STAR WARS - SPECTER OF THE PAST

A Bantam Spectra Book

Written by Timothy Zahn

Copyright 1997 by Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cover illustration by Drew Struzan,
copyright 1997 by Lucasfilm Ltd.




Star Wars - Specter of the Past by Timothy Zahn, is the first of the The Hand of Thrawn Duology. With the Empire on the brink of collapse, the New Republic is also on the verge of a civil war as various factions want justice for the virtual extermination of the Caamasi race and their planet. However, this pales in comparison to the shocking news - the Empire's Grand Admiral Thrawn is back.

I liked how Thrawn was brought back into the series and how manipulative he and his co-conspirators are in the Empire as they make strategic plans for their agenda in creating their own power. I also liked how honorable Admiral Pellaeon tries to broker a peace between the Empire and the New Republic. Pellaeon was never really the Empire to me, but just a guy caught up in the political aspect of the galaxy. I was not crazy about the various political factions capitalizing on revenge for the Caamasi for their own agendas. Only the Caamasi should have the right to proclaim justice, and the Caamasi refuse to do so - but the other factions within the New Republic refuse to do what the Caamasi say, zealously enraging their own biases.

Luke teams up with Mara Jade to search for rogue pirate ships in deep space, which apparently contain clones, as well as sesarching for the appearance of a mysterious ship which appears to be related to Thrawn. You can see Luke and Mara's relationship growing as Luke teaches Mara more about the Force, and Mara teaches Luke more about himself as they search for the Hand of Thrawn.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

STAR WARS - THE NEW JEDI ORDER - REBEL DREAM

A Del Rey Book

Written by Aaron Allston

Copyright 2002 by Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.

In Rebel Dream - the first of the Enemy Lines duology, written by Aaron Allston, and part of the New Jedi Order series - the surviving New Republic Advisory Council blackmails General Wedge Antilles into setting up a defense on the planet Borleias as a delaying tactic after the Yuuzhan Vong's invasion of Coruscant. Meanwhile, Han and Leia Solo travel to various worlds to instigate a rebellion against the New Republic's policies toward the Yuuzhan Vong war - and Luke Skywalker sneaks onto Coruscant with a team amidst the Yuuzhan Vong.

It is interesting that several key figures from the Star Wars universe form a group to set up independent resistance cells from the New Republic to fight the Vong. almost like a new rebellion bringing the story back to the beginning. Almost like the New Jedi Order series reinvented the Star Wars series. Meanwhile refugee documentarian Wolam Tser and his assistant Tam Elgrin arrive on Borleias - unbeknowance to everyone that survivor of Coruscant Tam Elgrin is secretly under control by former Kuati senator Viqi Shesh to be a spy for the Yuuzhan Vong. As a videographer, I could appreciate Wolam Tser wanting to document the rebellion and getting the rebels personal stories.

Wedge uses strategic planning as well as blackmailing the Advisory Council to get the resources he needs - including the use of the SuperStar Destroyer Lusankya in the space Battle for Borleais. This results in the lack of the Lusankya's mystique for me as the Lusankya is used just as a destroyer - instead of as the mysterious stronghold of the Empire as the Lusankya used to be.

Jaina Solo being used as a diversionary Trickster Goddess against the Yuuzhan Vong is both a good diversion and a disturbing idea for me, as it also separates her from the rest of the forces on Borleias to make the diversion against the Vong work. Of course the New Republic forces resent her special treatment, especially since they are unaware of her real mission of being a diversionary tactic for the Vong. This adds more to her isolation because the war has been taking away Jaina's loved ones - such as Chewbacca and her brother Anakin.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

Star Wars - Millennium Falcon

Del Rey Mass Market Edition

Written by James Luceno

Copyright 2008 by Lucasflm Ltd.

Han and Leia's enthusiastic granddaughter Allana finds a device on the Millennium Falcon, and they go on a series of fact finding adventures to learn about the Falcon's history.

The history of the Millennium Falcon is approached from both ends of it's history as the Solo family backtrack the Falcon's extensive history, while a former owner is driven to find out what has happened to the Falcon after he owned it. The device found on the Falcon is a key to an Old Republic treasure, so a criminal element is after the Millennium Falcon as well.

It was fun learning about the history of the Millennium Falcon. From it's beginning, it was always acting up - a lemon starship. One such incident killed a copilot. That was the one thing that spoiled the character of the Millennium Falcon for me, otherwise the Falcon is like a beloved eccentric uncle. All of the former owners had loved the ship and were sorry that they had to get rid of the Falcon for various reasons. It was really nice to learn how the Millennium Falcon got her name.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

Star Wars - Allegiance

Del Rey Books Mass Market Edition

Copyright 2007 by Lucuasfilm Ltd.

Written by Timothy Zahn



In Allegiance, by Timothy Zahn, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa, and Han Solo are sent to mediate between Rebel factions. Mara Jade, while serving her master - Emperor Palpatine - searches for treachery in the Empire. Meanwhile, a team of Imperial stormtroopers jump ship - and form an independent justice group.

While I find it is always interesting to follow the exploits of a young Mara Jade, the fugitive Imperial stormtroopers were much more interesting for me to be involved with as the stormtroopers wind up serving the spirit of their ideals - instead of following evil orders. After one of the troopers accidentally kills a brutal Imperial Security Bureau agent, the troopers must flee from their ship. As the troopers struggle for a solution as to where to find a place of where to hide, the troopers still get involved in helping people when those people get in trouble.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.