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Star Trek Adventures #4
The Price of the Phoenix
Poker is a game best played with a straight face and steely nerves. Now Spock must play the most dangerous game of all. At risk: the sovereignty of the Federation. The stakes: Captain James T. Kirk.
182 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1977
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December 2, 2011
A courageous and important book that dares to posit the theory: Kirk & Spock…friends, shipmates, comrades…LOVERS???
A careful reading of this book makes it obvious that the piercing insight of the authors, Ms. Marshak & Ms. Culbreath, perceived far more deeply than most into the subtleties and nuances of the complicated relationship between Kirk and Spock. In fact, they saw more than many of the most ardent fans of the show may have been willing to notice or even admit. Crazy you say? Balderdash you challenge? Well, open your mind and read on and you may be very surprised by the time this review is over.
At the outset, let me say I was quite impressed that the authors did not shy away from the strength of their convictions regarding the true nature of the Kirk/Spock relationship, despite such nature being well outside the recognized, approved depiction of Star trek canon. Before analyzing their conclusions in light of “official” Star Trek doctrine, I thought it would be appropriate to let people see for themselves the unrestrained passion, the physical hunger, the deeply felt emotion that the authors so admirably (at least in this reviewers opinion) gave full expression.
PLEASE NOTE: None of the text below has been altered or embellished in any way and is reproduced verbatim from the book though I will provide a bit of context so you can understand the quotes. For these passages, all you need to know is that immediately prior to the beginning of the novel, Kirk has apparently been killed, leaving Spock both enraged and despondent. Subsequently, Spock learns that Kirk is still alive and the following takes place immediately after Spock’s discovery of Kirk’s body.
[..................A short while later.....................]
[.................And a short while later................]
Now let’s pause for just a moment to examine more closely a few of these passages as they are quite telling: “...and then Kirk’s hands reached to ease the shoulders and to draw him surprisingly close. ‘We are alone, Mr. Spock,’ he said. ‘Quite alone. Do You Understand?’ ‘Indeed, Captain. Quite alone.’"........Powerful, powerful stuff folks. Keep in mind this is a Star Trek novel and not a Harlequin romance. These authors are not afraid to take chances.
What about this, “Spock slipped in easily at the level of warmth . He had been here before. It knew how to accept him.”.....uh...uh...I'm pretty sure a comment is called for, but I'm a little disorientated right now, so let's move on.
Finally, what about the courage to include the following risqué imagery, “Veins stood out in ridges.
The lips formed ‘Spock!’ Stomach muscles knotted and flung the wide shoulders up into arms which caught them. The hazel eyes snapped open.”........All I can say is WOW!!!
So after completing the novel, I was forced to ponder the meaning (the mark of any great literature in my opinion). Did the authors have some inside knowledge of Star Trek that those of us who watched the show were not made privy? I mean it makes sense given the period in which the show was made (1967-1969) that Gene Roddenberry would feel the need to disguise certain aspects of Kirk and Spock’s relationship in order to pass muster with the Network stiffs and censors. Make sense to you?
So I decided to do some digging into this interesting premise and lo and behold, what I found was...to quote Mr. Spock...fascinating. My research made two things painfully clear (at least to me):
1. Kirk and Spock were indeed much more than friends and this dynamic was intentional on the part of the show’s creators, though for obvious reasons their relationship needed to be somewhat disguised.
2. Kirk and Spock’s relationship was the primary source of tension between Spock and McCoy due to McCoy’s old fashioned outlook and his disapproval of their…intimacy.
Let’s look at number 1 first. To back my conclusion I will use only material that is part of the official Star Trek Canon to demonstrate the clear, though subtly disguised, intimate nature of Kirk and Spock’s relationship,
Item #1 is a “thinly masked” exchange between the two:
I don’t know about you, but it made me feel pretty stupid for not having seen it before. Additionally, what about this even less subtle interaction:
Good heavens, what blinders we had on. For the life of me, I’m not sure how we missed this one:
Think about it, the show takes place in the 24th century and it is logical to assume that by then all of the hang ups and prejudices about sexual orientation would have long since vanished. Mr. Roddenberry was a man of vision and it seems clear that he was determined to share his hope of a world without prejudice of any kind and took those steps he felt necessary to share that vision while still placating the close-minded attitudes of the “network executives” at the time.
Moving on to my second point (i.e., that McCoy and Spock’s animosity was the direct result of McCoy’s unwillingness to accept their relationship), we find some amazing things.
Think about the following:
A. McCoy’s character is described as very “old fashioned” and Bones is someone who resists change of any kind. He's what you refer to as “set in his ways.” Therefore, the look of utter loathing and disgust on McCoy’s face in the following scene when Spock innocently tries touches him is very revealing:
It's been right there in front of us the whole time. Pretty clear isn’t it?
B. Finally, and most obvious of all, is McCoy’s numerous, misguided attempts to steer Kirk towards members of the opposite sex in the hopes of persuading Jim to give up his alternative lifestyle:
Taken together, it becomes clear that the authors knew of what they were writing and have come closest to describing the true essence of this legendary relationship. I found it an eye opening experience and my great respect and admiration for Gene Roddenberry’s unique vision has only increased.
Now ultimately, I am only giving this book 2.5 stars because, despite the deeply passionate and evocative writing as it related to Kirk and Spock, I was somewhat disappointed in some of the pacing and I was not a fan of the end which seemed way too much of a dues ex machina.
Still this is a book that should be read for the keen and piercing insight into one of the most storied relationships in television history. Bravo Ms. Marshak, Bravo Ms. Culbreath.
A careful reading of this book makes it obvious that the piercing insight of the authors, Ms. Marshak & Ms. Culbreath, perceived far more deeply than most into the subtleties and nuances of the complicated relationship between Kirk and Spock. In fact, they saw more than many of the most ardent fans of the show may have been willing to notice or even admit. Crazy you say? Balderdash you challenge? Well, open your mind and read on and you may be very surprised by the time this review is over.
At the outset, let me say I was quite impressed that the authors did not shy away from the strength of their convictions regarding the true nature of the Kirk/Spock relationship, despite such nature being well outside the recognized, approved depiction of Star trek canon. Before analyzing their conclusions in light of “official” Star Trek doctrine, I thought it would be appropriate to let people see for themselves the unrestrained passion, the physical hunger, the deeply felt emotion that the authors so admirably (at least in this reviewers opinion) gave full expression.
PLEASE NOTE: None of the text below has been altered or embellished in any way and is reproduced verbatim from the book though I will provide a bit of context so you can understand the quotes. For these passages, all you need to know is that immediately prior to the beginning of the novel, Kirk has apparently been killed, leaving Spock both enraged and despondent. Subsequently, Spock learns that Kirk is still alive and the following takes place immediately after Spock’s discovery of Kirk’s body.
