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Star Trek: The Original Series
Spock's World
It is the 23rd century. On planet Vulcan, a crisis of unprecedented proportion has caused the convocation of the planet's ruling council—and summoned the U.S.S. Enterprise from halfway across the galaxy—to bring Vulcan's most famous son home in its hour of need. As Commander Spock, his father Sarek, and Captain James T. Kirk struggle to preserve the future of the federation, the innermost secrets of Vulcan are revealed, from its beginnings millions of years ago to its savage prehistory, from merciless tribal warfare to medieval court intrigue, from the exploration of space to the development of the ruling ethic of logic. Spock, torn between his Starfleet duty and his unbreakable ties to Vulcan, must find a way to reconcile both is inner conflict and the external dilemma his planet faces.
310 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1988
278 people are currently reading
2151 people want to read
About the author
Diane Duane
168 books2,421 followersDiane Duane has been a writer of science fiction, fantasy, TV and film for more than forty years.
Besides the 1980's creation of the Young Wizards fantasy series for which she's best known, the "Middle Kingdoms" epic fantasy series, and numerous stand-alone fantasy or science fiction novels, her career has included extensive work in the Star Trek TM universe, and many scripts for live-action and animated TV series on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as work in comics and computer games. She has spent a fair amount of time on the New York Times Bestseller List, and has picked up various awards and award nominations here and there.
She lives in County Wicklow, in Ireland, with her husband of more than thirty years, the screenwriter and novelist Peter Morwood.
Her favorite color is blue, her favorite food is a weird kind of Swiss scrambled-potato dish called maluns, she was born in a Year of the Dragon, and her sign is "Runway 24 Left, Hold For Clearance."
(From her official website)
Besides the 1980's creation of the Young Wizards fantasy series for which she's best known, the "Middle Kingdoms" epic fantasy series, and numerous stand-alone fantasy or science fiction novels, her career has included extensive work in the Star Trek TM universe, and many scripts for live-action and animated TV series on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as work in comics and computer games. She has spent a fair amount of time on the New York Times Bestseller List, and has picked up various awards and award nominations here and there.
She lives in County Wicklow, in Ireland, with her husband of more than thirty years, the screenwriter and novelist Peter Morwood.
Her favorite color is blue, her favorite food is a weird kind of Swiss scrambled-potato dish called maluns, she was born in a Year of the Dragon, and her sign is "Runway 24 Left, Hold For Clearance."
(From her official website)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 311 reviews
July 27, 2023
Some great stuff here...but nowhere near as epic as it could have been.
EDIT: This was actually better than I remembered! Maybe more familiarity with the Trek universe helped me to appreciate it better the second time around.
EDIT: This was actually better than I remembered! Maybe more familiarity with the Trek universe helped me to appreciate it better the second time around.
December 16, 2022
In our crazy world, where emotion triumphs reason and logic so much, what would it be like if, instead, the governing principle of human society was logic? In my youth, seeing a world and people in it that so much of the time makes little sense — and being a Trekkie - I imagined such a world would be a better one — a more advanced one, a more peaceful one if we were more like the Vulcans.
So with that in mind, I read this book, hoping to see what a logical society might be like. How would it be governed, how would it function, how would Vulcans relate to each other in everyday situations?
Unfortunately, this is not that book. Vulcan wants to secede from the Federation — kind of like the UK leaving the EU — so we’ll call it it Vexit. Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Sarek are summoned to the Vulcan Assembly to give testimony on Vexit.
Interspersed between chapters on this , there are chapters that cover different stages of the Vulcans’ development — with stages analogous to humans’ homo erectus, Cro-Magnon, Medieval, and Modern stages. I suppose they’re intended to illustrate how Vulcans became the way they are, but, other than the last one, they mostly seemed like filler to get the novel out to over 300 pages. The Modern Stage was most horrifying — picture a global version of Somalia — except with clans and tribes using neutron bombs and sub-light speed space tech against each other. That part does show how Vulcans came to the point at which they were receptive to Surek’s teachings to master one’s emotions and embrace logic, facts, and objectivity as the highest ideals of Vulcan society.
The parts involving the Vulcan Vexit debate are mildly entertaining. McCoy probably gave the best speech in a manner that would appeal to logical minds, yet from a human not just trying to ape a Vulcan. Kirk’s speech seemed hammy.
However, most egregiously, the author herself has Vulcans behaving in ways contrary to Star Trek canon — such as laughing during Kirk’s speech and in seeking revenge for emotionally driven reasons. Vulcan don’t laugh because, to them, as any Star Trek fan knows, humor isn’t logical. In all the original Star Trek episodes, you only see Vulcans laugh in 2 episodes ( I think): one is when Spock is on a planet with a narcotic effect on the crew; the other when the Enterprise finds a planet of Ancient Greek demigods who torment Spock by forcing him against his will to laugh and act out emotionally. In other words, it’s no more natural for a Vulcan to display emotions than for us to let others in public see our private parts.
So I was a little dissatisfied with this book. I didn’t feel like I got the tour of how a logic-based society, Vulcan would be.
Still, not all bad. Like I said, mildly entertaining. Some Trekkies might like it, notwithstanding its flaws.
So with that in mind, I read this book, hoping to see what a logical society might be like. How would it be governed, how would it function, how would Vulcans relate to each other in everyday situations?
Unfortunately, this is not that book. Vulcan wants to secede from the Federation — kind of like the UK leaving the EU — so we’ll call it it Vexit. Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Sarek are summoned to the Vulcan Assembly to give testimony on Vexit.
Interspersed between chapters on this , there are chapters that cover different stages of the Vulcans’ development — with stages analogous to humans’ homo erectus, Cro-Magnon, Medieval, and Modern stages. I suppose they’re intended to illustrate how Vulcans became the way they are, but, other than the last one, they mostly seemed like filler to get the novel out to over 300 pages. The Modern Stage was most horrifying — picture a global version of Somalia — except with clans and tribes using neutron bombs and sub-light speed space tech against each other. That part does show how Vulcans came to the point at which they were receptive to Surek’s teachings to master one’s emotions and embrace logic, facts, and objectivity as the highest ideals of Vulcan society.
The parts involving the Vulcan Vexit debate are mildly entertaining. McCoy probably gave the best speech in a manner that would appeal to logical minds, yet from a human not just trying to ape a Vulcan. Kirk’s speech seemed hammy.
However, most egregiously, the author herself has Vulcans behaving in ways contrary to Star Trek canon — such as laughing during Kirk’s speech and in seeking revenge for emotionally driven reasons. Vulcan don’t laugh because, to them, as any Star Trek fan knows, humor isn’t logical. In all the original Star Trek episodes, you only see Vulcans laugh in 2 episodes ( I think): one is when Spock is on a planet with a narcotic effect on the crew; the other when the Enterprise finds a planet of Ancient Greek demigods who torment Spock by forcing him against his will to laugh and act out emotionally. In other words, it’s no more natural for a Vulcan to display emotions than for us to let others in public see our private parts.
So I was a little dissatisfied with this book. I didn’t feel like I got the tour of how a logic-based society, Vulcan would be.
Still, not all bad. Like I said, mildly entertaining. Some Trekkies might like it, notwithstanding its flaws.
June 9, 2016
Let me start by saying Vulcans are my most favorite species in StarTrek universe and Spock is my most favorite character. That said, I really really enjoyed reading this book. It was an amazing read!
Spock's World revolves around a movement on the planet Vulcan to secede from the United Federation of Planets. A plot that nearly gave me a heart attack. All the while reading this book, I had to remind myself that there's no way for that to happen! A scary notion indeed.
The book alternates chapters between the main plot and Vulcan chapters that tell stories from Vulcan's history, from the evolution of the Vulcan species, the very first Vulcan word, development of their psychic powers and physical features such as their second eyelid to the story of Surak himself and how Sarek came to be an ambassador and his meeting with Amanda!If you like Vulcans, you are going to favor at least one or two of these stories. I loved many of them.
I found some of the Vulcan stories less captivating than the others and some times way too long. But certain stories were simply amazing! very deep, beautiful and insightful! As a Trekkie, some of the stories were a little hard to accept. I had to compare them to Canon and my own imagination after all. I specially had to wonder about the circumstances surrounding Surak's story, his story's time zone and the technology available at his time. For some reason I had imagined his story to be a far more ancient one. Then again that was my imagination! You have to keep in mind that this book is one author's take on Vulcan's past and history.At the end, Canon rules and we can all come up with our own myths and legends since certain things are always going to be a mystery!
The Vulcans are a difficult race to write about. That's for certain. In some books they are written too logical and emotionless while in some others they are almost human. Let's just say that Duane's Vulcans match my imagination.
The book also explores Vulcan philosophy and culture, especially the idea of cthia, a Vulcan concept translated as "reality-truth" or "seeing things the way they really are, instead of the way we would like to see them". A very interesting and deep concept that in my opinion has roots deep in the very essence of StarTrek.
As much as I love reading about Vulcan, the switching between present time and Vulcan history was very annoying at times.Some times I was eager to read more about Vulcan and sometimes I just had to know more about the main plot and the transition between the two was a bit frustrating!Regarding the main plot, most of the speeches were very interesting.Although I expected more from Vulcans and their logic. They didn't say much in my opinion. My main problem was with T'pring's role. A little too big for her to play maybe?
I have to mention that there are very interesting Alein characters in this book. I completely fell in love with "K's't'lk". She is a Hamalki, a species able to transfer their memories into new hatch lings before death which allows them to pursue projects over several lifetimes. She has officially joined my favorite StarTrek characters.It's a shame that the original TV series did not have enough budget and most of the crew had to be human. While reading this book, I constantly thought THIS is the real Starfleet! The author has certainly captured the main essence and spirit of StarTrek. I strongly recommend this book to all StarTrek fans, specially those interested in Vulcans.
Spock's World revolves around a movement on the planet Vulcan to secede from the United Federation of Planets. A plot that nearly gave me a heart attack. All the while reading this book, I had to remind myself that there's no way for that to happen! A scary notion indeed.
The book alternates chapters between the main plot and Vulcan chapters that tell stories from Vulcan's history, from the evolution of the Vulcan species, the very first Vulcan word, development of their psychic powers and physical features such as their second eyelid to the story of Surak himself and how Sarek came to be an ambassador and his meeting with Amanda!If you like Vulcans, you are going to favor at least one or two of these stories. I loved many of them.
I found some of the Vulcan stories less captivating than the others and some times way too long. But certain stories were simply amazing! very deep, beautiful and insightful! As a Trekkie, some of the stories were a little hard to accept. I had to compare them to Canon and my own imagination after all. I specially had to wonder about the circumstances surrounding Surak's story, his story's time zone and the technology available at his time. For some reason I had imagined his story to be a far more ancient one. Then again that was my imagination! You have to keep in mind that this book is one author's take on Vulcan's past and history.At the end, Canon rules and we can all come up with our own myths and legends since certain things are always going to be a mystery!
The Vulcans are a difficult race to write about. That's for certain. In some books they are written too logical and emotionless while in some others they are almost human. Let's just say that Duane's Vulcans match my imagination.
The book also explores Vulcan philosophy and culture, especially the idea of cthia, a Vulcan concept translated as "reality-truth" or "seeing things the way they really are, instead of the way we would like to see them". A very interesting and deep concept that in my opinion has roots deep in the very essence of StarTrek.
As much as I love reading about Vulcan, the switching between present time and Vulcan history was very annoying at times.Some times I was eager to read more about Vulcan and sometimes I just had to know more about the main plot and the transition between the two was a bit frustrating!Regarding the main plot, most of the speeches were very interesting.Although I expected more from Vulcans and their logic. They didn't say much in my opinion. My main problem was with T'pring's role. A little too big for her to play maybe?
I have to mention that there are very interesting Alein characters in this book. I completely fell in love with "K's't'lk". She is a Hamalki, a species able to transfer their memories into new hatch lings before death which allows them to pursue projects over several lifetimes. She has officially joined my favorite StarTrek characters.It's a shame that the original TV series did not have enough budget and most of the crew had to be human. While reading this book, I constantly thought THIS is the real Starfleet! The author has certainly captured the main essence and spirit of StarTrek. I strongly recommend this book to all StarTrek fans, specially those interested in Vulcans.
July 6, 2021
Firstly I'd like to thank my GR friend, F. William Davis, for his spot on review that kindled my interest in this book. What can I say? Diane Duane is excellent. Not only for the detailed lore of the book, but the wonderful writing style which attempts to use as much real science as is possible in this sci-fi setting.
Set during the time of the STOS period, this is a tale of Captain Kirk and his crew. The Vulcan's have decided to hold a referendum on their Federation membership. Ambassador Sarek is put in the uncomfortable position of having to defend the Vulcan government's actions, while Kirk, Dr. McCoy, and Spock will serve as the voice for staying within the Federation. That's the gist of the story.
Where the story excels is in the chapters devoted to the development of Vulcans as a species and as a society. Duane's wonderful grasp of Vulcan legends and lore were a great read. The not only help to flesh out the story, but also does a wonderful job of worldbuilding for one of the more important species in the Federation.
One of the best Star Trek books I've read in awhile. Highly recommended even to people who may not like Star Trek, this is a story that might change your mind.
Set during the time of the STOS period, this is a tale of Captain Kirk and his crew. The Vulcan's have decided to hold a referendum on their Federation membership. Ambassador Sarek is put in the uncomfortable position of having to defend the Vulcan government's actions, while Kirk, Dr. McCoy, and Spock will serve as the voice for staying within the Federation. That's the gist of the story.
Where the story excels is in the chapters devoted to the development of Vulcans as a species and as a society. Duane's wonderful grasp of Vulcan legends and lore were a great read. The not only help to flesh out the story, but also does a wonderful job of worldbuilding for one of the more important species in the Federation.
One of the best Star Trek books I've read in awhile. Highly recommended even to people who may not like Star Trek, this is a story that might change your mind.
April 1, 2021
If you like Vulcans and would like to know what they were like before Surac brought them to practice logic, you will enjoy this book very much.
February 14, 2017
Absolutely nothing wrong in being a Trekkie. Absolutely nothing wrong with a Trekkie novel. However, whenever I pick up a book that is basically fanfiction off of some other media, I watch myself warily. Reputation of such novels tends to be that they are crap or poorly written. This book was not so poorly as written as that. Furthermore, it entertained. Trekkies, this book is safe from painful divergence - I caught only a few minor tweaks from the canon, and overall even the minor details held to some Trekkie precedent.
Charming, in its own manner, this novel. Certainly the vocabulary Duane uninhibitedly flourishes to describe such wonders as the universe and the creation of a planet matches the grand atmosphere one expects from Star Trek. Certainly also charming Duane's noticeable intrigue in language... insertations on how to say "Live long and prosper" in Irish (I think it was Irish), and of course her frequent usage of Vulcan (don't know how hard I laughed the first time McCoy started spouting fluent Vulcan).
The book flowed steadily for the most part - some of the historical scenes of Vulcan I found less captivating than the Twenty-Third Century's main plotline - and the dialogue captured the main essence of TOS. I think Duane mimicked the phraseology of Spock best, followed by Kirk, and McCoy much further behind - but there was enough of the feel of a ST episode that I could suspend my disbelief (it's a sci-fi novel, isn't it), curl up on the couch, and enjoy myself. The climax at the end particularly satisfied... most of the speeches were well-done, with interesting turns of thought, though some of them I found countering in my head with my own set of logic... and if I, a mere human, could find many faults in them, I'm sure that the Vulcans would actually have ripped them to pieces.
