David's Review of Vision of the Future

5/5 Rancors - In my review of Specter of the Past, the first book in the two-volume series The Hand of Thrawn, I offered my opinion that Timothy Zahn was the best author in the Star Wars Expanded Universe. Vision of the Future, the second book in the series, does nothing to change my mind. Mr. Zahn has done an outstanding job once again as he gives us remarkable action with memorable characters while at the same time actually making the reader think a little bit.

The setting of the tale is during a time when the New Republic is on the verge of civil war and the remains of the Empire are putting together a master plan to get back in power. According to rumor, the legendary Grand Admiral Thrawn has returned from the dead to lead the Empire's troops once again. He has joined forces with Moff Disra and Major Tierce to build a formidable fighting force that is creating chaos for the New Republic.

Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Lando Calrissian are all facing significant challenges in trying to deal with the Empire's new strategies. Luke joins with Mara Jade to penetrate a mysterious fortress and find out who is there and what trouble they are causing. Leia, Han, and Lando go their separate ways to deal with major threats against the New Republic. They all have to overcome huge hurdles to have any chance of success.

The book is full of Machiavellian dealings, and problems seem to arise one after another. The action in the story rolls right along, and the characters easily maintain the reader's interest. Mr. Zahn even gives us a little romance under perilous circumstances as Luke and Mara find their way into the imposing fortress.

I highly recommend both books in The Hand of Thrawn series - Specter of the Past and Vision of the Future.