Product Description
A team of elite fighter pilots, led by Adam Quinn, embarks on a perilous mission to rescue Commander Pheylan Cavanagh, the sole survivor of an attack by a race of aliens who now hold him captive. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (38)

Nothing like the Star Wars books Timothy Zahn has written.
Timothy Zahn is a master of his craft, as he proves with the Conquerors Trilogy. When I picked up this book years ago, I was expecting an original, gripping world of the far future... and I was not disappointed. After a taskforce encounters a new race and gets slaughtered, the alien Conquerors take a prisoner- a member of the influencial Cavanaugh family. When the family finds out, they illegally assemble a rescue party to find him.
I like the alien Zhirrzh- they're original and really cool, and the human characters- though a little static- help the twists and turns along. I'd recommend this book for all sci-fi lovers.

Don't waste your time or money.
This is the first book of a trilogy, none of them are worth reading. I bought all three for a dollar at a charity used book sale and feel like I paid too much. But read all three because they were on hand, I'd already paid for them and I needed some brain dead diversion between more difficult tasks.

The plot line is hackneyed, the execution by the numbers, and the resolution completely unsatisfying. These books may be entertaining for a young person just getting into action scifi, but most adults or science fiction veterans will have instant deja vu for any number of works that have covered this territory better.

Great first book in the series
I just finished this one, and am looking forward to getting the others in the series.Zahn creates great characters:flawed and lovable, and believable.The Science Fiction (note the capitalization) is good; not a lot of details, but enough made-up buzzwords and close-to-current technology to let your brain deal with the gap.

The Commonwealth (an association of spacefaring races, including Earth) is being threatened by a new race, called The Conquerors.At the center of the book is the Cavanaghs:Stewart, the father, a former high-ranking politician; two sons, Pheylan, the physical one, and Aric, the thinker; and Melinda, the daughter, a surgeon and pretty middle-of-the-road between the brothers.I'll not spoil the fun, but there are no Star Trek-like, miraculous inventions to save the day.Some lucky breaks, and lots of times when you think, Yeah, I saw that coming -- but enough surprises to make it fun also.

An easy read; if you are looking for an Asimov-weight book, or a Niven-like explanation of a really cool technology, you've come to the wrong place.Zahn is more about characters, politics, and subterfuge; his stories just happen to occur in the future, so you can warp around the universe looking for your loved ones.

Highly recommended; 5 out of 5 stars.

A fun Trilogy
I thoroughly enjoyed this series, the read is fast, and the approach to the story makes it very fun

Decent plot, little depth
The plot of this book is adequate. As you may have read in other reviews, an alien species attacks. Our protagonists are all human, the race that is first among equals of the space federation which keeps the peace. The federation has a doomsday weapon it hasn't used for decades, some species of the federation don't like the way the humans run the show, the new aliens are truly alien. It's a pretty good setup.

But the execution is wooden. The characters are cardboard-like, the few aliens we meet get a page of dialogue each and are then gone, and there are three parallel stories which all get too little treatment to be interesting. Characters are either good or evil and their motives are simplistic and along the lines of "find my son", "dislike main character", "be loyal bodyguard", etc.

BEGIN, SPOILERS: And the author even makes characters this thin behave in unnatural ways. For example, a career soldier and politician who spent 20 years containing the threat from one warlike alien species lands on their planet. After two pages of dialogue, he has been convinced that they aren't warlike at all. A page or two later, he commits high treason against the federation to help them. In another passage, the good guys (who are civilians) somehow forge orders to get a squadron of space fighters sent to them. They then explain to the fighter pilots how they are looking for a relative in hostile territory and need help. Half the pilots agree to ignore the impending war and go AWOL to help out. Come on.
END, SPOILERS

Wooden characters are nothing new in sci-fi. Think about Asimov's or Clarke's work. The difference is that their stories had interesting science in them (the Foundation, laws of robotics, century-long space travel, etc). "Conqueror's Pride" doesn't. So I found myself not caring what happened to these simplistic characters with weird behavior as the flitted by half a dozen uninteresting worlds.

Not my cup of tea, but I see others liked it. If you like straight-forward action and spy stories in a sci-fi setting and you don't care much about character development, this may be for you. ... Read more

Product Description
From Timothy Zahn, Hugo Award winner and New York Times bestselling author of two landmark Star Wars® series, comes anoriginal new tale featuring a renegade space pilot, his unusual alien partner, and an unknown cargo that can change the course of galactic history.

Jordan McKell has a problem with authority. Unfortunately for him, the iron-fisted authority of the powerful Patthaaunutth controls virtually every aspect of galactic shipping. In order to survive, Jordan ekes out a living dabbling in interstellar smuggling for outlaw concerns that represent the last vestiges of free trade in the galaxy. So when Jordan and his partner, Ixil--an alien with two ferret-like "outhunters" linked to his neural system--are hired by a mysterious gentleman to fly a ship and its special cargo to Earth, they jump at the job.

Caution has never been one of Jordan's strong suits. But this time he may have taken on more than even he can handle. The ship, Icarus, turns out to be a ramshackle hulk, the ragtag crew literally picked up off the street, and the cargo so secret, it's sealed in a special container that takes up most of the cramped and ill-designed ship. As if that weren't bad enough, it looks like the authorities already suspect something is afoot, there's a saboteur aboard, and the Icarus appears to be shaking apart at the seams.

It doesn't seem as if things could get any worse. That is, until a beautiful crew member helps McKell uncover the true nature of the cargo he's carrying. With his enemies closing in on the lumbering Icarus, the unknown saboteur still aboard, and authorities on Earth pressured to turn them in, McKell and Ixil become fugitives. Their only chance is to stay one step ahead of their pursuers as they try to make it home.

A bold and epic novel filled with unrelenting action and a good dose of humor, The Icarus Hunt is a wild hyperspace romp through the galaxy.Amazon.com Review
Jordan McKell thinks he's pretty unlucky, but most of us wouldgladly trade places with him. He's a freelance star-freighter captainwho plies the hyperspace folds between worlds, trading exotic goodsand meeting bizarre aliens. His latest job, to pilot the Icarusand its sealed cargo to earth, seems simple enough, but it rapidlyturns into a crisis of interstellar proportions. The man who hired himgoes missing, governments and the underworld alike put a price on theIcarus and on McKell's head, and one of his crew ismurdered. He'll need to call upon his wits, his courage, and even afew tricks if he wants to survive.

Space opera veteran TimothyZahn, a Hugo award winner and author of the bestselling StarWars Thrawntrilogy, brings us a tale that's as convoluted and complex as ahyperdrive motor. Although there's plenty of action both in space andon the ground, The Icarus Hunt is primarily a murdermystery. Chapter by chapter, even page by page, the list of suspectsand their motivations grows and evolves, constantly shifting as McKellrelentlessly cuts through webs of deception and subterfuge. But themurder is only the opening move in a game that could alter the powerstructure of hundreds of solar systems. Zahn always provides anentertaining ride through the galaxy, and readers will find him verymuch in his element with this book. --J.B. Peck ... Read more

Customer Reviews (81)

Zahn is king...
Timothy Zahn's ability to weave an intricate tale that grabs a hold of the reader is without a doubt atop a very short list. In the Icarus Hunt we find that all that appears at face value is not what it seems. A ruthless organization violently stalks the crew as it speeds towards earth. Along the way the captain must question his crew, his mission, his ability and his employers. As evil closes in the fog surrounding all is lifted and we find that even that which is set in stone is turned upside down. The book is of course well written, as it is a Zahn book we should expect no less, and the story is very well thought out, but for me the story lacked a certain umphh. The characters were great the action was fun but if I had to grade the book I'd say 4/5 stars all-around and a 3/5 stars on the epic scale.

Jolly Good Romp!
I've prided myself on being a fan of "hard SF" - When my daughter gave this to me as a gift, I was obligated to read it...My thoughts before I started was less than open minded. I had never heard of Mr Zahn before, and, I had about 4 other books sitting awaiting my opening. I may sound like a snob, and I guess I am when it comes to what I like and don't like. But, I couldn't let my baby girl down and not read her "gift". What a very pleasant surprise it was! While not in the pigeon hole of hard sf, it was a very fun ride. Mr Zahn develops some very interesting characters along with a story line that kept you wanting to pick the book up at the first opportune time. I enjoyed it so much, I went on Amazon and ordered some of his earlier works. Thank you baby girl for the gift and thank you Timothy Zahn for knowing how to write a good story!

A Who Done It In Space
This is the first Timothy Zahn book I've read but it won't be the last.It started out as an adventuresome science fiction novel and then swung unexpectedly into a mystery equal to Sherlock Holmes(delightfully twisted). The ending was unpredictable but great.My older teen daughters also enjoyed it and they don't typically go for science fiction.They were a little disappointed that there wasn't more romance but there was sufficient male female involvement and they just got sucked in!One DD read it, then her sis and then of course I wasn't going to be left out.

Space Opera/ Mystery Story Triumph
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel about a debt-laden smuggler who accepts what he believes is an unusual (for him) legitimate job flying a cargo to Earth.He quickly discovers that he is actually smuggling a universe shattering (politically speaking) alien device.

This novel is combination space opera/mystery/political thriller.If you're looking for hard Sci-Fi, this is probably not your cup of tea.There is no social commentary.Nor is there any navel-gazing or nerdy commentary on intricate future technology.

As far as offensive content the story has no offensive sexual content and not much profanity.Obviously there is violent content.

Zahn's absolute best!!!
I started reading as a Star Wars fan and found that Timothy Zahn wrote some of my favorite books. (Thrawn Tirlogy and Duology).

I quickly traversed to his other works and happened upon this book.

A quick and interesting note is that all of Zahn's works are loosely connected by a time line.

Books like Manta's Gift are set in the near future when Humans are first begining to explore out beyond the planet Earth.The conqueror's trilogy is set with some of the first contact with an Alien species, and the Icarus Hunt is set further in the future where man has explored farther into the reaches of space and has met all sorts of new races in far of galaxies.

However this book seems to reach beyond all the others as the most perfect all-rounded work that Zahn has put together.

The book reads exquisitely, putting the reader in the center of the action by writing in first person.

The story follows our hero through a thought random contract to move a mysterious ship across the galaxies to Earth, with a random crew who all have their own secrets.

If your a sci-fi, mystery, or Zahn fan, this one is for you.It has Aliens, action, mystery, and plenty of unexpected twists and turns, right up to the very end!

A wild ride, and I admit, the only book I have ever read more than once! ... Read more

Product Description
Mara Jade is beautiful, intelligent--and deadly! She is the personal assassin of the Empire`s dark overlord. But after the Emperor`s death, an unforeseen variable is about to enter the scene of her final mission, the assassination of the leader of the Black Nebula crime organization. Though her master is dead, Jade must complete her final mission...even if it costs her life! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (33)

The Emperor's Hand
Reading "Star Wars: Mara Jade by the Emperor's Hand" along with Timothy Zahn's "Allegience" tie-in novel gives you a great way to know Mara Jade in her pre-Luke Skywalker days.

As the Emperor's Hand, Mara Jade has it all - looks, brains, a personal spacecraft and droid, a power-boost in the Force courtesy of Emperor Palpatine, and every means available to carry out her assignments.When the Emperor dies aboard the Second Death Star, Mara's life crashes and burns while her Force skills atrophy.She's then imprisoned by Palpatine's self-appointed successor, Imperial Director Ysanne Isard, who fears that Mara's insider knowledge of the Empire threatens Isard's powerbase.Mara uses her skill and cunning to escape and flee into outer space to far-off planets, where her adventures continue as she resolves to carry out Palpatine's last two commands:Assassinate Dequc, leader of the Black Nebula crime syndicate, and then kill Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker.

