Literary Treks 215: No Pointy Sideburns

The Gold Key Archives: Volume 4, Part 1

Purchase:
Hardcover: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
E-book (Kindle): Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

From haunted asteroids to weird cyborg mummies, the Star Trek Gold Key comics are certainly very different from your normal, everyday Trek. However, these oddball comics are loved by many fans, and it can be a lot of fun to take a peek back at the Trek that might have been, as envisioned by comic book writers and artists in the 60s and 70s.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther discuss the first three stories in The Gold Key Archives Volume 4. We talk about troubling behavior by Kirk in "The Haunted Asteroid," a spoiled rotten prince whom everyone wants to murder in "A World Gone MAD," and an ancient mystery that threatens to turn the Enterprise crew into cyborgs in "The Mummies of Heitius VII!"

In the news segment, we welcome Ben Greet, author of one of the contributions to Outside In Makes It So: 174 New Perspectives on 174 Star Trek TNG Stories by 174 Writers.

Literary Treks 215: No Pointy Sideburns
Star Trek: The Gold Key Archives Vol. 4, Part 1

 

Previous episode: Literary Treks 214: A Pair of Richards
Next episode: Literary Treks 216: He Should Have Served Prune Juice

Best Destiny

Star Trek
Best Destiny by Diane Carey
Published November 1991
Read November 21^st 2016

Previous book (TOS - Hardcover): Probe
Next book (TOS - Hardcover): Shadows on the Sun

Hardcover: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
MMPB: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

Kindle: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

Spoilers ahead for Best Destiny!

From the back cover:

As James T. Kirk prepares to retire from a long and illustrious Starfleet career, events in a distant part of the Federation draw him back to a part of the galaxy he had last visited as a young man, a mysterious world called Faramond whose name takes Kirk on a journey back to his youth. At sixteen, Kirk is troubled, estranged from his father, and has a bleak future. However, a trip into space with Kirk's father George and Starfleet legend Captain Robert April changes James Kirk's life forever, when a simple voyage becomes a deadly trap. Soon Kirk and his father find themselves fighting for their lives against a vicious and powerful enemy. Before the voyage ends, father and son will face life and death together, and James T. Kirk will get a glimpse of the future and his own best destiny.

My thoughts:

"Commanding a starship is your first, best destiny; anything else is a waste of material."
- Captain Spock to Admiral Kirk, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

Insights into the life of young James T. Kirk are rare throughout Star Trek history, at least until the 2009 Star Trek film by J.J. Abrams. Sure, we got hints here and there about his time at the academy; we know he was tormented by an upperclassman named Finnegan, and that he was considered to be a "stack of books with legs," deadly serious, focused on his studies and excelling at the Academy. But what about Jim Kirk, the boy? How did he get from his youth in Iowa to become one of the most famous captains in Starfleet history?

Best Destiny explores the life of young James T. Kirk, something that canon Trek stayed away from until Star Trek 2009.

Best Destiny by Diane Carey sets out to provide that answer. It's no surprise that the writers of Star Trek 2009 have said that this novel served as inspiration for their version of young James T. Kirk, given what we learn of the future captain's troubled youth. Rebellious and unfocused, the young Jimmy Kirk is on a path that his parents fear will lead to an unfulfilled life at best and an early grave at worst. His father, George Kirk, takes Jimmy on an adventure in space in a last-ditch attempt to put his life on a different course. The experiences he lives through during this mission will serve to shape the man he will become in the future.

I first read Best Destiny years ago as a young man myself, and the book made a significant impact on me. I was certainly not headed down a dark path like Kirk in this novel, but it still influenced me as a young reader to take stock of what is important in life and the effects that early experiences can have on one's future. As an adult, re-reading this book now has allowed me to appreciate it even more; Diane Carey's ability to tell a vivid and compelling story is showcased quite expertly here.

George Kirk takes his son Jimmy aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise during its early voyages under Captain Robert April

Jim's struggle for survival aboard a Starfleet shuttlecraft with his father George, Captain Robert April, and a number of other memorable crew members from the U.S.S. Enterprise feature moments that have stuck with me all these years, and upon re-reading, I was brought immediately back to the feelings they evoked as a young reader. The events that Jim experiences are horrific and serve to mould him into a more thoughtful and caring person, and Carey does an excellent job of conveying this to the reader.

