Choices of One

Star Wars Legends: Novels

by Timothy Zahn

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Timothy Zahn comes a brand-new Star Wars adventure, set in the time between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back and featuring the young Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia Organa, and the beloved Mara Jade. The fate of the Rebellion rests on Luke Skywalker’s next move. But have the rebels entered a safe harbor or a death trap? Eight months after the Battle of Yavin, the Rebellion is in desperate need of a new base. So when Governor Ferrouz of Candoras Sector proposes an alliance, offering the Rebels sanctuary in return for protection against the alien warlord Nuso Esva, Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie are sent to evaluate the deal.Mara Jade, the Emperor’s Hand, is also heading for Candoras, along with the five renegade stormtroopers known as the Hand of Judgment. Their to punish Ferrouz’s treason and smash the Rebels for good. But in this treacherous game of betrayals within betrayals, a wild card is waiting to be played. Don’t miss the new novella by Timothy Zahn, “Crisis of Faith,” featured in the 20th anniversary edition of Star Heir to the Empire

Genres: Star Wars, Science Fiction, Fiction, Space Opera, Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy, Novels

463 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Timothy Zahn attended Michigan State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in physics in 1973. He then moved to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and achieved an M.S. degree in physics in 1975. While he was pursuing a doctorate in physics, his adviser became ill and died. Zahn never completed the doctorate. In 1975 he had begun writing science fiction as a hobby, and he became a professional writer. He and his wife Anna live in Bandon, Oregon. They have a son, Corwin Zahn.

Reviews

[Chris Comerford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty great, but not quite as good as Allegiance. The focus on the Hand of Judgment, which made Allegiance so compelling, is reduced in favour of a somewhat welcome turn by Pellaeon and a somewhat misguided subplot for Han and Leia. Still a lot of fun, though.

Also, Mara Jade is just the best.

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lucasbooks : We would like you to write another book for our expanded universe, the readers enjoy your books more than any of the others.

Timothy Zahn: Sure I have a great idea that I have been thinking of that expands some of the characters I’ve developed from my last offering.

Lucasbooks : That’s great and all, but can we ask that you include a few things to ensure it becomes a bestseller?

Timothy Zahn: Um.

Lucasbooks : Can you include once more?

Timothy Zahn: ….

Lucasbooks : Also we would like [image error], , and [image error], to be included from the original trilogy era.

Timothy Zahn: …..

Lucasbooks : It doesn’t hurt to throw in a little , as well.

Timothy Zahn: …? Anyone else?

Lucasbooks : Oh why not include , . I know we killed her off and that infuriated many readers so we need to include her in as much as possible where we can.

Timothy Zahn: That’s going to be tricky knowing that neither of them have met yet.

Lucasbooks : No worries. As long as your writing it and those characters are involved it can be a mediocre story but the readers will eat it up.

Timothy Zahn: Don’t you think the readers will become upset that they’re being fed garbage for a profit?

Lucasbooks : Oh they won’t know any better. They have an insatiable appetite that results in them wanting something regardless of what it is.

Timothy Zahn: ….


Have you ever felt like a hog being fed in the trough?


I sure do after having read this. The only part I started to enjoy was when I came to the beginning of the end and I knew it would soon be over. How I miss Heir to the Empire. I may have to pick up the 20th anniversary edition to reflect back to the good old days. Or wait...I think that's what the publishers were aiming for here. Now I just felt manipulated.

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can’t believe its been 15 years since I first picked up Heir to the Empire…. starting down the long Star Wars road of EU.

This one is a sequel to Timothy Zahn’s previous book Allegiance, which I decided to re-read in preparation because I couldn’t remember a damn thing about what happened. In this a lot of Zahn’s old favourites make an appearance including Thrawn, Mara Jade, Pelleaon, etc, and once again the big three Han, Luke and Leia.

The good stuff: Zahn still knows how to weave a plot, creating a number of separate events that inevitably come together into a coherent gel. I did find the 5 stormtroopers from the previous book to be interesting so they were welcome return for this one. I love how fast paced Zahn’s stories are, never getting too bogged down on descriptive detail or story lulls, like many Star Wars writers have done in the past. Zahn knows his Star Wars characters, his Han Solo and pre-Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker are bang on. It’s amazing how Zahn can do that yet many authors never seem to ‘get’ Han, and Luke’s change was obvious between A New Hope and Return of the Jedi… yet some authors appear not to know that.

