The IDIC Epidemic

I've read many things in my life, but I did not expect a pulp shared-universe Star Trek story to frequently pop into my mind as something outstandingly original, yet here we are: The IDIC Epidemic. One part '70s-style disease apocalypse, one part political thriller, one part mystery, with a view into the quiet "background" of Federation life.

This book is flatly good. If someone is hesitant about reading Star Trek books, this is the one I point to- the plot shows fascinating depth. On a UN-style research planet, a highly fatal disease is racing through the colony, ignoring fundamental biological differences like copper, silicon, or iron based blood. If weaponized, this virus would be an unstoppable weapon.

Its name derives from one of show more the sacral Vulcan maxims: Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combination. Will the combination of minds and skills prove equal to this fatal disease that ignores diversity?

Not only is the core story good, but the little bits of background tossed in add depth to the entire universe. At this research institute, even the Klingons have sent what they use instead of scientists- an engineer. Turns out, Klingon engineers are outstanding, view problems as opponents to be overcome, and value having a wide array of practical hard skills. show less

They weren't super present in this one, but I really like Jean Lorrah’s Enterprise crew; she makes Kirk the sensitive diplomat I want, Spock the stubborn alien I love, and Bones the dry, capable heart of the Enterprise I need.

On top of which, she gives us happily married, snarky Amanda (all I ever want out of Trek novs is snarky Amanda), moral lynchpin T’Pina, and modern, nuanced villains against the backdrop of an interesting medical mystery.

Loved this particular episode and it’s very Trek-y core message.

Not great, Bob... there were certain things I liked about this book, but it combined a weird licentiousness about "forced reproduction" with an implied critique of racial mixing. I'm not saying I don't think the themes in it could be dealt with well; they could, and I don't think every culture meshes easily with every other!! But it was not handled well here.

Interesting analyses of different philosophies/ points of view.?á Not just ideas about diversity but also about sacrifice, the value of education, science vs. soldiery, women's rights, tradition vs. innovation, etc.?á I really liked Korsal, the Klingon engineer... as I was meant to.?á I did NOT feel I was missing *anything* by not having read The Vulcan Academy Murders first, but now I do want to read that book by Lorrah.

A quite good Star Trek novel set primarily on the Vulcan Science Colony Nisus, where the proximity of many races working side by side has apparently given rise to a deadly plague and fed the fears of those who would retreat to isolationism. The book includes Daniel and T'Mir, the Human/Vulcan couple from the author's previous book, and nicely expands upon Vulcan beliefs and Spock's family relations.

I guess they don't have Ancestry.com in the future, or a way to replicate blood, or this book would have been a lot shorter.

Not as good as "The Vulcan Science Academy Murders", to which it is a sort of sequel. For some reason, I found the medical mystery and the disaster dramas less compelling than the interspecies dramas.