I will admit that the cover is what first
drew my attention to this novel but after finishing it; I have to say
that it also worth buying for the story inside. I really enjoyed almost
every aspect of this book as it reminded me of the old Star Trek
episodes in that the story is entertaining but also morally complex at
the same time.
This kind of adventure is the reason why the Prime Directive was instituted. It starts out with the best intentions but results in a potential galactic war with millions of lives on the line or just your run of mill mission while serving under Captain Kirk.
The novel begins with the Enterprise responding to a distress call. A troubled space ship that contains several life forms is about to be crushed by being pulled into a gas giant. In the process of the rescue mission the Enterprise is suddenly attack by several unidentified second-class ships and given a warning to leave the other ship to it’s fate. Since the ships are no match for the Enterprise they are able to rescue the life forms by beaming them aboard right before the ship is destroyed. The leader of the rescued group is named Berlis and he is member of a species known as Isitri. The Isitri do not have the capacity speak but are able to communicate through telepathy and they are also able to read minds. The crew of Enterprise come too really like Berlis especially Spock who is very sensitive to telepaths.
The Enterprise takes Berlis is taken back to his home planet which is a colony planet to the main Isitri planet. As soon as Berlis leaves the ship Kirk, Spock, Dr. McCoy, etc. that they were under his spell and realize that Berlis is has the ablity to control people. The Enterprise then travels to the Isitri home planet were they learn that Berlis was being put to death when he was inadvertently rescued. They explain that Berlis is considered a troublesome mind and a very dangerous individual. Troublesome minds come along every now and then in the Isitri species. Their telepathy is so strong that they can control the entire population of a planet and can dend people against their will. In the past this had lead to wars with their interstellar neighbors, the Odib.
The Odib and the Isitri entered into a treaty after the last war. Essentially, if the Isitri allow troublesome minds into their society then this considered an act of war and the Odib will destroy the Isitri’s home planet and their colony.
This puts Captain Kirk in a very tight spot. Because of his initial kindness he has essentially started a potentially brutal war. The rest of the plot involves the crew of the Enterprise scrambling to rectify the situation without the loss of lives. This becomes even more difficult when Berlis is able take control of Spock and he begins acting against Captain Kirk.
Mr. Galanter does an excellent job in handling the classic characters, Captain Kirk, Spock and Dr. McCoy. His dialogue is spot on and you can hear their voices as you read the novel. The relationship between the big three, Kirk, Spock and McCoy, is the strength behind this story as with any good Star Trek novel. His characterizations are well done and highly believable.
I also enjoyed the moral choices that Mr. Galanter puts in front of his characters. There are no easy ways out of the situation they put themselves in and they are forced to make tough decisions with real ramifications. Does Captain Kirk cross a moral line and take Berlis away from the connected minds of his people which is tantamount to killing him? Does he fight the Odib to stop them from slaughtering the Isitri? Needless to say, Captain Kirk and the boys have their hands full.
The ending is shocking and completely brutal. It caught me entirely by surprise but it is fitting conclusion to this enthralling story.
This is excellent addition to the Star Trek universe that harkens back to the glory days of the original series. I highly recommend this novel to any Star Trek fan and anyone who enjoys a good space adventure.
This kind of adventure is the reason why the Prime Directive was instituted. It starts out with the best intentions but results in a potential galactic war with millions of lives on the line or just your run of mill mission while serving under Captain Kirk.
The novel begins with the Enterprise responding to a distress call. A troubled space ship that contains several life forms is about to be crushed by being pulled into a gas giant. In the process of the rescue mission the Enterprise is suddenly attack by several unidentified second-class ships and given a warning to leave the other ship to it’s fate. Since the ships are no match for the Enterprise they are able to rescue the life forms by beaming them aboard right before the ship is destroyed. The leader of the rescued group is named Berlis and he is member of a species known as Isitri. The Isitri do not have the capacity speak but are able to communicate through telepathy and they are also able to read minds. The crew of Enterprise come too really like Berlis especially Spock who is very sensitive to telepaths.
The Enterprise takes Berlis is taken back to his home planet which is a colony planet to the main Isitri planet. As soon as Berlis leaves the ship Kirk, Spock, Dr. McCoy, etc. that they were under his spell and realize that Berlis is has the ablity to control people. The Enterprise then travels to the Isitri home planet were they learn that Berlis was being put to death when he was inadvertently rescued. They explain that Berlis is considered a troublesome mind and a very dangerous individual. Troublesome minds come along every now and then in the Isitri species. Their telepathy is so strong that they can control the entire population of a planet and can dend people against their will. In the past this had lead to wars with their interstellar neighbors, the Odib.
The Odib and the Isitri entered into a treaty after the last war. Essentially, if the Isitri allow troublesome minds into their society then this considered an act of war and the Odib will destroy the Isitri’s home planet and their colony.
This puts Captain Kirk in a very tight spot. Because of his initial kindness he has essentially started a potentially brutal war. The rest of the plot involves the crew of the Enterprise scrambling to rectify the situation without the loss of lives. This becomes even more difficult when Berlis is able take control of Spock and he begins acting against Captain Kirk.
Mr. Galanter does an excellent job in handling the classic characters, Captain Kirk, Spock and Dr. McCoy. His dialogue is spot on and you can hear their voices as you read the novel. The relationship between the big three, Kirk, Spock and McCoy, is the strength behind this story as with any good Star Trek novel. His characterizations are well done and highly believable.
I also enjoyed the moral choices that Mr. Galanter puts in front of his characters. There are no easy ways out of the situation they put themselves in and they are forced to make tough decisions with real ramifications. Does Captain Kirk cross a moral line and take Berlis away from the connected minds of his people which is tantamount to killing him? Does he fight the Odib to stop them from slaughtering the Isitri? Needless to say, Captain Kirk and the boys have their hands full.
The ending is shocking and completely brutal. It caught me entirely by surprise but it is fitting conclusion to this enthralling story.
This is excellent addition to the Star Trek universe that harkens back to the glory days of the original series. I highly recommend this novel to any Star Trek fan and anyone who enjoys a good space adventure.
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