What do you think?
Rate this book
Star Trek: The Original Series #49
The Pandora Principle
A Romulan Bird of Prey mysteriously drifts over the neutral zone and into Federation territory. Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise investigate, only to find the ship dead in space. When Starfleet orders the derelict ship brought to Earth for examination, the Enterprise returns home with perhaps her greatest prize.
But the Bird of Prey carries a dangerous cargo, a deadly force that is soon unleashed in the heart of the Federation. Suddenly, the only hope for the Federation's survival lies buried in the tortured memory of Commander Spock's protégé, a cadet named Saavik. Together, Spock and Saavik must return to the nightmare world of Saavik's birth -- a planet called Hellguard, to discover the secret behind the Romulans' most deadly threat of all...
But the Bird of Prey carries a dangerous cargo, a deadly force that is soon unleashed in the heart of the Federation. Suddenly, the only hope for the Federation's survival lies buried in the tortured memory of Commander Spock's protégé, a cadet named Saavik. Together, Spock and Saavik must return to the nightmare world of Saavik's birth -- a planet called Hellguard, to discover the secret behind the Romulans' most deadly threat of all...
273 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 1990
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
October 7, 2009
I love this book. There are plenty better Star Trek novels, but for some reason, this story struck a chord in me when I was younger. I've read it quite a number of times, and nostalgic value alone makes it one of my favorites.
August 30, 2016
Never mind the weak science. Adventure, suspense, intrigue, *and* interesting characters. Fascinating! One of the highest quality Star Trek novels I've read.
April 24, 2021
Carolyn Clowes is an author with exactly one book to her credit. Considering how good it is, we are all poorer for the lack of more works from her pen.
Clowes’s focus in the novel is Saavik, Spock’s protégé from the second and third Star Trek movies. It’s a prequel that takes the scant details from the films and uses them to construct an excellent origin story about a Vulcan/Romulan child who is one of a group of near-feral orphans on Hellguard, a dismal planet in Romulan space. They are rescued from their miserable conditions by a secret Vulcan mission, one that goes in search of the crews of Vulcan science ships that have disappeared over the years near the Romulan border. Though the Vulcan crewmembers are nowhere to be found on Hellguard, their children – products of assault and abuse by Romulan guards – remain behind.
As a member of the mission, Spock convinces the others to rehabilitate the children and give them the option to join Vulcan society. And Saavik he takes under his wing, educating her and preparing her for entrance into Starfleet Academy. She is just beginning her first year there when the Enterprise encounters a drifting Romulan warbird with a dead crew and a game-changing new secret. The discovery leads the Enterprise to bring the warbird to Earth to be studied by Starfleet’s best and brightest. As they soon discover, however, the real threat lies not with the warbird, but with the seemingly innocuous cargo it contains – one that threatens to bring about war between the Federation and the Romulans.
Though the novel is rich in plot, Clowes never loses sight of her characters. They’re a careful mix of the familiar faces (Kirk, McCoy, Scotty, etc.) and new ones created from Clowes’s fertile imagination. Yet Saavik and her relationship with her mentor are at the heart of the novel, and it’s one of the most richly rewarding ones to be found in any Star Trek novel. With it we get to see Spock as a parent, not of some long-ago relationship (such as David Marcus) but of someone he consciously chooses to make part of his family. Clowes’s genius comes in making the parallels between the two – mixed Vulcan parentage, emotional struggles – implicit rather than overt. It’s one of the best imaginings of a Vulcan relationship that I have ever seen in the Star Trek franchise, and it’s one that anyone writing about Vulcans should consult. It also makes me mourn the fact that this is the only novel Clowes ever wrote for the franchise, though I can easily accept the argument that she decided to stop while she was ahead. It certainly would have been difficult to follow this novel, which is among the best of the classic Pocket Books series.
Clowes’s focus in the novel is Saavik, Spock’s protégé from the second and third Star Trek movies. It’s a prequel that takes the scant details from the films and uses them to construct an excellent origin story about a Vulcan/Romulan child who is one of a group of near-feral orphans on Hellguard, a dismal planet in Romulan space. They are rescued from their miserable conditions by a secret Vulcan mission, one that goes in search of the crews of Vulcan science ships that have disappeared over the years near the Romulan border. Though the Vulcan crewmembers are nowhere to be found on Hellguard, their children – products of assault and abuse by Romulan guards – remain behind.
