Ex Machina and over 450,000 other books are available for Amazon Kindle � Amazon�s new wireless reading device. Learn more

Quantity:

Express Checkout with PayPhrase

What's this? | Create PayPhrase

More Buying Choices

44 used & new from $0.01

Have one to sell? Sell yours here

See all product images
See 1 customer image

Share your own customer images

Search inside this book

Start reading Ex Machina on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don�t have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here.

Ex Machina (Star Trek: the Original Series) (Mass Market Paperback)

~ Christopher L. Bennett (Author) "JIM KIRK WAS LOST in the Enterprise..." (more)
Key Phrases: wrist communicator, plasma cannon, command chair, Spring Rain, Captain Kirk, Instruments of Obedience (more...)

3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)

Price:	$7.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
	Special Offers Available
	o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o

In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Want it delivered Friday, March 19? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details

17 new from $4.44 27 used from $0.01

Formats	Amazon Price		New from	Used from
Kindle Edition Kindle Edition $6.39 Available for download now. Published December 28, 2004	$6.39		--	--
Mass Market Paperback Mass Market Paperback $7.99 In Stock. Published December 28, 2004 Mass Market Paperback: A smaller paperback commonly used for bestsellers and genre fiction.	$7.99		$4.44	$0.01

Special Offers and Product Promotions

This item is eligible for our 4-for-3 promotion. Eligible products include select Books, Single Copy Magazines, and Home & Garden items. Buy any 4 eligible items and get the lowest-priced item free. Here's how (restrictions apply)

Over a hundred thousand items are eligible for our 4-for-3 promotion. How do I find more eligible items?

Frequently Bought Together

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Crucible: Kirk: The Star to Every Wandering (Star Trek)

by David R. George III.

3.3 out of 5 stars (15) $7.99

Star Trek: Troublesome Minds

by Dave Galanter

4.3 out of 5 stars (23) $7.99

Crucible: Spock--The Fire and the Rose (Star Trek)

by David R. George III.

3.6 out of 5 stars (22)

The Entropy Effect (Star Trek)

by Vonda McIntyre

4.6 out of 5 stars (5) $4.99

Twilight's End (Star Trek, Book 77)

by Jerry Oltion

4.3 out of 5 stars (3) $5.99

› Explore similar items

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

THE HUMAN ADVENTURE CONTINUES.

In the aftermath of the astonishing events of Star Trek®: The Motion Picture, the captain and officers of the U.S.S. Enterprise remain haunted by their encounter with the vast artificial intelligence of V'Ger...and by the sacrifice and ascension of their friend and shipmate, Willard Decker.

As James T. Kirk, Spock, and Leonard McCoy attempt to cope with the personal fallout of that ordeal, a chapter from their mutual past is reopened, raising troubling new questions about the relationship among God, Man, and AI. On the recently settled world of Daran IV, the former refugees of the Fabrini worldship Yonada are being divided by conflicting ideologies, as those clinging to their theocratic past vie with visionaries of a future governed by reason alone.

Now, echoes of the V'Ger encounter reverberate among the Enterprise officers who years ago overthrew the Oracle, the machine-god that controlled Yonada. Confronting the consequences of those actions, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy also face choices that will decide the fate of a civilization, and which may change them forever.

About the Author

Christopher L. Bennett is the author of two previous works of Titan fiction, the novel Star Trek: Titan: Orion's Hounds and the short story "Empathy" in the Star Trek: Mirror Universe: Shards and Shadows anthology. He has also authored such critically acclaimed novels as Star Trek: Ex Machina, Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Buried Age, and Star Trek: The Next Generation: Greater Than the Sum, as well as the alternate Voyager tale Places of Exile in Myriad Universes: Infinity's Prism. Shorter works include Star Trek: SCE #29: Aftermath and Star Trek: Mere Anarchy: The Darkness Drops Again, as well as short stories in the anniversary anthologies Constellations (original series), The Sky's The Limit (TNG), Prophecy and Change (DS9), and Distant Shores (VGR). Beyond Star Trek, he has penned the novels X-Men: Watchers on the Walls and Spider-Man: Drowned in Thunder, and is also developing original science fiction novel concepts

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Star Trek (December 28, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0743492854
ISBN-13: 978-0743492850
Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 3.9 x 1.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #279,829 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

› Visit Amazon's Christopher L. Bennett Page

Front Cover | First Pages | Surprise Me!

Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
JIM KIRK WAS LOST in the Enterprise. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
wrist communicator, plasma cannon, command chair, intelligence files

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Spring Rain, Captain Kirk, Instruments of Obedience, Commander Spock, Great One, Will Decker, Book of the People, Captain Decker, Ensign Zaand, Halls of the Creators, Commissioner Soreth, Jim Kirk, Minister Tasari, Baima the Wise, Lieutenant Chekov, Dedi the Questioner, James Kirk, Prime Directive, Still Water, Vari the Mighty, Chief of Starfleet Operations, Christopher Lindstrom, Federation Security, Minister of Security, Zhang Sui

New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats

Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Surprise Me!

Citations (learn more)

This book cites 6 books:

Looking Around (Red Rainbows Geography) by Alex Ramsay on page 216, and page 278
A Great One by Ronald Temple on page 330
Middle East: Geography and Geopolitics by Ewan Anderson in Front Matter
Star trek by Gene Roddenberry in Front Matter
The Kobayashi Maru (Star Trek, Book 47) by Julia Ecklar in Front Matter

See all 6 books this book cites

Books on Related Topics (learn more)

Captain's Glory by William Shatner

Discusses:

Constellations by Marco Palmieri

Discusses:

Millennium Omnibus by Judith Reeves-Stevens

Discusses:

The Return by William Shatner

Discusses:

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	68% buy the item featured on this page: Ex Machina (Star Trek: the Original Series) 3.9 out of 5 stars (18) $7.99
	9% buy The Entropy Effect (Star Trek) 4.6 out of 5 stars (5) $4.99
	8% buy Star Trek: Troublesome Minds 4.3 out of 5 stars (23) $7.99
	8% buy Crucible: Kirk: The Star to Every Wandering (Star Trek) 3.3 out of 5 stars (15) $7.99

Explore similar items

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

(What's this?)

Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.

star trek(3)

star trek novels(2)

star trek original series(1)

tos(1)

Agree with these tags?

Customer Reviews

18 Reviews

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

Average Customer Review

3.9 out of 5 stars (18 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Star Trek novel that's been a long time coming, January 18, 2005

By	Michael Hickerson (Smyrna, TN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME) (VINE VOICE)

In recent years, Pocket Books has moved away from just telling stand-alone stories in their Star Trek novels. Instead, they've moved more toward bridging gaps between series and/or movies (The Lost Era), continuing the saga on the printed page (DS9 relaunch) or just expanding the already rich Star Trek universe in new and interesting ways (New Frontier).

And every once in a while, there is a novel that gets the best of all those possible worlds.

Christopher L. Bennett (no relation to Harve Bennett, he tells us) does that with his first published novel, Ex Machina. The story is a sequel to the events of Star Trek: The Motion Picture and also revists characters and events from Star Trek's third season episode "For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky." But don't think the references end there--Bennett peppers his novel with homages galore to the animated Star Trek, the entire original series run and many of the best Trek novels published over the years. But don't worry if you're not a devoted Trek fan who will "get" every reference. Bennett slips them the references in a non-invasive way--if you get them, it only adds depth to the great story being told. If you don't, you aren't missing any great details. (One of my favorites is when Bennett has Chekov wonder about a security force composed of telepaths...an homage to Walter Koenig's character on Babylon Five).

But fan-friendly references mean little if there isn't a good story to go with it. And there's a good one here. Kirk and company are called to revisit the world first seen in "For the World Is Hollow..." and many of the characters there. One of the themes of the orignal series was Kirk taking on computers--usually those keeping a society of growing or interfering somehow. Kirk would generally overthrow the computer control and then warp off into space. This novel deals with the after effects of those actions in an intersting, meaningful way. The novel also plays a lot with the reputation Kirk has gained not only in Starfleet but on some of the worlds he's visited--for good and bad.

