A Star Trek novel by acclaimed author Peter David. The full title of the book is Star Trek: The Next Generation – Q-Squared.

Q-Squared was released in July 1994 as one in a series of "Giant Novels" for the Star Trek line from Pocket Books. Although the novel was primarily based on and around the characters of Star Trek: The Next Generation, this book was particularly notable for bringing together the characters of Q from Star Trek: The Next Generation and Trelane from Star Trek: The Original Series.

Description

Trelane, who is established as a renegade member of the Q Continuum, taps into the power of the continuum and uses this ability to tamper with time and reality, resulting in the intersection of three different parallel universes. Q, who had been charged with the task of "babysitting" Trelane, enlists the aid of Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the Enterprise-D in the three different timelines in order to stop Trelane. The alternate universes used throughout the story allow the return of many characters considered dead at that point in the continuity, including Tasha Yar and Beverly Crusher's long-dead husband Jack Crusher. In some of these timelines, several of the main characters from the show have died, including Beverly Crusher and Wesley Crusher.

Further notes

The role of Q was originated by John de Lancie in the first episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, "Encounter at Farpoint". John de Lancie also provided the reading of the novel in the audio book edition.

Trelane first appeared in the original Star Trek episode "The Squire of Gothos", where he was played by William Campbell.

Peter David previously wrote the novel Q-in-Law for Pocket Books. This novel also featured the main character of Q and was based in the continuity of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Due to its use of alternate universes and the return of the dead Tasha Yar, this novel is frequently compared with the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Yesterday's Enterprise".

In one sequence of the novel, Q brings to life the character of Winnie the Pooh, who was originally created by A. A. Milne and is perhaps best known thorugh the films, series, and merchandise produced by Disney.

The character of Jack Crusher also frequently appears in Michael Jan Friedman 's Star Trek: Stargazer novels, which take place several decades before the events of this novel.

In one of the three timelines, the bartender in Ten-Forward is named Caryn Johnson, replacing the usual character of Guinan. In real life, Caryn Johnson is the birth name of Whoopi Goldberg, who played Guinan on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Q-Squared spent two weeks on the New York Times bestseller list in 1994.

The hardcover edition of Q-Squared is ISBN 0671891510. The paperback edition is ISBN 0671718975.

External links

• Pocket Books' listings for the book in eBook and eAudio formats.