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Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy #2
Dark Force Rising
The dying Empire's most cunning and ruthless warlord - Grand Admiral Thrawn - has taken command of the remnants of the Imperial fleet and launched a massive campaign aimed at the New Republic's destruction. With the aid of unimaginable weapons long hidden away by the Emperor on a backwater planet, Thrawn plans to turn the tide of battle, overwhelm the New Republic, and impose his iron rule throughout the galaxy.
Meanwhile, Han and Lando Calrissian race against time to find proof of treason inside the highest Republican Council - only to discover instead a ghostly fleet of warships that could bring doom to their friends and victory to their enemies.
Yet most dangerous of all is a new Dark Jedi, risen from the ashes of a shrouded past, consumed by bitterness...and scheming to corrupt Luke Skywalker to the Dark Side.
Meanwhile, Han and Lando Calrissian race against time to find proof of treason inside the highest Republican Council - only to discover instead a ghostly fleet of warships that could bring doom to their friends and victory to their enemies.
Yet most dangerous of all is a new Dark Jedi, risen from the ashes of a shrouded past, consumed by bitterness...and scheming to corrupt Luke Skywalker to the Dark Side.
15 pages, Audible Audio
First published May 1, 1992
2,595 people are currently reading
19.8k people want to read
About the author
Timothy Zahn
470books8,240followersTimothy Zahn attended Michigan State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in physics in 1973. He then moved to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and achieved an M.S. degree in physics in 1975. While he was pursuing a doctorate in physics, his adviser became ill and died. Zahn never completed the doctorate. In 1975 he had begun writing science fiction as a hobby, and he became a professional writer. He and his wife Anna live in Bandon, Oregon. They have a son, Corwin Zahn.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,183 reviews
June 27, 2021
Switching into unknown and different antagonist perspectives has never been that much fun.
It shows that the true power lies in the background, that the light dark contrast of good and evil is the all controlling entity, that the stereotypical action heroes are just puppets of the true masters in the background, kind of politicians and media in the real world, and that the good ones can never reach the coolness and badassery of evil.
Thrawn just owns close to any Star Wars antagonist, because the has the calm, sociopathic mind of a master strategist and the reader is extremely motivated to continue to see what will happen next, how his plans might fail, if he has a hidden joker in the backhand, how he immediately reacts in even the most difficult situations, and in general any scene including him. Heck, one waits across the protagonists´ chapters to meet the bad one again, that´s truly a well developed character.
How flaw many of the Star wars protagonists have been written is especially obvious when contrasting it with Thrawn, although fangirls and boys will of course also enjoy the known stars of the show. Subjectively, maybe because I am in general closer to the dark side, I prefer well developed, understandable, motivated villains to generic and somewhat unrealistic and irresponsible heroes, but each one is free to choose her/his side and live with the consequences.
I am quite looking forward to all the, hopefully coming, fandom inspired works, because there will certainly come pearls and masterpieces that are not just better than the movie, or even series in general, but also own the standard grew with introducing or expanding already existing, amazing antiheroes.
Tropes show how literature is conceptualized and created and which mixture of elements makes works and genres unique:
It shows that the true power lies in the background, that the light dark contrast of good and evil is the all controlling entity, that the stereotypical action heroes are just puppets of the true masters in the background, kind of politicians and media in the real world, and that the good ones can never reach the coolness and badassery of evil.
Thrawn just owns close to any Star Wars antagonist, because the has the calm, sociopathic mind of a master strategist and the reader is extremely motivated to continue to see what will happen next, how his plans might fail, if he has a hidden joker in the backhand, how he immediately reacts in even the most difficult situations, and in general any scene including him. Heck, one waits across the protagonists´ chapters to meet the bad one again, that´s truly a well developed character.
How flaw many of the Star wars protagonists have been written is especially obvious when contrasting it with Thrawn, although fangirls and boys will of course also enjoy the known stars of the show. Subjectively, maybe because I am in general closer to the dark side, I prefer well developed, understandable, motivated villains to generic and somewhat unrealistic and irresponsible heroes, but each one is free to choose her/his side and live with the consequences.
I am quite looking forward to all the, hopefully coming, fandom inspired works, because there will certainly come pearls and masterpieces that are not just better than the movie, or even series in general, but also own the standard grew with introducing or expanding already existing, amazing antiheroes.
Tropes show how literature is conceptualized and created and which mixture of elements makes works and genres unique:
January 6, 2016
The Force is stronger in the second book!
DIFFICULT TO SEE THE CLONE WARS IS
There's your twice of nothing. Enjoy it.
This second book is better than the first one, while I still considering quite relevant and important the first book, just lacking of a climax of my taste.
However, again, due that the novel was written several years before of that any happened before Episode IV, so it was great to watch all the details and planning done by Timothy Zahn, the author, about the Clone Wars and events around that era, however, nowadays there are already some “timeline mistakes”, but...
...what is Star Wars without polemic for events that they don’t match with some movie anyway?
Even the movies have mistakes of storyline between each other and they are just six films (for now).
One good thing is to appreciate, even since the first book, how Timothy Zahn wasn’t only telling the story at hand but also planning a bigger scale of narrative, including names, places, events, etc... that he’d be telling in his future books during the following years (now they are already published).
CRAZY CLONES & DREADNAUGHTS
And what happens when we've bent the rules so far that they come around and stab us in the back?
In this second novel, of the Thrawn Trilogy, continues the Imperial efforts of stopping the territorial advance of the New Republic along with reclaiming the ones lost after the Battle of Endor.
To be able to do that, Grand Admiral Thrawn is putting into motion his plan involving old but quite powerful Dreadnaughts who can make a more than fair match of Imperial Destroyers and New Republic Heavy Cruisers.
Meanwhile, Luke will realice that this supposed Jedi Master lost more than one screw in the Force. At the same time, Mara Jade will faced troubles with her current boss. So, fate will make that Luke and Mara would need each other’s help in their own situations.
New alliances will be forged but old threats will get stronger, a dark force will rise...
DIFFICULT TO SEE THE CLONE WARS IS
There's your twice of nothing. Enjoy it.
This second book is better than the first one, while I still considering quite relevant and important the first book, just lacking of a climax of my taste.
However, again, due that the novel was written several years before of that any happened before Episode IV, so it was great to watch all the details and planning done by Timothy Zahn, the author, about the Clone Wars and events around that era, however, nowadays there are already some “timeline mistakes”, but...
...what is Star Wars without polemic for events that they don’t match with some movie anyway?
Even the movies have mistakes of storyline between each other and they are just six films (for now).
One good thing is to appreciate, even since the first book, how Timothy Zahn wasn’t only telling the story at hand but also planning a bigger scale of narrative, including names, places, events, etc... that he’d be telling in his future books during the following years (now they are already published).
CRAZY CLONES & DREADNAUGHTS
And what happens when we've bent the rules so far that they come around and stab us in the back?
In this second novel, of the Thrawn Trilogy, continues the Imperial efforts of stopping the territorial advance of the New Republic along with reclaiming the ones lost after the Battle of Endor.
To be able to do that, Grand Admiral Thrawn is putting into motion his plan involving old but quite powerful Dreadnaughts who can make a more than fair match of Imperial Destroyers and New Republic Heavy Cruisers.
Meanwhile, Luke will realice that this supposed Jedi Master lost more than one screw in the Force. At the same time, Mara Jade will faced troubles with her current boss. So, fate will make that Luke and Mara would need each other’s help in their own situations.
New alliances will be forged but old threats will get stronger, a dark force will rise...
October 16, 2021
The audios are still the best!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
May 9, 2025
An improvement over the first book.
EDIT: Just like the first installment of the trilogy, this novel is what Star Wars should be, not the dreck that Disney gave us.
EDIT: Just like the first installment of the trilogy, this novel is what Star Wars should be, not the dreck that Disney gave us.
March 1, 2013
Did it take me two books to realise that Zahn can't write worth a damn. Ok, no, that took about 50 pages but these novels are apparently so important to the Star Wars expanded universe and so beloved of EU fans that I wanted to give them a fair shot. I enjoyed Heir to he Empire well enough as setup, even if its characterisation was crooked and its plotting a little unadventurous. However, Dark Force Rising takes whatever potential the series may have had and murders it brutally with a lightsaber to the groin.
Zahn doesn't know what to do with this story. At all. His attempt to be "dark" like Empire Strikes Back is quite laughable. The plot revolves around everyone in the novel trying to find a bunch of lost spaceships that are such an amazing prize because ... they can be manned by fewer people. Yep, you heard that. This is Star Wars. S.T.A.R W.A.R.S and Zahn invented a bunch of space ships that need smaller crew. Hey Timothy. Timothy ... why was the DEATH STAR fucking cool? Anyway it all ends on a Dark note because the practically beaten remnants of the Empire are a little less beaten.
Well, there's not much makes up for this faux pas. I don't particularly recognise the old charcters in Zahn's portrayal, they're just names with a shared history that he occasionally alludes to with a choice quote ("never tell me the odds" said Han. Ohhhh Cheers Zahn. ahhahahah good one!) The newer characters are flat like pancakes that don't even have jam or honey on them. Which is ridiculous. Mara Jade bores me to tears. Again, Zahn had the entire universe to fill with cool characters and he creates someone who wants to kill Luke Skywalker because he made her lose her job via killing the Emperor. As Emperor's Hand you'd think she'd expect this. Or have a contingency plan. Or something. You'd think she'd be badass and kill Luke on a hilarious whim. But no, Zahn makes her an incessant whinger. Not so great to read about! Talon Karrde, Yawn. A smuggler with no good dialogue ... scheming Bothan Feyl'Ya (or something) at least had a plot role and I'd have liked to have gotten deeper into political intrigue within the New Republic.
