Critical Myth-Interpretations

I have a habit, when it comes to the “Shatnerverse” novels, to wait until each trilogy is completed to read the accumulated material.  There were some delays in publishing the final installment of the “Totality” trilogy, and I completely forgot to look for the concluding volume until recently.  Long story short, I’m using the sparse Trek novel schedule as an excuse to start with this latest Shatner epic.

The “Shatnerverse” is the perfect example of the mythic nature of most franchise concepts.  None of the Shatner-related Star Trek books are set within the accepted “canon” (which is itself a conglomeration of semi-divergent myths), so this is even more apocryphal than the rest of the novels.  In a way, this makes sense of the focus and tone of the novels.  One would expect someone in the future of the Trek universe to tell overly-praising tales of James T. Kirk, one of the most iconic figures in popular culture.

This is perhaps the most low-key volume in the long series of “Shatnerverse” novels, centering on a murder investigation on Bajor.  Picard is along for the ride, and while there’s never a doubt that Kirk is the superior individual, the authors portray Kirk as deeply respectful to his fellow captain.  The circumstances on Bajor prompt Kirk to recall one of his earliest missions as captain of the Enterprise, one involving an unusual contest held by (of course) an unusually provocative young woman.

For those expecting the usual action and fast pace from the Kirk worship, this is a bit of a shift.  Despite that, it’s a quick and enjoyable read.  Fans of the earlier related novels should be more than happy, but new readers should start at the very beginning.

Rating: 8/10