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Rating: 
Summary: Surprisingly Good
Review: . . .is not the same as 5 stars for a classic work of literature, I still must confess that I thoroughly enjoyed this entry into the "Star Trek" world.In my reviews of Classic Star Trek novels, it must be understood that I adhere to the original canon as invisioned by Gene Roddenberry, and not the "Star Trek" universe accepted by Rick Berman and company. I generally rate a classic novel thus: Adherence to Canon -- does this novel adhere to the vision of the original Star Trek? Yes. Believability (within the confines of 23rd century Star Trek viability) -- is this novel well-plotted and well written? Can I picture this novel or imagine myself in it? Yes. As a matter of fact, it gets extra points for dovetailing nicely with the old "Here Comes the Brides" stories. Coherence and Consistency -- does this novel internally consistent? Is it consistent with other Star Trek novels by the same author? Is it consistent with what is known of the CLASSIC Star Trek universe? Yes, I believe that it is. (For example, it is tacitly understood that the main character, Aaron Stemple, is Jewish. Many "trekkies" have long considered Spock's "human half" to be Jewish.) Mitigating Factors -- pluses or minuses which dramatically affect the enjoyment of this book As noted, the tie-in with "Here Comes the Brides" is extremely clever. Also worthy of note is the reliance on early classic Trek devices (like the Klingon "mind-sifter) and the wonderful image of Spock in 19th century San Francisco, playing pool and chess. Certainly not on the level of "War and Peace" but one of the best additions to the "Trek" universe available.
Rating:
Summary: The Bluest Skies You've Ever Seen....
Review: A Star Trek/Here Comes The Brides crossover? Yet believe it or not it works. The Klingons are trying to change Earth's history which is how an amnesiac Spock finds himself in 1800s Seattle posing as the nephew of Aaron Stemple, (the 'Ishmael' of the title). Meanwhile back in the twenty-third century Kirk, McCoy and the rest of the crew wade through tons of old records to locate Spock *and* the Klingons - eventually arriving just after the nick of time but before it's too late. The real fun is trying to identify all the walk-throughs: The scruffy looking space pilot and the two brown uniformed men from some refugee fleet; the fancy gambler and the two cowhands from Virginia city; the chess playing man at the San Francisco Hotel; the shabby little man with the flute and the pretty female companion....
Rating: 
Summary: Like a gusting silk scarf it's full of metaphors.
Review: I had a real problem with this novel. The author tries way to hard to make everything a metaphor. Everything is "xyz was like a blah blah blah." It was very distracting from an otherwise boring book. This is a time travel to change history story. I'm sure everyone has read a dozen. I'd be happy to never read another. The main problem with this book isn't the plot, the silly metaphor's, or even the slow boring pacing; it's the fact that nothing really happens until the last two chapters. The rest of the book is, in my opinion, just filler to create a novel out of a short story. Here is my reccomendation, find a Peter David novel instead.
Rating:
Summary: Like a gusting silk scarf it's full of metaphors.
Review: I had a real problem with this novel. The author tries way to hard to make everything a metaphor. Everything is "xyz was like a blah blah blah." It was very distracting from an otherwise boring book. This is a time travel to change history story. I'm sure everyone has read a dozen. I'd be happy to never read another. The main problem with this book isn't the plot, the silly metaphor's, or even the slow boring pacing; it's the fact that nothing really happens until the last two chapters. The rest of the book is, in my opinion, just filler to create a novel out of a short story. Here is my reccomendation, find a Peter David novel instead.
Rating:
Summary: Another interesting bit of trivia about "Ishmael"
Review: Several people have mentioned the "cross-over" with another 60's TV series. "Here Come the Brides". An interesting bit of trivia about this is that Aaron Stemple was played by Mark Lenard, who would also immortalize the character of Sarek (Spock's father) in "Trek"
I read this book years ago and thought it was outstanding - just my "two cents" worth.
