by A.C. Crispin
“I specified clearance for three, Captain. Taking into account Dr. McCoy’s predictable penchant for rushing in where angels fear to tread, I reasoned he would attempt this. There is usually a logical pattern to his illogical behavior.”
Remember when Spock and McCoy found themselves transported through time 5,000 years into the past, into the middle of an ice age? And Spock reverted to pre-Surak Vulcanism and ate meat? And had a brief, passionate affair with a woman named Zarabeth? When Spock and McCoy returned to their own time they were forced to leave Zarabeth behind. And unbeknownst to them, she was pregnant. With Spock’s child.
When an Enterprise historian studying that planet’s past discovers cave paintings of a Vulcanoid figure, Spock realizes what must have happened. He receives permission to use The Guardian of Forever to go back and rescue Zarabeth and their child.
This was the first original Star Trek novel to make the New York Times Bestseller List, deservedly so. It is well-written, the characters are themselves, the universe is correct. It’s obvious the author loves the show and the characters. It is also a story that stands on its own.
It is a sweet and wonderful book.
Random Thoughts Written Down as I Read:
The first mention in print that the planet Vulcan orbits 40 Eridani A.
Spock assumes McCoy and Kirk will insist on accompanying him and makes plans accordingly.
There is an easy, loving friendship among Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. They tease each other and have one another’s backs.
Zar is extraordinary in mind, body, strength, and intelligence. He is lonesome, naïve, and desperate to please Spock.
Spock is in shock over the situation and retreats behind his cold façade. But we can still see his pain.
Ms. Crispin even writes space battles well!
Chapel seems to have gotten over her crush on Spock. Thank goodness.
I was too busy reading and enjoying this story to stop and write rants about it.
This novel was published the month I turned 18.
WTF: Not a wtf at all, but a moving quote from Spock, speaking of Zarabeth.
“She was all the warmth in this world.”
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