Recommend TOS Books?

[tranya]

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.

 

[tranya]

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

Not Reichenbach Falls.

 

[KRAD]

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.

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.

 

[tranya]

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!

 

[Dayton Ward]

I refer you to my Mere Anarchy series guide

 

[tranya]

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

Thank you both!

 

[KRAD]

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

 

[JD]

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.

 

[Admiral James Kirk]

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.

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

 

[seigezunt]

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!

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

 

[indianatrekker26]

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.

 

[tranya]

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.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

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.

 

[tranya]

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?

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

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.

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.)

 

[Christopher]

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

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.

 

[Marco Palmieri]

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.

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.

 

[Claudia]

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.

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.

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... )

 

[Dayton Ward]

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

 

[Claudia]

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