Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan novelization by Vonda McIntyre (Star Trek #7)
Adapting a movie to book form can be a tricky business. Since ideally the book should come out at the same time as the movie for marketing purposes, the writer has to work from the script rather than the finished movie. This means that scenes changed in the editing process, dialogue excised or changed, and even scenes dropped entirely, are often still in the book. This leads to moments of "yes, I remember that" as well as "hey, that wasn't in the movie." Both of those are present in this volume which is certainly not the author's fault. But it is helpful to know before reading.
As the story begins, Spock is Captain of the Enterprise, now used as a training ship by Starfleet Academy. His star pupil, a Vulcan-Romulan woman named Saavik, commands the Enterprise in the Kobiyashi Maru simulation, meant to measure a commander's handling of a no-win situation. As everyone dies (simulated version), Admiral Kirk views the simulated wreckage---it's foreshadowing! It's Kirk's birthday, and he's feeling old. A bit later, he accompanies the ship on a training cruise. Soon a message comes in from Carol Marcus, Kirk's old lover. Why is Starfleet trying to take her project, Genesis?
Kirk's old enemy Khan (from the TV episode "Space Seed") has been found by Commander Chekov and his captain (too bad for them), and Khan has captured their ship, the Reliant. After finding out about the Genesis torpedo and discerning its potential as a weapon and terrorist device he speeds to the science station to take it. The Enterprise crew face him near there, and are badly damaged in battle. The story then becomes the desperate struggle to prevent the madman Khan from taking control of Genesis and a fight just to survive.
Besides the movie editing cuts novelist Vonda McIntyre also inserts some of her own style here. She represents the movie very well, but once again (as in her novel "The Entropy Effect," #2) she shows a dislike for Scotty, making him most unsympathetic. McIntyre shows most empathy for the female characters (except Uhura) and Spock, and a special fondness for Sulu. When Sulu is injured and knocked out of the action just before the climax it actually frees the action somewhat.
Some of the scenes cut from the movie that show up here include the promotion of Sulu to captain (at the time, I thought this was a McIntyre insertion, but it was cut from the movie when Shatner flubbed the line and according to rumor did so on purpose) and the young trainee killed in engineering as Scotty's nephew, Peter Preston. Peter is also given a relationship with Saavik, getting tutored in math. The author also gives some character and background to the scientists at the Genesis station, which heightens the horror when Khan brutally kills them. However, far more attention is paid to the author's pet characters in this scene than to the lead villain, lessening the drama.
It's a good novel and a nice capture of the flavor of the movie. Don't expect a scene-by-scene translation of the movie but the story will stand by itself.
Reviews and discussions of Star Trek novels and related publications.
Tuesday, January 07, 2003
The Abode of Life by Lee Correy (Star Trek #6, 1982)
Released a few months before the Wrath of Khan movie, Star Trek's second cinema outing, this novel postulates an interesting scientific situation. What if there was a civilization so remote it couldn't even conceive of other life in the universe? When the Enterprise comes in contact with such a civilization the impact is likely to be devastating.
While mapping in an unexplored sector of the galaxy's Orion Arm the Enterprise begins encountering gravitational anomalies. After a few bumps and shifts the ship contacts a gravity well strong enough to throw them well off course and into the gap between the Orion Arm and the Sagittarius Arm, in an interstellar space with very little matter at all. The dilithium crystals have been greatly drained by this jump, and can manage only Warp Factor 2, which would require 75 years to get back to the nearest starbase for repairs. (Shades of Star Trek: Voyager) With few options they set off back toward the known galaxy. Soon they encounter a single star orbited by a single planet. Orbiting the planet will help facilitate some repairs, so Kirk orders an approach. Scans discover that the world is inhabited and even has advanced technology: there seems to be a large amount of transporter traffic.
The world Mercan is so remote, they can see the galaxy near them only as a "Ribbon of Light." (The Milky Way galaxy looks much the same from here. Go out on a dark night, with no lights around, such as on top of a remote hill. Look up in the sky for what appears to be a thin cloud, stretching across the sky overhead from horizon to horizon. This is the major part of the Milky Way, as visible from Earth.) With no reason to believe that these are suns like their own, the population has never imagined space travel and has instead developed technology with only a planetary focus.
