This was an alright story, and it had some interesting elements. I think the first half was better than the second. When they first explore the planetThis was an alright story, and it had some interesting elements. I think the first half was better than the second. When they first explore the planet there were a few great almost horror like elements, genuinely scary threats to the crew. The second half where aliens force some people to relive painful memories was an interesting concept but the author doesn't do much in the way of internal introspection with any of the characters so it loses its punch somewhat. Also, they spend several pages describing the events of Amok Time, which I thought was strange because I'm assuming most readers would be very familiar with this episode, and the author doesn't add much to it. They could have skimmed over the details for that one and spent much more time on McCoy's flashbacks which were events the reader doesn't know about and could have been fleshed out more. I did enjoy the tests at the end, but I think that the dreamlike, unreal aspects of the visions could have been played up a lot more. One other thing, there was a subplot with a visiting scientist and a love triangle with one of the crew that didn't really go anywhere, so I was left wondering why it was included at all. Overall, a decent and enjoyable TOS novel, but not one of the best....more
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this. It was a good mission story with high stakes and lots complications with the Enterprise having severe technical issues and 3.5 stars. I enjoyed this. It was a good mission story with high stakes and lots complications with the Enterprise having severe technical issues and not being up its normal standards. I really liked the exploration of Kirk, and the beginning of his friendship with McCoy, and McCoy's daughter Joanna. The Spock storyline was also interesting, and he had some nice moments with McCoy and Kirk. The drawbacks are that it feels dated and doesn't quite fit within the modern sense of the Star Trek universe, but this was written before TNG so the author had less to go on. There is one point where American Express is mentioned, and money, this kind of takes you out of the sci-fi feeling of the story. The first half of the novel is well done, there's high stakes action, Spock using his logic to come to creative solutions, Kirk being diplomat, etc. but it lagged in the second half, and the story went in a direction that wasn't as interesting. I wish they continued to focus the rescue efforts, or even investigating the terrorist attack, I think that could have been a lot more interesting. That being said, I did like this a lot, and if you like something Kirk focused you might too....more
A good read. It is very Spock and Kirk focused, and has a lot of Spirk feels to it. However, there were also some great Spock and McCoy moments as welA good read. It is very Spock and Kirk focused, and has a lot of Spirk feels to it. However, there were also some great Spock and McCoy moments as well. My only disappointment was how played down the Kirk and McCoy relationship was, but something probably had to be sacrificed to concentrate on the others. The plot was interesting, I liked this story's ideas around time travel, and how changing things in the past would not lead to simple expected conclusions. ...more
I liked this one, it was an engaging story with the different members of the triad being pulled into different directions. I think this is the second I liked this one, it was an engaging story with the different members of the triad being pulled into different directions. I think this is the second or third TOS book I've read where McCoy is kidnapped by aliens for his medical knowledge, but I'm not complaining, I really like that story concept. I found the different, but interconnected, planets interesting, and I liked some of the original characters too, especially the young princess and her bodyguard on Ozalor. The only drawbacks are that it lags a little in the middle, and by the end I was getting tired of the election on Vox, I just wanted Kirk's mission to be over so that the triad could be united. One compliant about many TOS novels in general is that they like to split the triad up, which I understand, but part of what love about TOS is the triad's relationship and getting just a tiny sprinkling of it at the beginning or the end is not enough. Overall, a solid Trek novel....more
Very enjoyable, I liked following Doctor McCoy around on his journeys to different planets providing assistance and solving medical mysteries. I thinkVery enjoyable, I liked following Doctor McCoy around on his journeys to different planets providing assistance and solving medical mysteries. I think the liked the first stories that included Dr Duncan and Teela the best, they were nice supporting characters, although their romance did progress rather quickly. The last story was my least favourite, and I thought kind of a strange way to end the volume. However, overall I really enjoyed it, and if McCoy is your favourite character than you will probably too. ...more
One of the best Star Trek novels I've read in awhile, but I might be biased, because I am a McCoy fan, but if you like McCoy you will probably like thOne of the best Star Trek novels I've read in awhile, but I might be biased, because I am a McCoy fan, but if you like McCoy you will probably like this one as well. I didn't agree with every aspect of McCoy's characterization, but overall I think the authors' did him justice. That being said, there is also a great deal of focus on Kirk and Spock, and a minor focus on Chekov, Sulu, Uhura and Chapel. Plus, the story is chocked full of minor characters from the original series, from Tina Lawton to Lt. Leslie to Dr. M'Benga. The story is action packed, with two separate storylines that ultimately converge. The one drawback of the story is that Kirk, Spock and McCoy spend the majority of the novel separated from one another, I love the original triad, and missed them interacting and their banter....more
This was a solid read, it felt very much like it could have been an episode. I think technically this was supposed to take place after the first film,This was a solid read, it felt very much like it could have been an episode. I think technically this was supposed to take place after the first film, but this feels much more like it belonged as part of the original TV series. I enjoyed the focus on McCoy, and to a lesser extent Spock. I love the triad, but any time you can get Spock and Bones by themselves it brings me happiness. The romance was handled well I thought, the young princess obviously had a crush on McCoy, and he was tempted, but realized it wouldn't be best for either of them. My only complaint is how easily the Klingons were dealt with, that felt a little too convenient for my taste, like the author set up the threat of the Klingons, but was really unsure how to resolve it well. Overall, if you liked the original series, and if McCoy was one of your faves, then I would give this one a try....more
An interesting concept, much of the main focus being on Geordi and Wolf, with some minor focus on Picard and Riker. Wolf isn't my favourite, but his sAn interesting concept, much of the main focus being on Geordi and Wolf, with some minor focus on Picard and Riker. Wolf isn't my favourite, but his story did have some humorous elements I liked. I did enjoy the Geordi's story, and I wish the book had more time to explore his developing relationship with Astrid. The battle at the end of the book was kind of underwhelming, but I guess that was the point. The so called "bad guys" were pretty obvious from the beginning, but it was still a solid read....more
Interesting concept, with a heavy focus on Data and Picard. I did like that the author didn't make either side of the conflict too likeable, it would Interesting concept, with a heavy focus on Data and Picard. I did like that the author didn't make either side of the conflict too likeable, it would have been easy to make the androids pristine characters, but the author decided to make them, and the issues surrounding them, more complex. The only character that could have used a little bit more development was the female mission commander, she came off as almost cartoonishly evil, it would have been nice to maybe see, and understand, her though process. ...more
A solid read. It has a slow build, and two separate storylines, that converge nicely by the end. The beginning of the book is very preachy, Star Trek A solid read. It has a slow build, and two separate storylines, that converge nicely by the end. The beginning of the book is very preachy, Star Trek novels often have relevant themes, but they are not usually as heavy handed as this. At times I felt like I was being hit over the head with message, that being said, I will forgive it because the entire novel is not like this. One disappointment is that we spent a good deal of time establishing the two worlds and there problems, but then at the end it was all wrapped rather quickly, I think, surprisingly, I wanted to see more of the politics. This is one novel where I think an epilogue would have been nice, to see how things had turned out between the two groups in the future. ...more
If you like McCoy you will probably enjoy this book. It focuses on McCoy and to a lesser extent Kirk, Spock is active in the story, but not the centraIf you like McCoy you will probably enjoy this book. It focuses on McCoy and to a lesser extent Kirk, Spock is active in the story, but not the central focus. It was so interesting to see McCoy in a leadership position outside of a medical situation, and considering his lack of experience he did a pretty good job. I also liked how they showed the rest of the crew rally around him to ensure he would be successful. The only thing I might have liked was an outside perspective on McCoy in command. There are two POVs in the book, McCoy and Kirk, and Kirk is off Enterprise for a good chunk of the book, so it would have been nice to have another POV on ship, to let us know how the crew really felt about McCoy in charge. The aliens were interesting, and I liked the fact that there were three sentient alien species sharing a planet, which you don't see enough of in Star Trek. There wasn't a lot of character development, it was more plot focused, overall, a fun read, I could have definitely seen this as an episode(s) of the tv series. ...more
This is my first Star Trek tie-in novel, and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story is very focused on McCoy, and the Kirk-McCoy friendship, SpThis is my first Star Trek tie-in novel, and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story is very focused on McCoy, and the Kirk-McCoy friendship, Spock does play a role, but to a lesser degree, so if McCoy is one of your favourite characters you will probably enjoy this. It was fascinating getting inside the head of a young McCoy, I found myself liking him, but also missing the McCoy we had come to know. The book was very character focused, mixed with spurts of action. I found the mystery of the abandoned ships and the mystery alien race interesting and entertaining, although, there are a few gross bits. I really liked a minor character, Dr Diana Dyson, her dynamic with McCoy was great, and I am kind of sad to learn that she exists solely in this novel. The ending of this novel was bittersweet....more
I only vaguely remember the episode that was based upon this teleplay, so I can't speak to what has been added or expanded upon. What I can say is thaI only vaguely remember the episode that was based upon this teleplay, so I can't speak to what has been added or expanded upon. What I can say is that I enjoyed it, the graphic novel tells the story quite well, and it was really nice to be back with these characters again (although I did miss McCoy, the triad was always the best). It was also a change of pace to see Kirk be so vulnerable in this story, and truly fall in love. ...more
