Rating: 
Summary: Suspensful and action packed
Review: I thought this book was very well written. I practically could not put it down. The transition between scenes were so well placed I just had to find out what happened next. I was very pleased with this novel
Rating:
Summary: "The Return" is written with wonderful insight by Shatner.
Review: I didn't think that any book involving the "Return" of Captain Kirk would be so well that out and riveting. But the man who has played Kirk for over 30 years has turned out a Star Trek classic. This has to be the best Star Trek book I've ever read, followed closely by his first Star Trek novel "The Ashes of Eden". Unlike other authors, Shatner has a unique insight into Kirk's feelings, attitude and mannerisms....after all, he essentially "was" Kirk. The only reason I didn't give this book a 10 was because at times it seemed that Shatner let his ego get the best of him, often portraying Kirk as a muscle bound toughguy who even managed to beat Worf in a fight (yeah) when in actuality Shatner looked like he was huffing and puffing in the fight scenes in "Generations" which took place right before this book is supposed to take place. Despite that small detail, I am sure that you will love "The Return" based on the brilliant plotline and well thought out characters
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Summary: Shatner's attempt to rebirth Kirk is imaginative...
Review: When I heard that William Shatner wrote a "Trek" novel that brings legendary Captain Kirk back to life, my first impression was "How corny and desperate is Shatner to do this?" and I was reluctant to even digest the idea. However, being a die-hard trekkie, I admit I was quite curious to the concept. To my delight, Shatner's tale of rebirth and unification of Spock and McCoy with the Next Generation crew was not only un-corny, but very imaginative, as well. This novel combines the action and humor of both generations of "Trek" far superior than "Star Trek - Generations" did. The idea of a Borg / Romulan dissentor alliance was unique, and the way Shatner describes the re-generation tecniques is believable when put into a 24th century context. The new Starfleet equipment (starships, cloak detection devices, etc.) are very exciting, and one must wonder if the Borg are to make a return. (Their homeworld is destroyed and the remaining collective throughout the universe is in dissarray.) Can the Borg ever recover? That question may or may not be answered in the sequel, "Avenger", also written by Shatner, which I will start as soon as I finish this review. This is an excellent novel, a page-turner, and I have a new respect for Shatner the writer, and I may even sample his "Tek" series. This is for old-school trekkies such as myself...the constant references to the original "Trek" t.v. show were a delight, and the Borg / V'Ger connection was brilliant. Great work, Mr. Shatner.
Rating: 
Summary: Inconsistent with Next Gen
Review: I can only assume that the bulk of the people giving this book 5's have never watched "Star Trek : The Next Generation". If you're in that crowd you probably won't mind "The Return". It has a 'Kirk is the coolest thing ever' feel but this is consistent both with original series Trek, and William Shatner. And the story is probably up to the quality of an average Star Trek Novel.
However, this book is inconsistent with Star Trek: The Next Generation's portrayal of both the Next Gen characters, and the Borg. This story reads as though Shatner either never watched Next Gen, or he just didn't care in his desire to glorify Kirk.
If you're setting a novel in a pre-existing universe, a strong familiarity with and respect for that setting are absolute prerequisites. Since William Shatner's ego appears to have overwhelmed any efforts to remain true to the setting, "The Return" is worthless as a "Cross-Generation" Star Trek novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Okay but not great
Review: After reading many Star Trek books throughout the years, it amazes me the number of stories that can supposedly occur between episodes shown on TV and film. This story by William Shatner takes place between ST VII Generations and ST VIII First Contact. It is an engaging, but not particularly exceptional story of what happens after Jean-Luc Picard buries the legendary James Tiberius Kirk in a cairn of rocks on Veridian III. Without spoiling too much (the title gives it away anyway) Kirk is returned to life, and leads another adventure against a Romulan-Borg plot to destroy the Federation. I found some of the characterizations of the main characters, particularly Spock, Kirk, Picard, and Riker to be rather one-dimensional and shallow, but overall the book was a good read and better appreciated if you forgive certain inconsistencies of character and implausible scenarios (like Kirk's confrontation with Worf). Best read if you are killing time (like waiting for a flight) or by the beach/poolside.
