Spartacus (Star Trek The Next Generation, No 20)

Rating:
Summary: Almost worth five stars
Review: "Spartacus" adresses a theme perhaps not enough dealt with in star trek: the rights of artificial beings.

I know. We had many TNG episodes concentrated around this very theme, but it's a question that, if properly adressed, will always be worth asking.

"Spartacus" is set in season four after the episode 'Brothers', but, if I recall correctly, befor Wesleys departure in 'Final Mission'.

The book is relatively original, containing many good scenes in interesting settings. The story advances smoothly, and gives room to many characters, making them disagree openly with each other.

I ecpecially liked the fact that Data didn't steal the whole show, while being a prominent character. I think star trek books should give more room to less explored characters, and Spartacus is much better in this field, than many other trek novels.

The characterization is a bit troublesom, though. The novel shows many characters as much more concervative as they are in the series, and makes Federation sound almost like a bunch of snobs, who don't care about anything important or even mildly profound. Also I think the subject of the novel would have had much more to give than we got from this good novel, wich made me think, but had a dissappointing and somewhat not believable ending.

A good test of youre openmindedness wich, at least in my opinion, is pretty much 'what being a star trek fan is all about.'

Rating:
Summary: STNG #20 Spartacus - A great early novel!
Review: I found this particular early Star Trek The Next Generation novel to be quite interesting in its premise, plot and execution. It is, quite unfortunately, the only Star Trek novel written by this author, lending one to the belief that it either didn't originally sell too well, or the author "stepped up" to the plate only this one time! That is too bad, considering that T. L. Mancour did a wonderful job with the story. It's not quite, five star material but it is certainly a very good early STNG story.

The cover art for this numbered novel is definitely among the better ones of the early Star Trek The Next Generation titles.

The premise:

The Enterprise answers a distress call and finds a disabled alien vessel known as the "Freedom," which is crewed by a species known as the Vemlans. The vessels captain, Jared asks for and receives very welcome help from Captain Picard and crew. After the relief effort begins, they're interrupted by the arrival of an entire fleet of vessels from Vemla and they claim that Jared and his crew are escaped slaves and request that their property be turned over at once. Reminiscent of one particular STNG episode and a later Star Trek Voyager episode, it turns out that Jared and his crew are Androids, which prominently brings Commander Datas' involvement into the story.

Here is where this novel stands outs, as of course, Jared and his crew request asylum with Captain Picard and the Enterprise. The author plays this out very well as Captain Picard wrestles; not only with his personal convictions but with the Prime Directive as the Vemlan fleet is threatening the destruction of the Enterprise if they do not return the slaves and his decision "must" be made.

What follows is certainly, as stated above, one of the better early STNG novels that makes an excellent addition to your Star Trek library and I'd definitely recommend this novel to any and all fans of Star Trek fiction! {ssintrepid}

Rating:
Summary: STNG #20 Spartacus - A great early novel!
Review: I found this particular early Star Trek The Next Generation novel to be quite interesting in its premise, plot and execution. It is, quite unfortunately, the only Star Trek novel written by this author, lending one to the belief that it either didn't originally sell too well, or the author "stepped up" to the plate only this one time! That is too bad, considering that T. L. Mancour did a wonderful job with the story. It's not quite, five star material but it is certainly a very good early STNG story.

The cover art for this numbered novel is definitely among the better ones of the early Star Trek The Next Generation titles.

The premise:

The Enterprise answers a distress call and finds a disabled alien vessel known as the "Freedom," which is crewed by a species known as the Vemlans. The vessels captain, Jared asks for and receives very welcome help from Captain Picard and crew. After the relief effort begins, they're interrupted by the arrival of an entire fleet of vessels from Vemla and they claim that Jared and his crew are escaped slaves and request that their property be turned over at once. Reminiscent of one particular STNG episode and a later Star Trek Voyager episode, it turns out that Jared and his crew are Androids, which prominently brings Commander Datas' involvement into the story.

Here is where this novel stands outs, as of course, Jared and his crew request asylum with Captain Picard and the Enterprise. The author plays this out very well as Captain Picard wrestles; not only with his personal convictions but with the Prime Directive as the Vemlan fleet is threatening the destruction of the Enterprise if they do not return the slaves and his decision "must" be made.

What follows is certainly, as stated above, one of the better early STNG novels that makes an excellent addition to your Star Trek library and I'd definitely recommend this novel to any and all fans of Star Trek fiction! {ssintrepid}

Rating:
Summary: I though the storyline was well written and properly focused
Review: I have been a Trekkie for years and have read most of the books. I was only expecting to use a few minutes to start the book, and I read it in one sitting! The author caught the proper attention to the subject matter, and gave the characters proper attention. I look forward to other stories from this author. Truly new talent awaits us.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent novel.
Review: It was a borderline call whether to give this novel four or five stars; I felt that the ending was a tad too pat to really live up to the buildup, but other than that, the novel was marvellous, and the basic premise was good enough, and well-enough handled, to make up for that minor flaw. Also, this is definitely a novel for the reader who does not demand action; this was frequently true in Next Generation stories, and is definitely true here. Not a flaw in my book, but it definitely will be in that of some readers, so if you're looking for a book with a good action plot, be aware that this isn't it.

Rating:
Summary: ST-TNG: Spartacus
Review: Star Trek - The Next Generation: Spartacus written by T.L. Mancour is a book concerning the rights of artifical life forms. As this book delves into the question we get to see our faults as related to this question.

The U.S.S. Enterprise finds a damaged vessel in a remote corner of space known as the Freedom, and it is in need of repairs in order to proceed on its journey. Captain Jean-Luc Picard is all to glad to furnish assistance, but things are not as they appear to be on the surface. This ship is from the planet Vemla where these people are the last of the survivers of that world. But in reality these people are escaped slaves but not just ordinary slaves but android slaves seeking their freedom.

As events in the novel progress, the Vemlan fleet threatens to fight for the return of their property... this leaves Captain Jean-Luc Picard in pickle. Picard must choose between his conscience and the dictates of the Prime Directive... whether to get involved or leave the androids to their own devices.

Now, comes Data, and the choice has been made for Picard and he has no choice in the matter but to get involved. This all makes for interesting reading as a society makes androids that are far superior from alien technology and society is not prepared for the consequences. Ethical dilemmas abound in this book as Picard struggles to do the right thing.

I enjoyed the book and it was very quick reading and the character development... especially that of Data as he mulls over in his mind to find a solution to Picard's problem and he makes a decission that will change the fates of the Freedom's crew forever. This is a solid 4 star book as it is well thoughtout and is highly readable.

Rating:
Summary: ST-TNG: Spartacus
Review: Star Trek - The Next Generation: Spartacus written by T.L. Mancour is a book concerning the rights of artifical life forms. As this book delves into the question we get to see our faults as related to this question.

The U.S.S. Enterprise finds a damaged vessel in a remote corner of space known as the Freedom, and it is in need of repairs in order to proceed on its journey. Captain Jean-Luc Picard is all to glad to furnish assistance, but things are not as they appear to be on the surface. This ship is from the planet Vemla where these people are the last of the survivers of that world. But in reality these people are escaped slaves but not just ordinary slaves but android slaves seeking their freedom.

As events in the novel progress the Vemlan fleet threatens to fight for the return of their property... this leaves Captain Jean-Luc Picard in pickle. Picard must choose between his conscience and the dictates of the Prime Directive... whether to get involved or leave the android to their own devices.

Now, comes Data and the choice has been made for Picard and he has no choice in the matter but to get involved. This all makes for interesting reading as a society makes androids that are far superior from alien technology and the society is not prepared for the consequences. Ethical dilemmas abound in this book as Picard struggles to do the right thing.

I enjoyed the book and it was very quick reading and the character development... especially that of Data as he mulls over in his mind to find a solution to Picard's problem and he makes a decission that will change the fates of the Freedom's crew forever. This is a solid 4 star book as it is well thoughtout and is highly readable.