The not so good stuff: The plot has some very distinct echos from Allegiance which is surprising because Zahn’s plots in the past have never felt re-hashed. The characterisation of Hand of Judgement didn’t feel advanced much from the previous story. At the beginning it felt like there might be a focus on them a bit more from the previous book but alas not to be. They are also supposed to be stormtroopers... you know, the guys who would get blastered in almost every scene they appear in the movies.... yet they seem to have more luck dodging fire than John Matrix. There are certain events, particularly between Luke and Mara that really stretch creditability as they were not supposed to have met and Luke no clue that Mara even exists.

Overall, I’d say its okay, not great.... but then not many have been of late. Perhaps I'm finally 'outgrowing' these books...? It’s a shame the Star Wars universe has been screwed over so much with the New Jedi Order onwards. I would have loved to see what Zahn and Stakepole could have done after peace with the Empire was achieved. As it is, other authors have taken their characters and done horrible things to them, so Zahn has gone back to the films setting and the restrictions that come with writing in that era. Ah well…

[CS · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't had this much fun in the Star Wars EU for far too long!

A new villain at the edges of Unknown Space is rising: Nuso Esva. He is gathering alien races together with the intent of toppling Thrawn and the Empire. Meanwhile, Han, Luke, and Leia have a mission: the world of Candoras, on the edge of Known Space, ruled by Governor Ferrouz, is extending an offer to join the Rebel Alliance. But can they seal the deal before the Emperor's Hand, Mara Jade, and the Hand of Judgement get to him first?

Timothy Zahn is my absolute favorite author, and this book just showcases all the reasons why I will buy pretty much anything he produces in hardcover.

In Zahn's hands, the characters flourish. This time around, I felt Mara Jade was better (not so "super-powered" as I found in "Allegiance"). Sure, she is still really powerful and highly competent, but she makes mistakes and is duped like anyone else. Thrawn also appears and is great. I only have two complaints about him: 1) he was not in the book enough and 2) it was slightly confusing WHERE he was (though that might have been done on purpose, and if that is the case, then it was well done). Luke Skywalker is so well-done in this book! He is just a dorky, naive kid! Zahn perfectly captures his awkward "not yet a Jedi" stage, his innocence, his idealism--basically, all the attributes we saw in "A New Hope". Han is back with a flourish and I loved how he chaffed at not being informed of all of Rieekan's plans. Leia is likewise great, nice and snappy, but never treading into b!tchy territory. And the sparks these two have...WOWSER! The stormtrooper deserters of Hand of Judgement are superb and are really beginning to become their own. I felt like Zahn is doing for the stormtroopers what Traviss did for the clonetroopers, and I am loving it. Each character is really blossoming--I adored how Brightwater had a lucky gold coin, how trigger happy Grave was, etc.

As for newcomers, Axlon and Ferrouz COMPLETELY stunned me. Both of these men refuse to be put into Star Wars EU stereotypes. I can't really say a whole lot more than that as it would completely blow the surprise and spoil the hell out of the novel, but when I got to the big revelation, I wanted to cry tears of joy. Just when I thought that new ideas, that unstereotypical characters were never going to appear in EU, Zahn comes in.

I happen to be a huge Empire Junkie, and I really loved how Zahn refused to make the Empire the Bad GuysTM. Sure, they oppose our heroes, but never once does Zahn make his Imperials goofy villains, chuckling about how powerful they are only to fail when faced against overpowered Luke, having Imperials undermine each other at every cost only for the power, and having the Imperials have little regard for human life. It's something I've said time and again: While I can 100% buy that SOME Imperials are trigger-happy, power-hungry mongrels, you can't have an Empire last for any length of time when all of its citizens are biting at each other to get on top. If there is NOTHING good about the Empire, how come it wasn't overthrown Day Two after "Revenge of the Sith"?

The plot this time was much more cohesive and interesting. I loved how Zahn pulled in all the characters on something seemingly unrelated, only to have it tie together in the end. Now, I will admit there were tons of times where I was wondering what was happening, and even at the end, I asked myself, "So...why did X happen?" Fortunately, Zahn had a little "Summary of What the Enemy Did", which normally I didn't like, but this time I appreciated.

One minor quibble I had was on the words, or should I say, the overusage of words. Zahn very much relies on "Point", "winced", "grimaced", and more in his writing, and I'd be lying if I said that it didn't bug me or at least jump out at me. All these diverse characters, and they all "wince" and "grimace" when something bad happens? Another somewhat closely related complaint I have is how pretty much everyone makes the "right", "intelligent" choice that leads to a perfect outcome in the end. For example, if Mara makes a plan, she hopes that Bad Guy A will move left, so she can do X, which will do Y. And whaddya know? Bad Guy A moves left. After a while, it was a bit crazy.

I came down a bit hard on "Allegiance" (maybe it didn't seem that way, but I am a Zahn fan girl, and I didn't give it a glowing review, as I have with his other works), and I wasn't sure if I would really want to read more of Mara Jade, the Hand of Judgement, and our Big Three (Han, Luke, Leia). But Zahn has restored my faith in him; this book is a joy to read, reminiscent of "A New Hope" and all the things I adore about Star Wars. Definitely recommended!

[Joshua Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book did a little better than its predecessor in terms of creating a fun narrative to follow. Though, it was very hard to follow some of the double and triple crosses in this “who done it”. Still, it had plenty of action and was interesting filler between ANH and ESB. There was also, like Allegiance, a lot of conniving to make sure none of the characters met each other before Heir to the Empire.

[Janet Sketchley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterful storytelling, complete with multiple plot lines and one of Timothy Zahn’s signature plot twists… and a spectacular climax that had me cheering out loud.

Choices of One has a cast that includes Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Darth Vader, Mara Jade and Thrawn, and it takes place between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back.

It can’t be easy to write about established characters whose future has already been mapped in other novels (the Star Wars series now extends forty-plus years past A New Hope). The writer has to be true to who the characters are at that point in the timeline, and not do anything that will rewrite their future. To add to the challenge, Timothy Zahn brings characters who can’t meet yet into very close proximity – and pulls it off in style.

Only Thrawn can make me cheer for the Empire (well, for his section anyway) and that’s because Timothy Zahn knows how to create good characters working in their own corners of a bad structure. Thrawn knows the Empire is corrupted, but from his perspective, it’s still the best option out there for galactic stability. Instead of sweating what he can’t control, Thrawn handles his own sphere of influence with justice and fairness.

Hugo-Award-winning Timothy Zahn is my favourite author. The Random House site says he’s “one of science fiction’s most popular voices, known for pitting realistic human characters against a well-researched background of future science and technology.“ This may be the best of the Star Wars books he’s written to date, and I’ve enjoyed them all.

Along with his Star Wars and Terminator novels, he’s written somewhere around 30 other satisfying science-fiction novels. For me, it’s been worth hunting down the out of print ones from his early days. Recent titles include the Cobra Wars and Quadrail series.

Choices of One is a sequel to his novel Allegiance, and although you don’t have to read them in order there will otherwise be spoilers. Here’s an interesting recent interview with Timothy Zahn. If you need more convincing, here’s an excerpt from Choices of One.

[2023 note: On a re-read, I still quite enjoyed it but not at the same level as this glowing review. Still an excellent read!]

[Review copy from my personal library, and worth every penny of the hardcover price.]

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

The usual Star Wars Expanded Universe silliness as only Timothy Zahn seems able to tell it. This rating is relative to other SW EU books.

Choices of One inserts a new tale, not at the end of the expanding galaxy of SW stories, but in the middle: eight months after the climax of A New Hope (the original SW movie). Zahn manages to weave his "usual suspects"--Mara Jade, Daric LaRone plus four, and Thrawn--into a story consistent with who they--and the SW regulars, Luke, Han, Leia, Chewie, et al.--were then. He stumbles only on Luke, as it's hard to bring the future Jedi Master all the way back to his escaped moisture farmer roots and still give him a credible role involving Mara Jade, especially as we all know where Zahn is going to take their relationship.

Good job, but probably only for die hard SW EU fans.

Second reading 2016:

“The Choices of One shape the futures of all.”
Zahn manages to insert a fully-developed tale into the stream of the Star Wars canon, in this case just after The New Hope, which advances the characters (some of whom are Expanded Universe, not canon) without doing serious damage to the whole.
“We all strive to build empires … we hope will survive us.”
As usual with Zahn books there’s entirely too much cooperation and fraternization between Empire and Rebel Alliance, but as usual it’s for a good cause.
“He’s never seen the Dark Lord this close … this angry.”
Manages half a dozen plot threads to keep the reader engaged. Still, pop corn for the brain. (see below)
“Information always matters.”
The joke’s on me: I didn’t realize I read this book six years ago until I checked my database. Even knowing that, it was like reading a new story. One of the few advantages (?) of age.
“Sometimes it was good to be a law unto yourself.”

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure how I would feel about this book. I really enjoy Timothy Zahn, particularly when he's playing in the Star Wars universe, and I developed an unhealthy attachment to Mara Jade at a relatively young age so I'm possessive enough of her character that I get grumpy if anyone messes with it. (Most of the NJO books got thrown across the room when I tried to read them. I gave up on them long ago and live in the past now Star Wars wise.)

This book avoids some of the flaws I found in its precursor, Allegiance, and I generally found it more enjoyable. It was slow to start and like most Zahn books, goes into more mechanical and military tactic detail than I usually wish to read, but once it got going I really enjoyed the multiple storylines and growing intrigue (Zahn does multilayered intrigue very well) as to who is really pulling the strings.

I thought the characters were accurately written based on the their personalities and dynamics at the beginning of the Empire Strikes Back and it was refreshing to see them like that again. I noticed the lack of obvious love triangle but I always felt that even when Leia kissed Luke in Empire, they both knew it was all about Han for her so I never bought the love triangle as being that intense.

I found Mara far more enjoyable in this book than in the previous one. In Allegiance she seemed like a stuck up kid always throwing her status around. Here she actually seemed like a skilled operative.

Regarding characters that can't meet, I was expecting another series of near misses and I appreciate that Zahn took us down a different path.

I recommend it for anyone who loves Zahn's approach to Star Wars and wishes the prequels had the charm of the originals.

[Branwen Sedai *of the Brown Ajah* · Rating 5 out of 5]

The choices of one shape the futures of all...

This is without a doubt one of the BEST Star Wars books I have read in a long time!

Choices of One takes place about eight months in between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back. The leaders of the Rebellion are looking for a new base and it almost seems too good to be true when they are offered sanctuary by Governor Ferrouz of Candoras Sector. An alliance with him will grant the rebels a safe haven, more weapons, and more people to join their cause. Unbeknownst to them however, Mara Jade, the Emperor's Hand, has been ordered to pass judgement on the governer for treason to the Empire.

Everything Timothy Zahn writes is just pure gold, in my opinion. Not only does he have such a real understanding of the characters, but he can also make a scene so suspenseful and intense that you don't ever want to put the book down! That was epescially the case with this book as well. There were multiple characters that had differnet storylines which all converged at the end into this huge action packed ending that was just downright fantastic. I loved seeing Luke struggle with his newfound Jedi powers. I loved seeing Han and Leia be snarky with each other. I loved seeing Mara Jade kick serious ass yet still hold on to her integrity at the same time.

If you are a fan of Star Wars you will love this book!

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book, as I really enjoyed Timothy Zahn's first Star Wars books, but it didn't meet expectations. It felt like the plot of the book was sacrificed to make a fan service book, mashing together a bunch of existing Star Wars characters (Han, Chewbacca, Leia, Luke, Mara Jade, Thrawn, and the Hand of Judgment stormtroopers) simply because they're fan favourites. On top of which, since the book is early in the Star Wars timeline, it felt like the author was constantly juggling the plot to avoid continuity errors (for example, characters who haven't met yet in the Star Wars timeline can't meet in this book, even if it requires obvious plot manipulation).

The book wasn't horrible (I found it entertaining, on the whole) but I would only recommend it to fans of the Star Wars books, and in particular fans of Timothy Zahn and the characters he created, because that's really the only draw.

[SilvanShadow · Rating 4 out of 5]

When an Outer Rim governor offers the Rebel Alliance a full-fledged base in return for help defending against an alien warlord the Rebels are left wondering if this is a genuine offer or an elaborate trap. Meanwhile, Mara Jade – the Emperor's Hand – is sent to the same sector to deal with its traitor governor.

I haven't truly enjoyed a Star Wars novel since the New Jedi Order series began and the only thought I had after reading the latest Fate of the Jedi book was "OK, I'm ready for a reboot" so, leave it to Timothy Zahn to make Star Wars fun for me again. Zahn has a grasp on Star Wars and its characters that no other author can compare to. This is a book about choices and how a choice made by a single individual affects the lives of others.

It was fun reading about naïve, inexperienced Luke opposed to the super-ultra-mega Jedi Luke of recent years. And it was nice to see Han making the not-so-smooth transition from smuggler to officer in Rebel Alliance. It wasn't until after I'd finished the book that I realized there wasn't any mentions of R2 or 3P0. And, even though it would've fit into the timeframe this novel takes place in, there is no Luke/Leia/Han love triangle to be seen. I've been quite bitter over Mara Jade's fate in the Legacy of the Force series so, as far as I'm concerned, the more Mara the better.

All in all, 'Choices of One' is a solid Star Wars story and makes me even more excited for the re-release of 'Heir to the Empire'. 4.5 Stars.

[Jay DeMoir · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 13%

Tried to read this story twice but each time I just get so utterly bored. :-(

[Jerome Otte · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick but intricate story.

The story starts off a little slowly, but it soon gets better. The twists are, for the most part, good, and there’s a lot of clever action. Even if you’re not familiar with Zahn’s other Star Wars stories, the plot should still be pretty easy to follow. The tie-ins to the broader universe are also well-done; one part deals with Vader’s certainty about the location of the Rebel’s base on Hoth based on a fragmentary report, another deals with how the Rebels obtained their snowspeeders, and another with the Empire’s plans for Endor (at one point Thrawn evaluates Endor’s security, warning the Emperor not to underestimate the natives)

Zahn looks at Han’s more serious side, which is cool to look at, and unusual for Star Wars stories. Luke is also present, mostly as a naive dork, but it’s endearing and Zahn ably captures his idealism, innocence and awkwardness. Mara Jade is also present, and Zahn does a good job presenting her motives, her shrewdness, and her conviction that she’s on the right side; a theme throughout the book is that many good people loyally serve the Empire and believe in it. The main villain is also pretty interesting. Thrawn is also present, and his part is well done; he plans ahead and executes with style. Mara’s character is also nuanced.

A lot happens in the book, and some readers may find that it jumps around too much, or that it has too many characters. The story might have been better as a duology. Zahn is usually pretty good at surprise endings, but the final plot twist is somewhat predictable; you’ll probably figure it out halfway through the book. Some plot threads are only loosely connected, although they do come together at the end pretty neatly. Lord Ordo’s arc is a little confusing. Some of the settings are a little boring.

Some of the people and settings come and go without much impact on the plot, and the presence of Luke, Han, Leia and Chewbacca sometimes just feels like fan service. Vader is also in the book, but he seems to talk too much. Also, since Mara and Luke meet for the first time only in the Thrawn trilogy, Zahn needs to find ways to keep them from meeting throughout the book, but the way he does it sometimes comes off as blatant and heavy-handed. Also, at one point Mara doesn’t recognize the Skywalker name, and she doesn’t seem to know that he’s Force-sensitive, which is pretty hard to believe. Also, in this story, Palpatine favors Thrawn and Mara over Vader. Zahn does this a lot in his books, but it still doesn’t make much sense. Mara’s also supposed to be a sneaky assassin, but she seems to do everything in a “loud” kind of way, and seems to prefer her lightsaber. In the previous books, Pellaeon comes off as a callous racist, but here he’s open-minded all of a sudden.

Still, an enjoyable story.

[Haven B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book! The story actually wasn't completely centered around Mara Jade as some might think, but instead branches out with lots of other characters (reminds me of Dickens). The book switches back and forth between these (stormtroopers, Thrawn, Luke Skywalker, Han and Leia, etc), and I after reading so many Star Wars books by Timothy Zahn, I just know as soon as I pick it up that its gonna be about all my favorite characters! Also was great to have more written from the perspective of lower ranked characters--Imperial fleet commanders, captains/senior captains and such, like Pellaeon.
That ending though... 🤔

[elef · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book would've been so much better if it wasn't for that one specific blue person and his boyfriend.

aside from that, han and leia parts were kinda boring even though i liked the part where leia flew with wedge! i loved hand of judgement's parts but i'm not fan of how their story ended up. i feel so bad for mara :(

and at last i LOVED how luke and mara helped and impressed by each other. it was the best scene of the book imo!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Cameron Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading a Star Wars novel is a bit like playing the lottery. Sometimes you hit the jackpot (Revenge of the Sith) but more often than not you end up wasting your time (Planet of Twilight). The most consistently good Star Wars author has been Timothy Zahn and this novel is no exception.

The Choices of one takes place in between a New Hope and the Empire Strikes Back. The Rebel Alliance is in need of a new base after the Empire’s siege on their base on Yavin 4. To alleviate this situation, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Axlon, a Rebel Alliance ambassador, are sent to a small planet known as Poln Major to negotiate a deal for a new base. Of course the Empire has taken notice of the Rebel’s recent activities and sends in the assassin, Mara Jade. Mara Jade understands that she cannot complete this mission alone so she enlists the help of the renegade storm troopers, the Hand of Judgement. In the shadows, the alien warlord Nuso Esva pulls the strings of both the empire and the republic

To truly appreciate the story, it would be best for somebody to have read some of Zahn’s other work. The Choices of One is truly a fan novel because it contains some of the most loved Star War characters (Mara Jade, Thrawn, Pellion). Of course those who have not read Zahn’s other work will still be intrigued by the technology and action that occurs in the book. I urge everyone to stick with the book too the end because the last 100 or so pages greatly expand the plot.

Like most of Zahn’s work, the characters are the true star novel. Since this takes place prior to the Empire Strikes Back, Luke Skywalker is still very much the shy farm boy which is quite a relief because in later novels, he is a lightsaber wielding god. Zahn does a great job with Han Solo’s characterization because he shows why Han wants to be an official part of the Rebel Alliance. The most interesting character throughout the novel is the alien Thrawn who, despite imperial prejudices, enlists with the empire and is a superb tactician.

Sadly there are quite a few issues with this novel. The first is that Zahn uses the same phrase a bit too often. For example, you would think that Han Solo was raised by wolves because he growls almost every other sentence he says. The second issue is that some of the characters do not act in accordance with their profession. Mara Jade is the best example of this because all though she is technically an assassin, she tends to do her job in a very loud way and relies on her lightsaber a bit to much. The granddaddy problem with this book is the fact that some of the characters meet to often. Most of the characters in this book are not suppose to meet for ten more years but there are quite a few scenes that are to close for comfort.

Overall the Choices of One is not a good place for a person to get into Star Wars novels, but fans of Zahn’s previous works will eat it up. So I end this review with 2 different ratings

As a novel-3.5/5
As a Star Wars novel 4/5

[Eric Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize there was a sequel to Allegiance. It looks like this book came out about a week before Disney banished the Expanded Universe to the dark oblivion of Legends. Probably why it doesn't even have an audiobook version. Anyway, I really liked Allegiance, and felt that the focus on characters other than the core cast of Star Wars characters was a welcome change, so, here's to hoping that this sequel to a good book is better than the last sequel to a good book I read from this author.




Okay, this book is not quite as good as the first one. It needed more focus on Mara Jade and the stormtrooper dudes, and way, WAY less focus on Luke and Han. I do like that it spent some time on Pallaeon though. Like with the first book, I felt that the Luke/Han story was getting in the way of the rest of the story. It doesn't really have much reason to be there except to scream at you, "STAR WARS!!! GET IT!!!" Like with the first book it just feels tacked onto a story that didn't need it in order to simply include some of the main Star Wars cast. It's like the author didn't have enough faith in his story standing on its own, and felt like he needed to add in the crutch of a superfluous Han and Luke plotline that, while it does tie in better than the plotline in the first book, is still not really all that great. This story kind of needed to stand on its own, and the author didn't really let it. It was still a fun read, but it could have been so much more.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

After discovering Grand Admiral Thrawn was officially "real" again, I felt the need to read a novel with Thrawn in it. I already reread the original Zahn trilogy years ago, so I chose this one.

I love Zahn's Star Wars stories, his characters are always so well written. This story takes place between A New Hope and The Empires Strikes Back. The Rebels are looking for a new base and a young Mara Jade is rooting out traitors in the Empire. Under the Emperor's command, we still see the good in her as she carries out her tasks. Along for the ride are those 5 rogue Storm Troopers who call themselves The Hand of Judgement, first introduced in Allegiance. Yet again they accidentally-on purpose end up working with Luke and the Rebels. LaRone, Marcross, Brightwater, Grave and Quiller are all fantastic characters whose antics are unbelievably fun to read, and I wish they made more appearances in the expanded universe before it was written over.

Wedge flies the T-47s with the Rogues for the first time in this novel. Any story with Wedge in it gets an extra star from me. (And he's actually "Rogue 1" here without Luke in the squadron!) Airen Cracken, another of my favourites, is also in this book. I found it odd that Mara kept referring to Luke as "kid". Isn't he older than her? While Luke, Mara and the rogue Storm Troopers work together on the ground, Han ends up teaming up with the Imperials in space while impersonating an ISB agent. Fantastic.

Thrawn is just a lowly senior captain at this point, in command of the Admonitor, while Pellaeon is already on his future command ship, Chimaera. We get to witness their first interaction. The Yuuzhan Vong invasion is foreshadowed. And Vader's Death Squadron even makes an appearance! Thrawn enlisting LaRone and crew was the perfect ending. This story had it all. Definitely one of my favourite books from the expanded/legends universe.