A quick read, certainly. And, as aforementioned, charming. I don't know if I would go about recommending this book to others, though. If someone asked me, I would truthfully answer I enjoyed it. Still, if someone wants a really entertaining TOS-based read, I would rate Shatner's "Collision Course" above this one.
Charming, in its own manner, this novel. Certainly the vocabulary Duane uninhibitedly flourishes to describe such wonders as the universe and the creation of a planet matches the grand atmosphere one expects from Star Trek. Certainly also charming Duane's noticeable intrigue in language... insertations on how to say "Live long and prosper" in Irish (I think it was Irish), and of course her frequent usage of Vulcan (don't know how hard I laughed the first time McCoy started spouting fluent Vulcan).
The book flowed steadily for the most part - some of the historical scenes of Vulcan I found less captivating than the Twenty-Third Century's main plotline - and the dialogue captured the main essence of TOS. I think Duane mimicked the phraseology of Spock best, followed by Kirk, and McCoy much further behind - but there was enough of the feel of a ST episode that I could suspend my disbelief (it's a sci-fi novel, isn't it), curl up on the couch, and enjoy myself. The climax at the end particularly satisfied... most of the speeches were well-done, with interesting turns of thought, though some of them I found countering in my head with my own set of logic... and if I, a mere human, could find many faults in them, I'm sure that the Vulcans would actually have ripped them to pieces.
A quick read, certainly. And, as aforementioned, charming. I don't know if I would go about recommending this book to others, though. If someone asked me, I would truthfully answer I enjoyed it. Still, if someone wants a really entertaining TOS-based read, I would rate Shatner's "Collision Course" above this one.
June 17, 2024
This is from the middle of a line of Star Trek Original Series novels, and is definitely one of the better entries. The prologue is fairly poetic, from many characters point of view. It is set after the original series, referring to the events of at least one episode, and is somewhat cataclysmic in scope. It was also a fun and quick read!
Chapters alternate between a Vulcan perspective history and current events, first on the enterprise and later on the planet. Despite being Spock's World, McCoy has the best parts of the narrative. Knowledge of Spock's former fiancee is kind of important, though we are getting hints of that in the newest television series, Strange New Worlds.
Earth trends of the late 1980s also factor in, as the Enterprise has an electronic Bulletin Board - for the younger of you, that's a kind of forum. The starship BBS hasn't appeared in books before or since, that I know of. Still, it was an excuse to bring in different opinions - and an AI.
Other trends related to our time include religion and corruption and racism - and all this on Vulcan. I joked with a friend that this book was Vulcan Brexit. This of course doesn't match with other books about Vulcan written before and since, and the same with Sarek's history. Another problem was the Vulcan history parts - starting with cosmological, they were sometimes interesting but rarely seemed connected to the present narrative. I think I see what the author was doing there, but it needed to be a bit more obvious.
This was a fun and quick read, and one of the better novels in a series of 80+ (though I've only read 40+ of these so far). Recommended!
Chapters alternate between a Vulcan perspective history and current events, first on the enterprise and later on the planet. Despite being Spock's World, McCoy has the best parts of the narrative. Knowledge of Spock's former fiancee is kind of important, though we are getting hints of that in the newest television series, Strange New Worlds.
Earth trends of the late 1980s also factor in, as the Enterprise has an electronic Bulletin Board - for the younger of you, that's a kind of forum. The starship BBS hasn't appeared in books before or since, that I know of. Still, it was an excuse to bring in different opinions - and an AI.
Other trends related to our time include religion and corruption and racism - and all this on Vulcan. I joked with a friend that this book was Vulcan Brexit. This of course doesn't match with other books about Vulcan written before and since, and the same with Sarek's history. Another problem was the Vulcan history parts - starting with cosmological, they were sometimes interesting but rarely seemed connected to the present narrative. I think I see what the author was doing there, but it needed to be a bit more obvious.
This was a fun and quick read, and one of the better novels in a series of 80+ (though I've only read 40+ of these so far). Recommended!
May 20, 2010
Well written history of Vulcan. The chapters alternate between the present day "Enterprise" story of Spock, Kirk & McCoy being called to testify at hearings to decide on Vulcan's succession from the Federation and the pre-history/history of Vulcan.
The Enterprise chapters were delightful, and true to the characters - especially McCoy who surprisingly takes the main stage by being the most fleshed out and in relation to plot, the most important of the trio. Duane must really like the character of McCoy who is clever, witty and brilliant throughout.
The Vulcan chapters were interesting, more of a mixed bag, with some chapters feeling overlong and others revealing and insightful. The switch from chapters was a bit of a problem - the Enterprise chapters being so compelling, at times I was disappointed that I'd have to slog though a Vulcan chapter before I could return to the "story." However, I was usually quickly re-engaged in the Vulcan story.
As a Trekkie the only thing that didn't sit well with me were the circumstances surrounding Spock's conception. For several reasons, I have trouble accepting these circumstances were the case, but that is the author's decision.
Overall a great book, a must read for any TOS fan.
The Enterprise chapters were delightful, and true to the characters - especially McCoy who surprisingly takes the main stage by being the most fleshed out and in relation to plot, the most important of the trio. Duane must really like the character of McCoy who is clever, witty and brilliant throughout.
The Vulcan chapters were interesting, more of a mixed bag, with some chapters feeling overlong and others revealing and insightful. The switch from chapters was a bit of a problem - the Enterprise chapters being so compelling, at times I was disappointed that I'd have to slog though a Vulcan chapter before I could return to the "story." However, I was usually quickly re-engaged in the Vulcan story.
As a Trekkie the only thing that didn't sit well with me were the circumstances surrounding Spock's conception. For several reasons, I have trouble accepting these circumstances were the case, but that is the author's decision.
Overall a great book, a must read for any TOS fan.
September 3, 2015
This book is a loving ode to Spock's World. There is very little action but the work is still compelling. We find out a lot about the evolution of Vulcan and Vulcans, and get some fascinating insights into the Vulcan people. We learn a lot more about Sarek and how he got together with Amanda, and how Spock was born. It was also beautifully written with a lot of poetry in it. I much enjoyed it.
February 10, 2017
I am not a Trekker, having seen a bare handful of episodes across all the extant series and only a few movies, most lately Nemesis around the time it came out. I still call myself a Star Trek fan, though, since I've have read dozens of Star Trek novels and spent hours at work browsing Memory Alpha/Beta looking up various articles. And of all the reading I've done, the book that sticks out most for me is this one.
Spock's World is about a Vulcan vote on secession from the Federation and the arguments made both in favor of and against it. The plot is thus mostly dialogue and speechifying, and because of that I always thought the characterization of Kirk as the fighter and Picard as the talker found in society at large to be pretty odd, since Kirk spends the whole book here talking to people. It is, in that way, the fulfillment of the dream of Star Trek, that we can become a more enlightened species and resolve our problems through communications and understanding. None of the speeches is particularly long, either, so there's no worry about sitting through a pages-long slog waiting for something interesting to happen.
There are some elements of the plot that draw on the original series episode Amok Time, which to this day I have still never seen. I've absorbed enough from general geek culture now that I understand the references, but even when I first read this decades ago and had no prior knowledge of who T'Pring was, I still managed to pick up enough from the book that I could understand the plot without having to look anything up.