The primary antagonist of the story is a foil to James Kirk named Roy Moss. He appears as a young man in the "past" section of the story, and as an older man in the "present" story as well. In many ways, he is a mirror of Kirk, growing up but leading a very different life. While Kirk became an honorable and principled Starfleet officer, Moss used his genius in the service of criminal enterprise, becoming twisted and corrupted. This was an interesting character, and it is somewhat unfortunate that his name inadvertently made me think of The I.T. Crowd every time it came up.

I can't be the only person who thinks of these two when I hear the name "Roy Moss."

Best Destiny was a favorite book of mine as a young man, and I'm happy to say that it holds up upon re-reading. There is a lot to relate to in the pages of this book, and Diane Carey writes her characters with a realism that is very much appreciated. Readers will be able to put themselves in Kirk's place in much of this story, which makes the conflicts that he faces feel very real and compelling.

Final thoughts:

Best Destiny tells the story of young James T. Kirk and what made him the heroic captain we know him to be. This is an excellent story that has held up in the couple of decades since I first read it, and I recommend it for any fan of Star Trek novels. Diane Carey has constructed a compelling story, both in the flashbacks to Jim's early years and in the crisis that Captain Kirk and his crew face shortly after the end of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. It is still one of my favorite Star Trek novels.

More about Best Destiny:

• Podcast: Literary Treks 171: James T. Jerk

Also by Diane Carey:

• Star Trek: The Next Generation #1: Ghost Ship (1991)
• Star Trek: The Next Generation: Ship of the Line (1997)
• Star Trek #89: New Earth, Book One of Six: Wagon Train to the Stars (2000)
• Star Trek #90: New Earth, Book Two of Six: Belle Terre with Dean Wesley Smith (2000)
• Star Trek #94: New Earth, Book Six: Challenger (2000)
• Gateways, Book Two: Star Trek: Challenger: Chainmail (2001)
• "Exodus" from Gateways, Book Seven: What Lay Beyond (2001)

My next read:

Next up is my review of Department of Temporal Investigations: Shield of the Gods in my attempt to get caught up on the new releases from last year!

Literary Treks 214: A Pair of Richards

Prometheus: Fire with Fire
by Bernd Perplies & Christian Humberg

Purchase:
Mass-market paperback: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
E-book (Kindle): Amazon.com | Amazon.ca

Terrorist attacks are rocking the Federation and the Klingon Empire, and the U.S.S. Prometheus teams up with the I.K.S. Bortas to investigate. However, as the investigation progresses, not all is as it seems. Are the attacks the actions of a small, militant religious group, the result of covert actions by the Typhon Pact, or something even more sinister and deadly?

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson talk about the first novel in the Prometheus series, Fire with Fire. We discuss the first original German language Star Trek novel and its translation, the Prometheus and its unique abilities, the terrorism allegory, the book's relation to the on-going Pocket Books novel continuity, the role of the Klingons, and wrap up with our final thoughts and ratings.

In the news segment, we talk about the upcoming third Discovery novel, Fear Itself, and discuss some exciting news from the world of IDW Trek comics!

Literary Treks 214: A Pair of Richards
Prometheus: Fire with Fire by Bernd Perplies & Christian Humberg

 

Previous episode: Literary Treks 213: Suck on That, Gaila
Next episode: Literary Treks 215: No Pointy Sideburns

Trek Lit 2017: Year in Review

2017: A Year of Change for Trek Lit

2017: another year gone! The time is flying by faster and faster each year, it seems. Let's take a quick look at the year that was.

The biggest news in the Trek universe this past year was, of course, the arrival of the newest Star Trek television series: Star Trek: Discovery, and with a new series comes new books! The end of September saw the release of the first book in the Discovery series, Desperate Hours by David Mack.

There were many other novels to choose from this past year besides Discovery, however, and the year started off in a typical manner: with an Original Series novel, The Face of the Unknown by Christopher L. Bennett. Interestingly, this was the only TOS novel this year, a marked changed from previous TOS-heavy release schedules.

Headlong Flight was next, a multiverse-spanning TNG adventure by Dayton Ward. Following that was a continuation of the Deep Space Nine story with The Long Mirage by David R. George III. Then, in March, came a very interesting story: Section 31: Control by David Mack. This story served to change the Trek universe forever, and fan reaction to this story was certainly mixed.

