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Star Trek: The Original Series
Enterprise, The First Adventure
James T. Kirk is the youngest man to be promoted to the rank of captain in Federation history. His crew consists of a first officer who finds him impetuous; a chief engineer who finds him arrogent; a chief medical officer who finds him trifling; and a helmsman who wants a transfer.
But the young crew, which would later become the legendary space explorers, quickly puts aside their differences when a monstrous starship appears on their nascent flight path.
371 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1986
47 people are currently reading
1148 people want to read
About the author
Vonda N. McIntyre
159 books370 followersVonda Neel McIntyre was a U.S. science fiction author. She was one of the first successful graduates of the Clarion Science fiction writers workshop. She attended the workshop in 1970. By 1973 she had won her first Nebula Award, for the novelette "Of Mist, and Grass and Sand." This later became part of the novel Dreamsnake, which won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards. The novelette and novel both concern a female healer in a desolate primitivized venue. McIntyre's debut novel was The Exile Waiting which was published in 1975. Her novel Dreamsnake won the Nebula Award and Hugo Award for best novel in 1978 and her novel The Moon and the Sun won the Nebula in 1997. She has also written a number of Star Trek and Star Wars novels, including Enterprise: The First Adventure and The Entropy Effect. She wrote the novelizations of the films Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 191 reviews
February 13, 2012
I first read this book years ago when I was in junior high, and thought it was amazing. I re-read it a couple of weeks ago and found that I still think it's amazing, but for entirely different reasons; it is amazing in same the way as, say, the movie Cool As Ice starring Vanilla Ice. Let me break it down for you:
This book is about the first time Kirk takes command of the Enterprise. Spock misses Captain Pike, Sulu wishes he were on a different ship, Scotty downright hates him, and Janice Rand is a timid young thing who is not only illegally underaged but also so traumatized by her past as a slave on some planet that she practically faints every time Kirk asks her to do something. Still with me?
Kirk's first mission is to transport a group of travelling entertainers. Not intriguing space-age entertainers of a sort we would be unable to imagine, but vaudevillians. Led (of course) by a young and spunky woman named Amelinda, who has iridescent black hair, is a world-class illusionist, constantly makes Kirk feel tongue-tied and cloddish, and owns a flying horse. Named Athene. A flying horse!! I swear, half the book deals with Lindy and her goddamn horse, and all the ways that Kirk has to make concessions to keep the stupid beast from mauling people or breaking its own neck.
Interspersed among all this madness (and the actual plot, which is okay but not worth mentioning), Uhura befriends Rand, Sulu becomes an actor, and Kirk repeatedly fucks up in every possible way. And right when you think it can't get any better/worse, a crazy-sexy-cool blond Vulcan named "Stephen" shows up, just in time for Amelinda to fall in love with him and for us all to learn that Stephen is Spock's kooky cousin.
If you:
a) have a taste for the sublimely, unintentionally ridiculous;
b) love Mary-Sue stories; or
c) are completely lacking a sense of irony/kitsch;
— give this book a go. You're bound to find it at any used bookstore for about a buck, which is simultaneously paying too much for such idiocy and being undercharged for such a fantastically, moronically entertaining read!
This book is about the first time Kirk takes command of the Enterprise. Spock misses Captain Pike, Sulu wishes he were on a different ship, Scotty downright hates him, and Janice Rand is a timid young thing who is not only illegally underaged but also so traumatized by her past as a slave on some planet that she practically faints every time Kirk asks her to do something. Still with me?
Kirk's first mission is to transport a group of travelling entertainers. Not intriguing space-age entertainers of a sort we would be unable to imagine, but vaudevillians. Led (of course) by a young and spunky woman named Amelinda, who has iridescent black hair, is a world-class illusionist, constantly makes Kirk feel tongue-tied and cloddish, and owns a flying horse. Named Athene. A flying horse!! I swear, half the book deals with Lindy and her goddamn horse, and all the ways that Kirk has to make concessions to keep the stupid beast from mauling people or breaking its own neck.
Interspersed among all this madness (and the actual plot, which is okay but not worth mentioning), Uhura befriends Rand, Sulu becomes an actor, and Kirk repeatedly fucks up in every possible way. And right when you think it can't get any better/worse, a crazy-sexy-cool blond Vulcan named "Stephen" shows up, just in time for Amelinda to fall in love with him and for us all to learn that Stephen is Spock's kooky cousin.
If you:
a) have a taste for the sublimely, unintentionally ridiculous;
b) love Mary-Sue stories; or
c) are completely lacking a sense of irony/kitsch;
— give this book a go. You're bound to find it at any used bookstore for about a buck, which is simultaneously paying too much for such idiocy and being undercharged for such a fantastically, moronically entertaining read!
