This sequel was full of interesting plot twists, great characters, good action: The storyline deserves more than being forgotten and out of print.

The story is set, as with most of Zahn's books in the near future of the Human race. It is the story of human's encounter's and reconciliations with a new race of beings who (rather like the Native Americans, although that's not very PC) are very intune with perserving their environment. This naturally brings them into conflict with humans, who in this book seem to mostly resemble our vivacious and inhumane European ancestors. But the true magic of the book comes from the description of the space horse and their relatives, a species of animals that have evolved naturally space. Maybe a little farfetched, but hell, you don't read sci-fi if you want hard reality, right? The interactions of the characters and the action is all very nicely done. I would recommend this book and any Timothy Zahn book to those who enjoy could science fiction, without too much silly technical jargon. Zahn is perhaps one of the most underappreciated authors-most of his books outside of Star Wars are pretty darn hard to find, believe me, I'm still searching for most of them. But the search is worth it, as they can be re-read with te same enjoyment many times.

Basically the story is about humans who have become very technologically advanced, and another race that is very environmentally sensative discover a whole ecology of space life. I guess that may sound a little cheezy, but trust me it is extremely well written.

Point Man is a humorous, but exciting story in the David and Goliath tradition. Hitmen-See Murderers is also humorous, yet with a bit of wisdom. The Broccoli Factor, another humorous story, is technological slapstick, but even stranger ideas have come true. The Art of War is serious yet light, with an upbeat ending. The Play's the Thing is pure farce. Star Song is another serious yet light story.

If you haven't read any Zahn works other than the Star Wars novels, you should know that he has written at least 19 other books during his career. This collection shows his capabilities in short, light fiction. It strongly resembles Vernor Vinge's True Names in the innovative themes and easy to read style.

Overall, these are all fun, and some funny, stories. Perfect for a damp, dreary, dark evening. Recommended for anyone who likes light humor, clear writing, and original approaches.

I rarely give out five stars, but this book raelly deserved it. Zahn did an excellent job from begining to end. Loads of action especially during the battle between Skywalker,Mara, and C'baoth.

Two of my favorit scenes is when Trrawn sends out his elite forces after Leia and her twins. The other is when Luke and Mara battle the literally insane Jedi Master C'baoth.

Lando Calrissian one of the over looked character in the Star Wars books that I've read many has a very impotant part in protecting Leia, as well as the Noghri.I like this part< because it's awesome how Thrawn infiltrates the Rebel base located on Coruscant in the palace of the late emperor Palpatine.

I like the battle between Master C'baoth,Luke, and Mara, because it has a lot of action and an interesting plot turn lots of rock falling. There even a Luke vs. Luke battle. The ending is also very uique, some may say it's simple maybe those of you who like big explosions where the enemy could always survive. However Thrawn's end is pretty up close and personal.

The only thing I can find possibly bad about this series is that Tommothy Zahn and this series may be slightly over rated but I think it's well desrved.

While many of the other authors who have delved into the star wars universe appear to have had no other goal that to provide us with constant contradictions, Zahn once again returns with a brilliant plot.

In a story that involves many of the major characters from past star wars novels, the New Republic is threatened both from within and without. The emergence of a certain document pushes the New Republic to the brink of civil war. At the same time, the 'reappearance' of Grand Admiral Thrawn worries the New Republic.

With Mara Jade lost on an unexplored world, and Luke Skywalker hot on her trail in a daring rescue attempt, we see the reunion of these two stars of the Thrawn trilogy.

This book brings back everyones favourite characters, and FINALLY ties up all those annoying loose ends... along with a few surprises along the way. VISION goes a long way to repairing the damage done by previous novels, and proves their is life, and a storyline, left in the star wars universe yet.

I also thought that the Mara/Luke relationship was dealt with well - it was a great plot twist at the end, but Zahn had so carefully laid the background that it was utterly believable. I also liked the suddeness of it, it made a difference from the slow saga of the Callista books (Children of the Jedi, Darksaber, Planet of Twilight).

I also feel compelled to point out what a stunning character Mara Jade is. She beats Callista any day (who although I enjoyed her, was obviously created specifically to be Luke's girl...if you ask me the fact that Mara wasn't only that plotline better!)

It's an amazing book. Read it. Zahn has managed to redeem my faith that truly amazing SW books can be written. Ones which deal with the flaws in the good guys and the redeeming features of the bad ones...books that go beyond a new superweapon appearing in every new Trilogy, and the ageing super heroes going off to save the day. This book rocks!

Happily, though, I found Heir to the Empire nowhere near the disaster that normal logic would foretell. The characters of old SW films were believably drawn, although curiously timeless (I mean, come on...it's five years after Endor, and the only change is that Leia's pregnancy!), and Zahn's new people were either suitably grey in the background, or very colorfully developed indeed.

The plot seems very much Lucasian fare; shootouts, rescue missions, daring raids, and harrowing escapes. However, I became increasingly aware of an inexplicable flaw in the otherwise strong storytelling; that concerned the big baddie, Grand Admiral Thrawn.

Thrawn is touted as a genius who can divine enemies' innermost psyches with nothing but examples of their artwork. That's okay; Zahn makes this seem convincing enough so that our disbelief is suspended. Thrawn is presented as an enigmatic leader who is feared but more importantly respected by his people. This too is okay; Zahn shows enough strategy and tactics to convince us that his character really deserves this. Many seemingly-impossible victories are pulled out of thin air, and Thrawn continues to win and win and win a little more.

Fine. We can accept that...how could we otherwise, with such skill expended in making him believable? By the time the book is over, Zahn even implies Thrawn's superiority over great villains like Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine (wonderful name, don't you agree?) - and we can readily believe this, because Zahn has given us the goods and not been found wanting.

So, the big question and flaw of the story: why does Thrawn lose? Zahn falls prey to the same trap that ensnares many writers of all genres; he has presented a full-bodied, fleshed-out character, made the reader love to hate him, shown this man to be utterly brilliant and utterly amazing and God-like...then kills him off.

No replay, no reset. Game over. Dead.

The 'God' syndrome, I think it's called, where the enemy is really powerful, but for an unsatisfactory reason is defeated. Without a doubt, Zahn is one of the best space-fantasy writers I have read, and his style is engrossing and engaging, but I could not help but feel that at the end of the tale, I was somehow cheated by the unconvincing and accelerated death of his Thrawn character.

The only reason I can think of for writing such an unappetising ending to an otherwise excellent trilogy, is that Zahn was pressured into it for reasons of PR. Certainly, the way is paved for a "Return of Thrawn" episode, as Thrawn dropped many hints of cloning facilities, etc. (qv Specter of the Past and Vision of the Future) but I thought it would have been better to just keep the guy and conclude the trilogy otherwise.

Also slightly problematic is the question of repetition: Thrawn is a purely tactical guy, so he needs a force-user to help him. Working together, Thrawn and the crazed Jedi Master named Joruus can just about equal Vader's total effectiveness (tactics + force). One cannot help but feel that Zahn is fighting a losing battle here regarding his villains; Lucas just made his ones too darn good.

Apart from those two (not immediately obvious) points, the books are all a great ride through Lucas' galaxy once again. If you liked the movies at all and don't mind reading good sci-fi, then these are the books for you. Certainly they are better than any later Star Wars efforts I have read (ah - K J Anderson - hem!).

In this first book in the series, we are introduced to Grand Admiral Thrawn, the sole surviving member of the Emperor's vicious staff. He has resumed control over the Imperial Starfleet as he prepares for a suprise attack on the New Republic. Thrawn is a supreme villian. He exemplifies patience, tenacity, and extreme poise in all of the story's crucial situations.

In his campaign for domination, he employs the powers of a long-lost dark Jedi Knight, which later leads to several conflicts. All of the original characters are back in Heir to the Empire, as well as some interesting new ones.

Zahn writes with incredible detail that makes for a descriptive plot. He develops the storyline and teases you just enough to make you want to read the next book in the trilogy.

This book is action-packed and Zahn mixes the characters together nicely. He cohesively loads the book with mystery and suspense, and the character development is fabulous.

The underlying conflict of good vs. evil is interesting because it is hard to tell who is good and who is evil. All in all, this was a nice, easy-flowing book and an entertaining read. You will enjoy it.

1) Sophisticated language makes a good book. It adds that intellignet feeling to it. 2) The intent, from my perspective, in not saying what happened to the other Grand Admirals was to allow other authors the chance to elaborate on that. Personally, I like my novels with that kind mystery in them 3) I'm 13 years old, 11 when I read the book, and I understood what "cocking and eyebrow" meant. I read that terminallagy all the time. If you adults can't see the obvious, it's not Zahn's fault 4) At the Battle of Endor, the EXECUTER was destroyed. Zahn explains quite clearly how a good deal of the Empire's best and brightest were on it. He said it was the fast track to premotion, and remember, Vader was the Emperor's right hand man. He could have gotten anyone he wanted on his own personal Star Destroyer. 5) In the novels preceding Heir to the Empire, the Empire suffered defeat after defeat at the Alliance's hands. It is perfectly pluasible that the Empire didn't have alot of ships.

Heir to the Empire was an excellent book. Zahn receives applause from not only me, but the thousands of others who enjoyed his novels. I would suggest reading the other two novels in this trilogy, and reading the Hand of Thrawn books.