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Star Trek: The Original Series
The Shocks of Adversity
An original novel set in the universe of Star The Original Series !
Located far beyond the boundaries of explored space, the Goeg Domain is a political union of dozens of planets and races. When the U.S.S. Enterprise arrives in its territory to investigate an interstellar phenomenon, Commander Laspas of the Domain Defense Corps is at first guarded, then fascinated to discover the existence of an alliance of worlds much like his own, and finds a kindred spirit in Captain James T. Kirk. And when the Enterprise is attacked by the Domain’s enemies, crippling the starship’s warp capability and leaving its crew facing the prospect of a slow, months-long journey home, the Goeg leader volunteers the help of his own ship, offering to combine the resources of both vessels to bring the Enterprise to a nearby Domain facility to make the necessary repairs.
But what at first seems to be an act of peace and friendship soon turns out to be a devil’s bargain, as Kirk and the Enterprise crew learn that there are perhaps more differences than similarities between the Federation and the Domain. When the Goeg’s adversaries strike again, the Enterprise is drawn deeper and inexorably into the conflict, and Kirk begins to realize that they may have allied themselves with the wrong side....
Located far beyond the boundaries of explored space, the Goeg Domain is a political union of dozens of planets and races. When the U.S.S. Enterprise arrives in its territory to investigate an interstellar phenomenon, Commander Laspas of the Domain Defense Corps is at first guarded, then fascinated to discover the existence of an alliance of worlds much like his own, and finds a kindred spirit in Captain James T. Kirk. And when the Enterprise is attacked by the Domain’s enemies, crippling the starship’s warp capability and leaving its crew facing the prospect of a slow, months-long journey home, the Goeg leader volunteers the help of his own ship, offering to combine the resources of both vessels to bring the Enterprise to a nearby Domain facility to make the necessary repairs.
But what at first seems to be an act of peace and friendship soon turns out to be a devil’s bargain, as Kirk and the Enterprise crew learn that there are perhaps more differences than similarities between the Federation and the Domain. When the Goeg’s adversaries strike again, the Enterprise is drawn deeper and inexorably into the conflict, and Kirk begins to realize that they may have allied themselves with the wrong side....
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
July 15, 2013
I really wish Paramount would hire some of the Trek novel writers for the next movie instead of the idiots who gave us red matter and white Khan. In their hands Trek has devolved into Star Wars style action sequences interspersed with "drama" on the level of Tom Corbett: Space Cadet. At least the novel writers understand that Trek is supposed to be science fiction instead of blow 'em up action.
Shocks of Adversity is a great case in point. We begin with the Enterprise investigating a stellar anomaly far beyond Federation borders. After an accident leaves them stranded a hundred light years from the nearest Starbase, Captain Kirk accepts help from some passing aliens. At first they appear to be part of a multi-species civilization not unlike the Federation, but as the two crews work together we come to see that the alien culture is based upon authoritarianism and racism. But given the Prime Directive and their need for the alien's help, can the Enterprise crew do anything to help the oppressed crew of the other ship?
First contact! Suspense! Culture clash! Boldly going! This is what Star Trek's supposed to be, not pasty ass British dudes stealing jobs from Indian actors and crashing space ships into cities.
Shocks of Adversity is a great case in point. We begin with the Enterprise investigating a stellar anomaly far beyond Federation borders. After an accident leaves them stranded a hundred light years from the nearest Starbase, Captain Kirk accepts help from some passing aliens. At first they appear to be part of a multi-species civilization not unlike the Federation, but as the two crews work together we come to see that the alien culture is based upon authoritarianism and racism. But given the Prime Directive and their need for the alien's help, can the Enterprise crew do anything to help the oppressed crew of the other ship?
First contact! Suspense! Culture clash! Boldly going! This is what Star Trek's supposed to be, not pasty ass British dudes stealing jobs from Indian actors and crashing space ships into cities.
October 26, 2016
One of the better TOS novels out there. It has conflict, an excellent and relevant plot, plot twists and references to past episodes ("Immunity Syndrome" and "The Apple" to name a few). The main and secondary characters get their spot in the limelight as well as inclusion of at least two characters from the animated series (Arex and M'Ress). It is also interesting to see how their Goeg Domain counterparts provide a contrast to the Enterprise crew. While tackling themes such as prejudice the author clearly demonstrates the importance of not condemning the whole based on the actions of a few. This book would've indeed resonated well as an episode or movie for audiences in the 60s as well as today.