The storyline also sees Spock, McCoy and the rest of the Enterprise crew dealing with the aftermath of the events in The Motion Picture. Ex Machina isn't a sequel so much as it's a contiuation of the events begun on TMP. And it's definitely worth the trip.

And that's what makes the novel such a pleasure to read--Bennett's take on the characters. He gets all of the original crew right, in the place in their lives they are. Seeing Spock struggle with emotions, Kirk with his role in taking back command of the Enterprise and McCoy in trying to find his place on the ship--all of it works extremely well. Not only that, but Bennett introduces us to some original creations of his own along the way.

In short, this novel is an enjoyable read. As you read it, you may be stunned that a novel this assured and thought-provoking can come from a first-time author. If this is Bennett's debut, I can hardly wait to see what he comes up with next.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you?

Report this | Permalink

Comment Comment

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a true sequel to events of the first Star Trek movie, January 10, 2005

By	Ian McLean (Penrith, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Ex Machina" is a Star Trek novel that finally salutes TMP's alien races with gusto. In fact, this novel is the "TMP Episode #2" I've been waiting for... for 25 years.

Christopher L Bennett 's excellent, fast-paced novel is a highly effective sequel to TMP (and its novelization), and also the poetically-titled episode "For the World is Hollow and I have Touched the Sky". Christopher continues numerous character arcs from TMP (Kirk's guilt and self-doubt; Spock's epiphany about emotions; McCoy's future in Starfleet; even Decker and Ilia's sacrifice) and cleverly links them to important, unfinished business about Natira and the Fabrini (TOS). In addition, the author affectionately continues storylines for Chapel, Uhura, Sulu, Scott, Chekov and Rand, whose aspirations are all barely touched upon in TMP, in ways that are "spot on" and highly logical. Then we learn a little more about Chief DiFalco (TMP), the late Lori Ciana (TMP novelization and "The Lost Years" saga), and even excitable Mr Lindstrom, whom we last saw cleaning up the mess on Landru's planet (TOS). Rounding out the "Ex Machina" cast, we meet almost all of TMP's aliens through individual members recruited to the refitted USS Enterprise by Uhura (just as her counterpart Nichelle Nichols did for NASA) and the late Captain Willard Decker.

"Ex Machina" is a page-turner of a novel. Now, maybe I'm biased, but every time Christopher started to do several entertaining paragraphs about the Rhaandarites, or the Saurians, the Megarites, the Betelgeusians, or the Zaranites (based, often, on a single, sometimes-bizarre line or two of descriptive text originally written by the movie's costume designer for TMP's publicity and production notes), I was well and truly hooked, and happy to be reeled in. Various ST comic book lines over the years have sometimes paid visual homage to the odd TMP alien, but they've constantly been overlooked by the ST novels, barring the occasional mention of a Saurian. But Christopher is most generous in the time he spends developing each race, creating some memorable lower decks and bridge characters to populate the Enterprise. *Spring Rain Upon Still Water* the Megarite is a beautiful character, even if she is perhaps TMPs "ugliest" rubber-faced alien. (Doesn't sound very IRIC of me, does it?) Christopher even utilizes Worene, the unique wolfish alien created by actress and stuntwoman Paula Crist (who was barely visible in the rec deck scene of TMP), and he does so to great effectiveness. (Finally, Worene's species has a name; she's an Aulacri!)

While I often found myself thinking that "Ex Machina" was a novel I should have written myself, I also acknowledge that Christopher is masterfully efficient in his worldbuilding, particularly his explanations for the whys and wherefores of Rhaandarites, Megarites, Betelgeusians and Zaranites. I'm so very pleased with the ideas he has extrapolated about these aliens. Surely, hopefully, Christopher's worldbuilding in this novel will inspire other Pocket ST authors to make full use of Rhaandarites, Saurians, Megarites, 'Geusians, Zaranites, Aulacri, Arcturians, K'normians and turtle-like Rigellians in other ST novels.

I never spent a lot of time pondering the background and themes of "For the World is Hollow and I have Touched the Sky", but Christopher expertly unpeels so many layers from the Fabrini story, developing a believable alien race who went on an incredible journey. He reminds us most vividly how history is written by the victors, and that all written history is open to multiple interpretations. Several senseless terrorist acts in the novel also ring too close to the bone for comfort, due to recent world events in the 21st century.