Because of changes to the release schedule thanks to both the shifting premiere date of Star Trek: Discovery and the delays surrounding Kirsten Beyer's Voyager novel, Architects of Infinity, there was an unprecedented gap in the Pocket Books' release schedule at the end of April. Unfortunately, it would not be the last.

Releases resumed at the end of May with another TNG story by Dayton Ward, Hearts and Minds. Enigma Tales was next, another in a series of truly excellent Deep Space Nine stories by Una McCormack. July was yet another gap in the release schedule, followed by Patterns of Interference by Christopher L. Bennett, the latest in his Enterprise: Rise of the Federation series.

September featured what appeared to be the start of a new miniseries: Deep Space Nine: Gamma: Original Sin by David R. George III, showcasing the voyages of the U.S.S. Robinson in the Gamma Quadrant under the command of Ben Sisko. Released on the same day was the aforementioned Discovery: Desperate Hours by David Mack.

October was yet another gap in the release schedule, with Titan: Fortune of War by David Mack rounding out the Pocket Books' schedule at the end of November.

Also released at the end of November, from Titan Books, was the English translation of the first ever original Trek novel to be published in German: Star Trek: Prometheus: Fire with Fire.

A pair of e-book exclusive novellas were also released in 2017, down from three from the previous year. Department of Temporal Investigations: Shield of the Gods by Christopher L. Bennett came out in June, while another DS9 Ferengi adventure by Paula M. Block & Terry J. Erdmann featured in November: I, The Constable, which has possibly the best Trek book cover art ever.


Last year, I lamented the fact that other projects had disrupted my productivity with regards to this site. This year, I'll put it in more succinct terms: it kicked my ass! I am quite a bit behind on getting reviews done, but my goal is to get caught up in the next couple of months. For the first time, I have also decided to do video reviews of the new releases, which has put me a bit behind. However, as I get better at the whole video thing, I hope to get them out a lot faster! The new releases promise to be a lot fewer this year, which is unfortunate, but it will allow me to catch up. More on that later.

2017 was a year of big gains for my YouTube channel, Kertrats Productions! While I didn't accomplish all of my goals, I'm quite pleased with the growth I've experienced, and I'm looking forward to more success in 2018.

My involvement with the Literary Treks Podcast on Trek.fm was also a huge part of my year, and along with co-host Bruce Gibson, we have interviewed many Trek authors and covered many different areas in the Star Trek books and comics universe. Click here to take a look at Literary Treks and see what we got up to in the world of podcasts!

Check out below for the list of reviews I did this past year. Again, I am quite a bit behind, but I am working to catch up. The reviews of new releases are marked with an asterisk and link to my video reviews on YouTube. I will be filling out the new release links as I complete them over the next month or two.

January

*The Face of the Unknown by Christopher L. Bennett (Star Trek: The Original Series)

February

The Buried Age: A Tale of the Lost Era by Christopher L. Bennett (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

March

*Headlong Flight by Dayton Ward (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

April

Avenger by William Shatner with Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens (Shatnerverse)

*The Long Mirage by David R. George III (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)

Homecoming by Christie Golden (Star Trek: Voyager)

June

Kobayashi Maru by Michael A. Martin & Andy Mangels (Star Trek: Enterprise)
*Control by David Mack (Star Trek: Section 31)

October

The Romulan War: Beneath the Raptor's Wing by Michael A. Martin (Star Trek: Enterprise)

November

Full Circle by Kirsten Beyer (Star Trek: Voyager)

December

*Hearts and Minds by Dayton Ward (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

Unfinished New Release Reviews (to be completed soon!)

• Star Trek: Department of Temporal Investigations: Shield of the Gods by Christopher L. Bennett
• Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Enigma Tales by Una McCormack
• Hidden Universe Travel Guide to The Klingon Empire by Dayton Ward
• Star Trek: Enterprise: Rise of the Federation: Patterns of Interference by Christopher L. Bennett
• Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Gamma: Original Sin by David R. George III
• Star Trek: Discovery: Desperate Hours by David Mack
• The Autobiography of Jean-Luc Picard by David A. Goodman
• Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: I, The Constable by Paula M. Block & Terry J. Erdmann
• Star Trek: Titan: Fortune of War by David Mack
• Star Trek: Prometheus: Fire With Fire by Bernd Perplies & Christian Humberg

Best Trek novel of 2017:

While I didn't get every new release reviewed in time for the end of the year, I did read them all. There are some wonderful stories in the selection of Trek novels in 2017, and as always, picking a clear winner is very difficult. Two in particular that rose to the top were Section 31: Control by David Mack and Deep Space Nine: Enigma Tales by Una McCormack. However, in the end, Control edged out the victory due to the sheer audacity of the story it told and the amazing drama that unfolded in its pages. So here it is, officially, the best Star Trek novel of 2017:

Star Trek: Section 31: Control by David Mack!

