Conquerors' Heritage

It's not the paperback, it's an abridged book club edition

Timothy Zahn has a knack for keeping you on your toes. Although this book is the second in a trillogy, it is distinctly different from the first in so many ways, and yet, it fits in with the story impeccably. I was very impressed. A must-read for all sci-fi fans.

I read the first book, and I really enjoyed it, and I just wanted to get the seconed one. When I realized that it was from the point of view of the Zhurzh, I started to have doubts, but it turned out to be just as good as the first. Vivid, and emotional, you find yourself feeling the way the characters do, hoping that things will turn out for them. This book compelled me to read the third.

I first got into Timothy Zahn's work through his Star Wars Titles, which were good. However his work with the Conqueror's Trillogy is exceptional. His non Star Wars stuff is far superior. His approach to the concept of "First Contact" is refreshing and well worked. If you want to read a good story with very interesting twists, these are the books for you.

This was a great book. It added complexity to the storyline from the first book, and introduced some really interesting characters. It reminded me (I'm not sure if it's a good parallel or not) of Alan Dean Foster's "Nor Crystal Tears". I couldn't wait to read the next book.

After reading the first book of the trilogy it looked like just another well written 'humans meet alien race' novel. When I started reading the second part I finished it within the same day. The story takes on an amazing turn, suddenly describing the events of the first part from the other side, the view of the Zirrzh. I never enjoyed reading a SF novel that much. Timothy Zahn manages to put the reader into the place of an alien race making its first contact with the humans, without giving away too much and keeping up the tension and mystique about the 'elderdeath' weapon until very late. Brilliant and highly recommended