Rating: 
Summary: A complex story containing insight and intrique
Review: "Uhura's Song" is an exellent book about characters, drama and insightfull ways of portraying a fictional culture.Janet Kagan has managed to capture the characters in an innovative and extremely complex story that manages to be held together only by uniqually talented writing and insightfull characterization. The premise of the story is simple enough. The planet Eeiauo is devastadet by a plaque that hits it's feline inhabitants ones in a few deckades. Enterprise is called to the rescue as the disease starts to spread to other species as well and cannot be contained any longer. As times starts to run out and every try to control the plague fail hope seemes to be lost. To the rescue comes Uhura who knew an Eeiauoan closely once. Closely enough for that Eeiauoan to share the forbidden songs of her ancestors with our musically talented liutenant. Those songs might hold a cure for the plague as they imply to a dark secret that lies beneath a tabu about the Eeiauoan's hidden heritage... Soon the actual premise of the story looses it's importance as it becomes only a means of telling a tale about a truly complex and intriguing alien culture, that might hold the keys to solving the mystery of the Eeiauoans. The book is full of color and nuances as it sucks the reader into a hidden alien world and offers new insights to old, familiar characters as well as offers us many new ones, that are every bit as interesting. The book is a masterpiece of writing, providing new perspectives and offering a tale told with vibrant and meaningfull language and exlemplary pacing. We get to see growth, non-sentimental exploration of feelings and cultural peculiarities, creating an original angle for the reader to look from. "Uhura's Song" is undoubtedly one of the very best Star Trek novels ever written, and a truly exellent piece of storytelling that I recommend to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent adventure
Review: "Uhura's Song" is one of the best Star Trek novels around. Janet Kagan wrote a great book here; if it hadn't been about Star Trek, maybe she would have been up for the John W. Campbell award, because this apparently was her very first novel. Couldn't prove it by me, as it's uniformly excellent stuff. "Uhura's Song" is touching, funny, sensitive, and sad -- it talks of serious subjects in humorous ways (mostly) and doesn't devalue them in the process. It's engaging, irreverent at times, and an extremely good read. The best thing about this book is how true Ms. Kagan was to the characterization of the original Trek characters. Mr. Scott sounds like himself, irascible and concerned by turns, a gifted engineer and part-time bon vivant. Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock sound true to life without getting in the way of the plot, which is carried by Lt. Uhura, new Dr. Evan Wilson, and the Eeiouans Brightspot and Jinx. If you enjoy your books well thought out, well plotted, action and suspense filled while still finding ways to have humorous interludes, this book is for you. Five stars, highly recommended. Oh, and buy Ms. Kagan's other books, too; "Hellspark" in particular is one of my favorites, all time. I really hope she'll write a sequel to that one of these days!
Rating: 
Summary: good but confusing
Review: "Uhura's Song" is one of the best Star Trek novels around. Janet Kagan wrote a great book here; if it hadn't been about Star Trek, maybe she would have been up for the John W. Campbell award, because this apparently was her very first novel. Couldn't prove it by me, as it's uniformly excellent stuff. "Uhura's Song" is touching, funny, sensitive, and sad -- it talks of serious subjects in humorous ways (mostly) and doesn't devalue them in the process. It's engaging, irreverent at times, and an extremely good read. The best thing about this book is how true Ms. Kagan was to the characterization of the original Trek characters. Mr. Scott sounds like himself, irascible and concerned by turns, a gifted engineer and part-time bon vivant. Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock sound true to life without getting in the way of the plot, which is carried by Lt. Uhura, new Dr. Evan Wilson, and the Eeiouans Brightspot and Jinx. If you enjoy your books well thought out, well plotted, action and suspense filled while still finding ways to have humorous interludes, this book is for you. Five stars, highly recommended. Oh, and buy Ms. Kagan's other books, too; "Hellspark" in particular is one of my favorites, all time. I really hope she'll write a sequel to that one of these days!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent adventure
Review: "Uhura's Song" is one of the best Star Trek novels around. Janet Kagan wrote a great book here; if it hadn't been about Star Trek, maybe she would have been up for the John W. Campbell award, because this apparently was her very first novel. Couldn't prove it by me, as it's uniformly excellent stuff. "Uhura's Song" is touching, funny, sensitive, and sad -- it talks of serious subjects in humorous ways (mostly) and doesn't devalue them in the process. It's engaging, irreverent at times, and an extremely good read. The best thing about this book is how true Ms. Kagan was to the characterization of the original Trek characters. Mr. Scott sounds like himself, irascible and concerned by turns, a gifted engineer and part-time bon vivant. Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock sound true to life without getting in the way of the plot, which is carried by Lt. Uhura, new Dr. Evan Wilson, and the Eeiouans Brightspot and Jinx. If you enjoy your books well thought out, well plotted, action and suspense filled while still finding ways to have humorous interludes, this book is for you. Five stars, highly recommended. Oh, and buy Ms. Kagan's other books, too; "Hellspark" in particular is one of my favorites, all time. I really hope she'll write a sequel to that one of these days!