Christopher hasn't forgotten the science aspect of this science fiction novel, either. I was reminded very much of David Gerrold's body of SF work. No doubt Gerrold was an inspiration, especially since a character in "Ex Machina" is clearly based on the "character" played as a fan extra in TMP.

Now that we finally have Episode #2 of "Star Trek Phase II: Beyond TMP", dare I ask how long we have to wait for Episode #3? And can Christopher write it please?

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you?

Report this | Permalink

Comment Comment

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Star Trek for Star Trek Lovers, October 18, 2005

By	Ian B. Leary "Webstral" (Mill Valley, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ex Machina is Star Trek for Star Trek lovers. This is, quite simply, the best work of its kind written by a true fan-someone who knows and loves Star Trek.

From the very beginning, it is obvious that author Christopher L. Bennett has thought through his work. He has thought through the character motivations, the unstated aspects of "Star Trek: The Motion Picture", and the rich potential of Star Trek's history. On a personal note, I love the fact that somebody else finds "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" as remarkable a film as I did. The first Star Trek movie is often panned as boring or too intellectual. Chris Bennett plainly agrees with me that "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" is a work of great depth and breadth; and I am pleased to report that Bennett lives up to this commitment to quality in Star Trek with his own commitment to the characters, the plot, and the world of Star Trek in Ex Machina.

Chris Bennett looks beneath the surface of things in Ex Machina, and there is where he shows us the rich detail of Star Trek. He shows us a James T. Kirk who is thoughtful and reflective. Kirk is troubled by the manner in which he reclaimed the center seat of Enterprise. He becomes troubled by the seeming success he enjoyed on so many occasions throughout the original Star Trek series. The admiral begins to consider the idea that his whirlwind involvement with many new cultures and many and diverse dilemma do not reflect a mature commitment to problem solving. Indeed, the focus of the story is the return of a problem he once felt solved-the fate of the great asteroid ship Yonada and her people now that the ark has reached its destination and the Oracle has been silenced. Kirk questions the wisdom of his in-and-out involvement with Yonada and other cultures, wherein he caused great upheaval but gave modest consideration to long-term solutions. This theme seems especially appropriate for the English speaking world, given our current situation in Iraq.

Bennett gives great attention to Spock's post-V'Ger mindset. I suspect that like me he noticed some things had happened with Spock's character between "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" and "Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan". The emotional aspect of himself that Spock finally seems to find acceptable in his sickbed following his mind meld with V'Ger has become an integral part of his behavior by the start of "The Wrath of Khan." Bennett clearly wanted to fill the gap, and he succeeds admirably. We see that Spock faces some of the problems of the adolescent in that he must grapple with sometimes-overwhelming bursts of feeling; unlike most adolescents, Spock is committed to fully understanding what is happening to him. Bennett plays this journey-or at least the beginning of it-out in a laudable fashion.

McCoy gets some attention, too. Bennett shows us a reflective man who is plagued by doubts about his return to Starfleet medicine and his own role in the Yonada venture. Interestingly, Bennett chooses to turn the usual banter between Spock and McCoy on its ear: Spock struggles to embrace his emotions in a constructive fashion, while McCoy wonders if his have done him good service. All very good stuff by a man who clearly loves and understands Star Trek.

We see some very Roddenbury-esque narrative regarding other species as well. Bennett shows us an Enterprise that is highly integrated with non-humans, courtesy of Will Decker's determination to use diversity as a strength. Bennett gives us some non-human characters whose cultural biases and internal conflicts are well-considered. He even goes so far as to acknowledge that these beings are unusual for their species in that they have left their home worlds and are serving aboard ships that are principally human. Again, the narrative reflects a commitment to Star Trek ideals of thoughtfulness, careful consideration, and the embrasure of the diverse through understanding.

The author also gives a whole new dimension to the story of the asteroid ark Yonada. Bennett delves into the history of the ship over its ten thousand year journey and, instead of trying to create a static environment, shows us a culture that has evolved into to form we see in "Star Trek: The Original Series". As with so much else in this book, Bennett has invested considerable thought and energy into imagining a rational, realistic series of events and sociology that lead to the final product of Yonadi society encountered by Kirk & Co.

