Dwellers in the Crucible [SEP] series
Dwellers in the Crucible
Dwellers in the Crucible is a 1985 "" novel written by Margaret Wander Bonanno. A bestseller, it was the author's breakout novel, retelling the central "Star Trek" story of the friendship between James T. Kirk and Spock through the experiences of two female civilians, Egyptian Cleante al Faisal and Vulcan T'Shael. It is noted for its emphasis on interpersonal relationships over action, and for the minimal role played in the story by the franchise's established characters.
Reception and legacy.
"
Dwellers" was positively received at publication. While "Fantasy Review" emphasised the regular cast's incidental appearance in the novel, they recommended it highly despite its "minor flaws": ""Dwellers in the Crucible" is an excellent study of values ... [t]here are things here to think about which belie the Star Trek image."
Later, recalling "Dwellers" in 2009, author Keith R. A. DeCandido would describe the impact the "cool" story had on him: "I didn't know that a