Devil's Bargain

Star Trek: The Original Series

by Tony Daniel

An all-new Original Series adventure about a Federation mining colony on the verge of destruction and the unlikely solution that could save them from extinction.

Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise are sent to evacuate the Omega sector frontier colony Vesbius—a pioneer settlement that is on the brink of an extinction-level event threatening not only all of the colonists, but biological products that are vital to Starfleet. However, rescue efforts are being thwarted by the colonists themselves, who refuse to abandon Vesbius, claiming that their lives depend upon staying, while giving no reason why . It is after these irrational decisions that First Officer Spock makes a radical Perhaps an unexpected ally could aid the colony and help complete the mission. . . .

Genres: Star Trek, Science Fiction, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Ebooks, Media Tie In, Novels

303 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 2013

About the author

Tony Daniel is an author of science fiction novels, short stories, and radio dramas.

For the comic book author, see Tony S. Daniel.

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

With what seems like hundreds of Star Trek tie-in novels published over the last forty-plus years, I understand that finding new, unexplored areas of the "final frontier" can be a bit difficult. I also understand there are only so many ways you can tie together elements from the original seventy-nine episode run and have it still feel fresh.

Much of Devil's Bargain has the feeling of "been there, done that," to it for the crew of the starship Enterprise. In many ways, it feels like a third-season episode of the classic series and if you've watched the show, you know that isn't exactly a compliment.

The frontier world of Vesbius is facing destruction because a huge asteroid is bearing down on the planet. The population withdrew from the Federation years ago, but that doesn't mean the Federation is willing to let them all die in the coming catastrophe. They send Captain Kirk and company to try and evacuate the colony, but the colonists refuse to leave the planet. We eventually discover why they can't and won't leave as well as finding out that the population is a bit xenophobic. Ironically, it's Spock who comes up with a potential solution -- warp over to Janus VI and pick up a batch of Horta to mine the asteroid and break it up into chunks that will be more manageable for the Enterprise to take out or that won't cause as much damage upon impact to the planet.

Along the way, Kirk falls in love with the daughter of the planetary leader and spends a lot of time pondering this. There are entire passages in which one or the other reflect on their relationship and how its only going to be a limited thing, but by golly, they sure are in love. I can see what Tony Daniel was trying to achieve here, but the execution is a bit lacking.

Daniel's first Trek novel has some potential, but it never really all comes together.

Each time I pick up a new Trek novel, my memory is cast back to my teenage years when I couldn't get enough of the Pocket novels. I'm beginning to believe my memories of most of those books are better than the actual novels themselves. Or else my tastes have changed (in large part because of the output of one Peter David) and I don't find the standard, cliche ridden Trek novel quite as satisfying as I once did. Either way, I have to admit this one didn't so much disappoint as it's guilty of not living up to my memories and expectations.

[Douglas · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm sorry but I don't understand how this book is getting 4 and 5 star reviews. The writing style is flat, the characters don't *feel* right, the plot is dull and the resolution isn't exciting at all. You aren't made to care about the characters, motivations come from nowhere ("Oh look! This guys suddenly a bad guy! With vague reasons for being bad!") and there's a frankly icky romance for Kirk. Very, very poor...to be honest the last 25% of the book was a case of "please let this be over" for me.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

This original series book just didn't grab me at all. A predictable (and rather silly) romance for Kirk, prose that just sits there, wooden characters (including the main characters) and an uninteresting premise.

Cool to see the Horta again, and their story wasn't too bad, but it's the only thing that saves this one.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a typical Star Trek book, which is another way of saying "meh." It is pretty easy to see where the story is going, even though the situation itself was creative.

I thought that the "devil's bargain" in the last chapter was contrived. Kirk agrees to do something and feels like this promise has to power to radically change his career path. Really? I'm ok with Kirk being a man of his word, but this seems like a stretch.

Borrowed from my local library.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the Wagnerian opera of "The Art of the Impossible", this felt like attending a more laid back folk concert. A straightforward, linear story that makes for a pleasant & diverting tale -- "Star Trek" comfort food. That said, there are a few nice touches, particularly Sulu's moment of glory, and the best use of the Horta since Diane Duane's "Spock's World". But note to the publisher: your copy editors need to get their stardates in order...

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daniel’s takes The Horta and does something interesting with them.

A great story that fits seamlessly with the televised series.

[Clare Bare · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Tommy Verhaegen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great novel. Getting to know new species, finding a solution for a catastrophe on a planetary scale, action, humour, tension, romance and lots and lots of space flight. This book has it all. Star Trek at its best.

