Clever as the first, but also more labyrinthine. Plus, though the story is cogent enough on its own, it seems to rely on yet another book I haven't read, not simply the first in this series, as a prerequisite for understanding where a character comes from and an event which is referenced several times. Got to be a slog at points, and Vader's inner monologue felt a bit too petulant in places. Still, the interplay between Vader and Thrawn, not to mention the depth added to Padme's character, make this one well worth the read.