Rating: Summary: I like it, but... Review: How many times can you bring Kirk back to life? Once again bringing the two legendary captains together worked well, and the threat of Federation breakdown has merit as dies the theory of Sarek's murder, but can Kirk continue to be the hero that he was years ago? I am a die hard reader of the Star Trek literature, and this is reaching for something, something not quite logical. And now I see that Kirk will be back again. Enough. Let him die. And stay dead.
Rating: Summary: A weak sequel. Review: After Kirk's "Return" in the last novel, Paramont and Mr. Shatner have decided to milk it for all it is worth. This book is predictable and dull with nothing to say either to Star Trek fans or a larger audience. A real shame since "Return" wasn't half bad. The should have left well enough alone.
Rating: Summary: A mind blowing, hotter then a Captain Kirk's phaser book Review: StarTrek Avengers is a well-writtn and highly exciting books. This book is about the killer virus raging across the universe, destroying food supplies in it's process. This virus makes Ebola virus seem like the common cold. Captain Kirk's legendary service are once agin called for, but against Federation wishes. Fights between Captain Kirk and next generations Captain Picard because of differing views makes Khan V Kirk seem like a child's playground flight. Guest apperances include Spock who is looking for the father's murderer and vulcans who dabble in Bio-Technology warfare to alter StarFleeet history. It seems that the book tries to think what would happen if an unstoppable virus did enter our food chain In the Twentieth century, many countries are adapting their land to produce common, standard food products without thinking. What would the human race or any species be if their food became infected. Technology becomes increasingly faster, but at the exopense of wisdom .I feel that Willam Shatner trying to place this as an underlying message. Be warned, Be prepared this book will knock yer socks off, but next time Willam pay close attention to events in all three series. Buy it NOW, you still here go to the shop
Rating: Summary: "Star Trek: Avenger" lacks quality. Review: William Shatner's third foray into Star Trek novels leaves one believing that his novels will inevitably end up as his "Tek" book series did- overdone. "Avenger" lacks the originality of his previous work, "The Return" and relies on outlandish interpretations of past Star Trek events to lull readers into a sense of excitement. "Avenger" chronicles the presence of a conspiracy within the Federation by a Vulcan dissident group known as "The Symmetrists" who rely on biological warfare to reach their goals. At the same time, Ambassador Spock finds out that his father Sarek who passed away a few years earlier, was murdered, and did not die of Bendii Syndrome as was previously believed. And of course, Kirk is alive yet again. "The Return," which was full of excitement, carried a slight air of disbelievability. "Avenger" reeks of it. Almost every event chronicled in this novel is extremely unlikely to say the least. Vulcan dissidents have been attempted in Star Trek novels before. (See A.C. Crispins's "Sarek") They were no more convincing this time. That a logic-based society would resort to terrorism is "preposterous", as one character in the novel aptly stated. As for Shatner's dim view of the future of the Federation? It was completely contrived as a convenient storyline, as was the "sudden revelation" about Sarek's death. Sarek's "murder" does not directly contradict the events from Star Trek: The Next Generation's story "Unification, Part II", but it does so indirectly, and I might add, conveniently. As for Kirk's survival yet again? Shatner's placement of his weak explanation for these events in the middle of the story makes it seem as though he began writing the story without knowing of a plausible explanation for Kirk's continued existence and then ad libbed a reason when he could no longer put it off. The story itself made do with its unlikely premises and proceeded convolutedly to its expected conclusion. Throughout the novel, two storylines (loosely connected) dominate, leaving one wondering if Shatner actually to use one of the storylines as a plot. While the ending for this story was more reserved than the ending of "The Return," the entire novel taken as a whole leaves the reader wishing for a "Return" to plausibility in Shatner's upcoming 1998 novel.
