Probe

This book is a good, solid read consistent with the look and feel of Star Trek, but devout followers of Margaret Wander Bonanno may be interested to know that this book was vastly changed from her original vision, and the changes published without her oversight or permission. Bonanno has a tradition of dragging her characters through absolute torture and mental gymnastics, and this published book did not make me cry. Her original novel, once I tracked it down, did wring out tears. (For those wishing to read her original novel, she has it up on her website.)

I have heard that this novel was actually supposed to be the basis for Star Trek 5, but a "certain actor" wanted to have his hand at directing and the story was changed. How unfortunate for us, because this would have made the perfect sequel to Star Trek 4. As a matter of fact, it picks up just after the end of the movie and really is good. The character development is good, and the plot moves along well. It's sad to think we'll never get to see this one on the screen, but at least we're treated to a good conclusion to the origins of the mysterious probe from Star Trek 4. A great idea that's translated to a graet book.

This was the very first Trek novel I'd read and what a wonderful one to choose. Probe is the follow up on Star Trek IV The Voyage Home. The author spins an absolutely great tale as to where the Probe went after it left earth. Unfortunately it went into Romulan space and of course the Enterprise is sent to follow up on it. This is a great book for Star Trek fans and those who do not necessarily keep up with trek. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to find out what happened after the Probe left earth. The author has been absent from the Trek universe for quite some time. As I understand it, she has one coming out early next year though. Thank you to author for a great read.

In the fourth Star Trek film, the earth was menaced by a powerful, apparently benevolent yet unwittingly destructive probe. We never find out that much about the probe, except for its interest in whales as the dominant life forms of earth. In this sequel, the probe makes another appearance, this time upsetting relations between the peace loving federation and the Romulan empire. The crew of the Enterprise is sent to investigate, roughly cooperating with the never trustworthy Romulans. In the course of the story, the crew learns much about the probe and its interest in sentient and aquatic life forms.From a weak premise (built on another story), Margaret Wander Bonanno (I love that name) spins a fun story. The charahcters are good (including the Romulans who could just as easily be dismissed as sly villains) and the prose are crisp. But most of all is the probe which the author cleverly conceals in mystery even as she reveals it. A good read for non-Trekkers as well.

"Star Trek Probe" is a compelling novel that explains the truth behind the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Earth in Star Trek IV. As the Enterprise-A and her crew are en route to the Neutral Zone to host a peace conference, they receive a message from Starfleet informing them that the probe has entered Romulan space and is out of range of their sensors. The Enterprise is instructed to relay this message to the Romulan govenment, advising them not to interfere with it, for it is extremely powerful. The Romulans insist that the probe is simply a hoax, and pay no attention to the warning at all. Only after an archeological team discovers something that seems quite fam- iliar, do the Romulans begin to listen, sending the Enterprise on a wild goose chase with the probe itself, to find some answers. For a Trekkie like myself, this is a great book. Unfortunately, it doesn't have as much adventure and thrills as the movies have, and well, the characters are missing some traits that make them who they are in the movies. However, I was so anxious to find out where that probe came from, it didn't matter to me. All in all, most anybody would like this book. Trekkie or not, I recommend it to you.