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A new Starfleet Academy series for teens--filled with romance and adventure! In The Competitive Edge , Kirk finds out how much of a toll the intense training classes and grueling schedule of academy life is taking on all the cadets, including himself. But some recruits seem better equipped to handle the challenges. Is there something that is giving them an edge? Kirk is determined to find out, especially since one of the cadets with a little something extra is his new girlfriend.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 28, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
March 5, 2011
I am dying to read a YA series set at a school in space. DYING. I know, I know, Ender's Game satisfies that wish...only it doesn't. I want it to be high school students and I want it to be like Stargate/Star Trek/Firefly meets every YA high school book ever made. Anyway, this book seems to be as close as I can get. *sigh* But it was rather fun!
I've never watched any Star Trek--gasp--but I did like the most recent movie and this book is based in the movie version of Starfleet. This turned out to be both a positive and a negative for me. I was happy that a lot of my favorite characters were there and it brought up several scenes from the movie that made me feel like I understood everyone's motivations for going to Starfleet. On the other hand, I felt that the references were too blatant and it made me feel like this book was published more to ride the wave of popularity from the movie than to publish a genuinely well-written book.
This book is described as following young Jim Kirk during his first few months at Starfleet. While it does do this, I'd say this book is actually about solving a mystery and romantic relationships between cadets. There was a lot of flirting going on and the relationship that I was most interested in was Spock and Uhura, for obvious reasons. I am a little disappointed there were no classroom scenes--it just felt a little hurried overall and, while I wanted to know more about each character, the narrative bounces back and forth between telling us about Kirk, Spock, Uhura, and Bones, and it got a little frustrating.
I'd recommend this one to people who might be dying for a space school story or people who really enjoyed the latest Star Trek movie.
I've never watched any Star Trek--gasp--but I did like the most recent movie and this book is based in the movie version of Starfleet. This turned out to be both a positive and a negative for me. I was happy that a lot of my favorite characters were there and it brought up several scenes from the movie that made me feel like I understood everyone's motivations for going to Starfleet. On the other hand, I felt that the references were too blatant and it made me feel like this book was published more to ride the wave of popularity from the movie than to publish a genuinely well-written book.
This book is described as following young Jim Kirk during his first few months at Starfleet. While it does do this, I'd say this book is actually about solving a mystery and romantic relationships between cadets. There was a lot of flirting going on and the relationship that I was most interested in was Spock and Uhura, for obvious reasons. I am a little disappointed there were no classroom scenes--it just felt a little hurried overall and, while I wanted to know more about each character, the narrative bounces back and forth between telling us about Kirk, Spock, Uhura, and Bones, and it got a little frustrating.
I'd recommend this one to people who might be dying for a space school story or people who really enjoyed the latest Star Trek movie.
October 21, 2017
This definitely felt like a YA version of Star Trek, it wasn’t great but it wasn’t that bad either. Kirk seemed a bit useless in this one, and everyone’s characterization was all over the place compared to the first one in this series.
September 28, 2011
This is the first "Starfleet Academy" book I've read, but not the first "Star Trek" book I've read.
I read the intriguing graphic novel Star Trek: Countdown which details the events that led up to Nero traveling through time (for the 2009 movie).
Also, (for the original TV series) I read Star Trek: Troublesome Minds, which captured the characters so incredibly well that I was enthralled by the first page.
And then, my favorite so far, [book:Strike Zone|217855} (TNG).
What I loved about these other books is their ability to represent the characters we know and love *as well* as weave in interesting, Star Trek worthy/Star Trek consistent plots. One of my favorite things about Star Trek are the questions posed, on morality, humanity, and philosophy.
So, all that said, I don't really think "The Edge" lived up to all of that. As a book, a story of it's own, it's fine. Okay in parts, and then sometimes a passage would come along that I was like, "wow - that's so insightful and interesting!" But, overall I didn't feel it had that "depth" that most ST books/movies/shows have. Maybe that's because this is marketed as "YA" - but I think the YA readers can handle depth without any problems.
I actually was a little hopeful when, in the first introduction to Kirk, he looks over a guy staring at him and says, "Problem?" Ah... I can hear the word just as Chris Pine would say it in the film. But, that was about the last time I could hear Pine's voice, or envision his mannerisms. I seldom felt Bones had the cadence and vocabulary that he should have, and Uhura as well. Spock was actually done quite well, and I could hear, not only Quinto, but Nemoy as well. His word choice and actions were fun a spot on! I also felt the new characters were well drawn and interesting, and the plot was too, but I just felt that everything could have been delved into more.
I don't know any ST canon about Starfleet Academy, so it makes it hard for me to judge if it was represented fairly or not. But, a lot of times I felt like the author would stick in a reference to something that had happened in the film (the bar fight, Spock's decline to the Science Academy, etc.) just to show that it was, indeed, the same world, even if it wasn't really central to the plot. But, I think what distressed me most was the references to Kirk's step-father. That's what I thought when I first watched the film, that his mother had remarried, but I'm pretty sure (and I'll have to double check) that the character is actually supposed to be his Uncle (given the commentary during the deleted scenes). If this was overlooked, it kind of lessens the strength of the rest of the references, too... at least for me.
So, OVERALL, did I enjoy the book: yes. Were the plot and characters interesting enough to hold my interest: yes. Was I curious to finish it and found it easy to read more at a time than I planned: yes. Was a perfect representation of the new ST world: maybe not. I'm not sure that I'll be running out to pick up the next "Starfleet Academy" book... I think I'll need to do some more research first. But, I don't regret reading this one, it was still entertaining.
******
I know, I'm a wee bit embarrassed to admit I'm reading this, but what can I say. After passing by it on three occasions at Borders' Going Out Of Business sale I finally picked it up and put it in my cart. Which, I then realized (at the library book sale) that the Starfleet Academy book have, apparently, been in existence for a while (having found one for Worf from ST NG). So, here's hoping it's good! :)
I read the intriguing graphic novel Star Trek: Countdown which details the events that led up to Nero traveling through time (for the 2009 movie).
Also, (for the original TV series) I read Star Trek: Troublesome Minds, which captured the characters so incredibly well that I was enthralled by the first page.
And then, my favorite so far, [book:Strike Zone|217855} (TNG).
What I loved about these other books is their ability to represent the characters we know and love *as well* as weave in interesting, Star Trek worthy/Star Trek consistent plots. One of my favorite things about Star Trek are the questions posed, on morality, humanity, and philosophy.
So, all that said, I don't really think "The Edge" lived up to all of that. As a book, a story of it's own, it's fine. Okay in parts, and then sometimes a passage would come along that I was like, "wow - that's so insightful and interesting!" But, overall I didn't feel it had that "depth" that most ST books/movies/shows have. Maybe that's because this is marketed as "YA" - but I think the YA readers can handle depth without any problems.
I actually was a little hopeful when, in the first introduction to Kirk, he looks over a guy staring at him and says, "Problem?" Ah... I can hear the word just as Chris Pine would say it in the film. But, that was about the last time I could hear Pine's voice, or envision his mannerisms. I seldom felt Bones had the cadence and vocabulary that he should have, and Uhura as well. Spock was actually done quite well, and I could hear, not only Quinto, but Nemoy as well. His word choice and actions were fun a spot on! I also felt the new characters were well drawn and interesting, and the plot was too, but I just felt that everything could have been delved into more.
