Star Wars: Choices of One

Readers will praise Timothy Zahn as he captures the original essence of the Lucas pantheon

Months have passed since Luke Skywalker blew up the death Star (see A New Hope), but he diligently practices to become stronger in the force. The war between the Empire and the Alliance continues with the former seeking to strike back at the rebels who desperately need allies, equipment and supplies. Empire Officer Thrawn warns Emperor Palatine that they are threatened by more than just the rebels. Nusoesva, a powerful warlord in the Unknown Region is conquering worlds in Wild Space and looks like he will soon make incursion into the Imperial sector. Palatine ignores the concern because the warlord is just an alien.

The rebels are offered a base on Poln Minor in the Outer Rim. Since the Empire won't help them fight Nusoesva, the leaders of the planet turn to the Alliance asking for protection. The Emperor learns of two possible treasonous acts and deploys his Hand Mara Jade to determine the truth; if affirmed she is to kill the Governor of the Candoras sector, Bider Ferrouz and his accomplices. Han, Leia, and Luke head to Poln Major to find out if the governor's offer is authentic or a trap. Also on the planet are the disgruntled Hand of Judgment storm troopers who work to root out evil in the Empire. All will converge with betrayal and death the common denominators

It is amazing to see caring good people like Mara and the storm troopers Hand of Judgment believe that the Emperor is a kind person who cares for his subjects. That soul searching element enhances an action-paced space opera. Readers will praise Timothy Zahn as he captures the original essence of the Lucas pantheon; not an easy mission to achieve since this would make a fine movie number 4.5 (in between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back).

Harriet Klausner

9 out of 13 people found this review helpful.

Another solid Star Wars entry from Timothy Zahn

Man, I wish this guy could write ALL of the Star Wars books, instead of all the other stuff that has basically ruined the franchise (New Jedi Order, Fate of the Jedi, and Legacy of the Force series). If I ever find one of those books that I enjoy reading, I'll be sure to write a review here and let everyone know. This story (a prequel of sorts) kept me riveted to my nook screen the whole time. I read it as fast as I could, because I wanted to find out what happened next. I guess I'm a "core" fan, and favor minimal expansion. Oh, well, that's life. I like the stories that focus on Han Solo, Leia, Chewbacca, Luke, Darth Vader, Lando Calrissian, and so on. Timothy Zahn finally made the Expanded Universe worth investigating with his Thrawn Trilogy in 1992. He introduced Talon Karrde, Mara Jade, Grand Admiral Thrawn, the Noghri, Captain Paelleon, and others that were the perfect addition to the Star Wars Universe. Now, what, five novels and three novellas (not to mention all the shorts and comics and such), we have another good, solid (although short) saga continuation that ranks right up there with his best stuff. I don't want to reveal anything, but the story is a good one and a lot of the favorites are back: Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca and Leia feature prominently, as well as Mara Jade and Timothy Zahn's "501st" stormtroopers, "The Hand of Judgment" that we first saw in Allegiance, and Thrawn is here. No Lando and only a brief "cameo" type appearance by Darth Vader, and we have a pretty hefty ensemble of of established characters. A few new ones are thrown into the mix, and the stage is set for a slam-bang space opera, Timothy Zahn style. About the only gripe I can make about the story is it being a tad short. Forget about the canon-breaking meeting between Luke and Mara (although at a distance); this latest novella from Timothy Zahn is definitely a permanent addition to my regular cycle of reading for me to "get my Star Wars fix on". I just wish he could write more!! I've completely given up on the NJO, FotJ, and LotF series. I'll just not-so-patiently wait for the next Timothy Zahn book to come out.

6 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

Zahn has mastered the tone of Star Wars perfectly.

This book was great. Timothy Zahn has managed to keep the fast pace of all the best Star Wars movies. This particular story takes place between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back. It was great to see Thrawn put back into the storyline. I loved the way some of Thrawn's actions in this novel foreshadow events that will happen in Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Timothy Zahn has always done a remarkable job with the Star Wars Universe, and this novel is a worthy contribution.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

amazing from the very begining to the very end!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

awesome book by one awesome author!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 out of 10 people found this review helpful.

amazing book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

amazing from begining to end!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 out of 12 people found this review helpful.

Not one of my favorites but still good

This wasn't one of my favorite Timothy Zahn books. I prefer the ones that he's written that come post ROTJ.

However I did really enjoy reading about Mara Jade's early days as the Emperor's Hand. It's fascinating to see her unquestioning loyalty to the Empire and the Emperor himself.

It's great to get some backstory to fill in her past before Heir to the Empire. I hope he keeps writing more. I'd be especially keen to read a book that occurs during the events of ROTJ when we know Mara Jade is given her last mission.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

?

How many pages?

1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

MUST READ FOR ALL SW FANS!

Great book. I enjoyed Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire and subsequent books. This one goes above and beyond by pulling in multiple plots and stories to create a complex and shifting storyline.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Good stuff

Typical Zahn Star Wars. Comparatively speaking, Zahn is the only Star Wars literature worth reading. Always good, whether or not you like Star Wars.

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Timothy Zahn is Great!

I was near the edge of thinking that the Star Wars saga will just vanish and end because of the pretty awful books I have read from its line. However, after reading this in just 18 hours, take note, 18! My mood went from zero to sky high 10! This book is highly recommended.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Return of Zahn and Rebellion Era

So good to have Zahn book again. Taking place when it does and already knowing the past and future of these characters, Zahn does a great job of dropping little forshadowing comments here and there that just make you smile as you read...whether it be about the future relationship of Han and Leia, Luke and Mara, Thrawn and Pelleon, etc. it's all reminiscent of a time period where SW books were fun to read. I tend to gravitate to books between the Han Solo trilogy to 20 ABY that focus on the primary Solo/Skywalker clan and with that time period seemingly over in the SW writing galaxy, this definitely hit the spot and reminded me why I love reading SW books.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

The start of a new chapter in the Star Wars legend!

He got us started 20 years ago with the Thrawn trilogy and now he is jumping us back in it again. Zahn just knows how to get a reader hooked into reading. I believe this will be another jumping point and I cannot wait to read it. Putting this one on my buy list.

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

It is finally going to happen!

I was wondering when we were going to see the Hand of Judgement again. That story was too good to just end after only one book. Timothy Zahn is already the best author I have ever read (he should have written the Fate of the Jedi series), but I think he will have topped himself here. Can't wait to read it!

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

timothy zahn is one amazing author!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this book seriously is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

Great

Great

YAAAAH

Hand of Jugment and Mara Jade? Read Star wars: allegiance to understand, but great read! - Xanadu Blood, Expert Reviewer

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

TO ALL URGENT

What result is this where am i

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Jabba

Jabba jabba.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Laya towards yoda

Help, needed, res one."

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Rex Bladefont

Male bounty hunter. Works mainly for the republic but has done certain missions for the sith. Has a wide array of guns and a stolen black lightsaber. Cannot use the force.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.