Guises of the Mind (Star Trek Next Generation 27)

by Rebecca Neason

Book Overview

The world Capulon IV is finally ready to join the Federation aften years of waiting. All that remains is the ruler's coronation and a routine signing of the final treaty. When the crew of the U.S.S.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671798316
• ISBN13: 9780671798314
• Release Date: September 1993
• Publisher: Star Trek
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

STNG #27 Guises of the Mind A very well done numbered novel

This numbered Star Trek The Next Generation title is but the only title from this outstanding author that added so well to the genre. This is somewhat sad as I found her writing style to be quite good and it would be very interesting to see her revisit the genre in any one of its many variants.The cover art for "Guises of the Mind" is somewhat standard fare for the period in which it was released.The premise:Inspired by a quote from Sarek of Vulcan entailing mastery over emotions thus gaining peace through embracing the many guises of the mind, this author sets off to tell a different but extraordinarily intriguing STNG tale.Capulon IV is a planet that has been waiting for several years to petition for membership in the Federation and they're finally ready. In order to gain this membership the planets' new ruler must go through coronation and the signing of the final treaty. The Enterprise is dispatched to Capulon IV with a group of women from a religious order dedicated to helping the downtrodden. This group expects to be welcomed with open arms but they instead find deceit and treachery and the crown prince now refusing to join the Federation.Captain Picard, Troi and Mother Veronica, the abbess of the nuns beam down to the planet in an attempt to determine the problem and work it out with crown prince. They're soon drugged and captured though. Captain Picard must now find a way to escape and stop the crown prince from being crowned as they soon learn that he will not only stop his planet from joining the Federation but he also intends to destroy the Enterprise.What follows from there is one of the most intriguing STNG novels to date that explores areas of Gene Roddenberry's universe that are rarely visited but is done quite refreshingly in this novel.I highly recommend this earlier Star Trek The Next Generation novel as it will make an excellent addition to your Star Trek library. {ssintrepid}

An excellent, charachter accurate, TNG novel

I was very plesantly surprised when I read this book. I've read more than my share of badly written TNG novels lately, and picked up this one from the library with a bit of trepidation, wondering if there were no more TNG books worth the time to read them. Fourtunatly, this was an excellent book.Dianna Troi is well portraied, and her empathic talents are streched to the limit in this mission. This book also has religion as a central theme for a change. As someone who is facinated by the study of various religions I found this to be a refreshing change, however I would have liked to see something a little less centered on catholicism and/or christianity. The religion of the people on the planet is also very similar to catholicism. The Enterprise is on a mission to take two members of the religious order "The Little Mothers" to a planet who has requested thier assistance and Picard is on a mission to bring a treaty to the planet for entrance into the Federation as the monarch heir is being corinated as the supreme leader of the planet. The Little Mothers care for orphans and unwanted children no matter what thier physical or mental condition. Thier being sent on this mission turns out to be an unexpected godsend for one of the little mothers who comes to term with a gift which she has always seen as a curse. However, there is something devious happening there which you should discover by reading on your own. This is a well written, enchanting story which is a great addition to the trek world.

ST-TNG: Guises of the Mind

Star Trek - The Next Generation: Guises of the Mind written by Rebecca Neason is an excellent change-of-pace novel where the isn't much action-adventure but there is a high quotient of intrigue making for an enjoyabe read. This book delves into some religion but it's only superficial. The main theme of this book is about the Crown Prince being kidnapped by his lost twin brother usurping to the planetary thrown of absolute. There are two plots in this book the main plot is where Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Deanna Troi, and a nun Mother Veronica beam to the surface of Capulon IV to start final preparations to signing a treaty with the planet and the UFP. Also, to set-up the necessary facilities for the order of nuns to help the downtrodden and the young children. The second plot is where Data is trying to find his spiritual self as he asks his crew members for their spiritual beliefs as he trys to reconcile his existence. There are plenty of plot twists and turns throughout the book to keep the reader's interest as this book is mainly written with Deanna Troi in mind and also Mother Veronica as they try to find out what is happening. Mother Veronica is telepathic and Deanna is trying to help the Mother to cope with her ability through Betazed techniques. As these two sense treachery and quile in the Prince they also sense a duality and try to get to the bottom of it. I found this book to be an excellent change-of-pace to the norm of the TREK universe where the main characters are seeking truth and enlightenment to some pretty heavy questions. It is dealt with in an understandable mannor and the story doesn't stall but moves on. The intrigue level is high in the book as the Enterprise crew works to solve problems not generally dealt with in TREK. This is a solid 5 star book but remember there is not a lot of action-adventure, but nonetheless, it is a very interesting story.

Star Trek finally realizes there is a God.

Mother Veronica nodded. "For we know that all things work together for good to those who love God.""Romans 8:28, " Data replied.It may not be a christian theological theses, but at least one author realizes that there would be no Star Trek without a God who created everything. I would love to see a Star Trek book that was based on the morales of the bible. Maybe I should give Tim LaHaye (Left Behind Author) a call?

Good Book...

I love this book! One of the best Star Trek books ever. I love the plot, and the way it was told. I love the parts when they show Data surching for something to believe in. This book is a one oin a million! READ IT!!!