Degrees of Affection

*3.5 Stars*

*The Gush*

This was my first Star Trek novel (aside from ones based on movies-which I don't count as tie-in work) and I'm pleased with what I found. It was not particularly earth-shattering perhaps, but it was a very solid piece of fiction. While I've not (yet) read extensively in the Trek universe, I have read nearly every Star Wars novel and YA series printed excluding the recent unpleasantness that formed the New Jedi Order series. While a long term Trek lover, I had never recovered from a bad experience of reading a spin-off novel at a time when I was neither age nor maturity-wise prepared to handle. This rather soured my desire for further adventures in the Trek universe until my husband and I recently purchased the Blue-Rays of the 2-4 movies. And I fell in love all over again. So here I am, eager to once again fly among the stars with the Enterprise and her best (in my opinion) crew.

The novel itself does what it is suppose to: provides a new adventure with all the well-known occurrences that were staples of the series. There is a Kirk love interest (though Hunter is a much better companion for him than his usual floozie for the episode), the friendship among Kirk, Spock, and McCoy is shown beautifully, Science, danger, the crew both old faces and new ones (that unfortunately will probably never appear again-trust Star Trek to throw away better background characters than some series have staffing their main roles), and finally TIME TRAVEL! A Star Trek staple.

Surprisingly, this was not only the best part of the book, but was handled superbly. It was what raised the book from a 2.5 same old same old to a 3.5 glimmer of brilliance. The two times time travel is most memorably dealt with in the original series and movies (an infected ship flashing 3 days forward in time because of matter/anti-matter mixing and...WHALES), it was treated as either ok or actually used to fix something with little thought to the terrifying implications. McIntyre, however, weaves those implications into the story so well that the luster of traveling through time barely has time to shine before you wish no one had ever thought of it. Brilliantly executed, the fact that Spock is the one to fly through time is the icing on the cake.

And what happens to KIRK!....but...spoilers!

*The Rant*

I wish merely to echo another review on this site that pointed out how OOC Scotty was. I find I agree. I feel that he was done somewhat of a disservice and hope for better showings in future novels. Sulu as well was not so much OOC as just...handled oddly. I just can't quite believe he would do what he did in this book. This was mostly made up by new characters in the security staff, but it was disappointing to see such beloved characters treated less than ideally, especially with others (Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Uhura) perfectly executed by the author.

*Conclusion*

If you love the original crew, can't get enough time travel, or have time for a quick but interesting read in Sci-Fi, this book is for you.

Note: The cover for this in the older versions is ok except for one detail...

What the heck have they done with Sulu?!