I'm very excited every time a new Star Wars book comes out, but it's true that in the past there have been some wrenching dissapointments, as all of Star Wars' values, themes and characteristics wander further and further from the original ideas. Hambly's attempts were unfortunately some of those. She really doesn't like Luke, does she? I think that after her attempt to hook him up with Callista failed due to its tremendous unpopularity with the readers, she decided to take revenge and just make him die of pain. When in this book is he NOT maimed and mutilated? I also have a problem with infested bugs taking over the Universe, headed by another bug who was originally meant to be a culinary dish. Taselda... a Jedi Knight, supposedly, turned into a dirty hag with rotten teeth and eating bugs come ON, some respect for the Jedi?! Leia spends the book as a drugged prisoner... And Luke never does come face to face with Callista, save for a brief mental exchange right at the end. It WAS the point of his trip to find her, wasn't it? But anyway, I guess I'm glad in a way he let it go, I have nothing against Callista as a character as long as she stays away from Luke. She can have Lando, Luke is marrying Mara and THAT is the best news to sweep the Galaxy so far. Somebody, PLEASE, make Tim Zahn the exclusive writer for Star Wars. People, petition!