Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (Timothy Zahn) (SPOILERS)

[Jretting]

After watching some trailers for the new Star Wars movie, I decided I wanted to find a good Star Wars series, and after looking around a bit, the most recommended series was by Timothy Zahn. Heir to the Empire is the first book in a series of three, and I found this book most excellent, not able to put it down.

While many books that follow a popular series read as bad fan fiction, Zahn does a terrific job of bringing back the beloved characters in George Lucas's universe in a way that honors the original series while also creating good storylines and developing characters even more. We see a more mature Han Solo, a more diplomatic Princess Leia, and, in Luke Skywalker, a confident disposition that stands in stark contrast to his personality in A New Hope and the Empire Strikes Back. While the original characters are still just as easy to cheer for as they are in the movies, it is the emergence of the new villains that really make this a great book. Grand Admiral Thrawn is shrouded in mystery as the new leader of the crippled Imperial Forces. He is evil, ruthless, and a brilliant military leader (though frequently thwarted by the New Republic). But Thrawn also appreciates art and frequently mentors his captain, Pellaeon. He is a villian to be respected, not one set up to fail. Thrawn joins forces (though reluctantly) with Master C'baoth, a clone that believes he is a Master Jedi. Thrawn wants the Imperial Forces to regain control of the universe, C'baoth wants Luke and his sister (and his sisters unborn twins) to be his trainees as he believes he is the last Master Jedi in the universe.

Han Solo and Leia, joined by Luke, attempt to bring diplomacy to the planet Bimmisaari in order to gain support for the New Republic, where an attempted kidnapping on Luke and Leia fails. What I really enjoy about this books is how much deeper the political aspects go. It isn't a legal thriller to be sure (there are still plenty of times Luke draws his lightsaber), but with the emergence of the New Republic comes plenty of political strife. Admiral Ackbar is the new leader of the Republic, but he is frequently contradicted by Borsk Fey'la, a Bothan councilor. Even the typically rogue Solo finds himself having to negotiate more, trying to obtain new cargo ships for the New Republic through smugglers. The new worries are felt by the reader, and I found it to be one of the best parts of the book. Observing a characters thought process makes the read that much more worthwhile, and Zahn does a great job of showing characters thinking, worrying, and reasoning out their ideas.

After another kidnapping attempt on a different planet, the gang (now joined by Lando Calrissian) splits up to try and fool Thrawn and C'baoth. Luke nearly gets caught by Thrawn, and his ship is disabled. He is rescued/captured by Talon Karrde, a smuggler that Solo is trying to convince help the New Republic. However, Karrde is hesitant to take a side, not wanting to ally himself too quickly with either the Imperials or the New Republic. Karrde takes Luke back to his hideout, and when Han and Lando come for a visit, Luke is hidden by Mara Jade so that Han and Lando aren't upset by Luke being held captive. Mara Jade is a fascinating character, driven to hate Luke because she served as the Emperor's Hand, an off the books enforcer for Emperor Palpatine. She has vowed to kill Skywalker, but while working for Karrde, she has to interact with him. After Skywalker escapes the storage shed he is placed in (with some help from R2), Jade has to go track Skywalker down while avoiding troops that Thrawn has sent to investigate the crash (Thrawn is after more ysalamiri, a type of animal that in some way lessens the power of the Force, thus making it easier to deal with C'baoth). Thrawn also wants to negotiate with Karrde, having the same goal as Solo and Calrissian; to obtain ships. While Solo and Calrissian hide out from Thrawn, they discover the prisoner quarters that Luke was kept in (they still don't know he is on the same planet). Meanwhile, Luke and Mara are stuck in the forrest together with R2. Luke is confused by Jade's hatred of him, and frequently tries to talk with her, but Mara is openly hostile to him. Eventually, they come up with a plan of Luke pretending to bring Mara in as a prisoner, and when they enter the city with the Imperials, Han and Lando devise a scheme and successfully rescue them. Meanwhile, Leia is taken back to Chewie's hometown for protection, but another attack occurs, one that kills Chewie's friend. Leia is respected by her attacker, because his people served Darth Vader. Leia recognizes an opportunity to win a people away from the Imperial and to the New Republic. Thrawn, denied at capturing Skywalker, launches an offensive to gain ships from the New Republic held Sluis Van shipyards. Ultimately deterred, Thrawn accepts defeat but isn't worried, believing he will win the war against the Republic eventually. After the battle, Leia, now back at Coruscant, calls Han and the others to tell them that Ackbar has been arrested for treason. The book ends with the others believing that Fey'la is acting as a conspirator to take over the New Republic.

A great read, with plenty of separate storylines that Zahn brings together perfectly. I would have to give this 4 out of 4 stars. The main characters are always admirable, and the new villains are ruthless and calculating, frequently catching the New Republic off guard. The neutral characters, such as Mara Jada and Karrde, have to deal with choosing sides and you're never really sure whose side they are on. The cliffhanger at the end made it quite easy to jump into the next book in the series. Bravo Timothy Zahn! Bravo.

[break out]

I know its unlikely but I hope they bring Mara Jade in the new movies that are coming out.

[Jretting]

Totally agree with you, that'd be a great twist in the new movie.

[Hesnogoodtomedead]

Timothy zahn is da best! Has anyone read outbound flight? That's really good. 5 stars. Very intelligent