Violations

Star Trek: Voyager #4

by Susan Wright

Under the guise of helping the crew find a way home, a group of aliens board the "U.S.S. Voyager" TM, and then steal the main computer. To get it back, Captain Janeway is forced to negotiate with the thieves -- who are from a consortium of planets where thievery is a way of life. But as Janeway and the crew fight to retrieve their computer in time to save the barely functioning ship, they become embroiled in a political battle that could not only destroy the "U.S.S. Voyager," but the crew as well.

Genres: Star Trek, Science Fiction, Star Trek Voyager, Fiction, Media Tie In, Space Opera, Adventure

279 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 1995

About the author

See also S.L. Wright

Susan Wright (aka S.L. Wright) is a USA Today Bestselling author of more than two dozen novels and nonfiction books. She writes New Adult Contemporary Romance novels, as well as Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Science Fiction and Star Trek novels, and has been published by Pocket Books, Penguin Group, St. Martin’s Press and Kensington.

Reviews

[Louie the Mustache Matos · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Violations" is ST: VGR novel #4 from the Pocket Books series (started in 1978) and written by Susan Wright. This is my first Wright novel. I would have to see more from this writer to adequately judge if I want to read more of her work. This was a middle of the road read for me, and I need to read more to determine if Wright would be on my favored writer list.

Here, with the Voyager crew stranded in the Delta Quadrant, they seek assistance from an alien race that views information as currency. When they come to an agreement, the Tutopans fail to keep their side of the bargain, and instead steal Federation tech. While Janeway and Torres work one angle through a consortium, Paris, Neelix, Kim work a different angle that lands them all into all sorts of serious trouble.

Although the concept is interesting, Wright's handling of the characters is off. Whatever show bible she was working from was clearly different from the one used to write "The Escape." Some glaring distinctions involve the Emergency Medical Hologram being called Dr. Zimmerman instead of simply "The Doctor." Paris is more roguish (almost chaotic neutral.) Torres is angrier. Tuvok is more staid. Neelix is more insecure about Kes.

This is placing an emphasis on the worst aspects of the show. Luckily, the plot is interesting enough to even out the equation of: characterization bad = plot good. Hence my three stars.

[Soph · Rating 3 out of 5]

reread 2020: Trying to do more interesting things plot-wise and character-wise than the previous two novels and it pays off by being much more interesting. But it's still clearly working from a show bible that didn't fully make it into the canon of the show (e.g. the doctor having a name, Paris's motivations for being a disaster feel off.) There's some much better character dynamics happening, though I do feel like it leans far too much into all their flaws just to get everyone antagonistic.

And the "twist" at the very end is strange for a tie-in that's not actually canon, since it's something with future implications (that would be really interesting if it could have actually been explored) and the nature of these novels is that they have to maintain a status quo.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually have good things to say about Susan Wright's "Star Trek" writing, but here I think she's a victim of circumstance. Although the plot itself is solid if a touch rambling, the Voyager crew participating in it is a mess of descriptions from the original bible and scripts, and not the actual evolving TV series. As a result, all sort of characters veer between being wrong, or modeling characteristics that were toned down considerably. Examples include the Doctor being referred to as "Zimmerman", which was never taken up (even his actual catchphrase never accurately appears here); Paris is far too much of a wannabe criminal douche, Tuvok is far too uptight, and Torres far, FAR too angry. The rest of the crew, by comparison, is rather bland. The end result is a story that could have worked, but simply doesn't have a crew ready for the reader to emotionally invest in...but had this novel been released today, Susan Wright would have a field day with them, as she did with the DS9 crew in her best Trek novel, "The Tempest".

[Benjamin Hall · Rating 2 out of 5]

The basic premise of this book is a solid Star Trek-esque script: The computer core has been stolen and they have to get it back. The issue was how boring it was. The plot moved slow as molasses. It involved a lot of politics of an alien race that I just couldn't bring myself to care about. The descriptions of how their society functioned was unclear.

The Voyager characters were close, but just seemed a little too.... off. Tom was too roguish, Torres too angry, Kes too adept at medicine and technology, the Doctor was referred to as Zimmerman throughout. It all just ever-so-slightly missed the mark.

