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graff_fuller's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Like most Star Trek novels, the characters are put to the test from without/within. In this story, it was from without...and in the form of a AI, called Corona...that saw our universe as dead and in need of being destroy and rebuilt.
The power that we give to these types of machines...can ultimately be the doomsday machine for all life in the universe.
In this story, Mr. Spock and Dr. McCoy were actually on the same side of the discussion (which for all of us fans, is rare indeed).
I wanted a LITTLE bit more. I think the conclusion was too rushed, and feel there was a little more foom to test the limits just a little more.
But, I'm grateful for this story, and those like it, that makes us realize that computers are important in our lives, but their oversite and power over organic lifeforms needs to be limited...allowing the organic lifeforms the final determination (an ability to overide the machine).
The power that we give to these types of machines...can ultimately be the doomsday machine for all life in the universe.
In this story, Mr. Spock and Dr. McCoy were actually on the same side of the discussion (which for all of us fans, is rare indeed).
I wanted a LITTLE bit more. I think the conclusion was too rushed, and feel there was a little more foom to test the limits just a little more.
But, I'm grateful for this story, and those like it, that makes us realize that computers are important in our lives, but their oversite and power over organic lifeforms needs to be limited...allowing the organic lifeforms the final determination (an ability to overide the machine).
vesper1931's review
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
A group of scientists, mostly Vulcans, are on a station on the edge of the Black Box Nebula. Ten years previously they sent out a distress signal. Only now has it reeached the Federation and the Enterprise has been sent to investigate, with the aid of monitors. Monitors that will take over the running of the ship if necessary. There they face Corona, a force that has taken over the scientists.
An entertaining re-read.
An entertaining re-read.
david_agranoff's review against another edition
4.0
I wanted to read this because it is a Star Trek novel by a real Sci-fi author. It delivered with crazy good science mixed with Trek. Full review coming.
onceandfuturelaura's review against another edition
4.0
Haven't read this book for probably 25 years, but BY GOD I read it many times in my teen years. It was one of those gateway books to science fiction for me, back when I was, well, going through puberty. I think it's downstairs.
Greg Bear introduced himself to me at a Clarion West fundraiser a few weeks back (Headlined by NEIL FRELLING GAIMAN) and we had a great chat about science fiction, science fiction fandom, and being part of the world non-science fiction world. I mentioned that I got into science fiction through Star Trek fan fiction. He brought up this book. And it hit me hard that I remembered it. Maybe not as much as I remember Vonda McIntyre's "The Entropy Effect," but man, it was a gateway to a new and better world. And I am frelling grateful.
Greg Bear introduced himself to me at a Clarion West fundraiser a few weeks back (Headlined by NEIL FRELLING GAIMAN) and we had a great chat about science fiction, science fiction fandom, and being part of the world non-science fiction world. I mentioned that I got into science fiction through Star Trek fan fiction. He brought up this book. And it hit me hard that I remembered it. Maybe not as much as I remember Vonda McIntyre's "The Entropy Effect," but man, it was a gateway to a new and better world. And I am frelling grateful.
taaya's review against another edition
2.0
This novel ignores too many Star Trek facts (Pon Farr, routine medical exams on Federation science outposts, that Vulcans do not touch easily, ... ) to be counted as a well researched novel. And even the storyline has been used for episodes and novels way too often to be of much interest.
But my main problem with the book are the sexist and racist tendencies in storytelling. Sexist because for Bear every woman in Starfleet has to be called Mister as well. Which might have been meant as a was to make men and women equal seems more like a patriarchalic action.
And while nobody else's clothes are described, Uhura has to wear an african looking dress in her free time. Again we could assume that Bear wanted to give Uhura the freedom to still live her culture even on board of a spaceship. But in reality this sets her apart from the other characters and seems therefore rather racist than actually helping against racism.
Therefore in total this novel does not only ignore Star Trek, but also denies and damages the ideal of equality and peace between cultures and species that Star Trek stands for.
2 stars just because apart from ignoring canon compliance and setting a very bad example for how to write diversity in your novel, the story is told in a non-boring fashion.
But my main problem with the book are the sexist and racist tendencies in storytelling. Sexist because for Bear every woman in Starfleet has to be called Mister as well. Which might have been meant as a was to make men and women equal seems more like a patriarchalic action.
And while nobody else's clothes are described, Uhura has to wear an african looking dress in her free time. Again we could assume that Bear wanted to give Uhura the freedom to still live her culture even on board of a spaceship. But in reality this sets her apart from the other characters and seems therefore rather racist than actually helping against racism.
Therefore in total this novel does not only ignore Star Trek, but also denies and damages the ideal of equality and peace between cultures and species that Star Trek stands for.
2 stars just because apart from ignoring canon compliance and setting a very bad example for how to write diversity in your novel, the story is told in a non-boring fashion.
elysareadsitall's review against another edition
3.0
The plot was okay. I didn't like the character Mason.
frakalot's review against another edition
4.0
A very interesting tale with many familiar aspects although centred around a fairly unique concept.
This seems like the earliest mention of the FNS that I can recall and I thought this added a nice touch to the story.
This seems like the earliest mention of the FNS that I can recall and I thought this added a nice touch to the story.
nwhyte's review against another edition
3.0
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/2698455.html
I have read few Star Trek books, but back in 2012 on a Loncon 3 site visit I picked up three of them and have now finally got around to looking at them. It's a book that is great on incidental detail, but a bit light on plot (and the back cover of my edition spoilered the important question of Who Is Behind It All, a point not revealed in the book until more than half way through). Still, I've read enough Doctor Who books to know that the point is sometimes to renew acquaintance with old friends rather than necessarily to push the literary envelope, and in fairness we do learn more here about the Vulcans (and indeed Uhura) which fills out the Trek universe nicely. Also mercifully short.
I have read few Star Trek books, but back in 2012 on a Loncon 3 site visit I picked up three of them and have now finally got around to looking at them. It's a book that is great on incidental detail, but a bit light on plot (and the back cover of my edition spoilered the important question of Who Is Behind It All, a point not revealed in the book until more than half way through). Still, I've read enough Doctor Who books to know that the point is sometimes to renew acquaintance with old friends rather than necessarily to push the literary envelope, and in fairness we do learn more here about the Vulcans (and indeed Uhura) which fills out the Trek universe nicely. Also mercifully short.
refusetoshine's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25