The Ashes of Eden

The Ashes of Eden by William Shatner

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


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?




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