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Star Trek Graphic Novel Collection #126
The Ashes of Eden
The Enterprise is being decommissioned, and Captain James T. Kirk finds himself standing at a crossroads.
Following Jim Kirk's death in Star Trek: Generations, Pocket Books continued the captain's story in the first of several novels by William Shatner and Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens, known colloquially as the "Shatnerverse".
The Ashes Of Eden resonated with fans, and DC Comics adapted the book in comic form. Collected in this volume, along with The Ashes Of Eden, are DC's Star Trek Specials #2-3, featuring tales by Kevin Ryan, Steven Wilson, Michael Jan Friedman, and Mark Altman.
Following Jim Kirk's death in Star Trek: Generations, Pocket Books continued the captain's story in the first of several novels by William Shatner and Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens, known colloquially as the "Shatnerverse".
The Ashes Of Eden resonated with fans, and DC Comics adapted the book in comic form. Collected in this volume, along with The Ashes Of Eden, are DC's Star Trek Specials #2-3, featuring tales by Kevin Ryan, Steven Wilson, Michael Jan Friedman, and Mark Altman.
309 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
About the author
William Shatner
107 books773 followersWilliam Shatner is the author of nine Star Trek novels, including the New York Times bestsellers The Ashes of Eden and The Return. He is also the author of several nonfiction books, including Get a Life! and I'm Working on That. In addition to his role as Captain James T. Kirk, he stars as Denny Crane in the hit television series from David E. Kelley, Boston Legal -- a role for which he has won two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
April 22, 2023
The Ashes of Eden was plotted by William Shatner with extremely well-written ghosting by the incredible wife and husband duo of Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens. It is an absolutely wonderful novel. There are parts of this novel that puts the reader smack dab inside of Captain Kirk’s head, where you can actually hear the voice, and it is Dead On, Bulls-eye, double-tap, kiss Grandma goodnight. You would think that the three writers would trip over each other trying to mesh, but whatever the dynamic that was used, I think they got it not only right, but I would claim that they got it “perfect.” I have read many Star Trek novels. I have read Shatner’s Tek novels, also. The Tek novels are horrific because his ghost writers were not as good (although my thought is that Gar and Judy did those, too). Here, Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens manage to recognize that this is a Captain Kirk novel, “written” by the actor that unabashedly played the character, and so they recognize that Kirk is the hero. But they give other characters the opportunity to shine as well. Definitely one of the best because the writers have Kirk's voice perfect.
August 29, 2009
I was completely surprised how much I enjoyed this book, particularly the plot. However, it requires good deal of selective blindness to tolerate Shatner's ginormous ego. Kirk is an expert in Klingon martial arts? Seriously?...
June 4, 2011
The Ashes of Eden is the first Star Trek novel written by William Shatner, in collaboration with Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens. The story takes place six months prior to the opening sequence of the film Star Trek: Generations, and reveals the final adventure of Captain Kirk before his disappearance into the Nexus and eventual death at the hands of Soran in the twenty-fourth century.
James Kirk struggles with growing old, and the idea that the time has come for his generation to step aside. The Enterprise he once commanded is scheduled to be decommissioned and put to use as a target ship in war games, and the new Enterprise B will have a new crew, and a new captain. But a beautiful, mysterious young woman, Teilani, a half-Klingon, half-Romulan, comes into Kirk’s life and offers him a second chance and the promise of eternal youth. She enlists Kirk’s aid in defending her planet against hostile invaders. Teilani’s homeworld, Chal, a failed attempt at a joint Klingon/Romulan colony world, is a virtual Garden of Eden, whose inhabitants do not grow old. Kirk and Teilani begin a passionate romance, and Kirk abandons Starfleet to aid Teilani and her people. Teilani even reveals to Kirk that her people have purchased the Enterprise from Starfleet, and Kirk finds himself once again in command of his beloved starship.
Of course, not everything is as it seems, and if you’ve ever seen any of the many episodes of Star Trek in which a seemingly perfect, Eden-like world is discovered, you already know that Teilani and her world are hiding a dark secret. While the fountain of youth concept may not be unique, this story provides a great platform for a very intimate look at James Kirk in the twilight of his career. His relationship with Teilani and decision to abandon Starfleet puts him at odds with his old friends from the Enterprise, all of whom appear in this novel. The familiar dynamic between Kirk, Spock, and McCoy is handled well here, and of particular interest is an unexpected and bitter rivalry between Commander Chekov and Captain Sulu, who even come to blows at one point in the novel.
