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Title: Preserver (Star Trek) by William Shatner, Judith Reeves-Stevens, Garfield Reeves-Stevens ISBN: 0-671-02126-5 Publisher: Pocket Books Pub. Date: 03 April, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.21 (63 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Shatner did it again!
Comment: 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".
Rating: 4
Summary: Shatner/Kirk fans, this one's for you
Comment: Having read the entire mirror universe saga, I can honestly say that I am glad it is over. I have read most of Shatners books and I have found most of them to be rather enjoyable. Preserver is another example of Shatners ability to write great star trek stories that keep you reading, with the caveat that you are a fan of both Kirk and Shatner. I really did like the story of the entire saga, kept me reading for hours and hours but in the end I had exhausted myself trying to ignore the Kirk love of the novel in order to appreciate the story. Ok so Shatner wrote the book. I guess I should have expected to see some ego oozing out of the pages, but Kirk is made out to be superhuman. In fact Kirk is made more or less a God amongst peons, so much more than just a former starship captain. Kirk is just superior. The story saved the book once again, and it ended my run of reading Shatner books. I don't think I could read more Kirk-centred books. I like Kirk, even Shatner, but to make Kirk out to be super super super super super, and to add emphasis, super man is just too much. The TNG crew is pretty useless and not needed in this book. In fact, I think that the whole interaction of the original and TNG crews is getting tiresome and the novelty has worn off. All-in-all, This, as well as most of the Shatner books, will appeal mostly to Kirk fans, but everyone else could enjoy the story if they can get past the God status that Kirk is given.
Rating: 4
Summary: 3.5 stars for the story i heard on Audio CD.
Comment: James T. Kirk and friends Vs Emperor Tiberius. This the 6th ST book done by William Shatner and friends (and book 3 of the mirror mirror trilogy) and it is a bit below the standards set by the first 5. I must say though that I haven't read the book, only the abridged audio CD. The chase part of the book was hard to follow. Shatner does a great job on all his audio CD.
If you read the other five, you have to read this one. Shatner and friends are the best story tellers in the ST universe. I hope they plan to keep the books coming, and include characters from all the series.
What about a trilogy called: DATA THE RETURN. Kirk and Picard go back to the time of Capt Archer and set out to steal a Borg Devise that could revive Data. ST has little continuity anyway, so what's the harm.
This review is more the Abridged Audio CD version.
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Title: Dark Victory (Star Trek) by William Shatner ISBN: 0671008846 Publisher: Pocket Books Pub. Date: 01 April, 2000 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Spectre (Star Trek) by William Shatner, Judith Reeves-Stevens, Garfield Reeves-Stevens ISBN: 0671008803 Publisher: Pocket Books Pub. Date: 01 April, 1999 List Price(USD): $6.50 |
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Title: Avenger (Star Trek) by William Shatner, Judith Reeves-Stevens, Garfield Reeves-Stevens ISBN: 0671551310 Publisher: Pocket Books Pub. Date: 01 May, 1998 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: The Ashes of Eden (Star Trek) by William Shatner, Judith Reeves-Stevens, Garfield Reeves-Stevens ISBN: 0671520369 Publisher: Pocket Books Pub. Date: 01 March, 1996 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: The Return (Star Trek) by William Shatner ISBN: 067152609X Publisher: Pocket Books Pub. Date: 01 April, 1997 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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