Customer Reviews

The Better Man (Star Trek, Book 72)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When a mystery is central to the plot of a novel - when the plot develops because of the mystery - and then the mystery is shrugged away with barely a murmur at the end, left unsolved - one must suspect that there IS no solution, that the author had no idea who was behind the critical sabotage: that he himself, not any character, is the culprit. I was very much aware of "author intrusion" off and on as I read this book, beginning with the needless rehashing of the series episode "Amok Time" (surely every Star Trek fan *knows* that story, and readers who don't won't care!). But nowhere was I more aware of the author than at the end: I closed the book and said out loud, "What a cheat!" Weinstein never demonstrates that anyone *could* have sabotaged the Federation installation; not only that, but by having the unknown saboteur's programming escape the intense scrutiny of Spock and Scott *even after they knew that sabotage had occurred*, he demeans these characters' skills. The only true reason for the sabotage is (besides creating some tension) to provide a reason for one lone Empyrean's change of heart, and to achieve this single end, Weinstein is (I'm sure unintentionally) disrespectful to Star Trek characters and to the reader's intelligence. This is a contrived novel and one I found very disappointing: I still want to know whodunit and WHY, and I don't believe the author knows.

If you love the trio, and wonder about McCoy's past, then this book is a must! Watch Spock and McCoy battle with the words they use so well, while Kirk is unusually confussed. See McCoy do as any father would to protect his little girl, who just happens not to be so little anymore. And see the dynamic trio come together in the face of danger with surprising skill as only they can, while supporting their valued friend.

This book is a must for those who love to see the trio in action within another secret that becomes news. I laughed throughout the whole book while getting insight into McCoy's past.

This is a well-written if not flawless story, paying particular attention to characterization and ideas but not without its moments of action and high drama. It's not quite good enough to get into the five star range, but only just; it wrapped up a bit TOO neatly for words, leaving one very major subplot/plot complication completely unaddressed, but it was still a very enjoyable and worthwhile read, particularly for fans of McCoy.

This book has great merit in that it gives you a look at a rather tender side of McCoy that you know is there but seldom see. This is especially apparent as he fights to save a daughter he didn't know he had. He is thrown on an emotional roller coaster in the first few chapters and it doesn't get any easier by the end of the book. My only problem was that the ending just left me hanging. I wanted to know what happens to Anna. Even so, this book is definitely worth reading. I would also highly recommend Weinstein's book Deep Domain.

Raise your hands if you ever wanted to know about Dr. Leonard McCoy, the man. What's behind the sarcastic facade? Here are the answers to many of your questions. Also, who does the term "The Better Man" refer to? The genetically perfect Empyreans, or the seemingly-perfect man who Leonard idolized as a child, but can no longer stand? Either way, Howard Weinstein's novel shows us that the Better Man, whoever that is, is no better than "garden-variety" humanoids.

We also meet Anna, the daughter of an Empyrean leader and McCoy, or at least we think so... She is a teenager with normal teen-aged problems, that are remarkably similar to the ones her "perfect-gened" friends are having.

Trekkies! You cannot call yourselves experts until you read this book. If you need any further convincing, which you really shouldn't, that this is an incredible piece of writing, here is an excerpt from Howard Weinstein's "The Better Man":

Actually, I can't pick just one passage. I could do the "How may I compare you to a hormone-crazed Vulcan" scene, which is wonderful, but I'd go on for three pages at least. Then, there's the part where Elizabeth tells McCoy he's the father. Of course, there's always the passage where E.L.F. ...oops! I shouldn't give away the entire story. Do yourself a favor. Read it.

THE BETTER MAN centers on Dr. McCoy, giving readers a rare glimpse into his 'backstory', relating some information about his boyhood, failed marriage and career before his assignment to the Enterprise. While on one of his first deep space assignments McCoy visited Empyrea, a society that prized both the isolation and the superiority of it's gene pool. During his time on the planet McCoy had a brief affair with one of the Empayeans, an affair that resulted in a child. Years later the Enterprise has been called to the planet on a diplomatic mission headed by McCoy's former captain and friend. The mission uncovers deep problems within the perfect Empayean society, ones that will have a profound effect on McCoy and his newfound family and old friend.

Compared to the volumes that are devoted to Kirk and Spock, the good doctor McCoy has received little attention, both on film and in print. This volume in the long-running series of tie-in novels gives lots of attention to McCoy, including his reasons for joining Star Fleet in the first place. For this alone THE BETTER MAN is a must read for McCoy fans.

That is not to say that there are not flaws with this novel though. The basic problem that brought the Enterprise to the planet is set up nicely but then just pushed aside. There are also flaws in the way the Empayean society is set up, first the Empayeans are so isolationist that only a few outsiders are allowed on the planet but those few are allowed to interact quite freely if they are just passing through, those assigned to the permanent station are kept isolated from the general population. The arrangement is, as Spock would say, most illogical.

Still this is an interesting story even for those who are not particularly McCoy fans.

Dr. McCoy is lovable, if you like sarcastic people. In this novel, he has a daughter he never knew about and an enemy. This world is full of perfect people, with a specific genetic code. McCoy needs to help protect his daughter from the officals that might find out about her genetic code. This is a wonderful book and I do recommend it to people who like McCoy. Watch out for the surprise ending. This is just as good as Doctor's Orders.

Review from Kasey Chang, Star Trek Novel Nexus (http://members.aol.com/treknovel). The book is all McCoy. While there are no obvious villains, the author introduced an old rival (former best friend) and an old flame of McCoy's to keep things interesting. The plot twist in the middle is rather ingenious, but the kidnapping near the end doesn't fit that well into the plot, and wel all know at the end McCoy will perform his miracle. Still, the doctor definitely shines in this novel Not the best of TOS novels, but better than average..

I have read that a lot of editors were uneasy about giving McCoy his own story. That is why "Probe", by another Star Trek author was re written. This one doesn't fail on any level. I have to agree with one reviewer who said it wraps up a little too neatly. However it is still good overall and I'd have to give it 4 stars. It's rare to see such a good novel about McCoy. It's not about Kirk and Spock this time. That's the best aspect about the story.

We get to see McCoy's long lost daughter. One of his rival classmates at the academy starts the Enterprise crew on the journey. McCoy's world is never the same again.....

i swear, if u wanna find out more about our favorite doctor, u must read this book!! it is beautifully written and gets into McCoy's mind. it also shows that we are all imperfect in some way or another.