Specter of the Past (edition 1998)

by Timothy Zahn (Author)

Series: Star Wars: Hand of Thrawn (1), Star Wars Novels (19 ABY), Star Wars Legends/ EU (non-canon) ((Hand of Thrawn 1) 19 ABY), Star Wars Universe (19 ABY)

Members	Reviews	Popularity	Average rating	Mentions
2,490	16	6,487	(3.84)	6
Fiction. Science Fiction. Thriller. HTML:Hugo Award-winning author Timothy Zahn makes his triumphant return to the Star Wars(r) universe in this first of an epic new two-volume series in which the New Republic must face its most dangerous enemy yet�a dead Imperial warlord. The Empire stands at the brink of total collapse. But they have saved their most heinous plan for last. First a plot is hatched that could destroy the New Republic in a bloodbath of genocide and civil war. Then comes the shocking news that Grand Admiral Thrawn�the most cunning and ruthless warlord in history�has apparently returned from the dead to lead the Empire to a long-prophesied victory. Facing incredible odds, Han and Leia begin a desperate race against time to prevent the New Republic from unraveling in the face of two inexplicable threats�one from within and one from without. Meanwhile, Luke teams up with Mara Jade, using the Force to track down a mysterious pirate ship with a crew of clones. Yet, perhaps most dangerous of all, are those who lurk in the shadows, orchestrating a dark plan that will turn the New Republic and the Empire into their playthings.… (more)

▾Book information

Member:	rabbinover
Title:	Specter of the Past
Authors:	Timothy Zahn (Author)
Info:	Bantam Books 1998-10-01 (1998), Edition: First Edition, 386 pages
Collections:	Your library
Rating:
Tags:	None

Work Information

Specter Of The Past (Hand of Thrawn I) by Timothy Zahn

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Showing 1-5 of 16 (next | show all)

Not as strong as the Thrawn trilogy, but this story captured the feel of the new republic well. There are new forces at play, politics in overdrive, and mysteries to uncover. (

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jamestomasino | Dec 30, 2024 |

I have always loved the Star Wars universe and especially the novels that were written about it. Timothy Zahn definitely writes my favorite books about it. His stories fit quite well within the framework of the existing Star Wars world while adding something new and extra to it. I like his writing style and characterizations a great deal. (

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KateKat11 | Sep 24, 2021 |

I love everything about this set of novels. Political intrigue, moral dilemmas, romance...excellent work again, Zahn! Plus, the audiobook once again is FABULOUS. (

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Ambie-Wan | Jan 10, 2021 |

Of all the Star Wars authors, Timothy Zahn has given us the best stories and the most interesting plot lines. He also develops the characters and each acts as what you would expect them to do. And this is another example where he does all the right things. And to top it off, he brings back the best character / villain in a way that will make you wonder why no one else has done something similar. I only have one regret: that I finished it too fast and there's not more too read. Well, there is the second book which concludes the story so I guess I can also regret that there won't be a third. (

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dagon12 | Oct 11, 2020 |

I struggled for a while deciding whether I "liked it" or "really liked it." If 3.5/5 was an option, I'd choose that. It took zero effort for the story to begin unfolding because it was written in a known universe full of famous characters. I found that experience almost relaxing.

Reading this book felt exactly like watching a Star Wars movie to me. That was fun. I burned through 80 pages one day, which is not something I normally do. There wasn't really any reading fatigue with this one.

I do have some criticism. Does everyone in the galaxy have a caffeine problem? Dehydrated? The author uses physical twitching an annoying amount. Everyone's twitching in every scene it feels like -- their lips, their cheeks, their knees. There are a handful of times where characters' thought patterns are shared across multiple characters and it feels unimaginative. Character perspective was probably the weakest aspect of the book. It wasn't unique enough from character to character.

Overall, reading the book was fun, I liked the story, but I wouldn't give the author a gold star for skillfulness in writing. Will I read the second book? Maybe. (

)

014 | May 4, 2020 |

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Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Zahn, Timothy	—	primary author	all editions	confirmed
Struzan, Drew	Cover artist	secondary author	some editions	confirmed

▾Series and work relationships

Belongs to Series

Star Wars Legends/ EU (non-canon) ((Hand of Thrawn 1) 19 ABY)

Star Wars Novels (19 ABY)

Star Wars Universe (19 ABY)

Star Wars: Hand of Thrawn (1)

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Canonical title

Specter Of The Past (Hand of Thrawn I)

Original title

Specter of the Past

Alternative titles

Original publication date

People/Characters

Mitth'raw'nuruodo (Thrawn)

Important places

Important events

Related movies

Epigraph

Dedication

First words

Slowly, silently, its lights a faint glitter of life amid the darkness, the Imperial Star Destroyer Chimaera glided through space.

Quotations

Last words

(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

Disambiguation notice

Publisher's editors

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Original language

English

Canonical DDC/MDS

Canonical LCC

▾References

References to this work on external resources.

Wikipedia in English (2)

Specter of the Past

The Hand of Thrawn

▾Book descriptions

Fiction. Science Fiction. Thriller. HTML:Hugo Award-winning author Timothy Zahn makes his triumphant return to the Star Wars(r) universe in this first of an epic new two-volume series in which the New Republic must face its most dangerous enemy yet�a dead Imperial warlord.

The Empire stands at the brink of total collapse. But they have saved their most heinous plan for last. First a plot is hatched that could destroy the New Republic in a bloodbath of genocide and civil war. Then comes the shocking news that Grand Admiral Thrawn�the most cunning and ruthless warlord in history�has apparently returned from the dead to lead the Empire to a long-prophesied victory. Facing incredible odds, Han and Leia begin a desperate race against time to prevent the New Republic from unraveling in the face of two inexplicable threats�one from within and one from without. Meanwhile, Luke teams up with Mara Jade, using the Force to track down a mysterious pirate ship with a crew of clones. Yet, perhaps most dangerous of all, are those who lurk in the shadows, orchestrating a dark plan that will turn the New Republic and the Empire into their playthings.

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The Empire stands at the brink of total collapse. But they have saved their most heinous plan for last. First a plot is hatched that could destroy the New Republic in a bloodbath of genocide and civil war. Then comes the shocking news that Grand Admiral Thrawn--the most cunning and ruthless warlord in history--has apparently returned from the dead to lead the Empire to a long-prophesied victory. Facing incredible odds, Han and Leia begin a desperate race against time to prevent the New Republic from unraveling in the face of two inexplicable threats--one from within and one from without. Meanwhile, Luke teams up with Mara Jade, using the Force to track down a mysterious pirate ship with a crew of clones. Yet, perhaps most dangerous of all, are those who lurk in the shadows, orchestrating a dark plan that will turn the New Republic and the Empire into their playthings.

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