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Summary: It's Too Late Now
Review: This is the story should have been used for the movie after Generations. It is superior to First Contact on all counts.Just like Kirk is the only person capable of saving the entire universe, he was also the only person capable of saving the Star Trek franchise. It's a shame it's too late for that now. Enjoy Enterprise while it last.
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Summary: Star Trek The Return - One of the best Trek novels to date!
Review: "The Return" is simply the most inventive and creative of the "Shatnerverse" novels I've read so far. This opinion is quite apparently a shared one considering that out of all of the Star Trek novels I've read and reviewed so far, "The Return" has the distinction of having the most reviews on Amazon that I've seen for a Star Trek novel so far. From the very beginning of this novel to the end, you will find yourself enthralled and captivated by the story. William Shatner, quite obviously did not want himself to be completely torn away from the Star Trek universe and with this novel, his resurrection in the twenty fourth century, he quite literally guaranteed himself a continued and long life after the events in Star Trek "Generations," where we may never see the great Captain Kirk on screen again. Although I'd say for us, the average reader, we may never know where the line of distinction is drawn between William Shatner's writing and his collaborators, Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens. In the end though, I've noticed that while their books are very good on their own, when combined with William Shatner, their stories seem to come alive. The premise, plot setup and overall pacing for this novel are all nothing less than stunning. The cover art for "The Return" is quite exciting; I especially like the quote on the cover, "Legends never die..." I distinctly remember when seeing the cover for this novel for the first time, being excited that James Tiberius Kirk would be making some kind of return after being lost at the end of "Generations." The premise: Simply put, Captain James Tiberius Kirk will always find a way to cheat death! After the extraordinary events depicted in his first "Shatnerverse" novel, "The Ashes of Eden," and his disappearance, return and then eventual "death" at the end of "Generations," there would simply "have" to be a way for him to Return... As Spock stood upon a rocky crag over the raised mound of rocks which entombed his life long friend, he heard a battle going on in the distance and not long thereafter, he heard the distinct sound of a transporter and saw the raised mound of rock crumble in upon itself. In that moment, he knew that in some way or another, his friend had once again cheated death... What follows from there is, as stated above, nothing less than one of the most spectacular, intriguing and enthralling thrill rides of a Star Trek novel to have been written to date. Throw in Starfleet, the Borg, the Romulans and a very healthy dose of inventiveness and you've got Star Trek "The Return" by William Shatner and the husband and wife writing team of Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens. As an additional note, the audio tape version of this novel is just as wonderful as the actual novel, albeit a much shortened version. William Shatner does an outstanding job of reading it. He apparently didn't know how to pronounce Cardassians though. I highly recommend this novel to any and all fans of Star Trek fiction! {ssintrepid}
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Summary: Should Be A Movie
Review: This is one of the greatest Star Trek novel writen. The author clearly knows Trek-lore and incorporates it realistically into the Trek-universe. Long time fans will reall appreciate this. However, there is no way Shatner wrote this.
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Summary: Great sequel for Generations and Ashes of Eden.
Review: Great sequel for Generations and Ashes of Eden. I read where Shatner was doing a ST trilogy when he learned that the movie producers were killing him off. He died great didn't he! He made a difference. Well he made a difference to the world of ST novels as well. This is his work. I am only assuming that for him it was, well... important work. As a sequel, it follows generations perfectly, and AoE not so perfectly. But, for all those goofs that hate Shatner, why did you even read this book, if you really did read it at all. Given what others left him, I thought he came up with a brilliant way to RETURN. I have the book and audio CD. Shatner reads the book on the CD and does a wonderful job. So here¡¦s to you and your friends Mr. Shatner :)! You just keep writing books about James Tiberius Kirk. Include Dr. Mc Coy in them will ya.
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