Reviews

The Klingon Gambit by Robert E. Vardeman

nivek1385's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

graff_fuller's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This book is an early story of the Klingons...before they were established in the lore...as much as they should've. I believe this was still TV TOS type Klingons (swarthy looking).

There were great moments, though and I'm glad that I was able to pick this story to read.

The Andorians were not represented as well as I think they should've been. No use of "pink skin" references. Though, they are researchers and scientists...so maybe those disciplines tamp down the aggressive nature within them (or just poor use of background information).

This story reminded me  a bit of Naked Time episode...where the "base emotions" were brought to the surphase. As were learn, later in the book...WHY these things were happening...it reminded me of a recent book I read by Michael Mammay called Generation Ship (and the planet that they came in contact with).

It was good to have the three main characters of Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock and Bones, though their banter wasn't as well written as other books I've read in this series (unfortunately).

Overall, a fairly good book. Some areas that could've been better, but a solid story.

protovulcan's review

slow-paced

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

1.0

Awful, unimaginative writing. A poorly written "Naked Time" down to the part where Spock loses control of his emotion and has to be slapped back to reality by Kirk. This was only 158 pages but felt like 900.

theseventhl's review

2.0

A 2.5, really. Rather a halfhearted excuse to write the cast of Star Trek in out-of-character hijinks, punctuated by Klingon antics and Kirk being . . . Kirk. The Spock subplot was the most irritating; I will never understand writers wanting to throw Spock into lust for the hell of the fun. McCoy's alien-heightened xenophobia was very much not amusing. Uhura and Sulu seemed to be mostly forgotten about. Overall, a quick read but nothing special or particularly quality about it.

rduke's review

adventurous emotional funny mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

A great book. It's both funny and suspenseful and it really has a TOS feel to it unlike some of the other books. 

weechito's review

3.0

When it comes to Star Trek, I’m not the biggest fan of “mysterious force makes our heroes act weird” stories. The Naked Time (amd it’s Next Generation sequel) are clunky stories that spend way too much time having characters act weird for weirdness sake rather than revealing something intriguing about the characters or their world. So this book, while competently written (even the Klingons seem to be treated as more than just faceless villains), feels more like a writing exercise than an actual story. Our heroes act weird, the reason they do so is arbitrary (and not really explained to my satisfaction), and the plot doesn’t really lead to any real character development. Come to think of it, this sounds an awful lot like your run-of-the-mill, so-so Trek episode. On the bright side, I think this may be the first time in Trek novels that Kirk actually comes across as the skilled leader that he is.

ogreart's review

4.0

I enjoy these added adventures of the original crew. This was a fun story. I liked that Kirk figured out what was going on before anyone else, including Spock, for a change. And that he kept his mouth shut about it and used the knowledge.

deranged_pegasus's review

5.0

A surprisingly philosophical tale as it delves into the psyche of humans, Vulcans, Andorians, and even Klingons. The book is a beautiful look into the hearts and desires of the beloved Enterprise crew.

beckykirk's review

Did not finish. It was to awful and I didn't want to waste my time!

vesper1931's review

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

The Enterprise is ordered to Alnath II by chief of staff Admiral Tackett, as the vulcan space ship T'Pau crew have all died. Presumably by the Klingons orbiting the planet captained by Kalan. On the planet is Andoranon and archaeologist Dr Threllvon. Can Kirk keep the Klingons at bay while solving the riddle of the planet.
An entertaining re-read.