Margaret Wander Bonanno

Margaret Wander Bonanno (1950-2021) was an American science fiction author best known for her contributions to the Star Trek novel series and her original science fiction works. She wrote seven Star Trek novels including the popular titles "Dwellers in the Crucible" and "Strangers from the Sky," while also creating original series like "The Others" and "Preternatural." Her career began in 1979 with the feminist novel "A Certain Slant of Light," published by Seaview Books. Bonanno went on to establish herself in science fiction publishing throughout the 1980s and continued writing until 2018, working as both an author and ghost writer. A notable point in her career involved the controversial publication of "Probe," a Star Trek novel that was heavily edited and largely rewritten by Gene DeWeese following Paramount's increased oversight of the franchise. Despite this setback, Bonanno continued to write both tie-in and original science fiction works, including a collaborative novel with Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols. Writing under both her own name and the pseudonym Rick North, Bonanno demonstrated versatility across multiple genres including science fiction, general fiction, and biography. Her work often explored feminist themes and complex character relationships within science fiction settings.

Readers consistently rate Bonanno's Star Trek novels higher than her non-Trek works. Fans highlight her deep characterization, particularly in Strangers from the Sky and Dwellers in the Crucible. Multiple reviews note her ability to capture the "voices" of established Trek characters while developing original ones. What readers liked: - Complex relationships between characters - Historical research and attention to detail - Writing style that balances plot and character development What readers disliked: - Some found her non-Trek novels slow-paced - Later works received criticism for uneven plotting - Several readers noted issues with continuity in series works Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Dwellers in the Crucible: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) - Strangers from the Sky: 3.9/5 (900+ ratings) - Preternatural: 3.3/5 (100+ ratings) Amazon: - Star Trek titles average 4.2/5 - Non-Trek books average 3.5/5

A Certain Slant of Light (1979) A feminist novel following a woman's journey of self-discovery in 1970s New York City.

Dwellers in the Crucible (1985) A Star Trek novel centered on two women from different worlds who form a profound bond while enduring captivity.

Strangers from the Sky (1987) A Star Trek novel exploring humanity's first contact with Vulcans through a complex narrative involving time travel.

Probe (1992) A Star Trek novel examining the return of the mysterious probe from Star Trek IV, focusing on its effects on Earth and the Enterprise crew.

The Others (1990-1991) A science fiction series about humans developing extraordinary abilities while facing discrimination from society.

Preternatural (1996) A science fiction novel exploring the boundaries between human and alien consciousness through telepathic contact.

Saturn's Child (1995) A collaborative science fiction novel with Nichelle Nichols about humanity's first mission to Saturn.

Otherwise (2018) A time-travel novel examining alternate historical outcomes through the lens of personal relationships.

Diane Duane Wrote extensively for Star Trek novels while also creating original science fiction series. Her work similarly balances character relationships with science fiction concepts and includes both tie-in and original universe stories.

C.J. Cherryh Creates complex cultural interactions in space-based settings with detailed character psychology. Her work focuses on the interface between human and alien societies, with emphasis on diplomatic and personal relationships.

Joan D. Vinge Combines anthropological themes with space opera and explores feminist perspectives in science fiction. Her work features strong character development and cultural exploration similar to Bonanno's approach.

Vonda N. McIntyre Wrote both Star Trek novels and original science fiction with strong female characters. Her work bridges mainstream science fiction with media tie-ins while maintaining focus on character relationships.

Katherine Kurtz Creates detailed worlds with complex political and personal relationships between characters. Her work, while fantasy rather than science fiction, shares Bonanno's focus on character dynamics and societal structures.