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Star Trek: The Original Series #47
The Kobayashi Maru
Trapped aboard a seemingly doomed shuttlecraft, the Enterprise's officers reminisce about their days at the Starfleet Academy, particularly about a no-win exercise, providing the inspiration for them to effect their own rescue
254 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 1989
About the author
Julia Ecklar
15 books15 followersJulia Ecklar (born 1964) is a John W. Campbell-award winning science fiction author and a singer and writer of filk music who recorded numerous albums in the Off Centaur label in the early 1980s, including Minus Ten and Counting, Horse-Tamer's Daughter, and Genesis. Her Divine Intervention album released in 1986 was the first filk release to combine the lyrical elements of filk music with orchestral and rock arrangements.
She has also written a number of science-fiction books under the pseudonym L.A. Graf (with partner Karen Rose Cercone). L.A. Graf reportedly stands for Let's All Get Rich and Famous.
She has also written a number of science-fiction books under the pseudonym L.A. Graf (with partner Karen Rose Cercone). L.A. Graf reportedly stands for Let's All Get Rich and Famous.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
July 23, 2016
I listened to the audio version of this book and was very impressed with James Doohan's performance in narrating. It really added something extra to the story, and he was able to imitate the voices of the original actors for each character very well.
This story recounts the Kobayashi Maru scenarios of Kirk, Chekov, Sulu, and Scotty as they were stranded on a shuttle waiting for the Enterprise to rescue them. My husband introduced me to Star Trek a few years ago, and we have managed to watch every episode from every season and every movie released - and I still can't seem to get enough. Small stories like this that give a little insight to character backgrounds are really nice.
This story recounts the Kobayashi Maru scenarios of Kirk, Chekov, Sulu, and Scotty as they were stranded on a shuttle waiting for the Enterprise to rescue them. My husband introduced me to Star Trek a few years ago, and we have managed to watch every episode from every season and every movie released - and I still can't seem to get enough. Small stories like this that give a little insight to character backgrounds are really nice.
April 11, 2019
3.5 stars. Some interesting reminiscences from Kirk, Sulu, Chekov and Scotty and their time at the academy tackling simulated command challenges.
January 16, 2011
I'm surprised it took as long as it did to finally write a flashback novel to the Enterprise crew's various Kobyashi Maru simulation experiences, during their cadet days. Some of the vignettes weren't quite up to the expectations of my imagination...but the novel is ultimately worth it for (1) Scotty's absolutely OUTRAGEOUS plan to get him off the command track and into engineeering, and (2) Chekov's mini-Lord of the Flies experience.
February 14, 2023
Kirk and company are wounded and stranded on a disabled shuttle, and decide to regale themselves with tales of how each handled the infamous Kobayashi Maru test at Starfleet Command School.
First up is Kirk, who tells a tale that I have heard elsewhere, so I'm wondering if this is potentially canonical. It's not the snarky, asshole of Abrams' 2009 abomination, but a measured response of someone who has lost twice and then was pulled aside and told by his professor that the test is fundamentally impossible to pass - and was designed to be. The Klingons' weapons will always be stronger. The Federations' shields will always fail. And even if you manage to defeat the first wave of Klingon ships, even more ships will appear to fight...and more after that...and more after that...in ever larger, and more powerful waves, as the test was meant to be failed. Kirk, however, refuses to believe that, and so - as we all know - he reprograms the AI, but not in the "I'm gonna eat an apple like an asshole and point and shot" but more in the sense that he programmed the Klingon commander to recognize "Captain Kirk" as an infamous and notorious enemy who must be respected and whom the Klingons help out of this respect and fear (although Star Trek V shows us that being that notorious might make him a more tempting target to a Klingon captain).
Chekov's story spends about a page telling how he failed - suicide charge - and then the rest of the chapters are how he handled an entirely different survival test whilst at the Academy. It also tells the story of the fallout between Chekov and his classmates because of it.
Sulu's story tells that tale of how Sulu made the ultimate decision to not violate the Neutral Zone and possibly start a war to rescue a ship that may or may not be there, and may or may not be a Klingon trap. He does, however, send a message to the Klingons about the ship in case they want to rescue it. It also delves into Sulu's background with his family and his decision to join Starfleet.
Scotty's tale is how he finally realized he was always meant to be an engineer and not a captain, and how he manipulated the rules programmed into the AI to cause significant losses to the Klingons before ultimately becoming overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, McCoy treats the injuries of those on the shuttle. And then, everyone uses all of the "morals of the story" they learned in all the tellings to figure out how to be rescued. I guess the cover is supposed to be the shuttle? Or maybe the Kobayashi Maru?
Oh, and slight error note, the forward states that this book takes place shortly after the events of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, yet continually refers to him as Captain James T. Kirk...although, he would have an Admiral at this time. From The Motion Picture until the end of Star Trek IV, he was Admiral Kirk, then busted back down to Captain...but, whatevs.
First up is Kirk, who tells a tale that I have heard elsewhere, so I'm wondering if this is potentially canonical. It's not the snarky, asshole of Abrams' 2009 abomination, but a measured response of someone who has lost twice and then was pulled aside and told by his professor that the test is fundamentally impossible to pass - and was designed to be. The Klingons' weapons will always be stronger. The Federations' shields will always fail. And even if you manage to defeat the first wave of Klingon ships, even more ships will appear to fight...and more after that...and more after that...in ever larger, and more powerful waves, as the test was meant to be failed. Kirk, however, refuses to believe that, and so - as we all know - he reprograms the AI, but not in the "I'm gonna eat an apple like an asshole and point and shot" but more in the sense that he programmed the Klingon commander to recognize "Captain Kirk" as an infamous and notorious enemy who must be respected and whom the Klingons help out of this respect and fear (although Star Trek V shows us that being that notorious might make him a more tempting target to a Klingon captain).
Chekov's story spends about a page telling how he failed - suicide charge - and then the rest of the chapters are how he handled an entirely different survival test whilst at the Academy. It also tells the story of the fallout between Chekov and his classmates because of it.
Sulu's story tells that tale of how Sulu made the ultimate decision to not violate the Neutral Zone and possibly start a war to rescue a ship that may or may not be there, and may or may not be a Klingon trap. He does, however, send a message to the Klingons about the ship in case they want to rescue it. It also delves into Sulu's background with his family and his decision to join Starfleet.
Scotty's tale is how he finally realized he was always meant to be an engineer and not a captain, and how he manipulated the rules programmed into the AI to cause significant losses to the Klingons before ultimately becoming overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, McCoy treats the injuries of those on the shuttle. And then, everyone uses all of the "morals of the story" they learned in all the tellings to figure out how to be rescued. I guess the cover is supposed to be the shuttle? Or maybe the Kobayashi Maru?
Oh, and slight error note, the forward states that this book takes place shortly after the events of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, yet continually refers to him as Captain James T. Kirk...although, he would have an Admiral at this time. From The Motion Picture until the end of Star Trek IV, he was Admiral Kirk, then busted back down to Captain...but, whatevs.
May 10, 2020
A shuttle is stranded, and the occupants tell of their experiences with the "no-win" scenario. After being mentioned in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, this test has shown up in seven novels, with this being the first.
Reading the academy experiences of the various participants was a lot of fun, and of the four stories, I enjoyed Montgomery Scott's the most. There is an audio version of this book, coincidentally read by James Doohan, but I suspect it is abridged - the run time is under two hours. While I did read this in a single day, it must have been closer to 3½ hours.
The "framing story" of the shuttle incident was weak, but really wasn't the point of the book. Some of the later scenes did harken back to the test itself, which was nice. Of the 90 some-odd Star Trek paperbacks, this story is definitely in the top 20.
Reading the academy experiences of the various participants was a lot of fun, and of the four stories, I enjoyed Montgomery Scott's the most. There is an audio version of this book, coincidentally read by James Doohan, but I suspect it is abridged - the run time is under two hours. While I did read this in a single day, it must have been closer to 3½ hours.
The "framing story" of the shuttle incident was weak, but really wasn't the point of the book. Some of the later scenes did harken back to the test itself, which was nice. Of the 90 some-odd Star Trek paperbacks, this story is definitely in the top 20.
May 14, 2009
"I am pleased to learn that eighteen hours of unnecessary confinement has not adversely affected your social skills." "Oh, get out of my way!"
mccoy and Spock, bickering as always. it seems really odd to see that again, especially as I went to see the 2009 Star Trek film yesterday. That, and the fact that the original series of Star Trek was never something I followed, really, and it's quite odd indeed.
But on to this story, then. Our intrepid heroes are stuck in a downed shuttle with nothing to do but talk. there's excitement as they try to attract attention to themselves for a rescue and horror as they are about to be smashed into thousands of little bits, but other than that the focus of the story is how each of the officers Kirk, Chekov, Scotty and Sulu) handled the Kobayashi Maru test whilst at Command School.
Kirk's approach to the test is nno surprise, we learn some about that in the Wrath of Khan movie and even if we hadn't it's absolutely in character. The method was modified slightly in the new time line as depicted in Star Trek (2009), although the essence remains the same.
Chekov's solution was different, but the focus of his telling is not on the test itself but rather a mission set afterwards. it might have given me more insight into the character but I don't know much about him. Armed with this new information maybe my further reading of TOS material will make more sense.
Sulu also talked about the test, but again, the focus was not the test itself, so much as his experience starting command school. There's a lot of great emotion going on with Sulu's dying grandfather and we see the young Sulu making some pretty tough realisations.
scotty was perhaps the most impressively technical of the four, which is probably to be expected given his Engineering credentials. Good to know that even unparalleled engineering students cannot hold a constitution-class ship against fifteen klingon warbirds, though, makes my in-universe integrity feel firm once more.
A good read for those hungry for character background, I think - although we do have to remember the novels aren't canon. when has that ever stopped anyone? As I've said I'm not too up on my original-series folk, I've read more of them (Spock, Scotty, Kirk in the main) shown in the future, through various contrivances. Still, although there's no major "in the present" action, this volume fills a tidy niche for character history and is well written, paced and thought-provoking throughout.
mccoy and Spock, bickering as always. it seems really odd to see that again, especially as I went to see the 2009 Star Trek film yesterday. That, and the fact that the original series of Star Trek was never something I followed, really, and it's quite odd indeed.
But on to this story, then. Our intrepid heroes are stuck in a downed shuttle with nothing to do but talk. there's excitement as they try to attract attention to themselves for a rescue and horror as they are about to be smashed into thousands of little bits, but other than that the focus of the story is how each of the officers Kirk, Chekov, Scotty and Sulu) handled the Kobayashi Maru test whilst at Command School.
Kirk's approach to the test is nno surprise, we learn some about that in the Wrath of Khan movie and even if we hadn't it's absolutely in character. The method was modified slightly in the new time line as depicted in Star Trek (2009), although the essence remains the same.
Chekov's solution was different, but the focus of his telling is not on the test itself but rather a mission set afterwards. it might have given me more insight into the character but I don't know much about him. Armed with this new information maybe my further reading of TOS material will make more sense.
Sulu also talked about the test, but again, the focus was not the test itself, so much as his experience starting command school. There's a lot of great emotion going on with Sulu's dying grandfather and we see the young Sulu making some pretty tough realisations.
scotty was perhaps the most impressively technical of the four, which is probably to be expected given his Engineering credentials. Good to know that even unparalleled engineering students cannot hold a constitution-class ship against fifteen klingon warbirds, though, makes my in-universe integrity feel firm once more.
A good read for those hungry for character background, I think - although we do have to remember the novels aren't canon. when has that ever stopped anyone? As I've said I'm not too up on my original-series folk, I've read more of them (Spock, Scotty, Kirk in the main) shown in the future, through various contrivances. Still, although there's no major "in the present" action, this volume fills a tidy niche for character history and is well written, paced and thought-provoking throughout.
June 22, 2022
This was a great novel. I really loved the glimpses it gave us into each of the characters. I wouldn't recommend the audio version though. There were some really poorly recorded parts that made it not a fun listen.
The story was great though and a very solid one of the series.
The story was great though and a very solid one of the series.
January 16, 2022
Fun to see how different characters approached the test. Emotional descriptions I found sometimes melodramatic.
September 2, 2019
An interesting read. It’s always good to learn more about the characters who don’t feature so heavily in the novels/ series like Chekov and Sulu. They were the highlight of this for me. Chekov’s sulking was truly deserving of an honourable mention. xD
May 23, 2020
I really enjoyed this. Like many good startrek books, it felt like an episode. But I wish the ending had connected better to the stories of command school. Kirk could have awakened to realize something with Scotty’s engineering story could make a flash and he could realize that like Spock in the Galileo Seven, a risk would need to be made (connection of Chekov and Sulu stories) and his no loss scenario. The way this ended was out of left field and rather lame.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2010
The author fails to capture the nuances of the characters and the pathos that the actors brought to this American classic tv series.
November 6, 2012
A great story with each of the bridge crew telling their own stories.
January 12, 2015
Very good Star Trek story. A Younger Kirk. Recommended
June 14, 2022
The consept seemed really good, but many most the book was boring.
To many pages dedicated to Chekov that could have been condensed.
Really only segments of the book were even good.
To many pages dedicated to Chekov that could have been condensed.
Really only segments of the book were even good.
March 16, 2024
The Kobayashi Maru by Julia Ecklar
4.0 Stars
Vague spoilers ahead - nothing major but if you want to go into this book blind then don’t read this!
The Kobayashi Maru is a Star Trek novel set in the era of the original series. It was published in 1989 (Taylor Swift reference?) and follows the characters of Kirk, McCoy, Chekov, Sulu, and Scotty as they’re stranded in a damaged shuttle craft with little hope of rescue. With nothing much to do but wait, the characters each tell their story of The Kobayashi Maru test. This was a test that each person at the Command School of Starfleet Academy had to take. It tests your character, ability in a command position, and what you would do under pressure.
As a long time Star Trek fan and book lover, I’ve been wanting to get into the Star Trek literary universe. This book was a relatively short and easy read, but it was in no way boring. The Kobayashi Maru is a fascinating test in the Star Trek universe, and being able to explore how each of these characters went about trying to solve it really tells you a lot about them. I like that there was more backstory for Sulu and Chekov, who often don’t receive the spotlight in the shows or films as much as they should’ve. I think that Ecklar managed to create an accurate characterisation in her writing.
I will say that the plot of this novel is a little bit slow and simple. Despite it being based off of the original series, I’m getting more of a Next Generation vibe in terms of its technology and storytelling. This isn’t a bad thing, it’s just not what I was expecting. I think that the strengths of this novel lie in the flashbacks to their time at the academy. It is much more character-driven then plot driven.
Overall, I think this was a very insightful and strong Star Trek story. It felt like an episode and the character dynamics and inner monologues were wonderful to read about. I’d recommend this book to Star Trek TOS lovers and those wanting to explore the literary Trek world. Also, if you’re looking for a more in depth exploration of some of the more sidelined characters of TOS (Sulu and Chekov) than this is the book to read!
Favourite Character:
Jim Kirk. This isn’t really a surprise. I’ve always loved his character and he didn’t disappoint in this novel. His ability to try and keep up morale whilst being injured is admirable and stubborn and it’s what makes him such a great captain. Also, his philosophy of being unable to accept a losing situation that causes him to go against Starfleet rules is the most Jim Kirk scenario I’ve ever read.
Favourite Quote:
‘Losing and not winning aren’t the same thing. I believe you can lose. I believe you can die. I don’t believe there’s such a thing as a situation that’s impossible to win.’
4.0 Stars
Vague spoilers ahead - nothing major but if you want to go into this book blind then don’t read this!
The Kobayashi Maru is a Star Trek novel set in the era of the original series. It was published in 1989 (Taylor Swift reference?) and follows the characters of Kirk, McCoy, Chekov, Sulu, and Scotty as they’re stranded in a damaged shuttle craft with little hope of rescue. With nothing much to do but wait, the characters each tell their story of The Kobayashi Maru test. This was a test that each person at the Command School of Starfleet Academy had to take. It tests your character, ability in a command position, and what you would do under pressure.
As a long time Star Trek fan and book lover, I’ve been wanting to get into the Star Trek literary universe. This book was a relatively short and easy read, but it was in no way boring. The Kobayashi Maru is a fascinating test in the Star Trek universe, and being able to explore how each of these characters went about trying to solve it really tells you a lot about them. I like that there was more backstory for Sulu and Chekov, who often don’t receive the spotlight in the shows or films as much as they should’ve. I think that Ecklar managed to create an accurate characterisation in her writing.
I will say that the plot of this novel is a little bit slow and simple. Despite it being based off of the original series, I’m getting more of a Next Generation vibe in terms of its technology and storytelling. This isn’t a bad thing, it’s just not what I was expecting. I think that the strengths of this novel lie in the flashbacks to their time at the academy. It is much more character-driven then plot driven.
Overall, I think this was a very insightful and strong Star Trek story. It felt like an episode and the character dynamics and inner monologues were wonderful to read about. I’d recommend this book to Star Trek TOS lovers and those wanting to explore the literary Trek world. Also, if you’re looking for a more in depth exploration of some of the more sidelined characters of TOS (Sulu and Chekov) than this is the book to read!
