion of that character dynamic didn’t help the case for this book and its rather clunky writing. The story is interesting in some small ways (Genesis, enemies cooperating in the face of disaster, the return of Carol Marcus!) and would’ve made a fun two-part episode. But as it is I’m glad I only have this on audio cuz it’s one of the lesser Trek novels I’ve read.

As for the audio version specifically: unfortunately the narration by Tim Russ is pretty wooden, and his bass-heavy voice is almost painful to listen to thanks to the mic they used, probably an SM7B, which only accentuates the outrageous low end and makes him sometimes difficult to listen to.

Not every Trek book can be read by Kate Mulgrew. Sigh.

Sadly because I am a glutton for punishment and a completionist, I now have to listen to book two. Good thing I have that long commute back and forth to work each day.



PS- here’s my favorite awful bit of prose, paraphrased:

“[character] didn’t even see the rock before it slammed into [his/her] head, knocking [him/her] to the ground, unconscious.”

I recognize this construction as pretty cliche, but it also defies the logic of third person POV. So if they didn’t see it before OR after it knocked them unconscious...then it makes no sense to call it a rock. Unless we switched into someone else’s POV. But we didn’t. Cliche AND nonsensical. Yes I’m nitpicking. It bugged me!

[Eric Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know about this. This wasn't a favorite. So the Gensis technology has been stolen. Carol Marcus has been abducted by someone she thought was her late son David. It appears the only person who know what's going on is a Klingon who survived the Gensis Planet. I'm not sure where this sits in the timeline but I think Spock should have been consulted on this.

[Anthony Carota · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was and ok book

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not really a fan of John Vornholt. Star Trek novelist REALLY vary. Some like Diane Duane, Peter David, David Mack, Keith R.A. DeCandido, etc. all do stories good enough to be canon. Michael Jan Friedman can tell a good tale but something seems just a little off. There are one or two instances where he made a mistake that most Star Trek novelist make early on... that Bones and Spock actually hate each other. It'd be one thing if it was his first TOS novel. But it was maybe his third or fourth. It's odd. Howard Weinstein contributed to Star Trek canon, as Pirates of Orion is one of the first animated episodes to be brought back into canon, but all but two of his Trek books SUCK. And then you have Vornholt. Who is good on high concept and but generally terrible at execution. And most of the time most his characters, even those who are supposed to be fucking adults, act like horny adolescents.
And yeah, you get a LOT of that in the first book...
But... I hate to come up in Vornholt's defense here. At least after the pain of Gemworld but....
The main character behaving that way is Geordi. And it was toward a traumatized (but newly widowed) Leah Brahms. When Brahms is involved... that's how Geordi behaves. That's canon.
The other character acting that way is Riker... but the story is set less than a year after Insurrection and Deanna is in danger... so... again... that's not exactly out of character for him.

In fact, I think it is safe to say this might be the best Trek book he's ever written. Because he wrote characters that play to his limitations.

[Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been on a bender lately reading weighty books on gender and racial equality, and the philosophical fine points of the cost (financial, emotional, social and spiritual) of war. This book, part of a 3-part series that really should be one book - was a successful attempt at reading for pleasure for a change.

How was it? I enjoyed it. I like books, not just Star Trek books, that find ways to incorporate minor characters in their respective universes in more prominent roles (one of the finer aspects of the 1632 series and its offshoots, if you ask me, which you most certainly did not). Even if it is just a temporary moment in the spotlight, we get to see aspects of the characters that might not have come to light in a 10 second cameo on an obscure TV/movie episode.

In book one, Dr. Leah Brahms, Dr. Carol Marcus and Maltz (cho nee choo!) - for very different reasons - have the light shone on them. It took about 3 hours to listen to the book, and it was fun. What more could I ask for?

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

An epic tale in the making, but potentially marred by an uninspired protagonist. This review follows my second read through of The Genesis Wave Book 1.

The Enterprise is called to investigate a sector-wide blackout near Starfleet outpost Seran-T One, home to Geordi's former love interest Doctor Leah Brahms. Panic ensues when it's discovered that the Genesis Device invented by Dr. Carol Marcus has been weaponized and is spreading through the Federation on a direct course for Earth.

Prior experience with John Vornholt Star Trek novels has been hit and miss: I thoroughly enjoyed his Gemworld duology but his contributions to the "A Time To..." relaunch series left me cold. So it was with some trepidation that I launched into "The Genesis Wave", a three-part series chronicling the mother of all doomsday scenarios. Thankfully book one is written with sufficient pace to keep me glued to the page and even embark on a second reading. One caveat I should include from the outset, however: The Genesis Wave is weighted towards the action adventure side, often to the detriment of character moments which can so often push Star Trek novels into greatness. It's not necessarily a bad thing, especially in the first of a trilogy, but I do hope Vornholt invests more time in the characters in the subsequent two books.

Vornholt executes a rollercoaster of a narrative in Book One, following Leah Brahms' agony as she watches her husband and world destroyed around her by the deadly Genesis Wave. Brahms instantly becomes a tormented character, consumed by grief, shock, depression and revenge simultaneously. This makes Brahms a fascinating lead in the first half of the book: we share her shock and confusion, and desire to make sense of what has just happened. The incorporation of the Klingon Maltz (from Star Trek III fame) is a great nod to canon, and his unlikely pairing with Brahms is something which strangely works very well. I was happy that Brahms' desire for revenge is channeled through Maltz and her rather unlikable whiny Tellarite assistant Paldor is quickly despatched at the nearest starbase.

As the Enterprise is drawn into the story via Geordi (who is seemingly still in regular contact with Brahms), the stakes are raised a we realise that the entire Federation is in jeopardy from the the rampaging Genesis Wave. It is set to destroy all life on numerous worlds in its path, including half the Romulan Star Empire and finally... Earth. Vornholt's depiction of the Federation's panicked response to the wave is extremely well written. Starfleet is painfully slow, gutted by the recent Dominion War and dangerously vulnerable. Assembling at Persephone V, a planet for retired Starfleet personnel, it quickly becomes clear that Starfleet's response is woefully inadequate. Chaos ensues on the planet as Starfleet botches the evacuation: the populace riot when it becomes clear that there aren't enough ships to rescue them. I did start to question certain characters' actions at this point (Picard especially seems uncharacteristically negligent here, particularly in his duty of care to his away team and shuttlecraft), although I suppose one could write off a certain amount of this as a result of shock, unpreparedness and panic. The outcome is disastrous: millions die and Deanna Troi is left emotionally scarred due to her exposure to the dying moments of the planet.

At this point, permanent thorn in Picard's side Admiral Alynna Nechayev enters the fray, mobilising Starfleet into action and revealing that the Genesis Wave is technology stolen from Starfleet via the recently abducted scientist Dr. Carol Marcus. Starfleet will stand at Myrmidon, a Bolian colony, and despath a fleet of Defiant Class vessels to locate the origin of the wave. Vornholt is hot on his canon here: I loved the introduction of Mot (who takes on a sizable role in the story), and the depiction of the very spiritual Bolian people who would rather commit mass suicide than endure a painful death by the Wave. Nechayev pulls in the Klingons and Romulans to assist in a two-tiered approach: evacuate as many as possible, and use Romulan interphase technology to form protective "bubbles" over population centers. The novel glides along at breakneck speed in the final quarter as Starfleet races against time to action its response and protect Myrmidon from destruction. Stakes are ratcheted up even higher when its revealed that Nechayev will stay with Geordi and many others on the surface as a show of faith to the population while the wave passes over them.

Meanwhile, the Defiant-class Neptune has encountered "vegetable-like matter" in the Boneyard, a region of space pinpointed as the origin of the wave. The ship mysteriously goes dark, and then reappears in orbit of Myrmidon. Crusher is despatched to take the ship to safety, and she soon starts experiencing visions of her departed son Wesley.

Book 1 ends with all hell breaking loose as the wave hits and Crusher returns with the Neptune to fire on the surface. A thrilling conclusion to a book dripping in action.

