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maggie6832's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
A good time! I love Sarek’s view on his relationship with Spock and trying to mend it. Didn’t love Corrigan’s romance with his best friend’s daughter, that felt deeply creepy.
ashaman_telamon's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.25
My favorite of all the old Trek novels. Fast, fun and well written.
theheroichydrangea's review against another edition
3.0
Sarek gains exactly one point from me for appreciating amanda in her milf era!
graff_fuller's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
This is a mystery (obviously, by the title) and one that we all know the basic characters.
You don't HAVE to have know The Original Series on TV (1966-69), but it helps, I think. Also, some of the events in the past are referenced, which were parts of the episodes in the show...which I found really grounded the story.
The three leads, Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy were very well realized within this story. Their motivations were perfectly done...like we've known them from the show, so stepping into this story was easy.
Unfortunately, I called out the murderer fairly early. I'm not usually good at that sort of thing...and I don't blame the author (in any way), it just felt LOGICAL.
It was also great to see Sarek and Amanda within the story. Their love for each other is astounding (in-world and from my point of view). Two very different people, finding commonality in a relationship, the "world be damned".
That foundational base is what has given us, one of Star Trek's most incredible characters...in Spock. Being the result of this relationship, not just by DNA, but by their gifts. Sarek in his tenacity to be diplomatic, but also go against the grain...for love; and for Amanda...to be logical like a Vulcan, but also allow her humanity to guide her in her decisions, too.
I had a LOT of fun reading this novel. This series rarely disappoints...and most of the time, tells a story that lands for me.
You don't HAVE to have know The Original Series on TV (1966-69), but it helps, I think. Also, some of the events in the past are referenced, which were parts of the episodes in the show...which I found really grounded the story.
The three leads, Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy were very well realized within this story. Their motivations were perfectly done...like we've known them from the show, so stepping into this story was easy.
Unfortunately, I called out the murderer fairly early. I'm not usually good at that sort of thing...and I don't blame the author (in any way), it just felt LOGICAL.
It was also great to see Sarek and Amanda within the story. Their love for each other is astounding (in-world and from my point of view). Two very different people, finding commonality in a relationship, the "world be damned".
That foundational base is what has given us, one of Star Trek's most incredible characters...in Spock. Being the result of this relationship, not just by DNA, but by their gifts. Sarek in his tenacity to be diplomatic, but also go against the grain...for love; and for Amanda...to be logical like a Vulcan, but also allow her humanity to guide her in her decisions, too.
I had a LOT of fun reading this novel. This series rarely disappoints...and most of the time, tells a story that lands for me.
hannerwell's review against another edition
The bit at Spock's family home where Sarek is playing the Vulcan equivalent of a lute (a song he played for Amanda on their wedding day, the SAP) while Kirk nods off on the couch and Bones sits with a drink to listen....That's my shit? That's my e n t i r e domestic bridge crew shit. Lorrah knows what the fans want.
1outside's review against another edition
4.0
A fun swift read, heartily recommended to anyone who is into Vulcans and their home planet.
Spock is only a supporting character here, with his father, a couple of new characters, and Captain Kirk taking center stage.
It's not really a proper whodunnit, as I'd assume most readers will figure out who the murderer is pretty early on, the central theme instead are Vulcan feelings and family bonds. Some of the mind melds featured in the book are actually quite moving, as is the fact that a bonded Vulcan (connected to their life partner by a mental link) can die once that bond is severed.
On the other hand, it's quite amusing to observe how long it takes the characters to figure out who the murderer is - for some of them it's simply because their Vulcan, in the case of the humans - and Kirk esp. - I guess it's because they're heterosexual males (even if sections of the fandom have other ideas abt that).
In short: The Vulcan Academy Murders is definitely a recommended relaxing read for any Star Trek fan who'd like to immerse themselves in the Vulcan world and/or explore Spock's family's backstory. With a few murders on the side.
Spock is only a supporting character here, with his father, a couple of new characters, and Captain Kirk taking center stage.
It's not really a proper whodunnit, as I'd assume most readers will figure out who the murderer is pretty early on, the central theme instead are Vulcan feelings and family bonds. Some of the mind melds featured in the book are actually quite moving, as is the fact that a bonded Vulcan (connected to their life partner by a mental link) can die once that bond is severed.
On the other hand, it's quite amusing to observe how long it takes the characters to figure out who the murderer is - for some of them it's simply because their Vulcan, in the case of the humans - and Kirk esp. - I guess it's because they're heterosexual males (even if sections of the fandom have other ideas abt that).
In short: The Vulcan Academy Murders is definitely a recommended relaxing read for any Star Trek fan who'd like to immerse themselves in the Vulcan world and/or explore Spock's family's backstory. With a few murders on the side.
vesper1931's review
mysterious
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
The Enterprise arrived at Vulcan because of injury to a crew member. There is hope that a new eperimental procedure at the Academy Hospital would cure him. The same procedure that Spock's mother Amanda is undergoing. But then one of the patients dies, but why. Kirk starts to believe it is murder and investigates.
As with the first time of reading the guilty party is very obvious but still an enjoyable re-read.
As with the first time of reading the guilty party is very obvious but still an enjoyable re-read.
skylar2's review against another edition
3.0
A predictable murder mystery, but it gives an interesting view into Vulcan.
snicksnacksnorum's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5