Khan Trilogy: The Rise and Fall of Khan Noonien Singh

[Bryan Moore]

Who has read these books? I've previously read all 3 but just finished all 3 over the last week (including the third over the last few hours). Before I give my opinions, anyone want to share theirs?

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

Read all three, too. Loved them. An excellent way to include Mister Seven and Roberta, there. I always did wonder if those two would meet.

And the descent into hell for Khan and his followers... wow. Such promise at the beginning, until the explosion.

[Deepcrush]

I might have to pick those up if their worth the pennies...

[Sionnach Glic]

I keep meaning to see if the local libraries have them.

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

I might have to pick those up if their worth the pennies...

They are worth them, Deep. I recommend them highly.

[Mikey]

Don't we already pretty much know most of the salient events from "Space Seed" and TWOK?

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

Don't we already pretty much know most of the salient events from "Space Seed" and TWOK?

The books do a major expansion on what happens. Seriously, they're incredible.

[Mark]

Anything in there that's contradicts standing cannon???

[Bryan Moore]

The first two books deal with Khan and his time on Earth. Set against the background of Kirk looking back at the Eugenics Wars a few years after Space Seed, the books begin in 1974, during the begining of the genetic project that gave rise to Khan. We see Khan's mother as the head of a group intended to create genetically engineered supermen, including a 4-year-old Khan. It then progresses to explain the rise of Khan, actually tieing in world events such as the Bophal disaster, Serbian genocide, etc. Khan grows as a dictator (the genetic engineering makes him appear to age faster), seeing as he was only supposed to be 27 in Space Seed. All the while, Khan is chased down by none other than Gary Seven and Roberta Lincoln, who play a huge part in his rise and eventual downfall.

One of the best parts of the book, however, is that they incorporate SO many minor characters (sometimes to a fault), including Shannon O'Donnel, Rain Robinson, Sean Jeffrey Christopher, Walter Nichols, Carlson and a handful of others. A little bit cheesy, admittedly, it's a great tribute to the fans and it makes for a lot of "ahh, I get the reference!" moments.

The third book details the struggles of Khan on Ceti Alpha V. Beautifully vivid descriptions of the planet before and its eventual destruction at the hands of Ceti Alpha VI. It also does a lot to bring a sort of sympathy to Khan.

I would easilly call this the best 3-book set out there for Trek, if for nothing else than the incredible expansion it does to the story of Khan and the fact that it's incredibly enjoyable start to finish.

[Bryan Moore]

Anything in there that's contradicts standing cannon???

Nothing that I can remember. In fact, it does a very good job of answering certain questions. For example, Joachin from Space Seed is Joaquim's father, but due to the genetic engineering, the supermen reach maturity much quicker. Thus explaining the difference in actors and in spellings (though Graham seems to have them as the same character)

[Mark]

And I'd imagine they would age slower once achieving maturity. Interesting idea.

[Bryan Moore]

And I'd imagine they would age slower once achieving maturity. Interesting idea.

And it made relative sense. Quite the trilogy, though. And the audio adaptations are great. Rene Auberjonois does the second book, and only once or twice in the 3+ hours of it did I ever think "Odo!"

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

One of the best scenes was...










Marla's death. "No regrets..."

[Bryan Moore]

Agreed. I do wish, however, we'd have gotten a better description about Ceti Alpha VI originally exploding. I'd love to see how that would look.

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

Yeah.

I shall always wonder what might have happened if the planet didn't explode. Would Khan have been able to build a society there?