[Buecher] Vanguard: Summon the Thunder

Baerbel Haddrell
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Dies ist meine Besprechung von dem bisher zweiten Buch der fortlaufenden
Serie Vanguard mit dem Titel "Summon the Thunder" (Dayton Ward & Kevin
Dilmore)



S P O I L E R

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I liked "Harbinger" in spite that I needed lessons after posting my
review of what I missed and what I got wrong. As much as I enjoyed the
start of "Vanguard", I think it would have been better to point out
certain facts more clearly and not be too overly mysterious.
Fortunately, "Summon the Thunder" is a big improvement in that regard.
What happened in the first book was now spelled out very clearly and
early on within the ongoing story so that I felt comfortably settled in
and ready to move forward. New revelations, new twists are building on
what went on before but this time I didn`t feel overwhelmed or wondered
if the authors meant to tell me something but I didn`t get it. If I am
right or not, I guess I will find out after I posted this but at least I
am much more optimistic than before that this time I got everything I
was meant to get.

"Vanguard" is certainly always good for surprises and that is true on
more than one level. Again, I got to know quite a few interesting people
who I would have liked to also have around in future, but they died. In
my first review of this series I compared it to "Lost" because I often
felt lost and because of the ongoing revelations of a mystery. As I
said, if I am really less lost I will have to find out but the mystery
is stronger and more intriguing than ever. Also, people come and go.
"Vanguard", like "Lost", is very much an ensemble story. There is no
core personality or core group that defines the series as, for example,
in NF. That has advantages and disadvantages.

As in "Lost", I am more focused on the big picture, on the mystery, and
much less on the individual characters. Although I already care for some
of them, I don`t think there will ever be a danger that I will drop the
series because one or more of them won`t survive.

I certainly established an emotional bond with Sarith and her crew of
the Romulan ship "Bloodied Talon". I kept wondering what future these
people will have in the series and was looking forward to more. But
towards the end, the ship was destroyed. That was one surprise of many
in the book. For a brief moment I wondered, what was the point, but I
quickly realized that the point was to show that the Romulans are around
now and are getting involved which will make things more complicated and
more interesting.

The last chapter was very insightful to me. I thought it was very
important to explain in this context what the relationship between the
Federation and Romulans actually looks like. Not being an expert and
without having followed history of that time closely, it was interesting
to be reminded that the Romulans withdrew for a long time and only now
started to find out what happened in the meantime. I always thought that
the Romulans kept being informed in spite of having left officially.
That they know so little at that time, I didn`t expect that at all.

I haven`t read all comments about "Summon the Thunder" but here and
there I read that people were wondering about the plot dealing with
Quinn and Pennington as well as Ganz. Also that element has to be seen
as part of the big picture and gives information that is important. Zett
obviously didn`t think much of Quinn because the goons he hired were not
very professional. The shootout reminded me of typical TV in which the
bad guys are dreadful shots and sooner or later conveniently stick their
heads out just enough to be eliminated by the good guys. On the other
hand, of course the heroes leave this mess without being hit even once.
It made me cringe but at the same time, I couldn`t help being amused.

But I think, first of all they underestimated Pennington. I was
surprised to see that this reporter can fight so well and in general,
seems to be very skilled at handling dangerous situations. I liked that
a lot. That Zett tried to kill Quinn behind Ganz back is something that
could become important in future. Not only am I wondering why Zett wants
Quinn dead but also about the relationship between Ganz and his
enforcer. Like the Romulans, I am sure Ganz will get more closely
involved in the overall storyline. Having insights about these people
early on will make future books just more complex and interesting.

I found the adventures of Pennington and Quinn a very entertaining read
and am hoping for much more. I like this odd couple and their developing
friendship. By the way, I am glad that at least Sniffy is safe. I just
have a weakness for pets in Star Trek books.

Pennington is now definitely my favourite character of "Vanguard". I
enjoyed the chapter describing his conversation with Reyes very much and
also his determination to get back on his feet and move on. That
Pennington knows about Reyes and Desai but keeps it to himself made me
smile but wasn`t really a surprise.

I am trying to warm up more to Reyes but I am not prepared to forgive
what T`Prynn has done to Pennington as well as his attitude that he lets
her do what she thinks is necessary and if he doesn`t know the details,
it is better that way. It is better for his conscience and makes it
easier to do his job. At least he is now questioning more in this book
than in the first one when the end really justifies the means. He is
also more willing to include a few more people into the informed circle,
at least to a certain degree. I very much agree with the motivations for
this change as described in this book and especially his relationship
with Desai should become even more interesting.

Speaking of T`Prynn - I dislike that character immensely but want to add
at the same time, she adds an important and sort of fascinating aspect
to the series I don`t want to miss. I can`t even feel sorry for her
because of her problems with her dead fiancé in her head. Also this book
makes it very clear that T`Prynn is definitely not insane and very much
responsible for her own actions. I don`t buy it that it was guilt that
drove her to Pennington`s door. I keep wondering, will Pennington suffer
an unfortunate accident engineered by her when he finds out more - and I
am sure he will. Her being drawn to his door reminded me more of it that
subconsciously T`Prynn still sees him as a threat, as unfinished
business.

Her relationship with Sandesjo makes me wonder. I understand T`Prynn`s
part of it: Of course her being a double agent is immensely useful for
T`Prynn and her being a Klingon in disguise makes her a strong,
passionate lover. But this is not real love, it is satisfying physical
needs. I don`t think T`Prynn sees anything in this woman than a useful
tool and I would be very surprised if T`Prynn doesn`t know exactly who
she is dealing with. I am mainly wondering about Sandesjo. For her as a
Klingon woman, a Vulcan lover must be entertaining but on page 383, it
was said she was "assigned" to T`Prynn. I can`t imagine they told her to
be a double agent. I admit, I am curious to find out more about what is
going on here.

Also other characters that were introduced in the first book got some
good scenes but nothing comes to mind right now I want to look at in
greater detail. Before I turn to the mystery, I just want to say again
how much I enjoy this colourful ensemble of characters.

Speaking of characters coming and going and surprises, the end of
Palgrenax touched me a lot. I think the authors did an impressive job
describing the situation on that planet and make the natives very
likeable. To read how they were wiped out by the destruction of the
planet definitely left an impact on me and I certainly didn`t expect
that to happen.

That the Tholians and the builders of this ancient artefacts, the
Shedai, are related was the biggest surprise to me. I am mainly
wondering about what Sesrene said on page 301: "From long ago our people
have avoided this place. It is believed the unspeakable occurred here.
Of all places, this is where we are not to be. - "The unspeakable" -
what is that? My uninformed guess is, it has to do with the discovered
genetic engineering that Starfleet is determined to keep secret. I can
imagine, Jetanien is determined to talk to Sesrene again and get more
answers.

The authors were very skilled at showing the danger, the mystery, the
threat the Shedai pose, even without knowing much about them and their
legacy. "Lostzilla" (I love that description a Lost fan invented) very
much reminded me of the creature in "Lost" and it was no less menacing
and thrilling to read what it can do. Blowing up planets is of course
even more menacing and thrilling but I also have to wonder, if this
continues that planets with remnants of that ancient culture disappear,
soon there won`t be much left to guard.

I am confident the next book will also be very interesting and I am
looking forward to it - although it also means to be patient.


Baerbel Haddrell
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