I don't know any ST canon about Starfleet Academy, so it makes it hard for me to judge if it was represented fairly or not. But, a lot of times I felt like the author would stick in a reference to something that had happened in the film (the bar fight, Spock's decline to the Science Academy, etc.) just to show that it was, indeed, the same world, even if it wasn't really central to the plot. But, I think what distressed me most was the references to Kirk's step-father. That's what I thought when I first watched the film, that his mother had remarried, but I'm pretty sure (and I'll have to double check) that the character is actually supposed to be his Uncle (given the commentary during the deleted scenes). If this was overlooked, it kind of lessens the strength of the rest of the references, too... at least for me.
So, OVERALL, did I enjoy the book: yes. Were the plot and characters interesting enough to hold my interest: yes. Was I curious to finish it and found it easy to read more at a time than I planned: yes. Was a perfect representation of the new ST world: maybe not. I'm not sure that I'll be running out to pick up the next "Starfleet Academy" book... I think I'll need to do some more research first. But, I don't regret reading this one, it was still entertaining.
******
I know, I'm a wee bit embarrassed to admit I'm reading this, but what can I say. After passing by it on three occasions at Borders' Going Out Of Business sale I finally picked it up and put it in my cart. Which, I then realized (at the library book sale) that the Starfleet Academy book have, apparently, been in existence for a while (having found one for Worf from ST NG). So, here's hoping it's good! :)
January 9, 2019
I liked the general idea of the book, the fact that Starfleet expects so much from the students and the ways some of them are willing to go to succeed.
However, I was thrown off a lot by the complete inconsistency with the timeline. Whenever the time at the academy is refered to in general, they talk about the “months” spent at Starfleet Academy. On the other hand, even while talking about the “months” at the academy the cadets take part in a special race at the end of their first week at the academy. Or at one point a character is blamed for something that happend specifically “one month ago” but on the other hand, it is made clear that the process must have started before that special race mentioned before and they talk, again, about the months they have already spent there. It’s a big mess.
On the whole, I enjoyed a nice, short read but there are some deficiencies.
However, I was thrown off a lot by the complete inconsistency with the timeline. Whenever the time at the academy is refered to in general, they talk about the “months” spent at Starfleet Academy. On the other hand, even while talking about the “months” at the academy the cadets take part in a special race at the end of their first week at the academy. Or at one point a character is blamed for something that happend specifically “one month ago” but on the other hand, it is made clear that the process must have started before that special race mentioned before and they talk, again, about the months they have already spent there. It’s a big mess.
On the whole, I enjoyed a nice, short read but there are some deficiencies.
December 11, 2022
Definitiv besser als der erste, auch wenn ich diesen Büchern wahrscheinlich nie mehr als drei Sterne geben kann, weil es einfach so ein plumber und einfacher Schreibstil ist und die Handlung auf so wenig sich Seiten auch nicht gut entfalten kann.
April 22, 2023
It was a decent story, but I’m a pretty big fan of AU Star Trek and personally, the only character who acted like their movie version was Spock. No one else seemed to be in character.
I was pretty disappointed.
I was pretty disappointed.
December 28, 2010
Not as much campy fun as The Delta Anomaly, but still gives some nice insight into who the characters were before the film's canon.
April 15, 2024
Well, since I just read a book about Starfleet Academy I figure I might as well read the others I have. This one is from the new “Kelvin” timeline.
For what it’s worth, I think the whole ‘Kelvin’ timeline is BS. This is just Star Trek rebooted and that’s fine with me. Kirk is a fictional character. Anyone can play him - like James Bond. While I think Into Darkness sucked I have less problems with these movies so far than I have with most of the Star Trek movies before it.
So I’m reading this with Shatner, Nimoy and Kelley playing the leads. FWIW. Which is nothing.
So Zaranites are mentioned as being in the Academy. I always have a problem with aliens being introduced FAR earlier than it makes sense for them to have become Federation members. After all, what is the point of the ‘Final Frontier’ if you already know everyone?!
In Chapter 5 we get to a medical mystery that McCoy is in on. Until know it’s been pretty predictable and nothing new, but now it’s getting interesting.
The book alternates between Kirk and McCoy. Kirk’s story is uninteresting, being essentially pissing contests between Kirk and everyone he meets. Kirk is hyper-competitive, even against Uhura and most of his story is showing how that works out (SPOILER ALERT! Kirk usually wins).
Now this isn’t very surprising considering the way Kirk was portrayed in Star Trek (2009) but it’s a little shallow for a novel.
McCoy’s story is more interesting with McCoy being annoyed that Starfleet doesn’t consider the patient’s he works on his patients.
Spock was left to continue that line of thought while Captain Warde answered a call on her communicator. Her presence was requested at Starfleet Medical.
Now I love a communicator, but what does this mean about being able to overhear a call? Is it no longer rude to answer a call when you’re talking to someone? Is it something they always overheard if its on a communicator? Does the answerer have a choice? I realize that in a superior/inferior situation the boss can always answer a phone call cause it’s more important than you, but i just wonder how privacy is thought of with communicators…
Nice, Uhura’s roomate in this book is Gaila, Orion girl from Star Trek (2009) (played by Rachel Nichols).
Of course (SPOILER ALERT) with the medical mystery going on, Bone’s has been blamed for it. Discussing the case, Monica Lynne (a fellow cadet) says:
”Not so long ago on Earth, people could randomly have their bodies pulled and stretched and vacuumed out just for the sake of vanity.”
So does this imply that this is no longer the case? Is it illegal? Is medical technology so high that everyone just ‘naturally’ comes out good looking and fit? Is vanity medicine not covered by universal health-care? Need more info.
In response, Kirk says ”It’s a slippery slope from getting a bit of an edge to trying to create the perfect race through science. They call that eugenics. It’s the kind of thing that has caused wars in the past.”
Oh REALLY!?! When is someone going to tell the story of those wars! I’d love to read it! Or even see a movie!
”What if you’re not the best? Not the brightest? What if you’re just good enough? Does that mean there’s no place for you in Starfleet? How good is good enough?”
Great question, Jim.
So late in the book, someone (probably Thanas the guy who’s been a jerk to Kirk from day one) dares Kirk to climb the Golden Gate Bridge. Which he does. When he is almost at the top someone starts shooting phasers at him. Just to shake him up. Kirk falls and would have been killed but is saved by Monica — which reveals her deep dark secret.
Now unless it’s explained later isn’t this a little extreme hazing? And what does it really gain anyone? And why would Kirk be dumb enough to take that dare. The whole thing just rings stupider than I can imagine.
Also, Bones seems to get shuffled aside so that Kirk can do the actiony stuff, which I don’t particularly like. It would have made more sense for Bones to come along.
So at the end of the day, that book was… ok. Not terrible and I liked the idea of questioning the whole genetic modification idea, but nothing really ever comes of it.
You certainly didn’t learn anything you didn’t already know and there’s nothing in here that made a life-changing experience for anyone (reader or character).
I’ll give this book 2 stars and donate it. It wasn’t bad, it just isn’t something I’ll read again or recommend.