He [Spock] looked down and was stopped for a moment. He could not use the name. If he used the name he was certainly lost. He unlocked a hand from behind his back and closed long fingers on the bare, warm shoulder.
Surprise. And then a smile played on the still sleeping lips.
Then Spock saw the face relive the moment of astonishment, unbelief, belief. Veins stood out in ridges.
The lips formed “Spock!” Stomach muscles knotted and flung the wide shoulders up into arms which caught them. The hazel eyes snapped open.
After a moment they focused. The waking voice whispered, “Spock?” The arms closed on Spock’s shoulders.
“Shh-” Spock said [to Kirk] and held for a moment, then disentangled and eased the shoulders down, pulled up the fallen sheet. “Rest.”
[..................A short while later.....................]
“This is my Captain,” Spock said. “I require no inspection.”
“But I require it.” Omne answered.
Kirk’s eyes never left Spock, acknowledged no other presence. “And I require it,” he said. “Your faith was what I wanted. It is your certainty I need-- and my own. Use the mind-touch, Spock.”
[.................And a short while later................]
He took Kirk’s face in his hands, not asking, this time a permission which had always been granted.
His fingers found the stylized position of the mind-touch and he cleared his own mind of the vision of the flames. He could do it now. He swept mind and body clean of the horror that must not be in the touch.
And he saw the same kind of clearing in Kirk’s face, the steadying down to quiet control, the fine courage of the willingness to open.
...And then Kirk’s hands reached to ease the shoulders and to draw him surprisingly close. “We are alone, Mr. Spock,” he said. “Quite alone. Do You Understand?” “Indeed, Captain. Quite alone.” And he made it true.
The mind-touch was a lowering of personal barriers. It did not require privacy, it nonetheless cried for it.
Spock slipped in easily at the level of warmth. He had been here before. It knew how to accept him.
Spock fought to keep the touch narrow, to move quickly up to the cooler level of consciousness. “Jim?”
My God, yes! It is yes? Spock heard the soft mind-laughter. “Hell, yes! Spock?”
“Yes. Indeed, yes!”
Laughter again, rippling like quicksilver. Where is my logical Vulcan?
Here.
Sudden catching of breath. ‘Even if-it’s not-me, Spock?”
It is you, all of you, irrespective of anything which has happened. That is my certainty, and your own. A shudder, caught and held to stillness.”
Now let’s pause for just a moment to examine more closely a few of these passages as they are quite telling: “...and then Kirk’s hands reached to ease the shoulders and to draw him surprisingly close. ‘We are alone, Mr. Spock,’ he said. ‘Quite alone. Do You Understand?’ ‘Indeed, Captain. Quite alone.’"........Powerful, powerful stuff folks. Keep in mind this is a Star Trek novel and not a Harlequin romance. These authors are not afraid to take chances.
What about this, “Spock slipped in easily at the level of warmth . He had been here before. It knew how to accept him.”.....uh...uh...I'm pretty sure a comment is called for, but I'm a little disorientated right now, so let's move on.
Finally, what about the courage to include the following risqué imagery, “Veins stood out in ridges.
The lips formed ‘Spock!’ Stomach muscles knotted and flung the wide shoulders up into arms which caught them. The hazel eyes snapped open.”........All I can say is WOW!!!
So after completing the novel, I was forced to ponder the meaning (the mark of any great literature in my opinion). Did the authors have some inside knowledge of Star Trek that those of us who watched the show were not made privy? I mean it makes sense given the period in which the show was made (1967-1969) that Gene Roddenberry would feel the need to disguise certain aspects of Kirk and Spock’s relationship in order to pass muster with the Network stiffs and censors. Make sense to you?
So I decided to do some digging into this interesting premise and lo and behold, what I found was...to quote Mr. Spock...fascinating. My research made two things painfully clear (at least to me):
1. Kirk and Spock were indeed much more than friends and this dynamic was intentional on the part of the show’s creators, though for obvious reasons their relationship needed to be somewhat disguised.
2. Kirk and Spock’s relationship was the primary source of tension between Spock and McCoy due to McCoy’s old fashioned outlook and his disapproval of their…intimacy.
Let’s look at number 1 first. To back my conclusion I will use only material that is part of the official Star Trek Canon to demonstrate the clear, though subtly disguised, intimate nature of Kirk and Spock’s relationship,
Item #1 is a “thinly masked” exchange between the two:
I don’t know about you, but it made me feel pretty stupid for not having seen it before. Additionally, what about this even less subtle interaction:
Good heavens, what blinders we had on. For the life of me, I’m not sure how we missed this one:
Think about it, the show takes place in the 24th century and it is logical to assume that by then all of the hang ups and prejudices about sexual orientation would have long since vanished. Mr. Roddenberry was a man of vision and it seems clear that he was determined to share his hope of a world without prejudice of any kind and took those steps he felt necessary to share that vision while still placating the close-minded attitudes of the “network executives” at the time.
Moving on to my second point (i.e., that McCoy and Spock’s animosity was the direct result of McCoy’s unwillingness to accept their relationship), we find some amazing things.
Think about the following:
A. McCoy’s character is described as very “old fashioned” and Bones is someone who resists change of any kind. He's what you refer to as “set in his ways.” Therefore, the look of utter loathing and disgust on McCoy’s face in the following scene when Spock innocently tries touches him is very revealing:
It's been right there in front of us the whole time. Pretty clear isn’t it?
B. Finally, and most obvious of all, is McCoy’s numerous, misguided attempts to steer Kirk towards members of the opposite sex in the hopes of persuading Jim to give up his alternative lifestyle:
Taken together, it becomes clear that the authors knew of what they were writing and have come closest to describing the true essence of this legendary relationship. I found it an eye opening experience and my great respect and admiration for Gene Roddenberry’s unique vision has only increased.
Now ultimately, I am only giving this book 2.5 stars because, despite the deeply passionate and evocative writing as it related to Kirk and Spock, I was somewhat disappointed in some of the pacing and I was not a fan of the end which seemed way too much of a dues ex machina.
Still this is a book that should be read for the keen and piercing insight into one of the most storied relationships in television history. Bravo Ms. Marshak, Bravo Ms. Culbreath.
December 29, 2024
I wanted to like this but the nonstop droning on and on about alphas, nobility, resonances, and ownership was just too much.
January 2, 2014
5 Minute Price of the Phoenix
KIRK: *dies*
SPOCK: Prepare to face thy doom, Omne.
OMNE: I have the technology. I control the horizontal. I control the vertical. I control this entire planet. I can bring him back.
JAMES: Hi!
OMNE: He's yours to have and to hold.. if you give me the Federation.
