Skip to main content

Dark Force Rising (Thrawn #2) by Timothy Zahn

"The second installment in the Thrawn trilogy has everyone scattering to different corners of the galaxy in search of information that will help them overthrow the Empire and increase the fledgling strength of the New Republic. But, of course, nothing's ever that simple and our stalwart group of heroes have to fight every step of the way just to survive. And a new threat revealed at the very end shows that the Empire may not be as scattered and weak as the New Republic had hoped. Cliffhanger!" 

3 Stars

Pros: Master C'Boath is crazy but in a delightfully, chaotic, Joker way/I can't help but love the Mara Jade/Luke Skywalker bristling tension.  

Cons: Zahn uses the word growl a lot, like, a surprising amount, I just found it odd that an editor wouldn't have picked up on that/Some of the political stuff was burdensome. 

Full Review: 

If you haven't read Heir to the Empire (Thrawn #1)  you'll want to do that first. 

After you've done that, feel free to pick up Dark Force Rising (Thrawn #2). 

Karrde been displaced by the Empire, forced to flee his base on Myrkyr. Han and Lando go off in search of a pilot or smuggler who they think has integral information for the New Republic. Luke goes off to find C'Boath, the man he knows called him through the Force not so long ago before he ended up on Myrkyr and Leia and Chewie head to the home planet of the Noghri people, to see if they can help get them out from under the Empires' thumb and convince them to join the New Republic. 

Of course, on her way back to join Karrde after running a routine errand/mission, Mara runs smack into the Chimaera, Thrawn's personal Star Destroyer. She's brought before him and is forced to reveal her past role as the Emperors Hand.  Thrawn sends her back to Karrde, saying that if she's truly loyal to the Empire, she'll bring him Karrde. She, of course, has no intention of betraying her friend but Thrawn already knew that, so his trap is sprung and Karrde is captured. Mara, seeing no other choice, finds Luke Skywalker and asks for his help in freeing Karrde. 

Leia goes off with Chewie to the home planet of the Noghri people, determined to try and get them to join the New Republic. She manages to convince them all that the Empires been lying to them for decades and they agree to help her, since she knows that the Empire is still after her and her unborn twins. 

Once Karrde is rescued, he gives the New Republic the coordinates of the Katana Fleet, a legendary collection of Dreadnaught class starships that everyone thought was ages centuries ago. In gratitude for saving him from interrogation and death, Karrde gives Leia the coordinates of the Katana fleet and they all go in search of the mystery ships.  

Nothing ever actually goes as planned and we're left with a delightful cliffhanger that will, of course, lead to the third and final installment of this trilogy. 

Karrde and Thrawn are both cool as cucumbers and I do appreciate a suave, sophisticated, intelligent villain. Karrde isn't a villain, per se, he just wants to stay as neutral as he can in this whole, galactic war but that seems to be less and less of an option as obstacles start piling up. Han, Leia, Lando and Chewie are doing everything they can to stay one step ahead of the Empire and just stay alive and of course, Luke and Mara just aren't quite sure how to feel about each other and it leads to all the brooding. 

Though the trilogy is proving to not be as edge of your seat, thrilling as it was when I first read it as a young adult, it's still enjoyable and I'm interested to see if The Last Command brings the trilogy to a satisfying end.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Animal Farm by George Orwell

"A blithe and scathing commentary on equality, power, corruption and how everyone is created equal, but...some are more equal than others. Orwell hit the nail right on the head with this novel and it's no wonder it's a staple for most high school curriculums. " 3 Stars.  Pros:  Benjamin the Donkey is the smartest animal on the farm and it would have done all the others a world of good if they had listened to him in the first place.  Cons:  The fact that societies like this actually do exist is nauseating and terrible. It's not a con, per se, it's just a gut wrenching fact.  Full Review:  When the overworked and mistreated Animals on Manor Farm decide to rise up and overthrow their cruel master, they're successful. They rebel and now find themselves with an entire Farm to run. They rename it Animal Farm and are intent on creating a paradise, where work and play are equal, where productivity is key but relaxation is a must and all the lives of all the animal...
Post a Comment
Read more

Fantastic Voyage by Isaac Asimov

"When a scientist, Benes, who has integral and world changing information attempts to defect and join our Side, he's injured. A blood  clot forms in his brain and the only way to save his life is to miniaturize the crew of the Proteus and inject them into Benes' body, so they can break up the blood clot from the inside. Of course, one thing after another goes wrong and every chapter is a new catastrophe but it was definitely a fantastic voyage.   2 Stars Pros:  Grant is one dry character but he's a welcome bit of amusement in an otherwise serious and scientific novel.  Cons:  Grant is also SUCH a man that he spends most of the mission staring at saving the one woman board, Cora./Definitely ripe with anatomical lessons and what part of the body they were in. Since I've never been great at anatomy, a lot of it was lost on me and became burdensome near the end.  Full Review: As in all things, there is a good side and a bad side. This book is very vague as...
Post a Comment
Read more

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick

“Rick Deckard is a Bounty Hunter who's on the trail of six "Andys" (Androids) who have come to Earth illegally. His job is to track them down and "retire" them. Something he found easy to do until he met her, Rachael Rosen. The Android that does the impossible, passes the "Voight-Kampff" test. The story quickly devolves into a slow, drawn out and frankly boring mystery that was putting me to sleep by the end."    ⭐⭐ Pros: I was more interested in comparing it to the film, "Bladerunner."/At first I kind of liked the drab, dreary atmostphere but it soon became soporific.  Cons: I had no real idea what was going on with Mercerism/The end there had me blinking in bewilderment, like with Herbert's 29th Dune Book/There was a lot of idle chit-chat while they were in murderous/intense situations, it just seemed odd.  Full Review:  Rick Deckard, a Bounty Hunter, contracted with the San Francisco Police Department hunts down and retires rogue ...
Post a Comment
Read more