Rating: 
Summary: Best book I've read in a long while.
Review: Normally I read fantasy. In fact I really haven't read a Sci Fi book since Star Wars Last Command back in 94. The first half of the book seemed slow. took me 16 days to get to the middle. Then 1 day to read the next half. I loved the book (and the series. I've read Ashes of eden , Generations(not a shatner book, but helps you get reaquanted before reading this book) and of course The Return all within a month. I'm about to start on The Avenger (I've got the entire series, the last four books I got thru SFBC, as the hardcover quickly go out of print). But for now, I think Ashes of Eden was more fun to read than The Return. Even at that, Shatner actually made if fun to read about The Borg, even though I've never been a fan of em. In fact, I chose the Shatner series at the first Trek books I've ever read. My biggest complaint is what happens to Tellani at the end of the final book so far in Preserver. I can't say what happens cause I'll spoil it. But those who have read it will know what I'm talking about. (so I cheated..) (I also just heard, that three more books are to be written in the shatner trek books, so let's see, what is that ? 9 books. :)
Rating: 
Summary: A virtual motion picture.
Review: "The Return" is the second star trek novel written by William Shatner and Judith & Garfield Reeves Steves. It follows the book "The Ashes of Eden" and isn't necessarily quite as good, but comes close. The writing holds perfectly, once again implying that Shatner is a far better writer than an actor. The plot is also well constructed. Not perfect, but holds well. The book is written in a way that makes it feel like a motion picture, a style the writers seemes to prefer and they use it damn well. This is one of the reasons I can say that "The return" is definitely better than First Contact. I do admit though, that te new Shatner books are a bit commercial. People didn't want to see Kirk die, so the Pocked Books desited to take advantage of that. Too bad you can see it so clearly while reading. Fortunately the book answeres some questions that have been in the fans' minds for a long time. There are some continuity problems however, but they aren't too aparent. And note, that I hate everything even slightly non-canon. A good book, wich I recomend to everyone.
Rating: 
Summary: A Legend Reborn
Review: For those of you upset about Captain James T. Kirk's death in Generations, this novel restores him to life, and this time the fate of the galaxy rests on his Jim's ability to resist the Borgs (who restored him to life) and his friendship with Spock and Bones, and as they help Picard and the crew of Enterprise-E defeat a new and deadly threat to the galaxy.
Rating:
Summary: Not Bad For A Transition Novel
Review: With all the publicity William Shatner has had about his STAR TREK career, namely a Prima-Donna attitude towards his role and importance to the legend of ST, I find this book a breath of fresh air into a business that was going stale. William Shatner built a great beginning into this work. Imagine Spock, himself a resurrection alumi, seeing Jim's lighted-from-within grave collapse. That bee-buzz of transporter-effect must have paralyzed even his Vulcan mind as he tried to pull a logical 'what the hell is going on' from the scene. The last we saw of James T. Kirk was as a dead hero with Jean Luc Picard In GENERATIONS. But remember, Kirk's own prediction- "I'll die alone"- was not fulfilled. We cannot imagine such a forecast as this going unheeded by the STAR TREK guardians. The body of this offering is an insightful look into a part of JTK's personal legend as well as an introduction to a driven side of the character only glimpsed before. There is more to come. Any reader of mine knows I leave the details to you but love to cut to the purpose. No different here . Read THE RETURN and following books by Willim Shatner. After all, he IS Kirk.
Rating:
Summary: Franchise Steward, Rick Berman, misses the boat
Review: This is the movie that got away. The novels written by Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens are always top quality. Now they have teamed up with Mr. Shatner to bring back Star Trek's flagship character. This is one of the best Star Trek novels in the series. The ending is enchanting.
Rating:
Summary: Shatners makes HIS return!
Review: It is well known that King William of Shatner is desperate to get back into the Star Trek franchise and one of those tight-fitting suits, so when he writes a book mapping out Kirk's return it seems a litte fantasy-riddled. It is. And it is great! The plot comes straight after the movie Generations left it, The Enterprise-D is being scraped-up off of the surface of that stupid planet it crashed into by a small Federation recovery team led by Riker - they are attacked by The Romulan's, Kirk's freshly dug grave is unsettled (damn! Picard spent ages putting that together) and his body stolen. It soon becomes apparent that The Borg are in line with The Romulan's and that Kirk, now brought back to life with Borg implants, is going to lead the invasion forced that conquers Earth. Locutus-T-Kirk (as he likes to be called) goes head-to-head with the Enterprise in a cracking novel that will not end in the vulnerable heart of the Federation, Earth, like you would expect, but instead will end on the deadly homeworld of The Borg! Amazing!
Rating:
Summary: Star Trek, The Return
Review: This book is an excellent read with more twists and turns than the Blue Ridge Parkway in the rain, and it's a terrific sequel to the movie, Star Trek, Generations. The author uses the Next Generation Enterprise crew, the Deep Space Nine crew, Ambassador Spock and Kirk's "resurrection," very cleanly within a great yarn about a Borg/Romulan invasion. Now, there is a spot near the end of the book where the crews gather in the "new" Enterprise for a "hopeless" battle that seems a bit forced and the ending is rather predictable, but all in all I found myself having quite a bit of fun. I am told that William Shatner had a ghostwriter for his novels. Probably... But whomever it is - Shatner or not - they write very well, not allowing the details or the science to overshadow the fun! (I am also reading the "Star Trek, NEW EARTH" series - now there's a tedious read...whew!) If you enjoyed the movie Star Trek, Generations, you'll absolutely love this book.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not great
Review: Captain James T. Kirk has been a role model to me all my life. There are few characters that are as brave, noble, and human as he. When Kirk was killed off in ST: Generations, it was if a piece of me died as well. There is no reason, in my mind at least, that Kirk should have ever been killed. Kirk's final mission should have been left up to our own imaginations. And even if it was neccesary to kill him off on screen, why not do it in a more dramatic, meaningful way. Anyway, I am thankful that Bill Shatner has resurrected the character or Jim Kirk in The Return. I don't ever want him to permanently die in my mind, and this book brings him back to life. However, as a piece of literature, this work leaves much to be desired. There are quite a few plot problems with this book, but those can be forgiven. To me, the biggest problem in The Return is the character writing. Shatner knows Kirk, and Spock pretty well, but I feel that Picard, Data, and ESPECIALLY Riker get treated poorly. Also, much of the borg premise is unbelievable even for Star Trek. And my final critique deals with the writing itself. In a book about many defined characters, I think that more dialog would have been in order. Instead, there are long, and often cumbersome descriptions. However, this is not, nor is it meant to be a candidate for best literature of the 20th century. What Mr. Shatner does succeed in doing is creating one of the most enjoyable Star Trek experiences that has been written in a long time. While certainly a little corny, and even over-the-top at some points, the book remains entertaining, and filled with suspense. Star Trek fans, and especially TOS fans will probably love this book, while non-trekkers won't get lured into the trek universe by this work. In summation, I really enjoyed reading this book, despite a lot of problems with the plot and writing style. If you want amazing literature, read Hamlet, but if you want Star Trek the way it was meant to be, read this, or any of Mr. Shatner's other books. For the Star Trek fan, its 300+ pages of fun and nostalgia.
Rating:
Summary: Out of the World
Review: Beyond a doubt, this is the finest work of William Shatner and, perhaps, the best Star Trek script since The Voyage Home (Star Trek IV). It would be a real plus for the Star Trek movies to place this script on the big screen and allow William Shatner to direct or produce. Only this time, allow Shatner full creative authority to avoid to mistakes of Star Trek V. An easy read that is enjoyable, fast, and gripping to the end!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I think this is one of the best books he has written. A Hero Returns, The alliance of The Borg with the Romulans, A Lost Love Found, And the first apperance of The Borg; The book was great, but I did feel that it ended too fast. Shatner could've gone into more detail. If you are a Star Trek fan, or even if you're not, I do Highly Recommend you read this book.
|
