despite a couple interesting scenes like daala and tarkin it is rather a sucky novel.
the most interesting thing is the maw installation and the prototype death star are mentioned, meaning kevin j anderson's stories were not outright rejected even being retrofitted to fit the prequels, LOL. down to a new hope when the final death star I blows sky high.
the most irritating thing is the praxis ring from star trek VI that lucas saw to put in the special edition is mentioned, wow that was gay and lame all at once.
Of course it is called the plasma ring, LOL.