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Star Trek: The Original Series #37
Bloodthirst
A class one medical emergency summons the Enterprise to the Federation outpost Tanis. There, a grisly surprise awaits them. Two of the lab's three researchers are decade, their bodies almost entirely drained of blood. There are no clues. No records of their research. No remnants of their work. There is only the oupost's sole survivor, Dr. Jeffrey Adams. A man with a secret that will rock the very foundtions of Star Fleet...and a terrible, all-consuming hunger that will bring death to the crew of the Starship Enterprise.
264 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 1987
About the author
J.M. Dillard
40 books105 followersJ.M. Dillard is the pseudonym under which Jeanne Kalogridis (b. 1954) publishes her Star Trek novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
May 25, 2015
I actually wasn't expecting to like this as well as I did since vampirism and Star Trek don't seem a good match up to me. However, the book was well written and generated quite a bit of tension. I thought it did well with the characters. The explanation for the "bloodthirst" makes sense and there are good twists and turns.
May 26, 2010
Vampires & Star Trek. It's like Christmas. Of course it's not really vampires, but it still totally is, plus Chekov says "wampires" which is instant win. Good OCs, fast pace, tight plot, short and spooky. 3.5 stars!
March 10, 2017
Rather entertaining and enjoyable.
February 15, 2022
J M Dillard is a pen name of Jeanne Kalogridis author of amongst other things, Diaries of the family Dracul. So its no big surprise to see her do a vampire Trek novel, which of course, being both a massive vampire fan and a Trekkie I HAD to seek out.
Normally with Trek fiction I'm all about the characters and generally the novels I favour are the ones which put the characters in challenging situations and develop them. Bloodthirst is an exception because the characters are secondary to the story and yet this has to be one of the best Trek novels I've read.
The Enterprise answers a distress call and discovers a secret research base with a lone survivor who has a vampiric type virus. When McCoy gets back Kirk's had a message from Starfleet telling them in no uncertain terms NOT to respond to the distress call... oops. And to make things a lot more interesting the tech in the lab is Starfleet issue. Oh my.
Have the whiter than white Starfleet secretly been creating bio-weapons to wipe out the Romulans? Oooh. A fantastic plot asking some very interesting questions.
This is very well written and paced. While there's not a huge amount of main character development all the cast are spot on - this is a great one for Kirk & McCoy. However the supporting cast do get their moments - there is something so satisfying about hearing Chekov say wampires. However it is the new (invented) cast who get the most focus here - We are introduced to a lonely Andorian, a demoted security chief with a grudge, a competent security officer torn between Star Fleet and her wish to start a family, a hard-line security chief, a washed up Admiral, a corrupt head of weapons division and a double dealing scientist. This new cast are integrated brilliantly into the Star Trek universe and are as well realised as the more familiar crew.
As Trek novels go I thought this one was excellent. Its a great story, its well written, it's very Star Trek (characters are all on point, it explores the Trek universe & race tensions nicely) its an interesting take on the vampires in space trope, and its very edgy and brave - both to focus on entirely new characters and to question the integrity of Star Fleet. This is what I want from Trek fiction. Great stuff.
Normally with Trek fiction I'm all about the characters and generally the novels I favour are the ones which put the characters in challenging situations and develop them. Bloodthirst is an exception because the characters are secondary to the story and yet this has to be one of the best Trek novels I've read.
The Enterprise answers a distress call and discovers a secret research base with a lone survivor who has a vampiric type virus. When McCoy gets back Kirk's had a message from Starfleet telling them in no uncertain terms NOT to respond to the distress call... oops. And to make things a lot more interesting the tech in the lab is Starfleet issue. Oh my.
Have the whiter than white Starfleet secretly been creating bio-weapons to wipe out the Romulans? Oooh. A fantastic plot asking some very interesting questions.
This is very well written and paced. While there's not a huge amount of main character development all the cast are spot on - this is a great one for Kirk & McCoy. However the supporting cast do get their moments - there is something so satisfying about hearing Chekov say wampires. However it is the new (invented) cast who get the most focus here - We are introduced to a lonely Andorian, a demoted security chief with a grudge, a competent security officer torn between Star Fleet and her wish to start a family, a hard-line security chief, a washed up Admiral, a corrupt head of weapons division and a double dealing scientist. This new cast are integrated brilliantly into the Star Trek universe and are as well realised as the more familiar crew.
