The Last Command Review

The Last Command (Thrawn Trilogy #3)
by Timothy Zahn

Review By: Neil Richard

Rating: 4 out of 5



Zahn again does a great job in finishing the Thrawn Trilogy. He neatly ties up all the loose ends and solves all the mysteries that were being built up through the series. For me, the only reason it didn’t get a higher score was the simple fact it felt a little too much like the movies.

Let me explain. This book finishes with Luke battling a clone of himself, just as he fought Vader with catwalks and all. The clone came from his lost hand on Bespin. Presiding over the showdown was the mad and evil Jedi Master, Joruus C’Baoth. And like the Emperor, he was great at taunting them and released some serious evil vibes when he died. Add to this scene, Han making an attempt to rescue Luke, just like he did at the first Death Star.

But that’s where Zahn adds some spice. Mara Jade, who has been under the Emperor’s last command (like the title says) to kill Luke, gets to follow what her now-dead Master said. She kills Luke. The clone Luke, don’t worry, your precious blonde hunk is safe. Karrde, the best smuggler out there since Han and Lando, adds his wild hounds (called Vornskrs). Then there’s the cloning facility (which was oddly reminiscent of the prequel trilogy) and Lando running around having his usual bout of bad luck.

In the background (and hardly focused on) is the birth of the twins, Jacen and Jaina, who will become some of the strongest Jedi in quite some time. Winter, Leia’s assistant on Coruscant, also makes an appearance, but there’s little mention of her great memory. And of course there’s the slicer Ghent and the Noghri.

Which leads to my last spoiler. The Noghri kill Thrawn, but leave Pellaeon alive. At least it was artistic.

Available in Word and PDF.

Neil@tk42one.com
© 2006 TK42ONE.com Productions