SPOCK: I left the Federation in my other pants.
ROMULAN COMMANDER: *helps Spock* What makes him think you've got the Federation?
SPOCK: Vulcans are godlike and superior. Of course we own the Fed, Starfleet, NBC and everything else. He can go get his own damn Federation.
OMNE beats the crap out of KIRK, then heals him with a magic spray can.
SPOCK: Especially not after he beat the crap out of my BFF.
SPOCK beats the crap out of OMNE.
ROM. CMDR.: Wow! Are you sure he's just your BFF?
SPOCK: Yes. This isn't slash. That would be illogical.
ROM. CMDR.: (wow, are you in denial.)
OMNE: Waaaah! I got my ass kicked by this powerful studly manly man Vulcan!
OMNE kills himself. SPOCK and the ROMULAN COMMANDER find the real Kirk (Not dead, I'm getting better!) and take him and James back to the Enterprise.
OMNE shows up and beats the crap out of everybody before being killed a second time.
OMNE: But I'll be back!!
KIRK: I was afraid of that.
ROMULAN COMMANDER: Let's disguise James as a Romulan,then take him to a world where men are the weaker sex because he's such a wimp.
SPOCK: OK.
THE END
KIRK: *dies*
SPOCK: Prepare to face thy doom, Omne.
OMNE: I have the technology. I control the horizontal. I control the vertical. I control this entire planet. I can bring him back.
JAMES: Hi!
OMNE: He's yours to have and to hold.. if you give me the Federation.
SPOCK: I left the Federation in my other pants.
ROMULAN COMMANDER: *helps Spock* What makes him think you've got the Federation?
SPOCK: Vulcans are godlike and superior. Of course we own the Fed, Starfleet, NBC and everything else. He can go get his own damn Federation.
OMNE beats the crap out of KIRK, then heals him with a magic spray can.
SPOCK: Especially not after he beat the crap out of my BFF.
SPOCK beats the crap out of OMNE.
ROM. CMDR.: Wow! Are you sure he's just your BFF?
SPOCK: Yes. This isn't slash. That would be illogical.
ROM. CMDR.: (wow, are you in denial.)
OMNE: Waaaah! I got my ass kicked by this powerful studly manly man Vulcan!
OMNE kills himself. SPOCK and the ROMULAN COMMANDER find the real Kirk (Not dead, I'm getting better!) and take him and James back to the Enterprise.
OMNE shows up and beats the crap out of everybody before being killed a second time.
OMNE: But I'll be back!!
KIRK: I was afraid of that.
ROMULAN COMMANDER: Let's disguise James as a Romulan,then take him to a world where men are the weaker sex because he's such a wimp.
SPOCK: OK.
THE END
December 5, 2022
Another in the "not good but very gay" subcategory of Star Trek novels. Three stars mostly as a salute to my ancestors.
December 22, 2022
A repeat of the duality of people story. The cover of the book I have with three faces is very bad.
August 3, 2017
I picked this up because I was in the mood for some old-timey STAR TREK and the cover art boasted just the right amount of '70s psychedelia.
I only wish I'd known something about the book's reputation.
First of all, the writing is simply awful. The authors make strange word choices and rely on awkward phrasing in order to sound more poetic. As a result, they come across as a couple of pretentious hacks. To a certain extent, I can live with that. I didn't pick up a 50-year-old STAR TREK novel expecting TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. What I really couldn't stand was the way they turned Kirk and Spock's epic bromance into a D-grade BROKEBACK PLANET.
The book features an appropriately cheesy sci-fi plot--something about Kirk dying, getting cloned, and then being used to manipulate Spock into betraying the Federation. Unfortunately, like so many writers of fanfic, the authors treat the STAR TREK universe as their own sexual playground rather than attempt to legitimately expand the mythology. 50 SHADES OF GRAY started out as TWILIGHT fanfic; THE PRICE OF THE PHOENIX might well have gone a similar, though largely homosexual, route.
Sexual subtext is one thing, but this book is in your face. You'd have to be pretty innocent indeed not to pick up on what the book is REALLY about. The story starts with the Enterprise crew responding to the apparent demise of Captain Kirk. Rather than behaving professionally, they react as though Kirk were Laura Palmer and this the pilot episode of TWIN PEAKS. Even worse, it isn't long before Spock is standing in front of a naked Kirk clone and engaging in the most sexually charged mind-meld ever. The book describes it thusly:
"Spock slipped in easily at the level of warmth. He had been here before. It knew how to accept him...Spock shifted his grip on Kirk's face. There was no precedent for this, no words which could be used. Only the necessity of reaching deep, quickly, deeper than ever, a swift agony of barriers to be broken, reaching through to layers and levels and hidden places which wanted and did not want to be touched...The Human gasped and sagged against the Vulcan. A moment of rebellion, no, not to be so close, so open, no. The rebellion put down. Necessity. Then, finally, being able to bear it, to reach for it, to reach back. Yes."
See what I mean?
A few scenes later, a Romulan female throws herself at the Kirk clone, who seems to hint that he can't sleep with her out of deference to Spock. She responds by suggesting what sounds suspiciously to me like a threesome.
"You'd have to take that up with Spock first," he said with a little smile which was nevertheless serious.
"I intend to."
He raised an almost Spockian eyebrow, undeterred by the fact that the other one got into the act. "A--custom of your people?"
"No. A custom of my own. I call it 'thinking beyond the phalanx.' Phalanx is not the word. But there are certain military problems which cannot be solved inside the standard military formations." She smiled, also seriously. "Other problems, too. And other-formations."
He nodded. "I know the concept. Get out of the box. Change the name of the game." He shook his head thoughtfully. "You might find that Spock and I are further outside of the phalanx than you know. In fact, I seem to be out of all boxes whatsoever."
If this is the kind of STAR TREK novel you want to read, then have at. As for me, I gave up less than halfway through. I can't decide whether to trade it in at the used bookstore or just set it on fire. One thing's certain: I will never pick up another book by these authors again.
I only wish I'd known something about the book's reputation.
First of all, the writing is simply awful. The authors make strange word choices and rely on awkward phrasing in order to sound more poetic. As a result, they come across as a couple of pretentious hacks. To a certain extent, I can live with that. I didn't pick up a 50-year-old STAR TREK novel expecting TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. What I really couldn't stand was the way they turned Kirk and Spock's epic bromance into a D-grade BROKEBACK PLANET.
The book features an appropriately cheesy sci-fi plot--something about Kirk dying, getting cloned, and then being used to manipulate Spock into betraying the Federation. Unfortunately, like so many writers of fanfic, the authors treat the STAR TREK universe as their own sexual playground rather than attempt to legitimately expand the mythology. 50 SHADES OF GRAY started out as TWILIGHT fanfic; THE PRICE OF THE PHOENIX might well have gone a similar, though largely homosexual, route.
Sexual subtext is one thing, but this book is in your face. You'd have to be pretty innocent indeed not to pick up on what the book is REALLY about. The story starts with the Enterprise crew responding to the apparent demise of Captain Kirk. Rather than behaving professionally, they react as though Kirk were Laura Palmer and this the pilot episode of TWIN PEAKS. Even worse, it isn't long before Spock is standing in front of a naked Kirk clone and engaging in the most sexually charged mind-meld ever. The book describes it thusly:
"Spock slipped in easily at the level of warmth. He had been here before. It knew how to accept him...Spock shifted his grip on Kirk's face. There was no precedent for this, no words which could be used. Only the necessity of reaching deep, quickly, deeper than ever, a swift agony of barriers to be broken, reaching through to layers and levels and hidden places which wanted and did not want to be touched...The Human gasped and sagged against the Vulcan. A moment of rebellion, no, not to be so close, so open, no. The rebellion put down. Necessity. Then, finally, being able to bear it, to reach for it, to reach back. Yes."
See what I mean?
A few scenes later, a Romulan female throws herself at the Kirk clone, who seems to hint that he can't sleep with her out of deference to Spock. She responds by suggesting what sounds suspiciously to me like a threesome.
"You'd have to take that up with Spock first," he said with a little smile which was nevertheless serious.
"I intend to."
He raised an almost Spockian eyebrow, undeterred by the fact that the other one got into the act. "A--custom of your people?"
"No. A custom of my own. I call it 'thinking beyond the phalanx.' Phalanx is not the word. But there are certain military problems which cannot be solved inside the standard military formations." She smiled, also seriously. "Other problems, too. And other-formations."
He nodded. "I know the concept. Get out of the box. Change the name of the game." He shook his head thoughtfully. "You might find that Spock and I are further outside of the phalanx than you know. In fact, I seem to be out of all boxes whatsoever."
If this is the kind of STAR TREK novel you want to read, then have at. As for me, I gave up less than halfway through. I can't decide whether to trade it in at the used bookstore or just set it on fire. One thing's certain: I will never pick up another book by these authors again.
November 30, 2022
This was some of the goofiest, horniest shit I've ever read. Please partake if you have any interest in:
Enjoy.
* Erroneous understandings of wolf behavior
* Second wave feminism... kinda...
* Clone angst
* Stockholm syndrome
* Kirk, Spock and Co running around dressed like cowboys/naked
* An exceptionally and undeniably alpha post-colonial giant who may or may not be part robot part fish.
Enjoy.
June 2, 2024
At the time of its original publication in 1977, Star Trek fever was in full bloom, with fan-devoted Trekkies/Trekkers building a huge merchandise market for anything related to the sci-fi TV series which had ended in the late 1960s. Many fans started writing their own works of fiction and distributed them via snail mail and fandom conventions. As the self-published works became popular, bigger corporations swept in to take advantage of the amount of money people were willing to spend to get anything related to Star Trek. This work was actually approved by series creator, Gene Roddenberry, which shows how quickly the fan base had expanded in the 1970s.
Captain James Tiberius Kirk is “killed” while visiting a planet where a notorious ruler has invented a “Phoenix” machine, whereby an exact duplicate can be made of a living person. Somehow, a clone of Kirk was made before his death and has been transported to the Starship Enterprise. The ever-loyal Spock completes a mind meld with the clone and confirms it is indeed a Kirk copy. But the Vulcan wants the real Kirk back which leads to the planet’s ruler telling Spock he must sacrifice the Federation in return.
In searching for the real Kirk, the Enterprise crew meet the Romulan Commander from a previous episode, who worries about the power of the renegade ruler’s Phoenix process. She joins with Spock to determine the whereabouts of the true Kirk which leads them to discover him being alive, and being tortured, by the nefarious ruler. Can the Romulan and the Vulcan combine forces to save James Kirk? And what will happen to the Kirk clone?
This book was clearly inspired by the success of the introduction of the Romulans in the TV series, enemies who were more temperate than the nasty Klingons. I think the authors hit the right buttons here by focusing on the intense loyalty of Spock and Kirk while also hitting on the curiosity of the un-named Romulan Commander. I enjoyed reading it, although I think it helps the reader to have some kind of background regarding the whole Star Trek phenomenon.
Book Season = Year Round (Vulcan neck pinches)
Captain James Tiberius Kirk is “killed” while visiting a planet where a notorious ruler has invented a “Phoenix” machine, whereby an exact duplicate can be made of a living person. Somehow, a clone of Kirk was made before his death and has been transported to the Starship Enterprise. The ever-loyal Spock completes a mind meld with the clone and confirms it is indeed a Kirk copy. But the Vulcan wants the real Kirk back which leads to the planet’s ruler telling Spock he must sacrifice the Federation in return.
In searching for the real Kirk, the Enterprise crew meet the Romulan Commander from a previous episode, who worries about the power of the renegade ruler’s Phoenix process. She joins with Spock to determine the whereabouts of the true Kirk which leads them to discover him being alive, and being tortured, by the nefarious ruler. Can the Romulan and the Vulcan combine forces to save James Kirk? And what will happen to the Kirk clone?
This book was clearly inspired by the success of the introduction of the Romulans in the TV series, enemies who were more temperate than the nasty Klingons. I think the authors hit the right buttons here by focusing on the intense loyalty of Spock and Kirk while also hitting on the curiosity of the un-named Romulan Commander. I enjoyed reading it, although I think it helps the reader to have some kind of background regarding the whole Star Trek phenomenon.
Book Season = Year Round (Vulcan neck pinches)
August 15, 2011
I am very aware of this book's limitations, but have given it Five Stars nonetheless. It was one of the very first ST novels I read and I ADORED it! I must have read it 30 times. I rate it highly for nostalgia's sake, and for the fact that it remains the best ST "wallow" I ever read.
April 12, 2021
This is such a hard book to review because it is so slashy and I adore it for that but there's...problems. Significant problems. So I dunno what to tell you, pals.
July 10, 2013
"We will not sell what makes love possible," the Commander said.
"But THAT is the price of the phoenix," Omne said. He laughed then, darkly. "And you will pay."
- from Chapter XXIII
On paper, this book sounds like it should be pretty good -- it's got an unflappable and suave villain, technology that brings questions about the meaning of life itself to the forefront, and not one but TWO Captain Kirks. It even starts in the middle of the action... in fact, it seems like we've come into the story at the end of a rather rotten misadventure for the Enterprise crew, as Captain Kirk is already dead as of page one! This has all the right ingredients to cook up some exciting and definitive Trek!
