I found the first book rather hard to get into, but this sequel is more accessible. Once again, one of the joys of Star Trek (and the key to its long-term success) is that readers can meet old friends (and enemies) as well as exploring new and well-realized worlds and civilizations. This time we can read of the Moses-style wilderness wandering of the early Vulcans and their shipboard Job-style sufferings, as well as the sinister planet of the Watraii. The story is told in installments, giving us a look at the distant past and then back to the "present" in a way that leaves the reader eager to get back to each part. There is always something going on in this short and pacey book, and there is a nice balance between good old-fashioned space opera and the thought-provoking philosophies of the Vulcans. It will be interesting to see how this trilogy ends in Epiphany.