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hneite's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
emheld's review
3.75 is the current average, and I think that's fitting. It's a fun swashbuckling Kirk story by way of midlife crisis, with a fine B-story intrigue featuring the rest of the TOS crew, in various roles.
You can definitely feel its influence in later Trek stories (like Insurrection or chunks of Picard season 1). An enjoyable kick-off to the "Odyssey " trilogy and Shatnerverse as a whole.
You can definitely feel its influence in later Trek stories (like Insurrection or chunks of Picard season 1). An enjoyable kick-off to the "Odyssey " trilogy and Shatnerverse as a whole.
gingerreader99's review
4.0
Perhaps this should lean more to 3.5 stars but the climactic ending pushed it towards a higher rating. There are parts I was not too keen on, Kirk's relationship with Teilani felt awkward and a little weird from the start, slightly predatory even but Kirk received a lot of shit from his friends about it and she was playing him anyways so that was a good way to resolve that particular issue. I suppose in a way it's a fitting end for the Enterprise - A but I mean C'mon if you're gonna go through all that to blow it up why not throw it head on into Drake's vessel? It certainly wouldn't be too much considering the other elements of fan service evident in this novel.
I did particularly enjoy the Excelsior elements of the novel Sulu and the rest of the TOS crew were fantastic and when they confront Kirk near the end I finally got excited again about what Kirk's plot thread included.
Overall though, Shatner and his co-authors crafted an interesting and fun story that I quite enjoyed.
I did particularly enjoy the Excelsior elements of the novel Sulu and the rest of the TOS crew were fantastic and when they confront Kirk near the end I finally got excited again about what Kirk's plot thread included.
Overall though, Shatner and his co-authors crafted an interesting and fun story that I quite enjoyed.
izzyizreading's review
3.0
My favorite bits were scenes with McCoy, Spock, and Chekhov. Also. I now get a reference from fic I've read.
em_being's review
3.0
What if James Kirk at 60 years old fell for a 20 year old Romulan/Klingon hybrid and literally fucked himself young? That's actually most of what this book is about.
Is this better or worse than when Spock dying made him young?
Is this better or worse than when Spock dying made him young?
mousie_books's review
4.0
I was completely surprised how much I enjoyed this book, particularly the plot. However, it requires good deal of selective blindness to tolerate Shatner's ginormous ego. Kirk is an expert in Klingon martial arts? Seriously?...
ladyvictoriadiana's review
3.0
This book was - enjoyable. The writing style was okay and the plot was good but there were so many elements that annoyed me that I just couldn‘t properly enjoy the books.
The characters were good and recognisable but I thought that some of the characterisations, especially concerning Uhura and Chekov, was off - they seemed far too Kirk- centric and I frequently wondered if they have no other interests than supporting him.
Furthermore, concerning the characters, the romance between Kirk and Teilani was a bit strange. The two have a large age difference and while they are both consenting adults (I hope - I don't know what the age of consent in the Federation is), the fact that she is throughout the novels referred to as child-like makes the entire thing very strange for me. Also, I think the storyline of the female leader seducing Captain Kirk is 1) overdone and 2) insulting to both characters involved - Teilani seems unable to convince Kirk with non-sexual means, making her look incompetent and Kirk only seems to be able to think with this dick and since he has fallen for this intrigue a couple of times before, the storyline makes him seem kind of dumb.
The plot itself was enjoyable but it seemed like a cobbled-together version of several Star Trek storylines (the paradise planet, eternal youth, a young woman seducing Kirk, a corrupt politician etc.). While I don't necessarily mind that and Shatner's spin on the storylines is good enough, I still couldn't help but see all the similarities. Overall, a nice reading experience if this isn't a great book.
The characters were good and recognisable but I thought that some of the characterisations, especially concerning Uhura and Chekov, was off - they seemed far too Kirk- centric and I frequently wondered if they have no other interests than supporting him.
Furthermore, concerning the characters, the romance between Kirk and Teilani was a bit strange. The two have a large age difference and while they are both consenting adults (I hope - I don't know what the age of consent in the Federation is), the fact that she is throughout the novels referred to as child-like makes the entire thing very strange for me. Also, I think the storyline of the female leader seducing Captain Kirk is 1) overdone and 2) insulting to both characters involved - Teilani seems unable to convince Kirk with non-sexual means, making her look incompetent and Kirk only seems to be able to think with this dick and since he has fallen for this intrigue a couple of times before, the storyline makes him seem kind of dumb.
The plot itself was enjoyable but it seemed like a cobbled-together version of several Star Trek storylines (the paradise planet, eternal youth, a young woman seducing Kirk, a corrupt politician etc.). While I don't necessarily mind that and Shatner's spin on the storylines is good enough, I still couldn't help but see all the similarities. Overall, a nice reading experience if this isn't a great book.
djpax13's review
3.0
Ashes of Eden was a good solid Star Trek novel. Probably my favorite aspect was the interplay between the characters: despite trials and tribulations, the crew sticks together, their experiences from over the years binding them together as a family. There are the usual aspects of a classic TOS story: Scotty and his engines, McCoy fighting with Spock while not admitting they are actually best friends, and of course Kirk and his girl. The story follows Captain Kirk in his quest to save a world and rediscover his youth, with many revelations along the way.
I enjoyed Shatner's writing, although his ego certainly shines through the prose. I think this becomes very obvious not only through his internal monologue, but how Shatner depicts some characters. For instance, Sulu seems a bit flat, Chekov seems to always ask "WWKD" (what would Kirk do?) and at times the others seem very cookie cutter. The story line also appears somewhat derivative, as if Shatner pulled bits and pieces from the different movies, added a few unique elements, and then sent the book to his publishers.
Despite these flaws, as I said above it was a good solid Star Trek novel. I might even read the next one in the series, if Shatner can manage to flesh out the characters a bit more and leave his ego out of the tale.
I enjoyed Shatner's writing, although his ego certainly shines through the prose. I think this becomes very obvious not only through his internal monologue, but how Shatner depicts some characters. For instance, Sulu seems a bit flat, Chekov seems to always ask "WWKD" (what would Kirk do?) and at times the others seem very cookie cutter. The story line also appears somewhat derivative, as if Shatner pulled bits and pieces from the different movies, added a few unique elements, and then sent the book to his publishers.
Despite these flaws, as I said above it was a good solid Star Trek novel. I might even read the next one in the series, if Shatner can manage to flesh out the characters a bit more and leave his ego out of the tale.