Star Wars: Tales from the Empire - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0553506862 ISBN 13: 9780553506860

Publisher: Bantam Books (Transworld Publishers a division of the Random House Group), 1997

Synopsis

This collection of short stories has been culled from the pages of the "Star Wars Adventure Journal". The centrepiece story is "Sidetrip", a collaboration between Timothy Zahn and Michael Stackpole.

About this title

Review:

The 11 short stories in this collection are contemporary with Luke Skywalker's adventures. The book opens with "Interlude at Darkknell", a short novel by Timothy Zahn and Michael A. Stackpole set just before the events of the film Star Wars: A New Hope. This fast-moving tale of intrigue and treachery follows Imperial agent Ysanne Isard's attempts to regain the plans of the original Death Star after they are stolen by Rebel agents.

Most of the stories take place in the years following Return of the Jedi, when the New Republic is consolidating its hold over the galaxy. Alongside established authors are some new names, such as the pairing of Chris Cassidy and Tish Pahl, who contribute two good stories. The thoughtful "Conflict of Interest" by Laurie Burns sees a New Republic intelligence agent discovering that the battle against Imperial forces isn't as black and white as she would like to believe. Paul Danner's "No Disintegrations, Please" features the bounty hunter Boba Fett and there is a new Mara Jade story from Timothy Zahn. Other stories involve Jedi knights, scheming Imperial agents, treacherous Hutts, space battles and treasure hunts--all the ingredients necessary for an exciting read. --Elizabeth Sourbut

From the Author:

From One of the Little People
I guess bad reviews are a part of any artist's life; but some of the bad reviews of this book are tremendously unfair. First of all, you are dealing with authors who worked under great duress, wrestling with rules of 'you can't do that, you can't write about that person, and don't mention that...it might refer to a timeline.' Most of the BIG name authors did not have to work under such constraints. But for all the restrictions and the weight of so many rules, I believe the Star Wars Adventure Journal turned out a fine stable of up-and-coming writers. Many of these writers had a dream, inspired by Lucas, and saw it through to its completion in the Journal and finally to the pages of 'Tales.' The plots and the characters will not appeal to all; but the majority of the stories are universal and thought-provoking. They are an undercurrent to the framework Lucas created, adding to (not detracting from) the fullness of this timeless epic.

About this edition

• Publisher: Bantam Books (Transworld Publishers a division of the Random House Group)
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0553506862
• ISBN 13: 9780553506860
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 368
• Editor: Schweighofer Peter