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Star Trek: The Original Series
Garth of Izar
GARTH OF IZAR: The legend of Captain Garth, the hero of Axanar, has spread throughout the Federation. His exploits are required reading at Starfleet Academy – where he became a hero of a future legend, James T. Kirk…
GARTH OF IZAR: Brutal injuries sustained on Antos IV forced the native Antosians to heal him by means of giving him their natural shape-changing abilities. But the cure proved worse than the disease, as Garth was driven insane…
GARTH OF IZAR: His madness apparently cured at the rehab colony on Elba II, Captain Garth has returned to service to mediate a crisis on Antos IV, with the aid of Captain Kirk and the Starship Enterprise. But has Garth truly put his insanity behind him, or will he renew his plans for conquest – starting with the Antosians?
GARTH OF IZAR: Brutal injuries sustained on Antos IV forced the native Antosians to heal him by means of giving him their natural shape-changing abilities. But the cure proved worse than the disease, as Garth was driven insane…
GARTH OF IZAR: His madness apparently cured at the rehab colony on Elba II, Captain Garth has returned to service to mediate a crisis on Antos IV, with the aid of Captain Kirk and the Starship Enterprise. But has Garth truly put his insanity behind him, or will he renew his plans for conquest – starting with the Antosians?
288 pages, Paperback
First published February 25, 2003
23 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Sargent
161 books208 followersPamela Sargent has won the Nebula Award, the Locus Award, and has been a finalist for the Hugo Award, the Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award, and the Sidewise Award for alternate history. In 2012, she was honored with the Pilgrim Award by the Science Fiction Research Association for lifetime achievement in science fiction scholarship. She is the author of the novels Cloned Lives, The Sudden Star, Watchstar, The Golden Space, The Alien Upstairs, Eye of the Comet, Homesmind, Alien Child, The Shore of Women, Venus of Dreams, Venus of Shadows, Child of Venus, Climb the Wind, and Ruler of the Sky. Her most recent short story collection is Thumbprints, published by Golden Gryphon Press, with an introduction by James Morrow. The Washington Post Book World has called her “one of the genre's best writers.”
In the 1970s, she edited the Women of Wonder series, the first collections of science fiction by women; her other anthologies include Bio-Futures and, with British writer Ian Watson as co-editor, Afterlives. Two anthologies, Women of Wonder, The Classic Years: Science Fiction by Women from the 1940s to the 1970s and Women of Wonder, The Contemporary Years: Science Fiction by Women from the 1970s to the 1990s, were published by Harcourt Brace in 1995; Publishers Weekly called these two books “essential reading for any serious sf fan.” Her most recent anthology is Conqueror Fantastic, out from DAW Books in 2004. Tor Books reissued her 1983 young adult novel Earthseed, selected as a Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association, and a sequel, Farseed, in early 2007. A third volume, Seed Seeker, was published in November of 2010 by Tor. Earthseed has been optioned by Paramount Pictures, with Melissa Rosenberg, scriptwriter for all of the Twilight films, writing the script and producing through her Tall Girls Productions.
A collection, Puss in D.C. and Other Stories, is out; her novel Season of the Cats is out in hardcover and will be available in paperback from Wildside Press. The Shore of Women has been optioned for development as a TV series by Super Deluxe Films, part of Turner Broadcasting.
Pamela Sargent lives in Albany, New York.
In the 1970s, she edited the Women of Wonder series, the first collections of science fiction by women; her other anthologies include Bio-Futures and, with British writer Ian Watson as co-editor, Afterlives. Two anthologies, Women of Wonder, The Classic Years: Science Fiction by Women from the 1940s to the 1970s and Women of Wonder, The Contemporary Years: Science Fiction by Women from the 1970s to the 1990s, were published by Harcourt Brace in 1995; Publishers Weekly called these two books “essential reading for any serious sf fan.” Her most recent anthology is Conqueror Fantastic, out from DAW Books in 2004. Tor Books reissued her 1983 young adult novel Earthseed, selected as a Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association, and a sequel, Farseed, in early 2007. A third volume, Seed Seeker, was published in November of 2010 by Tor. Earthseed has been optioned by Paramount Pictures, with Melissa Rosenberg, scriptwriter for all of the Twilight films, writing the script and producing through her Tall Girls Productions.
A collection, Puss in D.C. and Other Stories, is out; her novel Season of the Cats is out in hardcover and will be available in paperback from Wildside Press. The Shore of Women has been optioned for development as a TV series by Super Deluxe Films, part of Turner Broadcasting.
