Customer Reviews

Mindshadow (Star Trek: The Original Series)

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

 

 

I thought I saw where this book was going long before the ending, and was severely unsatisfied with what I thought I saw coming. Dillard managed to put a surprise twist on the events of the story at the end that cleared up MOST of my objections, and was actually plausible as an explanation. What I'm left with as an objection is that I still can't accept that Kirk and McCoy were so dumb as not to suspect the newest addition to the crew when there was sabotage and espionage taking place; surely, that would have been the obvious response, even if said new crewmember WAS a very attractive and apparently pleasant person. Nor can I accept the concept that a medical doctor could become lovers with someone whose body temperature was significantly higher than normal without noticing that something ODD was involved. Or that scanners didn't detect anything odd when searching the ship for a missing Romulan, and there was a disguised Romulan aboard. Granted, the visual disguise was perfect, and her blood pressure was artificially normalized, but her body temperature was not, and I have real trouble believing that that wouldn't have showed up in a scan.

All in all, the book is well written, stylistically, but the characters, while mostly behaving believably, in a few very key areas are simply mishandled, and there are too many holes left in the plot for a high rating. But the story is too enjoyable for a low rating, either, so a middling three stars seems the only solution. Far from the best Star trek novel I've read, but certainly at LEAST as far from the worst.

I did not really like Mindshadow. I didn't hate it, I merely found it to be an annoying piece of work. Allowing McCoy's relationship with the double-agent to interfere with his friendship was not impossible, merely inappropriate to an old-fashioned Trekkie purist such as myself. The Vulcan-Human hybrid living with Spock's parents, as the flip side of the coin which is Spock's personality, was also quite unthinkable. Sarek would never take such a person into his confidence. Read it for the novelty, but not for a real Trek-experience.

The Enterprise has gone to Aritani, a peaceful, agrarian non-aligned planet that has been repeated attacked by pirates. While on this mercy mission Spock suffered a horrible accident, one that left him with severe brain trauma. Despite their best efforts, McCoy and the Federation dispatched specialist were not able to repair all the damage, leading them to conclude that Spock was suffering from long term, if not permanent, brain damage. Spock was then sent home to Vulcan to continue his recovery.

Back on the Enterprise both McCoy and Kirk has fallen for the specialist, a beautiful young woman, leading to friction between the two. When additional incidents of sabotage begin to take place Kirk begins to suspect the presence of a traitor onboard, causing him to look closely at all the new crew members who had recently arrived.

This is a special treat for Spock fans, giving lots of attention not only Spock himself but also to his family and Vulcan society. The author has done a wonderful job providing this background material in a well thought out manner without slowing down the flow of the story. In addition the conflict between Kirk and McCoy is treated in a very believable manner.

Star Trek-The Original Series: Mindshadow written by J.M. Dillard is a book the explores Spock's mental prowess and what happens when its gone.

Yes, folk's this is a book that highlights Spock, but also there is an underlying story about a Romulan double agent roaming the Enterprise. After a fall, Spock's mind has been impaired and that possibility could last forever, but Kirk has his hands full as the peacefull planet of Aritani fall under attack by a ruthless enemy who at their arrival still is unknown.

The is a well-crafted book as the storyline develops and the twists and turns keep the reader engaged till the ending. As Spock's nightmare's continue, his mental power severly diminished and the Romulan evil plot begins to come to light, the reader is taken on a cunning adventure, with a bit of mystery sprinkled into the mix.

If you like a good storyline, double agents, and Spock in a pickle with Kirk left to slavage the situation, then you will not be disappointed in this book. This book grew on me as the more I read, the better I liked it. Doc McCoy was interesting and the new recruit was very likable.

All in all, this was a fast and entertaining read.

This was an "okay" Trek novel in the franchise. The story was a little beyond what you would see in a normal episode. The story dealt with a double-double agent that worked for neither the Romulans or the Federation, but in fact was trusted by both. The way the story tied together at the end was a little sketchy, as it seemed the author tried to tie up all the loose ends at the last moment.

I knew who the "villain" was before I even got half way through, and while the ending was not what I expected, it gave me the same resolution I was hoping NOT to see.

Many of the most memorable Star Trek novels focus around a particular character or event. Mindshadow centers on Spocks amnesia and is a collectable for Spock fans.

This book is good, because, Spock is going insane and can barely remember anything after fall off a cliff. He takes a new experimental drug, given by a so called 'doctor' working for the Romulans. So he loses it and gets sent home to Vulcan. He later recovers and helps to destroy the Romulan base. This book is good if you like the predictable, or just Spock.

I usually get through J.M.Dillard novels with ease, and this is no exception. However, after reading this entry into the Trek universe, I was left with a bad taste in my mouth.

Kirk and crew arrive at Aritani, a planet rich with dilithium and uritanium, to assist a culture that has been supposedly bombarded with pirate attacks; these attacks turn out not to be from pirates. Spock is harmed when he finds out that it is not pirates, but Romulans; someone aboard the Enterprise, and eventually on Vulcan, tries to keep Spock from revealing the truth as he recovers his memory. Meanwhile, the Enterprise is picking up delegates from various Federation worlds to decide whether or not to help the people of Aritani; if they should break the Prime Directive non-interference rule, or not.

At the end of the story, we are supposed to feel sorry for the character--Tanirius--who is revealed a double agent for the Federation as well as the Romulans; we learn that this agent has killed innocent alien delegates; those who are in favor of assisting Aritani. She has also fallen in love with not only McCoy while acting as a human agent named Emma Saenz, but with Kirk. (She has slept with McCoy in the novel, so her feelings are more for McCoy, or 'Leonard' as she calls him). However, a character such as Tanirius doesn't have morals, so I didn't buy that we are supposed to care if she lives or dies.

However, Tanirius spares certain members of the crew later in the novel, who attempt to stop her when she is 're-assigned' by her Romulan superiors; and, she helps Kirk and Spock when both break into the Romulan stronghold on Aritani; even though that is supposed to redeem her; I didn't buy it.

There is another new crewmember who is on board, Varth--of a species who is cousin to Klingons--is also hinted on being a spy and a collaborator with Tanirius, but it is not clear of what is done with him, other than that he remains part of the crew.

There is also part of the story set on Vulcan as Spock recovers from his wounds; his parents have taken in an attractive human-Vulcan hybrid name T'Pala who only serves to feel sorry for herself about her heritage, a reason she feels why she won't get into the Vulcan Diplomatic Corps. It is revealed she is working with the Romulans, and she commits suicide while trying to kill Sarek.

So, even though the novel moved in an 'okay' pace, there were plot points that didn't jive with me.

when the peaceful world of artiani is attacked, the enterpise runs to the rescue. they find that spock has been seriously injured, and that the side of the brain that controls logic is the one that is the most impaired. his struggle to remember what
happen and to get use of his formidable brain make this a very
good book for any true spock fan.