Re: TOS: Crisis of Consciousness by D. Galanter Review Thread (Spoiler
Finally it is on the way. Maybe it will arrive early next week.
Finally it is on the way. Maybe it will arrive early next week.
TOS: Crisis of Consciousness by D. Galanter Review Thread (Spoilers!)
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Re: TOS: Crisis of Consciousness by D. Galanter Review Thread (Spoiler
I started reading this book last night. I really like the story so far .Reading this book seems like it could've been a Tos tv episode.
I really like Spock's story arc and the aliens are really interesting characters.
I started reading this book last night. I really like the story so far .Reading this book seems like it could've been a Tos tv episode.
I really like Spock's story arc and the aliens are really interesting characters.
Re: TOS: Crisis of Consciousness by D. Galanter Review Thread (Spoiler
^Making a TOS episode in novel form is always my goal. :-)
Thanks for the kind words and I hope you enjoy the rest!
^Making a TOS episode in novel form is always my goal. :-)
Thanks for the kind words and I hope you enjoy the rest!
Re: TOS: Crisis of Consciousness by D. Galanter Review Thread (Spoiler
About a third through. The Vulcanoid antagonists are interesting, but wonder about their effect on canon.
About a third through. The Vulcanoid antagonists are interesting, but wonder about their effect on canon.
Re: TOS: Crisis of Consciousness by D. Galanter Review Thread (Spoiler
I don't believe I've done anything to violate canon. (Though I always say I leave all questions of canon up to Captain James R. Kirk of the United Earth Space Probe Agency. ;-) )
I don't believe I've done anything to violate canon. (Though I always say I leave all questions of canon up to Captain James R. Kirk of the United Earth Space Probe Agency. ;-) )
Re: TOS: Crisis of Consciousness by D. Galanter Review Thread (Spoiler
I am glad you enjoyed it!
I am glad you enjoyed it!
Re: TOS: Crisis of Consciousness by D. Galanter Review Thread (Spoiler
The only real misstep here is that the book constantly tells us that the Maabas have a history of xenophobia - except absolutely none of them behaviour in this way at any point - yes the characters we see may not be representative of the whole population but it's odd to belabour it in the text given it's entirely irrelevant.
The only real misstep here is that the book constantly tells us that the Maabas have a history of xenophobia - except absolutely none of them behaviour in this way at any point - yes the characters we see may not be representative of the whole population but it's odd to belabour it in the text given it's entirely irrelevant.
Re: TOS: Crisis of Consciousness by D. Galanter Review Thread (Spoiler
^ Valid criticism. Comments below:
^ Valid criticism. Comments below:
I'd hoped the Maabas Court scene had shown their nervousness and that the Court (and therefore the Maabas people) were trusting Moberte and Pippenge but were rather afraid of what was happening and this was their xenophobia at work. But if I didn't convey that well enough, that's on me. :-) I guess the main flaw is that I didn't do a POV scene from someone who was xenophobic.
As for why it was relevant? Not so much to the plot but as to contrast how they, and the Kenisians, treated their similar experiences differently. Some people (or cultures) deal with these things by acting out/rage and some by hiding/fear. I try not to spell things out necessarily, but have them there in the "background" to think about if one notices.
As for why it was relevant? Not so much to the plot but as to contrast how they, and the Kenisians, treated their similar experiences differently. Some people (or cultures) deal with these things by acting out/rage and some by hiding/fear. I try not to spell things out necessarily, but have them there in the "background" to think about if one notices.
Re: TOS: Crisis of Consciousness by D. Galanter Review Thread (Spoiler
My concern is with katra and its transfer. In ST III no Command Crew member seems to have any idea that Spock might have transfered his katra.
My concern is with katra and its transfer. In ST III no Command Crew member seems to have any idea that Spock might have transfered his katra.
Re: TOS: Crisis of Consciousness by D. Galanter Review Thread (Spoiler
^I was specifically careful that no one used the word "katra" to anyone but Spock, and I re-watched STIII to make sure that there was nothing to suggest Kirk and company had never heard of the concept before. I.E. they weren't shocked that it was possible.
In fact, McCoy almost seems to understand it's what Spock did to him:
McCOY: Lexorin? What for?
KIRK: You're suffering from a Vulcan mind meld, Doctor.
McCOY: That green-blooded son of a bitch! It's his revenge for all the arguments he lost.
Note McCoy didn't say: "What to you mean? What's happening?"
^I was specifically careful that no one used the word "katra" to anyone but Spock, and I re-watched STIII to make sure that there was nothing to suggest Kirk and company had never heard of the concept before. I.E. they weren't shocked that it was possible.
