Shadows of the Empire, a novel that was tied in with video game, soundtrack, action figures and a comic version, was written by Steve Perry and is set between Episodes V and VI.

It is being discussed in the BC&T forum here and there is more information about the book and its blurb here.

I posted my thoughts after reading the book here:

I deliberately did not read this thread until I finished reading the book (I usually don't care about avoiding spoilers but I thought that I would this time).

I do not recall any publicity at all about the book at the time it was released in Australia, but as the book was set between Eps V and VI (somewhat limiting its scope) I was not expecting all that much.

Perhaps it was because I did not have high expectations that I enjoyed it so much. I didn't think it was great, but it was certainly interesting, particularly in the way that it provided the background into Luke's building of his new lightsaber etc.

I thought that the plot with Xixor was full of holes - but then so are many SW plots and one has to suspend belief when reading them otherwise all enjoyment is lost.

I am certainly glad that I spent the time to read it and whilst the Zahn books and some of the NJO books are by far my favorite, this is still a worthwhile part of the SW universe.

Links to all of my reviews/overview blogs can be found in this blog.