To call this tale a page-turner is an understatement.Timothy Zahn and co-writer Michael A. Stackpole do a terrific job of telling her story up to the Emperor's demise and beyond in true cloak-and-dagger style.The artwork is excellent and I love the different costumes that Mara wears in different situations.But I have a few minor quibbles.Mara is supposed to be two years younger than Luke Skywalker, but here she looks 31 as compared to his age of 23.Another thing I noticed is that Mara and Isard have near-identical faces; you'd think they were fraternal twins.Still another problem is the periodic narration.It's told in the first-person up to Mara's capture by Isard, then it disappears during Mara's imprisonment and comes back in the second-person after her escape.It's like somebody either gradually forgot or lost track of the fact that there was supposed to be first-person narration sprinkled throughout the tale, as if these were personal memories recorded by Mara herself.

The Best Comic Series Featuring Mara Jade
This is really excellent in fact it sells it short calling it a mere comic book.As it is an excellent graphic novel.The art and writing are top form.

Good for those who want to see Mara's missions as emperers hand or former emperors hand.Obviously before Heir to the Empire.Before She met Luke Skywalker and her destiny changed forever.

Everything Done Right, Don't Miss This
By the Emperors Hand is "hands down" one of the best comic series that dark horse has produced.It's smart and interesting while keeping up the action and suspense.Stackpole and Zahn are known for solid work individually, this has the polish of great minds in collaboration.Nearly everything is a win, most notably the dialogue is even sharp and witty, which is something I never expect in star wars comics.Most importantly the story is extremely strong.It has mystery, intrigue and dynamic characters that keep things moving in a highly enjoyable way.

All too often star wars characters have the superman problem.They are just too strong and generally unstoppable.Mara is fallible but clever and ultimately lovable.I share many other reviewers issue that this simply wasn't long enough.I want more!


I disagree with other reviewers.The artwork is a clear B.Technically it's simple and gets the point across but it lacks the polish of comics like Knights of the Old Republic.However, the artwork manages to convey action very very well.

Mara Jade: By the Emperor's Hand (Star Wars)
The story was a 3 but the art work was a 5 so I split the difference and gave it a 4. Overall I enjoyed reading it.

Typical darkhorse
Go read the novel instead. The art will be better if you imagine it instead. As usual darkhorse has a bad track record when it comes to artists. As soon as i opened it, i knew i was in trouble. Why cant they get someone like Jim Lee? ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (12)

The third Dragonback novel - Jack becomes a slave
Dragon And Slave is the third book in Timothy Zahn's Dragonback series, picking up shortly after where Dragon and Soldier left off. As readers of the first two books will know, Jack, an orphan con-artist/thief (reformed, he insists) and Draykos, a warrior/poet of the dragon-like K'da, are working against a deadline to find out who was behind the attack on the advance fleet of refugee ships that Draykos' people were traveling on, an attack that left Draykos the only survivor. They only have two clues -- that the attack was carried out by mercenaries, and that the mercenaries had aliens known as Brummgas in their ranks.

Having been unsuccessful in their efforts to uncover information by joining a mercenary group, Jack and Draykos now turn to their only other option - infiltrating a prominent Brummga estate on their home world and accessing their computers for records on Brummgas in mercenary groups.Unfortunately, the only way Jack can get into such a household is as a slave.It's another desperate move, even more than joining up to be a mercenary was, but again Jack and Draycos are working against an ever-shortening deadline: they must find out who was behind the attack in order to save the rest of the refugee fleet that will arrive in less than six months time.

Zahn does come up with some clever tricks for getting Jack sold and into the Brummga estate, and even more for getting him out of it later on.And Zahn does a good job of conveying just what it means to be a slave and to have that be the only life some have ever known (one can only wish Zahn had given some pointers to George Lucas before he made The Phantom Menace).

"Jack clutched at the hand wrapped around his neck, gasping for breath. He tried to say something -- to plead, to apologize, to say _anything_. But he couldn't get any words out past that grip. Maybe the Bruggma was too drunk to know what he was doing.
--He looked around frantically, at least as far around as he could with his head held this way. If someone else was paying attention to what was happening here -- if he could just signal that the drunken Brummga was in danger of killing a valuable slave.
--They _were_ watching. They were watching, and laughing, and cheering their drunken friend on.
--And with that the message finally got through. The message that the berry-picking and the slave colony and even the hotbox hadn't been able to teach him.
--No one cared about him here. No one cared if he was happy or hungry, or whether he lived or died. He was a slave. He was property. He was a child's toy.
--And if he got broken, well, Her Thumbleness would just go back out through the thorn hedge to the toy store and pick out something else."

The action is not as fast-paced as it was in Dragon And Soldier, but Dragon and Slave is still a fairly quick read. My only quibble, and it's not a small one, is that on a couple of occasions in the book, some of Jack's actions are determined by the needs of the plot rather than what the character seems like they would actually be doing. I can't go into specifics without giving things away, but one involves Jack (and Draykos) accepting something without being suspicious when they have very good reasons to be, and the other involves them simply letting a key adversary go when they have every reason to want to hang on to him, at least for a while. For this reason, I'm rating this volume 3 stars instead of 4, which is what I gave to the first two Dragonback books.

All in all though, this is a still a good continuation of the series and we can see Jack and Draycos continuing to evolve as characters. Recommended.

Dragonback Adventures
I got the first book in the series back when it first became available and loved it. Never managed to get the rest of the series though. Then month before last when I was going through all my books getting ready for a move I found my old copy, reread it, and decided it was imperative to my future that I finished the series.
Got on Amazon, ordered the 2nd, and kept going. I like the series just as much as I did in my teens and still plan on finishing it.
Zahn has a way of making things easily understood without being juvenile. Young adult to actual adult to child-at-heart should all enjoy this read. I've shared it with several friends, younger and older, and have gotten positive responses from all.
Most definitely worth my and your time.

Great Book!!!
Great book.Well written with characters that you will love.The entire series will keep you enthralled.

Freedom
The story line is great and it was nice to have some additional background themes for kids to read about, such as: freedom, choice, doing what's right, etc.

A Wild Ride
In the effort to help Draycos find the mercenaries that attacked his advance team, Jack gets himself sold into slavery. In the process, he finds the information he's seeking, and frees some slaves in the bargain. The climax of this story has to be read to believed. Zahn is at his best in getting his characters in a tight spot and then getting them out again. ... Read more

Product Description
Five years after the fall of the Empire, Luke Skywalker is the first in a new line of Jedi Knights. Han Solo and Princess Leia have married, together assuming many burdens of the New Republic's government. But across the galaxy lies a dying part of the Empire - all the more dangerous near death - and it has just discovered something that could bring it back to life! The last of the Emperor's warlords, Admiral Thrawn, is ready to destroy the New Republic - and the odds are stacked heavily against Luke, Leia, and Han! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

A masterpiece
I first read this book 15 years ago, and it hasn't lost its magic. While much of the rest of the Star Wars Expanded Universe has become bogged down with irrelevant characters and unrealistic plot twists, Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire Trilogy actually manages to recapture the feeling of the original Star Wars trilogy. The original characters all play great roles and the ploy is well paced. More important, this book introduced several of the Expanded Universe's most beloved characters, from Mara Jade to Grand Admiral Thrawn. The illustrations are a great way to bring this trilogy to live. Overall, this trilogy is required reading for any Star Wars fan (the other books - not so much).

Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy
I read all three of these books in paperback format and they were excellent. I only collect hardcover books now that I have a Kindle and purchased this one and it was quickly received and in excellent condtion. Fabulous and thanks!!!!

...Incredible
This is Part 7, 8, and 9 if there ever could be such things. This is as close as it gets. This is the real deal. If You like/dislike the works of Stackpole, Perry, etc., THIS IS FOR YOU! I could read this 1,000 times over, again and again, and still enjoy it as much as day one. While I admit the actual books/novels are better, comics are excellent (Yes, I still read the comics every Sunday paper). Especially ones with such consistently AWESOME artwork, plus a killer story to boot that is carried over pretty darn good as far as most comic adaptations go. To me, this is like Slayer - Divine Intervention. Sure, it is no Slayer - Reign In Blood, but @%?#*!$ DARN DOES IT RULE! INTENSITY IN TEN CITIES! DOUBLE LIVE AT BOODOKAN! SCHWING! AWDE-AWDE! Enough said.

An "Essential" Star Wars graphic novel
I am a member of the generation that came of age between the two trilogies, the original trilogy and the prequel trilogy. Being that I was 2 years old when Return of the Jedi hit the big screen I never had the pleasure of witnessing the orignal movies in their theatrical glory. In fact, by the time I was even able to comprehend what Star Wars was, Star Wars was already on VHS, and the all toys belonged to my friends' older brothers. Growing up in the late 80s to the early 90s, I had no new movies or toys to spark my interest in Star Wars.

During this time, the forefront of the Star Wars continuity was the Expanded Universe(EU). The EU was all we really had, and if it wasn't for the EU the prequel trilogy, and all of its spinoffs and merchandise, would not exist to this day. If there are two things that really launched the EU and created a new generation of fans at the time, they would have to be the DARK EMPIRE series by Dark Horse Comics, and the Thrawn Trilogy written by Timothy Zahn.

Not long after Dark Horse started making comics, and the Thrawn Trilogy was written, these two juggernauts of EU awesomeness married to give us a comic book series based upon the Thrawn Trilogy. Originally released as single issue comics, available at stores, recently these comics have been compiled to a collection or graphic novel. This was music to my ears,bceause I was never able to track down all the comics when they originally came out.

Enough with the history lesson. This Collection is an excellent buy. For one, it is hardcover and for the price I bought it on Amazon, it was $20 under the suggested retail price. Secondly, it is thick (it has all three stories). You defenitely get the most bang for your buck, when you consider that you are getting all three stories for slightly more than you would have to pay just to buy one.

Some would complain that it is not as in depth as the book, well no crap, it's a comic book. It is not meant to replace the original novels (which I defenitely recommend). This collection is an excellent companion to the Thrawn Trilogy.

The art work in my opinion is pretty awesome. I might be a bit nostalgic but I really liked the artwork during this era of Star Wars comics.

In summary if you are a fan of Star Wars you will love this item, if you are a fan of the EU you will adore it, and if you are a fan of the Thrawn Trilogy you will not be able to live without it. (Maybe a bit too dramatic)

Great Birthday Present
Got this for a Star Wars fan who has it all. He really enjoyed it, even though he's read the book. This is something he can enjoy with his kids. ... Read more

Product Description
Includes an exclusive excerpt from the eagerly anticipated novel STAR WARS: SURVIVOR'S QUEST by Timothy Zahn (Hardcover, on-sale: February 3, 2004) and an interview with the author.

THE EMPIRE STRIKES A DEAL

The history of the planet Kariek has been one of seemingly endless violence— thanks to the constantly erupting revolutions among the many divided tribes of the native Eickarie race battling for dominance. Yet none of these tribes has held sway since a mysterious Warlord and his legion of alien mercenaries seized power and began a fifty-year reign of terror.

Now, at last, the tide may be turning: the leaders of the warring Eickarie factions have forged an alliance—strong enough to capture a city and corner the Warlord and his minions in their fortress. And the post-Palpatine Empire of the Hand is lending support to this revolt against tyranny by deploying no less a fighting force than the Imperial 501st Legion of stormtroopers.

