Earlier than we go any additional, we should get this out of the way in which: the Shatnerverse books are certainly very goofy and self-indulgent. Through the years, Trek followers have actually heard tales of Shatner’s inflated ego, from his tendency to steal strains from different actors throughout the TOS days to his insistence on having main artistic management on initiatives, even after the debacle that was his directorial debut in Star Trek V: The Last Frontier.
However we additionally must acknowledge that, similar to his distinctive cadence, Shatner’s bluster is a part of his appeal. It’s precisely what makes James Kirk so enjoyable to look at. No matter we really feel about Shatner the person, each time Kirk will get that sparkle in his eyes, we will’t assist however observe him once more. As veteran Trek novelists, the Reeves-Stevenses fortunately know how one can hold Kirk on the correct aspect of charming, whilst they incorporate Shatner’s extra indulgent concepts.
Past the 5 Yr Mission
The primary trilogy of Shatnerverse books, launched between 1995 and ’97, signify the perfect of the bunch. Ashes of Eden, The Return, and Avenger inform a rip-roaring journey by which Kirk groups up with a scorching Romulan/Klingon, defeats the Borg, and uncovers the conspiracy that made the assassination of Spock’s father seem like dying by illness. The primary trilogy additionally focuses on Chal, residence of the Chalchaj’qmey (Kids of Heaven), a peaceable group of genetically modified Romulan/Klingon hybrids that the Klingon Empire and Romulan Star Empire designed in preparation for conflict in opposition to the Federation.
In Ashes of Eden, set throughout the late TOS period, lovely Chalchaj’qmey Teilani recruits Kirk and Scotty on a non-Federation accredited mission to avoid wasting Chal from those that threaten it, together with a Starfleet Admiral doing what all Starfleet Admirals do and being terrible. The Return begins proper after Generations, with Kirk being resurrected by the Borg and Romulans to struggle in opposition to Picard. And in Avenger, Kirk reunites with Spock to research the connection between Chal and the dying of Spock’s father Sarek.
Most agree that the second trilogy falls in need of the primary, however there’s enjoyable available for many who benefit from the Mirror Universe. The Mirror Universe Trilogy—Spectre, Darkish Victory, and Preserver—pits Kirk and Picard in opposition to the Terran Empire’s former Emperor Tiberius, none aside from the evil James T. Kirk himself. The novels play as a enjoyable continuation of “Mirror, Mirror,” the TOS episode that launched the idea, whereas that includes some enjoyable twists, together with Mirror Universe Janeway and a continuation of the Klingon/Cardassian alliance from Deep Area 9.
The Mirror Universe Trilogy works as a result of it stays rooted in a longtime TOS idea, so any of the DS9 and Voyager connections really feel earned. The identical can’t be stated of the Captain Trilogy. Captain’s Peril, Captain’s Blood, and Captain’s Glory all really feel like determined cliff notes added to the Nineties Trek sequence, shoehorning Kirk into locations and tales the place he doesn’t belong. Captain’s Peril places Kirk and Picard on the finish of the Dominion Conflict. Captain’s Blood sends Kirk to Remus, caught within the Romulan civil conflict throughout Star Trek: Nemesis. In Captain’s Glory, Kirk joins Admiral Janeway and the Physician on a mission that places them in opposition to Picard’s Enterprise and Riker on the Titan.