[Brandon Harbeke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is worth a read if you like Hortas a lot (which I do). Kirk's current love interest is written well, but you can find this sort of thing in other books, too. The xenophobic antagonists were merely okay and not that interesting.

[Patrick Hayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

An average outing for the crew of the Enterprise during their original five year mission, this one taking place three and half years in. They have to help evacuate a planet that was a former Federation colony since a doomsday meteor is about to strike. The problem is that the people can't leave the planet, for a plot twist. This reason was sensible, and I bought into it.

What I didn't buy into was a terrorist cell that wants to leave the planet. It's solidly established that leaving the planet will result in the denizens' deaths, so why don't the leaders of the planet let the memebers of this group go, since they'll die and not be around to kill any of them.

Aside from this bizarre plot point, the rest of the book sails along well once the "alien race" enters the story. They were immensely enjoyable and were much more entertaining than those on the planet that's in danger.

All in all, if you're jonesing for some Trek, this will keep you entertained for a few hours, but it won't be something that you keep in your head.

[Greg Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like the Horta you'll like this!
Right from the start this had that classic Star Trek episode feeling. And I could easily see this story as a episode. The overall story is good and doesn't really slow down. A must read for classic Trek fans!

[David Grate · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Captain’s log, Stardate 6397.3. We have established orbit around the frontier colony Vesbius, a settlement just outside Federation jurisdiction in the Omega sector. On the planet below is a colony of nearly 20,000 people, including many families. The conjugated orbits of the planet’s moons have unexpectedly perturbed an asteroid and the huge rock is now on a path to strike the planet—and destroy the colony. Although the colony is outside the Federation, the colonists are human and have strong trade and cultural ties to the Federation. Our mission is to offer assistance and support in the evacuation of Vesbius."

So begins the second novel in the Star Trek: TOS relaunch; this is the first Star Trek novel by author Tony Daniel. Set towards the end of the U.S.S. Enterprise's famed five-year mission under the command of Captain James Tiberius Kirk, the captain and crew are called to aid a former Federation colony, Vesbius, that is about to be destroyed by an asteroid (in a trope similar to the ST:TOS season three episode "The Paradise Syndrome").

What originally might seem like a simple rescue mission becomes problematic when it is discovered that the colonists neither will nor can be permanently removed from Vesbius. As Kirk quickly discovers, the colonists have linked their lifeforce to the planet. Basically, they have recreated their genetic make-up in a manner similar to the Augments from late 20th Century Earth (from the ST:TOS season one episode "Space Seed"); if the colonists evacuate, they will face a painful death. Kirk and Spock, therefore, are faced with the challenge of discovering a way for the colonists to survive an extinction-level event while remaining on the planet.

If the colonists cannot be removed from the planet, the Enterprise must do something to divert or destroy the asteroid. The answer to this dilemma comes in the form the children of the native inhabitant of Janus VI, the non-humanoid Horta all-mother (from the ST:TOS season one episode "The Devil in the Dark"); of course this adds an additional challenge in that the Enterprise will have to travel to Janus VI, convince the Horta children to leave their planet for the first time, safely travel back to Vesbius, and successfully thwart the destruction of the colony by the asteroid.

Mr. Daniels, an award-winning science fiction author, creates an interesting story and provides Star Trek like suspense and excitement, but falls drastically short from creating a quality Star Trek novel. He fails to create the qualities that make Kirk and Spock the characters we have come to expect; they are basically two lead characters with nothing of the nuances that Shatner and Nimoy brought to the characters; the dialog between the two, and in their interaction with others, is horrible and sometimes painful. In a cute attempt to make the young Horta identifiable, he applies ridiculous names to them; in Spock's interactions with them, Daniels applies inappropriate emotional reactions from the Vulcan first officer. However, these errors might be overlooked in the face of the ridiculous fan-boy romance between Kirk and Hannah Faber, the daughter of the colony’s chancellor. If you remove the Star Trek aspect (and name) from this book, it might be palpable, but it is not a Star Trek novel.

I do not fault Mr. Daniels as much as I do the editors of this series that allowed these, and multiple other continuity issues this early in the relaunch. Sadly, I cannot recommend this novel to any long-standing fans of the franchise as I do not feel it brings anything new to the franchise. Simon & Schuster published a second Tony Daniels Star Trek novel, Savage Trade, in 2015, and I look forward to trying Mr. Daniel’s look at Star Trek again after reviewing the ten ST: TOS novels published in between.