October 21, 2019
The Good: The author spins a great space opera yarn that kept me involved, despite it taking a few days for me to complete it due to other responsibilities.
The Bad: As is common with Trek novels, excessive profanity was present here. Also, a scene that implies sex may be too much for some discerning readers.
The Bad: As is common with Trek novels, excessive profanity was present here. Also, a scene that implies sex may be too much for some discerning readers.
July 9, 2025
This 2013 Original Series Trek flew under my radar when it first came out, so I've very happy to have discovered it.
During the middle of the Enterprise's original five year mission under James T. Kirk, the ship investigates life signs on an unknown world that is surrounded by much rocky debris. On the planet the away team is attacked and in space the Enterprise is attacked by the massive rocks. Their is a resolution to both, that I won't discuss for they are plot points, that leads the Enterprise to meet a new space alliance.
What follows is the alliance helping the Enterprise crew and how both crews react to the other. I would have never thought that such a tale could sustain a novel, but it does, and fabulously. There is plenty of tension, with the reader wondering if this new group is trustworthy, but the Enterprise crew has no choice but to go along with them to get their ship fixed.
The ending was too quick for me, but it felt like a classic series ending. I really enjoyed this and will seek out other books by Leisner.
During the middle of the Enterprise's original five year mission under James T. Kirk, the ship investigates life signs on an unknown world that is surrounded by much rocky debris. On the planet the away team is attacked and in space the Enterprise is attacked by the massive rocks. Their is a resolution to both, that I won't discuss for they are plot points, that leads the Enterprise to meet a new space alliance.
What follows is the alliance helping the Enterprise crew and how both crews react to the other. I would have never thought that such a tale could sustain a novel, but it does, and fabulously. There is plenty of tension, with the reader wondering if this new group is trustworthy, but the Enterprise crew has no choice but to go along with them to get their ship fixed.
The ending was too quick for me, but it felt like a classic series ending. I really enjoyed this and will seek out other books by Leisner.
March 2, 2016
i love books like this where the enterprise are slap bang in the middle of two alien races which is what happens in this book. as the enterprise is heavily damaged as their capability to go to warp is virtually destroyed. The Goeg Domain offer to help them but then Captain Kirk finds out they are at war with a species called the taarpi. and as with Star Trek Captain Kirk trusts the Goeg to repair the enterprise but to his dismay he finds out that the real enemy are the Goeg. what i liked about the book is that you the reader trust the Goeg as well but then Kirk thinks, Hang on we've allied ourselves with the wrong species we should have allied ourselves with the tarrpi.The Goeg turn out to be the enemy. as i say i do like these kind of star trek novels where you have the moral dillemma as in the crew figuring out who they should help out and who they shouldn't.
October 7, 2014
Sometimes the original crew novels miss the mark in capturing the lightening that made TOS so enjoyable. The dialogue seems off or the characterizations seem heavy handed. Not this time. William Leisner nailed it. I enjoyed the interstellar political cold war between the crew of the Enterprise and the Goeg Domain. Tons of fun.
December 26, 2020
When I read Star Trek novels, I often consider how I would feel about this story if it was converted into a full-length movie or TV episode. On that basis, The Shocks of Adversity holds up pretty well. Although a touch long to be a TV episode, this tale could easily find its place among other original series stories.
The tale begins with the Enterprise investigating an anomaly found by a probe many years earlier; an area that bends space-time in unusual ways. Their research of the anomaly and its properties leads to the discovery of a hidden planetary system within the anomalous space. Here, they encounter alien beings who are part of the Goeg Domain, a large affiliation of planets and species, not unlike the Federation. Kirk senses a kindred spirit in the captain of a Goeg ship, Commander Laspas. Damage to the Enterprise forces Kirk and the crew to accept aid from the Goeg or face a very long and slow trip back to a Starbase. But as they learn more about the Goeg Domain, and their battle against the renegade Taarpi, the alliance with the Goeg becomes uneasy. Are the Goeg really the heroes here? Or are they the villains, representing an oppressive regime that crushes all dissent?
William Leisner has written several Next Gen novels that I have not read, so this was my introduction to his writing. He gets the voices and relationships between the Enterprise officers right; the dialogue has the lighthearted crackle of the best TOS episodes. You can easily hear Shatner, Nimoy, Kelley, and the rest reciting these lines. Additionally, Leisner creates a nice subplot for Kirk, wherein the Captain must deal with his status. His role as Captain causes the crew to look up to him; everything he says and does, even in casual conversation, carries more weight. McCoy encourages him to tread more carefully - or to at least be more intentional about his interactions with his crew. Kirk learns some of his command lessons the hard way in this book.
The book reads very quickly, and the plot never really bogs down. This is a good diversionary TOS novel that stands on its own while also rekindling some of the reader's nostalgia for that original five-year mission.
The tale begins with the Enterprise investigating an anomaly found by a probe many years earlier; an area that bends space-time in unusual ways. Their research of the anomaly and its properties leads to the discovery of a hidden planetary system within the anomalous space. Here, they encounter alien beings who are part of the Goeg Domain, a large affiliation of planets and species, not unlike the Federation. Kirk senses a kindred spirit in the captain of a Goeg ship, Commander Laspas. Damage to the Enterprise forces Kirk and the crew to accept aid from the Goeg or face a very long and slow trip back to a Starbase. But as they learn more about the Goeg Domain, and their battle against the renegade Taarpi, the alliance with the Goeg becomes uneasy. Are the Goeg really the heroes here? Or are they the villains, representing an oppressive regime that crushes all dissent?
William Leisner has written several Next Gen novels that I have not read, so this was my introduction to his writing. He gets the voices and relationships between the Enterprise officers right; the dialogue has the lighthearted crackle of the best TOS episodes. You can easily hear Shatner, Nimoy, Kelley, and the rest reciting these lines. Additionally, Leisner creates a nice subplot for Kirk, wherein the Captain must deal with his status. His role as Captain causes the crew to look up to him; everything he says and does, even in casual conversation, carries more weight. McCoy encourages him to tread more carefully - or to at least be more intentional about his interactions with his crew. Kirk learns some of his command lessons the hard way in this book.
The book reads very quickly, and the plot never really bogs down. This is a good diversionary TOS novel that stands on its own while also rekindling some of the reader's nostalgia for that original five-year mission.
March 6, 2022
Reading is effortless when novels are as good as this one. This could be the perfect, ideal archetype of a Trek novel: a story of Federation ideals up against a dark mirror image of itself, and solutions to problems that come through communication, exposure to new ideas, mutual understanding...and some occasional moments where asses need to be kicked. The kind of novel that reminds you why Original Series Star Trek is so completely and unimpeachably wonderful.
August 17, 2022
Pretty decent story line, I only wish there was more to it. Felt like I was kept waiting from the center of the story. Overall good book though.
January 14, 2025
decent read. good one off
April 6, 2025
I felt checked out throughout, honestly. Might just be a me problem. Sucks to feel this way on First Contact Day.
May 8, 2025
It’s a star trek book! I liked it! I think furries would also like it!
October 2, 2021
It all started with this book.
June 17, 2013
William Leisner's "The Shocks of Adversity" is one of the better offerings lately in the Star Trek: The Original series fiction with a book that holds not only true to the roots of the series, but also one that fits perfectly in with the timeline. The Enterprise 100 light years from Federation space enters the Nystrom Anomaly in order to explore a star system that appears to be hidden from view. On that away mission, Kirk & company are ambushed by officers from the Goeg Domain which is a similar organization to the Federation who has mistaken them for their enemies the Taarpi. The interaction both on the planet and in space essentially renders the Enterprise inoperable for weeks & forces Kirk to make a decision to either work with the Commander Laspas & the Goeg or risk a 4 month journey to Starbase 43. That decision to help though forces crews of the both the Enterprise and the 814 (Laspas's ship) to work together & to be able to understand 2 very different cultures with very different ways of doing things amongst which is the numerical coding system used by the Goeg.