Once infamously known as “Vader’s Fist,” the legendary 501st are the best men for the dangerous objective at hand—capturing the Warlord alive. It’s a risky mission that might be jeopardized when Imperial unit commander Twister and his comrades, Shadow, Cloud, and Watchman, are waylaid by a band of zealous freedom fighters, armed with their own agenda . . . and plenty of firepower. The Eickarie renegades—determined to free hundreds of their people from the Warlord’s dungeons—have an offer to make, and a strategy that could give the Imperials the edge in the bloody showdown to come. But can Twister and his men trust their new allies? Or will they get more than they bargain for? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Too short, not enough story
For whatever reason, Star Wars short stories are a bit of a hit or miss. The "Tales of..." are great in that they explain background characters. However, Fool's Bargain didn't really fit the bill. It's a short story about a relatively minor and unmemorable character from Timothy Zahn's Survivor's Quest (Star Wars). The story itself is basically about stormtroopers storming a fortress with some mysterious Warlord. Unlike most of Zahn's other work, this is mostly a book of action, not intricate plot development. In fact, the story ends with an exciting twist, but doesn't develop it. I feel like this short story would have been better had it been about a character we all know and love, or included a really interesting plot twist. Also, just to note, this same story is included in the paperback copy of Survivor's Quest (Star Wars), so there's no need to buy the separate Kindle version.

Enjoyable Imperial slice-of-life story
Timothy Zahn's Fool's Bargain is a short story originally published in e-book form and set before the events of his novel Survivor's Quest. This tale covers an assignment Aurek Company of the Imperial 501st receives on the embattled planet Kariek. The focus is on the four troopers who comprise Aurek-Seven and in particular their leader Twister. This is the same squad that plays a part in Survivor's Quest, minus one personnel change which is detailed in this story. There aren't many Expanded Universe stories that take the Imperial point of view, so this is a welcome perspective here. By this stage in the galaxy's history, years after the Battle of Endor, certain elements of the Empire have developed a more enlightened perspective of the universe around them. These troopers are honorable soldiers fighting for a government they believe in, one that no longer ruthlessly oppresses subject populations but rather plays more of a protector role.

The Empire of the films is notably a human-centric organization. Zahn opens the door to alien Imperials in this story with the introduction of Su-mil, an Eickarie and a Kariek native swept up in a civil war. There is a clever bit of deception on Su-mils part involving the Eickarie concept of a lie (they term a lie "left-handed," vs. a truth which is "right-handed" - this must be awkward for the native left-handed Eickaries!). By fighting together, Twister sees a potentially valuable ally in Su-mil and we get a perspective of how a stormtrooper unit might be something a soldier would actually aspire to join, rather than simply being cannon fodder for Rebel heroes.

All in all, Fool's Bargain is an enjoyable vignette of Imperial life that expands a bit on characters from Survivor's Quest and also provides an interesting preview of the Imperial perspective Zahn went on to explore more thoroughly in his novel Allegiance. It can be purchased in electronic form and is also available in the paperback version of Survivor's Quest (Star Wars).

Star Wars: Fool's Bargain
As an ebook it reads very well on my Kindle, but it really doesn't seem to belong where it is. Maybe at the end of The Dark Nest Trilogy or Legacy of the Force, but it just seems not to have a place it belongs in the Star Wars universe. At least not to me.

Great e-book, but wait until Amazon gets CORRECTED copy.
Just received 'Fool's Bargain' today.It's basically a prequel for one of the characters in 'Survivor's Quest.'A good quick read, with one minor flaw.The MS Reader version available from Amazon (as of 2/24/04) is MISSING the conclusion to the story (probably only 2 or 3 pages) after page 86.The whole e-book is (currently) 95 pages including a 9-page interview with the author. So please, wait until Amazon has the corrected version online before purchasing.Either that or try the PDF version. ... Read more

Product Description
Angelmass, a black hole deep in space, emits "angels," small particles that render humans calm, reasonable, and virtually incapable of lying. The Empyrean,human colonies in the far reaches of the galaxy, has discovered the angels and the power they wield. All members of Empyrean government must carry an angel.

The Earth-based Empire, the Pax, view the angels as an alien plot to subvert humanity. They dispatch Jereko Kosta, an innocent academic, to spy on the Empyrean and find out the truth about angels. With Chandris, a grifter who dogs his steps, he enlists on an "angel-hunting" ship. Close up, Kostas learns the angels may be more dangerous than the Pax fear.

Before he can react, the Pax dispatches their most powerful warship to confront the Empyrean. Now, Kosta and Chandris, among the few who know the truth about the angels, stand between the Empyrean, the Pax, and war.
Amazon.com Review
How does Hugo-winner Timothy Zahn turn an otherwise straightforward SF page-turner into something truly interesting? With one of the oldest shticks in the book: the good ol' black-hole-that-spits-out-quantum-particles-of-human-goodness trick.

Of course, that's not exactly an old sci-fi shtick, but the essence of it (and its effect) is: the ever-clever Zahn has taken a very cool idea--what if there were quantum particles (or whatever) that compelled people to act ethically--and then explored the impact that might have, in this case on a society and its internal and external interactions. The particles in question are called "angels," and the interstellar alliance known as the Empyrean has been blessed with Angelmass, the eponymous black hole that emits them. The greedy, Earth-based Pax empire sees these angels as a brainwashing alien invasion and threatens to invade the Empyrean itself to set things straight. Thrown into the fray to explicate the implications are a bumbling but earnest Pax scientist-spy, a pretty young grifter, a brother-sister pair of grizzled space vets, and an Empyrean High Senator who fears the complacency that angels have bred into his society.

Fast, fun, and thought-provoking, Angelmass combines Star Wars-style action (which Zahn knows well) with enough substance to satisfy a more serious reading. --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

Amazon lies
Amazon says this book is one of my recommendations, but I have never read it nor have I ordered it from Amazon.

A near-flawless story
Timothy Zahn does a great job developing his characters in this mysterious sci-fi thriller. One thing I like about Zahn's writing is how he draws the reader into his compelling stories, and "Anglemass" is no exception. I really like how much depth there is to the plot and characters and how we gradually learn more and more as the story progresses about these objects called "angels" that come from this strange, large object in outer space called Anglemass. Atomic physician Jereko Costa has been sent by the Pax Empire to spy on the smaller, weaker Empyrean Empire and to also learn more about the angels, which exist in Empyrean space. At one point he encounters a young woman named Chandris Lalasha, who is a thief on the run from her dangerous ex-boyfriend, and the two end up teaming up together to help each other out. It's a very interesting story, although the ending might be a little anticlimactic for some people. It's kind of abrupt and doesn't have a whole lot of action like one would expect with a story like this. I think 4.5 stars might be a more accurate rating because of that, but because that isn't an option I decided to round up because Zahn does a great job telling this story, and the plot is wrapped up nicely in the end. What really drives this story is the characters and the plot. That's where Zahn excels, and that's the main focus of Angelmass; not just the action as the case may be for some sci-fi authors (though the story gave me the impression that there would be more action toward the end than there really was). The ending was completely unpredictable, and it gives the reader something to think about once they finish reading the book.

This is one of those rare and special sci-fi novels that anyone can enjoy. It's a very engaging and well-written story. It's entertaining, it's unpredictable, it has interesting characters, and the story gives the reader a lot to ponder. Zahn has written some really good sci-fi novels over the years (most of which are Star Wars books), and Angelmass, I think, is one of his best.

Entertaining story
This was a good page turner with an intriguing storyline concerning "Angels" (black hole particles) that are worn by high ranking politicians.The characters were interesting, and the story was fast paced.It would have received 5 stars, but there was one subplot that seemed a little weak/rushed (I won't spoil anything).Overall, a good story.

Another Very Good Zahn Title
Angelmass is not without its defects.The universe in which it is set is fairly uncreative, although Zahn manages to come up with some interesting hyperspace technologies and a few interesting political dynamics.The premise is interesting and thought-provoking, but frankly not very plausible.The book is a little too long, a little too repetitive, and a little too light on action.It is also scientific-jargon-heavy, so stay away if that bothers you.But for all that, it still manages to be an excellent read.By far its greatest virtue is its characters.They are nuanced and full-bodied, and we see them transformed over the course of the book.By the end their transformation contributes to a larger philosophical premise, which is that it is fear that makes us do "evil" things.Zahn's writing style is another major plus.As usual, it is crisp and glides along nicely without seeming too prosaic.

The readers who will probably enjoy this most are those who enjoy his Star Wars novels but are looking for something a bit meatier from his pen.For something completely different, try Manta's Gift instead.

A(completewasteoftime)ngelmass
Honestly, complete rubbish. Paper thin characters and an even thinner plot. I picked this up in the library; had I paid for this I would be thoroughly pissed. ... Read more

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.




© 1998 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM
All rights reserved. Used under authorization.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, LukeSkywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo battled the minions of the evilGrand Admiral Thrawn, long presumed dead. In the sequel, our heroes mustprevent civil war and ensure that Thrawn's plans for a triumphant Empireare thwarted. Intergalactic intrigue, space battles, and heart-poundingaction will thrill Star Wars fans in this eagerly awaited novel. Zahn isone of the most popular interpreters of the Star Wars universe with good reason. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (338)

Very good
As expected from Zahn's previous star wars books this one was fantastic, great to have the old characters back and possibly just as good as the original thrawn trilogy.If you liked his previous books then these are definately worth your while, just a pity the stories can't go on and on....Definately up there with my favourite star wars reads.

Great political intrigue, but a bit much
Of all the Star Wars Expanded Universe books, this one and its predecessor Specter of the Past (known as the Thrawn Duology) are second only to Timothy Zahn's original Heir to the Empire Trilogy. The political intrigue in this book is riveting, with a brilliant plot twist - the discovery of a document implicating Bothan spies in mass murder - that throws the New Republic into chaos.

My favorite parts of the book are those dealing the Imperials. I really appreciate that Zahn cares about his villains as much (if not more so) than the heroes. Gilad Pelleon in particular has some thoughtful dialogue as he tries to convince the Empire that peace is the only alternative. I also thought Zahn treated Mara Jade and Luke with great respect, subtly moving their relationship from awkwardness to romance. It's very nicely done and never anything abrupt. In terms of character development, Zahn is the master in the Star Wars universe.

As much as I liked the plot twist, I thought the book just spread itself a bit too thin and tried to cover too much. For example, it throws a lot of Expanded Universe names out there, like Corran Horn and Kueller. I've read the books involving those characters, but don't remember the details, and so lost some of the references Zahn made. At some points, Zahn seemed to want to cram some of his favorite characters into the plot, even when they don't advance the story much at all. Shada the Mistryl for example has some points to add to the story, but often just seems like an unrealistically omnipotent bodyguard (she can even take out Noghri!). Meanwhile, some characters are sent on side quests that just seem to be worth following all that much. I would have preferred if Zahn had consolidated the plot threats and focused more on the tensions within the New Republic. I don't think I'm alone in this because this second book is almost 700 pages long, or twice the length of the first one!

Overall, I definitely recommend reading this book and its predecessor if you like the original Heir to the Empire Trilogy. It wraps a lot of the plot threads up very well and sets the Star Wars universe up for the next chapter (the invasion of the Yuzhan Vong).

Stellar ending to both the duology and part of the saga
Timothy Zahn's Vision of the Future delivers on the excellent setup of Specter of the Past in every respect. The story is sprawling and doesn't drop the ball on the numerous plotlines introduced in the first book of the duology. Some may find these two books a bit slow relative to the typical Star Wars tale, but the extra time spent fully developing the story is quite appropriate to these books' role in wrapping up many loose ends from the earlier Bantam Spectra novels. The pacing lends gravitas to the proceedings in the finale, in particular the moment that finally comes in the first sentence of Chapter 43. This sentence, so wonderfully understated, represents an immensely satisfying moment for both the galaxy far, far away and for any readers who have been following the book storyline post-Return of the Jedi.

Luke Skywalker's journey to confident Jedi Master continues here. Some authors have struggled with Luke's portrayal, erring on diluting his character for fear of making him too powerful. This watering down of Luke's capabilities may have made sense for some storylines, but I'm glad to see Zahn stabilize him here. Mara Jade's personal journey comes to a climax as well as she and Luke draw strength from each other's fears and hopes to forge a new future together. Mara, along with Grand Admiral Thrawn and Talon Karrde, are clearly Zahn's pet characters, but he does an excellent job of bringing them to well-rendered life without stealing any thunder from Luke, Han, Leia and friends.

The civil war plot comes to a head with an epic battle over the capital city of Bothawui. The Caamas document continues to play a key role and the device of this simple document having such far-reaching implications continues to be a sound foundation for the story. The Bothans occupy an enjoyably gray area in the Star Wars universe, generally on the "good" side but with a side dish of virulent scheming, political ambitions, and a dash of selfishness thrown in. A standout new character from this plotline is Elegos A'kla, Trustant of the Caamasi Remnant and a true voice of reason in the middle of madness. His quiet strength in the face of such great suffering for his people underscores the alternatives to vengeance and hatred anyone can choose in the aftermath of a tragedy.

Zahn's Hand of Thrawn duology represents a true turning point in the Star Wars Expanded Universe. The Empire has been dramatically reduced and changed. The New Republic has created a chaotic alliance of disparate systems but is managing to hold it together despite many challenges both internal and external. Luke has found love and a new vision for his role in the future of the Jedi Order. After this story, the universe takes a darker turn with the intergalactic invasion story of the New Jedi Order saga. For readers who loved the tone and stories of the Original Trilogy, this duology might be a jumping off point, before the beloved movie characters are thrown into the proverbial wringer once more. I highly recommend this book and the duology, although I will toss in a caveat: I believe these books will be most rewarding to readers familiar with the EU history leading up to this point.

"The more you tap into [the Force] for raw power, the less you're able to hear its guidance over the noise of your own activity"
"The more you tap into [the Force] for raw power, the less you're able to hear its guidance over the noise of your own activity"
The New Republic is on the brink of collapse as members use the Camaas Document and the situation of the Bothans as an excuse to let loose on each other.Han and Lando make a desperate mission into the heart of the Empire; Luke goes to rescue Mara on a world in the Unknown regions; Leia receives word of the transmission from Admiral Paelleon--the first signal of peace between their governments.But can their be peace when "Thrawn" has appeared?
In the tradition of the review of the previous Hand of Thrawn entry, I want to give you the ABC's of Timothy Zahn: Adventure, Big, and Clever.
Whenever you open up a Zahn book, you expect ADVENTURE, action, and intrigue.With Vision of the Future, you get it.Specter of the Past was 300+ pages of setup: the background (where are the characters now and what is the situation), the contention point (the discovery of the Camaas document), the history (the destruction of Camaas, the unravelling of the New Republic, the Empire's bid for peace), and the plan (find the full Camaas document!).So, while I still very much enjoyed Specter, it was a much drier read, particularly in comparison to Vision.Vision is the payoff, seeing one plot thread after the other, how they intertwine, how they accomplish the final outcome; Luke is here, Leia is here, Han is here.Wedge and Corran meet Moranda; Lando is with Han; Talon is with Shada.Again, each character is given a mission befitting their personality; each mission has some intrigue, some "danger", some adventure!It's just like watching Star Wars, only with words and images that Zahn creates in your mind!
There are also many personal adventures.Shada Du'Kal desperately seeks vengeance for the destruction of Emberlene, disgusted at how it was overlooked in favor for the more "chic" Camaas.Talon Karrde must seek after Jorj Car'das...but the last time he saw Jorj, Jorj was a ruthless smuggler.Can Karrde survive a meeting with Car'das?Mara is frustrated with her Force powers, her inability to hear the Qom Qae and the Qom Jha.Plus, she is hoping to bring Luke back to the man he had been ten years ago, the man she respected and admired.Luke is trying to figure out the path of the Jedi.And so on.And so forth.
Vision of the Future is BIG.Literally AND figuratively.Clocking in at 694 pages in paperback, this novel remains THE largest novel of the Star Wars Expanded Universe.And when you start reading what is inside, you learn why.There are SO many plot threads, so many characters, so many storylines, it couldn't be any shorter without losing something vital to the story, to the essence.If there is any complaint, it is that there is no Character Sheet at the beginning to remind us of all the participants, because Timothy Zahn does what we love and creates new, amazing characters like Moranda Savich (a personal favorite), Shada Du'Kal (seen in his short story in Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina), and Child of Winds (Luke and Mara's native guide).
Lastly, Zahn once again writes a CLEVER novel.Gone are the overblown, useless superweapons.Gone are the silly warlords who are said to be worse than they really are.Gone are the too-powerful Jedi who are too easily undermined by even more absurdly powered Sith.This book is smart, this book has intelligence, this book is founded at least partially in the real world.I've said it before in Specter, but the overarching conflict over the Camaas Document doesn't sound too out of place on our planet.I liked how Zahn removed the "evil" from the Empire, how he made the INDIVIDUAL the evil one instead of the side.I love how Zahn imitates life in having people have over-blown opinions of others (such as how everyone in this book thinks Thrawn is unable to be defeated, even though Thrawn lost several battles AND was never able to anticipate his death).I love how the characters are intelligent, likeable, good at what they do.There are no bumbling idiot bad guys, no doofus good guys meant for bad jokes, and no sexy women thrown in just to be sexy women.Everyone has a purpose, everyone has a motivation, and everyone has a story.Some characters get along, some don't.It's beautifully done.
There are so many aspects to love about this book, let me make a list of my highlights of the book:
1.Mara and Luke's relationship: Mara and Luke finally break down and talk about their previous relationships.I can't help but think that Mara had a crush of sorts on Luke, but could never get close to him because his mind was always on someone or something else.Here, she finally can break down that wall and show him how she feels.And Luke of course does the same.
2.Paelleon's call for peace: When Leia discovers the message Pellaeon sent to Garm Bel Iblis, I was choked up.Having Leia, who negotiated a cease-fire with the Bakurans, and Pellaeon , who was a staunch Imperial of a new, more benign order, both sit down and talk peace was brilliant and poignant.
3.The Qom Qae and the Qom Jha: I love how they talk, I love how they assist Mara and Luke.Their concept is interesting, and I just think Child of Winds is adorable.
4.Moranda Savich: This woman is pure brilliance to me.Independent, smart, and not some sexy, young thang...thank you, Zahn!
5.Flim as Thrawn:This poor man, whose only skill to the Triumvirate is the fact he can impersonate Thrawn.He tries desperately hard to ingratiate himself to the group, to "hang on" with the threat of the Hand of Thrawn returning and supplanting Flim. It's sad to see his struggle and you can't help but feel for the guy.
6.A hint at the Yuuzhan Vong: Parck tells Mara that there are things, ominous things in the Unknown Regions.A nice entry into the New Jedi Order.
Of course, no book is perfect.The beginning is long; the book itself is very long.It's easy to become disheartened and stop, then to resume and forget where you were.I got lost in some of the descriptions of some of the settings.And this book makes almost no sense without Specter.Years ago, I read this book without having read Specter and I spent half the book playing catch-up and failing.
Vision reminds us why we love Star Wars, why we love Han, Luke, and Leia, and why Timothy Zahn is so amazing at plots.It is the crown jewel in Timothy Zahn's Star Wars work, his biggest, most elaborate contribution.I highly recommend.

Brought to you by:
*C.S. Light*

Finally!And nicely written, too.
There is no way to review this book and do it spoiler-free. Might as well give that warning up front!

With that said, I read it for the same reason given by a lot of other Star Wars fan: to see Luke and Mara finally get together. I wasn't disappointed. Author Zahn handles their relationship beautifully, moving both characters through shared events in ways that make their coming together at the story's end seem exactly right. The interplay between and among other characters works just as well, as Han and Leia fight battles of their own (both together, and separately); as Lando gets to play the hero, no matter how reluctantly; and as all the rest of the characters in the Star Wars universe, or at least all those still living at the time of this tale, get to weigh in to one extent or another. For awhile I was annoyed that the author's choosing to isolate Luke and Mara until the story's end meant they did not "come on stage" anywhere near as frequently as I wanted them to; but as the book progressed, I realized that this pair had to be placed in just such an interdependent situation for what happened between them to make sense.

I do wish I had been able to read this one in longer sessions. Lots going on here, and very nicely done!

--Reviewed by Nina M. Osier, author of 2005 science fiction EPPIE winner REGS ... Read more

Product Description
Timothy Zahn, author of Heir to the Empire, the best selling Star Wars novel of all time, has crafted a fresh, suspenseful tale of conflict in New York City that threatens to escalate into all-out genocidal warfare.

For seventy-five years the Greens and the Grays have lived quietly among us in the shadows of New York, alien refugees from a war of attrition that utterly destroyed the rest of their kind. Passing as everyday citizens, yet with powers and technologies unknown to humanity, each group has long believed that they are all that remain of their old world and their terrible conflict.

But now, to their mutual surprise, they have found each other, and the old hatreds and fears have once again risen to the surface.

And each side is preparing again for war.

On a cold October night, Roger and Caroline Whittier, a young couple struggling with their marriage, are accosted at gunpoint, and an unexpected burden is thrust upon them: Melantha Green, a twelve-year-old girl snatched from the hands of a peace coalition consisting of both Greens and Grays. The coalition had been preparing to cold-bloodedly sacrifice her in a last-ditch effort to prevent the impending battle . . . and it desperately wants her back.

As Roger and Caroline strive to protect Melantha and to understand the alien cultures they have suddenly been thrust into, they find aid in unlikely places. They're joined in their efforts by NYPD Detective Thomas Fierenzo, who's determined to prevent what he believes to be an impending gang war, and by Otto Velovsky, a former Ellis Island clerk who was present at the very beginning of the aliens' new life on earth.

Unlikely allies, unlikely heroes...and they have just one week to find a way to prevent New York City from becoming a battlefield the likes of which the world has never known...
... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Glad this wasn't my introduction to Zahn
After having read and enjoyed several Zahn novels (The quadrail series and Manta's gift) I saw this one in a used bookstore and decided to give it a go.

Very disappointing, plot drags about half way through, and the characterizations are simplistic in the extreme. The ending is also very unbelievable, aside from the "can't we all just get along" theme that is very facile, there is the fact there half of NYC's police are called out and then quietly disappear without a peep just on the say so of a police Lieutenant whom the police spend half of the book thinking was a victim of a kidnapping.

This is what those Star Wars and Star Trek series potboilers must be like, (his among them) and the reason why I avoid them like the plague.

Zahn may not be the greatest writer of Science Fiction, but he can do much better than this.

Clever, great story!
This is a great book. Clever storyline and interesting characters. I don't see how anyone could have failed to enjoy this book unless they skipped a few pages and got confused. Another great book from Zahn!I would like to see this as a movie..

A Different Look For Zahn
Roger and Caroline Whittier, an ordinary New York City couple are caught in the middle of a feud between two alien races secretly living in New York. They must prevent a war that could kill millions of unsuspecting bystanders. What makes this story unique is that it is set in modern day New York. Most of Timothy Zahn's stories are set somewhere in the distant future. But as always his story telling ability makes this a wonderful read.

New Idea from an Old Favorite
My absolute favorite science fiction author is Timothy Zahn.I have never read as personal or character-driven science fiction action novels as I have from this highly talented author.Not only does he create realistic, personal characters, but he weaves in science fiction as if it is nothing exceptional (instead of some who try to wow us with how the future is).

Plot:
Melantha Green is a sacrifice whose death is supposed to provide peace between her people, the Greens, and their mortal enemies, the Grays.However, her death is foiled when someone takes her away and hides her with a bickering couple, Roger and Caroline Whittier.The couple quickly team together to help this young girl and her people in finding a more peaceful solution--and to make a huge discovery about who these people are and where they came from.

Good:
Most of Zahn's novels (at least the ones I've heard of/read) deal with societies in the future.Zahn did a pretty good job with a present day novel.I will say that the idea of having aliens living among us is a really cool idea and well enacted in this book.And who could hate the detective?He was my absolute favorite.Zahn really needs to use this character again in another book.

Bad:
Really the only "bad" parts to this book would be the length of the book (560+ which makes it difficult for someone like me, who likes to tear a book to pieces understanding every facet, to finish), the similarity to Conqueror's Trilogy (some of my favorites from Zahn), and the ending, which, by the time I reached it, I had expected something with a little more pizzazz (instead, the ending seems to just peter out--although in a way that makes sense--and the book ends).Also, the true origins of the alien societies was more than a little...well, odd (won't spoil the surprise).

Dialogue/Sexual Situations/Violence:
No coarse language.No sexual situations.Violence includes the attempt to kill a 12 year old girl, and frequent attacks to the Whittiers and the detective.

Overall:
A good read, but don't expect to finish it in a night!At 560+ and rather slow plot pacing, it took me over a week to get it done.

good example of the SF pulp style
OK, so this book isn't going to win the Nobel or Pulitzer. But it's classic pulp SF done pretty well. Take a couple of cool ideas, create a scenario to exploit them, create a few fairly simplistic characters, turn on the word processor, and start typing.

As another reviewer mentioned, the first fifty or sixty pages is the highlight of the book. As the mystery starts to get explained, it doesn't quite live up to what it might have been. Nevertheless, I kept reading the book from the time I picked it up until the time I finished it, late into the night.

There's nothing really new here -- alien refugees continuing a secret war here on Earth is a classic staple plot. But combining it with the tech v. naturalism theme (another classic SF concept) works pretty well. In fact, if anything it is the normal human element of the story that doesn't really gel. I think the author should have abandoned the idea of the original heroes and gone with the police detective as the human viewpoint.

Bottom line: a fun and unchallenging read that is a good way to spend a few hours. ... Read more

Product Description
Following the dramatic events of Terminator Salvation, a recovering John Connor grants Barnes permission to return to the destroyed VLA lab and bury his brother, killed in the explosive opening of the movie. At the ruins Barnes and Blair Williams hunt through the debris for the remains of their comrade but instead uncover a mysterious cable leading up into the mountains. The two Resistance fighters head into the wilderness to investigate.

What the pair discovers is an entire village that appears largely untouched by Judgment Day and its aftermath. Suspicious of the villagers, Barnes and Blair decide to dig deeper....

An official novel exploring the post-Judgment Day world of the hit movie Terminator Salvation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

And I though "Cold War" was the best
Out of EVERY Terminator book I've read (And that encompasses T3/Terminator Dreams/Terminator Hunt and Terminator Salvation/From The Ashes/Cold War/), this is tops! Timothy Zahn takes off where 'Salvation' left off, and puts together a story that blows its predecessor out of the water. It's perhaps the best use of license and, dare I say, a perfect sequel to the movie. Not only does it quickly jump into the action, it carries several different themes and elements to keep you guessing, throw you off and shock you.

The war against the machines rages on...and The "Salvation" series of books is laying it out perfectly.

Great movie Tie-in
After the battle in at Skynet VLA lab, Barnes and Blair Williams are back looking for Barnes's brother remains. After discoving a cable in the ground. Tracking the cable they find a small community of people trying to keep out of Skynet's way. But something is wrong, everyone is not what they seem. Things at the resistance base are not much beter. Kyle Reese is trapped underground and trying to stay alive. Kyle must stay alive. If he doesn't the furture will die with him.
"Trial by Fire" by Timothy Zahn was a great book. I thought that story was great. Mr. Zahn is a great writer. He does a great job in brings the characters and actions. I hope that there will more books in the "Terminator Salvation" universe.

Picks Up Where The Movie "Terminator Salvation" Left Off
Well I am writing this review with only a couple of hours of sleep and I put the blame entirely on this new literary installment in the The Terminator series, originally created by James Cameron. I started this book the previous night around 11:00 pm and literally was unable to put it down. I told myself several times that I would just read a couple of more pages and then I would get some sleep, well 6:45 am rolled around and I finally did put the book down, after I had finished reading the entire thing. And I am fairly certain that if there would have been the next book available in the series, then I would have started reading that one as well. Although last weekend I did the same thing with Terminator Salvation: Cold War by Greg Cox, and I would highly recommend that you pick up that book as well.

This book flowed so well and literally picked up mere days after the end of the movie Terminator Salvation (Widescreen Edition) with Barnes and Blair being send back to the radar installation base where Marcus first appeared in order to bury Barnes' brother who was killed when the base was destroyed by Skynet. You also get a glimpse into the new TH or Theta project and some familiar Terminators and the reinforced fact that there are actual humans helping Skynet to eradicate other humans, something that was really alluded to in the films.

You will be introduced to a small group of humans living in a small isolated community that turns out to be a focal point for Skynet activity, although nobody in the community really knows it, or do they? I really liked the characters that were introduced and some of them show some real potential for popping up in future Terminator novels, especially Hope and perhaps her father Preston, who play a quite significant role in this story, although I am not going to give you any details and spoil the fun of finding out for yourself.

I fervently hope that Zahn and other sci-fi authors continue the Terminator stories as they are really enjoyable and about the only fix us machine-junkies are going to get since the cancellation of the brilliant television series, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles- The Complete First Season, in order for another one of those stupid "reality series" show to be shown. With brilliant decisions like that (sarcasm totally intended) perhaps Skynet is right!

Shawn Kovacich
Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence book and DVD series.

Stirring Tie-In
Immediately following the events in Terminator Salvation, Barnes and Blair Williams discover a strange cable in the ground while searching through the debris of the destroyed Skynet lab. The two follow the cable to a secluded village whose inhabitants hold a dark secret.Meanwhile, Kyle Reese and his team uncover a hidden tunnel where Terminators are still hard at work on a plan to destroy the resistance.

Fans of the movie Terminator Salvation or those that have read the adaptation will enjoy this follow-up story. Written by a favorite science fiction author, I had high expectations for the characters and adventure in this story. And I wasn't disappointed. With plenty of surprises and shocking revelations, this was an exciting continuation of the series.The story revolves around several returning characters as well as the discovered village. The character development was great for such a short novel with so much action and suspense. This fast-paced thriller left me hoping for another story to follow in the series soon. As a Terminator fan, this post-apocalyptic series continuation is a must-read.
... Read more

Product Description
            When the colony worlds Adirondack and Silvern fell to the Troft forces almost without a struggle. Outnumbered and on the defensive, Earth made a desperate decision. It would attack the aliens not from space, but on the ground—with forces the Trofts did not even suspect. Thus were created the Cobras, a guerilla force whose weapons were surgically implanted, invisible to the unsuspecting eye, yet undeniably deadly. And the Moreau family were the most famous of the Cobra warriors. Long after victory over the Troft was achieved, the Cobras made common cause against their former adversaries against a new enemy. Their reward was three planets that would be a home for the Cobras, who deadly powers made them too dangerous to feel at home on Earth.

      Now, years had passed and not everyone on the Cobra worlds thought that the Cobras were worth the cost of maintaining their existing built-in weaponry, let alone supporting research to improve the Cobra weapons, and possibly even put an end to the negative effects of that built-in weaponry, which caused Cobras to die much too young. Many who had never known interplanetary war were convinced that the Cobras were not needed at all.

      That was a grave miscalculation, because a Troft faction has decided to invade the Cobra planets in force, using a new strategy that even the formidable Cobra warriors may not be able to defeat . . .

Praise for Timothy Zahn:

“Zahn keeps the story moving at a breakneck pace, maintaining excitement [in Dragon and Thief].” —Publishers Weekly

“[Conqueror’s Heritage] is another finely wrought space adventure . . . [with] social, political and emotional complications, all of which Zahn treats with his usual skill.” —Booklist

“Zahn paints every detail [in Angelmass] with gleamy realism . . . scientific dialogue that streams with starship hardware and military trooper talk . . . immensely appealing.” —Kirkus Review ... Read more

Product Description
Hugo Award-winner and #1 New York Times bestselling author Timothy Zahn returns to complete his original, acclaimed SF trilogy. As both humans and the alien Zhirrzh prepare for all-out galactic war, a handful of individuals from both sides are stunned to discover that the explosive catalyst for the impending battle is a misunderstanding both tragic and profound. Determined to avoid mutual extinction for both their races, this band now becomes the focus of the subtle and dangerous force whose goal it is to annihilate and destroy. Bantam Spectra hard cover with dust jacket, published exclusively by and for the Science Fiction Book Club, Aug. 1996, SFBC # 12397, 396 pages, cover art by Paul Youll. 8vo (8.5" x 5.75") Hard cover reprint of the July 1996 Bantam mass paperback edition. This is the only hard cover edition - Bantam did not make a trade hard cover edition. Finale to series, preceded by Conquerors' Pride and Conquerors' Heritage. Not ex-library, not a remainder. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Conquerors' Legacy III hardcover
I was very pleased with the purchase. The description was accurate. The book is in excellent shape. The price and shipping were reasonable and I'm one satisfied customer.

Sci-Fi's best author
The conqueror's Trilogy is one of the best trilogies I have ever read.Timothy Zahn tells a futuristic tale that captures your attention and draws you in.

In the first book we are introduced to our human characters and the war between them and the "invading aliens" is initiated.

In the second book, told entirely from the alien's point of view, we are introduced to them and the story becomes something of a mystery.

In book three we alternate between all the characters, human and alien for an exiting finish as only Zahn can deliver!

This trilogy is only second to his Star Wars Thrawn Trilogy and Duology.

Excellent reading!!!

Fast paced and exciting!
Once again, Timothy Zahn has created a masterpiece.In this final book in the Conquerors Saga, he manages to put all the pieces of the puzzle together in a dazzling display of fast-paced adventure.Where the first two books focused on the point of view of one of two cultures involved in the plot, this book brings everything together by involving several different points of view, cultures, and characters.The result is a fast-paced adventure that is sure to keep you on your toes up to the last page.

I'm Just Sorry It's Over
I really liked this book. I beat my mom to reading it luckily, and it wasreally great. The first one I really liked and same with the seconed, butthis might just be the best of the three. It includes all of the charactersfrom both books, so instead of just haaving one species P.O.V. on thestory, you get both, and everyone you want from both. I found the storyexciting, and partsof it funny, and I would recommend it to people,especially if they are sciencefiction lovers.

Okay SF, but not top shelf
The "Conqueror"-trilogy is okay, if you are really doped out by overwork or illness. Obviously the entire trilogy could be condensed into a single book at less than the length of one of its parts. That is not theway the world works. From a commercial point of view it pays more toproduce three separate books. I guess I cannot fault Zahn for going for thebig bucks: he did produce other work that is highly original! But don'tlook in this trilogy for imaginitive SF. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (14)

A highly satisfying, action-packed ending to a good series
Dragon and Liberator is the sixth and final novel in Timothy Zahn's Dragonback series, and as such does everything one would hope for.The action is fast-paced, all plot threads are wrapped up and all secrets are finally revealed, along with a few surprises as well.

As readers of the first five books know, Jack, an orphan con-artist/thief (reformed, he insists) and Draykos, a warrior/poet of the dragon-like K'da, are working against a deadline to find out who was behind the attack on the advance fleet of refugee ships that Draykos' people were traveling on, an attack that left Draykos the only survivor. They originally only had two clues -- that the attack was carried out by mercenaries, and that the mercenaries had aliens known as Brummgas in their ranks. After much effort, Jack and Draykos now know all of the key players behind the attack.They've also picked up some unusual partners along the way: a multi-talented but highly secretive girl named Alison Kayna and her own K'da companion, Taneem. But for all they've learned, they still do not know the exact time and place when the rest of the Shontine/K'da fleet is to arrive, which they must find out in order to prevent it from being ambushed. To that end, they decide to infiltrate the enemy's fleet and attempt to stop them before the fleet reaches the rendezvous point. But things quickly go awry and Jack and Alison end up on different ships, unable to communicate and having to act on their own, each hoping that the other will be okay as they work independently to try to stop the ambush.

Of all the volumes in the series, this one definitely challenges Jack the most as a character, and it is satisfying to see how much he has matured over the series, and how he has in the end become the person Draykos always believed him capable of being:

"The Essenay was nearly to the Advocatus Diaboli's stern now. 'Steady on,' Jack said aloud. They were empty words, he knew, said for no better reason than to fill the empty space around him. In less than a minute the Essenay would be alongside Neverlin's ship.
--And with a push of an alien's hand on a button, Jack and Draycos would die.
-- Draycos's thoughts came through the pounding of Jack's heart.
-- Jack said. But he couldn't help but feel some shame anyway. Some shame, some fear, and a lot of regret.
--He didn't want to die. But then, he didn't suppose anyone ever really wanted to die.
-- Draycos warned.
-- Jack assured him. In his own ham-handed way, he thought with dark amusement, Neverlin was still trying to outthink him and Draycos.
--He broke off the thought. No, Draycos wouldn't watch and learn. Very soon now, neither he nor Draycos would ever learn anything again. Jack said instead. Twisting the control yoke completely around, he sent the Essenay spiraling into a half circle around the Advocatus Diaboli, coming out on the far side of the ship and well clear of the Foxwolf's blockage.
--And it was time.he told the K'da, reaching down to stroke the K'da's head as it lay flat against his right shoulder. Strangely enough, the words didn't sound corny to him, as he'd been afraid they would.
-- Draycos replied.
-- Taking a deep breath, Jack threw full emergency power to the Essenay's drive, sending the ship jumping forward and outward along the Advocatus Diaboli's side.
--He had just enough time to see the burst of debris and dust and compressed air that exploded from the Foxwolf's side, swirling blackly directly in his path and completely blocking the view of the distant K'da/Shontine defenders.
--And then, the violet cone of the Death cut across space in front of him, slicing across his view of both the Foxwolf and the masking cloud of debris.
--He tisted the control yoke again, trying to pull the Essenay out of the beam's path.
--But it was too late. Before he could do more than gasp, the violet cone swept back toward him, passed unhindered through the canopy...
--And cut through him like a tingling knife."

If all of the books in the Dragonback series were as good as this one, I would rate it a very good 4-star series. As is, I'd rate it 3 and a half stars, a good, better than average, series.Definitely recommended.

The Final Adventure
Dragon and Liberator (2008) is the sixth SF novel in the Dragonback Adventures series, following Dragon and Judge.In the previous volume, Jack learned the truth about his parents and the Essenay on Semaline.He also freed Langston from captivity.

Alison and Taneem confused the Patri Chookoock on Brum-a-dum.They cooperated with the slaves and attacked the Brummgas.Then Malison Ring troops appeared and took over the compound.

In this novel, Jack Morgan had been a con artist with his own ship.Then he met Draycos and acquired a mission.

Draycos is a K'da, an alien symbiote who must return to his host within six hours or disintegrate into nothing.Draycos often rides Jack's skin as a two dimensional shape like a tattoo.The two are trying to warn the Shontine/K'da refugees of a forthcoming ambush by their Valahgua enemies.

Alison Kayna is an associate of Jack.She is almost a close friend, but has her own agenda.Jack does not fully trust her.

Taneem is a Phooka, an uneducated K'da from Rho Scorvi.She has taken Alison as her host.

Uncle Virge is a simulated personality within the computer on Jack's ship.He is a copy of the mind of Jack's Uncle Virgil.

Arthur Neverlin is a former Braxton Universis executive who allied with the Valahgua enemies of the Shontine/K'da.He has been trying to kill or capture Jack and K'da for months.

Maximus Frost is a Colonel within the Malison Ring mercenaries.He is a rogue, on the payroll of Neverlin.He apparently arranged the ambush of the Shontine/K'da advance party.

Harper is a bodyguard for Braxton Universis.He works directly for Braxton himself.

Langston is a StarForce Wing-sergeant.After his escape on Sematine, he was retaken by Frost and is now working for them.

In this story, the Malison Ring troops have left, but Alison is still trying to open the last Shontine safe.Jack and Draycos track a convoy taking the safe toward the spaceport while Alison and Taneem wait within the hangar.When the Brummgas arrive, Alison releases sopor gas and puts them to sleep.

Alison and Taneem enter the middle van and crack the safe combination.Alison sweeps up the data cubes and puts them in her pocket.She is about to leave when four more cars arrive at the hangar with Neverlin, Frost and Malison Ring troops.

Since there is not much time, Alison and Taneem enter the safe and shut the door.Alison's airmask will keep them alive for six hours while the troops take the safe to their ship.There it is placed within Neverlin's office on the Advocatus Diaboli.

Alison and Taneem open the safe and the Phooka goes into the air ducts to scout the enemy.Alison checks the office suite, then cracks the desk safe and scans the contents.She uses the InterWorld transmitter to send a message to Uncle Virge and another to a different party.

Afterward, Alison uses the desk computer terminal to send a message to the guards outside the door and then slips out when they leave.Alison and Taneem hide within a nearby lifepod while the ship heads somewhere.During the journey, Taneem eavesdrops on Neverlin and Frost from the air ducts and keeps Alison informed.

Meanwhile, Jack is trying to reach the Essenay, but wrecks his stolen car.The police take him to Ponocee City Police Station and put him into a cell.Jack still has Draycos and his spare comm clip, so he could organize a breakout, but his cell is much too deep within the building.

Later, Jack is taken from his cell and escorted to the tenth floor.There he is confronted by Harper and two Brummgas.Jack contacts Uncle Virge and the Essenay blows out the windows.

Harper shoots the two Brummgas and asks to be taken along.Jack agrees to take him, but he doesn't trust the man.Then Uncle Virge takes them toward Bentre.

This tale has Alison playing several roles as she directly confronts Neverlin and Frost.Jack runs into Langston again.Then the Valahgua are frustrated by Jack and Draycos.

This is the last novel in the series.Read and enjoy!

Highly recommended for Zahn fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of corporate intrigue, covert operations, and very close friendships.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Great book!
The book was in good condition when I received it and would definitely buy from this place again. This is the last book of the series and I absolutely LOVE it!The ending is terrific, if you've read the other books in this series then you definitely need to get this book and read the final conclusion to Jack Morgan's adventure.

Secrets and Mysteries Revealed
The secrets are revealed here, at the end of a great series. A good ending, at that! One secret after another, traps, and secret agents, all come together in the final confrontation between the refugee fleet of the Poet-warrior of the K'da, and our enemy, Nevalin and the Death. Action-packed and filled with suspenses and surprises.

Some situations are all too good to be true. But the universe has to have both side, good and evil, Yin and Yang. But what could be a match for the weapon of pure Death? I had been thinking that it was the K'da, our favorite poet-warrior dragon... But alas~

I say it is very good.

A Great Finish!
Timothy Zahn wrote an excellent exclamation point to the dragon back saga. It's a real thrill ride that leaves on the edge of your seat. I hate to see the end of a great series. But Zahn ends the whole thing with a bang, and the questions answered. One of his best. ... Read more

Product Description
Allen Caine was too young to remember when the Earth had not been a conquered planet, one of many such in the huge and sprawling Rygril empire. But he knew of the legendary black collars, guerrilla warriors trained to the limit of human speed and skill, then turned into nearly superhuman combatants by use of the now-lost backlash drug. Eanh and its former colony worlds had been overwhelmed, but sparks of rebellion still smouldered, and the rebel underground on Eanh had sent Caine on an undercover mission to the former Eanh colony of Plinry, where there was a faint hope that a black collar unit still existed. The underground alone knew of a secret that might be humanity's ace in the hole. And if a remnant of black collar fighters still existed on Plinry, they were the only hope of playing that ace in a final bid for the freedom of humanity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Hard-hitting military science fiction.
I often find myself disappointed by Timothy Zahn, especially with the inordinate time he spends with fantasy and Star Wars themes. His major contribution to military science fiction writing isviathe creation of the Blackcollars and the Cobras. These display Timothy Zahn at his best with convincing plot lines, well-developed characters and interesting stories which make for page turning anticipatory reading. The best recommendation I can offer for Blackcollar is that I own the series. Definitely five star material.

Early Zahn novels deliver action, espionage, tactics, suspense
BLACKCOLLAR is a really good sci-fi/action series focusing on elite warriors in a universe dominated by evil aliens.It is similar to COBRA and I think it might be slightly better.

As they did with the COBRA trilogy, Baen does a great job with the presentation.The book has an above-average font size which is a pleasure to read.

Zahn really excels at writing these types of novels.If you enjoyed the tactics and strategy of Grand Admiral Thrawn in his STAR WARS novels, you are sure to like this.It's great to read about intelligent characters trying to outsmart each other.Another thing Zahn does really well here (and always) is to focus on the facial expressions of the characters.It adds another layer of reality to the books and gives you more insight into the conversation.

There is also plenty of action.It's all written in a clear manner and fairly easy to follow.

BACKLASH MISSION (the second book in this volume) is not quite as good as the first book.Note that it does not really have an ending.It took Zahn twenty years but he wrote the third (and apparently final) book in 2006, BLACKCOLLAR: THE JUDAS SOLUTION.Which also happens to be a great book.

If you're going to take the plunge into BLACKCOLLAR, I highly recommend reading the entire trilogy.I really liked it a lot.

reprint of two entertaining 1980s science fiction thrillers
"Blackcollar".Three decades have past since the Ryqril invaders conquered the earth.The last hope, the Blackcollar warriors failed and either died, were captured, or fled in defeat, rumors being to lick their wounds on the isolated colony of Plinry.Now thirty years later, a fledgling resistance has formed.Amongst the newcomers is young Allen Caine, who has never lived on a free earth.His mission is to find the Blackcollar squadron and accompany them in a quest to locate and use five cached Warships.

Blackcollar: The Backlash Mission:Allen Caine has come along way from his neophyte mission.He has since been trained as a Blackcollar and commands his own unit.His first mission as a leader is to visit a lab that produced the physical enhancer chemical Backlash.The assignment seems simple enough after his time on Plinry, but he will learn otherwise once in the Mile High City.In Denver, a bewildered and beleaguered Allen learns first hand that the local gangsters run the city and do not welcome armed outsiders; others want him to fail, even retired Blackcollars.Finally the elixir and its secrets reside inside an impenetrable stronghold that no one not even the Blackcollar veterans who thirst for their potion or the Ryqril have infiltrated.

The reprinting of and merging of two entertaining 1980s science fiction thrillers into one book will please fans of Timothy Zahn and anyone who enjoys a besieged earth vs. all powerful alien invaders.Both tales are well written with Blackcollar more of a coming of age story while by the Backlash Mission, Allen has gained experience and training.Though the tale simplifies the good vs. evil adversaries, albeit these are Allen's tales, readers will want to peruse this fine collection.