A weak point of the novel may be the characterization of the villain, Admiral Androvar Drake, the new Supreme Commander in Chief of Starfleet and an old rival of Kirk’s. Drake comes across as too one-dimensional, and the authors struggle a bit to provide motivation for the rivalry between Kirk and Drake that fits within the bounds of established continuity (Drake provided the protomatter that lead to the destruction of the Genesis Planet, and was thus indirectly responsible for the death of Kirk’s son, David. Kirk helped prevent a war with the Klingons that would have provided Drake an opportunity to avenge his wife’s death).
These flaws are offset by the exciting story and exceptional characterization of James Kirk. It’s impossible not to read the novel as semi-autobiographical, as Kirk struggles with aging and the burden of celebrity. This intimate link between the author and the character he portrayed over so many years only adds to the novel’s appeal. The Ashes of Eden is a great beginning to yet another branch of the career of William Shatner, as well as an exciting new direction for Star Trek fiction. While this is meant to be the story of Kirk’s final adventure before his story would come to a close in Star Trek: Generations, an epilogue suggests Kirk’s story may not be over. The Ashes of Eden is the first in the “Odyssey” trilogy, followed by The Return and Avenger.
Check out my Star Trek book blog for other Star Trek reviews!
James Kirk struggles with growing old, and the idea that the time has come for his generation to step aside. The Enterprise he once commanded is scheduled to be decommissioned and put to use as a target ship in war games, and the new Enterprise B will have a new crew, and a new captain. But a beautiful, mysterious young woman, Teilani, a half-Klingon, half-Romulan, comes into Kirk’s life and offers him a second chance and the promise of eternal youth. She enlists Kirk’s aid in defending her planet against hostile invaders. Teilani’s homeworld, Chal, a failed attempt at a joint Klingon/Romulan colony world, is a virtual Garden of Eden, whose inhabitants do not grow old. Kirk and Teilani begin a passionate romance, and Kirk abandons Starfleet to aid Teilani and her people. Teilani even reveals to Kirk that her people have purchased the Enterprise from Starfleet, and Kirk finds himself once again in command of his beloved starship.
Of course, not everything is as it seems, and if you’ve ever seen any of the many episodes of Star Trek in which a seemingly perfect, Eden-like world is discovered, you already know that Teilani and her world are hiding a dark secret. While the fountain of youth concept may not be unique, this story provides a great platform for a very intimate look at James Kirk in the twilight of his career. His relationship with Teilani and decision to abandon Starfleet puts him at odds with his old friends from the Enterprise, all of whom appear in this novel. The familiar dynamic between Kirk, Spock, and McCoy is handled well here, and of particular interest is an unexpected and bitter rivalry between Commander Chekov and Captain Sulu, who even come to blows at one point in the novel.
A weak point of the novel may be the characterization of the villain, Admiral Androvar Drake, the new Supreme Commander in Chief of Starfleet and an old rival of Kirk’s. Drake comes across as too one-dimensional, and the authors struggle a bit to provide motivation for the rivalry between Kirk and Drake that fits within the bounds of established continuity (Drake provided the protomatter that lead to the destruction of the Genesis Planet, and was thus indirectly responsible for the death of Kirk’s son, David. Kirk helped prevent a war with the Klingons that would have provided Drake an opportunity to avenge his wife’s death).
These flaws are offset by the exciting story and exceptional characterization of James Kirk. It’s impossible not to read the novel as semi-autobiographical, as Kirk struggles with aging and the burden of celebrity. This intimate link between the author and the character he portrayed over so many years only adds to the novel’s appeal. The Ashes of Eden is a great beginning to yet another branch of the career of William Shatner, as well as an exciting new direction for Star Trek fiction. While this is meant to be the story of Kirk’s final adventure before his story would come to a close in Star Trek: Generations, an epilogue suggests Kirk’s story may not be over. The Ashes of Eden is the first in the “Odyssey” trilogy, followed by The Return and Avenger.
Check out my Star Trek book blog for other Star Trek reviews!
December 15, 2019
Although generally less well regarded than The Return, Shatner's 2nd Odyssey book, I found this story of Kirk's last hurrah more cohesive and generally more entertaining. Kirk, likely reflecting Shatner's own feelings in the twilight of his career, gets a bit sentimental here as he contemplates life after Star Fleet. This rang true to me, and lent the story some authenticity.
December 30, 2008
Shatnerverse that's all I have to say. Kirk,Kirk, and more Kirk.
