There's a fine line in science fiction between creating fantastic situations and staying rooted in reality. Whereas in fantasy the rules of nature can be bent or broken under the convenient guise of "magic," science fiction requires rational, believable explanations for everything that happens. While some science fiction can go too far and stretch the realm of believability to its breaking point, "The Merchant Prince" by Armin Shimerman (Quark from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) and Michael Scott manages to find the perfect realistic balance between reality and the extraordinary.

Spanning centuries, "The Merchant Prince" from Pocket Books follows the historical figure Dr. John Dee through an epic adventure on which hangs the fate of the planet and then some. During the Renaissance, Dee was one of Queen Elizabeth I's most trusted agents and also a highly regarded scholar, alchemist and rumored sorcerer.

Shimerman and Scott begin their novel with an ancient alien race of scholars, part of a galactic consortium of races. These beings, known as the Roc, have been studying humans for centuries, and one of the Roc has been using Dee as a human contact, posing as an angel.

When Dee is captured, imprisoned and sentenced to death by Venice's powerful Medici family, the Roc breaks the rules and rescues him, hiding him in stasis, where he remains for several centuries.

Then, in the year 2099 as the Third Millenium draws near, Dee is revived and returns to Earth to try save humanity from either destruction by its own hand or eternal slavery at the hands of cruel alien taskmasters.

Given the implausible scope of the novel, it's pleasantly surprising that Shimerman and Scott take the time to make every moment as realistic as possible. The Roc are not bipedal humanoids, they're frightening creatures whose terrifying appearance makes Dee certain he's dealing with demons. Despite his keen mind, it takes time for Dee to adjust to the world shattering turn of events, but not so much time that the story slows.

As in much of Star Trek, "The Merchant Prince" displays the theme that no matter what the era human beings are special creatures with universal traits, though Dee tends to see the worst in people. When the Roc gives Dee the choice between a quick, merciful death and being thrown into the chaotic world of 2099, Dee notes that while technology may change, "are men not still men? Motivated by the vices of greed and power? Do they not still strive to outdo their neighbor? Do they not still kill, lie and grasp?" The Roc has no choice but to send him back to Earth.

Like Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, "The Merchant Prince" tends to focus more on the darker side of life, but with such fine attention to character and detail, Shimerman and Scott spin a thought-provoking yet fun yarn even the pickiest fans of science fiction can enjoy.