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With a long-lost offshoot of the Vulcans waging war against the Romulan Empire, Ambassador Spock, his wife Saavik, and surviving members of Captain Kirk's Enterprise crew risk everything, without the support of the Federation, to put an end to the bloody conflict.
265 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
85 people are currently reading
628 people want to read
About the author
Josepha Sherman
216 books69 followersJosepha Sherman was an American author, folklorist, and anthologist. In 1990 she won the Compton Crook Award for the novel The Shining Falcon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
November 24, 2022
As a space opera yarn, Exodus excels. The story and writing are both great, but that's to be expected from the duo that brought us the legendary duology about everyone's favorite Vulcan. It does leave some loose ends, but it is the first of a trilogy, so I would expect those to be wrapped up by the end of the third novel. Star Trek fans can't go wrong with this one.
November 15, 2022
My 300th book read this year, which is an accomplishment I'd feel better about if I was finally able to get my TBR pile under 200. However, I have to say that it is a very good sequel to VULCAN HEART even if the time jump is considerable. Technically, this is to the Dominion War so while Spock and the other Vulcans are alive, it's a bit questionable to believe that Chekov should be a still-active Admiral when Scotty was acting like it was time to hang up hat despite being decades younger due to transporter status. Yes, that is incredible Star Trek nerdery there.
Unfortunately, much of the book for me is about the Vulcan sundering and I just don't find that part as interesting as following up on Saavik and Spock's relationship.
Unfortunately, much of the book for me is about the Vulcan sundering and I just don't find that part as interesting as following up on Saavik and Spock's relationship.
March 9, 2019
This book is written in a series of shifts between time frames: Vulcan during their warlike period and the last years of Surak's life, and post Dominion war and senior years of Uhura, Checkov and (less so) Spock.
As the story unfolds, it is like two different stories slowly merging into one. This is done so expertly that when they finally seem come together, the reader has both an "aha!" moment and the realization that it isn't over yet. Brilliant.
Lucky for me I have the second book, and I will be jumping into it immediately
As the story unfolds, it is like two different stories slowly merging into one. This is done so expertly that when they finally seem come together, the reader has both an "aha!" moment and the realization that it isn't over yet. Brilliant.
Lucky for me I have the second book, and I will be jumping into it immediately
November 9, 2018
Pretty good story. Definitely a keeper. =)
July 7, 2015
I struggled with this book for months and I'm glad I can finally get it out of my system.
The pacing in the Memory segments was excruciatingly slow and there was some repetition of already established facts (e.g. a character changed their name and the author(s) reminded you of that at least twice in the following pages, although it wasn't something difficult to remember).
I didn't like the writing style in general. The premise is interesting, and it was nice to see some familiar characters, but I think it all could've been written differently.
The pacing in the Memory segments was excruciatingly slow and there was some repetition of already established facts (e.g. a character changed their name and the author(s) reminded you of that at least twice in the following pages, although it wasn't something difficult to remember).
I didn't like the writing style in general. The premise is interesting, and it was nice to see some familiar characters, but I think it all could've been written differently.
May 24, 2015
I am a little conflicted by this book. While I enjoyed seeing a fair chunk of the main characters from the original series pop up in a book set after the Dominion War ended, the two story-lines developed very slowly, and there didn't seem to be any intertwining in sight until the very end of the book. Due to it being the first book of a trilogy, the climax was rather short and underdeveloped. I shall have to see how this series changes over the next two books.
April 19, 2017
This book is not easy to read. Its complexity is caused by the many viewpoints, protagonists and timelines. It took me well over the first 50 pages before i started seeing the big picture and the coherence between persons, events and timelines. Although well-written all over, those first 50 pages read like mini-stories without cler beginning or end. After that i found i started reading faster and faster to get to the end. The story gets to you. I hoipe volume 2 keeps up the pace.
February 28, 2021
“Exodus” is the first volume in 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.
“Exodus” explores the original events that led to the schism in Vulcan society after the majority of the population decided to embrace Surak’s philosophy to overcome the centuries-long violent wars. The te-Vikram followers, that minority who didn’t, went with generation-ships into exile in searching of a new homeworld. However, “Exodus” is not a mere historical account of Vulcan/Romulan archival documents, the story is embedded into the appearance out of the blue of an unknown enemy who call itself the Watraii, just two years after the end of the Dominion War. The Watraii attacks on Romulan reveal secrets hidden in both Vulcan and Romulan history for centuries. Spock, now an appointed Ambassador to the Federation, intended on the Unification of the two strangled ‘cousins’ will have to take some risks to go to the bottom of the Watraii enigma, with the help of her own wife Captain Saavik and his old comrades Admirals Uhura and Chekov. This is a well-crafted, interesting read that should however be read in conjunction to the following books in the trilogy to fully appreciate the complexity of the story.
