Star Wars: Dark Force Rising: The Thrawn Trilogy, Book 2
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Star Wars: Dark Force Rising: The Thrawn Trilogy, Book 2 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Timothy Zahn (Author), Marc Thompson (Narrator), Random House Audio (Publisher)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 6,284 ratings
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The dying Empire's most cunning and ruthless warlord - Grand Admiral Thrawn - has taken command of the remnants of the Imperial fleet and launched a massive campaign aimed at the New Republic's destruction. With the aid of unimaginable weapons long hidden away by the Emperor on a backwater planet, Thrawn plans to turn the tide of battle, overwhelm the New Republic, and impose his iron rule throughout the galaxy.

Meanwhile, Han and Lando Calrissian race against time to find proof of treason inside the highest Republican Council - only to discover instead a ghostly fleet of warships that could bring doom to their friends and victory to their enemies.

Yet most dangerous of all is a new Dark Jedi, risen from the ashes of a shrouded past, consumed by bitterness...and scheming to corrupt Luke Skywalker to the Dark Side.

Previous page
  1. Listening Length
    14 hours and 56 minutes
  2. Author
    Timothy Zahn
  3. Narrator
    Marc Thompson
  4. Audible release date
    June 26, 2012
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Random House Audio
  7. ASIN
    B008EPMER0
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 14 hours and 56 minutes
Author Timothy Zahn
Narrator Marc Thompson
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date June 26, 2012
Publisher Random House Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B008EPMER0
Best Sellers Rank #1,617 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#49 in Space Opera Science Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#67 in Adventure Science Fiction
#104 in Space Operas

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
6,284 global ratings
Read This If You Love:
3 Stars
Read This If You Love:
🩷 Leia Organa💛 Lando Calrissian💚 Luke Skywalker💙 Thrawn💫 A little bit of space mysteryDark Force Rising picks up right where Heir to an Empire leaves off. Everyone is apart trying to figure out the pieces to an overarching mystery relating to who Thrawn is and where some missing ships are located.While the concept was interesting, this was a bit hard for me to personally to get through. The paving was uneven and there were a lot of parts I found a bit dull. While I was excited to meet Mara Jade in the first book, I found her character really lacking here.Overall I mainly enjoyed Lando and Leia. I had a lot of fun with them.Anyway, it was an ok follow up and a bit of a forgettable book for me but I'm looking forward to starting the third book in this trilogy.
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Top reviews from the United States

Patrick Harris
5.0 out of 5 stars Great SW novel!
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2024
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Fantastic plot and a really engaging read. I would recommend this to any SW fan. The trilogy is cheaper if you can find it.
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Bobby E. Heitz
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice book
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2024
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Love this book and the series.
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Dave
4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining, but rushed
Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2012
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Dark Force Rising is the second book of three in the "Thrawn Trilogy". Thrawn is this blue guy with glowing red eyes who takes primary leadership of the empire after the fall of Vader and the emperor. This book picks up well from the first of this trilogy, Heir to the Empire. It preserves the fast and epic feel of the star wars films. This trilogy is as close to what occurs directly after "Return of the Jedi" as a casual fan such as myself would require.

As for this book in particular, a great deal of setting up for the third book, "The Last Command" is occurring. Several new characters such as Niles Ferrier are introduced, and a few other conflicts get resolved as others are being initiated. Luke finally encounters C'Baoth, who is the only Jedi master left in the galaxy. Luke also makes more run-ins with Mara Jade, ex hand of the emperor. She's supposed to be hot, and totally into trying to kill Luke, due to a "Jedi spell" Darth Sidious put on her just before dying. Plus she just doesn't like Luke very much for killing her boss, so more plot development occurs between those two. All the classic characters from the movies are very busy with galactic bureaucracy, trading and negotiations as the war between the New Republic and the Empire continues to rage in the background.

Thrawn seems perfectly content avoiding most of the main warring going on, and enjoys his time wasting precious empire resources wandering the galaxy on random hunches and flashes of self-ordained brilliance. He's a bit of a jerk in other words, but also extremely cunning.

The novels are worth reading if you're a star wars fan, though the writer definitely rushed his way through this book. He writes so poorly. I swear he used the word "sardonic" to describe every single person's facial expression at least 3 times each. No joke! Check it out yourself! He Zahn just seems to lack artistic variability in characterization in this book. You can really tell he was just trying to pump this one out to the shelves to milk a thirty year old cash cow. Aside from Zahn's sacrilegious negligence to the saga, the story itself is fun, impacting and significant to the star wars legacy. This book very much excited me for the third one, which I am beginning presently. I just hope Zahn put more effort into giving characters a bit more variety in expression other in the third book, other than always being sardonic, getting chills or sweat dripping between shoulder blades (eww... Mara, stop sweating so much). I think the events really drive the novel, despite the poor writing. That's why I'd still recommend it to those who want to know what happens after the movies!
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Thaddeus Tuffentsamer
5.0 out of 5 stars What the sequels should have been.
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2024
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Another fantastic installment.

The second book in the Heir trilogy sets Luke and company against Thrawn’s endeavors to not only restore the might of the Empire, but to rule it.

Luke is sidetracked by C’baoth, a Jedi master that insists on finishing his training. Luke discovers that he’s either a dark Jedi, or as he believes, insane.

Mara Jade, who once only wanted to kill Luke is now turning to him for help, and Luke too begins to struggle with conflicted feeling about and for her.

After a quick but epic battle, the New Republic gives Thrawn a black eye and bloody nose, and we’re now on to book three.

This is what we should have gotten after TROTJ, not the lackluster sequels that we got.

