Star Trek: The Original Series: Garth Of Izar by Pamela Sargent and George Zebrowski
01/08/2004 . Source: Laura Kayne 
pub: Pocket Books/Simon and Schuster. 262 page paperback. Price: £ 6.99 (UK), $ 6.99 (US), $10.50 (CAN). ISBN: 0-7434-0641-9. Buy from Amazon US - Buy from Amazon UK
nb: US titles may only be available from Amazon US, and UK titles from Amazon UK. check
out website: www.simonsays.co.uk
and www.startrek.com Fans
of the original 'Star Trek' series may remember the character of Garth, the ex-Starfleet
officer first encountered by Kirk, Spock and McCoy on the rehabilitation colony
Elba II where, having proclaimed himself to be Lord Garth, he attempted to gain
control of the Enterprise. Now, years later and seemingly no longer plagued
by mental illness and a hunger for power, he is to be re-employed by Starfleet
to mediate between conflicting factions on the planet Antos IV - the same planet
where Garth was injured in a transporter malfunction and healed by the Antosians
and their shape-changing abilities. The same shape-changing abilities which led
to Garth's delusions. 
Accompanying Garth on this mission is Kirk and the Enterprise. Garth was
a hero of Kirk's whilst at Starfleet Academy and the possibility of meeting this
legend, rather than the insane Lord wearing his face, is something Kirk both relishes
and fears. It will be his responsibility to deal with both Garth and the Antosians
if the mission does not succeed or the lure of power once again becomes too much
for Garth, once he is back amongst the Antosians.
Lord Garth was an
engaging and charismatic character and it is an interesting idea for Sargent and
Zebrowski to bring him back, exploring both his background and the results of
his time on Elba II. The possibility of how he will react to the Antosians gives
this story a contemporary human-interest aspect and also keeps the traditional
'Star Trek' action fresh. The character of Garth is well-rounded and vivid, as
are the characters of Kirk, Spock and McCoy. The usual Star Trek twists
and turns are encountered as the Enterprise attempts to proceed with this latest
mission. Politics develops a darker edge, especially when the Antosians declare
that their whole way of life is being destroyed. Garth and Kirk must intervene
before civil war breaks out and, as with all political situations, there is the
possibility of deception and changing of sides. Whether Garth, either or both
of the factions on Antos can be trusted is a question asked more than once.
The result is a fun yet also somewhat deeper, character-orientated story.
It is also a chance to see Starfleet diplomacy at work instead of purely battle
scenes. As usual with Tie-In books such as this, one mainly for the fans, and
if you remember and enjoyed the character of Garth from the original show, this
provides an intriguing continuation of his tale.
Laura Kayne
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