The real draw for me, though, is the history. Spock's World is half about the above-mentioned vote and half historical interludes from Vulcan's past, starting with the long-ago formation of the planet from interstellar gas and dust, through the ancestors of the Vulcans who lived through the solar flare that devastated the planet, the development of the arts of the mind and the breeding programs to produce powerful adepts, Vulcan's space program and the colonization of T'Khut, Surak developing the philosophy of cthia after seeing an antimatter weapon tested on T'Khut and encountering an A'kweth in the shadow of Mount Seleya, to Sarek being assigned as the ambassador to Earth. These chapters rarely have any connection with the main story, but I love them anyway. I think they draw on the same elements that make me like the Darkover series, with its war and it's psychic technology and its breeding programs. The portrayal of Vulcan in this book probably goes against official Star Trek canon, but since I know very little about the canon that's not a problem for me.
The writing is engaging as well, with none of the workmanlike prose that tie-in novels can sometimes fall prey to. I imagine some people will find the prose to be distasteful, but for me, passages like:
There's also a lot of minor world details that would probably never show up in a TV show just because of the need to make it accessible and because of a limited budget. For example, when the Enterprise settles into orbit over Vulcan, there's the following line:
There are some interesting details on Vulcan society that I would have liked to see further developed, admittedly. The first is the concept of a'Tha, which is that the Vulcans constantly experience the present of G-d throughout their lives in the way many humans do during religious experiences. Spock doesn't really unpack that idea, but it seems to me that it's just an evolutionary adaptation for a psychic race. If they're always in and out of each other's minds--or at least, were in the early days of their history--the constant feeling of a presence there would help acclimate them to the idea of mental contact rather than actually being any kind of religious proof. Though the existence of katras is already proof for the immortal soul, so maybe Spock has a point. The second is the argument that logic is not capable of understanding the universe because of the existence of non-causal sciences like warp travel, which is brought up briefly in a speech by K's't'lk and then dropped.
Overall, Spock's World is one of the books that stands out most strongly of all the books I read while visiting my grandmother as a child, to the point where I sought it out at a used book store and bought it specifically so my wife could read it. For me, this book is Star Trek. I cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone with even a passing interest in the series.
Spock's World is about a Vulcan vote on secession from the Federation and the arguments made both in favor of and against it. The plot is thus mostly dialogue and speechifying, and because of that I always thought the characterization of Kirk as the fighter and Picard as the talker found in society at large to be pretty odd, since Kirk spends the whole book here talking to people. It is, in that way, the fulfillment of the dream of Star Trek, that we can become a more enlightened species and resolve our problems through communications and understanding. None of the speeches is particularly long, either, so there's no worry about sitting through a pages-long slog waiting for something interesting to happen.
There are some elements of the plot that draw on the original series episode Amok Time, which to this day I have still never seen. I've absorbed enough from general geek culture now that I understand the references, but even when I first read this decades ago and had no prior knowledge of who T'Pring was, I still managed to pick up enough from the book that I could understand the plot without having to look anything up.
The real draw for me, though, is the history. Spock's World is half about the above-mentioned vote and half historical interludes from Vulcan's past, starting with the long-ago formation of the planet from interstellar gas and dust, through the ancestors of the Vulcans who lived through the solar flare that devastated the planet, the development of the arts of the mind and the breeding programs to produce powerful adepts, Vulcan's space program and the colonization of T'Khut, Surak developing the philosophy of cthia after seeing an antimatter weapon tested on T'Khut and encountering an A'kweth in the shadow of Mount Seleya, to Sarek being assigned as the ambassador to Earth. These chapters rarely have any connection with the main story, but I love them anyway. I think they draw on the same elements that make me like the Darkover series, with its war and it's psychic technology and its breeding programs. The portrayal of Vulcan in this book probably goes against official Star Trek canon, but since I know very little about the canon that's not a problem for me.
The writing is engaging as well, with none of the workmanlike prose that tie-in novels can sometimes fall prey to. I imagine some people will find the prose to be distasteful, but for me, passages like:
But for now the Earth keeps the moonlight and the romance to herself, slowly turning, shimmering faint and lovely like a promise made and kept a long time ago. Darkness scattered with diamonds, and the darkness never whole; there she lies, and turns in her sleep...are like catnip.
There's also a lot of minor world details that would probably never show up in a TV show just because of the need to make it accessible and because of a limited budget. For example, when the Enterprise settles into orbit over Vulcan, there's the following line:
" 'Standard orbit,' Sulu announced. 'Fourteen thousand miles, hephaistosynchronous.' ""Hephaistosynchronous"? Well, of course. They're not in orbit around Earth, after all. Even if a separate term for every planet in the Federation would be linguistically untenable, I can well understand coming up with a term for the homeworld of one of the earliest member species. And speaking of species, they are much more widely varied in Spock's World, when there isn't a need to make everyone a Rubber Forehead Alien to keep the budget down. There's a Horta crew member, and a crystalline radially-symmetrical spider and a pillar of eyes and tentacles and a arrangement of crystal that would shatter if touched by anyone but is kept safe with inertia dampers. None of them are major characters, though K's't'lk rises to the level of minor one, but I love their inclusion. It shows the breadth of species that make up the Federation far more effectively when these characters are simply there without much comment.
There are some interesting details on Vulcan society that I would have liked to see further developed, admittedly. The first is the concept of a'Tha, which is that the Vulcans constantly experience the present of G-d throughout their lives in the way many humans do during religious experiences. Spock doesn't really unpack that idea, but it seems to me that it's just an evolutionary adaptation for a psychic race. If they're always in and out of each other's minds--or at least, were in the early days of their history--the constant feeling of a presence there would help acclimate them to the idea of mental contact rather than actually being any kind of religious proof. Though the existence of katras is already proof for the immortal soul, so maybe Spock has a point. The second is the argument that logic is not capable of understanding the universe because of the existence of non-causal sciences like warp travel, which is brought up briefly in a speech by K's't'lk and then dropped.
Overall, Spock's World is one of the books that stands out most strongly of all the books I read while visiting my grandmother as a child, to the point where I sought it out at a used book store and bought it specifically so my wife could read it. For me, this book is Star Trek. I cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone with even a passing interest in the series.
March 6, 2025
Raaaaah worldbuilding!!
July 14, 2009
This is the only Star Trek tie-in novel I have read. I have never seen the original series or any of the spinoffs save the 2009 reboot. This probably disqualifies me completely to review it, given the rich, rich context from whence it sprang, but I'm gonna go ahead anyway.
Because Diane Duane is awesome, and this comes very close to standing on its own. I am not sure how close -- I have some small knowledge of the Star Trek-verse (very small), and I have been reading fanfiction for a good long while now, which requires skills in extrapolation and extension which I am sure I was using in reading this (without noticing). But I think I would have noticed infodumps, which this does not have, and I think I would have noticed any over-reliance on canon, which this almost doesn't have. The only point on which this book falls down on independence of story is its reliance on some event about a duel and an engagement and some chick named T'Pring, for backstory. I am missing nuance about that event, but it didn't ruin the experience for me.
This is a book by a young Duane, in which some of the flaws of the early Young Wizards books are even more glaring -- her love of science sometimes overwhelms her storytelling, and her use of jargon could have used a much heavier editing session (the early chapters on the creation of Vulcan, the planet, are 98% skippable unless you really like a cross of cosmology and Big Bang physics). The transitions between Vulcan chapters 4, 5, and 6 are just plain weird and abrupt.
But it is eminently readable, has some great character interactions -- and some great, incredibly *alien* aliens, creates a living, breathing culture for Starfleet which has only minimal misogyny in its bones, and is funny as hell. Would read again!
