The Rift by Peter David (Star Trek #57, November 1991).

The Enterprise captained by Christopher Pike encounters a rift in space. They do some sensor readings and catalogue it, then move on to their scheduled starbase repair and medical update when a communication is received from within the rift. Taking the ship through the gap the crew, including a young Lieutennant Spock as well as Lt. Scott, encounters an advanced but insular civilization. They exchange information, but the Enterprise has only a few hours before the rift closes.

Some thirty-three years later, the Enterprise captained by Jim Kirk (sometime after the events of the movie Star Trek III) returns to the area of the rift to again make contact with the Calligar. On board is Commodore Jose Tyler, the navigator of that earlier Enterprise mission. Also aboard is Ambassador Fox, as well as Andorian and Tellarite representatives, plus Federation computer expert Dr. Richard Daystrom.

The conflict comes when a leader of the Calligar, who had been involved with Tyler during that earlier visit, announces her wishes to defect to the Federation. The Calligar decide to hold the visitor, including Spock and Scotty, until their citizen is returned. Kirk must figure out a way to resolve the situation, without losing any of his people.

Peter David is a long-time Star Trek fan with a real ear for the series, and a veteran comic book writer. His books are always funny, well-plotted, character-driven, and smart. This tome is no exception. An 80-page opening section on the Pike-era Enterprise is wonderful, and odd in that it comes right after Michael Jan Friedman's novel with some of the same themes. The final 190 pages are set in later times, after the death of David Marcus, and touch on themes of aging and self-image, as well as heroism.

David's stories are always funny, sometimes even laugh-out-loud funny. Most characters are witty and make little quips, as we often like to do in real life. Of course, characters in print don't have our live limitations. David returns to the Andorian-Tellarite byplay from the TV episode "Return to Babel" with a cool, collected Andorian representative and a blustering piggish Tellarite. For all that, the characters never lose their sense of self, or sacrifice their potential for heroism. The villains are fighting merely for what they think is right, and it just happens to be at odds with our heroes.

This is David's first original series novel, although he already had Next Generation material published and had written for DC's comic book series. He would write many more for all the Star Trek series, plus his own creation of Star Trek material under the "New Frontier" imprint. It's all good.

This in particular is an excellent novel. The characterizations are just right, and David uses a comic book writer's touch to bring together some continuity. It's rather deft, and quite well written. Most important, it's a good, action-packed story. Top-notch stuff.

Legacy by Michael Jan Friedman (Star Trek #56, August 1991).

A survey mission to Alpha Octavius Four seems like a pleasant diversion to a lush jungle planet, until a huge creature emerges from underground and gives Mr. Spock a poison sting. Dr. McCoy beams back up with the first officer, and shortly thereafter Captain Kirk is caught in a sinkhole with three crewmen. Sulu investigates with his team, but almost immediately the Enterprise is called away. The Beta Cabrini mining colony is under attack.

It turns out the colony has been invaded by a pirate named Dreen, of the Merkaan race. The Merkaans are sort of a cross between Orions and Ferengi, brutal marauders who take whatever they can get their hands on. While Spock served under Christopher Pike on the Enterprise, Pike defeated Dreen by subterfuge when he attempted a similar action in Federation territory. Now Spock must rise from his sickbed and deal with Dreen.

Friedman has written a good solid novel here, one with appeal to Star Trek fans and novices alike. The author uses a device to move Kirk off stage and have a stressed Spock face an old foe, but gives Kirk something to do in the meantime: survive, and keep his team alive as well. It plays well, and also gives Friedman a chance to shed some light on the old Enterprise crew from Spock's first tour. Pike, Dr. Boyce, Jose Tyler, and Number One among others show up here and get some book space, wonderful for such underused characters. Frideman uses his knowledge of Star Trek lore well.

Dreen also makes for a good villain. He's big, brutal, greedy, and none too bright, the antithesis of Spock. Unable to beat Dreen's three ships with just the Enterprise, Spock must resort to subterfuge, and with his condition cannot confront the man directly. This is a script Leonard Nimoy would have loved to play out. It works much better than Friedman's first ST novel, "Double, Double" which was #45 in the series. Oddly, Friedman appears again in just two books, at #58. He was undoubtedly a favorite of the editor at the time.

Spock gets the lead role here, with Kirk getting good scenes as well. Dr. McCoy is important in a supporting role. He gets nerve-pinched by Spock at a key time which we can all see coming but enjoy nonetheless. Scotty, Uhura, Sulu and Chekov are not strongly featured but their presence is felt. Even Mr. Leslie appears here.

It's a good book with a strong plot that will keep the pages turning. It is also involving for longtime Star Trek fans who will see many of their favorites used well. This is one of the best of the series.