david_agranoff's review against another edition
4.0
The way I consume books has pretty much prevented me from using audiobooks. I can't sit and just listen to them. Often I listen to them when I am walking the dog, or to and from work. The thing is that means that I do better listening to books that exist in franchises that I know well, with characters and settings established. So I have been getting Audiobooks from the Libby app through the library. Star Wars and Star Trek books are perfect because I know them.
For the first Star Trek book, I wanted to listen to a Greg Cox book as a friend of my podcast(listen to the Richard Matheson tribute episode we did). This is not the title I would have chosen of Greg's to start with but I am glad it was the one they had. I am a Wrath of Khan fan and if anyone could build a whole novel out of one line of dialogue in Wrath it is Greg.
This is an Original Series Enterprise story and what makes The Antares Maelstrom fun and special is the variety of storylines the novel is built around. There is an A, B, C, and D storyline. The way the novel is structured there is Sulu getting command of the special security detail on a space station, Spock and Chekov investigating a prime directive violation, Scotty trying to save an old starship being used as a colony power planet, and Kirk trying to get a gold rush style colony to join the Federation.
This planet is on the far side of The Antares Maelstrom, a part of space impossible to pass, but now a rare mineral has been found on a colony world on the other side everyone wants a shortcut, one that might risk many lives. The Spock and Sulu storylines were my favorite but really made this novel cool was the way each story gave the various characters their own moments to shine.
Hats off to Robert Petoff who really nailed the voices, Sulu and Scotty most of all. Sulu was impressive because Takei's voice is subtle. Greg Cox is so great at writing original series, and you can feel his love for the source material the whole time. Super fun.
For the first Star Trek book, I wanted to listen to a Greg Cox book as a friend of my podcast(listen to the Richard Matheson tribute episode we did). This is not the title I would have chosen of Greg's to start with but I am glad it was the one they had. I am a Wrath of Khan fan and if anyone could build a whole novel out of one line of dialogue in Wrath it is Greg.
This is an Original Series Enterprise story and what makes The Antares Maelstrom fun and special is the variety of storylines the novel is built around. There is an A, B, C, and D storyline. The way the novel is structured there is Sulu getting command of the special security detail on a space station, Spock and Chekov investigating a prime directive violation, Scotty trying to save an old starship being used as a colony power planet, and Kirk trying to get a gold rush style colony to join the Federation.
This planet is on the far side of The Antares Maelstrom, a part of space impossible to pass, but now a rare mineral has been found on a colony world on the other side everyone wants a shortcut, one that might risk many lives. The Spock and Sulu storylines were my favorite but really made this novel cool was the way each story gave the various characters their own moments to shine.
Hats off to Robert Petoff who really nailed the voices, Sulu and Scotty most of all. Sulu was impressive because Takei's voice is subtle. Greg Cox is so great at writing original series, and you can feel his love for the source material the whole time. Super fun.
adamdavidcollings's review against another edition
4.0
A fun adventure that takes the crew members of the Enterprise on a number of interconnected missions. I liked the premise of a space gold rush. It lead to a lot of interesting plot ideas.
david66's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A cracking good read. As good a Star Trek novel as I've read. The story moves along at a fast pace and is full of action and drama. This was like reading an episode of the Original Series; the characters behaved in accordance with canon and the normal ST themes of loyalty, non-interference and exploration were all explored.
frakalot's review against another edition
5.0
I had the impression that Greg had a lot of fun writing this one, well I had a lot of fun reading it anyhow. I thought it had the energy of a DS9 or B5 story, not because it was based on a station but because there is so much mayhem going on pretty much all the way through the story. It reminded me of Sisko trying to deal with the local Ferengi, the Bajorans, the Cardassians and the Marquis all with urgent dramas of their own.
Antares Maelstrom is a very exciting story, especially for one that largely focuses on dispute mediation, but the energy level is constantly on maximum and the story moves along at a quick trot.
We've got heaps of familiars and at least one new alien species to meet. There is one character who I imagined as a cross between Quark and Garak, go on try to imagine it, it's weird isn't it?! Well, you'll know who I'm talking about and if you listen to the audiobook you'll hear my new favourite Robert Petkoff voice-character!
The only let down for me was that the ending was too good. It was all rosy, which you'd expect, but it's extra rosy with roses on top.
Antares Maelstrom is a very exciting story, especially for one that largely focuses on dispute mediation, but the energy level is constantly on maximum and the story moves along at a quick trot.
We've got heaps of familiars and at least one new alien species to meet. There is one character who I imagined as a cross between Quark and Garak, go on try to imagine it, it's weird isn't it?! Well, you'll know who I'm talking about and if you listen to the audiobook you'll hear my new favourite Robert Petkoff voice-character!
The only let down for me was that the ending was too good. It was all rosy, which you'd expect, but it's extra rosy with roses on top.
ryano1124's review against another edition
4.0
Usually when I'm reading an Original Series novel, I tend to envision the Abrams-verse crew because I'm one of those weirdos that actually prefers the new actors to the original. That being said, this novel I tried to do that... and found that I couldn't. The author very clearly knows these TOS actors and pulls out every ounce of actor found in them. For a Trek fan out there, especially a TOS fan, this is a must read.
billt2172's review against another edition
3.0
There are 3 plots in this book:
1) Captain Kirk & the Enterprise crew assist a planet during a mining boon / disaster
2) Lt. Sulu & detached officers assist @ a space station leading to the planet
3) Spock & Chekov are sent to another planet to solve an issue related to item 1
The book tries to fit an A, B, & C plot into this one novel & it just doesn't work for me.
1) Captain Kirk & the Enterprise crew assist a planet during a mining boon / disaster
2) Lt. Sulu & detached officers assist @ a space station leading to the planet
3) Spock & Chekov are sent to another planet to solve an issue related to item 1
The book tries to fit an A, B, & C plot into this one novel & it just doesn't work for me.
yoshi83's review against another edition
4.0
The book does a good job with all of the characters from the series. The theme of helping people being more important than material gains is a good message. Spock and Chekov get a nice subplot about investigating smugglers who are breaking the Prime Directive. I recommend The Antares Maelstrom.
dreamwanderer's review
4.0
A fun adventure story, set during the original Five-Year timeline. A rush of prospectors wishing to get rich quick flock to a non federation planet, overtaxing the locals. The Enterprise comes to help, but Kirk splits the crew up. Sulu has to remain on an overwhelmed Space Station, the last stop before said planet, Spock and Chekov are off to stop some smugglers and preserve the Prime Directive, and McCoy and Scotty are on the planet surface working with limited resources. The story switches back and forth quite a lot, so if you're not a fan of that, give it a miss, but I like seeing different points of view and I always like reading about Spock and young Chekov interacting.
It's fun, well written and everything an original Star Trek story should be.
One star off for the romance. Not needed, but the good thing is, it's barely there.
It's fun, well written and everything an original Star Trek story should be.
One star off for the romance. Not needed, but the good thing is, it's barely there.
adamdavidcollings's review
4.0
A fun adventure that takes the crew members of the Enterprise on a number of interconnected missions. I liked the premise of a space gold rush. It lead to a lot of interesting plot ideas.
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