Welcome to the Expanded Universe
It wasn't exactly an editor-assigned task... it was more of an editor-assigned challenge. He was looking for someone with whom to discuss a particular series of books. The catch? He's already 45 books ahead.

I bravely took the challenge. The first step was the Thrawn Trilogy.

Translation: Thrawn - big alien baddie with glowing red eyes.

Translation: Trilogy - three books in the expanded Star Wars universe: Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, and The Last Command, by Timothy Zahn.

I have to say, I was doubtful. I had never had much interest in the expanded Star Wars universe, preferring to get my Han Solo fix straight from the mind of George Lucas. But this is the new millennium. Han Solo wasn't in the last and won't be in the next Star Wars movie. Plus, 45 books behind. I love a challenge!

That, combined with the psychosomatic insistence that I was coming down with the dreaded Norwalk Virus, courtesy of my boss, left an entire weekend open to consume all three books of the trilogy. I never did get that damned virus, I'm happy to say, but I finished the trilogy in record time.

The first time it's free, next time it'll cost ya.
The outcome: I loved it! It was well-written, well-plotted, completely enjoyable and very addicting! Let me hit a few of the high points that kept me going...

The Battle of Endor is over. The Emperor is dead. The New Republic is reeling from their victory, happy, but fully disorganized. In the far reaches of the galaxy, a new dark force is rising... and that force is Grand Admiral Thrawn.

Grand Admiral Thrawn was a most fascinating character. He was evil and sensible, giving credit where it was due; second chances where they were due. He commanded respect, not just fear. He studied cultures through their art, which allowed him to always be one step ahead of his enemy. I was never disgusted or annoyed during the narratives that centered around him. His character was one of my favorite things about the book.

Another interesting character, new to me (I have to go back and watch the movies again now!) but probably familiar to some (mostly guys, I'm betting) is Mara Jade. She was a dancer at Jabba the Hutt's hideout on Tatooine. You know what I mean - the place with the big monster in the hole and Han is still blind from the carbonite.

I'm Not Jealous
Ah, yes. Han Solo is back, along with sidekick Chewie, wife Leia (bitch), and a set of unborn twins. Leia is now a New Republic ambassador desperately trying to keep their fledgling government together, so doesn't have too much time for her husband, but obviously she (bitch) still manages to keep him happy.

Of course, Luke is still around. He's still struggling with mastering control of his powers, with a few setbacks from an insane clone of a former Jedi Master, Joruus C'boath. That guy was twisted! And slightly annoying, so I'll move on. Luke also gets to have an interesting friendship with Mara Jade... nothing kinky, but pretty good since Mara Jade's sole aspiration in life is to kill Luke Skywalker. That got old, fast, since she continually passed up chances to kill him and then would hate herself for it. Whatever. Get over it, girl!

Other friends are there too: Lando, Chewbacca, C3P0, R2D2, Wedge Antilles, Mon Mothma, Admiral Ackbar, just to name a few. Like the use of all the characters from the movie, Timothy Zahn did a good job of picking up on little tidbits of information from the movie without being tedious about it. It was a nice mix... a reminder, or a hint every once in a while, but he stayed with his own story.

Join the Challenge!
You'll have to read the trilogy to get a better idea of the story out of me. I will say, and this is not a spoiler, my favorite part of the story is the fact that Leia is the one that saves the day. It's subtle, but look for it. You'll see it and know that I'm right.

Ok, back to the challenge for me! Only 42 books to go! That's just the life, the universe and everything.