For what it’s worth, I think the whole ‘Kelvin’ timeline is BS. This is just Star Trek rebooted and that’s fine with me. Kirk is a fictional character. Anyone can play him - like James Bond. While I think Into Darkness sucked I have less problems with these movies so far than I have with most of the Star Trek movies before it.
So I’m reading this with Shatner, Nimoy and Kelley playing the leads. FWIW. Which is nothing.
So Zaranites are mentioned as being in the Academy. I always have a problem with aliens being introduced FAR earlier than it makes sense for them to have become Federation members. After all, what is the point of the ‘Final Frontier’ if you already know everyone?!
In Chapter 5 we get to a medical mystery that McCoy is in on. Until know it’s been pretty predictable and nothing new, but now it’s getting interesting.
The book alternates between Kirk and McCoy. Kirk’s story is uninteresting, being essentially pissing contests between Kirk and everyone he meets. Kirk is hyper-competitive, even against Uhura and most of his story is showing how that works out (SPOILER ALERT! Kirk usually wins).
Now this isn’t very surprising considering the way Kirk was portrayed in Star Trek (2009) but it’s a little shallow for a novel.
McCoy’s story is more interesting with McCoy being annoyed that Starfleet doesn’t consider the patient’s he works on his patients.
Spock was left to continue that line of thought while Captain Warde answered a call on her communicator. Her presence was requested at Starfleet Medical.
Now I love a communicator, but what does this mean about being able to overhear a call? Is it no longer rude to answer a call when you’re talking to someone? Is it something they always overheard if its on a communicator? Does the answerer have a choice? I realize that in a superior/inferior situation the boss can always answer a phone call cause it’s more important than you, but i just wonder how privacy is thought of with communicators…
Nice, Uhura’s roomate in this book is Gaila, Orion girl from Star Trek (2009) (played by Rachel Nichols).
Of course (SPOILER ALERT) with the medical mystery going on, Bone’s has been blamed for it. Discussing the case, Monica Lynne (a fellow cadet) says:
”Not so long ago on Earth, people could randomly have their bodies pulled and stretched and vacuumed out just for the sake of vanity.”
So does this imply that this is no longer the case? Is it illegal? Is medical technology so high that everyone just ‘naturally’ comes out good looking and fit? Is vanity medicine not covered by universal health-care? Need more info.
In response, Kirk says ”It’s a slippery slope from getting a bit of an edge to trying to create the perfect race through science. They call that eugenics. It’s the kind of thing that has caused wars in the past.”
Oh REALLY!?! When is someone going to tell the story of those wars! I’d love to read it! Or even see a movie!
”What if you’re not the best? Not the brightest? What if you’re just good enough? Does that mean there’s no place for you in Starfleet? How good is good enough?”
Great question, Jim.
So late in the book, someone (probably Thanas the guy who’s been a jerk to Kirk from day one) dares Kirk to climb the Golden Gate Bridge. Which he does. When he is almost at the top someone starts shooting phasers at him. Just to shake him up. Kirk falls and would have been killed but is saved by Monica — which reveals her deep dark secret.
Now unless it’s explained later isn’t this a little extreme hazing? And what does it really gain anyone? And why would Kirk be dumb enough to take that dare. The whole thing just rings stupider than I can imagine.
Also, Bones seems to get shuffled aside so that Kirk can do the actiony stuff, which I don’t particularly like. It would have made more sense for Bones to come along.
So at the end of the day, that book was… ok. Not terrible and I liked the idea of questioning the whole genetic modification idea, but nothing really ever comes of it.
You certainly didn’t learn anything you didn’t already know and there’s nothing in here that made a life-changing experience for anyone (reader or character).
I’ll give this book 2 stars and donate it. It wasn’t bad, it just isn’t something I’ll read again or recommend.
December 13, 2017
Obligatory disclaimer that reading the odd Star Trek novel is my guilty pleasure, I hate myself for doing it, etc. Vague spoilers for the sort of people who can recognise Trek episodes by name; not enough to justify spoiler tags:
Hm. This one was fine. The painfully YA style didn't sit particularly well with me. The ultimate plot was essentially that of 'Doctor Bashir, I Presume,' and had the same problems as that episode: good idea, not amazingly well-executed. It suffers from the constraints of its genre at times--some juvenile, high-school tropes that might have had me wincing more if episodes like 'Homefront' and 'Valiant' hadn't already shown that there's some truth in that, when it comes to Starfleet Academy--but is ultimately competently written. YA isn't my thing, which is fine.
Kirk is fairly well-sketched, even if he certainly doesn't come across as the bookish sort Mitchell accuses him of having been at the Academy during 'Where No Man Has Gone Before'. Different timelines, and all that, I suppose, though I don't know if that argument holds as much water post Beyond. Uhura's interactions with Spock are lovely, too: probably my favourite part. Bones was tasked with a bit too much exposition and ultimately was the least convincingly-written of the named 'bridge crew'.
A few minor canonical slip-ups, but not enough to take you out of the work for too long: Spock being described as the first Vulcan in Starfleet (again!) despite that being contradicted by 'The Immunity Syndrome' is one that springs to mind.
Josephs is no Diane Duane, but it's a competent--if forgettable--work.
Hm. This one was fine. The painfully YA style didn't sit particularly well with me. The ultimate plot was essentially that of 'Doctor Bashir, I Presume,' and had the same problems as that episode: good idea, not amazingly well-executed. It suffers from the constraints of its genre at times--some juvenile, high-school tropes that might have had me wincing more if episodes like 'Homefront' and 'Valiant' hadn't already shown that there's some truth in that, when it comes to Starfleet Academy--but is ultimately competently written. YA isn't my thing, which is fine.
Kirk is fairly well-sketched, even if he certainly doesn't come across as the bookish sort Mitchell accuses him of having been at the Academy during 'Where No Man Has Gone Before'. Different timelines, and all that, I suppose, though I don't know if that argument holds as much water post Beyond. Uhura's interactions with Spock are lovely, too: probably my favourite part. Bones was tasked with a bit too much exposition and ultimately was the least convincingly-written of the named 'bridge crew'.
A few minor canonical slip-ups, but not enough to take you out of the work for too long: Spock being described as the first Vulcan in Starfleet (again!) despite that being contradicted by 'The Immunity Syndrome' is one that springs to mind.
Josephs is no Diane Duane, but it's a competent--if forgettable--work.
September 6, 2020
I enjoyed this second Kelvinverse Academy book more than I did the first. I feel like Josephs had a better idea on who these characters were (as of 09) than Barba did in The Delta Anomaly. Yes, we still got 'Jim is distracted by any female that comes within ten feet of him', but we also had some attempts at characterization.
Jim, Uhura, McCoy, and Spock all feature once again - along with some blink and you'll miss it illusion to Chekov. Jim and Uhura are the two characters who get the most focus, with Nyota playing a larger role in the actual meat of the plot than Jim. We get to dive into their heads and see their struggles with their first few months at Starfleet Academy. Bones and Spock, while players in the plot, don't feature as heavily. Although, Spock is given a little more depth than Bones is allowed.
The plot is interesting enough, involving strange occurrences happening to the first year cadets of the Academy. Knowing that this was written before the other movies of this universe, the themes it hits upon are very fitting. In all honesty, I would skip Delta Anomaly and just read this one if you were interested in this series in any way.
