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| 1368093817
| 9781368093811
| 1368093817
| 3.80
| 1,366
| Mar 05, 2024
| Mar 05, 2024
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really liked it
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Phase 3 of the High Republic is now in full swing, with the first wave of books now released and the comics a few issues into their phenomenal runs. T
Phase 3 of the High Republic is now in full swing, with the first wave of books now released and the comics a few issues into their phenomenal runs. Things have never looked more dire for the Jedi and the rest of the galaxy as the threat of the Nihil deepens and intensifies. Star Wars: The High Republic: Defy The Storm the first YA novel of Phase 3. Written by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland ‘Defy The Storm’ follows on from the adult novel The Eye of Darkness, whilst also being a somewhat sequel to Out of The Shadows, released back in phase 1. The book is a grand galaxy hopping adventure! While it may not be as grand in scale as other books when phase 3 is over, it’s still an amazing young adult novel that deals with loss, love and growing up away from parental figures. The story of Defy The Storm, follows Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh and Avon Starros, daughter of the disgraced Republic senator Ghirra Starros, as they traverse the stormwall in search of Vernerstra’s Padawan Imri Cantaros. Imri is still alive and supposedly trapped deep in Nihil space.They team up with Jordanna Sparkburn a former Republic Deputy who also wishes to find family across the stormwall, and the untrustworthy Xylan Graf who is currently “working” for the Nihil. Each character has their own agenda once the occlusion zone, will they all make it back out alive? Instead of focusing on the overarching plot and conflict, this particular novel is more of an interconnected ensemble piece. This High Republic story’s greatness comes from its characters. They’re certainly the best part of the book, and each one gets time to shine, and gets into their psyche of how they’re dealing with the Nihil takeover. It’s great to see the perspective of other characters other than the Jedi, such as Avon and Jordanna who are the two other main characters in the book. Avon is a particularly interesting character in the book as being the daughter of Ghirra Starros, Marchion Ro’s right hand woman, is not all it’s cracked up to be. Hating the fact that her mother is aligning herself with such vile people, she aims to try and stop her by her own means. A lot of Avon’s character work in the book is her trying at all costs not to become like her mother, which is done amazingly through several key moments and scenes in the story. Avon is inherently good and despite wanting to escape the Occlusion Zone and begin trying to help the Republic, she first seeks out her friend Vernestra to help her bring back her Padawan Imri (who Avon was trapped with on Starlight Beacon). Jordanna Sparkburn is somewhat the opposite of Avon in the book, instead, wanting to return to her family trapped deep in the Occlusion Zone. Being a San Tekka, family proves very important to Jordanna, as she searches for them. Her journey in this book is a very interesting one for several reasons. One such reason is that part way through the book, she stumbles upon a mystery that could affect the whole galaxy in the future. The mystery is teased very well and brings a larger sense of dread to the later chapters and books. It really feels like this mystery may end up being a bigger danger than the Nihil or even the Nameless. Jordanna herself is also a great example of what the young adult books pride themselves on, a proud queer character who embodies a lot of the good that non Jedi characters can do across the galaxy. Vernestra Rwoh is probably one of the best Jedi created for the High Republic and her journey in Defy The Storm is another great example of her embodying everything it means to be a Jedi. She starts out disillusioned away from the Jedi order and keeping to herself on a far off planet, it’s only when her friend Avon comes to tell her about her long-lost Padawan that we see her start to regain her senses and become a Jedi once more, risking it all for the sake of other people. Her lightwhip gets a lot of use in the book and the way the authors describe how Vernestra uses it is very vivid and shows her mastery over the newest cool lightsaber form. Seeing her regain her sense of self makes her journey in the book all that more sweet. Xylan Graf is the other semi-main character in the book, the suave, Lando Calrissian-type character who is seemingly incredibly untrustworthy. Xylan works for the Nihil under duress aboard the Lighting Crash, which is responsible for controlling the Stormwall. He is by far one of the best side characters in the book, every chapter with him in it suddenly becomes funnier and more dramatic. You can’t help but fall in love with him as a character no matter what he is doing and the way the authors write his journey is astonishing. We