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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
An interesting twist on time travel. I don't normally like reading expanded universe stories of tv shows and movies, because they often rely too much on you liking the characters/world, and too little on any sort of really good story. But this one held up nicely on its own; you could have replaced all the names of the Star Trek characters and it still would have been completely interesting.
PS: This author had a serious crush on Sulu.
PS: This author had a serious crush on Sulu.
The problem with time travel stories and correcting timelines is that you will eventually run into a paradox (BTTF2) if you don't quit while you are ahead (BTTF).
Once Spock/Future Dr. Mordreau successfully convinces present-day Dr. Mordreaux not to use his time travel device, then destroy it and his research... well... Spock and the future Dr. arrive cannot travel to the past if the device was already destroyed. And why would present-day Dr. Mordreaux destroy his device if his future self and Spock do not visit? Paradox! Trippy!
Anyway, Vonda N. McIntyre was in her early 30s when she wrote this 90% solid Star Trek read. I think it was obvious that she had a bit of a crush on George Takei, and reading through Sulu's love affair was a bit of a slog for me. But I was having a really good time once we got to Spock racing through time to save his friend. McIntyre not only writes Kirk, Spock, and McCoy well (I had a little trouble following Scotty's accent), her best strength was creating several strong female characters (something the series was sorely lacking at the time) to flesh out the story. Overall I had fun reading this one. Looking forward to more of her books.
Once Spock/Future Dr. Mordreau successfully convinces present-day Dr. Mordreaux not to use his time travel device, then destroy it and his research... well... Spock and the future Dr. arrive cannot travel to the past if the device was already destroyed. And why would present-day Dr. Mordreaux destroy his device if his future self and Spock do not visit? Paradox! Trippy!
Anyway, Vonda N. McIntyre was in her early 30s when she wrote this 90% solid Star Trek read. I think it was obvious that she had a bit of a crush on George Takei, and reading through Sulu's love affair was a bit of a slog for me. But I was having a really good time once we got to Spock racing through time to save his friend. McIntyre not only writes Kirk, Spock, and McCoy well (I had a little trouble following Scotty's accent), her best strength was creating several strong female characters (something the series was sorely lacking at the time) to flesh out the story. Overall I had fun reading this one. Looking forward to more of her books.
adventurous
fast-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
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
what a fun book! time travel, singularities, convoluted plots, intrigue... not to mention mcintyre's original character, mandala flynn, who is an absolute treasure. can i get a book series about her? and all the other wonderful ladies mcintyre made up for this book?
also, check out the gloriousness that is sulu's mustache:
oh. my. goodness.
also, check out the gloriousness that is sulu's mustache:
oh. my. goodness.
This book truly stands the test of time. McIntyre's writing is accessible and engaging, drawing readers into a well-crafted (and well established) universe filled with the intriguing characters and thought-provoking themes that every Star Trek fan knows and loves. I can’t wait to revisit the rest.
Audiobook narration: 5/5 bc it’s George Takei and Leonard Nimoy but beware… the Spock mouth noise are yikes
Spock keeps the sweaters his mom buys him in the back of his closet.
I haven't frequently read Star Dreck novels in many years, but in recent months I've periodically read or reread a few when I was too tired to read anything more challenging, and The Entropy Effect always fascinated me a little.
Partly because it's a temporal chaos story (more than a time travel story); partly because author Vonda McIntyre's characterization of several key characters, especially Spock and Scotty, is so off that she may have been interpreting them as she saw fit rather than feeling obligated to replicate the television series' characterizations. But really, the main reason it's fascinated me, ever since I read it as a child, is the tragedy: a mad scientist murders Kirk in front of the crew, for no apparent reason, with an illegal brain-crushing weapon said to be used only by terrorists.
...
Regrettably, this is one of three novels I know of for a media franchise where the editor did not prevent the author from using the text to work out the author's infatuation with a male character. Here it probably happened because MacIntyre disguised it well enough for it to be permitted: a female security officer who pretty obviously represents the author sleeps with Sulu. At least it was handled more tastefully than in other cases (an earlier Star Trek novel by another author, and a certain Doctor Who novel). I therefore didn't mind continuing the book despite the author's self-indulgence; I just lost some respect for MacIntyre, who otherwise might be the best writer in the entire Star Trek book franchise. (I consistently regret, much more than this unfortunate spectacle, that MacIntyre didn't write more novels for Star Trek.)
Partly because it's a temporal chaos story (more than a time travel story); partly because author Vonda McIntyre's characterization of several key characters, especially Spock and Scotty, is so off that she may have been interpreting them as she saw fit rather than feeling obligated to replicate the television series' characterizations. But really, the main reason it's fascinated me, ever since I read it as a child, is the tragedy: a mad scientist murders Kirk in front of the crew, for no apparent reason, with an illegal brain-crushing weapon said to be used only by terrorists.
...
Regrettably, this is one of three novels I know of for a media franchise where the editor did not prevent the author from using the text to work out the author's infatuation with a male character. Here it probably happened because MacIntyre disguised it well enough for it to be permitted: a female security officer who pretty obviously represents the author sleeps with Sulu. At least it was handled more tastefully than in other cases (an earlier Star Trek novel by another author, and a certain Doctor Who novel). I therefore didn't mind continuing the book despite the author's self-indulgence; I just lost some respect for MacIntyre, who otherwise might be the best writer in the entire Star Trek book franchise. (I consistently regret, much more than this unfortunate spectacle, that MacIntyre didn't write more novels for Star Trek.)
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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:
Complicated