August 19, 2009
With the size of Shatner's ego being roughly three times the area of LA county, it's impossible for that to not bleed through into his writing. However, he somehow miraculously avoided turning this book into a "completely" self-indulgent piece of crap. Far from it, it actually was a compelling Star Trek tale. It actually painted a nice picture of how the crew is a family of sorts, and that they are all inter-dependent on one another.
However, self-indulgence does happen, and quite a bit. The parts about "Captain Kirk" are far more detailed in the little details of painting the scenes. There are several points in the book where other members of the former Enterprise crew "ask themselves" what the captain would have done in the same situation. Shatner's sense of self-importance is not at all diminished.
In spite of that, it ends up being a compelling and interesting read. I would recommend this book if you liked the original Star Trek series.
However, self-indulgence does happen, and quite a bit. The parts about "Captain Kirk" are far more detailed in the little details of painting the scenes. There are several points in the book where other members of the former Enterprise crew "ask themselves" what the captain would have done in the same situation. Shatner's sense of self-importance is not at all diminished.
In spite of that, it ends up being a compelling and interesting read. I would recommend this book if you liked the original Star Trek series.
May 27, 2012
This is the first in a series of six books (actually, two trilogies). This series was my introduction to Star Trek novels, and I very much enjoyed these books. I actually read them out of order by mistake, and then re-read the whole thing in the correct order. Good stuff for the avid Trek fan!
(Note: if you think Shatner really wrote these books, you don't know much about publishing. His ghost writers, the Reeves-Stevenses, deserve the kudos here.)
(Note: if you think Shatner really wrote these books, you don't know much about publishing. His ghost writers, the Reeves-Stevenses, deserve the kudos here.)
November 6, 2010
"We're not responsible for the world we're born into.
Only for the world we leave when we die."Capt. Kirk to Teilani pg. 268
Did we make it better or worse...
The more Star Trek books I read the more I think William Shatner is the best writer I have read so far. He really makes the characters personalities come alive and they sound like themselves. Plus he tells a interesting story..
Only for the world we leave when we die."Capt. Kirk to Teilani pg. 268
Did we make it better or worse...
The more Star Trek books I read the more I think William Shatner is the best writer I have read so far. He really makes the characters personalities come alive and they sound like themselves. Plus he tells a interesting story..
June 29, 2021
Perhaps this should lean more to 3.5 stars but the climactic ending pushed it towards a higher rating. There are parts I was not too keen on, Kirk's relationship with Teilani felt awkward and a little weird from the start, slightly predatory even but Kirk received a lot of shit from his friends about it and she was playing him anyways so that was a good way to resolve that particular issue. I suppose in a way it's a fitting end for the Enterprise - A but I mean C'mon if you're gonna go through all that to blow it up why not throw it head on into Drake's vessel? It certainly wouldn't be too much considering the other elements of fan service evident in this novel.
I did particularly enjoy the Excelsior elements of the novel Sulu and the rest of the TOS crew were fantastic and when they confront Kirk near the end I finally got excited again about what Kirk's plot thread included.
Overall though, Shatner and his co-authors crafted an interesting and fun story that I quite enjoyed.
I did particularly enjoy the Excelsior elements of the novel Sulu and the rest of the TOS crew were fantastic and when they confront Kirk near the end I finally got excited again about what Kirk's plot thread included.
Overall though, Shatner and his co-authors crafted an interesting and fun story that I quite enjoyed.
December 16, 2009
The most disappointing thing about sifting through The Ashes of Eden is that, at the core of it, there's an interesting plot idea: that, after the Federation and the Klingon Empire have signed a peace treaty, there are elements within both governments that wish to upend the peace process, and try to bring Starfleet and the Klingon navy kicking and screaming back to the brink of war.
That could have been an interesting story. Instead, what we get is some of the most amateurish, unrealistic author-insertion fan fiction that I've ever read. A certain amount of that is to be expected, because the author spent 25 years, off and on, playing the main character, but there's so much more than I would have assumed. It's rumoured that Shatner had the book ghostwritten, but it's such slavish "Kirk is TEH AWESOME" that I can't believe that anyone other than him wrote it.
Star Trek VI, the final one featuring Kirk and his crew, is my favourite of the Star Trek movies, and it's a perfect send-off to those characters. I think they should have let that stand as a final journey for them, and never referenced them again after that.
