Avenger

For all those complaining that this book is self-serving on Shatner's part, realize this book is about KIRK and SPOCK, not about the Next Generation!!! That said, Shatner writes the BEST Trek books, no doubt. Although RETURN is my true favorite, this one still weaves a good tale, and includes all the best characters. Yeah, I love Shatner, so I may already be a little prejudice in regards to other STAR TREK characters, but to be honest, KIRK was the smartest captain. Kirk was the strongest, coolest, toughest and perhaps, THE BEST! And with that, I recommend this book to any fan of the STAR TREK continuum...

William Shatner is my favorite novelist. He knows how to write action stories that are also very thought-provoking. Shatner's name on a book means that you are going to have a quality read.Avenger is one of his best, thoroughly enjoyable. It is the end of the Trilogy that began with Return. It also preceeds the new series that begins with Spectre.Kirk, Spock, and Picard must solve the problem of the virogen plauge that is wrecking the Federation. Loose ends from previous Star Trek novels and movies are tied up.The book leaves one with a lot to think about with regard to ecology and eco-terrorism. The Federation by homogenizing environments puts the galaxy in danger of being overcome by disease.The story is also very moving and has a surprise ending I will not reveal.

Kirk returns from THE RETURN in an epic tale that spans the generations. With the viral plague spreading throughout the Federation, Kirk returns to Teilani (who is first seen in THE ASHES OF EDEN) and Chal, where he once again teams up with the Enterprise-E crew on an astounding adventure that answers the question of how he knew he'd die alone and reveals the Federation to live but so many years. This is truely a magnificent work.

After reading The Return, I wondered how Shatner could top an all time showdown with the Borg, whilst having Kirk and his friends fighting alongside with Picard and his crew, but this story actually continues on just like you would expect the epic saga known as Star Trek to. (Unlike the watered down tepid crap they have been putting on TV and in the theaters these past few years or so) This book takes a story that originates back to Kirk's youth, and it involves Sarek and Amanda and Spock. A possible Vulcan defection? Maybe... Just watch the amazing character development that takes place in this thing. The Kirk/Spock friendship gets a new and deeper dynamic here. An intruiging tale that involves seeming corruption even to the highest ranks of the Federation, and an incurable disease that is spreading throughout the galaxy. I just wish with all my heart that Shatner's books would be considered canonical (I already consider them that way) and were put on the big screen instead of watered down hooey like Insurrection and what not. This is awesome, and just like all the others, you will read it again and again and realize "Hey, this is the way Star Trek used to be!"... and it should be again. Dear Mr. Shatner, Maybe you and Leonard Nimoy and some others that really care about Star Trek and its future ought to consider taking some kind of leadership role in its future.

I never really trusted books written by actors so I stayed away from William Shatner for awhile. However, I saw Avenger at my library and couldn't resist. It is a great book with an original plot. It is so different from those go-lucky Federation always wins stories. I like the part about Spock and his father too.