Oh, and I'm not even going to mention C'Boath. Evil Jedi extraordinaire who errrr does nothing except preside as court judge to a bunch of farmers. I'm not even kidding. Evil Jedi C'Boath who is so badass that he gets Luke to come and visit him and then MAKES HIM be judge to a bunch of farmers. And I'm not even kidding.
The drab, the bland, the dull writing, the boring plotting is too much to really need outlining to a great degree. This book is barely Star Wars. It's barely Space Opera. It's barely a book. It's a bunch of bland elements but into a bland blender and blanded up to created a a bland juice blend. I don't think I'm gonna read the third one.
Zahn doesn't know what to do with this story. At all. His attempt to be "dark" like Empire Strikes Back is quite laughable. The plot revolves around everyone in the novel trying to find a bunch of lost spaceships that are such an amazing prize because ... they can be manned by fewer people. Yep, you heard that. This is Star Wars. S.T.A.R W.A.R.S and Zahn invented a bunch of space ships that need smaller crew. Hey Timothy. Timothy ... why was the DEATH STAR fucking cool? Anyway it all ends on a Dark note because the practically beaten remnants of the Empire are a little less beaten.
Well, there's not much makes up for this faux pas. I don't particularly recognise the old charcters in Zahn's portrayal, they're just names with a shared history that he occasionally alludes to with a choice quote ("never tell me the odds" said Han. Ohhhh Cheers Zahn. ahhahahah good one!) The newer characters are flat like pancakes that don't even have jam or honey on them. Which is ridiculous. Mara Jade bores me to tears. Again, Zahn had the entire universe to fill with cool characters and he creates someone who wants to kill Luke Skywalker because he made her lose her job via killing the Emperor. As Emperor's Hand you'd think she'd expect this. Or have a contingency plan. Or something. You'd think she'd be badass and kill Luke on a hilarious whim. But no, Zahn makes her an incessant whinger. Not so great to read about! Talon Karrde, Yawn. A smuggler with no good dialogue ... scheming Bothan Feyl'Ya (or something) at least had a plot role and I'd have liked to have gotten deeper into political intrigue within the New Republic.
Oh, and I'm not even going to mention C'Boath. Evil Jedi extraordinaire who errrr does nothing except preside as court judge to a bunch of farmers. I'm not even kidding. Evil Jedi C'Boath who is so badass that he gets Luke to come and visit him and then MAKES HIM be judge to a bunch of farmers. And I'm not even kidding.
The drab, the bland, the dull writing, the boring plotting is too much to really need outlining to a great degree. This book is barely Star Wars. It's barely Space Opera. It's barely a book. It's a bunch of bland elements but into a bland blender and blanded up to created a a bland juice blend. I don't think I'm gonna read the third one.
September 19, 2024
2,75⭐️
Definicja średniej książki. Średnia książka w odległej galaktyce.
Recenzja:
Definicja średniej książki. Średnia książka w odległej galaktyce.
Recenzja:
May 2, 2020
The story that jump-started the Star Wars Expanded Universe continues here with more action and intensity. Even though I've read the entire trilogy more than once, I'm still excited to see what happens next! As good as this is, though, it's a painful reminder of how Disney committed an epic fail by relegating these books to "legends" status instead of making films out of them. Hopefully, someday, we'll get to see Mara Jade and Thrawn on the big screen.
February 2, 2023
Bloody brilliant! Honestly the Star Wars Legends universe is better than the movies.
June 14, 2024
3.5 Stars
Star Wars Reading Guide
I can see why this trilogy is so beloved. The character work is quite good and it sets up so much of the expanded universe.
Star Wars Reading Guide
I can see why this trilogy is so beloved. The character work is quite good and it sets up so much of the expanded universe.
June 18, 2023
4.19 stars ... fun! 😁
February 21, 2015
This second book in the Thrawn Trilogy was a slight improvement on the first. It had a bit more action and a tiny bit more humor.
The story continues on from where it left off in the first book. This time the main story arc sees the Empire and the New Republic in a desperate race to discover the location of the Dark Force, the Katana fleet of nearly 200 Dreadnoughts, that went missing under mysterious circumstances during the Clone Wars. The number of ships available could tip the tide of the war in favor of the side that discovers the location and retrieves the ships.
Princess Leia was the most improved of the characters and she had the most interesting story arc in this installment. She sought out the Noghri and attempted to win their loyalty away from Grand Admiral Thrawn. The Noghri proved and interesting race and it was great to see Leia more proactive in her actions.
Talon Karrde was as fantastic in this installment as he was in the last. His wit, charm, and air of mystery are always fun to read about. His companion Mara Jade was much improved from the first book. She was less whiny and involved in a few interesting action scenes and conflicts. Grand Admiral Thrawn remains an excellent villain, but his character was slightly weakened by the amount of blunders he made in this one. Luke's story arc was more interesting this time around. He finally had to face off against the Dark Jedi and spent less time drifting around aimlessly in his X-Wing. Han's character is still suffering. His character lacks the wit a roguish charm of movie Han Solo. Pairing him with Lando has helped a bit.
All in all this was a fun read that was slightly better than the first book.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Audio Note: Just like the first book in the series Marc Thompson narrated as was assisted by a host of well known Star Wars sound effects.
The story continues on from where it left off in the first book. This time the main story arc sees the Empire and the New Republic in a desperate race to discover the location of the Dark Force, the Katana fleet of nearly 200 Dreadnoughts, that went missing under mysterious circumstances during the Clone Wars. The number of ships available could tip the tide of the war in favor of the side that discovers the location and retrieves the ships.
Princess Leia was the most improved of the characters and she had the most interesting story arc in this installment. She sought out the Noghri and attempted to win their loyalty away from Grand Admiral Thrawn. The Noghri proved and interesting race and it was great to see Leia more proactive in her actions.
Talon Karrde was as fantastic in this installment as he was in the last. His wit, charm, and air of mystery are always fun to read about. His companion Mara Jade was much improved from the first book. She was less whiny and involved in a few interesting action scenes and conflicts. Grand Admiral Thrawn remains an excellent villain, but his character was slightly weakened by the amount of blunders he made in this one. Luke's story arc was more interesting this time around. He finally had to face off against the Dark Jedi and spent less time drifting around aimlessly in his X-Wing. Han's character is still suffering. His character lacks the wit a roguish charm of movie Han Solo. Pairing him with Lando has helped a bit.
All in all this was a fun read that was slightly better than the first book.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Audio Note: Just like the first book in the series Marc Thompson narrated as was assisted by a host of well known Star Wars sound effects.
Want to read
May 4, 2017Because today's the day, isn't it?
May the 4th be with you 🙌🏻
May the 4th be with you 🙌🏻
February 20, 2015
Still needs more Lightsaber. I have a feeling the final book in this trilogy is going to be cracking!
September 20, 2013
This review applies to all three of the Thrawn Trilogy novels
It might not be entirely fair to these books that I first started reading them expecting them to be masterpieces (touted by more than a few people I know as the very best of Star Wars EU fiction), because to be quite honest, I was more disappointed than I was impressed with them. I say that this might not be fair because in reality, they aren't that bad; the plot is certainly interesting enough to hold your attention, especially if you're a Star Wars fan. However, there are several aspects of these books that just irked me the entire way through, and ultimately prevent the series from getting any more than a "read it if you've got nothing else better to read" recommendation from me.
The first and biggest problem with the Thrawn Trilogy is the portrayal of the central characters from the original Star Wars films. Luke, Han, Leia, Lando, C-3PO; even Chewie and R2-D2 all fall extremely flat when compared to their movie counterparts. Han and Leia get the shortest end of the stick, possessing very little of the wit and charm (and absolutely NONE of the romantic chemistry) that made their characters shine on screen. All the pair ever seem to do in these novels is worry about things; Leia about the success or failure of her political endeavours, and Han about the well-being of Leia. Luke comes off as the most faithfully portrayed; essentially remaining at the same level of mild stoicism and virtuosity as he was at in Return of the Jedi (which wasn't very interesting to begin with). C-3PO and R2-D2 are basically just parodies of themselves, and worse, barely contribute a thing to the story despite at least one of them being present at nearly every major event (See: The Prequel Trilogy). Chewbacca and Lando are boring cardboard cut outs. This is all made worse by the fact that returning characters seem to feel the need to constantly remember (and very often quote) parts from the original films, and reflect on how similar or dissimilar that particular event was compared to their current situation. It's as though you as the reader are constantly being turned towards and winked at every few chapters, in case you forgot you were reading a Star Wars book.
Another big problem is the new characters. While thankfully the books are all but saved by the presence of interesting newcomers Talon Karde and Mara Jade (despite their being fairly transparent Mary-Sues), virtually every single other new character is flat and boring. Grand Admiral Thrawn (the titular villain of the series) would have been an interesting new character if we'd ever been given a look at him through his own mind, and not through the eyes of his bland and annoying first officer. Thrawn is essentially omniscient; whenever there is any kind of trickery afoot he automatically knows that something is up (and often exactly what the trickery is, who is orchestrating it, and why) even when he would have absolutely no reason to suspect anything normally. Again, this would be interesting if we were ever given a look at his supposedly ingenious thought process, but every time it happens, it seems to do so only because the plot needs it to. This is very, very lazy writing. Jedi Master Joruus C'baoth is intriguing as a concept, but is mostly left on the sidelines of the story from the beginning of the first book until very late in the third book, and is given little to do in between. The other new characters such as Senator Garm Bel Iblis, Winter, Niles Ferrier, Councilor Fey'lya and Ghent are all one-note characters with a single defining characteristic each.
Finally, author Timothy Zahn's writing style simply isn't very good. Particularly when characters are conversing with one another, there seems to be only a few different types of responses (which often sound awkward and hard to envision) that characters are able to give one another, such as: "grunted", "retorted", "countered", and "conceded". Zahn also uses the word "sardonic" incorrectly on a few occasions, and by the end of the third book it was really getting on my nerves how often characters tended to "mentally cross their fingers", or admit defeat in an argument by simply saying "Point."
Over all, I may have made this book seem awful, but it really isn't. As I said, the plot is interesting enough to hold your attention (even though the pay-offs to established mysteries usually somewhat underwhelming), and its cool to see some of the concepts from the movies expanded upon in greater detail than in the films (such as the logistics of using The Force, or how space battles and hyper-drive technology actually work in the Star Wars universe). Though you may find yourself, as I did, skimming over more than a few redundant character conversations or internal debates. For my part, however, I'll definitely try to avoid Star Wars EU books which prominently feature characters from the films as their protagonists, as the discrepancy between screen and page portrayals was the biggest obstacle for me.
Hope this review was helpful!
It might not be entirely fair to these books that I first started reading them expecting them to be masterpieces (touted by more than a few people I know as the very best of Star Wars EU fiction), because to be quite honest, I was more disappointed than I was impressed with them. I say that this might not be fair because in reality, they aren't that bad; the plot is certainly interesting enough to hold your attention, especially if you're a Star Wars fan. However, there are several aspects of these books that just irked me the entire way through, and ultimately prevent the series from getting any more than a "read it if you've got nothing else better to read" recommendation from me.
The first and biggest problem with the Thrawn Trilogy is the portrayal of the central characters from the original Star Wars films. Luke, Han, Leia, Lando, C-3PO; even Chewie and R2-D2 all fall extremely flat when compared to their movie counterparts. Han and Leia get the shortest end of the stick, possessing very little of the wit and charm (and absolutely NONE of the romantic chemistry) that made their characters shine on screen. All the pair ever seem to do in these novels is worry about things; Leia about the success or failure of her political endeavours, and Han about the well-being of Leia. Luke comes off as the most faithfully portrayed; essentially remaining at the same level of mild stoicism and virtuosity as he was at in Return of the Jedi (which wasn't very interesting to begin with). C-3PO and R2-D2 are basically just parodies of themselves, and worse, barely contribute a thing to the story despite at least one of them being present at nearly every major event (See: The Prequel Trilogy). Chewbacca and Lando are boring cardboard cut outs. This is all made worse by the fact that returning characters seem to feel the need to constantly remember (and very often quote) parts from the original films, and reflect on how similar or dissimilar that particular event was compared to their current situation. It's as though you as the reader are constantly being turned towards and winked at every few chapters, in case you forgot you were reading a Star Wars book.
Another big problem is the new characters. While thankfully the books are all but saved by the presence of interesting newcomers Talon Karde and Mara Jade (despite their being fairly transparent Mary-Sues), virtually every single other new character is flat and boring. Grand Admiral Thrawn (the titular villain of the series) would have been an interesting new character if we'd ever been given a look at him through his own mind, and not through the eyes of his bland and annoying first officer. Thrawn is essentially omniscient; whenever there is any kind of trickery afoot he automatically knows that something is up (and often exactly what the trickery is, who is orchestrating it, and why) even when he would have absolutely no reason to suspect anything normally. Again, this would be interesting if we were ever given a look at his supposedly ingenious thought process, but every time it happens, it seems to do so only because the plot needs it to. This is very, very lazy writing. Jedi Master Joruus C'baoth is intriguing as a concept, but is mostly left on the sidelines of the story from the beginning of the first book until very late in the third book, and is given little to do in between. The other new characters such as Senator Garm Bel Iblis, Winter, Niles Ferrier, Councilor Fey'lya and Ghent are all one-note characters with a single defining characteristic each.
Finally, author Timothy Zahn's writing style simply isn't very good. Particularly when characters are conversing with one another, there seems to be only a few different types of responses (which often sound awkward and hard to envision) that characters are able to give one another, such as: "grunted", "retorted", "countered", and "conceded". Zahn also uses the word "sardonic" incorrectly on a few occasions, and by the end of the third book it was really getting on my nerves how often characters tended to "mentally cross their fingers", or admit defeat in an argument by simply saying "Point."
Over all, I may have made this book seem awful, but it really isn't. As I said, the plot is interesting enough to hold your attention (even though the pay-offs to established mysteries usually somewhat underwhelming), and its cool to see some of the concepts from the movies expanded upon in greater detail than in the films (such as the logistics of using The Force, or how space battles and hyper-drive technology actually work in the Star Wars universe). Though you may find yourself, as I did, skimming over more than a few redundant character conversations or internal debates. For my part, however, I'll definitely try to avoid Star Wars EU books which prominently feature characters from the films as their protagonists, as the discrepancy between screen and page portrayals was the biggest obstacle for me.
Hope this review was helpful!
February 20, 2015
I don't have a lot to say about this one. This book picks up where the first one left off. The characters really stay the same. Han is still too dry, overprotective, and worried. Mara Jade shows a lot of depth. Karrde is quickly becoming a great character with a lot of sarcasm. And Thrawn is almost too smart for his own good.
My favorite plot line was actually Leia's and I thought it was extremely fun to learn about her and the Noghri people. And the end was full of action that was fun and gripping. Overall, I have to say I like this better than the first one, enough to up it to 4 stars. I liked the plot and the searching and racing between the two parties. I enjoyed the escapes and close calls and felt that it pulled me in slightly more.
And... Let's just say, I have a feeling the next one is gonna be the best one of the series. Really getting ready for some true full out Star Wars battles!! :D
My favorite plot line was actually Leia's and I thought it was extremely fun to learn about her and the Noghri people. And the end was full of action that was fun and gripping. Overall, I have to say I like this better than the first one, enough to up it to 4 stars. I liked the plot and the searching and racing between the two parties. I enjoyed the escapes and close calls and felt that it pulled me in slightly more.
And... Let's just say, I have a feeling the next one is gonna be the best one of the series. Really getting ready for some true full out Star Wars battles!! :D
January 1, 2018
This instalment of the trilogy suffered a bit from middle-book syndrome. There's just a whole lot of setup going on between the many players as Leia, Luke and Han together with Lando went their separate ways before they are drawn back together with a common goal as they managed to gather information separately about a certain lost fleet.
Thrawn continued to impress as the main antagonist of the series, without whom the books would pretty much fall flat in my opinion.
While Luke sometimes grated on my nerves by being too goody-two-shoes, a few other characters begun to shine in this book. Even though he didn't have much airtime, Wing Commander Wedge Antilles of Rogue Squadron was becoming a character which I really liked. Same for Talon Karrde, a smuggler of well-deserved great renown.
Oh, I also docked half a star for lack of Artoo. Just sayin'.
Thrawn continued to impress as the main antagonist of the series, without whom the books would pretty much fall flat in my opinion.
While Luke sometimes grated on my nerves by being too goody-two-shoes, a few other characters begun to shine in this book. Even though he didn't have much airtime, Wing Commander Wedge Antilles of Rogue Squadron was becoming a character which I really liked. Same for Talon Karrde, a smuggler of well-deserved great renown.
Oh, I also docked half a star for lack of Artoo. Just sayin'.
May 16, 2021
Quando la situazione è precipitata per via di un bonifico fraudolento addebitato sul conto bancario dell'Ammiraglio Ackbar ho capito che mi ero messo in un gran bel pasticcio, decidendo di leggere questa trilogia. -_-
July 31, 2023
This book picks up right where book 1 left off, and continues the stories quite well overall.
Unlike the first book, this one doesn't rely so heavily on dialogue from the Original Trilogy. Zahn proves here that he can nail the character's voices without just recycling dialogue again and again (although a few classic lines make it into this as well!)
One thing that helps this book stand out is the space battle at the end. This is a superb space battle, and just might be one of my absolute favorites. The whole mystery of the Katana fleet, mixed with the whole race to see who will get there first is already exciting enough. Mix in the whole Borsk Fey'lya stuff and the surprise characters and its just delightful. A much more exciting final battle than the final battle in book one.
I also enjoyed Han's story in this book, trying to find the Katana fleet while also learning about the mysterious new characters that enter the series. Lando provides some great balance to the story.
Mara probably is the standout character outside of the OG trilogy in this book, because she starts to have her own storyline, and I really felt bad for her when her decisions had consequences and she didn't really know what to do. (I think she has even better books later on, but this book was excellent for her character development).
The character whose story was the weakest was yet again Leia. Her story went a little too long, and wasn't exciting enough for how important and central it was to the story. It should have been in the first or second act, but not in both. Instead, the book just really drags in the middle when it shouldn't.
That criticism might make it sound like I didn't enjoy the book, when I really did. I raced through the book, I simply thought Zahn could have made it significantly tighter and better. Because of that, I do believe this is the weakest of the three books (I might change that after rereading book 3, but I'm pretty sure my memory is correct that this is the weakest).
Thrawn gets a few cool moments of deduction here that I really liked, but he also knows when to admit that he has been defeated in a given battle.
Also....I both love and hate the last page reveal, but that would delve too much into spoilers.
Overall, I still really really loved reading this book. I definitely think it's the weakest of the triliogy, but even this is still miles better than most Star Wars books. Zahn truly is a force to be reckoned with in the publishing industry. 9 out of 10. Well done!
Unlike the first book, this one doesn't rely so heavily on dialogue from the Original Trilogy. Zahn proves here that he can nail the character's voices without just recycling dialogue again and again (although a few classic lines make it into this as well!)
One thing that helps this book stand out is the space battle at the end. This is a superb space battle, and just might be one of my absolute favorites. The whole mystery of the Katana fleet, mixed with the whole race to see who will get there first is already exciting enough. Mix in the whole Borsk Fey'lya stuff and the surprise characters and its just delightful. A much more exciting final battle than the final battle in book one.
I also enjoyed Han's story in this book, trying to find the Katana fleet while also learning about the mysterious new characters that enter the series. Lando provides some great balance to the story.
Mara probably is the standout character outside of the OG trilogy in this book, because she starts to have her own storyline, and I really felt bad for her when her decisions had consequences and she didn't really know what to do. (I think she has even better books later on, but this book was excellent for her character development).
The character whose story was the weakest was yet again Leia. Her story went a little too long, and wasn't exciting enough for how important and central it was to the story. It should have been in the first or second act, but not in both. Instead, the book just really drags in the middle when it shouldn't.
That criticism might make it sound like I didn't enjoy the book, when I really did. I raced through the book, I simply thought Zahn could have made it significantly tighter and better. Because of that, I do believe this is the weakest of the three books (I might change that after rereading book 3, but I'm pretty sure my memory is correct that this is the weakest).
Thrawn gets a few cool moments of deduction here that I really liked, but he also knows when to admit that he has been defeated in a given battle.
Also....I both love and hate the last page reveal, but that would delve too much into spoilers.
Overall, I still really really loved reading this book. I definitely think it's the weakest of the triliogy, but even this is still miles better than most Star Wars books. Zahn truly is a force to be reckoned with in the publishing industry. 9 out of 10. Well done!
October 27, 2023
If I could give half stars, I would give this a 4.5/5 stars.
I always enjoy a book or movie where there isn’t necessarily a happy ending. In true Star Wars fashion: the trilogy sequel means the bad guys win and the Thrawn Trilogy is no exception.
I think Timothy Zahn did a great job expanding his universe from Heir to the Empire to Dark Force Rising. Characters continue to be fleshed out and the story continues to improve. What I am most impressed by is that this doesn’t feel like a sequel, it feels like act two of the first book; like a continuation.
Some of this book felt a little slower, and a little more political than Heir to the Empire but right around page 375, the narrative picks up and never slows down. I am ready to immediately open book three and see how this exciting trilogy comes to an end!
I always enjoy a book or movie where there isn’t necessarily a happy ending. In true Star Wars fashion: the trilogy sequel means the bad guys win and the Thrawn Trilogy is no exception.
I think Timothy Zahn did a great job expanding his universe from Heir to the Empire to Dark Force Rising. Characters continue to be fleshed out and the story continues to improve. What I am most impressed by is that this doesn’t feel like a sequel, it feels like act two of the first book; like a continuation.
Some of this book felt a little slower, and a little more political than Heir to the Empire but right around page 375, the narrative picks up and never slows down. I am ready to immediately open book three and see how this exciting trilogy comes to an end!
December 1, 2024
Dark Force Rising isn’t as legendary as Empire Strikes Back, but it’s a damn good time. Interesting enough, my thoughts are similar to Book 1, though I do think this is an improvement. Similar to Book 1, this felt like one book split into 3 distinct volumes. The best parts are pretty much the same, though admittedly Karrde does take a step back, but here Leia has a lot more going on with her plotline. It’s the same reason why I think this book is an improvement as beyond that the rest of the plotlines felt consistent to the prior book’s quality, which isn’t a complaint.
Leia’s plotline almost feels like a Star Trek episode; it did genuinely feel like it had a sense of discovery to it. Exploring an ancient civilisation at its decline. How forced conscription is a matter of life and death for this planet's survival. Witnessing old cultures slowly dying, but there’s an ember that will make sure it makes it through to future generations, which gives these people hope. This was a fun diplomatic episode and has that messiness that you would expect from certain characters involved. The main difference is that underlying guilt because this is the aftermath of Rebellion and Empire battles throughout the years and how it can affect bystanders. So yes, most of this plotline I felt was pretty good, though admittedly I was disappointed with the resolution. I wouldn’t say it went out of nowhere, but what was a complicated matter felt somewhat diminished near the end.
In terms of Luke’s plotline, I liked it similar to Book 1, but I liked it more as a whole compared to Book 1. Where in that book, I liked the second half distinctly more than the first half (still prefer that section of the books as a whole currently). The whole responsibility arc, being a figure of authority and solving things diplomatically, feels true to Lucas Jedi even in the prequels and original trilogy. Violence being a last resort and used as a defence, but the art of speaking.
Han and Lando's plotlines are significantly less interesting than the prior two. It didn’t feel like a waste, the plotlines made sense, and certain reveals were pretty cool, showing a more complicated side of the Republic, just less interesting. The Lando and Han dynamic is the best aspect of it for sure. Mara's plotline I liked less, but I think she’s currently in her transition phase. I just have to see Book 3 to see where it goes, but I’m interested in discovering the new phase of her journey.
My opinion of Timothy Zahn's climaxes remains the same, being one of the least interesting bits, which is funny as the introductions are often the opposite. It neither feels as exciting nor dramatic as the trilogy and hell, you could include each mini-arc in Andor. Like important things do end up happening for both sides, and there are some nice tensions for the last book of the trilogy, but yeah, it never really delivers. At least this feels like volume 2 of a 3-volume novel; there’s some fun set up that potentially Book 3 will pay off in spades. We will see!
Note: I forgot to mention the audiobook is simply amazing. I don’t think Zahn's writing is that great truth to be told, but the performance of Marc Thompson is wonderful and evaluates the source material by far.
Leia’s plotline almost feels like a Star Trek episode; it did genuinely feel like it had a sense of discovery to it. Exploring an ancient civilisation at its decline. How forced conscription is a matter of life and death for this planet's survival. Witnessing old cultures slowly dying, but there’s an ember that will make sure it makes it through to future generations, which gives these people hope. This was a fun diplomatic episode and has that messiness that you would expect from certain characters involved. The main difference is that underlying guilt because this is the aftermath of Rebellion and Empire battles throughout the years and how it can affect bystanders. So yes, most of this plotline I felt was pretty good, though admittedly I was disappointed with the resolution. I wouldn’t say it went out of nowhere, but what was a complicated matter felt somewhat diminished near the end.
In terms of Luke’s plotline, I liked it similar to Book 1, but I liked it more as a whole compared to Book 1. Where in that book, I liked the second half distinctly more than the first half (still prefer that section of the books as a whole currently). The whole responsibility arc, being a figure of authority and solving things diplomatically, feels true to Lucas Jedi even in the prequels and original trilogy. Violence being a last resort and used as a defence, but the art of speaking.
Han and Lando's plotlines are significantly less interesting than the prior two. It didn’t feel like a waste, the plotlines made sense, and certain reveals were pretty cool, showing a more complicated side of the Republic, just less interesting. The Lando and Han dynamic is the best aspect of it for sure. Mara's plotline I liked less, but I think she’s currently in her transition phase. I just have to see Book 3 to see where it goes, but I’m interested in discovering the new phase of her journey.
My opinion of Timothy Zahn's climaxes remains the same, being one of the least interesting bits, which is funny as the introductions are often the opposite. It neither feels as exciting nor dramatic as the trilogy and hell, you could include each mini-arc in Andor. Like important things do end up happening for both sides, and there are some nice tensions for the last book of the trilogy, but yeah, it never really delivers. At least this feels like volume 2 of a 3-volume novel; there’s some fun set up that potentially Book 3 will pay off in spades. We will see!
Note: I forgot to mention the audiobook is simply amazing. I don’t think Zahn's writing is that great truth to be told, but the performance of Marc Thompson is wonderful and evaluates the source material by far.
November 8, 2020
Pues en esta segunda entrega de la famosa Trilogía de la Nueva Republica nos encontramos con nuestro trio protagónico de la Trilogía Original (junto con Chewie y Lando que nunca falten) enfrentándose a las maquinaciones de Thrawn que llegan hasta la cúspide de la Nueva República en forma de agitación política. Ackbar ha sido detenido por la presunta introducción de dinero sospechosamente imperial en su cuenta bancaria, mientras Fey´lya gana poder político aprovechándose de este acontecimiento para quitarse de encima a su mayor oponente dentro de la jerarquía republicana.
