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List Price: $23.00 | | Publisher: Star Trek
Salesrank: 989816
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| Our Price: $2.47 |
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| Media: Hardcover |
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Editorial Review:
Retired and happily in love, Kirk believes his adventuring days are over. But as he returns to Earth for the first time since his apparent "death" upon the Enterprise-B, events elsewhere in the galaxy set in motion a mystery that may provide Kirk with his greatest challenge yet.
The Enterprise-E, under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, is exploring an unstable region of space on a scientific mission of vital concern to Starfleet when they discover the last thing they ever expected to find: a lonely, battle-scarred vessel that is instantly recognizable to every member of Picard's crew. Five years after being lost with all hands in the Delta Quadrant, the Starship Voyager has come home!
The commander of Voyager, one Tom Paris, explains that Captain Kathryn Janeway and half of the original crew is dead, but if that is true, who is the mysterious woman who has kidnapped Kirk back on Earth, pleading with him to assist her against a threat to the entire Federation?
All is not as it seems, and soon Kirk is forced to confront the hideous consequences of actions taken more than a hundred years prior, as well as his own inner doubts. After years of quiet and isolation, does he still have what it takes to put things right-and join with Captain Picard to save the lives of everyone aboard a brand-new Enterprise?
An unforgettable saga peopled by old friends and ancient enemies, Star Trek: Spectre propels Kirk on a journey of self-discovery every bit as harrowing as the cataclysmic new adventure that awaits him.
Spectre (Star Trek) Reviews:
Shatner's take on the mirror universe 
2008-06-09 - Even though I thought Avenger sucked out loud I was still looking foward to this Shatner novel. I must say it started out with a bang. Lots of action from the start. As Kirk is making his way back to earth to meet up with Scotty he gets kidnapped by Kathryn Janeway, T'Val and Spock from the mirror universe. At the same time Picard and the Enterprise get taken captive by what appeared to be the Voyager only to find out that it was a replica and there were some mirror counterparts from the Voyager teaming with Klingons and Cardassians.
As usual Shatner rights his original series comrads very well. He basically knows them as well as any other writer. All the characters for the most part where written very well. However as for the story, it kind of slowed down a little. There is about fifty pages in the middle of the book that are almost a chore to read. You are just reading and hoping that this will get better. It does... as the end, even though a cliff hanger for the next book, is very exciting.
Shatner has the same ego that he does in the rest of his books. The universe still counldn't exist without James T. Kirk. Kirk even says it in the book. Something along the lines of Kirk knows he has to continue to save the universe because no one else can. Shatner still has very little respect for TNG members and that is certain. One other thing that I noticed was it was mentioned that since Kirk, Spock, Scotty and McCoy didn't know whether they could trust T'Val, the mirror Spock and Janeway that a mind meld should be done to make sure they were telling the truth. Scotty mentioned it to Kirk and Kirk said that he couldn't do it but Spock could. However, Kirk learned how to do the mind meld from Hugh when he rescued Kirk from the Borg world in Avenger. He then used it on Spock's assistant to find out that he was the one that killed Sarek. Has he forgot how to do it? Not sure what happened there.
They are also a lot of good things about the book. First of all, it is better than Avenger. I was getting worried, Ashes of Eden was great, The Return... still pretty good, and then Avenger was not good at all. So I was worried that if the trend continued that this book would be bad. Another interesting fact about this story was that there was an exact time that the mirror universe went bad. There was a certain event, unlike Duane's Dark Mirror in which she had that universe bad from the beginning of time. They will probably continue the idea through out the rest of the books.
This book was a good read with lots of action, several surprises, and good story telling. If you are an OS fan it is a must read.
I have a baby due in 10 days I am going to try to get The Vulcan Academy Murders read before that. After that it might be a while before I get to read anymore.
Grade: B (maybe B+)
Part IV of the Kirk Saga. Excellent beginning to the Mirror Universe trilogy. 
2006-10-13 - I have always enjoyed the story of the mirror universe in Star Trek, and wish that it had been explored more in the t.v. series. William Shatner fulfulled my mirror universe lust with a trilogy that takes us the reader in to a spectacular story. Spectre is the first chapter of the mirror universe trilogy that informs us that Captain James T. Kirk's mirror counterpart "Tiberius" is wanting to take over both universes. The Mirror universe Spock returns as well as the mirror version of Captain Janeway, telling Kirk how grim and bad the situation has gotten in their universe. With the help of Kirk's greatest allies (McCoy, Our Spock, Scotty, and the next generation crew)one of the best adventures of Star Trek begins.
Highly recommended and very fun to read. The book is fast paced and a sure joy for any Star Trek fan or none Star Trek fan looking for a great read. 10/10.
A review of 'Spectre'
2006-05-20 - I was hesistant to pick up this book for I am NOT a fan of the 'Mirror Universe'. This is Shatner again writing about 'Capt. Kirk' trying to live a private life in the 24th century.
Con: What bothered me was Kirk is described as a man whom wants to live his 'private life' in retirement,with wife on a remote world. Then for NO reason,(from what I see) Kirk gets this 'bug' to exit routine life and visit earth. His own wife just 'understands' and allows him to pursue this whim!! [This was non-sensible to me] But I suppose it is the platform from which to launch the story. Kirk is hooked up with old colleges and when he no sooner arrives on earth, Kirk is kidnapped and whirled into an adventure.
Pro: Capt.Picard and another 24th Century character get involved as well. The story informs the reader on things that happened after a TV series star trek episode was told. Action picks up the pace and just keeps going. Good swash buckling.
Con: Book ends in a cliffhanger in which some details will be explained in the next novel. If you are a 'Mirror Universe' fan you'd probably want to obtain that book as well. Sense I'm not- I'll wait until new ground is explored before I read another Shatner Novel.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Shatner's Best Trek Novel!
2005-08-17 - This is my absolute favorite in Shatner's Trek series. "Spectre" is the first book in what would become the "Mirror Universe" Trilogy. You see the return of Tiberius and Spock's mirror-self from the TOS episode "Mirror, Mirror".
What makes this book so interesting is that you find out what has happened in the mirror universe after Kirk and his crew left. And let's just say that things have taken a turn for the worse. Tiberius has a partner, none other than Picard's mirror self. Kirk discovers again that his worst enemy is in fact himself. A great read indeed!
Very good book indeed! 
2005-06-07 - I enjoyed the TOS,TNG,Voyager & Mirror crossovers in this story quite a bit! Was suprised at the love of Kirk's life being of Klingon/Romulan heritage concidering his history with them. I guess it show's even Kirk's never to old to chnge for the better,huh?
I couldn't help saying "Oh, that's cold!" with the way it end's (in being a cliff hanger). Look forward to finding the next book in this story.