Leisner's story is well done & the development of the Domain is perhaps the best done for a new race in a while. The conflicts within the Domain, the Enterprise & the Taarpi are also developed well enough to make this believable & very much appropriate for this timeframe. The characters themselves are well developed as well & even with kind of an unusual ending to this book, Leisner writes a book that gives us room to revisit the region again & also something to smile about in a part of the Star Trek fiction that has been plagued by mediocrity at times lately.
Leisner's story is well done & the development of the Domain is perhaps the best done for a new race in a while. The conflicts within the Domain, the Enterprise & the Taarpi are also developed well enough to make this believable & very much appropriate for this timeframe. The characters themselves are well developed as well & even with kind of an unusual ending to this book, Leisner writes a book that gives us room to revisit the region again & also something to smile about in a part of the Star Trek fiction that has been plagued by mediocrity at times lately.
January 2, 2016
Yes, I realize that I am giving 5 stars to a Star Trek novel. Yes, I realize that it's not a great classic of Western literature. But judging it for what it is, this book is pretty great.
Most Star Trek novels (of which I'm a fan, by the way) run the gamut from standard fanfic quality to um...slightly better-written fanfic quality. Many of the Trek novels mischaracterize the regular cast and/or introduce newly minted Mary Sue characters who then become the protagonists in place of our beloved Kirk, Spock, McCoy, et al. This is the first Trek novel I've read that I think absolutely captures the characters of the original and feels like it could really be an original series episode. The numerous references to TOS episodes for the fans is fun as well.
Most Star Trek novels (of which I'm a fan, by the way) run the gamut from standard fanfic quality to um...slightly better-written fanfic quality. Many of the Trek novels mischaracterize the regular cast and/or introduce newly minted Mary Sue characters who then become the protagonists in place of our beloved Kirk, Spock, McCoy, et al. This is the first Trek novel I've read that I think absolutely captures the characters of the original and feels like it could really be an original series episode. The numerous references to TOS episodes for the fans is fun as well.
June 12, 2013
A really great and wonderful old "Star Trek" story that I could have really seen as coming from the original television show.
August 8, 2025
I was going to pause on reading Star Trek novels for a while after reading the disappointing Elusive Salvation but then I ran into this one at a library and honestly it looked like the type of Star Trek book I was hoping to read.
It starts with the Enterprise investigating a far off spacial anomaly.
This anomaly causes all sensors to malfunction and hides a class M planet behind it.
I’m calling foul though on the transporter being safer to use when you can’t rely on yours sensors than a shuttlecraft. You could certainly fly a shuttlecraft with minimal sensors, but a transporter beam? I don’t think so.
After exploring the discovery the Enterprise has one of those accidents that usually only occurs to superheroes. They meet a friendly alien race and immediately start fighting.
They settle things peaceably but the Enterprise is damaged enough that it will take major repairs to fix. They’re stuck in the area for a while.
”You need only to understand what your orders are, not why you are given them.”
So the Enterprise has to learn to combine their efforts with the alien crew, which, even though friendly still has enough cultural differences to cause issues.
This is something you don’t see or read in Star Trek all that often. Aliens sometimes are too ‘human’ in outlook.
”How is it you security officers are so gung-ho to put yourself in situations where you can get hurt,” he asked, “and then, when you actually do get hurt, suddenly it’s my fault your in pain?”
When he was a cadet, he’d reprogrammed the Kobayashi Maru simulation test, doing away with some of the variables and allowing him to actually beat the test, a feat never achieved before. In the years since, he’d come to realize that he’d done himself a disservice.
”It is in our best interests to recognize that the Goeg Domain is not as similar to the Federation as we may have initially thought.”
At first this book seemed like it might be too simple. Not unpleasant, just not very challenging. That was a false sense of security. This is Star Trek all the way! No easy answers.
”You can’t detonate a photon torpedo inside a planetary atmosphere!”
”But Kirk wasn’t naive enough to believe the people who held power in the Federation were infallible.”
That was a terrific palette cleanser. A good straight forward Star Trek story that would have made a great episode.
I really don’t have any complaints. 4 stars.
May 13, 2024
TOS: Shocks of Adversity by William Leisner.
This book was… ok. It felt like a slightly above average TOS book but it gave us nothing new. Basically, Kirk and crew are exploring a nebula (there’s also a mention of the probe from the Voyager episode which is a nice shoutout) and they have a misunderstanding with a new Federation like alliance and Kirk finds a kindred spirit with the guy of the ship who’s the captain. Basically, it’s a story we’ve over and over again in Trek. I would have to say the best variation of that I’ve seen is Janeway with the First Quadrant people in Beyer’s Voyager run.