Because Diane Duane is awesome, and this comes very close to standing on its own. I am not sure how close -- I have some small knowledge of the Star Trek-verse (very small), and I have been reading fanfiction for a good long while now, which requires skills in extrapolation and extension which I am sure I was using in reading this (without noticing). But I think I would have noticed infodumps, which this does not have, and I think I would have noticed any over-reliance on canon, which this almost doesn't have. The only point on which this book falls down on independence of story is its reliance on some event about a duel and an engagement and some chick named T'Pring, for backstory. I am missing nuance about that event, but it didn't ruin the experience for me.
This is a book by a young Duane, in which some of the flaws of the early Young Wizards books are even more glaring -- her love of science sometimes overwhelms her storytelling, and her use of jargon could have used a much heavier editing session (the early chapters on the creation of Vulcan, the planet, are 98% skippable unless you really like a cross of cosmology and Big Bang physics). The transitions between Vulcan chapters 4, 5, and 6 are just plain weird and abrupt.
But it is eminently readable, has some great character interactions -- and some great, incredibly *alien* aliens, creates a living, breathing culture for Starfleet which has only minimal misogyny in its bones, and is funny as hell. Would read again!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2015
I started reading ST novels when the Destiny trilogy came out, so i'm kinda new to the books even though I'm 35 & have loved everything ST ever since TNG started airing in the late 80's . I have enjoyed the recently published ST novels so much it made me want to go back & check out some of the older more popular/higher rated novels of times past & this book was on my list,....& I'm glad it was! This book gives the reader a ton of insight into Vulcan culture & history. Dianne Duane is really in a class of her own when it comes to character interaction/development. She really nails the Kirk/Spock/McCoy dynamic, (which is always of the utmost importance to me), but also does an excellent job of bringing the rest of the crew into the story in interesting fashion. Also I give her the highest praise for her ability to show the reader the details of day-to-day ship operations, which to me gives her novels a little something extra that I have yet to find anywhere else in the ST novels. This is one of my favorites, & I highly recommend it.
April 16, 2019
Vulcan Brexit! Seriously. This is about a divided Vulcan society seriously in an uproar about leaving the Federation. Scheming, lies and deceptions ensue. Just like the real Brexit. Quite a bit of interesting history on Vulcan itself, as well as Sarek, Amanda and Spock and their family roots. However, not all of it jibes with the canon I'm familiar with from the various television series, so beware ye faithful trekkers.
August 6, 2008
Another great example of the books giving you so much more to feel for the character.
July 12, 2014
Fantastic Star Trek book. Everything you could ever want to know about the Vulcans and their history. Very recommended
January 23, 2019
Vulcan debates seceding the Federation; the narrative takes a deep dive into the planet and the people's origins. Both of the Duane Star Trek spinoffs I've read impress me with their minutiae and scope, things the source material lacks as a matter of course. (It works as often as not--it doesn't feel particularly like Star Trek, but expands on things I wish the series could have explored.) It's a natural fit to an ethnography of Vulcan, although in combination with a political/low-action A-plot and episodic historical B-plot it can read as distant and slow. But it's always thoughtful--although I don't always agree, particularly as regards emotion. It sounds good on paper, particularly reframing things as a mastery of emotion rather than an absence or suppression of emotion; but in actuality, contemporary Vulcan emotion feels too frivolous and historical Vulcan emotion too tame--there's a lack of tension and therefore justification for Vulcan practice (and, well, the book itself). But it kept me thinking about that tension, about where it should lie and how it could be better expressed, about the line between cultural practice and sociological necessity, about the line between mastery and repression. I'd call this more engaging than successful, but I'm glad I read it.
January 15, 2026
The best parts of this are incredibly engaging. some of the Vulcan history interludes are the only reason it drops a little lower than 5. I appreciate how they build the narrative but some of the historic Vulcans fell a little flat with me. of the speeches I thought McCoys was the best.
July 15, 2012
I actually read this from 9 July to 13 July, but didn't have internet access at those times. Anyway, on with the review.
I didn't remember reading this when I was young, but certain passages were familiar as I read them, so I must have read this at least once before.... Anyway, the re-read was interesting. Some of the author's similes and metaphors don't really work...at all. It makes her attempts at lyrical, descriptive writing seem laughable instead. Also there were some minor errors at logic and, um...making sense. The beginning has a few passages that are slow and boring and, as I mentioned, laughable. 'The sea a blue gray like quiet eyes' in particular did not work for me. Like quiet eyes? What? As far as I know, eyes can't talk--they're always quiet.
But after she lets go of the lengthy bad descriptions and gets on with the action, the author weaves an interesting and enjoyable tale. I read it (this time, I guess) as a light vacation read, and it suited the purpose well. Highly recommended to Star Trek fans in need of a light but engaging (after those first few boring parts) read.
I didn't remember reading this when I was young, but certain passages were familiar as I read them, so I must have read this at least once before.... Anyway, the re-read was interesting. Some of the author's similes and metaphors don't really work...at all. It makes her attempts at lyrical, descriptive writing seem laughable instead. Also there were some minor errors at logic and, um...making sense. The beginning has a few passages that are slow and boring and, as I mentioned, laughable. 'The sea a blue gray like quiet eyes' in particular did not work for me. Like quiet eyes? What? As far as I know, eyes can't talk--they're always quiet.
But after she lets go of the lengthy bad descriptions and gets on with the action, the author weaves an interesting and enjoyable tale. I read it (this time, I guess) as a light vacation read, and it suited the purpose well. Highly recommended to Star Trek fans in need of a light but engaging (after those first few boring parts) read.
January 1, 2016
Diane Duane turns the Vulcans from aloof, inscrutable aliens into people - not just like us, but similar enough to make their differences intriguing instead of off-putting. Her snippets of Vulcan history and prehistory are fascinating, interspersed with the framing story of Jim and McCoy coming down to speak on Vulcan during a time of crisis. I'm not too big a fan of the T'Pring and Stonn storyline, which is a shame as it's so important to the story. But Duane as usual builds a world so rich in detail that it's a delight to live in it for as long as you read the book.
Ps. This is really 3.5 or maybe 3.7 stars...curse your arbitrary star system, Goodreads!
Ps. This is really 3.5 or maybe 3.7 stars...curse your arbitrary star system, Goodreads!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2019
I found that this book was much anticipated but i really cannot see why. Possibly because it gives some insight in both the history of Spock and his family as in Vulcan.
Mostly boring and psychologicial, chapters are switched with historical flashbacks that contain action and/or impartant events though often with dramatic endings.
Dr. McCoy steals the show while the title would insinuate otherwise. Some loose ends get cleaned up, for the rest a story to quickly forget. In my pile of over 500 Star Trek novels this one will definately stay at the bottom.
Mostly boring and psychologicial, chapters are switched with historical flashbacks that contain action and/or impartant events though often with dramatic endings.
Dr. McCoy steals the show while the title would insinuate otherwise. Some loose ends get cleaned up, for the rest a story to quickly forget. In my pile of over 500 Star Trek novels this one will definately stay at the bottom.
November 10, 2012
An excellent entry into the panoply of Star Trek fiction, and one that should be a must-read for every fan of Star Trek novels. Diane Duane writes the characters pitch-perfect, and her presentation of the history of Vulcan is every bit as fascinating as the page-turning "contemporary" events of the novel.
Full review: http://treklit.blogspot.com/2012/11/s...
Full review: http://treklit.blogspot.com/2012/11/s...
May 25, 2013
Another excellent Star Trek novel from Diane Duane. A must read for fans of Spock and the Vulcan culture. Also for fans of the Kirk/Spock/McCoy triumvirate, which I totally am.
