Rating: 
Summary: A good story, well-written.
Review: Set in the aftermath of "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country", this is an adventure that deals with the crew of the Enterprise as aging, post-Enterprise members of Starfleet, mostly going their own separate ways. If that, and a lot of complaints about aging, aren't your cup of tea, then there is a definite downside to this book. But it IS handled well, so you may find it to be more interesting than you would think even if the idea DOES sound dull.Furthermore, this is one of those "Kirk & co. save the Federation and civilization as we know it" storylines, but it's handled better than I've ever seen the idea handled before. Most of the threats of that magnitude seem contrived, and the idea that our heroes can stem the tide even more so. But in this story, the threat seemed VERY plausible, and given the nature of it, the solution seemed equally plausible. One of the best original series "Trek" books I've read in quite a while.
Rating: 
Summary: The Original Enterprise Crew Back Together Again
Review: STAR TREK
The Last Roundup
AUTHOR: Christie Golden
PUBLISHER: Simon & Schuster
REVIEWED BY: Barbara Rhoades BOOK REVIEW: The crew of the Star Ship Enterprise has moved on with their lives. Their days with the Enterprise are over and Jim Kirk is teaching at the Academy and the others are pursuing various different things. Late one evening during a semester break, Jim's door chimes and his two nephews have come to see him. They ask him to go with them to a new planet where they will begin a colony that pursues peace. They share the planet, called Sanctuary, with a race that is little known to the rest of the galaxy. At first Jim refuses, but the next day brings an unexpected breakfast guest. This incident makes Jim change his mind and go with his nephews. He even talks Scotty and Chekov into going with him. After arriving, their main transport is destroyed. This makes Jim wonder just how friendly this little known race is. He begins to investigate just what this race wants of the new colonists and at what cost to the rest of the galaxy. Believing he faces the danger with only Scotty and Chekov to help him, the three former Enterprise officers form a plan. Help comes from the rest of the original Enterprise crew and from a Klingon who has sworn a "dis-jar-shay". Once again, the original Star Trek crew holds the attention of any loyal "Trekkie". Be sure to get a copy to add to your library.
Rating:
Summary: The Original Enterprise Crew Back Together Again
Review: STAR TREK
The Last Roundup
AUTHOR: Christie Golden
PUBLISHER: Simon & Schuster
REVIEWED BY: Barbara Rhoades BOOK REVIEW: The crew of the Star Ship Enterprise has moved on with their lives. Their days with the Enterprise are over and Jim Kirk is teaching at the Academy and the others are pursuing various different things. Late one evening during a semester break, Jim's door chimes and his two nephews have come to see him. They ask him to go with them to a new planet where they will begin a colony that pursues peace. They share the planet, called Sanctuary, with a race that is little known to the rest of the galaxy. At first Jim refuses, but the next day brings an unexpected breakfast guest. This incident makes Jim change his mind and go with his nephews. He even talks Scotty and Chekov into going with him. After arriving, their main transport is destroyed. This makes Jim wonder just how friendly this little known race is. He begins to investigate just what this race wants of the new colonists and at what cost to the rest of the galaxy. Believing he faces the danger with only Scotty and Chekov to help him, the three former Enterprise officers form a plan. Help comes from the rest of the original Enterprise crew and from a Klingon who has sworn a "dis-jar-shay". Once again, the original Star Trek crew holds the attention of any loyal "Trekkie". Be sure to get a copy to add to your library.
Rating:
Summary: Bringing the cows in to pasture
Review: The Last Roundup is a Star Trek tale of Captain Kirk's final adventure before the events of Star Trek: Generations. This being the final adventure, there are a lot of "I feel old" moments from Kirk, as well as a few of the other characters. There are discussions of age and how things must finally be handed over to a new generation. It's also quite a nice book, though it's very light without a lot of substance. First of all, I will say that this isn't necessarily the "final adventure" for Captain Kirk, and it certainly isn't for the rest of the crew, who pop up in various books that take place after Generations. The reason it's not Kirk's is because, while the epilogue takes place just as Kirk is getting ready to go inspect Enterprise-B, it takes place months after the end of the story, so there is definitely room for more. Not that I think there should be, of course. Now, as for the book itself, it should make any Trek fan happy. It's a thoroughly competent, enjoyable story. There's just not a lot of meat to it. It's pretty short with a large typeface, so it's a quick read, and I certainly wouldn't pay hardcover prices for it. If you're looking for depth, go elsewhere. If you're looking for yet another adventure with some of your favourite characters, then this would be a good pickup at the library or in paperback. My first complaint about it is that the original crew doesn't figure in it very much, with the exception of Scotty and Chekov. That's not necessarily a bad thing, of course, as some of the better Trek books have involved only a few of the characters. The problem is that they are featured in quite a few scenes, so why not make them a bigger part of the story? As it is, they take up space that could have furthered the story elsewhere. Uhura and McCoy are especially given short shrift. They are helping Spock with the Klingon peace negotiations that resulted from the events in the movie Star Trek VI. A number of scenes of these cultural and medical exchanges happen at the beginning of the book, but that's the extent of their contribution. Sure, they go along for the ride with Spock after Kirk is reported missing, but they don't actually do anything. They're background material, and they deserve better than that in their supposed "final adventure." Sulu is given just as short shrift, but he does get a couple of juicy scenes that also set the stage for future Sulu novels if Pocket Books is so inclined. He's characterized very well, overall. Not only are some of our favourite crewmembers sidelined, but their stories introduce more superfluous characters that clutter the book. The Klingon opera singer is just filler, giving Uhura somebody to play off of (which, since Uhura doesn't do much involved with the story, seems even more needless). The Klingons are only in the book to get Spock and the rest involved. They don't do much but talk, fire a few weapons, and act as ferries for our heroes. The story, what is left of it, is actually pretty good. Kirk is feeling his age, and he's feeling useless. He doesn't want to be stuck in a classroom, but there's nothing else active for him to do. He wants to be in Starfleet, even if it only needs him as a teacher of the young. The dynamics of Kirk's story are well done, with Kirk being involved just enough to make him the obvious hero of the story, but enough happens despite his actions or before he can intervene that he is shown that maybe it is time to stop pining for another starship. He realizes that he has a new role in life, and that he must embrace it. I thought Kirk's thought processes through this entire book were wonderful and Golden is to be commended for creating a story where Kirk has to deal with this without wallowing. As a caveat to my point about McCoy above, he does figure very prominently in Kirk's conclusions, and the final talk between Kirk, Spock, and McCoy is a wonderful tribute to the friendship these three share. As a Trek fan, I was moved by this scene, and it made the book worth finishing. None of the other characters are very interesting, though they do serve their parts well. Skalli, a cadet who becomes very attached to Kirk and serves as an illustration of what Kirk's reputation can do, is the most well-rounded. Some have complained that she bounces back and forth between overly emotional and enormously competent, but I think Golden pulled off the difference. I think readers who feel that way missed the point. Like Kirk, they just saw the hysterical, annoying character, not realizing that it's perfectly possible for that sort of person to be skilled. I did find her annoying at first, but I warmed to her after a bit. There's also a female admiral who Kirk is friends with, and while there is a bit of sexual tension, it's obvious they're just good friends. I'm glad Golden was able to avoid that cliché. If you're a Trek fan, you'll probably enjoy this story. It's not ground-breaking, but it is pleasant. Just don't buy the hardcover. The story's not meaty enough to support it. Check it out, or pick up the paperback. It'll still be there when you're ready for it. David Roy
Rating:
Summary: Bringing the cows in to pasture
Review: The Last Roundup is a Star Trek tale of Captain Kirk's final adventure before the events of Star Trek: Generations. This being the final adventure, there are a lot of "I feel old" moments from Kirk, as well as a few of the other characters. There are discussions of age and how things must finally be handed over to a new generation. It's also quite a nice book, though it's very light without a lot of substance. First of all, I will say that this isn't necessarily the "final adventure" for Captain Kirk, and it certainly isn't for the rest of the crew, who pop up in various books that take place after Generations. The reason it's not Kirk's is because, while the epilogue takes place just as Kirk is getting ready to go inspect Enterprise-B, it takes place months after the end of the story, so there is definitely room for more. Not that I think there should be, of course. Now, as for the book itself, it should make any Trek fan happy. It's a thoroughly competent, enjoyable story. There's just not a lot of meat to it. It's pretty short with a large typeface, so it's a quick read, and I certainly wouldn't pay hardcover prices for it. If you're looking for depth, go elsewhere. If you're looking for yet another adventure with some of your favourite characters, then this would be a good pickup at the library or in paperback. My first complaint about it is that the original crew doesn't figure in it very much, with the exception of Scotty and Chekov. That's not necessarily a bad thing, of course, as some of the better Trek books have involved only a few of the characters. The problem is that they are featured in quite a few scenes, so why not make them a bigger part of the story? As it is, they take up space that could have furthered the story elsewhere. Uhura and McCoy are especially given short shrift. They are helping Spock with the Klingon peace negotiations that resulted from the events in the movie Star Trek VI. A number of scenes of these cultural and medical exchanges happen at the beginning of the book, but that's the extent of their contribution. Sure, they go along for the ride with Spock after Kirk is reported missing, but they don't actually do anything. They're background material, and they deserve better than that in their supposed "final adventure." Sulu is given just as short shrift, but he does get a couple of juicy scenes that also set the stage for future Sulu novels if Pocket Books is so inclined. He's characterized very well, overall. Not only are some of our favourite crewmembers sidelined, but their stories introduce more superfluous characters that clutter the book. The Klingon opera singer is just filler, giving Uhura somebody to play off of (which, since Uhura doesn't do much involved with the story, seems even more needless). The Klingons are only in the book to get Spock and the rest involved. They don't do much but talk, fire a few weapons, and act as ferries for our heroes. The story, what is left of it, is actually pretty good. Kirk is feeling his age, and he's feeling useless. He doesn't want to be stuck in a classroom, but there's nothing else active for him to do. He wants to be in Starfleet, even if it only needs him as a teacher of the young. The dynamics of Kirk's story are well done, with Kirk being involved just enough to make him the obvious hero of the story, but enough happens despite his actions or before he can intervene that he is shown that maybe it is time to stop pining for another starship. He realizes that he has a new role in life, and that he must embrace it. I thought Kirk's thought processes through this entire book were wonderful and Golden is to be commended for creating a story where Kirk has to deal with this without wallowing. As a caveat to my point about McCoy above, he does figure very prominently in Kirk's conclusions, and the final talk between Kirk, Spock, and McCoy is a wonderful tribute to the friendship these three share. As a Trek fan, I was moved by this scene, and it made the book worth finishing. None of the other characters are very interesting, though they do serve their parts well. Skalli, a cadet who becomes very attached to Kirk and serves as an illustration of what Kirk's reputation can do, is the most well-rounded. Some have complained that she bounces back and forth between overly emotional and enormously competent, but I think Golden pulled off the difference. I think readers who feel that way missed the point. Like Kirk, they just saw the hysterical, annoying character, not realizing that it's perfectly possible for that sort of person to be skilled. I did find her annoying at first, but I warmed to her after a bit. There's also a female admiral who Kirk is friends with, and while there is a bit of sexual tension, it's obvious they're just good friends. I'm glad Golden was able to avoid that cliché. If you're a Trek fan, you'll probably enjoy this story. It's not ground-breaking, but it is pleasant. Just don't buy the hardcover. The story's not meaty enough to support it. Check it out, or pick up the paperback. It'll still be there when you're ready for it. David Roy
Rating: 
Summary: Bland Trek fiction
Review: The latest Star Trek hardcover novel, "The Last Round-Up" promises to be the "final" adventure of the origianl series crew. However, instead of sending the crew riding off into the sunset in a blaze of glory, we instead get them slumping to the finish line in a novel that is rather derivative of a lot of things you've read before in Trek fiction. The story starts out with Captain Kirk, teaching classes at the Acadamy, but not fully satisfied with his life now that he's not commanding a starship (shades of Star Trek II). He is approached by his two nephews about going out to help them start a colony, based upon peaceful principles and doing pure scientific research. Figuring he could use the adventure and to get away from a student who is annoying him (a character created specifically for this book called Skalli, who gets real old, realy fast), Kirk agrees. But it turns out the planet his nephews and company are colonizing isn't all it was advertised to be (imagine that) and before you know it Kirk is up to his neck in a plot that threatens the entire future and stability of the Federation. Christie Golden's first attempt at writing a classic Star Trek novel comes off as a rather pedestrian affair. It's got the feeling of the been-there, done-that throughout. In a lot of ways, the idea of Kirk heading out to set-up a colony echoes the six-part summer series New Earth from two summers ago. There are some twists and turns, but they are fairly obvious what they will be long before they are revealed in the book. But for all it's disappointing aspects, the Last Round-Up has a few things to recommend. Golden does a decent job capturing the character of Kirk and she does have an intriguing idea of the Klingons owing him a favor and wanting to repay it after the events of Star Trek VI. However, these two things don't add up to enough to really make this one worth the hardcover price. The Last Round-Up is a fairly quick and then largely forgettable read. If you're really interested, I'd recommend waiting for paperback on this one.
