Reviews

Child of Two Worlds by Greg Cox

kismazsola's review

4.0

Nem vagyok Star Trek-rajongó, alig pár részt láttam az eredeti sorozatból. (Nem kell aggódni, a Star Wars sem különösebben a szívem csücske, sőt az egy kicsit kevésbé, úgyhogy ebben a háborúban pártatlan vagyok.) Az ezévezredi Star Trek-filmeket szeretem, azt hiszem, még moziba is hajlandó voltam értük menni – de persze ez sem egy igazi treki ismérve.

Leginkább egyébként azért nem tud lekötni hosszú évadokra, mert annyira nem zsánerem ez az űrhajós-nonstop kalandozós buli. De azért időről időre jól esik, persze így meg elvesztem a nagyobb képet. Ezt a könyvet konkrétan úgy kerestem ki a wikipediáról, hogy elkezdtem a legfrissebb regényektől visszafele menni, és amelyik leírása megragadta a fantáziám, az lett. Azért nem meglepő, hogy pszichológusi vénával egy spockos könyvre esett a választásom. Bár ez a „spockosság”csak azt jelenti, hogy a nagyon elhanyagolható helyett csak kicsit elhanyagolható mértékben volt jelen a sok izgalom között.

Minden összevetve egy abszolút szilárd lábakon álló regényről beszélünk. Volt benne egy rakat akciójelenet és űrcsata is, de persze engem jobban érdekelt az összes többi része, és az is elég gazdagra sikeredett. A USS Enterprise-on kitör egy járvány (khm, nagyon is covid-áthallással, annak is vannak a láz mellett légúti és mindenféle tünetei), ami miatt meg kell szakítani egy küldetést. Egy független bolygó rendelkezik az gyógyszerhez kellő ritka anyaggal, de közben egy vészjelzést is elkap a hajó egy kereskedő hajótól, amit a Klingonok támadtak meg.

Spoiler

Ennek a vége, hogy az Enterprise-ra kerülnek annak a hajónak az utasai, ami mindenféle politikai és érzelmi viharokat kavar. Cox itt egészen elmegy a tömeg erejének érzékeltetéséig, megmutatja, hogy mennyire tehetetlen is tud lenni egyszem miniszterelnök, ha a nép hangja ellene fordul. Szóval játszottunk kicsiben és nagyban is, és még Pike-ért is aggódtam volna, ha nem tudom, hogy lehetetlen, hogy meghaljon.

A járvány kezelése része...

Spoiler

Mindenféle sci-fiség mellett azért ez az „órák alatt kifejlesztem a gyógyszert, amit minden kockázata mellett gyorsan beadok a kapitánynak, aki persze maga sürgeti a dolgot (bár tényleg nincs más választása), és csodák-csodája a gyógyszer perceken belül hat” – szóval ez wtf.

A sorozatra és korábbi könyvekre való utalásokat természetesen nem értettem, de szerencsére nem volt velük teletömve a regény (vagy észre sem vettem). Egyébként pedig nagyon élveztem olvasni, akkor is, ha ilyen jellegű könyvből egy ideig nem vágyom másikra. Külön értékeltem a címet: Két világ gyermeke.

Spoiler

Érzékletes párhuzam volt Spock és a Klingon-Ciprián(?) nő között. Az üzenet persze egyértelmű: mindenkinek magának kell megválasztania az útját, akkor is, ha a családunk számára ez nehéz.

djwudi's review

3.0

Good Pike-era (shortly post-"The Cage") adventure that has Spock examining his approach to dealing with his mixed heritage while attempting to assist a teenager who as a child had been captured and then raised by Klingons. With a side-order B plot of flu-like virus on the Enterprise, of course. Good insight into Spock that meshes imperfectly, but surprisingly well with the current Strange New Worlds take on his journey.