Unfortunately, the authors just aren't up to the task. The pacing is absolutely abysmal. Two or three major action set pieces aside, the entire book is people talking, posturing, and waxing philosophical (and not even well). Marshak and Culbreath give their prose a really weird rhythm and syntax. Pauses are included in people's speech in awkward and inappropriate places, and sentence fragments and incomplete thoughts (both in the dialogue and the prose) run amok. For the most part there is no differentiation between the way the characters talk which, in a book that consists pretty much entirely of people talking, makes plowing through the book pretty tedious. And when those characters are such diverse personalities as Jim Kirk, Spock, and the Romulan Commander from "The Enterprise Incident", it's pretty much unforgivable.
Two stars for the great ideas in the setup and the successful hook at the beginning. Zero more for the execution.
"But THAT is the price of the phoenix," Omne said. He laughed then, darkly. "And you will pay."
- from Chapter XXIII
On paper, this book sounds like it should be pretty good -- it's got an unflappable and suave villain, technology that brings questions about the meaning of life itself to the forefront, and not one but TWO Captain Kirks. It even starts in the middle of the action... in fact, it seems like we've come into the story at the end of a rather rotten misadventure for the Enterprise crew, as Captain Kirk is already dead as of page one! This has all the right ingredients to cook up some exciting and definitive Trek!
Unfortunately, the authors just aren't up to the task. The pacing is absolutely abysmal. Two or three major action set pieces aside, the entire book is people talking, posturing, and waxing philosophical (and not even well). Marshak and Culbreath give their prose a really weird rhythm and syntax. Pauses are included in people's speech in awkward and inappropriate places, and sentence fragments and incomplete thoughts (both in the dialogue and the prose) run amok. For the most part there is no differentiation between the way the characters talk which, in a book that consists pretty much entirely of people talking, makes plowing through the book pretty tedious. And when those characters are such diverse personalities as Jim Kirk, Spock, and the Romulan Commander from "The Enterprise Incident", it's pretty much unforgivable.
Two stars for the great ideas in the setup and the successful hook at the beginning. Zero more for the execution.
October 9, 2011
My uncle Spock had a special friend.
They dressed alike. His name was Jim.
I've never seen two friends like them.
They were very, very... friendly men.
(Apologies to Flight of the Conchords)
In all the Kirk-Slash-Spock meaningful words that say so little and reveal so much, I notice the other excellent reviews haven't mentioned something I found most disturbing. The giant unbeatable cowboy villain, Omne, rapes Kirk. The writers don't use the word but several times refer to 'The crime worse than death'. It was either that or a naked beating so intense, penetrating, and humiliating as to be no better. No, sorry, that's just horrifying.
Plenty of fetishistic fun for the right crowd, I'm sure. Men draped in sheets, bare raw thighs, nude massages (for medical purposes, you understand) and suchlike. I prefer to believe this happened in a parallel universe where Kirk and Spock ARE lovers. It doesn't fit with my sense of the characters as seen regularly pursuing women in their TV adventures. I'm dubious about the female Romulan Commander, too, who transferred her on screen romantic feelings for Spock over to the duplicate of Kirk without clear reason or pause. Buying into this is very hard. And that's not innuendo.
They dressed alike. His name was Jim.
I've never seen two friends like them.
They were very, very... friendly men.
(Apologies to Flight of the Conchords)
In all the Kirk-Slash-Spock meaningful words that say so little and reveal so much, I notice the other excellent reviews haven't mentioned something I found most disturbing. The giant unbeatable cowboy villain, Omne, rapes Kirk. The writers don't use the word but several times refer to 'The crime worse than death'. It was either that or a naked beating so intense, penetrating, and humiliating as to be no better. No, sorry, that's just horrifying.
Plenty of fetishistic fun for the right crowd, I'm sure. Men draped in sheets, bare raw thighs, nude massages (for medical purposes, you understand) and suchlike. I prefer to believe this happened in a parallel universe where Kirk and Spock ARE lovers. It doesn't fit with my sense of the characters as seen regularly pursuing women in their TV adventures. I'm dubious about the female Romulan Commander, too, who transferred her on screen romantic feelings for Spock over to the duplicate of Kirk without clear reason or pause. Buying into this is very hard. And that's not innuendo.
December 8, 2013
I can definitely see why this novel in particular is well known in the Kirk/Spock circles, but personally, I don't think they acted out of character at all. Plot-wise, not extremely well thought out and a little too, I dunno, cut and dry? Simple? However, the moral implications were interesting and there were a few moments where I had to take a break and breath because things got intense!
The Romulan Commander, though! What a BABE. Seriously. I’m basically in love with her now and I’m really impressed and pleased with this book’s treatment of women and gender roles in general. Overall, it was a very enjoyable, quick read that I’m sure I’ll pick up a bunch more times in the future. I know a few Trekkie friends of mine that will be getting copies of it in their Christmas stockings this year as well :)
The Romulan Commander, though! What a BABE. Seriously. I’m basically in love with her now and I’m really impressed and pleased with this book’s treatment of women and gender roles in general. Overall, it was a very enjoyable, quick read that I’m sure I’ll pick up a bunch more times in the future. I know a few Trekkie friends of mine that will be getting copies of it in their Christmas stockings this year as well :)
July 28, 2010
This one and "The Fate of the Phoenix" are two of the absolutely best Star Trek novels I've read. The writers really captured the charcters and put them into interesting situations. I've bought every Star Trek book these authors produced, but there weren't enough of them.
January 19, 2018
my honest review of this book: viciously romantic
May 11, 2025
someone really just let two fanfic writers publish the most outlandish, horniest shit i’ve ever read. was it even well written? not particularly but my god was it gay.
5 stars just for the audacity of writing this and having the courage to getting this published as an official trek novel.
would not recommend if ur actually looking for anything substantive but if you’re like me and are the creator of your own misery seeking the good gay shit ™ then go for it. will be reading all the novels from this duo 🫡
5 stars just for the audacity of writing this and having the courage to getting this published as an official trek novel.
would not recommend if ur actually looking for anything substantive but if you’re like me and are the creator of your own misery seeking the good gay shit ™ then go for it. will be reading all the novels from this duo 🫡
March 12, 2025
batshit crazy, the most dramatic and also gayest thing i’ve ever read, the fight scenes were quick and sharp and punchy (HA), i was on the edge of my seat chewing on rawhide bones foaming at the mouth the whole time. even the setup on its own?? THEY’RE CRAZY!!! the situation this novel presents is one that only a true freak could conceive, but is so deep and twisted that you just can’t stop thinking about it. there was truly no way to win and every decision felt somehow wrong (ironically, kirk hates that) but nonetheless, decisions had to be made and fought for. a truly twisted story where beloved characters are pushed to their absolute limits, becoming either bloodthirsty or suicidal, and through at all, they are SO in love with each other. there are so many tidbits in here that only a true TOS-head would get, which, as someone who referenced her episode notes while reading, i had a lot of fun with. the romulan commander being brought back for this?? i wouldve never considered that, but it was so good!!!
this was written by visionaries, and i’m not exaggerating at all.
this was written by visionaries, and i’m not exaggerating at all.