As Trek novels go I thought this one was excellent. Its a great story, its well written, it's very Star Trek (characters are all on point, it explores the Trek universe & race tensions nicely) its an interesting take on the vampires in space trope, and its very edgy and brave - both to focus on entirely new characters and to question the integrity of Star Fleet. This is what I want from Trek fiction. Great stuff.
October 22, 2015
Surprisingly good characterization (which is a weakness star trek novels tend to have) but just a soso story.
June 23, 2022
4.5 stars. I really enjoyed it!
Vampires and Star Trek sounds like a terrible combination, sure to yuk it up. But I thought it was well done, a very enjoyable read.
The original characters were well-written, with interesting backgrounds and stories of their own, while our crew was mostly in character throughout.
A creepy virus, conspiracy, murder, tragedy, budding romance (not Kirk's for a change), revenge—it was all quite engaging. I'd recommend it to any Trekkie.
Vampires and Star Trek sounds like a terrible combination, sure to yuk it up. But I thought it was well done, a very enjoyable read.
The original characters were well-written, with interesting backgrounds and stories of their own, while our crew was mostly in character throughout.
A creepy virus, conspiracy, murder, tragedy, budding romance (not Kirk's for a change), revenge—it was all quite engaging. I'd recommend it to any Trekkie.
December 25, 2017
Again, for the umptieth time: a sci-fi topper ! Once the story gets started the reader stays clustered to the book until the finish line. For once i appreciate the psychological intervals als clarifying, necessary to be able to understand the tale and not bothering the general fast pace of the action. Partially located on earth, a starbase and a small research planet, but mostly in space . No big space battles though, just a small one :-).
The story of Dracula in a Star Trek context - it had to happen...
The story of Dracula in a Star Trek context - it had to happen...
March 10, 2021
3.5
I accidentally deleted this from my books lmao but listen the main takeaway is that I'm obsessed with every woman who writes Star Trek novels JM Dillard really has written like a dozen vampire books under a different name and then also managed to get them into one of her Star Trek books legends ONLY
I accidentally deleted this from my books lmao but listen the main takeaway is that I'm obsessed with every woman who writes Star Trek novels JM Dillard really has written like a dozen vampire books under a different name and then also managed to get them into one of her Star Trek books legends ONLY
March 23, 2018
There was a lot in this book that was pretty stupid, from bad characterization and unnecessary hints of love between Chapel and McCoy (seriously, not a thing) but by far the most stupid was Kirk and Scotty talking casually about going warp 8 and 9.
Which was impossible in TOS, where the fastest speed ships were capable of was warp 6.
Which was impossible in TOS, where the fastest speed ships were capable of was warp 6.
September 22, 2017
For a good while I wasn't sure where the book was meant to go. Early dialogue established it as the written equivalent of a Halloween episode, and then it seemed to switch between "medical mystery" and "HEY IT'S VAMPIRES" (not really a spoiler as they start with it 30 pages in), and that damned amulet is still unclear...
When it did look like it'd settled, though, I enjoyed the direction it went in, and as for the underlying science, a virus as the cause *would* actually make sense even if I'm not sure on the details.
I also liked a good deal of the worldbuilding in the background a lot.
(I've got a minor quibble though: some lines seem like they ought to go to other characters, like Bones having trouble with Earth's calendar or Spock having to explain superstitions to Kirk...)
When it did look like it'd settled, though, I enjoyed the direction it went in, and as for the underlying science, a virus as the cause *would* actually make sense even if I'm not sure on the details.
I also liked a good deal of the worldbuilding in the background a lot.
(I've got a minor quibble though: some lines seem like they ought to go to other characters, like Bones having trouble with Earth's calendar or Spock having to explain superstitions to Kirk...)
August 7, 2017
Pretty good ST novel with an unusual premise for ST and uses the core characters mostly true. The Enterprise sends down McCoy and a security officer to a small research outpost and find two of three scientists dead, their throats slit. The remaining scientist is mad and taken into custody and brought back to the Enterprise. There he escapes and begins to attack crew members, wanting to drink their blood. His psychosis is due to what they were researching and McCoy and the medical team have to work to develop a cure before they lose more crew. Fairly suspenseful story line too
December 8, 2017
This book was really good, in my opinion. The story itself reads like a Halloween episode and it kept the tension going with a well written plot and great characters. I think Trek fans would enjoy it.