Mientras Luke va en busca de ese supuesto Maestro Jedi el cual no para de llamarle en la Fuerza y del que tendrá que tener cuidado pues no es nada más y nada menos que el loco de Joruus C'baoth. Mara Jade junto con Talon Karrde están huyendo del Imperio que les ha puesto dinero por sus cabezas tras la ayuda que proporcionaron a nuestros héroes en la anterior entrega y Han y Leia siguen buscando alianzas e intentando exculpar a Ackbar de sus acusaciones.
A ver, entretenida es, eso no lo puedo negar, y entiendo que en su día esta fuera una trilogía bestseller porque hablamos que aquí se empezó el Universo Expandido de forma seria como lo conocemos y aquí se presentan muchos personajes y tramas que serán importantes en el futuro. Zahn introduce conceptos que en su día y aun hoy resultan novedosos y refrescantes para Star Wars, como Coruscant (que fue este tío quien le dio desarrollo a la capital que luego Lucas añadiría en las precuelas), Jedis Oscuros, la Flota Katana (también llamada Fuerza Oscura, que es una flota de la Republica pre-Guerras Clon perdida), que las espadas laser protejan de los rayos de la Fuerza (ahora lo vemos normal, pero aquí fue la primera vez), los Noghri, etc.
Gracias a estos libros, Star Wars volvió a ser de moda en los 90 tras el vacío dejado por las películas y muchos autores se unieron de forma pasional a escribir y expandir el telón que George Lucas dejo “incompleto”, a veces con errores, la mayoría de veces con aciertos y con una libertad creativa que desgraciadamente no tenemos ahora con Disney al mando.
Pero tras esto, llegan mis quejas. Esta trilogía es demasiado dependiente de la Trilogía Original, entendedme, me encantan las pelis antiguas de Star Wars, el Imperio Contrataca es mi favorita junto a la Venganza de los Sith. Pero me crie con las precuelas, Clone Wars (la de 2-D, no la otra), los videojuegos de la época 2000/2010, los comics de Tiempos Oscuros y las Guerras Clon.
Y esto me sabe a poco, estos libros me parecen que se merecen el reconocimiento que tienen pero para mí no es suficiente. Los buenos siguen siendo los buenos, los malos los malos (y tiene otra escenita a lo el Hobbit de que se van a enfrentar los “buenos” entre si, y de repente viene una nave de los malos y hace que se unan para defenderse antes este peligro… odio este recurso, aunque aquí está justificado) y el máximo peligro que tienen los protagonistas es que se les acabe el combustible en el espacio porque quitando eso son inmortales. Si, el libro está bien escrito, los personajes nuevos molan, y dentro de lo que cabe intenta mostrar un poco más de grises entre los rebeldes y no poner a todos los Imperiales de malosos (Pellaeon un grande), pero se nota que es hija de su tiempo y que esto es solo el principio y que sigue demasiado la estela de las primeras pelis que eran mas aventuras todo el rato de Han, Leia y Luke.
Realmente yo lo que quiero leer es la saga de la Nueva Orden Jedi hacia adelante, donde las tramas se vuelven más enrevesadas, los personajes mueren a manos de enemigos implacables, la política está mucho más desarrollada y los héroes lo pasan muy mal. Un poco más de chicha hombre, y como se por encima que pasa en sagas como el Nido Oscuro o Legado de la Fuerza pues como fan estoy deseando leerlas. Pero claro, como fan que soy, me gustaría leerme todo lo esencial antes de llegar allí, saber más o menos quien es cada personaje y ver cómo crecen y evolucionan antes de verlos sufrir más adelante y la era de los 90 es lo que tiene. Aun así estoy seguro que habrá novelas que disfrutare más aún que las de Zahn (y menos seguramente, habrá cada mierda ahí...), y pese a todo tengo curiosidad saber cómo termina la trilogía, así que no os fíes totalmente de mí, leerlas.
PD: Las estoy leyendo en la antigua traducción de Martinez Roca y perdón que lo diga pero menuda putisima mierda de traducción. No solo hay objetos o definiciones que en Star Wars son clásicas como “Blaster” que aquí lo traducen como Desintegrador, si no que cosas más penales como traducir “Speeder” como Bicicleta… BICICLETA. No me extraña que en parte no disfrute de la escritura de Zahn por culpa de la traducción que es horrible. Por lo que tengo entendido en las demás traducciones de Martinez Roca contrataron a otros traductores y estos errores se subsanaron gracias a dios porque es doloroso a veces leer ciertas cositas. Aun así para los que adquieran esta trilogía en las nuevas ediciones de Planeta, la traducción es otra así que no os rayéis.
Mientras Luke va en busca de ese supuesto Maestro Jedi el cual no para de llamarle en la Fuerza y del que tendrá que tener cuidado pues no es nada más y nada menos que el loco de Joruus C'baoth. Mara Jade junto con Talon Karrde están huyendo del Imperio que les ha puesto dinero por sus cabezas tras la ayuda que proporcionaron a nuestros héroes en la anterior entrega y Han y Leia siguen buscando alianzas e intentando exculpar a Ackbar de sus acusaciones.
A ver, entretenida es, eso no lo puedo negar, y entiendo que en su día esta fuera una trilogía bestseller porque hablamos que aquí se empezó el Universo Expandido de forma seria como lo conocemos y aquí se presentan muchos personajes y tramas que serán importantes en el futuro. Zahn introduce conceptos que en su día y aun hoy resultan novedosos y refrescantes para Star Wars, como Coruscant (que fue este tío quien le dio desarrollo a la capital que luego Lucas añadiría en las precuelas), Jedis Oscuros, la Flota Katana (también llamada Fuerza Oscura, que es una flota de la Republica pre-Guerras Clon perdida), que las espadas laser protejan de los rayos de la Fuerza (ahora lo vemos normal, pero aquí fue la primera vez), los Noghri, etc.
Gracias a estos libros, Star Wars volvió a ser de moda en los 90 tras el vacío dejado por las películas y muchos autores se unieron de forma pasional a escribir y expandir el telón que George Lucas dejo “incompleto”, a veces con errores, la mayoría de veces con aciertos y con una libertad creativa que desgraciadamente no tenemos ahora con Disney al mando.
Pero tras esto, llegan mis quejas. Esta trilogía es demasiado dependiente de la Trilogía Original, entendedme, me encantan las pelis antiguas de Star Wars, el Imperio Contrataca es mi favorita junto a la Venganza de los Sith. Pero me crie con las precuelas, Clone Wars (la de 2-D, no la otra), los videojuegos de la época 2000/2010, los comics de Tiempos Oscuros y las Guerras Clon.
Y esto me sabe a poco, estos libros me parecen que se merecen el reconocimiento que tienen pero para mí no es suficiente. Los buenos siguen siendo los buenos, los malos los malos (y tiene otra escenita a lo el Hobbit de que se van a enfrentar los “buenos” entre si, y de repente viene una nave de los malos y hace que se unan para defenderse antes este peligro… odio este recurso, aunque aquí está justificado) y el máximo peligro que tienen los protagonistas es que se les acabe el combustible en el espacio porque quitando eso son inmortales. Si, el libro está bien escrito, los personajes nuevos molan, y dentro de lo que cabe intenta mostrar un poco más de grises entre los rebeldes y no poner a todos los Imperiales de malosos (Pellaeon un grande), pero se nota que es hija de su tiempo y que esto es solo el principio y que sigue demasiado la estela de las primeras pelis que eran mas aventuras todo el rato de Han, Leia y Luke.
Realmente yo lo que quiero leer es la saga de la Nueva Orden Jedi hacia adelante, donde las tramas se vuelven más enrevesadas, los personajes mueren a manos de enemigos implacables, la política está mucho más desarrollada y los héroes lo pasan muy mal. Un poco más de chicha hombre, y como se por encima que pasa en sagas como el Nido Oscuro o Legado de la Fuerza pues como fan estoy deseando leerlas. Pero claro, como fan que soy, me gustaría leerme todo lo esencial antes de llegar allí, saber más o menos quien es cada personaje y ver cómo crecen y evolucionan antes de verlos sufrir más adelante y la era de los 90 es lo que tiene. Aun así estoy seguro que habrá novelas que disfrutare más aún que las de Zahn (y menos seguramente, habrá cada mierda ahí...), y pese a todo tengo curiosidad saber cómo termina la trilogía, así que no os fíes totalmente de mí, leerlas.
PD: Las estoy leyendo en la antigua traducción de Martinez Roca y perdón que lo diga pero menuda putisima mierda de traducción. No solo hay objetos o definiciones que en Star Wars son clásicas como “Blaster” que aquí lo traducen como Desintegrador, si no que cosas más penales como traducir “Speeder” como Bicicleta… BICICLETA. No me extraña que en parte no disfrute de la escritura de Zahn por culpa de la traducción que es horrible. Por lo que tengo entendido en las demás traducciones de Martinez Roca contrataron a otros traductores y estos errores se subsanaron gracias a dios porque es doloroso a veces leer ciertas cositas. Aun así para los que adquieran esta trilogía en las nuevas ediciones de Planeta, la traducción es otra así que no os rayéis.
July 11, 2010
"We who remain must stand together against those who would destroy everything"
Book two in the thrilling Thrawn Trilogy! (Who woulda thought that a C'baoth clone would get the title of this review!!)
The Empire may have been foiled, but only just barely. And now things get worse as Admiral Ackbar, member of the Inner Council, is accused of treason. Han and Lando go to attempt to sniff out the source; Luke discovers that a Jedi named C'baoth may have escaped the Jedi Purge, and Leia goes to meet the Noghri and work on some sort of resolution.
I Liked:
Golly, I almost wish I could copy and paste my review from Heir to the Empire! But, to be original, I'll try to come up with different things I like.
Timothy Zahn continues to show his Star Wars writing prowess in book two. Many other authors flounder at this point. Not Zahn. He continues the Star Wars feel with this entry, from the characters, to the actions, to the theme.
To his character repertoire, Zahn adds Garm Bel Iblis, a former Senator from Corellia--and rival to Mon Mothma. Through him, we learn more of the beginnings of the Rebellion...and how Mon Mothma, that red-haired lady from Return of the Jedi, can be a little pig-headed and temperamental. A fight between him and her forced him to leave the Rebellion, and he, being too proud and Corellian to boot, is unwilling to rejoin. Garm Bel Iblis does wonders for adding to the Corellian culture (we even learn he met Han Solo when Han was a kiddo!) and giving a new dimension to the Rebellion and Mon Mothma.
The action continues to be high, with his characters spread in five different dimensions. You would think it would be overwhelming, but Zahn handles it nicely, reminding the reader where Leia is, what Han is doing, what happened to Luke and so on so you don't ever go, "Wait a minute, it's been forever since we heard from Mara...where is she?" I've read other authors who drop viewpoints randomly and make me wonder that exact thing.
Lastly, I love how Zahn, in between his characters and plot, manages to tweak on our views of the Jedi. As this was pre-prequels, we get to see his (now obsolete) views on the Clone Wars, how C'baoth became a Jedi (he went to the University before training as a Jedi!), and C'baoth's subtle twisting of Luke to embrace the power of the Jedi. Also, here is hinted the first time in EU that the Senate took part in the destruction of the Jedi (which, honestly, is what they did...they certainly didn't mind the Emperor's movement to destroy them).
I Didn't Like:
I guess I have a few more complaints about this one than the last. They aren't huge, but I should bring them up.
Zahn creates the Calamari (no, not the Earth food!) as a peaceful race forced into war when they were enslaved. My problem? That theme is repeated ad nauseum in EU. Yeah, I know, Zahn technically wrote this before the Camaasi, before the Mandalorians (according to the Clone Wars TV series), before the billions of other "peaceful races forced into war". But it is still freaking annoying.
Also, Zahn is guilty of speciesism, specifically of Borsk Fey'lya and the Bothans. Borsk isn't the problem, he's cool. But then Zahn goes and sets up the entire race full of back-biting, knife-plunging power seekers. Not cool. I prefer a little more grey to my aliens, a little more depth besides the one word stereotype. Too many books make this mistake. Rodians are idiots and lawless. Hutts are always involved in crime. Wookiees are always good; Trandoshans always bad. Twi'Lek females are always sex slaves, and Jawas are scavengers that apparently can be found off their homeworld of Tatooine (weird, eh?). I could go on and on and on, but I think you get my point.
Lastly, the book does have that middle part of a trilogy feel. You know, no beginning, no end, makes you wonder, "What am I doing here?" We all know, by book three, we'll be like, "Oh, yeah, that's why that was important," but still, while we're reading it, we wonder.
Dialogue/Sexual Situations/Violence:
Foul language? Can't recall anything off hand!
Sexuality is minimum to none.
Lando is injured at one point and can't receive medical attention because of triage. Really have to stretch to find ANYTHING to put here!
Overall:
Zahn doesn't fail to please with entry number two! There were a few things that perturbed me, but there were some moments that nearly brought tears to my eyes. When Leia unveils the Empire's poisoning of Honogr (even if I adore the Empire and hate how it is always shown in such a bad light), when the smugglers come to Han and Luke's aid at the end battle. Not many books can do this to me. This is Star Wars. Five stars.
Book two in the thrilling Thrawn Trilogy! (Who woulda thought that a C'baoth clone would get the title of this review!!)
The Empire may have been foiled, but only just barely. And now things get worse as Admiral Ackbar, member of the Inner Council, is accused of treason. Han and Lando go to attempt to sniff out the source; Luke discovers that a Jedi named C'baoth may have escaped the Jedi Purge, and Leia goes to meet the Noghri and work on some sort of resolution.
I Liked:
Golly, I almost wish I could copy and paste my review from Heir to the Empire! But, to be original, I'll try to come up with different things I like.
Timothy Zahn continues to show his Star Wars writing prowess in book two. Many other authors flounder at this point. Not Zahn. He continues the Star Wars feel with this entry, from the characters, to the actions, to the theme.
To his character repertoire, Zahn adds Garm Bel Iblis, a former Senator from Corellia--and rival to Mon Mothma. Through him, we learn more of the beginnings of the Rebellion...and how Mon Mothma, that red-haired lady from Return of the Jedi, can be a little pig-headed and temperamental. A fight between him and her forced him to leave the Rebellion, and he, being too proud and Corellian to boot, is unwilling to rejoin. Garm Bel Iblis does wonders for adding to the Corellian culture (we even learn he met Han Solo when Han was a kiddo!) and giving a new dimension to the Rebellion and Mon Mothma.
The action continues to be high, with his characters spread in five different dimensions. You would think it would be overwhelming, but Zahn handles it nicely, reminding the reader where Leia is, what Han is doing, what happened to Luke and so on so you don't ever go, "Wait a minute, it's been forever since we heard from Mara...where is she?" I've read other authors who drop viewpoints randomly and make me wonder that exact thing.
Lastly, I love how Zahn, in between his characters and plot, manages to tweak on our views of the Jedi. As this was pre-prequels, we get to see his (now obsolete) views on the Clone Wars, how C'baoth became a Jedi (he went to the University before training as a Jedi!), and C'baoth's subtle twisting of Luke to embrace the power of the Jedi. Also, here is hinted the first time in EU that the Senate took part in the destruction of the Jedi (which, honestly, is what they did...they certainly didn't mind the Emperor's movement to destroy them).
I Didn't Like:
I guess I have a few more complaints about this one than the last. They aren't huge, but I should bring them up.
Zahn creates the Calamari (no, not the Earth food!) as a peaceful race forced into war when they were enslaved. My problem? That theme is repeated ad nauseum in EU. Yeah, I know, Zahn technically wrote this before the Camaasi, before the Mandalorians (according to the Clone Wars TV series), before the billions of other "peaceful races forced into war". But it is still freaking annoying.
Also, Zahn is guilty of speciesism, specifically of Borsk Fey'lya and the Bothans. Borsk isn't the problem, he's cool. But then Zahn goes and sets up the entire race full of back-biting, knife-plunging power seekers. Not cool. I prefer a little more grey to my aliens, a little more depth besides the one word stereotype. Too many books make this mistake. Rodians are idiots and lawless. Hutts are always involved in crime. Wookiees are always good; Trandoshans always bad. Twi'Lek females are always sex slaves, and Jawas are scavengers that apparently can be found off their homeworld of Tatooine (weird, eh?). I could go on and on and on, but I think you get my point.
Lastly, the book does have that middle part of a trilogy feel. You know, no beginning, no end, makes you wonder, "What am I doing here?" We all know, by book three, we'll be like, "Oh, yeah, that's why that was important," but still, while we're reading it, we wonder.
Dialogue/Sexual Situations/Violence:
Foul language? Can't recall anything off hand!
Sexuality is minimum to none.
Lando is injured at one point and can't receive medical attention because of triage. Really have to stretch to find ANYTHING to put here!
Overall:
Zahn doesn't fail to please with entry number two! There were a few things that perturbed me, but there were some moments that nearly brought tears to my eyes. When Leia unveils the Empire's poisoning of Honogr (even if I adore the Empire and hate how it is always shown in such a bad light), when the smugglers come to Han and Luke's aid at the end battle. Not many books can do this to me. This is Star Wars. Five stars.
July 9, 2023
4/5 Stars
Another great installment! This one does suffer a bit from "middle book syndrome," but my reading experience was heightened with the audiobook. Can't wait to finish the trilogy!!
Another great installment! This one does suffer a bit from "middle book syndrome," but my reading experience was heightened with the audiobook. Can't wait to finish the trilogy!!
November 20, 2011
Dark Force Rising, the sequel to Heir to the Empire, continues the new Star Wars saga. The action of this book centers around the titular Dark Force, the Katana fleet, a group of two hundred capital ships that were lost in the blackness of space when their crews all went insane simultaneously (due to a hive virus). The New Republic and the Empire both want the Katana fleet, as the extra two hundred Dreadnoughts may turn the course of the war. Meanwhile, Leia Organa Solo continues to investigate the Noghri, a strange alien race that has been attempting to capture her and her unborn twins.
As with Heir, the strengths of the book are Zahn's original characters, particularly Karrde, Mara Jade, and Grand Admiral Thrawn, and his plotting. Multiple threads of the plot work together to bring five disparate groups to the remains of the Katana fleet at the same time to finish off the book with a giant space battle.
Zahn has a few annoying "tics" to his writing, such as unusual dialogue choices made by nearly every character (imagine that you're writing a story about people from all over the world, and every character who isn't a bad guy says "y'all" and "fixin' to") and the insistence on describing every lightsaber ignition as snap-hiss, but I can generally ignore those and simply enjoy the story.
I recommend the Thrawn trilogy for science fiction fans. I think you have to have seen the Star Wars movies so that you know what Jedi are, but I don't think you have to be one of those people who knows the name of every alien in the Mos Eisley cantina to enjoy the books. (Admittedly, it's hard for me to say, since I'm one of the people who (a) noticed and (b) was disappointed when the brief glimpse of the Shistavanen was cut from the Special Edition. I also know that Grand Admiral Thrawn's full name is Mitth'raw'nuruodo, and I don't have to look up the spelling. Yes, I am ashamed.)
As with Heir, the strengths of the book are Zahn's original characters, particularly Karrde, Mara Jade, and Grand Admiral Thrawn, and his plotting. Multiple threads of the plot work together to bring five disparate groups to the remains of the Katana fleet at the same time to finish off the book with a giant space battle.
Zahn has a few annoying "tics" to his writing, such as unusual dialogue choices made by nearly every character (imagine that you're writing a story about people from all over the world, and every character who isn't a bad guy says "y'all" and "fixin' to") and the insistence on describing every lightsaber ignition as snap-hiss, but I can generally ignore those and simply enjoy the story.
I recommend the Thrawn trilogy for science fiction fans. I think you have to have seen the Star Wars movies so that you know what Jedi are, but I don't think you have to be one of those people who knows the name of every alien in the Mos Eisley cantina to enjoy the books. (Admittedly, it's hard for me to say, since I'm one of the people who (a) noticed and (b) was disappointed when the brief glimpse of the Shistavanen was cut from the Special Edition. I also know that Grand Admiral Thrawn's full name is Mitth'raw'nuruodo, and I don't have to look up the spelling. Yes, I am ashamed.)
August 27, 2008
4.5 stars. The Thrawn Trilogy, of which this is the second book, set the standard for "non-canon" star wars books and is still among the best in that group. This is a great universe (i.e., star wars) written by an excellent author (i.e., Zahn). The result is a very good read.
July 17, 2024
The second book in Zahn's superb "Thrawn Trilogy" continues the excellent adventures from the first novel. What makes this series so good is the complete respect it has for the wonderful world building and lore of Star Wars. This feels like Star Wars because it IS.
Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade, the former Emepror's Hand, draw closer together after a mission throws them on the same side. Will she choose to work with or kill Luke?
Leia, as the Lady Vader, travels to the Noghri homeworld. She will attempt to prove that the Empire caused the troubles on their homeplanet.
Grand Admiral Thrawn is seeking the Dark Force-a fleet of Old Republic dreadnoughts that could change the balance of power.
The mad clone of Jedi Master C'baoth seeks to ensnare Luke and Leia and control Lei's twins.
This is the basic gist. It's excellent and worth reading for any Star Wars fans.
Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade, the former Emepror's Hand, draw closer together after a mission throws them on the same side. Will she choose to work with or kill Luke?
Leia, as the Lady Vader, travels to the Noghri homeworld. She will attempt to prove that the Empire caused the troubles on their homeplanet.
Grand Admiral Thrawn is seeking the Dark Force-a fleet of Old Republic dreadnoughts that could change the balance of power.
The mad clone of Jedi Master C'baoth seeks to ensnare Luke and Leia and control Lei's twins.
This is the basic gist. It's excellent and worth reading for any Star Wars fans.
February 7, 2017
The second book in the Thrawn trilogy picks up several weeks after the end of Heir to the Empire. Warning: spoilers for book one ahead. Thrawn has escalated his plan to the next stage, having successfully captured several of the Emperor's assets, including his very secret storage facility on Wayland. He also has the ysalamiri, strange creatures that project anti-Force bubbles, and which are very handy for dealing with Jedi. And of course, he's now after the infamous Katana Fleet, also called the Dark Force, a lost fleet of Dreadnaught class Old Republic warships. For most of the book, Han and Lando are also on the trail of the Katana fleet, trying to find it first and keep it out of the Empire's hands. This also leads them to Corellian General Garm Bel Iblis, whom they try to bring over to the New Republic.
Luke and Leia have their own troubles. Luke follows the trail set for him by Joruus C'baoth and Thrawn, and ends up in the clutches of C'baoth. Luke's interactions with him are a little frustrating, as he's clearly insane, but Luke is in such a vulnerable place as a Jedi that he's willing to admit he may be wrong about what he knows, and concedes to C'baoth. At least, until he betrays himself and turns violent, and Luke ends having to be rescued by Mara Jade, so that they in turn can rescue Talon Karrde from the clutches of the Empire. It's really interesting to once again watch Mara Jade admit to herself that she needs Luke, and Zahn begins the process with her of starting to essentially deprogram her from her time as the Emperor's Hand. Her impressions of Luke in the present do not mix well with her ingrained hatred of him, making for some really interesting interactions. I especially love Luke in these moments, because he treats her with such respect and kindness, even as he knows she wants to kill him.
Leia actually has the most interesting story in the book, though, as she and Chewie are purportedly on the run, trying to keep Leia and her twins safe from Joruus C'baoth and Thrawn's assassins, the Noghri, who are tasked with delivering them to the insane Jedi. What ends up happening, though, is that when Leia makes contact with a surviving Noghri, it becomes clear that they are as much victims of the Empire as anyone, and it becomes Leia's mission, if not to turn the Noghri from the Empire, at least to right some of the wrongs done to them in the rebellion.
Thrawn continues to be a terrifying and competent enemy. In fact, at times I would get very annoyed whenever he would be smart enough to thwart our heroes. Like, can this guy please for once just fail to realize something and our heroes get away, even just once? In reality, this does happen, and it's all the more satisfying when it does happen, since it happens so infrequently. There's nothing worse than a stupid villain to ruin the tension of a story.
The ending is great.
It's a bleak place for the book to end on, but I feel it's fitting as the middle piece, especially since The Empire Strikes Back is famous for its bleak ending. But all this bleakness will make it all the more satisfying when our heroes inevitably triumph.
[4.5 stars]
Luke and Leia have their own troubles. Luke follows the trail set for him by Joruus C'baoth and Thrawn, and ends up in the clutches of C'baoth. Luke's interactions with him are a little frustrating, as he's clearly insane, but Luke is in such a vulnerable place as a Jedi that he's willing to admit he may be wrong about what he knows, and concedes to C'baoth. At least, until he betrays himself and turns violent, and Luke ends having to be rescued by Mara Jade, so that they in turn can rescue Talon Karrde from the clutches of the Empire. It's really interesting to once again watch Mara Jade admit to herself that she needs Luke, and Zahn begins the process with her of starting to essentially deprogram her from her time as the Emperor's Hand. Her impressions of Luke in the present do not mix well with her ingrained hatred of him, making for some really interesting interactions. I especially love Luke in these moments, because he treats her with such respect and kindness, even as he knows she wants to kill him.
Leia actually has the most interesting story in the book, though, as she and Chewie are purportedly on the run, trying to keep Leia and her twins safe from Joruus C'baoth and Thrawn's assassins, the Noghri, who are tasked with delivering them to the insane Jedi. What ends up happening, though, is that when Leia makes contact with a surviving Noghri, it becomes clear that they are as much victims of the Empire as anyone, and it becomes Leia's mission, if not to turn the Noghri from the Empire, at least to right some of the wrongs done to them in the rebellion.
Thrawn continues to be a terrifying and competent enemy. In fact, at times I would get very annoyed whenever he would be smart enough to thwart our heroes. Like, can this guy please for once just fail to realize something and our heroes get away, even just once? In reality, this does happen, and it's all the more satisfying when it does happen, since it happens so infrequently. There's nothing worse than a stupid villain to ruin the tension of a story.
The ending is great.
It's a bleak place for the book to end on, but I feel it's fitting as the middle piece, especially since The Empire Strikes Back is famous for its bleak ending. But all this bleakness will make it all the more satisfying when our heroes inevitably triumph.
[4.5 stars]
October 9, 2023
[ESP/ENG]
Segunda parte de la trilogía de la Nueva República (comúnmente conocida como trilogía de Thrawn por motivos claros), que inicia justo al final de la novela anterior , y sigue los acontecimientos desde allí. Esta reseña estará libre de spoilers de la obra salvo en una pestaña aparte, pero algo tendrá también de la primera parte.
Ha de comprender que los medios son tan importantes como los fines. Un Jedi utiliza la Fuerza para saber y defenderse, no para atacar.
Tras los sucesos de la primera parte, la Nueva República (aunque los imperiales sigan refiriéndose a ellos como los Rebeldes) está en espera de los nuevos planes que el gran almirante Thrawn pueda idear contra ellos. Mientras tanto ciertos individuos, ya sabéis quién, iniciará planes propios para ayudar contra esta amenaza. Nuestros queridos personajes irán de acá para allá buscando información, hablando con posibles aliados y hasta con enemigos con tal de conseguir la victoria para los buenos. Es una novela muy entretenida, con diferentes cambios de localizaciones y muchos personajes. Me sigue llamando mucho la atención Mara Jade, la antigua Mano del Emperador, de la que aquí sabemos era una de varias y no la única como ella creía.
El personaje de Thrawn me parece muy interesante, aunque me sigue pareciendo exagerado su nivel de acierto en todo lo que hace, incluso cuando falla acierta. Es cierto que es muy Sherlock Holmes, pero aquí todo lo hace aprendiendo el arte de su enemigo, y eso creo que es algo flojo. Pero debo decir que un enemigo así es mucho mejor que el clásico villano, que siempre da menos juego.
Vamos ahora a comentar un poco la jugada con detalle:
Esta segunda novela funciona de manera similar a lo que era El imperio contraataca en cine, siendo un punto intermedio pero con un toque sombrío, además de dejar las cosas en un punto álgido para la tercera entrega, .
---------------------------------------------
Second part of the New Republic trilogy (commonly known as the Thrawn trilogy for obvious reasons), which begins right at the end of the previous novel , and follows the events from there. This review will be free of spoilers of this particular book except in a separate tab, but it will have something from the first part.
Surely you must understand that the means are no less important than the ends. A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack.
After the events of the first part, the New Republic (although the Imperials continue to refer to them as the Rebels) is awaiting the new plans that Grand Admiral Thrawn can devise against them. Meanwhile certain individuals, you know who, will initiate plans of their own to help against this threat. Our beloved characters will go from here to there looking for information, talking to possible allies and even enemies in order to achieve victory for the good guys. It is a very entertaining novel, with different changes of locations and many characters. Mara Jade, the former Hand of the Emperor, which we know here was one of several and not the only one as she believed, continues to attract my attention.
I find the character of Thrawn very interesting, although I still find his level of success in everything he does exaggerated, even when he fails he succeeds. It is true that he is very Sherlock Holmes, but here he does everything by learning the art of the enemy, and that is, for me, somewhat lacking. But I must say that an enemy like this is much better than the classic villain, who always gives less play.
Let's now comment on the book in detail:
This second novel works in a similar way to what The Empire Strikes Back did in cinema, being an intermediate point but with a dark touch, in addition to leaving things at a high point for the third installment, .
Segunda parte de la trilogía de la Nueva República (comúnmente conocida como trilogía de Thrawn por motivos claros), que inicia justo al final de la novela anterior , y sigue los acontecimientos desde allí. Esta reseña estará libre de spoilers de la obra salvo en una pestaña aparte, pero algo tendrá también de la primera parte.
Ha de comprender que los medios son tan importantes como los fines. Un Jedi utiliza la Fuerza para saber y defenderse, no para atacar.
Tras los sucesos de la primera parte, la Nueva República (aunque los imperiales sigan refiriéndose a ellos como los Rebeldes) está en espera de los nuevos planes que el gran almirante Thrawn pueda idear contra ellos. Mientras tanto ciertos individuos, ya sabéis quién, iniciará planes propios para ayudar contra esta amenaza. Nuestros queridos personajes irán de acá para allá buscando información, hablando con posibles aliados y hasta con enemigos con tal de conseguir la victoria para los buenos. Es una novela muy entretenida, con diferentes cambios de localizaciones y muchos personajes. Me sigue llamando mucho la atención Mara Jade, la antigua Mano del Emperador, de la que aquí sabemos era una de varias y no la única como ella creía.
El personaje de Thrawn me parece muy interesante, aunque me sigue pareciendo exagerado su nivel de acierto en todo lo que hace, incluso cuando falla acierta. Es cierto que es muy Sherlock Holmes, pero aquí todo lo hace aprendiendo el arte de su enemigo, y eso creo que es algo flojo. Pero debo decir que un enemigo así es mucho mejor que el clásico villano, que siempre da menos juego.
Vamos ahora a comentar un poco la jugada con detalle:
Esta segunda novela funciona de manera similar a lo que era El imperio contraataca en cine, siendo un punto intermedio pero con un toque sombrío, además de dejar las cosas en un punto álgido para la tercera entrega, .
---------------------------------------------
Second part of the New Republic trilogy (commonly known as the Thrawn trilogy for obvious reasons), which begins right at the end of the previous novel , and follows the events from there. This review will be free of spoilers of this particular book except in a separate tab, but it will have something from the first part.
Surely you must understand that the means are no less important than the ends. A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack.
After the events of the first part, the New Republic (although the Imperials continue to refer to them as the Rebels) is awaiting the new plans that Grand Admiral Thrawn can devise against them. Meanwhile certain individuals, you know who, will initiate plans of their own to help against this threat. Our beloved characters will go from here to there looking for information, talking to possible allies and even enemies in order to achieve victory for the good guys. It is a very entertaining novel, with different changes of locations and many characters. Mara Jade, the former Hand of the Emperor, which we know here was one of several and not the only one as she believed, continues to attract my attention.
I find the character of Thrawn very interesting, although I still find his level of success in everything he does exaggerated, even when he fails he succeeds. It is true that he is very Sherlock Holmes, but here he does everything by learning the art of the enemy, and that is, for me, somewhat lacking. But I must say that an enemy like this is much better than the classic villain, who always gives less play.
Let's now comment on the book in detail:
This second novel works in a similar way to what The Empire Strikes Back did in cinema, being an intermediate point but with a dark touch, in addition to leaving things at a high point for the third installment, .
June 3, 2013
[7/10]
Dark Force Rising follows the structure of the original Star Wars trilogy, as the resurgent Empire forces led by Admiral Thrawn go on the offensive, the Alliance heroes go each on his / her own quest, and in general things get complicated in a way that will set up a big confrontation in the last book of the series. Luke meets the wild Jedi Master C'Baoth on his own turf, Leia does a an interesting sidequest on a planet with a grave ecological problem (reminding me a bit of Dune and Paul Atreites), Han and Lando Calrissian investigate smuggler activities, Mara gets involved in prison escape from a Star Destroyer right under the nose of Grand Admiral Thrawn, who gets himself quite a build up as the greatest strategic mind of his generation. And of course, there's the Dark
Force itself: a whooper of a McGuffin in the form of a huge fleet of battleships who can tilt the balance of forces decisively between Empire and Alliance, depending on who gets to them first.
A good filler for the middle of the series, developing the new characters (Mara, Thrawn, Karrde) and exploring several new planet systems, but still derivative and, for me, lacking in humor. The series continue to benefit from all the groundwork set in the movie version and makes for an easy summer read.
Dark Force Rising follows the structure of the original Star Wars trilogy, as the resurgent Empire forces led by Admiral Thrawn go on the offensive, the Alliance heroes go each on his / her own quest, and in general things get complicated in a way that will set up a big confrontation in the last book of the series. Luke meets the wild Jedi Master C'Baoth on his own turf, Leia does a an interesting sidequest on a planet with a grave ecological problem (reminding me a bit of Dune and Paul Atreites), Han and Lando Calrissian investigate smuggler activities, Mara gets involved in prison escape from a Star Destroyer right under the nose of Grand Admiral Thrawn, who gets himself quite a build up as the greatest strategic mind of his generation. And of course, there's the Dark
Force itself: a whooper of a McGuffin in the form of a huge fleet of battleships who can tilt the balance of forces decisively between Empire and Alliance, depending on who gets to them first.
A good filler for the middle of the series, developing the new characters (Mara, Thrawn, Karrde) and exploring several new planet systems, but still derivative and, for me, lacking in humor. The series continue to benefit from all the groundwork set in the movie version and makes for an easy summer read.
October 26, 2023
Every time I encounter Thrawn in the Star Wars universe, I’m impressed with how excellent of a villain he is. Many of the Star Wars villains/antagonists are either simply foolish or incredibly emotionally-driven by their rage, fear, power-hunger, etc. Thrawn actually thinks critically, makes logical choices, and is open to his cohorts’ suggestions. Stories are always so much more enjoyable when a formidable character is heading the opposition.
Talon Karrde and Mara Jade are still favorites, and I’m looking forward to seeing their roles in The Last Command!
Also, I absolutely loved the prolife themes and the theme of loving and raising children well as Leia thought about her future with her unborn twins. And there seemed to be a subtle theme of loving your enemies woven into Leia’s interactions with the Noghri.
Overally, this was such an intriguing, enjoyable book (and, since I listened to the audiobook, Marc Thompson’s narration remained simply excellent). I’m looking forward to finishing this series! I haven’t been disappointed.
Content: mild violence, one use of d**n, one use of h**l. Again, as this is Star Wars, the dualistic entity/philosophy of the Force is very prevalent.
Talon Karrde and Mara Jade are still favorites, and I’m looking forward to seeing their roles in The Last Command!
Also, I absolutely loved the prolife themes and the theme of loving and raising children well as Leia thought about her future with her unborn twins. And there seemed to be a subtle theme of loving your enemies woven into Leia’s interactions with the Noghri.
Overally, this was such an intriguing, enjoyable book (and, since I listened to the audiobook, Marc Thompson’s narration remained simply excellent). I’m looking forward to finishing this series! I haven’t been disappointed.
Content: mild violence, one use of d**n, one use of h**l. Again, as this is Star Wars, the dualistic entity/philosophy of the Force is very prevalent.
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