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Star Trek: Signature Edition
Sand and Stars
The Star Signature Edition series continues with this thrilling adventure featuring Commander Spock, Captain Kirk, and the U.S.S. Enterprise. linchpin member of the United Federation of Planets. Home to a civilization dedicated to o'thia, the ruling ethic of pure logic. But it was not always so; thousands of years before, Vulcans were a violent, warlike race, with tempers surpassed only by the planet's hot, arid sands. The philosopher Surak would show his people another way, teach them to reject their emotions and embrace logic and knowledge. The Vulcans would evolve and prosper, eventually exploring the stars and attaining further enlightenment as they encountered other cultures. In the twenty-third century, Commander Spock, Captain Kirk, and the U.S.S. Enterprise are summoned to Vulcan when its people consider seceding from the Federation and returning to their isolationist ways. Vulcan's savage history becomes fully revealed as Spock, his father Sarek, and Kirk work to preserve the planet's future from anti-Terran factions with hidden agendas. The crisis is twofold for the half-human Spock—should Vulcan secede, he will be required to resign from Starfleet and return home, or forever sever ties with his homeworld. Years later, a decades-old plot to destroy the Federation from within forces Ambassador Sarek from the bedside of his dying wife, Amanda. The ambassador's decision widens the long-standing rift between himself and Spock at a time when they must pool their resources together. While the Enterprise crew contends with Romulans, Klingons, and the mysterious Freelans, Sarek's only comfort comes from reading Amanda's journals, which reveal more about his human spouse, his son, and himself than he ever realized.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 7, 2004
77 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
Diane Duane
167 books2,416 followersDiane Duane has been a writer of science fiction, fantasy, TV and film for more than forty years.
Besides the 1980's creation of the Young Wizards fantasy series for which she's best known, the "Middle Kingdoms" epic fantasy series, and numerous stand-alone fantasy or science fiction novels, her career has included extensive work in the Star Trek TM universe, and many scripts for live-action and animated TV series on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as work in comics and computer games. She has spent a fair amount of time on the New York Times Bestseller List, and has picked up various awards and award nominations here and there.
She lives in County Wicklow, in Ireland, with her husband of more than thirty years, the screenwriter and novelist Peter Morwood.
Her favorite color is blue, her favorite food is a weird kind of Swiss scrambled-potato dish called maluns, she was born in a Year of the Dragon, and her sign is "Runway 24 Left, Hold For Clearance."
(From her official website)
Besides the 1980's creation of the Young Wizards fantasy series for which she's best known, the "Middle Kingdoms" epic fantasy series, and numerous stand-alone fantasy or science fiction novels, her career has included extensive work in the Star Trek TM universe, and many scripts for live-action and animated TV series on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as work in comics and computer games. She has spent a fair amount of time on the New York Times Bestseller List, and has picked up various awards and award nominations here and there.
She lives in County Wicklow, in Ireland, with her husband of more than thirty years, the screenwriter and novelist Peter Morwood.
Her favorite color is blue, her favorite food is a weird kind of Swiss scrambled-potato dish called maluns, she was born in a Year of the Dragon, and her sign is "Runway 24 Left, Hold For Clearance."
(From her official website)
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 3, 2021
Spock's World: The unthinkable has happened and Vulcan has entered the necessary legislation to secede from the Federation. Called to participate in the debate, Captain Kirk, Spock and Dr McCoy are requested to lead the debate for remain while Ambassador Sarek must lead the leave side. Whilst on Vulcan, McCoy uncovers a conspiracy which will rock the planet to its very core.
Sarek: As Amanda Grayson slowly dies from a terminal illness, Sarek is called on by the Federation President to lead delicate negotiations to free a Federation colony being held hostage by renegade Klingons. A chance encounter leads him to discover that not all is as it appears to be and that all parties are being manipulated into a war that noone can afford.
Both Duane's 'Spock's World' and Crispin's 'Sarek' provide a closer look at one of 'Star Trek's' most famous guest characters as well as exploring his complicated relationship with his son. The two novels compliment each other well and provide an enjoyable addition to the 'Star Trek' novel series.
Sarek: As Amanda Grayson slowly dies from a terminal illness, Sarek is called on by the Federation President to lead delicate negotiations to free a Federation colony being held hostage by renegade Klingons. A chance encounter leads him to discover that not all is as it appears to be and that all parties are being manipulated into a war that noone can afford.
Both Duane's 'Spock's World' and Crispin's 'Sarek' provide a closer look at one of 'Star Trek's' most famous guest characters as well as exploring his complicated relationship with his son. The two novels compliment each other well and provide an enjoyable addition to the 'Star Trek' novel series.
May 4, 2019
Sand is slow and
The first book moves at re speed of a glacier. It feels as if the author didn't have enough plot ideas. The level of description rivals that of Nathaniel Hawthorne and no one reads his novels anymore. One can easily skip the alternate book chapters dealing with Vulcan history as they are wholly unnecessary to the plot and doing so lessens the numbness brought on by reading this book
The first book moves at re speed of a glacier. It feels as if the author didn't have enough plot ideas. The level of description rivals that of Nathaniel Hawthorne and no one reads his novels anymore. One can easily skip the alternate book chapters dealing with Vulcan history as they are wholly unnecessary to the plot and doing so lessens the numbness brought on by reading this book
February 10, 2013
Two books in one: Spock's world and Sarek by A.C Crispin. I bought this book because of Spock's World and Diane Duane but found the other book good as well. 5 stars for Spock's world. 3 stars for Sarek. 4 stars overall.
August 7, 2019
First Thoughts:
Writers Diane Duane and A.C. Crispin have both written great tales of space adventure and adaptations of movies for decades. However, I found the first part of the book somewhat tedious to get through with the history of Vulcans I didn’t see as a contributive part to the overall plot. The second part was much more engaging though does require some knowledge of Star Trek lore.
Story and Plot:
The first part deals with Spock and McCoy and their handling of the planet Vulcan wanting to leave The Federation and how T’Pau and T’Pring are involved, but the story often transgresses into a history lesson of Vulcan, which I didn’t find all that necessary.
Best part of the first tale had to do with our Federation friends Kirk, Spock and McCoy giving their impassioned pleas for Vulcan to stay in the Federation. They also uncover a plot to create this division of planets due to one woman’s anger and jealousy against Spock! Wow!
The only real interest for me was the second part: Amanda and Sarek, their relationship with themselves and with Spock. Spock growing up. Spock dealing with the death of his mother and blames his father for doing his job of diplomacy lightyears from his dying wife. The revelations of Amanda’s journals is especially fascinating as it explores in greater detail a few moments between Amanda, Sarek and Spock on the TV series.
The Klingon threat is getting worse and they are being manipulated by Romulans and their long-term project of taking Vulcan children, using them to develop on Romulus and Freelan and use their mental abilities to create havoc on the Klingon home world and The Federation. And we meet Peter Kirk, who we met briefly when James Kirk’s brother was killed on that planet by flying amoebas. Remember that?? (Operation Annihilate!)
Much of the story depends somewhat on your knowledge of the original series and some films such as Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country which a few plotpoints from the film are revealed in this novel.
Final Thoughts:
Overall an enjoyable tale for the Star Trek fan!
About the Author (taken from Amazon.com)
Diane Duane is the author of The Door Into Fire, which was nominated for the World Science Fiction Society’s John W. Campbell Award for best new science fiction/fantasy writer two years in a row. Duane has also published more than thirty novels, numerous short stories, and various comics and computer games, several of which appeared on the New York Times bestseller list. She is best known for her continuing Young Wizards series of young adult fantasy novels about the New York–based teenage wizards Nita Callahan and Kit Rodriguez. The 1983 novel So You Want to Be a Wizard and its six sequels have been published in seven other languages, and are now routinely cited by librarians all over the US as “the books to read when you run out of Harry Potter.”
About A. C. Crispin
New York Times Bestselling Author A. C. (Ann) Crispin's major original science fiction undertaking was her StarBridge series
Writers Diane Duane and A.C. Crispin have both written great tales of space adventure and adaptations of movies for decades. However, I found the first part of the book somewhat tedious to get through with the history of Vulcans I didn’t see as a contributive part to the overall plot. The second part was much more engaging though does require some knowledge of Star Trek lore.
Story and Plot:
The first part deals with Spock and McCoy and their handling of the planet Vulcan wanting to leave The Federation and how T’Pau and T’Pring are involved, but the story often transgresses into a history lesson of Vulcan, which I didn’t find all that necessary.
Best part of the first tale had to do with our Federation friends Kirk, Spock and McCoy giving their impassioned pleas for Vulcan to stay in the Federation. They also uncover a plot to create this division of planets due to one woman’s anger and jealousy against Spock! Wow!
The only real interest for me was the second part: Amanda and Sarek, their relationship with themselves and with Spock. Spock growing up. Spock dealing with the death of his mother and blames his father for doing his job of diplomacy lightyears from his dying wife. The revelations of Amanda’s journals is especially fascinating as it explores in greater detail a few moments between Amanda, Sarek and Spock on the TV series.
The Klingon threat is getting worse and they are being manipulated by Romulans and their long-term project of taking Vulcan children, using them to develop on Romulus and Freelan and use their mental abilities to create havoc on the Klingon home world and The Federation. And we meet Peter Kirk, who we met briefly when James Kirk’s brother was killed on that planet by flying amoebas. Remember that?? (Operation Annihilate!)
Much of the story depends somewhat on your knowledge of the original series and some films such as Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country which a few plotpoints from the film are revealed in this novel.
Final Thoughts:
Overall an enjoyable tale for the Star Trek fan!
About the Author (taken from Amazon.com)
Diane Duane is the author of The Door Into Fire, which was nominated for the World Science Fiction Society’s John W. Campbell Award for best new science fiction/fantasy writer two years in a row. Duane has also published more than thirty novels, numerous short stories, and various comics and computer games, several of which appeared on the New York Times bestseller list. She is best known for her continuing Young Wizards series of young adult fantasy novels about the New York–based teenage wizards Nita Callahan and Kit Rodriguez. The 1983 novel So You Want to Be a Wizard and its six sequels have been published in seven other languages, and are now routinely cited by librarians all over the US as “the books to read when you run out of Harry Potter.”
About A. C. Crispin
New York Times Bestselling Author A. C. (Ann) Crispin's major original science fiction undertaking was her StarBridge series
January 10, 2020
All the Vulcans you could ever want
Despite being a lifelong Trekkie, I had never read the two classic novels contained in this volume. It was truly a pleasure to learn more about Vulcan history and culture through two fascinating adventure stories.
Despite being a lifelong Trekkie, I had never read the two classic novels contained in this volume. It was truly a pleasure to learn more about Vulcan history and culture through two fascinating adventure stories.
August 17, 2018
Enjoyable Combo
Two stories in a single volume that were very enjoyable to read. There was also some limited tie ins with the movies and TNG which gave this book additional flavor.
Two stories in a single volume that were very enjoyable to read. There was also some limited tie ins with the movies and TNG which gave this book additional flavor.
May 27, 2019
A great read. More history of the future. Trek!
Read
October 9, 2020Boring
My god.I tried I really.did but this book is the worst thing I have ever read.i hate saying that about star trek.but there it is
My god.I tried I really.did but this book is the worst thing I have ever read.i hate saying that about star trek.but there it is
January 8, 2024
SUPERB. I think i preferred Duane's novel to Crispin's, but the latter did grow on me immensely.
May 30, 2019
It’s so DD. And right off the bat, clever approaches to coffee and U.K. weather. Echoes of the Choice and the Oath of the Young Wizards series (clearly concepts she's ruminated on a lot!)
January 22, 2017
Finally a story about the Spock family!
I chose this book purely out of curiosity because their have not been very many about the family of Spock the most interesting of characters!! Finally someone wrote one! About time!
Its a little daunting at the beginning about the history of Vulcan but if you can stick with it gets better! On the whole a very good book with two good stories I hope there will be more!!
I chose this book purely out of curiosity because their have not been very many about the family of Spock the most interesting of characters!! Finally someone wrote one! About time!
Its a little daunting at the beginning about the history of Vulcan but if you can stick with it gets better! On the whole a very good book with two good stories I hope there will be more!!
January 22, 2024
Both stories brought insights into the Vulcan universe. Loved learning about the beginnings of Vulcan society. The stories both showed the relationships between parents, friends and others. Both gave substance to the characters and left me wanting to know more.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews