Customer Reviews

Star Trek: SCE: Out of the Cocoon (Star Trek Corps of Engineers)

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

 

 

Compared to the previous novel in this series, this was a very tame book. There was little action, no suspense, and some confusion as I read some of the stories. There seemed to be too much focus on some personal issues of some of the minor members of the crew, as against the technical engineering challenges that the SCE novels are renowned for.


For example, almost an entire story is about how Bart can't commit to his boyfriend who has proposed marriage, and coincidentally, the mission just so happens to involve a species where women turn to men and vica versa, so an alien guy falls for him.

There were two good points.

1. The cover was attractive.
2. The societies of the alien species were interesting.

Besides that, there wasn't much in it. I skimmed through it quite quickly and was looking forward to reading another book. This SCE one didn't do it for me at all.

If you're a diehard Star Trek fan, go ahead and read this. It's inoffensive and true to the ST ethos.

But if you aren't give it a miss. There are better ST novels out there.

This collection, unlike the others, has a very uneven quality to it. The second story in paticular, had alien-like chipmunks with four arms and legs. The first two stories dragged on with a very abrupt and neat conclusion. I was surprised that they didn't have the action of the earlier editions. I couldn't see spending the money to purchase these stories in their original form on the internet. While they were somewhat entertaining; I wish that this paticular series was in the $7.99 standard paperback format. Spending $16 for this oversize paperback was not worth the price.

While this book lacks the heavier 'technicial' aspect that is found in most of the SCE books/stories, it does however go further in depth into some of the characters. This does offer something of a more realistic feel, after all, not every situation would be some large problem that must be solved.

While this is not the strongest collection of SCE stories, it is worth reading if you enjoy the characters and like the extra depth it gives them.

This Corps of Engineers, or SCE was a real let down. Most of the Corps books are exciting with great personal stories and adventure. This one, not so much.