Even as writers and artists have expanded the Star Wars universe decades beyond the last film and thousands of years before the first one (meaning A New Hope, of course), there are still only a handful of stories which exist between the movies. In recent years, this milieu has grown slightly, but it is a tricky business. With such well-defined, well-loved beginning and end points, it is hard to keep the drama high without risking continuity. Fortunately, it’s a big galaxy, and Timothy Zahn is an old hand at this helm.

This novel takes place between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back, as the Rebellion is trying to figure out what to do with its newfound status as well as find a new a base. All the principal players–Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie–are present and active. Even Wedge Antilles makes a meaningful appearance towards the end. The real star, though, is a Zahn favorite: Mara Jade. Jade is in full flight as the Emperor’s Hand, trained in the Force to deliver Palpatine’s personal justice. Interestingly, though, she is much more contemplative than I would have expected.

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I have always loved the Star Wars universe and especially the novels that were written about it. Timothy Zahn definitely writes my favorite books about it. His stories fit quite well within the framework of the existing Star Wars world while adding something new and extra to it. I like his writing style and characterizations a great deal. ( )

Zahn brings some much needed polished writing to the Star Wars universe. I actually put the book down when I got tired so that I would be able to understand what he was writing.[and yes, that is a good thing]

I had fun reading this, a bit more than I had reading [b:Star Wars Allegiance|2487682|Star Wars Allegiance|Timothy Zahn|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320503711s/2487682.jpg|2934013], not sure why though. Seemed to have more action than I remember in Allegiance.

Glad I bought this one... ( )

It is definitely starting to feel like Zahn has reacted to the overly-complicated Star Wars EU plotlines by retreating into his shell and writing books *only* about his pet creations Thrawn, Jade and the Karrde organization. I have fond memories of Heir to the Empire, but doing more and more books about the same characters is only serving to make them all less mysterious and more hounded by absurd continuity contortions, like the rest of the Star Wars EU. ( )

Lucasbooks : We would like you to write another book for our expanded universe, the readers enjoy your books more than any of the others.

[a:Timothy Zahn|12479|Timothy Zahn|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1215545810p2/12479.jpg]: Sure I have a great idea that I have been thinking of that expands some of the characters I’ve developed from my last offering.

Lucasbooks : That’s great and all, but can we ask that you include a few things to ensure it becomes a bestseller?

[a:Timothy Zahn|12479|Timothy Zahn|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1215545810p2/12479.jpg]: Um.

Lucasbooks : Can you include once more?

[a:Timothy Zahn|12479|Timothy Zahn|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1215545810p2/12479.jpg]: ….

Lucasbooks : Also we would like , , and , to be included from the original trilogy era.

[a:Timothy Zahn|12479|Timothy Zahn|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1215545810p2/12479.jpg]: …..

Lucasbooks : It doesn’t hurt to throw in a little , as well.

[a:Timothy Zahn|12479|Timothy Zahn|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1215545810p2/12479.jpg]: …? Anyone else?

Lucasbooks : Oh why not include , . I know we killed her off and that infuriated many readers so we need to include her in as much as possible where we can.

[a:Timothy Zahn|12479|Timothy Zahn|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1215545810p2/12479.jpg]: That’s going to be tricky knowing that neither of them have met yet.

Lucasbooks : No worries. As long as your writing it and those characters are involved it can be a mediocre story but the readers will eat it up.

[a:Timothy Zahn|12479|Timothy Zahn|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1215545810p2/12479.jpg]: Don’t you think the readers will become upset that they’re being fed garbage for a profit?

Lucasbooks : Oh they won’t know any better. They have an insatiable appetite that results in them wanting something regardless of what it is.

[a:Timothy Zahn|12479|Timothy Zahn|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1215545810p2/12479.jpg]: ….


Have you ever felt like a hog being fed in the trough?


I sure do after having read this. The only part I started to enjoy was when I came to the beginning of the end and I knew it would soon be over. How I miss [b:Heir to the Empire|216443|Heir to the Empire (Star Wars The Thrawn Trilogy, #1)|Timothy Zahn|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320405954s/216443.jpg|1133995]. I may have to pick up the 20th anniversary edition to reflect back to the good old days. Or wait...I think that's what the publishers were aiming for here. Now I just felt manipulated. ( )