F/SF

Just a classic romp with the characters we all know to!d in a way that only Diane Duane can. ( )

Delightful in basically every way, although it took a little while to get into it. I'm very glad it was suggested as a good starting point for my project of reading every Star Trek novel.

I just re-read this book for at least the fifth or sixth time, and it always delights. Romulan Commander Ael is a wonderful character, and the relationship (*not* romantic) which Duane sets up between her and Kirk seems spot-on.

Duane also is one of the best authors at portraying non-human species. My favorite minor character in this book is the Horta's child, Naraht (called "Ensign Rock" by Ael): a smart, plucky young officer-in-training who just happens to look like a blob of rocky lava scuttling around the ship. ( )

A longtime favorite, and easily in my top three nostalgia reads amongst the Star Trek TOS novels for a large swath of reasons from honor and ethics to outstanding characterization. ( )