Middle of the road Zahn is still good Zahn

While Random House is recording old Del Rey Star Wars novels, I'd like them to take a crack at I, Jedi, Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor, and the entire New Jedi Order series. Just saying.

Marc Thompson is what buying these adaptations are about in some cases. This is that case. The book makes a much better audiobook than print novel. It's kinda dry. It doesn't quite pull you in like its sequel, Choices of One does. Let's hope we see that one recorded soon. Still, they could have picked way worse books to do. Fair story. Excellent execution.

18 people found this helpful

Zahn is fantastic!

Would you consider the audio edition of Allegiance: Star Wars to be better than the print version?

I have both read and listened to Allegiance and I must admit that Marc Thompson made the journey extremely satisfying. I don't think it is fair to compare print vs. audio because they are different entities but I do find myself recommending the audio more often than the written word.

What about Marc Thompson’s performance did you like?

Marc Thompson was able to capture the voice and style of well known movie actors...not an easy task considering the fan base.

16 people found this helpful

Star Wars. Allegiance by Timothy Zahn

I love the Timothy Zahn books. They add some much depth and personality to the Empire's High Command political structure. Mara Jade and Vader are so cool in this book. A large portion of this book is also told from the perspective of 5 Stormtroopers. I like that the Stormtroopers are humanized in this story.

3 people found this helpful

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.

3 people found this helpful

"Allegiance was Great! But where's the sequel??"

If you could sum up Allegiance: Star Wars in three words, what would they be?

Bold, New, Characters

Would you be willing to try another book from Timothy Zahn? Why or why not?

Yes.....Tim Zahn is a great writer!

Which scene was your favorite?

Bar Scene is by far the best scene!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Where does YOUR Allegiance lie?

3 people found this helpful

Jade come to life!

What did you love best about Allegiance: Star Wars?

Zahn: Jade's character profile is written perfectly. The story is like an episode of NCIS. NCIS: Star Wars, lol!

Thompson: His performance of the men of the "Hand of Judgement". Especially his "Quiller" voice.

What other book might you compare Allegiance: Star Wars to and why?

None, but it's classic Zahn. Mara Jade begins to discover that the side she serves may not be on hers.

What does Marc Thompson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

As stated above, the voices. He brings those characters out of that book as if it were a pop-up. His overall mastery of the tone and approach to this story makes the narration sound darn near flawless.

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

Han and Leia's moment alone near the end of the story.

Any additional comments?

One tiny thing bothered me about the dialog Mr. Zahn chose when Leia addressed Han as "Han" and not "Captain Solo" or just "Captain". Keep in mind that the book is set in a time between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back so Leia, not yet experiencing the defeat at Hoth and the pursuit of Darth Vader, hasn't begun to release her true feelings for Han on a personal level. She should still have the same vintage professional and studious approach towards Han that she had in dealing with Solo in A New Hope and not be addressing him as "Han" THAT many times in the novel. However, the scene where Leia gets jealous as Han speaks to a female rebel pilot at the beginning of the novel perfectly shows the vintage suppression of feelings and indifference in Han's attempts to frustrate her.

6 people found this helpful

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.

5 people found this helpful

star Wars meets the ATeam. sort of.

I loved it I have become comfortable with Mara Jade and the five new Stormtroopers that made this book so enjoyable I love the interaction and the way things are working together I hope to see more in this series between these two separate contingence the only Jade has been around for a while but the new Stormtrooper 18 which is the only way I can really describe them as a dynamic to the storyline that I find absolutely exhilarating I can't wait to read more about them I hope that they continue I'm enjoying it immensely

1 person found this helpful

A little forced, but still a great read.

What did you love best about Allegiance: Star Wars?

Marc Thompson as always is stellar in his narration, and the middle third in particular made the book hard to put down.

Any additional comments?

Its no spoiler to say Mara Jade makes an appearance in this book as a third of it is from her perspective, but the "missed other plot characters by inches" trope felt a little over done in this book, particularly to anyone who has read further in to the extended universe.

apart from that little gripe, a good book for any star wars or mark Thompson fan.

1 person found this helpful

Entertaining

I chose this book because I just finished Scoundrels (which is amazing) hoping the the same Author/Narrator duo would knock it outta the park again... and it was good, but not great. None the less, the book is entertaining and worth a listen or read. Marc Thompson’s narration is outstanding! He voices the characters perfectly!