Specter of the Past (Star Wars: The Hand of Thrawn #1)

Really good novel in the flavor of the original trilogy. Everyone is competent. And it's a solid book.

For reference, I was recommended this duology after reading the Thrawn trilogy. I understand that there were a lot of books in between the Thrawn trilogy and this one, most notably the jedi academy trilogy. It takes place ten years after the Thrawn trilogy, but as someone who only read that trilogy beforehand, this book slots right in. It even starts similarly to how the other books in the trilogy start. It explains enough so that you don't get lost, rather you feel like there were moments and edventures that you missed. I went in with an open mind so some of the other stuff didn't really throw me for a loop so I just went with the flow and had a good time. There's a lot of stuff going on, and the main cast (Luke, Leia, Karrde, Mara, Lando, etc.) are constantly doing separate stuff. Sometimes it can be a little disorienting as you feel like you move on to a different character right when the story with the former character was picking up, but it isn't distracting from the experience. It never feels like meandering. The story progresses pretty naturally, and it feels important which helps to get invested in even the space politics, which some Star Wars fans don't like. I can enjoy it, however. Overall, it's a good book and it feels like a perfect continuation to the Thrawn trilogy. I probably should have read the Jedi Academy trilogy first, though.

Good

Audiobook Duology Review April 2020: Listening to the narration of The Hand of Thrawn duology was absolutely brilliant! Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Disney's new timeline but to me they will always be non-canon and the original SWEU is canon. Marc Thompson brings to life the characters I have loved for so long, nearly my whole life as I was only 4 when I first saw the original SW movie back in 1977 but he also brings a realistic flair to the new characters of the EU. Mara Jade, Captain Pellaeon, Thrawn, Talon Kaarde, and so many others. So if you are a SW fan and are intrigued to read(or hear) the original EU timeline, I highly recommend giving the Star Wars Legends books a go, I don't think you'll be disappointed. I know I look forward to enjoying these over and over again in both book and audio version for years to come. Original Duology Blog Review January 2015: It's been a few years since I read this duology but I absolutely loved it. Not only is it written by, quite possibly in my opinion the best author of the Star Wars Extended Universe, Timothy Zahn but it features my second favorite character of the SW EU: Mara Jade. I had been cheering and hoping for the romantic coupling of Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade from the first time she was introduced in Zahn's Heir to the Empire, and I was finally awarded when they declared their love during the heat of battle, of course because anything less would not have been fitting for Skywalker and Jade. Throw in all the wonders that we come to love within the SW EU and you have perfect reading material.

This is a very good book

Well, it's part of a duology, so you can kind of expect this book to be incomplete. Like trilogies these days (it seems the art of creating a standalone entry in a trilogy is long dead -- must have died with The Empire Strikes Back), Timothy Zahn clearly wrote one massive book and chopped it in half. It doesn't work. Zahn continues working through his universe, expanding it and detailing characters even more. The kind-of appearance of Thrawn is one of the few things that makes this book work. It's Zahn, certainly not at his finest, but it is classic Zahn. It's definitely a must-read for Star Wars and Zahn fans, but don't expect anything new here.

Majority of the book is the New Republic political landscape and conflict; Empire internal politics and decision making. Zahn once again has - masterful ability to tie in the political landscape of the New Republic with the storyline of Luke, Leia, and Han in typical Star Wars fashion. Introduction of some new characters then will definitely make an impact on the second of the duology. Expecting a grand finale upon the conclusion.

Just finished this book and loved it! I'm 45, and while I've been a Star Wars fan since the original movie came out in 1974, I've never read any of the books...mostly because I didn't read much of anything there for years. Oh, I did read Splinter of the Mind's eye in Jr. High, I guess. Anyway, when I heard the next trilogy of movies was coming out, I decided I should read some of the "after the movies" stuff. I didn't know where to start, but many folks seemed to like Timothy Zahn, so I started with the Thrawn Trilogy and loved it, so the Hand of Thrawn was a logical next step. I have really enjoyed all these books. Zahn is a very good writer and I was very entertained by both of these series. They read quite easily and he has a nice balance between action and character development and includes a nice sense of descriptiveness without being too detailed. I just checked out Survivor's Quest from the library and plan to read the rest of Zahn's Star Wars novels, then we'll see where I go from there!

Las auténticas continuaciones de La Guerra de las Galaxias, publicadas en los años 90. Con una línea argumental excelente, bien planificada en éste caso, personajes complejos y bien escritos. Comprados para reemplazar un libro de los antiguos dañados y para regalo. Eso sí, en Español están carísimos, comparados en inglés.

the book is like new.....and arrived on time ...thank u

I got an edition from the 90s and its a great vintage piece

Arrived quickly and good condition

Specter of the Past: Star Wars Legends (The Hand of Thrawn): 1