Kirk determines that a culture with such a level of technology must be able to help, or at least provide materials to repair the warp engines. Kirk, Scott, McCoy and Rand beam down to the planet to make contact with the inhabitants. The visit soon becomes a threat to Mercan society especially when the variable star Mercaniad begins an active cycle the Enterprise shields cannot fully block. Spock must devise a way to prevent the loss of all hands on the ship.
Correy is an experienced science fiction writer so it is somewhat surprising that his writing here is so stiff. He never seems to quite get the feel to the characters who never advance beyond two-dimensional. Even his own creations, the natives of Mercan, do not leap off the page to life. The plot is quite interesting but Kirk is too quick to ignore the Prime Directive and contaminate the culture of the planet. It is also disturbing that none of the crew, even Spock, objects to this effort. This is certainly the fault of the writer, who could have written a more interesting and more suspenseful novel by simply paying more attention to this simple law of Starfleet often observed more in the abeyance than the obeying.
The book is simply not involving. It is hard to believe in these characters even though the situation is intriguing. It is a good science fiction idea poorly realized. It's not a bad book but it is not well-written. This plot would have been better served with another writer's words.
Released a few months before the Wrath of Khan movie, Star Trek's second cinema outing, this novel postulates an interesting scientific situation. What if there was a civilization so remote it couldn't even conceive of other life in the universe? When the Enterprise comes in contact with such a civilization the impact is likely to be devastating.
While mapping in an unexplored sector of the galaxy's Orion Arm the Enterprise begins encountering gravitational anomalies. After a few bumps and shifts the ship contacts a gravity well strong enough to throw them well off course and into the gap between the Orion Arm and the Sagittarius Arm, in an interstellar space with very little matter at all. The dilithium crystals have been greatly drained by this jump, and can manage only Warp Factor 2, which would require 75 years to get back to the nearest starbase for repairs. (Shades of Star Trek: Voyager) With few options they set off back toward the known galaxy. Soon they encounter a single star orbited by a single planet. Orbiting the planet will help facilitate some repairs, so Kirk orders an approach. Scans discover that the world is inhabited and even has advanced technology: there seems to be a large amount of transporter traffic.
The world Mercan is so remote, they can see the galaxy near them only as a "Ribbon of Light." (The Milky Way galaxy looks much the same from here. Go out on a dark night, with no lights around, such as on top of a remote hill. Look up in the sky for what appears to be a thin cloud, stretching across the sky overhead from horizon to horizon. This is the major part of the Milky Way, as visible from Earth.) With no reason to believe that these are suns like their own, the population has never imagined space travel and has instead developed technology with only a planetary focus.
Kirk determines that a culture with such a level of technology must be able to help, or at least provide materials to repair the warp engines. Kirk, Scott, McCoy and Rand beam down to the planet to make contact with the inhabitants. The visit soon becomes a threat to Mercan society especially when the variable star Mercaniad begins an active cycle the Enterprise shields cannot fully block. Spock must devise a way to prevent the loss of all hands on the ship.
Correy is an experienced science fiction writer so it is somewhat surprising that his writing here is so stiff. He never seems to quite get the feel to the characters who never advance beyond two-dimensional. Even his own creations, the natives of Mercan, do not leap off the page to life. The plot is quite interesting but Kirk is too quick to ignore the Prime Directive and contaminate the culture of the planet. It is also disturbing that none of the crew, even Spock, objects to this effort. This is certainly the fault of the writer, who could have written a more interesting and more suspenseful novel by simply paying more attention to this simple law of Starfleet often observed more in the abeyance than the obeying.
The book is simply not involving. It is hard to believe in these characters even though the situation is intriguing. It is a good science fiction idea poorly realized. It's not a bad book but it is not well-written. This plot would have been better served with another writer's words.
