Cast No Shadow

With each Star Trek novel that I read, it becomes abundantly clear that I hardly know much about the series.<br />Having first dived into the show when they were all added to Netflix a few years ago, I've only seen most of the series and films just the once.<br /><br />This brilliantly written character piece follows the character Valeris and serves as a direct sequel to The Undiscovered Country.<br />Whilst another prominent figure in this story has only appeared in various books and comics so that confused me at first.<br /><br />Swallow certainly exceeds in exploring a character from just the one movie.<br />But these novels are clearly aimed at Trekies and I'm unfortunately just going to have to bow out from reading them.

More and more these days, <i>Star Trek</i> novels tease me, offering great promise in the opening chapters but slowly falling back into the limitations of tie-in fiction in the waning pages.<br /><br />With the franchise effectively rebooted by the movie series, it would seem the books could pretty much take some greater risks these days, exploring some new corners of the universe and offering up some compelling stories about the characters both major and minor we've met over the course of four decades.<br /><br />And for the first hundred pages of "Cast No Shadow," I really felt like James Swallow was going to do just that. The story is set seven years after the events of <i>Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.</i>. When Klingon ship yards are attacked by a terrorist vessel that is linked to the conspiracy from the earlier film, the only connection to the group involved is the disgraced Valeris. Serving out consecutive life terms for her role in the events surrounding Gorkon's death, Valeris is given the opportunity to wipe the slate clean legally. <br /><br />Up to this point, Swallow's story is a compelling one as he weaves in not only a lot of classic <i>Trek</i> history but incorporates some of the elements from the <i>DS9</i> reboot. The exploration of the implications of what Spock did to Valeris and how it has affected them both in the years since it one of the most compelling and interesting aspects of the opening chapters. Even the psychiatrist sent to study and try and understand Valeris is interesting, at first.<br /><br />It's once Valeris agrees to be part of the mission to stop the terrorist cell from attacking again that things suddenly become less compelling. "Cast No Shadow" then falls into the standards tropes of the bulk of the tie-in <i>Trek</i> universe and makes the last two-thirds of the novel not nearly as interesting as they could be. There are a few flashbacks to how Valeris got tied into the group that offer some insight into the character and her growth, but they aren't enough to rescue the novel from being something of a disappointment.

Seven years after her complicity in the murder of Klingon Chancellor Gorkon, disgraced Starfleet Lieutenant Valeris is released from the Penal Stockade on Jaros II to provide assistance in an ongoing investigation by her former mentor Spock. A threat to the fragile peace has links to her cover code name in the Gorkon conspiracy and Spock offers Valeris removal to a remote Vulcan colony if she initiates contact with the underground terrorists.<br /><br />Swallow's 'Cast No Shadow' does not try to apologise for Valeris' actions, but does provide a context for her behaviour. Interestingly, this information is peeled back layer by layer in a regressive series of flashbacks, going back to the root cause of her emotional responses. The novel points the way effectively to the future of the Federation and Klingon Alliance by showing a growing respect between the Starfleet and Klingon operatives and provides some closure to the story of Spock's fallen protege.

"Cast No Shadow" was excellent. I think I enjoyed it so much because it was directly tied into one of my favorite Star Trek movies- Star Trek VI The Undiscovered Country.<br /><br />It has been seven years since the explosion of the Praxis moon and the signing of the Khitomer Accords. Both Captain Kirk and Chancellor Gorkon are no longer living. The Accords have ushered in an uneasy peace between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. But, obviously, not all are happy with this situation. An unknown terrorist group uses a superweapon to annihilate a Klingon space station. The Klingon's lay blame at the feet of a hard-line Klingon family.<br /><br />But, Lt. Miller of Starfleet Intelligence thinks otherwise. After consulting with Major Vaugh also of SI, they speak with Ambassador Spock who gives them a rather unique resolution to how to proceed. As the leads seem to tie into the Gorkon assassination and require a detailed knowledge not only of the Klingons but of that entire sordid affair- Spock's surprise "helper" turns out to be none other than disgraced Starfleet Lt (well FORMER now) Valeris. The female Vulcan from the movie. The one Spock forcibly mind-melded with.<br /><br />What follows is an excellent "sequel" of sorts to the movie. Vaughn and Miller, accompanied by a press-ganged Valeris, work with a Klingon Intelligence officer named Major Kaj attempt to figure out who these terrorists are, while fighting against both Starfleet and Klingon prejudices. I would say more but that would be spoilers.<br /><br />The story is excellent. One of the best Star Trek stories I've read. I especially liked the fact that it provides a closing out of the Undiscovered Country story. The Intelligence aspect of Starfleet was interesting to read about. The interactions with and between the Klingons was rather fun and in keeping with the relations between Starfleet and the Klingons at the time. If you enjoyed the movie or are just a Star Trek fan- don't miss this excellent story. While it helps to have watched the movie, it is not a requirement. These events are tied into that plot but are removed by several years and tied into the characters of Valeris and General Igdar of the Klingon Empire. Thus, even without having watched the movie the events are well explained and it will not hamper your appreciation of this excellent tale. However, for those who did enjoy the movie, the chapters that give a background into Valeris are instrumental in finding out about her story. Why she hated Klingons, why she had an issue with the Vulcans and, to me, the fascinating background of how she met Admiral Cartwright. It explains quite a bit and gives the movie a great deal of nuance.<br /><br />James Swallow has written a great Star Trek book. One that fans and newbies will enjoy. It's a great story and has a lot of intrigue and action. But for those with a bent towards the movie-this is a gem! Highly recommended.

Simply one of the best Novels I have read, Star Trek or otherwise. Fantastic story

This is one of the better Trek novels and I like that it was independent of any of the shows or traditional starship settings. This was a spy novel set in the trek universe and tied to the events of Trek IV, it features a starring role for Valries( played in the movie by Kim Cattrell) It does have a few characters have become key figures in the Titan and DS9 novels. <br /><br />The novel does start off slow for me, by the end I thought it was probably best Trek novel I have read that has been written in the 21st century. (Still think Federation is the best trek novel) Swallow does an excellent job of timing the non-linear aspects of the back story into the unraveling of the plot. Well Done.<br /><br />With Spock on the cover some might be upset the elder Vulcan doesn't play a bigger role. Whatever the book makes up for this with lots of great Captain Sulu action. <br />

James swollow wrote this book and he done a great job this is one of the best Star trek novels I have ever read and I read all of them including and ebook and this knocks them all out of the running in this Authors mind brilliant work JD Couch

Great examination of Valeris as a character, an early Elias Vaughn, and the book is very suspenseful. Well-written with no real boring parts.

A typical - in the best sense of the word - Star Trek novel: Sensation, destruction (or nearly) on cosmic scale, aliens, heroes, fighting, technology, heroics and space...<br />Peopled by knwon and unknown characters against a background of high inter-species politics which is never a good sign.<br />The writer puts a lot of effort into explaining why things happen, including events of the past, long ago but not forgotten.<br />Though James Swallow needs no introduction with sci-fi lovers, this book is a gain a masterpiece that can be enjoyed by seasoned trekkies and newbies alike. Some knowledge of previous events in the Star Trek universe is - as always - a plus.<br />There is a clear beginning with events leading up to a clear ending but the author still leaves plenty of room for a sequel or at least use the main characters in new adventures.

great start. if only it weren't so boring