It wasn't a BAD story by any means. It just felt like much more of a chore than the previous installments, and so far, my least favorite.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though a lot of these ideas would be used (stolen?!) in later Voyager episodes it was an interesting story. I don't think Tom Paris quite fit into his character until the end but this was written early into the show (Doctor Zimmerman I presume?). The problems that they faced were interesting along with their solutions though the villain wasn't as interesting as I'd hoped and was the weaker part of the story. All in all, I did enjoy it.

[Andy Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quite a good book and totally separate from the later story in the series where where Voyager's computer core is stolen. One element of the book that I liked is that the characters actually came across as they were supposed to. Quite often in fiction based on TV series authors have characters acting totally inappropriately, but Susan Wright hit the nail on head with this book.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once the foundations of the story had been established I started to really enjoy this book.

There were a lot of details included in the new environment like the hub, the cartel, the antagonistic characters and the political aspects, which are essential to the storyline.

There are a couple of sub-plots in the book, refreshing the narrative, that all come together in the end. I enjoyed the mixture of scenes as we follow the main characters through their individual ordeals.

I would fully recommend to an avid Star Trek Voyager fan.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Voyager gets their main computer stolen and they have to get it back. There are the odd nice character moments but the plot feels clunky. There's something not quite right with the way this book flows. An ok read.

[Jason Snelgrove · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the realm of Star Trek literature, Susan Wright's "Star Trek: Voyager – Violations" certainly commands attention, with its tightly woven narrative and an intriguing premise that adds to the canon of Star Trek: Voyager. Wright expertly portrays the beloved crew of the U.S.S. Voyager, exploring uncharted territories and unimaginable alien cultures.

Wright's strength lies in her ability to authentically portray the show's characters and further enrich their backstories. Captain Kathryn Janeway is deftly presented as the strong and resourceful leader we've come to admire on the show, while the other characters like Chakotay, B'Elanna Torres, and the Doctor all get their share of the spotlight. Readers will appreciate the further development of Seven of Nine, in particular, who continues to grapple with her human identity post-Borg assimilation.

The plot is intriguing, set in a time where the Voyager crew encounters a mysterious alien species with a complex cultural backdrop. The underlying theme explores morality, cultural relativity, and challenges the crew's ethics in a way that is quintessentially Star Trek. It presents dilemmas that will get you thinking and asking: what would you do in their place?

However, "Star Trek: Voyager – Violations" is not without its flaws. The narrative pace takes a significant dip midway through the book. Though the initial set up of the plot and character dynamics are compelling, the story begins to meander in the middle, which might make it a struggle for some readers to maintain interest. Extended conversations and overly descriptive sections slow the pace down considerably, affecting the overall rhythm and intensity of the book. This diversion into slower pacing might be a purposeful tool to heighten the tension and allow the reader to delve deeper into the world of the Voyager crew, but it could also come off as excessive and monotonous.

Thankfully, the story picks back up towards the end, culminating in a suspenseful and dramatic conclusion that leaves readers wanting more. The climax renews the vigor and excitement one would expect from a Star Trek adventure.

In conclusion, "Star Trek: Voyager – Violations" is an immersive experience with engaging character dynamics, despite the slow-paced middle section. It is a testament to Wright's skills that despite the mid-novel slump, readers are still compelled to stick with it, eager to reach the resolution. For fans of the series, it is certainly worth your time and offers a fresh perspective on the beloved Voyager crew's journey. However, newcomers to the franchise may want to acquaint themselves with the Star Trek universe before delving into this book for a more comprehensive understanding and enjoyment. Overall, it is a worthy addition to the ever-expanding universe of Star Trek literature.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always have had a great deal of respect for the writers who had to cobble together stories while the series of Star Trek were on the air. Half of what they posited would get destroyed at the next episode, they were working off bad character concepts, or half-finished story ideas. Not to mention, the timeline of Star Trek went through heavy distortion and I have been recently hurt by the realization that Stardates don't mean anything.

That said, this was an entertaining read. Susan Wright does capture the essences of the characters and even switches the viewpoints around to all the senior crew, as opposed to just one or two. Everyone gets a chance to shine in the spotlight, which was very fun.

[Amy Tudor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid characterisation, with a great Trek story. I thought this was the best one so far. All the main bridge crew were involved in the story, there was a good amount of action and adventure.

