Specter of the Past

The following are some very brief first reactions to Specter of the Past. I will be adding to this soon, after I have re-read the novel.

Quickly, the Bothans are in a heap of trouble, suspected of causing a long-ago planet-wide holocaust on Caamas, under orders of the Emperor. This is fueling ongoing dissention among the member worlds of the New Republic. While this is taking place, Admiral Pellaeon is seeking to open talks aimed at the Empire's surrender, and other elements within the Empire are working to see that the surrender never happens.

There are some confusing elements of to this novel. I would not read it quickly. First, Leia is on leave from her Presidency of the New Republic, a fact not all that clear at first. Secondly, Leia is repeatedly referred to as a Jedi Knight. While this is a good thing if she lives up to it, and it appears that she does, it seems to be a bit of a jump from the characterization of Leia in the chronologically previous novel, Showdown at Centerpoint. Also, Zahn makes references to the other Star Wars novels he has written, so the reader who picks Specter up without having read the others may be a bit lost.

However, Zahn may have a breakout character with Shada D'ukal, even if she is slightly reminicent of Zahn's other remarkable creation, Mara Jade. Strong, capable, and with a compelling back story, if we learn more about her in Visions of the Future, the next novel in this two book Hand of Thrawn series.

This last comment may just be sour grapes from a Callista fan. Zahn gives Luke the idea that Callista left him because she was frightened and intimidated by his power (p.26). If one goes back to Darksaber and Planet of Twilight, Callista left Luke because she was frightened of her loss of her own Jedi powers, not the presence of his.