Power Hungry Star Trek Next Generation #6

This was a fascinating character study of opposing sides in a political conflict; fascinating because it was very realistic. There were no simple "good guys vs. bad guys" conflicts here; the leader of the planetary government, while clearly not doing everything he could possibly have done to help his world at a crisis point, clearly believed that what he was doing was for the best, and his charisma (necessary in a leader of his type of government) was well-enough portrayed that the reader could feel it, and couldn't help but like him in spite of knowing better. Meanwhile, his opposition was also well-meaning and determined, convinced of the rightness of her cause, if somewhat less charismatic than he was. Both of them were plausible, at least somewhat likeable, wishing the best for their world...and absolutely incapable of working together or reaching compromise in order to save it, even with the Federation's best efforts at mediation. Sad, but all too plausible.On the downside, one character who DID grow during the course of the story (Ambassador Undrun) did so rather IMPLAUSIBLY. Still, a well-done book with an interesting plot and mostly excellent characterization.