I agree with other reviewers that the characters personalities were a little too intense in places but I thought it worked well in the story and fit in with the way they were written in the early seasons.

Ending was a little abrupt and the repercussions of torture again don't seem to be a problem for Paris as he's able to pilot the ship through complicated manoeuvres immediately after being rescued. And I was hoping he'd also be able to reconcile with Neelix after abandoning him.

[Frank Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasantly surprised! On reading the description you'll see that the main plot point was later borrowed for an episode, but you might be as pleased as I was when you discover that the book doesn't follow the same progression of events that were in that episode.

I thought the characters were very well written, and if you can get past The Doctor's name you'll find him behaving much like we know him. I recommend this one.

[Sam Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of me wanted to give this a 4 but it just doesn't have enough quality, it was written very early in Voyagers run and I think that may have held it back. That being said I absolutely adored the character arcs in this, it felt like every major character got a time to shine, from the doctor to Ton Paris. This is a must read for Voyager fans, moreso because Torres is on the cover and she's super hot.

[Sophie HT · Rating 3 out of 5]

✓My rating system;
1* = DNF, the book was so awful I couldn't finish it. Life is too short.
2* = Finished it, but dear God I wish I hadn't!!
3* = Enjoyed it at the time, good page turner. Can't remember much.
4* = Thoroughly enjoyed. Retained lots of detail. Possible re-read.
5* = BRILLIANT! FANTASTIC! MUST READ AGAIN!!

[Christina Farr-Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

one of the better ones. Last chapter is a bit weird but still good.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read. The author has a very good ear for Star Trek techno-babble but she relies on it a bit too heavily. Too much techno-babble for my taste. But it is an enjoyable read.

[Jena Fi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm starting to read Voyager from the beginning ... but I want some Chakoty/Janeway .... were is some books were he Calls her "Kathryn" ?? can anyone suggest some?

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

star trek pocket books my beloved <3

[Bethany Mortimore · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright bit of a boring plot and the characterization felt off.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting story, but there are still several things that don't quite match up with the show.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The technical talk was boring and the plot took a while to take off. Also, the doctor wasn’t the doctor and they gave him a name he never chose.

[Paul Riches · Rating 3 out of 5]

Star Trek Voyager Violations computes on almost all levels



It is a great plot especially for Star Trek Voyager.

Someone steals the main computer processor.

Which makes the Starship a lame, limping duck, stuck in the Delta Quadrant, far from home.

Voyager was the fourth Star Trek television series, which melded the Lost In Space concept onto the venerable franchise. The ship and crew are about 70 odd years at high warp away from Earth, which means no backup is readily available. This was the first Trek series that I ever saw every episode of, mostly because I just loved the idea.

But back to Violations. Susan Wright wrote this paperback, which came out in 1995, probably before the first episodes even aired of the series. So we are dealing very very early on in the characters journey, which is always interesting in the novels.

Here, Voyager enters an area of space run by a government of pirates. They arrange a trade of information, star charts for worm hole locations, but instead they swipe the computer processor. Without this key technology, the ship plods along and barely functions. And they will almost certainly never make it home.

Captain Janeway and her crew manage to get Voyager to the Hub, a huge space station that is run by the pirates, who have their own complex series of government and commerce, all very mercenary of course. Everyone gets assignments, all to keep Voyager somehow running, but also to retrieve the computer processor.

Wright does a really good job of getting all the characters right, or at least as right as they can be this massively early on. And she gives everyone something to do. Assignments are given, and as plans of course go awry, who does what shifts naturally. No where did any part feel forced or stupid throughout the main body of the story.

One particular highlight is The Doctor and everything around him. How does he function amidst all this? A logical fans theories of how to resolve this situation are addressed very well here. And yes, this is so early on that The Doctor hear is named, as shown in the show bible, an idea the series dropped entirely.

Another good part is showing how the crew cope with this calamity, by cobbling together other bits and pieces of technology to somehow getting somethings to somewhat function. If you despise technobabble, Violations might not be for you, but I do not mind it.

The only real drawback here is the ending, which is filled with political intrigue and such. Now, this is not a spoiler, since Star Trek deals with politics all the time, but here it feels murky and rushed and frankly I couldn’t care less.

