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Star Trek: The Original Series
Constellations
Star Trek: Constellations is a mind-blowing collection of specially-commissioned stories designed to go where no anthology has gone before. Featuring the iconic heroes of the Star Trek universe -- the legendary characters who were the inspiration for all those who followed -- this treasure trove of untold tales recreates all the sense of adventure that marked the original Star Trek when it first burst on to our television screens in 1966. Each story takes as its inspiration an element of 'unfinished business' from the original series so that they read like 'lost episodes' of the television show, exploring aspects of the Star Trek crew and their adventures which have intrigued Trekkers ever since the original series ended. The result is a magnificent tribute to the series that changed the face of television history and will have millions of fans worldwide feeling as though they have just discovered a whole 'missing' season of their favourite show.
400 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2006
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303 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 8, 2014
A wonderful collection of "Star Trek: The Original Series" fiction taking place during the original five-year mission. Editor Marco Palmieri has done a fine job in finding authors with different voices and stories of different tone to form a collection that has many gems and few to none disappointments.
Contemplative, beautiful, energetic and wise. That's what The Original Series always was and this collection does it justice.
Contemplative, beautiful, energetic and wise. That's what The Original Series always was and this collection does it justice.
July 5, 2017
A number of excellent short stories each focusing on one of the main Star Trek characters and highlighting a certain aspect from an unexpected angle. Well written by the many authors, packed with action and psychology but also humor to make it all palatable.
February 22, 2021
A collection of short stories focussing on the crew of the original 'U.S.S. Enterprise'. The stories are well written and engaging, capturing the essence of 'Star Trek' well.
September 2, 2009
Some of the authors were excellent and some not so much. It was refreshing to read some short stories after a plethora of novels. Even though I do prefer to read about Kirk or Spock, there was an even spread of character-centric stories. There was no Captain/First Officer favouritism which was, objectively, nice.
December 19, 2019
Forty years after its creation, Star Trek was something of a beast — running two tv shows simultaneously through the nineties and into the early 2000s, and tempting Paramount with dreams of a cable channel grounded in its lucrative Star Trek properties. Beyond the shows, Star Trek was the inspiration for a handful of novels every month, not to mention regular movies and a series of video games on all manner of platforms, ranging from the absolute crap to the mostly crap to the rare solid hit. The Space Channel even did a commercial parodying this. Anyhoo, hence Constellations, an Original Series anthology of short stories celebrating the characters and spirit of Star Trek during the 40th anniversay celebrations.
Like the other anthologies, Constellations is…enjoyable, if not memorable. Like the others, its stories span both the life of the series, and the cast of characters, so each member of the ensemble has at least one story focused on him (or her, in the case of Uhura). I believe the celebration of spirit is an important aspect of these anthologies, because each of these stories ends with an optimistic, hopeful, or accomplished note — there’s always the “boldly going” tenor, sometimes with the characters ribbing each other a la so many TOS episode endings. Those who have read quite a few Trek novels will notice veteran authors contributing, some of whom were then only beginning to make their names known: Bennett, Leisner, Lang, etc. Perhaps the most memorable of the stories is “Make Believe”, which includes a perspective shift that reminded me strongly of the perspective shift induced by one of Redshirt’s codas, and is set partially in the “real world” — the one where Star Trek is fiction, but a tremendous inspiration. The award for most memorable title, though, would go to “Where Everyone Knows Your Name”, which is more amusing when one realizes there are TNG/DS9 parody intros using the Cheers theme. (It’s mostly memorable for the title, but in the plot McCoy and Scotty get drunk in a bar on an alien planet and then mistaken for Kirk and Spock, with…results.)
All told, this is a solid collection for the fan, casual or otherwise. Some of the stories:
– “The Landing Party”: Sulu faces a crisis of confidence when his first time leading an away team ends in disaster
– “As Others See Us”…an interesting take on the prime directive, probably the most substantial in the lot. By Christopher L Bennett, no surprise there.
– “Official Record”….Chekov, while serving as an observer during the IraqWarinSpace, is shaken by some of his besieged Starfleet comrades’ behavior toward the enemy.
– “See No Evil”…an Uhura still trying to regain her memories and confidence after being attacked by the NOMAD prone is forced to overcome her self doubt when she realizes something is screwy about this latest diplomatic contact, in world where the truth constantly changes to protect people’s feelings
– “Anything But Alone”, mostly interested for being a manga story included at the end.