As a member of the mission, Spock convinces the others to rehabilitate the children and give them the option to join Vulcan society. And Saavik he takes under his wing, educating her and preparing her for entrance into Starfleet Academy. She is just beginning her first year there when the Enterprise encounters a drifting Romulan warbird with a dead crew and a game-changing new secret. The discovery leads the Enterprise to bring the warbird to Earth to be studied by Starfleet’s best and brightest. As they soon discover, however, the real threat lies not with the warbird, but with the seemingly innocuous cargo it contains – one that threatens to bring about war between the Federation and the Romulans.
Though the novel is rich in plot, Clowes never loses sight of her characters. They’re a careful mix of the familiar faces (Kirk, McCoy, Scotty, etc.) and new ones created from Clowes’s fertile imagination. Yet Saavik and her relationship with her mentor are at the heart of the novel, and it’s one of the most richly rewarding ones to be found in any Star Trek novel. With it we get to see Spock as a parent, not of some long-ago relationship (such as David Marcus) but of someone he consciously chooses to make part of his family. Clowes’s genius comes in making the parallels between the two – mixed Vulcan parentage, emotional struggles – implicit rather than overt. It’s one of the best imaginings of a Vulcan relationship that I have ever seen in the Star Trek franchise, and it’s one that anyone writing about Vulcans should consult. It also makes me mourn the fact that this is the only novel Clowes ever wrote for the franchise, though I can easily accept the argument that she decided to stop while she was ahead. It certainly would have been difficult to follow this novel, which is among the best of the classic Pocket Books series.
April 18, 2012
Another first-rate tale from the movie-era of "Star Trek". This is a fine example of how to plug an interesting continuity hole without sacrificing solid, exciting, gripping, hilarious, poignant storytelling. This is the novel that not only gives Saavik a proper, multi-layered origin story, but cements why she is a worthy second-generation addition to the TOS universe. It's a crying shame Carolyn Clowes never wrote another "Star Trek" novel -- this is gold worthy of a Ferengi's desire.
May 1, 2020
Who is Carolyn Clowes? I can't find any information about this author (and I clicked three pages deep on a Google search!).
This was a fun read: 3.5 stars
What I liked:
*I heard "The Battle in the Mutara Nebula" song in my head for the last half of the book. If a Star Trek book makes me hear that song--I add half a star.
*The first chapter--wow, I was hooked. Vulcan's arguing, Spock camping, an old dead planet, the ethics of feral children. The second chapter was a let down, because it jumped so far forward in time--it skipped the good stuff. But I stayed with the story.
*Saavik is a cool character, I love her questions and reading Spock's answers.
*There's a quarantine! There's nothing like reading a book during a coronavirus quarantine when (some of) the characters are also experiencing quarantine.
*I liked the side characters--especially Obo.
Why I didn't give this book 5 stars:
*I eagerly turned the pages--but I have to admit, I didn't quite follow the story. I liked how the author tied up a lot of the loose ends, but I didn't understand everything. I read it in a lot of 10 page chunks--maybe that's the cause of my failure to grasp all the details.
*The author captured the spirit of the characters--but I didn't hear the voice of the characters in the dialogue. McCoy's dialogue seemed a little repetitive and forced (or is that McCoy? And I love McCoy).
*Some scenes and paragraphs seemed like filler--not enough to make me stop reading, but enough to make me deduct a star.
*It takes place before the Wrath of Khan--but the stakes seem just as high. I don't know why this bothers me, but it does.
This was a fun read: 3.5 stars
What I liked:
*I heard "The Battle in the Mutara Nebula" song in my head for the last half of the book. If a Star Trek book makes me hear that song--I add half a star.
*The first chapter--wow, I was hooked. Vulcan's arguing, Spock camping, an old dead planet, the ethics of feral children. The second chapter was a let down, because it jumped so far forward in time--it skipped the good stuff. But I stayed with the story.
*Saavik is a cool character, I love her questions and reading Spock's answers.
*There's a quarantine! There's nothing like reading a book during a coronavirus quarantine when (some of) the characters are also experiencing quarantine.
*I liked the side characters--especially Obo.
Why I didn't give this book 5 stars:
*I eagerly turned the pages--but I have to admit, I didn't quite follow the story. I liked how the author tied up a lot of the loose ends, but I didn't understand everything. I read it in a lot of 10 page chunks--maybe that's the cause of my failure to grasp all the details.
*The author captured the spirit of the characters--but I didn't hear the voice of the characters in the dialogue. McCoy's dialogue seemed a little repetitive and forced (or is that McCoy? And I love McCoy).
*Some scenes and paragraphs seemed like filler--not enough to make me stop reading, but enough to make me deduct a star.
*It takes place before the Wrath of Khan--but the stakes seem just as high. I don't know why this bothers me, but it does.
March 13, 2019
Overall, an excellent novel detailing the life of one of my favorite ancillary Star Trek characters. I've always wished that Saavik was featured more in the Trek films, and I'm glad that she finally gets her backstory told in this novel. The Pandora Principle would go on to influence further stories about Saavik, including one of my favorites, Unspoken Truth by Margaret Wander Bonanno. Only the sketchy science surrounding the main plot of the story detracts a little from The Pandora Principle, but it is still a very interesting novel that goes to some unexpected places.
Full review: https://www.treklit.com/2019/03/tos49...
Full review: https://www.treklit.com/2019/03/tos49...
June 29, 2013
The first time I read this I found it gripping, but also hard, emotionally, to read, similarly to The Hunger Games, yet with a slightly different, more appealing quality. (which I haven't put my finger on yet. It may have some relation to the public hero dynamic for Katniss or the perpetuation of a truly horrifying system.) At the time, I wasn't aware that Saavik wasn't a one-off character for this book. The second time was easier, but I still cried at the return to Hellguard.
The major storylines are Spock's, as he adopts Saavik; Saavik's, as she endeavors to come to terms with terrible childhood memories and being caught between cultural existences; and Kirk's, as he tries to evade the inevitable desk assignment and deals with being trapped underground at Starfleet HQ. There are at least two more minor storylines entwined in the tale. For a period, Starfleet is on the brink of war. And there's the endearing little creature Obo. "Eeasy fix!"
Yes, the science is flawed. Oh well. It's still a great story.
The major storylines are Spock's, as he adopts Saavik; Saavik's, as she endeavors to come to terms with terrible childhood memories and being caught between cultural existences; and Kirk's, as he tries to evade the inevitable desk assignment and deals with being trapped underground at Starfleet HQ. There are at least two more minor storylines entwined in the tale. For a period, Starfleet is on the brink of war. And there's the endearing little creature Obo. "Eeasy fix!"
Yes, the science is flawed. Oh well. It's still a great story.
May 30, 2020
My only real experience with Saavik is her role in the Trek film Franchise. As many "side" characters have. Saavik has captured my attention. This novel was a great addition to her character and I look forward to exploring her story more in the future.
March 1, 2019
Wonderful. Will join The Romulan Way in my small collection of Star Trek novels I accept as canon.
December 5, 2020
A Star Trek novel that focuses on Saavik, a character that was introduced in the second movie (played by Kistie Alley) and also featured in Star Trek III and IV (played by Robin Curtis).
Author Carolyn Clowes gives us a background for the character and does a great job - real character devopment is rare in these books. In fact, of the dozens of Star Trek books I've read, this is certainly among the better ones. It has a great story, lots of action and adventure, humor, and -missing in most of these tie-in novels- a lot of heart.
Characterization is spot-on. Only Kirk seems a bit off-character, but then he isn't featured very prominently in the story, although his storyline leads directly to his position at the start of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
The cover shows Robin' Curtis's likeness, although Clowes clearly based her Saavik on Kirstie Alley's portrayal.
Excellent read, and a shining star among the many bland Star Trek tie-ins.
Author Carolyn Clowes gives us a background for the character and does a great job - real character devopment is rare in these books. In fact, of the dozens of Star Trek books I've read, this is certainly among the better ones. It has a great story, lots of action and adventure, humor, and -missing in most of these tie-in novels- a lot of heart.
Characterization is spot-on. Only Kirk seems a bit off-character, but then he isn't featured very prominently in the story, although his storyline leads directly to his position at the start of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
The cover shows Robin' Curtis's likeness, although Clowes clearly based her Saavik on Kirstie Alley's portrayal.
Excellent read, and a shining star among the many bland Star Trek tie-ins.
July 12, 2008
Spock's personal history with Saavik.
I have a young friend who wasn't even born when Star Trek aired but she has come to be very involved in the story line through the later shows. We often talk about SF and how it has changed through the decades but I have always adamantly avoided the spin off books so this left a hole in an area she particularly enjoys. So I have been given a selection to read.
I am surprised that I enjoyed them. The science was as weak as I feared, but otherwise they are books within what I class as a bus book. Good to read commuting, easy to put down and easy to restart.
Many technical aspects were flawed but the interpersonal story was fine. I liked the Saavik character's interaction with Spock. Both hybrids and incomplete they find solace in each other.
The first technical complaint comes in the use of the term virus. A virus is a nonliving infectious particle that is incapable of acting outside of a host cell yet the story uses the term for a non-infectious agent that catalyzes a reaction upon exposure to oxygen.
Next was that a reaction that was so spontaneous, easily initiated, it would be highly exergonic and release a great deal of energy probably as heat.
They said the mystery material was an isotope of silicon but then went on to say is was chemically different. Isotopes are chemically indistinguishable!!!
So we are left with a natural mined silicaceous nonradioactive isotope acting as a virus, causing an incredibly fast oxidizing reaction that consumes gaseous oxygen but produces no heat. Somehow it reacts with molecules it isn't even in physical contact with.
I have a young friend who wasn't even born when Star Trek aired but she has come to be very involved in the story line through the later shows. We often talk about SF and how it has changed through the decades but I have always adamantly avoided the spin off books so this left a hole in an area she particularly enjoys. So I have been given a selection to read.
I am surprised that I enjoyed them. The science was as weak as I feared, but otherwise they are books within what I class as a bus book. Good to read commuting, easy to put down and easy to restart.
Many technical aspects were flawed but the interpersonal story was fine. I liked the Saavik character's interaction with Spock. Both hybrids and incomplete they find solace in each other.
The first technical complaint comes in the use of the term virus. A virus is a nonliving infectious particle that is incapable of acting outside of a host cell yet the story uses the term for a non-infectious agent that catalyzes a reaction upon exposure to oxygen.
Next was that a reaction that was so spontaneous, easily initiated, it would be highly exergonic and release a great deal of energy probably as heat.
They said the mystery material was an isotope of silicon but then went on to say is was chemically different. Isotopes are chemically indistinguishable!!!
So we are left with a natural mined silicaceous nonradioactive isotope acting as a virus, causing an incredibly fast oxidizing reaction that consumes gaseous oxygen but produces no heat. Somehow it reacts with molecules it isn't even in physical contact with.
December 12, 2012
Personally, I've never understood why it was good that Hope was left in Pandora's box. As Distress was released in the world, wouldn't we want Hope out, to battle Distress?
Anyway, I liked what Saavik says about the myth:
Anyway, I liked what Saavik says about the myth:
For myself," she said slowly, "I believe that people make their own evils--and the result is not a matter of chance. I believe a box opens... because that is its nature--and curiosity is ours. Trusting in gods does not keep it shut, and hope does not keep its evil from getting into the world. The only way to do that... is not to make the box." p. 264
July 31, 2007
I read this ages ago, and I still love it. I think it's one of the best ST novels for the orginal series. It's fast-paced, well-written, and has lots of character development for Spock.
I was afraid I'd be biased because I know the author, but I think I'd like it anyway even if I didn't know her.
I was afraid I'd be biased because I know the author, but I think I'd like it anyway even if I didn't know her.
November 8, 2010
I like this book for the fact that I was able to discover the history of Saavik. Half-Vulcan, half-Romulan and completely tough, Commander Spock tries to teach her the ways of Vulcan. Her struggles are hard as expected, but worth it. But Spock and Saavik must unite one more time to return to Saavik's birthworld Hellguard to try and stop an evil plan of the Romulans.
August 30, 2023
I was very interested in the whole relationship between Spock and Saavik, so this book gave me a little more insight into that. It's one of my favorites, and one of the few that I've kept to probably read again.
June 30, 2007
One of my favorite Star Trek books of all time. Saavik as she might have been. Spock as a patient, but clueless father figure.
March 21, 2008
A very well written book. Great for Saavik fans.
October 13, 2009
A well constructed tale of Savvik's origins / youth. Characterizations were excellent, plot held my interest throughout, and not too heavy on technology issues. A very good read!
