Product Description

When Grand Admiral Thrawn takes command of what is left of the Imperial fleet and launches a massive campaign against the New Republic, Han and Lando Calrissian race to find proof of treason inside the highest Republic Council. Reprint.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20304 in Books
• Published on: 1993-02-01
• Released on: 1993-02-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 440 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780553560718
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
Hugo Award winner Zahn follows up Heir to the Empire with still more adventures of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Hansp ok Solo and their merry band, adroitly juggling an abundance of plot lines to produce skillfully paced entertainment. The citizens of the capital planet of the New Republic believe their battles against the remnants of the Empire are going well. But Grand Admiral Thrawn, the most brilliant of the Emperor's minions, is preparing to crush the New Republic with nefarious schemes involving smugglers, political rivals, a well-placed mole and even a Jedi Master. Can evil genius outflank the Force? Distracted by threats to Leia's unborn twins, domestic infighting and other upheavals orchestrated by Thrawn, the heroes of the New Republic summon up all their resources to fend off galactic disaster. Fans can expect Zahn's lively tale to spill over to the next and final installment of his series. 250,000 first printing.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Political infighting threatens the fragile, victorious Rebel Alliance in its ongoing struggle against the empire in this sequel to Heirs of the Empire (Bantam, 1991). Luke, Leia, and Han face separate challenges from a mad Jedi, an Imperial Grand Admiral, and a smuggler with a dangerous secret, and the fate of the alliance hangs on the outcome of their missions. Zahn's snappy prose and cinematic style capture the feel of the popular Star Wars films as he weaves together a lightweight but exciting tale of high adventure. Expect demand.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
Sequel to Heir to the Empire in this continuation of the Star Wars movie saga. Here, Leia Organa Solo, carrying twins, goes off (accompanied by Chewbacca and C-3PO) on a diplomatic mission to convince the Noghri to give up their indenture to the Empire and join the New Republic. Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker pays a visit to the Jedi Master C'baoth to continue his training, ingenuously not realizing that C'baoth is insane and headed toward the Dark Side. Meanwhile, Han Solo and Lando Calrissian are searching for evidence that Admiral Ackbar is not a traitor after all. Meanwhile, Grand Admiral Thrawn of the Empire is stamping out rebel enclaves and searching for the legendary Dark Force, 200 state-of-the-art battle cruisers that vanished years before. Meanwhile, smuggler Talon Karde and his second-in-command, Mara Jade, potential Jedi, may know where it is.... Despite stereotyped characters, supervillain posturing, last- instant escapes, and overall predictability, this is thundering melodrama, with a satisfyingly complicated plot. Still, it adds nothing of its own to the tradition of media-driven fiction. -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

The Trilogy just gets better and better
Dark Force Rising is the second book in Tim Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy. OUr heroes, on the run from assasins after Leia's unborn twins, as well as Luke and Leia themselves, run through the book at a frantic pace. Leia decides that the best place to hide is amongst the enemy, so along with Chewbacca she embarks on a quest to the world of Honogar, the homeworld of the Empire's best assasins. Luke after spending time with the insane Dark Jedi C'Boath is off on a mission to rescue smuggler chief Talon Karrde from Grand Admiral Thrawn's personal Star Destroyer with the help of Mara Jade, who wants to kill him once the rescue is complete. Han Solo finds himself swept off to a secret meeting with a soldier who may or may not help the fragile New Republic against the victorious Empire and Thrawn. Added to this is a frantic race to discover the location of the Katana Fleet or Dark Force. A mysterious fleet of warships designed after the Clone Wars that could tip the victory in the laps of those who find it first. Add in political intrigue, an Alliance commander accused of treason and clones and you have one heck of a good novel.

Not for everyone, but a real treasure
A lot of people just can't find any excitement in character development. They want action, action, action. Dark Force Rising isn't for them.

However, for someone seeking an intellectual Star Wars story (which, yes, IS possible) this is great. The Noghri are vastly interesting, and Leia's interaction with them is wonderful. (This is how the bit with the Ewoks should have gone in Return of the Jedi.)

And of course, we get to see more of Mara Jade, my second favorite Star Wars character in the universe. And she's absolutely true to character (big surprise! This is one of the defining books for her character, after all.)

The best part is a complete lack of Death Stars and Death-Star-like superweapons.

The Force is with you!
"Dark Force Rising" Volume 2 of the Thrawn Trilogy. Grand Admiral Thrawn continues his attempt to finish off the struggling New Republic. Talon Karrde, the smuggler who took Jabba's place is slowly being pulled over to the New Republic's side even though his right hand Mara Jade (The Emperors' Hand before he died) wants nothing to do with the new republic and who's only goal has been to kill Luke Skywalker. The two opposing sides race for a lost fleet of about 200 ships. The winner will have the upper hand in the continuing battle. Meanwhile the newly surfaced Jedi master plots to capture Leia, her twins and Luke.

The Good: The whole book (along with the other 2 were all very good). It's good to read the old favorites including Han, Leia, Luke, Chewy and Lando. The plot stays strong throughout and this kept the book enjoyable.

The Bad: Nothing memorable

Overall: The book and series are both very good and I recommend them highly