April 7, 2023
Gene Roddenberry didn't like money. Just kidding, he loved it a lot, but in his later years he imagined a world in which the human race didn't use a financial system. He figured this would solve homelessness and all other strife on planet Earth, enabling us to reach for the stars. It's a beautiful idea, but a flawed one. When the human race abandons the financial system they pitch tents in parks and demand hand-outs. There are no dreams of building spaceships or becoming better people, there is only idleness. This thought isn't based on negativity or cynicism, but observation, sadly.
This book suggests the 23rd century is still based on a financial system with characters making decisions based on what would be best for their pocketbooks. One of the characters even despises his low class upbringing when he compares himself to an opponent of higher financial standing. Another joined Starfleet because the pay was good. This all sounds absurd to someone who grew up with TNG characters explaining that money didn't drive humanity anymore. One must realize, however, there were many times during the original series when Kirk would declare one of his staff had just 'earned his pay for the week'. And why else would a pretty young girl enter Starfleet to become a Yeoman if not for a decent paycheque? I doubt delivering coffee to Kirk is just 'on her bucket list'.
I started thinking about these things due to a few throw-away lines during the First Act of the book, so I wouldn't fall asleep while reading. That First Act had so much potential--it felt like the perfect primer between 'The Cage' and 'Where No Man Has Gone Before'! Then it turned into some mash-up of 'Conscience of the King', without the murder-mystery, and 'For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky', except with furry, flying people.
One good aspect of this book was that someone finally made Sulu an interesting character, but all that flew away on the back of a flying horse. Sulu's ultimate decision to remain on the Enterprise had no real weight, and was more or less determined on the shrug of his shoulders. Yeah, these guys are cool, I'll stay.
The other part I liked, which would have been amazing if explored better, was the glimpses of Gary Mitchell's friendship with Captain Kirk. I understand him being there on the first mission would have affected how Spock and Kirk came to trust each other, but it was something I wanted more of the whole way through the book. And that was the main problem--I kept wanting this book to get better. Unfortunately, my wish did not come true.
Vonda McIntyre is a competent writer and I will probably read more of what she has written (she is an award winning author, after all), but this was a failure. Chances are, someone offered her a shipload of money to write this, and, since the world is currently based on the financial system, she had to accept the job to line her pockets with dirty dollar bills to make sure she never has to pitch a tent downtown. Maybe I would have a more favourable opinion about this book if I didn't have to use my own hard-earned money to buy it.
This book suggests the 23rd century is still based on a financial system with characters making decisions based on what would be best for their pocketbooks. One of the characters even despises his low class upbringing when he compares himself to an opponent of higher financial standing. Another joined Starfleet because the pay was good. This all sounds absurd to someone who grew up with TNG characters explaining that money didn't drive humanity anymore. One must realize, however, there were many times during the original series when Kirk would declare one of his staff had just 'earned his pay for the week'. And why else would a pretty young girl enter Starfleet to become a Yeoman if not for a decent paycheque? I doubt delivering coffee to Kirk is just 'on her bucket list'.
I started thinking about these things due to a few throw-away lines during the First Act of the book, so I wouldn't fall asleep while reading. That First Act had so much potential--it felt like the perfect primer between 'The Cage' and 'Where No Man Has Gone Before'! Then it turned into some mash-up of 'Conscience of the King', without the murder-mystery, and 'For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky', except with furry, flying people.
One good aspect of this book was that someone finally made Sulu an interesting character, but all that flew away on the back of a flying horse. Sulu's ultimate decision to remain on the Enterprise had no real weight, and was more or less determined on the shrug of his shoulders. Yeah, these guys are cool, I'll stay.
The other part I liked, which would have been amazing if explored better, was the glimpses of Gary Mitchell's friendship with Captain Kirk. I understand him being there on the first mission would have affected how Spock and Kirk came to trust each other, but it was something I wanted more of the whole way through the book. And that was the main problem--I kept wanting this book to get better. Unfortunately, my wish did not come true.
Vonda McIntyre is a competent writer and I will probably read more of what she has written (she is an award winning author, after all), but this was a failure. Chances are, someone offered her a shipload of money to write this, and, since the world is currently based on the financial system, she had to accept the job to line her pockets with dirty dollar bills to make sure she never has to pitch a tent downtown. Maybe I would have a more favourable opinion about this book if I didn't have to use my own hard-earned money to buy it.
June 27, 2007
this is one of the worst books by a good writer. THERE IS A FLYING HORSE ON THE ENTERPRISE. DO NOT READ THIS BOOK
April 24, 2010
Excerpt:
James T. Kirk is the youngest man to be promoted to the rank of captain in Federation history. His crew consists of a first officer who finds him impetuous; a chief engineer who finds him arrogent; a chief medical officer who finds him trifling; and a helmsman who wants a transfer.
But the young crew, which would later become the legendary space explorers, quickly puts aside their differences when a monstrous starship appears on their nascent flight path
Review:
This review is particularly hard for me to write because only three words came to mind when i finished the book "That was stupid". This book had to have one of the most stupidest plots i have ever read. It was like the Ringling Brothers join the original Star Trek crew and discover bird creatures all the while a crazed Klingon woman wants to destroy the crew. It was such a stupid and pointless book that i'm lost for words. The only good character was McCoy. This book has made me add a new "stupid" category to my shelves. It was that bad.
James T. Kirk is the youngest man to be promoted to the rank of captain in Federation history. His crew consists of a first officer who finds him impetuous; a chief engineer who finds him arrogent; a chief medical officer who finds him trifling; and a helmsman who wants a transfer.
But the young crew, which would later become the legendary space explorers, quickly puts aside their differences when a monstrous starship appears on their nascent flight path
Review:
This review is particularly hard for me to write because only three words came to mind when i finished the book "That was stupid". This book had to have one of the most stupidest plots i have ever read. It was like the Ringling Brothers join the original Star Trek crew and discover bird creatures all the while a crazed Klingon woman wants to destroy the crew. It was such a stupid and pointless book that i'm lost for words. The only good character was McCoy. This book has made me add a new "stupid" category to my shelves. It was that bad.
June 8, 2021
After being injured on his last mission, the newly promoted James T. Kirk is given his first command, taking over for Pike on The Enterprise. He is given a mission that's little more than a milk run. Everyone, except possibly Spock, wants to go on a real mission. They should be careful what they wish for, as they encounter a brand new species of sentient beings that transcend technology.
Fairly good. Fun seeing how Kirk and Spock first meet.
Fairly good. Fun seeing how Kirk and Spock first meet.
November 22, 2019
Yikes. The Enterprise on it's first mission with Kirk as captain, a self described "milk run". Just a big hot, silly mess. A shame, because conceptually it could have been quite interesting.
May 10, 2024
Published in 1986, this is the first prequel book to the original STAR TREK series thingy. It tells of the beginning of the good ship Enterprise and its galaxy-searching crew, which means we get younger versions of Captain Kirk, Spock, Scotty, McCoy, Uhuru, Sulu, and all the unlucky red shirts who lived below decks. At the time of publication, the spirit of the series had been resurrected by the motion pictures, all of which came about because of the very serious hardcore Trekkies/Trekkers who ensured the series and its story would never die.
Here, we are introduced to James Tiberius Kirk as he takes command of the massive starship. But instead of some strenuous assignment, he is there to carry a group of entertainers around which isn’t something he really wants to do. As happens when a group of employees get a new boss, he has to earn his way to their respect, which won’t be easy. But hey, he’s Captain Kirk, so find him some adventure and lasses and he’ll overcome anything.
There is a rebel Klingon and a mysterious alien ship, but the majority of the book is burdened with having to explain how everyone got together before they ordered their toupees. That means quite a bit of exposition, which other Star Trek novels don’t have to deal with, but at least it gets everything out of the way. So, not a bad book but not a great one either. I miss Tribbles.
Book Season = Year Round (expanse of stars)
Here, we are introduced to James Tiberius Kirk as he takes command of the massive starship. But instead of some strenuous assignment, he is there to carry a group of entertainers around which isn’t something he really wants to do. As happens when a group of employees get a new boss, he has to earn his way to their respect, which won’t be easy. But hey, he’s Captain Kirk, so find him some adventure and lasses and he’ll overcome anything.
There is a rebel Klingon and a mysterious alien ship, but the majority of the book is burdened with having to explain how everyone got together before they ordered their toupees. That means quite a bit of exposition, which other Star Trek novels don’t have to deal with, but at least it gets everything out of the way. So, not a bad book but not a great one either. I miss Tribbles.
Book Season = Year Round (expanse of stars)
March 26, 2023
At long last, what we have all waited for, the untold story of Captain Kirk's first mission...is kind of lackluster, boring, and rather uncharacteristic of all those members of the crew we would come to know and love.
