Book #37

[katikat]

"Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" by Vonda N. McIntyre

Rating: ♣ ♣ ♣

It's been years since I saw the movie and I didn't remember anything about it. And so I could enjoy the book on its own merits, not just as a novelization.

The bits I liked? Kirk and how lonely he was without Spock. His determination to get his friend back even if it meant Spock might never remember him, might never know him again, even if it meant he might have to leave him on Vulcan. He just wanted to save his friend, to know he was okay. The twist with McCoy, that was lovely. It made the good doctor more than just the fifth wheel during this chase after Spock. Sulu, Chekov and Uhura, their loyalty and personal sacrifices.

The bits I didn't like? David and Carol, their unrepentant arrogance that once again proved that scientists can't be left to their own devices while exploring and inventing stuff, their reckless playing at God. Carol and her personal life. Saavik. Scotty's family. Kruge. Basically anything that wasn't directly related to the search for Spock. I realized that David, Carol and Scotty's family were very unlikable people and I did not enjoy spending time with them.

To sum it up, I think this would've worked better as a short story, focused solely on Kirk's search for Spock.