Star Trek Voyager Violations is a great adventure showcasing all the cast in a real dangerous crisis. It was fun and interesting and really could have been an episode of the series.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

One good thing about reading the early Star Trek Voyager books is that you can get a sense of the tension between the various cast members that was not explored in the TV series. Here the crew is still in the 'getting to know you' stage and there are still some obvious conflicts that still need to be worked out.

The bad thing about the early books is that they are just that. Early. The show had barely started and the characters had not yet come into their own. There are some inconsistencies with the TV canon. Janeway refers to Chakotay as "Number One' and the Doctor is called "Zimmerman.'

However the basic plot was good. The computer core was stolen by a conglomerate centered in a place called "The Hub'. In a twist the computer was not to be used by smugglers for their own gain but rather to be used to help coordinate a revolution.

Without the main computer the other systems are on the fritz including the Doctor. Janeway and B'elanna try to get the computer back through official channels while Tom Paris does what early Tom Paris did which was to go against orders and lurk about in the back alleys and seedier parts of the Hub using his charm and street smarts to gather information. Janeway and B'elanna are trapped and Tom gets captured. I did like the Janeway and B'elanna interaction and once again the friendship of Tom and Harry shines through.

I did have a few problems with it. There is a lot of techno talk as Kim and Kess struggle to get the systems and the Doctor online. The regulations of the Hub are tiring to read and Kes glides through this barely making any mistakes or showing any flaws and Neelix is annoying cloying around her.

Despite this it is overall a fairly good adventure and there was nothing in the writing itself that distracted from the story.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, this one was okay, but there are definitely better Voyager books out there. I think the lack of character development was the most annoying. This book must have been sent to the publisher before the series even aired (were they that eager to make $$?... okay stupid question... but were they that confident that it would make $$?). The doctor being called Zimmerman and other inconsistencies made me want to throw the book away, but I was on vacation with limited options :) I won't read early early books again.
That all being said, the plot was okay (bad aliens take Voyager's computer, but they have deeper reasons than just selling it on the black market) and the writing was good enough to keep my attention.

[James Hough · Rating 2 out of 5]

I pushed through to finish this one but didn't find it very rewarding. The characters are firmly set in their Season 1 versions, the major alien race and system of government introduced are uninteresting, and any action scenes are brief. There are also constant reminders that this is outside of the TV Voyager universe. For example; The Doctor is exclusively referred to as Zimmerman (this was because the early Voyager writers' guide stated that, after The Doctor's name crisis, he would settle on Zimmerman. This never came to pass on the TV show but is a constant reminder that the book isn't canon). And the final scene has implications that never came to pass in later seasons.

[Elizabeth Perez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a horrible Voyager book but not the best either. I think the writing and story/plot was solid and I enjoyed learning a little more about the characters and how the ship runs, but it was just too much computer talk for me. I wish there was more action or some romance, something to off set all the computer jargon.

I also just read #8 Cybersong which was similar in the way that it was mostly about computers, but it had an amazing ending where this one was just ok.

I do enjoy the numbered books though. The Murdered Sun, Marooned, and The Escape are some of my favorites if anyone is wanting suggestions on what to read next.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because of the adventure. Even when they think that all might be lost, as they so often do in Voyager, they always find a way to squeeze by.
Meeting yet another new species, or several in fast, who seem to want to do anything to be annoying and even to hinder progress. Not even knowing what is real when they are in the presence of these aliens. However, I think Tom Paris finally got some credit, as did Harry Kim.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read and a fun journey back to the early days of Voyager.

The nature of Voyager's problems was interesting to read about. Enjoyed the way the relationship between the Captain and B'Elanna was written; reminded me of how much I liked angry Maquis B'Elanna in the days she still had four ridges instead of three.

[Lefty · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was too bogged down to be enjoyable, and the characterizations seem flimsy (again). Also, is it just me, or did this book have a lot more sexual tension than some of the other books, or even the series as a whole? It seems like Kes is a supermodel in this one, but she (innocently or not) flirts with every male character.

Regrettable. Moving on to Number 5. Eventually.

[Nicolas · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book felt just like an early episode of the Voyager TV show... and I don't mean that in a good way. It was interesting enough, but dragged a bit towards the end. Many of the characters felt underdeveloped. Not great.