"Ex Machina"
by Christopher L. Bennett

Set in the era of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Christopher L. Bennett's Ex Machina is a strong new novel following Kirk and co. aboard the Refit Enterprise.

The book begins slowly, and is far from being an action-packed thriller: instead, we're treated to friendly banter between the cast (Kirk and Scotty discuss the state of the ship), tying up of the loose ends from TMP (Spock contemplates the aftermath of his experience with V'Ger), and a smooth gentle ride in general.

The main plot of the novel doesn't begin for a good number of chapters, but it's well worth the wait -- Bennett takes the mediocre Star Trek: The Original Series episode For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky, and weaves several elements of it into a gripping tale of conflict and faith. The Fabrini refugees from the asteroid-ship Yonada return as a people split into factions, a charismatic supporting cast from the extremist Dovraku to the calmer Rishala, who are used wonderfully in keeping the reader's interest despite the slow pacing.

One of Ex Machina's few failings is the use of in-jokes -- whilst funny, Chapel's "Do I sound like a computer/mother?" lines are among several references that seem cringeworthy and superfluous to the story. Minor nitpicks aside, Bennett has produced a glorious debut in full-length novel form, which redeems a poor episode and movie and covers a fascinating period that's sadly been neglected.

This promising new author clearly has a lot of Trek knowledge, character- and world-building skill, and love of the franchise; so Ex Machina comes highly recommended.