The story of the fall of Section 31 is an incredible one, and the effect that the artificial intelligence named Urei has on Star Trek history as a whole has to be read to be believed. This was a page-turner from start to finish, and the story will have reverberating effects throughout the Trek lit-verse for many more books to come!

As always, let's finish up by taking a look at next year in Trek Lit.

Sadly, things are in a bit of a rough state at the moment. At last word, Pocket Books and CBS were still negotiating their new contract, which has left everything in a sort of limbo. The only novels this gives us on the schedule for next year from Pocket Books are two Star Trek: Discovery novels, Drastic Measures by Dayton Ward and Fear Itself by James Swallow, and the Kirsten Beyer Voyager novel Architects of Infinity, which has been delayed a couple of times thanks to Beyer's much busier schedule working in the writers' room on Star Trek: Discovery.

Drastic Measures features the Discovery characters Georgiou and Lorca dealing with the events on Tarsus IV perpetrated by "Kodos the Executioner," first referenced in the TOS episode "The Conscience of the King." It is set to be released on February 6th.

Fear Itself will be released later in the year with a street date of June 5th. The story centers around the Kelpien character Saru and his experiences before joining the crew of Discovery.

Architects of Infinity is set to be released on March 27th. No word yet on whether or not the promised follow-up novel, To Lose the Earth, is still scheduled for release.

In addition to the Pocket Books novels, we will also be getting two other Star Trek novels this year, completing the trilogy of Star Trek: Prometheus novels from Titan Books. Book two, The Root of All Rage, is due for release on May 29th, while book three, In the Heart of Chaos, is slated for November release.


For the most part, 2017 has been a pretty good year for Trek Lit, and an amazing year for Star Trek in general with the release of the newest Trek television show. At last, Star Trek is back on TV where it belongs! I have a plan to get things back on track for Trek Lit Reviews, and I have many plans for the Kertrats Productions YouTube channel. Stay tuned, and as always, live long and prosper!

Literary Treks 213: Suck on That, Gaila

Titan: Fortune of War
Exclusive interview with author David Mack

Purchase:
Mass-market paperback: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
E-book (Kindle): Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

The Husnock: described as beings of "hideous intelligence," this sprawling empire represented a surprise threat to the United Federation of Planets in the 24th century. However, the inevitable invasion never arrived due to the fact that the entire species was wiped out by an incredibly powerful and enraged entity, a Douwd who went by the name of Kevin Uxbridge. Now, all of the ships, weapons, and machines of war of the Husnock sit empty and unclaimed, awaiting the opportunistic clutches of Nausicaans, Ferengi, Pakleds, and more.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Bruce Gibson and Dan Gunther are joined by author David Mack to discuss his latest Titan novel, Fortune of War. We talk about the links to TNG's The Survivors, the Husnock, Admiral Riker's new role, the characters of Titan, "The Chase" on speed, and wrap up with what David Mack has on the go for future novels and where you can find him online.

In our news segment, we are once again joined by Earl Grey and The Edge host Amy Nelson to talk about the final issue of the TNG: Mirror Broken comic from IDW.

Literary Treks 213: Suck on That, Gaila
Titan: Fortune of War: Exclusive interview with author David Mack

 

Previous episode: Literary Treks 212: Slips, Strips, Bars, and Bricks
Next episode: Literary Treks 214: A Pair of Richards

Literary Treks 212: Slips, Strips, Bars, and Bricks

Deep Space Nine: I, The Constable
An e-book exclusive novella by Paula M. Block & Terry J. Erdmann

Purchase:
E-book (Kindle): Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

Quark is the kind of Ferengi that can smell profit on the wind, and when his tavern-magnate uncle passes away, he detects just such an opportunity! However, in the pursuit of his newfound potential profit, Quark gets caught up in a web of crime and intrigue, and it's up to Odo to don his constable's uniform and save the day. Along the way, he will deal with double-crosses, nasty armed thugs, and gallons of glebbening rain on the mean streets of Ferenginar.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Dan Gunther and Bruce Gibson welcome authors Paula M. Block and Terry J. Erdmann to the show to discuss their recent Deep Space Nine e-novella, I, The Constable. We talk about the inspiration for the story, the research they did to capture the noir feel, changes in the society of Ferenginar, the voices of the characters both old and new, Quark's seemingly newfound generosity, some fun references, and wrap up with where you can find Paula and Terry online.