[Mark Oppenlander · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reads like a big steaming bowl of Star Trek: TOS comfort food . . .

I sometimes wonder what would have happened to the original Star Trek series if it had been allowed to continue for five or six or seven seasons. When I read a story like Devil's Bargain, I feel as though I get a glimpse of that alternate future.

The Enterprise travels to a remote frontier colony for a rescue mission. Vesbius faces destruction from an onrushing asteroid, but the colonists refuse to leave. Kirk and his crew eventually discover that the colonists have modified their own genetic code to allow survival on Vesbius, but now live in a symbiotic relationship with the doomed planet and cannot leave without growing sick and dying. They are tethered to the planet. The Federation officers must find another solution to defeat the deadly asteroid, and they only have days to do it.

First time Trek author Tony Daniel recycles plot elements from a half-dozen different TOS episodes in this one. The eugenics theme (and the insistence of genetic superiority by some of the colonists) echoes "Space Seed" while the solution to the asteroid problem requires the involvement of the Horta from "Devil in the Dark." There are also allusions to "Journey to Babel" and the general plot outline resembles that of any of a dozen different episodes - episodes wherein Kirk falls in love with a female leader from the planet they're all trying to save and then must make difficult choices because of said romance.

This overly familiar material could be trite or redundant, but instead just feels like a fun trip down memory lane. Daniel writes the characters in such a comfortable, easy way that the reader gets immersed in waves of warm nostalgia. His dialogue for the various core characters feels spot-on; the banter between Spock and McCoy is especially entertaining. Daniel clearly has studied TOS thoroughly and his replication of the themes, characters, motifs, and settings has the authenticity and clarity of a transporter-generated duplicate.

If there's a downside to the book, it comes in Daniel's occasional use of inside jokes. When he winks at the reader, the nostalgic moment gets undercut. The effect is like the way one feels when someone tries to explain the joke they just told - it's never as funny when the comedian is working so hard.

I could also argue that Kirk's romance, although true to the style of the series, doesn't add to the story in any meaningful way. The plot would work just fine, with or without a female love interest for the Captain. And Daniel also makes certain things explicit than would have been inferred under 1960's censorship standards. Do we need to know this much detail about Kirk's love life? I doubt it.

Still, this book will stimulate all of your TOS nostalgia centers, leading to a nice little jolt of dopamine. This story could easily have found its way into season four of TOS . . . had that season ever been filmed. So if you're a Trek fan, sitting around sad and lonely on a damp winter day, sip some of what Tony Daniel serves up in Devil's Bargain. As the good Doctor might say, "It'll be good for what ails you."

[Gilbert Stack · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Enterprise is on a mission of mercy to the Vesbius system which is about to be hit by a killer asteroid, but the people are not worried about the cataclysm about to hit them. They have built underground bunkers which they feel will protect them from the coming disaster even though the Enterprise’s calculations decisively show that the entire planet’s biosphere will collapse after the collision. In addition to their unwillingness to consider evacuation, about a third of the colonists express xenophobia toward Spock and a certainty that they are superior to the Enterprise crew even though the colonists are apparently human also. They speak respectfully of Khan and it quickly becomes apparent they have a similar desire to conquer the universe except for one little problem—genetic manipulation that lets them survive on Vesbius keeps them from surviving anywhere else.

So the would-be conquerors have developed a plan. They want to sabotage any hope that the colonists can survive the coming cataclysm to force them off the planet and to further force the colonists’ geneticists to make it possible for them to leave Vesbius and take over. Their efforts backfire on them, however, because their sabotage convinces the colonists to let Kirk try and bring back a group of Horta (from The Devil in the Dark episode) to chew up the asteroid so it can be exploded and pushed away from the planet ending the crisis. When the terrorists strike at the Enterprise the novel really picks up and captured my interest. This would have made a fun episode of the original series.

If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.

[Edwin Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

DEVIL'S BARGAIN, by Tony Daniel, is a tie-in novel involving the Star Trek TOS who are trying to rescue a colony on Vesbius before an asteroid wipes out the entire planet. The colonists strangely don't want to leave, and Captain Kirk and the crew must found out why and then work with the Vesbius colonists to find a solution.
Always fun to read about the adventures of Kirk, Spock, McCoy and rest of the crew. The story is rather simple and the same story could have been told with about 100 pages less if all of the extraneous descriptions and interactions were left out. It's almost as if the writer wanted to make sure that the reader knows that he (the writer) is familiar with the characters but does so without progressing the plot. The Horta race that comes into play is cool, and the interesting comparisons of the Vesbius colonists to Khan and the Augments keeps the book interesting to point, but I feel like there are better and more enthralling Star Trek TOS tie-in books out there.