get to see him slowly leave the rich, suave, annoying persona behind as he teams up with Jordanna, Avon and Vernestra and really gets a feel for just what the Nihil are doing out in the Occlusion Zone. The great thing about the young adult novels of the High Republic is that we get to go a lot more in depth than in just the adult novels. In Defy the Storm, we get to learn a lot more about what life is like in the Occlusion Zone, and what the mass movement of the Stormwall in Eye of Darkness did to that part of the galaxy. We also get to learn about how the Stormwall itself works through the Lightning Crash space station. Gratton and Ireland have often said how much they like to write about the science of Star Wars, and it is clear to see in this book. Defy The Storm is a very solid novel, and does a lot of heavy lifting for the future books to come. The mysteries and plot threads revealed in the book will help feed the rest of the novels, and hopefully we get to see a lot more of the characters in future installments. There are a few issues as you read through Defy The Storm that may stand out, some of which comes from the tonal inconsistency, this may down to the dual writers, but some characters don’t feel as much in danger as others at points. As well, a few plot threads seem to get wrapped up even before the characters get to truly be in the moment. There is also a part of a chapter towards the end of the novel between Vernestra and another character which I feel is completely out of place in the book. I feel this should be left for that character to deal with outside of a singular chapter. However, none of that takes away from the great storytelling and the amazing work done to bring all of these characters together into this adventure. Overall, I believe Defy The Storm is a great read, the characters of Vernestra, Avon, Jordanna and Xylan all exemplify what makes the High Republic such a great and expansive part of the Star Wars world. The plot, while doing a lot of set up for the future, is intriguing in its own right and leaves us wanting more from the characters. I’m eager to see what the future holds for the rest of High Republic Phase 3. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Mar 13, 2024
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Mar 18, 2024
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Mar 06, 2024
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Hardcover
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| 1368093760
| 9781368093767
| 1368093760
| 3.74
| 4,729
| Apr 05, 2022
| Oct 03, 2023
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liked it
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Queens’ Hope E. K. Johnston is the third book of her Padme trilogy, with the final installment taking place from the end of Episode II: Attack of the
Queens’ Hope E. K. Johnston is the third book of her Padme trilogy, with the final installment taking place from the end of Episode II: Attack of the Clones and at the very start of the Clone Wars. Queen’s Hope is in kind of an interesting position, as it’s the conclusion to the trilogy, but not the conclusion to Padmé’s story, as it falls shortly after the events of Attack of the Clones, setting it amid a lot of other canon events across various media. That means that while some of the character work and mini-adventures have a similar feel to Queen’s Shadow, and even follow up on some arcs in that one, it does feel very constrained, as parts of Queen’s Peril did. I definitely did not expect a real solid conclusion, but it evolves its character relationships well and helps provide a compelling piece of the puzzle to Padmé’s life between AOTC and ROTS. As in the prior books, the character relationships are central. And as these are YA books, I love how each one tackles a key part of growing up, but through the lens of Padmé and the handmaidens in the midst of this galactic conflict. If being a Queen and her handmaidens was like high school, and then the initial move to the Senate felt like college, now the interactions in this book are about growing up and growing apart. Padmé has recently entered a secret marriage with Anakin, and regardless of her intentions, it results in a shift in the dynamic, particularly with Sabé. There’s an intriguing interaction between Sabé and Anakin that reflects this, and even knowing Anakin’s emotions aren’t regulated by rationality, it still hurts to see Sabé seeing some truth in what he says. Queen’s Hope was a fun, fast, and entertaining read. I loved getting to see moments between Anakin and Padme, from each of their perspectives, at the start of their marriage (as much as can be described for a YA novel, that is.) I actually would have liked to have spent more time with them as a whole. Other chapter perspectives include Sabe, Sache, and Palpatine, with a few brief interludes from the perspectives of Shmi Skywalker, Beru Whitesun, and Breha Organa; three women who unknowingly carry the spirit and conviction of Padme and her handmaidens. The other character perspectives offer a wider context of the