January 25, 2023
After all these decades this is still my favorite Star Trek book. I can still remember stumbling across this copy on the shelves of a little used book store. It was a converted apartment above a store in Saugatuck, Michigan and other than my well-travelled copy of The Hobbit is the book I have owned for the longest amount of time. The spine and pages aren’t in any condition for anything but reminiscing over and my re-reads have been done with my kindle edition.
As I’m also a horror fan, this is a story that caught my interest right away and from that perspective it’s a nicely constructed plot with a lot of tension that’s well developed. The intrigue of the disease and the way it manifests has a great ominous feel to it with some genuinely creepy moments, especially for a Star Trek book. Dr. Adam’s is great as an antagonist as well as Admiral Mendez, who has some fantastic scenes dueling with Kirk over orders and regulations.
The whole trope of the “badmiral” is one that has gotten a bit stale in Star Trek but for when this was published it was still more of a fresh concept and I think the book handles the concept nicely. There’s a great amount of political intrigue despite the story being mostly confined to the Enterprise.
This is also a great spotlight on characters outside the realm of the primary seven. This was the book that introduced me to Doctor M’Benga as well as solidified Christine Chapel as a character for me. The relationship between Chapel and McCoy is outstanding and while this is not the first time we have seen him deal with a mystery illness, it’s done really well here. Jon Stanger and security chief Tomson are done really well and some time later - when JM Dillard was tapped to write the beginning of the Lost Years saga, she brought back some of these same characters to make an appearance. She also placed several callbacks to the events of this story in that book as well.
This book has nostalgic value for me but even disregarding that, it’s a fun story that moves along at a nice clip and does a good job focusing on characters outside the normal cast for a Star Trek book but at the same time keeping your interest.
As I’m also a horror fan, this is a story that caught my interest right away and from that perspective it’s a nicely constructed plot with a lot of tension that’s well developed. The intrigue of the disease and the way it manifests has a great ominous feel to it with some genuinely creepy moments, especially for a Star Trek book. Dr. Adam’s is great as an antagonist as well as Admiral Mendez, who has some fantastic scenes dueling with Kirk over orders and regulations.
The whole trope of the “badmiral” is one that has gotten a bit stale in Star Trek but for when this was published it was still more of a fresh concept and I think the book handles the concept nicely. There’s a great amount of political intrigue despite the story being mostly confined to the Enterprise.
This is also a great spotlight on characters outside the realm of the primary seven. This was the book that introduced me to Doctor M’Benga as well as solidified Christine Chapel as a character for me. The relationship between Chapel and McCoy is outstanding and while this is not the first time we have seen him deal with a mystery illness, it’s done really well here. Jon Stanger and security chief Tomson are done really well and some time later - when JM Dillard was tapped to write the beginning of the Lost Years saga, she brought back some of these same characters to make an appearance. She also placed several callbacks to the events of this story in that book as well.
This book has nostalgic value for me but even disregarding that, it’s a fun story that moves along at a nice clip and does a good job focusing on characters outside the normal cast for a Star Trek book but at the same time keeping your interest.
June 5, 2020
This book is firmly based in the worldview created for Star Teek The Original Series. Kirk, Spock and McCoy are well done, based on the tv series.
However, rather than just building on the ethos of the fabled Captain and his crew, the author takes off on a tangent where characters we've not seen before take the stage.
We see Stanger, a security ensign with a secret which haunts him. He makes friends on his new duty assignment on the Enterprise, even as he holds himself aloof. Reading, you just know there's more to his backstory.
There is Ensign Lamia, an Andorean. From her, we gain knowledge of some of what we might feel are quirky traits. The author draws this race into a main role, where the touchiness seen in TOS is explained somewhat. Her new family on the Enterprise is important to her, and we see her struggle to become friends.
The there is Ensign Lisa Nguyen from Colorado, who loves horses and the open air. From her we learn that you can be tough and still need others, even as she becomes central to the plot in several ways.
There are multiple villains. Like many series episodes, this book shows character flaws and strengths and how either can be used for good.
As part of the Star Trek world, even though I have read the general story in multiple genres. This presentation was a new twist with a familiar group. And right now it read just right.