[Kosar7480 · Rating 2 out of 5]

The most interesting thing about this book was the the Enterprise crew doesn't completely succeed in their mission to save a planet from collision with an asteroid. Aside from that it was a bit of a slog. It felt like 200 pages of set up before anything really significant started to happen. Let's meet the people on the colony. Kirk fools around. Let's go off to Janus and find some Horta. Now it's back to the other planet. Sabotage. So much of the book was spent setting the pieces in place for the actual story, then it was resolved far too quickly. I would have much rather jumped in at the point when the Horta had to excavate the asteroid, then followed through with the recovery efforts and political fallout afterwards.

On a side note, why does every tie-in novel with Horta involve them being children? See DS9 Devil in the Sky.

[Leigh]

An interesting story about a colony world struggling to figure out how to survive an approaching disaster. The science is accessible, the writing is good, and I especially liked how the book brought Scott, Sulu and Chekov to the front, showing how support staff is critical to any mission.

I would have given it five stars but the romantic subplot is silly and the "power-obsessed maniac who nearly wrecks the plan" cliche is getting old. It appears in a lot of Trek novels.

Still, I do recommend this one and I'm glad it's in my collection. And, I am going to look for other fiction by this author, not just Trek. I like his writing style and want to read more.

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 'Enterprise' is sent to the Vesbius Colony, who have seceded from the Federation after experimenting on their genetic structure. A massive meteor threatens global devastation, but the Vesbian people are now tied into their environment and can no longer leave the planet. Spock conceives a plan which relies on an old friend and her children. But can the Vesbians overcome their incipient racism to work with Starfleet?

Daniel's novel works very well, with a good pace and a plot which feels like 'Star Trek' at its best.

[V · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate the romance in this book. Hannah has very little personality early on except for being pretty. There wasn't any chemistry between her and Kirk. By contrast all the Horta characterizaruon and world building was Excellent and I could read a whole series of it. Human (or former human) supremacists in space just feels boring as a plot, maybe because real life ones returned to prominence. The villains were cartoonishly evil and obvious but it was very satisfying when the general died.

[GlutenFreePixels · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Papa Spock and teenage Horta. I really loved this aspect of the story! The Horta fascinated me in the original series and continued to do so in this book.

This book certainly felt like an episode of the tv series. Kirk had his unnecessary flirting/romance bits and the plot was predictable, but seeing Spock in a father role really delighted me. Also Horta deserve more attention. They are adorable.

[David Palazzolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn’t like this as much as Savage Trade, but it was a quick read that held my attention all the way through. Tony Daniel captured the spirit of TOS beautifully and I could easily see this as a two part episode in a mythical fourth or fifth season of the show. Also be on the lookout for the Easter eggs of Daniel dropping fragments of Kirk’s “These Are The Voyages...” speech from the opening credits sprinkled all throughout

[Mrs L.A. Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable

So nice to meet the Horta again. An ecological and genetic based tale, meaning it keeps to the Trek tradition of addressing relevant issued within the Trek universe. And this was done well. A book which made me smile and think. Good portrayal of familiar characters too, especially Spock.

[Ed Obarowski · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just can't get past author's bad prose and style of writing. Three pages in and I know I will never be able to suffer through all 303 pages. I've read literally hundreds of Star Trek novels in the past 45+ years, and there was only one other than this that I could not make it far into the book because of the writing style. I am wondering now if it's the same author.

[Daniele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly astonishing!
I am a big fan of Star Trek, but I had never read a ST book. This went beyond all my expectations. The author was extremely prepared on the subject and revisited a few places and stories from other missions. Simply a must for a Star Trek fan :-)

[Laura Cook]

Great story. Loved reading about the characters I've watched on tv. I've always had the ability to see what I read while reading and just being able to picture the cast while reading this book was great.

[Judith Paterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than average Star Trek story. Nice to see the Horta making an appearance. And Captain Kirk fallsin love - again!

[David Hamilton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love the Horta. Not so thrilled with Captain Randypants Kirk. He needed a bit more shore leave.

[Keith B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tony Daniel wrote a clever novel. Nods to Classic Star Trek culture and stories and even a vague Star Wars reference.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book revisits the Horta, one of my favorite characters from the original series. They are intelligent, compassionate beings.

[ComradePuffs · Rating 2 out of 5]

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