Earlier than we go any additional, we should get this out of the way in which: the Shatnerverse books are certainly very goofy and self-indulgent. Through the years, Trek followers have definitely heard tales of Shatner’s inflated ego, from his tendency to steal traces from different actors throughout the TOS days to his insistence on having main inventive management on initiatives, even after the debacle that was his directorial debut in Star Trek V: The Last Frontier.
However we additionally must acknowledge that, similar to his distinctive cadence, Shatner’s bluster is a part of his allure. It’s precisely what makes James Kirk so enjoyable to observe. No matter we really feel about Shatner the person, each time Kirk will get that sparkle in his eyes, we will’t assist however comply with him once more. As veteran Trek novelists, the Reeves-Stevenses fortunately know easy methods to maintain Kirk on the appropriate facet of charming, at the same time as they incorporate Shatner’s extra indulgent concepts.
Past the 5 12 months Mission
The primary trilogy of Shatnerverse books, launched between 1995 and ’97, symbolize the very best of the bunch. Ashes of Eden, The Return, and Avenger inform a rip-roaring journey by which Kirk groups up with a sizzling Romulan/Klingon, defeats the Borg, and uncovers the conspiracy that made the assassination of Spock’s father seem like loss of life by illness. The primary trilogy additionally focuses on Chal, dwelling of the Chalchaj’qmey (Youngsters of Heaven), a peaceable group of genetically modified Romulan/Klingon hybrids that the Klingon Empire and Romulan Star Empire designed in preparation for battle in opposition to the Federation.
In Ashes of Eden, set throughout the late TOS period, lovely Chalchaj’qmey Teilani recruits Kirk and Scotty on a non-Federation authorised mission to save lots of Chal from those that threaten it, together with a Starfleet Admiral doing what all Starfleet Admirals do and being terrible. The Return begins proper after Generations, with Kirk being resurrected by the Borg and Romulans to battle in opposition to Picard. And in Avenger, Kirk reunites with Spock to analyze the connection between Chal and the loss of life of Spock’s father Sarek.
Most agree that the second trilogy falls wanting the primary, however there’s enjoyable available for many who benefit from the Mirror Universe. The Mirror Universe Trilogy—Spectre, Darkish Victory, and Preserver—pits Kirk and Picard in opposition to the Terran Empire’s former Emperor Tiberius, none aside from the evil James T. Kirk himself. The novels play as a enjoyable continuation of “Mirror, Mirror,” the TOS episode that launched the idea, whereas that includes some enjoyable twists, together with Mirror Universe Janeway and a continuation of the Klingon/Cardassian alliance from Deep Area 9.
The Mirror Universe Trilogy works as a result of it stays rooted in a longtime TOS idea, so any of the DS9 and Voyager connections really feel earned. The identical can’t be mentioned of the Captain Trilogy. Captain’s Peril, Captain’s Blood, and Captain’s Glory all really feel like determined cliff notes added to the Nineteen Nineties Trek collection, shoehorning Kirk into locations and tales the place he doesn’t belong. Captain’s Peril places Kirk and Picard on the finish of the Dominion Struggle. Captain’s Blood sends Kirk to Remus, caught within the Romulan civil battle throughout Star Trek: Nemesis. In Captain’s Glory, Kirk joins Admiral Janeway and the Physician on a mission that places them in opposition to Picard’s Enterprise and Riker on the Titan.
