Allegiance: Star Wars Legends

By: Timothy Zahn

Narrated by: Marc Thompson

Length: 12 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Never before has the incendiary mix of action, politics, and intrigue that has become Timothy Zahn’s trademark, been more evident that in this new Star Wars epic. On the heels of the stunning events chronicled in Star Wars: A New Hope, the newly minted heroes of the Rebellion - fledgling Jedi Luke Skywalker, smuggler turned reluctant freedom-fighter Han Solo, and Princess Leia Organa, a bold leader with a world to avenge - must face the harsh realities of the cataclysmic conflict into which they have so bravely plunged. From this point forward, legends will grow, treachery will abound, and lives will be irrevocably altered, in the long, hard fight to counter the fist of tyranny and restore hope to a galaxy too long in darkness.

The destruction of the Death Star by the Rebel Alliance was a decisive blow against the Empire, but Palpatine and his monstrous enforcer, Darth Vader, are no less of a threat. The brutal extermination of Alderaan not only demonstrated the magnitude of their murderous power, but served as a chilling testament to their resolve to crush the Rebel uprising. Standing against them, Skywalker, Solo, and the Princess remain uncertain opponents. Luke is gifted and brave, but unschooled in the power he possesses. Han has doubts about waging someone else’s war - and his contentiousness is one more burden for Leia to bear as she struggles to help keep the Rebellion alive. The three have been sent to mediate a dispute between Rebel Alliance factions in Shelsha Sector - agitating matters by forcing Han to deal not only with pirates, but with his more dreaded enemy, politics. At the same time, Mara Jade - all of eighteen and years away from her fateful meeting with Luke - is serving her evil master, Palpatine, well in her role as the Emperor’s Hand: tracking suspected treachery in the Empire to what may be high places - while trying to stay out of Darth Vader’s way.

But the Rebels will prove to be only one of the Empire’s concerns. For Imperial Stormtrooper Daric LaRone, his faith in the Empire shaken by the wanton destruction of Alderaan, will commit a sudden and violent act of defiance, and take four other enforcers with him, in a desperate bid to elude their masters’ wrath.

Each of these fateful actions, whether sanctioned, secret, or scandalous, will expose brutality and corruption, spur upheavals destined to shake the Empire to its core, and shape momentous events yet to come.

©2013 Timothy Zahn (P)2013 Random House Audio

Great audio performance + Zahn's storytelling !!

Never Miss A Zahn Book. Like the different view of these storm troopers. Add in the Emperor's Hand plus Princess Leia Waiting tables in a cafe and well you have a must read.

great book

Awesome story, clearly written. I didn't get lost in the book but it flowed clearly and it ended up being a great story.

Enjoyable Story

Fun side quest type story that delves into the background of some key EU characters.

A satisfying Star Wars adventure

Allegiance is one of my favorite Star Wars story because it shows Stormtroopers who are human and believe in a cause. It also heavily features Mara Jade, which is also fun.

The title is also the theme of the book and we follow Jade, five storm troopers, Han and Luke as well as Leia as the action unfolds. The storm troopers are the main characters, and the five make for an enjoyable cast of heroes to root for. The excellent narration helps, as each of the five gets a unique voice to go along with their personality.

Star Wars Expanded universe goodneds

No disneyfied crap. No identity politics. More EU audiobooks please! More Marc Thompson too.

Great book

Some of story gave you the feeling of the old times during the clone wars. Those parts had me on the edge of my chair wanting to know what’s going to happen next.

a nice peak under the sheets of the empire

this book is amazing a rare glimpse in the inner workings of the empire I love Mara Jade I wish there were more books that she's the center of.

Too many great things to say!

The one thing I could say, Marc Thompson's Han and Luke Impressions are spot on!

Best yet

Best Star wars audio book I've come across yet. I'll definitely be looking for the rest of this authors books.

Not Zahn's best, but a solid title regardless

What did you love best about Allegiance: Star Wars?

The central arc about rogue stormtroopers righting wrongs and fighting criminals is a solid feel-good story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Daric LaRone, the unofficial leader of the group of stormtroopers at the center of the novel, is a catchy protagonist, thrust into a situation where he has to weigh duty against morals and choose a path for himself and his men.

Have you listened to any of Marc Thompson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've listened to one other book by Thompson. This book shares the same pluses and minuses - Thompson is a good narrator and voice actor, able to provide unique voices for a litany of male character, but he (understandably) struggles with female voices, making even strong female characters like Leia and Mara Jade sound soft-spoken and wimpy. My other complaint would be that he relies too heavily on recognizable Earth accents - cockney and Irish pirates and Russian mechanics, sounding out-of-place in the Star Wars universe.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Despite her position as Emperor's Hand, Mara has touches of humanity and compassion that stand out in several places in the book.