Star Trek: The Rings of Time by Greg Cox
In the year 2020, Colonel Shaun Christopher and the crew of the U.S.S. Lewis & Clark embark on humanity’s first journey to Saturn. When they find an unlikely stowaway aboard, their mission is put at risk. But the real danger looms when a mysterious probe appears and heads straight for Saturn. As Shaun investigates the probe too closely, his consciousness is thrown into the future into the body of a legendary captain.
Two hundred and fifty years later, the U.S.S. Enterprise is sent to Klondike VI on a rescue mission. The planet is similar to Saturn, and its rings are decaying – endangering its numerous colonists. Then, an ancient probe arrives, and it’s immediately beamed aboard the Enterprise for study. But as Captain Kirk touches the seemingly dead relic, he suddenly appears to be in the past, floating in space next to the historic U.S.S. Lewis & Clark.
This standalone original Star Trek novel is told through two time periods, back and forth, chapter by chapter. Cox has skillfully written two separate stories that weave together and come to an exciting conclusion. The Enterprise story is set at the end of the television series’ five year mission. Fast-paced and full of mystery and adventure, The Rings of Time was completely engaging. Though not as much time is spent on the Enterprise crew as other novels in the past, I thoroughly enjoyed the Lewis & Clark crew as most of the action came from that timeline. Time travel, body swapping, mind melds, and aliens – this latest Star Trek novel includes just about everything I love most about the series.
Time Travel? Early Days of the Federation? Standalone novel? Kirk? Sounds like fun! I’ve been put off ST for awhile now – got wrapped up in one too many crossover events. I’ll pick this up, though. Thanks for the great review.
Ordered this the other night after reading your review. Started reading it last night. Really good so far. Thanks for the heads-up.
I’m so glad! Hope you enjoy the rest!