Green Fire
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Green Fire |
| Publisher: | Bristol Star Fleet Registry |
| Editor: | |
| Author(s): | Jacqueline Comben |
| Cover Artist(s): | Jim Mortimore |
| Illustrator(s): | Mark Whitfield |
| Date(s): | 1989 |
| Medium: | print zine, fanfic |
| Size: | |
| Genre: | |
| Fandom: | Star Trek: TOS |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Green Fire is a gen Star Trek: TOS 53-page novel by Jacqueline Comben. It was published in the UK. It has a sequel called Afterglow.
Summaries
"Set post Star Trek V, the story relates directly to events suggested in Star Trek III. Time has passed and the Vulcan has now fully regained his ‘marbles’ from Dr. McCoy. Another legacy of death and rebirth affects him and the crew of the Enterprise that Jim Kirk is glad to embark on their latest intriguing adventure." [1]
"Set post ST5, the story relates directly to the events suggested in ST3, wherein Saavik and the young, reborn Spock shared an experince necessitated by circumstance." [2]
Interior Sample Gallery
inside page by Mark Whitfield
inside page by Mark Whitfield
Reactions and Reviews
Set after STV, the events of this story refer back to the 'pon farr' scene in STIV. Jacqueline has come up with an intriguing explanation for what really happened, and has traced an unusual set of consequences. Without giving away too much of her plot, I can safely say that 'Green Fire' happily avoids the so-obvious Spock/Saavik relationship, and presents instead a Vulcan dealing with a situation that, as far as I am aware, no zine writer has considered as a possible development. For example, she taken fully into account just exactly what Spock's physical and mental state was at the time of 'pon farr'. I am especially pleased to see that the personalities of Kirk and McCoy come over strongly.While attempting to handle intense physical and emotional pressures, Spock must advise Kirk when the Enterprise is called to investigate a colony planet which reports a possible invasion, and then ceases all contact. On arrival, the Enterprise finds the colonists all dead, apparently poisoned by contaminated food obtained from alien traders. The story is excellently written and developed, and as one would expect from Jacqueline is both literate and grammatical. I found it engrossing, and enjoyable to read.
However, there is one serious problem. The story does not end; it stops. The reader is left with the impression that either Jacqueline was limited to a set number of pages, or that she was trying to make a deadline and so completed the zine too quickly. Whatever the reason, there are several questions that still require answers, and the abrupt ending to the zine is something of a disappointment, as I feel it should have been developed further.
The one saving factor is that the story ends at a point where a sequel would seem natural. There is no indication that this is to be the case, and I hope that Jacqueline will consider continuing the story. With that reservation, I can thoroughly recommend 'Green Fire' as an original plot with appealing characterisations.
As usual with BSFR publications, the presentation is attractive, with a glossy cover, clear print, and excellent illustrations by Mark Whitfield.[3]