And to bring down a band of elusive freedom fighters, the Emperor turns to his most formidable agents: Darth Vader, the fearsome new Sith enforcer as remorseless as he is mysterious and Tarkin – whose tactical cunning and cold-blooded efficiency will pave the way for the Empire’s supremacy…and its enemies’ extinction. Escalating guerrilla attacks by resistance forces and newfound evidence of a growing Separatist conspiracy are an immediate danger the Empire must meet with swift and brutal action. Until then, however, insurgency remains a genuine threat. When the so-called Death Star is completed, Tarkin is confident that the galaxy’s lingering pockets of Separatist rebellion will be brought to heel – by intimidation…or annihilation. Under Tarkin’s guidance, an ultimate weapon of unparalleled destruction moves ever closer to becoming a terrifying reality. Rule through the fear of force rather than force itself, he advises his Emperor. Groomed by the ruthless politician and Sith Lord who would be Emperor, Governor Wilhuff Tarkin rises through the Imperial ranks, enforcing his authority ever more mercilessly….and zealously pursuing his destiny as the architect of absolute dominion. Loyal proponent of the Republic and trusted ally of the Jedi Order. A dedicated soldier and distinguished legislator. He’s the scion of an honorable and revered family. I look forward to listening to other books read by him in the future, just not the other books in this series. I think if I was reading this rather than listening, I might have quit the book without finishing. I thought he was excellent here, and really helped me get through the unenjoyable parts of this book. I’ve heard mixed, though mostly positive things about him as a narrator, especially for the Kingkiller series. This is my first audio book read by Nick Podehl. There is too many other things I’d rather be reading. There were some parts I really enjoyed, and there are questions I’d like to keep reading to get the answers too, but it’s just not worth it for me. I guess Brandon Sanderson spoiled me for poorly developed magic systems, but it all felt just a bit too hand wavy to me. The world building here was alright, but seems to borrow too heavily from actual cultures (in particular the Middle East, and religion of Islam) that it didn’t feel much like being transported to another world apart from the magic. We have some mustache twirling bad guys, and the helpless Ramita who seems to merely be there to drive the plot as a goal/pawn for the other characters in the book. Most of the other characters are flat, or too trope heavy. Podehl’s narration and added some nice comic relief to the story. The best character in the book was Alaron’s friend Ramon, who while he was basically a walking trope, was brought excellently to life by Mr. I don’t need perfect characters who fall into the chosen one trope, but something about their faults really just rubbed me the wrong way and I often found them frustrating and unlikable. Don’t get me wrong, there are things to like about Alaron and Elena, but there is a lot not to like. If I have no one to really root for, the story has to be that much better or I’ll be bored. So why didn’t I enjoy it? The answer for me at least is the characters. I prefer character driven stories, and this is definitely that. Now, the third Moontide is almost here, and this time the people of the East are ready for a fight… but it is three seemingly ordinary people that will decide the fate of the world. The Magi are hell-bent on ruling this new world, and for the last two Moontides they have led armies across the bridge on “crusades of conquest”. Most of the time the Moontide Bridge lies deep below the sea, but every 12 years the tides sink and the bridge is revealed, its gates open for trade.