Rating: Summary: I don't like it. Review: When I first read the book, I was excited. After a while, I wanted to put it away. I was disappointed about the way the story turned out. it seemed that the author was undermining a lot of characters and even a whole culture while at the same time glorifying one character. I also want to question several points. If Spock was affected by Bendii Syndrome, wouldn't have he want to kill his father's murderer. Don't tell me that the Vulcans have never arrested non-Vulcans. And why would Sarek want to mind-meld with Kirk as father to son. Ashes of Eden was okay. I even found The Return quite good. However, I found Avenger disappointing. If William Shatner entends to write two more books, I hope he considers the fact that Star Trek is about many characters and not just one.END
Rating: Summary: Self-Important Drivel Review: If you think Kirk is the ultimate captain, if you think Kirk IS Trek -- you're going to love this book. On the other hand, if you've always thought that Kirk was a bit of a jerk, and two decades of tell-all autobiographies have confirmed this attitude, better skip this one. The book is certainly well-written. But the plot was contrived and self-serving, a mish-mash of threads from various TV episodes, tied together without regard to the integrity of the rest of Trek universe and totally devoted to glorifying the author's alter-ego (emphasis on ego) at the expense of everyone else. It is certainly the weakest of the Shatner Trek trilogy. "Ashes of Eden" was surprisingly good. "The Return" was campy. But by the time it came to "Avenger", Shatner carries this plot line way too far. A 200 year old dead man, never the smartest or strongest, out-thinks Data, out-maneuvers Riker, displays better judgment than Picard, out-fights nearly everyone, and is a better son to Sarek than Spock. All the while spewing his brand of philosophy. It's just not cute anymore. As the good doctor would say, "YOU'RE DEAD, JIM!
Rating: Summary: Excellent!! Review: Outstanding job of story line and one of the best historical tie ins to the Star Trek universe yet! It's a little weak to get started on the Borg homeworld (come on, a evacuation beam just happens along), but regardless of that "little" stretch, it was another great work by Shatner. I'd hazard to say that he ranks in the top five Star Trek writers.
Rating: Summary: "It's GREAT!" Review: I have read a lot of Star Trek novels, but the ones William Shatner has written, have been the best and the ones I have always gone back to. Avenger is the best in showing the differences between Kirk and Picard, plus the kindship between Kirk and Spock. The message behind it is so today, and it is so very true. Scientists are always trying to save things, and to help others elsewhere, we're always mixing up the organisms of this planet. Just because at the time we may think we are right, there is never any thought to the future -- what if we are not? And what are the consequences that will occur if that happens? I really think he has done a brilliant job in taking that issue, and putting a familiar spin on it. If there is anyone contiplating picking up there first sci-fi/Star Trek novel, this one should be it. Lois Merritt
Rating: Summary: Best of the Shatner Trilogy Review: While I have been reading Star Trek books for years, they have recently become dull and predictable. Shatner has thrown away the mold and written three books that get better with each page. The blending of the old and new makes great reading for any Trek Fan. When I first read about these books I raised an eyebrow and was concerned about how well could Shatner write Kirk and decided not to read them. But curiousity got the best of me and I started at the begining with Ashes of Eden. Two books later, I can safely say these are the best Trek books for years. Avenger takes Kirk into another dimension from the Kirk from TV, Movies and novels. We find a Kirk who is more intropective and more concerned with his follow beings, and not his beloved Enterprise. My only conplaint is the way Picard is protrayed in the last two books. Other than that, KEEP THEM COMING.
Rating: Summary: Gets better each book Review: I admit first thought was "This man refuses to die, figures he writes a book where he comes back to life... again" But then I read the book :)
Only Shatner/Kirk could write a book this brilliant. I won't ruin the plot but it brings out more of Kirk for us to see. We get to see an older, wiser and more matured Kirk, we even get so wrapped up in the book we feel sorry for Kirk and the Federation that won't let him live in peace. It is a masterpiece blending new characters and plots with old familiar characters and stories we all know so well. This book will keep you guessing right up to the end, which btw has a lovely and comic twist that I loved. It makes you want to go back and reread/rewatch the earlier books and episodes in much the same way the Back to the Future movies made you want to watch the first one again. You've seen part three and know so much more of what was going on behind the scenes and have caught so many more details that you have to start over and do it all again and see it in a new light.
Shatner has grown and matured as a writer and I enjoy his work. He can write all the more books he wants and bring Kirk back as much as he wants, I will read them all.
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