Hell we even see the exact plot with Face of the Unknown by Chris Bennett. But that was exploring the First Federation, which we barely anything about. The writing was competent enough, I just wish the plot and ideas weren’t so generic. We’ve seen this plot so many times before in Trek. It was frustrating.
This is a 6.5/10 for me
This book was… ok. It felt like a slightly above average TOS book but it gave us nothing new. Basically, Kirk and crew are exploring a nebula (there’s also a mention of the probe from the Voyager episode which is a nice shoutout) and they have a misunderstanding with a new Federation like alliance and Kirk finds a kindred spirit with the guy of the ship who’s the captain. Basically, it’s a story we’ve over and over again in Trek. I would have to say the best variation of that I’ve seen is Janeway with the First Quadrant people in Beyer’s Voyager run.
Hell we even see the exact plot with Face of the Unknown by Chris Bennett. But that was exploring the First Federation, which we barely anything about. The writing was competent enough, I just wish the plot and ideas weren’t so generic. We’ve seen this plot so many times before in Trek. It was frustrating.
This is a 6.5/10 for me
April 25, 2020
This was a decent TOS novel. Leisner hit the marks on character very well — the dialogue and tone seemed to match and I appreciated that he featured each of the crew members more or less equally. However, it felt like it took 2/3rds of the book to finally get into the main story. If a little more time was spent understanding the Taarpi and getting to know the prisoner I think this would have been much more effective. This was good but ultimately not on par with the other Trek novels.
July 29, 2025
Leisner's writing is true to both the characters and the optimistic philosophy of TOS. There are some nice easter eggs referencing actual TOS episodes and bringing in characters from TAS, and Leisner includes just enough technobabble to help set the scene without making my eyes glaze over. The premise leaves the Enterprise crew without much to do at times, but overall it's a solid story.
February 4, 2019
Hat mir erstaunlich gut gefallen. Etwas Witz, Spannung, die Erkenntnis, dass nicht jeder ein Thema gleich sieht, aber die Hoffnung, dass Moral unter denkenden Spezies dennoch universell ist. Alles in allem ein gutes Buch, dem höchstens noch irgendein gewisses Etwas fehlt.
December 9, 2020
Sometimes a new friend can shine a new light
I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. Sometimes new friends will appear to you in the strangest ways. When they do, listen and embrace what you learn. Enjoy the travels!
I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. Sometimes new friends will appear to you in the strangest ways. When they do, listen and embrace what you learn. Enjoy the travels!
August 13, 2022
Great adventure in the true spirit of Star Trek
The author did a great job creating imagery throughout the story. Kirk, Spock, and McCoy, plus the other familiar Star Trek characters were true to form. This was one of the better Star Trek stories I’ve read.
The author did a great job creating imagery throughout the story. Kirk, Spock, and McCoy, plus the other familiar Star Trek characters were true to form. This was one of the better Star Trek stories I’ve read.
September 17, 2023
A very enjoyable, and different, STOS experience. William Leisner is a very good writer. It wasn’t an easy story to tell, but he did a great job. All the added characters and compiling situations were handled well and in an enjoyable style. All Trek readers should definitely give this one a try.
December 11, 2016
I really enjoyed the character analysis in this story. The comparison with personnel from the Domain Defense Corps helps to showcase aspects of personality.
December 30, 2017
I love all of the Star Trek books. This one held up. Excellent books.
November 19, 2018
Good read
This story had lots of good twists and turns. I think it was the first time I have read this author, I will look for other book s by him.
This story had lots of good twists and turns. I think it was the first time I have read this author, I will look for other book s by him.
October 24, 2020
Good, standard Trek adventure with nice interplay of the the classic characters and nice references to previous missions familiar to any Trekkie.
April 29, 2022
Better than a lot of ST TOS novels. Some interesting alien characters. I really liked the Liruq engineer N'Mi. Thought she'd make a good starfleet officer.
August 1, 2023
Not the best. The characters weren't really accurate and it felt intentional to move the plot, which ... Nah.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews