The Hand of Thrawn books Spectre of the Past and Vision of the Future were published in 1997 and 1998 and are set 19 years ABY. These are the books in which Luke and Mara finally become engaged.

The books are being discussed in the BC&T forum at this link and more information about the books and their blurbs can be found at this link.

My thoughts on these books were posted here:

I have recently re-read Specter of the Past. I was actually not looking forward to it because it had been quite some time since I read it and I had been put off Zahn a bit by SQ.

However, once I picked it up I was quickly absorbed by the story line and really enjoyed the whole book. There were not the overtones of arrogance in this book that had so concerned me in SQ, although I know that things may be different now as I head into Vision of the Future and the whole Luke-Mara thing.

Having recently read both the New Rebellion and the Corellian Trilogy I was suprised that Zahn included references to the former but not the latter - esp as the CT was written well before the NR.

Now that I have read all of the books (except x-wings) in chronological order, I was surprised that I still do not really have an explanation as to how or why Leia stepped down as Chief of State - is there an explanation in the comics (or I suppose I should go to the trusty SWTLG to check this out)?

and here:

Just finished VotF and I again really enjoyed it. Knowing waht was coming, I was not quite so annoyed by the Mara parts this time, and actually was able to see some of it in a greater context. Eg, her reaction to sacrificing the Jade's Fire still seemed a tad over the top, but I took more notice of Luke's comment at the end that it was a symbol of her freedom, which I guess I can see.

However, I still don't know who she thought she was telling Luke everything that was wrong with him. And romance? Some people think that's romance? Boy, I am far from a romantic, but I think that some consistent affection, more than a single little kiss (especially maybe after he proposes and she accepts, even if they are about to be flooded out) and maybe Mara actually stating that she loves Luke, especially in the final part of the book, might have actually added a little to it seeming like there was some romance there. As it was it seemed a short step up from a business arrangement to me.

That aside, the book was generally great. The action with Lando and Han in Bastion was reminiscent of the OT and Leia's role was fabulous - seeing her in action as a Jedi Knight, especially on board the Ishori ship, was great.

jSarek, I don't know if I missed something by reading too fast towards the end, but I still don't know why Leia stopped being Chief of State ...

Meeting Elegos was lovely too, although very sad knowing what eventually happens to him. And his impact on Ghent is nice to see - my only quibble re this being that the resolution of the Ghent side of the story is not particularly satisfying. I would have preferred to see that he had actually found something, even if it was a doctored version of the Camaasi document, than just suddenly be in on the finale as the treaty is being signed.

I think the whole Moff Disra-Tierce-Flim thing was very well done and did not stretch incredulity too far.

The massing of the fleets over Bothawui was also well done, as was the role of the agents on the ground, and I loved the part the old woman played (although I thought it odd that Wedge and Corracn Horn would just leave her in the lurch wihtout any discussion about her options in that way).

And Shada was a great addition the the principal players. I think that Zahn had/has great plans for her and Karrde (as per my thoughts in the survivor's Quest thread, I think he still has more pre-NJO work in mind) but we now have a slight problem with continuity issues given their unattached roles in the NJO. Ah well.

Now on to Survivor's Quest again ... maybe I'll enjoy it more this time having just re-read this duology. I hope.


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