Review of
Cadet Kirk
Published:
October 1996
Reviewer Rating:
Avg User Rating:
(2.42)
Cadet Jimmy Kirk gets a plumb assignment to shuttle the illustrious Dr. Richard Daystrom to a scientific conference. But after a last-minute change in plans, he ends up flying a couple of newly-minted Ensigns instead - Spock and McCoy. Things really go sideways when the shuttle is pulled off-course by kidnappers hoping to snag Daystrom, but when all they get are a crew of green cadets, they aren't at all pleased.
Kirk starts off this story as an officious, rule-following annoyance and doesn't change for most of this book. He does eventually start to come around and realize that following his intuition and instincts isn't a bad thing, and rules have their place, but at some point you might grow to be able to interpret when you break them. The downside of these revelation is some heavy-handed exposition and introspective thoughts that really hammer it all home. I understand that this book is written for younger readers, but it probably doesn't have to be spelled out quite so completely.
Spock and McCoy are along for the ride here, but don't have any big moments. Their dialogue is much better than Kirk's and more in character with what we're familiar. They almost could have been replaced by other characters for all the bearing this has on any future relationships or current status quo. In some ways, it might have been better to see Kirk learning and taking a leadership role with different characters. I would have liked to see an early leadership experience for him.
The antagonists are typically two dimensional with no real personality or threat here. We get an obligatory appearance by a Klingon, one of their cruisers, and ultimately the Enterprise, but again its all just fan service with no real purpose beyond that.
Of the three books in the series, this is my least favorite. The previous two had some laudable themes and interests for younger readers, but this one never rises above a second-rate adventure story.
Kirk starts off this story as an officious, rule-following annoyance and doesn't change for most of this book. He does eventually start to come around and realize that following his intuition and instincts isn't a bad thing, and rules have their place, but at some point you might grow to be able to interpret when you break them. The downside of these revelation is some heavy-handed exposition and introspective thoughts that really hammer it all home. I understand that this book is written for younger readers, but it probably doesn't have to be spelled out quite so completely.
Spock and McCoy are along for the ride here, but don't have any big moments. Their dialogue is much better than Kirk's and more in character with what we're familiar. They almost could have been replaced by other characters for all the bearing this has on any future relationships or current status quo. In some ways, it might have been better to see Kirk learning and taking a leadership role with different characters. I would have liked to see an early leadership experience for him.
The antagonists are typically two dimensional with no real personality or threat here. We get an obligatory appearance by a Klingon, one of their cruisers, and ultimately the Enterprise, but again its all just fan service with no real purpose beyond that.
Of the three books in the series, this is my least favorite. The previous two had some laudable themes and interests for younger readers, but this one never rises above a second-rate adventure story.