The Prometheus Design by Sondra Marshak and Myrna Culbreath (ST Novel #5, 1982)
After an episode where he suffers a memory lapse (as does the rest of the landing party), Kirk is demoted from the captaincy by a Vulcan admiral and switches jobs with Spock, becoming First Officer and Science Officer. It is the opinion of the admiral that some kind of programming may have taken place during the period of unconsciousness that may prove a danger to the Enterprise as well as Spock. It is determined that a group of aliens has been conducting experiments on a wide variety of species including humans. Captain Spock strives to oppose the aliens and discover their base of operations.
As in their previous books, Marshak and Culbreath are concerned largely with psychology, and also endeavor to provide an answer to a question asked by a segment of Star Trek fans: isn’t Spock more deserving of being captain than Kirk? By having them switch jobs, the writers examine this hypothesis. They also return to their frequent theme of the physical and mental potentials of Vulcans, keeping Admiral Savaj (interesting name for a Vulcan) on the ship during the book.
The plot suffers from serious holes. Kirk has never shown any capacity or qualification for the job of science officer, and the switch of his role with Spock’s is merely expedient for the narrative rather than a sensible choice. The possibility of the Admiral Savaj exerting authority in this way is also rather contrived. There are attempts to make connections to Star Trek history by copious citing of previous lore, which includes TV episodes, the first movie novelization, and the author’s previous works as well. That citation compromises the effect somewhat, as it seems somewhat egotistical to be self-referential, especially when your own previous writings are not always true to the characters.
The characters also act oddly, particularly Kirk and Spock. Marshak and Culbreath have their own vision of Kirk and Spock and it does not correspond to established patterns very well. Their version tends to make Spock an unemotional "hero" who has an astounding amount of emotional baggage for a Vulcan. Kirk gets played almost like a "damsel in distress." Kirk does not show much initiative or ability to function apart from Spock rather than being the capable and effective officer he must be to have risen to such a position.
The book is indeed an adventure, but it is not accurately described as a Star Trek adventure. In some alternate universe, perhaps.
After an episode where he suffers a memory lapse (as does the rest of the landing party), Kirk is demoted from the captaincy by a Vulcan admiral and switches jobs with Spock, becoming First Officer and Science Officer. It is the opinion of the admiral that some kind of programming may have taken place during the period of unconsciousness that may prove a danger to the Enterprise as well as Spock. It is determined that a group of aliens has been conducting experiments on a wide variety of species including humans. Captain Spock strives to oppose the aliens and discover their base of operations.
As in their previous books, Marshak and Culbreath are concerned largely with psychology, and also endeavor to provide an answer to a question asked by a segment of Star Trek fans: isn’t Spock more deserving of being captain than Kirk? By having them switch jobs, the writers examine this hypothesis. They also return to their frequent theme of the physical and mental potentials of Vulcans, keeping Admiral Savaj (interesting name for a Vulcan) on the ship during the book.
The plot suffers from serious holes. Kirk has never shown any capacity or qualification for the job of science officer, and the switch of his role with Spock’s is merely expedient for the narrative rather than a sensible choice. The possibility of the Admiral Savaj exerting authority in this way is also rather contrived. There are attempts to make connections to Star Trek history by copious citing of previous lore, which includes TV episodes, the first movie novelization, and the author’s previous works as well. That citation compromises the effect somewhat, as it seems somewhat egotistical to be self-referential, especially when your own previous writings are not always true to the characters.
The characters also act oddly, particularly Kirk and Spock. Marshak and Culbreath have their own vision of Kirk and Spock and it does not correspond to established patterns very well. Their version tends to make Spock an unemotional "hero" who has an astounding amount of emotional baggage for a Vulcan. Kirk gets played almost like a "damsel in distress." Kirk does not show much initiative or ability to function apart from Spock rather than being the capable and effective officer he must be to have risen to such a position.
The book is indeed an adventure, but it is not accurately described as a Star Trek adventure. In some alternate universe, perhaps.