galaxy at the dawn of the Clone Wars, particularly with Sabe’s work to free slaves on Tatooine and Sache working as a representative in the Naboo government. Speaking of which, I quite liked the way Anakin and Padmé’s relationship was fleshed out. It adds dimension to both of them and their relationship, and while it doesn’t undo some of the toxic elements of that relationship, it does feel more believable. The book also gives brief peeks into the lives of other central matriarchs of the Star Wars universe, much like Queen’s Shadow had some introductory and interstitial moments from Leia’s perspective. To get further insight into what Shmi went through is particularly cathartic, given the time the rest of the book is set, as well as that of a young Beru. Those perspectives are also made richer by the fact that Padmé, through Sabé, had been working to combat slavery on Tattooine, initially with Shmi in mind. While their where parts of the book I really enjoyed. Some of it was not so perfect. I was frustrated by the inclusion of Tepoh and the Clone Trooper Sister. While I want Star Wars to be more inclusive, being inclusive doesn't mean adding characters for representation when they have no other purpose. I really like Sache and Yane and the way their relationship evolves. But Tepoh seemed completely unneeded and served as more of a distraction. Sister has a nice moment but she also doesn't have anything to do with the main arcs of the story. The plot of the book is really thin and I'm not sure what bearing it has on the Clone Wars because Sidious seems determined to stop Padme's progress. The book feels unfinished or like it needs a sequel because we are left with Padme making political plans and Sidious planning to stop them. Because the plan Padme is making is not something shown in the films we don't have any idea what is going to happen. I would have liked a stronger dramatic arc and more about Padme and Anakin's relationship, maybe them going on a mission together rather than separately. Sabe is probably the strongest character in the novel and the only one who undergoes a change. Ultimately, Whether you like this book will depend both on how much you like Padmé and whether you enjoy a more character-driven narrative. It doesn’t radically shake up the canon or provide grand, consequential adventures. But it provides character growth and compelling interpersonal relationships that contextualize Padmé’s evolution between AOTC and ROTS. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jan 12, 2024
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Jan 16, 2024
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Dec 27, 2023
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Paperback
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| 0593597931
| 9780593597934
| 0593597931
| 4.25
| 2,906
| Nov 14, 2023
| Nov 14, 2023
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really liked it
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George Mann raises the stakes and kicks Phase 3 of The High Republic with a bang with “Star Wars: The High Republic: The Eye Of Darkness.” It has been
George Mann raises the stakes and kicks Phase 3 of The High Republic with a bang with “Star Wars: The High Republic: The Eye Of Darkness.” It has been a wild ride so far, and I just love the richness this time period has added to the history and lore of the Star Wars galaxy. There have been so many great characters, worlds, and concepts explored, and The Eye of Darkness did a superb job of introducing the next phase of the story. Set a year after the destruction of the Starlight Beacon, The Nihil still have a large section of the galaxy cordoned off in their Occlusion Zone, with Avar Kriss and Porter Engle both fighting from within its borders. Meanwhile, Bell Zettifar and Burryaga go on mission after mission aiding the territories bordering the Occlusion Zone, providing assistance however they can. Elzar Mann is still reeling from so much loss while navigating a Republic that’s found itself lost and at a political crossroads. All the while Marchion Ro, the titular Eye, who led the Nihil to victory but philosophically is at odds with the direction the Nihil is heading. Finally! After waiting so long, The Eye of Darkness delves into the aftermath of the tragedy at Starlight Beacon. Those events hang heavy over the characters and the state of the galaxy. There’s quite a bit of focus on the political maneuvering and the ramications of Nihil control over such a large swath of the galaxy. The conversations did feel little repetitive at times, though, and a large chunk of this book was just the characters talking about the situation and brainstorming what to do. There was some action, but it was a much more subdued story than those in phase one. The scope of the story felt wide, though, which is something that I was missing from phase two. With The Eye of Darkness, Mann is given the unenviable task of having to kick-off two timeline jumps — both back to this particular era, and also a year ahead of where we last saw these characters — and he pulls it off beautifully. The first 80 pages or so are reminiscent of Light of the Jedi in that they throw you into the action headfirst and offer very little room to breathe, but soon enough everything settles and allows the character work The High Repulbic does so well to rise to the surface. There is nothing easy about the dilemmas in The Eye of Darkness, no right answer for any of the characters, and it is that struggle that makes up the bulk of the book. It’s no longer a question about preventing a conflict, but rather one of choosing the best course of action when it comes knocking at your door. After Phase 2 delved into the past, Phase 3 returns to the timeline of Phase 1 to continue the Nihil saga. Author George Mann wastes no time getting down to business to show what has happened since the Starlight Beacon went down and to check in with many of the central characters like Elzar Mann, Avar Kriss, and Bell Zettifar. There’s even some new characters here like the scene stealing Ugnaught pilot Belin who aids Avar on her journey. George Mann has done what I thought was, at this point, highly implausible: causing my love for these newer Star Wars characters to grow even more. In Mann’s hands, Bell Zettifar is as resilient as ever; his determination and sense of righteousness as he goes on missions to help those in the surrounding areas of the Occlusion Zone is heartwarming. Add to this his bromantic reunion with Burryaga and you’ve got pure joy on the page. Avar Kriss and Elzar Mann are separated, in more ways than one. Avar’s connection with the Force has weakened, its song barely a whisper, but she’s as determined as ever to fight for peace and fairness in the galaxy. Elzar Mann is still struggling with the choices he made during Starlight’s demise and aching for a sense of purpose and connection. Of course at the center of all the chaos is the Eye of the Nihil himself, Marchion Ro. The Eye of Darkness, for numerous reasons, is a character study and Ro might be the most fascinating of all. And while we don’t spent to much time with him. Here’s a being who’s literally won; his Nihil have achieved their goal of defeating the Jedi (he quite literally has Jedi killers in the Nameless) and taking over a large territory of space, yet Ro is adrift. He doesn’t quite seem to know what to make of things, going so far as to let his lover Ghirra Starros have a solo meeting with the Republic, knowing all along she likely will fail. I think that Marchion’s character arc is still in the early stages. Unlike his Jedi counterparts, who have had to make massive changes and choices in their fight against the Nihil, Ro has been coasting on his success. George Mann hints at a family member who might be at the core of Ro’s struggle, but all we get is a whisper, making me believe that there’s still more layers to this mysterious Evereni. Although there’s a lot of set-up to be had within this story, there’s a real urgency to the plot that made this an intense read. The oppression of the Nihil is weighing heavy on the heroes. The Nihil’s reign of terror is growing and the Jedi and the Republic have no answers for them, but are desperate to find some. Even though there wasn’t a ton of action in The Eye of Darkness, it still had its pulse-pounding moments, and the author crafted some beautiful and exhilarating scenes. Most importantly, though, the focus on the emotional journey of the characters as they navigated their grief and self-doubt had the space to take the spotlight. Avar, Elzar, and the other Jedi had to grapple with holding on to hope amid such a huge public defeat. They had to come to terms with their mistakes and fight their fear of further failure. Elzar struggled as he tried to fill Stellan’s shoes on Coruscant, and Avar attempted to do good while being haunted by the lofty expectations of her heroism. The one character I wanted more from in The Eye of Darkness was Marchion Ro. The book is named after him, and he is on the cover. However, very little time is spent with the character, and all of it is through the eyes of two characters I didn’t really care about. I don’t find the Nihil very compelling, in general, but I love Ro as the main villain. I wanted to be inside his head more while reading this book, and I was little disappointed that it didn’t happen. The themes explored in The Eye of Darkness were interesting and relevant. The politics provided an opportunity to provide relevant commentary about terrorism and whether governments should legitimize terrorist organizations by engaging in diplomacy with them. The structure of the Nihil also blatantly illustrated the problems and horrors of “governments” based on the ‘might is right’ principle. As mentioned previously, the character work allowed for the exploration of how fear and self-doubt can cloud decision-making and showed the power of both hope and symbolism. So, there was plenty of thought-provoking material to sink my teeth into. Overall, The Eye of Darkness is a welcome return to the High Republic, and to this era of characters in particular, and a fabulous kick-off for this final phase of storytelling that is sure to entertain and devastate in equal measure as we hurtle slowly but surely towards that grand finale of The High Republic. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jan 20, 2024
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Jan 26, 2024
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Dec 27, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 0345546830
| 9780345546838
| 0345546830
| 4.09
| 14,468
| Jan 01, 2013
| Aug 27, 2013
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really liked it
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Star Wars: Kenobi By John Jackson Miller, is a Star Wars Legends novel exploring the early days of Obi-Wan’s exile on Tatooine. If you’ve ever wondere
Star Wars: Kenobi By John Jackson Miller, is a Star Wars Legends novel exploring the early days of Obi-Wan’s exile on Tatooine. If you’ve ever wondered what Obi-Wan Kenobi did in the early years between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, here are some of the answers. With the death of Anakin Skywalker, the destruction of the Jedi order and the rise of the Empire, Kenobi goes to Tatooine to protect a young Luke Skywalker, but this is not the story the book follows. This is the story of a lonely shop owner in the middle of the Tatooine desert that is bored of serving moisture farmers and subconsciously wants more from her life; enter Kenobi, or crazy Ben Kenobi as the farmers soon call him. He comes at a time when all their lives are poised for change. Sand People are attacking in force threatening the farmer’s life and property. The farmers respond by contributing to a protection fund that is essentially an army called the Settlers Call. But the Settlers Call is a pretense for a criminal enterprise with ties to Jaba the Hutt. No matter the outcome, everyone’s lives will be changed and Kenobi is called on once again to be the hero. John Jackson Miller’s Kenobi is an addictive, engrossing tale that explores Obi-Wan’s early days of exile on Tatooine with wildly entertaining themes perfect for a sci-fi western. Through this book, readers will get glimpses inside Obi-Wan’s head as he reflects on Anakin Skywalker and the events of Revenge of the Sith. But more than that, Obi-Wan is brought to life as he deals with the realities of hiding from the Empire on Tatooine. Small town folk don’t keep secrets very well, and as deadly as the Empire might be, the threat of Tusken Raiders is far closer to home. While Kenobi may be the main character, he’s certainly not the only character. A female shopkeeper named Annileen plays a central role in the story. For readers who enjoy strong female characters done right, Annileen delivers the goods. There’s also a local farmer named Orrin whose struggle against the Tuskens becomes an indispensable part of the story. Toss in a myriad cast of local townsfolk, and you have a full cast of colorful characters. Miller does a wonderful job fleshing out the primary characters, expanding their plots and sending their story threads into very interesting directions. There are plenty of twists, turns and surprises. One character I thoroughly enjoyed was also quite unexpected: A’Yark the Tusken Raider. As much as I liked the exploration of Obi-Wan’s character, I was equally intrigued by the exploration of the Sand People and their culture from her view. Still, with all the ground that the book covers, Obi-Wan is always at the heart of it. Of course he goes by Ben now. That journey of Jedi Clone War hero to desert hermit is precisely what is tackled in this book. How did he get the name Crazy Old Ben Kenobi? What did he do there in the desert all alone? What must have it been like? Those questions and more are explored. There’s even an explanation for how Ewan McGregor Obi-Wan turns into Alec Guinness Obi-Wan as far as looks go. Kenobi returns Star Wars to its sci-fi/western roots. In another genre, this could be the story of a mountain man living in the wilderness and his occasional trips to the nearest pioneer town. There would be the struggling farmers and storekeepers trying to make ends meet. However the farmers harvest water from vaporators. The storekeepers offer landspeeder repairs. People ride dewbacks and eopies instead of horses. Plus there are no savage Indians, but rather something worse: cunning bands of well armed Tusken Raiders. The book has all the common themes and vibes of a western but with the sci-fi drapings of Star Wars. In marrying those two together, John Jackson Miller creates a story that is very unique stand out compared to other Legends EU stories. The book starts off slow as it introduces us to life on a Tatooine frontier town, a small area called the Oasis. We meet a cast of misfits, lowlifes, and castaways as they struggle with the chores of everyday life – minding the store, scrounging up enough money to make ends meet, and, of course, warding off Tusken Raiders. The characters seem like they could have come straight out of a Western novel, except that they have blasters instead of pistols and moisture vaporators instead