This is what Thrawn has been waiting for: he issues his own signal, and Lord Vader's Death Squadron - six battle-hardened Star Destroyers, led by the Super Star Destroyer Executor, arrive. On the approach to Poln Major (and much to Axlon's consternation), Han quickly spots Luke's Z-95 Headhunter shadowing the Falcon, and the three meet up at the spaceport. The fact that Thrawn was the "real power" behind Grand Moff Tarkin's decision to destroy Alderaan only makes Axlon that much more proud to have helped Esva destroy him. As to Ferrouz's reasons, Axlon explains that he fears an imminent invasion by Nuso Esva, an alien warlord in the Unknown Regions who has been growing more and more aggressive, but Ferrouz's appeals to Imperial Center for reinforcement have been ignored. To his surprise, they meet up with Leia, and Colonel Airen Crack… Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 15, 2013. LaRone and the others are aware that they have little chance of refusing, but, remembering their exposure of Barshnis Choard on Shelkonwa, realize that the mission to Poln Major is a chance to make their last mission a significant one for the people of the Empire. And she has caught his attention. I did not find the story exciting, but rather boring and tedious. While some novels written in such gaps have continuity issues, Zahn has really done his homework and this fits seemlessly between the gaps. Don’t miss the new novella by Timothy Zahn, “Crisis of Faith,” featured in the 20th anniversary edition of Star Wars: Heir to the Empire.Features a bonus section following the novel that includes a primer on the Star Wars expanded universe, and over half a dozen excerpts from some of the most popular Star Wars books of the last thirty years! Zahn is best known for his Star Wars novels (Thrawn, Thrawn:… More about Timothy Zahn, Sign up for news about books, authors, and more from Penguin Random House, Visit other sites in the Penguin Random House Network. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 22, 2020, A good readsome writers just have the knack for writing star wars i was loving every moment of it all. Mara takes a shortcut through the sewer tunnels under the Palace and emerge in the basement of the Whistling Wind tapcafe, where she rendezvous with the Hand of Judgment. Luke is further surprised when Axlon says he will be meeting with the governor in his own office the next day, and he would like Luke to watch the palace from the street - especially since there are rumors that an Imperial Agent has been sent to deal with the Governor, and the Agent carries a lightsaber. Enter a world gone mad with laser-blasting dinosaurs from outer space. Lord Odo orders them to disengage and jump to the Poln system, but Captain Parck refuses, since Thrawn's forces are subject to a different chain of command. His most recent publications have been the science fiction Cobra series and the six-part young adult series Dragonback. Does this book contain inappropriate content? She tells the Hand to keep Ferrouz and Axlon safe from other would-be assassins, while she returns to the Palace to identify the traitor inside the Palace who must have assisted in the abductions. But Mara Jade, the Emperor’s Hand, is also heading for Candoras, along with five renegade stormtroopers known as the Hand of Judgment. Previous page of related Sponsored Products. It doesn't really add anything to the Star Wars universe and fails to arouse much interest. Mara and Luke, from opposite sides of the cavern, take advantage of the distraction provided by the Hand of Judgment to attack the mercenaries and rescue the Governor's family. Though told that the deal with Ferrouz was a set-up, Axlon refuses to abandon him, and Mara grudgingly agrees to allow him and the other Rebels a few hours to escape the system, accepting that they have been duped as much as Ferrouz and are not complicit in the kidnappings. Eight months after the Battle of Yavin, the Rebellion is in desperate need of a new base. As usual, Timothy, has out done himself. For fans attuned to the more subtle details of the story, the familiar elements of Zahn’s perspective on the nature of the Star Wars galaxy will be noticeable. Author(s) Release date 1), Specter of the Past (Star Wars: The Hand of Thrawn #1), The Last Command (Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy), Star Wars: Secrets of the Galaxy Deluxe Box Set, Resistance Reborn (Star Wars): Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 20, 2012. Instead, think of this book as the additional backstory behind Thrawn allowing us to examine the galaxy through the eyes of one of the deadliest characters in the Empire: the Emperor's Hand, Mara Jade. He is the best author in the star wars universe. Timothy Zahn is the author of more than fifty novels, more than a hundred short stories and novelettes, and five short-fiction collections. Grave proposes that they name their new unit the 501st, since "they're supposed to be the best.". Timothy Zahn. Hopefully, this will confuse the station's crew long enough for Han and Chewie to get the drop on them - since the Golan is severely undermanned, Han and Chewie will only have to overpower about 300 Imperial crewers, instead of over a thousand. With a little ingenuity, Leia manages to deduce the location of the cavern where the missile ships are being prepared, which will give Wedge Antilles and Rogue Squadron a chance to destroy them with their newly-acquired T-47 airspeeders. He just wanted to be a student, now he's been framed for murder and is on the run. [Source]. In 1984, he won the Hugo Award for Best Novella. His most recent publications have been the science-fiction Cobra series and the six-part young adult series Dragonback. A worthy opponent, but not as brilliant as Thrawn. A second, more careful examination of the Governor's underground safe room makes Mara realize that the Governor's family were being held there, and have recently been moved via another secret tunnel, which she follows to the mercenaries' hideout. Pellaeon grabs a breath mask from the lift's emergency kit and staggers back to the bridge, where he finds most of the crew unconscious and Captain Drusan dying, shot at close range by a blaster bolt. in physics from the University of Illinois. Followed by Is redemption possible? When LaRone makes contact with Brightwater, Axlon insists on speaking with Luke and ordering him to their location to help defend the Governor. Free shipping for many products! Yost's gloating is cut short when Mara appears, dispatches Yost's private mercenaries, and "suggests" that he step down and hold another election - an honest one this time.