July 30, 2022
This is still to this day one of my favorite Star Trek novels. For anyone looking for a better understanding of Spock and Savek's relationship this book is a must read.
June 24, 2012
This was a wonderful story. Well written, I was hooked from the beginning, very hard to put down! Loved the incite into Saavik's life.
August 8, 2012
I love this book, it captures Spock and Saavik's characters beautifully, a must read if you're a Spock fan
April 18, 2024
The Pandora Principle by Carolyn Clowes - 49th novel in Star Trek: TOS series
Adventurous, challenging, emotional,
hopeful, inspiring, mysterious, reflective,
sad, and tense.
Medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25 Stars
When I was a small boy, growing up in the Cincinnati, Ohio area (actually SE Indiana), we watched Star Trek (right when syndication was BIG) during dinner time. Every week day, we watched Star Trek: TOS (all 79 episodes...over and over again). I cannot say how many times...but not nearly enough TBH.
So, picking up this book...is me, reliving my love of that era of Star Trek.
My favourite character was Mr. Spock...for he reminded me of my Da. My Da was logical, looked a bit like him, and was a person who rarely ever laughed. So, early on, I thought my Da was actually a Vulcan.
While reading this time period, my favourite (so far) have been Spock centric stories.
Now, with the TOS movies, especially in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, we are introduced to Saavik...played by the young Kirstie Alley (and she did a good job), but my favourite was Robin Curtis...who took over for Kirstie Alley on Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and the later films of that era.
I always felt that played that roll a LOT better...so this book was truly a joy to read.
It had a great story (overall detante with the Romulans), who at this time...were a more unknown adversary...but the A line story was Saavik's past and her mixed heritage of being half Vulcan and half Romulan...and the conflicts of her early life.
So well done. Edge of your seat moments...and great dialogue between Mr. Spock and Saavik. So many meaty moments of tension and worldbuilding.
The book wasn't perfect. There were moments where I felt the story was too predictable, or too "setup"...so that the flow of the story seemed implausible, nothing to taint the joy of the story being told.
Really glad that I was able to read it. I continue my journey through Star Trek: TOS novels.
Adventurous, challenging, emotional,
hopeful, inspiring, mysterious, reflective,
sad, and tense.
Medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25 Stars
When I was a small boy, growing up in the Cincinnati, Ohio area (actually SE Indiana), we watched Star Trek (right when syndication was BIG) during dinner time. Every week day, we watched Star Trek: TOS (all 79 episodes...over and over again). I cannot say how many times...but not nearly enough TBH.
So, picking up this book...is me, reliving my love of that era of Star Trek.
My favourite character was Mr. Spock...for he reminded me of my Da. My Da was logical, looked a bit like him, and was a person who rarely ever laughed. So, early on, I thought my Da was actually a Vulcan.
While reading this time period, my favourite (so far) have been Spock centric stories.
Now, with the TOS movies, especially in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, we are introduced to Saavik...played by the young Kirstie Alley (and she did a good job), but my favourite was Robin Curtis...who took over for Kirstie Alley on Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and the later films of that era.
I always felt that played that roll a LOT better...so this book was truly a joy to read.
It had a great story (overall detante with the Romulans), who at this time...were a more unknown adversary...but the A line story was Saavik's past and her mixed heritage of being half Vulcan and half Romulan...and the conflicts of her early life.
So well done. Edge of your seat moments...and great dialogue between Mr. Spock and Saavik. So many meaty moments of tension and worldbuilding.
The book wasn't perfect. There were moments where I felt the story was too predictable, or too "setup"...so that the flow of the story seemed implausible, nothing to taint the joy of the story being told.
Really glad that I was able to read it. I continue my journey through Star Trek: TOS novels.
September 1, 2017
This story provides much of Saavik's back story. Her life on Hellguard and the years after Spock and the other Vulcans found the half Vulcan children on the planet. It is amazing that Spock was so patient with a child that was wild and starve and so full of hate. He always answered her questions and told her the truth and gained her trust. This story also includes the first year of Saavik at Starfleet Academy.
This story is also about a Romulan plot that they have been working on for twenty years. It is an insane plot to start a war and gain new territory. The problem is that the weapon is more powerful than they ever considered. The one release is on Starfleet Headquarters and museum the effect is devastating. So the race is on to find a way to counter what is going on and that leads back to Hellguard.
