Scan barcode
super_jane19's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
akindofmagic's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dmcke013's review against another edition
3.0
The second - and final - book in Timothy Zahn's Hand of Thrawn duology, Vision of the Future thus follows on from Specter of the Past.
In this, Luke is off to rescue Mara, while the New Republic itself moves closer and closer to internal war over the involvement of a group of Bothans in the destruction of Caamas, all of which is due to the (unknown to the Republic) machinations of a trio of Imperials, one of whom is impersonating Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Looking back on this, it's also interesting to note the veiled hints at future events - in particular, at just what is out in the Unknown Regions - that would later come to play a major role in the ongoing series (and, as a side-note, which is round about where I stopped reading them).
As this was written before prequels, there's also the occasional jarring note where this doesn't quite mesh properly, in particular with the references to the Clone Wars.
Like Specter of the Past, and OK read, but not as good as the Heir to the Empire series.
In this, Luke is off to rescue Mara, while the New Republic itself moves closer and closer to internal war over the involvement of a group of Bothans in the destruction of Caamas, all of which is due to the (unknown to the Republic) machinations of a trio of Imperials, one of whom is impersonating Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Looking back on this, it's also interesting to note the veiled hints at future events - in particular, at just what is out in the Unknown Regions - that would later come to play a major role in the ongoing series (and, as a side-note, which is round about where I stopped reading them).
As this was written before prequels, there's also the occasional jarring note where this doesn't quite mesh properly, in particular with the references to the Clone Wars.
Like Specter of the Past, and OK read, but not as good as the Heir to the Empire series.
frighteningturtle's review
5.0
While never attaining the heights achieved in the original Thrawn Trilogy, the Hand of Thrawn books are still fantastic entries into the Star Wars EU.
handoftheemperor94's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
dalicieux's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
gapagrin's review
4.0
I think this is my favourite so far of Timothy Zahn's Star Wars books, and considering how much I enjoyed the others, that's saying a lot. We get a little bit of everything in this book - adventure, romance, exploration of new areas of the galaxy, new characters and species, and everything introduced in the last book wrapped up nicely.
I'm a big fan of Shada D'Ukal, insanely competent fighter who decides to join the New Republic only to find herself not needed, instead joining smuggler Talon Karrde, Mara Jade's old boss from the Thrawn trilogy. Despite being the newcomer, she ends up making a pivotal choice that affects the entire galaxy. I wish they could make a film with her in it - the fight scenes would be incredible.
Mara Jade is also back and in need of some help, although she's surprised she warrants Luke Skywalker, Grand Master Jedi, making a trip in person to do so. As it turns out, they need each other and each is able to provide the Force guidance the other needs, resulting in Luke gaining the confidence and understanding he needed to better lead the Jedi, and Mara finally becomes a full Jedi Knight. I actually rather liked their love story, as it wasn't sappy or overly romantic, just two people realising they needed each other and that the other made them a better person.
Thrawn was my favourite Star Wars villain, so it was cool to see him as the villain again, even though he's been dead for ten years. Mara and Luke were investigating the Hand of Thrawn and a secret society of Chiss who were devoted to Thrawn and wanted Mara to join them. All the while, there's a fake Thrawn running around the Empire wreaking havoc and striking fear into the hearts of the New Republic.
I loved Pellaeon in this book. He's fought hard for the Empire, but he's also realistic enough to know when he's beaten and when he needs to stop before he loses any more. He's the best Imperial I've ever seen - he's not evil and he cares about making the Empire the best it can be, and that means none of the discrimination or ruling by fear that usually went on in the Empire before. I'd actually be perfectly happy to join an Empire run by Pellaeon. It was great to see him sit down with Leia - the two leaders of the greatest factions in the galaxy discussing how to end the war that had been on-going for decades. The conflict that was the establishing feature of the Star Wars universe is finally at an end.
This book also does the double duty of hinting at future conflicts (this is Star Wars, after all - with the Empire surrendering, there's got to be a new villain - it wouldn't be Star Wars is there wasn't a war) while also wrapping up loose ends from the Thrawn trilogy. Borsk Fey'lya's anxiety about what might be found in the Emperor's storehouse is explained, as is the beckon call Luke found. We get more background for Karrde, a new set of Force-users that aren't Jedi or Sith, and we even get to see the mysterious Imperial capital of Bastion. Overall, a nice finale to the defining conflict of Star Wars.
I'm a big fan of Shada D'Ukal, insanely competent fighter who decides to join the New Republic only to find herself not needed, instead joining smuggler Talon Karrde, Mara Jade's old boss from the Thrawn trilogy. Despite being the newcomer, she ends up making a pivotal choice that affects the entire galaxy. I wish they could make a film with her in it - the fight scenes would be incredible.
Mara Jade is also back and in need of some help, although she's surprised she warrants Luke Skywalker, Grand Master Jedi, making a trip in person to do so. As it turns out, they need each other and each is able to provide the Force guidance the other needs, resulting in Luke gaining the confidence and understanding he needed to better lead the Jedi, and Mara finally becomes a full Jedi Knight. I actually rather liked their love story, as it wasn't sappy or overly romantic, just two people realising they needed each other and that the other made them a better person.
Thrawn was my favourite Star Wars villain, so it was cool to see him as the villain again, even though he's been dead for ten years. Mara and Luke were investigating the Hand of Thrawn and a secret society of Chiss who were devoted to Thrawn and wanted Mara to join them. All the while, there's a fake Thrawn running around the Empire wreaking havoc and striking fear into the hearts of the New Republic.
I loved Pellaeon in this book. He's fought hard for the Empire, but he's also realistic enough to know when he's beaten and when he needs to stop before he loses any more. He's the best Imperial I've ever seen - he's not evil and he cares about making the Empire the best it can be, and that means none of the discrimination or ruling by fear that usually went on in the Empire before. I'd actually be perfectly happy to join an Empire run by Pellaeon. It was great to see him sit down with Leia - the two leaders of the greatest factions in the galaxy discussing how to end the war that had been on-going for decades. The conflict that was the establishing feature of the Star Wars universe is finally at an end.
This book also does the double duty of hinting at future conflicts (this is Star Wars, after all - with the Empire surrendering, there's got to be a new villain - it wouldn't be Star Wars is there wasn't a war) while also wrapping up loose ends from the Thrawn trilogy. Borsk Fey'lya's anxiety about what might be found in the Emperor's storehouse is explained, as is the beckon call Luke found. We get more background for Karrde, a new set of Force-users that aren't Jedi or Sith, and we even get to see the mysterious Imperial capital of Bastion. Overall, a nice finale to the defining conflict of Star Wars.
bigdaddystout's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It’s a good ending to the duology, particularly the ending of the book. Just feels like it really didn’t have to be quite as long.
xeno2318's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5