Rating:
Summary: Fine work in Star Trek series
Review: Spock disappears after investigating the strange behavior of a Klingon ore transport. We find him in Earth's past, unconscious and injured, with amnesia caused by resisting the Klingon mind-sifter. When he awakes in the care of Aaron Stemple he discovers that he is near Seattle in the 1860s and realizes that he is not from Earth, but no more. His human benefactor convinces Spock that when there's life there's hope and presents him to the area as his nephew Ishmael Marx. Those in the know -- a gradually widening circle -- respect Spock's privacy as he establishes himself and tries to figure out what his mission was and whether there is a hope of success. Meanwhile, the Klingons, the Enterprise crew, and a mysterious third party are all working towards changing or not changing Earth's history... The story draws you in with vivid historical detail and very human characters. It explores the familiar yet continually fascinating theme of how Spock copes and learns from human culture. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Fine work in Star Trek series
Review: Spock disappears after investigating the strange behavior of a Klingon ore transport. We find him in Earth's past, unconscious and injured, with amnesia caused by resisting the Klingon mind-sifter. When he awakes in the care of Aaron Stemple he discovers that he is near Seattle in the 1860s and realizes that he is not from Earth, but no more. His human benefactor convinces Spock that when there's life there's hope and presents him to the area as his nephew Ishmael Marx. Those in the know -- a gradually widening circle -- respect Spock's privacy as he establishes himself and tries to figure out what his mission was and whether there is a hope of success. Meanwhile, the Klingons, the Enterprise crew, and a mysterious third party are all working towards changing or not changing Earth's history... The story draws you in with vivid historical detail and very human characters. It explores the familiar yet continually fascinating theme of how Spock copes and learns from human culture. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A well-plotted, fun read!
Review: The first time I read this novel many years ago, I was unaware that the Human characters in 1860s Seattle were based on a 1960s TV show called "Here Come the Brides." I liked the novel in its own right, as a creative story about Spock getting lost in the Old Northwest. More recently, I had a chance to view some of the "Brides" episodes on videotape, which acquainted me with the various characters. Re-reading the novel was even more fun! The basic plot premise is this: During an espionage mission against the Klingons, Spock is captured and interrogated with the notorious Mind-Sifter, which gives him a case of total amnesia. Before his capture, however, he manages to send two very short, cryptic messages about what the Klingons are up to. The Enterprise crew receives the messages, but it takes a while to decode them. Meanwhile, Spock somehow ends up in the woods outside in 1860s Seattle, with no idea who he is or how he got there. He is eventually found, wounded and unconscious, by Aaron Stemple (the lumber baron in the "Brides" series), who hides him in a remote cabin until he has recovered, then passes him off as his cousin Ishmael Marx. ("Ishmael" gets shortened to "Ish" -- which just happens to mean "male human being" in Hebrew. Nice touch!) Aaron knows that "Ishmael" is an alien, having seen his pointed ears and green blood, and expresses curiousity about where he came from. But Spock does not remember, not even his own name. Bits and pieces of images from his past crop up in his mind, but have no contextual meaning. He accepts that he in a stranger in a strange land who is not likely to be rescued, and decides to pass for Human in order to survive. With Aaron's help, he gradually adapts to life on Earth -- until the Klingons show up. Whether or not you are familiar with "Here come the Brides," the book is well-plotted and has some great scenes, such as Spock winning big in a gambling casino playing -- of all things -- chess! Spock acts far more human than usual, until his memory comes back and he remembers what his mission is. Of course, he is eventually rescued by Kirk and company and returned to the 23rd century -- resulting in a little surprise at the end.
Rating: 
Summary: Klingon gunslingers?
Review: This book's got 'em, and a lot more. Mr. Spock gets zapped back in time to the founding of Seattle, Washington, where the Klingons plan on assassinating someone who has great importance in the forming of future events. Too bad the jolt has given the Vulcan amnesia. As Kirk and crew search for their missing Science Officer, Spock tries to fit into an alien world he has no idea is truly alien to him. Hambly has great fun with the silly premise (letting Spock rub elbows with some actual historic characters, including San Francisco's adopted Emperor, is a real nice touch) and makes for an entertaining time waster. Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Best Star Trek I've Ever Read- but then it's Hambly!
Review: This is one of the few Star Trek novels that was incredibly true to the spirit of both Roddenberry and the characters, while creating a situation where the reader can experience an old character in a new way. The chance to see Spock without his fear of getting too close to humans while still being intrinsicly himself really added new layers to the character without changing Spock at all. Of course, Barbara Hambly is an amazingly talented writer and almost everything she writes is fabulous in my book.
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