June 24, 2023
I got about halfway, maybe cracked 100 pages, wondered why I was reading this book. I put it down.
Too much time spent wondering who was hot for who, why, and what price they would pay. It wanders in ways that did nothing for me. I kept waiting for things to focus into some coherent plot line. After the third time picking the book up to read and wondering why I was, I put it down.
I generally like Star Trek novels, the David Gerrold one was fantastic. The James Blish novelizations are damned fine. This one is just...not.
Too much time spent wondering who was hot for who, why, and what price they would pay. It wanders in ways that did nothing for me. I kept waiting for things to focus into some coherent plot line. After the third time picking the book up to read and wondering why I was, I put it down.
I generally like Star Trek novels, the David Gerrold one was fantastic. The James Blish novelizations are damned fine. This one is just...not.
April 3, 2011
I read this one years ago, when I was a pre-teenager. Technically, it's a decent enough book- well-written, characters well developed, etc,etc.
HOWEVER! This book is a strong contender as the first-ever 'slashfic' fanfic written about Star Trek. The women who wrote the book either don't understand men and how we think about ourselves and each other, or they -desperately_ wanted to see Spock and Kirk as gay lovers.
HOWEVER! This book is a strong contender as the first-ever 'slashfic' fanfic written about Star Trek. The women who wrote the book either don't understand men and how we think about ourselves and each other, or they -desperately_ wanted to see Spock and Kirk as gay lovers.
December 8, 2014
Oh, I love this book! one of the first ST novels I ever read, it remains a fav to this day. I love the plot and the relationships. The doctor's care. And Kirk and Spock moments. What I love about this book is: It was written before mile long rule book of "do and don't" of writing a ST novel comes in to effect! Go and find yourself a copy. One of the best from Bantam Books.
August 19, 2024
kind of a sci fi vaguely challengers-esque dynamic going on here
December 20, 2024
I mean. The authors understood the premise. What more can I say.
...okay, quite a bit. First being: my god, if this is what Star Trek fandom was like in 1977 it's no wonder it laid the foundation upon which all of modern fandom is built. I can't believe this got an official publication. I actually caught myself thinking at one point "Man, that Star Trek fic I'm reading right now is really good. I'm looking forward to reading more." It reads like a fic in many ways, but is more delicious because it was sanctioned by some official publisher somewhere.
It's a little hokey, a little campy - it's Star Trek! Is that not what we are here for. I'm straight up sticking this on my bisexual shelf and I'm not even blushing about it. The subtext is just BARELY sub and is rapidly approaching full text status.
At first, it seems the Commander got tossed in just to give the barest no-homo veil to the proceedings, but if that was the intent (and the more I read, the more I doubted it) it failed spectacularly; her presence just ends up highlighting how similar Spock and Kirk's relationship is to the romantic relationship the Commander is pursuing with... all of them I guess lol. (Omne's attitude and actions toward Kirk are highlighted in this way as well.)
Typical 1970s sexism here, but if you're a TOS fan you know what you're getting into. My biggest complaint is that someone needed to tear the em dash away from these authors and put it on a high shelf. They can keep everything else, though, with my compliments.
...okay, quite a bit. First being: my god, if this is what Star Trek fandom was like in 1977 it's no wonder it laid the foundation upon which all of modern fandom is built. I can't believe this got an official publication. I actually caught myself thinking at one point "Man, that Star Trek fic I'm reading right now is really good. I'm looking forward to reading more." It reads like a fic in many ways, but is more delicious because it was sanctioned by some official publisher somewhere.
It's a little hokey, a little campy - it's Star Trek! Is that not what we are here for. I'm straight up sticking this on my bisexual shelf and I'm not even blushing about it. The subtext is just BARELY sub and is rapidly approaching full text status.
At first, it seems the Commander got tossed in just to give the barest no-homo veil to the proceedings, but if that was the intent (and the more I read, the more I doubted it) it failed spectacularly; her presence just ends up highlighting how similar Spock and Kirk's relationship is to the romantic relationship the Commander is pursuing with... all of them I guess lol. (Omne's attitude and actions toward Kirk are highlighted in this way as well.)
Typical 1970s sexism here, but if you're a TOS fan you know what you're getting into. My biggest complaint is that someone needed to tear the em dash away from these authors and put it on a high shelf. They can keep everything else, though, with my compliments.
July 3, 2025
This is a weird book. It starts fairly intriguing with Kirk dying but kind of lost me pretty quickly. The way this was written was so contrived at times it made the plot hard to follow, on top of that there's loads of telling not showing which all in all doesn't make this a particularly good read.
The prose is very dialogue heavy and it felt like the authors wanted it to sound cool when read in one's head but it ended up creating a bit of a jumbled mess full of half finished sentences and single words that make for a choppy reading experience. The amount of em dashes in this makes me wish I could eliminate that particular punctuationn from the enlgish language.
Plot wise there's a lot there that could have been something. Many of it we've seen before in Star Trek episodes so it definitely could have worked, I'm just not sure it did. For some reason this is cowboy themed so (if I understood it correctly) Spock wears a black silk western shirt, black jeans and cowboy boots, they shoot with revolvers and so on. It's a little silly.
The prose is very dialogue heavy and it felt like the authors wanted it to sound cool when read in one's head but it ended up creating a bit of a jumbled mess full of half finished sentences and single words that make for a choppy reading experience. The amount of em dashes in this makes me wish I could eliminate that particular punctuationn from the enlgish language.
Plot wise there's a lot there that could have been something. Many of it we've seen before in Star Trek episodes so it definitely could have worked, I'm just not sure it did. For some reason this is cowboy themed so (if I understood it correctly) Spock wears a black silk western shirt, black jeans and cowboy boots, they shoot with revolvers and so on. It's a little silly.
January 5, 2022
Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and The Romulan Commander (from the Classic series episode "The Enterprise Incident") take on one of the most mysterious and powerful men in the Galaxy. A man who has the strength of a Vulcan giant, the speed of a cheetah, the mind of a genius, and the pride and evil to match the Devil himself. Omne has created an outlaw planet, styled on Earth's wild west, where those who want to operate outside the Federation's "oppressive benevolence" or separate from the Romulan or Klingon empires can follow their rules--provided they agree to settle any differences via the laws of Omne's world. Disagreements to be settled by whomever can draw their gun the fastest.
