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Book Review of Thin Air (Star Trek: New Earth, Bk 5) (Star Trek, No 93)

Thin Air (Star Trek: New Earth, Bk 5) (Star Trek, No 93)
BethG avatar reviewed on + 108 more book reviews


Thin Air is book 5 in the "New Earth" in the Star Trek series. Captain Kirk and the Enterprise have been delegated to escort a "wagon train" of ships to a new planet, Belle Terre, where the people in the ships plan to start a colony far from the Federation.

Since this is the 5th book, the colony has been founded and suffered various problems. Indeed they have had to evacuate the planet twice. I have to admit that I think they should consider giving up and trying another planet, but that option is barely consider.

One of Belle Terre's moons turned out to contain a powerful source of energy; one that nearly every spacefaring race will wish to use. So the colony will be rich, if they manage to survive and stay. Unfortunately, one of their "neighbors", the Kauld, is determined to destroy them and take the energy bearing ore.

In the previous books, The Kauld have tried to oust or destroy the colonists by force , but Captain Kirk has managed to out think and out fight them every time. In this book they are trying a more subtle approach, but it is just as deadly.

I have to admit that I found the first 4 books uninteresting. They had good stories and were written by some of the Star Trek series most reliable authors, but all 4 books failed to draw me in or involve me in the story.

This book is different. I was "in" the story immediately and I couldn't wait to see what happened next.

This book is set up so that you can read it alone. The entire series is set up that way. Certainly, having read the previous books gives you a bit more information and adds the to emotional resonance, but Thin Air is good as a stand alone story.

Star Trek fans take note, this is a book you will really like!