The Starship Trap

Star Trek: The Original Series #64

by Mel Gilden

The Starship Trap
En route to an important diplomatic reception the U.S.S. Enterprise™ suddenly is set upon by a Klingon warship. The unprovoked assault, Kirk discovers, is in response to what the Klingon ship's captain claims are recent Federation attacks on several Klingon vessels which have disappeared.
Managing to secure a truce, Captain Kirk reaches the reception only to find out it is not just Klingon ships that are disappearing, but Federation vessels, Romulan Birds of Prey, and ships from almost every known race are vanishing without a trace.
Now, Captain Kirk and the crew of the Starship Enterprise must determine the fate of the missing ships before the entire known galaxy is drawn into a deadly conflict.

Genres: Star Trek, Science Fiction, Star Trek Original Series, Fiction, Ebooks, Science Fiction Fantasy, Space

237 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 19, 1993

About the author

Mel Gilden is the author of many children's books, some of which received rave reviews in such places as School Library Journal and Booklist. His multi-part stories for children appeared frequently in the Los Angeles Times. His popular novels and short stories for grown-ups have also received good reviews in the Washington Post and other publications. (See new publications under his name at the Kindle Store of Amazon.com.)
Licensed properties include adaptations of feature films, and of TV shows such as Beverly Hills, 90210; and NASCAR Racers. He has also written books based on video games and has written original stories based in the Star Trek universe. His short stories have appeared in many original and reprint anthologies.
He has written cartoons for TV, has developed new shows, and was assistant story editor for the DIC television production of The Real Ghostbusters. He consulted at Disney and Universal, helping develop theme park attractions. Gilden spent five years as co-host of the science-fiction interview show, Hour-25, on KPFK radio in Los Angeles.
Gilden lectures to school and library groups, and has been known to teach fiction writing. He lives in Los Angeles, California, where the debris meets the sea, and still hopes to be an astronaut when he grows up.

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than usual for this series.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soon after arriving at a starbase for some much-needed shore leave, the U.S.S. Enterprise is ordered to Pegasus IV to pick up Conrad Franklin Kent, a member of the Federation Council with a pronounced bias against Starfleet and an eye on the Federation presidency. Once aboard, Kent orders James Kirk to take him to Starbase 12, where they are to participate in the testing of a new shielding system devised by Professor Omen, the Federation's foremost weapons designer. While there Kirk learns of the disappearance of a number of warships — Federation, Klingon, and Romulan — from the sector, which he soon discovers is part of an ambitious plot to end conflict throughout the galaxy, no matter what the cost.

Like most Star Trek novels, Mel Gilden's book is one offers a mix of strengths and weaknesses that reflect the author. In it's favor is a plot that, while rich in a number of elements, nevertheless moves along at a brisk pace. Unfortunately this comes at the expense of character development, which is particularly unfortunate given the prominence of the new ones Gilden introduces to his story. This is especially true in terms of his antagonists, who come across more as caricatures of standard Star Trek archetypes than as nuanced creations. This tends to sap the plot of much of its tension, as like most two-dimensional cutouts they exist mainly to be knocked down by the Enterprise team. Nor does it help that the threat itself is strangely muted (seriously, how does the captain of a Federation starship not know that ships are disappearing from his sector? Even if it's being hushed up one would think it there would be widespread Starfleet scuttlebutt over friends and classmates going MIA), and in the end less of a danger to be overcome than a puzzle to be solved. While it still makes for an entertaining enough read, the overall result is not one of the most memorable contributions to the Pocket Books series of Star Trek novels.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some epic ideas in this book -- both technological & philosophical -- that deserved another 100 pages of exploration. Unfortunately, the author sacrifices depth for speed of plot, resulting in a far more superficial novel than I was hoping for, complete with too many moments of tell-don't-show & statements of the obvious. That said, the plot does move at a lightning pace, and the Kirk-Spock-McCoy trio are on fine form. I only wish this novel had delivered something more sweeping than the pleasant but unremarkable read that it actually is...