But Omne has decided that he is not satisfied just operating outside the Federation...he'd like to take it apart and the best way to do that is to expose the person he considers the most flagrant breaker of the Prime Directive, Captain James T. Kirk. He invites delegates from the biggest Federation stakeholder planets as well as those from outside the Federation and plans an event to begin the dissolution of the Federation. The Romulan Commander is on hand to take what advantage she can for her Empire. But..there are wheels within wheels in this plan...and it soon becomes apparent that his ultimate goal is to own a starship captain and possibly both his first office and his old enemy.
It will take murder and the rising of an unexpected phoenix to bring Starfleet officers and The Romulan Commander into an uneasy alliance. Omne will force them to consider the cost of friendship and loyalty and pride. How much is an individual life worth? And does it make a difference whose life it is? And ultimately...are they willing to pay the price of the phoenix?
I first read this back in the early 80s. It was one of my favorites of the early Star Trek books. I loved the themes of friendship and sacrifice--watching Kirk and Spock...and even the Commander try to outdo each other in making wagers against Omne's stacked deck to try and save the others. It was an exciting adventure and a lesson in loyalty. It showed how one-time enemies could learn to work together when it counted. Rereading the book as an adult, I can see that some of the material is a bit over the top. If I were reading it for the first time, I'd probably be more critical of the fanfic nature of it. But....I know where this novel falls in the ST timeline and, so, I turned off the critic for this one.
These early novels come from a time when the fans were what was keeping Star Trek alive. The show had been sent into syndication and the studio had given up on the ST property long ago. Phoenix came out before there was the hope of the first ST feature film and most of the authors of those early Bantam ST novels were fans who simply had to have more stories about their favorite science fiction characters. Having discovered what a great show ST was about that time, I understood the need for more stories about Kirk, Spock, McCoy and company and I read the novelizations as fast as I could find them. My one real quibble with this book is that McCoy features so little.
For those who insist that this book turns Kirk and Spock's friendship into something erotic, I respond with a footnote included in the only ST novel penned by Gene Roddenberry, the creator of that friendship (novelization of Star Trek The Motion Picture; p. 22):
The human concept of "friend" is most nearly duplicated in Vulcan thought by the term t'hy'la which can also mean "brother" and "lover." Spock's recollection (from which this chapter has drawn) is that it was a most difficult moment for him since he did consider Kirk to have become his brother. However because t'hy'la can be used to mean "lover," and since Kirk's and Spock's friendship was unusually close, this has led to some speculation over whether they had actually indeed become lovers. At our request, Admiral [then] Kirk supplied the following comment on this subject: "I was never aware of the 'lovers' rumor, although I have been told that Spock encountered it several times. Apparently he had always dismissed it with his characteristic lifting of his right eyebrow which usually connoted some combination of surprise, disbelief, and/or annoyance. As for myself, although I have no moral or other objection to physical love in any of its many Earthly, alien, and mixed forms, I have always found my best gratification in that creature 'woman,' Also, I would dislike being thought of as so foolish that I would select a love partner who came into sexual heat only once every seven years."
So--I'd say the creator of Kirk and Spock...and Kirk himself ought to know. As Kirk says--I have no objection to love in its many forms, but I do object to taking friendship and/or brotherhood and making it into something it's not. There can be deep affection and love without sex. Caring deeply for someone and taking care of them physically does not necessarily mean that you want to bed them. And I know that reading this novel when I was a preteen helped me form some of my thoughts, beliefs, and expectations of deep, loyal friendship. I never once thought that the two men had shared anything beyond a friendship and kinship that could withstand and outlast anything that Omne threw at it.
And...for those in the Medical Examiner Challenge, if you're wondering how a Star Trek novel figures in the mystery realm--integral to the science fiction plot is a mystery of who was really killed and how...and how many times.
A thoroughly enjoyable reread-- ★★★★★ when I first read it and I'll not argue with that rating now.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
But Omne has decided that he is not satisfied just operating outside the Federation...he'd like to take it apart and the best way to do that is to expose the person he considers the most flagrant breaker of the Prime Directive, Captain James T. Kirk. He invites delegates from the biggest Federation stakeholder planets as well as those from outside the Federation and plans an event to begin the dissolution of the Federation. The Romulan Commander is on hand to take what advantage she can for her Empire. But..there are wheels within wheels in this plan...and it soon becomes apparent that his ultimate goal is to own a starship captain and possibly both his first office and his old enemy.
It will take murder and the rising of an unexpected phoenix to bring Starfleet officers and The Romulan Commander into an uneasy alliance. Omne will force them to consider the cost of friendship and loyalty and pride. How much is an individual life worth? And does it make a difference whose life it is? And ultimately...are they willing to pay the price of the phoenix?
I first read this back in the early 80s. It was one of my favorites of the early Star Trek books. I loved the themes of friendship and sacrifice--watching Kirk and Spock...and even the Commander try to outdo each other in making wagers against Omne's stacked deck to try and save the others. It was an exciting adventure and a lesson in loyalty. It showed how one-time enemies could learn to work together when it counted. Rereading the book as an adult, I can see that some of the material is a bit over the top. If I were reading it for the first time, I'd probably be more critical of the fanfic nature of it. But....I know where this novel falls in the ST timeline and, so, I turned off the critic for this one.
These early novels come from a time when the fans were what was keeping Star Trek alive. The show had been sent into syndication and the studio had given up on the ST property long ago. Phoenix came out before there was the hope of the first ST feature film and most of the authors of those early Bantam ST novels were fans who simply had to have more stories about their favorite science fiction characters. Having discovered what a great show ST was about that time, I understood the need for more stories about Kirk, Spock, McCoy and company and I read the novelizations as fast as I could find them. My one real quibble with this book is that McCoy features so little.
For those who insist that this book turns Kirk and Spock's friendship into something erotic, I respond with a footnote included in the only ST novel penned by Gene Roddenberry, the creator of that friendship (novelization of Star Trek The Motion Picture; p. 22):
The human concept of "friend" is most nearly duplicated in Vulcan thought by the term t'hy'la which can also mean "brother" and "lover." Spock's recollection (from which this chapter has drawn) is that it was a most difficult moment for him since he did consider Kirk to have become his brother. However because t'hy'la can be used to mean "lover," and since Kirk's and Spock's friendship was unusually close, this has led to some speculation over whether they had actually indeed become lovers. At our request, Admiral [then] Kirk supplied the following comment on this subject: "I was never aware of the 'lovers' rumor, although I have been told that Spock encountered it several times. Apparently he had always dismissed it with his characteristic lifting of his right eyebrow which usually connoted some combination of surprise, disbelief, and/or annoyance. As for myself, although I have no moral or other objection to physical love in any of its many Earthly, alien, and mixed forms, I have always found my best gratification in that creature 'woman,' Also, I would dislike being thought of as so foolish that I would select a love partner who came into sexual heat only once every seven years."
