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.
Rating:
Summary: Another winner from Timothy Zahn
Review: Timothy Zahn has done it again. As ussual he has fed our hunger and wet our apitet for more information on what will happen next, to the New Repubic. The return of the clones, tell me it isn't so, and you will never believe how Timothy brings Grand Admiral Thrawn back to life. The twists and turns of politcal intrigue and galatic manuvering never ceases to amaze this reader. The author has also introduced us to a new caracter near the end of this book as she shows up to offer her services to the New Repubic. A mysterious individual that will no doubt be developed further in future books and reminds this reader of the Jade caracter that has become a staple of Star Wars novels. This being even got past the loyal body gaurds that now surround the Solo family. I believe you will find this book lacking in only one way. It leaves to many unanswered questions at the end. This is of cource just what you would expect of a Zahn book. Always leave them craving for answers. I certainly will be waiting impatiently to see what pops out of the authors head next.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent...but I have to read the second one!
Review: Timothy Zahn is definitely one of the best Star Wars sequel writers, if not the best. I got into the genre via his Heir to the Empire a few years ago and The Last Command remains my favourite, but I was put off by some of the later books by other authors. However, reading about Specter of the Past and its sequel Vision of the Future on the Net made me pick it up in the hopes of seeing my favourite bad guy, Grand Admiral Thrawn, again, and I was pretty impressed, not to mention glad to see the Republic vs Empire core plot of the entire SW universe being moved along. There are an awful lot of plot threads, very few of which get resolved. This book basically sets up the second, which I haven't got hold of yet. However, it was good to see all the old favourites again, acting in a sane manner for the situations they are now in (particularly Han and Leia, who for important New Republic leaders do an awful lot of just zooming off into space without backup in some other novels. In this, they don't.). Talon Karrde is back, as is the original Mara Jade. On the Imperial side, we once again meet the now-Admiral Pellaeon, currently boss of what's left of the Imperial Fleet. I always liked Pellaeon, who previously was in Thrawn's shadow but now (as seen in the final scene of this book) has taken his role as the commander who issues seemingly crazy orders to the consternation of his subordinates! Introduced is the scheming Moff Disra and his two co-conspirators (who I won't mention so as not to spoil any surprises). As well as the good characterisation, I enjoyed the action in this book, which was well written and exciting. Zahn is definitely the master of this. In addition, he makes a few sly allusions to certain things in past SW novels set between his previous trilogy and this one, like excessive use of the Force and the seemingly endless parade of superweapons. Good piece of dialogue here: "Maybe he's found a new superweapon the Emperor had stashed away somewhere," Lando suggested ominously. "Another Death Star - a completed one this time - or maybe another Sun Crusher. Or something even more dangerous." Karrde shook his head. "Farfetched. If there was something like that out there, we surely would have heard of it by now." I think Karrde speaks for many fans there! Many mysteries are left at the end. Is Thrawn really back? What's going on with the place Mara visited? What is the 'Hand of Thrawn'? Guess I'll have to read the second book! I would recommend this to any Star Wars fan who's read at least some of the post-Return of the Jedi novels, it is definitely in the front rank of them.
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