Some of us Star Wars fans' favorite characters throughout the galaxy were never introduced in the original trilogy. Characters such as Mara Jade and Grand Admiral Thrawn. Luckily for us, both of these characters play prominent roles in this new adventure, alongside the mainstays Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa, Han Solo, Chewbacca and, of course, Darth Vader.
Mara Jade, the "Emperor's Hand", probably takes the unofficial lead role in this story. She is tasked by her Dark Master to investigate an act of treason by Governor Ferrouz of the Candoras Sector and dispense "justice". She enlists the aid of "The Hand of Judgement", a group of renegade Storm Troopers who have deserted the Empire to dispense their own form of judgement on the guilty and to protect the innocent.
This tale takes place eight months after the battle of Yavin and the destruction of the first Death Star. The Rebels are without a base of operations, which leads to the momentary truce between Governor Ferrouz and the Allinace. Rebel forces, including Skywalker, Solo, Organa and Chewy, along with Wedge Antilles and Rogue Squadron, converge on the twin planets of Poln to assess the truce and gather equipment and resources. We are introduced to some of the equipment we first witness in The Empire Strikes Back.
Also in this tale, we get to observe Luke Skywalker before he hones his Jedi skills. He is clumsy with his lightsaber and very unsure of himself. We also observe the bickering and fighting between the future Mr. and Mrs. Solo that we observed in small part in Episode IV and much more in Episode V. Mara Jade, future bride of the Jedi Master Skywalker, also has an unexpected encounter with Luke without knowing who he truly is. We are also introduced to the warlord, Nuso Esva, who will continue to be an adversary for Thrawn, who is still a Senior Captain in this story.
Mr. Zahn continues to tell Star Wars tales like none other. He was the original author granted the opportunity to continue the Star Wars saga twenty years ago with the Heir to the Empire trilogy, which continued the adventures of our favorite characters five years after Return of the Jedi. Including that trilogy and Choices of One, Mr. Zahn has now published nine Star Wars novels. With some of my earliest memories being the young Han, Leia and Luke fighting the evil Empire, reading this novel was quite nostalgic and it quickly became one of my favorites.
Luckily for the reader, this is not just another adventure story set in our favorite galaxy. Mr. Zahn infuses the tale with multiple plot twists and turns, and midway through the book, the reader is unsure who is friend and who is foe. There are betrayals within betrayals. Overall, the story reads like a great mystery or thriller, combined with the legacy that is Star Wars.
Zahn, Timothy. Choices of One. Lucas Books, 2011.
Chad Bunch - Cardinals fan, chef, Father, Husband, reader and writer. These are just a few of the adjectives and titles that describe my life. Marissa ...
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