Memory Alpha
Advertisement
Memory Alpha
Real world article
(written from a production point of view)

The novelization of Star Trek is an adaptation of Star Trek, written by Alan Dean Foster. Published by Pocket Books, the novel was first released in trade paperback in May 2009. A mass-market paperback edition was released in August 2010.

Summary[]

From the book jacket
"Are you willing to settle for an ordinary life? Or do you think you were meant for something better? Something special?"
One grew up in the cornfields of Iowa, fighting for his independence, for a way out of a life that promised only indifference, aimlessness, and obscurity.
"You will forever be a child of two worlds. Capable of choosing your own destiny. The only question you face is, which path will you choose?"
The other grew up on the jagged cliffs of the harsh Vulcan desert, fighting for acceptance, for a way to reconcile the logic he was taught with the emotions he felt.
In the far reaches of the galaxy, a machine of war bursts into existence in a place and time it was never meant to be. On a mission of retribution for the destruction of his planet, its half-mad captain seeks the death of every intelligent being, and the annihilation of every civilized world.
Kirk and Spock, two completely different and unyielding personalities, must find a way to lead the only crew, aboard the only ship, that can stop him.

Excerpts of copyrighted sources are included for review purposes only, without any intention of infringement.

Background information[]

  • The novel was Foster's first work in the Star Trek universe in almost thirty years.
  • The announcement of the release and the author was made on 12 February 2009. The cover art and the novel's length – roughly 79,000 words – were revealed on 4 March 2009. [1]
  • The novel contains additional scenes that did not make it into the final cut of the movie. [2]
  • The book also includes numerous subtle hints and passing mentions referring to real-life situations or connecting characters to both real-life to their counterparts (for example, young Spock identifies John Lennon and Paul McCartney, whose partnership was invoked by screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci as their basis for the Kirk-Spock relationship, as a learning pit answer; Spock Prime responds to Kirk's clear unfamiliarity with Regulation 619 by recalling what little regard "his" Kirk had for such things; Sulu, who was an astroscientist in his first TOS appearance, is stated to have a doctorate in astrophysics; nervously watching the beam-in of Kirk, Spock, and Pike, a description of Dr. McCoy's inner thoughts shows that he doesn't like the transporter any more than the "real" McCoy did).
  • The novelization was the first Star Trek novel to be released as an audiobook since Epiphany. [3]
  • A special hardcover edition – limited to 5,000 copies, each signed by Foster – was released through Premiere Collectibles on 11 June 2009. [4]
  • The novel made the New York Times Bestseller list, ranking 15th for Paperback Trade Fiction in the list of 31 May 2009, the first Star Trek book to do so in twelve years. The book was already in its fifth printing just nine days after its official release. [5]
  • In the novel, Nero states that his formal name is Ŏ'ŗên.

Cover gallery[]

Characters[]

USS Enterprise[]

USS Kelvin[]

Other Federation[]

  • T'nag (USS Antares)
  • Tel'Peh (USS Bradbury)
  • Korax (USS Drake)
  • Jaxa (USS Endeavor)
  • Davis (USS Kongo)
  • Captain Alexander (USS Newton)
  • Blake (USS Newton)
  • Counter (USS Odyssey)
  • McGrath (USS Potemkin)
  • Fugeman (Regula One)
  • Burke (Starbase Three)

Romulan[]

Other[]

Referenced[]


Previous novel: Series Next novel:
Star Trek Nemesis Star Trek films Star Trek Into Darkness
First novel in series Pocket alternate reality  Starfleet Academy: The Delta Anomaly
(Originally scheduled to be Refugees)
Advertisement