November 17, 2018
Immer noch das beste Star Trek Buch, das je geschrieben wurde. 25 Jahre später kann ich es immer noch gelesen und komplett eingesaugt Stunden über Stunden auf einem anderen Planeten verbringen. Die Ausflüge in die Geschichte sind toll, die Einblicke in Spocks Familienleben interessant aber das großartigste sind und bleiben die Debatten. Lieblingsbuch. :)
May 27, 2021
I'm a big fan of Duane's Trek. Diane knows our crew very well, always places them in spectacular stories and writes them as interesting human beings who happen also to be living heroes. The characterisations are near perfect and the dialogue is really good, the sense of humour feels natural.
"Jim shook his head, feeling sorry for this Engineering crew, all doomed to be turned into mechanical geniuses like their mad teacher." - This quote follows a scene where Scotty explains the rigour under which he's testing his newest recruits, perfectly reasonable hardships according to Scotty.
It is always excellent to see Horta in a story, though this story marks the first time I've heard a Horta described as a "Shaggy-fringed Rock". If you're now picturing a variety of Horta who could fill in for the Beatles, you're welcome and we can both thank Diane. This story also has some well constructed new alien species.
We get an impressive chunk of science fact in here and although I loved it, I remember thinking "what's the point of all this", but if you're paying close attention you'll see it all gets meaningfully referenced again through the story. Don't let the real science freak you out, there's a fair chunk of mumbo jumbo in it too.
The crux of the problem that Spock, Surak, Kirk and McCoy face is that political pressure has forced Vulcan High Command to consider parting ways with the Federation. Our familiars are back on Vulcan to put forward arguments against that decision. It turns out that the real problem is not as much the Federation as the humans themselves. Take that for a Vulcan slap in the face!
While much of what Diane creates in this story doesn't make it into eventual canon, this simple concept of anti-IDIC factions is definitely recognisable canon. So it wasn't until past half way through the book when I finally began to wonder exactly what event had occurred to spark this particular anti-human referendum.
Then, just as I was thinking it Spock runs off to obtain the answer in person. Surprisingly, the puppeteer confesses immediately to having pulled the strings and while I liked the reason given, it's about the least plausible situation in the story, (Other than learning a language through RNA treatments).
As is typical anywhere, history forms the backbone of the philosophical and political ideals on Vulcan and Duane creates a rich account of events that have shaped current Vulcan culture. We pounce around through these events between the main story events, but even so I really felt these characters and their connections to the current script. In fact the "current" events are interesting but the historical aspect is really the greatest contribution that Spock's World makes to the Star Trek litverse.
Forget about in-universe historical accuracy, this book was penned well before many details were canonised. Duane imagines our first contact with Vulcans as us meeting them in space to assist one of their disabled vessels (a brilliant idea, in my view)... And by the way, we had met those lovely blue Andorians first!
Spock's World is a 5-star creation that could easily have sufficed as a satisfying basis for Vulcan lore.
"Jim shook his head, feeling sorry for this Engineering crew, all doomed to be turned into mechanical geniuses like their mad teacher." - This quote follows a scene where Scotty explains the rigour under which he's testing his newest recruits, perfectly reasonable hardships according to Scotty.
It is always excellent to see Horta in a story, though this story marks the first time I've heard a Horta described as a "Shaggy-fringed Rock". If you're now picturing a variety of Horta who could fill in for the Beatles, you're welcome and we can both thank Diane. This story also has some well constructed new alien species.
We get an impressive chunk of science fact in here and although I loved it, I remember thinking "what's the point of all this", but if you're paying close attention you'll see it all gets meaningfully referenced again through the story. Don't let the real science freak you out, there's a fair chunk of mumbo jumbo in it too.
The crux of the problem that Spock, Surak, Kirk and McCoy face is that political pressure has forced Vulcan High Command to consider parting ways with the Federation. Our familiars are back on Vulcan to put forward arguments against that decision. It turns out that the real problem is not as much the Federation as the humans themselves. Take that for a Vulcan slap in the face!
While much of what Diane creates in this story doesn't make it into eventual canon, this simple concept of anti-IDIC factions is definitely recognisable canon. So it wasn't until past half way through the book when I finally began to wonder exactly what event had occurred to spark this particular anti-human referendum.
Then, just as I was thinking it Spock runs off to obtain the answer in person. Surprisingly, the puppeteer confesses immediately to having pulled the strings and while I liked the reason given, it's about the least plausible situation in the story, (Other than learning a language through RNA treatments).
As is typical anywhere, history forms the backbone of the philosophical and political ideals on Vulcan and Duane creates a rich account of events that have shaped current Vulcan culture. We pounce around through these events between the main story events, but even so I really felt these characters and their connections to the current script. In fact the "current" events are interesting but the historical aspect is really the greatest contribution that Spock's World makes to the Star Trek litverse.
Forget about in-universe historical accuracy, this book was penned well before many details were canonised. Duane imagines our first contact with Vulcans as us meeting them in space to assist one of their disabled vessels (a brilliant idea, in my view)... And by the way, we had met those lovely blue Andorians first!
Spock's World is a 5-star creation that could easily have sufficed as a satisfying basis for Vulcan lore.
October 25, 2024
In the fall of 1988, there were two things I desperately wanted -- to see all the Sylvester McCoy episodes of Doctor Who* and to read Diane Duane's hardcover (the first ever hardcover Star Trek novel, mind you), "Spock's World."
* I'd only seen "Time and the Rani" and was eager to see "Delta and the Bannermen" based on McCoy describing it a local mini-convention. I was also eager to see "Remembrance of the Daleks" but knew it was highly unlikely it'd cross the pond during the calendar year of 1988.
You can only imagine how excited I was when my local library system, which very rarely added tie-in novels to its offerings got a copy of "Spock's World" and I was able to reserve it. I vividly recall being so eager to read it that I drove my parents crazy until I got to pick it up and heard my mom muttering that I'd better have read half of it by the next day because I was so excited and annoying.
Well, I can tell you I didn't finish it all in one sitting. In fact, I recall getting it and feelings like it was something that should be savored because, at long last, we were going to get all kinds of cool backstories on the Vulcans and their history. Years later, some of what Diane Duane crafts as a backstory for Vulcan has been countered by established continuity and canon. But for a few days back in 1988 and then the summer of 1989 when I re-read it upon paperback release, this was the best look into Vulcan lore we had.
And it was kind of glorious.
Thirty years later, I'm revisiting some of the tentpoles of my time heavily reading Trek novels and so I picked up a used paperback copy of "Spock's World" and set about reading it again.
Interestingly, one of the things I complain about most in modern Trek fiction is on display here -- namely the novels creating their internal canon. Duane references characters and stories from her previous entries in the line here, though the references don't bring things to a grinding halt if you don't know all the canon.
Strikingly for the first entry in the hardcover world, "Spock's World" relies less on action and more on characters and philosophical debates. The planet Vulcan is holding a referendum to decide whether or not to withdraw from the Federation and the Enterprise is sent there to shuttle Spock, Sarek, and Amanda to the debate as well as have Kirk and McCoy offer their arguments on what Vulcan should stay a member. The novel alternates between chapters set in the "present" and those looking at Vulcan's past. And while the stuff in the past for Vulcan is intriguing, I found myself far more intrigued then and now by the events sent in the present as Kirk, Spock, and McCoy try to figure out what and who is behind the movement to withdraw.
I recall the revelation of who's behind this and why as coming far later in the novel that it actually does. But it's still memorable enough that I continue to be impressed by it all these years later. I also think it ties in well to what the latest versions of Trek set in the pre-TOS era are doing with certain characters.
An aspect of the story that jumped out is Duane's prediction of message boards and comments. As the crew heads to Vulcan, Kirk is aware of an internal message board that allows crew members to post anonymous thoughts and react to current events. I find it fascinating to see how current these postings and Kirk's reaction to them feel thirty years later.
"Spock's World" was the first of its kind and created a precedence for hardcover Star Trek novels for the next decade. It's helped that this is a well craft story that honors the characters and the tradition of the universe it's tying-into. I can't help but still enjoy it all these years later and am glad I visited this one again.
