I'm currently in the middle of reading Outbound Flight, which I am thoroughly enjoying, I must say.

I know some people think Timothy Zahn's work is overrated, but in my opinion he is truly the Master. Outbound Flight is easily the best SW novel I have read in a long time. I do realize saying that is a little premature since I haven't even finished reading it, but in Zahn's competent hands, I know the book will follow through.

It is infinitely better than the last book I have read, which was Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader, by James Luceno.

I hate to say it, but I can't stand Luceno's novels. They literally bore me to tears. I don't mind coming across the odd book or author that I dislike, but it always confounds me as to why Luceno gets signed up for such significant titles.

The New Jedi Order finale for one. Most of the time when reading a book, I have trouble "putting it down". With The Unifying Force, I had trouble picking it up. I don't know how any other author could have managed to make a book - an epic finale to a mammoth series - so dull.

I was equally disappointed with Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader. Blaah. I really wanted to enjoy the events following the creation of the New Order, but again, Luceno's work was lacking in every department.

Labyrinth of Evil wasn't as bad; it would have taken a total moron to foul up the events directly preceding Revenge of the Sith. It was probably his best SW book, in my opinion. And yet... I wonder that if the book was not about the epic hunt for Sidious, would it have been as bad as his other books.

I'm sorry to say that I was relieved when his name did not appear among the list of Legacy of the Force authors.

Anyway, if there are people out there who enjoy Luceno's work, please enlighten me; I'd love someone to point out the writer's good points to me.

And thank the Force for Timothy Zahn.