In fact, McCoy almost seems to understand it's what Spock did to him:
McCOY: Lexorin? What for?
KIRK: You're suffering from a Vulcan mind meld, Doctor.
McCOY: That green-blooded son of a bitch! It's his revenge for all the arguments he lost.
Note McCoy didn't say: "What to you mean? What's happening?"
Re: TOS: Crisis of Consciousness by D. Galanter Review Thread (Spoiler
I finished the book and really liked the background about the Vulcans and the Katras I thought it was interesting how Khasians were so conflicted by all the different personalities trying to control certain individuals. I liked how Spock interacted with Khasians and tried to convince them they were making dangerous choices that could a lot od innocent people.
I finished the book and really liked the background about the Vulcans and the Katras I thought it was interesting how Khasians were so conflicted by all the different personalities trying to control certain individuals. I liked how Spock interacted with Khasians and tried to convince them they were making dangerous choices that could a lot od innocent people.
Re: TOS: Crisis of Consciousness by D. Galanter Review Thread (Spoiler
Glad you liked it, Reanok. :-)
Glad you liked it, Reanok. :-)
Re: TOS: Crisis of Consciousness by D. Galanter Review Thread (Spoiler
I loved the little wink to Troublesome Minds as Spock is reflecting on the alien ship.
Fantastic book!
Both the new aliens featured were wonderfully drawn cultures, with clever and distinctive attributes. Of particular note, the idea of a "multividual" and the unique gestures of the Maabas. By the end of the book, I felt completely comfortable interpreting the Maabas ambassador's facial cues and that is a testament to how well the author incorporated them into the story.
The story itself -- Spock's challenge to avert galactic-scale destruction with Kirk and the Enterprise in pursuit -- was fast-paced without losing the great character interactions that signify Galanter's body of Trek work. The leads are all expertly handled and even the new faces are interesting without being obtrusive to the plot or at the cost of the main characters.
Extra points for the deft treatment of Spock in this novel. This Spock is resourceful, brilliant, creative and assured, but not without his inner doubts about his solutions to problems. His inner conflict over using mind-melds as a weapon creates a very poignant drama for the story and his remorse over his actions makes me love the character of Spock all the more. Well done.
My favorite parts of the book include Uhura commenting that she's on her third duty shift as she relieves a green ensign only on his second shift, the understated scene in sickbay with McCoy joking with the crewman as he slips away, and the entire episode with the pirates. The image of a gorilla-head with nacelles as their ship, Admiral Drunkard, the resentful pilot that just abandons his post, the tractor beam face-off...Throwing in a sly reference to Ferenghis gives this portion of the book the perfect cherry on top. Klingon plush toys, indeed.
Dave Galanter, you managed to match the quality of Troublesome Minds (a novel I hold in very high regard) with this one. Thanks for the great read.
Now, please don't make us wait so long for your next contribution to Treklit.
I loved the little wink to Troublesome Minds as Spock is reflecting on the alien ship.
Fantastic book!
Both the new aliens featured were wonderfully drawn cultures, with clever and distinctive attributes. Of particular note, the idea of a "multividual" and the unique gestures of the Maabas. By the end of the book, I felt completely comfortable interpreting the Maabas ambassador's facial cues and that is a testament to how well the author incorporated them into the story.
The story itself -- Spock's challenge to avert galactic-scale destruction with Kirk and the Enterprise in pursuit -- was fast-paced without losing the great character interactions that signify Galanter's body of Trek work. The leads are all expertly handled and even the new faces are interesting without being obtrusive to the plot or at the cost of the main characters.
Extra points for the deft treatment of Spock in this novel. This Spock is resourceful, brilliant, creative and assured, but not without his inner doubts about his solutions to problems. His inner conflict over using mind-melds as a weapon creates a very poignant drama for the story and his remorse over his actions makes me love the character of Spock all the more. Well done.
My favorite parts of the book include Uhura commenting that she's on her third duty shift as she relieves a green ensign only on his second shift, the understated scene in sickbay with McCoy joking with the crewman as he slips away, and the entire episode with the pirates. The image of a gorilla-head with nacelles as their ship, Admiral Drunkard, the resentful pilot that just abandons his post, the tractor beam face-off...Throwing in a sly reference to Ferenghis gives this portion of the book the perfect cherry on top. Klingon plush toys, indeed.
Dave Galanter, you managed to match the quality of Troublesome Minds (a novel I hold in very high regard) with this one. Thanks for the great read.
Now, please don't make us wait so long for your next contribution to Treklit.
