CORONA By Greg Bear

No, this 1984 Greg Bear Star Trek novel doesn’t involve the coronavirus. The Corona in this novel is an ancient alien intelligence that has “possessed” the team of Vulcans at a distant outpost. The Enterprise is sent to rescue the Vulcans, but Captain Kirk and his crew have to contend with a new Federation technology that “monitors” the decisions made by the Captain and Dr. McCoy.

In addition, Kirk has to deal with a young woman reporter who could damage his reputation and affect changes on the Enterprise in the middle of a crisis.

Corona follows the template of most of the Star Trek episodes: put the Enterprise and its crew in danger. Greg Bear presents an action-packed adventure with plenty of suspense. Are you a fan of Star Trek? Do you have a favorite character? GRADE: B

21 thoughts on “CORONA By Greg Bear

  1. neeru

    Thanks for sharing this. Sure seems interesting. Possession of Vulcans, Dr. McCoy being monitered (love to see this!)…. I have to read it.

    Big fan of the original series. Have never seen the other series. Did try to watch the new films, gave up after some time because of those lens flashes, loud noises, and Kirk being presented as a peeping Tom and Spock being all emotional and volatile. Favourite character has to be Mr Grumpy Bones. Who is yours?

    Reply
  2. Michael Padgett

    I was a fan of the original tv series, but have nothing but contempt for the money machine it’s been for 50 years.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Michael, the longevity of STAR TREK is legendary especially since the original series was canceled. It was ahead of its time.

      Reply
    1. george Post author

      Jeff, I toyed with the idea of a CORONA WEEK but I know certain commentators might object so…no. But, I found this Star Trek paperback in my seemingly endless Excavation of the books in the basement. Of course, I had completely forgotten I had a copy of CORONA.

      Reply
      1. Jeff Meyerson

        In the original series, I like Scotty and Bones . The Next Generation, Picard and Data.

      2. george Post author

        Jeff, excellent choices! Diane and I have STAR TREK DISCOVERY on CBS All Access, but haven’t gotten around to watching more than a couple of episodes. The Second Season with Spock is supposed to be outstanding!

  3. Patti Abbott

    I think the original series had the best ideas. But the acting and effects got better on TNG. I guess my favorite character would be Picard.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Patti, even in his 80s, Patrick Stewart still performs at a high level in PICARD. It’s been renewed for another season.

      Reply
  4. Jerry House

    Aside from the James Blish adaptations early on, I have ignored the Star Trek publishing phenom and I dropped out of the original series after they stole Spock’s brain.

    I kind of liked STAR TREK: TNG, though, as well as a couple of the movies.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Jerry, I occasionally pick up early Star Trek novels written by “name” writers. Greg Bear–also a Star Trek fan–produced an exciting adventure…with a cool title!

      Reply
  5. maggie mason

    I caught the original series in reruns, and enjoyed it. I have watched the original movies and enjoyed them, and watched (I think) all of the movies with the new casting. I don’t think I watched any of the other series, or maybe just an episode or 2.

    I have to say that I wanted a tribble!! for a while anyway

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Maggie, I think tribbles were sold online for a while. That tribble episode might be the most popular episode of the original Star Trek series.

      Reply
      1. Jeff Smith

        David Gerrold, who wrote “The Trouble with Tribbles,” is always selling them. I have a picture of Ursula Le Guin with one of David’s tribbles.

      2. george Post author

        Jeff, I’m sure tribbles are a hot item at any Star Trek convention! But, who knows when Bouchercons and ComicCons are going to happen…

  6. Rick Robinson

    At one time, when I was living in SoCal, I had the first 50 or so TNG novels. I gave them to a friend to sell on eBay and he just put the box up for $20 and it was gone almost immediately. I thought he’d sell them in small batches. So after his fee, I got ten bucks. Rats. So, obviously I guess, TNG is my favorite of the series. I haven’t read one of the books in years.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Rick, I occasionally find some Star Trek novels. I’ve had CORONA for years and only recently unearthed it. As I was reading it, I got the sense it was written at a Young Adult level. That seems to be the audience for a lot of Star Trek material.

      Reply
      1. wolf

        George, my feelings were also that Startrek (in Germany it was called: Raumschiff Enterprise) was for Juveniles, sorry young adults, low level – not for me.
        The only movie I liked was The Voyage Home, not only because it showed San Francisco but mainly because it was really funny and satirical.

  7. Pingback: Star Trek #15: Corona by Greg Bear (1984) – a hot cup of pleasure

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