Cover Artist: Paul Youll

This is the second book in the X-wing series of novels.

The way to Coruscant is clear, but it is still a formidable world to take on. In order for the New Republic to take the capitol of the Empire, operatives need to be sent in advance in order to weaken the defenses. The recently depleted ranks of Rogue Squadron receives two new pilots, and the team is dispatched to find a way to sabotage Coruscant, opening it for invasion. At the same time, the current leader of the Empire, Ysanne Isard, decides to destroy the New Republic by handing them a planet that needs more help than their resources can support.

The majority of this book sees the members of Rogue Squadron grounded, performing the duties of spies and saboteurs. I found I didn't like this one as much as I liked the preceding novel in the series and I'm not really sure why this is. One definite problem is that I've read this book before several times and Corran Horn's misplaced suspicion begins to grate on me after a while. Nevertheless, this was a well written story that moves the characters in the direction they need to go for growth.