Kirk is finally healed from his latest misadventure with Gary Mitchell and is given his first (and only) command, the Enterprise. Captain, now Commodore, Pike is kind of a jerk to him, and has a look of disappointment on his face whenever he looks at Kirk, but we are never told why (Pike just comes off as an aloof asshole, whom the rest of the crew love at this point...but the why they loved him is never explored, nor do any of the crew ever make comparisons between the two). Not to mention that Kirk is half-drunk at his own command transfer ceremony because he ran into an old friend whom he couldn't say no to at lunch and ended up drinking a few various liquors...His mother and brother are there to wish him well, and Kirk does nothing but complain about the situation. Spock knows that Kirk doesn't want him as an XO, because Kirk always wanted Gary to take that role, and whines to the Admiral about it. Kirk yells at Scotty and threatens to transfer him off the ship since Kirk sees him as a very incapable engineer - yes, Scotty. Sulu also just arrived and doesn't want to be there because he was hoping for a smaller, more exciting, border-patrol ship posting - since he's a pilot and doesn't see flying the Enterprise as exciting.
And what's this horribly exciting mission? Why, a USO tour, of course. Kirk is to take a Vaudeville-revival company (yes, that's a thing in the 23rd Century) on a tour to various outposts in a contested area of space (between the Federation and the Klingon Empire). And it just so happens to be headed by a 20-year old illusionist, whom the 29-year old Kirk grows quite enamored with, and turns into somewhat of a spoiled brat when she doesn't return his affection (he gets "friendzoned" when she laments her relationship troubles to him with the "you're so easy to talk to"). This company also happens to possess a genetically-engineered Pegasus, um, I mean an Equiraptor, which can't even fly (except in 1/10th Earth gravity or less), and also there aren't any animal acts in the show, so I'm not sure why it becomes such a big part of the plot (well, there's something called "The Hunt" sketch, but it involves a feline-humanoid alien actor). However, the meat of the plot shows up at around page 220, when the Enterprise encounters a worldship filled with aliens who don't really comprehend their situation (the galaxy seems to be chock-full of those). Well, these aliens are more the so-advanced-that-they-don't-even-appear-to-use-technology-but-actually-are-probably-more-technologically-advanced-than-everyone-else.
There's some Klingons, too, the rogue variety, who serve as a sort of complication more than an actual threat and are dealt with rather easily...and the writing gets really confused as to whether there's a "battle" between a fighter and a shuttle or the actual battlecruiser and a shuttle...the actions gets really, really muddled near the climax. Also, Klingons believe that stage magicians are practicing witchcraft, apparently.
In the end, Kirk and Spock make their peace, somehow...the Admiral earlier told Kirk that command teams should be made up of people who complement each other, not that are too similar to each (like Kirk and Mitchell), and in the end, Kirk seems to agree...but, as to what happened in the book to show that...I have no idea. Scotty and Kirk make their peace, somehow, off-screen I guess. Sulu decides to stay because...well, Kirk and him fence at one point...so, because of that, I guess? And due to his "success" in this mission, the Admiral tells Kirk he has a bright future.
There's also a scene where the crew are dining and the food synthesizers are malfunctioning so Spock's salad tastes more like meat and another crewman's steak tastes more like salad, so they swap plates...and then the situation resolves itself and it never happens again...hilarious, I guess.
Kirk is finally healed from his latest misadventure with Gary Mitchell and is given his first (and only) command, the Enterprise. Captain, now Commodore, Pike is kind of a jerk to him, and has a look of disappointment on his face whenever he looks at Kirk, but we are never told why (Pike just comes off as an aloof asshole, whom the rest of the crew love at this point...but the why they loved him is never explored, nor do any of the crew ever make comparisons between the two). Not to mention that Kirk is half-drunk at his own command transfer ceremony because he ran into an old friend whom he couldn't say no to at lunch and ended up drinking a few various liquors...His mother and brother are there to wish him well, and Kirk does nothing but complain about the situation. Spock knows that Kirk doesn't want him as an XO, because Kirk always wanted Gary to take that role, and whines to the Admiral about it. Kirk yells at Scotty and threatens to transfer him off the ship since Kirk sees him as a very incapable engineer - yes, Scotty. Sulu also just arrived and doesn't want to be there because he was hoping for a smaller, more exciting, border-patrol ship posting - since he's a pilot and doesn't see flying the Enterprise as exciting.
And what's this horribly exciting mission? Why, a USO tour, of course. Kirk is to take a Vaudeville-revival company (yes, that's a thing in the 23rd Century) on a tour to various outposts in a contested area of space (between the Federation and the Klingon Empire). And it just so happens to be headed by a 20-year old illusionist, whom the 29-year old Kirk grows quite enamored with, and turns into somewhat of a spoiled brat when she doesn't return his affection (he gets "friendzoned" when she laments her relationship troubles to him with the "you're so easy to talk to"). This company also happens to possess a genetically-engineered Pegasus, um, I mean an Equiraptor, which can't even fly (except in 1/10th Earth gravity or less), and also there aren't any animal acts in the show, so I'm not sure why it becomes such a big part of the plot (well, there's something called "The Hunt" sketch, but it involves a feline-humanoid alien actor). However, the meat of the plot shows up at around page 220, when the Enterprise encounters a worldship filled with aliens who don't really comprehend their situation (the galaxy seems to be chock-full of those). Well, these aliens are more the so-advanced-that-they-don't-even-appear-to-use-technology-but-actually-are-probably-more-technologically-advanced-than-everyone-else.
There's some Klingons, too, the rogue variety, who serve as a sort of complication more than an actual threat and are dealt with rather easily...and the writing gets really confused as to whether there's a "battle" between a fighter and a shuttle or the actual battlecruiser and a shuttle...the actions gets really, really muddled near the climax. Also, Klingons believe that stage magicians are practicing witchcraft, apparently.
In the end, Kirk and Spock make their peace, somehow...the Admiral earlier told Kirk that command teams should be made up of people who complement each other, not that are too similar to each (like Kirk and Mitchell), and in the end, Kirk seems to agree...but, as to what happened in the book to show that...I have no idea. Scotty and Kirk make their peace, somehow, off-screen I guess. Sulu decides to stay because...well, Kirk and him fence at one point...so, because of that, I guess? And due to his "success" in this mission, the Admiral tells Kirk he has a bright future.
There's also a scene where the crew are dining and the food synthesizers are malfunctioning so Spock's salad tastes more like meat and another crewman's steak tastes more like salad, so they swap plates...and then the situation resolves itself and it never happens again...hilarious, I guess.
May 18, 2023
Epic ���😵 🖖 🖖!!
September 10, 2013
I started off thinking that I would like the story, but it became a little too ridiculous to believe. A flying horse, a costumed monkey, a juggling Vulcan, bad Shakespeare...it was all just too much.
April 26, 2015
Started out slow, then it got stupid, then it remained stupid for the rest of the novel. The vaudeville act was reminiscent of one of the more awful TOS episodes, the author went way overboard on Scotty's accent, and I never cared at all about the boring "out for revenge" Klingon that every Trek author ever uses.
November 10, 2023
My first Star Trek novel and it was really quite good. Great writing moves the story long at a brisk pace and the characters are well developed without slowing down the storytelling.
February 29, 2016
This book was not a good book. I'm surprised and disappointed. It had a great concept and the overall story was promising.
The problem was the characters. I understand the only source material the author really had to go on was the 3 seasons of the original series. I also understand that this book takes place at the time when Captain Kirk first takes command of the Enterprise. But every character is an asshole. The crew hates and refuses to work with each other.
I find it hard to believe that this group of jerks could ever work together or become the tight knit family we see portrayed on TV. Spock hates Kirk and McCoy. Scotty hates Kirk. Sulu hates everyone. Uhura hates Kirk. Kirk hates Spock. Chekov.... why is Chekov there? He didn't join the crew until well after the beginning of its 5 year mission. And why does Janice Rand break down and start crying every time she thinks someone might not like her because they said something or looked at her. How does someone like that get into Starfleet? No one realized she was underage?
Amelinda, is leader of this traveling circus that has ventured off planet for the first time. She's really good at her job. But despite planning on spending weeks or months traveling through space to different Starbases on this ship, she's decided to bring her mutant flying horse and complains that it doesn't have enough room to fly in the shuttlebay. And then when shit is hitting the fan with the Klingons - who don't seem like Klingons of either TOS or TNG era - decides to leave the ship and go off on her merry way to the alien's ship so her horsey can fly. Oh stop being a worry-wart, Jimmy, the Klingons aren't going to shoot me!
Ugh. The basic concept of seeing the crew on their first mission together, of taking a traveling circus to visit starbases for morale boost, USO style, on the frontier of Federation space seemed like a decent idea. The concept of advanced aliens who view the universe and travel entirely differently and live in a really cool ship. All great ideas. But the characters sucked. I don't normally write negative reviews. I really wanted to like this book. I do not recommend reading it though.
The problem was the characters. I understand the only source material the author really had to go on was the 3 seasons of the original series. I also understand that this book takes place at the time when Captain Kirk first takes command of the Enterprise. But every character is an asshole. The crew hates and refuses to work with each other.
