Set in the Next Generation series, this novel presents a return to the Nexus featured in the film Generations. Jean-Luc Picard is commanding the Enterprise and travels to aid a science mission. The Newton is a pure science vessel and by studying the nexus, a ribbon-like energy field travelling through space, the scientists have determined that it will pass into an area of the galaxy inhabited by religious fanatic fundamentalists the Kinshaya. Rather than let the irrational enemies of Starfleet use the nexus for destruction, the scientists have decided to try to destroy the nexus.

Picard has spent time inside the nexus, experiencing all his hopes and dreams, but has seen how a man called Soran was driven mad by the drugged state it creates and was prepared to blow up stars and planets to get back inside the ribbon. Married and with his own child, the captain has a lot to lose and reluctantly follows orders. However the attempt to destroy the nexus doesn't succeed and the science ship's captain is killed. Picard is now the senior officer on the scene, and has to make fast decisions, including whether or not the attempt was sabotaged.

Knowledge of the series is assumed and having seen the film would definitely help. Characters, racial types and classes of starship are tossed out without much description. But those most likely to read this book are surely already fans of the Star Trek world. Main characters are Worf, Dr Crusher and LaForge. In a nod to modern readers a Czech officer is on the bridge having replaced an Indian officer, and females have a greatly expanded role. The Kinshaya starships are called Liberators, the name of the starship in British TV series Blake's Seven, for which this author James Swallow has written in the past.

Picard travels inside the marvellous nexus but this time instead of meeting Kirk or Guynan, he meets the memory of Soran, so we see the obsessed man's point of view and why he had been so desperate to return to his illusory family in the energy field. The Kinshaya are feathered and beaked, like griffins we are told, and just as predatory. They make nicely unusual bad guys and their threats to eat Picard and regurgitate him for the nestlings are fun to read. Fans will love STAR TREK: THE STUFF OF DREAMS by a British writer with much history of writing for the series.