Dark Force Rising (The Thrawn Trilogy #2)

Title: Dark Force Rising (The Thrawn Trilogy #2)

Author: Timothy Zahn

Published in: 1992

Date read: 19th July 2015

Score: 4/5

Genre: Science fiction

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Dark Force Rising," published in 1992, is the second novel in Timothy Zahn's "Thrawn Trilogy" and a direct continuation of the conflict between the New Republic and Grand Admiral Thrawn's resurgent Empire. The novel accelerates the high-stakes chess game between Thrawn's strategic brilliance and the heroes' desperate efforts to counter him.

The story finds the New Republic on the defensive, reeling from Thrawn's victories in Heir to the Empire. Thrawn continues his plan to cripple the New Republic by targeting its political stability and military strength. His new primary objective is to find the legendary "Katana fleet" (also known as the "Dark Force"), a forgotten fleet of two hundred dreadnoughts that disappeared decades ago. Thrawn is convinced that if he can locate and restore this fleet, his victory will be unstoppable.

The heroes' quest is to find the fleet before Thrawn does. Luke Skywalker, accompanied by Mara Jade, travels to the planet Myrkr, a world where the Force is dampened by creatures called ysalamiri. This unique environment forces Luke to rely on his wits and his growing trust in Mara, while Mara struggles with the deep-seated command to kill him, a remnant of her time as the Emperor's Hand. Their uneasy alliance begins to shift as they face mutual dangers.

Meanwhile, Princess Leia Organa Solo, now more than ever a political leader, must contend with internal New Republic politics, including accusations of a Hutt conspiracy. She is determined to find a way to counter Thrawn's plans and is aided by a growing resistance on the Wookiee home world, Kashyyyk. Han Solo, often acting as her protector and operative, searches for Talon Karrde and the information he might possess.

The elusive smuggler, Talon Karrde, finds himself increasingly caught between the two warring factions. He begins to see the flaws in Thrawn's grand plan and the danger he poses to his own interests, prompting a crucial shift in his loyalties.

The narrative is a thrilling race. Thrawn and his co-conspirator, the insane Jedi clone Joruus C'baoth, continue to manipulate events from the shadows. Luke and Mara's journey takes them deep into a perilous part of the galaxy, testing their survival skills and forging a deep, unexpected bond.

The climax of "Dark Force Rising" is a tense standoff between Thrawn's fleet and the New Republic, as the race for the Katana fleet reaches its dramatic conclusion. The novel ends with Thrawn gaining a significant advantage, having secured a portion of the fleet, leaving the New Republic on the brink of despair and setting the stage for the final confrontation in the trilogy's conclusion.

Comments:
A great follow up, I was very nervous about the appearance of beloved characters from the original three films but it was written tastefully and respectfully. I thoroughly enjoyed this book too.

Books that we've read by Timothy Zahn (3):
Heir to the Empire (The Thrawn Trilogy, #1) (1991), Dark Force Rising (The Thrawn Trilogy #2) (1992), The Last Command (The Thrawn Trilogy #3) (1993)