In the news segment, we judge the cover of the upcoming Discovery novel Drastic Measures by Dayton Ward and review two new comics: Boldly Go #14 and the first issue of a new series: Discovery: The Light of Kahless.

Literary Treks 212: Slips, Strips, Bars, and Bricks
Exclusive interview with Paula M. Block & Terry J. Erdmann, authors of DS9: I, The Constable

 

Previous episode: Literary Treks 211: Team Garak!
Next episode: Literary Treks 213: Suck on That, Gaila

Hearts and Minds

Star Trek: The Next Generation
Hearts and Minds by Dayton Ward
Release date: May 30^th 2017
Read June 7^th 2017

Previous book (The Next Generation): Headlong Flight
Next book (The Next Generation): Available Light

Mass-Market Paperback: Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

E-book (Kindle): Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

Spoilers ahead for Hearts and Minds!

Publisher's description:

2031: United States Air Force fighter jets shoot down an unidentified spacecraft and take its crew into custody. Soon, it’s learned that the ship is one of several dispatched across space by an alien species, the Eizand, to search for a new home before their own world becomes uninhabitable. Fearing extraterrestrial invasion, government and military agencies which for more than eighty years have operated in secret swing into action, charged with protecting humanity no matter the cost...

2386: Continuing their exploration of the Odyssean Pass, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the Starship Enterprise discover what they at first believe is a previously uncharted world, with a civilization still recovering from the effects of global nuclear war. An astonishing priority message from Starfleet Command warns that there’s more to this planet than meets the eye, and Picard soon realizes that the mysteries of this world may well weave through centuries of undisclosed human history...

My thoughts:

Click here to watch my video review of TNG: Hearts and Minds, or click play on the embedded video below!

Final thoughts:

A fun follow-up to previous TOS novels From History's Shadow and Elusive Salvation, while at the same time continuing the voyages of the Enterprise-E in the Odyssean Pass from Armageddon's Arrow and Headlong Flight. Hearts and Minds also deals with some weighty issues, and I'm fascinated to see where Picard's story goes from here. 4/5 stars.


More about Hearts and Minds:

• TrekBBS Discussion Thread
• Podcast: Literary Treks 193: Dayton's Treks - Exclusive interview with David Mack

Also by Dayton Ward:

• Star Trek: S.C.E. #4: Interphase, Part One with Kevin Dilmore (2001)
• Star Trek: S.C.E. #5: Interphase, Part Two with Kevin Dilmore (2001)
• Star Trek #97: In the Name of Honor (2002)
• Star Trek: A Time to Sow with Kevin Dilmore (2004)
• Star Trek: A Time to Harvest with Kevin Dilmore (2004)
• Star Trek: Mere Anarchy, Book 1: Things Fall Apart with Kevin Dilmore (2006)
• Star Trek: Vanguard: Open Secrets (2009)
• "Almost Tomorrow" from Star Trek: Vanguard: Declassified (2011)
• Star Trek: Vanguard: What Judgments Come with Kevin Dilmore (2011)
• Star Trek: That Which Divides (2012)
• Star Trek: Vanguard: In Tempest's Wake (2012)
• Star Trek: The Original Series: From History's Shadow (2013)
• Star Trek: The Fall: Peaceable Kingdoms (2014)
• Star Trek: Seekers #2: Point of Divergence with Kevin Dilmore (2014)
• Star Trek: The Next Generation: Armageddon's Arrow (2015)
• Star Trek: Seekers #4: All That's Left with Kevin Dilmore (2015)
• Star Trek: The Original Series: Elusive Salvation (2016)
• Star Trek: Legacies, Book 3: Purgatory's Key with Kevin Dilmore (2016)
• Star Trek: The Next Generation: Headlong Flight (2017)
• Hidden Universe Travel Guides: Star Trek: The Klingon Empire (2017)
• Star Trek: Discovery: Drastic Measures (2018)
• Star Trek: The Next Generation: Available Light (2019)

Next time on Trek Lit Reviews:

Next review is for Best Destiny by Diane Carey.