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batbones's review against another edition
3.0
The incredulity of the story line was partially ameliorated by several clever twists. It even became quite funny, albeit, non-intentionally.
thebeardedpoet's review against another edition
2.0
The book is marred greatly by the sexist attitudes and awful treatment of Ensign George. Aside from that major problem, the scenes of dialogue between Kirk and McCoy are well handled and faithful to the characters. Also both Scotty and Chekhov are in character here as well. The concept that Spock has been contaminated by the mind of a delusional messiah gets old after awhile, unfortunately. Due to his take-over this book has hardly any characterization of Spock that anyone would recognize, and for much of the action he is off stage.
sharkbait220's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
kmsmith2425's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
thomcat's review against another edition
1.0
Unabashedly sexist and equally awful, I finished this in case there was a plot I could use in a Star Trek RPG. Worse than most fan fiction. Not recommended.
I had purchased a few of the Bantam line (which came out before the numbered Pocketbook series), but not this one, which for some reason was hard to find. Did not read it when I did find it - just couldn't spare two hours. Now that I have - I'll only keep it for completeness.
I had purchased a few of the Bantam line (which came out before the numbered Pocketbook series), but not this one, which for some reason was hard to find. Did not read it when I did find it - just couldn't spare two hours. Now that I have - I'll only keep it for completeness.
isabelleax's review against another edition
medium-paced
0.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Racism
bev_reads_mysteries's review against another edition
1.0
Spock, Messiah! by Theodore R. Cogswell and Charles A. Spano, Jr. is the all-time worst Star Trek novel that I've read. Previously that "honor" was held by The Prometheus Design (torture theme and Spock being extraordinarily un-Spock-like). This is another "let's make Spock [and all the other crew members of the Enterprise while we're at it] as unlike himself as we possibly can" story. It is also a very early Star Trek novel (the second original novel published) and, unfortunately, the authors seem to have a very tiny (Spock could give you the exact percentage--like maybe .0000000000000001%) understanding of the Star Trek world and characters. According to the blurb in the back of the first edition (which I just happen to have right here) Charles Spano, Jr. was "a devoted Star Trek follower and an authority on all the characters, events, and background of the series." If that was true (which I quite frankly doubt), then apparently Spock came back in time and did that whole Vulcan memory-wipe thing (like he did for Kirk when Rayna died) because he doesn't seem to use any of his Star Trek knowledge beyond the fact that he (and Cogswell) get character names right and they know they're aboard the Enterprise. For the record....Sulu was born in San Francisco not on "Alpha Mensa Five" (whatever the heck that is) and Scotty does NOT have red hair nor does Chekov have bushy black hair.
Of course, little matters like getting the Trek world right isn't going to bother these guys. They've got more important things to take care of....like turning one of the female crew members into a "sexpot" stripper and having Kirk, McCoy and the rest of the men make lewd jokes about her. As far as I can tell the whole point of the plot was to make it possible for straight-laced Ensign George to implant herself with a hook-up to every straight man's fantasy--a beautiful woman who wants to dance naked and get it on with anybody who's willing (and they're all willing). Oh, sure, they say that the plot is all about how Spock gets implanted with a hook-up to a crazy guy with a Messiah complex--but that's just a cover for their teen-age boy fantasy fulfillment.
Maybe if I had read this when I first got it (back in the 80s) I might have appreciated just having a new Trek story to read and could have overlooked the incredibly bad characterizations and the sexism. Maybe. But I certainly can't now--there are too many good Trek stories out there. Take my advice and go read them (any of them--they're all better than this). If I could give less than a star on Goodreads and have it register I would.
First posted on my blog My Readers' Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
Of course, little matters like getting the Trek world right isn't going to bother these guys. They've got more important things to take care of....like turning one of the female crew members into a "sexpot" stripper and having Kirk, McCoy and the rest of the men make lewd jokes about her. As far as I can tell the whole point of the plot was to make it possible for straight-laced Ensign George to implant herself with a hook-up to every straight man's fantasy--a beautiful woman who wants to dance naked and get it on with anybody who's willing (and they're all willing). Oh, sure, they say that the plot is all about how Spock gets implanted with a hook-up to a crazy guy with a Messiah complex--but that's just a cover for their teen-age boy fantasy fulfillment.
Maybe if I had read this when I first got it (back in the 80s) I might have appreciated just having a new Trek story to read and could have overlooked the incredibly bad characterizations and the sexism. Maybe. But I certainly can't now--there are too many good Trek stories out there. Take my advice and go read them (any of them--they're all better than this). If I could give less than a star on Goodreads and have it register I would.
First posted on my blog My Readers' Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
elysareadsitall's review against another edition
4.0
Spock gets an implant that should allow him to act like a natural citizen of a new planet, but instead the new personality takes over and makes our favorite science officer go mad. What's not to love about that? It's a short, fast read. It does, unfortunately, show its age in how the female character is treated by her fellow officers. I actually would like to see more of Ensign Sara George after this adventure and how it changed her.