Into the Nebula

Star Trek: The Next Generation #36

by Gene DeWeese

While exploring an unknown region of space, the U.S.S. "Enterprise encounters a strange nebular dust. Upon further investigation, they discover a planet called Krantin on which the plant and animal life, as well as the civilization are dying. A series of explosions and a ship that simply disappears into thin air lead the crew to believe another group is causing the devastation of the planet. The leader of the planet's society, however, is wary of trusting the starship "Enterprise crewmembers, and has the away team arrested. With time running out, Data must find a way to save his crewmates or watch as two worlds are destroyed.

Genres: Star Trek, Science Fiction, Star Trek The Next Generation, Fiction, Ebooks, Fantasy, Media Tie In

274 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 1995

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I give it two stars just for the moments involving Data's pet feline, Spot.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is light years ahead of Gene DeWeese' first attempt at a TNG story. Here he has the benefit of 7 seasons to fall back on, and the result is one of many books that could compete for the title of "archetypal" TNG novel. The crew is well characterized, the scientific mystery builds gripping tension, and the Federation diplomatic ethics of the 24th century are held up to thorough examination. It's a fancy way of saying there's a great deal of discussion in this story, but there's always a great deal of discussion in a TNG episode...and in this novel, it's very productive & dramatic discussion. It also puts a unique spin on alternate universe stories, and even supplies a fantastic role for Data's cat...what more can you ask from a TNG novel?

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed this a surprising amount given the reviews here on Goodreads. It's not a perfect book, but well written and I really liked the new characters and setting in here, and the plot is just a good old Star Trek story that wasn't too predictable.

[Patrick Hayes · Rating 2 out of 5]

A better title for this would have been The Plague. This book suffers from too many concepts in one Trek.

The Enterprise comes across a multi-generational ship whose engines and power are failing. I thought that helping this ship would form the plot of this novel, but it merely gets the story going. Since the Federation ship's technology is much more advanced than that of the ship they've encountered, they volunteer to take an occupant back to his homeworld to see what's become of his planet. It's on the planet that the primary story takes over. The world has less than a decade of life left due to a "plague" of microscopic dust that's clouded its atmosphere, killing its plant and animal life. Those left alive are trying to survive, but lack the technology or energy to solve the problem.

The reveal of what the plague was composed of was interesting, as was why it's occurring, but then the book pivots and becomes a mystery of what the creators of the plague are searching for. This involved another science fiction concept that TOS and DS9 dealt with, but not TNG or VOY. This was too much for me. The book started as a rescue, become an ecological warning, and then a Trek trope, especially with the last line of dialogue uttered on 272. Adding to this is the unlikely assistance of a minor Trek character in helping save the Enterprise. I just couldn't believe all of this, even in a Star Trek novel.

Not the worst Trek novel I've read, but one that tried to accomplish too much, and did so unsuccessfully.

[Annika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, plot-driven, has some classic Trek plot elements (mirror universe, diplomacy to find a solution that benefits both sides and avoid violence, etc.). If you want a quick, entertaining read, it's quite good.

[Mikael Kuoppala · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very standard and unsurprising plot is backed up by a balanced use of many characters.

[Skylar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Into the Nebula has a bland plot, and too many errors to make up for it (No mention of the Prime Directive? Ship phasers that can stun?).

[Laserratte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robuste Erzählweise mit Tendenz zur Massenware. Ich bin in Sachen Star Trek wohl mittlerweile ausgelaugt, Fans können aber gerne noch einen Stern dazupacken.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished this book rather quickly. It is a standard alternate reality trope but DeWeese has his own twist. Star Trek has done a lot with alternate realities, starting with the Mirror Universe (a form of an alternate universe) and then the Kelvin timeline (aka Kelvinverse), plus the TNG episode Parallels with Worf as the universe jumper.

Some of it was predictable but in a sense that is good since it follows "Chekov's Gun" Rule where if the author mentioned it on page 3, it had better be fulfilled in some meaningful way at the climax or conclusion. There were other parts of the storyline that failed; for example, the character Koralus seemed so promising at the beginning of the book ended up being almost superfluous at the end.

This book could have been written as a typical episode in the TNG format: problem of the week solved by science/engineering (Data and LaForge). Maybe it would be a 2-parter; who knows? Either way, it fit the mold of a decent Star Trek story with environmentalist morals.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun and fast-paced read. It read like an episode, except for the fact that Picard never hesitated to "interfere" in this world's affairs. I mean, I agree with him in this book but usually he has more Prime Directive-related qualms. The plot was good and sort of suspenseful, I felt like I didn't want to stop reading until I found out what happened next. My only complaint would be not enough character moments (other than some great Geordi-Data-Spot interaction). Well, and that I had a hard time understanding the "science" explanations. It's always easier to hear those spoken than to read them yourself.

[RougeMyst · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It goes quickly and incorporates a lot of concepts in a single Trek book. If someone asked me what Star Trek Literature was about I would show them this and Bloodletter. And for those wondering, I haven’t read Devil’s Heart yet.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots going on. I don't think I quite followed it all, and there's a bit too much hand-wavium or implausibility. But I def. found it worth the time to read it. Of course I particularly loved the scientist Zalkan; he reminded me a bit of Marie Curie in his dedication.

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characterisation was off and the plot very predictable, but it was still entertaining.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have to say that it wasn't the greatest book ever but the ending made me laugh so I gave it 4 stars.

[Colin Parry · Rating 2 out of 5]

A confused mess of a book. With better writing and editing could have been great.

[Doreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It could have been much shorter...

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Campy, but entertaining until the last third of the book. The last part dragged on so much.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was kind of only interested in hearing Data talk about cats.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a good concept but it was not well executed. Most of the text was descriptive with very little dialogue or much character development. It was a chore to complete it.

[Anthony Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spot and Fido stole the show. Left to many questions unanswered.

[Danie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of Star Trek novels seem to be about, or use, Data as the main character. Perhaps it's because they can write Data as growing during the story, or they like having a character that is nearly always correct even if he's not always right.

The plot of the book isn't anything special. The computer of the Enterprise gets 'confused' (takes readings of an unknown phenomenon) and the crew (and Spot, Data's cat) find a dying civilization in the middle of a Nebula like thing. Of course, there is political turmoil and the Enterprise crew is never quite trusted entirely.

The plot is nothing new or different, but my favorite parts were the stuff with Data's cat Spot. The author has a very good grasp of how cat's exist, act, and it came off hilarious in the novel.

It's a quick, light, and easy read. Nothing stupendous, but I've read many other Star Trek Novels that were much, much, much, much, much worse written. A solid three star book.

[Dan Contrino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good exploration and story about dual universes. Not a Mirror Universe book or at least not depicted as one. I like Gene DeWeese and his sometimes old fashioned sci-fi elements. There is potential for a second story or even a prequel, regarding the sleeper ship that left the planet and caught the Enterprises attention. Good characters and regard for mythology and DeWeese's dialogue is always credible and realistic. Only real complaint is the quick and tidy resolution but otherwise a great read.

[Bro (Dave Kurimsky) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have acquired quite a few bad paperbacks in recent months. Stuff that looks like it will be awesome pulpy fun...but is in fact just bad. So, I don't know if it's just my familiarity/nostalgia for the characters or actual good writing but I enjoyed this book. Solid.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

A decent enough story with a planet getting killed by a 'plague' in the atmosphere with some alternative realities thrown in. My problem was the writing style is was just not that interesting, it didn't grab me which is odd because intellectually the story is good.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent TNG book. Good story, good build up. My only complaint was it seemed to be a splice of various TNG episodes merged into one. Not that it is a bad thing. For some reason, I even got a Fringe vibe from it….I wonder if JJ read this book? 4/5

[Melvin Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always enjoy Star Trek Books.

[Anni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice story with a mystery, some world building, and "project your natural environment" message.