That could have been an interesting story. Instead, what we get is some of the most amateurish, unrealistic author-insertion fan fiction that I've ever read. A certain amount of that is to be expected, because the author spent 25 years, off and on, playing the main character, but there's so much more than I would have assumed. It's rumoured that Shatner had the book ghostwritten, but it's such slavish "Kirk is TEH AWESOME" that I can't believe that anyone other than him wrote it.
Star Trek VI, the final one featuring Kirk and his crew, is my favourite of the Star Trek movies, and it's a perfect send-off to those characters. I think they should have let that stand as a final journey for them, and never referenced them again after that.
November 20, 2015
It was pretty good. Trekkie fans will find it a must-have for their collections. My copy to going up on listia for someone else to enjoy. =)
August 29, 2021
Oh Shatner... Please never* change
*except for your outdated political views, they could do with a rework
*except for your outdated political views, they could do with a rework
July 12, 2019
This is the third book in my quest to dive in to the Star trek fiction universe this summer. This is a 300 page paperback published in 1995 that takes place after the events of Star Trek 6 but before the events in Star Trek: Generations.
Captain Kirk has retired from Starfleet, but has grown restless in his retirement. He is old and feeling it. Then one day, a beautiful and mysterious Klingon/Romulan hybrid woman comes into his life. They begin a passionate affair (which immediately creeps me out, as she is described as being a good 40 years younger than him) which leads him to one last mission on a restricted and near abandoned colony which harbors a secret of youth that the aged Captain Kirk desires.
Meanwhile, people from Kirk’s past have their own agenda, as well as his former crew who are unsure that the good Captain has not lost all sensibility in a mid/late-life crisis that could lead to war between the Federation and the Klingon empire (which, as we know, has been nearly brought to its knees after the explosion of one of the Klingon moons, as shown in Star Trek 6…
I don’t know. As entertainment, it works. But for me, the best parts were the ones that involved the former Enterprise crew. It was great seeing Sulu coming into his own as a starship Captain, and the tension between old friends is palpable and believable. But the Captain Kirk parts are hard to deal with. Thankfully, the book eventually overcomes it.
One of the things that makes reading these books rewarding is that as a fan of Star Trek, a lot of these books have something for you. References to favorite episodes, expansion of minor characters, fleshing out of backstories…in this way, Ashes of Eden does what it is supposed to. I enjoyed much of it. But here and there are little Shatner clunkers that stick out and bring it down a notch.
My favorite:
“Who the hell are you?” Kirk asked.
“What a fitting choice of words” the woman said. “I’m Ariadne Drake. And that’s where you’re headed.” (page 270).
Sigh. Hate to nitpick, it’s just awkward as hell, had to read it over 3 times just to take it in.
But we’ve all had our fun. Shatner delivers a decent book with only a few small flaws. And isn’t that what genre fiction is all about?
Captain Kirk has retired from Starfleet, but has grown restless in his retirement. He is old and feeling it. Then one day, a beautiful and mysterious Klingon/Romulan hybrid woman comes into his life. They begin a passionate affair (which immediately creeps me out, as she is described as being a good 40 years younger than him) which leads him to one last mission on a restricted and near abandoned colony which harbors a secret of youth that the aged Captain Kirk desires.
Meanwhile, people from Kirk’s past have their own agenda, as well as his former crew who are unsure that the good Captain has not lost all sensibility in a mid/late-life crisis that could lead to war between the Federation and the Klingon empire (which, as we know, has been nearly brought to its knees after the explosion of one of the Klingon moons, as shown in Star Trek 6…
I don’t know. As entertainment, it works. But for me, the best parts were the ones that involved the former Enterprise crew. It was great seeing Sulu coming into his own as a starship Captain, and the tension between old friends is palpable and believable. But the Captain Kirk parts are hard to deal with. Thankfully, the book eventually overcomes it.
One of the things that makes reading these books rewarding is that as a fan of Star Trek, a lot of these books have something for you. References to favorite episodes, expansion of minor characters, fleshing out of backstories…in this way, Ashes of Eden does what it is supposed to. I enjoyed much of it. But here and there are little Shatner clunkers that stick out and bring it down a notch.
My favorite:
“Who the hell are you?” Kirk asked.
“What a fitting choice of words” the woman said. “I’m Ariadne Drake. And that’s where you’re headed.” (page 270).
Sigh. Hate to nitpick, it’s just awkward as hell, had to read it over 3 times just to take it in.
But we’ve all had our fun. Shatner delivers a decent book with only a few small flaws. And isn’t that what genre fiction is all about?
November 25, 2022
Second star to the right, and straight on till morning.
James T. Kirk has no direction. His ship has been decommissioned. His crew has been reassigned. His career is over. It's 2293, and Kirk faces the abyss of retirement and obsolescence. To make matters worse, his long-time adversary has just been named Commander-in-Chief of Starfleet. In Kirk’s opinion, Androvar Drake is the worst man for the job. Drake is an opportunist and backstage manipulator who feels that Starfleet must be used as a broadsword. Kirk, on the other hand, has always felt that Starfleet should be there to keep the peace rather than enforce it.
End of the Line:
At a formal celebration meant to honor Drake’s ascension, Captain Kirk becomes disconsolate and wistful. Drunk on a seemingly endless flow of Romulan Ale (which is illegal in Federation space, but somehow plentiful on Earth) Kirk resolves to leave it all behind. Despite the best efforts of Captain Spock and Dr. McCoy to convince him otherwise, James T. Kirk sees no point in remaining in service to the Federation. This departure from the character’s established pattern lands like a bomb—James Kirk doesn’t walk away. There is something deeper than differing political points of view. Androvar Drake is evil.
Some Enchanted Evening:
While seeking an exit, Captain Kirk catches a glimpse of a stunningly beautiful young woman—half Klingon, half Romulan. Her name is Teilani and she is a diplomat from the planet Chal—a small world located deep within the borders of Klingon space. Chal was the product of genetic manipulation by both the Klingons and the Romulans during one of their brief periods of détente. Once the alliance crumbled, neither side wanted anything to do with Chal and the planet was abandoned. Those left behind were left to fend for themselves. But Chal holds a secret that is tearing it apart.
Remarkable Beauty:
Teilani is not at the party through happenstance. Her world is in danger, and she needs a hero to protect it. She needs James T. Kirk. Chal is alone and undefended, facing threats from the outside as well as insurgency within. Despite being the product of crossbreeding between two warrior races, the citizens of Chal have no military tradition and lack a skilled leader to teach them how to establish their own defensive force. A disaffected group of their own citizenry wish to destroy Chal to hide its terrible secrets and have initiated a campaign of terrorist attacks. Enticing him with her beauty and appealing to his sense of honor, Teilani asks Kirk to take over as Coordinator of Planetary Defense for Chal. As a bonus, she presents him a gift—the love of his life, the Enterprise. Enamored by her beauty and thrilled at the possibility of having his old ship back, Kirk agrees.
Nemesis:
Androvar Drake and James T. Kirk graduated from Starfleet Academy at the same time. They both commanded their own five-year missions. They were both advanced to the admiralty. Kirk, in fact, held a slightly more senior position as Chief of Operations while Drake was Deputy Chief of Security. While Kirk loathed the bureaucracy, Drake manipulated it for his own purposes. In the aftermath of the conspiracy to assassinate the Klingon Chancellor and derail peace talks with the Klingon Empire, Drake emerged as the frontrunner for the top position in Starfleet. It seemed a sensible choice—to everyone but James T. Kirk. Kirk knows just how devious, duplicitous, and unworthy of advancement Androvar Drake is. His elevation to the topmost tiers of Starfleet causes Kirk to question the wisdom of remaining in service.
More Than Meets the Eye:
With the Enterprise once again under his command, Kirk heads to Chal. The task before him is simple, re-arm the Enterprise to serve as a protective shield for Chal and undermine the revolutionaries. Things are not always as they appear. Kirk begins to question the righteousness of his position. Furthermore, Drake is secretly in league with dissident Klingons who want no part of peace with the Federation. It soon becomes evident that Admiral Drake has set Captain Kirk up for a fall.
Analysis:
William Shatner knows Captain Kirk. What was once a burden for an actor to bear has become his opportunity to own the character and provide a vital service to the fanbase. In Star Trek: The Ashes of Eden, Shatner breathes new life into the story of James T. Kirk. The narrative fills the gap between the end of Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country and Star Trek: Generations and tells the story of Kirk's final adventure. Who else is better equipped to continue the story than the man who brought the character to life on the screen?
Shatner depicts Kirk as a man looking back on better days and seeing only a bleak future. This is not the brash young Kirk, but a more seasoned and weathered warrior finding his usefulness coming to an end. The enigmatic paradise of Chal is a mystery that unfolds slowly and brilliantly, leading to a shocking revelation that justifies Kirk’s inner conflict. The cabal seeking to derail the peace process is a wonderful continuation of the conspiracy seen in the final installment of the film series. The narrative is well-written, with great exposition detailing the rivalry between Kirk and Drake and how personal loss can affect one’s perspective.
This book came from my personal collection, but I am leaving a professional review
James T. Kirk has no direction. His ship has been decommissioned. His crew has been reassigned. His career is over. It's 2293, and Kirk faces the abyss of retirement and obsolescence. To make matters worse, his long-time adversary has just been named Commander-in-Chief of Starfleet. In Kirk’s opinion, Androvar Drake is the worst man for the job. Drake is an opportunist and backstage manipulator who feels that Starfleet must be used as a broadsword. Kirk, on the other hand, has always felt that Starfleet should be there to keep the peace rather than enforce it.
End of the Line:
At a formal celebration meant to honor Drake’s ascension, Captain Kirk becomes disconsolate and wistful. Drunk on a seemingly endless flow of Romulan Ale (which is illegal in Federation space, but somehow plentiful on Earth) Kirk resolves to leave it all behind. Despite the best efforts of Captain Spock and Dr. McCoy to convince him otherwise, James T. Kirk sees no point in remaining in service to the Federation. This departure from the character’s established pattern lands like a bomb—James Kirk doesn’t walk away. There is something deeper than differing political points of view. Androvar Drake is evil.
Some Enchanted Evening:
While seeking an exit, Captain Kirk catches a glimpse of a stunningly beautiful young woman—half Klingon, half Romulan. Her name is Teilani and she is a diplomat from the planet Chal—a small world located deep within the borders of Klingon space. Chal was the product of genetic manipulation by both the Klingons and the Romulans during one of their brief periods of détente. Once the alliance crumbled, neither side wanted anything to do with Chal and the planet was abandoned. Those left behind were left to fend for themselves. But Chal holds a secret that is tearing it apart.
Remarkable Beauty:
Teilani is not at the party through happenstance. Her world is in danger, and she needs a hero to protect it. She needs James T. Kirk. Chal is alone and undefended, facing threats from the outside as well as insurgency within. Despite being the product of crossbreeding between two warrior races, the citizens of Chal have no military tradition and lack a skilled leader to teach them how to establish their own defensive force. A disaffected group of their own citizenry wish to destroy Chal to hide its terrible secrets and have initiated a campaign of terrorist attacks. Enticing him with her beauty and appealing to his sense of honor, Teilani asks Kirk to take over as Coordinator of Planetary Defense for Chal. As a bonus, she presents him a gift—the love of his life, the Enterprise. Enamored by her beauty and thrilled at the possibility of having his old ship back, Kirk agrees.
Nemesis:
Androvar Drake and James T. Kirk graduated from Starfleet Academy at the same time. They both commanded their own five-year missions. They were both advanced to the admiralty. Kirk, in fact, held a slightly more senior position as Chief of Operations while Drake was Deputy Chief of Security. While Kirk loathed the bureaucracy, Drake manipulated it for his own purposes. In the aftermath of the conspiracy to assassinate the Klingon Chancellor and derail peace talks with the Klingon Empire, Drake emerged as the frontrunner for the top position in Starfleet. It seemed a sensible choice—to everyone but James T. Kirk. Kirk knows just how devious, duplicitous, and unworthy of advancement Androvar Drake is. His elevation to the topmost tiers of Starfleet causes Kirk to question the wisdom of remaining in service.
More Than Meets the Eye:
With the Enterprise once again under his command, Kirk heads to Chal. The task before him is simple, re-arm the Enterprise to serve as a protective shield for Chal and undermine the revolutionaries. Things are not always as they appear. Kirk begins to question the righteousness of his position. Furthermore, Drake is secretly in league with dissident Klingons who want no part of peace with the Federation. It soon becomes evident that Admiral Drake has set Captain Kirk up for a fall.
Analysis:
William Shatner knows Captain Kirk. What was once a burden for an actor to bear has become his opportunity to own the character and provide a vital service to the fanbase. In Star Trek: The Ashes of Eden, Shatner breathes new life into the story of James T. Kirk. The narrative fills the gap between the end of Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country and Star Trek: Generations and tells the story of Kirk's final adventure. Who else is better equipped to continue the story than the man who brought the character to life on the screen?
