I mentioned, in my review for the first short novel in the collection, that my only issue was the emphasis on action over character exploration. The obvious question would be: can you give an example of what you’re looking for? Ironically, the very next story delivers exactly what I was hoping to get, making this very simple for those who read the book.
This story is all about motivations, centering directly on Spock and his efforts, in the mirror universe, to save the Empire by setting forth a plan for its destruction and resurrection. The concept is very close to the classic Foundation series, and most of the elements that made that story fascinating translate very well into the Trek mold.
More importantly, it gives insight into how the Terran Empire could fall apart while maintaining enough cohesion to allow for the two parallel universes to remain in lockstep with each other. I’m a sucker for stories that link points of continuity in a refreshing and engaging manner, and this is a perfect example.
Spock’s grand design is so intriguing that it’s a real shame that this couldn’t have been a longer, more detailed epic. I hope that the concepts in this book come into play with the short novels in the second collection, because this is begging for a strong and consistent payoff. To be honest, I would have been much happier if this story had been the springboard for all the stories, and that it was one massive epic exploring the success or failure of Spock’s Plan.
Not only does this story demonstrate how plot and character can be combined smoothly, with clear motivations driving decisions, it also sets the bar for the rest of the novels in the entire collection.
Rating: 9/10
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