Jim, Uhura, McCoy, and Spock all feature once again - along with some blink and you'll miss it illusion to Chekov. Jim and Uhura are the two characters who get the most focus, with Nyota playing a larger role in the actual meat of the plot than Jim. We get to dive into their heads and see their struggles with their first few months at Starfleet Academy. Bones and Spock, while players in the plot, don't feature as heavily. Although, Spock is given a little more depth than Bones is allowed.
The plot is interesting enough, involving strange occurrences happening to the first year cadets of the Academy. Knowing that this was written before the other movies of this universe, the themes it hits upon are very fitting. In all honesty, I would skip Delta Anomaly and just read this one if you were interested in this series in any way.
September 25, 2024
It wasn't bad.
I accidentally read the second book first because a LOT of places list them out of order, including here.
This is Book One. The Delta Anomaly is Book Two.
You can tell, because this book literally covers the first week of the academy, where Delta anomaly he has been in school for a while already.
I accidentally read the second book first because a LOT of places list them out of order, including here.
This is Book One. The Delta Anomaly is Book Two.
You can tell, because this book literally covers the first week of the academy, where Delta anomaly he has been in school for a while already.
December 31, 2017
Sometimes I want to be a NERD, leave me alone. Anyway this was a fun book, the characterization was pretty spot-on and Spock and Uhura were super cute. I will definitely keep reading this series, don't judge me.
January 21, 2019
This book desperately needed an editor...
January 12, 2020
It’s tiring when all tie in books do is Murder mysteries. It’s even more tiring when they suffer from Kirk Drift. Yawn.
April 30, 2024
Nothing about this book feels right. The characters feel wrong and shallow. Their involvement in the main "plot" seems arbitrary. The plot is boring. There are errors. The actual root cause of the "plot" feels important but is is never actually commented on.
October 30, 2016
I caved and gave this a four star because I love the moral dilemma of this one. I love the moral dilemma and the characters' questioning about whether or not it's worth it, to be in an Academy that only demands "the best and the brightest", and how they deal with it in their own ways.
The setup looks easy at first, and the mystery itself is straightforward--a cadet died due to a mysterious cause. But I love how the author handles this one. He chose to explore things psychologically and took a considerably slower phase than Barba. The lack of headache-inducing technobabble is also a plus. All the doubts and the constant Discourse (tm) can get a bit tiring at times, and sometimes I wish that he would just get on with it, but I think it's done in a fairly good way.
He's not as good in terms of characterisation or humour, though. Barba was brilliant with both, and he could convey a character's personality well with a well-placed joke, which is what makes me enjoy the first book, despite its flaws. It would be unfair to compare both authors, but to be honest, McCoy doesn't feel like McCoy. He was framed, but where is his typical cantankerous outburst? Kirk did some stupid things as per usual (especially considering that this is an immature, pre-Enterprise characterisation of him), and he realised it in hindsight, but where's the humour in it? I think what makes me enjoy Abramsverse so much (I haven't watched TOS so I probably don't have the right to say "what makes me enjoy Star Trek so much") was the banter, the way the narrative makes Kirk realised that what he was doing was stupid as hell but he did it anyway. I think this one was...Darker and Edgier, in a way, due to its themes and the tone overall. It works, but I still missed the banter.
I also doubted a bit, scratch that, a lot, on Kirk's decision to destroy the files on the other cadets. I mean...on one hand, it does seem like something pre!Enterprise AOS Kirk would do. But on the other hand? I don't know, something just doesn't feel right. And okay, he likes breaking rules and he hates his stepfather as a rule (no pun intended), but breaking in because he enjoyed invading others' privacy...no. I don't think that's something that even a pre!Enterprise Kirk would do. I think Kirk's characterisation was just a huge hit and miss on this one. Sometimes it hits the target but other times it just felt a bit...off.
I think the spotlight shines more on Uhura here, and I'm glad that Spock was finally included although it pissed me off that he doesn't even get a single interaction with Kirk. I get that they're not supposed to meet until after Kirk cheated his Kobayashi Maru test in senior year but...seriously? I know the campus is big, but for god's sake, he hangs around Uhura, sort of, in this one, and I don't know, I think it's just logical that they bumped into each other at least once. Especially since they seem to gravitate towards the same people and the same things, as the plot demands. It just doesn't make sense. I do love Uhura in this, though, I think she's brilliant and her characterisation did her justice. So does Spock. I'm never that fond of him (AOS him) as an individual character but this gave us more insight into his character and I think I started to like him.
Overall, I think this just offers some really good insight on the early days of some of the Enterprise family (namely Kirk, Spock, Uhura, and McCoy), and especially the doubts they've had at the beginning (how Kirk went from this to the Captain of the flagship who was basically the posterboy of Starfleet in Beyond, it puts me in awe, that's some good continuity and character development right there--Abramsverse haters please take notes) and it's good to remember that they're not always born ready (#relatable). It's also still slice of life and pretty enjoyable, also less lampshade-y than the previous novel. I think this is a quite good prequel.
The setup looks easy at first, and the mystery itself is straightforward--a cadet died due to a mysterious cause. But I love how the author handles this one. He chose to explore things psychologically and took a considerably slower phase than Barba. The lack of headache-inducing technobabble is also a plus. All the doubts and the constant Discourse (tm) can get a bit tiring at times, and sometimes I wish that he would just get on with it, but I think it's done in a fairly good way.
He's not as good in terms of characterisation or humour, though. Barba was brilliant with both, and he could convey a character's personality well with a well-placed joke, which is what makes me enjoy the first book, despite its flaws. It would be unfair to compare both authors, but to be honest, McCoy doesn't feel like McCoy. He was framed, but where is his typical cantankerous outburst? Kirk did some stupid things as per usual (especially considering that this is an immature, pre-Enterprise characterisation of him), and he realised it in hindsight, but where's the humour in it? I think what makes me enjoy Abramsverse so much (I haven't watched TOS so I probably don't have the right to say "what makes me enjoy Star Trek so much") was the banter, the way the narrative makes Kirk realised that what he was doing was stupid as hell but he did it anyway. I think this one was...Darker and Edgier, in a way, due to its themes and the tone overall. It works, but I still missed the banter.
I also doubted a bit, scratch that, a lot, on Kirk's decision to destroy the files on the other cadets. I mean...on one hand, it does seem like something pre!Enterprise AOS Kirk would do. But on the other hand? I don't know, something just doesn't feel right. And okay, he likes breaking rules and he hates his stepfather as a rule (no pun intended), but breaking in because he enjoyed invading others' privacy...no. I don't think that's something that even a pre!Enterprise Kirk would do. I think Kirk's characterisation was just a huge hit and miss on this one. Sometimes it hits the target but other times it just felt a bit...off.
I think the spotlight shines more on Uhura here, and I'm glad that Spock was finally included although it pissed me off that he doesn't even get a single interaction with Kirk. I get that they're not supposed to meet until after Kirk cheated his Kobayashi Maru test in senior year but...seriously? I know the campus is big, but for god's sake, he hangs around Uhura, sort of, in this one, and I don't know, I think it's just logical that they bumped into each other at least once. Especially since they seem to gravitate towards the same people and the same things, as the plot demands. It just doesn't make sense. I do love Uhura in this, though, I think she's brilliant and her characterisation did her justice. So does Spock. I'm never that fond of him (AOS him) as an individual character but this gave us more insight into his character and I think I started to like him.
Overall, I think this just offers some really good insight on the early days of some of the Enterprise family (namely Kirk, Spock, Uhura, and McCoy), and especially the doubts they've had at the beginning (how Kirk went from this to the Captain of the flagship who was basically the posterboy of Starfleet in Beyond, it puts me in awe, that's some good continuity and character development right there--Abramsverse haters please take notes) and it's good to remember that they're not always born ready (#relatable). It's also still slice of life and pretty enjoyable, also less lampshade-y than the previous novel. I think this is a quite good prequel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2017
Kirk is at the academy, and other students are under pressure to succeed. Someone is giving them an edge that is dangerous. McCoy gets involved when he finds that something caused a death. A good story with some great character moments. It questions how far you should go to succeed. A good read.
February 15, 2013
“The Edge” by Rudy Josephs is actually the first Star Trek novel I have read that is set in Star Trek’s “Abramaverse”. As this is a Starfleet Academy book it is targeted at the Young Adult audience just like the earlier Academy novels that were set in the Prime universe. However, I do feel that this book was of a higher standard than the Prime Universe series of novels. I suspect that this is because YA novels have come on quite a way in recent years and there is a huge variety in terms of content to the point that the quality of both plot and style needs to be at a level that people are willing to actually pick up a book out of the large selection available.
The story itself follows the first few months of Kirk, McCoy & Uhura’s time at the Academy which doesn’t start off to well when a fellow cadet is found dead in his dorm room. Before long, other Cadet’s begin to show strange symptoms and it becomes clear that someone has been offering gene therapy and micro surgery to give cadet’s an extra edge during their time at the Academy. Whilst Star Fleet conducts its own investigation with the assistance of Commander Spock, Kirk and McCoy get dragged in themselves as they attempt to ensure that no one else suffers or turns up dead.
As I said earlier, I actually found this book to be of a higher standard that the other YA Star Trek novels I have read. The plot itself has a decent level of complexity and intrigue that will ensure most people are entertained even if it still isn’t as deep as an experience adult reader would have preferred. An interesting element of this novel is that it was actually quite slow paced, which was quite surprising to me when I compared it to the action packed fast paced movie that it is based around. Personally, I wasn’t bothered to much by this though as Josephs used the slower pace to actually explore the characters and the way they interact with each other and the academy life itself.
In regards to the characters, I found that I could easily envisage them as being the same to those I saw on the movie screen. Uhura is the best example of this as she comes across strongly like the Zoe Saldana version rather than Nichelle Nichols’s take on the character. For a big fan of Star Trek I really appreciated being able to read the book and feel like I was specifically reading about the alternate Universe.
One minor comment I do have with the book is in regards to my own knowledge of Star Trek canon. In a lot of the other books and TV episodes I have seen, people from Earth tend to show a real fear and hatred of genetic engineering due to events that occurred in the past such as the Eugenics Wars. However, in this book I felt that many people were very nonchalant and glib about the gene therapy that was going on. This isn’t a major issue and it probably won’t matter to someone who isn’t a big fan of Star Trek but it insured that the book felt a little bit wrong to me.
Overall, this was an enjoyable Star Trek YA novel that does a good job in capturing the feeling of the characters people witnessed in the “Abramaverse” version of Star Trek. The plot itself is a little slow paced at times but there should be enough there to keep most fans entertained.
The story itself follows the first few months of Kirk, McCoy & Uhura’s time at the Academy which doesn’t start off to well when a fellow cadet is found dead in his dorm room. Before long, other Cadet’s begin to show strange symptoms and it becomes clear that someone has been offering gene therapy and micro surgery to give cadet’s an extra edge during their time at the Academy. Whilst Star Fleet conducts its own investigation with the assistance of Commander Spock, Kirk and McCoy get dragged in themselves as they attempt to ensure that no one else suffers or turns up dead.
As I said earlier, I actually found this book to be of a higher standard that the other YA Star Trek novels I have read. The plot itself has a decent level of complexity and intrigue that will ensure most people are entertained even if it still isn’t as deep as an experience adult reader would have preferred. An interesting element of this novel is that it was actually quite slow paced, which was quite surprising to me when I compared it to the action packed fast paced movie that it is based around. Personally, I wasn’t bothered to much by this though as Josephs used the slower pace to actually explore the characters and the way they interact with each other and the academy life itself.
In regards to the characters, I found that I could easily envisage them as being the same to those I saw on the movie screen. Uhura is the best example of this as she comes across strongly like the Zoe Saldana version rather than Nichelle Nichols’s take on the character. For a big fan of Star Trek I really appreciated being able to read the book and feel like I was specifically reading about the alternate Universe.
One minor comment I do have with the book is in regards to my own knowledge of Star Trek canon. In a lot of the other books and TV episodes I have seen, people from Earth tend to show a real fear and hatred of genetic engineering due to events that occurred in the past such as the Eugenics Wars. However, in this book I felt that many people were very nonchalant and glib about the gene therapy that was going on. This isn’t a major issue and it probably won’t matter to someone who isn’t a big fan of Star Trek but it insured that the book felt a little bit wrong to me.
Overall, this was an enjoyable Star Trek YA novel that does a good job in capturing the feeling of the characters people witnessed in the “Abramaverse” version of Star Trek. The plot itself is a little slow paced at times but there should be enough there to keep most fans entertained.
July 10, 2013
3.5 Stars. Offering a glimpse into the lives of Kirk, McCoy, Spock, and Uhura before the events of the 2009 J.J. Abrams film that relaunched the Star Trek franchise, the Starfleet Academy series continues with its look at the cadets' school days with The Edge. For some inexplicable reason, the publisher elected to release The Edge, which clearly covers the first few months the quartet spend at the Academy, after The Delta Anomaly, when they are well-established in their studies, Academy routine, and relationships. As one who tends to read series from start to finish, releasing even category fiction of this ilk out of order like this is jarring to say the least, and in this case unfortunately colors my overall opinion of Josephs' single entry (to date) in the series.
The Edge confronts Kirk, Uhura, and McCoy with the rigors of Academy training, forcing Kirk in particular to assess whether or not the rules, regulations, and expectations placed on the cadets by the Academy brass are indicative of the life this erstwhile free spirit wants to lead long-term. The first challenge facing Kirk's class of cadets is the desert survival race, setting the precedent that winning is everything. Kirk narrowly misses claiming victory, taking consolation in the fact that he's met Lynne, a gorgeous and driven fellow cadet. As weeks pass, and Kirk sees cadets destroy their lives all in the name of a bid at Starfleet glory, he's forced to evaluate just how far he's willing to go to carve a name for himself in the Academy's annals in his own right, outside his famous father's legend.
While I like the overall concept of Kirk, Uhura, and McCoy being forced to evaluate the personal cost of succeeding in their chosen field -- the discussion of the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of the honor system at the Academy felt reminiscent of some of the moral conundrums tacked by Classic Trek -- it does not translate into an engaging storyline. Joseph opens the novel strong with the desert survival race, but then the forward momentum of that event fizzles as Kirk and company settle into the routine of Academy life. The characterizations of the four main players are fair to solid relative to their Abrams' film counterparts, but here Uhura and Spock fare best. While jumping back in time series-wise was jarring, I loved seeing how this series envisions Uhura and Spock's first meeting and the way in which they bonded over each being outsiders in their own way when compared to the Academy norm.
The Edge provides many moments fans of the new incarnations of Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Uhura will enjoy -- from Uhura's initial flirtation with Spock (all in the name of practicing "small talk") to the loyalty to McCoy that drives Kirk to act when the former's reputation is threatened. Josephs sketches each of the principle players in a manner that is faithful to their on-screen counterparts, particularly when it comes to Kirk's bravado and Uhura's intense focus. While the character moments fail to outweigh the plot's uneven -- and oft-times sluggish -- pace, The Edge is a pleasant enough diversion if one wishes to while away a few hours in the company of the future Enterprise crew.
The Edge confronts Kirk, Uhura, and McCoy with the rigors of Academy training, forcing Kirk in particular to assess whether or not the rules, regulations, and expectations placed on the cadets by the Academy brass are indicative of the life this erstwhile free spirit wants to lead long-term. The first challenge facing Kirk's class of cadets is the desert survival race, setting the precedent that winning is everything. Kirk narrowly misses claiming victory, taking consolation in the fact that he's met Lynne, a gorgeous and driven fellow cadet. As weeks pass, and Kirk sees cadets destroy their lives all in the name of a bid at Starfleet glory, he's forced to evaluate just how far he's willing to go to carve a name for himself in the Academy's annals in his own right, outside his famous father's legend.
While I like the overall concept of Kirk, Uhura, and McCoy being forced to evaluate the personal cost of succeeding in their chosen field -- the discussion of the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of the honor system at the Academy felt reminiscent of some of the moral conundrums tacked by Classic Trek -- it does not translate into an engaging storyline. Joseph opens the novel strong with the desert survival race, but then the forward momentum of that event fizzles as Kirk and company settle into the routine of Academy life. The characterizations of the four main players are fair to solid relative to their Abrams' film counterparts, but here Uhura and Spock fare best. While jumping back in time series-wise was jarring, I loved seeing how this series envisions Uhura and Spock's first meeting and the way in which they bonded over each being outsiders in their own way when compared to the Academy norm.
The Edge provides many moments fans of the new incarnations of Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Uhura will enjoy -- from Uhura's initial flirtation with Spock (all in the name of practicing "small talk") to the loyalty to McCoy that drives Kirk to act when the former's reputation is threatened. Josephs sketches each of the principle players in a manner that is faithful to their on-screen counterparts, particularly when it comes to Kirk's bravado and Uhura's intense focus. While the character moments fail to outweigh the plot's uneven -- and oft-times sluggish -- pace, The Edge is a pleasant enough diversion if one wishes to while away a few hours in the company of the future Enterprise crew.
June 13, 2011
While this is the second book in this new "Star Trek" series for teens, it really jumps back in time to the point when Jim Kirk and his classmates are starting off at the Academy. It quickly becomes clear that their time at the Academy is going to be filled with all sorts of challenges, both physical and intellectual. It starts off with a race across the desert in which only one of the plebes, or freshman, will be winner. Everyone else might as well not matter. Knowing Kirk as we all do, this will be an important race, but can he recover from being beaten by an Andorian cadet with a bloated ego?
One good thing about the race is that it gives him an opportunity to get to know one of the other cadets a bit better, and the two quickly find themselves with a budding relationship.
Love and academics are not the only thing that will be challenging our favorite cadets. When one of the new plebes ends up being found dead by his roommate, previously mentioned egotistical Andorian, Starfleet gets a little suspicious. His body exhibits signs that he was suffering from a large number of internal injuries that occurred over a number of weeks. Bones McCoy notices some indications that this might be due to the fact that the young man had some sort of procedure to weaken the young man's pain receptors, allowing him not to be held back from injuries.
When another cadet, this time a friend of Uhura's, collapses, it starts to become clear that a number of plebes both from this year and earlier years have been having different procedures to help them with the rigorous curriculum at the Academy. Can Kirk and the gang figure out what is going on and who is doing it before someone else turns up dead?
This book moves a little more slowly than the previous book in the series. While that one definitely focused more on the mystery at the core of the plot, this one tries to give the primary characters (Kirk, Bones, and Uhura) a chance to have some character development with the characters around them. In a number of ways, Josephs is successful. Kirk's involvement with his girlfriend really forces him to consider what will make a successful student, and later a successful officer and question his rebellious past.
Similarly, Uhura finds herself looking for some quiet space to study only to run into Commander Spock, providing readers with an opportunity to see how their relationship got its start in this alternate timeline that started with the 2009 film. I do have to say I thought the previous volume was a bit stronger, but that didn't stop me from finishing this up in just a couple of days in two sittings. It is definitely worth the read.
One good thing about the race is that it gives him an opportunity to get to know one of the other cadets a bit better, and the two quickly find themselves with a budding relationship.
Love and academics are not the only thing that will be challenging our favorite cadets. When one of the new plebes ends up being found dead by his roommate, previously mentioned egotistical Andorian, Starfleet gets a little suspicious. His body exhibits signs that he was suffering from a large number of internal injuries that occurred over a number of weeks. Bones McCoy notices some indications that this might be due to the fact that the young man had some sort of procedure to weaken the young man's pain receptors, allowing him not to be held back from injuries.
When another cadet, this time a friend of Uhura's, collapses, it starts to become clear that a number of plebes both from this year and earlier years have been having different procedures to help them with the rigorous curriculum at the Academy. Can Kirk and the gang figure out what is going on and who is doing it before someone else turns up dead?
This book moves a little more slowly than the previous book in the series. While that one definitely focused more on the mystery at the core of the plot, this one tries to give the primary characters (Kirk, Bones, and Uhura) a chance to have some character development with the characters around them. In a number of ways, Josephs is successful. Kirk's involvement with his girlfriend really forces him to consider what will make a successful student, and later a successful officer and question his rebellious past.
Similarly, Uhura finds herself looking for some quiet space to study only to run into Commander Spock, providing readers with an opportunity to see how their relationship got its start in this alternate timeline that started with the 2009 film. I do have to say I thought the previous volume was a bit stronger, but that didn't stop me from finishing this up in just a couple of days in two sittings. It is definitely worth the read.
July 23, 2013
This is the second published book in the series, but it takes place before the first one. I didn't know that when I started reading it, so it was very confusing (it would be really nice if there was a note at the beginning that says “This book takes place before the events in The Delta Anomaly”).
Kirk, Uhura and McCoy are just starting out at the Academy and they’re doing their best to keep up. There’s a lot of pressure on the students, so some of them use illegal procedures to give themselves an edge. And sometimes those procedures don’t work out very well. The mystery is interesting and it makes you wonder how far should people go to succeed.
Kirk is still not sure the Academy is the right place for him, so throughout the book, he tries to figure out if he should stay. He also has a new love interest here, that I didn't care about much.
I don’t know exactly why, but I just can’t get into McCoy. Whenever there’s a scene with him, I’m thinking “Ok, that’s interesting”, but it just doesn't stick with me. There are nothing about him that I really remember and love and go back to reread.
Now, for my favorite part: Spock/Uhura moments! There’s quite a few of them here and I’m loving that – I never get tired of reading about them. This book shows the early development of their relationship: their first meeting outside of the classroom, Spock asking her for help, Uhura teaching him about small talk (LOVE THAT SCENE). I still want more Spock and more scenes from his perspective (but I’m guessing that his POV is more difficult to write).
The book is very entertaining. If you plan on reading the series, you should start with this one, so you’re not as confused as I was.
Kirk, Uhura and McCoy are just starting out at the Academy and they’re doing their best to keep up. There’s a lot of pressure on the students, so some of them use illegal procedures to give themselves an edge. And sometimes those procedures don’t work out very well. The mystery is interesting and it makes you wonder how far should people go to succeed.
Kirk is still not sure the Academy is the right place for him, so throughout the book, he tries to figure out if he should stay. He also has a new love interest here, that I didn't care about much.
I don’t know exactly why, but I just can’t get into McCoy. Whenever there’s a scene with him, I’m thinking “Ok, that’s interesting”, but it just doesn't stick with me. There are nothing about him that I really remember and love and go back to reread.
Now, for my favorite part: Spock/Uhura moments! There’s quite a few of them here and I’m loving that – I never get tired of reading about them. This book shows the early development of their relationship: their first meeting outside of the classroom, Spock asking her for help, Uhura teaching him about small talk (LOVE THAT SCENE). I still want more Spock and more scenes from his perspective (but I’m guessing that his POV is more difficult to write).
The book is very entertaining. If you plan on reading the series, you should start with this one, so you’re not as confused as I was.
November 17, 2014
I bought this book pretty much straight after reading the first book in the series and my initial expectation would be that it would be better than the first, which was okay. It's an understatement to say that I like Star Trek and I was really hoping that it would be pulled off incredibly well here.
I really liked how the story of The Edge was more related to life on campus and what happens to the students there rather than something that is happening off-campus like in The Delta Anomaly. It seems to make more sense to centre the story around the Academy itself and not something that has completely nothing to do with the Academy. I enjoyed how the story focuses on all of the characters, rather than just one or two. It was nice to see what was going on with everyone.
In this book, the characters were written much more accurately. I liked how Kirk has a different girlfriend in this book, which is similar to how he has tons of love interests in the series. I'm wondering if a different girlfriend each book is a running thing in this series. I really loved how Uhura's personality was that of Zoe Saldana's version, rather than Nichelle Nichols. I like her better. Oh, and there's also more Spock in this book. Yay!
What I thought was a major theme in this book was competition and it really fits in with the whole Academy atmosphere since everyone wants to be the best. It is also the main cause of the dilemma of the book, which I thought all tied together very nicely.
Overall, I preferred this book to the previous in the series. It felt more like it took place in an Academy and the characters were written much more accurately.
I really liked how the story of The Edge was more related to life on campus and what happens to the students there rather than something that is happening off-campus like in The Delta Anomaly. It seems to make more sense to centre the story around the Academy itself and not something that has completely nothing to do with the Academy. I enjoyed how the story focuses on all of the characters, rather than just one or two. It was nice to see what was going on with everyone.
In this book, the characters were written much more accurately. I liked how Kirk has a different girlfriend in this book, which is similar to how he has tons of love interests in the series. I'm wondering if a different girlfriend each book is a running thing in this series. I really loved how Uhura's personality was that of Zoe Saldana's version, rather than Nichelle Nichols. I like her better. Oh, and there's also more Spock in this book. Yay!
What I thought was a major theme in this book was competition and it really fits in with the whole Academy atmosphere since everyone wants to be the best. It is also the main cause of the dilemma of the book, which I thought all tied together very nicely.
Overall, I preferred this book to the previous in the series. It felt more like it took place in an Academy and the characters were written much more accurately.
March 4, 2011
This was more of a 3.5 star read. And not because the characterization was poor. It wasn't too bad actually. It was because the writing was so... average. Boring. Unexciting.
This book takes place in the "alternate universe" created by the movie Star Trek: 2009 (in case the cover wasn't a dead give away). The synopsis says that Kirk is saving McCoy from being blamed. Well, the problem starts right away, but drags its feet until over half-way through the book when McCoy is "detained". In fact, there is little to no McCoy actually IN the book. And surprisingly, there's a lot of Uhura and Spock. Quite honestly, I kept reading only to see if they'd do anything more interesting with the characters, not because the story line intrigued me.
Once McCoy is detained, there's a lot of nothing for 50 pages or so and then suddenly, as if in passing, the mystery is solved and resolved in under 30 pages. The end.
The "love interest" for Kirk is nothing more than two-dimensional. Really quite lame actually, I didn't connect with her at all. I wouldn't have connected with anyone in the book if I hadn't already had an avid love for the characters.
Worth your time? Maybe. But more than likely you will not finish it. Like I said, I only finished it because I kept hoping that futile hope that something, ANYTHING, would happen. And even though it didn't, I think I'm going to hold onto this book. Just for sentimental reasons.
This book takes place in the "alternate universe" created by the movie Star Trek: 2009 (in case the cover wasn't a dead give away). The synopsis says that Kirk is saving McCoy from being blamed. Well, the problem starts right away, but drags its feet until over half-way through the book when McCoy is "detained". In fact, there is little to no McCoy actually IN the book. And surprisingly, there's a lot of Uhura and Spock. Quite honestly, I kept reading only to see if they'd do anything more interesting with the characters, not because the story line intrigued me.
Once McCoy is detained, there's a lot of nothing for 50 pages or so and then suddenly, as if in passing, the mystery is solved and resolved in under 30 pages. The end.
The "love interest" for Kirk is nothing more than two-dimensional. Really quite lame actually, I didn't connect with her at all. I wouldn't have connected with anyone in the book if I hadn't already had an avid love for the characters.
Worth your time? Maybe. But more than likely you will not finish it. Like I said, I only finished it because I kept hoping that futile hope that something, ANYTHING, would happen. And even though it didn't, I think I'm going to hold onto this book. Just for sentimental reasons.
July 7, 2011
I was curious when I saw this new set of Starfleet Academy series. It was thicker than the previous ones I've read from the Star Trek:The Next Generation series. Wow! I never thought it would be an engaging read. Author Rudy Josephs kept me close at the edge of my seat as I thumbed quickly through the pages just like the race in the first chapter. It didn't lose steam because mystery came in a form a dead first year student in the morgue and the following day, another student in ICU. It made one think if the rigors of Academy life had anything to do with it, well, maybe. I won't say anymore lest for spoilers. ☺ The ending was sort of left hanging just a little bit. I can't help wonder if and when Lynne will be summoned to face the panel to account for her past choice? What about Jim Kirk? Was it right for him to do what he did to the rest of the files?
Another thing that I noticed were the fonts used in this book. I thought it lent to an easier read for the book. I'm glad they chose kind of font.
I don't know how much input an actor will say about one's likeness on the book cover, but Dr. McCoy wasn't captured well here. Initially, I thought it was different doctor but since the art reflects what's in the story then I hope in the next book outing, the cover art we'll get some relative likeness of Dr. McCoy. ☺
Another thing that I noticed were the fonts used in this book. I thought it lent to an easier read for the book. I'm glad they chose kind of font.
I don't know how much input an actor will say about one's likeness on the book cover, but Dr. McCoy wasn't captured well here. Initially, I thought it was different doctor but since the art reflects what's in the story then I hope in the next book outing, the cover art we'll get some relative likeness of Dr. McCoy. ☺
October 21, 2013
In this science fiction novel The Edge for the Star Trek original series cast in Starfleet Academy, the author Rudy Josephs describes a short period of time in the alternate timeline presented in the JJ Abrams movie “Star Trek” in which Kirk’s father is killed by a Romulan from the future. The original series cast is present, but they are at the Academy in Sausalito, CA undergoing 4 years of training needed to become officers in Starfleet. The date is 2255 CE (23rd century) and the main protagonists are Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Uhura. The antagonists are the unknown person(s) responsible for a cadet’s death and near death of another cadet, and a cadet named Thanas from Andoria. These cadets who died or were injured at Starfleet Academy were surgically altered to give them a competitive “edge” that they think is needed to succeed. It is kind of like taking steroids for athletes. So, someone in the administration is involved with these surgeries. Another conflict is a personal conflict between Kirk and Thanas who are competitors for being the best in their class. My favorite part of the book is when Uhura finds out a clue from talking with the dead cadet’s roommate, Thanas. I would recommend this book to people who have seen the new Star Trek movie and wondered what happened at Starfleet Academy since that time wasn’t shown much in the movie.
August 4, 2016
The 2nd in the J.J. Abrams universe Star Trek Novels.
Once again, it focuses on Kirk, Spock, Uhura, and Bones during their first days at the Academy. (I am not sure who was in charge of the numbering/ publishing, but this book needed to have come out first, not 2nd).
In this book, Kirk is having to adjust to his first days at the Academy- he is being tested and trying to prove he is alpha dog of this crop of cadets. That no matter the challenge, he is going to find the strength and energy, and skills to pass it. Meanwhile, Uhura is trying to adjust to the attention she is getting from her classmates, and how their attention is distracting her from her studies. Sadly, Spock and Bones are used as minor, secondary characters, who are there to push Kirk/ Uhura into helping to solve the mystery of why cadets are dying/ getting ill.
The most significant part of this book is that is shows the first time Uhura and Spock meet on a casual, non- academic setting, and how the first seeds of their romance are set. As before, it is one book you can read in no time, and it is one that really is just for teens and hard core, purist Trek Fiction readers. (Hey- why are you looking at me like that? Oh yeah… I did read it, didn’t I…)
Once again, it focuses on Kirk, Spock, Uhura, and Bones during their first days at the Academy. (I am not sure who was in charge of the numbering/ publishing, but this book needed to have come out first, not 2nd).
In this book, Kirk is having to adjust to his first days at the Academy- he is being tested and trying to prove he is alpha dog of this crop of cadets. That no matter the challenge, he is going to find the strength and energy, and skills to pass it. Meanwhile, Uhura is trying to adjust to the attention she is getting from her classmates, and how their attention is distracting her from her studies. Sadly, Spock and Bones are used as minor, secondary characters, who are there to push Kirk/ Uhura into helping to solve the mystery of why cadets are dying/ getting ill.
The most significant part of this book is that is shows the first time Uhura and Spock meet on a casual, non- academic setting, and how the first seeds of their romance are set. As before, it is one book you can read in no time, and it is one that really is just for teens and hard core, purist Trek Fiction readers. (Hey- why are you looking at me like that? Oh yeah… I did read it, didn’t I…)
December 30, 2010
It's early in the Academy days of our favorite crew(the movie version) and James Kirk is trying to make his mark.
One young freshman turns up dead in his bed and when Leonard McCoy assists in the autopsy, he discovers something odd. Multiple injuries to internal organs without medical intervention. And something even more odd. He finds evidence of surgery to deaden the nerves, rendering the person unable to feel pain.
When Uhura's roommate collapses, McCoy is the attending physician and discovers a drug that causes the patient's body to burn energy at an enormous rate.
Starfleet is keeping it under wraps and McCoy is told to keep silent. But Kirk worms it out of him anyway. When evidence suddenly comes to light implicating McCoy, Kirk knows it's not true. Someone is setting him up and he intends to find out who and why.
At the same time, Spock is working with an investigator on the case and recruits Uhura to aid him. They find evidence from a different source which brings all parties together at the end.
One young freshman turns up dead in his bed and when Leonard McCoy assists in the autopsy, he discovers something odd. Multiple injuries to internal organs without medical intervention. And something even more odd. He finds evidence of surgery to deaden the nerves, rendering the person unable to feel pain.
When Uhura's roommate collapses, McCoy is the attending physician and discovers a drug that causes the patient's body to burn energy at an enormous rate.
Starfleet is keeping it under wraps and McCoy is told to keep silent. But Kirk worms it out of him anyway. When evidence suddenly comes to light implicating McCoy, Kirk knows it's not true. Someone is setting him up and he intends to find out who and why.
At the same time, Spock is working with an investigator on the case and recruits Uhura to aid him. They find evidence from a different source which brings all parties together at the end.
March 22, 2011
I can see how people feel that this was a better book than the first in the series (Delta Anomaly). It seems a little more respectable, has a little more depth, more thought. But it just didn't have the personality of the first book. All of the characters were quite bland (except Spock, oddly), and the "whodunnit" was a bit disappointing at the end. Kirk was thoughtful and and a little more down to earth, but I missed that x-factor and verve that he had before. I mean, McCoy didn't even once say, "Good God!" ;) Just kidding. I guess that you can't help but compare the two books, and I think each one brings different things to the table. If you didn't like Delta Anomaly, chances are you'll like this a lot better. And if you found this one a bit boring, you might find Delta Anomaly to be a better choice.
By far the best aspect of this book was what was going on with Uhura and Spock. I felt that was very believable and well done.
By far the best aspect of this book was what was going on with Uhura and Spock. I felt that was very believable and well done.
August 25, 2011
Blander than 'Starfleet Academy: Delta Anomaly', but not truly terrible. I prefer energy, a sense of humour, or the tang of romance. Although Spock and Uhura flirt somewhat there was less 'spark' here than elsewhere. Cadet Monica Lynne's racism against aliens on page 19 was jarring: I disliked and suspected her immediately, while Kirk continued his efforts to woo her for weeks and months afterward? She must be quite a hottie- I found her immediately off-putting.
Does Starfleet Academy actually have any classes? I'm just asking. For a story set in the first week there's no orientation, little description of what they learn or do, just: 'it was hard', then a murder mystery while everybody jocks out. Widespread performance enhancement and breakage of the honour code seems more malevolent than usual , a societal cancer out of place in the usual Trek utopia: but if there's no problem there's no drama... so, a fine effort.
Does Starfleet Academy actually have any classes? I'm just asking. For a story set in the first week there's no orientation, little description of what they learn or do, just: 'it was hard', then a murder mystery while everybody jocks out. Widespread performance enhancement and breakage of the honour code seems more malevolent than usual , a societal cancer out of place in the usual Trek utopia: but if there's no problem there's no drama... so, a fine effort.
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