Customer Reviews

Star Trek: Preserver (Star Trek (Unnumbered Audio))

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(27)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Shatner followed up the shortest Trek novel he has written with the longest. The first two books had a lot of questions, and PRESERVER delivers the answers to all of them in a very satisfying conclusion. Paramount should take note of Kirk's continuing popularity and bring the character back on film. The fans want it, and so does Shatner. And PRESERVER's ending was on such a high note that no true Kirk fan could feel unsatisfied. I can't wait for Shatner's next book, and I hope he continues bringing life to the Kirk character for years to come. And as for the TNG crew, it's ashame the writers on TV don't show the original series as much respect as Shatner shows TNG. I found myself clapping out loud for some of the moves Picard pulled in PRESERVER. The friendship between Kirk and Picard has developed over the Shatner books, to a great level of respect and comraderie. As is the case with the original series, TNG fans should love this book as well.

Starting with Spectre, crossing over in to Dark Victory, W Shatner now enters the final conclusion of his acclaimed trilogy. And what and ending he delivers. Once again teaming up with Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens the reader are brought on a journey trough the universe. Who are the preserver, what was their intentions and how does their creations have an impact on the universe of today? These, among others, are the questions that is answered in this amazing story about Kirk, his mirror-universe counterpart and the universe as we know it.

If ever there was a book bok not to miss, then this is it. But make sure to read the series in its total, there is no substitute for the whole story.

Preserver is a great conclusion to Shatner's cliffhanger series. Dealing with the mirror universe, Kirk must work with his evil counterpart, Tiberius, to get what he wants, and to try to stop possible universal armageddon. This book answers all the questions from its predecessors. I read all that came before it, and I thought those sort of got worse as they went on. But this book does a really good job clearing things up, and I think it's the best in this latest trilogy. It is full of suspense too. I suggest this book to any Star Trek fan. I also suggest that you read the trilogy that came before it, and the other two of this trilogy to get a better idea of the story.

The end of the second trilogy brings everything full circle and then some for our heroes. Tragedy, triumph, and wonderful character moments are included in a story that reaches far back into Trek's past and brings everything up to the present. I have written reviews of all of Shatner's other books in this series and I will say again: I look forward to these books the way I used to look forward to the movies. Everything is so well written in them and the characters are treated so well that you can see them and hear them. In this last book of the second trilogy, Shatner and the Garfield Reeves Stevens couple present us a story worthy of two Kirks. The mysteries laid down on Dark Victory are given some answers but nothing is ever truly given away; indeed, there are even more mysteries. Think Star Trek meets X-Files meets 2001, and that's what this book is. There are some more surprises in store for Kirk and company, but what amazes me about these books is that even when there is all this activity going on, the time is always taken to treat all the characters with reverence. Everyone gets a moment to shine. Kirk sounds like Kirk, Spock sounds like Spock, Picard sounds like Picard, etc. Original series episodes like City on the Edge of Forever,Miri, The Corbomite Maneuver and The Paradise Syndrome among others all of a sudden have brand new meaning and validity. Even the events of Star Trek First Contact are given tons of meaning and suddenly the events depicted in that movie are given the feeling of importance that Berman and his people have been unable to convey since they took over the franchise. I look at all of these books as corrections on mediocrity. Some old friends from some of the other Shatner books resurface here, and the ending will have your draw dropping and probably a tear in your eye. After reading these books thus far, I just can't believe that Rick Berman turned down the story for The Return (the second book in this series.) That lack of taste and initiative shows to this day in the bland, irrelevant, and boring soap opera that Trek has become. I gurantee that if these books, starting with The Return, had been allowed to be made into movies, the Star Trek franchise would be as popular if not more so then it was when Star Trek IV came out. Instead of going for the quick buck, if you give the fans what they want, you may have to spend more time and money up front, but you reap what you sew, and these kinds of stories would insure that Star Trek would live to see its 100th anniversary. As is, I doubt it will see 40. Mr. Berman, let the big boys make the movies- stick with TV. Let some real writers back in there to freshen things up, too. (Besides the same TV writers.) If you want to see and remember what real Star Trek is and see the continuation of an ongoing saga in an entire universe, get all of these books! You won't believe the difference in quality.

Who'da'thunkit? The Star Trek novels of Bill Shatner (easily the most parodied of Star Trek actors) have, against my initial expectations, proven to be some of my favorites in the past six years. The cynic in me attributes a lot of that to the co-writing of two of my favorite Trek novelist, Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens (their "Prime Directive" is my all-time favorite Trek novel, as well as I think one of the best Kirk stories ever), but it's clear Shatner's contribution is a strong one: his passion for the character of James T. Kirk. Despite Kirk's (controversial to fans) death a few years back in the "official" history of Star Trek, it's comforting to see him back from the dead and adventuring in the "modern" Trek continuity of Picard, Janeway, and Sisko.

This conclusion to the second Kirk trilogy wraps up a number of loose ends and requires *careful* reading: there's so much going on here, including duplicate characters (twisted versions of our familiar crews from the "mirror universe" including the galactic despot Tiberius Kirk) and much reference to previous novels and episodes of both Classic Trek and Next Gen. In fact, it was this constant introduction of elements from the TV shows that led me to give this four stars instead of five. The never-ending stream of characters and situations that we're familiar with from other stories sometimes seems a bit shoehorned into the plot and reminiscent of fan fiction rather than professional writing (I sense the hands of the Reeves-Stevenses here; Shatner has never seemed that expert on the intricacies of "Star Trek the Next Generation.") Many of these elements seem to be tossed in merely to provide a nudge-nudge wink-wink familiarity to the Trek fans: Look! Here's the duplicate Earth from "Miri!" Here's Balok from "The Corbomite Maneuver!" Here's Zephram Cochrane and Lily from "First Contact!" A subplot featuring a secret "X-Files"-type organization within Starfleet command is intriguing but as frustrating for us to follow as it is for Kirk and Picard to deal with. In short, "Preserver" at its most effective only if you're up on your Trek history *and* have read the other two books in the trilogy relatively recently.

Still, the ending is remarkably touching and effective (and sadly mirrors Shatner's recent real life), and you can't help but be glad the novel ends with the words JAMES KIRK WILL RETURN. You bet he will. And I'll be right there beside him.

It doesn't happen often that a famous actor becomes a writer. Far from everybody who tries makes it over to the other shore. The majority drowns somewhere on its way. One of those few who made it is the actor William Shatner who was playing one of the most famous captains in history of humankind, James T. Kirk of Starship Enterprise. After his alter ego's death in the motion picture "Generations", Shatner simply rivived Kirk and created a bestselling novel series around the captain of the Enterprise. His first Kirk novel wasn't a hit, but "The Return", his second, is one of my favorite Trek novels so far. His first trilogy ended with an equally good story "Avenger". "Spectre" was the beginning of Shatner's second spactacular trilogy in which Kirk must face a threat from the mirror universe. "Preserver" is the last chapter in this trilogy.

The beginning of the book is quite dramatic: Teilani, Kirk's wife, is dying, and only Tiberius, the protagonist's evil counterpart from the mirror universe, can save her. In return for Tiberius' support, Kirk is ready to provide his worst enemy with data that would help him become almost invincible. After a few space-battles and fist-fights, Tiberius' plans are ruined by an almighty species called Preservers. Kirk, torn between a second family tragedy (something went wrong with his and Teilani's child) and his duty for the Federation, joins forces with Picard and the crew of the Enterprise-E (although the TNG crew doesn't behave the way it did during its TV and movie times, I was quite satisfied with its presence in the book; for once Picard & Co. weren't completely helpless and didn't depend on Kirk and his former crewmates as they did in other books by this author) to discover the reasons for the presence of the aliens and their role in the development of the Federation. And, last but not least, they must prevent the end of the universe, which a group of scientists has predicted.

I don't want to spoil the rest of the story, but I assure that it will be plenty of dramatic developments you'll be shocked of. Unfortunately we don't see enough of the Preservers who made the impossible possible during the history of the Federation (Kirk got his command of the original Enterprise through the influence of those mysterious aliens). Apart from the missing Preservers, the story has minor logical flaws, which is ironical because Shatner obviously respects the Vulcans and tries to stay as logical as possible. For once, I was fully satisfied with characterizations which rise above the usual level of Star Trek novels.