I highly recommend this read.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars awesome
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2023
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Great book love Thrawn so it’s good to read if you like watching home being a masterminded overall great read
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Rob
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing! Like a spy novel with lasers and Jedi lore!
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2023
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I really enjoy feeling the joy and strength of team Jedi in this story. Intrigue and spy craft at every turn all the while giving life to one of the Empire's most sadistic, cold-blooded ruthless dictators in History: Thrawn! Love it! Can't wait to read the finale! Already got it queued and ready to go...I bought the set! May the Force Be with You
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Sinley Vera
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2023
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I need to buy pre-owned books more often, it has that distinct old book smell that is amazing. I even found a cat hair on it. Now when I read it, I imagine a massive gray kitty fluffball sleeping next to it. But aside from that I mean come on it's the second book from the original Thrawn series. It's a classic.
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Jeffrey Sandoz
4.0 out of 5 stars Solid Space Opera -- Much Better than the New Canon Books
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2017
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Pretty good sequel that is a little better than its predecessor, "Heir to the Empire." Also, the end of this book packs a great twist that will leave the reader wanting more. However, this novel is a bit fast paced, has too many characters to keep up with, and, at times, is hard to follow. But if the reader can keep pace and maintain the story-line, he/she definitely can get a lot out of this novel. These Thrawn novels are certainly some of the better Star Wars books that really advance the Star Wars Saga (especially with the original characters). My biggest complaint about the majority of the Star Wars Novels out there is that they just do not advance the Star Wars Saga Universe all that much. And the New Canon Books are the worst at violating this fact. Disney should start novelizing Star Wars Books the way these Thrawn Novels did: Give the fans books about the main characters in the films, and start advancing their stories more and more.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Gavin
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it again!
Reviewed in Canada on April 27, 2023
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Picks up right where it left off in the first book. Crazy good action! I highly recommend if you enjoyed the first book.
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Rooney
5.0 out of 5 stars A great 2nd book in the series
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 18, 2023
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"Dark Force Rising," the second installment of the Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn, propels readers deeper into a galaxy far, far away, where the legacy of the Empire continues to cast its shadow. This book is a thrilling continuation of the Star Wars saga that skillfully weaves together action, intrigue, and unforgettable characters. Here's why "Dark Force Rising" is a must-read for fans of the series:

Thrawn's Calculated Brilliance: Grand Admiral Thrawn remains a formidable and enigmatic antagonist. His ability to decipher art, culture, and psychology to anticipate his enemies' moves is nothing short of mesmerizing. In "Dark Force Rising," Thrawn's brilliance takes center stage, making him a worthy adversary.

Character Evolution: The book provides significant character development for familiar faces like Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia. Their personal journeys and challenges contribute to the narrative's depth, adding emotional weight to their actions.

New Faces and Factions: "Dark Force Rising" introduces a host of new characters, including the enigmatic Mara Jade, who adds an intriguing layer to the story. The emergence of the enigmatic Noghri and their loyalty to Thrawn presents a unique and captivating element to the narrative.

Galactic Mystery: The book's plot is rich with mystery and intrigue. The search for the fabled Katana fleet and the hidden threats lurking in the Unknown Regions create a sense of urgency and suspense that keeps readers engaged.

Strategic Battles: The novel features several gripping space battles and ground skirmishes, showcasing Timothy Zahn's skill in crafting thrilling action sequences. Each confrontation is strategically nuanced, with high stakes and unexpected twists.

Intricate Plot Weaving: Zahn masterfully weaves multiple plot threads together, creating a tapestry of interconnected storylines that build tension and anticipation. The converging narratives propel the story forward and maintain a high level of engagement.

Star Wars Lore Expansion: "Dark Force Rising" expands the Star Wars universe by introducing new planets, species, and technologies. These additions feel seamlessly integrated into the established lore, enriching the galaxy's tapestry.

Themes of Honor and Loyalty: Themes of honor, loyalty, and sacrifice are prevalent throughout the book. Characters grapple with ethical dilemmas and the weight of their loyalties, adding depth to their arcs.

In conclusion, "Dark Force Rising" is a thrilling and captivating addition to the Star Wars Expanded Universe. Timothy Zahn's expert storytelling, combined with intricate character development and strategic battles, makes this book a standout in the series. Whether you're a longtime fan of the original trilogy or a newcomer to the Star Wars universe, "Dark Force Rising" offers a rich and immersive experience that continues to honor the legacy of the galaxy far, far away. It's a must-read for those seeking a galactic adventure filled with suspense, intrigue, and unforgettable characters.
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Zoe
3.0 out of 5 stars Depends if you're a picky person in terms of the book condition
Reviewed in the Netherlands on November 10, 2021
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If you just want the book, this is fine. But I'm very picky with the condition of the book. There're scratches on the cover and the corners of the book are slightly losing colour or damaged. The papers and ink quality are just ok. But you can still read the book despite the quality and the condition of the book.
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Zoe
3.0 out of 5 stars Depends if you're a picky person in terms of the book condition
Reviewed in the Netherlands on November 10, 2021
If you just want the book, this is fine. But I'm very picky with the condition of the book. There're scratches on the cover and the corners of the book are slightly losing colour or damaged. The papers and ink quality are just ok. But you can still read the book despite the quality and the condition of the book.
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Ana
5.0 out of 5 stars Buena compra
Reviewed in Mexico on August 27, 2018
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Excelentes libros y a un muy buen precio....
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Pierre
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for any fan of the original trilogy characters and style
Reviewed in France on November 15, 2018
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A must read for any fan of the original trilogy characters and style
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