Epiphany

Star Trek: Vulcan's Soul #3

by Josepha Sherman, Susan Shwartz

As the hidden truth about the Romulan's early history is revealed at last, its implications for the future play out as Spock and his allies reach across a gulf of both time and space in an attempt to bridge the millennia separating the long-scattered offshoots of the Vulcan people.

Genres: Star Trek, Science Fiction, Fiction, Ebooks, Star Trek Original Series, Adventure, Media Tie In

352 pages, Hardcover

First published April 17, 2007

About the author

Josepha Sherman was an American author, folklorist, and anthologist. In 1990 she won the Compton Crook Award for the novel The Shining Falcon.

Reviews

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

After multiple attempts, I can finally say that I finished this trilogy! I'm glad that my local library's basement had all three volumes for sale on the cheap recently.

[Nicolas · Rating 1 out of 5]

This felt like a convoluted mess to me. Which is a shame because the 2 books that started this off, Vulcan's Forge & Vulcan's Heart were easily two of my favorite Star Trek books of all time. The Vulcan's Soul trilogy just never worked for me. I coulnd't get into the host of original characters and never found the Watraii that interesting. It also doesn't really make sense that Chekov and Uhura are still active and around in the post-TNG era. Skip the trilogy and read the duology that started it.

[Becky · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had a friend in Junior High School who would tell me about a book she had read or a movie she had seen by retelling the entire story, including quoting favorite lines of dialog and describing bits of action. By the time she was done, I felt like I knew everything about the book or movie, except why she liked it. The details were there, but the fun was lost in translation.

That's how this book, and the two previous volumes in the series, felt to me. I felt like someone had read a really good book with fascinating ideas, action and characters and stripped away everything that made it interesting and fun and turned it into a tedious summary of what had happened offstage. Most, if not all, of the book felt like an epilogue or prologue for some other, much better, book. I kept wondering where the good book was so I could go read it and quit wasting so much time reading about it instead.

The ONLY reason I finished this series was because I have a really long commute, and I had limited options on my iPod. That, and I'm an optimist and I kept hoping the prologue would end and the real book would finally start. It never did.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am incredibly torn by this book. While I enjoyed reading about other characters being involved in the "present" storyline, some of the situations felt stilted, and didn't feel like the characters usually do. With the memory storyline, I felt the author projected what was going on too early, which means when the big reveal happens, everyone has already guessed what was going on. The climax of the series didn't really exist, which was rather disappointing, and the resolution meandered and lost its way.

[Anita · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the 3rd in a series of 3 novels about the origins of the Romulans from the Vulcan people. I should have read it closer to reading the other two. There were 3 different storylines, 2 of which happened concurrently and the third in the far past. It was sometimes confusing to keep track of what time period I was in. Otherwise, it's an interesting explanation for Romulans having come from Vulcans and even explains the Remans (from the ST:TNG movie "Nemesis").

[Scotto · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went back and viewed ST: Nemesis again after reading this series. It actually made Nemesis make sense, something it did not at the time.

[Celest · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt this series was building to something and then it just fell flat at the end....

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the final book in the "Vulcan's Soul" trilogy and it is as gripping as the first two books. Josepha Sherman has answered the question: "Who are the Remans?" Readers who have watched Star Trek: Nemesis will remember the introduction of the mysterious race and its leader the enigmatic Shinzon. Shinzon was revealed to be a clone of Jean-Luc Picard. Until this book trilogy, there was a theory that the Remans were a different race and enslaved by the Romulans. At least, if you follow only movie canon.

If the books are also accepted as "canon" and the creators of Star Trek has not moved some of the books as "Legends"/ alternate universe like Star Wars, and the only accepted alternate universes are the Kelvin Timeline (aka Abramsverse) or the Mirror Universe, then Sherman's trilogy ought to be accepted as the answer to the origins of the Remans.

