Rating: 
Summary: Zahn's Triumphant Return to a Galaxy Far, Far Away!
Review: Specter of the Past is the first in the Hand of Thrawn duology, Timothy Zahn's spectacular return to the Star Wars Universe after his incredible Thrawn Trilogy began the renewed expanded universe. In Specter of the Past, the events of the Corellian Trilogy have forced Princess Leia to take a leave of absence from her post of Chief of State, while Han and Luke along with Chewie are off on a mission of their own. Mara Jade, Lando Calrissian, Talon Karrde and ADmiral Pellaeon feature prominatently as do X-Wing pilots Wedge Antilles and Corran Horn. After countless defeats, the Imperial Navy is ready to call its quits with the New Republic. They send out emissaries to negotatiate a peace with the Republic, but one Imperial Moff with his military attache and a mysterious red-eyed being are determined to gain back the empire. Filled with suspenseful dogfights as well as superb character development, Specter of the Past ensures Zahn's place as teh patriarch of the Star Wars universe.
Rating: 
Summary: A lot of buildup.
Review: Timothy Zahn gave it his best when he wrote the first three books in the Thrawn trilogy. Specter of the past only gets four stars this time, because its mildly slow pace. Unlike the trilogy, his first book in the Hand of Thrawn series, Specter of the Past, is not as quick paced. The action sequences are few and far between, but the narrative and dynamic characters keep the reader intrigued. What this novel has that the first three books did not was a lot of political struggle. Zahn shows the reader that the Empire is not the enemy anymore. Politics is the enemy. He shows how the little issues can be the cause for a government's possible downfall. With a sharp mind and cunning plan, that downfall can be executed to ensure that it happens. Several old characters from the expanded universe are reintroduced and brought to show a slight turn in their beliefs. General Pellaeon, for example, is the most dynamic character when he says in the first chapter that he wants to surrender the Empire to the New Republic. This and several other surprises await the reader in this wonderful novel. I recommend this to any Star Wars fan. I just hope the buildup is paid off in the next book Vision of the Future.
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