Pamela Sargent lives in Albany, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 29, 2021
I think I would have enjoyed this much more if I had been more invested in the plight of the Antosians. The authors try hard, but in the end their long, grim, relentless march to a depressing civil war simply didn't connect with me. Luckily, the plot dealing with Garth and the suspicions around his recovery are much more effective. This is one of those novels where I found the Starfleet half of the plot to be more interesting than the alien culture.
July 28, 2011
The sequel to "Whom Gods Destroy" is a book that while being well intentioned doesn't work for a lack of trying. Sargent & Zebrowski bring back a "sane" Captain Garth who has finished up his rehab on Elba II in order to have him go back to Antos IV the world he originally tried to destroy. The beginning part of the book takes far too long to even set up the plot & by the time Garth is picked up & the mission to Antos IV begins as a reader I was a bit bored. More frustrating still is that the Antosian plot seems so uninteresting that you almost don't want to care. The plot itself is predictable to a fault & the book itself seems to drag out an ending that it doesn't need too. For a sequel to an all right episode of TOS, Garth's return deserved far, far better.
April 29, 2021
Captain Garth, the hero of Axanar and former inmate of the Elba II hospital for the criminally insane, has been cured and requests reinstatement of his Starfleet commission and an assignment to Antos IV to help broker a peace with the people who gave him his unique metamorphic abilities. Admiral Mendez sends Kirk and the 'Enterprise' to assist.
This novel deals with mental health issues well and a balance of trust is recommended throughout. While the plot could be more central to the story, the characterisation is outstanding.
This novel deals with mental health issues well and a balance of trust is recommended throughout. While the plot could be more central to the story, the characterisation is outstanding.
October 3, 2014
No matter how many times I tried to finish it, I did it just now. I find the plot UNREALISTIC. And Captain Garth being totally good, hurts my brain. That's all
August 1, 2025
A few notes on Garth of Izar by Pamela Sargent and George Zebrowski:
“Suspicion builds its own endless bureaucracy of questions and doubts”
—Captain James T Kirk
A sequel to one of the more iconic episodes of the original series. It shines a bit of a spotlight on the state of mental healthcare in Gene Roddenberry’s hopeful future. It seems that despite the advances humanity makes, dealing with the subject mental illness still makes people uneasy. Sargent and Zebrowski claim the reason why that remains so in the 23rd century lies in the fact that major forms of mental illness proving resistant to treatment is such an extreme rarity. In true Roddenberry fashion, however, most of this future’s residents do their best not to demonize others despite their feelings of unease.
Which brings us to Garth of Izar, his shapechanging powers and the megalomaniacal actions he took in the TOS episode Whom Gods Destroy. It is now two years later (in the final year of Kirk’s famous Five Year Mission), Garth has been proclaimed sane, returned to Starfleet, and now returns to the planet Antos IV, the world where he lost his mind. He is going there as a Federation ambassador—which means that as far as this mission is concerned, Kirk reports to him and spends a good portion of the novel contemplating the veracity of Garth’s recovery.
Upon arrival at Antos we find there’s a hidden wrinkle to the plan that was kept top secret. It seems that Garth’s time with the Antosians was just as profound and disruptive to them as it was to Garth. This is a world on the brink of civil war and the Federation wants to help bring the factions together because no one wants to see a war between shape changers, especially one with the potential to spill out across the stars…
It may be due to all the Hammer films and other old horror movies I’ve been devouring lately, but instead of the actor who actually played Garth in TOS, whenever he appears in the book I visualize Christopher Lee. The thought of Lee, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelly all playing off each other is a pretty giddy thought and one that sadly will never happen now…
The first part of the novel is slow and seemingly talks in circles, but once I cleared that portion there was a definite improvement. Sargent and Zebrowski really know how to throw curveballs in the plot and things get dark pretty quick. They keep you hooked and reading past bedtime. The ultimate solution was really nice—at first it seemed there were only two choices for helping/dealing with the Antosian dilemma, but in true Star Trek fashion a third choice slowly develops
“Suspicion builds its own endless bureaucracy of questions and doubts”
—Captain James T Kirk
A sequel to one of the more iconic episodes of the original series. It shines a bit of a spotlight on the state of mental healthcare in Gene Roddenberry’s hopeful future. It seems that despite the advances humanity makes, dealing with the subject mental illness still makes people uneasy. Sargent and Zebrowski claim the reason why that remains so in the 23rd century lies in the fact that major forms of mental illness proving resistant to treatment is such an extreme rarity. In true Roddenberry fashion, however, most of this future’s residents do their best not to demonize others despite their feelings of unease.