I bring up the Remans first to set up the Watraii. The Watraii are never referenced in any subsequent books and by other writers. Nevertheless, I like Sherman's portrayal of them - a second Sundering and revenge for being forced to flee Remus after the betrayal. Their escape to another barren world and forced to survive and rebuild civilization at the end led to their masks and the lightning motif. That brings it full circle to when we are introduced to them.

Where I dislike this book is the fact Sarissa's escape and the birth of Watraii takes place in the last 25% of the book. It just jumps back the present without mentioning how they managed to grow their colony, start their space program, and rediscover the Romulan Star Empire. Even hints and two paragraphs might lessen the feeling of a rushed ending.

The epilogue was also long with Spock using Karatek's coronet but not connecting the dots until much later or Neral's final musings. IMHO, better to focus on the Watraii and their integration into the larger galactic community.

Lastly, there were other proto-Vulcanoid races introduced in Star Trek (book, TV, or movie) and it doesn't address their origins. Was it parallel evolution? The other lost Vulcans on those ships who then regressed? Sherman doesn't have to answer them, but she did raise that question. But then, why ask questions and offer no answer?

Ultimately, this trilogy is worth reading, if you are okay with the back and forth between visions of the past and actions of the present.

[Katheyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Epiphany” is the conclusion to the “Vulcan’s Soul Trilogy” by Josepha Sherman and Susan Shwartz, which - together with the “Rihannsu: The Bloowing Voyages” by Diane Duane - is a pivotal work to understand the role of both Vulcan and Rihannsu, who Sherman & Shwartz broadly address by their given federation name, Romulans.

“Epiphany” finally resolves the Watraii enigma and bring to conclusion the story of the exiled te-Vikram. After the landing in Romulus and the implementation of the shift-work system to mine for natural resources in Remus, the ones in power hijack the system to remain at the top of the system, getting rid of any critics of the regime as well as any – for any reasons - unwanted individuals and their families by sending them indefinitely to Remus as part of the work-force destined to mine for natural resources. The system provides a double advantage to the regime, eliminating the opposition and filing the pockets of the regime with the exiles belongings.

Back in the present (twentieth fourth century) the conflict between the Watraii, the Romulans in particular and the Federation in general runs it course. Spock’s effort finally pays of, and the first step to Unification is finally taken, but not before all hidden secrets and some disturbing truths are brought to light.

The trilogy’s story arc over spans time and galaxies, from Ancient Vulcan, to post Dominion War, through the century long first exile travel, Romulus & Remus establishment, and the following betrayal and Watraii exile, across half the Alpha Quadrant. However, is easy to follow and offers an interesting insight on the intricate Vulcan/Romulan relations, and the events that would eventually lead to Spock’s Unification effort. As aforementioned, “Vulcan Soul” and “Rihannsu” are the two pivotal works on Vulcan/Romulan (to use the federation term) history. Both together create a concise and accurate myth-history of the most revered folk (because indeed at the roots they are just but one) in Star Trek verse.

And just in case, and for those, that haven’t taken the hint already, yes, I am consciously avoiding Kelvin timelines and Mary Sue’s egocentric trips through space and time. In fact, I am actively ignoring them!

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vulcan’s Soul: Epiphany is the third and final book in a series that details the history of the Vulcan and Romulan races. These two races were once one people but diverged at some point in the past. The first two novels in the series, Exodus and Exiles, have detailed the history nicely and set it against a modern backdrop of a new race challenging the Romulans and the Federation just after the war with the Dominion.

The Watraii are a race that seems determined to eradicate the Romulans. With an alliance forged during the Dominion War, the Federation is challenged as to what to do. They aren’t ready for another war. Even the Klingons aren’t too happy about the situation. In a covert mission, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the Enterprise team up with Ambassador Spock and his wife Captain Saavik of the Starship Alliance to try to bridge peace between the races. However, they are ready for war, if need be. At the same time, the Federation will disavow all knowledge of the mission if things fall apart.

To read my full review, please go to: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...

[Wayland Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This miniseries within the Star Trek universe continues in book 3. It's hard to say when it's set, as it jumps around a lot. There's the distant past, the era after the Dominion War (which would be just after Deep Space 9 I guess) and a few places in between. Among the famous names involved are Spock, Data, Piccard, Riker, LaForge, a short scene with Chekov, and a one line from off screen by Scotty.

This is the story of the Sundering, when what would become the Romulans leave Vulcan and seek a new home. This also plays into the origins of the Remans, as seen in Star Trek Nemesis. But that wasn't enough, and we get another off shoot, the Watraii. A lot of the "modern" plot revolves around a historical artefact, a memory device that also serves as the device to show a lot of the action in the past.

I consider myself a Trek fan and think this story is getting a bit drawn out. I had thought this was the last book in this part, but the ending makes me wonder. Decent story, but don't look for a lot of action with Star Trek favorites. They are not the focus.

[Paul Lunger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The finale to the "Vulcan's Soul" trilogy, "Epiphany" is a book that solves the complete mysteries of things in the prior 2 books in a way that is both interesting and at times disappointing. The storyline in the present basically muddles along through things between Romulan security, Praetor Neral, the Watraii & the Federation itself. In the past though is where things get interesting and go off the rails a bit as we see Karatek & his family continue the process of adapting to life on Remus as well as the extremophiles that are there. We've also got a rebellion in play among the leaders of Romulus and the people of Remus which leads to the surprising origin of the Watraii. Sherman & Shwartz continue with these characters who seem so very real with emotions on high alert throughout as well. While the end result is a bit of a stretch, it does fit what this series tried to do and officially give us a backstory on these peoples that we the reader may or may not have needed. Either way, this trilogy is a decent entry in the realm of the Trek fiction of this era.

[Tommy Verhaegen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt some relief when it became clear that the saga was coming to an and in the last part of the trilogy. Als some disappointment when it was also abvous there was not going to be a happy ending for everyone but that story of a very hard exodus would come to a very hard ending. Long it was unclear what ending exactly. Action and tension abundantly available but certainly lacking on the lighter side. So a very dramatic piece of history, filling a gap in our knowledge but lot light to read.

[Celia Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The trilogy was amazing

I found this an amazing story clarification of the link between Romulan and Vulcan. They are the same species. The betrayal and viciousness of the Vulcan before finding logic is horrific. The Romulans remain a warrior race, not much different from the klingon.

You have to read the trilogy in order to arrive at your own conclusion. I believe this trilogy would make a great miniseries.

[Andy · Rating 2 out of 5]

One third of the words could be cut without losing anything. Multiple story-lines, none of which are very compelling. The most interesting thing in the whole saga is the intelligent minerals at the beginning of the trilogy, but then nothing much gets done with that. Also, we're supposed to be amazed throughout by a gizmo that just functions-not very well-as a voice recorder.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the "Betrayed" people a well thought out history and was a perfect finish for the trilogy, This was a Good read, Maybe not on its own, Get all three books first, before you start reading or after the first book you will call me an idiot. This was a good Read.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This final book of the trilogy brings all the threads together brilliantly. The series is well written, the plot is tight and the writing is exceptionally good. I recommend this trilogy highly.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 2 out of 5]

This trilogy felt like a slog to me. I’ll probably forget a lot of it.

[Oleta Blaylock · Rating 4 out of 5]

We finally get the conclusion to this story. This part of the story is hard to keep track of all the players. It seems everyone is involved in this story somehow. It spans so many different eras. You really need to pay attention or take notes so you don't lose your way. It was a good series and I loved seeing characters that have been all but forgotten by so many.

[Mikael Kuoppala · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a titillating opening, ”Exodus” and a compelling if a bit unfocused middle “Exiles,” the Vulcan’s Soul trilogy draws to a beautiful close with “Epiphany”. The novel is an ambitious epic that takes all the story threads of the trilogy and makes beautifully innovative interpretations of the creation of the Romulan culture from them. This is a must-read for Trekkers, wise, substantial and emotionally effective.