However, rather than just building on the ethos of the fabled Captain and his crew, the author takes off on a tangent where characters we've not seen before take the stage.
We see Stanger, a security ensign with a secret which haunts him. He makes friends on his new duty assignment on the Enterprise, even as he holds himself aloof. Reading, you just know there's more to his backstory.
There is Ensign Lamia, an Andorean. From her, we gain knowledge of some of what we might feel are quirky traits. The author draws this race into a main role, where the touchiness seen in TOS is explained somewhat. Her new family on the Enterprise is important to her, and we see her struggle to become friends.
The there is Ensign Lisa Nguyen from Colorado, who loves horses and the open air. From her we learn that you can be tough and still need others, even as she becomes central to the plot in several ways.
There are multiple villains. Like many series episodes, this book shows character flaws and strengths and how either can be used for good.
As part of the Star Trek world, even though I have read the general story in multiple genres. This presentation was a new twist with a familiar group. And right now it read just right.
May 29, 2020
A call to a remote planet has the Enterprise possibly involved in bioterrorism. A survivor from this base has symptoms of a supernatural nature: aversion to bright lights, a gaunt appearance, and a need for blood. And then the infection begins to spread...
I had read this book when it first came out in 1987 and remembered enjoying it, but not this time. It took me a long time to get into this book. A long time. The problem was the amount of space given to characters' thoughts. It slowed the pace considerably. This wants to be a tense adventure, but with so much time devoted to thoughts as characters are walking about, I found myself just not caring. In fact, this book would probably be a better read without all the characters' inner monologues. It would halve the book.
I wanted to like this, but I just couldn't get into it. A great idea that's very dull.
I had read this book when it first came out in 1987 and remembered enjoying it, but not this time. It took me a long time to get into this book. A long time. The problem was the amount of space given to characters' thoughts. It slowed the pace considerably. This wants to be a tense adventure, but with so much time devoted to thoughts as characters are walking about, I found myself just not caring. In fact, this book would probably be a better read without all the characters' inner monologues. It would halve the book.
I wanted to like this, but I just couldn't get into it. A great idea that's very dull.
December 22, 2019
*3 1/2
This was my first Star Trek novel, and I was not at all disappointed. Though the story was a little corny, it was nothing I wouldn't expect from an episode of TOS. The characters that are in the show were realistic, though the original characters were bland, and I can't say I cared about them at all, but it was fun nonetheless! The story was predictable, but I was never bored. My only really big complaint was that the romances were awful. Totally out of left field, very angsty. I rolled my eyes everytime one came up. I can recommend it though, to anyone who is looking for a fun Star Trek novel.
This was my first Star Trek novel, and I was not at all disappointed. Though the story was a little corny, it was nothing I wouldn't expect from an episode of TOS. The characters that are in the show were realistic, though the original characters were bland, and I can't say I cared about them at all, but it was fun nonetheless! The story was predictable, but I was never bored. My only really big complaint was that the romances were awful. Totally out of left field, very angsty. I rolled my eyes everytime one came up. I can recommend it though, to anyone who is looking for a fun Star Trek novel.
January 28, 2022
One of the final bunch of Star Trek books I picked up recently at a charity shop .
I'm not claiming I won't read anymore of them as they turn up ..just it's the last of this batch.
I guess this would be considered ..maybe ..the classic line up being the famous Kirk cast of the Enterprise and this book is one that looks at the probability of a sneaky Starfleet conspiracy in regard to a vampiric virus...
Does such a conspiracy exist?...is this a bio weapon?...is there a love interest for Kirk?.. There's affirmative and negative answers to all these questions...suffice to say this is an OK read..nothing beyond the usual Star Trek book but not a bad tale neither.
I'm not claiming I won't read anymore of them as they turn up ..just it's the last of this batch.
I guess this would be considered ..maybe ..the classic line up being the famous Kirk cast of the Enterprise and this book is one that looks at the probability of a sneaky Starfleet conspiracy in regard to a vampiric virus...
Does such a conspiracy exist?...is this a bio weapon?...is there a love interest for Kirk?.. There's affirmative and negative answers to all these questions...suffice to say this is an OK read..nothing beyond the usual Star Trek book but not a bad tale neither.