Sunday, January 05, 2003
The Covenant of the Crown by Howard Weinstein (Star Trek #4, 1981)
Howard Weinstein is a long-time Trek fan and the writer of the animated episode "The Pirates of Orion," so it isn't surprising that he has a feel for the characters of Star Trek. He also has a deft touch as a writer. This is the first of several novels he has written, in addition to comic books, and the result is the best ST book since David Gerrold's effort.
A surprise birthday party for Dr. McCoy is interrupted by a call from Starfleet Command to divert to Starbase 22. When there Admiral Harrington informs them that the civil war on Shad has turned and it is time for the exiled king to return. Captain Kirk had been stationed on Shad at the time of his exile years before, when the war had been going badly enough that the royal family was deemed endangered enough to evacuate to a planet some parsecs away. The Klingons had been quietly supplying the rebels, hoping to disrupt the entire sector by the fall of Shad's government.
When the Enterprise reaches Orand, the queen has died, and the king is aged and infirm; but their daughter is now an adult, and will be the one to assume the monarchy. First the ritual crown must be retrieved from a different world. Only the true ruler of Shad can wear the crown, so the question will be, can young Kailyn perform the task? It won't be easy with Klingons trying to disrupt the mission as subtly as possible. To circumvent the surveillance Spock and McCoy set off in a shuttlecraft with Kailyn to retrieve the crown while the Enterprise proceeds to Shad. But there is a spy on the king's staff, and the Klingons follow the shuttle. Now, Kirk must find the spy and Spock and McCoy must keep the young princess safe while they deal with both the natural forces of the planet and the troublesome Klingons.
Weinstein has a good ear for dialogue and nothing about this story feels forced as many preceeding books did. The characters flow along with nary a ripple, and the comic relief of Chekov and his extra ten pounds is deftly handled. Weinstein has a special feeling for McCoy, and his feelings of growing old in the story are very well-written. The characters who enter the path of the Enterprise crew, from King Stevvin to Shirn O'tay, are natural and do not seem out of place in the Star Trek universe. This is simply a good story and an excellent setup for the regular characters.
Howard Weinstein is a long-time Trek fan and the writer of the animated episode "The Pirates of Orion," so it isn't surprising that he has a feel for the characters of Star Trek. He also has a deft touch as a writer. This is the first of several novels he has written, in addition to comic books, and the result is the best ST book since David Gerrold's effort.
A surprise birthday party for Dr. McCoy is interrupted by a call from Starfleet Command to divert to Starbase 22. When there Admiral Harrington informs them that the civil war on Shad has turned and it is time for the exiled king to return. Captain Kirk had been stationed on Shad at the time of his exile years before, when the war had been going badly enough that the royal family was deemed endangered enough to evacuate to a planet some parsecs away. The Klingons had been quietly supplying the rebels, hoping to disrupt the entire sector by the fall of Shad's government.
When the Enterprise reaches Orand, the queen has died, and the king is aged and infirm; but their daughter is now an adult, and will be the one to assume the monarchy. First the ritual crown must be retrieved from a different world. Only the true ruler of Shad can wear the crown, so the question will be, can young Kailyn perform the task? It won't be easy with Klingons trying to disrupt the mission as subtly as possible. To circumvent the surveillance Spock and McCoy set off in a shuttlecraft with Kailyn to retrieve the crown while the Enterprise proceeds to Shad. But there is a spy on the king's staff, and the Klingons follow the shuttle. Now, Kirk must find the spy and Spock and McCoy must keep the young princess safe while they deal with both the natural forces of the planet and the troublesome Klingons.
Weinstein has a good ear for dialogue and nothing about this story feels forced as many preceeding books did. The characters flow along with nary a ripple, and the comic relief of Chekov and his extra ten pounds is deftly handled. Weinstein has a special feeling for McCoy, and his feelings of growing old in the story are very well-written. The characters who enter the path of the Enterprise crew, from King Stevvin to Shirn O'tay, are natural and do not seem out of place in the Star Trek universe. This is simply a good story and an excellent setup for the regular characters.
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