We again follow two storylines, one set in 2377 after a brutal attack against the Romulans by a mysterious race announcing vengeance for crimes long since forgotten. The other storyline is set in the Romulan star system during the times of original colonization, portraying a harsh and hopeless survival struggle by a political group living under the occupation of a rising totalitarian reign.

“Epiphany” was sadly the last novel contributed to by brilliant author and academic Josepha Sherman. It’s probably the best piece of fiction with her name on it, rivaling even her previous masterpiece “Vulcan’s Heart,” also co-written by Susan Shwartz. Again the political allegories are potent, the characters alive and the prose vibrant. The duo again show a wonderful ability of utilizing high-paced storytelling in league with patient, artistically nuanced writing that doesn’t try to please but pleases by its sheer substance.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is a must for anyone who's watched Nemesis and said, "Huh?" in regard to the appearance and abject hatred of the Remans. This series is a must for anyone who has ever wondered about the time of the Vulcan/Romulan "Sundering." Sherman and Schwartz no doubt did their homework in crafting all of the Vulcan stories, from Vulcan's Forge and Vulcan's Heart, also five-star rated books, to this Vulcan's Soul series as well. They managed to skillfully stitch together a plausible history from the original series through Picard's era and beyond. I loved reading about Charvanek, a minor character with a single appearance in TOS, getting a full back-story and once again intersecting with Spock's storyline. Seeing Spock end up with Savvik was a bonus, since I'd wanted to see that ever since the third movie came out. Epiphany is a very satisfying addition to Vulcan history in the Star Trek universe.

[Jimyanni · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read, a well-crafted book that put the finishing touches on the story that began in "Exodus" and continued in "Exiles". But it is just a story fragment; it doesn't stand on its own. I would probably rate the entire trilogy at four stars, but individually, this book just doesn't hold up. This was very clear to me as I read it, because it had been long enough since I read the previous entry in the series that it was almost like starting from scratch with this book, and it was more than a bit confusing. Granted, the more I read, the more I remembered and the more sense it made, but still, it is clear that this book is only readable if one has read the previous books in the series. As such, it has no beginning and that is a serious flaw in terms of my review of this book.

[Cupcakencorset · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the final book in this Star Trek trilogy. It’s a mostly satisfying climax to the series, although I found the end (the last 10-20 percent) to be rushed. I was left with many questions about the story, such as how the antagonists reached the point of being able to leave their homeland to seek their revenge, what happened to the DNA that was so carefully transported by the fleeing slaves from Remus, how the culture developed (even along broad lines), what the repercussions were of the cultural “epiphany” the title foreshadows. You know, things that make the story seem finished. And there was such detail and completeness to the first two books that I really noticed the lack thereof in the final book.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Epic fanwank! And I say that with love. Though the series has its missteps (Uhura and Chekov living in Picard's day? Really? Spock married Saavik? Yuck?) it provides an interesting angle on the Romulan origin story, divergent from Diane Duane's Rhihannsu mythos. Provides the kind of story-building, creating a new angle to the familiar story, that is relatively rare on modern Trek fiction. Makes the execrable film Nemesis almost palatable. No, not really. It's nice to imagine this trilogy as the lost film that ended the TNG movie saga.

[Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moderately satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, which perhaps sets up the next one. The authors continue to do a good job of balancing the "past" and "present" stories, and the characterizations remain solid.

[Dale w · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting in answering most of the questions that built up through the trilogy but the ending was anticlimatic. I guess I like more action. The end was just boring.

[Dan Friedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

[Benjamin Plume · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finishing this series now. Good spin on the Romulans/Remans/Vulcans. Makes me like Nemesis a little more.

[Evan Wood]

I really enjoyed this trilogy. It sheds light on a part of the Star Trek universe that has been unexplored. A story well told and well written.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

great story and history of the romulans /vulcans