Written by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 128 Kbps

The action is fast and furious in this new Star Wars novel. The Empire has been defeated and the New Republic established, but internal dissension threatens to tear the newfound stability apart. Over the objections of President Leia Organa Solo, former Imperials have been admitted to the Senate?which is then bombed, killing many of Leia's old allies and injuring Leia herself. Leia believes that the former Imperials are to blame, but they accuse her husband, Han Solo, of treachery. As tension builds, it's discovered that another player has entered the game, the mysterious Kueller, a heretofore unknown master of the dark side of the Force. Leia's brother, Luke Skywalker, goes to investigate and, eventually, he, Han, Leia, Lando, Artoo, Threepio and other longtime Stars Wars characters find themselves fighting desperately to stave off the collapse of the New Republic. Rusch, who has won a John Campbell Award for Best Novel and a Hugo Award as Best Editor, and who has written numerous Star Trek novels, moves her narrative briskly, but at the expense of clear plotting, crisp detail and character.Still, what Star Wars fans want above all is action, and Rusch hurls it at them at warp speed. Major ad/promo.