This is the first Star Trek novel that I've ever given five stars to. It thoroughly deserved it, and the lion's share of the credit goes to the Romulan commander Ael, who betrays her own empire in the service of peace. In some ways she - and the entire book - reminded me very much of what may be the runner-up for best Star Trek novel I've read, which is John M. Ford's The Final Reflection, which does for its Klingon main character what Duane does here for Romulans. There's something about Federation officers coming up against enormously principled antagonists which clearly hits the spot for me, in that such stories prioritise empathy and character and ethics, and the price which must be paid for each.

The whole story here was just outstanding, and what made it better was the strong supporting cast. Nearly every TOS main character got a good role, and so did a number of characters from a number of other ships... and a number of other species. Often Trek appears stuffed with humans (and the odd alien with a funny nose) and that's an inescapable result of television budgets, I know, but few of the tie-in authors really seem to make an effort to shrug off those constraints. Duane clearly has, and it pays off in spades.

There are vanishingly few Trek novels that I would read again. They are largely only popcorn, and I say that with fondness, because I like reading popcorn. But this, and Final Reflection? I'm getting these books in hard copy, and they've earned themselves permanent spaces on my bookshelf.