What do you think?
Rate this book
Star Trek (2020) #2
More Beautiful Than Death
An original novel based on the thrilling new Star Trek movies!
Captain James T. Kirk and the Enterprise crew escort Spock’s father, Ambassador Sarek of Vulcan, to a dilithium-rich planet called Akiron. They arrive to find the planet under siege by creatures that some of the planet’s denizens believe are demons.
Sarek orders Kirk to abandon the mission, but the young captain won’t turn his back on people in danger. After a harrowing encounter with the dark-energy “demons,” Kirk’s belief in a rational universe is challenged by a mystic who insists that it wasn’t coincidence which brought Kirk to Akiron, but the alien equivalent of a Karmic debt.
Meanwhile, aboard the Enterprise, Sarek’s young Vulcan aide L’Nel has a sinister agenda—and its chief objective appears to be the cold-blooded murder of Spock!
Captain James T. Kirk and the Enterprise crew escort Spock’s father, Ambassador Sarek of Vulcan, to a dilithium-rich planet called Akiron. They arrive to find the planet under siege by creatures that some of the planet’s denizens believe are demons.
Sarek orders Kirk to abandon the mission, but the young captain won’t turn his back on people in danger. After a harrowing encounter with the dark-energy “demons,” Kirk’s belief in a rational universe is challenged by a mystic who insists that it wasn’t coincidence which brought Kirk to Akiron, but the alien equivalent of a Karmic debt.
Meanwhile, aboard the Enterprise, Sarek’s young Vulcan aide L’Nel has a sinister agenda—and its chief objective appears to be the cold-blooded murder of Spock!
384 pages, Paperback
First published August 11, 2020
80 people are currently reading
430 people want to read
About the author
David Mack
111 books667 followersDavid Mack is the New York Times bestselling author of 39 novels of science-fiction, fantasy, and adventure, including the Star Trek Destiny and Cold Equations trilogies.
Beyond novels, Mack's writing credits span several media, including television (for produced episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), games, and comic books.
Follow him on Twitter @davidalanmack or like his Facebook page.
Beyond novels, Mack's writing credits span several media, including television (for produced episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), games, and comic books.
Follow him on Twitter @davidalanmack or like his Facebook page.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
January 1, 2024
A very compelling Trek story in the overused vain of "Starfleet's orders and the prime directive be damned, we've got to do the right thing!". Mack is among my favorite contemporary Trek authors, and he's really firing on all cylinders here to deliver a fun, action-packed thriller that masterfully captures the youthful, devil-may-care vigor and good humor of the Kelvin universe Enterprise crew. The b-plot involving Spock's love life and an especially sassy Uhura I found less compelling, but it was a small part of the overall story. Her characterization of Kirk as someone who "talks like a maverick but acts like an idealist" was pretty spot on.
June 12, 2022
Thrilling, pulpy, space adventure that captures the essence of what makes Star Trek so great. The characterization is spot on (and all the major characters get a chance to shine), a planet under siege by “demons”, and a Vulcan woman with a plot to kill Spock.
The story tackles issues such and duty and obligation to ethics and morals as opposed to orders and directives and whether to follow faith or logic.
All in all this is one enjoyable page turning Trek tale that every fan should check out.
The story tackles issues such and duty and obligation to ethics and morals as opposed to orders and directives and whether to follow faith or logic.
All in all this is one enjoyable page turning Trek tale that every fan should check out.
August 13, 2020
In the afterward, the author claims this novel was written to be a quick, pulpy mass-market adventure. I'd say he succeeded...but he managed to raise his own bar by adding excellent character work and displaying a superb command of the Kelvin timeline version of the TOS crew. The end result (much to my chagrin, as I still dislike the Kelvin timeline version of Trek) is a novel I thoroughly enjoyed.
November 1, 2020
Set in the new movie version of Star Trek and not the original series but I see Shatner not the new lot.Starts with Mr.Spock been murdered! By Female sex staved Vulcan the rest of book is 38hs earler.
Full of action , Ambassador Sarak and that it is possible for Vulcans to lie when their horny .
Demons of starboard bow look out for ghosts a head .For once the cover is to the story too.I hate bad covers .
Full of action , Ambassador Sarak and that it is possible for Vulcans to lie when their horny .
Demons of starboard bow look out for ghosts a head .For once the cover is to the story too.I hate bad covers .
November 17, 2020
David Mack knocked it out of the park with "Star Trek: More Beautiful Than Death." This is only the second book they've released fleshing out the adventures of the Kelvinverse Enterprise and it's super fun. It has everything you want from good Trek:
- a planet in peril
- an argument about following the spirit of the Federation vs the letter of the law
- diplomacy vs direct action
- interdimensional ghosts!
- Sarek!
- All of the major crew (minus Chekov) get several great scenes. (Where's my Chekov book?! The people are clamoring!)
Mack did a fantastic job of capturing the characters as portrayed in the films. I hope they continue to expand this universe, especially since it seems like the films aren't going to continue. (Which is a crime, by the way.)
- a planet in peril
- an argument about following the spirit of the Federation vs the letter of the law
- diplomacy vs direct action
- interdimensional ghosts!
- Sarek!
- All of the major crew (minus Chekov) get several great scenes. (Where's my Chekov book?! The people are clamoring!)
Mack did a fantastic job of capturing the characters as portrayed in the films. I hope they continue to expand this universe, especially since it seems like the films aren't going to continue. (Which is a crime, by the way.)
August 14, 2020
Now this is how you write for the Kelvin timeline!!! This is the second original book and it feels like the newer movies. The Unsettling Stars was a good book but it was hardly what you would expect in the Kelvin timeline. This book is action packed and makes great use of Star Trek lore and give it a nice twist with this being in an alternative timeline. It was truly fantastic!
March 25, 2022
This was a fun read, and it does address the aspect of Vulcan being destroyed and how it would impact the population.
I do wish the ending had a Spock/Uhura scene as well as a Sarek/Spock though.
I do wish the ending had a Spock/Uhura scene as well as a Sarek/Spock though.
September 22, 2020
More Beautiful Than Death kick off with Kirk and Co continuing on with getting settled with their new crew and ship! This puts a feel of people finding out about each other from the start! The addition of bringing Ambassador Sarek in and his mysterious assistant L'nel also adds elements of conflict and mystery to the other tones of the book! From the start More Beautiful Than Death is filled with action but at the same time the action is packed in with dramatic characters scenes with the crew going over the rights and wrongs of the situations that they find themselves in! For example Sarek and Kirks butting heads is dramatic and puts things on a knife edge and fits neatly into events as this Kirk is much younger in his command and far easier for Sarek to go on the attack with, Spock and McCoy over the right decisions and courses and what to do about them etc! At the same time Spock and Uhura's relationship is a point of conflict with Sarek and of course these factors all interplay to create character conflict as well as rib breaking humour in with the dramatics!
The POV's throughout cover the range of characters with Uhura, Kirk, Spock Sarek and the rests all featuring which gives us great insight into the characters! McCoy's reaction to the Wights coming out of Akiron is brilliant, Uhura's attitude to the posturing is going on is hilarious and Kirks and Spocks relentless taking on off the situation never lets up! At the same time we also have Scotty being Scotty and his Chief aide Keenser is hilarious! More Beautiful Than Death also delves into Vulcan lore and explains the situation with the Vulcan people which in itself sets up future plot lines! Mack puts his characters through the wringer in a book that never lets up from the start! Throw in L'nel and her machinations, the threat to billions of people and you cannot guess which way the story is going to go!
More Beautiful Than Death is relentless and the situation that the crew find themselves in regarding Akiron is brilliantly done! The situation that they find themselves in with Kirk trying to save billions of lives while risking billions more is fraught with tension and his ongoing battles with Sarek really illustrate the differing viewpoints that the two characters have on this! The needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few comes up in this from the start and you can see what the actual characters personalities are made of! This Kirk also doesn't believe in that idea and you can see how his actions are reflected in the other characters responses to it! The differing POVS really show this to affect from Spock, Uhura, McCoy etc and you can really see how the crew are gelling together!
More Beautiful Than Death is a roller coaster ride from the start from the situation on Akiron, Spocks crazy betrothed to the character tension and the ongoing adventure and action More Beautiful Than Death is relentless! The pace of the story is epic with the situations from the start changing constantly and the dangers the crew face on an Epic scale! More Beautiful Than Death throw in world building and character development in at every turn really giving you looks at how things are going and into the characters themselves! You will be up late with the trying to see what happens in a story that is littler edge of the seat and gripping from the start , full of mystery and action and will keep you guessing about how things are going to go from the start! Brilliant Crisp High Five! Get it if You Can! :D
The POV's throughout cover the range of characters with Uhura, Kirk, Spock Sarek and the rests all featuring which gives us great insight into the characters! McCoy's reaction to the Wights coming out of Akiron is brilliant, Uhura's attitude to the posturing is going on is hilarious and Kirks and Spocks relentless taking on off the situation never lets up! At the same time we also have Scotty being Scotty and his Chief aide Keenser is hilarious! More Beautiful Than Death also delves into Vulcan lore and explains the situation with the Vulcan people which in itself sets up future plot lines! Mack puts his characters through the wringer in a book that never lets up from the start! Throw in L'nel and her machinations, the threat to billions of people and you cannot guess which way the story is going to go!
More Beautiful Than Death is relentless and the situation that the crew find themselves in regarding Akiron is brilliantly done! The situation that they find themselves in with Kirk trying to save billions of lives while risking billions more is fraught with tension and his ongoing battles with Sarek really illustrate the differing viewpoints that the two characters have on this! The needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few comes up in this from the start and you can see what the actual characters personalities are made of! This Kirk also doesn't believe in that idea and you can see how his actions are reflected in the other characters responses to it! The differing POVS really show this to affect from Spock, Uhura, McCoy etc and you can really see how the crew are gelling together!
More Beautiful Than Death is a roller coaster ride from the start from the situation on Akiron, Spocks crazy betrothed to the character tension and the ongoing adventure and action More Beautiful Than Death is relentless! The pace of the story is epic with the situations from the start changing constantly and the dangers the crew face on an Epic scale! More Beautiful Than Death throw in world building and character development in at every turn really giving you looks at how things are going and into the characters themselves! You will be up late with the trying to see what happens in a story that is littler edge of the seat and gripping from the start , full of mystery and action and will keep you guessing about how things are going to go from the start! Brilliant Crisp High Five! Get it if You Can! :D
February 22, 2024
Star Trek: More Beautiful Than Death is a Star Trek novel set in the Kelvin Timeline by David Mack. It was released in August 2020 by Gallery Books at Simon and Schuster.
Outside of novelizations for the first two movies, we haven’t gotten much material for the Kelvin Timeline for Star Trek. I really think this is a shame, as the Kelvin Timeline offers so much opportunity for the books to explore. We were supposed to get 4 books around 2010 in the Kelvin Timeline, but those got shelved for unknown reasons. However, in 2019-2020, Gallery Books decided to dig up 2 of those novels and publish them. I reviewed one of them, Alan Dean Foster’s “The Unsettling Stars” (which I quite enjoyed), and now I have read David Mack’s contribution.
I personally loved the character interactions of this book. Usually, I like reading the plot of Star Trek books, and the character stuff sometimes feels secondary. However, the dynamics between Spock and Sarek, Spock and Uhura, Kirk and Sarek were all brilliant.
Spock and Sarek have always had a difficult time seeing eye to eye on Spock’s purpose and future, in both timelines. However, Sarek has a particularly difficult time reasoning with Spock in this book, and I appreciated that Sarek admits that if he tried to convince Spock to change course, it would only harden Spock’s heart.
Spock and Uhura have an interesting dynamic in the book, as we see a little of their relationship. I wish we got more, as this is really only a few scenes in the book, but what little we got was interesting.
Finally, probably the biggest and most bombastic dynamic was between Kirk and Sarek. Boy do they have different personalities! I thought it always entertaining the way Kirk found loopholes to Sarek’s arguments and logic to continue helping the people of Akiron. Kirk really felt like the young, independent Kirk portrayed in the movies, and I would say that he is the character personality that comes through the most strongly (especially if you have the Chris Pine version in your head).
The plot of the book with the mission on Akiron was entertaining but not particularly groundbreaking for Star Trek. It felt more like an excuse to have the wedge between the characters and provide some excellent action sequences. The pacing and sense of intensity was very movie-like.
I actually really enjoyed the subplot of L’Nel, who really tries to get Spock to abandon Uhura for her. I thought her storyline was riveting and couldn’t wait to read more about her machinations.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I’ll give it a 4.5 out of 5. I really wish we had more of these Kelvin Timeline novels, and I think we have a great opportunity to create a continuity like the “Post-Nemesis” novels had, but I doubt it’ll happen.
Outside of novelizations for the first two movies, we haven’t gotten much material for the Kelvin Timeline for Star Trek. I really think this is a shame, as the Kelvin Timeline offers so much opportunity for the books to explore. We were supposed to get 4 books around 2010 in the Kelvin Timeline, but those got shelved for unknown reasons. However, in 2019-2020, Gallery Books decided to dig up 2 of those novels and publish them. I reviewed one of them, Alan Dean Foster’s “The Unsettling Stars” (which I quite enjoyed), and now I have read David Mack’s contribution.
I personally loved the character interactions of this book. Usually, I like reading the plot of Star Trek books, and the character stuff sometimes feels secondary. However, the dynamics between Spock and Sarek, Spock and Uhura, Kirk and Sarek were all brilliant.
Spock and Sarek have always had a difficult time seeing eye to eye on Spock’s purpose and future, in both timelines. However, Sarek has a particularly difficult time reasoning with Spock in this book, and I appreciated that Sarek admits that if he tried to convince Spock to change course, it would only harden Spock’s heart.
Spock and Uhura have an interesting dynamic in the book, as we see a little of their relationship. I wish we got more, as this is really only a few scenes in the book, but what little we got was interesting.
Finally, probably the biggest and most bombastic dynamic was between Kirk and Sarek. Boy do they have different personalities! I thought it always entertaining the way Kirk found loopholes to Sarek’s arguments and logic to continue helping the people of Akiron. Kirk really felt like the young, independent Kirk portrayed in the movies, and I would say that he is the character personality that comes through the most strongly (especially if you have the Chris Pine version in your head).
The plot of the book with the mission on Akiron was entertaining but not particularly groundbreaking for Star Trek. It felt more like an excuse to have the wedge between the characters and provide some excellent action sequences. The pacing and sense of intensity was very movie-like.
I actually really enjoyed the subplot of L’Nel, who really tries to get Spock to abandon Uhura for her. I thought her storyline was riveting and couldn’t wait to read more about her machinations.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I’ll give it a 4.5 out of 5. I really wish we had more of these Kelvin Timeline novels, and I think we have a great opportunity to create a continuity like the “Post-Nemesis” novels had, but I doubt it’ll happen.
November 18, 2021
This was everything I could've hoped for; David Mack, please write another hundred, thanks.
It had everything that make Star Trek one of my favorite series: worlds exploration, new creatures with complex politics and economy, fun dynamics between the main cast of characters, all in the flavor of the new AOS universe.
And how fitting that this is the 100th book I read this year!
Not going to lie, the first half was okay, interesting but a bit slower paced, but after hitting the halfway mark everything accelerated and I couldn't put the book down.
The shining star of the story for me was Mr. Scott, because come on, the lad's hilarious. I also really loved how it was packed with science jargon that, albeit completely fictional, it sounded realistic enough to be entertaining.
It had everything that make Star Trek one of my favorite series: worlds exploration, new creatures with complex politics and economy, fun dynamics between the main cast of characters, all in the flavor of the new AOS universe.
And how fitting that this is the 100th book I read this year!
Not going to lie, the first half was okay, interesting but a bit slower paced, but after hitting the halfway mark everything accelerated and I couldn't put the book down.
The shining star of the story for me was Mr. Scott, because come on, the lad's hilarious. I also really loved how it was packed with science jargon that, albeit completely fictional, it sounded realistic enough to be entertaining.
April 4, 2021
Mack does his usual excellent job of tapping into existing Trek plot threads to build new and engaging stories. I’m not a great fan of the Kelvin universe but I really enjoy what Mack has done here. I’ll avoid spoilers but TOS fans should appreciate this alternate universe version of an important story.
July 6, 2025
alot of this is fun but a not even quite half baked "b" plot and some awkward dialogue pull this down.
August 12, 2020
A simple diplomatic mission to Akiron is complicated when the Ambassador assigned is Spock's father, Sarek, who wants Spock to leave Uhura and Starfleet and help rebuild Vulcan society.
Mack's 'More Beautiful Than Death' captures the spirit of the Abrams movies and manages to tell a story respectful of the source movie and the wider canon of 'Star Trek'.
Mack's 'More Beautiful Than Death' captures the spirit of the Abrams movies and manages to tell a story respectful of the source movie and the wider canon of 'Star Trek'.
August 25, 2020
I'd say this is a 4.25. Look for the Literary Treks interview with David Mack, coming soon!
August 20, 2020
I love Spock and Uhura so much........ I could cry
November 22, 2020
In the back of the book, Mack writes that he intended this to be a "quick-and-breezy, pulp style science fiction adventure yarn, one that would feel true to the film that had inspired it." The first part of that is mission accomplished, but sometimes the second part felt a little amiss.
At times I heard the voices of Deforest Kelly and Leonard Nimoy rather than Karl Urban and Zachary Quinto, but he gets Chris Pines' Kirk and John Cho's Sulu to a T. The linchpin in the novel is Uhura who is some parts Nichelle Nichols and some parts Zoe Saldana. Overall it's a fun space adventure and a real page-turner. I felt that it lacked the depth of some of David Mack's other works like Collateral Damage for example but I DO recommend it for fans of the Kelvin timeline.
Based on interviews I have heard with David Mack I was very worried that this would be a kind of "ghost story in space," but that's not the the case. It has that spooky feel but it's true to the science fiction genre.
At times I heard the voices of Deforest Kelly and Leonard Nimoy rather than Karl Urban and Zachary Quinto, but he gets Chris Pines' Kirk and John Cho's Sulu to a T. The linchpin in the novel is Uhura who is some parts Nichelle Nichols and some parts Zoe Saldana. Overall it's a fun space adventure and a real page-turner. I felt that it lacked the depth of some of David Mack's other works like Collateral Damage for example but I DO recommend it for fans of the Kelvin timeline.
Based on interviews I have heard with David Mack I was very worried that this would be a kind of "ghost story in space," but that's not the the case. It has that spooky feel but it's true to the science fiction genre.
March 18, 2021
oh this was absolutely AMAZING. i wasn't expecting it to be this good, after being extremely disappointed by the first book in the collection. the characterisation was perfect, i could hear and see everyone so clearly. and everyone had their own moment to shine. i absolutely loved the twist on classic star trek lore because the kelvin timeline is after all, an alternate timeline, and this book executed that wonderfully. it had everything i ever wanted from a kelvin timeline adventure. an extremely fun ride that had me laughing out loud a lot of times, truly a delight. (although i would really appreciate seeing bones on the cover along with the other three but that's alright after the amount of bones in the story.) i hope that we'd get to see more of them in the future.
January 24, 2021
This book really surprised and delighted me. It was as quick paced and joyous as the 2009 film and the characters were perfectly matched to their alternate universe counterparts. The story was winding and compelling and the twist a little over mid way through was a great way to integrate TOS characters into the new canon. Loved it. Fast read with a beginning that draws you in instantly.
July 12, 2022
What a fun pulpy romp!!!! I have soft spot for the Kelvin timeline so when a I see a tie-in that sounds interesting I will totally check it out. LUCKILY this was one of the better ones! Pretty much everyone gets a fun scene or two, and they're all written very in character to the AOS counterparts! There's also ghosts, fight scenes, Bones berating Kirk about doing his physical, Sarek and another iconic Vulcan.
HOWEVER. If you a firm Spock/Kirk person and absolutely hate anything Spock/Uhura, then you should give this one a miss lol..
HOWEVER. If you a firm Spock/Kirk person and absolutely hate anything Spock/Uhura, then you should give this one a miss lol..
August 22, 2021
This book does an excellent job with the characterizations, and the story itself was engaging. While I don’t know that anymore Kelvin timeline novels are planned, I for one would love to see David Mack write more.
July 3, 2022
This one was definitely more entertaining than the last one, with a lot of Action, Intrigues, Drama and a difficult father-son-relationship.
December 8, 2024
This captured the vibe of the Kelvin timeline crew perfectly. It had an urgency to the story and played like an episode of a Trek show. Good times.
March 23, 2023
Really loved this book. It's like a episode of Star Trek but instead of watching your are reading it. It's fast paced, funny and very entertaining. It's a action packed book that captures the essence of Star Trek. Great characters that stay true to their portrayal in the movies. A very interesting story and in true Star Trek fashion everything concludes at the end. I love that it's a follow up to the 2009 movie. I was very entertained by this book! If I can find more of these kind of Star Trek books I will for sure buy them!!!
October 17, 2021
Not quite a 4, but almost, I mean I am a fan. I agree with other reviewers, not what you would expect from even an inexperienced Starship captain. However it is a quick read and keeps you entertained.
December 22, 2020
Rating of 4.5.
Prepare to once again dive into the alternate timeline version of the Star Trek universe, known as the Kelvin timeline, in this latest exciting tie-in novel from acclaimed author David Mack, Star Trek: More Beautiful Than Death.
Set shortly after the events of the 2009 Star Trek film, in which the planet of Vulcan was destroyed by the mad Romulan Nero, Captain James T. Kirk is now captain of USS Enterprise. Given a new mission, the Enterprise and its crew are ordered to rendezvous with Spock’s father, Ambassador Sarek, and escort him to the planet of Akiron. Akiron, a resource-rich world containing a substantial amount of dilithium, has recently sent out a distress signal to the Federation, who are hoping to exchange aid for favourable trading rights.
Arriving at Akiron, they find the planet in a state of chaos as the population are under attack by demonic dark-energy creatures, known as wights, who strike from the darkness, eat energy, and appear to suck the life right out of any living being. Determined to save the people of Akiron no matter what, Kirk begins his preparations to investigate the wights. However, before he can act, Sarek orders Kirk to abandon the mission and leave Akiron.
Refusing to obey Sarek’s orders, Kirk attempts to find the cause of the terrible events on Akiron and save who he can. With the help of an old mystic who believes that Kirk has faced the wights in his prior lives the Enterprise crew are soon able to discover the source of the wights on Akiron and the deadly potential their invasion has. As Kirk and his crew attempt to save the entirety of the planet they must overcome several deadly attacks as well as the sinister agenda of Sarek’s Vulcan aide, L’Nel, who hatches a dangerous personal plan to kill Spock. Can the Kirk and the Enterprise succeed, or will darkness engulf everything it touches?
To see the full review, click the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2020/12/22/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
Prepare to once again dive into the alternate timeline version of the Star Trek universe, known as the Kelvin timeline, in this latest exciting tie-in novel from acclaimed author David Mack, Star Trek: More Beautiful Than Death.
Set shortly after the events of the 2009 Star Trek film, in which the planet of Vulcan was destroyed by the mad Romulan Nero, Captain James T. Kirk is now captain of USS Enterprise. Given a new mission, the Enterprise and its crew are ordered to rendezvous with Spock’s father, Ambassador Sarek, and escort him to the planet of Akiron. Akiron, a resource-rich world containing a substantial amount of dilithium, has recently sent out a distress signal to the Federation, who are hoping to exchange aid for favourable trading rights.
Arriving at Akiron, they find the planet in a state of chaos as the population are under attack by demonic dark-energy creatures, known as wights, who strike from the darkness, eat energy, and appear to suck the life right out of any living being. Determined to save the people of Akiron no matter what, Kirk begins his preparations to investigate the wights. However, before he can act, Sarek orders Kirk to abandon the mission and leave Akiron.
Refusing to obey Sarek’s orders, Kirk attempts to find the cause of the terrible events on Akiron and save who he can. With the help of an old mystic who believes that Kirk has faced the wights in his prior lives the Enterprise crew are soon able to discover the source of the wights on Akiron and the deadly potential their invasion has. As Kirk and his crew attempt to save the entirety of the planet they must overcome several deadly attacks as well as the sinister agenda of Sarek’s Vulcan aide, L’Nel, who hatches a dangerous personal plan to kill Spock. Can the Kirk and the Enterprise succeed, or will darkness engulf everything it touches?
To see the full review, click the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2020/12/22/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
September 6, 2020
David Mack's "More Beautiful Than Death" is an exhilarating Kelvin timeline adventure that fires on all cylinders!
Taking place shortly after the events in 2009's Star Trek film, the newly Captained Kirk is ordered to escort Ambassador Sarek and a group of dignitaries to the planet Akiron. Sarek and his team are to negotiate mining rights to this dilithium-rich world but never get the chance because the planet is under attack by wraith-like beings the natives call "demons". As it turns out, these "demons", or wights as their later called, are actually beings from another dimension coming from a rift deep in the planet's "Underdark". The wights pose a threat not only to the planet-but also that entire region of space! Sound freaky? It kinda is!
Kirk soon finds out from a native mystic that only "he" and he alone can dispel the wight threat! This is an excellent plot device which tackles such allegories as religious faith and existential beliefs.
There is also an excellent B-plot involving a Vulcan aid with ulterior motives. This B-plot stood toe to toe with the A-plot for me, which is rare.
The author does a brilliant job writing our beloved characters in the"Kelvin style", giving us a younger, more rebellious Kirk, a feistier, sharp tongued Uhura, and Vulcans who are still reeling from the destruction of their homeworld.
David Mack also does a great job capitalizing on the strengths of the J.J. Abrams films, giving us a story that moves along at a brisk pace-with pulse pounding action at every turn!
Whether it's a verbal sparring match between Sarek and Uhura, or Captain Kirk clinging for his life off a collapsed bridge, you'll be on the edge of your seat throughout!
"More Beautiful Than Death" was one of those rare reading experiences where your having so much fun you fly through most of it-but slow down towards the end because you don't want the ride to stop!
Taking place shortly after the events in 2009's Star Trek film, the newly Captained Kirk is ordered to escort Ambassador Sarek and a group of dignitaries to the planet Akiron. Sarek and his team are to negotiate mining rights to this dilithium-rich world but never get the chance because the planet is under attack by wraith-like beings the natives call "demons". As it turns out, these "demons", or wights as their later called, are actually beings from another dimension coming from a rift deep in the planet's "Underdark". The wights pose a threat not only to the planet-but also that entire region of space! Sound freaky? It kinda is!
Kirk soon finds out from a native mystic that only "he" and he alone can dispel the wight threat! This is an excellent plot device which tackles such allegories as religious faith and existential beliefs.
There is also an excellent B-plot involving a Vulcan aid with ulterior motives. This B-plot stood toe to toe with the A-plot for me, which is rare.
The author does a brilliant job writing our beloved characters in the"Kelvin style", giving us a younger, more rebellious Kirk, a feistier, sharp tongued Uhura, and Vulcans who are still reeling from the destruction of their homeworld.
David Mack also does a great job capitalizing on the strengths of the J.J. Abrams films, giving us a story that moves along at a brisk pace-with pulse pounding action at every turn!
Whether it's a verbal sparring match between Sarek and Uhura, or Captain Kirk clinging for his life off a collapsed bridge, you'll be on the edge of your seat throughout!
"More Beautiful Than Death" was one of those rare reading experiences where your having so much fun you fly through most of it-but slow down towards the end because you don't want the ride to stop!
April 17, 2022
“Space, the final frontier…” These words have been a part of my life for at least 50 years. It is fair to say that is how long I have been a Trekkie. I have watched every incarnation of the Trek franchise and enjoyed every one of them. I love the comics, the shows, the movies, and most of all, the books. I am not going to say I am jaded, but you have to bring something special to the table to grab my attention when it comes to Star Trek.
David Mack brought something special.
Star Trek: More Beautiful Than Death is set in the “Kelvin” Universe (the series where actor Chris Pine is Captain Kirk). That being said, it is helpful if you are aware of the first movie in this series. It does lend to the overall enjoyment of the book.
Captain Kirk is tasked with taking Ambassador Sarek to the planet Akiron. It is a planet rich in dilithium, and Sarek’s job is to broker a treaty between Akiron and the United Federation of Planets. When the Enterprise arrives, it finds Akiron under siege by what the locals are calling demons. Akiron is in the midst of a coup and the government that agreed to see Sarek is no longer in charge, bringing into the storyline a direct conflict with the Prime Directive. Captain Kirk does what he does best, he goes rogue in order to help keep the citizens of Akiron from extinction. As all of this is going on, one of Sarek’s aides has an agenda of her own, one that requires the death of Mr. Spock.
The magic in Mr. Mack’s writing is that there was absolutely no doubt that this book was set in the Kelvin era. The attitudes, voices, settings, and overall FEEL of this book were from that movie series. If I did not know it was from the Kelvin era, I would have figured it out just by the character’s voices, and that is the truest testament to David Mack’s writing ability.
I give this one 5 very enthusiastic bookmarks out of 5!!!!!
Live long and prosper!
David Mack brought something special.
Star Trek: More Beautiful Than Death is set in the “Kelvin” Universe (the series where actor Chris Pine is Captain Kirk). That being said, it is helpful if you are aware of the first movie in this series. It does lend to the overall enjoyment of the book.
Captain Kirk is tasked with taking Ambassador Sarek to the planet Akiron. It is a planet rich in dilithium, and Sarek’s job is to broker a treaty between Akiron and the United Federation of Planets. When the Enterprise arrives, it finds Akiron under siege by what the locals are calling demons. Akiron is in the midst of a coup and the government that agreed to see Sarek is no longer in charge, bringing into the storyline a direct conflict with the Prime Directive. Captain Kirk does what he does best, he goes rogue in order to help keep the citizens of Akiron from extinction. As all of this is going on, one of Sarek’s aides has an agenda of her own, one that requires the death of Mr. Spock.
The magic in Mr. Mack’s writing is that there was absolutely no doubt that this book was set in the Kelvin era. The attitudes, voices, settings, and overall FEEL of this book were from that movie series. If I did not know it was from the Kelvin era, I would have figured it out just by the character’s voices, and that is the truest testament to David Mack’s writing ability.
I give this one 5 very enthusiastic bookmarks out of 5!!!!!
Live long and prosper!
December 5, 2020
A very solid Trek adventure. There’s a lot going on in this one, to the point that I’m not entirely sure which would be considered the “subplot”. It’s not that events from the two storylines fed off each other (they didn’t at all, which I somewhat lamented), but rather that the subplot is sufficiently developed and engaging that it stands on its own as a good story.
Petkoff does his usual phenomenal work here, bringing to life familiar characters with such fidelity that you might catch yourself doing a double-take to see whether the screen actor did the voicing. Yeah, he’s that good.
Most surprising about this story, it handles the traditional tension between science and faith with a deference not seen since DS9. The author balances the two with respect, in service to the plot, and with appropriate characters, doing much more than the usual “forget religion, we do science here” mantra that plagues sci-fi and sacrifices valuable character depth. As those issues rarely come up in Trek, the author had a good bit of latitude for character interactions, and they’re all done plausibly and to good effect.
Also, Scotty shines more in this story than he usually has a chance to do, which adds a nice layer of levity. Following in line with the faith/science debate I mention above, Scotty and Bones have a two-line spat pitting humanism versus engineering, something we don’t usually see made explicit in Trek. (I suspect it’s because we tell ourselves Trek fans anthropomorphize the tech, but that’s a cop-out. I digress.) The Bones/Scotty tiff is over as quick as it comes up, and that’s a credit to the open-mindedness and mutual understanding of the characters as much as it is a credit to the author’s insightful grasp of justifiable tensions that deserve more attention.
Petkoff does his usual phenomenal work here, bringing to life familiar characters with such fidelity that you might catch yourself doing a double-take to see whether the screen actor did the voicing. Yeah, he’s that good.
Most surprising about this story, it handles the traditional tension between science and faith with a deference not seen since DS9. The author balances the two with respect, in service to the plot, and with appropriate characters, doing much more than the usual “forget religion, we do science here” mantra that plagues sci-fi and sacrifices valuable character depth. As those issues rarely come up in Trek, the author had a good bit of latitude for character interactions, and they’re all done plausibly and to good effect.
Also, Scotty shines more in this story than he usually has a chance to do, which adds a nice layer of levity. Following in line with the faith/science debate I mention above, Scotty and Bones have a two-line spat pitting humanism versus engineering, something we don’t usually see made explicit in Trek. (I suspect it’s because we tell ourselves Trek fans anthropomorphize the tech, but that’s a cop-out. I digress.) The Bones/Scotty tiff is over as quick as it comes up, and that’s a credit to the open-mindedness and mutual understanding of the characters as much as it is a credit to the author’s insightful grasp of justifiable tensions that deserve more attention.
June 20, 2023
I’m not quite sure why this novel was shelved for a decade, as I would think they would’ve wanted to put out as much Kelvin products as possible while those films were happening. But I’m glad it did come out. This is the second Kelvin novel, but I don’t think I’ve missed anything I need to know for this story. You just need to have watched the 2009 film.
This actually deals with how, in the aftermath of Vulcan being destroyed, people like Sarek are putting more pressure on Spock (and I suppose other Vulcans who might be in a similar position) to continue the Vulcan race. A Vulcan and a human being together already seemed kind of taboo when the subject of Sarek and Amanda came up, but it feels even moreso given how few the Vulcans are. So this feels very Trek in how it uses the universe to tell a story that parallels how people in our world have a problematic view involving what they view as “racial purity.” And with Uhura being the human in this Vulcan-human relationship, it really does feel like one could think about what this says about race relations.
There’s also a bit regarding faith, when people of the planet featured here think they’ve encountered demons, leading to some philosophical discussion between Kirk and Bones. It all feels very classic Star Trek, but I definitely imagined the Kelvin iteration of the characters (especially when Scott was being insensitive thinking more about engineering aspects than people being wiped out).
This was a smooth read, and after much consideration, I think that it does deserve 5 stars. It feels classic and fresh at the same time. And I even love the cover.
This actually deals with how, in the aftermath of Vulcan being destroyed, people like Sarek are putting more pressure on Spock (and I suppose other Vulcans who might be in a similar position) to continue the Vulcan race. A Vulcan and a human being together already seemed kind of taboo when the subject of Sarek and Amanda came up, but it feels even moreso given how few the Vulcans are. So this feels very Trek in how it uses the universe to tell a story that parallels how people in our world have a problematic view involving what they view as “racial purity.” And with Uhura being the human in this Vulcan-human relationship, it really does feel like one could think about what this says about race relations.
There’s also a bit regarding faith, when people of the planet featured here think they’ve encountered demons, leading to some philosophical discussion between Kirk and Bones. It all feels very classic Star Trek, but I definitely imagined the Kelvin iteration of the characters (especially when Scott was being insensitive thinking more about engineering aspects than people being wiped out).
This was a smooth read, and after much consideration, I think that it does deserve 5 stars. It feels classic and fresh at the same time. And I even love the cover.
August 22, 2020
The Kelvin timeline is a mixed bag for me. There are elements I like and don't like. The biggest draw for me is the characters & the chemistry between the actors and how they make established characters familiar yet new. I was excited with no new movies coming out, these novels were finally being released.
This is a great example how to broaden the world of the Kelvin universe & it's main players. David Mack has given us a wonderful action packed tale, that feels like the good old Original Series; but molds it so it perfectly fits in this new universe. He has a firm grasp on the character's personalities and the dialogue & interaction rings true.
The book jacket description of the story is all you need. There is a huge surprise from the Original Series that all TOS fans will love. He explores the concepts of belief & what people believe in. Are science & belief in a higher power at odds? I was slightly disappointed in an ending comment of Kirk's to McCoy & what it implies; but that is personal preference.
Well done story. Easy to follow, & a fun read/listen. Robert Petkoff once again knocks it out of the park with his take on these characters. His narration gives an already good story another added dimension. Would recommend!
This is a great example how to broaden the world of the Kelvin universe & it's main players. David Mack has given us a wonderful action packed tale, that feels like the good old Original Series; but molds it so it perfectly fits in this new universe. He has a firm grasp on the character's personalities and the dialogue & interaction rings true.
The book jacket description of the story is all you need. There is a huge surprise from the Original Series that all TOS fans will love. He explores the concepts of belief & what people believe in. Are science & belief in a higher power at odds? I was slightly disappointed in an ending comment of Kirk's to McCoy & what it implies; but that is personal preference.
Well done story. Easy to follow, & a fun read/listen. Robert Petkoff once again knocks it out of the park with his take on these characters. His narration gives an already good story another added dimension. Would recommend!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews