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Star Trek: The Original Series #19
The Tears of the Singers
The Tears Of The Singers
Captain Kirk and the U.S.S Enterprise join the Klingons to avert disaster in the Taygeta V system -- where a time/space warp has swallowed a spaceship without a trace. Spock suspects a link between the anomaly and the inhabitants of Taygeta, semi-aquatic creatures killed for the jewel-like tears secreted at the moment of death. But a mutinous Klingon officer threatens the vital mission, as a desperate Kirk and Spock race to save the Taygetians, the Federation -- and the entire universe!
252 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1984
35 people are currently reading
621 people want to read
About the author
Melinda M. Snodgrass
69 books221 followersMELINDA M. SNODGRASS
Melinda Snodgrass was born in Los Angeles, but her family moved to New Mexico when she was five months old making her almost a native. She studied opera at the Conservatory of Vienna in Austria, graduated from U.N.M. with a degree in history, and went on to Law School. She practiced for three years, and discovered that while she loved the law she hated lawyers so she began writing.
In 1988 she accepted a job on Star Trek: TNG, and began her Hollywood career. Her novels, The High Ground, In Evil Times and The Hidden World are available from Titan Books. She is the executive producer on the upcoming Wild Cards shows being developed for Hulu. Her passion (aside from writing) is riding her Lusitano stallion Vento da Broga.
Melinda Snodgrass was born in Los Angeles, but her family moved to New Mexico when she was five months old making her almost a native. She studied opera at the Conservatory of Vienna in Austria, graduated from U.N.M. with a degree in history, and went on to Law School. She practiced for three years, and discovered that while she loved the law she hated lawyers so she began writing.
In 1988 she accepted a job on Star Trek: TNG, and began her Hollywood career. Her novels, The High Ground, In Evil Times and The Hidden World are available from Titan Books. She is the executive producer on the upcoming Wild Cards shows being developed for Hulu. Her passion (aside from writing) is riding her Lusitano stallion Vento da Broga.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
December 23, 2012
From the brilliant organic mind who brought fans such fantastic Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes about the fan favorite positronic brained android such as season two's “The Measure of a Man” and the
teleplay for “Pen Pals,” just to name a few, comes a literary marvel.
I have found that even some of the most fanatic trekkies don't bother
to crack open the spine (this was what humans did before things such
as ebooks and devices like Nooks and Kindles) of a Star Trek novel or
other literary work because they doubt any book can be as good as an
actual televised episode. I pity these poor souls because the truth
is, some of these Star Trek books do far more than any episode could
ever do.
Furthermore, the prodigious Melinda Snodgrass who had involvement in
Star Trek: TNG for the early seasons of the show has a gem outside of thetelevised show and before The Next Generation came to the small
screen. In 1984, The Tears of the Singers by Snodgrass was
published. It is a Star Trek: The Original Series book that
centralizes on one of the Original Series' most overlooked and
shadowed character, Lieutenant Nyota Uhura.
One may ask what makes anything that focuses on Uhura worth reading?
Though it may be true that the television series made her out to be
nothing more than a glorified 23rd century 'telephone operator,' Ms.
Snodgrass, through her talent of writing, gives Lieutenant Uhura
importance and personality much like the films eventually did.
Snodgrass still provides readers with a realistic Uhura. When reading
this book a while back, I never felt as if Uhura was out of character.
In fact, if anything, I felt that she was more in character than ever
before. What Snodgrass did was bridge the warm, polite, and kind Uhura
from the show and the zesty, independent, and passionate one from the
films.
I highly praise this book and its author because this book is beautifully written with a wonderful original species that Snodgrass so elegantly crafts. I believe that Ms. Snodgrass capitalizes on her experience with music as well as her experience with law and brought it into this book. I had also read Uhura-centric books by authors Janet Kagan and Margaret Wander Bonnano. However, neither of these authors are able to bring forth Uhura's voice as strongly as Snodgrass does in her writing. Being the anthropology admirer that I am, I could grasp the situation that this native species was in. Also, as an Uhura fan, I finally was given an Uhura that didn't just send transmissions and inform Kirk that there was an incoming message from command. Not only was Uhura a part of a landing party/away team, she was also quite essential to it. This is a story of setting differences aside for the greater good, about protecting an endangered group of indigenous species and upholding Federation law. It should also be noted that Kirk, McCoy, and Spock are not the only members of the Enterprise crew that can have a little romance in their lives.
teleplay for “Pen Pals,” just to name a few, comes a literary marvel.
I have found that even some of the most fanatic trekkies don't bother
to crack open the spine (this was what humans did before things such
as ebooks and devices like Nooks and Kindles) of a Star Trek novel or
other literary work because they doubt any book can be as good as an
actual televised episode. I pity these poor souls because the truth
is, some of these Star Trek books do far more than any episode could
ever do.
Furthermore, the prodigious Melinda Snodgrass who had involvement in
Star Trek: TNG for the early seasons of the show has a gem outside of thetelevised show and before The Next Generation came to the small
screen. In 1984, The Tears of the Singers by Snodgrass was
published. It is a Star Trek: The Original Series book that
centralizes on one of the Original Series' most overlooked and
shadowed character, Lieutenant Nyota Uhura.
One may ask what makes anything that focuses on Uhura worth reading?
Though it may be true that the television series made her out to be
nothing more than a glorified 23rd century 'telephone operator,' Ms.
Snodgrass, through her talent of writing, gives Lieutenant Uhura
importance and personality much like the films eventually did.
Snodgrass still provides readers with a realistic Uhura. When reading
this book a while back, I never felt as if Uhura was out of character.
In fact, if anything, I felt that she was more in character than ever
before. What Snodgrass did was bridge the warm, polite, and kind Uhura
from the show and the zesty, independent, and passionate one from the
films.
I highly praise this book and its author because this book is beautifully written with a wonderful original species that Snodgrass so elegantly crafts. I believe that Ms. Snodgrass capitalizes on her experience with music as well as her experience with law and brought it into this book. I had also read Uhura-centric books by authors Janet Kagan and Margaret Wander Bonnano. However, neither of these authors are able to bring forth Uhura's voice as strongly as Snodgrass does in her writing. Being the anthropology admirer that I am, I could grasp the situation that this native species was in. Also, as an Uhura fan, I finally was given an Uhura that didn't just send transmissions and inform Kirk that there was an incoming message from command. Not only was Uhura a part of a landing party/away team, she was also quite essential to it. This is a story of setting differences aside for the greater good, about protecting an endangered group of indigenous species and upholding Federation law. It should also be noted that Kirk, McCoy, and Spock are not the only members of the Enterprise crew that can have a little romance in their lives.
October 5, 2020
For the most part, I really liked this. I liked the focus on music, I liked that Uhura was given a love interest - and that it was essentially her story. I liked the aliens, who were genuinely interesting, and I thought the problem they were both causing and about to suffer from was compelling. I even liked the Klingons... well, some of them. Kor was done very well indeed. I always like when the Klingons are given more to do than bluster and be violent.
Honestly, I liked so much of this that it was very nearly a four star read. The only thing preventing that was the constant mild irritation at the way some of the women are consistently presented here. Well, "some of the women" - there are really only two of note. Uhura, and Kor's wife Kali. Uhura is mostly presented pretty well, though there's one odd and really tone deaf passage where she's weighing up life as a Starfleet officer, compared to the prospect of leaving Starfleet for her love interest. She thinks, then, of Kirk, and how he's given up the prospect of a family to be a starship captain, and how despite his dalliances the Enterprise is the only woman in his life, and then she wonders would it make her a lesbian, to be a captain and love her ship like that. Which, what the fucking fuck? Then there's Kali, and while I'm grateful not to have Kor as the stereotypical Klingon, there's such a thing as going too far. Kali dusts and weeps constantly and is described as having a "tiger cub expression" and yes, she's good with a disruptor but there's something deeply condescending about it all. Tiger cub expression my arse. There's not a roll-eyes symbol in the world big enough, and it's such a shame, because the rest of the book was so enjoyable.
Honestly, I liked so much of this that it was very nearly a four star read. The only thing preventing that was the constant mild irritation at the way some of the women are consistently presented here. Well, "some of the women" - there are really only two of note. Uhura, and Kor's wife Kali. Uhura is mostly presented pretty well, though there's one odd and really tone deaf passage where she's weighing up life as a Starfleet officer, compared to the prospect of leaving Starfleet for her love interest. She thinks, then, of Kirk, and how he's given up the prospect of a family to be a starship captain, and how despite his dalliances the Enterprise is the only woman in his life, and then she wonders would it make her a lesbian, to be a captain and love her ship like that. Which, what the fucking fuck? Then there's Kali, and while I'm grateful not to have Kor as the stereotypical Klingon, there's such a thing as going too far. Kali dusts and weeps constantly and is described as having a "tiger cub expression" and yes, she's good with a disruptor but there's something deeply condescending about it all. Tiger cub expression my arse. There's not a roll-eyes symbol in the world big enough, and it's such a shame, because the rest of the book was so enjoyable.
May 26, 2021
This is a pretty good story, an alien race (the Tageytians) is somehow linked to a destructive spatial rift and Kirk and cohort head over to make contact and see if they can mend the rift. The Klingons get involved led by a very familiar TOS era captain.
The aliens appear to communicate with a mathematical language through music and an "expert" is brought on board to assist.
The story occasionally has some good humour. The "love stuff" is classic TOS era laaaaame, but becomes a fairly important part of the story. And the Klingon stuff is actually great, some of the older stories have klingons painted semi-Romulan but this story doesn't.
"and there was a burst of agitated singing from Shing. It was a rapid fire of song and thought, far too fast for Spock to follow." This passage made me picture the Taygetians having a bonafide rap battle to debate their issues.
The Tears of the Singers is a good and fun old fashioned Star Trek adventure.
The aliens appear to communicate with a mathematical language through music and an "expert" is brought on board to assist.
The story occasionally has some good humour. The "love stuff" is classic TOS era laaaaame, but becomes a fairly important part of the story. And the Klingon stuff is actually great, some of the older stories have klingons painted semi-Romulan but this story doesn't.
"and there was a burst of agitated singing from Shing. It was a rapid fire of song and thought, far too fast for Spock to follow." This passage made me picture the Taygetians having a bonafide rap battle to debate their issues.
The Tears of the Singers is a good and fun old fashioned Star Trek adventure.
June 1, 2022
The Enterprise is at a space station for a little R&R and a mandatory check of the ship. Uhura meets one of the most talented musicians since Mozart and there is romance in the air. But when a space freighter disappears in a space warp near the Taygeta V system, shore leave is cancelled and the Enterprise is sent to investigate. Taygeta is the home of a species of "singers" that has long been hunted for the crystal tears excreted upon their death. Spock proposes that a species that can create music must be intelligent and that the hunting is wrong...and Kirk doesn't disagree, but there are bigger issues to be faced. First, they need to find a way to stop the space warp from expanding further (and engulfing the planet)...then they can save the Taygetians from the hunters.
Before leaving the space station, Spock's research into the Taygetians' music reveals that the songs themselves may be essential to solving the space warp crisis and he tells Kirk that the Enterprise needs a musician to interpret the music. So, Guy Maslin, our latter-day Mozart, is called upon for service (under a little-used Federation regulation) and off they go to Taygeta. Of course, saving the universe wouldn't be everything it could be without the Klingons getting involved too. Kirk's old rival Kor shows up and then they manage a truce (without the need for Organian influence), but there are hard-core Klingons on Kor's ship who might not let their captain be so cozy with earthers. While Kirk and Kor try to keep things calm in space, Uhura, Guy, and Spock work to unravel the song and make meaningful contact with the Taygetians before it's too late.
This is one of the few Star Trek novels to feature Lieutenant Uhura and give her the attention she deserves. She not only helps to save an entire species and their planet, but also helps them save the space-time continuum. The plot makes use of her musical talents as well as her abilities as a language specialist. I enjoyed this one very much the first time I read it (when it was first released and looking back now, it's interesting to know that this book came out in 1984 and featured a rescue through a species' song and it wouldn't be long before Star Trek IV would be released and whale song would feature so prominently. ★★★ and 3/4 (rounded up here)
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
Before leaving the space station, Spock's research into the Taygetians' music reveals that the songs themselves may be essential to solving the space warp crisis and he tells Kirk that the Enterprise needs a musician to interpret the music. So, Guy Maslin, our latter-day Mozart, is called upon for service (under a little-used Federation regulation) and off they go to Taygeta. Of course, saving the universe wouldn't be everything it could be without the Klingons getting involved too. Kirk's old rival Kor shows up and then they manage a truce (without the need for Organian influence), but there are hard-core Klingons on Kor's ship who might not let their captain be so cozy with earthers. While Kirk and Kor try to keep things calm in space, Uhura, Guy, and Spock work to unravel the song and make meaningful contact with the Taygetians before it's too late.
This is one of the few Star Trek novels to feature Lieutenant Uhura and give her the attention she deserves. She not only helps to save an entire species and their planet, but also helps them save the space-time continuum. The plot makes use of her musical talents as well as her abilities as a language specialist. I enjoyed this one very much the first time I read it (when it was first released and looking back now, it's interesting to know that this book came out in 1984 and featured a rescue through a species' song and it wouldn't be long before Star Trek IV would be released and whale song would feature so prominently. ★★★ and 3/4 (rounded up here)
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
July 26, 2020
When a freighter disappears into an expanding time/space warp in the Taygeta V system, Starfleet sends the USS Enterprise to investigate. With them is Guy Maslin, a brilliant but temperamental composer seconded to the mission to help the crew understand the song of the native Taygetans, who may hold a clue to the problem of the warp. When they arrive, however, they encounter a force of two Klingon vessels commanded by James Kirk's old adversary Kor, who has been dispatched on a mission similar to that of the Enterprise. Forging an uneasy agreement, the two groups work together to solve the mystery of the Taygetans before the rift consumes the system's sun — and possibly the galaxy itself.