One of the best aspects of this book is the profound irony which Shatner uses to describe settings. He takes the universe of Star Trek seriously, but he notices its flaws as well and is courageos enough to criticize them in a funny way. Another advantage of "Preserver" is the atmosphere typical for Sci-Fi, which we don't get in most Trek novels. There are many stages to make the plot larger in scale and a lot of action you can get tired of from time to time. And this novel gives us some ideas to think about, a surprisingly rare phenomenon in Star Trek books.

Anyway, "Preserver" is a very good novel with a nice plot, interesting characters, humour, a portion of Vulcan logic and much more. There are some weak points, all rights, but they are only minor and don't really disturb while you are reading. And you should do it if you are a true Sci-Fi fan!

PS: If you haven't read the previous 2 books of the mirror universe trilogy, I would recommend to do it because otherwise you will have problems understanding the beginning of "Preserver".

Well, all of the answers are there to the questions I had asked earlier in the previous two books. This was a great read, and much better than the last two. I won't spoil the ending for those who have not read it yet, but it's a little sad at the end, plus it leaves the door open for more books! So, how will Kirk finally meet his fate? Hopefully we'll find out soon. And one other thing. Will there be some story out of all of this saying what happens to McCoy? Being that it is now impossible for him to do any guest appearances on any incarnation of "Star Trek", shouldn't some story be written on him? (May he rest in peace).

Remember, read the first five book before reading this one. Great stuff.

William Shatner, of course, has been mocked time and time again for his performance (or lack thereof) as Capt. Kirk. He has redeemed himself through his Star Trek novels.

I picked up the first "Return of Kirk" book fully expecting to hate it, but just wanting to kill a bit of time. By the end of "Spectre," I was utterly hooked and quite impressed with Shatner's writing ability. And immediately after the climax of "Preserver," well, call me a geek, but I was almost in tears. (Of course, Shatner had help from Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens, authors of such masterpieces as "Prime Directive," "Federation," and the DS9 "Millennium" trilogy. That probably had something to do with it.)

"Preserver" is, if not the best Trek novel I've read, somewhere in the top 5. But don't start with this one: start with "Spectre" at least, "The Return" if you want to see how they bring Kirk back, and "Ashes of Eden" if you want to know about Chal and Teilani (though he/they does/do a good job on background).

In short, quite fine. Looking forward to the next.

LS

Preserver by William Shatner et.al. is the conclusion to the Mirror Universe Trilogy, (Spectre, Dark Victory, and Preserver). Shatner has a grasp on the characters and has brought us another good novel... probably the best in the trilogy. No disappointment on the story line, action and drama of fantastic scope. I can see some borrowing from "The Promethus Design," by Sondra Marshak and Myrna Culbreath, but nevertheless there is some crossing of ideas within the Star Trek Universe... how many different problems are there or solutions for that matter?

Shatner does tie in many events from past TV episodes which helps bring this book into better clarity. So the trilogy ends? Or is Tiberius coming to claim Kirk's universe again? Ah, the writers will decide, but we the readers will ultimately be the ones to be either satisfied or disappointed.

There is plenty of emotion between Kirk and his wife in this book and you can feel it come through... fantastic imagery. There are some unanswered questions, but this does give to poetic license and later wrap-up in the future. All in all this was a good read and I enjoyed it.

Storytelling and characterization are well done, Kirk vs. Tiberius was a fine example and the narative easily read. This ranks high on my recommendation for a Trek book, which there are now six.

I do recommend that to get the complete story read the trilogy it is fascinating.

Many of the reviews below give away some BIG storyline surprises. Do yourself a favor and read carefully.

This book is Shatner's strongest yet, and thankfully leaves the door open for more James T. Kirk in the future. Quick summary, this ties the previous 2 books together very well, and I cannot think of any unanswered questions from the first 2 books. I read the entire book in 1 sitting, which is rare (and difficult these days) to do. 1 major fault is the simple fact that if you haven't read the first 2 books, you'll have a little trouble following the 3rd installment, and much of the suspense from the first 2 will be out the window if they are read out of order.

The combination of Shatner (who knows Kirk better than the guy who portrayed him) and the Reeves-Stevens (intricate knowledge of the ST Universe) makes for a great Trek novel. Hopefully there will be more to come...