* I'd only seen "Time and the Rani" and was eager to see "Delta and the Bannermen" based on McCoy describing it a local mini-convention. I was also eager to see "Remembrance of the Daleks" but knew it was highly unlikely it'd cross the pond during the calendar year of 1988.
You can only imagine how excited I was when my local library system, which very rarely added tie-in novels to its offerings got a copy of "Spock's World" and I was able to reserve it. I vividly recall being so eager to read it that I drove my parents crazy until I got to pick it up and heard my mom muttering that I'd better have read half of it by the next day because I was so excited and annoying.
Well, I can tell you I didn't finish it all in one sitting. In fact, I recall getting it and feelings like it was something that should be savored because, at long last, we were going to get all kinds of cool backstories on the Vulcans and their history. Years later, some of what Diane Duane crafts as a backstory for Vulcan has been countered by established continuity and canon. But for a few days back in 1988 and then the summer of 1989 when I re-read it upon paperback release, this was the best look into Vulcan lore we had.
And it was kind of glorious.
Thirty years later, I'm revisiting some of the tentpoles of my time heavily reading Trek novels and so I picked up a used paperback copy of "Spock's World" and set about reading it again.
Interestingly, one of the things I complain about most in modern Trek fiction is on display here -- namely the novels creating their internal canon. Duane references characters and stories from her previous entries in the line here, though the references don't bring things to a grinding halt if you don't know all the canon.
Strikingly for the first entry in the hardcover world, "Spock's World" relies less on action and more on characters and philosophical debates. The planet Vulcan is holding a referendum to decide whether or not to withdraw from the Federation and the Enterprise is sent there to shuttle Spock, Sarek, and Amanda to the debate as well as have Kirk and McCoy offer their arguments on what Vulcan should stay a member. The novel alternates between chapters set in the "present" and those looking at Vulcan's past. And while the stuff in the past for Vulcan is intriguing, I found myself far more intrigued then and now by the events sent in the present as Kirk, Spock, and McCoy try to figure out what and who is behind the movement to withdraw.
I recall the revelation of who's behind this and why as coming far later in the novel that it actually does. But it's still memorable enough that I continue to be impressed by it all these years later. I also think it ties in well to what the latest versions of Trek set in the pre-TOS era are doing with certain characters.
An aspect of the story that jumped out is Duane's prediction of message boards and comments. As the crew heads to Vulcan, Kirk is aware of an internal message board that allows crew members to post anonymous thoughts and react to current events. I find it fascinating to see how current these postings and Kirk's reaction to them feel thirty years later.
"Spock's World" was the first of its kind and created a precedence for hardcover Star Trek novels for the next decade. It's helped that this is a well craft story that honors the characters and the tradition of the universe it's tying-into. I can't help but still enjoy it all these years later and am glad I visited this one again.
October 11, 2021
TL;DR-An uninvolved and simple plot and a textbook lesson of the creation of Vulcan every other chapter made this book so boring. Everyone was out of character and nothing fit with canon.
Way overhyped and overrated! I don’t understand why this is looked at as a good piece of writing. The off-putting artwork on the cover really does seem to symbolize the story.
First of all, the story seemed to lack any type of strength. There were no high stakes or secondary plotlines to add interest. Every other chapter was a very boring, unnecessary, and not-canonical retelling of Vulcan history that went no where. It was brutal to get through, added no insight to anything, and seemed just like fluff to boost the page count.
Probably related to the uninvolved plot, the book ended with several loose ends. The whole concept of the online writers, for one, never went anywhere, added anything to the plot, and was never delved into. It seemed wholly unnecessary. The “reveal” of T’Pring’s involvement within the story was also quite sloppy and irrelevant. A lot of disbelief needs to be suspended for that part of the story to be bearable.
Thirdly, everyone was wildly out of character. Kirk spent all his time at the crew mixer with some guy that isn’t even from Star Trek canon. Despite how important he seemed to be, both to the chapter and to Kirk (seeing as Kirk chose to talk to him over Spock), this man was never heard from again. McCoy got a procedure done to learn Vulcan (a procedure never mentioned in trek canon with a shoddy explanation as to its possibility.), chose to spend his time shopping, and didn’t seem very interested in anything as though he was preoccupied. Spock seemed to be at a place in his character development that he wasn’t at yet until the later Trek movies. Sarek, however, was the most wildly out of character. He laughed. He laughed out of control twice in this book. (I don’t think I need to explain the error in this)
Finally, this book didn’t seem to have any respect for Star Trek canon. Several integral things never mentioned in Trek were introduced and used here. Such as the ability to learn languages via RNA, the online chat room thing for the Enterprise crew, and the creation of Spock. (It seemed the author took way too many liberties with the Star Trek universe) Another example of this was the way Vulcan was too much like earth. Gift shops and shopping centers and even an Italian restaurant on Vulcan? It simply didn’t make sense. An example of this is the pre-Surak Vulcan children playing with swords instead of toy lirpas and Vulcans reacting to speeches as humans would. (Gasping or laughing as a crowd, and finishing with applause and uproar)
In conclusion, this book is way overrated. The plot was boring, uninvolved, and bland which made the end seem incomplete and unfinished. Everyone was out of character and the entire novel is a wave-off dismissal of Star Trek canon. 2/5 stars is being generous considering the inside of the book is as unappealing as the choice of art for the cover.
Way overhyped and overrated! I don’t understand why this is looked at as a good piece of writing. The off-putting artwork on the cover really does seem to symbolize the story.
First of all, the story seemed to lack any type of strength. There were no high stakes or secondary plotlines to add interest. Every other chapter was a very boring, unnecessary, and not-canonical retelling of Vulcan history that went no where. It was brutal to get through, added no insight to anything, and seemed just like fluff to boost the page count.
Probably related to the uninvolved plot, the book ended with several loose ends. The whole concept of the online writers, for one, never went anywhere, added anything to the plot, and was never delved into. It seemed wholly unnecessary. The “reveal” of T’Pring’s involvement within the story was also quite sloppy and irrelevant. A lot of disbelief needs to be suspended for that part of the story to be bearable.
Thirdly, everyone was wildly out of character. Kirk spent all his time at the crew mixer with some guy that isn’t even from Star Trek canon. Despite how important he seemed to be, both to the chapter and to Kirk (seeing as Kirk chose to talk to him over Spock), this man was never heard from again. McCoy got a procedure done to learn Vulcan (a procedure never mentioned in trek canon with a shoddy explanation as to its possibility.), chose to spend his time shopping, and didn’t seem very interested in anything as though he was preoccupied. Spock seemed to be at a place in his character development that he wasn’t at yet until the later Trek movies. Sarek, however, was the most wildly out of character. He laughed. He laughed out of control twice in this book. (I don’t think I need to explain the error in this)
Finally, this book didn’t seem to have any respect for Star Trek canon. Several integral things never mentioned in Trek were introduced and used here. Such as the ability to learn languages via RNA, the online chat room thing for the Enterprise crew, and the creation of Spock. (It seemed the author took way too many liberties with the Star Trek universe) Another example of this was the way Vulcan was too much like earth. Gift shops and shopping centers and even an Italian restaurant on Vulcan? It simply didn’t make sense. An example of this is the pre-Surak Vulcan children playing with swords instead of toy lirpas and Vulcans reacting to speeches as humans would. (Gasping or laughing as a crowd, and finishing with applause and uproar)
In conclusion, this book is way overrated. The plot was boring, uninvolved, and bland which made the end seem incomplete and unfinished. Everyone was out of character and the entire novel is a wave-off dismissal of Star Trek canon. 2/5 stars is being generous considering the inside of the book is as unappealing as the choice of art for the cover.
