The Enterprise is sent on a covert mission to the Neutral Zone, carrying with them one Ambassador Spock. Together, with their reluctant Romulan allies, they must discover the true nature of the Subspace Deserts, and it may cost them their lives, or perhaps signal the end of the civilization that they have fought so hard for.

It is only fair to say that the "End of The Universe" storylines have been overused, but, like the Genesis Wave duology, Maximum Warp offers up a fresh spin on the tired old tale. Brodeur and Galanter (who always does the bulk of the work) follow the plot well, and the characterization is as I've come to expect from this team of writers.

The idea is original and begs the question: what would happen to the universe of the 24th Century if everything they'd come to depend on would serve them no more, and to what extreme measures would they go? These questions are answered, and aside from the occasional hopping around (especially early on; but it does drive the plot forward) and somewhat obvious plot twists, the books reads well and is worth buying.

The end will leave you hanging, and the desire to start (and finish) book two will probably overtake you. All in all, an excellent work that gives us a rare glimpse in a little-seen race from the television series', the Romulans. Well written, well-plotted, well-characterized, but a little choppy. Final verdict: Four stars.


Just Couldn't Put It Down...   April 5, 2001
 6 out of 7 found this review helpful

Maximum Warp Book 1 is by far one of the best TNG novels I have read , that is just my opinion. I really loved the story line. It was great to see Ambassador Spock turned back to Captain Spock working with Picard in this story. While you are reading it gets you thinking about who or what is behind what is happening the galaxy. My opinion of T'sart is he is a pain in the backside, but what do you expect from a Romulan. After finishing read book 1 recently I had to to start book 2 [not finished yet with book 2] to see how it ends up. I highly recommend both books 1 and 2 to any die hard Star Trek fan or if someone is looking for a good story to sink their teeth into.


A surprisingly good storyline with many different plots.   May 22, 2001
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I thought this series of two books was much better than some other reviewers seem to have. The authors brought in elements from more than just the Next Generation, like Voyager, which made an appearance. What was particularly impressive was the pseudo-science the writers intertwined throughout the two novels to build the main storyline, namely "dead zones" that had suddenly appeared throughout the universe. Any ship or planet that happened to be where one of these zones was would lose all main power. This would have meant the end of the universe as we know it, so naturally it is up to Picard and his crew, with help from a shady Romulan named T'sart and also a heroic Romulan named Folan whom we never really know until the end where her loyalties lie. The addition of suspicious Klingons adds yet another possible area of conflict. The multiple story lines were really engaging. They were so involving, in fact, that I read both novels in a day, one right after another. While there may be a few loose ends that were never tied up, they really do not take away from the resolution of the story. The resolution involves a highly advanced alien device and some real scientific theories about how after our universe has expanded as far as it will go, it will contract back together into its original mass of energy and matter, the universe will end, another Big Bang will occur, and the uviverse will begin anew. All this science mixed in with the Star Trek pseudo-science is very believable. I truly advise against being swayed by anyone away from these books. They are worth your valuable time.


The Evil of T'sart   March 1, 2001
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Without giving away too much; part two of Maximum Warp reads like your "watching" a two part episode. Spock and Picard work together to discover the secret behind the "dead zones" that are crippling starships. Instead of the old Kirk and Spock routine that's been done endlessly; we get a logical Picard effectively working with our favorite Vulcan.

T'sart, the former Romulan war criminal, has the information to stop the chaos. This novel portrays the Spock character much better than the televised "Unification" episodes. He actually knows the functions and operations of this version of the Enterprise. This one can endure repeated readings because it is so dramatic. I give it a very enthusiastic 5 stars


Some of the best numbered novels...   August 18, 2001
 2 out of 3 found this review helpful

In the aftermath of the Dominion War a fragile peace exists between the Romulans and the Federation and now that could all be about to change. Throughout the galaxy, subspace disturbances are causing havoc as ships are stranded and Starbases are losing the power they need to function. Worse, these "dead zones" are multiplying at a terrific rate and soon the populations of the alpha quadrant and beyond may be completely wiped out. Together with the legendary Ambassador Spock, Captain Picard enlists the help of a notorious Romulan war criminal who knows far more than he will reveal about the "dead zones". With both Klingons and Romulans along for the ride, the Starship Enterprise sets off into enemy territory on a dangerous mission to save the universe.

Maximum Warp is the latest in a recent group of excellent two-part Star Trek book series (Avatar, Gemworld, Genesis Wave, etc...) and are without doubt some of the best numbered Star Trek novels I have read so far. The action does not let up for a second - the pace of the book is incredible - and I read it straight through in a couple of hours. Characterization is also pretty good and the action leaps between different settings and story lines - ultimately producing a novel that is so absorbing that you will find it impossible to put down. The quality is maintained throughout part two and although both books could probably have been merged into one larger volume, ultimately Maximum Warp is an enjoyable, exciting and entertaining read. Definitely recommended to all Star Trek fans!

~Jenna~