Five years after Return of the Jedi, the New Republic is still struggling to establish itself. As the New Republic looks to solidify government and recruit more worlds, Leia and Han are married (and expecting twins), Luke looks to strengthen his mastery of the Force, and Lando has a new business venture. Yet threats lurk, within and without. Borsk Fey'lya, Bothan politician, is playing political power games, and Admiral Ackbar may fall victim . . . while the Imperial remnant is now led by Grand Admiral Thrawn, a genius with great plans to take back the galaxy- and destroy the Skywalkers.
Thrawn sends squads of Noghri commandos to hunt Leia, seeks secret Imperial technology in the dead Emperor's fortress on Wayland, recruits Joruus C'baoth (a cloned Jedi Master ruling the planet) to his cause, and discovers ysalamiri, animals that push back the Force and render Jedi within their range powerless. With such weapons at his disposal, the fledgling Republic will soon be at his mercy as he plans an attack on the Sluis Van shipyards . . .
But Thrawn is not alone in seeking Skywalker. The mysterious Mara Jade, working for smuggler Talon Karrde, burns with intense hatred towards Luke, and seeks an opportunity to kill him. She may just have her chance, as Luke's X-wing is disabled near Myrkr and Karrde's base. Karrde has plans of his own, though, and imprisons Luke without turning him over to a snooping Empire. Where does his allegiance lie? Can Luke escape? And against Thrawn, can the fledgling Republic prevail?
This is the original Star Wars Expanded Universe (EU) at its finest. Action, adventure, intrigue . . . it's all there. 13-year-old me loved this book; 40-year-old me still does.
Rating: A
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