Favourite Character:
Jim Kirk. This isn’t really a surprise. I’ve always loved his character and he didn’t disappoint in this novel. His ability to try and keep up morale whilst being injured is admirable and stubborn and it’s what makes him such a great captain. Also, his philosophy of being unable to accept a losing situation that causes him to go against Starfleet rules is the most Jim Kirk scenario I’ve ever read.
Favourite Quote:
‘Losing and not winning aren’t the same thing. I believe you can lose. I believe you can die. I don’t believe there’s such a thing as a situation that’s impossible to win.’
May 2, 2020
April 26, 2020. On the first day, I got about halfway through this audio production. During Ready Player One, I found out I needed to keep on book-listening. Not wanting to end up in a vacuum, I already pondered what would be suitable next, and eventually decided: Trek books. Too light-weight for actual reading; but perhaps a great fit for me as audio books. The first few I've set my eye on (like this one: 80' running time) are abridged versions with some SFX & music cues. Different from a "true" audio novel, but fun. And educational -- curious about this title & story. Or rather, a bundle of stories -- since this is an anthology wrapped inside a short connecting plot.
April 30, 2020. Finished Reading. The condensed nature of this abridged audio version does it no good, in all probability. For a casual "read", it may do very well -- but as a Trek fan who was really interested in the subject matter, I was left wanting. I haven't read the unabridged novel so I can't accurately compare; but I'd expect some logic and plot details to be clearer in the full incarnation. And the presence on Memory Alpha (the Star Trek wiki) of some explanations regarding my questions hints strongly in that direction. I understand the limitations of the compact cassette tape and CD tape all too well. Yet, while the sound effects and music did bring added atmosphere and diversity to the table, they also took up a considerable amount of time -- precious seconds in which the story could've been more effectively flashed out.
I can't award this production only 2 stars. It was too well-made, and done with enthusiasm (if not love, even). As other reviews have mentioned, Doohan is a great purveyor of personalities -- and although I don't share the sentiment that those accents and voices are fully recognizable, I didn't expect them to be, and there's no need for it. What remains for me is narration and voice acting that lends depth and atmosphere, which is more than I ask for in an audiobook, so far. (Having read only two.) And a bunch of stories that I liked, but desired more of.
So, according to my own standards, its rating has to yield 3* -- since I did enjoy it. But, given the above assessment, they're a tad weak 3*.
April 30, 2020. Finished Reading. The condensed nature of this abridged audio version does it no good, in all probability. For a casual "read", it may do very well -- but as a Trek fan who was really interested in the subject matter, I was left wanting. I haven't read the unabridged novel so I can't accurately compare; but I'd expect some logic and plot details to be clearer in the full incarnation. And the presence on Memory Alpha (the Star Trek wiki) of some explanations regarding my questions hints strongly in that direction. I understand the limitations of the compact cassette tape and CD tape all too well. Yet, while the sound effects and music did bring added atmosphere and diversity to the table, they also took up a considerable amount of time -- precious seconds in which the story could've been more effectively flashed out.
I can't award this production only 2 stars. It was too well-made, and done with enthusiasm (if not love, even). As other reviews have mentioned, Doohan is a great purveyor of personalities -- and although I don't share the sentiment that those accents and voices are fully recognizable, I didn't expect them to be, and there's no need for it. What remains for me is narration and voice acting that lends depth and atmosphere, which is more than I ask for in an audiobook, so far. (Having read only two.) And a bunch of stories that I liked, but desired more of.
So, according to my own standards, its rating has to yield 3* -- since I did enjoy it. But, given the above assessment, they're a tad weak 3*.
February 12, 2023
TOS #49: The Kobayashi Maru
Another excellent book! I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Continuing my never ending Trek lit journey, I come to the Kobyashi Maru by Julia Ecklar, (fun fact L.A Graf is her pen name) the ultimate no win scenario. But unlike the book, this was a complete winner! Stuck on a dead shuttle, to pass the time, Kirk, Chekov, Sulu and Scotty each tell their stories of how their own individual Koby Maru tests went. What I thought was going to be boring wasn’t and I was pleasantly surprised.
It’s hard to pick a favorite but I would have to go with Sulu’s vignette as it actually hit me emotionally as it made me miss my grandfather. It was also entertaining to see how Kirk atuc beat the test and the true story behind. Scotty’s was just plain fun with him blowing everything up in the end and Chekov’s cat and mouse on the space station was surprisingly engaging.
Overall, a great short novel that I highly recommend. It would have been a fun twist to reveal McCoy took it as well but it is what it is. 9/10.
Another excellent book! I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Continuing my never ending Trek lit journey, I come to the Kobyashi Maru by Julia Ecklar, (fun fact L.A Graf is her pen name) the ultimate no win scenario. But unlike the book, this was a complete winner! Stuck on a dead shuttle, to pass the time, Kirk, Chekov, Sulu and Scotty each tell their stories of how their own individual Koby Maru tests went. What I thought was going to be boring wasn’t and I was pleasantly surprised.
It’s hard to pick a favorite but I would have to go with Sulu’s vignette as it actually hit me emotionally as it made me miss my grandfather. It was also entertaining to see how Kirk atuc beat the test and the true story behind. Scotty’s was just plain fun with him blowing everything up in the end and Chekov’s cat and mouse on the space station was surprisingly engaging.
Overall, a great short novel that I highly recommend. It would have been a fun twist to reveal McCoy took it as well but it is what it is. 9/10.
February 21, 2023
This one was really fun! A shuttle containing Kirk, McCoy, Sulu, Scott, and Chekov hits a gravitic mine and is stranded in space, hoping the Enterprise will find it before they a) run out of air, heat, etc or b) are obliterated by passing objects (I know we obviously would only see the dramatic incidents as viewers, but I would love an Enterprise shuttlecraft to function correctly with no danger, crash landings, etc like...one time). To pass the time, all aboard (except McCoy who didn't attend Starfleet Academy) tell the story of their experience taking the Kobayashi Maru test, often with some extra background/character development included. It was fun to get to hear about the other characters' experiences with the test (we already know Kirk's solution from Star Trek II but we get a bit more detail on it anyway) and I really liked Julia Ecklar's writing style. A quick read, certainly not required reading, but a good story with some nice character background for many of the senior officers of the Enterprise.
April 15, 2020
Kirk, McCoy, Scotty, Sulu, and Chekov are on a battered shuttle, lost among space debris and invisible to the Enterprise. Their attempts to get out of their situation are interrupted by all but the doctor sharing how they handled taking the no-win simulation of the Kobayashi Maru.
Kirk's tale is no surprise to fan, though his resolution for beating the test is fun to read. Chekov's attempt is a very small part of his tale, as it focuses more on what happens afterwards. I was surprised by his actions, which seemed out of character for him. Yes, what happens later does show how it molded him into the man he is, but what he does seems unlike him, even at such a young age. Sulu's tale is a predictable tearjerker, but darned if it didn't make me misty eyed. Scotty's tale is the shortest, as one wouldn't expect him to be in Command training. His solution to the test is spectacular, to say the least.
This was a very quick and easy read, but also very entertaining.
Kirk's tale is no surprise to fan, though his resolution for beating the test is fun to read. Chekov's attempt is a very small part of his tale, as it focuses more on what happens afterwards. I was surprised by his actions, which seemed out of character for him. Yes, what happens later does show how it molded him into the man he is, but what he does seems unlike him, even at such a young age. Sulu's tale is a predictable tearjerker, but darned if it didn't make me misty eyed. Scotty's tale is the shortest, as one wouldn't expect him to be in Command training. His solution to the test is spectacular, to say the least.
This was a very quick and easy read, but also very entertaining.
May 14, 2024
I now have a greater appreciation of the characters of Pavel Checkov and paticularly Montgomery Scott (and Simon Pegg's performance in the latest ST trilogy).
Entertaining yarn about how the performances in the no-win Kobyashi Maru simulation of Kirk, Checkov, Sulu, and Scotty while cadets at Starfleet Command School exemplify the qualities that allow them to survive an equally stressful real-world Maru scenario.
It also does a fine job of illuminating the core of each hero that has kept their legends alive for nearly 50 years.
And once again, I'm left wondering what Dr. McCoy is doing in this circle of great men. But I digress.
I can't compare this to any other ST book as it's the only one I've ever read (other Alan Dean Foster's Logs1-3 in grade school). And in case you're wondering, the best ST film is The Voyage Home imo; my favorite is The Motion Picture. The Wrath of Khan (where the KM test was first mentioned) ranks 4th on my list.
Entertaining yarn about how the performances in the no-win Kobyashi Maru simulation of Kirk, Checkov, Sulu, and Scotty while cadets at Starfleet Command School exemplify the qualities that allow them to survive an equally stressful real-world Maru scenario.
It also does a fine job of illuminating the core of each hero that has kept their legends alive for nearly 50 years.
And once again, I'm left wondering what Dr. McCoy is doing in this circle of great men. But I digress.
I can't compare this to any other ST book as it's the only one I've ever read (other Alan Dean Foster's Logs1-3 in grade school). And in case you're wondering, the best ST film is The Voyage Home imo; my favorite is The Motion Picture. The Wrath of Khan (where the KM test was first mentioned) ranks 4th on my list.
November 13, 2018
Read this over the course of a round trip flight and it is perfect as easy entertainment. The setting is Kirk, McCoy, Sulu, Chekhov, and Mr. Scott trapped on a damaged shuttle and trying to kill time and keep each other's spirits up while they work out a plan to be rescued. They decide to pass the time relaying their individual experience with the Kobayashi Maru (except for McCoy since he did not attend "Command School". Each character has a completely (and not altogether believable experience to relay). I enjoyed Mr. Scott's story the best and it made the most sense based on his character's personality. Kirk's story was known to me from watching the movies....but this rendition fell a bit flat for me. I would recommend this to TOS fans as light reading and not to be taken very seriously.
June 9, 2024
Very basic and lighthearted story about the Kobayashi Maru scenario. We get a recap of Kirks way of cheating the game, and then three more fleshed out stories from Chekov, Scotty and Sulu.
The setting is kind of Decamerone-esque. The main characters are doomed in a shuttle. To pass the time they tell each other stories. The setting seems a bit unnecessary. The point of the story is not the shuttle accident, and the whole thing seems a bit forced. Not every Star Trek novel or episode has to be about life and death. And here it doesn't really fit. The stories could be exchanged during a coffee break at the canteen...
There are a ton of descriptions of how the characters react in dialogues, and more often than not the descriptions are hyperbole and boring.
Chekov also is presented as a psychopathic, suicidal killer.
Pretty bad but still a cozy read.
The setting is kind of Decamerone-esque. The main characters are doomed in a shuttle. To pass the time they tell each other stories. The setting seems a bit unnecessary. The point of the story is not the shuttle accident, and the whole thing seems a bit forced. Not every Star Trek novel or episode has to be about life and death. And here it doesn't really fit. The stories could be exchanged during a coffee break at the canteen...
There are a ton of descriptions of how the characters react in dialogues, and more often than not the descriptions are hyperbole and boring.
Chekov also is presented as a psychopathic, suicidal killer.
Pretty bad but still a cozy read.
October 18, 2019
Every Trekkie knows about the Kobayashi Maru, otherwise it is not a Trekkie. (S)he also knows that Kirk cheated and was the only one to ever beat this unbeatable scenario (designed by Spock although not mentioned in this novel). But until now the details were unknown.
This book brings the story of a few heroes, wounded and marooned in space in a wreck, waiting for a miraculous rescue or death. To pass the time and ease the pain of their wounds, they desperately try to find a way out but settle also for a round of story-telling. All except Doctor McCoy, so Kirk, Sulu, Chekov and Scotty, tell their experience with the Kobayashi Maru. It seems not only Kirk cheated.
Will their combined out-of-the-box thinking save them?
This book brings the story of a few heroes, wounded and marooned in space in a wreck, waiting for a miraculous rescue or death. To pass the time and ease the pain of their wounds, they desperately try to find a way out but settle also for a round of story-telling. All except Doctor McCoy, so Kirk, Sulu, Chekov and Scotty, tell their experience with the Kobayashi Maru. It seems not only Kirk cheated.
Will their combined out-of-the-box thinking save them?
February 7, 2024
A nice frame narrative that reveals what is most valuable to each character. For Scotty is his actual love of and skill in engineering, for Chekov, it's having the right answer, Kirk's story we know from Wrath of Khan, and then there's Sulu and his love of his family.
I like Sulu's story the best because it's very much him. The sweet inclusion of the 1000 paper cranes was also nice connection to his culture, present historical reflections at the days of publication, and the impact even into ST universe of the atomic books over Japan. The cranes and his great grandfather are a sweet connection to the missing scene from The Voyage Home, where he meets a young version of his great great grandfather as a kid.
