'Ring of Fire': Thrills and Missed Psyche in Star Trek's Latest Novel

Disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book from the publisher. This post also contains Amazon affiliate links [*]. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The latest entry in the Star Trek literary universe, Strange New Worlds: Ring of Fire, crafted by the ever-talented David Mack, has hit the shelves, ready to thrill the segment of Trekkies who still indulge in sci-fi literature. In a landscape that once flourished with a vibrant literary tradition, the audience has dwindled, yet the fandom endures—smaller, perhaps, but still fiercely loyal.

David Alan Mack is no newcomer to the Star Trek cosmos. With three decades of storytelling for the franchise under his belt, he has penned everything from episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine to contributions to the animated series Star Trek: Prodigy. Mack has crafted novels that delve into the mythos, including the Destiny and Cold Equations trilogies. When it comes to storytelling in this universe, Ring of Fire is undoubtedly in capable hands.

As I let these thoughts swirl in my mind, I can’t help but express my disdain for the current trend in Star Trek cover art. They often come off as hastily photoshopped portraits of actors crudely pasted onto a starry canvas. It’s a far cry from the adventurous spirit of “boldly go”—more like “why even bother?” Why not showcase the majestic U.S.S. Enterprise itself, or better yet, engage a gifted artist to craft an original illustration that encapsulates the story's essence? We’re in the realm of sci-fi here, a world that thrives on creativity. But I digress—let’s delve into Strange New Worlds: Ring of Fire ^[*], a novel from the Gallery that David Mack has thoughtfully woven.

Set in 2261, the tale unfolds shortly after the U.S.S. Enterprise emerges from repairs following a harrowing encounter with a scavenger ship. It precedes the fateful mission to Rukari VII (as seen in "What Is Starfleet?"). When murky waters of murder and sabotage threaten to derail a time-sensitive mission for a team of civilian scientists, Starfleet calls upon the steadfast Captain Christopher Pike and his crew to head to Kathara Station, an enigmatic research facility precariously suspended above the swirling maelstrom of a black hole.

Lieutenant Commander Una Chin-Riley soon unearths that the station's director, Valkeya, is harboring secrets that could rival the black hole’s own mysteries. But Captain Pike, too, is ensnared in a web of past misdeeds—having visited this very black hole years prior on a mission that ended in tragedy and left scars that may never fade. Caught in this riptide of events are Science Officer Spock, Nurse Christine Chapel, and Security Chief La’An Noonien-Singh. Their tangled romantic escapades, both established and new, threaten to fray the delicate threads of their camaraderies.

As hostile forces close in on the station like wolves in the night, Valkeya and Pike face a profound challenge: can they summon the courage to atone for their past mistakes to avert catastrophe? With time slipping through their fingers like grains of sand, the survival of Kathara Station, the illustrious U.S.S. Enterprise, and countless innocent lives hinges on their steps toward contrition.

However, beneath the surface of this character-driven narrative lies a golden opportunity that Mack never quite capitalizes on. The story is steeped in flashbacks to a sixteen-year-old mission where Captain Pike faced the trauma of that same black hole, and yet, the psychological aftermath of that experience feels like an untapped reservoir of emotional depth. One can't help but wonder what lush layers of character development might have emerged had there been a deeper exploration of Pike’s psyche—a missed chance to delve into the haunting effects of his past.

Additionally, Spock's romantic drama feels reminiscent of a subpar teen drama a la CW—complete with all the melodrama one could do without. But, given the constraints of the narrative’s timeline, with the story nestled in the midst of Strange New Worlds season three, I suppose Spock and La’An’s relationship must take its place, even if I wish it wouldn’t.

Ring of Fire ^[*] may not be the epitome of what a Star Trek novel could aspire to be—if such a thing exists—but the plot unfolds as a captivating high-stakes thriller, brimming with the essence of Strange New Worlds. Mack, with his well-honed craft, delivers an enthralling character-driven saga that maintains our rapt attention. If only the Paramount+ series shared the same level of thrill, Trekkies could dare to dream of more. ╌★★★★✰

〜B.J. Burgess