While this book isn't as exciting as Heir to the Empire, and not as immensly well written as The Last Command, it's still an excellent book that is essential to understanding the whole trilogy. Since I consider this trilogy to be the cornerstone of Star Wars fiction, I would therefor recommend it to anyone, even the casual fan who would just kind of like to know what happened next. I would defenitely also recommend reading Heir to the Empire first, since otherwise this book will make no sense what so ever. For those of you just getting into Star Wars fiction, this is a very good place to start. In fact, I would even recommend reading this series before the ones set before it, since that way it will give a better general perspective of the overall story. Several important things happen in this series that have a profound effect on everything that comes after it, Han and Leia have their first children, Jacen and Jaina, the New Republic meets it's match (once again) and for that matter so does Luke. Anyway, the story of this book in particular basically revolved around a bunch of space battles in which everyone is fighting over the Katana Fleet, or the Dark Force, which is a fleet of dreadknots (or however that's spelled) that was lost some time ago. The smuggler Talon Karrde and his second in command Mara Jade know where it is, and promise to give it to the New Republic, something that makes Mara Jade (a former imperial assasin/spy with an intense hatred of Luke, and also happens to be highly force sensitive) very displeased. Meanwhile, a pregnant Leia is on Honoghor trying to consolidate the Noghri into joining the New Republic. Though, while this book is full to the brim with vivid battles of all kinds, there is plenty of character stuff to satisfy also. Original and new characters alike are portrayed magnificently, both in their personalities and in their interactions with the other characters. Another excellent thing about this series is that it is the official introduction of Mara Jade, who is possibly the coolest and most interesting character in Star Wars. Her interactions with Luke especially were superb, very fun and interesting. When I read this book for the first time I found it hard to believe those two were going to end up together, even if it does happen ten years later, but now the second time around I can see the subtle attraction developing between them. I think this will be a relationship I will enjoy for once, much better than Luke's other relationships (Gaeriel, Callista(gagging noises)) Anyway, this is an excellent book that I would definitely recommend to any Star Wars fan, child or adult.

Rating: 5 [ A Good Middle Section To The Thrawn Trillogy ]

Cases may be made, and not without justification, that Dark Force Rising suffers a bit from being the middle book in the trilogy. Maybe so, but that certainly doesn't stop it from being a very excellent book, with more than its share of merits.
Picking up right after Heir, Dark Force Rising takes what Zahn started with in the previous book and begins to build on his ideas. Leia visits the Noghri homeworld, Luke sets out to encounter C'boath and we are given an explination to many of the oblique refrences Grand Admiral Thrawn made about his master plan in Heir.
Very simply, Zahn blows away all other Star Wars authors in terms of his characterization of the majors players in the story. Thrawn is such a great opponent because he has a great deal of deapth (he is not just 'evil' like many other villians of the Star Wars Univese). He became my favorite Star Wars character almost right away. Karrde's gentleman smuggler quality makes him very different from other fringe characters in the universe. And who can ignore Mara Jade? Her bitter, cynical nature is a wonderful counter to the excessive optimism displayed by many Star Wars characters.
The only fault I have with Zahn is that he makes other Star Wars literature seem weak for comparison. Oh well, not everybody can be the best (though, we could afford to ban a few folks from writing Star Wars). Overall (if, somehow, you haven't figured it out by now) I highly reccomend this. After you read Heir To The Empire, of course.

Rating: 5 [ A Review About Star Wars Dark Force Rising ]

Star Wars Dark Force Rising is the sequel to Star Wars Heir to the Empire. Grand Admiral Thrawn is trying to find Karrde and the Katana Fleet. While Leia and Kabarahk go to Honoghr to get the other Noghri to get them to join the New Republic. Luke also goes to Jomark to find Jedi master Joruus C' Baoth.
Dark Force Rising is an excellent book. I recomend it for every Star Wars fan. It's great!

Dark Force Rising (Star Wars Vol. 2) (Audio Cassette)

Dark Force Rising (Star Wars Vol. 2)

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