Re: TOS: Crisis of Consciousness by D. Galanter Review Thread (Spoiler
My review for CoC is up now over at Unreality SF.
My review for CoC is up now over at Unreality SF.
Re: TOS: Crisis of Consciousness by D. Galanter Review Thread (Spoiler
Sto-vo-kory: Thank you for the very kind assessment and I am really glad you enjoyed. You surely picked up one some of the little winks I hoped people would!
Defcon: Honored by the review and totally get where you're coming from on the "pirate" battle. Just seemed anti-climactic if Kirk gets there and nothing happens. And I felt it important that Zhatan learn that the thing she feared she had basically had a hand in destroying already. She was chasing nothing but a memory. I get what you're saying, though.
As for Zhatan's delay in thought process, it happens faster in her head than reading it on a page. Also, it had come to a tipping point of late and was becoming worse throughout the book. Difficult to convey, I admit.
Sto-vo-kory: Thank you for the very kind assessment and I am really glad you enjoyed. You surely picked up one some of the little winks I hoped people would!
Defcon: Honored by the review and totally get where you're coming from on the "pirate" battle. Just seemed anti-climactic if Kirk gets there and nothing happens. And I felt it important that Zhatan learn that the thing she feared she had basically had a hand in destroying already. She was chasing nothing but a memory. I get what you're saying, though.
As for Zhatan's delay in thought process, it happens faster in her head than reading it on a page. Also, it had come to a tipping point of late and was becoming worse throughout the book. Difficult to convey, I admit.
Re: TOS: Crisis of Consciousness by D. Galanter Review Thread (Spoiler
Like this one. Nice fun read, had a good TOS feel to it. Kirk wandering Engineering for a bit seemed a little out of sorts, but not too bad. Would have been nice to get a last follow-up to the 'bad' race to ensure their end, although we were supposed to infer it ended badly. Pirates just say they got theirs, and were put on ships and sent away. Seems unfinished to not have them check, even if it results in finding dead ships or that they landed but couldn't make it on the new world they found (or were pushed away again...)
Thumbs up.
Like this one. Nice fun read, had a good TOS feel to it. Kirk wandering Engineering for a bit seemed a little out of sorts, but not too bad. Would have been nice to get a last follow-up to the 'bad' race to ensure their end, although we were supposed to infer it ended badly. Pirates just say they got theirs, and were put on ships and sent away. Seems unfinished to not have them check, even if it results in finding dead ships or that they landed but couldn't make it on the new world they found (or were pushed away again...)
Thumbs up.
Re: TOS: Crisis of Consciousness by D. Galanter Review Thread (Spoiler
Since the whole thread is marked SPOILERS I guess I can just talk about this... (Not sure why I hid stuff with spoiler quotes before--I'm a lemur sometimes.)
I would guess Starfleet will, in fact, follow up with the "Grepund Confederacy" (which I think is what they like to call themselves but isn't really representative of any kind of government) as well as what exactly they did. Kirk didn't really have time to look into it just then.
But remember that the Sahntiek probably hadn't been "bad" for centuries. The Kenisians kept them under their thumb for some time and while the Kenisians didn't change--because they in some ways were the same people from the original incident--the Sahntiek may have changed. Look at Japan and Germany since World War II. Both societies have changed their militaristic ways, out of necessity and rather sincerely. Sometimes losing teaches you to make war again (the Kenisians) and sometimes it teaches you there's a better way (the Maabas and perhaps the Sahntiek).
Were the Sahntiek building to be war-like again before the Grepund pirates took their planet? I don't know. Neither did the Kenisians. ;-) But if they were no match for the Grepund... well, draw your own conclusions.
Since the whole thread is marked SPOILERS I guess I can just talk about this... (Not sure why I hid stuff with spoiler quotes before--I'm a lemur sometimes.)
I would guess Starfleet will, in fact, follow up with the "Grepund Confederacy" (which I think is what they like to call themselves but isn't really representative of any kind of government) as well as what exactly they did. Kirk didn't really have time to look into it just then.
But remember that the Sahntiek probably hadn't been "bad" for centuries. The Kenisians kept them under their thumb for some time and while the Kenisians didn't change--because they in some ways were the same people from the original incident--the Sahntiek may have changed. Look at Japan and Germany since World War II. Both societies have changed their militaristic ways, out of necessity and rather sincerely. Sometimes losing teaches you to make war again (the Kenisians) and sometimes it teaches you there's a better way (the Maabas and perhaps the Sahntiek).
Were the Sahntiek building to be war-like again before the Grepund pirates took their planet? I don't know. Neither did the Kenisians. ;-) But if they were no match for the Grepund... well, draw your own conclusions.
