Shadow Planet

Rating:
Summary: great space opera
Review: In the far distant future, mankind has colonized so many worlds that they are perceived to be a threat by the Communers, an insect like race with a hive mentality. Humanity doesn't know about this deadly enemy because the Communers prefer to remain in the shadows using guerrilla tactics and other races to destroy their enemy. Terran colony ships housing ten million humans are being given drugs that will cause mass destruction.

The Stone Cowboys, led by teenagers Kerry Korrigan and Jim Endicott figure out the truth and hijack the Kolumban ship, the Endeavor, killing all its' crew save one. Somehow, some way, they intend to stop the Kolumbans from producing the drugs that will harm humanity. However when he learns that the Communers deceived the Kolumbans, Jim must come up with a plan that will save both races from their common enemy.

William Shatner of Star Trek fame has made the transition from actor to writer very successfully. His "Quest For Tomorrow" series is great space opera in the tradition of Arthur C. Clarke and Andre Norton. SHADOW PLANET is full of heroic action, exotic aliens, and a young, bright, charismatic leader (think Luke Skywalker) who takes an ex-gang and forms them into a fierce fighting unit.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: great space opera
Review: In the far distant future, mankind has colonized so many worlds that they are perceived to be a threat by the Communers, an insect like race with a hive mentality. Humanity doesn't know about this deadly enemy because the Communers prefer to remain in the shadows using guerrilla tactics and other races to destroy their enemy. Terran colony ships housing ten million humans are being given drugs that will cause mass destruction.

The Stone Cowboys, led by teenagers Kerry Korrigan and Jim Endicott figure out the truth and hijack the Kolumban ship, the Endeavor, killing all its' crew save one. Somehow, some way, they intend to stop the Kolumbans from producing the drugs that will harm humanity. However when he learns that the Communers deceived the Kolumbans, Jim must come up with a plan that will save both races from their common enemy.

William Shatner of Star Trek fame has made the transition from actor to writer very successfully. His "Quest For Tomorrow" series is great space opera in the tradition of Arthur C. Clarke and Andre Norton. SHADOW PLANET is full of heroic action, exotic aliens, and a young, bright, charismatic leader (think Luke Skywalker) who takes an ex-gang and forms them into a fierce fighting unit.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Quest for Tomorrow: Shadow Planet
Review: Quest for Tomorrow: Shadow Planet written by William Shatner is a gripping space saga. Shatner's writting ability is getting better as we see in this book.

This is Shatner's fifth book in this series called Quest for Tomorrow and his ability to continue to write in the series must come from his own life. I found the book to move quite rapidly once you start reading as Jim Endicott finds new life, he battles an insect race called the Communers. Drugs are killing people and are sold by the Kolumbians.

This book reminds me, in short, of a soap-opera or a western but with a space motif. Shatner does pace this book well and there are the twists and turns you'd expect. This is a very well-written and a high-tech thriller. As mankind starts to colonize the universe they will eventually meet some who think the colonization is threatening and will resort to covert actions. Thus, Shatner's book in a nutshell... but the ending I'll leave for the reader to enjoy.

The book hinges on hope and there are those who will like it for that reason alone. I have this nagging thought though, does Shatner have a ghost writer for this series if so who is it. If Shatner is writing this series by himself than more power to him this isseries, Quest for Tomorrow is an excellent Sci-fi grouping.

Rating:
Summary: Kolumban Drug Cartel
Review: Shadow Planet is the fifth in the Quest for Tomorrow series. These novels are fairly light science fiction. While intended for young adults, they also can be enjoyable reading for adults.

In the previous novel, Jim Endicott has discovered that aliens are supplying a deadly drug to the crew and passengers of the colony ship Outward Bound. He convinces the Stone Cowboys youth gang, who have been distributing the drug, to help him assault the alien ship, killing all but one of the alien crew. He then becomes Captain, renames the ship Endeavor, and sets a course toward Kolumba, the alien's home planet.

This novel begins with another set of aliens, the Communers, completely destroying the Outward Bound. The Communers are using the Kolumbans as stooges to attack the Terran Confederation. While the Kolumbans were originally noble savages, so to speak, the Communers have subverted them to consumerism by giving out picture boxes showing various sentients, including humans, using flashy cars and other goods. Sound familiar?

This series has an old fashion, pulp-era feel. While Shatner introduces contemporary scientific and technological concepts, they are usually only nonessential props rather than central elements of the plot. He also overuses coincidence to resolve problems, so the plot seems jerky at times. Moreover, only Jim Endicott shows any character growth; everyone else is fully defined when they are introduced. Overall, it would make a good script for a TV movie, but is not serious literature.

Recommended for young adults and more mature readers who don't mind a little light reading while awaiting the next Robert Jordan novel.

Rating:
Summary: Kolumban Drug Cartel
Review: Shadow Planet is the fifth in the Quest for Tomorrow series. These novels are fairly light science fiction. While intended for young adults, they also can be enjoyable reading for adults.

In the previous novel, Jim Endicott has discovered that aliens are supplying a deadly drug to the crew and passengers of the colony ship Outward Bound. He convinces the Stone Cowboys youth gang, who have been distributing the drug, to help him assault the alien ship, killing all but one of the alien crew. He then becomes Captain, renames the ship Endeavor, and sets a course toward Kolumba, the alien's home planet.

This novel begins with another set of aliens, the Communers, completely destroying the Outward Bound. The Communers are using the Kolumbans as stooges to attack the Terran Confederation. While the Kolumbans were originally noble savages, so to speak, the Communers have subverted them to consumerism by giving out picture boxes showing various sentients, including humans, using flashy cars and other goods. Sound familiar?

This series has an old fashion, pulp-era feel. While Shatner introduces contemporary scientific and technological concepts, they are usually only nonessential props rather than central elements of the plot. He also overuses coincidence to resolve problems, so the plot seems jerky at times. Moreover, only Jim Endicott shows any character growth; everyone else is fully defined when they are introduced. Overall, it would make a good script for a TV movie, but is not serious literature.

Recommended for young adults and more mature readers who don't mind a little light reading while awaiting the next Robert Jordan novel.