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!
“Exodus” explores the original events that led to the schism in Vulcan society after the majority of the population decided to embrace Surak’s philosophy to overcome the centuries-long violent wars. The te-Vikram followers, that minority who didn’t, went with generation-ships into exile in searching of a new homeworld. However, “Exodus” is not a mere historical account of Vulcan/Romulan archival documents, the story is embedded into the appearance out of the blue of an unknown enemy who call itself the Watraii, just two years after the end of the Dominion War. The Watraii attacks on Romulan reveal secrets hidden in both Vulcan and Romulan history for centuries. Spock, now an appointed Ambassador to the Federation, intended on the Unification of the two strangled ‘cousins’ will have to take some risks to go to the bottom of the Watraii enigma, with the help of her own wife Captain Saavik and his old comrades Admirals Uhura and Chekov. This is a well-crafted, interesting read that should however be read in conjunction to the following books in the trilogy to fully appreciate the complexity of the story.
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!
November 7, 2021
This is a continuing part of the Josepha Sherman and Susan Schwartz's Vulcan books. This story is broken up into several parts. One is told from ancient Vulcan's history, during the time of Surak; The other is told in the present. The ancient side of the story is told when Surak begin trying to convince the Vulcan's that logic and control of emotion was the only way to stop the complete destruction of Vulcan. This story is told as memories from an ancient device of one of the Vulcan's that left on the generation ships. These chapters alternate between the current time and the memories. I have read several books about Vulcan before the people accepted reason and control of emotion. Vulcan was a very violent place with wars becoming more deadly with each to war. A few of the population realized that the only way to truly save their culture and history was to build the generation ships and go off into the unknown in search of a planet to start over. We know that these survivors are the Romulans.
The other half of the story picks up after Dominion Wars when a new race that has never been seen before attacks one of the Romulan outposts. Totally destroying the infrastructure and all the Romulans on the planet. This new race the Watraii claim the Romulans have inhibited Romulus and Remus illegally. This, of course, sets the Romulans off. They want revenge for what they perceive as unwarranted aggression against their people. This attack is broadcast to Starfleet headquarters during a meeting of all those that fought in the Dominion Wars, all except the Cardassians.
Star Fleet isn't in a good position at this point. The Dominion War destroyed many ships and personnel and they haven't fully recovered. The Vulcan's and Roman's are in the same position. However the transmission from the Watrii leaves every unsettle and certain people are determined to do something. This is where Admiral Uhura, now part of Starfleet and head of intelligence, comes in. She search for information on the Watraii and finds that Admiral Chekov has had some interaction with the species. So these two along with Spock and Saavik plan to head toward the place of attack to try to figure out what has happened and who the Watrii really are.
They find the Watrii but don't learn much.
The final chapters about the Exodus of the Vulcans from Vulcan ends with a battle at the facility that those that wish to leave report to ships that will take them to the generational ships. Of course a battle breaks out and many are left behind and some enemies get abroad. The shuttle launch and finally docks at the ship. So ends the first book.
This is the shortest of the three books. I found it to be very interesting. I have always want to know more about the exodus from Vulcan that has been hint at for years. This story gives you a hint as to how violent the world was before this group left. At some point those that are left on the planet learn how to get along and become logical and peaceful people. It will be interesting to read the other books. I can't wait to learn the rest of the story and find out who the Watrii truly are. I have an idea but it is just a small idea.
The other half of the story picks up after Dominion Wars when a new race that has never been seen before attacks one of the Romulan outposts. Totally destroying the infrastructure and all the Romulans on the planet. This new race the Watraii claim the Romulans have inhibited Romulus and Remus illegally. This, of course, sets the Romulans off. They want revenge for what they perceive as unwarranted aggression against their people. This attack is broadcast to Starfleet headquarters during a meeting of all those that fought in the Dominion Wars, all except the Cardassians.
Star Fleet isn't in a good position at this point. The Dominion War destroyed many ships and personnel and they haven't fully recovered. The Vulcan's and Roman's are in the same position. However the transmission from the Watrii leaves every unsettle and certain people are determined to do something. This is where Admiral Uhura, now part of Starfleet and head of intelligence, comes in. She search for information on the Watraii and finds that Admiral Chekov has had some interaction with the species. So these two along with Spock and Saavik plan to head toward the place of attack to try to figure out what has happened and who the Watrii really are.
They find the Watrii but don't learn much.
The final chapters about the Exodus of the Vulcans from Vulcan ends with a battle at the facility that those that wish to leave report to ships that will take them to the generational ships. Of course a battle breaks out and many are left behind and some enemies get abroad. The shuttle launch and finally docks at the ship. So ends the first book.
This is the shortest of the three books. I found it to be very interesting. I have always want to know more about the exodus from Vulcan that has been hint at for years. This story gives you a hint as to how violent the world was before this group left. At some point those that are left on the planet learn how to get along and become logical and peaceful people. It will be interesting to read the other books. I can't wait to learn the rest of the story and find out who the Watrii truly are. I have an idea but it is just a small idea.
April 19, 2024
The Vulcan's Soul trilogy is perhaps one of the more complicated series of books written, but it also one that fills in more blanks on the history of the Vulcans & the Romulans than perhaps any other sequence of books in the fiction. The first book "Exodus" written by Josepha Sherma & Susan Shwartz sets things up with how this series will work in a set of parallel stories - one set just after the end of the Dominion War and another very far in the past. The series starts out with an attack on Romulan space by a race called the Watraii who claim they are taking vengeance out on people who abandoned them. It is through this interaction that Admiral Uhura drafts Ambassador Spock & his wife Captain Saavik of the USS Alliance into a mission to retrieve an artifact that maybe one of the most significant finds in the history of both Vulcan & Romulus. We also get recruited into this mission Admiral Chekov as well.
In the past, we witness followers of Surak and how they themselves were forced off of Vulcan into the unknown with a leader named Karatek. In this part of the story, bonds are built and broken along with we the reader witnessing just how dangerous at times things were on Vulcan at the time. Something that hasn't exactly been explored all that much until now.
If there is any drawback to this series is that if one isn't paying attention, it is easy to get lost in this dueling storylines which at times get easily lost across time. Overall, this book is a decent start to the series with an ending that will take your breath away.
In the past, we witness followers of Surak and how they themselves were forced off of Vulcan into the unknown with a leader named Karatek. In this part of the story, bonds are built and broken along with we the reader witnessing just how dangerous at times things were on Vulcan at the time. Something that hasn't exactly been explored all that much until now.
If there is any drawback to this series is that if one isn't paying attention, it is easy to get lost in this dueling storylines which at times get easily lost across time. Overall, this book is a decent start to the series with an ending that will take your breath away.
June 1, 2022
I purchased this book many years ago, but it lingered in my “to read” pile for quite some time. I’m not sure why. Many other science fiction books came and went during that time and I kept bypassing this one.
The story begins with familiar characters. It’s shortly after the Dominion War when the Romulan Empire is attacked by a new enemy calling themselves the Watraii, testing the new alliance between the Federation, the Romulans, and the Klingons. Ambassador Spock and Captain Saavik, now married, along with many familiar faces from the original series, defy orders to come to the aid of the Romulans.
The book shift back to give us the history of the planet Vulcan during its years embroiled in a nuclear war that threatened the entire planet. This is during the age of Surak, who has been mentioned in Vulcan history in other parts of the series canon. These stories involve a new cast of characters who may not see the Vulcan world in the same way as Surak, but defend his right to express himself.
To read my full review, please visit: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...
The story begins with familiar characters. It’s shortly after the Dominion War when the Romulan Empire is attacked by a new enemy calling themselves the Watraii, testing the new alliance between the Federation, the Romulans, and the Klingons. Ambassador Spock and Captain Saavik, now married, along with many familiar faces from the original series, defy orders to come to the aid of the Romulans.
The book shift back to give us the history of the planet Vulcan during its years embroiled in a nuclear war that threatened the entire planet. This is during the age of Surak, who has been mentioned in Vulcan history in other parts of the series canon. These stories involve a new cast of characters who may not see the Vulcan world in the same way as Surak, but defend his right to express himself.
To read my full review, please visit: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...
May 31, 2021
Wow! Det här är verkligen av de absolut bästa böckerna jag har läst, alla kategorier. Med en ovanligt stor och spännande beskrivning av vulcanernas och romulanernas gemensamma historia skapar detta en mycket mer sammansatt bild av deras historia såväl som av vulcanernas samhälle idag. Större delen av boken utspelar sig i en avlägsen dåtid och detta gör författarnas grepp om situationen ännu starkare. De har möjlighet att skapa något nytt, men viker inte från det som är etablerad kanon. Kopplingarna mellan "nutid" (2360-2370-talet) och dåtid är mycket god och berättelsen är medryckande. Personbeskrivningarna är helt enkelt oöverträffliga.
Det är inte ofta man hör så här starka lovord från mig. Läs boken! Jag skall se om jag kan få tag på den uppföljande boken och gå vidare med den snart. Det här ger mersmak.
Det är inte ofta man hör så här starka lovord från mig. Läs boken! Jag skall se om jag kan få tag på den uppföljande boken och gå vidare med den snart. Det här ger mersmak.
November 20, 2022
Exodus has first-book-in-a-planned-trilogy problems. It starts off with an interesting premise, meanders throughout the middle, and then doesn't really get exciting until toward the end. It feels to choppy with the switching between present day and memories. I do like that at certain points it feels like Spock is a bit more in touch with his emotions. When a character dies and it's said they died with honor, he wonders whether the grandchildren would be comforted by that. There's also a supposed death of a major character at the end, though I'm not really sure that these books will commit to it.
June 28, 2023
Humans, Romulans, Klingons, Vulcans all banding together to fight a common enemy after the Dominion war. The story is told with the history of Surak's teaching of logic. After the first book, the plot is just getting underway hoping to be complete by the end of the trilogy. A list of old Enterprise characters makes for a good warm and fuzzy feeling. Spock married? On to book two.
August 27, 2024
Full disclosure, I only have surface knowledge about Star Trek. In consequence, I was lost on what was occurring, since this book seems to assume you are familiar with the lore. Despite being lost, I enjoyed how the voice actor utilized different voices for the characters, and the sound effects made it an immersive experience. This audiobook is four hours, so it can be completed quickly.
April 15, 2022
Great beginning
A great beginning of a trilogy.
So happy that someone wrote Spock with a mate!
Read it in four days.
Great time skips, history and lore.
Already bought the next two in the series.
A great beginning of a trilogy.
So happy that someone wrote Spock with a mate!
Read it in four days.
Great time skips, history and lore.
Already bought the next two in the series.
October 26, 2022
I just could not get into this storyline. It continues to jump to past memories that seemed to have no relation to main storyline. While i admit i skipped much of the "Memory" sections of the book it I don't think I missed out on much.
October 13, 2017
Hoping the rest of the trilogy wraps up the story.
May 24, 2019
It would be illogical to think a book about Vulcans & telepathic recorders could be bad. Further superfluous statements of emotions are irrelevant.
October 27, 2019
Muddled, plodding.
February 16, 2020
Slow paced and pales in comparison to Diane Duane's books Spock's World and the Star Trek: Rihannsu series.
October 14, 2020
I've tried to read it two times, but haven't been able to go beyond the 1st quarter of this book.
December 2, 2021
Interesting.
February 23, 2022
I was a bit bored while reading, so it was hard to follow. I couldn't connect with the characters. This one just didn't work for me, and I won't continue the series.
July 9, 2022
Really 3.5. Loved their earlier books. This was slow to start.
May 26, 2024
Liked the story, did NOT like the music and sound effects. Most distracting.
May 31, 2025
I've not read any Star Trek so this is a first. I did like the TV series.
October 20, 2012
Half a decade after their previous Star Trek masterpiece, the endlessly epic and politically relevant “Vulcan’s Heart,” the dynamic author duo Josepha Sherman and Susan M Shwartz finally returned with a bold opening to a trilogy about Vulcan history.
The story kicks off in the 1 year anniversary of the peace treaty between the Dominion and the Federation, a celebration that is interrupted by a brutal attack directed at the Romulan Star Empire. Ambassador Spock faces a grandiose diplomatic challenge in the aftermath of the disaster while his wife Captain Saavik immerses herself in the investigation of the attack. A group of our favorite Starfleet legends are there to assist her.
Interposed with this potent mystery is a storyline set in the ancient history of planet Vulcan, during a time when religious factions and tribal military juntas wage a war of terror over the rule of the planet. Our protagonist meets Surak, a philosopher whose seemingly out-of-place pacifist ideology is gaining popularity. Two ideologies meet: one aiming towards a democratic peace movement, the other towards leaving the planet in huge generation ships and starting anew somewhere with more resources.
“Exodus” is mostly all build-up, but it builds its mystery perfectly. The storytelling is solid, the prose nuanced and vibrant. Characters familiar and new both pulse with life in scenes that make you think about the fundamental processes behind ideologies. It’s wonderful how the “present day” reactions to the attacks against the Romulans serve as reflections of the hopelessly self-destructive violence that permeates the essence of the “historical” segments.
The story kicks off in the 1 year anniversary of the peace treaty between the Dominion and the Federation, a celebration that is interrupted by a brutal attack directed at the Romulan Star Empire. Ambassador Spock faces a grandiose diplomatic challenge in the aftermath of the disaster while his wife Captain Saavik immerses herself in the investigation of the attack. A group of our favorite Starfleet legends are there to assist her.
Interposed with this potent mystery is a storyline set in the ancient history of planet Vulcan, during a time when religious factions and tribal military juntas wage a war of terror over the rule of the planet. Our protagonist meets Surak, a philosopher whose seemingly out-of-place pacifist ideology is gaining popularity. Two ideologies meet: one aiming towards a democratic peace movement, the other towards leaving the planet in huge generation ships and starting anew somewhere with more resources.
“Exodus” is mostly all build-up, but it builds its mystery perfectly. The storytelling is solid, the prose nuanced and vibrant. Characters familiar and new both pulse with life in scenes that make you think about the fundamental processes behind ideologies. It’s wonderful how the “present day” reactions to the attacks against the Romulans serve as reflections of the hopelessly self-destructive violence that permeates the essence of the “historical” segments.
December 19, 2016
I don't know why writing in multiple time-frames has become the thing to do, but it seems to be popular in a lot of media right now. There's no time travel in this one, mercifully, but it bounces back and forth between two very different times: one year after the Dominion War and back when the Sundering began, as the people who eventually become the Romulans leave Vulcan.
In the "present," Spock, Uhura, Chekov, Saavik, and a few others deal with the sudden surprise attack by the Watraii, a race no one knows much about. They come from nowhere and wipe out a Romulan colony. The heroes from Starfleet have to figure out what to do next and how to handle this new threat.
In the past, the turbulent history of Vulcan is on display. Different factions fight with each other, Surak's teaching of logic are very new and not widely accepted, and some simply wish to leave the planet.
The tale leaps back and forth between the two times. The tie between them isn't really explained in this book, but this is part of a series. I have a theory, but I may well be wrong.
It was a decent read if you're a big Star Trek fan. Otherwise, you can skip this one.
In the "present," Spock, Uhura, Chekov, Saavik, and a few others deal with the sudden surprise attack by the Watraii, a race no one knows much about. They come from nowhere and wipe out a Romulan colony. The heroes from Starfleet have to figure out what to do next and how to handle this new threat.
In the past, the turbulent history of Vulcan is on display. Different factions fight with each other, Surak's teaching of logic are very new and not widely accepted, and some simply wish to leave the planet.
The tale leaps back and forth between the two times. The tie between them isn't really explained in this book, but this is part of a series. I have a theory, but I may well be wrong.
It was a decent read if you're a big Star Trek fan. Otherwise, you can skip this one.
February 20, 2018
Vulcan Soul trilogy brings two generations together, the crews of "Kirk's Enterprise" and "Picard's Enterprise". From Kirk's Enterprise, we have Spock, Chekov, and Uhura. Spock is an Ambassador and is married to Savik who is also captain of the starship Alliance, Chekov is an academy instructor, his rank is Admiral and Uhura is an Admiral in Intelligence. All of them over a hundred years old. In book two we will see more of "Picard's Enterprise" crew and a one more from Kirk's. That would be Data and Scotty.
Book one sets the theme or plot. Two storylines run side by side, One is called "Now" the other is "memory". There is a very good story on the violent history of Vulcan during Surak's time in "memory". Things are so bad, a group of Vulcans leaves the planet. in the "Now" storyline, we see the appearance of the Watrai, they more warriorlike than the Romulans, And they hate the Romulans. I think as I read the follow-up books, I will figure out why :-)
Book one sets the theme or plot. Two storylines run side by side, One is called "Now" the other is "memory". There is a very good story on the violent history of Vulcan during Surak's time in "memory". Things are so bad, a group of Vulcans leaves the planet. in the "Now" storyline, we see the appearance of the Watrai, they more warriorlike than the Romulans, And they hate the Romulans. I think as I read the follow-up books, I will figure out why :-)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews