Star Wars: Truce at Bakura was written by Bestselling author, Kathy Tyers. This tale takes place during the Rebellion era on the Legends novel timeline, four years ABY (After the Battle of Yavin).
SUMMARY
The Rebel Alliance intercepts a message that was intended for the Empire. The Imperial Governor of the Bakura System is requesting that the Empire send more stormtroopers, as Bakura is under attack by an alien invasion force from outside Imperial territory!
The Rebels, fresh off their victory over Endor, which resulted in the destruction of the second Death Star, Darth Vader, and Emperor Palpatine, head to Bakura. Here, they offer a truce to help the remnants of the Empire fight off the attackers. These invaders are harvesting life-forms to use them as an energy source to fuel their weapons. Among the chaos, Luke senses a force user!
OVERALL THOUGHTS
This is a pretty neat story, I love the timing in which this tale takes place as well; the day after the Emperor and Vader are destroyed. Witnessing the structure of an Imperial fleet cripple at the news of their fallen leadership was entertaining.
In this novel things go from bad to worse for the Empire stationed at Bakura; the shock that the Emperor is dead, no backup will come to their aid, they must rely on the rebellion to fight their ba, and finding out that the Ssi-ruuk were actually invited into their galactic territory by the fallen Emperor.
I like that we have some outside force making it’s way into the galaxy with the goal of conquering. The disturbing means by which they intended to do so was creative and terrifying. I don’t like how these beings were described – the Ssi-ruuk – dinosaur-like (there are artist depctions of these characters online, a bit silly). However, the technologically advanced aliens have some impressive tools of war. I love that the author brings the Rebels and Empire together in the Bakura system in an attempt to defeat the outsiders.
There’s a new character introduced, Dev, and he’s a force user! This is a pretty cool addition to the story. However, I think this new character was created to be a little too powerful, being able to sense Luke, to sense the death of the Emperor from the far reaches of the galaxy. Despite the “too powerful in the force flaw,” the author did a fine job fleshing out this character.
Do I recommend Star Wars: The Truce at Bakura? Yes, an exciting tale of a unity, betrayal, and wonder characters.
RATING
I give this Expanded Universe novel a B+.