The Return (Shatner novel)

Plot summary

The novel begins on Veridian III shortly after the events of Star Trek Generations, where James T. Kirk's body is stolen by the Romulans. The Borg have allied with the Romulan Star Empire to destroy the Federation, using alien technology to revive Kirk with false memories that turn him against the Federation. Despite his conditioning, Kirk resists commands to kill Worf, Data, and Geordi La Forge during his search for Picard. Meanwhile, Picard and Dr. Beverly Crusher join a strike team on an assimilated colony and board a fleeing Borg vessel, where they learn of the Borg/Romulan Alliance.

Spock also discovers this alliance when captured by Romulans, but the Borg do not assimilate him, believing he is already Borg due to a trace of V'ger in his mind. Kirk is captured on Deep Space Nine attempting to kill Commander William Riker, and Dr. Julian Bashir, with Admiral Leonard McCoy advising, removes the implant causing his false memories. Though Kirk retains implanted drives, Spock removes the commands through a mind meld, revealing that V'ger was upgraded by a division of the Borg Collective, and Spock learns the location of the Borg homeworld.

Reception

Gideon Kibblewhite reviewed The Return for Arcane magazine, rating it a 5 out of 10, noting pace and action but no new ideas, characters, or races. The Hour reviewed the audiobook, finding Shatner's character voice performance inconsistent, yet calling the book a worthy sequel and an enjoyable experience for Star Trek fans. The novel reached number four on The New York Times Best Seller list and number three on The Wall Street Journal's Best Seller list.