Rating: 
Summary: Shatner takes on 'Nemesis' Follow-Up
Review:
Having read all of the Shatner/Reeves books, I was only truly let down in the first book of this trilogy, 'Captain's Peril.' It lacked what made the other Shatnerverse books exciting and good reads; the action, the appearances by numerous Trek characters, the almost epic-sized missions for Kirk to take on. I was hesitant to read 'Captain's Blood' for these reasons. I was unsure after the last book if it was worth the money and time, so waited until some used copies came around at a decent price.
'Captain's Blood' is one of the best Shatnerverse novels. It seems to step past the events of the last book where it seemed uncertain where the trilogy would go. This book has multiple plots flying around, something for everyone in my opinion. It opens with a major character's assasination. Kirk and McCoy team up and go on a mission to investigate the murder, taking with them Joseph, Kirk's son. Along for the adventure? Picard, Crusher, La Forge, Voyager's EMH and Scotty. Who else makes an appearance, adding life and a new level of excitment to the book? Admiral Kathryn Janeway, Captain Riker of the Titan Deanna Troi, and Worf.
For what I thought didn't work and took away from the novel; there are a lot of plot threads going on. It seems as if the authors had a few ideas of what to base the novel on and tried to find a way to use them all. You have the assasination, you have the continuing Romulan-Reman conflict, you have the Totality as introduced in the previous book, then there's Starfleet Intelligence's involvment and their own mission in the mix of things. Some of these plot lines seem to just end without being given more life or interest. They're introduced, solved and replaced by something new. Another thing that I as a reader found a little distracting is simply the Kirk character. All of the Shatnerverse novels of course center around Kirk in the 24th Century. Its a bit of an ego-trip as Shatner again makes Kirk a super-hero who can fight, out-think Spock and make the other characters seem near useless.
I had to laugh at how Worf, apparently still an ambassador even following his un-explained appearance in 'Nemesis,' often times being portrayed as growling and annoyed. He does give Kirk good advice on raising Joseph. Crusher is put at communications, reduced to an Uhura-role but is given the chance later on to flex her muscles a bit. She just seems to be tossed in for the heck of giving Picard someone to talk to. Again, 'Nemesis' seemed to have it where Crusher was going off to run Starfleet Medical again (read the A Time To... series) but in Shatner's novel, it comes off as if she has nothing else to do but tag along with Picard. Scotty seems equally useless in the novel. There was no mentioning of his role in the Starfleet Corps of Engineers and his scenes seemed to nearly copy what was seen in 'Star Trek Generations' during his appearance. Picard was more true to character but it seemed distracting that he would put his association with Kirk above his own dudy.
That being said, the good: I wondered what Shatner would do with a follow-up to 'Star Trek Nemesis.' I can't exactly picture Shatner sitting around and becoming an expert on the film but then again, he does have two authors working with him who have impressive novels under their names. This did seem to add more substance to 'Nemesis,' something which I really enjoyed since the movie lacked Trek's commentary on life and upped the action sequences. The Remans way of life is given more exploration, making their coup of the government in the movie more understandable. 'Shinzon' seems to live on but only haunts Picard in one scene. The fear of another Shinzon rising seems to worry Picard and Kirk. While I do not truly understand the Totality, the main focus of this trilogy, I think they fit in best with the Original Series feel of the novels. It's a bad guy that can get to Kirk and others, one who seems to be a throw-back to the old series and their 60s' inspired aliens of the week.
What I also liked about the novel was that Shatner does provide a good role or two for some of Trek's less explored characters. Troi actually has a role but it's not like the usual counselor duties. She's there for Riker, coming off more as a first officer than a ship's counselor. There's a great scene where Troi basically runs the meeting between the Titan's group and Kirk and she has to verbally spar with Worf, showing that the Betazoid has grown as a character since her TNG episode days. Another surprisingly good role was Admiral Kathryn Janeway. Her interactions with Kirk were in my opinion great and on mark based on her VGR days. She's friendly but there comes a time when she seems to draw the line and go completely professional. It seems as if Kirk both likes and hates Janeway, knowing she has something over him and that she's one of the few women who don't fall for the Kirk charm. Learning she was the admiral put in charge of the Romulan-affair follwing Nemesis was great. Learning she wasn't exactly successful but has lots of expectations to meet following her Delta Quadrant days made her even better fit for the role. She interacts with all the characters, truly coming forth as a great part of the novel. She does appear in other Shatner books, such as Spectre, but only as her Mirror self.
I think Shatner and his associates hit the nail on the head with this one. Instead of writing a novel that seems to work outside the other shows, this one fits in better with the rest of Trek as we know it by having the actions take place sometime after Nemesis. It was a quick read, fun, action packed but with a lot of thoughtful observations on situations and characters that took me by surprise somewhat. This is definately worth the read and has its flaws but as a total work, it works perfectly and stands on its own as one of Shatner's best novels, and one of the Post-Nemesis era's best installments as well.
Rating: 
Summary: a mixed bag, a so-so entry in the Shatner series
Review: "Captain's Blood" is eighth in the generally excellent Star Trek novel series by William Shatner and Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens, a series that began with "Ashes of Eden" and centers - at least in part - around the premise that Kirk did not meet his final end as portrayed in the movie "Star Trek: Generations," but rather he was resurrected, events surrounding this of which are detailed in the second novel in the series, "The Return." This novel, as are all the others with the exception of the bulk of "Ashes of Eden" takes place contemporaneously with the events of the Star Trek universe at large, with each successive novel in the series incorporating events portrayed in the various television series and movies. This novel is a sequel in part to several different stories, including a plotline in the last novel, "Captain's Peril" (the plotline that was detailed by Kirk to Captain Picard as a series of events that happened early on in Kirk's command of the _Enterprise_ as well as events that are depicted in the book's epilogue; it would be quite helpful for the reader to have read "Captain's Peril" though I think not essential); the two-part "Unification" episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (which centered around Ambassador Spock working on Romulus covertly in order to try and reunite the peoples of the Romulan Empire and the planet Vulcan); and the latest of the movies, "Star Trek: Nemesis" (which dealt largely with a coup on Romulus, the overthrow of the Romulan Senate by the military and by Remans - an offshoot of the Romulans who live in total darkness and in total servitude on the planet Remus, working as miners and laborers - led by Shinzon, a clone of Captain Picard). Very early on in the novel we find that Spock has been hard at work on Romulus, a tumultuous and chaotic place following the events portrayed in "Nemesis," with considerable doubt as to who will ultimately be in charge of the Romulan Empire, the loyalty of the military, whether or not a civil war might erupt in the Empire, and how this will affect the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. Though able now to work openly owing to a détente of sorts with the Federation, Spock still faces considerable opposition; in fact so much opposition he is killed early on the book (this is no secret, as the book jacket reveals this information). The Federation convinces Kirk to go to Romulus to lead a group to investigate Spock's death, traveling in a semi-official capacity on a non-Starfleet vessel (or at least one that does not appear as such, as in reality it is basically a spy ship). Traveling to Romulus with Picard, Beverly Crusher, Scotty, McCoy, and his son, the group quickly becomes embroiled in intrigue and subterfuge mainly on the planet Remus, rather than on the original destination on Romulus. They find that the situation is even more chaotic than previously thought, war is closer than they feared, and that one of their number stands to be quite involved in events in the Empire. They make some surprising discoveries and while some events are resolved it is clear that much remains unresolved and there will be a follow-up book to this one as the Federation - indeed perhaps the entire galaxy - is facing a dire menace that they are woefully unprepared to handle. That's the summary of what the book is about, roughly, but what did I think of it? It was ok, not great but not bad. I thought it had a good set-up and I am very interested in what is going to happen next in the storyline. It is quite possible that the next book in the series is going to be quite engaging; certainly a lot can be lost in the next one, so grave is the danger faced. The actual story itself was sometimes so-so; the intrigue and politics on Romulus and even more so on Remus got confusing and sometimes tedious, with our heroes splitting up again and again and then conveniently meeting up again and again. Sometimes it seemed a tad unbelievable and even contrived at times how their various paths crossed again and again. Maybe it was the way I read the story but sometimes the Romulus-Remus-civil war- Spock's assassination plotline felt a bit rushed, as if the main plot that the authors were interested in was the one first developed in "Captains' Peril" and one that will clearly be the focus of the next book in the series (or I would be very much surprised if it was not). I liked how it tried to expand upon events portrayed in "Nemesis," as I believe that if there were on-going Star Trek series set in its "present" that fallout from that would be a major focus of stories, but I don't know if it was as quite as effective as it should have been. I think they gave Spock's involvement in these events rather short shrift and it seemed almost as if in the end his efforts were all for naught, I don't know. Though overall in this series - as one reviewer described, the "Shatnerverse" - there has been considerable attempt to be consistent with not only of course the other novels of the series but also the various movies and television series this do not mean that they always handle those references well. I also felt that some of the characters - notably Crusher and Scotty - weren't given a whole heck of a lot to do. Still, not a bad book and if you like the series I would say go and read it. Certainly it would be essential read before getting the next in the series, whenever it is published.