I find it hard to believe that this group of jerks could ever work together or become the tight knit family we see portrayed on TV. Spock hates Kirk and McCoy. Scotty hates Kirk. Sulu hates everyone. Uhura hates Kirk. Kirk hates Spock. Chekov.... why is Chekov there? He didn't join the crew until well after the beginning of its 5 year mission. And why does Janice Rand break down and start crying every time she thinks someone might not like her because they said something or looked at her. How does someone like that get into Starfleet? No one realized she was underage?
Amelinda, is leader of this traveling circus that has ventured off planet for the first time. She's really good at her job. But despite planning on spending weeks or months traveling through space to different Starbases on this ship, she's decided to bring her mutant flying horse and complains that it doesn't have enough room to fly in the shuttlebay. And then when shit is hitting the fan with the Klingons - who don't seem like Klingons of either TOS or TNG era - decides to leave the ship and go off on her merry way to the alien's ship so her horsey can fly. Oh stop being a worry-wart, Jimmy, the Klingons aren't going to shoot me!
Ugh. The basic concept of seeing the crew on their first mission together, of taking a traveling circus to visit starbases for morale boost, USO style, on the frontier of Federation space seemed like a decent idea. The concept of advanced aliens who view the universe and travel entirely differently and live in a really cool ship. All great ideas. But the characters sucked. I don't normally write negative reviews. I really wanted to like this book. I do not recommend reading it though.
August 11, 2021
I truly enjoyed this one! I've mostly liked the other Star Trek novels by Vonda N. McIntyre so far, too, so I hope that trend continues. (I am reading all Star Trek novels in order of publication date.)
The idea of our well-known crew feeling each other out for the first time—and not necessarily being thrilled with what they learn of each other—is a fascinating one to me. We're so used to them responding to each other as if they've been a crew forever, but the truth is that it's rare that a group of strangers would get together and all immediately gel. There's usually an awkward stage, and this book explores it quite nicely.
The vaudeville company was a bit odd, but I can go with it. There's lots of weird stuff in Trek, after all. However, the very idea of the creation of Athene was utterly unethical and I found it difficult to believe that the Federation would allow genetic manipulation to create animals that can't possibly be happy in the environment they're created to live in. It was nice to see Athene find some happiness eventually.
The worldship was fascinating, though not fully explored, and I found it very interesting to watch Kirk, as an untried captain, flounder about trying to figure out how to deal with or even understand it rather than having an instant answer or insight at his fingertips. He really just didn't know what the heck to do and came across as a little dull-minded, which feels like a fantastic insight to have about his start as captain of the Enterprise. It also felt realistic: You learn how to handle a new position, you don't walk into it knowing everything already.
There was a roommate side plot that was so rarely returned to that its resolution felt like an afterthought, which was a shame because even though what was going on was transparent from the start, it was no less enjoyable. The roommate in question was sadly one-dimensional, however, and it would have been nice to spend a bit more time with her to find out what she was all about.
The rewritten Shakespeare soliloquy was a thing of beauty. I absolutely loved it.
All in all, these 371 pages were a lot of fun, and earn a solid 4 stars from me for sure.
The idea of our well-known crew feeling each other out for the first time—and not necessarily being thrilled with what they learn of each other—is a fascinating one to me. We're so used to them responding to each other as if they've been a crew forever, but the truth is that it's rare that a group of strangers would get together and all immediately gel. There's usually an awkward stage, and this book explores it quite nicely.
The vaudeville company was a bit odd, but I can go with it. There's lots of weird stuff in Trek, after all. However, the very idea of the creation of Athene was utterly unethical and I found it difficult to believe that the Federation would allow genetic manipulation to create animals that can't possibly be happy in the environment they're created to live in. It was nice to see Athene find some happiness eventually.
The worldship was fascinating, though not fully explored, and I found it very interesting to watch Kirk, as an untried captain, flounder about trying to figure out how to deal with or even understand it rather than having an instant answer or insight at his fingertips. He really just didn't know what the heck to do and came across as a little dull-minded, which feels like a fantastic insight to have about his start as captain of the Enterprise. It also felt realistic: You learn how to handle a new position, you don't walk into it knowing everything already.
There was a roommate side plot that was so rarely returned to that its resolution felt like an afterthought, which was a shame because even though what was going on was transparent from the start, it was no less enjoyable. The roommate in question was sadly one-dimensional, however, and it would have been nice to spend a bit more time with her to find out what she was all about.
The rewritten Shakespeare soliloquy was a thing of beauty. I absolutely loved it.
All in all, these 371 pages were a lot of fun, and earn a solid 4 stars from me for sure.
May 14, 2018
I found this really entertaining. Which is strange in some ways - when watching the original episodes I tend to prefer the serious ones to the comedic, but after a run of angst-filled tie-in novels it was a great change of pace to have a Star Trek story that was more light-hearted. Basically, Kirk is assigned to the Enterprise, meets the gang, and things go continually low level pear-shaped as he gets off on the wrong side of nearly all of them and has to ferry round a vaudeville company to boot. In fact I was so entertained that I nearly gave this four stars, and was frankly only prevented from doing so by Stephen, Spock's weird blond Vulcan cousin who has a decided preference for emotion rather than logic. I didn't care in the slightest about him - I would much rather every single bit of his page time were given to Janice Rand (who interested me for the first time ever, it's a Star Trek miracle!) and Uhura, who did a fine job both with mentoring Rand and utilising her musical talents to communicate with another species.
May 28, 2016
Sci Fi
This is the first book in the Star Trek TOS (the original series), where Kirk, Spock, Scotty, Sulu, Uhura and Chekov first meet. Kirk and McCoy are already friends.
The early days of everyone's working relationships and friendships is a very rocky road. Kirk, The Federation's youngest ever Captain at age 29, is arrogant, brash, and seems to have limited people skills. From the first meeting, Spock and Scotty dislike the new captain.
The Admiral gives the new captain a mission Kirk dislikes and feels it is a waste of time.
There is a fun, light-hearted element added to the mission, and later an amazing new discovery. Then the Klingons arrive.
I thoroughly enjoyed this first-ever (for me) tale of the crew's first meeting, the conflicts that emerge, and the personal and group dynamics as they spend more time together.
This is the first book in the Star Trek TOS (the original series), where Kirk, Spock, Scotty, Sulu, Uhura and Chekov first meet. Kirk and McCoy are already friends.
The early days of everyone's working relationships and friendships is a very rocky road. Kirk, The Federation's youngest ever Captain at age 29, is arrogant, brash, and seems to have limited people skills. From the first meeting, Spock and Scotty dislike the new captain.
The Admiral gives the new captain a mission Kirk dislikes and feels it is a waste of time.
There is a fun, light-hearted element added to the mission, and later an amazing new discovery. Then the Klingons arrive.
I thoroughly enjoyed this first-ever (for me) tale of the crew's first meeting, the conflicts that emerge, and the personal and group dynamics as they spend more time together.
September 26, 2012
I didn't enjoy this book when I read it about a year ago. I may give it another chance though. It tells the tale of the Enterprise's maiden voyage, much like the J.J. Abrams's storyline direction, but geared toward the original series' crew. I enjoy reading into these characters, but I feel this book is too relaxed. I remember thinking to myself "Christ! Someone fire a phaser or something already!" I did make it all the way through and there is a deep space encounter later on, I think with the Klingons. I have enjoyed many of the books in this magnificent series but this isn't one I widely recommend.
May 29, 2013
This is, in my opinion, one of the most interesting and well written Star Trek novels ever released. Ms. McIntyre is a skilled wordsmith and, in her hands, watching the relationships develop between the main Star Trek cast on their earliest adventure is a joy to behold. Many years after first reading this book, Spock and Kirk dismissing each other on first meeting (Kirk had little use for science officers, who try to provide too much information when time is short and Spock had little use for heroes, who are a result of chaotic, uncontrolled situations that imply poor planning and execution), still sticks with me.
December 15, 2012
I hesitate to write a review on a book I didn't finish, but just the fact that I didn't finish it should say something. Because Vonda McIntyre has a reputation as one of the founding writers of the Star Trek legacy, I suspected that it would be a good story. But I found it plodding, filled with fluff and frankly, boring. I find that my reaction to books and films is often colored by my state of mind on the day or time I read them. And that may be the case here. But whatever. I will consign it to the many books in my library that I started and didn't care to finish.
May 30, 2012
As a kid, this was one of my favourite books. After re-reading it as an adult, I found it to be fairly idiotic. Weak plot, weak writing, weak connections... I still have wonderful childhood memories of it, so I would say that it is great for a younger audience and leave it at that.
July 26, 2007
One of the deeper and better written Trek novels. Not one of the "numbered" novels which are merely of a TV episode scope.
February 26, 2017
An interesting look at the early years of Spock, Kirk, and crew.
May 30, 2020
This book is one of my favorites in this series. The author really did a good job of capturing the spirit of adventure that I would expect to see in a book of this kind.
January 28, 2019
As is par for this series, a wonderful story based on character dynamics, with fascinating OCs, diverse alien species, and hilarious fun. I especially enjoy the ones that look back at what happened before the 5YM, so naturally, this one held appeal for me.
This story centers around how the crew responds to their new captain, an ambitious young James Kirk who feels he has something to prove and worries about living up to people's expectations. Much of the senior staff is quite wary of him, and Spock in particular resents Kirk's arrogance, especially in comparison to Pike's steady hand. And Jim... Well... He's more than a little bitter that he didn't get to pick out his own first officer and more than a little afraid that anything he does will be overshadowed by Spock's very presence - the man is, after all, already well-respected among the crew and well-known through Starfleet.
And to add to the tension between captain and commander, Scotty thinks Jim a reckless child after a mishap with the engines, Sulu never wanted to pilot a starship, Rand is utterly terrified of everyone around her, and their first mission is the "menial" task of toting a space circus around.
Basically, a recipe for a disaster in interpersonal relations.
It was really enjoyable to see where Jim started out with everyone. His only established relationship is with McCoy - everyone else is new to him, and he feels like an interloper. By the end of the book, he's only just starting to connect with them, and they begin to trust him, having realized that much of his arrogance is feigned to hide his own insecurities. It shows where these important relationships start, if not how they get to the crew dynamics we know and love.
Can I also say how much I loved the central alien species in this one? An unplanned first contact, a species that is far more advanced than any member of the Federation... McIntyre took the time to make the "flyers" stand out - they are entirely unlike any other species in the Trek universe and slightly incomprehensible in the way a highly-advanced alien species should be.
A fun, charming story that lives up to expectations.
Also Spock in a magic show, a flying horse, and "modernized" Shakespeare. And I got to expand my K/S family tree with newly-revealed relations.
This story centers around how the crew responds to their new captain, an ambitious young James Kirk who feels he has something to prove and worries about living up to people's expectations. Much of the senior staff is quite wary of him, and Spock in particular resents Kirk's arrogance, especially in comparison to Pike's steady hand. And Jim... Well... He's more than a little bitter that he didn't get to pick out his own first officer and more than a little afraid that anything he does will be overshadowed by Spock's very presence - the man is, after all, already well-respected among the crew and well-known through Starfleet.
And to add to the tension between captain and commander, Scotty thinks Jim a reckless child after a mishap with the engines, Sulu never wanted to pilot a starship, Rand is utterly terrified of everyone around her, and their first mission is the "menial" task of toting a space circus around.
Basically, a recipe for a disaster in interpersonal relations.
It was really enjoyable to see where Jim started out with everyone. His only established relationship is with McCoy - everyone else is new to him, and he feels like an interloper. By the end of the book, he's only just starting to connect with them, and they begin to trust him, having realized that much of his arrogance is feigned to hide his own insecurities. It shows where these important relationships start, if not how they get to the crew dynamics we know and love.
Can I also say how much I loved the central alien species in this one? An unplanned first contact, a species that is far more advanced than any member of the Federation... McIntyre took the time to make the "flyers" stand out - they are entirely unlike any other species in the Trek universe and slightly incomprehensible in the way a highly-advanced alien species should be.
A fun, charming story that lives up to expectations.
Also Spock in a magic show, a flying horse, and "modernized" Shakespeare. And I got to expand my K/S family tree with newly-revealed relations.
October 8, 2025
I enjoyable read ... I wouldnt recommend this to my non-star treking friends, but the characters are very much to of the good types of relationships. Quite a fun romp with between Humans and Klingons. Vonda McIntyre is a class writer, and varied and well researched in the backgrounds of the characters and universe setting.
May 2, 2019
An okay book, but unfortunately nothing special.
Now, years after having so much more backstory for Kirk and Spock, this book just doesn't quite fit the canon anymore.
Now, years after having so much more backstory for Kirk and Spock, this book just doesn't quite fit the canon anymore.
January 1, 2020
An earlier look at Kirk’s first mission after talking command of the _Enterprise_. Very different characterizations of the crew—and the Klingons—than what we now know…but then, it was 1986. 🖖
December 12, 2021
My favourite star trek novel I've read so far!
January 27, 2021
Bro I am so sad this book sucks. AND I USUALLY LIKE CORNY ST BOOKS!!!1!! There's a flying horse on the ship and it's so self insert-y like, if I wanted that I'd just go on AO3 fkjshsfdsj... HOW COULD YOU LET ME DOWN LIKE THIS VONDA!!!!! I'm just glad I listened to this on audibook from the national library on the Libby app on like. 1.25x speed while playing phone games at night lol..
March 19, 2021
this was by all means not a perfect book, but it was really good (up until the final act, which was very confusing and a little ridiculous). spock has a juggling, blonde cousin named stephen. kirk and spock play a heated game of chess which precedes a conversation that is full of unintentional innuendos. sulu fences, spock learns to swim, bones goes white-water rafting, uhura charms everyone, it's great.
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