Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating and logical..., July 30, 2004
While I have long been a fan of the Star Trek series (from the original series through the successive spin-offs: Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Enterprise, and the films), I rarely have time to read fiction, so it was only after great prodding on the part of a friend that I got this novel. I had once complained that the Star Trek universe seems to have far more affinity for the aggressive, combative Klingons (warrior schools, language camps, etc.) than the erudite and level-headed Vulcans. Perhaps that is why my friend thought this novel would have particular appeal. She was right.
This novel is a grafting-in of the original series, with Spock, Kirk and McCoy as primary characters, along with the rest of the usual crew of the Enterprise. It seems there is a Federation-threatening crisis on Vulcan, and the planet is in the process of a referendum, to decide whether or not to remain as part of the Federation with the humans of earth and other constituent planets. Entering in the situation is a formidible character from the original series episode Amok Time, the Vulcan mating time -- T'Pau, remarked by Kirk as being the only person to ever turn down a seat on the Federation council. Does this speak of a mistrust that could lead the Vulcans out of the Federation? The referendum is not merely a breaking of alliances, but rather an isolationism -- all Vulcans will be required to return home, or permanently exiled. All diplomatic, trade, and military ties will be severed.
The psychological and political make-up of the Vulcan world is explored from the very outset of Vulcan civilisation through different historical periods that would have made up the equivalent of classical, medieval and reformation times. One seed of Vulcan xenophobia is their first contact situation, which turned out to be with pirates who were intent on invasion and looting. As it turned out, Vulcan was a heavily armed planet at the time, warring with itself (Vulcan's history parallels Earth's in that respect), and that armament was unexpectedly turned against the invaders. Vulcans, far from evolving without emotions, displayed the most dramatic and intense emotions for a long time in their history. The character of Surek is prominent here, the one who led Vulcan out of its emotionalism for its own survival.
Another character who makes an appearance is T'Pring, Spock's 'intended', the woman to whom he was betrothed, and who subject Spock and Kirk to the combat in the mating ritual. It turns out that T'Pring has never lost interest in Spock, nor in the humiliation she suffered in front of T'Pau. Vulcans are not without emotions, it seems, but rather, a people who have mastered them to a greater degree. But not always, apparently.
Diane Duane puts chapters about the Vulcan history interspersed with the 'present day' action aboard the Enterprise as it journeys to Vulcan, and then the final debate and referendum vote. The text is engaging and well-developed in terms of fitting in with the overall narrative strands of the Star Trek universe.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best, October 6, 2000
The manner in which this novel is written could, possibly, appeal to even non-Trekkers. It's more than just good Trek--it's good SF. This book fleshes out the Vulcans as a whole, past and present, bringing back old favorites and a slew of great new ones.Interspersed with the history of Vulcan, from the earliest stages of their unified culture to the birth of Spock, is shown. Even though the characters only appear for one chapter (with one or two exceptions), we can identify with them. In the ghastly, murderous feuds of one chapter and the often calculating violence, the Vulcans appear like Romulans in the past. At the same time, we see them growing more and more civilized. I even found the "cave-Vulcan" chapter appealing, making me wonder what the Vulcans would have been like if their planet had been lush. In the present, the Enterprise crew is drawn into a planetary conspiracy when a bunch of yahoo Vulcans decide that they want to secede from the Federation--and Our Heroes must get to the bottom of it, while making speeches. This part could have been solidly ordinary, but is saved by the fact that not only are the greatest SF trio in history at their funniest, but also it is populated by a motley crew of bizarre aliens in Starfleet, such as giant snowflakes and enormous dragon-creatures. The Vulcans themselves are also fleshed out: We get to see more of them than in "Amok Time," and a wider range of them, from farmers to redheads to the Zen guy that ended up being bitten on the leg. We see Sarek, Amanda, T'Pau, and a few Vulcans (one familiar) that you will LOVE to hate. Be sure to check out Kirk's scene in the pub. One interesting detail: Duane wrote in the Enterprise having what is essentially a posting board, before there were posting boards (I think). Good job keeping the future here, Ms. Duane! If you love people with pointy ears and bowl haircuts, read this book. Oh, and "I want popcorn!"
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Overtaken by canon, but still a good read, March 8, 2005
The people of Vulcan have known the people of Earth for more than a century. The United Federation of Planets, of which both worlds are founding members, has a 75-year history behind it. Apparently the relationships forged between Vulcans and Humans are prospering, with one man - Spock, the first Vulcan/Human hybrid - standing between them as a living symbol. Yet now there's a movement among Vulcans to pull out of the Federation, and it has enough support to force first a planet-wide debate and then a vote. Sarek, Spock's father and Vulcan's long-time ambassador to Earth, goes home to testify...for secession?
This makes no apparent sense, because secession will require Sarek to choose between his Human wife, Amanda, and every other tie he has except the shared one with their son. No non-Vulcan will be allowed on the planet afterward, not even as a visitor; and any Vulcan who insists on continuing to associate with members of other species must do so by going into irrevocable exile. Yet Sarek finds it his duty to testify in favor of secession. Just as James T. Kirk, Dr. Leonard McCoy, and Spock will testify against it. What's going on here?
While a great many of this book's details have been contradicted by canon (filmed Star Trek) since its publication, that needn't stand in the way of a reader's enjoyment. Author Duane has an excellent grasp of the "big three" TOS characters, and her version of Vulcan's history stands well on its own. My only criticism is that I can't imagine how she justifies portraying Sarek, and other Vulcans of his era, in the - well - flagrantly emotional way she writes them. Sarek laughing for an hour over one of Amanda's jokes? That did NOT work for me. At all. I had the feeling that I was reading something by a fan fiction author who didn't like canon and was working hard to fix what she didn't like about it to her own satisfaction.
But that by no means spoils the book. A great read otherwise!
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