(Update July 2013: The Conqueror's series is one of the most impressive stories I have ever read (I've read 2000). Although not all the books earned an A grade on first read because of the complexity, the overall series is a strong grade A. I suspect each story will earn a grade A on second read. The story includes more characters, situations, interactions, species, and concepts than most authors deal with in a lifetime. Yet the author manages to keep it all straight for the reader, an impressive major accomplishment. In all this there are only two major villains, both politicians - very interesting. This definitely deserves a second read.)2013 grade B+. The book is pretty easy to read, very enjoyable, and a good length.Book three in the series completes the story.This story includes all the characters and situations from books one and two which makes it just a bit more difficult to keep track of what is going on after a scene change. The only places I speed read through were from one of the two villains points of view. Each villain is a politician and there is one for each of the two warring species.
The third and final book in the Conquerers' Trilogy. Over 100 pages longer than either of the other 2 books, with a smaller font size for the type. I enjoyed the story, and I had a hard time putting this book down, but it was just a bit too long. A lot of the suspense created in the first two isn't there anymore - you now know who the bad guys are, what some of the big plot twists are, etc. Because of this, there were several times during my reading of book 3 that I was ready for Zahn to tie up all the loose ends and end the series. I was also a bit disappointed in the conclusion. It didn't feel like the the good guys really won anything decisive - the bad guys either run away or aren't directly punished for their actions.
What do You think about Conquerors' Legacy (1996)?
It´s not a great book but it is a good way to spend time.
—Carlos Camargo
The final volume in the trilogy, Conquerer's Legacy brings together all the threads of the tale in a neat finale. I enjoyed the point of view of Max, the ship-board parasentient computer, as it added a new perspective to the proceedings. Zahn keeps things moving well and the characters and plot are solid. The final pages are taut with anticipation and I was very happy with the final outcome. As in most novels of this type, I found myself wishing for more "after-story", I always want to know how the characters deal with the sudden calm after the storm. As with the previous two installments, if solid, old-school sci-fi is your thing, you can't go wrong here.
—Laurie
Maybe a bit too much back and forthing among multiple scenes of action, but still a properly dramatic close to an above average space opera. I particularly liked the way the bad guys turned out not to be the expected ones. Except that it isn't clear to me (but then I skipped the middle volume...maybe it's in there)how the Zhirrzh elders can preserve their memories without having brains--and also their names are really hard to pronounce--I think all of Zahn's aliens are human enough to comprehend but strange enough to buy as nonhuman. Unsurprising, in an author who has done so many Star Wars books.
—John