Like the other anthologies, Constellations is…enjoyable, if not memorable. Like the others, its stories span both the life of the series, and the cast of characters, so each member of the ensemble has at least one story focused on him (or her, in the case of Uhura). I believe the celebration of spirit is an important aspect of these anthologies, because each of these stories ends with an optimistic, hopeful, or accomplished note — there’s always the “boldly going” tenor, sometimes with the characters ribbing each other a la so many TOS episode endings. Those who have read quite a few Trek novels will notice veteran authors contributing, some of whom were then only beginning to make their names known: Bennett, Leisner, Lang, etc. Perhaps the most memorable of the stories is “Make Believe”, which includes a perspective shift that reminded me strongly of the perspective shift induced by one of Redshirt’s codas, and is set partially in the “real world” — the one where Star Trek is fiction, but a tremendous inspiration. The award for most memorable title, though, would go to “Where Everyone Knows Your Name”, which is more amusing when one realizes there are TNG/DS9 parody intros using the Cheers theme. (It’s mostly memorable for the title, but in the plot McCoy and Scotty get drunk in a bar on an alien planet and then mistaken for Kirk and Spock, with…results.)
All told, this is a solid collection for the fan, casual or otherwise. Some of the stories:
– “The Landing Party”: Sulu faces a crisis of confidence when his first time leading an away team ends in disaster
– “As Others See Us”…an interesting take on the prime directive, probably the most substantial in the lot. By Christopher L Bennett, no surprise there.
– “Official Record”….Chekov, while serving as an observer during the IraqWarinSpace, is shaken by some of his besieged Starfleet comrades’ behavior toward the enemy.
– “See No Evil”…an Uhura still trying to regain her memories and confidence after being attacked by the NOMAD prone is forced to overcome her self doubt when she realizes something is screwy about this latest diplomatic contact, in world where the truth constantly changes to protect people’s feelings
– “Anything But Alone”, mostly interested for being a manga story included at the end.
April 24, 2019
It's taken me about thirteen years to get around to purchasing this book (I'd swear Trek's fortieth anniversary was only a few scant years in the past!). I enjoyed many of the stories but certain ones were just plain bad. Ward and Dilmore's First Do No Harm was very 'original series'-ish, perfectly placed. Greenberger's The Landing Party was okay but I felt the Sulu character was portrayed as too 'green' and shy. Weinstein's Official Record made me have the same thoughts about Chekov's character as that for Sulu's in the preceding story. Bond's Fracture was very poorly written and boredom set in, the same went for Moore's Chaotic Response, which was very chaotic in a nonsensical way.
Bennett's As Others See Us was a tad better but didn't quite work for me, it was awkward in its construction. Sherwin's See No Evil was good in that it applied a more realistic continuation to Uhura's predicament following the episode The Changeling. Galanter's The Leader worked in a TOS-way but was a bit tedious for a short story. Leisner's Ambition didn't ring true, the rivalry between Scott and Sulu was totally out of character, especially for Sulu.
Lauderdale's Devices and Desires was totally wrong-footed for me, Spock was well out of character and again, boredom set in. Lang's Where Everyone Knows Your Name didn't really work, it wasn't humorous enough until right at the end and was very bland. Gibson's Make-Believe was fairly poignant, crossing between the diegetic and extra-diegetic. The Tokyopop comic book Anything But Alone was very TOS in its story but in print, it was a bit disjointed and I didn't like the artwork. My fave Trek artwork was the DC Comics initial run with art by Tom Sutton back in the 1980s.
Overall, a better celebration of the fortieth anniversary than the mess of the novel trilogy that was concocted for the later fiftieth anniversary. The other fortieth anniversary book tribute, with the three novels centering on McCoy, Spock and Kirk were pretty good though.
Bennett's As Others See Us was a tad better but didn't quite work for me, it was awkward in its construction. Sherwin's See No Evil was good in that it applied a more realistic continuation to Uhura's predicament following the episode The Changeling. Galanter's The Leader worked in a TOS-way but was a bit tedious for a short story. Leisner's Ambition didn't ring true, the rivalry between Scott and Sulu was totally out of character, especially for Sulu.
Lauderdale's Devices and Desires was totally wrong-footed for me, Spock was well out of character and again, boredom set in. Lang's Where Everyone Knows Your Name didn't really work, it wasn't humorous enough until right at the end and was very bland. Gibson's Make-Believe was fairly poignant, crossing between the diegetic and extra-diegetic. The Tokyopop comic book Anything But Alone was very TOS in its story but in print, it was a bit disjointed and I didn't like the artwork. My fave Trek artwork was the DC Comics initial run with art by Tom Sutton back in the 1980s.
Overall, a better celebration of the fortieth anniversary than the mess of the novel trilogy that was concocted for the later fiftieth anniversary. The other fortieth anniversary book tribute, with the three novels centering on McCoy, Spock and Kirk were pretty good though.
January 3, 2019
“Fracture” by Jeff Bond
The Enterprise encounters Tholians and attempts to understand their culture while trying to stop a war. Solid!
“Chaotic Response” by Stuart Moore
Great concept, chaotic execution—Kirk and McCoy need to enter Spock’s mind after the Klingon mind-ripper was used on him.
“As Others See Us” by Christopher L. Bennett
Excellent exploration of the Prime Directive and the assumption that knowledge-gaining is entirely benevolent. Great story!
“See No Evil” by Jill Sherwin
Another excellent story with a strong, relevant message about not hiding heads in the sand to avoid discomfort.
“The Leader” by Dave Galanter
Kirk and a shuttle team crash on a world where they meet another crashed ship, and unfortunately they’re pursued by Klingons. Kirk and Anders, the leader of the first ship, clash on preparing for the Klingon attack, but they come to a compromise and get out alive. Good story!
“Ambition” by William Leisner
Sulu and Scott are left in charge of the Enterprise while Kirk and Spock are on a diplomatic mission. Solid, if less than amazing.
“Devices and Desires” by Kevin Lauderdale
When the Enterprise is brought to a sort of Warehouse 13-like location, Spock is offered a position in R&D. Decent enough.
“Where Everybody Knows Your Name” by Jeffrey Lang
My favorite story of the bunch—McCoy and Scotty just sitting at a bar having drinks and talking about adventures. It’s fantastic.
“Make-Believe” by Allyn Gibson
A truly touching story that is wonderfully meta.
The Enterprise encounters Tholians and attempts to understand their culture while trying to stop a war. Solid!
“Chaotic Response” by Stuart Moore
Great concept, chaotic execution—Kirk and McCoy need to enter Spock’s mind after the Klingon mind-ripper was used on him.
“As Others See Us” by Christopher L. Bennett
Excellent exploration of the Prime Directive and the assumption that knowledge-gaining is entirely benevolent. Great story!
“See No Evil” by Jill Sherwin
Another excellent story with a strong, relevant message about not hiding heads in the sand to avoid discomfort.
“The Leader” by Dave Galanter
Kirk and a shuttle team crash on a world where they meet another crashed ship, and unfortunately they’re pursued by Klingons. Kirk and Anders, the leader of the first ship, clash on preparing for the Klingon attack, but they come to a compromise and get out alive. Good story!
“Ambition” by William Leisner
Sulu and Scott are left in charge of the Enterprise while Kirk and Spock are on a diplomatic mission. Solid, if less than amazing.
“Devices and Desires” by Kevin Lauderdale
When the Enterprise is brought to a sort of Warehouse 13-like location, Spock is offered a position in R&D. Decent enough.
“Where Everybody Knows Your Name” by Jeffrey Lang
My favorite story of the bunch—McCoy and Scotty just sitting at a bar having drinks and talking about adventures. It’s fantastic.
“Make-Believe” by Allyn Gibson
A truly touching story that is wonderfully meta.
February 26, 2024
Overall Rating 3.5
Individual stories rate from 2.5 - 4
A very good collection of short fiction set in the Star Trek Original Series universe.
As with the majority of short story collections my interest and enjoyment varies from story to story.
This was a better than average one for me.
None of the stories were really outstanding but a few were very good and imo showed how real world issues and politics could be presented or talked about in fiction without it feeling like the reader was being smacked around the head.
A couple of the stories did feel ‘by the numbers’ and felt like they were simply present as a story centred on chekov or sulu was required for the collection. Saying that the Uhuru centred story was probably one of the best in the collection (and it was also nice to see the aftermath of one of the stories from the original tv series).
On a side bit cannot believe this book was published for 40th anniversary back in 2006,where has the time gone?
Anyways overall a very solid and entertaining collection that fans of the original series and it’s philosophy should enjoy.
Individual stories rate from 2.5 - 4
A very good collection of short fiction set in the Star Trek Original Series universe.
As with the majority of short story collections my interest and enjoyment varies from story to story.
This was a better than average one for me.
None of the stories were really outstanding but a few were very good and imo showed how real world issues and politics could be presented or talked about in fiction without it feeling like the reader was being smacked around the head.
A couple of the stories did feel ‘by the numbers’ and felt like they were simply present as a story centred on chekov or sulu was required for the collection. Saying that the Uhuru centred story was probably one of the best in the collection (and it was also nice to see the aftermath of one of the stories from the original tv series).
On a side bit cannot believe this book was published for 40th anniversary back in 2006,where has the time gone?
Anyways overall a very solid and entertaining collection that fans of the original series and it’s philosophy should enjoy.
May 27, 2017
I love reading anthologies, unfortunately there are not enough of them out there especially dealing with Star Trek's original series (which is my absolute fave.) this is a wonderful collection by both authors I am familiar with and ones who were new to me. The stories don't just deal with the big 3, Kirk, Spock and McCoy, but bring other characters to the forefront. There is a story that combines 20th century with the 23rd in a very poignant way. The story deals with a boy who loses his father to war, the father was a big ST fan and he passes that interest to his son. The son plays with ST figures as a way to deal with his father. Definitely a powerful story. I highly recommend this book.
March 11, 2024
TOS:Constellations by various
This was a decent set of short stories celebrating the 40th anniversary of TOS. But I would say it’s the weakest out of the 4 short story collections that were made around the same time. The stories didn’t quite stick out for me like the other ones. I found the Voyager collection probably the best out of all them followed by the DS9 one, Prophecy and Change. I’ve yet to read to read the TNG one, but I plan on it soon. It was kinda disappointing as this was for TOS’s 40th anniversary and they fell kinda flat.
Make Believe absolutely destroyed me emotionally and was easily the best out of all the stories. Overall, if you want something familiar, this is the book for you.
6.5/10
This was a decent set of short stories celebrating the 40th anniversary of TOS. But I would say it’s the weakest out of the 4 short story collections that were made around the same time. The stories didn’t quite stick out for me like the other ones. I found the Voyager collection probably the best out of all them followed by the DS9 one, Prophecy and Change. I’ve yet to read to read the TNG one, but I plan on it soon. It was kinda disappointing as this was for TOS’s 40th anniversary and they fell kinda flat.
Make Believe absolutely destroyed me emotionally and was easily the best out of all the stories. Overall, if you want something familiar, this is the book for you.
6.5/10
August 7, 2025
All in all, a good series of stories featuring the crew of the Enterprise in different situations. some centering on specific crew members, themselves.
The last full story in the book, I can understand from having been in a similar situation, but I am not sure about the decision to include it in this work.
Oh, and the much vaunted printing of the Manga story at the end of the book, well, except for a teaser paragraph, it did not appear in my copy of the book. there was a page of promotion for the series and that this was an exclusive story for this book. turn the page, there was a teaser paragraph. Turn the next page, and the next, and the next...all blank. Five blank pages. Great exclusive story there...
The last full story in the book, I can understand from having been in a similar situation, but I am not sure about the decision to include it in this work.
Oh, and the much vaunted printing of the Manga story at the end of the book, well, except for a teaser paragraph, it did not appear in my copy of the book. there was a page of promotion for the series and that this was an exclusive story for this book. turn the page, there was a teaser paragraph. Turn the next page, and the next, and the next...all blank. Five blank pages. Great exclusive story there...
January 31, 2021
An absorbing read
Like all collections of short stories, some will suit some people better than others, but, if I am honest, I found something to enjoy in each one. A real page turned for me, from gentle comedy to a touching study of a your boy's grief - each is a gem in it's own right.
Like all collections of short stories, some will suit some people better than others, but, if I am honest, I found something to enjoy in each one. A real page turned for me, from gentle comedy to a touching study of a your boy's grief - each is a gem in it's own right.
January 12, 2021
Short stories
A good selection of short stories by different authors. Among my favourite where everyone knows your name (McCoy and scotty) and ambition (scotty) least favourite was the last one Make Believe which just did not catch my attention. Good value. Would recommend.
A good selection of short stories by different authors. Among my favourite where everyone knows your name (McCoy and scotty) and ambition (scotty) least favourite was the last one Make Believe which just did not catch my attention. Good value. Would recommend.
July 20, 2021
Good mix in this one. Only two real clunkers, which is pretty good for an anthology.
July 10, 2024
Nice collection of stories. Some of them went nowhere though. Still, reading them wasn't a waste of time.
August 10, 2024
If you are a Star Trek fan this anthology is for you. Enjoy
August 8, 2011
Verry nice collection of stories based on the Original Star Trek crew and their 1st Five Year Mission. All the stories were well written and insightful. I liked how a good many of the stories focused on the rest of the crew and not Kirk, Spock and McKoy. Overall one of the Best anthologies of Star Trek.
December 5, 2021
Pretty good stories form the TOS era, specifically the 5 year mission. I thought some of the stories were great, some were boring. Some good character pieces, such as: 'See No Evil' & 'Chaotic Response'.
February 22, 2013
awesome!
September 13, 2015
Great book of Star Trek stories. Star Trek fans will love it
December 17, 2015
Good Star Trek stories.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews