Shadows of the Empire (Star Wars)

Book Description

Shadows of the Empire illuminates the shadowy outlines of a criminal conspiracy that exists in the background of the events in the movies, ruled by a character new to us. Prince Xizor is a mastermind of evil who dares to oppose one of the best-known fictional villains of all time: Darth Vader. The story involves all the featured Star Wars movie characters, plus Emperor Palpatine and, of course, Lord Vader himself.

Customer Reviews:

Filling in the Star Wars blanks.......2007-08-22

Shadows of the Empire takes place between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Han Solo is frozen in carbonite but has not yet been taken to Jabba's palace. Leia, Luke, Lando and our two favorite droids are on a quest to find Boba Fett and retrieve Han. They are joined in this quest by Dash Rendar, a cocky hotshot pilot, very reminiscent of Han Solo himself. Three very significant characters stand in their way - Darth Vader, Prince Xizor of Black Sun, and Xizor's amazing apprentice Guri.

Prince Xizor of the Falleen race is an intriguing character. He is the ultimate crime lord, and his life is filled schemes and double-dealings as he runs the huge crime syndicate of Black Sun plus some other legitimate enterprises. He is considered to be the third most important person in the galaxy behind the Emperor and Lord Vader, and he wants to move up. The point of all the Machiavellian schemes he develops during this period is to get rid of Vader and become #2 in the Empire. Even that would not satisfy him. Xizor's self esteem is extremely high. He has never met an individual who is his equal. Of course, he and Vader do not see eye to eye on most things.

The key individual in the story is Luke Skywalker. The Emperor fells that Luke is strong enough in the Force to pose a real danger to the Empire. He wants Luke out of the picture. Vader wants to keep the boy alive and turn him to the dark side. Xizor sees an opportunity here to cause trouble for Vader, so he puts out orders to have Luke assassinated. He also sends Guri to meet with Leia and to bring her back to Xizor's palace in Coruscant. Guri is an extremely advanced droid who looks completely like a human female. Her fighting skills appear to be unmatched. Leia and Chewie end up at Xizor's palace being used as bait to draw Luke in. Of course, Luke does come to the rescue. Luke, Lando, and Dash Rendar have memorable scenes making their way through the sewers below the palace and making their way up through the palace to find Leia. The last few chapters of the book tie things together very neatly and leave us set for Return of the Jedi. Maybe they will rescue Han at last.

Shadows of the Empire is an excellent tale, and Mr. Perry has done a good job with it. The story fits nicely in the time period between Empire and Jedi. I highly recommend this one.

If you've never read a Star Wars novel before, try this one.......2007-06-08

In 1996 the marketing team at Lucasfilm developed an innovative concept for a major cross-channel promotion: they proposed Shadows of the Empire, a Star Wars movie without the movie. What did this mean? It meant all the trappings of a movie were released: a novelization, a full orchestral score, a videogame, comic books, toy lines, statues, and sundry other widgets, but there was never an actual movie for them to center around. Each aspect of the campaign emphasized different aspects of the story, but the core tale was contained in Steve Perry's novel. The idea seemed to meet with mixed success, as the Shadows toys, statues, and some of the other odd products lingered on the pegs a terribly long time, but the Nintendo 64 videogame is fondly remembered by many and the score by Joel McNeely is absolutely terrific (pick up a copy if you haven't heard it before!)

Shadows of the Empire fills in some of the blank space between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, a year left largely untapped except in the Marvel comic series. Perry works hard to build a strong bridge between the two films and succeeds beautifully, exploring some of the emotional aftermath of the climax of Episode V and setting up the opening section of Episode VI. Of course, Han Solo spends the duration of this novel frozen in a block of carbonite, but the majority of the other main film characters all get a chance to shine.

The novel introduces us to Black Sun, the galaxy far, far away's leading organized crime syndicate. Black Sun is headed by the brilliant, charismatic, egotistical Falleen Prince Xizor, the third most powerful person in the galaxy after our old favorites Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader. Xizor's constant preening and self-admiration make for slightly tiresome reading, but he does play a role distinct from the usual Sith and Imperial villains in other Star Wars novels. Being the third most powerful person is not quite enough for the Prince, and so much of the plot of Shadows of the Empire is driven by his scheming against Darth Vader and his attempts to kill Vader's son. The Falleen species is endowed with some slightly creepy abilities to attract mates, and Xizor almost leads Leia, newly separated from her love Han Solo, down a very unpleasant path. Fortunately stalwart Chewbacca is on hand to help Leia escape Xizor's pheromone-driven trap. This sequence was unusual reading for a Star Wars novel, and although it is deliberately rather icky, I give Perry credit for exploring these themes rather than sticking solely to action sequences.

The other main new character is Dash Rendar, virtually a "carbon" copy of A New Hope-era Han Solo. Dash is a smuggler and superb pilot who was doing a job for the Rebel Alliance when the Empire struck the Hoth base. Dash always looks out for himself first and drops sarcastic wisecracks right and left. However, maybe Dash isn't as shallow as he first appears, and perhaps by the end of the story he'll find the need to look out for others and the ability for self-sacrifice. Sound familiar? I didn't really mind this character but Perry could have made a little more effort to make him less of a second-tier Han Solo.

The story itself is a rollicking thrill-ride. Perry takes us all over the galaxy as our heroes try to track down Boba Fett and Vader and Xizor try to track down our heroes. We learn the back story of the "many Bothans" who died procuring the Death Star II plans, how Leia got the Boushh bounty hunter disguise she uses in Return of the Jedi, how Luke spent time enhancing his Jedi skills and constructing his new lightsaber, and many other interesting tidbits. The characterization of Vader maps well with the new information we learned about Anakin Skywalker in the prequels, and it's nice to see a new element introduced to the Emperor/Vader plotting in the form of Xizor. R2 and 3PO have a hysterical sequence piloting the Millennium Falcon across Coruscant (it's rare that a Star Wars novel makes me laugh out loud). Perry writes in a brisk, cinematic style, and it is quite easy to picture this novel as a good film, an Episode Five-and-a-Half, if you will.

Shadows of the Empire does a terrific job of detailing the story between the final two films in the saga. Depending on which stories a reader considers to be canon, there are either many or very few tales set during the original trilogy. Personally, I would love to see more novels covering this period of time, as well as the three years between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back. These years host the only stories with the opportunity to directly explore the Vader-Luke dynamic, an element so central to the films. The ancillary products such as the toys, comics, and especially the soundtrack further enhance the Shadows experience. This book is highly recommended to everyone, including readers trying their first Star Wars novel.

Nice bridge if a little light.......2007-04-24

I really enjoyed this book. I always wanted some link between the Luke at the end of ESB and the beginning of ROTJ - one broken and fragile, the other darkly confident and calling himself "Jedi." And since he is my favorite character, I love that this book takes him through that process, albeit in less depth than seems warranted.

Inconsistencies in Luke's character abound, however, which jarred with the character arc I had been longing to see. His attitude and dialogue in places seem more juvenile than in Episode IV. I realize that these things change by the end of the book, but they do not match the characters we leave at the end of Empire Strikes Back; this takes away much of the book's cred.

Glitches in style also undermine it - while the author has great pacing, and I don't mind his switching between characters with a jerk for that cause - he FAR too often ends a segment with two or three more lines than necessary, degenerating into hilarious cheesiness where it could have been compelling. Sigh. "Luke hoped Leia was okay." "Luke had to think of something. Something fast... What?" These things cause eye-rolling after the tenth time. So do many thinly derived conclusions on the part of characters who should have needed more evidence.

Dash is annoying, I'm sorry, in life and in death. His only merit is giving Luke a Jedi-worthy crisis of conscience towards the finale. And Leia, while a great gal here, needed to fall for a lizard while Han was frozen WHY?? Her newfound love for Han is a bit tarnished in a plot arc for no good reason.

Having said all that, Shadows is truly an irresistible read for a die-hard Luke fan, and Vader is handled very well, without goofiness or excessive sulking. In fact, Vader's take here on his relationship with Luke enhances all future read/views of Return of the Jedi. This puts Shadows on my must-borrow list and Perry on the thank-you-for-not-butchering-my-Star-Wars list with Zahn, somewhere. :)

Episode 5.5.......2007-04-17

This is the novel that connects the dots between Episodes V and VI. The novel starts firmly planted in The Empire Strikes Back with the Emperor's holo-message to Vader - but this time from Palpatine's point of view (and although Vader didn't know it, the Emperor was not alone). And then several months later Princess Leia wakes up from a nightmare about Han Solo being frozen on Cloud City.

Many questions arise about the time between the two Star Wars sequels, and this novel has the answers. How did Luke Skywalker, severely demoralized by finding out the true identity of his father and feeling that Obi-Wan Kenobi had lied to him, go from being a Jedi padawan with incomplete training to a confident, powerful Jedi Knight in every way except for his final trial? Who completed Luke's training? How did Luke construct his new lightsaber? Why didn't Boba Fett deliver Han to Jabba the Hutt right away? Who died to make Jabba the most powerful crime lord in the galaxy? How did Leia get her Boushh disguise and thermal detonators? How did Wedge Antilles become the leader of the Rebel's elite X-fighter squadron? How did the Bothans bring the Alliance the information about the second Death Star? If the droids ever tried to pilot the Millennium Falcon through Coruscant while Han was frozen, would you ever tell him about it?

Shadows of the Empire ends with Luke hiding his lightsaber in R2-D2 and recording his message for Jabba. This novel is an adventurous story very worthy of the Star Wars name. And this BOOK even has it's own SOUNDTRACK!

Star Wars: Shadows Of The Empire [Enhanced CD]

I also highly recommend the following 5-star novels that are extremely relevant to the prequel trilogy:

Cloak of Deception (Star Wars)
Shadow Hunter (Star Wars: Darth Maul)
Labyrinth of Evil (Star Wars, Episode III Prequel Novel)
Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader (Star Wars)

Filling in the Gaps.......2007-03-05

Steve Perry's "Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire" explores events between the two films "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi" just as Timothy Zahn's new book "Allegiance" bridges the gap between "A New Hope" and "The Empire Strikes Back".

Zahn established himself as the best writer of Star Wars fiction with his Thrawn trilogy following on from "Return of the Jedi": "Heir to the Empire", "Dark Force Rising" and "The Last Command". In "Shadows of the Empire" Perry comes close to Zahn's class in serving a similar function.

One of Zahn's strengths has been the creation of new characters who have taken their place in the Star Wars universe, like Mara Jade and Grand Admiral Zahn. In "Shadows of the Empire" Perry provides fascinating background into Prince Xizor, leader of the Black Sun criminal network, and his human-like killer droid Guri, characters also featured in A.C. Crispin's "Han Solo trilogy" tracing Han's life before the fateful day he met an old man and a kid in a Mos Eisley cantina: "Paradise Trap", "The Hutt Gambit" and "Rebel Dawn", which seem to have been published in 1997, after "Shadows of the Empire".

"Shadows of the Empire" features all the main characters of the final two Star Wars films, with the exception of Han Solo, who is still in carbonite. The action concerns the Rebels' efforts to free Han, and along the way we learn things like how Leia came by her bounty hunter suit and a thermal detonator, and how Luke made his first light saber.

In the NPR radio series of "Return of the Jedi", which goes into greater detail than the film, filling in many gaps, when Han is rescued he criticises Lando for letting C3PO fly the Millennium Falcon. That flight is in "Shadows of the Empire".

Average customer rating:

Pleasantly Surprised
"Shadow Hunter" pretty much says it all!
Shadown Hunter
Unecessary and frivolous, but still fun.
Darth Maul: Great Character - Not so Great Story

Shadow Hunter (Star Wars: Darth Maul)
Michael Reaves
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0345435419
Release Date: 2001-11-27

Amazon.com

Here's another Star Wars spinoff novel, a brisk and extremely uncomplicated action-adventure romp set on planet Coruscant immediately before the events of The Phantom Menace. After a few setting-up exercises, it's essentially a prolonged chase sequence whose implacable pursuer is Darth Maul--the almost absurdly villainous-looking Sith Lord with the biggest lightsaber and worst makeup job in the entire saga to date.

The plot? Insidiously evil Darth Sidious is poised to launch the Naboo trade blockade featured in The Phantom Menace. But one of his alien henchmen has sneaked away to betray this scheme and must die. So must the traitor's contacts, smalltime crook Lorn Pavan and his uppity droid, I-Five. Likewise Darsha Assant, the female Jedi Knight apprentice who gets entangled with Pavan through either mind-boggling coincidence or the mysterious ways of the Force.

