The Fire and the Rose Shadows
Crucible: Spock

David R. George III

reviewed by Randy Landers

With the second book in the Crucible series, David R. George III already is behind the eight ball. The first book, focusing as it did on Leonard McCoy's bad dreams of an alternate universe, was an interesting but uninspiring tale that failed engage the reader. Unfortunately, this particular novel wasn't even interesting. Like its predecessor, it hops in setting from 2267 to 2293, and as a result, it just doesn't engage the reader.

Spock is dealing with Kirk's death, all the while reliving the events that led to Edith Keeler's death in 1930. Following the captain's death, he returns to Vulcan. After establishing a relationship with a Federation ambassador which ends unsatisfactorily, he reenters the Kolinahr, thereby breaking Amanda's heart. Her death a short time later causes him to rethink his decision, and he ends up reversing the Kolinahr with McCoy's help. And with the good doctor's assistance, the Federation ambassador reenters his life at the very end of the novel.

George jumped through every single loophole, found every little tie-in that he could with various Star Trek novels and episodes. Sadly, such an attention to detail (or a manic obsession to trivia) can only worsen a bland story told by a weak writer. Truly, this pendantic book is one to be avoided.

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