Q-Squared (Star Trek-the Next Generation) [U.S. audiocassette edition] [Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

Peter David (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1994 | Series: Star Trek Next Generation (Unnumbered)

In all of his travels Captain Jean-Luc Picard has never faced an opponent more powerful than Q, a being from another continuum that Picard encountered on his very first mission as Captain of the "Starship Enterprise" TM. In the years since, Q has returned again and again to harass Picard and his crew. Sometimes dangerous, sometimes merely obnoxious, Q has always been mysterious and seemingly all-powerful.

But this time, when Q appears, he comes to Picard for help. Apparently another member of the Q continuum has tapped into an awesome power source that makes this being more powerful than the combined might of the entire Q continuum. This renegade Q is named Trelane, also known as the Squire of Gothos, who Captain Kirk and his crew first encountered over one hundred years ago. Q explains that, armed with this incredible power, Trelane has become unspeakably dangerous.

Now Picard must get involved in an awesome struggle between super beings. And this time the stakes are not just Picard's ship, or the galaxy, or even the universe, this time the stakes are all of creation.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

It's deja vu all over again in this predictable entry. Star Trek fans will delight in identifying "obscure" references to episodes and characters from the TV series: they will cheer not only the rapacious Q from The Next Generation but also Trelane (the eponymous "Squire of Gothos" from The Original Series). The story involves the Enterprise crew through three alternative timelines with, of course, The Fate of the Universe hanging in the balance. David ( Imzadi ) limns a Trek-enamored multiverse in which Tasha Yar's "bad haircut" is as important as the massacre of Klingons at Narendra Three. The novel is fast-paced and the prose sloppy. Characters from the first two TV series appear exactly as they were: David scrupulously adds nothing to extant characterizations as he juggles several subplots and intrigues. Certain to delight the converted are appearances by Jack Crusher and all the myriad Wesleys, among others, as well as relationships between Beverly and Picard, Troi and Riker. While the pulpy action makes this is a Trek-lovers paradise, anyone else will wonder what all the fuss is about.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

David's previous Star Trek novels include the best-selling Imzadi (Pocket Bks., 1992). In his latest, the crew of the Starship Enterprise have another go-round with the redoubtable being known as Q.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Audioworks; abridged edition edition (July 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671891804
• ISBN-13: 978-0671891800
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (93 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,719,784 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #97 in Books > Books on Cassette > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction

More About the Author

Peter David is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous Star Trek novels, including the incredibly popular New Frontier series. In addition, he has also written dozens of other books, including his acclaimed original novel, Sir Apropos of Nothing, and its sequel, The Woad to Wuin. David is also well known for his comic book work, particularly his award-winning run on The Incredible Hulk. He recently authored the novelizations of both the Spider-Man and Hulk motion pictures.He lives in New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars STNG Q-Squared - Absolutely Q-tastic!, July 13, 2003

By 

K. Wyatt "ssintrepid" (Cape Girardeau, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Q-Squared (Star Trek: The Next Generation) (Hardcover)

Of the many great Star Trek authors that have been published, one of them consistently rises above them all with thought provoking, humorous and intriguing stories in this genre, that being Peter David. With Q-Squared being Peter David's second Q story, after STNG #18 - "Q-In-Law," he again proved that he perfectly captured the character of Q and put to print a true masterpiece involving this extremely intriguing character.

The premise:

Q-Squared is nothing short of brilliant as Peter David deftly weaves this tale involving characters from both The Original Series and past characters from Star Trek The Next Generation. Many a fan will remember Trelane from The Original Series episode "The Squire of Gothos." As Captain Kirk dealt with him, he was an extremely powerful but ultimately impetuous character that at the end of that wonderful episode he was proven to be a young character from an unknown race of beings.

As you will quickly learn, the powerful race of beings that Trelane comes from is the Q-Continuum and guess who has recently taken on the responsibility for his growth and development, you guessed it, Q. As it happens, Q finds this responsibility to be somewhat taxing so he seeks out his good old "pal" Captain Jean Luc Picard, more affectionately known by Q as "Mon Capitan," to aid in this great burden.

Here is where Peter David also firsts introduces the notion of the multiverse as he tracks us along in three different "universes," three different crews of the Enterprise and their dealings with Q and Trelane. I believe this to be the most appealing plot device in the entire story.

What follows is as stated above, one of the best Star Trek novels to ever grace the printed page as we follow along on Trelane's bent to destroy the universe and Q's amazing trials and tribulations while he's attempting to stop him.

I highly recommend this superb Star Trek novel to any and all who enjoy a great Star Trek story and to those who are just casual fans of the genre as this one does not disappoint in the least.

Additionally, I highly recommend the audio tape or CD if you can get your hands on it as it is a great way to spend three hours on the highway, especially with Q himself, John De Lancie reading it. {ssintrepid}

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Star Trek novel, period., March 7, 2003

By 

Michael R Platt (Pleasanton, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Q-Squared (Star Trek: The Next Generation) (Hardcover)

If you are a true fan of Star Trek's first two incarnations, you cannot miss this book. If you loved the Next Generation finale, you will REALLY love this book. If you loved Q and wondered why they never brought the Trelane character back you will REALLY REALLY... well, guess what I'm going to say.
This is, by far, the best Star Trek book, and I've read a bunch of them. Alternate timelines, insight into the characters, loose threads you NEVER thought would come together all unite in what would be an excellent book by any measure, but is an absolute must-have delight for Star Trek fans.
Q'll get ya if you miss this one.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars David's best Trek novel..., December 2, 2004

By 

Scott D. Nelson "www.sewerden.com" (South Bend, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Q-Squared (Star Trek: The Next Generation) (Paperback)

...at least his best that I've read thus far. This book is not for the person who likes a nice, evenly paced Trek story. This book is running at top speed right out of the gate! As long as you can keep up, you'll love it.

This book might be of particular interest to those Trekkies that are also fans of TOS (The Original Series), as a fan-favorite villain - Trelane - is really the primary nemesis. David does a fantastic job of intertwining the back-stories of both Trelane and Q to come up with a very feasible and fun tale of "things that might have been..."

Realities merge, dead characters walk the halls of the Enterprise, unborn children save their parents' lives, cats and dogs sleeping together...it's everything that you would expect, or wouldn't expect, when Q is involved. So hold onto your seat when you start into this book, because it doesn't let up at all!