In Alien Hands

Quest for Tomorrow #2

by William Shatner

One man holds the key to an Empire as vast as the stars Jim Endicott is a man with a secret--hidden even from himself. Encoded in his DNA is a cybernetic weapon that can alter the balance of power in the Galaxy--for good or evil. But all Jim knows is that his dreams are shattered and he must take destiny into his own hands as a mercenary, a warrior for sale to the highest bidder. The dreaded Hunzza fleet, the deadliest armada in the Universe, is armed to destroy Jim's home planet and the star that gives it life. Now, Jim must discover the truth about himself and decide which side he's really on, for the secret in his DNA is the only force that can save the galaxy before it's too late!In this second Quest for Tomorrow novel, the famed Star Trek star and author continues a series that is crackling with high-tech action, rich with memorable characters, and bright with the glow of a legend in the making. "Inventive, well plotted, interestingly peopled, deftly paced and a quantum leap ahead for Shatner."
-- Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy

432 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 18, 1997

About the author

William Shatner is the author of nine Star Trek novels, including the New York Times bestsellers The Ashes of Eden and The Return. He is also the author of several nonfiction books, including Get a Life! and I'm Working on That. In addition to his role as Captain James T. Kirk, he stars as Denny Crane in the hit television series from David E. Kelley, Boston Legal -- a role for which he has won two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe.

Reviews

[Gregory Faccone · Rating 3 out of 5]

In book two of the Quest for Tomorrow series, our protagonist, Jim Endicott, goes on a very different adventure than the one he had in the first book. That is not necessarily a bad thing, and one can only have a single origin story, but it will take some adjustment for those like me who enjoyed the first book's depiction the most. Many doors were left open for possible futures for Jim at the end of Delta Search. The one chosen was not what I would have guessed, but it still works.

The alien races get filled out more, and Jim though a series of events, ends up on a war-torn planet and becomes a mercenary. That perhaps was the biggest stretch for this teenager. Although trained, he is still a boy to be rising so fast in the seasoned ranks of alien and human grizzled soldiers. The action is fun and carries things along. Having written many a small-arms, ground combat scene for my series, I can tell you that doing them well and communicating the events clearly to the reader can be challenging.

Jim does grow through it all, on both the relational front (through hard knocks) and on the brutal front of war. I think it was good plotting to bring the major alien races, and their ongoing issues with each other, to a head. And I am glad Shatner chose to touch upon the special resonating aspects of Jim as declared at the end of book one. But alas, we are getting farther from it, and it is one of my favorite parts. Still, this was a worthwhile follow-up to book one, although I missed the original's set up and payoff.

Quest for Tomorrow: In Alien Hands is not high fiction, but this entry is still fun even though it breaks somewhat from the pillars that established the first book.

[Mark Hartman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than the first book in the series. Jim goes out into the universe and discovers he has skills and abilities he was unaware of. Jim ends up putting those skills to good use but regrets what he has to do to survive.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in the series very interesting but was a little slow to grab my interest.
I only read it because of my fandom for William Shatner. That said, I decided to read the second book in this series and it was much better. The story was fast-paced and action packed and it didn't take the predictable route. The technology in the book was plausible as we've seen things like it actually appear in recent decades. Namely Virtual Reality and Holograms. If only we could get something like the travel discs described in the book. Now, that would be awesome!
I really enjoyed many aspects of the story and new and strange alien races introduced in this book. I am looking forward to finishing the remaining books that were published in this series.
After having read a few non-fiction and fiction books by William Shatner, I think he is a very good writer and storyteller. Even though this book does feel a little dated, it largely holds up after twenty five years.

[Bruce Emmerling · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprisingly deep science fiction novel by famed Star Trek actor William Shatner. This is series has many elements that are combined for a great series. Shatner delves in deep, cosmological theories as well as a powerful vision for the evolution of the human race. At the same time he is more than able to portray the gritty, down to earth nature of human existence and human relationships. A great series!

[Olesja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun little sci-fi book. A bit clunky and hard to follow in places. Ending seemed a bit rushed.

[Larry Holshu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. Shatner keeps your interest throughout. A must read for any sci-fi lover.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than the first!!