Rating:
Summary: A great story, and the reader is great!
Review: The story here is good, but what really makes this great is the way it's read. David Kaye does the best job I've ever heard of perfectly imitating the character's voices (with the exception of Sulu - still need to work on that one). There are times when you honestly think the original crew came back together to record this adventure, and it really adds to the story. While they don't all technically get together until almost the end of the story, it's still a good one and well worth the time.
Rating:
Summary: A great story, and the reader is great!
Review: The story here is good, but what really makes this great is the way it's read. David Kaye does the best job I've ever heard of perfectly imitating the character's voices (with the exception of Sulu - still need to work on that one). There are times when you honestly think the original crew came back together to record this adventure, and it really adds to the story. While they don't all technically get together until almost the end of the story, it's still a good one and well worth the time.
Rating:
Summary: A bored Kirk finds action even when he is not looking for it
Review: This episode involves the crew of the original series, and occurs after the events of "The Undiscovered Country." The crew members have scattered to various tasks, some to command and others to do their part to cement the peace between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. Admiral Kirk is back teaching at the Star Fleet Academy and there is of course not enough action to satisfy his ravenous appetite for adventure. Therefore, when his nephews ask him to accompany them in an attempt to colonize a planet, he eventually accepts. At first, Kirk is very out of place among the scientists and engineers who are trying to conduct scientific and technical research.
Of course, things are not as they seem and Kirk, Scotty and Chekov are soon in the middle of a crisis that could damage or destroy the Federation. In this case, the primary enemy is the Orion syndicate, a rapacious pirate organization, whose sole motive is to profit at the expense of others. While the Orions were introduced in the original series, we know little about them, and do not learn much more in this story. Nevertheless, we do learn about a new species that apparently wants to join the Federation, but is in fact seeking to undermine it.
The action moves along very well and we also get to follow the exploits of Sulu, as his ship is terribly outgunned when it intervenes in a major interstellar war. His solution to the problem is one that reveals that he too has a bit of the pirate in him. Spock and Uhuru also come to the rescue in a Klingon ship, dispatched by Klingon Chancellor Azebur in repayment of a blood debt. After a battle that is waged more with wits than with phasers and photon torpedoes, Kirk and his group emerge victorious, and the Federation gains two new valuable members.
Well written and involving many different characters, this is one of the better Star Trek novels, and would have made a very good movie.
Rating:
Summary: "Last Roundup" Delivers
Review: This is the best of the post "Star Trek VI" books and promises one last great adventure for Captain Kirk and his crew. This book delivers and we find Kirk, Checkov and Scotty as the main characters in a story involving Kirk's nephews and a far flung world they wish to colonise. We see the early efforts that would lead to the Federation/Klingon alliance. Even Captain Sulu and the Excelsior make an appearance in time for a confrontation that reveals betrayal and old enemies alike. Without giving too much away this novel is truly a worthy epilogue to the classic era of films. And it is with great pride that I recommend it to you all.
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