Allegiance by Timothy Zahn (2007, Hardcover)

Star Wars: Allegiance

Allegiance is a hardcover book that was released in January 2007 by Del Rey
books. This book was written by Timothy Zahn.

Allegiance returns Timothy Zahn to writing in the Star Wars universe. I find
that all of Zahn's books are the ones that best capture the feeling of the
movies. I find he is by far the best writer in the EU!

Basic book idea:

Mara Jade, the Emperor's Hand, is looking into the illicit financial affairs of a planetary governor, hoping to find evidence that he might be funding the Rebellion. Luke, Han, and Chewbacca are sent on a mission to help some rebel supporters. Leia is busy being a diplomat, trying to drum up support for the Rebel Alliance. And a band of 5 stormtroopers, on the run after refusing a direct order, finds itself in the strange position of doing good deeds...and perhaps even aiding the Rebellion. The paths of all of them will crisscross back and forth as they come closer and closer to meeting up with one another...but never quite managing to.

I love this book for the following reasons:

1. You have a band of 5 stormtroopers that are pushed to the edge. They refuse
a direct order from the Imperial Security Bureau that did not come from the normal
chain of command. As a result they are questioned on it afterwards and branded
as traitors. They end up commandeering an ISB ship and fleeing their posts.

This is interesting because they feel that what they were told to do was not legal
under the Empire. This band of troopers decide to go about to hide but end up
wearing their armour and enforcing the laws of the Empire wherever they land. They
look like a rouge band to the ISB, but they are following the letter of the law.

They end up helping and crossing paths with Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Chewie, and
they are eventually taken command of by Mara Jade, the Empire's Hand.

2. Mara Jade. This book shows her acting back as the Empire's Hand! You get to
spend more time reading about her, watching her in action, and learning about her
character. The best part is that she is being written about by the person that
created her, Zahn! :) By far the best part.

3. Minimal Movie Hero involvement. Yes, Han, Luke, Leia, and Chewie are in the books.
But these characters are not the main focus of the book. So this makes it special.
They are there and participating in the book, but if you took them out the book could
still stand on its own.


I found that the plot of the troopers was the best. Questioning orders that you think
are wrong, and the consequences was great.

Overall I love Timothy Zahn Star Wars books!

5/5. What a read! Get it! :)


Latsyrhc
Tamarack Collectibles