In the new novel Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The High Country by John Jackson Miller, obtainable starting right now from Gallery Books (an imprint of Simon & Schuster), the crew of the Enterprise discover themselves stranded on a world the place the legal guidelines of physics appears to have left the constructing!
The High Country is the first prose e book to function the Strange New Worlds crew, and followers of the collection will devour it as they eagerly away the return of the flagship in SNW season 2. Read on for our non-spoiler overview of The High Country.
Strange New Worlds
As quickly as you take away the mud jacket from The High Country, there’s a fairly clear color-coded trace relating to the character who will function the main protagonist of the novel. This is due to the hardcover e book’s quarter binding, which options black fabric on the backbone paired with a goldenrod paper cowl. The shade pairing evokes the uniform worn by Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) on the Paramount+ collection.
It is acceptable to allude to Pike with the cowl, not simply because the USS Enterprise NCC-1701’s most tall-haired captain is the collection character who performs the largest function in this novel, but additionally as a result of his is the voice Miller most deftly captures. Pike’s perspective (and his penchant for wordplay) are evident all through the story.
This pairs effectively with the plot and setting for the novel, which sees the Enterprise’s away staff stranded on a planet the place know-how is outlawed (and the legal guidelines in query are the legal guidelines of physics). As the solely particular person in Starfleet who can credibly problem Kirk’s place as the most equine-aligned captain, this implies Pike is form of in his ingredient… a reality expanded upon by his fascinating backstory, which performs an vital function right here.
Franchise fare
I’m hesitant to incorporate too many plot particulars, primarily as a result of the means they unfold all through The High Country was a delight to me as a Trekkie. I’d hate to spoil any of that for different potential likeminded readers.
Suffice to say that Miller does a superb job of tying this novel’s plot to Franchise continuity. This consists of connections to the ten episodes of Strange New Worlds which have been launched to date, between two of which this novel is about.
While SNW could also be an episodic collection, it additionally has closely serialized parts. The High Country takes benefit of the undeniable fact that sure subplots have been unresolved at the level in the season throughout which it’s set, a intelligent storytelling conceit. It additionally means Chief Engineer Hemmer (Bruce Horak) can seem, an always-welcome addition to any SNW story.
Furthermore, readers with specific favorites amongst the Enterprise crew might be happy to see that almost each named character that appeared on the ship over the course of season 1 will get at the very least a line over the course of the e book. And whereas sure crewmembers play main roles whereas others occupy supporting roles, this is solely the first SNW prose e book. Pike and his command crew are such compelling characters, they deserve a while in the highlight.
It isn’t simply episodes of SNW which are alluded to by The High Country, both… however once more, I wouldn’t need to deny any readers the beautiful pleasure that takes place when the latinum drops and also you notice simply which Trek collection is being referenced. The extra Trek you’ve watched (and browse), the extra you’ll get pleasure from these revelations.
The High Fantasy Country
But except for the connections to canon, there’s loads to get pleasure from in The High Country in and of itself. Part of that is the fantasy flare that Miller brings to the story, bolstered in no small half by the maps that accompany every of the novel’s 5 elements.
If, like me, one in every of your favourite style conventions is the inclusion of a map to pore over as you savor the prospect of the story that takes place in the terrain depicted therein, these cartographic inclusions are primarily caitain-nip. Better but, the causes for his or her inclusion are fascinating, and might be slowly puzzled out over the course of the narrative.
Furthermore, The High Country makes use of the distinctive nature of prose storytelling to discover a planet that might doubtless not seem onscreen on SNW, as a result of the temporal and budgetary constraints of tv storytelling. This interprets right into a setting that has a different array of environments, and a collection of surprising forms of vessels, one in every of which is an unbelievable inclusion that will be notably tough to depict in reside motion.
Another aspect of prose storytelling that The High Country makes use of effectively is the alternative for a glimpse of the interiority of the characters. This, in flip, offers texture to the current SNW episodes, giving us perception into what Pike could also be pondering whereas he’s coping with these adventures. One notably apt passage permits Pike to mirror that the halcyon tempo of Starfleet exploits aren’t conducive to the full contemplation of the many planets they go to, an fascinating statement that provides depth to any Captain’s Log.
The High Country
But maybe most significantly of all, The High Country is an addictive learn that’s stuffed with good character beats and loads of spectacular set items. All of that is built-in in a setting and story that permits for the examination of a few of Trek’s most vital themes, together with forming unity in the face of adversity and emphasizing empathy for one’s adversaries.
The High Country is obtainable at a neighborhood bookstore and/or public library close to you starting right now!
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