My quibbles are few, but nonetheless worth mentioning:
* Geordi is STILL hung up on Leah. God this is tiring. In the middle of the worst disaster the Federation has seen in decades, Geordi is mooching over Leah and ruminating about making his move now that her husband is dead. The author does pull back every time these scenes come up, but frankly I could have done without them at all.
* The inept Neptune crew. Allowing an away team to board an unknown escape pod and bring organic matter back to the ship. Foolishness of the highest order.
* A vegetable protagonist. Hmm. I'm really not convinced, and it somehow diminishes the ability of the author to characterize an aggressor. I'm holding judgment until Books 2 and 3, but have concerns.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this book too three or four false starts before I really got into it. The first few chapters starred characters that were minor or I'd never met them before. This is a media tie-in novel which, for the reader means you want to see characters you know and love. It's short hand that allows you to sink into the novel without having to explain the setting, characters, and cultures. It's a great tool and one I've come to expect but since the first half of the book isn't about characters I'm intimately familiar with it was a stumbling block. To some extent this is my fault since I haven't seen all of TOS and the movies.

In the end I have to say that I enjoyed it. It's an interesting plot but because of the first half I feel like we weren't really able to sink our teeth in to it. I'm excited about book two and by the end of this book I was invested In Brahms and Maltz.

[John Szalasny · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Genesis Wave - a blast from the past. A supersized rerun, 90 years after the initial testing by Carol & David Marcus from Star Trek II. The only thing it was missing was the criminal character and the death of a second in command (to be reborn in a future book). Seriously though, this is a book one of a series that does not have the completed feel of a book. The reading of Tim Russ (Voyager's Tuvok) adds little to the presentation of a story that has potential, but the ending was neither a cliffhanger nor a real pull to get me to read the next installment.

[Ann Feutz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genesis - the device created by Carol and David Marcus in Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan returns 90 years later as a weapon of mass destruction. The crew of Star Trek: The Next Generation is in place to stop it.

The plot is fast moving, the character development is spot on, and the cliffhanger will make you scream a little.

I absolutely loved having Dr. Leah Brahms back and Consul Maltz is an alcoholic, old Klingon that proves his loyalties throughout the book.

I definitely want to know what happens in book 2!

[Lois Merritt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bringing back Genesis was definitely an interesting idea (and having Carol Marcus still alive - though, hey, if McCoy can still be kicking in the TNG world, so could she).

I listened to the audio, which is probably abridged like all the rest, so I might not have gotten the whole story as written, but for once, geez, a real cliffhanger. Once upon a time I read quite a few of the Trek books, and I just don't remember that happening.

Anyway, it was interesting, got me to listen to part 2 to see what happens, but not sure if I can really say I like it as it's own story.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly interesting concept with an average execution.

The Genesis Wave is such a cool idea. I love the return of older characters.

My main issue with the execution of this novel is with the characterizations, everyone seems slightly off. It is mostly noticeable in the dialogue. Geordi's characterization is the worst, he comes across as more of a horny teenager than a competent adult engineer.

Ends on a cliffhanger, obviously as it is book 1 of 3. I will be reading the next one.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book despite the start being a little predictable. It's a great way to bring this concept to the Next Gen era and had a great balance of old, recurring and new characters so it was not too overwhelming. A great start to the series so hopefully it finds a way to end well as the book does leave a lot of mystery to wrap up for the next book (or so...).

[libraryofthecrypt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know I’m going to finish this trilogy because I want to read all of the Star Trek books but if that wasn’t my goal I would drop this trilogy.

It’s not horrible I just wish someone else wrote it especially since the woman don’t come out right. I don’t know might re-read this when I decide to continue on with the trilogy in hopes that I change my opinion on it.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sort of apocalyptic, sort of a mystery.

Mainly a reconnection of love stuff: Dr. Carol Marcus returns (sans Kirk), Geordi and 2 women, a troubled marriage, and more Imzadi stuff.