Bennett even gives consideration to many of the details that are under-the-hood issues for most other Star Trek authors. He addresses the nomenclature of slower-than-light travel and some of the details of alien physiology. Everywhere throughout Ex Machina are such tidbits.

Ex Machina truly is Star Trek for Star Trek lovers. Chris Bennett can be proud of a job very well done indeed. Instead of trying to sloppily break new ground as so many Star Trek authors do, Bennett shows us the richness that already is. He finds treasure in exploring the wonderful characters portrayed in the original series and the first movie, and he gives us a Star Trek triumph in print. I eagerly await Bennett's new work.

Webstral

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you?

Report this | Permalink

Comment Comment

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 18 customer reviews...

Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Defionitive sequel to TMP

I have read many original series novels since the Galactic Whirlpool way back when. Read more

Published 22 days ago by David Miraglia

1.0 out of 5 stars Excuciatingly boring
I recently started reading Trek novels again after not doing so for many years. Luckily, this wasn't the first one, or I might have given up. Read more

Published 1 month ago by J. Rhein

3.0 out of 5 stars Mixed bag for various reasons
I want to start this review off by stating that I am a trek fan, but not one of those impossible-to-please trekkers who actually hate everything trek. Read more

Published 11 months ago by mfx3

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice try for a first attempt
Evidently, this is the author's first novel. It reads like a decent first attempt. He over-reaches for too many ties to figures and references from TOS, Star Trek the Movie, and... Read more

Published on August 14, 2007 by B. Statham

4.0 out of 5 stars A Satisfying Return to the Motion Picture Era
It has been some time since a Star Trek novel came out that was set in that great lost era that lies between the events of Star Trek: The Motion Picture and Star Trek II: The... Read more

Published on August 4, 2006 by Fr. Robert F. Lyons

1.0 out of 5 stars The most irritating and warped interpretation of the Trek Characters
This novel was quite possibly one of the worst Trek novels I've ever read. The author has infected the characters that we've known for forty years with personality... Read more

Published on December 15, 2005 by Pippick

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Star Trek novel I've read in a long, long time
Christopher Bennett's "Ex Machina (Star Trek: The Original Series)" is quite simply the best Star Trek novel I've come across in a long, long time. Read more

Published on November 30, 2005 by John Kwok

1.0 out of 5 stars For This Book Is Hollow And I Know The Reason Why
As a fan of the original Star Trek series I am frequently appalled by the drivel that passes for Star Trek these days, and here is another example. Read more

Published on September 7, 2005 by The Untamed Tribble

5.0 out of 5 stars Original Series: Live Long And Prosper!
I love the Original Series of Star Trek, though The Next Generation is fine also. This novel takes place very soon after the encounter with V'Ger, which Star Trek: The Motion... Read more

Published on August 22, 2005 by Kevin Spoering

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book.
This book can be thought of as a sequel to two separate canonical Star Trek stories; it is a follow-up to the episode "For The World Is Hollow, And I Have Touched the Sky" (never... Read more

Published on August 9, 2005 by James Yanni

› See all 18 customer reviews...

.jsOffDisplayBlock { display: block; } .jsOffDisplayInline { display: inline; } .jsOffVisibility { visibility: visible; } .jsOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jsOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jsOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; } .jsOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jsOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jqOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jqOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jqOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jqOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jqOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; }

Customer Discussions

This product's forum

Discussion	Replies	Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight

Start a new discussion

Topic:

First post:

Receive e-mail when new posts are made

Prompts for sign-in

Guidelines

Active discussions in related forums

Discussion	Replies	Latest Post
science fiction Looking for a type of book--	1	52 minutes ago
science fiction Plotline - anyone remember title or author?	9	1 hour ago
star trek Religion in Star Trek	47	18 hours ago
star trek Why are GLBT people totally absent from the Star Trek Universe...CAUSE IT'S THE FUTURE	49	18 hours ago
adventure New Adventure Mystery Series	1	1 day ago
adventure Good adventure book	1	1 day ago
space opera Favorite recent Space Opera novels	60	2 days ago