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Rating: 
Summary: a pretty nice story actually ...
Review: I was pretty surprised to see that people didn`t love this story, I`m a TOS fanatic and I read it a few years ago and found it fascinating. It actually has a plot that is, in my opinion, better than those that the regular TOS episodes had, the story itself reminds a bit of some fanfiction stories in the sense that it`s a bit more angsty and sappy and mind-boggling at the same time than the episodes were (and don`t get me wrong, I absolutely adore all the TOS episodes, you wouldn`t believe the stuff I went through to get them all...).The story itself is heavily leaning on the main three characters and their interaction (as if it was a surprise ...). The Enterprise is investigating the incident which turns out to be an experiment supervised by some advanced intelligence (that actually seems convincing for once) exploring the connection between violence and human need for greatness - something along the lines of whether human greatness can exist in a totally peaceful environment - whether humans can live without killing and hating and all the destructive emotions and whether it`s exactly those destructive things that are inseparable parts of the human race (it`s a bit more complicated and I really liked it but can`t explain it all now). Anyway, Kirk and everyone on the Enterprise but Spock and another Vulkan who came over sent by Federation if I remember well, fall under their influence (Kirk even going so far as to try and kill Spock and not remember it afterwards). Kirk gets stripped of his command, Spock is given the command of the Enterprise instead and he starts introducing the Vulkan code of behavior on the ship ... well, that`s bound to make an interesting story in my opinion. It doesn`t have the usual "Kirk-beats-all-and-saves-the-day" ending but the ending is still very good, it`s along the lines of "Kirk-learns-to-control-his-temper-to-win-however-unlikely-it-may-seem". Maybe not completely in the TOS fashion but an excellent conclusion to the story. Nice reading in my opinion.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Trek, that's for sure
Review: I'm not a Trekkie, Trekker, or whatever. I have not seen every episode of all the various series. That said I have enjoyed some of the books written about the Star Trek Universe. The trouble with a multi-authored series though is the uneveness one finds in the mix. From what I remember of the original series, (and Next Generation and the new series) is the sense of wonder, a feeling of joy and camaraderie between the main characters. The authors of this book suck that joy and wonder out of everything and write a soulless gloomy novel that bears no resemblance to the Star Trek phenomenon. It is a novel of despair with not one refreshing moment. To me, the novels should reflect the spirit of the series or it's just a bad science fiction novel with characters named after the members of the Trek universe.
Rating: 
Summary: Not bad at all.
Review: If you want a fast pacing action story, this book is not for you. But if you like a psychological thriller that you are thrown head first into, this book is well worth a read. You move alongside Kirk and company when they are trying to cope with alien scientists using them as rats in a maze. Nothing is what it seems to be and no one knows where to go for answers.
Rating: 
Summary: Mediocre execution of a potentially great story idea'
Review: Seemingly omnipotent aliens are conducting dreadful experiments and hastening the demise of the galaxy in an effort to solve the age old 'Promethean' question of good v/s evil. This story has its moments but in the end it tends to confuse more than enlighten or even entertain. The character of the Vulcan Admiral Savaj has tremendous potential and the insights into Vulcan culture are interesting however the interplay between Kirk and Spock is rather bizarre even taking into consideration the role reversal that they undergo. I also find it hard to believe that Vulcans would ever actually behave as prejudiced, arrogant and condescending as they are portrayed here. It just isn't logical.
Rating:
Summary: Mediocre execution of a potentially great story idea�
Review: Seemingly omnipotent aliens are conducting dreadful experiments and hastening the demise of the galaxy in an effort to solve the age old �Promethean� question of good v/s evil. This story has its moments but in the end it tends to confuse more than enlighten or even entertain. The character of the Vulcan Admiral Savaj has tremendous potential and the insights into Vulcan culture are interesting however the interplay between Kirk and Spock is rather bizarre even taking into consideration the role reversal that they undergo. I also find it hard to believe that Vulcans would ever actually behave as prejudiced, arrogant and condescending as they are portrayed here. It just isn�t logical.
Rating: 
Summary: Below average slow moving story
Review: This story moves along incredibly slow to the point of becoming boring. This was a book I couldn't wait to finish and put in the worst ST books pile. I enjoy unusual character developments, if it is done nicely. Here it wasn't. Spock completely disses Kirk in all respects to force the alien influence from him. No second-guessing or regrets from Spock. This not Spock! It ruins the rest of the story. Not a good read...
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