I can't wait for Zahn's upcoming Thrawn novel.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is my opinion that nobody writes a Star Wars novel on the same level as Timothy Zahn. I'm not a real fan of the extended universe of the Star Wars canon. I think the later novels about Han and Leia's children are pretty lame.

However, Zahn does the classic Star War stuff right. In this particular offering, the Emperor's hand, Mara Jade, is the primary character. She's off on a secret mission and she recruits the squad of stormtroopers from Zahn's earlier novel "Allegiance" to provide her with assistance. This novel takes place between "A New Hope" and "The Empire Strikes Back" and Zahn provides an excellent betweenj the films adventure.

This story has political manuevering, sneaky exploring, hand-to-hand combat, ground combat, space combat, and all of the stuff you would expect in a good Star Wars story EXCEPT the droids. About a fourth of the way through the book I was sort of disturbed by Zahn's efforts to include the traditional characters- Luke, Han, Wedge, Leia, Chewbacca as what appeared to be peripheral characters. As it turns out, the author was simply taking a really broad brush and trying to tell a BIG story that had a lot of minor parts for Han, Leia, and Luke to play. Luke is, properly, not presented as an especially heroic figure. He has not yet learned the ways of the force and is still fairly clumsy with the lightsaber. Han is uncertain of his position with the alliance.

When it comes to the outer space combat-- Zahn describes it masterfully.. creating visual images with powerful descriptions. The plot is equally masterful, even if it starts off slow. The reader soon discovers that the inclusion of the classic characters has a distinct purpose and makes sense.

I don't read a lot of the Star Wars novels. But if Zahn is writing them, I'm going to read those. I think Zahn is the best Space Opera writer out there.

[Jacen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Choices of One more than Allegiance, it's predecessor. In fact I enjoyed it more than the past couple of FOTJ books. Perhaps all of them. Yes Zahn contradicted and kind of embellished some of Mara's abilities with the lightsaber but I could brush it off. I'm not married to the exactitude of the finer details of canon at the expense of a good story. Especially when it's Zahn. And this was a good story that was well executed. Sure, Mara could have used the lightaber less and I'd have been happier but this was one dense little pot boiler with a lot going on. I even appreciated how Luke wasn't the Force demigod that he is in most post ROTJ novels. He wasn't the centre of the novel at all. He was just where he would be at this point in the timeline. It was nice to see what will probably be the last of Luke portrayed as such an inexperienced novice. And I finally appreciated Han and Leia again! I mean I HATE them from LOTF on but this was classic Han, Chewie and Leia. Han was utterly indispensable in this book and his cockiness and insight weren't the rantings of an old man long past his prime. Next to Thrawn and maybe Mara Jade, Han is the most intelligent character in the book. He did stuff that mattered and didn't bore me. Who'd a thunk?

The Thrawn stuff wasn't overly complicated. It was easy to figure out a few reveals but some still made their way to surprise me. All in all a great old fashioned Star Wars story that is leaps and bounds more interesting than Allegiance.

[L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Choices of One more than Allegiance, it's predecessor. In fact I enjoyed it more than the past couple of FOTJ books. Perhaps all of them. Yes Zahn contradicted and kind of embellished some of Mara's abilities with the lightsaber but I could brush it off. I'm not married to the exactitude of the finer details of canon at the expense of a good story. Especially when it's Zahn. And this was a good story that was well executed. Sure, Mara could have used the lightaber less and I'd have been happier but this was one dense little pot boiler with a lot going on. I even appreciated how Luke wasn't the Force demigod that he is in most post ROTJ novels. He wasn't the centre of the novel at all. He was just where he would be at this point in the timeline. It was nice to see what will probably be the last of Luke portrayed as such an inexperienced novice. And I finally appreciated Han and Leia again! I mean I HATE them from LOTF on but this was classic Han, Chewie and Leia. Han was utterly indispensable in this book and his cockiness and insight weren't the rantings of an old man long past his prime. Next to Thrawn and maybe Mara Jade, Han is the most intelligent character in the book. He did stuff that mattered and didn't bore me. Who'd a thunk?

The Thrawn stuff wasn't overly complicated. It was easy to figure out a few reveals but some still made their way to surprise me. All in all a great old fashioned Star Wars story that is leaps and bounds more interesting than Allegiance.

