I guess there’s a new Star Wars series out, right? But for a really long time, I couldn’t find the first one used. (It’s in hardback, and I’m reasonably picky about paying $25+ for a book. Well, obviously I wouldn’t be spending full price, but I still think of it that way when making the financial decision.) I finally did find it, plus the subsequent ones, and now I’ve apparently got six books in said new series stretched out in front of me. Naturally, then, I opted to read the new Zahn book instead.

Allegiance is set in the Splinter of the Mind’s Eye era, when the Rebellion was only really starting to get its legs following the propaganda victory that comprised the destructions of Alderaan and the Death Star. A group of pirates apparently working with a regional governor to declare independence from Palpatine’s Empire sets Luke, Leia, and Han, Darth Vader, the Emperor’s newest apprentice, Mara Jade, and five recently deserting stormtroopers on a collision course, during which each of the characters must determine how their personal morality interacts with their sworn duty in an ever-darkening galaxy. (Well, okay, I’m thinking Vader was probably pretty secure in his actions and choices. And Leia. But the others!)

Decent book. Still pretty close to top-shelf for Star Wars, but the author has almost always done better. I can’t help but think it was a set-up novel to allow us to see more of the Hand of Justice in the future. Which is fine; those stormtrooper guys were pretty interesting, and definitely the best part of the story.