This is tenuously connected to one of the most popular Star Trek storylines (anything with Khan, am I right) and shoves in the liked characters from Next Generation (Geordi, Crusher, Data, etc.).

[Happy Scrappy Hero Pup · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick Shot: Book bad, Tim Russ good. I own this on paperback and audible. Tim Russ’ narration and character voices in the audible book are TOP NOTCH! The only/best way to consume this book is through the Tim Russ audiobook, periodt. By contrast, the story itself is derivative and I very much dislike that Vornholt has forced us to ‘watch’ Geordi pine over Leah Brahms - a married woman that he famously creeped on during the TNG show - and continue to obsess over her in the midst of a major crisis. As a retired Army Soldier, I can tell you that in combat and/or under duress, we aren’t pining over lost loves, we’re focused on the mission. Geordi is a consummate professional and would do the same. I love Geordi and I’m 100% sure Geordi is a better man than Vornholt writes him here. The love triangle JV puts Geordi into is a JV-move; it’s in bad taste.


My thoughts. Written as I was reading the book:

Why? Why? Why? Why bring back one of the most uncomfortable, cringe-worthy stories in Star Trek: The Next Generation history? Geordi is one of my favorite characters in all of Trek history, and this story only reminds us of one of the worst conceived stories that insulted Geordi and, by extension, Lavar Burton. The original episode was bad enough; Vornholt should have known better than to bring it back up. I'm completely open to have someone change my opinion on this, so if you have a different perspective, please share it with me.

Opening the book with Carol Marcus was an awesome high for me! I was excited! The very next scene introduces Leah Brahms to the story. I was twice as excited! She's brilliant and compelling! Then...enter Geordi. Not only is Geordi introduced, but his lovelorn creepy feelings for a married woman who clearly has no interest in him doesn't make him seem compelling...it make him seem like a weak, loser. If Geordi had felt completely professional around her, it would have rehabbed Geordi and shown character growth for him. The fact that the book opens with him still creepily pining over Leah...just...is so painful. The powers that be should have vetoed this setup.

I literally waited 20 years after reading the Geordi introduction bit to finally go back and finish reading the book. I just didn't want to cringe throughout the book, so 20 years ago I quit the book and tossed it into a box of Trek paperbacks in my basement. Even after all these years, it was still difficult to read cuz - again - Geordi is described as keeping thinking about his obsession with Leah.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars is generous. The book feels like a first draft, with more emphasis on the horrors of the wave and less on writing the characters well. I'll still listen to the other two, since nothing is resolved in this book.

[John Barclay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good idea for a story. Take the first gen film plot and put the possibilities of the story into Next Generation. Well done too... so far, as this is only book 1 of 3 I'm worried that they will get lost somewhere in the second book, but I'm willing to find out.

[Bill Lancaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book!

Everyone KNEW that there would have to be some type of sequel, involving the Genesis Device, and it being perverted into a weapon... the question is WHO is responsible for this??? My money is on Section 31 or the JemHadar.

[William Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

An acceptable if somewhat average entry into the Star Trek TNG book series. I liked the overall story, the use of the Genesis device in a TNG era story, and the way it ties certain characters and events from Star Trek III into the story flawlessly. Hardly perfect, but its enjoyable for what it is.

[David A. Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Masterful sci/fi! Superlative!

Great tech, marvelously written story, satisfying detail, very well-defined and nicely developed characters all embedded in an epic storyline that would not let me stop reading. I need more!

[Steve Rooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

This is a great Star Trek story that relies on relationships between the characters to develop the plot. While the basis for the novel was an older story, the author carefully and artfully creates an excellent sequel.

[John Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book was ok overall tho I didn't like Geordi walking around like a lovesick puppy constantly thinking about Leah Brahms. Feels like it diminished his character for the plot. Interested to see how her role develops in the next book.

[Leandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the recording is abridged, it lacks some of the story's nuances and depth, but still one of Star Trek's best horror books.

[Todd R · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good start to a series, that I hope retains the interesting and fast moving plot.

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was addictive...

[Darrin Snider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well... THAT was epic. Hopefully the other installments live up to the build.