Escape Route (Star Trek: Prodigy)

This is the third book in a series adapted from a TV series and set in the Star Trek universe geared to young Middle-Grade readers. I have been trying to get my children into the world of Star Trek where I have many fond memories from my own childhood, but they have found the series I love to be outdated so I am excited that there is a fresh spin in their age group to engage their imaginations.

I like that the cast of characters was diverse (no humans) and built on the underlying principles of Star Trek which is unity. Of course, the characters being kids stuck in close quarters for an extended time there are arguments and frazzled nerves. However, the overall theme is their characters realizing that they have found their family and will stop at nothing to stay together. During the book, they are still discovering each other’s special talents and how they fit together as a unit which is fun to read.

Many times, in a series for this age group background details will be repeated in the first few chapters to remind or orient readers. This book has some of that, but since I have not seen this series or read the previous books, I was left sleuthing during the book trying to understand a few things. First, there is a crew of six, and none from known Star Trek species so I kept looking at the cover trying to figure out the characters, and then changing my mind based on new developments in the plot. Then I was confused why they were kids on a Starfleet vessel but they had never been to Earth so they were not Starfleet cadets.
Our current plot has them on an escape shuttle after their vessel blew up and they suspected they would be facing charges even though they stopped a plot. That makes me want to read the last book to see what happened and to read the next book to find out their fate once they are on Earth.
Despite not being clear on the background for a new reader, this book has an engaging series of events. I like the mention of Janeway as their onboard hologram and the references to tech that I am familiar with. I like that this brings Star Trek to a younger audience and nostalgia to an older audience. Overall, I would recommend this series (but maybe start at the first book!) to readers who like science fiction, found family, or previous Star Trek series.

In this third book in the Prodigy series (following A Dangerous Trade and Supernova), we find six members ot the Protostar Federation ship wandering the universe in the escape shuttle, trying to get back to Earth. Dal, an Augment android-type individual, was the captain and Jakhom Pog the navigator. We also have Gwyn, Zero (who uses they/them pronouns), Rok-Tahk, and Murf, who language doesn't translate to the others, so communication is difficult. When the warp drive on their shuttle becomes damaged, they realize that they won't be able to reach Earth until they are all grown ups unless they can fix it. They land on a white moon that seems to be comprised of garbage, Chakkara, and meet local resident Yichirri, who takes them to Amkarja, the leader. The planet is indeed made of waste, and since dangerous chemicals frequently end up there and cause explosions, the underground bunkers where the residents live are in danger. When it turns out that Murf can eat just about anything and neutralize it, the Chakkarans offer to give the crew the parts they need to fix their warp drive in exchange for Murf. Since Murf can't communicate, he is only able to voice his displeasure in whines. The crew feels bad, but is also desperate to return to Earth. What it the best way forward?