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Summary: Thank god for Timothy Zahn
Review: I was really happy to see Timothy Zahn write another set of Star Wars books as his original trilogy is probably the best Star Wars fiction to be written in comparison to the slew of novels that follows. I really like the fact that Luke and Mara finally have it out with each other and the results that ensue. For anyone who has read some of the other SW books and asked yourself, what has this author done with this character I really like **Cough**Barbra Hambly**Cough** you'd enjoy this.
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Summary: Excellent!
Review: Where do I begin? I have often thought that the first trilogy Mr. Zahn wrote was the best of any post "Return Of The Jedi" Star-Wars story written. His return here is spectacular. The usual political intrigue and fast paced battles abound, described as only Mr. Zahn could do it. I loved the fact that Jedi Master Luke Skywalker still had to be a "student" about some things was refreshing and made for a great read. The interplay between Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade is BEAUTIFULLY written and made me smile, cheer... and yes... even cry, and I am not ashamed of admitting this. (Yes, men can cry too. :) ))
If you liked Zahn's first Star Wars trilogy (Heir To The Empire, Dark Force Rising, The Last Command), you OWE it to yourself to get this book. Enjoy another visit to a galaxy far, far away. Mr. Zahn is an excellent tour guide as this work proves.
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Summary: Luke and Mara
Review: I was so happy when I read this book. It seemed like it would take Luke and Mara forever to get their act together. But they finally did and it made a wonderful story.
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Summary: Zahn does it again!
Review: WOW! I thought Zahn's Thrawn trilogy couldn't be beat, but I was wrong! "Vision of the Future" summed up the Star Wars books beautifully and gets you ready for the New Order books. Zahn's plot is, as always, amazing. He takes the characters we already know and love, and gives them new life. We see Luke as we never have before, discover Karrde's secret past, and meet the REAL Mara Jade.
In Vision, the New Republic is on the brink of civil war over a long forgotten issue. While in the Empire, Pelleon plans for peace. But neither side realizes the danger lurking in the fringe...
I thought the story was excellent, especially the Luke/Mara relationship! Star Wars needs some more of that kind romance. I thought the Luke/Mara scenes were refreshing, beautiful, and a wonderful plot twist. I hope to see more of these two in future books!
I give this book five stars and it deserves every one! THANK-YOU ZAHN!
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Summary: Zahn: Best Star Wars author ever?
Review: Well, Tim did it again. Most would have thought that he couldn't outdo himself after his first trilogy. Most would be wrong. He captures the classic feeling of the original movies (not the shams that are the TPM and the new AOTC) and does it in a very fast moving, well-written way. I bought it and didn't put it down until I was done. "Specter" started out in a darker, more vague manner, something that casual fans wouldn't like as much. But, as an admitted hard-core guy, I wanted nothing more than to read its sequel to find out what plot twists Zahn had planned--both huge and minute. I also found it brilliant that he used little details from his first trilogy to set up the entire "Specter"/"Vision" duology. Compare those to Episode One, which contradicts a lot of what is set even in the first trilogy of movies, and you have no contest. TPM is nothing more than dog food against any of Zahns novels. So is he the best? I dunno--there are many excellent expanded universe novels and stories that I really enjoyed. But he certainly is one of the top two. Kudos to you, Mr. Zahn. And this isn't meant to help you find a book to buy--I just am opinionated and like ranting. Ciao.
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Summary: Zahn's Finest
Review: Vision of the future is Timothy Zahn's last Star Wars book, and it one of his best works. The second book in the 'Return of Thrawn' duology, the Empire has created a brilliant plan to become the dominant power in the Galaxy. As the New Republic scrambles to find what is going on, the Empire begins to gain power once again, all due to their newest weapon: Grand Admiral Thrawn. During this time, turmoil erupts over the long dead Caamas issue, pushing the NR to the brink of war. Han Solo and Lando Calrissian set off to find the rare Caamas document in the heart of imperial territory, while Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade go off into the Unknown territories to hunt down a group of clones that have been thought to have been destroyed. As the book continues, the heros are brought together in the last of the Imperial/New Republic era.
I was very impressed with this book, as I was with Timothy Zahn's other books. His plots are incredibly simple yet bring the biggest challanges to the Star Wars universe. If you haven't read Zahn's works, you aren't a Star Wars fan!
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Summary: This book is a great reason to capture these sequels on film
Review: Zahn completely outdid himself with this one. The build-up for Luke's much anticipated love interest was masterfully done, and the end of the Empire was complete in one full sweep. However, this book wasn't intended for endings (hence the title). No, Zahn leaves a hint of what there is to see in the books ahead. On a outer rim world Luke and Mara discover a threat more powerful then they can possibly imagine. But what makes this book different from the previous Star Wars novels is the rise of importance in three totally new characters since the original trilogy. Talon Karrde, Mara Jade and Admiral Palleon. Of course this isn't their first appearence in a Star Wars novel, but in Vision of the Future, these characters finally achieve the level of importance in the Star Wars world they deserve.After reading Vision of the Future I found all the reason I needed to continue on and read the New Jedi Order books. I only hope that this gives George Lucas the reason he needs to start filming these exciting new episodes in the Star Wars universe
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Summary: A great conclusion to the problems with the Empire.
Review: Part II of the two part Hand of Thrawn series. As I pointed out with my review of the first installment, Zahn finally got his act together near the end of the first book. The second (and final) part of the series was very good indeed. I read this 694 pager in just a few days because I was so eager to watch it unwind. As per all Star Wars novels, multiple threaded stories eventually come together in the end (sort of, in this case.) At any rate, I don't know if Lucas approved or Zahn just took the initiative, but this one basically ended the Empire as a threat and implied a new, greater and someone more distant threat to face both the Empire and the New Republic. Tough act to follow, but we'll see what happens.
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Summary: read it!
Review: This one is longer than the first and great! Zahn fully develops a lot of the other ideas he began in the original Thrawn trilogy and the result is superb. And the ending is a real crowd pleaser. I wish all of the authors worte as well as he does.
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Summary: The End of an Era
Review: Timothy Zahn finishes what he started in 1991 with 'Vision of the Future'. Here ends the greatest chapter in the history of the the Star Wars galaxy, and it ends well. Indeed, its all done in a way that's almost poetic, and one that will also be sorely missed. Kudos to Zahn, Bantham, and everybody else for one great history. Onto the book, then, shall we? Zahn picks up right where 'Specter of the Past' left off. The real highlight here is the whole Luke-Mara relationship that goes on through the whole novel. While some would say the relationship wasn't romantic or anything, it wasn't really meant to be. It was meant to be deeper than that, a sort of symbionce bound by the Force. Indeed, they really do become one as time goes on and their experiences on Niruaun prove testament to that. I also get the impression that Zahn decided to do it all himself, finally. He sets up everything between Luke and Mara (look a the last scene of 'The Last Command', in the name of the Sith!) and Anderson and Hambly and the like screw everything up. What a waste. Can these people even take a hint? I mean, Callista? It's just mind-boggling. Indeed, so are a lot of the relationships in the SW universe. Anderson sets up ridiculous relationships like Winter-Ackbar(!?!) and Wedge-Qui Xux. I'm guessing Stackpole and Zahn formed a pact so that all of the relationships Stackpole made in his books and comics (like Tycho-Winter and Wedge-Iella) are how it ends up in the end. A very good thing, too. Tycho and Winter makes a lot more sense than Winter and Ackbar. And Zahn also tips his cap to Stackpole by providing us with a look into Baron Fel and what he's been doing all these years. Once more, it just goes to show the power of good characters like Thrawn and Fel. And its also nice to see how much info we get into Thrawn and his people, who are finally named here. their culture is explained here and a bit more in Stackpole's 'Ruin'. And hey, who says a guy who's been dead for 10 years can't be the most important figure in the whole book? Great info for fans of Thrawn and Baron Fel such as myself. And, of course, you get more Han, Leia, Wedge, Corran, ect. action. It's all good, and Zahn continues to depict the Republic and its situation very realistically. the same is said for the Empire and its logical progression as time goes on and its power wanes. Pellaeon is good here again, as are Disra, Tierce, and even Flim. The scene on the bridge of Dorja's vessel towards the end is classic. And the war ends. I'd just point that out. The Empire and Republic come to terms, thus ending a chapter in the history of Star Wars. I wouldn't have had it end any other way and be ended by any other person. Sadly, Del Rey's New Jedi Order series is just a phantom of the magnificent Bantham novels and Dark Horse comics like the 'X-wing Rogue Squadron' series. The sense of history is now gone, and it is really a shame. People like Zahn, Stackpole, and Allston did magnificent jobs creating a historical sense behind the SW universe, one that is really being ripped apart by the NJO series. Still, they can only be applauded for their works. Kudos to Zahn, Stackpole, Allston, and the other great authors who made the world of Star Wars so wonderful. It is something that will be very sorely missed in the future, but thanks for the ride whatever the case. May the Force be with you all.
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