of cattle. John Jackson Miller also took the effort to adjust his writing style to match the western sci-fi setting. Especially in the earlier chapters, we see turns of phrases that echo the Westerns. When Annileen Calwell, the saloonkeeper character, sees her son with her neighbor’s daughter, she thinks, “the boy had eyes for Orrin’s daughter…” Of course, Annileen’s nickname is “Annie,” another Western trope. Orrin Gault, Annileen’s neighbor, is the “big man” in town, organizing patrols against the Tuskens and being the center of attention. I appreciate that this book is not for everybody. If you read Star Wars novels because you like giant space battles and lightsaber combat then Kenobi might not work for you. However, I personally loved the change of pace. By slowing down in the beginning and giving the setting a real Western vibe, Miller really brought Tatooine to life in a way I’d argue we haven’t seen since Star Wars: A New Hope. The characters are grim, pathetic, mundane, flawed – and all the more realistic for it. It’s easy to see these characters as real people in the Star Wars galaxy, often unaware of or unconcerned with broader political events. Our protagonist, Obi-Wan Kenobi, only appears briefly in the prologue and then several chapters in. Even then, the story is mostly told through the point of view of the Oasis residents and a Tusken Raider. Kenobi himself is mostly seen through the eyes of others. Again, I think this was a brilliant choice on John Jackson Miller’s part. He allows the rest of the characters to live and breathe before throwing in the main star. As we know, at this point in the timeline Kenobi is trying desperately to avoid the Empire and to watch over young Luke. Yet, Kenobi isn’t just, or even primarily, about those efforts. Rather, Kenobi is about how Obi-Wan struggles copes with the loss of the Jedi community. We see Obi-Wan, a man who had many Jedi siblings and parents, grow – or regress – into Old Ben, an isolated hermit. Because JJM took the time to establish the Oasis as a real Tatooine frontier town, we come to see it as a real community, making it a great backdrop for Kenobi’s internal struggle when he comes back into the story. Of course, as is his wont, trouble seems to follow Kenobi. Kenobi doesn’t seek to be hero, but his strangeness draws others to him. However, I was glad that for the most part Miller doesn’t rely on the tired tropes of Stormtrooper raids and Jabba’s goons. The crises the Kenobi faces are of a much smaller scale. Yet, they also dictate his relationship to the community ever so subtly. Can Ben participate in and learn from the members of Oasis? Will he become the town hero? Or is he doomed to being a hermit? Miller goes beyond just this setting Ben is involved in and draws in the Sand People and their culture. They are not the animalistic, savage beings hinted at before in the movies. There is a reason for everything they do, and some of it goes back to what happened with Anakin in Attack of the Clones, although Ben does not know about what happened. The new characters are fleshed out nicely and needed to make an interesting story. Some might say there’s too much on them and not enough of Kenobi, but it has to be that way. He’s trying to fade into the background and not be recognized as a Jedi. Following the character of Obi-Wan Kenobi as he tries to work out what he’s supposed to be doing while he waits for Luke to grow up could be very boring. It’s hinted that there is some communication among the cabal of conspirators who separated Anakin and Padme’s twins and are keeping them hidden. Having said that, Miller has created a fully fleshed out subsection of Tatooine that is refreshing for its different take on the familiar planet. Themes of family and loyalty are very strong. Anilleen in particular represents a female lead who struggles with balancing caring for others and caring for herself. It was a nice change of pace to see a female character not needing rescuing by a man (in the traditional sense) but how men, for better or for worse, can still shape what her future looks like. All in all, This story creates a believable and interesting representation of what the character of Obi-Wan should be in this period between trilogies. What we see of Obi-Wan is mostly through the eyes of others, and it becomes clear how Obi-Wan Kenobi of the prequel trilogy becomes crazy old Ben from Episode IV. This is a must read for any Star Wars fan, especially those who haven't read any of the novels. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 22, 2023
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Oct 26, 2023
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Oct 10, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 0345541936
| 9780345541932
| 0345541936
| 3.67
| 13,804
| May 07, 2013
| May 07, 2013
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liked it
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Star Wars: Dawn Of The Jedi: Into the Void By Tim Lebbon, is unlike any Star Wars book you’ve ever read before and that’s not a bad thing. In fact, it