Shatner depicts Kirk as a man looking back on better days and seeing only a bleak future. This is not the brash young Kirk, but a more seasoned and weathered warrior finding his usefulness coming to an end. The enigmatic paradise of Chal is a mystery that unfolds slowly and brilliantly, leading to a shocking revelation that justifies Kirk’s inner conflict. The cabal seeking to derail the peace process is a wonderful continuation of the conspiracy seen in the final installment of the film series. The narrative is well-written, with great exposition detailing the rivalry between Kirk and Drake and how personal loss can affect one’s perspective.
This book came from my personal collection, but I am leaving a professional review
April 24, 2018
A Star Trek book written by William Shatner about an aging but still heroic James T. Kirk. My idea of Heaven.
I had a grin throughout this entire novel. Shatner writes his character with a deep love & understanding.
I had a grin throughout this entire novel. Shatner writes his character with a deep love & understanding.
May 26, 2020
My favorite bits were scenes with McCoy, Spock, and Chekhov. Also. I now get a reference from fic I've read.
December 7, 2022
Really enjoyable Trek fair of an older crew. Kirk feeling at a loss until he meets a young woman who offers him one last challenge in life.
May 10, 2022
I was so excited to read this book and it indeed failed to disappoint.
It should be noted that the book picks up after the events of The Undiscovered Country & a rewatch of the movie might be helpful although not necessary.
William Shatner co-authored with two other people and although I don’t know how much he actually wrote, it felt as though it is his writing as the character of Kirk and the others were portrayed so well. Although some people said it was weird that Kirk was 60 and having a thing with a woman of 20, I think it made sense in the story, although one thing I will say is it wasn’t really like Kirk to fall into the trap of being used by a woman- usually he is the one in control. The book focused quite a bit on Kirk feeling down and out and defeated by his age, which came across in several of the TOS movies too. If I want to be incredibly critical I’d say that that is quite out of character for Kirk (I even felt that way while watching the movies) but I suppose it does add to the character arc and story and I was pleased to see that by the end of the book the old ambitious Kirk was back.
I really loved how this book delved into the emotions of the characters, I feel like I know them now better than I ever did. Even though this book isn’t technically cannon, I really enjoy how much depth it adds to all the characters- especially Kirk. I understand him in a different light now.
Overall a lovely book with a great story and some saucy moments which surely add to its appeal and if you loved the original series and cast as much as I did, this book won’t disappoint!
It should be noted that the book picks up after the events of The Undiscovered Country & a rewatch of the movie might be helpful although not necessary.
William Shatner co-authored with two other people and although I don’t know how much he actually wrote, it felt as though it is his writing as the character of Kirk and the others were portrayed so well. Although some people said it was weird that Kirk was 60 and having a thing with a woman of 20, I think it made sense in the story, although one thing I will say is it wasn’t really like Kirk to fall into the trap of being used by a woman- usually he is the one in control. The book focused quite a bit on Kirk feeling down and out and defeated by his age, which came across in several of the TOS movies too. If I want to be incredibly critical I’d say that that is quite out of character for Kirk (I even felt that way while watching the movies) but I suppose it does add to the character arc and story and I was pleased to see that by the end of the book the old ambitious Kirk was back.
I really loved how this book delved into the emotions of the characters, I feel like I know them now better than I ever did. Even though this book isn’t technically cannon, I really enjoy how much depth it adds to all the characters- especially Kirk. I understand him in a different light now.
Overall a lovely book with a great story and some saucy moments which surely add to its appeal and if you loved the original series and cast as much as I did, this book won’t disappoint!
October 23, 2016
Seitdem Admiral Kirk im Ruhestand ist, befindet er sich in einer Midlifecrisis. Er ist unruhig, mit sich selbst nicht im Reinen und er weiß nicht, was er mit seiner Zeit anfangen soll. Auf einer Gala der Sternenflotte lernt er Tellani, die Botschafterin des Planeten Chal, kennen. Er verliebst sich in sie und reist mit ihr, trotz aller Warnungen seiner Freunde, zum Planeten Chal um die Verteidigung des Planeten zu leiten. Durch seine Reise wird er zum Spielball in einer politischen Intrige.
Leider nur ein Star Trek Roman der schwächeren Sorte. Die Geschichte war nur mäßig spannend und auch etwas verwirrend. In dem Roman wird erzählt, dass Kirk schon von Geburt an von seinen Sohn wußte, dabei wird er doch in dem Film Zorn des Kahn von der Nachricht überrascht. In einem anderen Roman erfährt Kirk von seinem Sohn ,als dieser ca. 10 Jahre alt ist. Das Buch schafft in dieser Beziehung auch keine Klarheit. Zeitlich spielt das Buch wohl nach der Friedenskonferenz von Babel, obwohl das Buch mit dem Tod von Kirk aus dem Roman "Treffen der Genartionen" beginnt. Alles nicht sehr logisch und nachvollziehbar.
