Set shortly after the events of The Undiscovered Country, John Vornholt’s novel shoves Spock into the limelight on an adventure that pairs him with a young Vulcan girl named Teska, and is a precursor to his work in reunifying Vulcans and Romulans.

Through a weird series of familial relations, Teska refers to Spock as her uncle, though she is not the daughter of Sybok, or Micheal Burnham. He, with the Enterprise, on the verge of retirement, are to ferry Teska to Vulcan and beyond to meet a young Romulan boy. Spock hopes to prove biological similarities between the two species if they can be bonded, and when they come of age, experience pon farr together.

Before that happens, the Enterprise needs to drop off some Rigellians at their homeworld of Rigel V. They are returning to their homeworld after a slightly troubling interaction with the Federation, it seems they still force children into marriage (and sell them into relationships) as well as fur-trading, things the Federation doesn’t approve of.

While on Rigel V, Teska, through a mind meld, witnesses the murder of the ambassador who failed to secure the deal, and through legal Rigellian loopholes the killer is allowed to go free and has now set their eyes on Teska and Spock.

The Enterprise is called away during the inquest to rendezvous with the Romulan party, so Spock and Teska are left to look after themselves and are very soon on the run and in hiding.

It ends up being a fun story, Spock gets some great moments as he is allowed to reflect on some of his past, and the fact that he has no romantic relationships, nor will he ever be a father, so his time with Teska allows for that as well.

Teska is written fairly well, and Vornholt makes her believable.

I’m intrigued about the writing history of this story because the author’s note says it takes place after The Undiscovered Country, and they are in the maroon uniforms, but for some reason, the crew have gone back to the wrist communicators, as per The Motion Picture. It’s not a bad thing, it’s just a little odd for them to be back in play, though I’ve always loved them.

It ends up being a fast-paced tale which feels like it ties in fairly solidly with the established continuity, something the series is getting better and better at doing, and giving us a glimpse at a possible side story for Spock, and the crew of the Enterprise.

The Human Adventure continues, and the novels will continue to boldly go…