Legacies #2: Best Defense

By: David Mack

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

Just in time for the milestone 50th Anniversary of Star Trek: The Original Series, an epic new trilogy that stretches from the earliest voyages of the Starship Enterprise to Captain Kirk’s historic five-year-mission—and from one universe to another!

A debt of honor: One brave woman ventures alone into a parallel universe to save her old shipmates, exiled there decades earlier by a mysterious device called the Transfer Key. She soon learns the alternate universe harbors not just an alien invasion force, but a secret that underpins its very existence.

A mission of peace: A long-awaited Klingon-Federation peace conference convenes, led by Ambassador Sarek of Vulcan and Councillor Gorkon of Qo’noS. But both sides have enemies who would prefer the two great powers remain at war—and who will do anything to make certain hate wins the day.

An errand of justice: Captain Kirk and his crew seek the stolen Transfer Key that opens a door between universes, but their hunt is cut short by Ambassador Sarek’s plea for help. The Enterprise crew soon becomes targets in a deadly crossfire—one whose outcome will decide the fate of two universes.

Love the Star Trek stories

I really like the Star Trek books. they keep me awake on my long drives to and from work

Pretty good...

Fun trek story. Felt like a movie with a cliff hanger. Good read by petkoff. If you like star trek you'll like this.

Trekkie fun again. Better than the first book.

The first book was OK. This middle book in the trilogy was better. Writing is tighter. Action is stronger. The larger mix of characters keeps the tension and interest up, even if the Klingons are (as always) a bit one dimensional.

Again a great narration by Robert Petkoff. He struggles a bit with the female voices, but excels with the iconic Star Trek characters.

Fantastic Momentum

Usually the second in a series either equals or all too often falls from the expectations generated from the first, this is one of those wonderful exceptions that exceeded its previous, first book. There wasn't a point I thought too drawn out or asked myself, why was that there, just a good pacing of events, characters that came across faithful to themselves and how they reacted to events. The performance was again fantastic, I found myself wishing Mr. Petkoff would go back to previous books and be the reader to them. Each character, and not just the main cast, was so wonderfully portrayed with narration that conveyed moods from tension to sadness to happiness and relief. From writing to performance, Mack and Petkoff deliver an engaging and delightful experience that takes the mind to the place of Trek with the kind of story I completely enjoyed.

Woah

This book had everything I was looking for in this Star Trek tale. It felt like watching an excellent story arc. BRAVO! The hours flew by.

Story was great, and naration is good

Where does Best Defense rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Typical Star Trek, I loved it/

What did you like best about this story?

imaginative

Have you listened to any of Robert Petkoff’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Have not listened to his other books yet

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yea but my schedule does not permit

Great sequel

Definitely an edge of your seat action packed adventure. Not as many plot twist as the last book but definitely more action and still felt true to the characters.

A great follow up to book one!

Both continuing story threads from book one and expanding the narrative, Best Defense finds Kirk and crew on the front lines of political intrigue as Captain Una strives to save lost comrades from a strange alternate universe. Una’s story was probably my least favorite part. Since she was in a universe that has basically nothing in it I’m glad it was left as the side plot here. Was not expecting the major lore connections with regards to the Organian peace treaty and the characters involved. Loved seeing Sarek and Amanda and especially Gorkon, even if his presumed death derailing peace seemed very derivative of Star Trek 6. As a non canon book I can just sit back and enjoy the story without worrying about those kinds of details though. Joanna McCoy was a great addition to the story as well. I can’t recall if I knew that McCoy had an estranged daughter or not, but I’m so glad they included her, especially since she was in the series bible for TOS and therefore was always part of McCoy’s story. The Romulans were the MVPs of this story however. Our Tal Shiar operative was a great villain as was the perfect wild card in this book.

Chocked full of Star Trek references and still feeling very true to the world of The Original Series, Best Defense makes for a great part two of this 50th anniversary trilogy. 🖖

The Best Defense

I really enjoyed this book . Can't wait to start book 3 of the series. I was not bored one minute. Robert Petkoff brings it to life with his rendition of the Enterprise crew, in particular Scotty and Checkov as well as the attitudes of the Romulans and Klingons.

Excellent book 2 of a

3 book series. The continuing tale which started in book one. In book two the Enterprise must balance the need to get the transfer key back. And ensure the peace talks between the federation and the Klingon happen.