A gleam was born in the captain's eyes. Spock, watching it glow, felt a stab of trepidation. He was always nervous when Kirk began to work from inspiration instead of logic.
"Countess..." said Kirk in a voice that made Uhura, Yeoman Kouc and Ensign Stewart blush. Spock looked startled and McCoy incredulous but the captain continued in his dark, velvet voice. What he had in mind was a long shot, but it was all he had.
As I'm reading these ST:TOS novels I'm often thinking about how I'm going to review the book. At about half way through on a shorter book, perhaps every quarter on a longer one I stop and think and start forming my opinions. I ask questions to myself, what's the theme, is the characterization good, is the story compelling, are there any memorable moments so far?
So as usual at about page 130, I did the same to Web of the Romulans (1983) (#10 Pocket, # Titan) by M S Murdock.
What's happened so far? Um... Not much.
What's the story? Romulans... are attacking but not attacking the Federation? A disease! Yeah, there's a disease and they need to, uh, get medicine!
You're just remembering what you read in the blurb, aren't you? Yes...
So... what you're saying is that you've read half the book and if you hadn't read the blurb you still wouldn't know what was going on and nothing much has happened? Correct.
Fascinating.
Essentially, Web of the Romulans is, well, for lack of a better word... slow. Not in a boring, arduous sense but in a I really feel that by about half way through there should be some sense of something happening. This is somewhat deliberate, the whole story is a series of waiting games and a lack of action which wears on the readers and the characters alike. Saying this however without expressly saying that it is also enjoyable would be doing it a disservice. I was actually surprised to find myself approaching the middle of the book. But nothing has happened yet! I thought. And furthermore, I'm not bored! And that was the surprising thing, despite nothing really happening and getting to half way though with virtually no action what so ever, I didn't really mind.
On the flip side, I wasn't in a particular rush to finish it either.
I must quickly comment on the cover. Notice anything strange? Well aside from Bones' rather dapper get up (so suave)! Spock and Kirk's insignia are on the wrong side! Not only that, but the insignia are flipped too. You'd think that that meant that the image had been flipped, but the artists signature is the right way around... I'm sure there's going to be a story behind this mishap!It became apparent in the first page that M S Murdock is a female author. Her descriptions on the first page gave the game away. Her descriptions paint a detailed picture with a feminine eye, and although her imagery is often somewhat overwrought it is none the less pleasurable to read. As the plot develops at it's sedentary pace it becomes very clear where her focus is - love and relationships. It shouldn't surprise anyone who reads Web of the Romulans that at least part of it was written by Murdock for a fanzine. Web of the Romulans has a definite division in the stories the more developed 'computer loves Kirk' plot and the less refined 'Romulans need medicine' plot.
To some extent, the slow pace of the novel is explained by the two story lines. Initially the plot with the Romulans is introduced however, the narrative with the computer has to be resolved before the Romulan plot can continue, since the story with the computer effectively disables the Enterprise. Since the computer plot is essentially a standalone, go nowhere, what if, silliness found frequently in fanfiction, it's an interesting if lengthy diversion. This somewhat explains my confusion re. 'nothing has happened, why aren't I bored?' Basically, I was occupied for most of the book with the amusing problem of the computer devoting all its resources to Kirk and an understanding of love (a follow on from 'Tomorrow is Yesterday). This problem isn't so much solved by the end of the book so much as bypassed. Reminding us of auxiliary control serves a purpose for the other narrative, which was a neat link.
The Romulan section of the narrative which is utterly unrelated to Kirk's problems is pretty well written however, I would like to have seen more of it. S'Talon and the Centurion were likeable, sympathetic characters, as was the aged mentor and his friend. The Praetor was a little tropey and predictable but served his purpose in the narrative. I wanted to read more about the Romulans and their problems, more character development, just more! The weakest part of the story was probably the reasons given for the Romulan's actions, the Praetor's role, the under developed bit about the planet where the miracle drug is. On the other hand, if you don't look to closely at it, it is fine! Mixed in with the Romulan intrigue is some Federation intrigue, in which an admiral who works in intelligence believes that the Romulans intend to start a war with the Federation. He is completely obsessed with the idea and so manipulates the situation to be in the frontline. However, this isn't his only problem, he also wants to conduct a war with the Romulans like a game, and he wants to be the victor. So... basically he's completely off his rocker. Through this story line we're introduced to three or four Federation characters who are generally likeable, interesting characters. I also wanted to read more about these characters but I was denied this too!
So frustrating! Perhaps this bothers me most there's a really good story line concerning the Romulans but Murdock's main concern is that silly fanfiction she wrote. If the book had been one hundred pages longer, the Romulan narrative would have had more room to breathe and develop, as it is there is a frustrating amount of potential that just isn't utilised!
Of course, this just highlights the main problem of this book - nothing much happens. I mean, it's impossible not to realise that two large sections of the book are comprised of 2 or more star ships sitting for days on end looking at each other over an invisible boarder in space.
It's also hard to miss that the cash poor Romulans mount an invasion force, get to the planet with the drug that they need and then... sit and negotiate? Or that these very same cash poor Romulans buy the whole supply of this miracle drug - enough to save their whole Empire? No boots on the ground? No drama with S'Talon? The Romulan ships get fired at and they just... sit there?
There's lots of cameo scenes recognisable from the series, Rand being stuck in a turbo lift is one, for example, and characters are generally well written.
So, in essence, Web of the Romulans has some serious problems, which are mitigated somewhat by a pleasant writing style and a good sense of humour and timing from the author. It is just a pleasant sojourn, not stressful, not exciting, just a bit of a ramble. Read it by all means, but don't look too hard / think too much about it.
3/5 - Countess of.... what?
I must add that I am laughing hard at people calling it misogynist. Dear me.
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