November 1, 2015
This is an interestingly different take on Spock, Vulcan, and the Star Trek universe. I don't know if I'd want it to be "full canon", but I respect it a lot.
Diane Duane wrote this one, and it's very steeped in her style of writing - down to the idea that Vulcans have a constant sense of the immanent presence of God. She does the deep dive, building up not only Vulcan history and culture, but day-to-day life on the Enterprise and even 23rd century Earth itself. And it's good stuff, treating Vulcans not as logic-run robots, but as three-dimensional people with a certain shared philosophy, who stick close to it or give it lip service, interpret it their own ways, because of who they are as individuals.
Chapters in the present day are alternated with chapters that take place throughout Vulcan's history and prehistory, showing how it became the kind of world we know, the kind that would spawn Vulcans (and, later, Romulans), the kind that would have the conflict described here. Each of them has a distinct tone, appropriate for the setting - some feel like Game of Thrones, others like gritty cyberpunk, still others like a fairy tale or a meditation. Nitpicks on these: This version of Sarek's story feels more Christian than Buddhist, which is what the character always felt like he was more modeled on. Still, it works. And some of the parts on present-day Vulcan, especially late in the book when it's focusing on debate and political intrigue, feel kind of dry, kind of cold, kind of emotionally detached - naturally, it took me a bit to realize how appropriate that is.
I definitely recommend this, not just to Star Trek fans, but to anyone interested in worldbuilding and how to make alien cultures feel alive and real.
Diane Duane wrote this one, and it's very steeped in her style of writing - down to the idea that Vulcans have a constant sense of the immanent presence of God. She does the deep dive, building up not only Vulcan history and culture, but day-to-day life on the Enterprise and even 23rd century Earth itself. And it's good stuff, treating Vulcans not as logic-run robots, but as three-dimensional people with a certain shared philosophy, who stick close to it or give it lip service, interpret it their own ways, because of who they are as individuals.
Chapters in the present day are alternated with chapters that take place throughout Vulcan's history and prehistory, showing how it became the kind of world we know, the kind that would spawn Vulcans (and, later, Romulans), the kind that would have the conflict described here. Each of them has a distinct tone, appropriate for the setting - some feel like Game of Thrones, others like gritty cyberpunk, still others like a fairy tale or a meditation. Nitpicks on these: This version of Sarek's story feels more Christian than Buddhist, which is what the character always felt like he was more modeled on. Still, it works. And some of the parts on present-day Vulcan, especially late in the book when it's focusing on debate and political intrigue, feel kind of dry, kind of cold, kind of emotionally detached - naturally, it took me a bit to realize how appropriate that is.
I definitely recommend this, not just to Star Trek fans, but to anyone interested in worldbuilding and how to make alien cultures feel alive and real.
November 16, 2013
Just like Uhura’s Song this book is as perfect as it gets, regarding writing a wonderful story and keeping everyone completely in character.
At least, how I think the characters should be.
I don’t know if the “Holy Trinity” is perceived like they’re written in Spock’s World by everybody or just by me, but THIS is how I’ve always imagined Kirk, Spock & McCoy to be: bright, well-considered, logical, sneaky, brave and capable of surprising not only Sarek and T’Pau but also the entire population of Vulcan.
To be honest: I’m not exactly a Vulcan fan. I’ve always liked Spock, of course, and I’ve always liked Sarek and Amanda (yeah, I KNOW she’s human, but still); I’ve even thought Vulcan customs and physiology (Hello!? Bones-fangirl talking!) fairly interesting – but I’ve never been thinking, “Wow! Vulcan is SO interesting! I desperately need to know its origin! And especially how Vulcan Religion and Philosophy came into existence!”
Never.
Therefore: If you’re like me, you can skip the Vulcan-titled chapters. I’ve read them and they are of no importance for the rest of the story.
Well, all but ONE. If you are interested in how Sarek came to be an ambassador and met Amanda, you should definitely read chapter Vulcan: Seven. It’s very cute.
I’m still a bit vexed about the whole T’Pring thing, though, but that can’t be helped. Obviously.
And even if I weren’t a die-hard Bones fan, I’d totally love McCoy in this book. He’s brilliant.
Like I said, as good as it gets. If you like Star Trek TOS even a little bit, that’s a total must-read.
At least, how I think the characters should be.
I don’t know if the “Holy Trinity” is perceived like they’re written in Spock’s World by everybody or just by me, but THIS is how I’ve always imagined Kirk, Spock & McCoy to be: bright, well-considered, logical, sneaky, brave and capable of surprising not only Sarek and T’Pau but also the entire population of Vulcan.
To be honest: I’m not exactly a Vulcan fan. I’ve always liked Spock, of course, and I’ve always liked Sarek and Amanda (yeah, I KNOW she’s human, but still); I’ve even thought Vulcan customs and physiology (Hello!? Bones-fangirl talking!) fairly interesting – but I’ve never been thinking, “Wow! Vulcan is SO interesting! I desperately need to know its origin! And especially how Vulcan Religion and Philosophy came into existence!”
Never.
Therefore: If you’re like me, you can skip the Vulcan-titled chapters. I’ve read them and they are of no importance for the rest of the story.
Well, all but ONE. If you are interested in how Sarek came to be an ambassador and met Amanda, you should definitely read chapter Vulcan: Seven. It’s very cute.
I’m still a bit vexed about the whole T’Pring thing, though, but that can’t be helped. Obviously.
And even if I weren’t a die-hard Bones fan, I’d totally love McCoy in this book. He’s brilliant.
Like I said, as good as it gets. If you like Star Trek TOS even a little bit, that’s a total must-read.
August 26, 2010
This book begins with Spock and the Enterprise being called to Vulcan. A political situation has arisen on Vulcan, and the subject to be handled in a formal, public debate--a Vulcan custom--is whether Vulcan should cut off all contact with all other worlds.
The sections in Spock's modern time alternate with various historical events in Vulcan's history. Although well written, I sometimes read some of the historical chapters and thought "Vulcans would not do that". Of course, this is just one author's ideas on Vulcan's past.
I did prefer the 'modern' sections. Of course, the Federation does not wish to lose Vulcan as an ally, so Spock and Kirk are scheduled to testify in the public debate. The scens where the two testify are high points of the section set in the current time on Vulcan, and Ambassador Sarek as well. But McCoy also testifies, and Duane did a really good job with his testimony--his scenes are great!
Also, while the debate is going on--it takes several days--our Enterprises crew gets curious about the events behind this sudden move to secede, and start snooping around......I will not spoil it to tell you what they find, but it was certainly a surprise for me!
Well-written and true to the established characters of our well known crew.
Recommended for all Star Trek fans--this is one of the superior books in the series. Highly recommended if Vulcan is a subject that you have always wanted to her more about.
The sections in Spock's modern time alternate with various historical events in Vulcan's history. Although well written, I sometimes read some of the historical chapters and thought "Vulcans would not do that". Of course, this is just one author's ideas on Vulcan's past.
I did prefer the 'modern' sections. Of course, the Federation does not wish to lose Vulcan as an ally, so Spock and Kirk are scheduled to testify in the public debate. The scens where the two testify are high points of the section set in the current time on Vulcan, and Ambassador Sarek as well. But McCoy also testifies, and Duane did a really good job with his testimony--his scenes are great!
Also, while the debate is going on--it takes several days--our Enterprises crew gets curious about the events behind this sudden move to secede, and start snooping around......I will not spoil it to tell you what they find, but it was certainly a surprise for me!
Well-written and true to the established characters of our well known crew.
Recommended for all Star Trek fans--this is one of the superior books in the series. Highly recommended if Vulcan is a subject that you have always wanted to her more about.
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