The Official Choices of One Discussion Thread (SPOILERS)

<center>STAR WARS
Choices of One
Timothy Zahn
Hardcover, 416 pages
July 19, 2011

<img src="http://images.wikia.com/starwars/images/0/0f/ChoicesOfOne-PreliminaryFrontCover.jpg" width="500">

Eight months after the Battle of Yavin, the Rebellion is in desperate need of a new base. So when Governor Ferrouz of Candoras Sector proposes an alliance, offering the Rebels sanctuary in return for protection against the alien warlord Nuso Esva, Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie are sent to evaluate the deal.

Mara Jade, the Emperor's Hand, is also heading for Candoras, along with the five renegade stormtroopers known as the Hand of Judgment. Their mission: to punish Ferrouz's treason and smash the Rebels for good.

But in this treacherous game of betrayals within betrayals, a wild card is waiting to be played.</center>

 

There seem to be a few spoilers in this review, though nothing specific.

http://fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com/2011/05/star-wars-choices-of-one.html

How's Pellaeon going to come in all of this?

 

I'll grab the E-book when it comes out. I really liked Allegiance, though I hope Luke is more "involved" this time around. Seems like it, from the blurb.

Glad to hear this novel sets the stage well for Empire Strikes Back. Oddly enough, with all of the material in between ANH and ESB, we don't have anything close to, say, a Labyrinth of Evil or Cloak of Deception for a set up.

 

Definitely looking forward to this book, possibly one of the highlights of the year. Allegiance wasn't quite one of Zahn's greater works, but it was still pretty decent, and I liked it well enough. Might get the ebook copy (since it should be out at the same time as the print copy for once) or just read through it in the store, but I'm somewhat positive about this book (for once). Just another two weeks to go, got to be careful to avoid too many spoilers.

 

I'm looking forward to this. I quite liked Allegiance although the mysterious absence of Threepio and Artoo bothered me.

 

He starts off slamming Stover, so this immediately loses all credibility. Now where's a review I can actually believe in?

 

Honestly, that was my first thought as well

 

Why is Mara dressed like Catwoman?

 

Why does her head look like it's been pasted (poorly) on to another body?

 

Maybe it's a holocloak?

 

I actually am almost finished with the novel. Not going to give anything away yet, but it is good so far. Not Thrawn trilogy good, but better than Allegiance in my opinion.

 

The worldbuilding doesn't intrude on the tale and remains in the background. Zahn provides what information one needs to follow the story's progress, but little else is needed.

The characterization was my favorite aspect of the novel.
That's music to my ears!

Didn't like what was said about Luke, though. If he's portrayed as a dumbass the charcaterization has gone completely worn on his part.

 

Do they even pay the cover artists these days?

 

I found Allegiance to be Zahn's worst book and will need some convincing that this is worthwhile.

Nonetheless, wouldn't be the first time you lot have talked me into something good!

 

Anyone read the excerpt of Chapter Two on the official site?

http://www.starwars.com/media/general/zahn_choices_excerpt_1.pdf

Interesting overview of the Candoras Sector. Anyone smell a Thrawn trap?

 

Finally something to truly look forward to reading.

 

I will NOT read spoilers. I will NOT read spoilers.

I haven't been this excited about a new book since...well, Allegiance! From what I've heard, Choices of One is better - although I really don't understand the dislike of Allegiance. It was a fun book.

Always great to get a new book from the master. Twelve more days!

 

So, I finished Choices of One last night. Definitely a fun read, up there with Zahn's better works. I thought it was great to see Thrawn, Pellaeon, Cardas, as well as Mara, HOJ and the Big 3 in the same book. If anyone wants to know something, feel free to ask.

 

Is there a DP and, if so, can someone please post it?

 

Dramatis Personae:

Airen Cracken; Rebel Leader (human male)
Bidor Ferrouz; Imperial Governor of Poln (human male)
Carlist Rieekan; Rebel Leader (human male)
Darric LaRone; Stormtrooper (human male)
Gilad Pellaeon; Senior Bridge Officer, Chimaera (human male)
Joak Quiller; stormtrooper (human male)
Han Solo; Captain, Millenium Falcon (human male)
Korlo Brightwater; Stormtrooper (human male)
Leia Organa; Rebel Leader (human female)
Luke Skywalker; Rebel (human male)
Mara Jade; Emperor's agent (human female)
Nuso Esva; Warlord (nonhuman male)
Saberan Marcross; Stormtrooper (human male)
Taxto Grave; Stormtrooper (human male)
Thrawn; Imperial Officer (Chiss male)
Vaantaar; Refugee (Troukree male)
Vestin Axlon; Rebel leader (human male)

 

Pardon me...

CRACKEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Ahem - THANKS!

 

Car'das is in the book? I can see him interacting with Thrawn, and observing Mara and the others from a distance, but other than that...

 

At this point in the timeline, shouldn't Thrawn be in charge of the Unknown Regions/Hand of Thrawn expeditions and colonization (I think he had the rank of Vice Admiral in that short story dealing with the Ebruchi, but I could be wrong).

 

I wish this would get an Audio book treatment. I really enjoy the audio books.

 

Hm, if I remember right, Thrawn was promoted to Grand Admiral after Zaarin tried his coup against Palpatine, so there was an opening among the Grand Admirals, so I think the timeline matches up and Thrawn would still be in Imperial space. Not to mention I think Derra IV was his work too? He's definitely out in the Unknown Regions by Endor, but not sure if there's a more definitive date yet. Oh well, it'll all work out, probably.

And ahem, CRACKEN! And Rieekan! Sold! Its been a long while since there was a new book with Cracken in it.

Hm, not surprised to hear Car'das is in there since he is one of Zahn's characters (and he got a lot more development after Outbound Flight). Hm, glancing at Wookieepedia, looks like he vanished from the known galaxy around this time? Wonder if we'll see Kardde take over or the aftermath of Kardde taking over Car'das' organization. Sounds like a pretty good book so far, can't wait.