Specter of the Past (Star Wars: The Hand of Thrawn, Book One)

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Summary: One Word:AWSOME
Review: This Book is AWSOME! I love it already and I've only read some of it.Zahn is one of the top 3 authors in Star Wars With Anderson and Stakpole(Sorry if I didn't spell it right He wrote the X-Wing series.).I like the Return of some of my Favorite Charecters Like Mara and Pelleon(Once again sorry if I spelled that wrong).Anderson seems to be the only other one to use them.(Mara Had a small part in the Jedi Acadamy series and Pelleon was in Darksaber).Once again a great book!

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Summary: Excellent book - Zahn is the best Star Wars writer.
Review: This book was great. I have been waiting for Zahn to write more in the Star Wars series. I just got this book a few days ago. It's so great, you can't put it down. It's not out in paperback yet, but the hardcover is worth it. All I want to know is what's going to happen next and how does the plot get exposed. Those of you who've read this will know what I'm talking about. Those of you who haven't - read this book!! Keep writing, Mr. Zahn!!

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Summary: Zahn Writes It Right
Review: The master of the Star Wars universe has returned, and with him has brought the best book yet. Specter Of The Past is a delightful read. The faithful who have endured less-than-great Star Wars books will enjoy this one. Zahn gets everything right, from slippery Moffs to Rouge Squadron. Wedge Antilles once again leds the famous Rouges, bring back a bit of excitment. Of course, Talon Karrde and Mara Jade pitch in their help along the way, too. The realationship between Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade picks up where it left of at the end of The Last Command, strained, which is half the fun. Well-known and some not so well-known names appear throughout the book, giving it spice and flavor. Timothy Zahn has returned to, and mastered, the Star Wars galaxy.

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Summary: Not even a part of a series
Review: I was very disapointed with Timothy Zahn - I expect much more. The book is well written but would only serve as a great introduction to a novel. In his first trilogy, he has some kind of wrap up to each of the first two books, but the reader knows that more is coming, and needed, to finish the story. I feel like this book introduces the story line and then just stops. It is like reading half of a book and then waiting six months to finish it. I am sure I will get the book, but I will resist the next set of books that are sure to come. I would rather pay double for the complete book than be suckered in for part II.

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Summary: Zahn is a master of The Force
Review: I loved this book in every aspect but one. Zahn shouldn't have brought back Thrawn (or at least, the threat of Thrawn) because that is the cheapest thing an author can do (if anyone's read R. A. Salvatore's Dark Elf series, then you know what I mean--and I love that series as well). Zahn should have come up with a greater threat than a Thrawn wannabe. Putting that aside, Zahn hasn't lost his touch with the Star Wars characters. They all seem to live and breathe, a far cry from Shadows of the Empire.

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Summary: Hurray for Timothy Zahn!
Review: Despite those who claim Mara and Luke do not belong together, I always have thought that they do. And Mr. Zahn probably thought the same. Those who have written novels that took place after Zahn's first trilogy couldn't catch his hint on Mara and Luke's relationship. Those two deserve a break after all that they have endured... and since they are two of a kind they deserve to be together. Both Mara and Luke have lost everything they had in the past... and that unites them... they understand each other. Luke doesn't need a housewife, he needs a friend, a companion... and no mather how sympathetic we are to Callista's problems, she is too deep into her own problems...in one word she's boring. Mara's my favourite character ever: she's real and not some mushy goody-good-doer. I even think she deserved to have her own prior history written in the star wars series.

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Summary: Better Title: "A Rip Off Of The Past"
Review: Last week I was at the edge of my seat re-reading the Thrawn Trilogy. The past two days I've been bored stiff reading Specter. On the plus side, there are a lot of great things taking place in Specter that almost all the other so-called Star Wars "authors" have proven unable to do. For example, Zahn writes great battle scenes and has an exceptional understanding of how the characters we have grown to love would behave. There are also many references to other Star Wars novels, not in an attempt to sell books, but to show that the characters have learned from the past. (I especially liked to see that Pellaeon picked up a thing or two from Thrawn, and has matured as a leader the past 10 years.) Sadly, there are many more references to Zahn's first three Star Wars novels. The Thrawn Trilogy characters have been recycled, and with exception to riots and trying to remember the differances between 500 characters, it doesn't feel as if anything new is really happening. I look forward to the sequal to wash this bitter taste out of my mouth.

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Summary: You Gotta Love Zahn!!!
Review: Okay, lets put it bluntley....Spectar is the best thing to come out of the Star Wars universe lately since the Rouge Squadron. Timothy Zahn and Stackpole are probably the only two writers that have taken the original star wars universe and made it better. Spectar is a product of that kind of writing. Nothing against the other SW's writers but they havent been able to capture the characters essence and they havent been able to grip a reader as Zahn can. I had almost given up on star wars books until I found out that Zahn was writing this book. This book brought back the characters and the creativity that first attracted me to the Star Wars universe. He has a great sense of plot and storytelling that is so addicting, you dont have to be a Star Wars fan to enjoy the action and drama. He puts thought behind his villians, not just the brute Empire hates Republic storyline that most authors use. I have truley enjoyed this book for the refreshing storyline and character development, nothing like the other star wars books. I recommend it to any fan getting bored of the same old Star Wars plotline. All I can say is When is the sequel?!!!!!!! I cannot wait for more!

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Summary: A total blast
Review: Good God I loved this book! Timothy Zahn is one of the best writers I've ever encountered but I must say don't forget K.Anderson. The idea of Thrawn coming back was so unexpected it totally shocked me. Plus I've always wanted to see Luke and Mara get together ever since his first trilogy! She's so interesting and unexpected and might get Luke to become more interesting. Calista was such a drag all mopy and such. I am literally dying waiting for the sequal. Tell me PLEASE if you know when!

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Summary: Another fantastic star wars book by Timothy Zahn
Review: Specter Of The Past continues in the foot steps of the Heir to the Empire trilogy with the fast paced (er..sometimes) action of a Zahn novel and the vivid scenery of a star wars novel.

Ok enough Siskel & Ebert crap I have a few problems with the way Zahn is developing the story. (which is why I gave it 4 stars in stead of 5)For one thing Luke is too powerful! What makes an epic? It's about a hero but not just superman a hero that is human, that can be defeated, I think luke is just a little too powerful at the moment, he is practically a god. Now I like Tierce, He is good enough fighter and strategist to be a hero (albeit for the empire) and he is by no means invincible. I hope he kicks some butt. I think it is too unbalanced I want the empire to regain some power (If you think about they are like the rebels now and then there is the new empire er...republic). Anyways sorry if I used this as a forum to discuss the book. If you haven't read this before DO IT it is one of the best Star Wars novels out!