The destruction of the Death Star by the Rebel Alliance was a decisive blow against the Empire, but Palpatine and his monstrous enforcer, Darth Vader, are no less of a threat. The brutal extermination of Alderaan not only demonstrated the magnitude of their murderous power, but served as a chilling testament to their resolve to crush the Rebel uprising. Standing against them, Skywalker, Solo, and the Princess remain uncertain opponents. Luke is gifted and brave, but unschooled in the power he possesses. Han has doubts about waging someone elseâs warâand his contentiousness is one more burden for Leia to bear as she struggles to help keep the Rebellion alive. The three have been sent to mediate a dispute between Rebel Alliance factions in Shelsha Sectorâagitating matters by forcing Han to deal not only with pirates, but with his more dreaded enemy, politics. At the same time, Mara Jadeâall of eighteen and years away from her fateful meeting with Lukeâis serving her evil master, Palpatine, well in her role as the Emperorâs Hand: tracking suspected treachery in the Empire to what may be high placesâwhile trying to stay out of Darth Vaderâs way.
But the Rebels will prove to be only one of the Empireâs concerns. For Imperial Stormtrooper Daric LaRone, his faith in the Empire shaken by the wanton destruction of Alderaan, will commit a sudden and violent act of defiance, and take four other enforcers with him, in a desperate bid to elude their mastersâ wrath.
Each of these fateful actions, whether sanctioned, secret, or scandalous, will expose brutality and corruption, spur upheavals destined to shake the Empire to its core, and shape momentous events yet to come.
Features a bonus section following the novel that includes a primer on the Star Wars expanded universe, and over half a dozen excerpts from some of the most popular Star Wars books of the last thirty years!
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Creators
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Series
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Publisher
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Release date
June 28, 2011 -
Formats
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Kindle Book
- ISBN: 9780307795830
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9780307795830
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EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9780307795830
- File size: 4957 KB
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Languages
- English
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Levels
- ATOS Level: 6.3
- Interest Level: 9-12(UG)
- Text Difficulty: 5
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Reviews
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Publisher's Weekly
January 1, 2007
Five idealistic but fed-up Imperial storm troopers led by Daric LaRone share the stage with young Rebel Alliance crusaders Han Solo, Princess Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker and Chewbacca in this politically fraught but still rollicking early years Star Wars adventure from Hugo-winner Zahn (Star Wars: Outbound Flight). Emperor Palpatine's favorite Sith, Darth Vader, has a new rival, the 18-year-old Countess Mara Jade Claria, whom Palpatine has schooled in the Force to assume the special agent role of "Emperor's Hand." Zahn depicts the intrepid Rebel quartet and the turbulent development of the Alliance while revealing the human faces behind the storm trooper armor of Daric and company, who become unexpected allies of Han and friends once the troopers are on the run after killing a superior officer. The author also underscores Mara Jade's tough-girl charm and blossoming Imperial clout against the background of Palpatine's dedication to Imperial domination and his insidious influence on his minions. This episode will please fans wondering about events between the first and second movies in the original Star Wars trilogy. -
Library Journal
October 1, 2013
As the Rebellion gains momentum after the destruction of the Death Star, characters on both sides must decide where their loyalties lie. Stormtrooper Daric LaRone and his unit are forced to desert following a massacre of civilians by the Empire but try to continue honoring their oaths of service even while on the run. Han Solo is torn between his desire to avoid entanglement in the politics of the Rebellion and his loyalty to his friends Luke and Leia during a rescue mission. Emperor's Hand Mara Jade tries to untangle a web of piracy and corruption to serve her Imperial master while avoiding her dangerous and powerful rival Darth Vader. As always, reader Marc Thompson gives the large human and alien cast distinctive and lively voices, including authentic interpretations of many of the movie favorites. VERDICT Fans of the "Star Wars" universe will enjoy this story depicting adventures that occur between the first two original films.--Jason Puckett, Georgia State Univ., AtlantaCopyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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Formats
- Kindle Book
- OverDrive Read
- EPUB ebook
subjects
Languages
- English
Levels
- ATOS Level:6.3
- Interest Level:9-12(UG)
- Text Difficulty:5
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