About the Author

Timothy Zahn’s Star Wars novels have more than four million copies in print. Since 1978 he has written nearly seventy short stories and novelettes, twenty novels, and three short fiction collections, and won the 1984 Hugo Award for best novella. He is best known for his seven Star Wars books, Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, The Last Command, Specter of the Past, Vision of the Future, Survivor’s Quest, and Outbound Flight. He lives with his family on the Oregon coast.

Reviews

Adult/High School-In this eighth novel set in the Star Wars universe, five Stormtroopers led by Daric LaRone become fugitives when they defy orders to kill a group of defenseless civilians. On the run, the unit turns into a team of self-appointed vigilantes fighting to protect the rights and safety of the citizens of the Empire. A second story line features Mara Jade, a force-wielding apprentice to Emperor Palpatine, and her investigations into a world governor who is stealing Imperial tax money to fund a team of brutal space pirates. LaRone and his team bring a uniquely human touch to the men behind the Stormtrooper armor, while Jade is a highly likable woman filled with enough guile and drive to rival Princess Leia herself. Chronologically, this story takes place between the films A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back. While it focuses on the new characters, some of the more familiar names are here as side characters to draw in the fans and drive the plot along. There are some fine moments as a young Luke Skywalker struggles to learn the secrets of the Force and Han Solo questions how involved he wants to become in Princess Leia's rebellion. Jade's and LaRone's plotlines intersect and interweave, leading to a fast-paced climax filled with blaster shoot-outs, star-fighter battles, and Jade's clever tricks with the Force. Tightly plotted and fast paced, Allegiance will appeal to hard-core and intermittent fans alike.-Matthew L. Moffett, Pohick Regional Library, Burke, VA Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

The destruction of the Death Star constituted a major victory for the Rebel Alliance, but the primary instigators of that action now face their own struggles. As Luke Skywalker comes to terms with his newfound Jedi abilities, Princess Leia takes on more responsibilities within the Alliance, and Han Solo finds himself inextricably drawn toward choosing sides. Meanwhile, the Emperor's Hand, Mara Jade, undertakes a secret mission for her master, while several rogue storm troopers attempt to choose between empire and emperor. No stranger to the "Star WarsR" series of supporting novels, Hugo Award winner Zahn achieves the feel and pacing of the movies with his cinematic style. Fans of the films will want the latest in an ongoing body of work filling in the gaps in creator George Lucas's popular sf epic. Recommended for most libraries. Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

Five idealistic but fed-up Imperial storm troopers led by Daric LaRone share the stage with young Rebel Alliance crusaders Han Solo, Princess Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker and Chewbacca in this politically fraught but still rollicking early years Star Wars adventure from Hugo-winner Zahn (Star Wars: Outbound Flight). Emperor Palpatine's favorite Sith, Darth Vader, has a new rival, the 18-year-old Countess Mara Jade Claria, whom Palpatine has schooled in the Force to assume the special agent role of "Emperor's Hand." Zahn depicts the intrepid Rebel quartet and the turbulent development of the Alliance while revealing the human faces behind the storm trooper armor of Daric and company, who become unexpected allies of Han and friends once the troopers are on the run after killing a superior officer. The author also underscores Mara Jade's tough-girl charm and blossoming Imperial clout against the background of Palpatine's dedication to Imperial domination and his insidious influence on his minions. This episode will please fans wondering about events between the first and second movies in the original Star Wars trilogy. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information