Gegenheimer.ES@XEROX.ARPA (08/08/84)
From: Bill Gegenheimer <Gegenheimer.ES@XEROX.ARPA>
For those of us who read the Star Trek novels (and I think I've read
them all), I'm sure that we find most of them a disappointment. I agree
with the previous opinion (by Jef Poskanzer) that John Ford's "The Final
Reflection" was one of the few worth reading, but that may have been
because it had so little to do with the Enterprise that we had no
expectations to compare it to.
Anyway, the latest (as far as I know) Star Trek book is "My Enemy, My
Ally" by Diane Duane. You may remember her as the author of "The
Wounded Sky." However, even if you didn't like that one, this one is
worth a look. It's a lot different that "TWS" and you get to see the
Enterprise gang pretty much as you've come to know them from the show
and movies. Lots of good cat and mouse games with the Romulans
(Rihannsu, as they apparently call themselves), and some pretty good
action. There are a few too many alien races around to make it feel
like the normal Star Trek of the show and movies, and the book has a bit
too much of the same feminist tilt as the other one she wrote, but on
the whole, a decent yarn. ("Captain, why, when we are discussing a
story, do you bring up knitting?")
"Beam me up, Mr. Scott!"
--Bill--moriarty@fluke.UUCP (Jeff Meyer) (08/24/84)
I found this book enjoyable and well-written, and funny, especially in the
dialogue... smooth conversation is tricky, and the author seems to have
gotten the hang of it. Probably one of my favorite ST books, except for
several quirks of the author:
1) She always makes the ENTERPRISE sound a bit like SPACE ACADEMY...
military and scientific dicipline seems to disappear in the face of all
these talented eccentric people.
2) The humor is played up to the point that it all has a bit too much
swashbuckling to sound like anyone's in danger. You'd think Kirk and the
Commander were doing standup comedy at points.
3) Gosh, isn't it wonderful how the Romulans, after having fought and
battled Federation personnel for years, are ready to just start embracing
every Starfleet officer in sight. Everyone seems a bit too chummy for my
tastes.
However, still an interesting book, and highly recommended.
"Where are we going?!"
"PLANET 10!!"
"When are we going?!"
"REAL SOON!!"
Moriarty, aka Jeff Meyer
John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc.
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