Heir to the Empire

I decided to revisit this book after Star Wars VII renewed my interest in the franchise. After twenty years the book still holds up and this trilogy is the best Star Wars fiction I've read, in my opinion.

I enjoyed the story, however it isn't one that challenges the way I see life, the universe, and everything. Thus a four star rather than a five.

What I liked:
- Fantastic storytelling. Star Wars movies were fairly straight forward in the story line. Zahn introduces some more complex characters while holding to the the spirit of the movies.
- The main antagonist, Grand Admiral Thrawn is a great improvement over the purely angry stereotype of the franchise. Zahn did not try to create an antagonist in Darth Vader's image.
- More subtlety in the political realm. There are some questions as to motives of characters and where they will impact the story.

What I didn't like:
- Mostly what I didn't like is associated with my declining interest in Star Wars in general. I'd like to see a little more complexity in the main characters.

- I'd like to be challenged in how I see the world and others. Star Wars is more about black and white good and evil. Unfortunately life doesn't end up being that simple.