Cover Artist: Paul Youll

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

The New Republic has taken Coruscant, but it is a prize that may destroy them. With the Krytos virus spreading out of control and the ability to stop it being hampered by the Imperial resistance, affairs look bleak. On top of this, one of the heroes of Rogue Squadron is being tried for treason and the murder of Corran Horn. Unbeknownst to the Rebellion, Corran Horn is alive and captured at Lusankya where Ysanne Isard is attempting to turn him into one of her sleeper agents. Before this story ends the true spy in Rogue Squadron will be revealed, a cure will be found for the Krytos virus, and Corran will learn something surprising about his lineage.

I liked this installment in the X-wing series more than I liked the previous one, I think because several characters began to think again instead of jumping to conclusions and hanging on to them. I can't remember if the location of Lusankya came as a surprise to me the first time I read this book or not, but it's still nice to see Corran piece together the clues to learn the truth. One thing I had forgotten though was how intense my dislike for Borsk Fey'lya was. I know he is written as an unlikeable character, but there is something about characters like him that really gets under my skin. Perhaps it is the fact that they are so focused on themselves and increasing their own prestige that they don't care about the bigger picture around them. All in all, this is a good book that I quite enjoyed.