Saavik has never really gotten over what happened on that planet. She still has dreams and knows that something terrible happened that was somehow her fault. It all comes back once the lab is found and she is devastated as the memories over taked her. Spock must fight to save her and Earth.
This is an enthralling stories. There is so much going on and of course there is the build up to a climax that no one sees coming. I found myself racing through the last few chapters just to find out what would happen next. I enjoy all these stories and wish that they wouldn't come to an end. I not sure there could ever be enough of them. None of the other series have ever come close to the original.
This story is also about a Romulan plot that they have been working on for twenty years. It is an insane plot to start a war and gain new territory. The problem is that the weapon is more powerful than they ever considered. The one release is on Starfleet Headquarters and museum the effect is devastating. So the race is on to find a way to counter what is going on and that leads back to Hellguard.
Saavik has never really gotten over what happened on that planet. She still has dreams and knows that something terrible happened that was somehow her fault. It all comes back once the lab is found and she is devastated as the memories over taked her. Spock must fight to save her and Earth.
This is an enthralling stories. There is so much going on and of course there is the build up to a climax that no one sees coming. I found myself racing through the last few chapters just to find out what would happen next. I enjoy all these stories and wish that they wouldn't come to an end. I not sure there could ever be enough of them. None of the other series have ever come close to the original.
July 27, 2022
For me, this book was a page turner. Each page made me want to read the next page. Saavik is one of my two favorite female characters in the Star Trek franchise. The other is Sela, who like Saavik, is half Romulan. Maybe I'm just fascinated, almost to the point of obsession, with Romulans. Who knows.
I loved learning about Saavik's past. Her childhood on Thieurrull, also called Hellguard. Her meeting Spock. Spock rescuing her from Hellguard. Her and Spock's budding student-teacher relationship. The only problem with this book is: when does it take place? If you read the book, it sounds like it takes place between Star Trek The Motion Picture and Star Trek 2: The Wrath Of Khan but the picture on the cover suggests between Star Trek 3: The Search For Spock and Star Trek 4: The Voyage Home. The reason I think that about the picture is because Robin Curtis (pictured on the book cover) didn't play Saavik till Star Trek 3: The Search For Spock. Kirstie Alley played Saavik in Star Trek 2: The Wrath Of Khan. But I digress on when it takes place. It's a good book whenever it takes place. You may have a hard time finding the actual paper pages book but it's available on Amazon Kindle. That's how I read it, on my 4G Kindle Paperwhite. I highly recommend this book. This concludes this review. Thank you for reading. Live long and prosper, fellow Star Trek fans.
I loved learning about Saavik's past. Her childhood on Thieurrull, also called Hellguard. Her meeting Spock. Spock rescuing her from Hellguard. Her and Spock's budding student-teacher relationship. The only problem with this book is: when does it take place? If you read the book, it sounds like it takes place between Star Trek The Motion Picture and Star Trek 2: The Wrath Of Khan but the picture on the cover suggests between Star Trek 3: The Search For Spock and Star Trek 4: The Voyage Home. The reason I think that about the picture is because Robin Curtis (pictured on the book cover) didn't play Saavik till Star Trek 3: The Search For Spock. Kirstie Alley played Saavik in Star Trek 2: The Wrath Of Khan. But I digress on when it takes place. It's a good book whenever it takes place. You may have a hard time finding the actual paper pages book but it's available on Amazon Kindle. That's how I read it, on my 4G Kindle Paperwhite. I highly recommend this book. This concludes this review. Thank you for reading. Live long and prosper, fellow Star Trek fans.
May 18, 2024
5 solid stars. Reading in publication date order, this might be my favourite Star Trek novel so far.
The background on Saavik is fascinating, if heartbreaking, and I was drawn into every facet of her story.
Obo, it was obvious from the beginning, would be the deus ex machina popping into action just as all hope was lost, and I didn't care. I would follow Obo to the ends of the galaxy. I would read an entire series of books dedicated to telling Obo's story. What a delightful character!
This might be divisive, but I was quite thrilled at the separation of Kirk from the crew, allowing them to carry the bulk of the plot without his predictable hero's charge grabbing all the glory and tying everything up neatly at the end of the story. It gave more space for other characters to shine, and I'd advocate for considerably more novels that took Kirk out of the thick of things.
At various points, this story was horrifying, hilarious, and touching. I'd recommend it to every Star Trek fan.
The background on Saavik is fascinating, if heartbreaking, and I was drawn into every facet of her story.
Obo, it was obvious from the beginning, would be the deus ex machina popping into action just as all hope was lost, and I didn't care. I would follow Obo to the ends of the galaxy. I would read an entire series of books dedicated to telling Obo's story. What a delightful character!
This might be divisive, but I was quite thrilled at the separation of Kirk from the crew, allowing them to carry the bulk of the plot without his predictable hero's charge grabbing all the glory and tying everything up neatly at the end of the story. It gave more space for other characters to shine, and I'd advocate for considerably more novels that took Kirk out of the thick of things.
At various points, this story was horrifying, hilarious, and touching. I'd recommend it to every Star Trek fan.
April 17, 2020
Saavik is given an origin as well as a first adventure with Mr. Spock and the crew of the Enterprise. Where's Kirk? Trapped deep in Starfleet headquarters where a virus has locked down the facility, killing everyone within.
I wanted an origin to Saavik, but this one didn't work for me. I didn't care for the backstory at all. That said, I did love Saavik in the present as she attempted to learn from Spock before the events of Star Trek II. The virus that's threatening Earth, and the Federation, is fantastic. It's spectacularly devious. The solution to it was a little too easy, but things have to be wrapped up, so I understand. And that new alien--UGH! Just no. And the captured vagabond just didn't need to be included either.
Loved grown up Saavik and the virus. I wasn't fond of her origin, her recurring nightmare(s), the solution to the virus, and a new alien character that is just too much to believe is in this book. I enjoyed about three-quarters of this book.
I wanted an origin to Saavik, but this one didn't work for me. I didn't care for the backstory at all. That said, I did love Saavik in the present as she attempted to learn from Spock before the events of Star Trek II. The virus that's threatening Earth, and the Federation, is fantastic. It's spectacularly devious. The solution to it was a little too easy, but things have to be wrapped up, so I understand. And that new alien--UGH! Just no. And the captured vagabond just didn't need to be included either.
Loved grown up Saavik and the virus. I wasn't fond of her origin, her recurring nightmare(s), the solution to the virus, and a new alien character that is just too much to believe is in this book. I enjoyed about three-quarters of this book.
April 1, 2023
The beginning was slow but finally the story started rolling and it got interesting. However, since this story was about Spock and Saavik they had to get Kirk out of the way somehow so they threw him down a hole. I did want to like this book and it had its moments but the Obo sideplot was a confusing interjection and I have to say at the end of the book...I don't exactly know who was responsible for the events in question anymore. I remember somebody plotting at the start but they just fade from the story and the resolution in that regard is empty. The solution to the problem is the focus here I guess but was kind of odd. I think there was some potential here but I don't think Saavik was the same person we see here as the one we saw on screen in Star Treks II-IV which was too bad.
September 10, 2020
If your a Star Trek fan you'll enjoy this novel. Lots of stuff going on. Kids that have survived on a planet that has nothing to offer are taken away to earth to be helped. One defiant girl is scared to death of leaving this planet of death, but Spock befriends her and convinces her to finally leave. Spock works with her and she attends space academy. But something dangerous that was brought back from the terrible planet to study gets destroyed in a science lab. People die. Spock and the enterprise, along with the new cadet Saavik, return to the planet called Hellguard to discover what had killed the scientists and others.
May 27, 2019
A Romulan ship carrying artifacts leads to an emergency lockdown at Starfleet Headquarters and a return to the Romulan planet Hellguard, where years before Spock saved a feral half Romulan child called Saavik.
Clowes' novel explores in depth the background of one of 'Star Trek's most enigmatic peripheral characters, Spock's pupil and ward, Saavik.
Clowes' novel explores in depth the background of one of 'Star Trek's most enigmatic peripheral characters, Spock's pupil and ward, Saavik.
August 27, 2019
If you like Spock and Saavik this is the book for you. Fair warning if you ship Spock/Saavik she’s basically his adopted daughter/ward in this book. Which while compelling in the story, makes the events of The Search for Spock (aka Pon Farr help) and the books Vulcan’s Forge and Vulcan’s Heart a bit er.. odd.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews