Reviews - Choix décisifs | The StoryGraph

Choix décisifs by Thierry Arson, Timothy Zahn

71 reviews for:

Although this came out a few years ago I am just now finishing up my backlog of SW books that I am reading in chronological order. So this the last time I will read about the early adventures of young Mara Jade, Gilad Pellaeon, Thrawn, and the good-guy stormtroopers of the "Hand of Justice". It was a fun ride.

jss94's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

intermittent_farting's review against another edition

4.0

I do enjoy the way he writes. He does pretty well staying true to the original characters as well as carefully fitting his stories in with the existing plotlines.

lh_'s review against another edition

4.0

Another entertaining Star Wars book with a lot of originality by Zhan. This story is another one that takes place between ESB and ANH (with a neat tie into ESB). One main theme/objective of his books in this time period seems to be to flesh out the lines between good and bad in the Alliance and the Empire. In other Star Wars content, it can be super cut and dry, “Empire Bad”/Alliance Good”, but Zhan shows us the Star Wars universe is not that simple (far from it), and that good and bad isn’t solely about what side your world happens to be a part of, it is an individual person by person trait. This is the type of thing I find to be most ‘original’ about his work and it brings a nice intellectual aspect to Star Wars that isn’t necessarily there by default.

This book is a continuation of sorts from Allegiance, so you’ll definitely want to read that book first if you haven’t. I also recommend reading the post ROJ books by Zhan first, as the book ties in backstories of some of his characters we know, and these tie ins definitely enrich the story if you know their future. Beyond characters from Allegiance, the book also focuses a lot on the Star Wars characters we know and love: Han, Luke, Chewie, and Leia.

It’s 4 stars for me just due to the lack of space to build the antagonists, which has been the main issue for me in these Zhan books between major Star Wars installments. I can understand the inherent limitations here… Vader and Palpatine are THE bad guys in this period, and the artistic license with their characters has to be super minimal, and bringing in other major players wouldn’t make sense either, but I think the plot suffers a bit here because of this.

nedpatrick's review against another edition

4.0

Timothy Zahn's Star Wars books are interesting to read for his portrayal of the Imperials. Zahn shows Imperials with purpose rather than faceless minions ready to be mowed down with blaster fire. I picked up this book to find out more about Mara Jade's life as the Emperor's Hand. I would have enjoyed the book more if it just focused on her and didn't include Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewbacca. However, the inclusion of Thrawn was a treat.

corusca's review against another edition

3.0

Nice one. Left me curious about what 'couple of projects in the Star Wars universe Timothy Zahn was talking about in a recent piece of news. But now I'll take a break from this universe and only then pick up 'Heir to the Empire', to re-read, this time its 20th Anniversary Edition.