Leider nur ein Star Trek Roman der schwächeren Sorte. Die Geschichte war nur mäßig spannend und auch etwas verwirrend. In dem Roman wird erzählt, dass Kirk schon von Geburt an von seinen Sohn wußte, dabei wird er doch in dem Film Zorn des Kahn von der Nachricht überrascht. In einem anderen Roman erfährt Kirk von seinem Sohn ,als dieser ca. 10 Jahre alt ist. Das Buch schafft in dieser Beziehung auch keine Klarheit. Zeitlich spielt das Buch wohl nach der Friedenskonferenz von Babel, obwohl das Buch mit dem Tod von Kirk aus dem Roman "Treffen der Genartionen" beginnt. Alles nicht sehr logisch und nachvollziehbar.
May 23, 2017
Book number one of the shatnerverse, where the shat-himself revives ..well ,himself!
This book is about a decrepit and pathetic man who REALLY thinks that his young and sexy nurse could fall in love with him! Even Spock and McCoy make fun of Kirk .It’ s so sad to see the hero of my youth in such a pitifull condition!Nevertheless the book is not so bad , even because the plot is identical to star trek insurrection.But this book was written in 1995 , while the movie dated back to 1998 , so do i have to think that Berman and Piller read Shatner ? Coincidence ,homage or plagiarism?
This book is about a decrepit and pathetic man who REALLY thinks that his young and sexy nurse could fall in love with him! Even Spock and McCoy make fun of Kirk .It’ s so sad to see the hero of my youth in such a pitifull condition!Nevertheless the book is not so bad , even because the plot is identical to star trek insurrection.But this book was written in 1995 , while the movie dated back to 1998 , so do i have to think that Berman and Piller read Shatner ? Coincidence ,homage or plagiarism?
February 29, 2016
A strong start to the "Shatnerverse"! I appreciated the candor with which the Kirk character was handled, without resorting to the story being purely a "wish fulfilment" fantasy on the part of William Shatner. Sadly, I feel like the remainder of the Shatnerverse may not hold to this standard, but for The Ashes of Eden, it seems that the story was sufficiently realistic. My rating is somewhere around a 3.75/5, rounded up to a 4.
Full review: http://treklit.blogspot.com/2016/02/T...
Full review: http://treklit.blogspot.com/2016/02/T...
February 13, 2018
This one was pretty decent, honestly. I was a little hesitant to reach into what's been dubbed "the Shatnerverse," but I found a quote from, I believe, Marco Palmieri saying they don't view it as being a separate universe, that they believe it exists concomitantly with the regular expanded universe, SO I dove in. This is basically Kirk's last adventure before the events of Generations. Nothing amazing, but nothing that put me off. A bit of hero worship, but /shrug/ why not.
July 8, 2016
This was ok, but I felt like with a little more detailed story this could've been fantastic. I haven't read the prose version of this, but I got the feeling there was a substantial amount of the story that didn't make it into the graphic novel. However, except for Tony Shasteen's stuff the artwork was about as good as I've seen in a ST comic.
January 13, 2024
Continuing my quest to read every Star Trek novel. This was a reread for me. And it certainly holds up. The first of the “Shatner verse “ novels ghost written by my favorite authors JGRS. This is like Star Trek VI point 2. Although some of the romance involving Kirk is a bit corny and eye rolling this is a great start to the first trilogy of Shatner books.
June 6, 2022
Found the audiobook - all of these were huge favorites of mine once upon a time - still pretty good!
June 21, 2017
My only gripe is how it fits into the ST universe. This series just seems to defy everything that's already out there.
March 21, 2015
From the last line in the book: "There were always possibilities...."
A little outrageous and improbable but why not? It's Star Trek and my favorite crew members. Next?
A little outrageous and improbable but why not? It's Star Trek and my favorite crew members. Next?
March 4, 2013
William Shatner's first Star Trek novel is a rousing success.
January 1, 2018
The self-indulging is served by a fun plot, but it's still self-indulging, and my, is it strong in this one.
July 30, 2009
full of suspence and many twists in the story
plenty of unexpected outcomes
plenty of unexpected outcomes
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