Customer Reviews

The Prometheus Design (Star Trek)

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

 

 

I'm not a Trekkie, Trekker, or whatever. I have not seen every episode of all the various series. That said I have enjoyed some of the books written about the Star Trek Universe. The trouble with a multi-authored series though is the uneveness one finds in the mix. From what I remember of the original series, (and Next Generation and the new series) is the sense of wonder, a feeling of joy and camaraderie between the main characters. The authors of this book suck that joy and wonder out of everything and write a soulless gloomy novel that bears no resemblance to the Star Trek phenomenon. It is a novel of despair with not one refreshing moment. To me, the novels should reflect the spirit of the series or it's just a bad science fiction novel with characters named after the members of the Trek universe.

This story moves along incredibly slow to the point of becoming boring. This was a book I couldn't wait to finish and put in the worst ST books pile. I enjoy unusual character developments, if it is done nicely. Here it wasn't. Spock completely disses Kirk in all respects to force the alien influence from him. No second-guessing or regrets from Spock. This not Spock! It ruins the rest of the story.

Not a good read...

The galaxy is in danger of being destroyed and the crew of the Enterprise is trying to prevent it. A race of beings is performing scientific experiments on humans and other creatures and James Kirk is one of their prime subjects. He is still under their influence, so his command judgment is suspect.
Savaj is an elderly Vulcan who is an Admiral in Star Fleet, a legend for many other accomplishments and also aboard the Enterprise. Kirk is relieved of his command with Spock taking over. There is a great deal of philosophical debate between Spock, Savaj and Kirk over whether the superior intellect of Vulcans means that they should never be subservient in the chain of command. To further demonstrate the inferiority of humans, Spock and Savaj engage in a series of Vulcan combat calisthenics and Kirk understands that his level of accomplishment is that of a mere child. A demonstration with Kirk is done in front of several of the crew, further humiliating Kirk.
Even though he has been relieved of his command and must obey Spock, Kirk sometimes fails to follow those orders, sometimes for benefit and other times with negative consequences. In the end, they learn that the danger to the galaxy is due to the callous way in which experiments have been carried out on living creatures. For centuries, humans have been torturing small animals in the name of medical research, but without regard to how much they have suffered.
Of course the solution is found and Kirk is restored to command of the Enterprise. Spock even concedes that Kirk is the superior commander. I found the book often dull, it moves much slower than almost all of the other Star Trek novels that I have read. While the philosophical arguments are interesting, they go on so long that my interest waned.

This is #5 in the classic Star Trek tie-in series and one of the weakest of the lot. It demonstrates all the worst aspects of tie-in novels.

The basic premise is that Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise are 'alien abductees', being taken by unknown powerful aliens to be used as unwilling experimental subjects. As a result of this Kirk is deemed unfit for command and Spock is named captain in his stead. The idea is not bad in itself and was used to much better effect elsewhere (The Next Generation).

The problems here are in the protrayals of the main characters, Spock and Kirk would never behave as these authors have them doing. Also the action, such as it is, drags along, interrupted by long, pointless, impassioned speeches, lots of drivel about 'Vulcan Command Mode' and many trips down memory lane recalling previous events - which are fully footnoted.

There are many novels in this series and just about any one of the others would be a better choice than this one.

Seemingly omnipotent aliens are conducting dreadful experiments and hastening the demise of the galaxy in an effort to solve the age old Promethean question of good v/s evil. This story has its moments but in the end it tends to confuse more than enlighten or even entertain. The character of the Vulcan Admiral Savaj has tremendous potential and the insights into Vulcan culture are interesting however the interplay between Kirk and Spock is rather bizarre even taking into consideration the role reversal that they undergo. I also find it hard to believe that Vulcans would ever actually behave as prejudiced, arrogant and condescending as they are portrayed here. It just isnt logical.

Marshak and Culbreath are two of the absolute worst authors that have ever attempted to write for Star Trek. They have everybody completely out of character and they write dialog that goes on and on and on and says absolutely nothing! Theirs are the worst excuses for Star Trek Novels to come along. Get a good novel by someone like Peter David, Diane Duane, Margaret Wander Bonanno, Vonda N. McIntyre, Diane Carey, Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens, or Michael Jan Friedman just to name a few. These are authors that truly capture the essence of the Star Trek Universe. Don't waste your time or money on anything written by Marshak and Culbreath. They shouldn't even be allowed to publish their books! If there was a rating lower than 1 star I would give it. -5 would be more accurate! I think Peter David is the BEST!)

Marshak and Culbreath should stick to editing. Their books "Star Trek the New Voyages 1 and 2 were great but their other books were horrible. Sorry ladies it doesn't cut the mustard.

I thought the story was good , the writing was at times boring, I found spock very out of
character, and overall it was a true 3, not terrible, but not good.
should have seen some follow up.

This book I thought was acceptable. At times, it was interesting, but overall it was just average.

The story basically revolves around the Krik losing his command to Spock (temporarily) on the order of a well-respected Vulcan, who happens to believe that humans contaminate Vulcans. While in command, Spock is pretty emotional and seems to delight in knocking Kirk down a few pegs. Finally, the story reaches its climax when Spock, Kirk, McCoy and the other Vulcan are taken captive by very-powerful aliens who are basically using them as science experiments, much as animals are sometimes used for testing. In the end, they escape the aliens because Kirk is able to accept Spock as captain, then when they get back on the Enterprise, Kirk is given command again.

I think that this story could have been told better, with less emphasis on Vulcan command procedures and Vulcan superiority. It was not very fast-paced or exciting, just a good way to spend a few hours in mindless entertainment.

If you want a fast pacing action story, this book is not for you. But if you like a psychological thriller that you are thrown head first into, this book is well worth a read. You move alongside Kirk and company when they are trying to cope with alien scientists using them as rats in a maze. Nothing is what it seems to be and no one knows where to go for answers.