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

Bad Batch Vibes

Stormtroopers defecting to help citizens as a plot totally gives me OG bad batch vibes. They are awesome as the hand of judgement in this book and its nice to see VADER and MARA JADE in a petty power struggle for the emperor’s attention. The setting of this book right after the destruction of Alderean is also a great entry point and makes this story accessible which so many of the novels of this time period failed to do. I jumped right in. Knew what was happening and loved the right. Classic Epic Zahn Star Wars fairy tales in space.

Just look at the starts!

Where does Allegiance: Star Wars rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

top 5, as I mostly listen to Star Wars novels.

Who was your favorite character and why?

LaRone. He and the "Hand of Judgment" was my favorite part of the story.

If not him then Mara Jade, her arrogance is what pushes her to second because she hasn't earned her arrogance like, for instance, Vader.... Man if he were in the book as a core character he would be first cause.... Darth Vader!

Which scene was your favorite?

It's a tie between two scenes.
1) After LaRone wastes (more like takes out the garbage.) the ISB officer.
2) On board the Executor when Mara and Vader have there... discussion.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Timothy Zahn always hits home runs with his Star Wars novels and he did it again. The only issue with this book is...... It's to short. I wanted more, i did read 'Choices of One' before i listened to this but i still wanted more. I also wanted more Vader but i completely understand him being a small cameo-esk character.

I believe this is Marc's first attempt at Vader but you couldn't tell as it's flawless. Its really difficult to capture James Earl Jones's voice without James Earl Jones.

Marc is second only to Johnathan Davis when it comes to voice actors of Vader, he surpasses him in every other Voice especially Luke's. I've been listening to Marc's Grand Master Luke for so long and his young Luke seems a perfect mix of Ben's and Luke's voices.

Great book, Great narrator, Great story, i'm amazed by this book. However my Favorite Timothy Zahn novel will forever be 'Heir to the Empire'. i guess i'm bias that way.

Great story! Great characters!

Great story! Great characters! Definitely worth the time and money. One of the best ones yet by zahn and Thompson.

just plain great 😁

great book , well read and very well written.
it was really cool to see things from the eyes of the storm troopers for once.

must read

this is an astonishing read. I think this really dives deep into the psyche of real world experiences and explores them in our beloved star wars galaxy. there's many present day issues in 2020 that I think this book can help people connect to. Plus the world building and political machinations are top notch. well worth a read.

The Emperor's Hand!

Great story of Mara Jade in action as the Emperor's hand and her interactions with Vader. I also loved the back story of Hans trouble with joining the rebellion.

one of the best Zahn books

These pre Disney books are way better. This one has great and relatable characters that you actually like and care about. not pomous and pushing an agenda. also the various threads of the story come together well. I wish they still made them like this.

Quite well done

A very interesting coverage of both events and characters with, what is a unique bit of storytelling by Timothy Zahn in the use of a five pronged story.

The story follows Luke and Han, Leia, Mara, and another group ill leave unnamed just so as not to spoil.

Quite ingenious Mr. Zahn, quite ingenious indeed, and more so, a view into Mara, how she worked, her beliefs of the Emperor, and her working relationship with Darth Vader, and how Vader worked

Thank you again. Excellent filling in of the gaps, as well as a progression on Luke's learning of the force.

Well done good sir, well done

Marc Thomson narrates another great story

Timothy Zahn and Marc Thompson cant seem to lose when put together on audible

Marc Thompson kills it again

A really fun listen. The story was fast paced and entertaining as you'd expect from Zahn. Marc Thompson's performance was spectacular.