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vortimer's review against another edition
4.0
Bizarre. Has little resemblance, beyond slight reference to the alternative and intricate Klingon culture John M Ford invented in his other, divisive ST novel The Final Reflection, which I consider one of the very best of the hundreds of ST novels I've read, though the canon has changed so much that feels like a great sci fi novel rather than a ST novel.
Where to begin? Starts fairly strongly, with some wonderfully subtle meta jokes, such as the replicator serving Scotty Canadian food covered in cheese instead of the Scottish meal he requested, and I felt my hair rustle as what I suspect are other jokes and references sailed over my head.
It then gets more and more weird, throwing in a plot based around farce, slapstick and 1920‘s and 30's cinema and comedy.
Think Lower Decks, Peter David and TOS at their most freewheeling, century old pop culture references mixed into a fever dream and you're there.
Ford seemed to be having fun, however, and that comes through, and it's somehow more coherent than many of the early Trek novels, despite being a piece of whimsy not taking itself seriously.
If you're reading an out of print ST novel sailing steadily towards its fortieth birthday, you're probably a hard core fan of Trek novels, and/or Ford, so you know its reputation; all I can say is read it and see if it works for you.
Where to begin? Starts fairly strongly, with some wonderfully subtle meta jokes, such as the replicator serving Scotty Canadian food covered in cheese instead of the Scottish meal he requested, and I felt my hair rustle as what I suspect are other jokes and references sailed over my head.
It then gets more and more weird, throwing in a plot based around farce, slapstick and 1920‘s and 30's cinema and comedy.
Think Lower Decks, Peter David and TOS at their most freewheeling, century old pop culture references mixed into a fever dream and you're there.
Ford seemed to be having fun, however, and that comes through, and it's somehow more coherent than many of the early Trek novels, despite being a piece of whimsy not taking itself seriously.
If you're reading an out of print ST novel sailing steadily towards its fortieth birthday, you're probably a hard core fan of Trek novels, and/or Ford, so you know its reputation; all I can say is read it and see if it works for you.
gillthequill's review
I picked up this book because it showed up on a list of best Star Trek books of all time. I also picked it up because it was $2 and many reviews praised it. I can see why it is so highly praised--to some fans. Some of the jokes made me laugh. Mostly the first fourth of the novel, which was fun, engaging, and enjoyable in both the lampshading, Klingon and Federation interactions, and the set up. However, things quickly went downhill as we went down to the planet and engaged in the plot proper.
This novel will be for you if you are a fan of the really goofy Star Trek: The Original Series episodes. Think Season 3 levels of goofy. I saw people compare this to the episode "Shore Leave" and it shows. Frankly, if the author just focused on the Klingons and Federation having to play nice because of a supernatural treaty, that would have been amazing. Even the focus on the inherent absurdity of being in space and commanding a ship. But once the locals got involved and the singing started, the novel just lost me. If you like your Trek heavy on the goofy and camp, this one may be for you.
This novel will be for you if you are a fan of the really goofy Star Trek: The Original Series episodes. Think Season 3 levels of goofy. I saw people compare this to the episode "Shore Leave" and it shows. Frankly, if the author just focused on the Klingons and Federation having to play nice because of a supernatural treaty, that would have been amazing. Even the focus on the inherent absurdity of being in space and commanding a ship. But once the locals got involved and the singing started, the novel just lost me. If you like your Trek heavy on the goofy and camp, this one may be for you.
graff_fuller's review against another edition
challenging
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I just didn't enjoy this story. I wanted to, but it's farcical story was just not my "cup of tea".
The Klingons did NOT feel like klingons, the human version OR the TNG version. It was trying TOO hard to be fun (slapstick).
I know that there are comedic stories in Star Trek: TOS series, but this always seemed to be on the left foot...and never felt right to me.
Sorry. What can I say?
The Klingons did NOT feel like klingons, the human version OR the TNG version. It was trying TOO hard to be fun (slapstick).
I know that there are comedic stories in Star Trek: TOS series, but this always seemed to be on the left foot...and never felt right to me.
Sorry. What can I say?
xandraanneww's review against another edition
2.0
Oh boy. This was hard to read, largely because every thing that happened seemed to be an entire scene set up for a one line joke at the end. Nothing makes any sense through the whole middle, and it isn't until the last, like, 10 pages that anything is explained.
I liked the characters, but there were too many names in too many places in too many scenes. I forgot characters before they reappeared and lost plot threads that I only vaguely remembered when they came back. It's a whole mess.
Some individual bits were fun. The fading scream was the best joke in the whole damn book and one of two places where I actually laughed, but that says a lot more about the book than it does the joke. It's a comedy, and I laughed twice in 185 pages.
That said, the last 10 pages are pretty fun. But I'm not sure the 175 getting there was worth it? It's the structure of the whole thing. Everything is set up for a very short punchline at the end.
However, growing up my parents referenced a few details from this book on the regular and those references? The way my parents wield their knowledge of things that only exist in these 185 pages? That's always been funny, and it's very worth knowing where they came from. (Unfortunately, not everyone is going to have such motivation to get through.)
I liked the characters, but there were too many names in too many places in too many scenes. I forgot characters before they reappeared and lost plot threads that I only vaguely remembered when they came back. It's a whole mess.
Some individual bits were fun. The fading scream was the best joke in the whole damn book and one of two places where I actually laughed, but that says a lot more about the book than it does the joke. It's a comedy, and I laughed twice in 185 pages.
That said, the last 10 pages are pretty fun. But I'm not sure the 175 getting there was worth it? It's the structure of the whole thing. Everything is set up for a very short punchline at the end.
However, growing up my parents referenced a few details from this book on the regular and those references? The way my parents wield their knowledge of things that only exist in these 185 pages? That's always been funny, and it's very worth knowing where they came from. (Unfortunately, not everyone is going to have such motivation to get through.)
beecycling's review
5.0
I read this back when I was a student and stayed up into the wee small hours to do so. It's mad and very funny. I can still make myself smile many, many years later just thinking about some of my favourite lines and moments in it. I still reread it periodically. In fact it must be about due for a re-read.
kscr42's review against another edition
4.0
This book is bonkers. Like, full-on cuckoo banana pants. But I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it.
If you’re looking for a deeply philosophical treatise on galactic politics... yeah, this ain’t the book for you. Pink colored, mint flavored milkshakes are a theme. The action more than occasionally edges into slapstick territory, and parts of the climax are a straight up classic farce (lots of slamming doors and everything!). There’s Gilbert and Sullivan references (do they teach a class on them at starfleet?), Shakespeare (you know how those Klingons love their Shakespeare), and lots of nods to classic Hollywood.
Don’t take it too seriously, and you’ll enjoy the ride.
If you’re looking for a deeply philosophical treatise on galactic politics... yeah, this ain’t the book for you. Pink colored, mint flavored milkshakes are a theme. The action more than occasionally edges into slapstick territory, and parts of the climax are a straight up classic farce (lots of slamming doors and everything!). There’s Gilbert and Sullivan references (do they teach a class on them at starfleet?), Shakespeare (you know how those Klingons love their Shakespeare), and lots of nods to classic Hollywood.
Don’t take it too seriously, and you’ll enjoy the ride.
vesper1931's review
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Both the Federation and the Klingon Empire have discovered a planet that contains a much needed item, dilithium. How will the inhabitants cope and response to the beings arriving.
An acquired sense of humour needed.
Overall an enjoyable re-read.
An acquired sense of humour needed.
Overall an enjoyable re-read.
littlemisselvis's review against another edition
1.0
Dreadful, just dreadful. Literally not a single redeeming feature.