Star Wars: Dawn Of The Jedi: Into the Void By Tim Lebbon, is unlike any Star Wars book you’ve ever read before and that’s not a bad thing. In fact, it turns out to be a rather good thing. As it’s an interesting look at the Pre-Republic Era of Star Wars Legends universe. Set over set 25,000 years before the battle of Yavin, before the Jedi and Sith as we know them even existed. Lanoree Brock, a Je’daii Ranger. Charged with keeping order and peace in the Tython system. She is been summoned by the Je’daii Council to embark on a mission to stop one man from trying to open a hypergate and incidentally destroy the entire Tythan star system. It is a mission of utmost importance. As if the mission wasn’t pressure enough, the Council reveals that she has been chosen for the job because the man is believed to be Dalien Brock, her brother thought to be dead for years. Into The Void, takes place way before the great Sith wars, before the Old Republic era, there are no lightsabers, but there are Je'daii who carry both the light and the dark side of the Force at the same time. This book doesn’t feel like the Star Wars of the films and nor should it. Technology and societies advance at rapid rates and so it is logical that the Jedi of 25,000 years ago aren’t wielding lightsabers and going through the same training program as those of the Old Republic. This world feels different and there’s a sense of discovery when visiting these planets and learning more about this system’s societies. The best part of the book was learning about the Je’daii Order and seeing how they differ from their successors, the Jedi, thousands of years later. At the same time, the book does still have that Star Wars feel to it and this is clearly just a far older and more primitive version of the galaxy far far away that we all know and love. Unlike a lot of Star Wars novels, this one has a very tight focused cast. The primary character is Lanoree, a Jedi Ranger who is tasked with stopping a mad cultist planning to use ancient alien technology to activate a hypergate, an act that could destroy the entire Star system if it goes wrong. The journey that unfolds is told in two parts. Half of the story is her quest to track down and stop the mad cultist brother. The other half is a series of insightful flashbacks into her past. It’s a great way to flesh out the character, but it also reveals a lot about the setting. Through her flashbacks, readers discover what Je’daii have to go through for their training. The mysterious world of Tython is filled with dangerous creatures and exotic landscapes. Yet her quest to track down the mad cultist sibling brings its own variety of imaginative locales as she travels to other worlds in the Tython Star system. One of the more interesting parts of the book where flashbacks to the siblings’ Great Journey; part of their Je’daii training in which they travel on foot to the nine Je’daii temples on Tython to learn different skills and aspects of the the Force. I often find that flashbacks can be less successful as storytelling devices than they might be. But here, it works well; perhaps because the entire era is unknown to us and both the “current” and flashback storylines are constantly providing new and interesting information. I really enjoyed reading this because you get to see the earlier concept of the Jedi Order and although the Je'daii Order was slightly different it still felt very similar. So much of the interest here comes from all of the insights into the Je’daii and the ways in which they differ in outlook and behaviour from the Jedi we know from later eras. The plot is enjoyable and engaging as are the characters. Lebbon doesn’t use a large cast and the characters benefit from it. Lanoree is well rounded with her own strengths and weaknesses. She also has the distinction of being a female lead who isn’t around to be a love interest. It’s refreshing. Tre Sana is a Twi’lek criminal who ends up aiding Lanoree on her mission. He goes through plenty of character development throughout the book and will likely leave readers wanting to know more about his back story and more about him in general. On the other side of the story is the antagonist, Dalien Brock, who is downright unsettling. He’s not quite like any other villain we’ve met due in part to his militant rejection of the Force. So much about him never feels quite right and it makes Dal stand out from the countless number of Sith who have filled that antagonist role. This book is pretty full of action as it flits back and forth between Lanoree’s current quest around the system to find her brother and find out his motivations, and her past quest which sees her journey across Tython with her brother as part of their Je’daii training. Both stories serve to show us who Lanoree Brock is as a character and how her relationship with her brother fits in with her life and personality. Without giving much away, neither quest goes well. She is aided in her current quest by Tre Sana, a cocky and scummy Twi’lek with a penchant for sass and Dam-Powl, a Je’daii master who appears to have some secrets