Recommend TOS Books?

Discussion in 'Trek Literature' started by tranya, Nov 18, 2008.

  1. tranya

    tranya Commander Red Shirt

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    It's been years and years since I've read any Trek novels (having last dabbled with the first few New Frontier books and the first few DS9 relaunch books a few years ago). I'm currently getting excited about the new movie, and want to revisit some of the TOS-era books... some of the ones I loved back in the day were:

    - My Enemy, My Ally (though I never read past that in the Rihannsu series)
    - The Final Problem (okay, not really TOS era, I suppose)
    - Federation (again, not solely TOS era)
    - Most of Vonda McIntyre's books (the ST:TWOK/ST:TSFS novelizations were great, as was Entropy Effect; Enterprise wasn't too bad, I guess)
    - Kobayashi Maru (probably the last TOS book I read)

    I'm considering Vulcan's Glory (Fontana), The Rift (David), Prime Directive (them Reeves-Stevenses), and Assignment: Eternity (Cox). I have no idea of any of these are actually any good, just that they seemed vaguely interesting.

    Any suggestions? I'm a bit embarassed -- I haven't read a TOS novel for a good 15 years at least, and don't really know what's been published in the past decade or so (other than the relaunch titles, etc.). I'm sick of the 24th century, and would love to dip back into 23rd c. books.
     
  2. tranya

    tranya Commander Red Shirt

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    Uhhhh, Final Reflection, I mean. John Ford's book.

    Not Reichenbach Falls.
     
  3. KRAD

    KRAD Keith R.A. DeCandido Admiral

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    All four of those are excellent choices, actually.

    I'd also recommend the Crucible trilogy by David R. George III, where each book focuses on one of the "big three." The first book, McCoy: Provenance of Shadows, is one of the finest Trek books ever written, IMO, and the Spock and Kirk volumes are excellent as well.

    If you're inclined to read eBooks, I very very strongly recommend the Mere Anarchy miniseries, which is a six-part story covering the entire 30 years of in-story history of Kirk's era. If you're not inclined to read eBooks, wait until next spring and buy the print compilation. :)

    Finally, you should definitely pick up the anniversary anthology Constellations, with several magnificent TOS tales by a variety of authors. In particular, I recommend the anthology closer "Make-Believe" by Allyn Gibson, which is one of the finest Trek stories ever written in any medium.
     
  4. tranya

    tranya Commander Red Shirt

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    Excellent, thank you!

    I think I'll pick up the Crucible book and then keep an eye out for the Mere Anarchy book (series?). Is there a through-line to the Mere Anarchy story? Like, does it follow a central set of characters, or some central theme? I Googled and couldn't find out much about it.

    Sorry if these are stupid questions, and thanks for your help!
     
  5. Dayton Ward

    Dayton Ward Word Pusher Rear Admiral

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  6. tranya

    tranya Commander Red Shirt

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    Dang, it's, like, you guys sure know stuff about Trek books or something. :rommie:

    Thank you both!
     
  7. KRAD

    KRAD Keith R.A. DeCandido Admiral

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    You're welcome! I highly recommend Mere Anarchy if you're a TOS fan, and not just 'cause I edited it. :)
     
  8. JD

    JD Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    If you want any kind of Trek Lit related info you should really check out Memory Beta, the non-canon Trek wiki. It's got tons of info on stuff from the books, comics, video games, RPGs ect.
     
  9. Admiral James Kirk

    Admiral James Kirk Writer Admiral

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    The ones I've always liked are:

    Prime Directive
    Ashes of Eden
    Final Frontier
    Best Destiny
    Strangers from the Sky
    Dreams of the Raven
    Strange New Worlds 9
     
  10. seigezunt

    seigezunt Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Another vote for the Crucible series, especially the McCoy volume. It got me back into reading treklit again.
     
  11. indianatrekker26

    indianatrekker26 Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    I know how you feel, Tranya. After viewing that new trailer about 10 times, i couldnt wait to get my hands on some TOS lit. Which is why I'm going back to re-read the Crucible trilogy. Then i'll read the Constellations anthology.
     
  12. tranya

    tranya Commander Red Shirt

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    Awesome, I'm excited to read Trek books again for the first time in a while. These suggestions are great! Definitely getting the McCoy book -- for some reason, I find myself drawn toward McCoy stories lately anyway. Good ol' Bones.
     
  13. Nerys Ghemor

    Nerys Ghemor Vice Admiral Admiral

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    You really, REALLY need to finish the Rihannsu series!

    And I must say, The Wounded Sky (also Diane Duane) remains unmatched in all of Treklit for the most amazing, beautiful, and high-caliber writing I have EVER seen. Very few even approach it.
     
  14. tranya

    tranya Commander Red Shirt

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    I really enjoyed The Wounded Sky when I read it as a kid, but the subsequent (and really not-so-good) Duane episode "Where No One Has Gone Before" has melded in my head with my memories of the novel. I should reread that one of these days.

    Were there any other Trek novels which were adapted/morphed into TNG/DS9/VOY/ENT episodes?
     
  15. Nerys Ghemor

    Nerys Ghemor Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Trust me--NO relation between the book and the episode other than the same premise. Put the episode completely out of your mind when you read the book...the book is a million--no, a BILLION times better.

    (And ideally have this as your soundtrack. Trust me, it'll make sense once you get towards the last quarter of the book.)
     
  16. Christopher

    Christopher Writer Admiral

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    Not Trek novels, but the TNG episode "Tin Man" by Dennis Bailey & David Bischoff was based on their original SF novel Tin Woodman.

    And elements of VGR: "Coda" by Jeri Taylor were derived from Taylor's Janeway-biography novel Mosaic, but that doesn't really count because it's just referring to past events established in the novel.
     
  17. Marco Palmieri

    Marco Palmieri Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Anyone interested in the Crucible trilogy might like to know that the all three books will be collected in a special hardcover edition to be released next May, and it will include over 20,000 words of new story material.
     
  18. Claudia

    Claudia Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    A new 20000-words story - or will those 20000 words be additions to the existing stories, meaning to get to the new material I have to reread all 3 stories? (just weighing the pros and cons to buying the hc as well... :) )
     
  19. Dayton Ward

    Dayton Ward Word Pusher Rear Admiral

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    Yes, DRG III has gone back and re-inserted all the adjectives he cut out of his previous draft....of Chapter 1.
     
  20. Claudia

    Claudia Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    :guffaw: