Gemini (Star Trek: The Original) [Mass Market Paperback]

The story revolves around Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise being sent to the planet Nador to assist in the population's vote on whether or not their planet should join the United Federation of Planets. The leaders of the planet, conjoined twins named Abon and Delor, spearhead the effort to have their planet to join the alliance. However, an underground faction that doesn't want their planet to join the Federation sets out to prohibit the vote.

The twins are soon under the protection of Kirk and his crew while the identity of the faction is attempted to be identified. A side story involves Peter Kirk, the captain's nephew, but this story seems out of place and could have been omitted. It was probably added to help round out Kirk's character, but the events that involve Peter have little to do with the outcome of the storyline. The twins secret is a nice little twist and the reason behind the secret is true Star Trek.

Overall, if the part of Peter Kirk had been omitted from the story, or at least better entwined in it, the book would have been a better read. Hopefully, future authors of Star Trek novels based on the original series can mimic the atmosphere of the series as well as Barr did in this one. It is a good first effort from Barr and hopefully the beginning of a better series of novels after the recent relaunch of the original series in the novels.

When the Enterprise is sent to the planet Nador to facilitate the Nadorians first election things begin to go wrong almost immediately. The Nadorians will be voting on whether or not to join the Federation, and there are those who will stop at nothing to prevent that from happening. Then the planet's monarch's, their Serene Highnesses Abon and Delor, become a target for the opposition, who seem to be able to operate with impunity.

It turns out that Kirk's nephew Peter ("Operation Annihilate!") has been living on the planet. Between assassination attempts on the princes, annoying Nadorian bureaucrats, and the kidnapping of Peter Kirk, you would think it should all be pretty exciting. Regrettably it isn't. Gemini has its moments but many of the scenes that should have been the most stimulating fall flat.

The best part of the story is the interaction between Kirk, Spock and McCoy. The playful byplay and camaraderie shines through the setting. Several lower deck characters play an enjoyable roll too, such as Yeoman Barrows who befriends the princes consort, Lady Pataal. Chekov, Sulu, Uhura are barely utilized but Scotty gets a few moments.

The characters original to the story, however, just don't work very well. The princes, conjoined twin brothers whose well being is a major part of the storyline, failed to capture my interest or sympathy. A crying consort hovering in the background didn't help much either. The local bureaucrats are at least unlikable. Two characters I did enjoy though were the Federation representative, Commissioner Sylvan Roget and his wife Janine.

Those longing for an original series adventure should be satisfied with Gemini but those looking for something more than run of the mill might want to try something else.