Strangers From the Sky

Recently promoted Admiral James T. Kirk is still adjusting to life behind a desk at Starfleet, rather than on the bridge of the Enterprise.

In an effort to occupy a restless Kirk, Doctor McCoy finally convinces him to read the book that is a current cultural phenomenon. “Strangers From the Sky” tells the story of humanity dealing with the ramifications of a Vulcan vessel crashing to earth 20 years before humanities First Contact with the Vulcans.

Initially resistant, Kirk finds himself increasingly fascinated with the story. It begins to dominate his dreams. The dreams become much more vivid and begin to deviate from the story as told in the book. Is Admiral Kirk going crazy? Doctor McCoy thinks so. Starfleet thinks so. Even Kirk himself is having doubts.

Light years away, while in command of the Enterprise on a training mission for cadets, Captain Spock is having similar dreams. Sensing his friend’s need, Spock brings the Enterprise to Earth to help Kirk, only to have Starfleet diagnose him with the very same mental disorder.

Spock and Kirk talk McCoy into helping them with a plan that they hope will find answers to a mystery that goes much deeper than mental illness. Their journey stretches back to the beginnings of their friendship, and back to the era from which the Federation would arise, unless events lead to a very different First Contact between humans and Vulcans than the one that history recorded.

My impressions: This is only the second classic Star Trek novel that I have read. Of all the Star Trek series, the original is the one that I am least familiar with. However, Margaret Wander Bonanno clearly expressed the bond that has formed between Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. She brought the characters to life for me, and captured that chemistry that I have seen so clearly defined on the big screen in the movies.

I loved the exploration of human history right around the time of First Contact, and seeing the reactions and outcomes of such a first contact. With the exception of Star Trek: First Contact, which came out 9 years after the release of ‘Strangers In the Sky’, I have not seen much set in that era. I had to make an adjustment to seeing elements of human and Federation history fleshed out that did not quite match the canon that was established in the motion picture Star Trek: First Contact. These were addressed in the author’s forward. Given that the book came out 9 years previously, her vision of how First Contact happened was quite similar to the movie version. I do think that both captured the same essence if not the exact same facts. The telling of a story in that setting, which previously had existed only in my curiousity and imagination was one of the high points of the novel.

Nor had I seen any stories told of James T. Kirk’s early days as captain of the Enterprise. I personally very much enjoy backstory so I thought the book was perfect for as my second classic Star Trek book ever read. I have been meaning to read more, and I believe that this nicely told story will serve as a nice foundation for me to do so.

I do think that many of the references and characters from Kirk’s past would make the book as enjoyable for people who are more familiar with the established history of the classic Star Trek universe, as it did for me, who began his Star Trek fandom with Star Trek: The Next Generation. I do recommend this book, and I personally would ready other books by the author, based upon my impressions of this book.

Other Reviews of works by Margaret Wander Bonanno

Star Trek: Burning Dreams - Jul 1, 2007