Let's cut straight to the chase: I thought the latest Star Trek tie-in novel, STAR TREK: STRANGE WORDS: ASYLUM, released on November 5th by Gallery Books and penned by Una McCormack, to be deeply disappointing. McCormack, who has an impressive track record with eleven previous Star Trek novels—including titles like The Fall: The Crimson Shadow and Picard: The Last Best Hope—should have been well-equipped to craft a compelling story within the Strange New Worlds framework. However, the portrayal of the beloved characters, particularly Una Chin-Riley (more commonly known as Number One), falls drastically short. Instead of the strong, nuanced character fans have come to appreciate, she comes across as a watered-down, almost satirical version of herself. The rest of the Enterprise crew, including Captain Christopher Pike, feels similarly out of touch; his dialogue often strikes a tone that veers too far into modernity, pulling viewers away from the essence of Star Trek.
The novel employs a non-linear narrative structure, jumping between various timelines—an approach utilized in past Star Trek novels but, in this instance, lacks coherence and purpose. One notable flashback occurs in 2233, during Pike and Chin-Riley's days at Starfleet Academy, which resembles a poorly executed CW drama more than the rich storytelling we expect from Star Trek. Most of the narrative unfolds in 2260, following the events of the second-season episode Ad Astra per Aspera. Yet, the absence of an explicit stardate leaves readers guessing about the timeline.
The plot is set in motion when Una and Christopher Pike first cross paths at Starfleet Academy after one of his lectures. Their immediate camaraderie is palpable, with Una portrayed as the “poster girl” of her class—a stellar student with bright prospects. Pike, with dreams of commanding his own starship, begins to assemble his dream crew. Yet, as their friendship deepens, Pike grows increasingly suspicious that Una may have ties to the Euxhana, a Chionian cultural minority searching for asylum in Federation space, setting off a chain of events full of unanswered questions.
Fast forward twenty-five years, when Pike and Una are commanding the USS Enterprise, working together to finalize a Chionian trade agreement. However, their mission takes a dark turn when a pro-Euxhana saboteur launches a terrorist attack. When this suspect gets apprehended for interrogation, connections to Una's past begin to surface, unveiling long-buried secrets that threaten to unravel everything she has worked for.
On paper, the premise of this story sounds fascinating; however, the execution leaves much to be desired. The overall reading experience is as dull as dishwater—yes, it's that disappointing. The writing falls in the young adult category, a stark departure from the nuanced science fiction that seasoned Star Trek fans have come to expect. The franchise has a passionate, mostly middle-aged following that craves complex narratives; unfortunately, this book delivers a lackluster tale that resembles a teenage drama wrapped in a Star Trek guise.
As far as storytelling goes, ASYLUM is riddled with predictability and is cluttered with tedious, eye-rolling moments that will likely bore any seasoned Star Trek enthusiast. The potential is there, but sadly, it falls flat from start to finish. ╌★★✰✰✰
Reminder: The book is available for purchase on Amazon.com. As an Amazon affiliate, I will receive a small commission if you buy the book through the link above. All earnings will help to support future reviews.
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