I don't believe they were a rehash of the prequels. Though that would not be a bad thing. I just agreed that comparisons could be drawn. Unfortunantly for you there is no escaping the prequels in the EU. Doesn't matter that those events (LotF) take place around 60 years after the prequels. It's all part of the same Saga.

I suggest you stop reading EU as I believe it is always going to dissapoint you now. Which makes me sad, I love to share my favorite hobby with people. You are looking for something that does not exist now and that's Star Wars minus the influence of the prequels.

I for one loved thier infulence on Star Wars in general and on LotF inparticular. I loved the machinations of Palpatine in the prequels and enjoyed the machinations present in LotF.