"Divided as they were by such things as climate, however, they did at least share one thing: A fascination with pain."
It's quite refreshing to see that even over a decade and a half ago, Peter David was churning out masterpieces. His typical irreverence is present, though muted as befits a world not entirely his own, and the writing flows so smoothly that it's a page turner, and no mistake.

The Yesterday's Enterprise television episode was a firm fan favourite, couple that with the "what if Jack Crusher hadn't died?" scenario and the power of members of the Q continuum and you get a truly cracking novel.

The action sequences were brilliantly paced, my only regret is the book wasn't a little longer. Lingering on even more of the detail present in the different universes would have been worth reading.

Not an emotional puncher of a read, I think it did lack a little solemnity, a little gravitas. But fun, certainly, and I can see easily why it made best seller lists.