It's been a long time since I read a ST:TOG book, and I'm happy to say that I was not disappointed with this one. I was able to jump right back into tIt's been a long time since I read a ST:TOG book, and I'm happy to say that I was not disappointed with this one. I was able to jump right back into the world and back into step with the characters with this short story collection. Most of them were pretty good and read quickly, and the only one that I found myself slogging through was the last one. I love the fact that most of these stories were written by women, in the 1970's no less. Having each short story introduced by one of the main original cast was also a nice surprise. I enjoyed most of the entries here- but my favorites were The Enchanted Pool, Visit to a Weird Planet Revisited, and The Winged Dreamers. My least favorites were The Face on the Barroom Floor and Mind-Sifter, but even those were still pretty good. I could imagine most of these being played out as episodes, and the authors got the characters spot-on. This was a great read, and I would recommend it to anyone who loved the original series and wish it lasted more than three seasons!...more
I have to admit that even though I do read the occasional Star Trek novel, this one in particular I chose specifically because of the author. John PeeI have to admit that even though I do read the occasional Star Trek novel, this one in particular I chose specifically because of the author. John Peel has done consistently good work in the past with Doctor Who novels and novelizations (usually the ones dealing with Daleks) so I was surprised and intrigued to find his name attached to another science fiction franchise. Peel doesn't disappoint. This is the most fun I've ever had reading a Star Trek novel. Typically they're somber, serious, cerebral and slow moving (which is okay if that's what you're up for) and this entry completely destroyed that mold. Here There Be Dragons was fast paced, plot focused and interesting. Just enough time is spent on the villains and side characters to give them depth, but not so much that you get bored. There's plenty of different perspectives so you get a sense of everything relevant that's happening in the story. There's quite a bit of fantasy-esque elements here as well, and that might bother some folks. Usually people like to keep their sci-fi and fantasy separate, and here they get a bit muddled. There's a distinct medieval-vanilla-fantasy type feel to the planet, and Picard and Data end up fighting and killing an actual dragon. The cast does have some out-of-character moments, but it's not enough to ruin the story or the reader's enjoyment. On the whole, this is a fast, enjoyable, fun ST:TNG read. ...more
Maybe it's because I haven't watched Star Trek in awhile, but this book didn't hit me the way I was expecting it to. I thought it would be a home run-Maybe it's because I haven't watched Star Trek in awhile, but this book didn't hit me the way I was expecting it to. I thought it would be a home run- my favorite TOG character has a secret son he can spend time getting to know and teaching, all while basing the story off a well-known episode, with tons of McCoy to boot? Sign me up! For whatever reason, it fell flat for me. The story dragged, even though it was only just shy of 200 pages. Spock treated his son with contempt for much of the story, which really didn't make for a decent reading experience. McCoy was more of a father to Zar than Spock was, honestly. I suppose it was mostly in character for him, since it was a sudden shock and he had to be thrust into parenthood, after having to collect Zar through a time-gate near a destroyed planet. I guess I was just expecting more from the story. It would have been better had they shown Zar more of the galaxy, including Earth and Vulcan, and he got to go to the academy or helped on the bridge of the Enterprise or something. As it was, it was serviceable, but forgettable. I'd highly recommend watching the TOS episode "All Our Yesterdays" before reading this book, or you'll be lost. ...more
This book is fantastically amazing. For anyone who loves the original Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation and wants a comprehensive timeline This book is fantastically amazing. For anyone who loves the original Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation and wants a comprehensive timeline of their history, this is most definitely it. It provides stardates of all the original episodes, plus the births and deaths of all the major characters. The only downside is the chronology stops at the end of season 5 of TNG. The Okudas should write another book, including the rest of TNG, the subsequent movies, and perhaps Voyager and DS9. I refer to this book all the time and it will always be on my shelf. A must read for any Trek fan!...more
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is my favorite TOS movie. Therefore, I was very intrigued by the premise of this novel. An explanation was promised as tStar Trek IV: The Voyage Home is my favorite TOS movie. Therefore, I was very intrigued by the premise of this novel. An explanation was promised as to what the Probe was, where it came from, what its mission was, etc. I jumped right in. Unfortunately, the author decided that it wasn't an exciting enough story by itself, and it needed some padding. The insertion of the Romulans was completely unnecessary, frustrating and a tad boring. Everything that they did could have easily been done away with or one of the Enterprise members could have managed. Instead of all this, how about the author elaborates on bits of phrases like, "they talked for hours"? I would have much rather read about what the Probe said than the dissent in the Romulan Empire- I mean, really. I found the Probe's origins and its purpose quite interesting- and I understood and appreciated the Borg reference (as any other Star Trek fan would, I suppose). I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of the fourth Star Trek movie, and wants a little more elaboration on the Probe (as long as you don't mind wading through the parts with the Romulans). I realize that Bonanno didn't write this whole story, and parts of her original novel were changed. I am merely commenting on the novel I see here. ...more
Definitely the best Trek book I have read so far. The characters were spot on and acted as they should, the villains were formidable and the story kepDefinitely the best Trek book I have read so far. The characters were spot on and acted as they should, the villains were formidable and the story kept me turning the pages to see what would happen. The whole amnesia bit is a little overdone I'll agree, but in this story it worked out ok. The ending did seem a bit rushed, and I really wanted to see more of the Ravens. They left it open for a sequel, but I'm not sure there is one. And the title isn't very accurate either, come to think of it. McCoy's dreams aren't what's ultimately important as is his memories. Either way, it was a great book filled with action and mystery, and I would definitely recommend it to any TOS Trek fan. ...more
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