Michael Reaves makes a reasonably slick job of all this nonsense and is not afraid of clichés. Plenty of characters have wooden lines like "I've got a bad feeling about this," and "Too many questions, and not enough answers." Meanwhile in the Jedi council, Yoda makes characteristic remarks: "A good choice he would be... No accident this was."

Unfortunately, the well-known story line of The Phantom Menace defuses suspense in Shadow Hunter. That trade blockade has to happen despite the good folks' doomed heroics, and horrible Darth Maul (already far more powerful and deadly than the puny opposition he faces here) is fated to win out. This novel is for dedicated fans only. --David Langford

Book Description

For the infamous, power-hungry Sith,
beholden to the dark side,
the time has come to rise again . . .

After years of waiting in the shadows, Darth Sidious is taking the first step in his master plan to bring the Republic to its knees. Key to his scheme are the Neimoidians of the Trade Federation. Then one of his Neimoidian contacts disappears, and Sidious does not need his Force-honed instincts to suspect betrayal. He orders his apprentice, Darth Maul, to hunt the traitor down.

But he is too late. The secret has already passed into the hands of information broker Lorn Pavan, which places him right on the top of Darth Maul's hit list. Then, in the labyrinthine alleyways and sewers of Coruscant, capital city of the Republic, Lorn crosses paths with Darsha Assant, a Jedi Padawan on a mission to earn her Knighthood. Now the future of the Republic depends on Darsha and Lorn. But how can an untried Jedi and an ordinary man, stranger to the powerful ways of the Force, hope to triumph over one of the deadliest killers in the galaxy?

SPECIAL BONUS INSIDE--the exclusive story, "Star Wars(R) Darth Maul: Saboteur" by James Luceno, previously available in e-book format only!

Customer Reviews:

Pleasantly Surprised.......2007-07-23

I wasn't expecting much from this book quite honestly. Being that The Phantom Menace was really such a let down, mostly because of the lack of darth maul, a very promising villain, I started this book with some skepticism. Couple that with the fact that it's a prequel to TPM, the ending is more or less 'spoiled'.

But I was quite wrong. This is a VERY good star wars read that fleshes out the criminally under-utilized Darth Maul character much better than the Episode 1 film did.

I really enjoyed the new characters in the book, namely Lorn Pavan and I 5, his droid counterpart. Lorn reminded me a bit of Han Solo. Maybe not as big a scoundrel with a smaller part to play, he was still the reluctant hero which Han has always embodied so well. Add to that the comic releif added by the quick witted I Five droid and there some very good dialogue between the two.

I also enjoyed the Jedi Padawan, Darsha Assant (as it turns out she's also in Cloak of Deception as a cameo of sorts, but I'm reading that after the fact, but it still doesn't take anything away from the Darth Maul book), whom is young and naive, yet brave and very fun to read.

Darth Maul is just what I'd expect him to be: Cold, calculating, ruthless, but not without his honor.

Even though we know how this book has to end ultimately being that it precedes the Phantom Menace, I still like how Reaves tied everything up.

Very good star wars read.

"Shadow Hunter" pretty much says it all!.......2007-04-17

Fans of Episode I were also fascinated by the mysterious Darth Maul, the first Sith apprentice shown since Darth Vader in the classic trilogy. But don't assume like I first did that this is a story with a villain protagonist. While we are shown some of the thoughts and motivations of the title character, this story has two original main protagonists: Darsha Assant (Jedi padawan), and Lorn Pavan (underworld information broker). Following initiatives provided by his Sith Master, Darth Maul is the driving force behind the plot of this novel, a vile killer hunting the protagonists through the undercity of Coruscant. By the time I realized that the heroes must be doomed to failure (to maintain continuity with the movie), I couldn't put this thriller down anyway. Just like the prequels with respect to the original films, it's not how this story ends but the journey there that makes this novel so good. This action-packed tragedy also contains interesting dispositions of Sith and Jedi philosophies. The story takes place soon after Cloak of Deception and ends with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan preparing to leave for Naboo (leading to the opening of Episode I).

The paperback edition also contains an bonus short story by James Luceno entitled "Darth Maul: Saboteur" which takes place before Cloak of Deception. "Saboteur" sets up some elements of that novel, introducing Tarkin. The end of "Saboteur" along with the beginning of Shadow Hunter explain Maul's absence from the story of Cloak of Deception, which remotely ties in with the novel Shadows of the Empire (below). If you plan on reading both Cloak of Deception and Shadow Hunter, my suggestion is to read the "Saboteur" short story first, then the Deception novel, then Shadow Hunter to maintain chronological order.

I highly recommend the following 5-star novels that are extremely relevant to the film series:

Cloak of Deception (Star Wars)
Labyrinth of Evil (Star Wars, Episode III Prequel Novel)
Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader (Star Wars)
Shadows of the Empire (Star Wars)

Shadown Hunter.......2007-03-29

Great read. Filled with action, good length. Only regret is that Darth Maul didn't meet anyone that really challenging skill set.

Read the E-book in the rear of the book first, it precedes shadow hunter.

Unecessary and frivolous, but still fun. .......2007-01-26

This book is not integral to the plot of Star Wars in any way. Don't feel obliged to read it. In fact, the whole plot concerns covering up information. Information that anyone who saw TPM already knows, so nothing important actually happens.

If you're into Darth Maul, and I know that there are plenty of people who are, you'll like this piece of Maul action and insight. You really get to see him on the job, and get some nice looks into his psyche. Although fanboys may be as frustrated as he is at how often he seems to be eluded yet again for the sake of continuing the story.

Otherwise, the book is just an exciting game of cat and mouse, a wild chase through the dangerous and mysterious depths of Coruscant.

One thing I'll say is that the author tends to go overboard with adding new things. The back of the book will tell you that there are exciting new creature never before seen, and it's true. They're also never see again. I think the author got too excited about making up new things to add to Star Wars, and the end result is something like a fan-fic, when they should have just tied the book to the sage through existing source material.

Overall, it's a fun read. Interesting, exciting, and Maul-a-rific. It's not very well written, and it's extremely unimportant and insignificant, but still, a fun, easy read.

Darth Maul: Great Character - Not so Great Story.......2007-01-06

As much as I loved the new characters in the book, I would have liked to have seen more of Darth Maul. There are often large gaps between his appearances. However, I realize it could be difficult to have him around all the time and keep it interesting. Maul can be a rather flat character if not used sparingly.

I also would have liked to have seen more background on Maul. Why does he hate the Jedi so much? How did he hook up with Sidious? What was his training like? Some is given on this, but not a lot. Most of that was told in the Darth Maul Journal, something many fans will probably not read. It should have been saved for this.

The timing of this book is also confusing. It takes place days, if not hours, before the Naboo blockade. The whole point of the novel is that the Sith don't want the Jedi to know about their existence or the blockade. However, just a couple of days later, they completely reveal themselves to the Jedi and their plans. If the events were so close to happening that they were almost unstoppable, why did they care if some little information broker tried to sell the info? If it had been months before, their concern would have been more understandable. The closeness in chronology kind of takes away from the urgency of the events in the book.

Final Thoughts: Only read this book if you are a Darth Maul junkie. If you read this book for any other reason, you will be let down. Reading this book is not necessary to stay abreast of the Star Wars galaxy.

Crucible: McCoy: Provenance of Shadows (Star Trek)

Average customer rating:

Dr. McCoy's Multiple Lives
Expecting more
Very, very good.
Very good!
A very touching, character driven Star Trek novel

Crucible: McCoy: Provenance of Shadows (Star Trek)
David R. George III
Manufacturer: Star Trek
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0743491688

Book Description

IN A SINGLE MOMENT

. . . the lives of three men will be forever changed. In that split second, defined paradoxically by both salvation and loss, they will destroy the world and then restore it. Much had come before, and much would come after, but nothing would color their lives more than that one, isolated instant on the edge of forever.

IN A SINGLE MOMENT

. . . Leonard McCoy, displaced in time, saves a woman from dying in a traffic accident, and in so doing alters Earth's history. Stranded in the past, he struggles to find a way back to his own century. But living an existence he was not meant to, he will eventually have to move on, and ultimately face the shadows born of his lost life.

IN A SINGLE MOMENT

. . . Leonard McCoy, displaced in time, is prevented from saving a woman from dying in a traffic accident, allowing Earth's history to remain unchanged. Returning to the present, he encounters a medical mystery he is committed to solving. But the echoes of an existence he never lived haunt him, and the specter of a premature death will bring him full circle to the shadows he has never faced.

Customer Reviews:

Dr. McCoy's Multiple Lives.......2007-09-03

Somehow this was more tedious than the other two Crucible novels -- perhaps because there was so much retelling of known material about Dr. McCoy. But the fascinating speculation of what his life might have become had he been marooned (or in the timeline where he WAS marooned) in early 20th century Earth was fascinating and worth rehashing all the other stuff for.

Expecting more.......2007-08-12

Provenance of Shadows left me disappointed and wanting. I don't deny that there was some good parts in there, and George's narative skills are fantastic, but the inclusion of McCoy's romantic episodes in the past and future as an in depth look into his psche left a lot to be desired. It would've ranked amoung my favorites had George not overstepped the bounds. Frankly, I'm surprised Pocket Books allowed its publication. As it is, PoS as the initials fit nicely.

In my opinion, Friedman does a much better job of catching the real McCoy in "Shadows on the Sun"

Very, very good........2007-07-13

There is not too much that I can say that the other posters haven't said, really. A very good book, but just to let you know, there are numerous references to events that happened in the animated series of STAR TREK, so do your homework if you notice a reference to an event that you are not familiar with.

Very good!.......2007-05-17

I liked the "what if" scenario and how the book follows the original episodes and movies in sequence. If you're familiar with the series then you'll have no problem visualizing the storyline as it intertwines with the plots of the original episodes. I really enjoyed it.

A very touching, character driven Star Trek novel.......2007-05-03

While I wouldn't consider myself a "Trekker" I have seen all the original episodes and the movies. I've read a few of the novels but this is the rare Star Trek novel I consider to be a really good work of fiction. It brings together so many threads in the Star Trek timeline and gives much deeper insight into the personal life of Leonard McCoy. It's thought provoking, well researched and best of all very effective on an emotional level. The only thing to be aware of with this novel is that it does require a good knowledge of the Star Trek universe to enjoy. This is the kind of book that you'll find yourself thinking about for sometime after you've finished it.

The Shadow Trap (Star Wars: Jedi Quest, Book 6)

Average customer rating:

jude has done it again!
Very Cool Series
A Great Book
Short but Sweet
Revelations

The Shadow Trap (Star Wars: Jedi Quest, Book 6)
Jude Watson
Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0439339227

Book Description

When the Jedi are called in to help pacify a chaotic planet, it should be a routine mission. But behind the chaos is an evil in hiding. The routine mission goes horribly wrong and, in a moment that will be shocking to fans, a longtime member of the Jedi High Council is killed . . . with Anakin feeling responsible. It takes the combined power of Yoda, Anakin, and Obi-Wan to fight this battle.

Customer Reviews:

jude has done it again!.......2005-05-19

I enjoyed this book! I love it when Yoda uses his lightsaber!

Very Cool Series.......2003-11-14

Isn't it amazing how a so-called children's series has adults raving about it? I do feel sorry for those that pass over these Jedi Quest books because they feel they are for younger readers. Little do they know. The one relationship in the whole Star Wars univers that has fascinated me the most is the one between Obi-Wan and Anakin. We all know what it's destined for and that makes it a very heartbreaking journey to go through with them. But these books make you almost wish that there's some magical way that Obi-Wan and Anakin will work through their feelings. Shadow Trap shows us Anakin and Obi-Wan at one of those moments in their realationship where they're feeling apart. Well, Anakin is anyways. The great thing about this book is that we see it from both of their sides, we see inside both of their minds, their feelings on the matter. If Anakin could only see that while his Master may be disappointed in an act that he commited previously, he's not cast him off to the wayside, he is simply giving him time to try to deal with it. But of course, they are thrust into a mission with this tension between them and must try to find a way to deal with it and succsesfully complete their task.

This great little story is full of suprises and I think to say too much about it would give too much away. Suffice it to say that both Masters Yaddle and Yoda play a big part in it all. But the big question is, will the end of the story lead to Anakin and Obi-Wan closing that rift between them, or will the circumstances cause that rift to widen?

A Great Book.......2003-10-14

This is a great book. Dont judge the book on how many pages it has. Even though it is short, you will not be disapointed on buying it. im not goin 2 write anything that happens in it cause it would ruin the major thing that happens in the book. Buy the book and read it.

Also read the jedi apprentice books, boba fett books, legacy of the Jedi, and for the advanced star wars reader, The New jedi Order books. Other than the thrawn books, they are the best star wars books that take place after episode 6

Short but Sweet.......2003-04-28

This is the sixth book in Jude Watson's great series "Jedi Quest". At only 125 pages it is also the shortest. A lot of surprises are in this book and some cool characters as well. Without giving too much away, Yoda, Yaddle and even Granta Omega play pivotal roles in this story. My only complaint is that it was way too short. Make sure you read the first five "Quest" books before you pick this one up. if you want a good quick read this is for you!

Revelations.......2003-04-22

Whoa! This book was excellent. You find out some amazing stuff that I didn`t see coming. The plot is excellent with twists and turns. Some predictable, some aren`t. Get this book and the ones before it. Also try out the Jedi Apprentice series.

In the Shadows of Their Fathers (Star Wars: Empire, Vol. 6)

Average customer rating:

Loose sequel to Clone Wars Volume Three
When commerce trumps art

In the Shadows of Their Fathers (Star Wars: Empire, Vol. 6)
Thomas Andrews , Scott Allie , Adriana Melo , Michel LaCombe , and Various
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1593076274

Book Description

Luke Skywalker confronts the legacy of the Jedi father he never knew in an epic story involving Princess Leia, Darth Vader and the fate of an entire planet! When Luke and Leia travel to Jabiim recruiting allies for the fledgling Rebellion, they unwittingly set into motion events that will ignite one man's betrayal of his people, pit rebel hero against rebel hero and attract the attention of the Empire's deadliest enforcer - Darth Vader!

Customer Reviews:

Loose sequel to Clone Wars Volume Three.......2007-01-15

The sixth graphic novel collection of the Star Wars Empire comic series collects issues 29-34 and is titled In the Shadows of their Fathers. Issue 31 was a standalone story and is presented first in this book; we then roll into the main event with the tale of the Rebels' attempt to sway the planet of Jabiim to their cause. Some readers may recall the planet of Jabiim from the Republic series dealing with the Clone Wars (the original Jabiim arc can be found in the graphic novel Clone Wars Volume Three: Last Stand on Jabiim).

The standalone story that kicks off this book tells the story of Darth Vader "negotiating" a business deal on the planet of Tiss'sharl. The reptilian inhabitants reminded me of the Ssi-ruuk, the race encountered in Kathy Tyers' Truce at Bakura. I believe this was a wholly separate planet and race (since the Ssi-ruuk were from beyond the known galaxy), but I confess, my Expanded Universe knowledge may have a gap here and perhaps we've seen these guys before. Anyway, we get a glimpse at the weight the Empire brings to bear on systems under its thumb and we see the potential hazards in daring to meet with a representative of the Rebellion.

The remainder of the book deals with Luke and Leia's visit to Jabiim. If you've read the Clone Wars Jabiim arc, you know that Anakin Skywalker left the inhabitants who had remained loyal to the Republic in a horrible position. The potential for a story where Luke visits the planet unaware of the sins of his father is strong, but I found this story to be rather predictable. The issues telling Anakin's story were a gripping, extremely well-drawn look at the horrors and chaos of war. I guessed going in that the locals would be pre-disposed against Luke but that he would win their trust in the end.

Unfortunately not too much really happens considering the story spans five issues. My favorite portions dealt with Luke trying to understand who his father was and what he had done. I enjoyed the small touches tying to the prequels, such as the use of old Acclamator-class destroyers as slave ships, and also enjoyed seeing Vader's reaction to being forced to visit one of the planets that brought up so many unpleasant recollections for him.

All in all, these issues were fine but nothing really stands out from them in particular. They're worth reading if you've been following the Empire series or if you're interested in a follow-up to Anakin's adventures on Jabiim.

When commerce trumps art.......2006-10-18

You needn't have read Clone Wars Volume 3, recounting the First Battle of Jabiim, to enjoy this volume. You will be required, though, to be forgiving of the editors at Dark Horse for handing off the final chapter of this story to a less skilled back-up artist.

Brazilian artist Adriana Melo handles the fist four chapters in journeyman fashion. She seems most skilled at portraits, but also does a good job of framing, mixing up angles and panel sizes and shapes. Her facilities are especially evident when they all but disappear after Canadian artist Michel LaCombe shows up. The framing and angles become fixed and static, and the characters are deadly stiff, exhibiting no sense of motion, quite an irony for a penciler with a background in animation. (For examples of their contrasting styles, please see accompanying images.)

The switch in artists is unfortunately not the only disappointment, though it is by far the biggest. Writer Thomas Andrews keeps things tight and does a good job weaving together the various strands of the story, but the end feels rushed, a major claim is unsupported, and a significant point in the plot is left unresolved.

Fans of the Star Wars Expanded Universe will recall the First Battle of Jabiim was fought during the Clones Wars (chronicled in Clone Wars Volume 3: Last Stand on Jabiim). This Second Battle of Jabiim takes place some 22 years later in the months following the emergence of a new hero in the Rebel Alliance, Tatooine farmboy and slayer of the Death Star, Luke Skywalker.

The young force adept still knows little about his real father, but he's about to learn a horrible truth. It was on this planet that a young Anakin Skywalker gave the order to retreat, to abandon the forces loyal to the Republic, an army that was subsequently and summarily crushed by a separatist droid army supporting a nationalist faction of Jabiimi.

Now two decades later the Alliance is on Jabiim to assist a guerilla resistance active against the Empire. Happy as they might be for whatever help they can get, many of the Jabiimi rebels are not happy that the son of Skywalker is now among them - including one high-ranking leader who wants to sell Luke and Leia to Vader in return for Jabiimi independence.

[SPOILER] In the end, Luke flees to take Imperial pressure off the Jabiimi. Like his father before him, he leaves the resistance in the lurch. Scripter Andrews tries to put a positive twist on Luke's decision by claiming Anakin never cared for the people of Jabiim, an interpretation not born out by events recorded in the first story. But to his credit, at least Andrews makes a stab at resolving this issue (however cheesy it sounds), which is more than can be said for how the tale is concluded, leaving the reader to wonder what happened to Vader's order for his Star Destroyer to scorch the planet surface. You'll have to buy a forthcoming volume to find the answer to that question. [END SPOILER]

Despite some glaring weak spots, In The Footsteps Of Their Fathers is not a horrible graphic novel. What's most frustrating about it is that, like the First Battle of Jabiim, the problems it has could have easily been addressed to make it a better than average book.

Shadows on the Stars (The Great Tree of Avalon, Book 2)

Average customer rating:

Shadows on the Stars--Great Book
Poorly Done
As fantastic as its first part
Book Two is amazing!
The tradition continues in grand fashion!

Shadows on the Stars (The Great Tree of Avalon, Book 2)
T. A. Barron
Manufacturer: Philomel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 039923764X

Book Description

When young Tamwyn, determined to solve the mystery of the vanishing stars, seeks a vision in the mountains, he is confronted by a vision he never expected: From the place of the stars, dark shadows, omens of evil, are pouring out toward Avalon, posing a threat to the Great Tree's very existence. Tamwyn and his loyal troupe must split up: Elli to rush to the Lady of the Lake, Scree to heal with the Eaglefolks, and Tamwyn to journey to the Heartwood of Avalon itself to discover the portal to the highest branches and confront the very powers of Darkness.

Customer Reviews:

Shadows on the Stars--Great Book.......2007-01-12

You can feel every second of each page as the story goes. The characters were well developed so I felt like I knew them. It is easy to read except for some of the character names.

Poorly Done.......2006-12-10

Barron's book is immaturely written - despite the age and experience of the author. The characters are one-dimensional and annoying in their sexist interpretation: the women are nurturing, overly emotional, and nag the men constantly whereas the men are stolid protectors doing what they must do while trying to understand the irrational women they are surrounded by. The plot is thin and poorly laid out without any forethought, and the bad guys are humorous in their stupidity and greed. The author has been spending too much time on a role playing server for World of Warcraft.

As fantastic as its first part.......2006-08-12

T.A. Barron's imagination is truely great. This book is the 2nd of a GREAT Trilogy.
The first book (TGTA: Child of the dark prophetcy) not only introduces you to the main characters but gets them well started on their magical journey. This book continues that journey only with GREATER expectations, since this is the great auther of the "Merlin" series, you know there is going to be dragons, ooo yea.

Also the way this book ends litterally leavs you hanging, I mean I got a hold of the first 2 books in 2005 and I've been waiting since then for the third book to come out, thats how good this book is, I've read books before that stop in the middle of something just so that you would get the next one, but they are NO comparesson to this great book. You can litterally see everything he's describing.

T.A. Barrons writting is very poetic, gentle and descriptive all at once, combined with his vivid imagination, its a perfect 10.

You HAVE to read the 1st book in order to understand this world and the mission all these characters are on, you will be lost if you don't.
I recommend buying all 3 at once, and since the third one (TGTA: The eternal flame) is coming out on Aug 16th I believe, you have no excuse.

Trust me, you will want the books with you back to back, its an intense read, it will keep you on your toes and then some.

enjoy.

Book Two is amazing!.......2006-03-03

This book was amazing! Simply amazing. I loved every part of it. The strong characters were portrayed well, and I felt like I knew them like I had grown up listening to their tales. This book gave me so many different feelings, I was frustrated, sad, and happy, right along with the characters. This book is wonderful, and I'd recommend it to any reader, any age that could handle it. The best ages for this book would probably be 12 to until you lose your eyesight. There's no sexuality or foul language. This book was excellent and I can't wait for the third one in the trilogy to come out!

The tradition continues in grand fashion!.......2006-02-03

Back for the second installment of "The Great Tree of Avalon" series are Tamwyn, Elli, Brionna, Scree and Nuic. The voyagers we all came to know in the first book have now become a close-knit group ... until they discover they have to separate and go on their own journeys to save the great world of Avalon. Armed with Merlin's staff, Tamwyn ventures through the trunk of the Great Tree looking for his lost father, Krystallus Eopia, who he became separated from when he was young. Along the way he encounters mystical creatures, some new, and some old with a twist. Tamwyn battles everything on his dangerous climb from giant termites to fire angels to waterfalls-until he reaches Merlin's knothole, which gives him a close and exhilarating view of the stars. Barron describes this scene vividly, and it is my favorite moment in the book. It compares favorably to laying your eyes on the Colorado Rockies for the first time, or the Grand Canyon, or any other of life's great natural monuments. Not long after he finds the knothole, Tamwyn discovers the truth of his father and why the stars in the constellation resembling Merlin's staff have gone out. Elli, in the meantime, takes a crystal of elano from the Lady of Lake, and will dive into the world of Shadowroot, the dark side of the Great Tree. There she will battle the sorcerer Kulwych, to destroy the corrupted crystal of elano that he wields for his warlord spirit master Rhita Gawr. And as for the last adventurer, the eagleman Scree, he confronts his own kind to lead them away from the war in which they were enlisted to aid Kulwych. There is one surprise in Scree's quest he regrets learning too late, and it will forever haunt him. Barron's rich portrayal of the Avalon world is described with even greater detail in this new installment, and will give readers' memories a grand story to cling to for decades to come.

Shadow Star (Lucas, George. Chronicles of the Shadow War, 3rd.)

Average customer rating:

Chronicles of the Shadow War, Book 3
A Masterful Conclussion
A good book, but lacking
I wish to draw your conclusion in a new direction
Entertaining, yes, but satisfying?

Shadow Star (Lucas, George. Chronicles of the Shadow War, 3rd.)
Chris Claremont , and George Lucas
Manufacturer: Spectra
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0553095986
Release Date: 1999-11-02

Book Description

In Shadow Moon and Shadow Dawn, George Lucas, creator of Star Wars, and Chris Claremont, author of the bestselling X-Men adventures, created a new world of myth, magic, and legend unlike any before. Now they bring their epic trilogy to an unforgettable conclusion in a novel of blazing imaginative brilliance...

Elora Danan has done the unthinkable. She has slain the dragons that were the embodiment of the soul of Creation. It was a desperate act--the only way to save the dragons from the Deceiver, who would have used them to rule the Realms. Yet in Elora's possession are two last dragon eggs. To protect them, Elora spellbinds herself to her faithful companions Thorn Drumheller, the Nelwyn sorcerer and her sworn guardian, and Khory Bannefin, the long-dead woman warrior whose body is inhabited by a demon's offspring. It is a dire spell that ensures none of them will betray their cause...even at the cost of their lives. And if one of them dies, the magic of the eggs is lost forever.

Pursued through a land of shadow predators by the dreaded Black Rose, the Deceiver's commando assassins, Elora and her allies must reach the free city-state of Sandeni. There they will be reunited with old friends: the brownies Franjean and Rool, the eagles Anele and Bastian, and the young warrior-scribe Luc-Jon. But Sandeni is besieged by mighty armies fueled by the Deceiver's sorcery, warrior wizards, and engines of evil magic. With defeat all but certain, Elora must convince the Sandeni people to continue the fight. What she doesn't tell them is that the greatest enemy lies within her. For the Deceiver is her own dark twin from a potential future of unimaginable evil...an evil that lies dormant in Elora's soul. And the only way Elora can stop the future is to befriend an enemy whose insatiable appetite for destruction could destroy all of Creation. Or is that, too, part of the Deceiver's plan?

Seamlessly weaving together the many strands of this rich tapestry, Shadow Star is guaranteed to satisfy its many fans...and leave them breathless.

Customer Reviews:

Chronicles of the Shadow War, Book 3.......2007-01-27

I found this the least satisfying of the the Trilogy. It did not hang together as a story, at least for me. I found that all the love interests between the characters had little development and/or reason. It seemed artificial although the imaginative action moments might make for a good movie-I was disappointed in the Chronicles as a whole for reading. It was unclear and fuzzy what the main principal was representing.

A Masterful Conclussion.......2004-09-09

Perhaps the best in the series, this book manages to wrap up the story that started so loosely in the first book.

It preaches patience, racial tollerance, and courage. It asks us to look at the darkest parts of ourselves and see what we might become if ONE thing in our past had occured differently. It shows us that the best way to heal ourselves, and sometimes the world, is to embrace that darkest part of ourself, to great it with understanding and love. It shows that sometimes, a story or a sond can be a mightier weaopn than a sword.

Once again, another definite read for anyone who plays D&D, especially if you play a bard. Elora is now fully formed with much of her origin told in this book.

Plenty of action, lots of magic, some philosophy, and just enough love story to keep the romantics happy, Shadow Star is a smashing conclusion to the trilogy.

A good book, but lacking.......2003-09-13

Overall the entire series is wonderful, it explains much of the why of the movie Willow.
The problem lies in the writing style, although both George Lucas and Chris Claremont are both wonderful at what they do they stumbled at some points in the novel, being overtly descriptive and having the characters jump into unexpected actions to cover the transition into the next plot point.
The books cannot stand on their own, you have to read one to understand the others.
Despite my complaints about the books, I loved reading every word. It was hard to follow at times, but it was still a wonderful series.

I wish to draw your conclusion in a new direction.......2002-05-15

I found this trilogy and sequel very enticing. I believe all three chronicles of the Shadow War were professionally written. I myself did not drag along in these books. In truth, if you drag along in any book, then you shouldn't be reading its genre. You don't just read a book looking for battles or other appealing factors to you. If you choose to start reading a book, then you should finish it. These books contained a vast amount of details that help the story along. If books did not contain such details, then the story, plot, theme, and characters would be dull as dirt. You see, books need detail to emphasize its components. It seems as if you are discouraging readers of Fantasy and or Fiction to read the Shadow War trilogy. I did not find the Shadow War trilogy hard to read or difficult and I did not become oblivious to what I just read, later discovering that they were in another area, and not knowing how they got there. No one can rightfully judge a book and discourage others not to buy it because they dislike it. Thus I believe that the authors of the commentary on the book Shadow Star and its two prequels who were odious to the trilogy should change their opinion to at least be neutral instead of offensive.

Entertaining, yes, but satisfying?.......2000-12-24

Actually this is a review of the comlpete shadow war trilogy. When I bought the first book of this series, I was caught completely off guard, since I never would have expected such a colorful and enthralling continuation of the seemingly well-rounded up story of Willow.

The chronicle starts quite simply in the first book, but just gets more and more developped thruout the series, with new twists and discoveries coming up at every corner. That makes this series so interesting and drives it on for a long time.

Yet the most compelling aspect is the detailed and lively description and application of any kind of sorcery and magecraft. The moments when Thorn Drumheller or Elora Danan delve into the mysteries of magic and nature (i.e. the rides thru the earth/fire) are first class.

Alas, as mentioned by other reviewers, the complete chronicles hold several contradictions at some points, and also key occurances are only described briefly (is it just my lack of imagination, or did I miss the moment that made Thorn+Anakerie believe that Elora 'killed' Khory) or, worse, just mentioned on a side note. And there's of course this highly unnecessary last chapter, which really doesnt give any new informations other than stating trivial blahblahblah and leaving the reader with a half-hearted cliffhanger that doesnt really encourage to go on with this tale.

Book Description

Darth Vader wants Luke Skywalker -- alive. Prince Xizor, the largest trader in the galaxy, wants Skywalker dead. And Skywalker, along with Leia, Chewbacca, and the droids, have a goal of their own: rescue Han Solo. But Solo has been encased in carbonite and taken by the most notorious mercenary in the galaxy, Boba Fett, who intends to deliver him to Jabba the Hutt. It's a clash of good against evil, of right against wrong, and it comes to a head in the Shadows of the Empire . . . Featuring all your favorite characters from the Star Wars motion picture trilogy and a score of new ones, Shadows of the Empire is everything a Star Wars fan could hope for.

Customer Reviews:

eh..........2006-10-22

i remember reading the novel several years ago, but didnt remember specifics. i picked up a used copy of the graphic novel, and was left disappointed...the story line was very quick and choppy. princess leia's scenes with Xixor were almost laughable. the style of art and drawing didnt appeal to me at all and the colors just weren't vivid. the Swoop gangs felt very out of place and Jabba was out of character. the redeeming value was the prescence of Fett, whose part in the novel could've probably filled out the entire graphic novel. i can't wait for Dark Horse's Fett collection to come out next year.

Above-Average.......2005-12-09

A decent graphic novel. Has pretty good art, the storyline was ok, but what really ruined this for me was the unrealistic-ness. If you thought Empire vol. 1: Betrayal had cheesy dialogue by Vader, you'd hate this. Vader also seemed to be acting like a disobient 2 year old, never listening to anyone. What I also found annoying was the fact that the characters all seemed to be constantly talking to themselves. Boba Fett isn't his usual quiet, calculated self in this book. He was always taunting others and talking to himself as he tried to escape what seemed like an entire galaxy chasing him. Possibly the only cool characters in this were Luke and Dash Rendar. I've definitely read better.

Meh........2005-08-20

The novelization was much better. I did however love the Boba fett plot that was added, as well as the artists renditions of Leia and Fett. Absolutly amazing.
However it just didnt have the power of others ive read. 3 stars

Very good book........2004-09-13

I read this book in 2 hours and do not regret it. It was definetely worth the $10 I paid for it. It gets a little confusiing at times, but you just gotta keep reading it. Now you can find out when and where Luke constructed his new lightsaber, and much more. If you are a star wars fan, you won't regret it, if your not, you probaly won't have any idea whats going on.

Luke takes out Vader Enemy.......2003-07-24

This is a review of Shadow of the Empire which is available as a hard cover book of 340 (ISBN 0553574132) pages, a comic (isbn 1569711836), a novelization of 176 pages (isbn 044013036) and audio cassette (isbn 0553100890). This story tales places between ESB and ROTJ. I always felt it was one of the more important stories of the Expanded Universe given that Xizor became an action figure as did Dash Render and his ship (Outrider). The whole gang is in this one even Han, though is encased in carbonite. We get Vader, the emperor, Fett, Guri, Boosk, 4-Lom, Jabba, Zuckuss and Wedge along with the regular gang of heroes.

Apparently Dark horse did have available any pictures of Lando or Leia because the artists did a lousy job of drawing them. Most of the time Luke was OK, but sometimes he looked like Jessica Lynch. They did do a great job drawing Fett, Vader and dash however.

Book Description

Continuing the Great Tree of Avalon epic, three companions embark on separate, far-reaching quests to solve the mystery of the vanishing stars-confronting the very powers of darkness along the way.

Customer Reviews:

It keeps you guessing until the end!.......2007-06-16

This is a wonderful first book to the trilogy of The Great Tree of Avalon. I have purchased the second book and can't wait to read it. I bought this book for my son because the author was at a conference I was attending and signing autographs. I thought an autographed book would be a unique gift. My son read it and loved it so I decided to read it also. I was immediately drawn into the story and could identify with the characters. I was kept guessing until the end whether Tam was the heir of Merlin or the child of the dark prophesy. Will he be able to change what is prophesied, as the Lady of the Lake told him? Will he be able to save Avalon? I can't wait to read the next book to find out what is in store for Tam.

Average customer rating:

What Really Happened on Khazad Dum?
Great read
Morden's backstory
Great story from a great author!!
What do you want?

The Shadow Within (Babylon 5, Book 7)
Jeanne Cavelos
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0345452186
Release Date: 2002-11-26

Book Description

The electrifying space epic continues as Anna and John Sheridan battle deadly foes at opposite ends of the universe.

The dedication of the new Babylon 5 Station is fast approaching, and desperate enemies intend to see it end in catastrophe. The fate of the fledgling space alliance lies in the hands of John Sheridan, newly appointed captain of the spaceship Agamemnon. His orders are to stop the attack. Unless he first gets to the bottom of the near-mutinous behavior of the Agamemnon’s unruly crew, Sheridan and his spaceship will share Babylon 5’s doom.

Time is also running out for his wife Anna, headed to Z’ha’dum aboard the Icarus. Young, beautiful, and brilliant, she was thrilled to be appointed chief science officer of the follow-up mission to this mysterious planet on the edge of the known universe, where artifacts rumored to hold stupendous powers have been discovered. But the offer she could not resist threatens to become a dark destiny she cannot avoid, for an unimaginable horror lies somnolent on Z’ha’dum–and the monstrous consequences of disturbing the sleeping evil will haunt every living thing in the cosmos. . . .

Babylon 5 created by J. Michael Straczynski

Customer Reviews:

What Really Happened on Khazad Dum?.......2007-04-03

For those Babylon 5 fans who would like the whole story on what went on at Khazad Dum, when Sheridan's wife and her archeological team woke up the sleeping Shadows, this is the book for them.
It fills in the details of an important incident in the storyline alluded to, but not fleshed out, in the TV series.
For those who also wondered where the creepy Morgan character comes from, who ends up pulling Londo and all of Centauri Prime into the Dark Side, this book will satisfy your curiosity.
Definitely not a "side story"; this is intrinsic to much that follows.

Great read.......2007-03-09

This was a very good read i absolutly loved it if you are reading this buy this book.

Morden's backstory.......2005-12-05

This novel of the Babylon 5 universe fills in the blanks regarding one of the acclaimed series' most intriguing characters: Morden, mouthpiece of the evil Shadows. Even more, it also focuses on Anna, second wife of John Sheridan, and the tale of how she went from loving wife and archaeologist to mindless minion of those aforementioned Shadows.

"The Shadow Within" was originally published in 1997, and four years later the same author wrote a trilogy about the mysterious Techno-Mages, who appeared on the B5 space station in one episode of Season Two but whose story is incredibly fascinating. See the trilogy titled "The Passing Of the Techno-Mages" for more, especially since this book dovetails into that trilogy and serves as a prequel. I cannot recommend this set of four novels highly enough, although I do agree with another reviewer here that this volume is not as spectacular as the trilogy.

Great story from a great author!!.......2005-04-13

I found this novel to be a great intro to the Babylon 5 novel series. It gave a look at Captain Sheridan and Anna before the Shadow Wars and gives an inkling of what is to come. I also was lucky enuff to get a copy that was autographed by the author herself which makes this copy of mine even more treasured. This is definately a must read for any babylon 5 fan.

What do you want?.......2003-08-03

This book tells the tale of what really happened to Anna Sheridan and Morden during the Icarus' doomed expedition to the Shadow homeworld, Z'ha'dum. Plus, there's a subplot concerning Captain Sheridan trying to get the crew under his new command on the Agamemnnon into shape, and then preventing a terrorist attack on the recently completed Babylon 5 space station.

This book, and it's companion volume "To Dream in the City of Sorrows", created a feeling of dread about the Shadows and what they represent, just like on the Babylon 5 TV show. And we all know that Anna joined the Shadows, but her reasons as to why are a shocker. Strongly recommended.

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