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joanna_m's review against another edition
5.0
Interesting take on TOS
I read this in order to flow the conversation about it on podcast 'Women at Warp'. I was pleasantly surprised at the number of female characters and their complexity- virtually every page passes the Bechdel test. This is both faithful to TOS, with the crew acting and reacting in a very familiar way, but also a more thorough and philosophical look at the way we interact with other cultures, how we get along and learn. Perhaps a little more exploration of the prime directive could have been present, but overall this is a minor quibble. An engaging book
I read this in order to flow the conversation about it on podcast 'Women at Warp'. I was pleasantly surprised at the number of female characters and their complexity- virtually every page passes the Bechdel test. This is both faithful to TOS, with the crew acting and reacting in a very familiar way, but also a more thorough and philosophical look at the way we interact with other cultures, how we get along and learn. Perhaps a little more exploration of the prime directive could have been present, but overall this is a minor quibble. An engaging book
hannerwell's review against another edition
Kagan did Warrior Cats before Warrior Cats did Warrior Cats
nurseerin's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
vesper1931's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Stardate 2950.3. The planet Eeiauo is under quarantine because of the many deaths due to the ADG Syndrome. Can the crew of the Enterprise find a cure in the history of the species from the songs that Uhura learnt from her Eeiauo friend.
An entertaining story, another re-read.
An entertaining story, another re-read.
skylar2's review against another edition
2.0
I have to confess to giving up on this one. While it has interesting concepts, the plot is incredibly slow and repetitive. For a book supposedly about Uhura, she is completely overshadowed by Dr. Wilson, though, to be fair, she overshadows everyone else too.
jazzypizzaz's review against another edition
3.0
Love a cat alien world and all the little feline physical gestures, cultural discoveries, etc! Also ooof a plague plot -- interesting, but perhaps created too much tension, in that it seemed like the crew was happily messing around on the planet for forever with not enough sense of urgency. LOVE the marrying of culture & science, discovering necessary treatment through studying old songs.
Big points off for how Evan Wilson completely pulled focus from anyone/anything else. I thought this would center Uhuru for once! (though she did get some great parts.) I get it Evan's oh so spunky and mischievous and clever and everyone's obsessed with her, blah blah blah. At least it wasn't a random boring guy character, but still really got tiresome.
Big points off for how Evan Wilson completely pulled focus from anyone/anything else. I thought this would center Uhuru for once! (though she did get some great parts.) I get it Evan's oh so spunky and mischievous and clever and everyone's obsessed with her, blah blah blah. At least it wasn't a random boring guy character, but still really got tiresome.
mirpanda277's review against another edition
4.0
My rating for this book was tricky to settle on. On the one hand, this book has so many great qualities that outnumber my complaints. On the other hand, my complaints hold more emotional and logical—I’d say—weight.
First, the good stuff:
The places they boldly go. Kagan writes wonderful anthropologic world-building of Eeiauo and Sivoa. Oh, how I adore these cat people! Sivoan culture takes center stage most of the novel, and it’s delightful seeing Uhura successfully making first, significant contact thanks to her linguist skills, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and overall sharp mind. Also, Chekov surprises and impresses all with his survivalist skills, which is super charming and adorable.
(Star)shipping Uhura and Spock. Uhura and Spock have many lovely moments together. One instance is when Uhura respects Spock’s Vulcan identity and culture by attempting to shelve her emotions (about Sunfall) to simultaneously protect Spock from discomfort and focus on working on a solution to ADF syndrome. Although Spock is grateful and impressed by Uhura, Spock puts Uhura’s emotions above his comfort and assures Uhura that her emotions—and emotional intelligence—are not only a strength but necessary to find a solution just as much as his logic. I was super against the pairing of Uhura and Spock in the JJ movies, but had moments like these existed as tinder for their relationship, I would have been more on board.
A theme by any other name. The theme about the importance of names, of respecting what an individual wishes to be called over the ease of others and earning a name (the merits and flaws in that practice), is a worthy one to explore. And Kagan explores it well in this novel. The moment Jinx becomes Another StarFreedom to-Enouia will remain one of my most cherished head-cannon moments. Also, I enjoyed the theme of what constitutes adulthood and maturity.
Women at warp. I didn’t even notice this until I listened to the Women at Warp podcast’s book club episode, but Kagan included so many female characters!
Now, my complaints:
So, Mary Sue me. Although arguments and complaints that Dr. Evan Wilson is a Mary Sue character are understandable, criticism that rests there and is limited to her being just too perfect or an author wish-fulfillment are unfair and deficient. Her overwhelming amount of skills are ultimately explained to her secret (true)—but not totally explained—identity.
The bigger problem is two-fold. First, many of Wilson’s skills and character moments could have been allocated to the classic TOS team. Kirk loves climbing mountains, he could have climbed trees. McCoy could have been the doctor on the away team, or maybe even better, Nurse Chapel could have! Sulu is great at combat! As is Kirk, Spock, or, hey, it’s Uhura’s Song, let’s give Uhura even more to do because even the show set precedent for her being physically fit and ready to cuff someone when deserved. Especially if Fetchstorm had addressed her in a derogatory fashion, as the linguist (as well as a black woman), she’d know the weight of Fetchstorm’s words—an emphasis on their intent over form—and readers would be more deeply affected by that moment had Uhura retaliated as Wilson does.
The Wilson intrigue made the plot a little more dynamic, but I didn’t need it to be. What I needed was my second point: this is a book entitled Uhura’s Song, I expected Uhura to be the star, with some switching POVs. But once our landing party, along with Brightspot and Jinx, began the Walk, Wilson took center stage (as well as Spock’s interest). Also, side note, I certainly didn’t need the shameless flirting and uncomfortable comments made toward Wilson by men.
Whether or not Wilson is a Mary Sue, I like her character; but I cannot forgive Kagan for giving her the spotlight over Uhura for so much of the novel. So, while I give Kagan’s book 4 stars because it’s a fun read filled with seriously good writing, I feel that it may deserve less because of my disappointment.
First, the good stuff:
The places they boldly go. Kagan writes wonderful anthropologic world-building of Eeiauo and Sivoa. Oh, how I adore these cat people! Sivoan culture takes center stage most of the novel, and it’s delightful seeing Uhura successfully making first, significant contact thanks to her linguist skills, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and overall sharp mind. Also, Chekov surprises and impresses all with his survivalist skills, which is super charming and adorable.
(Star)shipping Uhura and Spock. Uhura and Spock have many lovely moments together. One instance is when Uhura respects Spock’s Vulcan identity and culture by attempting to shelve her emotions (about Sunfall) to simultaneously protect Spock from discomfort and focus on working on a solution to ADF syndrome. Although Spock is grateful and impressed by Uhura, Spock puts Uhura’s emotions above his comfort and assures Uhura that her emotions—and emotional intelligence—are not only a strength but necessary to find a solution just as much as his logic. I was super against the pairing of Uhura and Spock in the JJ movies, but had moments like these existed as tinder for their relationship, I would have been more on board.
A theme by any other name. The theme about the importance of names, of respecting what an individual wishes to be called over the ease of others and earning a name (the merits and flaws in that practice), is a worthy one to explore. And Kagan explores it well in this novel. The moment Jinx becomes Another StarFreedom to-Enouia will remain one of my most cherished head-cannon moments. Also, I enjoyed the theme of what constitutes adulthood and maturity.
Women at warp. I didn’t even notice this until I listened to the Women at Warp podcast’s book club episode, but Kagan included so many female characters!
Now, my complaints:
So, Mary Sue me. Although arguments and complaints that Dr. Evan Wilson is a Mary Sue character are understandable, criticism that rests there and is limited to her being just too perfect or an author wish-fulfillment are unfair and deficient. Her overwhelming amount of skills are ultimately explained to her secret (true)—but not totally explained—identity.
The bigger problem is two-fold. First, many of Wilson’s skills and character moments could have been allocated to the classic TOS team. Kirk loves climbing mountains, he could have climbed trees. McCoy could have been the doctor on the away team, or maybe even better, Nurse Chapel could have! Sulu is great at combat! As is Kirk, Spock, or, hey, it’s Uhura’s Song, let’s give Uhura even more to do because even the show set precedent for her being physically fit and ready to cuff someone when deserved. Especially if Fetchstorm had addressed her in a derogatory fashion, as the linguist (as well as a black woman), she’d know the weight of Fetchstorm’s words—an emphasis on their intent over form—and readers would be more deeply affected by that moment had Uhura retaliated as Wilson does.
The Wilson intrigue made the plot a little more dynamic, but I didn’t need it to be. What I needed was my second point: this is a book entitled Uhura’s Song, I expected Uhura to be the star, with some switching POVs. But once our landing party, along with Brightspot and Jinx, began the Walk, Wilson took center stage (as well as Spock’s interest). Also, side note, I certainly didn’t need the shameless flirting and uncomfortable comments made toward Wilson by men.
Whether or not Wilson is a Mary Sue, I like her character; but I cannot forgive Kagan for giving her the spotlight over Uhura for so much of the novel. So, while I give Kagan’s book 4 stars because it’s a fun read filled with seriously good writing, I feel that it may deserve less because of my disappointment.
littlemisselvis's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good one. Well developed characters and plot but the pace was fast enough to hold interest. Would have fitted in well with TOS episodes.