So--I'd say the creator of Kirk and Spock...and Kirk himself ought to know. As Kirk says--I have no objection to love in its many forms, but I do object to taking friendship and/or brotherhood and making it into something it's not. There can be deep affection and love without sex. Caring deeply for someone and taking care of them physically does not necessarily mean that you want to bed them. And I know that reading this novel when I was a preteen helped me form some of my thoughts, beliefs, and expectations of deep, loyal friendship. I never once thought that the two men had shared anything beyond a friendship and kinship that could withstand and outlast anything that Omne threw at it.
And...for those in the Medical Examiner Challenge, if you're wondering how a Star Trek novel figures in the mystery realm--integral to the science fiction plot is a mystery of who was really killed and how...and how many times.
A thoroughly enjoyable reread-- ★★★★★ when I first read it and I'll not argue with that rating now.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
April 5, 2025
Somehow I'm not following along here. I'm getting some of the themes, some of the character exploration, but not a lot of the plot. Thanks to GoldGato for their review!!
Ok done. It was ok. Could have been so much better in so many ways.
Ok done. It was ok. Could have been so much better in so many ways.
August 14, 2025
Captain Kirk died as he rescued people from a burning building on a freeport planet near Romulan space. Then they are faced with Omne.
An enjoyable re-read
Star Trek Adventures 2
An enjoyable re-read
Star Trek Adventures 2
March 19, 2022
Quite unusual but this was one of the earlier books prior to any setting bible. I've seen complaints that Spock was very out of character but I would say that this depiction is fairly close to the Kelvin Universe Spock's demeanor. The book has flaws but they are overshadowed by the creativity of the premise.
January 6, 2024
(In the best way possible) There were times when I was reading this book that I genuinely forgot I wasn't reading a romance novel.
Read
February 1, 2020During a mission to an outlaw planet, Kirk is killed by the collapse of a burning building. Spock suspects that the situation was engineered--murder. His suspicions are confirmed by Omne, the leader of the planet, who offers him a clone of Kirk--a perfect clone, in body and mind--in exchange for his cooperation in a plot to set the Federation and the Romulan Empire against one another. Then the Romulan Empire will ally itself with Omne's planet in a war against the Federation, thus--Omne claims--safeguarding galactic freedom which is being stifled by the expansion of the Federation.
Omne's ally in this is none other than the (unnamed) Romulan Commander from "The Enterprise Incident", though she rapidly turns to Spock's side, and is unaccountably taken with Kirk, as well.
It transpires that the original Kirk is still alive, and the balance of the book is occupied by Spock, the Commander, and the clone (who Spock calls 'James', in contrast to the original 'Jim') making their way though Omne's underground complex to reach Kirk, with both the group of rescuers and Kirk periodically having violent confrontations with Omne. The larger threat is that Omne's technology which enables effective immortality will allow him to control the galaxy.
This book (and its sequel, The Fate of the Phoenix) are polished-up versions of a privately published fan novel, Never Mourn Black Omne, and its origin shows. It is very slashy, and filled with (what must be) the authors' preoccupation with dominance, masculinity, and sadism.
The writing is poor, with highly repetitive descriptions--all muscles are 'corded', the connection between Spock and James is always 'gossamer', etc. The characters, all from different planets, show a remarkable unity of though, all conceiving of men as being 'alpha males' or 'wolves', considering negotiations in terms of poker, and on and on. One cannot help but feel they are all mouthpieces for the authors.
The characterization, too, is far off. One could just about see Kirk surrendering himself to save Spock, but the despairing, weak-willed creature we see cannot be our captain. Spock, too, can be self-sacrificing, but the impulsive, emotional wreck in these pages is no Vulcan. And at last we have the Romulan Commander. Her, we know little about, but even so, her behavior is inexplicable, as she praises Kirk and Spock (the former especially) as the greatest men in the galaxy, and seems to desire nothing more than to be with them. Inexplicable, unless she is serving as a stand-in for the authors, and, by implication, the readers. Omne, too, shows very thinly-veiled attraction to Kirk, and seems willing to abandon his current plans in exchange for having Kirk as his permanent companion and slave.
The authors had one or two interesting ideas about the impact of the federation, and what life would be for the clone, but they do not explore them, devoting the text instead to fetishization of physical strength and violence.
This review (and some commentary on the slashy subtext) is available on Barba Non DB.
Omne's ally in this is none other than the (unnamed) Romulan Commander from "The Enterprise Incident", though she rapidly turns to Spock's side, and is unaccountably taken with Kirk, as well.
It transpires that the original Kirk is still alive, and the balance of the book is occupied by Spock, the Commander, and the clone (who Spock calls 'James', in contrast to the original 'Jim') making their way though Omne's underground complex to reach Kirk, with both the group of rescuers and Kirk periodically having violent confrontations with Omne. The larger threat is that Omne's technology which enables effective immortality will allow him to control the galaxy.
This book (and its sequel, The Fate of the Phoenix) are polished-up versions of a privately published fan novel, Never Mourn Black Omne, and its origin shows. It is very slashy, and filled with (what must be) the authors' preoccupation with dominance, masculinity, and sadism.
The writing is poor, with highly repetitive descriptions--all muscles are 'corded', the connection between Spock and James is always 'gossamer', etc. The characters, all from different planets, show a remarkable unity of though, all conceiving of men as being 'alpha males' or 'wolves', considering negotiations in terms of poker, and on and on. One cannot help but feel they are all mouthpieces for the authors.
The characterization, too, is far off. One could just about see Kirk surrendering himself to save Spock, but the despairing, weak-willed creature we see cannot be our captain. Spock, too, can be self-sacrificing, but the impulsive, emotional wreck in these pages is no Vulcan. And at last we have the Romulan Commander. Her, we know little about, but even so, her behavior is inexplicable, as she praises Kirk and Spock (the former especially) as the greatest men in the galaxy, and seems to desire nothing more than to be with them. Inexplicable, unless she is serving as a stand-in for the authors, and, by implication, the readers. Omne, too, shows very thinly-veiled attraction to Kirk, and seems willing to abandon his current plans in exchange for having Kirk as his permanent companion and slave.
The authors had one or two interesting ideas about the impact of the federation, and what life would be for the clone, but they do not explore them, devoting the text instead to fetishization of physical strength and violence.
This review (and some commentary on the slashy subtext) is available on Barba Non DB.
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