Summary: Sequel to Heir to the Empire. Princess Leia goes to visit the Noghri (a slave race to the Empire and Thrawn in particular) to try and convince them to join the New Republic. Thrawn is looking for the legendary Dark Force fleet, a group of battleships lost in deep space. However, the smuggler Talon Karrde and his assistant Mara Jade (who, by the way, has a lifelong ambition to kill Luke) know where the Dark Force may be found. Meanwhile, Luke contacts C'Baoth to continue his training, not knowing that C'Baoth is on the Dark Side.

Review: Personally, I don't like it quite as much as the first one, but still excellent, and one of my favorites! Also introduces Mara Jade, who has become a favorite character of fans everywhere. Once again, Zahn shows masterful writing style, and leaves readers with a cliff-hanger ending that sends them scrambling to the bookstore to buy the 3rd book! Rating: ****1/2

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