Which brings us to Garth of Izar, his shapechanging powers and the megalomaniacal actions he took in the TOS episode Whom Gods Destroy. It is now two years later (in the final year of Kirk’s famous Five Year Mission), Garth has been proclaimed sane, returned to Starfleet, and now returns to the planet Antos IV, the world where he lost his mind. He is going there as a Federation ambassador—which means that as far as this mission is concerned, Kirk reports to him and spends a good portion of the novel contemplating the veracity of Garth’s recovery.
Upon arrival at Antos we find there’s a hidden wrinkle to the plan that was kept top secret. It seems that Garth’s time with the Antosians was just as profound and disruptive to them as it was to Garth. This is a world on the brink of civil war and the Federation wants to help bring the factions together because no one wants to see a war between shape changers, especially one with the potential to spill out across the stars…
It may be due to all the Hammer films and other old horror movies I’ve been devouring lately, but instead of the actor who actually played Garth in TOS, whenever he appears in the book I visualize Christopher Lee. The thought of Lee, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelly all playing off each other is a pretty giddy thought and one that sadly will never happen now…
The first part of the novel is slow and seemingly talks in circles, but once I cleared that portion there was a definite improvement. Sargent and Zebrowski really know how to throw curveballs in the plot and things get dark pretty quick. They keep you hooked and reading past bedtime. The ultimate solution was really nice—at first it seemed there were only two choices for helping/dealing with the Antosian dilemma, but in true Star Trek fashion a third choice slowly develops
November 8, 2021
I was looking forward to reading this book to see what this character could be doing after his one appearance in the Original Series' "Whom Gods Destroy." It started out well, took a neat turn, but then left me disappointed.
Garth has been declared sane by Starfleet and wants to return to the world when he learned his shape changing abilities. He wants to return because the peaceful world of shape shifters have been "tainted" by his presence on their world and a possible civil war could erupt with the dissidents thinking of conquering other worlds. Garth has control of the mission, but Kirk has control of the Enterprise.
Once on the world there is a change in Chapter 5, which was expected, but then there's another twist shortly after, taking the book in an entirely different direction. I enjoyed this, but it's the final third of the book where things just fall apart.
My hat is off to the writers for making this the most detailed account of what can go right or wrong when contacting an alien race, but then it got so deep into the deliberations and possibilities that it grew tiresome to read. I really just didn't care what happened to anyone by the end. The final shape that the rebels changed into and their dilemma didn't help.
This was a sad way to feel after reading a book from a series that I so enjoy.
Garth has been declared sane by Starfleet and wants to return to the world when he learned his shape changing abilities. He wants to return because the peaceful world of shape shifters have been "tainted" by his presence on their world and a possible civil war could erupt with the dissidents thinking of conquering other worlds. Garth has control of the mission, but Kirk has control of the Enterprise.
Once on the world there is a change in Chapter 5, which was expected, but then there's another twist shortly after, taking the book in an entirely different direction. I enjoyed this, but it's the final third of the book where things just fall apart.
My hat is off to the writers for making this the most detailed account of what can go right or wrong when contacting an alien race, but then it got so deep into the deliberations and possibilities that it grew tiresome to read. I really just didn't care what happened to anyone by the end. The final shape that the rebels changed into and their dilemma didn't help.
This was a sad way to feel after reading a book from a series that I so enjoy.
November 22, 2020
On the one hand, it's a respectful depiction of Garth and a satisfying arc for him after "Whom Gods Destroy." I really appreciated that they didn't rely purely on "Garth goes crazy again whoopsie," but had a fairly progressive view of mental illness, even if it was a made-up sci-fi mental illness. I also liked that they took the setup for the plot a little further than most Star Trek episodes do, at the point where usually the ship would blissfully fly away, oh wait there are further complications because this is politics and there are more than two sides, more than two options.
On the other hand, the actual writing isn't exactly stellar. The dialogue is ridiculously scripted-sounding, the characters all speechify and sound the same, the plot doesn't have much going on in it, and the characters overlook obvious things. I almost put the book down in the first few pages because I thought the authors just didn't know the difference between Klingons and Romulans. Based on the Goodreads reviews saying it was just that one sequence at the beginning, I kept reading, and I'm glad I read the whole thing because I love Garth and am really happy with how he was treated, it's not a standout book as a whole.
