Shatnerverse

The Shatnerverse is the informal, fannish nickname given to a series of loosely connected Star Trek novels written by William Shatner, with co-writers Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens. The novels were conceived by Shatner during the filming of Star Trek Generations. Published from 1995 to 2007 by Pocket Books, each novel features Shatner's James T. Kirk in scenarios Den of Geek calls "goofy and self-indulgent", yet Shatner's bluster "is part of his charm".

Development

The series explores James T. Kirk's life after the events of Generations (1994). Created by William Shatner, the novels were co-written by Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens, who were not credited until Captain's Peril (2002).

Simon & Schuster never applied a series brand or name to the novels. The informal title or nickname for the series is "Shatnerverse" which was created by fans and later adopted by unofficial sources. Novels are organized by fans into three trilogies: "Odyssey", "Mirror Universe", and "Totality". The continuity within the series is independent of other Star Trek book lines.

Preserver (2000) was inspired by Shatner's experience following the death of his wife.

The related novel, Collision Course (2007), was the launch title of a proposed Star Trek: Academy series but the planned sequels were canceled following poor sales.

Novels

The novels are organized into three unofficial trilogies. Numbering varies by language and market.

Odyssey

The trilogy's name is taken from an omnibus edition originally planned as a Science Fiction Book Club exclusive.

Mirror Universe

Novels set primarily in Star Trek's Mirror Universe.

Totality

Also known as the Captain Kirk or Captain's trilogy.

Reception

Den of Geek wrote the "Shatnerverse" novels are "very goofy and self-indulgent", yet they are a fun continuation of The Original Series. Shatner's bluster "is part of his charm. It's exactly what makes James Kirk so fun". Library Journal reviewed Avenger, stating "Shatner's team has created a compelling and satisfying morality play with a wiser Kirk and more emotional Spock". Library Journal also reviewed the audiobook edition of Spectre, saying: "Shatner does his usual adequate job, offering a melodious reading with a hint of apathy".

L.D. Meagher, writing for CNN, said Dark Victory was not easy for the casual fan to read as it wasn't intended to be a standalone novel and reader's needed to be familiar with the series. However, he thought fans of the series would be pleased with it.

Publishers Weekly reviewed the audiobook edition of Captain's Glory, writing: "Shatner ably embodies the voice of Kirk, but his characterizations of Picard, Riker, Worf and several others are mediocre and pale in comparison to the actors who created them".

Screen Rant noted that the idea of placing Collision Course at Starfleet Academy was a solid one, but it faltered in its execution.

Related novels

The Ashes of Eden graphic novel

Star Trek: The Ashes of Eden is a 100-page, square-bound, graphic novel by Steve Erwin and Jimmy Palmiotti. Unlike the prose novel, Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens were credited as co-writers. No other Star Trek tie-in novel has been adapted as a graphic novel. Published by DC Comics.

Millennium (2000)

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – Millennium miniseries explores an alternate-timeline accidentally created by the crew of the Defiant. The series was partially adapted as The Fallen (2000), a third-person shooter video game developed by The Collective. An omnibus edition was published in 2002. The miniseries is not directly linked to the Odyssey or Mirror Universe trilogies, however the novels include references to Spectre (1998).

Collision Course (2007)

Star Trek: Academy intended to be a new flagship novel series featuring a young Midshipman Jim Kirk. It was originally pitched as a new television series for UPN in 2003. Shatner and the Reeves-Stevenses rewrote the proposed pilot episode as Collision Course. A sequel novel, Trial Run, was announced in 2007 but was never published. In 2019, a new novel, Third Class, briefly appeared in bookseller listings but no official release date was announced. Collision Course ties into The Ashes of Eden (1995).

Forged in Fire (2007)

Star Trek: Excelsior – Forged in Fire was planned as the introductory novel of a new flagship series set aboard Excelsior (NCC-2000) under the command of Hikaru Sulu. The novel includes references to The Ashes of Eden (1995) and Collision Course (2007).

See also

• List of Star Trek novels

External links

• at Memory Alpha
• series listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database