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Avg. Rating: 4.5
Not for me. Just too implausible.
First of all, let me say that I absolutely loved the first mirror universe episode in The Original Series ("Mirror, mirror"). (And I love Star Trek in general.) Spock with a beard, the "agony booth," the cool Empire logo (Earth pierced with a sword) and all of it was all great fun. (I know a few people who could use some time in the agony booth.) I expected to like this book. I did not, and after some introspection I have figured out why not. First of all, it is just too downbeat. The Earth in the Mirror Universe is a despicable, hateful planet; one that makes the Klingons and Romulans look like the Good Guys. So what are we supposed to do, root for humanity to be subjugated by aliens? Right... Further, the individual characters themselves are impossible to like. Hoshi, Mayweather, Shran, and all the rest are thoroughly dislikable. I could not find anyone to like, except maybe T'Pol... There just was not anything to hang onto.
Then there is the issue of plausibility. OK, Hoshi takes control of the Excelsior, and proclaims herself Empress. This whole interstellar empire just knuckles down for that? Sorry, I don't buy it. The whole Terran Empire just seems rinky dink in a way that it did not in the TOS original episode. It just is not plausible.
I know that this book has gotten good reviews, and I tried to like it but could not.
Read it for what it is...
This collection isn't meant to replace other novels that have dealt with the Mirror Universe over the years. It takes its stories from two episodes of Trek and builds from there. If you've read the other reviews, you know the three eras and plots - I like to classify them as a Fun Romp (Age of the Empress), Epic (Sorrows of Empire), and Supplemental (The Worst of Both Worlds) type stories.
Age of the Empress is action from beginning to end and very fast paced but sets the stage nicely for future installments. It borders on fan fiction but doesn't quite fall over the edge thankfully. Nice little surprise at the end...hope to see this era again in future books.
Sorrows of Empire is a great story, best of the bunch by far. Told in epic fashion with widespread consequences as a result of Mirror Spock's rise to power. Very original tale and not what I expected to happen along the way. Fills in a major gap without seeming contrived. Excellent.
The Worst of Both Worlds could have been left off but it serves as a nice peek into what is happening years later as a result of Mirror Spock's changes. We get to see some of our TNG characters in very different places in their lives. Of course a familiar enemy shows up and Luc Picard is forced into action. A nice supplemental tale but not as grand as the Spock story.
A nice anthology overall though, with each story sharing some common threads with the one following. Recommeded, especially if you like the Mirror Universe!
Great!
This book integrated wonderfully with the origional shows except for the last "book" which was new but great material. Mirror universe gives this series new life and lots of opportunities for diversity. A wonderful read and I couldn't put it down. Looking forward to more "Mirror Universe" ST books.
Never received it - never heard from sender
I sent an e-mail through Amazon and got a message that the sender would contact me. I never heard from the sender and have not received my product.
Excellent weave of stories!
I really enjoyed how all three authors were able to weave together stories from both "universes" to make a completely new tale. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read for me.
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