Years before she became a script editor for Star Trek: The Next Generation and the writer of one of that's show's greatest episodes, Melinda Snodgrass entered the Star Trek franchise with this novel. For a first novel it's a well-developed work, with an interesting plot premised around a strong mystery. In it she makes especially good use of Uhura, one of the underutilized characters from the original series who only got a chance to flourish in the later works of the franchise. At Snodgrass's hands she develops into a strong and capable officer who demonstrates her full value as a ship's crew member. Snodgrass also does justice to the Klingons, who until that point had not always been well served by the novels (that John M. Ford's The Final Reflection was published just four months before Snodgrass's book suggests that hers was among the last Star Trek works not shaped by his influential book). Yet some elements of her story have not aged well; the idea of the Federation authorizing the slaughter of animals for the collectibles they produce doesn't fit well with Roddenberry's vision, while Guy Maslin's behavior seems particularly incongruous in the era of #MeToo. Yet these are relatively minor when set against the strengths of one of the better Star Trek novels from the 1980s Pocket Books era.
Years before she became a script editor for Star Trek: The Next Generation and the writer of one of that's show's greatest episodes, Melinda Snodgrass entered the Star Trek franchise with this novel. For a first novel it's a well-developed work, with an interesting plot premised around a strong mystery. In it she makes especially good use of Uhura, one of the underutilized characters from the original series who only got a chance to flourish in the later works of the franchise. At Snodgrass's hands she develops into a strong and capable officer who demonstrates her full value as a ship's crew member. Snodgrass also does justice to the Klingons, who until that point had not always been well served by the novels (that John M. Ford's The Final Reflection was published just four months before Snodgrass's book suggests that hers was among the last Star Trek works not shaped by his influential book). Yet some elements of her story have not aged well; the idea of the Federation authorizing the slaughter of animals for the collectibles they produce doesn't fit well with Roddenberry's vision, while Guy Maslin's behavior seems particularly incongruous in the era of #MeToo. Yet these are relatively minor when set against the strengths of one of the better Star Trek novels from the 1980s Pocket Books era.
June 8, 2015
tragic heroic Romantic composer dies of SPACE CONSUMPTION while saving telepathic singing seals with his synthesizer; or, SPACE OPERA (pun oh-so-intended).
January 1, 2016
A fairly solid Star Trek story. Pass it on to someone else on listia. =)
August 31, 2025
If it weren't for the awful sexism I'd round up to four stars; this was a pretty good story and I loved that Uhura got a starring (though somewhat problematic) role. The Klingons were a lot of fun and also fascinating, too. Kirk got pushed out of his comfort zone and that was well-written imo. Spock got physically angry and I'm not sure the provocation was sufficient, but it was, well, again, the word is fun. There was still too much alcohol, but that's almost always the case in this series.
Spock, Uhura, Kirk, and Scotty, and the guest hero beam down to the planet. The security team follows. Wtf.
Spock, Uhura, Kirk, and Scotty, and the guest hero beam down to the planet. The security team follows. Wtf.
November 25, 2019
Charming - another story around song, and Uhura!
After re-reading Uhura's Song recently, I had to get a copy (in print!) of this classic Trek novel.
A nice adventure wrapped around a mysterious space phenomena, "space baby seals," Klingons and a genius musician. Love, adventure and tragedy all wrapped together.
After re-reading Uhura's Song recently, I had to get a copy (in print!) of this classic Trek novel.
A nice adventure wrapped around a mysterious space phenomena, "space baby seals," Klingons and a genius musician. Love, adventure and tragedy all wrapped together.
August 10, 2024
Star trek novels are NOT peak writing but this one’s pretty solid. Kirk confronts his misogyny and makes friends with Klingons. Uhura is the focus which is fun and she has a little romance moment.
September 4, 2012
Stop clubbing, baby seals!
Took months to finish because I could not care any less.
Quite apart from the bad, bad men who club magic reality-bending alien seals for their salty tears, is the jerk Uhura's sleeping with.
Main character Guy Maslin, (tortured musician drafted to play his synth to seals by bad, bad Captain Kirk), is really unappealing, like an unfunny Alan Alda with no doctor skills to fall back on. But Uhura loves him hard enough to make wedding plans. Guess who dies?
Liked Kor's wife Kali. Can't quite believe Kor has a MALE KLINGON FRIEND named KANDI.
Took months to finish because I could not care any less.
Quite apart from the bad, bad men who club magic reality-bending alien seals for their salty tears, is the jerk Uhura's sleeping with.
Main character Guy Maslin, (tortured musician drafted to play his synth to seals by bad, bad Captain Kirk), is really unappealing, like an unfunny Alan Alda with no doctor skills to fall back on. But Uhura loves him hard enough to make wedding plans. Guess who dies?
Liked Kor's wife Kali. Can't quite believe Kor has a MALE KLINGON FRIEND named KANDI.
September 26, 2013
another reread - first time since I bought it in 1984 - but I still liked it. Maybe not quite as much as the first time, but that's my own change of perspective. Well written, good use of the ST characters, including Kor, the Klingon commander from the episode with the Organians.
October 9, 2017
I guess the best thing to say about this story is that it is a story of highs and lows and cooperation between enemies. This is a love story and a tragedy. The story focuses on Uhura and a musician that she idolizes. While on leave during a refit of the Enterprise Uhura meets Guy Maslin. Maslin is a musical genius and has the attitude to go with the fame he has achieved. Uhura, Spock and Kirk go to a concert to listen to Maslin perform during the performance Kirk is called away. The commander of the starbase ask the Enterprise to investigate a tear in space. Spock finds evidence that the tear may be related to a planet close to the problem. It turns out that the problem needs a person versed in complicated mathematical properties of music. Maslin is conscripted to help with the problem. He is the only one close enough to help. It turns out that Maslin is suffering from a disease that can kill him if he is under any stress for a prolong period of time.
It turns out that the planet is close to the neutral zone with the Klingons and for they become involved. The planet is inhabited by and sea going animals that are singing a song that never ends. At first there are more questions than answers until the crew learns the language of the natives. The race is a group of strong telepaths that use music as a language and to transform their environment.
When the Klingons find out they try to destroy the Enterprise so they can take the aliens. It doesn't turn out so well for them. Kirk, Spock, Uhura and Maslin finally get the aliens to understand that their song is causing the tear that will destroy their world. Unfortunately the strain is too much for Maslin.
This is a very sad story not just for what happens to Uhura and Maslin but because so many of the aliens are killed for their tears, at the moment of their death the aliens release crystal tears that are worth a fortune, before the Enterprise can stop it. There is happiness in watching the youngsters of the planet play and learn to care for the Enterprise crew. A certain Klingon Commander shows up and it is nice to see the interaction between Kirk and this commander. It is too bad that more of the Klingons couldn't be like this one commander. I loved this story even though it made me cry at the end. I think that any Trek fan will enjoy this story.
It turns out that the planet is close to the neutral zone with the Klingons and for they become involved. The planet is inhabited by and sea going animals that are singing a song that never ends. At first there are more questions than answers until the crew learns the language of the natives. The race is a group of strong telepaths that use music as a language and to transform their environment.
When the Klingons find out they try to destroy the Enterprise so they can take the aliens. It doesn't turn out so well for them. Kirk, Spock, Uhura and Maslin finally get the aliens to understand that their song is causing the tear that will destroy their world. Unfortunately the strain is too much for Maslin.
This is a very sad story not just for what happens to Uhura and Maslin but because so many of the aliens are killed for their tears, at the moment of their death the aliens release crystal tears that are worth a fortune, before the Enterprise can stop it. There is happiness in watching the youngsters of the planet play and learn to care for the Enterprise crew. A certain Klingon Commander shows up and it is nice to see the interaction between Kirk and this commander. It is too bad that more of the Klingons couldn't be like this one commander. I loved this story even though it made me cry at the end. I think that any Trek fan will enjoy this story.
Read
February 17, 2023When Nichelle Nichols passed away I made a point of reading Uhura’s Song but I wish I had read this instead. She has a much more hefty role in this story and really is a standout. We see her fall in lovebut instead of just acting like an object to be wooed, she has agency and strength to her character. She stands up for herself, even when that means standing up to Kirk and threatening to resign her commission.
The premise here is classic Trek, through and through. I loved the notion of a species that may or may not be inadvertently causing a great deal of destruction throughout space, something that has the potential to get much worse if it isn’t checked. And I thought it was really clever that the crew has to use music in order to communicate and again, it feels like something even modern day Trek would do.
I didn’t care for the character of Maslin, the musician who the Enterprise essentially conscripts into service in order to help with the situation. A lot of the time he came off as cheesy, like a bad soap opera. And while I appreciated Uhura having a bigger part, I didn’t buy the romance between her and Maslin. How she transitions from despising him to being attracted to him is beyond me.
I also liked seeing the return of Kor and how the book showed some of what life might have been like for him after the forced Organian treaty. There is also some great scenes involving his wife and some explorations of Klingon culture and how women are treated.
While it has some notes of melodrama, overall it’s a good read.
The premise here is classic Trek, through and through. I loved the notion of a species that may or may not be inadvertently causing a great deal of destruction throughout space, something that has the potential to get much worse if it isn’t checked. And I thought it was really clever that the crew has to use music in order to communicate and again, it feels like something even modern day Trek would do.
I didn’t care for the character of Maslin, the musician who the Enterprise essentially conscripts into service in order to help with the situation. A lot of the time he came off as cheesy, like a bad soap opera. And while I appreciated Uhura having a bigger part, I didn’t buy the romance between her and Maslin. How she transitions from despising him to being attracted to him is beyond me.
I also liked seeing the return of Kor and how the book showed some of what life might have been like for him after the forced Organian treaty. There is also some great scenes involving his wife and some explorations of Klingon culture and how women are treated.
While it has some notes of melodrama, overall it’s a good read.
January 4, 2024
The Tears of the Singers by Melinda M. Snodgrass
Challenging, emotional, informative,
inspiring, and tense.
Fast-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0 Stars
I really enjoyed the focus being on Lt. Uhura. It is rare that she, Nichelle Nicols ever got much spotlight within the TOS TV series, nor in the films...but we see her front and center in this story. She even has a tempestuous love story with a Guy (joke).
The creatures they encounter on the planet...were fairly well developed and how they interacted with the space/time ripple was an interesting concept.
All in all, I really enjoyed it. Our three favourites, Kirk, Spock and McCoy were their usually selves (with great banter back and forth). Even Scotty got some page time, but it really was Lt. Uhura's story.
Some things that were not as well received was the parts with the Klingons. Though there are aspects of this story that do not jive with what we NOW know of the Klingons and their culture/lore, it was still an interesting story.
Kor and the Klingons within this book...are the more human like Klingons, and NOT the ones we see in the movies and later in TNG.
I look forward to my next book in the Star Trek: TOS series...which is Uhura's Song, also written by Melinda Snodgrass...so I believe we are going to be in good hands.
Challenging, emotional, informative,
inspiring, and tense.
Fast-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0 Stars
I really enjoyed the focus being on Lt. Uhura. It is rare that she, Nichelle Nicols ever got much spotlight within the TOS TV series, nor in the films...but we see her front and center in this story. She even has a tempestuous love story with a Guy (joke).
The creatures they encounter on the planet...were fairly well developed and how they interacted with the space/time ripple was an interesting concept.
All in all, I really enjoyed it. Our three favourites, Kirk, Spock and McCoy were their usually selves (with great banter back and forth). Even Scotty got some page time, but it really was Lt. Uhura's story.
Some things that were not as well received was the parts with the Klingons. Though there are aspects of this story that do not jive with what we NOW know of the Klingons and their culture/lore, it was still an interesting story.
Kor and the Klingons within this book...are the more human like Klingons, and NOT the ones we see in the movies and later in TNG.
I look forward to my next book in the Star Trek: TOS series...which is Uhura's Song, also written by Melinda Snodgrass...so I believe we are going to be in good hands.
February 8, 2022
It's been a long time since I've read a Trek novel from the 1980s run, and there was a pleasant sense of nostalgia about this one, which was typically digestible, by one-time TNG writer (chiefly known for the brilliant script for 'The Measure of a Man') Melinda Snodgrass. One thing I was interested in was reading a Trek novel in which Uhura was the leading character, since she's been so neglected by the series as a whole. She features heavily, much of her story about her burgeoning deep romance with genius, but cantankerous musician Maslin, but ultimately the driving action of the tale is disappointingly given to other characters. The main backdrop for the novel is a beachside camp on the beautiful planet Taygeta, with a surprisingly dignified and respectable Commander Kor reintroduced along with his likeable wife, and the characterisations for the most part capture the series' portrayals well.
(Footnote: There is an intruiging (SPOILER AHEAD) similarity to the resolution of Star Trek: Discovery Season 3's plot, The Burn; in that mystery, dilithium crystals were detonated by the cry of a mutated Kelpien who reached into subspace. In this story, the seal-like Taygetan creatures' song can shatter and weaken dilithium, again through subspace. Probably, the Discovery writers were not aware).
(Footnote: There is an intruiging (SPOILER AHEAD) similarity to the resolution of Star Trek: Discovery Season 3's plot, The Burn; in that mystery, dilithium crystals were detonated by the cry of a mutated Kelpien who reached into subspace. In this story, the seal-like Taygetan creatures' song can shatter and weaken dilithium, again through subspace. Probably, the Discovery writers were not aware).
May 6, 2022
An environmental fable sees the Enterprise crew attempt to save the Universe by saving these beings that are being killed for jewelry and look suspiciously like arctic seals. In this case the seals drop a tear at the moment of death that crystalizes into a jewel, they are also constantly singing as a chorus, which accounts for the title.
The novel puts Uhura and a romance that she has with a musician brought in to solve the mystery of the singers' song centre-stage, and that's a pretty good thing. There are some elements which kind of feel out of place for Star Trek such as constant mentions of money and payment by human Federation members, which is strange as Snodgrass would become a major contributor of stories for the Next Generation series (most noticeably Measure of a Man).
Those little details aside, this is a pretty fun novel and a well written one, giving some depth not only to Uhura, but also to the Klingons and Klingon women as well, developing the character of Kor into a sympathetic Klingon, which he would be later on in DS9 as well. Worth a read.
The novel puts Uhura and a romance that she has with a musician brought in to solve the mystery of the singers' song centre-stage, and that's a pretty good thing. There are some elements which kind of feel out of place for Star Trek such as constant mentions of money and payment by human Federation members, which is strange as Snodgrass would become a major contributor of stories for the Next Generation series (most noticeably Measure of a Man).
Those little details aside, this is a pretty fun novel and a well written one, giving some depth not only to Uhura, but also to the Klingons and Klingon women as well, developing the character of Kor into a sympathetic Klingon, which he would be later on in DS9 as well. Worth a read.
December 13, 2022
I support authors wanting to better develop some of the wonderful characters who don’t get enough attention, like Uhura in this instance. Unfortunately, The Tears of the Singers doesn’t do her justice. While emphasizing her beauty, competence, duty, and musical gifts, having her fall in love with the biggest jerk in the federation seemed a disservice. Other characters were definitely not themselves in this story either. At one point the author has Spock completely flipping out,
A theme I found worth considering was the importance of being flexible when dealing with perceived threats. Sometimes, while lazy in one sense, inordinate time and energy can be spent in battling things that aren’t dangerous anymore. In such instances, one can actually create harms that didn’t otherwise exist by continuing to do things a certain way merely because ‘it’s always been done that way.’ You’re only as young as the last time they changed their mind. - Timothy Leary
”Stop! Tell them to stop!” Spock shouted over the massive chorus that rose and fell among them. … “I cannot ascertain if the Enterprise has returned or not with all this racket.”
A theme I found worth considering was the importance of being flexible when dealing with perceived threats. Sometimes, while lazy in one sense, inordinate time and energy can be spent in battling things that aren’t dangerous anymore. In such instances, one can actually create harms that didn’t otherwise exist by continuing to do things a certain way merely because ‘it’s always been done that way.’ You’re only as young as the last time they changed their mind. - Timothy Leary
June 11, 2023
Kirk teams up with a Klingon crew to investigate a rip in the fabric of space and they become embroiled in the mystery surrounding a sentient race of aquatic aliens that are being hunted for their gem-like tears. Meanwhile, Uhura has fallen for an arrogant musician who is helping the crew communicate with the aliens
Honestly, I can see why Ms Snodgrass was poached by the TNG writing crew after this. She created a superb adventure that you could easily imagine being enacted on the screen. And one that was torn right from the environmental concerns of the day: if the Teygetans and their situation are not based upon the plight of the Canadian Harp Seals at the time of writing, I will be very surprised. Just superb.
Honestly, I can see why Ms Snodgrass was poached by the TNG writing crew after this. She created a superb adventure that you could easily imagine being enacted on the screen. And one that was torn right from the environmental concerns of the day: if the Teygetans and their situation are not based upon the plight of the Canadian Harp Seals at the time of writing, I will be very surprised. Just superb.
May 4, 2021
Well-written account of an adventure of the Enterprise saving a planet of what amounts to furry creatures (the Singers of Taygeta) similar in my mind to seals or sea lions. Oddly, they join forces with Klingons led by a former adversary, Kor. To learn the purpose of the Singers' song, a musician is enlisted who, together with Spock and Uhura, attempt to inform the Singers that their song is causing a dangerous rift. The next book in the series that I have is Uhura's Song. At the time these were written, There was a campaign to reduce or eliminate the arts (art, music, drama) from public education. This may have been Star Trek's effort not only to save the seals but also to save the arts.
August 14, 2022
I really wanted to love this book. However, that was really not the case.
The book is well-written in that there is nothing wrong with the format, language, etc. There is really nothing fundamentally wrong with the plot.
However, I found it very difficult to get through. I felt like the characters just weren't quite right, I didn't like one of the main OCs the way we were meant to like them, and I found that it kept me from really getting into the story. I did finish it, but I found it disappointing. (I'm willing to admit that some of my disappointment likely came from the fact that I was so sure that I would love the book, so I expected a great deal from it.)
The book is well-written in that there is nothing wrong with the format, language, etc. There is really nothing fundamentally wrong with the plot.
However, I found it very difficult to get through. I felt like the characters just weren't quite right, I didn't like one of the main OCs the way we were meant to like them, and I found that it kept me from really getting into the story. I did finish it, but I found it disappointing. (I'm willing to admit that some of my disappointment likely came from the fact that I was so sure that I would love the book, so I expected a great deal from it.)
August 18, 2019
This was a fun, nicely paced, classic-feeling Trek story. I'm a little confused about some of the "economic" details that part of the plot hinges on, but I'm not sure if that's because of a later "Next Gen" retcon of how money works in the Federation, or if they just got that detail wrong here. Other than that, this had the feel of a classic TOS episode, with some pretty blatant moralizing and lots of character interplay. Snodgrass has a good grasp of the characters' voices, which goes a long way for me with any Trek story.
June 20, 2018
Surprisingly good! Plenty of twists and turns, a good character, and surprisingly fun romance. Uhura's character was explored more, as she comes out really well-written here. Some nice Spock and McCoy moments. The only thing that kept it from being great was the message, which was hammered in rather heavily. We get it, don't hurt the cute critters. Still, the other message that came from having to work with Klingons was much better. And I loved those glimpses into Klingon life it afforded.
October 29, 2018
The planet Taygeta V is a prized hunting ground as it yields the tears of the Singers, beautiful and highly prized crystals in all areas of the galaxy.
Kirk and the 'Enterprise' are dispatched to investigate a subspace anomaly which threatens the Taygetian system and find that the rift and the enigmatic tears are connected.
Snodgrass has a fine grasp on Uhura and the place of the feminine in the future world. The novel is uplifting and empowering.
Kirk and the 'Enterprise' are dispatched to investigate a subspace anomaly which threatens the Taygetian system and find that the rift and the enigmatic tears are connected.
Snodgrass has a fine grasp on Uhura and the place of the feminine in the future world. The novel is uplifting and empowering.
November 14, 2021
Was für ein Unfug: Auf einer Föderationswelt werden Tiere wegen ihrer Tränen geschlachtet, Spock ist der Einzige, der deren Intelligenz erkennt, Kirk zwangsverpflichtet einen Komponisten, der bei Stress von innen her droht zu verbrennen und Besatzungsmitglieder müssen für die Teilnahme an einem Landungstrupp erst einmal zur Gesangsprüfung. Das war mir für die ersten fünfzig Seiten einfach zu viel.
October 17, 2017
I very much enjoyed this Uhura-centric story and the return of Kor. I was actually surprised with this book as I didn't expect a lot from it as I expected it to be more of a "stop kiling animals!" plotline but it did not go that way instead sticking to the mystery of how to communicate with these creatures and stop a phenomenon from destroying the surrounding area.
August 3, 2020
An enjoyable and brisk read: fun to hang out with the original crew. Snodgrass doesn't always capture the personalities of the characters perfectly but does well enough to make this one of the better Star Trek books. She seems to not quite get Spock but nails McCoy and Kirk. This is what you'd call an "afternoon" read. I finished it up in a day.
August 26, 2023
Not the best of these I've read, but far from the worst with some nice original crew descriptions (staggering across the deck under fire from hostile forces), the return of a favourite character from series 1 and a continuation of that episode's themes, and a more central role for Uhura. Generally a bit silly, but in an original series spirit.
July 29, 2025
uhura centric story with a fun premise :^) the story does not hide any big twists or surprises, it's just a satisfying little mystery to follow
i was not a fan of kali's characters and the constant descriptions of her as petite and beautiful and feisty and sensitive and ultimately impotent and reliant on her husband for authority and security :^/
i was not a fan of kali's characters and the constant descriptions of her as petite and beautiful and feisty and sensitive and ultimately impotent and reliant on her husband for authority and security :^/
March 14, 2021
Uhura, a guest star musician, Kor, and more! There's some great stuff in this numbered adventure. I don't see taxes working quite the same way in the Federation's future as the author, but that's a small quibble.
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