Mutiny on the Enterprise (Star Trek: The Original Series) [Paperback]

Robert E. Vardeman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1990 | Series: Star Trek: The Original Series

The EnterpriseTM is crippled in orbit around a dangerous, living, breathing planet, and a desperate peace mission to the Orion Arm is stalled. Kirk has never needed his crew more. But a lithe, alien woman is casting a spell of pacifism, and now mutiny over the crew.

Suddenly Captain Kirk's journey for peace has turned into a terrifying war to retake command of his ship.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The Enterprise^TM is crippled in orbit around a dangerous, living, breathing planet, and a desperate peace mission to the Orion Arm is stalled. Kirk has never needed his crew more. But a lithe, alien woman is casting a spell of pacifism, and now mutiny over the crew.

Suddenly Captain Kirk's journey for peace has turned into a terrifying war to retake command of his ship.END

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Star Trek (July 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671708007
• ISBN-13: 978-0671708009
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 3.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,392,385 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Robert E. Vardeman is the author of more than 100 fantasy and science fiction novels, as well as numerous westerns under various pen names (Jackson Lowry, Karl Lassiter). F&SF titles include the fantasy Dark Legacy (Magic: The Gathering tie-in) and sf novel Ruins of Power (Battletech: Mechwarrior tie-in). The reprint of his Star Frontier trilogy from Zumaya Publications was launched with Alien Death Fleet and Genetic Menace. Black Nebula will be published soon. The Infinity Plague, the first book of the Biowarriors series, recently has been published for the Kindle.

Fantasy work included the novelization of Sony Playstation videogame God of War 1 (co-authored with Matt Stover) and the forthcoming God of War 2. All nine titles in the Swords of Raemllyn series will be published in Kindle format. Look for the fantasy pirate short story, "The Coins of Darkun," in the collection Pirates of the Blue Kingdoms.

In addition to short stories for the Kindle, his collection Stories from Desert Bob's Reptile Ranch covers almost thirty years of writing.

Editorial work includes Career Guide to Your Job in Hell and the spectacular anthology, co-edited with Joan Spici Saberhagen, Golden Reflections.

Vardeman is a longtime resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, graduating from the University of New Mexico with a B.S. in physics and a M.S. in materials engineering. He worked for Sandia National Laboratories in the Solid State Physics Research Department before becoming a full time writer.

For more information go to http://www.cenotaphroad.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Unspectacular, but not bad., August 30, 2000

By 

James Yanni (Bellefontaine Neighbors, Mo. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mutiny on the Enterprise (Star Trek: The Original Series) (Paperback)

As Star Trek stories go, this one wasn't bad. It was vaguely reminiscent of the episode (the title of which escapes me) in which the Enterprise crew are "infected" with spores that render them blissfully happy, totally pacifistic, and utterly useless. The main difference is that in this novel, the part of the spores is played by a sentient alien with a hypnotically persuasive voice and marvellous diplomatic skills who they rescue from a disabled ship.

A perfectly workmanlike, but unspectacular story.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars it was okay, March 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Mutiny on the Enterprise (Star Trek: The Original Series) (Paperback)

I felt that the book was decently written.I wouldnt say that it is the best Star trek book out there though but in my opinion it was worth reading.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mixed feelings, August 13, 2001

By 

Jon (McKinney, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mutiny on the Enterprise (Star Trek Novel No 12) (Library Binding)

I just finished Mutiny on the Enterprise last night (TOS #12), and I have mixed feelings.

The Enterprise, being overdue for some dry-dock time where repairs can be made and shore leave can be taken, is ordered to the Orion Arm to oversee peace negotiations between two systems. There is a Romulan threat in the background if the negotiations fail, so off they go against Kirk's and Scotty's better judgment. On the way, they pick up a young lady named Lorelei.

Lorelei, a pacifist who has the unique ability to influence anyone (except Spock and Kirk, it seems) to her point of view just by talking with them, begins to lead the crew to believe that their mission will start a war and should be avoided at all costs. Her activities cause all crew members to slack in their duties. The engines go out and the Enterprise becomes little more than a sitting duck. Luckily, she is in orbit around a planet that has supplies they can use to repair the ship.

Kirk has to find a way to get his crew back under control, get the supplies off the planet in spite of extreme danger, get to the peace conference before war breaks out, and still keep the Romulans at bay.

On the one hand, the story was fun and believable. Other than the Spock-McCoy banter happening a bit more than usual and being a bit forced at times, everyone acted in character. And there was quite a bit of suspense. The pacifist message came through strong and was strongly squelched by Kirk.

However, the book had zero character insight or development. It read like watching an episode. Not even that well because visual description left something to be desired more than once. The events had little or no emotional impact on anyone, except Kirk being frustrated with the mutiny. All I'm saying here is that there was dialog and action, but little to no "getting in their heads".

The novel is still pretty enjoyable, and completists will definitely want to add it to their collection. But I don't think I would put it on the "oldies but goodies" list.