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Amazon.com Review

In Soldier for the Empire, writer William Dietz and painter Dean Williams have accomplished something rare among the numerous spinoffs of the Star Wars films: a story that captures the essence of Star Wars while charting new territory in terms of character development.

The story is a simple one. Like Luke Skywalker, Kyle Katarn is a young farm boy who dreams of the stars. But for Kyle, the way off his home world is through the Imperial Military Academy, not through a Jedi mentor. Just as Kyle reaches the end of his training in a vicious firefight on a Rebel-held asteroid, his father, Morgan, is killed in an Imperial attack. As he learns the truth behind his father's death, Kyle is awakened to a terrifying vision of the Empire that he has grown to respect, and he suddenly finds himself working for the Rebels to steal plans for the newly completed Death Star.

By integrating Kyle's tale into the actual plot of Star Wars, Deitz makes his novel especially relevant for Star Wars fans. But what really drives Soldier for the Empire are the grim details that bring the war to life. Dietz's vision of the Empire recounts the awesome discipline of Nazi Germany, and his descriptions of Dark Jedi Jerec are reminiscent of the twisted minds that must always stand behind organized evil. At the same time, by going inside the Empire (and into the psyches of Storm Troopers), Dietz reveals the seductive power of that evil. Dean Williams's award-winning paintings are a perfect complement to the story, creating a cinematic life for the text. Kyle's tale continues in and . --Patrick O'Kelley

Review

Kyle Katarn is a decorated graduate from the Imperial Military Academy who would forfeit his very life for the Empire. But he wouldn't forfeit his father's life, and that's what the Empire has taken. Kyle is willing to do anything to avenge his father's death which is what the Rebel Alliance is counting on. Soldier For The Empire is the first of the new Star Wars "Dark Forces" series to be based on the popular interactive Dark Forces and Jedi Knight games. Readers can join Kyle Katarn in this fast-paced tale of adventure and suspense that is the hallmark of the Star Wars universe whether in the movies, in comics, in role-play games, or in paperback and hardcover novels. -- Midwest Book Review

From the Publisher

Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and the Rebel Alliance have fought valiantly against the evil Galactic Empire. Together they have kept alive the hopes for freedom, and helped restore the ways of the Old Republic with its wise Senate and noble line of Jedi Knights. But now a new threat awaits the Alliance.

Within the evil Empire, the surviving Imperial warlords have been fighting among themselves for power. No one knows who will seize control, but the Prophets of the Dark Side have foretold that soon a new Emperor will arise, and on his right hand he shall wear an indestructible symbol of evil. ®, (TM) and © 1995 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.

From the Inside Flap

Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and the  Rebel Alliance have fought valiantly against the  evil Galactic Empire. Together they have kept  alive the hopes for freedom, and helped restore the  ways of the Old Republic with its wise Senate and  noble line of Jedi Knights. But now a new threat  awaits the Alliance.

Within the evil  Empire, the surviving Imperial warlords have been  fighting among themselves for power. No one knows  who will seize control, but the Prophets of the  Dark Side have foretold that soon a new Emperor  will arise, and on his right hand he shall wear an  indestructible symbol of evil.

From the Publisher

Trioculus, a three-eyed mutant, has arisen as the self-appointed leader of the Empire. The hopes of the Rebel Alliance rest on a young Jedi Prince growing up in an underground city beneath the rain forests of the fourth moon of Yavin. ®, (TM) and © 1995 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.

From the Inside Flap

Trioculus, a three-eyed mutant, has arisen as the  self-appointed leader of the Empire. The hopes of  the Rebel Alliance rest on a young Jedi Prince  growing up in an underground city beneath the rain  forests of the fourth moon of Yavin.

From the Publisher

Trioculus is determined to steal Princess Leia away from Han Solo and make her his dark queen. But when Zorba the Hutt discovers his son Jabba has been murdered by the princess, he takes off for Cloud City to seek his revenge. ®, (TM) and © 1995 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.

From the Inside Flap

Trioculus is determined to steal Princess Leia away from Han Solo and make her his dark queen. But when Zorba the Hutt discovers his son Jabba has been murdered by the princess, he takes off for Cloud City to seek his revenge.

From the Publisher

A dying planet.

A desperate mission.

And a prophecy of doom for the Rebel Alliance.

The battle against the evil Empire rages on as heroic men, women, and aliens of the Rebel Alliance continue their struggle to end the era of darkness. But now a mysterious visitor comes to the Rebel fortress located atop Mount Yoda, bringing ominous news.

Kadann, Supreme Prophet of the Dark Side, plots to capture and destroy the carbonized body of Trioculus and take control of the Empire. Meanwhile, the Rebel Alliance races to save the archaeologists of the dying planet Duro, only to discover an incredible mystery in the underground tunnels, a secret that depends on a perilous... ®, (TM) and © 1995 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.

From the Inside Flap

A dying planet.

A desperate mission.

And a prophecy of doom for the Rebel Alliance.

The battle against the evil Empire rages on as heroic men, women, and aliens of the Rebel Alliance continue their struggle to end the era of darkness. But now a mysterious visitor comes to the Rebel fortress located atop Mount Yoda, bringing ominous news.

Kadann, Supreme Prophet of the Dark Side, plots to capture and destroy the carbonized body of Trioculus and take control of the Empire. Meanwhile, the Rebel Alliance races to save the archaeologists of the dying planet Duro, only to discover an incredible mystery in the underground tunnels, a secret that depends on a perilous...