The Three-Minute Universe

  

  The Premise

    This book has the rather amusing and confusing back cover summary that describes an alien species called The Sackers. These aliens have multiple unfortunate physical characteristics that result in such averse reactions in humans that they throw up and faint in disgust. They smell, they are made of multi-colored goo, they look like they're decomposing, and have weird organs that swim around their body. These guys really have NOT got a lot going for them. In fact, barely anything is known about this species, simply because they're so disgusting to look at. If this description starts to elicit some sympathy for these galactic underdogs I don't blame you, even the crew of the Enterprise does, (even though the Sackers murder many other aliens). 

The Weird 

    I read these tie-in novels because I think it's funny to see what an author will do when tasked with writing sanctioned fan fiction. Thus, I love to see what kind of weird details and plot points are included in these novels that never fail to remind me I'm reading a fanfic. This space is where I discuss them. Spoilers are possible but not guaranteed. 

    I love it when authors in these novels add in new characters and new backstory for preexisting characters. This novel has a focus on Uhura's backstory. It is revealed she has a fear of fire, after she lost her roommate as a child to a fire in their school dormitory. This, of course, comes into play later in one of my least favorite parts of the novel (but we'll get into that later). Unlike some novels I've read and reviewed in the past there was not too many moments that made me look up from my book with a I-can't-believe-that-got-past-editors-look. 
One such moment was when Kirk excuses himself from the Sacker's bridge by going along with their presumption that he is leaving because he has the urge to "mate" with Uhura, which results in Chekov falling out of his chair in mirth. 

    Of course whenever I read these books I am looking for moments of a relationship between Kirk and Spock, and quite surprisingly this book did have such an encounter. At the end of the novel (quite literally the last two pages) the entire bridge is celebrating over their success in sealing the second universe. Instead of joining in Spock runs to his quarters where Kirk joins him. I have to say, reading this I was one hundred percent expecting that somehow, someway this book had gotten past the censors and they were about to kiss. It was so weird I truly cannot describe it without quoting it just a tad. Basically, Spock is upset because he was so scared that the Enterprise was going to fail in their mission, and he had never felt fear before. It is truly a bizarre moment...Spock's new found fear was not hinted towards like Uhura's fire thing was, and it really reads as if the author was trying to convey something else. Like seriously, remove the word 'fear' and put 'love' and it retains the same exact meaning, "You'll see it will add a whole new dimension to your life...Anyone with human genes in him who's never known fear - well, he's not . . . whole". Like what!? How random is that, and the best part is this, "Don't despair Spock! Rejoice! Rejoice!' For a moment there was no response. Then the Vulcan slowly lifted his head, looked his friend straight in the eye . . . and rejoiced". Now what the hell does 'rejoiced' mean. It doesn't say that he smiled, or laughed, instead it has a weird ellipses. I swear to god if this was published on AO3 you'd know that they kissed. I truly want to get in contant with author Barbara Paul (who is 80) and ask her what that could possibly mean... aw man, now I'm doing it too. 

The Review 

    I had no real complaints about this book, it is truly an unoffensive read. There was some weird characterizations of Bones that made me think that Paul had it out for McCoy. There was like three different moments where Bones makes a (frankly dumb suggestion) to Spock on how to save Kirk and the others, and Spock shoots him down. These moments don't seem to be a way for Paul to avoid criticisms on plot holes because even with a rudimentary grasp on the pseudo-science that Star Trek applies you know it wouldn't work.
    The resolution to Uhura's fear of fire I felt was a little contrived, especially because there is so much fire in the book already (the universe is on fire, the Sackers set people on fire). But instead of one of these options Paul has Uhura have to crawl across a catwalk above a raging fire onboard the Babe in Arms . 
I liked the Sackers, it was a very unique alien design and I'm glad that when Star Trek is in novel format the authors strive to create a species that might not be possible with current special effect constraints. 
The characterization of all the characters felt accurate, and I found I enjoyed Paul's writing immensely, unfortunately this is the only Star Trek book she has written. 

Closing Thoughts 

    While I wouldn't make this required reading in the Star Trek novel verse I thought this was an enjoyable story with solid writing and a firm grasp on established Trek canon. Would recommend if you're jonesing for new Trek content but not quite ready to go too far out of the box.