judenoseinabook's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Enjoyable pre Kirk story. 
Although Spock is pictured on the cover, he does not feature as the main character. Pike, Number One and the chief engineer all share that with Spock.
Rigelian fever has gripped Pike's Enterprise . On the way to find a cure they rescue two young women from a.Klingon attack.  They are sisters but the youngest had been abducted then adopted by a Kingon general, who is desperate to get her back.
A big nature versus nature conflict ensues. Her birth planet just happens to have the fever cure and a great political stand off ensues. 

nigelbaker's review against another edition

5.0

https://nigelbaker.name/?p=11116

kalakakku's review against another edition

4.0

The things that first drew me to this book was the cover and the fact that the story used the cast from TOS pilot. It was great to see Number One on the bridge, although the characterisation was a bit off in my opinion (she wasn't quite as obnoxious in The Cage as she was written here). I think the main conflict was dealt with well and, to my surprise, had greater depth and complexity than was absolutely necessary. I really enjoyed the inclusion of

Spoiler

Caitlin Barry, it made for a more entertaining read.

Overall the book was entertaining and engaging, a stellar read for fans of The Cage .

yarnam01's review against another edition

3.0

Solid Star Trek outing. I’m always a fan of Spock-centric stories. I happened to be sick with a fever during much of the time I was reading this, which made reading about the crew’s predicament extra stressful!

birdmanseven's review

2.0

Not a bad Trek novel, but I think it sorta fails at its goals. If you are going to dig in to the Pike era, then you should really go for it. Provide some insight and backround for Pike, Number One and Boyce. Spock is the only one who got any depth and we already have plenty of that. (Also, this didn't feel like a young, more emotional Spock. Plus, he's not even the main focus as the title and cover seem to imply.)
There was plenty good. Merata's arc was compelling and unique. Her relationship with Spock was also interesting. But, it felt like the author didn't know what to do with a low-ranking Spock, so he banished Number One in order for Spock to assume his familiar role.

Bottom line. I wanted a Pike story and got a generic Trek story.

sleeping_while_awake's review against another edition

3.0

Child of Two Worlds parallels between Spock and a newly introduced character, Merata. The Enterprise responds to a distress signal from a Cyprian vessel that is under attack by Klingons, and beams the two individuals aboard the Enterprise before their ship explodes. One individual is relieved to be rescued, but the other one is not so much.

Meanwhile, much of the Enterprise crew has come down with Rigelian fever, and requires a mineral on Cypria. Without getting into spoilers, Cypria is interested in the two rescued persons, and the mineral is withheld until the persons are returned to Cypria.

The Enterprise is currently under the command of Christopher Pike, so there isn't the usual cast of characters. I missed the regular characters, but I did really enjoy Number One, who I assume has never been named ever?

Number One and a few crew visit Cypria and try to engage with local politicians and the people, but it doesn't go so great. Captain Pike and Spock are left to deal with the two persons, and the enraged Klingons.

I initially thought this story was going to be a backstory one for Spock, considering the title and his picture on the front of the book. Although he does draw on his experiences as a child, it focused on the Enterprise and its happenings.

I liked the parallel between Spock and Merata. It was nice to have a reason for a character to reminisce, rather than some random thoughts here and there.

In regards to the Stockholm Syndrome that occurs in the storyline, I think most people would want the person to go back to their original families. However, it can be more challenging than that.

Spoiler

I got the impression that Merata was going to be more independent, and possibly go out on her own, away from the adopted father who kidnapped her.

This was a fun, entertaining read. I just didn't feel so interested in Captain Pike.

kate_przy's review

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

esperata's review

4.0

This had everything I could want in a Star Trek novel - raging fever, Klingon warbirds, political intrigues and emotional trauma. The Enterprise and crew certainly seem to be the master of hopeless situations.
It was interesting to read about a different crew with a younger Spock although there were certainly some parallels (how many Starfleet doctors refer to Spock as pointy ears?). With the modern movies Captain Pike has now become a central figure and this story didn't disappoint. It also explores Spock's dual heritage by focusing on another individual torn between her two families.
The story itself kept the reader wondering as to the resolution. It seems if something can go wrong it often will but isn't that why we love it?