[Jesse A · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning of this book was horrid. Star Trek for dummies. Fortunately the story did grow and improve.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was your typical Trek story, but Gilden's characterizations weren't particularly compelling. Mainly told from Kirk's perspective, there were several rabbit holes that seemed to go nowhere, in addition to some of Kirk's behavior being slightly out of character. The hard science fiction aspect of the Aleph plot device was, at least, interesting. Much more so than the villain's fixation on 19th and 20th century European and American classic literature or one of the minor character's obsession with the American Old West. C'mon, Gilden -- your ethno-centric roots are showing! For all the aliens and cultures on Star Trek, there is a disproportionate number of stories with references to American or European modern (to the reader) history.

[Reesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this! It felt like a good, authentic, original TOS episode and would have made a great script. It was also a quick and easy ready.

My only complaints are 1. the annoying droning on in the prose about Kirk's regret that he couldn't romance the new female character, which was fine to mention once or twice, but it just kept coming up over and over and over again, 2. at only 242 pages, this could have used the extra 30 or so pages that Star Trek novels of the era usually got to flesh out some plot points a bit more, 3. the incredibly weird Old West/Euro-centric view of Native American history that was completely out of place and totally unnecessary, and 4. some odd behaviours from crew that felt slightly out of character at times.

But those are tiny gripes; the overall plot and the new characters were fantastic. While we didn't get to know them very deeply in such a short story, what we learned was plenty to keep the plot moving, indicate at least surface-level complexity, and engender empathy.

I especially loved some of the... let's call them "unique travel opportunities" the Enterprise got to experience mid-novel; it really sucked me in. I wish there'd been half a dozen more of those.

It's not a masterpiece, but it's a solid 4 stars for me. I'd read this one again some time.

[Craig · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe leaning towards a 2.5 but I have a lot of 3 star Star Trek novels I like much more than this one. I did find the over explaining of the regular Star Trek characters a bit absurd for the 64th numbered novel in the series. If you don't know who these people are by now then what have you been reading? I found the story a bit formulaic and the villains obtuse or ridiculous (sure having a simple minded Klingon empire in an alternate reality sounds funny but it also needs to be at least slightly plausible). The ending was also anti-climactic and all the villains just run away or kill themselves once they are found out. Also, Payton is a borderline Mary Sue but I am not going to worry about that. Anyway, wasn't bad but I have definitely read better Star Trek than this.

[Doris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good and different take on the problems the Enterprise has with exploring. It did go back to the recurring theme of the Enterprise being used as a VIP ferryboat. which is way overused, but the turn in the plot was well done.

The outcome was as expected, but the path there was different and well done.

I rated the overall book down from a four because of incorrect word usage and the overuse of technical language which is confusing and unnecessary.

Overall a great read, but there are many places the reader can skim without missing the story.

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shore Leave for the crew of the U.S.S. 'Enterprise' is cancelled when Admiral Nogura orders Kirk to Starbase Twelve to assist Professor Omen, the Federation's foremost weapons designer in some field tests.

With a recalcitrant Federation Councilman and his aide in tow, Kirk must think quickly when an unforeseen event catapults the ship into extreme danger.

Gilden writes Kirk and McCoy well, but leaves little room for the other crewmembers in this fast paced, high concept adventure.

[Andy Stjohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

TOS #64: the Starship Trap by Mel Gilden

This book felt very disorganized as the cover on the back didn’t match the description of the book. The first 100 pages were like a tonal whiplash and Omen was a stereotypical bad guy. However, the Aleph and the universe the Enterprise finds its self in was very fun and I enjoy when Star Trek books go off the rails like this and embrace really wacky sci fi. That alone made the book worth reading.

6.5/10

[Katrina Veerkamp · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt like the author assumed we knew very little about the enterprise and it’s Cree. Explaining that McCoy was crotchety, that spock and he sparred, that spock was unemotional. I didn’t need all that. I chose this book because I knew those characters and loved them. Too simplified…..story was OK entertaining but I am not anxious to read this author again….

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable enough beyond the pretty bad beginning (why does the author spell out the characters in this way when the only people reading it would be fans of the show?) but once the story gets cooking, it's a bit more interesting. Could have used a bit more sizzle though.