Harriet Klausner
... Read more

Product Description
Because of the deadly "effect sphere," the only way into or out of the system containing the metal-rich Ring Mines of Solitaire is by performing a human sacrifice. Now every ship heading there carries two death-row felons. It's a bizarre, but effective method of execution--until it's discovered that one of the doomed criminals is an innocent man. Reissue. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Fascinating treatise on the value of life wrapped in wonderful space opera!
"Deadman Switch" is an immensely though-provoking book told in Zahn's typical style - which means the story flows beautifully, the characters are fleshed out nicely, the scenes are vivid and it all wraps together while becoming increasingly suspenseful.

Mining companies and researchers had been trying to reach Solitaire for years in order to harvest the heavy metal from the rings around its moons.However, there was a cloud of sorts surrounding the area that rendered their Mjollnir (hyperspace) drive inactive, thus keeping them out.Finally a research ship managed to get in - not realizing until later that it was entirely by accident, because the man at the helm had died of a heart attack just as they entered the cloud.Once they figured that out, the difficult part came when it was time to leave . . .

Now whenever a ship goes to Solitaire, they take two death row prisoners - one for entry, and one for exit.

The moment of crisis comes when a new company takes over trade on Solitaire and the owner decides to send his Watcher - a member of a religious sect who train their members from youth to be ultra-aware of their surroundings, thus giving them an almost uncanny ability to sense the thoughts and emotions flickering across another person's face and behind his or her eyes.Watchers hold all life as valuable and believe that using them to gain entry to Solitaire is akin to human sacrifice.After being forced to watch the first prisoner killed, he is taunted by a crewmember and told he should go and check on the other prisoner.

She, of course, insists she is innocent.To his surprise, he believes she is telling the truth.

What follows in the book are his various attempts to save her life.Of course, nothing ever stays that simple and he ends up having to try to save the lives of most of the inhabitants of the system.But let's not spoil the surprise, shall we?

This book is not especially easy to find, but it is well worth the search.Hopefully he will re-release it.This seems to be a fad as of late.

Saga In a Science Fiction Setting
Deadman Switch is a moral composition, dealing with non-violence, integrity and the value of life.All of these themes are played out in a galactic empire with all the problems of a modern government.The science fiction setting includes elements that are more in tune with meta-physics than hard physics.However, the story and its characters draw the reader into their world and their difficulties.I would compare it in style, and timelessness to the Odyssey, if not in scope and grandeur.An enjoyable read.

Alien enough
A bit creepy, but full of interesting ideas. In this sense comparable to "Warhorse", but the story line is a bit weaker here. Still well worth reading to those interested in unusual sci fi. Complete with twoalien species, not counting the Watchers.

15 men on a dead Man's chest...
This one was pretty nifty.Interesting that there's a religious order capable of seeing the truth of things just because they better understand the will of god.Sounds vaguely familiar...

Zahn keeps you on your toes
Reading one of Timothy Zahn's books is always a pleasure. He has the abillity to put you in every scene in 3-D and full color. What makes this more amazing is he achieves this without bogging the reader down with laborious and tedious descriptions. He manages to keep the story flowing well and keep you fully aware of your surroundings. This book is also agood example ofhow he is able to keep readers on their toes. Everytime that you think you have it figured out and you know what the story is about he throws in a new element that keeps you wondering where it is going next. He keeps this up to the very end. In fact it seems the closer thisbook gets to the end the more he throws at you.I can just about gaurantee that you won't be disappointed by figuring it all out before the end. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Cobra
This is one of my all-time favorite books, and I consider it to be one of the best SF books (series) I've ever read.While Zahn keeps things very interesting with his descriptions of the COBRA equipment and fighting, the book really concentrates on the protagonist and how he matures through his experiences.I would highly recommend this book as well as the two follow-ups (or pretty much anything by Zahn in general).I got into Zahn through his original Star Wars books, but was particularly impressed with the Cobra Series, Blackcollar, and Spinneret.Happy reading!

The first of the Cobra Series, and what I think is the best!
"Cobra - the most deadly guerrilla warriors mankind has ever produced." The Cobra series are based on the lives of the Moreau generations. The first book, "Cobra", is about the life of Johnny Moreau, one of the first Cobras.

The alien Troft forces have taken over the colony worlds of Adirondack and Silvern. Outnumbered and on the defensive, the humans on Earth make a decision to not atttack the aliens from space, but on the ground. Thus the Cobra units were created, a guerilla force whose weapons and other devices are surgically implanted, invisible to the human eye yet deadly. When Johnny Moreau signs up for the army, he is surprised to be among the few to be made into Cobras. He is sent to Adirondack to fight the Trofts. But being a Cobra isn't at all what Johnny expects it to be, and must learn the uses and abuses of his abilities. From Trainee to Warrior, Veteran to Loyalist, then finally to become from Politician to Statesman, Johnny will learn what it really is to become... a Cobra.

Timothy Zahn is truly one of my most favorite Science Fiction writers and "Cobra" is a truly good example of one of his best books. I love all the twists and turns in the plot, so many surprises at every corner. And I really liked the character of Johnny Moreau. He is smart, thoughtful, and always tried to help others. I felt so sorry for him when he returned home after the war. Everyone was afraid of him and despised him for being a Cobra. Another of my favorite characters in the books is Cally Halloran, another Cobra from Johnny's unit.

As I said, this is the first book of the Cobra Series. The next books are "Cobra Strike" and "Cobra Bargain". "Cobra Strike" is about Johnny's son, Justin Moreau, who becomes a Cobra and is sent on a dangerous mission to an unknown planet. "Cobra Bargain" is about the daughter of Justin whose dream of becoming the first woman Cobra comes true. Though these books are very hard to find, if you can get them, I'm sure you'll love them!

Awesome book
I really enjoyed this book and have read it 3 times.I also read the sequel Cobra strike which is a great book as well. I would love to get my hands on the third book, but it appears these books are very hard to getahold of.That is too bad.

A great story
After reading the review of the man who thought this book deserved a one star, and had to defend my favorite author and one of my favorite books. The book is not about the war, but rather the life of a man turned from a man into a fightine machine. The war was just one of the things thatinfluenced this mans life. And about the weak characters, and i don't knowwhat book you were reading, but the characters were great, and i reallyenjoyed the character developement from a young idealistic boy to the greatstatesman that developed out of him.

An excellent description of "Who watches the watchers?"
I found this book to be a good treatment of the problems of what to do with war veterans that no one really wants to have around; the NIMBY problem.Excellent work, and if you can get a hold of a copy, do so. ... Read more

Product Description
Dragon and Thief, the first novel in the Dragonback series, was named an American Library Association Best Book For Young Adults. The second novel, Dragon and Soldier is another fast-paced, compulsively readable SF adventure featuring an odd couple of reluctant partners on an unusual quest.

Draycos, a golden-scaled draconic K'da poet-warrior, was on a scout fleet ship when it was attacked, with him the lone survivor. Forced to find a new symbiotic humanoid host, he found Jack Morgan. Jack has been on his own, making his way by shipping interstellar cargo on the ship he's inherited from his Uncle Virgil, a con-man and thief who met with a fatal accident. Draycos has vowed to uncover those behind a vast conspiracy to wipe out his people, while Jack is determined to find out who framed him for a crime he didn't commit. Virgil, who survives as "Uncle Virge" in the ship's computer, is against their plan. But Draycos once saved Jack's life, so Jack feels an obligation to this strange creature who can slip onto the boy's skin, pressing against it like a living tattoo. Knowing that mercenaries were involved in the ambush that killed Draycos'sfleet, Jack enlists in a mercenary outfit that practically enslaves adolescent recruits.

But the soldier's life isn't exactly what Jack had bargained for, especially when a mysterious girl is recruited into his group. Strange things are happening, and people and events are not always as they seem.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

The Dragonback series continues with Jack and Draycos joining a mercenary outfit
Dragon And Soldier is the second book in Timothy Zahn's Dragonback series, picking up where Dragon and Thief left off.In this volume, Jack and Draycos join a mercenary group in the hope of finding out information about the mercenaries involved in the attack on the advance fleet of Shontine and K'da refugee ships from which Draycos was the sole survivor. It's a desperate move but Jack and Draycos are working against a deadline: they must find out who was behind the attack in order to save the rest of the refugee fleet that will arrive in less than six months time.

In joining the mercenary group - the Whinyard's Edge - Jack is put through a rushed basics course in how to be a soldier, but it is Draycos, his K'da warrior-poet companion, who ends up teaching him the more important lessons about what it really means to be a soldier and a warrior:

--"We are leaving, then?"
--Jack grimaced. "Look Draycos, I'm sorry," he said. "It just didn't work out. We'll back off, regroup, and try to get the Djinn-90 data some other way."
--"I was not thinking about the information," Draycos said. "I was thinking about those still in Shamshir hands."
--"What about them?"
--"Did you intend to simply leave them there?"
--Jack frowned down at the dragon padding soundlessly through the dead leaves at his side. Uh-oh."Hey, I know how you feel about that sort of thing," he said cautiously. "K'da warrior ethic, and all that. But I think that asking Colonel Elkor for a rescue party is out of the question."
--"Certainly," Draycos agreed. "That means we will have to do it alone."
--Jack took a careful breath. "Look," he said, as if talking to a very small child. "I know you're upset. But you have to understand the realities of the situation. We're talking about two of us - you and me - against a whole mercenary force."
...
--Jack clenched his teeth. This was not going well at all. "We hardly even know these kids," he said. "Anyway, it's Alison's fault they're there, not mine."
--"Fault is of no matter," Draycos said. "They are your comrades. Your fellow soldiers. A warrior does not simply abandon those of his own side. Not when there is a chance of rescuing them."
--"Even if it means getting killed?" Jack shot back harshly. "We could, you know. Those guns of theirs aren't just for show. We go charging in, and they're going to start shooting. What happens to your people then? Hmm?"
--For a long minute they walked in silence. "Do you remember our first meeting, Jack?" Draycos asked at last. "Despite your objections, I took the time to aid a wounded soldier of the other side."
--"You kept him from burning his hands and neck in hot dirt," Jack said, grimacing at the memory. "And I still think it was a waste of time."
--"The point is that a warrior does that which is right," the dragon said. "Not because he may profit from it. Because it is right."

The action is fast-paced, making Dragon And Soldier a fairly quick read. My only complaint is that I would liked to have seen more about Alison Kayna, a girl of about Jack's age who joins the mercenary group at the same time. Like Jack, she apparently has a hidden agenda in joining the group, but we never really learn just what that agenda is.But it seems fairly certain from the end of Dragon And Soldier that we'll be seeing more of her later in the series.

All in all, this is a good continuation of the series and we can see Jack and Draycos (and even Uncle Virge, oddly enough) evolving as characters. Highly recommended.

great book
I like that the series has excellent continuity, but this book is very different.I get bored with series that don't branch out their stories, Zahn did not have that failure.

Excellent!

The Pair Joins an Army
In order to find out information about the mercenaries that attacked the K'da scout ships that Draycos was a part of Jack joins another mercenary group. In The process he confirms that he is not cut out to be soldier, and the two partners find themselves caught in the middle of a planetary civil war. Well worth the read.

Solid Continuation of the Series
"Dragon and Soldier" is the second book in a series known as the "Dragonback Adventures." I just started reading these books recently and I'm pleased to discover to that this is a continuing series and while there's already several of these out, there's still more to come.

"Dragon and Soldier" picks up on the plot of of the character Jack Morgan (now going as Jack Montana) and his dragon companion, Draycos. These two share a rather special bond as Draycos is something of a symbiont --- he needs a host to survive. He has to become two-dimensional --- a sort of tattoo pattern formed on his host's skin every few hours. If he's not able to do this, then he just becomes two-dimensional anyway and eventually just disappears. It's a pretty interesting concept and it seems to be working well for the series so far.

Draycos is a K'da soldier and in this book, Jack is continuing to try to help him out in unraveling an apparent conspiracy against his people. It's a mission that he's taken up reluctantly, but is now committed to. Knowing from Draycos that the people after him were mercenaries, they decide to get on the inside by joining a mercenary group. They hope that by getting in, they can unravel the plot from the inside and get needed data. Jack finds the training he's put through rough and grueling, but it's certainly small potatoes to what could be necessary to sneak through and get the information he needs.

Along the way, he finds himself noticing a mysterious girl named Alison Kayna. Alison claims to have trained for another of these mercenary groups before, but washed out. But it's hard to tell what her real agenda is and if she's someone that Jack and Draycos can trust.

Overall, this is another enjoyable and thought-provoking installment in this series by Timothy Zahn, who has also written a number of great books. I find myself interested in the characters and the plot moves along nicely.


"Dragon and Soldier" (at least, the version I read anyway) comes with a handy readers guide at the end. It has questions and activities to get readers involved with the novel, such as "In Chapter 8, Draycos observes that he his accustomed to 'thinking as a warrior' and not as a thief. Is this an apology or a criticism?" The activities and questions seem suited to a classroom setting. Whether any teacher has or actualy will/would use this novel in the classroom is questionable, but it's certainly an interesting thought.

Wonderful Book
This is the second book in the Dragonback series. I find these books very interesting - great for adults as well as children. The story is gripping and exciting. The premise of a two-dimensional alien who can become three-dimensional is very good. I enjoy reading the situatuions that Jack and Drayco get into, and the unusual way they get out of them. A great series for all. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Not a bad start to a great career
The Blackcollar marks the beginning of Timothy Zahn's career that would culminate in the creation of the best Star Wars trilogy on the market.As he is my favorite author, I couldn't miss out on this one.

Plot:
Allen Caine is a part of a rebellious faction that wants to unseat the Ryqril from the Terran Democratic Empire.He is sent to Plinry to uncover the location of 5 starships and recruit a select group of former warriors, the Blackcollars, to help him in his mission.

Good:
If you want action, this is definitely your book.Not ten pages into the book, Allen Caine must flee Earth because his cell has been compromised.From there, he goes to Plinry and is quickly involved in a Blackcollar plan to escape from the Plinry system.Escapes, attacks, reconnaissance, this book holds your attention (especially during the explosive spy revelation at the end!).
Timothy Zahn clearly spent a lot of time thinking about the blackcollars, their fighting style, and their culture.This effort is well-placed as the blackcollars are a convincing military unit.
Some of Zahn's characters, most notably Prefect Galway, are well-fleshed out and given unusual and unique perspectives.Also, Caine's reaction to his birth is very interesting.
Lastly, I was intrigued by Zahn's brief mention of the loyalty conditioning.I was amazed that the characters that possessed it remembered it and wished Zahn had spent more time on this concept.

Bad:
While a great action/adventure novel, this lacks Zahn's depth of character seen in later novels.Allen Caine, Damon Lathe, and others are 1- or 2-D.Further, there is some confusion as the novel starts out from Caine's perspective and quickly moves to Lathe's.This is not bad, but I was led to believe that Caine was the protagonist, not Lathe.As I continued to read, Caine moved to unimportance and Lathe returned to the forefront.When the view returns to Caine, the transition seems clunky and irrelevant.
Some of the situations that the blackcollars are able to pull themselves out of with minimal or no casualties is beyond belief--even with their chemical-induced youth and strength.Zahn also fails to detail exactly what makes the Ryqril bad.I get the impression that they kill others for not listening, but what exactly did they change about the government (besides that humans no longer govern themselves)?And the conclusion is decidedly lackluster--especially after the breakneck pace of the chapters prior.
Finally, and this is more the publishers fault that Zahn's, the back of my book insinuated that the whole book would detail Caine's attempt to find the blackcollars.In the actual book, he does this in about 50 pages.The rest details finding the spaceships.

Dialogue/Sexual Situations/Violence:
Dialogue includes da**, he**, b****.A woman tries to seduce Lathe.Violence includes the use of martial arts, kicks to the head, the use of nunchaku, paralysis darts, and the like.Some mentioning of beheading, disarming, and the like (not for the squeamish).

Overall:
A good first start at the one who would launch the Star Wars Expanded Universe.Once you start, you won't be able to put it down.If you want science fiction action/adventure, this is your book.If you are looking for deep characters, go to Zahn's later novels.

Not Free SF Reader
The Blackcollars were a legendary outfit of warriors, spies and
saboteurs, with superhuman skills and abilities. Earth is under control
of aliens, but rebels still exist.

One of them, the protagonist in this book, wants to be free. To do
this, he pins his hope on finding a lost blackcollar unit to aid the
rebellion.

All, however, is not as it seems, and the truth about the blackcollars will shock him.

High quality adventure!
This book (and its sequel) exemplify Zahn's ability to connect disparate characters and settings into a cohesive whole; weaving a tapestry of danger and comeraderie into a fast paced thrill ride. The downsides are that the story begun in this book and continued in the sequel are not finished--there are at least two more books needed to cap this plot.

Zahn's Best Work!
This and the Spinneret book are Zahn's best (he eventually lost me in the Cobra series & Coming of Age).This is action-packed and suspenseful.The Blackcollar, with their super-human reflexes were man's last hope against the alien invaders.This is the story of their guerrilla war against that enemy - and their human nemesis, Galway, who is attempting to prevent the Blackcollar from doing greater damage to mankind than has already been done by the aliens.Excellent.

Good, but not Zahn's best
This was a good book. A fun book. UNfortunately, it doesn't quite live up to Zahn's potential. Everything else of his I've read has a lot of gray areas. Not this one. It's just Blackcollars good, alien conspirators bad. This was still a fun book, and I highly recommend it, it just didn't have that great sense of balance that his other books, like Cobra, or Angelmass have. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A random collection of good short stories
A great collection of short stories. Zahn exploits ideas & technologies (as always) in ways you would never expect. The stories include: A kid that can transport himself an inch at a time. A doomed "plane". People who can travel back and witness events as they happened, and much more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Surprisingly good!
As I have mentioned previously, Timothy Zahn is my absolute favorite author.I first read his works with Heir to the Empire and have continued to enjoy his non-Star Wars books.As a mini-goal, I have decided to read all of his works.This was another of his older works that I picked up in a used bookstore.

Plot:
The planet Tigris is strange not necessarily for its flora, fauna, or alien life.Something about the planet has bestowed a "gift" upon anyone between the ages of 5 and puberty--telekinesis.This "gift", however, quickly turned into a curse during the Lost Generation, in which much technology was lost.Since then, society has changed to reign in the children who have this ability to "teek" anything they see or touch.
Lisa Duncan is a preteen (actually 14, but she hasn't yet reached puberty) who is not looking forward to losing her gifts in Transition.So, she decides to get ahead on some schooling and learn how to read.However, this proves to be a serious error and leads her into much trouble.
Meanwhile, a scientist, Dr. Matthew Jarvis, kidnaps a 5-year old orphan boy and starts some break-through experiments on him that could uproot the entire Tigrin society.Stanley Tirrell and his righthand, Tonio, a preteen, rush out to find the lost boy and to keep Dr. Jarvis' discovery from falling into the wrong hands.

Good:
Wow!I was not exactly looking forward to reading this book just because the concept didn't sound that interesting.But as I started reading, the story drew me further and further in.I felt Lisa's pain at seeing her childhood come to a close.I understood her actions to try to "get ahead" of the crowd.I also cheered on Tirrell and Tonio as they slowly picked their way through the rubble of the mystery.
Besides pretty interesting characters (namely Lisa Duncan and Tirrell in a smaller sense), the story is awesome.Timothy Zahn creates this world without spending pages upon pages of boring history lessons.He retells it only as necessary and convinces me as the reader that the characters know their history and don't feel like they have to regurgitate it for the audience to understand what is going on.
There is enough action towards the end to grip the audience.You are never quite sure who will win in the end.

Bad:
Very minimal.The language was quite intense, which was quite unlike Zahn.Also, the villain, Omega, was rather dry, certainly nothing like his villain, Thrawn.

Dialogue/Sexual Situations/Violence:
A lot of da**, he**, and sh**.Mention is made of a sexual relationship between two teens and the kidnapped child is illegitimate.The Lost Generation wrought havoc on society 200 years previously.Omega is not afraid to use children and their teekay power to harm others.

Overall:
Impressive!Most impressive!For a book that I thought would be dull, this kept me very entertained.Give it to Timothy Zahn to pull off another good book!

Brought to you by:
*C.S. Light*

Very Enjoyable
A Coming of Age has an interesting twist not seen in many Sci Fi novels, the fact that the children of the Planet are more powerful than the adults, in physical prowess at least, is quite interesting. His prose is quite good, if the villain is rather boring, and several plot changes make for a good ending.

It's just fun seeing Zahn at work.
I'm going to have to go with a five-star rating here despite the fact that it's a four-star kind of book; light reading that's not going to change your life.But the thing that's so special about this book is that I'd uphold it (particularly the first chapter) as a how-to for sci-fi authors: it's a great example of how to create a unique world without having to stop and (directly) explain things to the reader.I don't think Zahn ever states outright that "teekay" stands for telekinesis (TK), he just uses the phrase in context enough so the reader can figure it out within a few pages.The same approach is emplyed throughout the book - we eventually learn what we need to know in order to understand the story about the setup and history of Tigris, but it's blended seamlessly into the narrative and never feels like an interruption.

The narrative itself is interesting, if not brilliant.Per usual with this author, we get very competent prose and intelligent, likable protagonists.There are a few flaws here: the villain is pretty bland, the storyline is only barely strong enough to last 300 pages, and there're a few plot contrivances here and there.Plus for the first half of the book one basically has to take the author's word that the different story arcs have anything to do with each other.But since I've spent two whole sentances on flaws, I'll also have to mention that Zahn does a good job with most of his characters; I particularly liked the kids, Lisa and Tonio.And the central concept is a nice twist on the old "magical power that comes at a certain age" cliché.

I'm not an expert on Timothy Zahn - until about a year ago I only knew his Star Wars stuff - but I'd highly recommend A Coming Of Age along with any other Zahn you can find, since everything I've read so far from this guy has been top-notch.

Good, solid sci-fi
Zahn pulls his usual mix of action and plot twists, though perhaps not quite as elegantly as in his later work.I enjoyed this book thouroughly (not quite as much as the Thrawn books, but it is better than Icarus Hunt) as it gives the reader insight into the child - adult power struggle as well as being a cracking good story.It's a book with thought put into it.

Engaging, suspenseful, highly satisfying.
With the exception of books by C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein, I hadn't read fiction of any kind--let alone science fiction--for several decades until I got hooked by Tim Zahn.This book takes an utterly imaginativepremise--that, because of some mysterious occurrence in the past, humansare able to use telekinesis UNTIL puberty--and does wonderful things withit.How to control a society when the kids are immeasurably more powerfulthan adults? The characters are very real and likeable, both kids andadults (at least the good-guy adults). Both kids and adults end up havingto deal with strong internal conflicts.There are cops and robbers, as itwere.There are both up-tight and laid-back authority figures. And there'seven a twinge of romance.In the end, the question is whether a preteencan save the world. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. ... Read more