Rating:
Summary: The Adventures of Captain Kirk Rebound!
Review: "Star Trek: Captain's Blood", of course, is one of the continuing series following the exploits of Captain Kirk in the 24th century universe after his death in "Star Trek: Generations" and resurrection in Shatner's second "Star Trek" novel "Star Trek: The Return". That said, one must understand the backstory of the preceeding novels to have an idea of what is going on here. The last time Kirk's resurrection and such was explained for the benefit of those who didn't read the earlier books was in a very brief couple of opening chapters of "Star Trek: Spectre". Since then, Shatner (with considerable help from Trek master writers Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens) has just been running on the assumption that you have been keeping up. This is fine by me as these stories just can't seem to come out fast enough. Okay, so when we left Kirk in "Star Trek: Preserver" (two books ago), the great James Tiberius had become a widower and the single-parent to a asexual baby that he and his wife (who had been first introduced in Shatner's first Trek novel as a young woman in Kirk's own era) had named Joseph. Kirk had found in his second life the type of existence that he lacked in his own era of the 23rd century. He had come to have the very thing that had been the regret so often explored in the first seven "Star Trek" films and many books. Of course, his wife was dead, but he was finding peace in that too. "Star Trek: Captain's Peril" followed, which was really an inferior detour from anything relevant to Kirk's arc beyond providing a B-plot that ultimately serves to tie into this story. So, as we open here, about six months have passed since "Star Trek: Nemesis". The Enterprise is still undergoing repairs and refits after its climatic battle in the Bason Rift. Kirk's son is now five years-old (and it is now nine years since James T. Kirk died on Veridian III in the effort to stop the evil Dr. Soran with Picard and then came to be reborn a month later). McCoy is still alive and kicking, complaining to Kirk about Kirk's continued reluctance to take better care of himself (afterall, the man was born 147 years before this; even if he did end up skipping 78 of them by getting trapped in the Nexus). The big shocker is that Spock has just been mysteriously, and publically, assassinated. Kirk must command a Federation civilian vessel on a mission to try to figure out who killed Spock, why, and how this might strain the already delicate matters on Romulus. I don't want to spoil some the the revelations of this story, but let's just say like the books that came before, this story leaves you dying to know what's coming around the next (and potentially final) corner for our good friend James Tiberius. After the rather disappointing venture of "Star Trek: Captain's Peril", this does reclaim the sense of peril and grandeur that seems to only come out of well-written Trek novels these days. As always, I have some concerns, mainly relating to the use of Voyager characters here. "Star Trek: Voyager", like the current series "Star Trek: Enterprise", was a big blunder of the franchise that should be sooner forgotten than celebrated through incorporation into an otherwise strong story. Just allowing Janeway for example to come in and out of the story a few times just cheapens it somehow (in the same way it did in "Star Trek: Nemesis"). And everyone who read the book jacket must be begging to know: Does Spock really die? Well... that remains to be seen. There are always possibilities.
Rating: 
Summary: Shatner's Captain's Blood Delivers
Review: After William Shatner's last lackluster Trek novel, Captain's Peril, I wasn't too sure how exciting the next entry would be. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Not since The Return have I read a William Shatner book I had trouble putting down. Captain's Blood delivers the plot and action that we expect from a Kirk adventure. The intermixing of the Original Series, Next Gen, and Voyager characters is seamless and just wonderfully done.
The book starts out a little vague, but as you read, you develop an understanding of the thick plot the book contains. Weaving together so many stories is not an easy thing to do, but this book delivers. Picking up very soon after Nemesis, this book offers almost a continuation of the movie, offering something the movie may have lacked. The Spock story is perfectly integrated into the novel.
It was also interesting to have now Admiral Janeway and Voyager's EMH be a large part of the plot...they certainly have some great moments.
Take my advice...give this book a try! Some of the most interesting moments in Star Trek come from the novels. And, after finishing the book and reading the ominous epilogue, you'll be screaming for more!!
Rating:
Summary: Another Hit For Shatner and the Reeves-Stevens
Review: As soon as I got this book I couldn't wait to jump into it.
As I was reading the book I knew that this was another hit book for Mr. Shatner and the Reeves-Stevens team. I like the fact the story takes place shortly after the events of Star Trek: Nemesis.
It was a nice touch having Kirk's son Joseph be a part of the storyline in this one. I like the fact that they Had wrote that
Kirk be in charge of the Covert mission to investigate Ambasador
Spock's Death but have Picard, Geordi, Scotty, Dr. "Bones" McCoy,
Dr. Beverly Crusher as his crew. The story line was a grade A+
worthy of a Star Trek story. I thought this would make a great new Star Trek Movie, But Kirk lives on Book pages and not on film anymore..it's a shame. If you are die hard fan of Star Trek
universe and have read the books from Ashes to Eden to Captain's
Peril you will love this one if you have not read it yet.
Rating:
Summary: Definitely back on track!
Review: Captain's Peril was a disappointment to everyone, but, you have to look at that book as one long bridge and setup piece for the next story, which is where this thing takes off. This book is definitely a return to form for this series and, as I have said about every single one of the other books, is the most genuine Star Trek I have seen in ages. If only we could get stories like these for our Star Trek movies or series. Once again, Shatner and the Garfield Reeves-Stevens take the mediocre drabness from mainstream Trek these days and find a way to bring sudden validation and depth to it. That's what real writers are supposed to do. So, even a franchise killing movie like Nemesis suddenly resonates with a little meaning thanks to the repair job and extension certain events are given here. That's what I have always loved about this series. The way they connect the dots, fill in the blanks, and flesh things out and really make all parts of Star Trek truly feel like one big universe in the most epic sense. That's the way Star Trek always really was meant to be - not a weekly soap opera set in space like it has been in recent years. Say what you will about Shatner, but he and his two collaborators clearly know this universe and love it and its characters passionately, and it shows. That's what Star Trek so desperately needs now. People that really care about it and love it to be in charge vs. those who want the quickest way to turn over a buck. The irony of that being: If you make quality Trek, you will make more money, because quality Trek always has had that universal appeal. I look forward to each book in this series like I used to the Star Trek movies. To me, the stories within are that important and I consider them canon as far as I am concerned. I always tell people if the want to remember what real Trek is about, read this series, read Peter David, read Micheal Jan Friedman, and a few others. I sincerely hope this series doesn't end, because it feels like it's my last hope for real quality Trek and the continuation of the "main" story. I understand that all good things must come to an end, but...I hope that's not for a long while. Must read!
Rating:
Summary: "Captain's Blood" still somewhat anaemic
Review: Having been slightly disappointed by Shatner's previous Star Trek book I had high hopes for this one, but sadly this is still a pale reflection on what he used to write. Perhaps his age and all the trials and tribulations of his life have slowed him down, but to me much of the excitement and zest seems to have drained out of his novels in recent years. What on earth possessed him to write a novel that is a sequel to "Star Trek : Nemesis" - debatably the worst Star Trek movie ever made !!! The film reflected the modern trend to ignore established Star Trek history and just write any old rubbish and hence is full of mistakes. Unfortunately Shatner, who in the past has been fairly consistent with getting things right, fell into this trap and by carrying on themes from the film has delivered a book with some highly dubious details. As with "Captain's Peril", the inclusion of other characters is almost pointless as they offer nothing to the story, and their roles are so easily interchangeable you could substitute their dialogue and actions amongst each other. Kirk once again takes center stage, and while I'm not entirely against that as it is after all a William Shatner novel, the once famous Starfleet captain really doesn't do much other than wander around trying to solve another fairly obvious mystery. In recent years another annoying trend in Star Trek is to 'talk down' to the audience. I particularly dislike this as in my experience the average science fiction fan tends to have a reasonably high IQ, and if an audience can figure out what is going on within the first few chapters surely it is reasonable for highly trained Starfleet officers with years of experience to be able to do the same, instead of stumbling around in the dark only for the big non-event revelation at the end ?!!!
Another thing a little disappointing about this novel is the tied plot device of a fake assassination. It has actually been used in a number of Star Trek novels - a book that I would recommend is #55 "Renegade" by Gene DeWeese published in June 1991 - and is actually used as an emotional cheat. I won't say any more as there is a plot twist concerning this I don't wish to give away. Plus speaking of re-occurring ideas I feel constrained to point out that the central villain to this particular trilogy is called "The Totality". Now for those of us who have been around longer than we care to remember, Star Trek #9 "Triangle" by Sondra Marshak & Myrna Culbreath published in March 1983 featured an entity of the same name. I bet they are kicking themselves they didn't register the name as a trademark !!! Sadly though, I fear this symbolises how recycled and rehashed Star Trek material is becoming, and as Shakespeare said : "Familiarity breeds contempt". So at the end of this day this is another okay but hardly engaging effort, and once again I would advise people to wait for the paperback rather than paying the high price for a hardback. I hope the final book in this trilogy might turn things around but on current form I can't see it. Perhaps after "Captain's Glory" it might be time for Mr Shatner, and his alter ego "James Tiberius Kirk", to hang up the phasers and take up a less intense occupation - say head wrangler on a tribble farm !!!
Rating:
Summary: VERY nice follow-up to the so-so Captain's Peril...
Review: I have come to know just a few things in life, and one of the more interesting and surprising facts is that William Shatner, with the calculated help of Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens' write some spectacular Star Trek novels. It all began with 'The Ashes of Eden' and although not every single novel has been a Grand Slam, they have all been pretty good, I would even go so far as to say above average for Star Trek novels. 'Captain's Peril' was I felt not the best from this trio of authors, but I still enjoyed how the story went from the past to the present and included so many of Trek's major characters, specifically Kirk and Picard. Shatner's novels have in general been very kind to all the major Trek series characters, from Next Gen to DS9 and even Voyager, and 'Captain's Blood' is no exception. Talk about a tragedy! The beginning of the novel finds Ambassador Spock assassinated while on a mission of peace. My first reaction was one of absolute disgust. How could Shatner DO this to us fans? But then I have to remember that Spock was killed before and is still with us, so forcing myself to remember that this is science fiction, I continued on knowing that all isn't what it necessarily seems when it comes to this kind of story. Is he REALLY dead? THAT is something I will leave up to you to figure out, but I have a feeling you already know. Again, this story takes place shortly after the events chronicled in Star Trek: Nemesis, which I felt was a VERY under-appreciated Trek Movie, and seamlessly picks up with the problems facing Starfleet, Romulus and Remus. Featuring an expanded character list which includes Admiral Janeway and the EMH from Voyager, all major Trek fans will find this entry into Trek Lore to be a very satisfying one. There are MANY plots moving in this rather short story, but never fear, the authors are very much in control of everything, including the outcome. I now find myself looking forward to the next installment in Shatner's newest trilogy even more so than I was anticipating 'Captain's Blood'. I think it can be finally said: William Shatner not only was a great iconic leader in the Trek Universe, but he can also write some really great novels as well. This one is to be savored. Trek fans rejoice and enjoy. Mr. Shatner? By all means, live long and prosper.
Rating:
Summary: VERY nice follow-up to the so-so Captain's Peril...
Review: I have come to know just a few things in life, and one of the more interesting and surprising facts is that William Shatner, with the calculated help of Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens' write some spectacular Star Trek novels. It all began with 'The Ashes of Eden' and although not every single novel has been a Grand Slam, they have all been pretty good, I would even go so far as to say above average for Star Trek novels. 'Captain's Peril' was I felt not the best from this trio of authors, but I still enjoyed how the story went from the past to the present and included so many of Trek's major characters, specifically Kirk and Picard. Shatner's novels have in general been very kind to all the major Trek series characters, from Next Gen to DS9 and even Voyager, and 'Captain's Blood' is no exception. Talk about a tragedy! The beginning of the novel finds Ambassador Spock assassinated while on a mission of peace. My first reaction was one of absolute disgust. How could Shatner DO this to us fans? But then I have to remember that Spock was killed before and is still with us, so forcing myself to remember that this is science fiction, I continued on knowing that all isn't what it necessarily seems when it comes to this kind of story. Is he REALLY dead? THAT is something I will leave up to you to figure out, but I have a feeling you already know. Again, this story takes place shortly after the events chronicled in Star Trek: Nemesis, which I felt was a VERY under-appreciated Trek Movie, and seamlessly picks up with the problems facing Starfleet, Romulus and Remus. Featuring an expanded character list which includes Admiral Janeway and the EMH from Voyager, all major Trek fans will find this entry into Trek Lore to be a very satisfying one. There are MANY plots moving in this rather short story, but never fear, the authors are very much in control of everything, including the outcome. I now find myself looking forward to the next installment in Shatner's newest trilogy even more so than I was anticipating 'Captain's Blood'. I think it can be finally said: William Shatner not only was a great iconic leader in the Trek Universe, but he can also write some really great novels as well. This one is to be savored. Trek fans rejoice and enjoy. Mr. Shatner? By all means, live long and prosper.
Rating:
Summary: Shatner is King
Review: I have to say that if they go ahead and fire Rick Berman as head of all things Star Trek they should really consider, in fact I'd be comfortable to demand, that Shatner be put in charge. Every time one of these movies come out beginning with Star Trek: Generations it takes Shatner's novels to fix all the problems. Captain's Blood does it again explaining all the problems with Star Trek: Nemesis. I enjoyed this book. While The Return is easily the best of the series, this one is right up there with the best.
|