[Ian Banks · Rating 3 out of 5]

A neat idea and a competent writing style should be enough to carry this yarn but this novel - slightly thinner than any in the series for a long time - really feels like it’s stretched longer than it needs to be. A pleasant disappointment.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ships from different species have started to go missing. The Enterprise and her crew are sent to investigate, but they like the rest disappear from their universe. Can they return and solve the problem.
An enjoyable re-read

[Rick Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I generally judge a Star Trek book based on how much it seems like it would work as an extended episode of the original tv series. This is a good one.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some really great ideas in this book but the characters seem a bit off

[Mike (HistoryBuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good solid TOS story. The old gang is back in the thick of it again. I would rate it around 3.7.

[Ron Lang-Alon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, very mediocre. Having a "crazy" antagonist is never a strong position. Meh.

[Patrick Quigg]

My first Star Trek Book. Very true to the series. Hope to see more by Mel Gilden.

[Robert Lewter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fine adventure

Once again the Enterprise keeps the future safe from the politicians and mentally ill that strive to destroy the goodness in the universe.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better Star Trek novels. I found it a cracking read ideal for relaxing with.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the more science-fiction-y of the Star Trek books. (I'm on a jag trying to read all the ones I missed over the years.) I enjoyed it.

[Read1000books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good book, a much better plot than the title suggested. And the "voices" of the characters were spot on. Since Mr. Gilden is a prolific author, we can only hope that he will delve into the Star Trek universe again some day.

[Nicolas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the concept here, but couldn't quite get in to story telling. The characters felt pretty dead on, so that buys it a little more credit.

For more on this, tune in to my special interview with author Mel Gilden for the All the Books Show: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/ep...

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

My ongoing haul through the Star Trek books I picked up at a local charity shop delivered this,my biggest reticence around Star Trek is all that uniformed peace and Star Fleet inforced rule accross the galaxy it reeks of the 'new world order' or 'new universal order' as the case may be.
In some ways this book mirrors this concern with Kirk and co finding a political adversy who believes Star Fleet do more bad than good and are more war mongerers than peace keepers.
Much can be made of this and the book maybe mirroring the uni-superpower state of affairs we now live it or ultimately it can be enjoyed as a light read which is well written.
Not much time is needed getting 'into' the characters they are much as we have in memory from the TV show,neither does the book stray too far from the arena we expect of the 'enterprises' adventures.
It was an enjoyable read however and a good light read between books

[Surreysmum · Rating 3 out of 5]

[These notes were made in 1993:]. I thought this somewhat less formulaic than the run-of-the-mill Star Trek novel, though it does have a classic mad scientist and an irritating bureaucrat at the centre of it, not to mention the doubting female who is eventually convinced of the Ultimate Goodness of the Enterprise crew (in this case her name is Payton). In any case, the nub of the plot is that the scientist, who is vehemently anti-military, has developed a device called an Aleph which pops starships into alternate universes. Of course the Enterprise has to go through a few of these, including one where they encounter a set of rather funny alternate-Klingons called Klingees (belligerent but childish and rather pouty). Good fun.

[Christopher Obert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starships are disappearing and Federation, Klingon and Romulan tensions are running high. Can the crew of the USS Enterprise solve this mystery before war breaks out? That is the question that faces Captain Kirk. But matters turn for the worse as the Enterprise herself becomes one of the missing ships. Kirk and crew battle the unknown, along with altered races and a mad man with enhanced weapons while stymied by Federation politics.

[Stephen Fender · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good character developement, good story. The villian is your typical mastermind--with a little twist. The novel is a good read, with a great little alternate dimension spurt added in the later half of the book. It flows very well and will be a good choice for anyone into classic Star Trek drama without much "action".

[J.D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of a few ST novels that balance itself between "so-so" and "kind of I don't know what". Typical evil mastermind doesn't work here as it should and his disappearance simply doesn't cut it. I found some of OCs being extremely annoying. I read this book a few years ago, don't see this one in re-read lines any time soon.

[Schreck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I barely remember reading this one way back in my middle school days. It had enough to keep me entertained back when reading a full book wasn't always the first thing on my mind. It didn't wow me however and I probably won't revisit it since there are so many other books I want to read including more interesting Star Trek novels.