Star Trek Mirror Universe Saga #1: Spectre Book

Shatner is no literary genius, but this book was fun. There are a lot of problems with the writing, inconsistencies in the plot, and muddled motivations of supporting characters, but I want to touch on the things I did like. Shatner is most definitely a Trekkie and it shows in this book. He knows the story lines, the Star Trek lore and the characters very well. No one writes Kirk better than Shatner for obvious reasons. In the dialogue (especially between Kirk, Bones and Spock) you can really hear the character's voices come through.

I've always found Shatner's ego entertaining, but I know it's just a persona that Shatner cultivates. It comes through loud and clear in this book with Kirk saving the day page after page. But it makes you feel like you know Shatner better. Kirk is portrayed as wanting to live the simple life, but continually getting drawn into the dazzle of his Starfleet career. You could say the same about Shatner. He does have a normal life beyond the Shatnerverse, but is constantly being drawn back into the Star Trek spotlight. Part of him wishes he could be mortal, but most of him doesn't.

It's good to see that despite dying in the movie "Generations", Kirk is alive and well in Shatner's universe.