Imbalance

by V.E. Mitchell

Book Overview

Lured to Jarada on a peaceful mission to exchange ambassadors, Captain Picard and the crew of the Enterprise are suddenly the captives of the Jarada, a mysterious race of insectoid beings. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671775715
• ISBN13: 9780671775711
• Release Date: January 1992
• Publisher: Star Trek
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 0.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

STNG #22 Imbalance - Slow start but fast finish!

"Imbalance" is but only the second of three Star Trek novels written by this somewhat talented author. It is too bad that this author hasn't visited either the twenty third or twenty fourth centuries in quite some time, because they did some fairly decent work. As some of the other reviewers have pointed out, this one definitely has a very slow paced beginning to it but that is soon worked out as the plot turns from a plodding setup into a well paced conclusion.Capitalizing on the Star Trek The Next Generation first season episode, "The Big Goodbye," the author brings forth some non canon knowledge of the Jaradan race which was never actually seen in the episode. This too was unfortunate as I've always found insectoid races to be an interesting aspect in the Star Trek universe but one that is only practically used in the novels but given the latest technology, we're now able to see them, such as one of the species of Xindi in the third season opener of Enterprise, "The Expanse."As cover art goes, this early STNG novel has fairly decent cover art but it's nothing too spectacular. Of note though is that the images of Riker and Crusher are "realistic," unlike the cartoon like covers of old.The premise:The Enterprise is ordered to Jarada to negotiate an exchange of Ambassadors when the Jarada, a mysterious race of insectoid beings that possess an extreme devotion to protocol seemingly come out of their reclusive nature and offer to open diplomatic relations. Upon arrival at Jarada, Captain Picard and crew suddenly find that the Jarada are being uncharacteristically friendly. Without preamble, the Jarada change their demeanor and Commander Riker and the rest of his away team are cut off from the Enterprise. At the same time, the Jarada attack the Enterprise.What follows from there is, as stated above, a slow starter that has a well paced finished as Picard must find a way to rescue his away team and salvage any hopes of a diplomatic relationship with the Jarada.I'd definitely recommend this early STNG novel as it makes an excellent addition to your Star Trek library. {ssintrepid}

Insectoid Beings...

This is one of the only Star Trek books I come close to even liking. For a few reasons. 1) I like alien races. 2) I like insects. 3) I like a story to have a touch of mystery.Yes, as many have pointed out, the story is somewhat slow, but the author has to build up the foundation. If you don't get time to know the aliens and their planet than the rest of the book and the plot itself is meaningless.But yes, it is slow for people who do not like the three reasons I listed.

Personaly, I thought this was a wonderful book!

I read Imbalance when I was about 14, maybe 13, and I absolutely loved it. It may have had a slow plot....but interesting, with a good message. The story between Beverly and Lorens is really touching, in my opinion.