[Samuel Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome tie-in between New Hope and Empire Strikes Back. It presents sub-plot after sub-plot, deception after deception with little, unexpected twists and turns.
Mara Jade returns with the five renegade stormtroopers along with the main characters from the original trilogy in a mission that brings in recognizable characters from the EU, one of the most prominent is by Zahn himself: Thrawn. Now a Senior Captain, Thrawn brings in a sudden jolt of excitement to hard fans because you know that he has some grand plan or small details that he has in his mind that can turn the tide of the coming battle.
I just love the books that bring in the major characters from the movies and introducing them into situations that will challenge them. Fans like me will enjoy reading on how Luke responds to being hailed as "Death Star blower-upper" and how he is still young when he is introduced to the war that envelopes the universe. Fans will also see the coming relationship between Han and Leia, as well as Leia's own roles in the Rebel Alliance.
Timothy Zahn is THE MAN when forming books that incorporate movie characters with the books characters. He doesn't just make it all two-dimensional but instead gives the characters feelings, a purpose, and in some cases gives them a whole new destiny before them, hinting a new future for the characters. He also doesn't focus on the events that have happened or will happened but instead brings in little hints here and there.

[DiscoSpacePanther · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm just finishing off the Zahn novels from the Legends continuity before the publication of Thrawn, Zahn's first novel in the new Star Wars canon.

This novel manages the tricky task of including all of the major characters from the Thrawn Trilogy together in a single adventure before they ever meet properly. It is deftly done, and doesn't detract from the story.

The plot itself is a convoluted tangle of disguises, betrayals and heroic last ditch gambits. Luke is still very young and inexperienced with the Force, not even knowing how to use his lightsabre properly. Han and Leia haven't yet hooked up, and there is still much tension in their relationship. Thrawn is not yet an Admiral, and Pellaeon is not yet captain of the Chimaera.

For someone who has read the other Zahn Thrawn novels, this is a gripping and satisfying read - so from a space opera fan (old skool STar Wars in particular) like me, this is heartily recommended!

[Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Star Wars. I also think Timothy Zahn is a great author. So I really like his Star Wars books. This one was no exception.

It had a couple of weak spots (carefully keeping certain characters from meeting, for example), but was overall a very fun read. I had a hard time putting it down.

I really like the Hand of Judgement. They feel like a group of characters from a roleplaying game, and it's a great deal of fun. Most of the characters are fleshed out a bit more than 'Is an Imperial, hates aliens,' and it's nice to see some flaws surface with older characters.

This one is definitely worth a read, despite the awful Poser cover art.

[Starlight Kid · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read for more about Mara Jade but wasn't the best.

Jade and Thrawn were excellent as was Han but Luke was boring and the 5 Stormtrooper characters were tedious.

He is hit and miss though this author and this one was a miss.

[Rena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great plot, amazing amount of action and well written but as with Allegiance, Mara's influence on the story took a back seat.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great follow up to Allegiances!

[Shaun "AceFireFox" · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing a few months after Allegiance this one has a more compact story that takes place more or less in one area instead of moving about all over the place. It's still pretty twisty and windy but still feels somewhat more straight forward than the last one.

We still follow LaRone and his crew, Luke, Han, Leia and Mara but we also get Palleon and Thrawn thrown into the mix as well. Zahn still gets clever of having all the paths cross but the characters not necessarily actually meeting in order to preserve the continuity.
I also like the little hint that the Rebels would be next going to Hoth (albeit it isn't actually said but the cold weather equipment and the mention that they would be going to a cold inhabited planet paves the way for Empire Strikes Back)

Personally I would have liked more of LaRone and his crew because, honestly, they were probably my favourite part of Allegiance and the fact they never appear again, no doubt partly because of the Disney buy out, hurts me. So far of my Legends reads, they've been my favourite new characters.

But yeah this one was just as solid as the last one. I'm not really sure which was my favourite.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's one thing you can always depend on: Timothy Zahn delivering a barn-burning, balls-to-the-wall "Star Wars" action adventure that ticks all the satisfaction boxes. At times, I was worried he was starting to juggle too many balls in "Choices of One", especially in terms of the cast of characters...which seemed to number in the dozens (if not hundreds). But he never lets any of the balls drop, in the face of overwhelming, byzantine (even farcical) plot complications. One thing he certainly manages is to give Han Solo bucket-loads of authentic character development...more than all of AC Crispin's "Han Solo" trilogy combined. This is immensely satisfying from start to finish.