Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not one of his best in this series
Review: I must admit at the outset that I am not a regular reader of the huge array of "Star Trek" books. I'm a "Trek" fan, but not to that extent. However, I did get hooked on William Shatner's "Trek" novels; they are a fun diversion from some heavier reading I usually do.Having said that, I was looking forward to this book, and picked it up right after it hit paperback. As with all of the previous novels, Shatner moves things right along, so the book is a quick read. But, it seems that as Capt. Kirk's journeys continue, the quality of the books has sunk a bit. "Dark Victory" is good in some ways, but overall weaker than his others. Some of the plot threads and scenes within "Dark Victory" are great (i.e. the confrontation between Kirk and Picard as the Enterprise reaches the Badlands). It makes for good reading. The major drawback of this book, though, is that I had the feeling at the conclusion that this was nothing but "filler" or a "temporary bridge" between "Spectre" and the upcoming book. "Spectre" had its flaws, to be sure, but it tied up enough loose ends in the plot before the cliffhanger to make it satisfying. I didn't get that out of "Dark Victory". Shatner seemed to leave everything hanging for the next book, and that is unsatisfying to this reader. That is why I say this one seemed to be more "filler" than anything. At least Capt. Kirk's journeys will continue. But, I hope that he returns to the better form that was displayed in my favorite of the series - "The Return" and "Avenger". I can't wholeheartedly recommend "Dark Victory", but you will want to read it to follow the story into the next novel in the series.
Rating: 
Summary: No one does Star Trek like Shatner!
Review: I enjoy Shatner Star Trek novels more than any other authors' because he knows the Trek universe better than anyone. Dark Victory was an enjoyable read that any Trek fan will appreciate. No other Trek book series brings all the various Trek shows together into one plot like William Shatner does. Dark Victory features crew from Star Trek: The Original Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and Voyager. It's the ultimate Trek crossover! I literally read the book cover to cover in one sitting, that's how interesting I found the plot to be. No Star Trek fan will be disappointed by this book, I'm eagerly looking forward to the sequel!
Rating: 
Summary: If I know my Spocks...
Review: Arguably the best of the 6 ST books. Taken from the original Star trek TV series episode MIRROR MIRROR, Kirk's double - twin has not been defeated by spock as we hoped. "Spock is logical and the mirror universe is illogical. If I know my Spocks, he'll..." well he didn't. The Kirk Twin is now Emperor Tiberius (ET) and he has enslaved humans and Vulcan alike. ET has left home and found a way to our universe and has bad things planned for the federation. Only kirk can stop him. But kirk has a lot of friends to help. Shatner has two Spocks, McCoy and Scotty, and Picard & crew to help. But how do we know which Picard is a mirror or not? This is the second book of the second trilogy (5th of the double trilogy) written by Shatner and friends for the star trek galaxy. I had long been disappointed in ST books, because they often read as if throw together. Shatner's ST is clearly the best that ST has to offer. If started with ASHES OF EDEN which turned into a trilogy, with the second book being THE RETURN. So, you want to kill off James T. Kirk huh? If you haven't read at least SPECTRE, you will want to because it starts this story arch. The story doesn't end with this book, and continues with PRESERVER. This is great sci-fi and great ST stuff.
Some have called DV the weakest of the trilogy which can happen to the middle book for a series, because things end "up in the air". But for shear entertainment this was a lot of fun to read. You have to read PRESERVER for the ending. Do it. Shatner is a great story teller. Since I am now boycotting Star Wars NJO with the killing of Anakin, I truly hope that the Star Trek people will do a better job giving us more high quality books that are fun to read. Shatner is great. But I recently read the Dominion War 4 book set and was disappointed. I read these for the familiar characters and especially like what Shatner has done, reviving kirk and putting him with TNG characters.
Rating: 
Summary: corridor book doesn't do credit to the non-kirk characters
Review: I can't believe these 5 star reviews. Try to summarize the book, guys, and you'll see it's an in-between-events type of book. A corridor. Sure, it reveals some possible secret or subversive group in Starfleet, but basically mr Shatner is refuelling here, bringing up new motivations for the two Kirks to combat eachother again, in what resembles an ego trip to much for comfort. I feel embaressment for the unsubtle way the Kirk-centeredness in this book is not hidden. Janeway has a non speaking role in the background, Picard is an inferior officer in both universes, and the two Spocks are dragged around for no real purpuse other than for background coloring. The whole universe - no, even two universes - revolve around two Shatners. This series was fun when we were surprised by the crossover visits of our other beloved characters. It gave the story extra dramactic and emotional impact. But now they are sort of abused as ideal extra's. Ideal, because since we all know who they are, they don't require shaping and descripion and development. I'm really disappointed in this book. Beside all that, a fair warning: if you haven't read the book that came right before this one, you'll miss the clue of the first part entirely. So don't start here.
Rating:
Summary: More in depth character development, promises a big climax
Review: This being the second novel in what I'm guessing is a trilogy started off with a bang. I think that the climax/cliff hanger for the 1st in this series had everyone chomping to get to their hands on this one. The action picks up right where the other left off, but after chapter 2 things slow down. There is some action, not a lot, but that's not what this story is about. This whole book is about character (especially and obviously Kirk's) motivation and how much of a mirror he is of the Tiberius (his counterpart in the mirror universe). There is some old fashion detective work that makes this novel more like a mystery at times. Guessing on who is manipulating who, how things are done, a shadow Starfleet organization and what its purpose is, plus a few surprises kept my interest. What is missing from this book is much about the Next Generation cast. They are here, but the primary role revolves around Kirk, then Spock (or Spock's) and the shadow Starfleet organization. What was a nice surprise is to see that Garak (DS9) plays a role in the book, as does a few other mentionables from the various TV series and movies. Nearing the end of the book the action picks up again, but ends not so much with an outstanding cliffhanger, but yet another plotline which promises to answer some big overall questions on the history of both universes from the beginning. It also looks as if the next book will include much more Next Generation involvement. Looking forward to it!
Rating:
Summary: An engaging tale read well and with good sound effects
Review: Mirror, Mirror has long been my favorite episode of the original Star Trek series. The prospect of a parallel universe where there is empire rather than federation is one that seems more likely when human history is considered. In this, the second in a series written and narrated by William Shatner, James Kirk must come face to face with what his evil counterpart, Emperor Tiberius, has done in the parallel universe. After Kirk plants the seed of rebellion in the Spock of the empire, Tiberius is overthrown and seeks assistance from an alliance of the Klingons and Cardassians. With the help of Tiberius, they destroy the federation, enslave all member species and turn Earth into a dead planet.
The story is one of the darker of Star Trek stories, in that it is one of a bleak future. Agents from the empire are filtering through and taking the place of their counterparts in the federation. There is a small rebellion in the empire, but it needs the help of James Kirk to have a chance. Kirk is hindered by his desire for the woman he loves and by the reality that he is battling himself. The other version is more capable, because it has no reluctance to destroy friends and even entire planets to get what he wants. Tiberius also knows every weakness that Kirk has and it is clear that only by becoming Tiberius can Kirk hope to defeat him.
William Shatner is quite good as a dramatic reader. Some of the exaggerated mannerisms that he exhibited playing James Kirk come through well as he reads. There are some excellent sound effects that add strongly to the strength of the story. It is one of the best of the Star Trek books on audio, I listened to it in my car and often stayed in it longer than usual to listen to the end of an especially exciting section.
Rating:
Summary: *Picard Should Have Edited This One*
Review: "Dark Victory" is the second, but weakest novel in William Shatner's Mirror Universe trilogy. Solid enough for true believers, the book lacks the punch shown in the first and third volumes. It makes good airport reading material, but you probably won't lose sleep staying up late because you can't put it down, unlike the other two novels in the series which are riveting works. Basically, the reader follows James T. Kirk through the recovery of his injuries from book one, "Spectre", which was an excellent book. The other main theme is the wedding of Kirk and his beloved Teilani. Frankly, Shatner may have wanted to pay tribute to love and humanize Kirk, but it just doesn't work. The bigger than life Federation hero doesn't play so well with such a weakness in his middle-to-old ages. Don't kid us, Kirk is a ladies man, period. In this aspect, Kirk's Mirror Universe counterpart Tiberius plays better than the original protagonist. There are key characters and underlying foreshadowing that lend importance to the trilogy as a whole, and the writing partners put words on paper rather nicely. These elements make the book worth the effort, but it is honestly not their best work. As so often happens, writers planning out trilogies just don't have enough juice to make it last three full books. In this case, it is "Dark Victory" that suffers as opposed to the excellent bookends that surround it in the series. I rate this work at a moderate 3.00 out of 5.00 stars, for good style and a great job with ongoing continuity. You have to read "Dark Victory" to bridge "Spectre" to "Preserver" (book three), both of which are terrific pieces of Star Trek fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Well worth your time
Review: Although I'm unsure how much of any of these novels Shatner did, but that doesn't take away from the fact that all 3 books in this trilogy (Spectre and Preserver being the other 2) are great reads. The books are great with staying with the science and story of Star Trek. The books are follow ups on the original series episode "Mirror, Mirror", and Deep Space 9 episodes "Through the Looking Glass" and "Shattered Mirror." More great character development between the Kirk and his evil mirror universe counterpart known as Tiberius. Kirk is forced into an unthinkable position and it leads you right into Preserver.
Rating:
Summary: Dark and dramatic
Review: After the incredibly superficial and lame "Spectre", "Dark Victory" offers us some real drama, with serious, mature, and dark storytelling that makes the reader think. The book kicks in where "Spectre" left off in the year 2374, but soon starts it's intependant storytelling by jumping several months ahead in time, thus making itself an individual novel, instead of just being a sequel to a weakish story. A dark book that keeps the reader in suspence, and I recommend it just as I recommend all of the Star Trek books by William Shatner and the Reeves-Stevens couple.
Rating:
Summary: Wake me when it's over
Review: How do you take a long story and turn it into a trilogy? You write a book of filler! Tiberius, who makes a surprise appearance at the end of Spectre, puts in a wonderful cameo here at the beginning and end of the book. In the middle, we are left with Kirk's life, and a hint of something strange happening on Deep Space 9 with Dr. M'Benga. In all honesty, there's really nothing in this book that demands an entire volume. Yes, Kirk's wedding is in here (who would have thought THAT could happen?), but it just sort of gets fuzzy from there. The mirror Picard and NextGen crew put in a brief appearance at the beginning, and then they are gone too. It's like the whole concept of the mirror universe loses it's appeal after the first book, and they decide to try something different. Janeway, who played such a big part of the first book, is quickly used here and then doesn't even show up in "Preserver". All in all, not a big winner, in my opinion.
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