On the other hand, the actual writing isn't exactly stellar. The dialogue is ridiculously scripted-sounding, the characters all speechify and sound the same, the plot doesn't have much going on in it, and the characters overlook obvious things. I almost put the book down in the first few pages because I thought the authors just didn't know the difference between Klingons and Romulans. Based on the Goodreads reviews saying it was just that one sequence at the beginning, I kept reading, and I'm glad I read the whole thing because I love Garth and am really happy with how he was treated, it's not a standout book as a whole.
December 23, 2025
Two stars but very tempted to put one but this book didn't make me angry and there are a couple redeeming qualities. For a book called Garth of Izar he's a side character in it. Kirk is first and foremost the main character but the book has a lot of dialogue and scenes with lots of discussion and then Garth is like " Yeah." end scene. His plan is obfuscate by him revealing it away from the page to where the reader is asking why Kirk is going along with this plan and then Kirk asks himself the same question and it was at that point I ultimately gave up on this book ever redeeming itself. There are a lot of straw man problems where the author puts obstacles in the path that have simple solutions but the characters somehow don't see it. The ultimate climax which is hinted on the cover made me ask out loud, "the book has led to this moment? That's it?!" The plot is dumb, Garth may not be crazy anymore but he's an idiot and so is Kirk and the Federation for even putting him in this position. What is good about the book is Bones. There is also an allegory to Christ's sacrifice in here that I am not sure if the authors even realized they did it. Anyway, a post mentally-healed story of Garth could have been interesting but this wasn't it.
August 16, 2023
Filling in missing titles in my Trek book collection, I purchased this used in 2023. It was an okay read, there are some errors early on, where Kirk dreams about serving with Garth, prior to Garth losing his marbles. The authors flip between mentioning Romulans then Klingons, in the same paragraph, confusing the two. So is the battle with the Romulans or Klingons? One couldn't tell for sure.
Sane Garth's return to Antos IV and Kirk and crew's meeting with the Antosians was mildly interesting, if a little too much beaming up, down, back up again etc. I couldn't help thinking that the authors might have made the Antosians a peaceful breakaway faction of The Changelings from Deep Space Nine and written it as a twist in the tale at the end. That would have been interesting.
Overall, the story was designed, in order to redeem Garth from his described actions prior to and during the episode Whom Gods Destroy. It was good that third season episodes get sequels like this, as so many rag on this season, which I actually prefer to the second.
Sane Garth's return to Antos IV and Kirk and crew's meeting with the Antosians was mildly interesting, if a little too much beaming up, down, back up again etc. I couldn't help thinking that the authors might have made the Antosians a peaceful breakaway faction of The Changelings from Deep Space Nine and written it as a twist in the tale at the end. That would have been interesting.
Overall, the story was designed, in order to redeem Garth from his described actions prior to and during the episode Whom Gods Destroy. It was good that third season episodes get sequels like this, as so many rag on this season, which I actually prefer to the second.
May 31, 2022
Garth's destiny revealed
I always wondered what happened to Garth of Izar in the star trek episode whom Gods Destroy. This book not only did the title character justice in that it was well written, and gave a closer look into the mind, and background of a memorable character. It also paid honor to the actor who exceptionally brought Garth to life.
Steve Ihnat was a excellent character actor who didn't get the credit he deserved for his talented acting ability. I am so glad this book brought closer, and understanding to a individual viewed as a villain. But revealed to be a victim of circumstances he could not control or predict.
I recommend this book highly, especially to star trek fans who always wondered whatever happened to Garth of Izar. Thank you for bringing honor, and recognition to Steve Ihnat. May he be well remembered for the great actor he is.
I always wondered what happened to Garth of Izar in the star trek episode whom Gods Destroy. This book not only did the title character justice in that it was well written, and gave a closer look into the mind, and background of a memorable character. It also paid honor to the actor who exceptionally brought Garth to life.
Steve Ihnat was a excellent character actor who didn't get the credit he deserved for his talented acting ability. I am so glad this book brought closer, and understanding to a individual viewed as a villain. But revealed to be a victim of circumstances he could not control or predict.
I recommend this book highly, especially to star trek fans who always wondered whatever happened to Garth of Izar. Thank you for bringing honor, and recognition to Steve Ihnat. May he be well remembered for the great actor he is.
July 5, 2017
For my taste a bit too much psychology involved. But the overall action compensates, just not entirely. The plot is quite complex and the events are often not as expected. Some of my favourite characters died while i wished them a happy ending. There is heroism but also a lot of (seemingly) senseless action and violence.
I don't seem to like too much the books about heroes from the past that somehow are diminished in size as they have to cope with the present and their own role in it. Ageing is not easy...
I don't seem to like too much the books about heroes from the past that somehow are diminished in size as they have to cope with the present and their own role in it. Ageing is not easy...
April 24, 2021
Good story
My thoughts on the writing are this. Predictable but good story. I knew the ending way to soon. Kirk did things out of character. Again, good story but I could only give it a three star rating. It is worth the read
My thoughts on the writing are this. Predictable but good story. I knew the ending way to soon. Kirk did things out of character. Again, good story but I could only give it a three star rating. It is worth the read
October 23, 2021
Boring, utterly devoid of plot, and internally inconsistent. A fascinating character, full of possibility, shoehorned into a truly pointless narrative. And the Battle of Axanar is reduced to a single, ridiculous maneuver that we've seen a million time before from car chases to Top Gun.
March 19, 2022
Flashback
This book is a great follow up to the tv episode. I now have to go back and watch the episode.
This book is a great follow up to the tv episode. I now have to go back and watch the episode.
July 6, 2024
It’s so dull.
August 9, 2025
The writers certainly have a love for the character, but I perhaps didn’t find it as captivating as they did.
May 24, 2013
A fairly entertaining novel continuing the story of the madman Garth of Izar from the original Star Trek series episode "Whom Gods Destroy." I liked the concept of hearing more about a previously established character. (I guess that makes it sound like I should enjoy fanfiction, right? But in general, I don't...)
I did think I was losing my marbles when all through the dream sequence in the first chapter, the enemy ship kept switching back and forth between being Romulan and Klingon with no acknowledgement whatsoever... I suppose, to be generous, it could be attributed to it being a dream sequence, but I find it more likely that they just needed a "find and replace." Editing, guys, editing!
There were times that I wanted to yell at Kirk & company for not seeing the next step coming. These people are SHAPESHIFTERS! I mean, really! But overall, the story kept me going and I think the characters were written pretty true to form. (There were no glaring "so-and-so would never say that" moments.)
A quick read for fans of the original series.
I did think I was losing my marbles when all through the dream sequence in the first chapter, the enemy ship kept switching back and forth between being Romulan and Klingon with no acknowledgement whatsoever... I suppose, to be generous, it could be attributed to it being a dream sequence, but I find it more likely that they just needed a "find and replace." Editing, guys, editing!
There were times that I wanted to yell at Kirk & company for not seeing the next step coming. These people are SHAPESHIFTERS! I mean, really! But overall, the story kept me going and I think the characters were written pretty true to form. (There were no glaring "so-and-so would never say that" moments.)
A quick read for fans of the original series.
August 27, 2014
This book is a follow up to Star Trek TOS episode "Whom Gods Destroy". If you are not familiar with at least the basic plot elements of that episode, this book is not for you. In this book, Captain Garth, apparently cured of his madness, is reinstated to Starfleet and sent on a diplomatic mission to Antos IV.
To me, the first part of the book was much better than the second half. I enjoyed Kirk's interaction with his hero Captain Garth. The diplomatic mission part dragged on for too long. Overall, I enjoyed the book. But, a better second half would have made me enjoy it all the more.
To me, the first part of the book was much better than the second half. I enjoyed Kirk's interaction with his hero Captain Garth. The diplomatic mission part dragged on for too long. Overall, I enjoyed the book. But, a better second half would have made me enjoy it all the more.
July 6, 2025
A Goodread. I love when they bring back an old character. We get to see what happens to Garth after Kirk and Spock left. Also find out how Garth got put in the Asylum to begin with. Although this is not an action pack book there is some edge of your seat moments, hope, distrust, unexpected twist and tragedy. Making the book a well worth read.
March 24, 2015
Well, I did enjoy the book although it is somewhat predictable. I've always loved the character of Garth of Izar and wish there had been a back story or that he had been given his own series. Ultimately, it was a decent time waster.
August 29, 2009
Captain Kirk plays chaperone to Captain Garth, supposedly cured from his madness, on a mission to mediate civil unrest on Antos IV.
I couldn't really get into this book.
I couldn't really get into this book.
February 2, 2011
A good continuation of Garth's legacy. One error at the beginning (was Kirk dreaming of a Romulan or a Klingon attack?) didn't mar what is otherwise a great Star Trek novel.
October 28, 2016
Decent enough book... but kind of a meh ending.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews