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Summary: This novel is more than "Star Trek". . .
Review: . . .it is philosophy and theology. (In fact, I actually lent this book to a classmate in a doctoral seminar on hermeneutics!)1) Diane Duane knows the "Classic" Star Trek characters as well as anyone and better than most. 2) She knows the classic episodes better than most. 3) She has filled her novel with extremely believable, yet extremely unique aliens of all descriptions. 4) And in the context of a "we've got to save the universe" novel, explores philosophical questions of God, meaning, existence, etc. in a manner which will challenge the reader (regardless of the reader's theological views). Ms. Duane is known among "Star Trek" circles primarily for her novels about Vulcans and Romulans -- and this is well and good. But the true devotee of "Classic" Star Trek will not want to miss this title.
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Summary: Super!
Review: Another Diane Duane novel that is awesome. The crystal spider is wonderful - and I don't even like spiders! The plot was great, the action was great, the character development was great, and the ending was fabulous...in fact, I nearly cried! The only things I didn't like were some of the technobabble sections - they tended to drag. It was a really innovative story, though, and written wonderfully.
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Summary: Universal bandage
Review: Come explore the strange new worlds, have the adventure of a life time. The only thing is you need a very large bag. You start out with a new crew person that looks like a large spider with strange idea's about what the laws of physics should be. In fact there is a whole planet full. Breaking the laws of physics is just one of the things they really do best, but they also sort of live for a very long time. This is one bit of enginering that even confounds Mr. Scott. If he cant fix it, then they are really in trouble. So read on to find out what really happens to the crew. BTW... where is the next rest stop.... only half way to the next galaxy.
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Summary: Much More Than a "Mass Consumption Paperback"
Review: It's quite strange, to say the least, to see The Wounded Sky described as a "mass consumption paperback". Even if some other Star Trek novels are, this is certainly not the sort of watered-down, commercialized novel that name would indicate. This is a novel of many, many levels, that draws the reader back over and over--there is always something new to be found lurking underneath what you saw the first time around. I honestly believe that had it not been put out as a specifically "Star Trek" novel, it would be gaining *far* more widespread public acclaim. What I most love about this work is its ability to weave together plot, physics, music, philosophy, humour, and more into a single cohesive story that truly has a lifelike sweep to it. Although some may object to this metaphor, I found a similar experience with the movie The Matrix...in that movie, there are subtle clues, references that you might not catch on the first viewing, but one by one become obvious as you watch it again. So too does The Wounded Sky. I'm certain that each time I reread the book, I will arrive at some new understanding. Diane Duane is more than an author, in my opinion. She is very much a modern philosopher, and in this work it shows more clearly than any other. There is an entire worldview contained within this book that perhaps speaks to the recent efforts to reconcile the warring factions of science and religion, and more. However, don't let the description of this book's philosophical angle scare you off. The book has excellent character development, and nowhere else but in Diane Duane's works does the crew of the Enterprise seems so *alive*, so *diverse*, and such a family. It is a beautiful sort of patchwork rather than the streamlined unit that other books--even the Series--portray. Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations, you could say. This is easily the best Star Trek novel ever written. Even those who Scorn the series in favour of less commercial science fiction should try this book. Since it will forever be stuck with this "mass consumption" label, be sure to tell your friends the *real* story about The Wounded Sky. That will be the only way to get the word out. Well done, Ms. Duane!
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Summary: Revisiting Original Series in E-Books
Review: Now that the original series is appearing in e-books, I downloaded a couple to my IPAQ and have read them when I get a few minutes here and there. This one is particularly good. Clever physics...It is somewhat closer to the more aggressive science fiction (like Manifest Time) than most Star Trek...but provides full involvement with the characters. Less shoot-em-up....more think-em-out. Some of the images and ideas also edge into better math and physics models than some of the other original series books. I really hope this re-issuing will result in new readers getting to read some of these older books -- and I hope that more of the original series will become available in PC2002 format for us e-book readers.
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Summary: Often weird but the dialogue is wonderful
Review: The Enterprise is field-testing a device that can theoretically take it anywhere in the Universe. However, the chief side effect is that the Universe begins to unravel, and another Universe intrudes into ours. Some sections of this book just exceed my level of 'suspension of disbelief' for Star Trek. The scientific rationale behind the device is one of them. The other is in the concluding section of the book, where the crew comes to the boundary with the other Universe. Their 'best natures' are allowed to show through, and the results are sometimes unbelievably strange. That all said, the writing is very good, the descriptions are great, and the one combat scene is very theatrical and fun reading. The dialogue though is where the book really shines. It is excellent, and almost always humorous, no matter the situation, but also profound when required. The philosophical/scientific debates are good reading, even if I don't agree with them. This is well written and quite entertaining book.
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Summary: The inner selves of the characters in 3D.
Review: The title I gave to this review reflects one of the reasons I enjoyed reading(and rereading...and rereading) this book.The glass spider and their strange physics(and her personality) is another.And,finally - there is no fighting,murders,intrigue - just seeing the inner selves of the characters,and seeing the more philosophic side of Kirk.A worthwhile book to read,even for non-Trekkies.
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Summary: One of my favourites
Review: The Wounded Sky is definitely in my 'top three list' of Star Trek novels. The character development is simply amazing. I've never looked at spiders the same. :)
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Summary: A voyage to the depths of space, and the human heart.
Review: This book is quite probably the best Star Trek novel I have ever read. Diane Duane has crafted a book which is filled with action, a fantastic attention to fictional-scientific detail, and still retains as its focus the profound glory that is humanity and the universe. No other Star Trek book I have read contains the depth of insight and soul searching I have seen here. This book exemplifies what is best about science fiction, or indeed any literature; the ability to see humanity struggle and triumpth over any obstical imaginable, while ever dealing with the flaws and failings of character and strength that make us what we are. The story's real climax is not a space battle or a violent confrontation, but instead a revealing of personal truth and a gift with which to build a universe. We walk briefly in a land where truth is visible, and a window is opened to show the magnificant souls of some of the greatest beings the universe of Star Trek has ever seen. And after all, what more can any story hope to give, than a window to the soul of greatness?
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Summary: A Diane Duane Classic!
Review: This book was two "firsts" for me: the first Star Trek novel I ever read, and my first introduction to Diane Duane's writing. Let me tell you, it set the standard very high. Ms. Duane has a feel for the original Trek characters I have rarely seen matched (especially Dr. McCoy!). She gets inside them like they were her own characters but still maintains the integrity of what we have seen onscreen. Her new characters are vivid and well-drawn, the mindsets of the aliens truly unique. (Including one young cat-being that has no understanding of time besides "now.") Ms. Duane's main "guest star," the alien scientist K'tl'k, is as memorable a character as she's ever written.
But even better is her completely original plot. The *Enterprise* and her crew have been selected to test the first-ever star drive that has the capacity to travel to new galaxies, through an inversion process that takes them (briefly) into a completely different dimension. But what at first seems like a simple process instead begins to break down all the barriers between the mental and the physical, between this world and the next.
The story becomes almost metaphysical from this point on, where the characters have nothing to rely on but what is at the core of their being. Yet there is still a srong current of scientific plausability, if not probability, that keeps the story solid and more-than-readable. The physics and ethics theories presented are fascinating even for the "science-challenged" and the plot is a true page-turner.
I highly recommend this book; even if you are not a Star Trek fan, there is plenty here to fully satisfy any fan of Ms. Duane. One of her very best!
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