I like Sulu's story the best because it's very much him. The sweet inclusion of the 1000 paper cranes was also nice connection to his culture, present historical reflections at the days of publication, and the impact even into ST universe of the atomic books over Japan. The cranes and his great grandfather are a sweet connection to the missing scene from The Voyage Home, where he meets a young version of his great great grandfather as a kid.
January 17, 2023
A briskly paced book featuring a modest amount of Kirk and Scotty, plus quite a bit of Chekov and Sulu. Each of the four stories are nice little vignettes that give a glimpse of background on how each of these characters handled—and were shaped by their experiences with—the notoriously difficult command scenario test. The overarching storyline linking the tales together isn't terribly interesting, but it serves its purpose well enough.
On a side note, this books easily features the least amount of Spock that I've seen in the TOS Pocket Books. Just a couple of pages at the very end, but he still lands the best line in the whole book while giving grief to Dr. McCoy.
On a side note, this books easily features the least amount of Spock that I've seen in the TOS Pocket Books. Just a couple of pages at the very end, but he still lands the best line in the whole book while giving grief to Dr. McCoy.
December 28, 2023
A shuttlecraft accident strands Kirk, McCoy, Chekhov, Sulu, and Scotty adrift in space. But this is just the framework for each character to tell an extended story from their days at Starfleet Academy. The Kobayashi Maru is a simulation intended not to test a cadet's ability to succeed, but rather to test their character in a no-win scenario. Besides an insight into each character, this novel gives the reader the opportunity to exercise their own powers of creative problem solving and consider unexpected solutions to the scenarios. This one is definitely a cut above the typical Trek novel, and I recommend it.
April 7, 2024
3.75 stars. An interesting and unusual read, with personal insight into 3 members of the TOS crew that don't always get the attention they're due: Chekov, Sulu, and Scotty.
Scotty's story was the strongest by far, while I felt that Chekov's was the weak point of the book - though it still wasn't bad. There was also a frankly ridiculous oversight by everyone in the shuttle regarding the abilities of the environmental suits which I found absolutely beyond belief. It threw me out of the story for a bit.
Other than that, this was a fun book all the way through. I think any TOS fan would enjoy this one - just so long as you can survive a novel without Spock!
Scotty's story was the strongest by far, while I felt that Chekov's was the weak point of the book - though it still wasn't bad. There was also a frankly ridiculous oversight by everyone in the shuttle regarding the abilities of the environmental suits which I found absolutely beyond belief. It threw me out of the story for a bit.
Other than that, this was a fun book all the way through. I think any TOS fan would enjoy this one - just so long as you can survive a novel without Spock!
May 9, 2019
The 'Kobayashi Maru' scenario forces each Starfleet Academy cadet to face a no win situation. The responses to this catastrophic simulation help Academy instructors to truly see how officer candidates deal with the impossible. Trapped on a stricken shuttle, Kirk, Chekov, Sulu and Scott share their experiences with each other.
Ecklar's novel is more a series of novellas linked by a common thread. Each offers some insight into what drives the characters and manages to deliver satisfactory back story without risking contradiction from canon.
Ecklar's novel is more a series of novellas linked by a common thread. Each offers some insight into what drives the characters and manages to deliver satisfactory back story without risking contradiction from canon.
October 22, 2019
Was looking for some light reading that would fit in my jacket pocket for the day and this came off the shelf. During the first 30 pages I was wondering why I kept this but once the framing sequence is out of the way Ecklar gives a quartet of solid character vignettes for the original crew, each highlighting moments from their academy days. It's a good, solid and ultimately meaningful read about college, expectations and living up to yourself. It also reminds me of how frustratingly BAD the rebooted Star Trek movies are at handling this idea.
Skip the JJ Abrams films, read this instead.
Skip the JJ Abrams films, read this instead.
July 11, 2022
More of a collection of a few short stories than an actual story straight through (although there is a narrative that ties it all together in the end), it lays out the crew of the Enterprise's approach to the Kobayashi Maru test. Each story was unique in it's own approach and felt like it was written by a different author each time. I would say Chekhov's was my favourite of the bunch as it seemed like he was living out an Among Us scenario. Overall enjoyed the book and enjoyed each story, even the overarching one. Can't ask for more than that.
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