Rating:
Summary: A grand adventure...
Review: ...and one of the best Star Trek novels ever, Uhurah's Song is not just another programmatic Star Trek novel but an excellent novel in its own right. That it was written as a Star Trek novel is a blessing to both the series and its readers. Janet Kagan does an outstanding job in her portrayal of Kirk & Co., the creation and inclusion of the wholly new and marvelous "guest star" character of Dr. Evan Wilson (perhaps more accurately referred to as Tail-Kinker!), and her conception and depiction of the alien civilizations, worlds, and cultures. The story is exceptional on many levels. It entertains as an adventure/science fiction story seasoned with humor, history, motivation, and emotion. It intrigues as a well-written exploration of science, medicine, and alien cultures. It perplexes with a mystery that lasts all the way to the last few pages. It educates as an allegory that demonstrates both the insanity and danger inherent in intolerance, deliberate ignorance, and prejudice. As an aside, considering that this novel was originally published in 1985, the fictitious ADF syndrome epidemic depicted in the novel is clearly symbolic of the AIDS epidemic that was devastating our world at that time (and continues to do so). There are many similarities between the two epidemics and this work of fiction provides some good commentary on the real-world situation. But I digress... At 384 pages in small print paperback, "Uhurah's Song" is a long journey but well worth the effort - also a well written "Return of the Tail-Kinker" story is long overdue and would be greatly appreciated!
Rating:
Summary: A grand adventure...
Review: ...and one of the best Star Trek novels ever, Uhurah's Song is not just another programmatic Star Trek novel but an excellent novel in its own right. That it was written as a Star Trek novel is a blessing to both the series and its readers. Janet Kagan does an outstanding job in her portrayal of Kirk & Co., the creation and inclusion of the wholly new and marvelous "guest star" character of Dr. Evan Wilson (perhaps more accurately referred to as Tail-Kinker!), and her conception and depiction of the alien civilizations, worlds, and cultures. The story is exceptional on many levels. It entertains as an adventure/science fiction story seasoned with humor, history, motivation, and emotion. It intrigues as a well-written exploration of science, medicine, and alien cultures. It perplexes with a mystery that lasts all the way to the last few pages. It educates as an allegory that demonstrates both the insanity and danger inherent in intolerance, deliberate ignorance, and prejudice. As an aside, considering that this novel was originally published in 1985, the fictitious ADF syndrome epidemic depicted in the novel is clearly symbolic of the AIDS epidemic that was devastating our world at that time (and continues to do so). There are many similarities between the two epidemics and this work of fiction provides some good commentary on the real-world situation. But I digress... At 384 pages in small print paperback, "Uhurah's Song" is a long journey but well worth the effort - also a well written "Return of the Tail-Kinker" story is long overdue and would be greatly appreciated!
Rating:
Summary: Uhura, sentient cats, Mr. Spock, and a grand adventure..
Review: Absolutely my favorite Star Trek book, followed closely by the other 'Uhura' novel, 'Tears of the Singers', and the 4 Rihansuu books. In this one, there is no great military enemy to fight, instead, there is a plague. Kirk is stifled, and the answer comes from the feminine art of music, and Uhura's finest hour. What's more, the aliens are cats, each with his or her own distinct personality and most with wonderful senses of humor, usually pointed at the good captain. Even Spock is amusing this time around. Kagan captures him perfectly.. still logical and unemotional, but having a soul, rather than the cold creature he sometimes is. Several of the so-called 'minor characters' of the ship shine in this novel. Scotty has a few beautiful scenes while commanding the ship, and a very interesting run-in with a local Bard. Chekov features prominently in the search for the cure, though his role is rather embarrassing, despite the wonderful backstory this novel adds for him. Ah well, what do you expect? He's a good screamer. Even though the enemy here is a virulent disease, Dr. McCoy must be left behind in this one, as he himself is infected. This liberates us from his usual tendency toward finding cures in his chemical stores, saving the Federation in under an hour, then gloating about it for the remaining time. Even though his usual banter with Spock is nearly absent, it is scarcely missed because of his temporary replacement, Dr. Evan Wilson. She brings a playfulness and holistic healing methods to the Enterprise that are generally absent, and it is a breath of fresh air. We even get a cameo mention of Security officer Snanagfashtalli(Snarl), last seen in the animated series, thanks to one of Dr. Wilson's more obscure hobbies. I want to see more of Dr. Evan Wilson. She's the most entertaining Star Trek guest star since Cyrano Jones. Return to us, Tail-kinker, there's always room for one more in my swagger-lair. :)
Rating:
Summary: excellent book
Review: Alien cultures and world views are creative. Also, new insights are seen in familiar characters (like Spock) as they encounter a new culture. If you liked this book, you probably would also like J Kagan's other works: Hellspark, The Nutcracker Coup, etc.
Rating:
Summary: Without a doubt, my favorite Star Trek book so far...
Review: And I've read dozens. The characters are marvelously portrayed, to the point that established characters are shown to have abilities and talents previously unsuspected, but absolutely plausible and in-character for them (if you feel Chekov's generally gotten the short end of the stick, you'll love seeing him pull a few rabbits out of his hat in this one), and there are several new characters introduced that I would definitely like to see more of. The plot moves well, and is truly compelling; generally, I'm reading about a dozen books at a time; I'll read a chapter of one, then a chapter of another, in no particular order. After about the midway point of this book, I simply couldn't put it down; that almost never happens with me. And while Uhura IS the primary focus of the story, in that it is HER idea that leads to the solution of the problem, and her talents ARE vital to the mission, it is still plausible in that she does not take over the role that Kirk and Spock usually play (and still do) as the leaders of the crew. Some might find that disappointing (one reviewer here did, at least) but it seems to me that it is far more plausible and pleasing to see Uhura (and Chekov, for that matter) play major roles, far more so than usual, while still remaining junior officers. Kirk and Spock are handled with a sure hand, and play their usual roles WITHOUT putting the junior characters in their shadows as they so often do. This is the first Star Trek book I've ever given a rating of 5 stars. That should say something.
Rating:
Summary: Messages
Review: I "made" someone read this book and she absolutely loved it. When another woman overheard us, she wondered what book we were discussing. I told her it was a Star Trek novel and she said she just liked to read books with a message. The one who read it then said, "Yeah, this was an OK book." I wish then that I had thought of the following messages that the book touches. 1) Politics and sociology of shame. 2) Meaning and attainment of adulthood. 3) Strengths and weaknesses of taboos. 4) Changes that come from the interaction between 2 very different species. 5) Differing sociological evolution of the same species seperated by shame and fear. 6) How far someone should immerse themselves into anothers culture. 7) Mythology and its' basis in fact. But, forget all that. This is no space opera or cowboys in space book. This is a rich character driven book. It is the kind of novel that makes you understand why the Star Trek crew was beloved by so many people. They demand high standards of loyalty. And they deserve it! Also, the main character (in my view) is the kind of person many of us wish we could be. Heck, I want to marry her just so I can follow her through space!
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