December 30, 2020
Dillard enjoys using her characters, McCoy, Kirk and a dash of Spock with a pinch of the other main characters. The first time we see anyone other than Kirk, Spock and McCoy is page 137 with a brief mention of Uhura before then. Anyway, it doesn't lessen the book at all, it's just interesting and at least her original characters are good characters. I liked Stanger, Lamia and Nguyen and their arcs were believable and interesting plus. Tomson returns as well and is a pretty awesome security chief. Anyway, it was a fun take on vampires and Star Trek and the twists were unexpected and interesting.
May 23, 2021
You wouldn't think that a vampire story would work on Star Trek, and while it was far from the most interesting book I've read, it did kinda work.
Dillard focuses more on her own characters than the main cast, so there's very little of Kirk and Spock, and the rest of the bridge crew is barely mentioned (Chekov telling them about 'wampires' is the comedic highlight for sure though).
Dr. McCoy really gets the spotlight, and Dillard writes him really well.. that's really what makes the somewhat weak concept work.
Dillard focuses more on her own characters than the main cast, so there's very little of Kirk and Spock, and the rest of the bridge crew is barely mentioned (Chekov telling them about 'wampires' is the comedic highlight for sure though).
Dr. McCoy really gets the spotlight, and Dillard writes him really well.. that's really what makes the somewhat weak concept work.
June 4, 2024
Vampires in outer space? That’s on the menu with Bloodthirst. This Star Trek original series book is a fun read and has a lot of suspense and action. Dr. McCoy plays the main character in the story although Spock and Kirk are in it. Also this is more of a Dr story than Kirk.
I this was a good book and Dillard. The writer did a good job with the characters and the inner workings of the USS enterprise.
I this was a good book and Dillard. The writer did a good job with the characters and the inner workings of the USS enterprise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2019
An engineered virus risks the lives of the crew of the 'Enterprise'. As Kirk investigates, he exposes a conspiracy which reaches to the highest echelons of Starfleet.
Dillard's novel is both eerie and intriguing. It is also possibly the first place that we hear of a breeding crisis on Andor and the conspiracy could possibly provide the foundation of Section 31.
Dillard's novel is both eerie and intriguing. It is also possibly the first place that we hear of a breeding crisis on Andor and the conspiracy could possibly provide the foundation of Section 31.
October 12, 2020
Rating: 1.5
While the writing was technically sound, facts are facts. It was boring. There were way WAY too many OCs. It didn't read like a Star Trek novel - it was just packed FULL of characters I didn't give two flips about. And if you're a Spock fan like me? Double avoid this one. He may as well not have been in it at all.
While the writing was technically sound, facts are facts. It was boring. There were way WAY too many OCs. It didn't read like a Star Trek novel - it was just packed FULL of characters I didn't give two flips about. And if you're a Spock fan like me? Double avoid this one. He may as well not have been in it at all.
July 26, 2023
Captain Kirk, Mr Spock, Doctor McCoy and the rest of the Enterprise crew, including some new characters have to uncover a plot to instigate inter-planetary warfare.
A good plausible storyline involving our well- beloved heroes. If you are a fan of the ground-breaking TV classic you can almost hear the voices. Enjoy.
A good plausible storyline involving our well- beloved heroes. If you are a fan of the ground-breaking TV classic you can almost hear the voices. Enjoy.
October 3, 2020
This book involves a virus that turns humans into vampires.
The story centers around the security team...or red shirts. Involves second chances and overcoming prejudice. These stories were good.
Captain Kirk and company are almost a B story.
Enjoyable read for any Trek fan.
The story centers around the security team...or red shirts. Involves second chances and overcoming prejudice. These stories were good.
Captain Kirk and company are almost a B story.
Enjoyable read for any Trek fan.
June 11, 2021
Wonderful characterization. Good story-telling. A captivating plot. Dillard never disappoints. He really captures the voices of the main original characters and also creates new, captivating characters.
December 17, 2023
This was a hoot. It feels like an episode of Trek which is what I want it to be, but it also goes a little deeper into what the characters and situation offer, which I like, too. It’s also good to see Dillard’s supporting characters back for another outing as well.
August 22, 2017
It is what it is. Vampires in space. Read like an episode of the show. I enjoyed it but there was no big surprise or twist to me. I would recommend it to lovers of the original star trek show.
March 7, 2021
It's like watching an episode, but with more interesting female characters.
April 18, 2021
My first Star trek novel. Not as good as I was hoping but still fun to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews