The Protostar is gone, and its young crew, Dal, Gwyn, Rok, Murf, Jankom and Zero are in a lone shuttlecraft making its way slowly to Earth in the new young readers adventure from Cassandra Rose Clarke and released by Simon & Schuster.

Set during the season one finale, Supernova, the crew are travelling to Earth to hopefully join Starfleet, and maybe get in trouble for taking the Protostar, and all the events that came after it. As they travel on their month-long journey, they’ve become tired, cramped and cranky. Murf detects a small moon, and the shuttle diverts to investigate it and perhaps allow Jankom to make some repairs to the ship.

Upon landing they discover that it’s not a moon (it’s a space station! – wrong franchise) but a giant planetoid composed completely of trash. And it’s inhabited. The Chakkarans are a group of scavengers and traders, trying to survive with the meagre trades they make with something known as the Ashare.

They initially welcome their new visitors, and when they see Murf’s incredible ability to ingest anything and be unaffected by it, they want to keep him. They want him to join the Chakara and eliminate any of the dangerous trash that ends up being pulled down to the planetoid’s surface.

And Rok suggests that, despite the fact that they would all miss him, he should stay. He could help these people out, and maybe be spared the trouble they are sure to get in when they arrive at Starfleet Headquarters.

But even in a short young reader’s adventure like this, you know it’s not going to be that easy, and we already know Murf stays with his friends. So how does it play out? Pick up a copy to find out!

Much like the series itself, Star Trek: Prodigy books are a great introduction to the worlds of Star Trek written in a family-friendly way and embracing the beliefs of diversity and friendship that make up the core of the franchise.

Clarke crafts the tale easily, keeping it moving quickly, and for the most part honest to the characters. I had an issue with Rok suggesting Murf stay, even when she explained Rok’s motivations which were very well-intentioned. It just seemed really quick. But it is a short novella, and I know you have to move the story along.

It’s a quick enjoyable read, gives us a brief glimpse into the mind of fan-favourite, Murf, and lets the reader spend some more time with characters that have quickly become beloved among the fandom #SaveProdigy .

So whether you have a young reader at home or not, the third book in the Star Trek: Prodigy series is a fun read and highlights some off-camera events. It’s available now from Simon & Schuster along with the other two novels in the series, Supernova (based on the game not the episode) and A Dangerous Trade.

Boldly go…