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nwhyte's review
3.0
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/2719310.html
I picked up a few Star Trek novels by well-known SF authors a few years ago, and this was one of them. Trek isn't one of my core fandoms, but I like it enough to appreciate some of what Haldeman does here (alien intelligence with some good wrinkles, spooky bits where key members of the crew are presumed dead and have to convince others that they are alive, some very nice characterisation of McCoy in particular) and also to spot the standard elements (throwaway characters introduced to be killed off, back-stories invented for regulars which will never be used again). Enjoyable enough for what it is is, which is 150 pages that cost me £2.
I picked up a few Star Trek novels by well-known SF authors a few years ago, and this was one of them. Trek isn't one of my core fandoms, but I like it enough to appreciate some of what Haldeman does here (alien intelligence with some good wrinkles, spooky bits where key members of the crew are presumed dead and have to convince others that they are alive, some very nice characterisation of McCoy in particular) and also to spot the standard elements (throwaway characters introduced to be killed off, back-stories invented for regulars which will never be used again). Enjoyable enough for what it is is, which is 150 pages that cost me £2.
birdmanseven's review
2.0
The, admittedly interesting, underlying concept felt a little deeper than the framework of Star Trek typically would allow. This made for an underwhelming book with a lot of missed potential.
I was lucky enough to chat with the author about this and his other work over at the All the Books Show podcast. Find the Joe Haldeman episode here: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/episode-159-interview-with-joe-haldeman
I was lucky enough to chat with the author about this and his other work over at the All the Books Show podcast. Find the Joe Haldeman episode here: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/episode-159-interview-with-joe-haldeman
joelshults's review
4.0
A lot of fun. I guess that when it comes to these Trek novels, I'm a fan of the ones that feel like episodes of the show.
alis3e6e8's review
3.0
This book was... interesting.
A planet were technology doesn't work and populated by misterious aliens sounds like a tipical episode of the series, and in some ways it was, ene though a little darker in themes.
May I say, the second part were the true conflict gets revealed was infinetely more interesting than the first, especially the esploration of our beloved main characters.
(Perks of the italian translation included many grammatical errors and tons of badly translated terms. Yay)
A planet were technology doesn't work and populated by misterious aliens sounds like a tipical episode of the series, and in some ways it was, ene though a little darker in themes.
May I say, the second part were the true conflict gets revealed was infinetely more interesting than the first, especially the esploration of our beloved main characters.
(Perks of the italian translation included many grammatical errors and tons of badly translated terms. Yay)
wai's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A very short, quick Star Trek novel. It does feel true to the original characters and also offers some in depth scenes from Spock and McCoy's personal lives prior to being on the Enterprise which are interesting and well written. The plot itself is a bit intriguing but it does seem to be over very quickly and easily. It's difficult to write very powerful beings with telepathic abilities that doesn't feel like a deus ex machina at the end.
I think overall it's a very enjoyable read for fans of Star Trek TOS.
I think overall it's a very enjoyable read for fans of Star Trek TOS.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical trauma and Violence
Minor: Abortion
markk's review
4.0
While transporting an esteemed Starfleet scientist to his new posting, the U.S.S. Enterprise encounters a situation seemingly in defiance of the laws of science: an M-class planet orbited by a tiny black hole. As the crew proceeds to investigate the implausibilities of the new planet quickly mount: teleporting down to the planet via transporter is impossible, shuttlecraft no longer function after landing, and phasers can be used to stun the aggressive fauna but will not function when set to kill. Soon the crew of the Enterprise encounter the reason for the mystery — and in the process discover a threat to the existence of the entire Federation.
Regarded today as one of the giants of the genre, Joe Haldeman was just beginning his career as a science fiction author when he was approached by Bantam to write for their series of Star Trek novels in the 1970s. This, the first of two he would write, demonstrates all of his skills as an author: gripping action, interesting scientific ideas, and a plot that engages the reader throughout its length. Like many an episode what starts as a puzzle becomes a problem, then a challenge that threatens like lives of the Enterprise crew. Though Haldeman incorporates a trope from the original series, his employment in it is done in a way that is both fresh and with real consequences for the story. All of this makes for a delightful novel that shows the possibilities inherent in the series in the hands of a true master of the craft.
Regarded today as one of the giants of the genre, Joe Haldeman was just beginning his career as a science fiction author when he was approached by Bantam to write for their series of Star Trek novels in the 1970s. This, the first of two he would write, demonstrates all of his skills as an author: gripping action, interesting scientific ideas, and a plot that engages the reader throughout its length. Like many an episode what starts as a puzzle becomes a problem, then a challenge that threatens like lives of the Enterprise crew. Though Haldeman incorporates a trope from the original series, his employment in it is done in a way that is both fresh and with real consequences for the story. All of this makes for a delightful novel that shows the possibilities inherent in the series in the hands of a true master of the craft.
alireadstoomuch's review
3.0
This book was... interesting.
A planet were technology doesn't work and populated by misterious aliens sounds like a tipical episode of the series, and in some ways it was, ene though a little darker in themes.
May I say, the second part were the true conflict gets revealed was infinetely more interesting than the first, especially the esploration of our beloved main characters.
(Perks of the italian translation included many grammatical errors and tons of badly translated terms. Yay)
A planet were technology doesn't work and populated by misterious aliens sounds like a tipical episode of the series, and in some ways it was, ene though a little darker in themes.
May I say, the second part were the true conflict gets revealed was infinetely more interesting than the first, especially the esploration of our beloved main characters.
(Perks of the italian translation included many grammatical errors and tons of badly translated terms. Yay)
anomalocaris's review
2.0
Sometimes I read garbage Trek novels. I won't hear a word of criticism so all of you shut up. My edition, which I purchased for literally $1 from an elderly woman at a con as if I were making a deal with a witch, is dated 1977. This accounts for a lot of the weird pre-TNG deviations from canon.
Unfortunately, even taking that into account, this is a bad book by Trek tie-in novel standards. Characterisation is bad; science is good. I have read slash fanfiction that manages to get both of those things right, though, so. I can make no excuses for either myself or the author.
Unfortunately, even taking that into account, this is a bad book by Trek tie-in novel standards. Characterisation is bad; science is good. I have read slash fanfiction that manages to get both of those things right, though, so. I can make no excuses for either myself or the author.
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