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** spoiler alert ** The second book of the Enemy Lines duology certainly has a different focus than that of the first. We shift to enemy-held Coruscant and follow Luke and his assembled team to find the source of his dark vision.

It was interesting to see the effects the Fall of Coruscant had on the general populace. Resorting to barbarism and cannibalism seems the likely response to the onslaught of a conquering species that hates you. The stuff with Lord Nyax was cool, and a neat little tie to Children of the Jedi. He was downright creepy at times, though ultimately he was no more than an unchained animal for Luke, Mara and the others to bring down. We don't really see his fate, but I believe he was really his own worst enemy. Tahiri got some cool scenes. She's not quite over Anakin's death, but she's not exactly reacting the same way Jaina was in Dark Journey. She accepts her losses and embraces her experiences as the hands of the Yuuzhan Vong and utilizes them against Nyax.

It was interesting to see that there are still some voxyn left, but they are rapidly failing in health. And oh, how the mighty have fallen, Senator Shesh. Betraying your government sure seems to be paying off, huh? I just can't feel bad for the woman, considering all she's responsible for. Though, the Wraiths were a bit cruel with the letter they left her. I did like, though, that she felt she was the only one who could kill her. Haughty to the bitter end, and saves the Jedi and Wraith strike team from deciding what to do with her.

Though this is a good continuation of Rebel Dream, the plots seem to be a little all over the place and unrelated to each other. Just saying, it could have flowed better. I did like that Tam Elgrin was recognized for his bravery in overcoming his strenuous situation. It would have been poor characterization for him to revert to a hopeless slave in this book, so I was pleased when he ended up proving himself against the other Vong saboteur. Once Luke and co. return to Borleias the final battle there is conveniently ready to begin. That said, Operation Emperor's Spear was really awesome. Coupled with the fact that Wedge's pipefighter plan fooled and distracted Czulkang Lah so thoroughly, and you have one awesome curbstomp battle. And what a way for the Lusankya to go out. She's had a long history, and went out in a fiery blaze of glory, delivering a devastating blow to the Vong war force. Though Tsavong Lah has dealt with the treachery behind his botched implant (in quite an awesome way, too, with rancors!) he sees the defeat of both the fleet at Borleias and the death of his father as a sign that the gods may not actually favor him.
Rancors aside, Wedge actually had the best moments of this book. It shows how good a commanding officer is when he makes sure he's the last person to evacuate, either that or he's just plain stubborn. Knowing Wedge, it's a little of both. Then he does the impossible and manages to hold his own against the enemy fighters for quite a while in a badly damaged X-Wing that doesn't even have an R2 companion. His exchange with Gavin when the latter arrives to save his ass is quite hilarious. Jaina also had some good moments, mostly by utilizing new techniques to confuse the enemies. Assigning her call sign to a missile for the Vong to chase is nothing short of brilliant, especially since it works. Han and Leia's plot was pretty good here. The prison break sequence was cool, even though the droids can't fly the Falcon if their lives depended on it.

I give Rebel Stand 4/5 stars for an interesting look at Coruscant under the control of the Vong, as well as an awesome conclusion to the Borleias arc.