Book Review: Star Trek: Mirror Universe: The Sorrows of Empire

Star Trek: Mirror Universe: The Sorrows of Empire, by David Mack

After returning from a mirror universe, where Earth and Starfleet is ruled by a peaceful democracy, Spock makes a decision to change his universe. Formulating a plan, along with the help of Kirk’s former consort and a secret weapon, Spock wants to overthrow the current tyrannical Empire and pave the way for democracy.

The story of Spock’s rise to power is told over the course of almost 30 years. The mirror universe Spock is similar to the original in that he is just as logical and brilliant, plotting out a seemingly-impossible dream that won’t come to fruition until years later. But this Spock is also brutal, willing to kill to justify a free society for future generations. For him, the “needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or one” and plenty suffer for his ideals. Unfortunately, he seems to feel little remorse for all of the atrocities that are done in his name. He literally becomes the thing he hates most. It’s certainly an interesting take on a parallel Spock -one we barely have a glimpse of in the original series show.

Mack has done a wonderful job of showing us an expanded Mirror Universe, where Starfleet is a harsh and feared military regime and Earth is governed by a cruel Empress. It’s a gripping story, full of suspense, danger and intrigue. A surprisingly quick read, I finished it all in one afternoon. You may not agree with everything that Spock does, but it will certainly make you think about how he rationalizes that the ends justify the means. Is he a brave idealist? Or a single-minded murderer that should have found a less costly way of paving the way for freedom? The challenge that is set forth is certainly compelling.