World Famous Comics: Vision of the Future (Star Wars: The Hand of Thrawn, Book 2)
Vision of the Future (Star Wars: The Hand of Thrawn, Book 2)
By: Timothy Zahn Publisher: Spectra Average Rating: Binding: Mass Market Paperback Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 704 Publication Date: September 01, 1999 Release Date: September 01, 1999 Studio: Spectra
Amazon.com Review: Timothy Zahn finishes the two-part Hand of Thrawn series with Vision of the Future. In the first book, Specter of the Past, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo battled the minions of the evil Grand Admiral Thrawn, long presumed dead. In the sequel, our heroes must prevent civil war and ensure that Thrawn's plans for a triumphant Empire are thwarted. Intergalactic intrigue, space battles, and heart-pounding action will thrill Star Wars fans in this eagerly awaited novel. Zahn is one of the most popular interpreters of the Star Wars universe with good reason.
Product Description: Hugo Award-winning author Timothy Zahn brings his epic two-volume series The Hand of Thrawn to an explosive conclusion with a discovery that rocks the New Republic to its foundations--and threatens to resurrect the Empire.
The Empire's master plan is under way. The New Republic is on the verge of civil war and the rumor that the legendary Admiral Thrawn has returned from the dead is rallying the Imperial forces. Now Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and their allies face the challenge of their lives. They must infiltrate a hidden fortress filled with Imperial fanatics, rendezvous with a double-dealing Imperial commander, and journey into enemy territory to learn the identity of those responsible for an act of unthinkable genocide. But most important of all is the truth about Thrawn. In his hands--alive or dead--rests the fate of the New Republic.
Closure to the Thrawn Saga ^ While I must admit that I was not entirely comfortable with the premise of the resurrecting the Thrawn character for this two book series, "Vision of the Future" proves Timothy Zahn's skills in developing the Star Wars Universe. Though some subplots of the story may occupy to much time, the overall plot is fast moving and spends a reasonable amount of time in political and technical dialogue.
In their haste to spread their excitement about Luke Skywalker's new wife, many reviewers forget some of the other interesting aspects of this book. The complex character of Mara Jade is further developed. The conflict at the Hand of Thrawn, in which Mara and Luke bond, was the best developed portion of the plot. Not only is it a device to develop their relationship, but an interesting new life form whose naming system closely resembles American Indians, the Qon Qae. It is surprising that more characters in the Star Wars Universe do not communicate in a means similar to the Qon Qae.
While Zahn has done this well, it is my hope that Star Wars writers discontinue the use of cloning as a way to create villians for their stories. With the empire now seemingly disintegrated with General Pellaeon's surrender, the Thrawn character seems at an end. It is my hope that Zahn puts his talents to future Star Wars series, as he is among the best Star Wars writers.
Not Zahn's finest hour ^ Zahn's initial Thrawn Trilogy is widely respected to be the best Star Wars series, and rightfully so.
So I couldn't wait for the "Hand Of Thrawn" books to have. Still, I was highly dissapointed.
While the first 3 books dealt with an military genius forcing the desperate Alliance back (I finished each book in 2 days max.), these here "merely" deal with imposters and a possible civil war (the reasons for the aggression of several species towards the Bothans here are not really believable) and the attempts to prevent it.
The main flaw of the Hand Of Thrawn is that the plot is simply - boring. I found myself forcing to read part 1 and 400 pages of "Visions of the future" before the story finally speeded up and got intersting. Without loving the first Trhawn-trilogy, I doubt anybody would do that too :-/
Another big minus is the number of side plots - Luke & Mara (the best part - both attacking a Chiss fortess), Leia (Leia breaking diplomatic rules that easily?), Han & Lando (two well known heroes of the Rebellion strutting around on the Imperial homeworld for days without being recognized???), Karrde & Shada (really boring, but you can tell Zahn loves the characters he created...), Corran & Wedge (who - over the course of several chapters do or achieve: nothing), "Thrawn" , Mistryl assassin Karoly (doesn't drive the plot forward at all), Imperial saboteurs (this part actually is quite good), Bel Iblis (doing the usual "totally outnumbered and outgunned but still pulling a trick for the Empire" Rebel stunt), Admiral Pellaeon (trying to sign a peace treaty between the Empire and the Alliance - the most interesting part of the book), and a new faction - The Empire Of The Hand (this part would be really interesting, but isn't explored enough).
Add some ever repeating phrases ( "he/she grimaced" seems to be the standart reaction to about every sentence), add some bad logic (why did Mara and Luke go into the Chiss fortress a second time - achieving basically nothing and then just leaving for 3+ years) to it, mix it with the lack of excitement over the first 1100 pages of this duology, and you get an idea why Zahn failed to recreate the epic feeling the initial Thrawn trilogy had.
For absolute die-hard fans only.
All others should check out the more than excellent newer Zahn novel "Survivor's Quest", which basically is a sequel to the Hand Of Thrawn.
Second book in Hand of Thrawn series ^ Very good book; a nice footnote to the Thrawn series and addition to the Star Wars universe.
Fantastic! ^ If you've read other Star Wars novels by Timothy Zahn, you know he's the best author of the novels. Do yourself a favor and read the Thrawn trilogy. I'm still hoping Lucas will come to his senses and make a movie from those books.
Romance...the Star Wars way ^ I really like this book. Personally I am a fan of Luke and Mara and I have to had this book, I wanted to know how they end up together and even if some fans think they were more rational than passional, I think it is the Star Wars way for romance. They are two strong characters, they couldn't have a typical romance! I think it was very "in character" for them. The story is fast and entertaining, I like it, a lot.
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