of her own when it comes to the mysterious ability of Force alchemy. Lebbon takes us to many varying locales and gives lurid and detailed descriptions of the environments and beasts our protagonist faces both during the current quest and on her training journey in the past. Her brother makes for an interesting antagonist whose relationship with Lanoree may be the most interesting part of the book. Points of humour are done well, and descriptions of the every mysterious Force are compelling. The pacing kept me reading with interest, though if I had one criticism it would be I would have much preferred it if the ‘past’ sections of the story were wrapped up before we actually meet Lanoree’s brother in the ‘present’ sections. That way we would have a full picture of the man whose actions don’t always make sense. While I enjoyed the overall pace and setting of the story and the journey within, My biggest criticism of It is i didn’t enjoy the ending at all. Too many questions left unanswered that really were important, and the conclusion felt somewhat rushed. It would have been a great read if this had been fixed. But the way this novel ended does not make me look back all that favorably on it. As a whole, the book is a solidly enjoyable read. It might not be the best Star Wars book in existence but it’s definitely a nice addition to the Legends Universe. Stylistically, Lebbon made a great choice by choosing to write the parallel storylines in different tenses. The tale of Lanoree and Dalien on their Great Journey is written in the present tense while the current story is written in past tense. It’s a simple and subtle yet effective way to differentiate between the two without resorting to something more obvious and clumsy like italics. Even though we know how the Great Journey ends, Lebbon does an excellent job of weaving the two tales in and out of one-another and keeping the readers engaged in both without making the past feel like a drag. Overall, If you like Star Wars as a series and fancy a look at where at one time, the Jedi originated, give this book a read. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 18, 2023
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Oct 22, 2023
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Oct 10, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 0345522648
| 9780345522641
| 0345522648
| 3.63
| 3,470
| Jan 25, 2011
| Jan 25, 2011
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really liked it
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Star Wars Knight Errant, a Star Wars Legends novel by John Jackson Miller, follows Jedi Knight Kerra Holt during a lesser explored chaotic time in the
Star Wars Knight Errant, a Star Wars Legends novel by John Jackson Miller, follows Jedi Knight Kerra Holt during a lesser explored chaotic time in the Old Republic era of Star Wars Legends. In 1032 BBY, a generation before Darth Bane and the founding of the Rule of Two, Knight Errant takes place during a Old Republic era when the Sith and Jedi existed simultaneously, living in a constant state of war. Unlike Darth Bane’s era where the Sith unified under a single banner, the Sith in this era fight each other as much as the Republic. To slow them down the Republic cut off all contact with the regions fallen to the Sith space, allowing only small strike teams of Jedi to cross the border. Kerra Holt was part of a strike team that was destroyed. Stranded but determined, she sets out to give the Sith as good as she’s gotten. Miller’s “Knight Errant” was definitely a surprising Legends novel. It has fast flowing action, great characters, and layer upon layer of political mystery and intrigue. In essence, it contains almost everything I look for in a Star Wars EU book. The one thing that I don't believe it has is a strong plot. I expect that this is because, while it IS a standalone book, it follows the story-arc started in the Legends EU “Knight Errant” comic series. However this didn't seem to be that much of a problem, since despite not knowing where the book was going, I couldn't put it down. The Knight Errant is made strong by the worldbuilding that Miller utilizes. This is a rare example of Expanded Universe Star Wars material that is not connected to the Skywalker storyline and feels fresh as a result. Though this series is technically no longer canon, it does feel “new” compared to many things in the new Disney canon. While it isn't the earliest book in the star wars timeline, it almost is, being set in the dark ages of the Old Republic. That means it's pretty different from the films (lots of Sith, one Jedi) and as such, it's probably not the best to read as an introduction to the expanded universe, but it IS a entertaining book, and one that should be read by every star wars reader. The Sith in this book are written particularly well. There is quite a few of them (Seven Sith Lords make an appearance, as well as their minions), and they are all unique. Each of them adds a new aspect to the book, and in some ways, each Sith Lord represents a different story. This is part of what helps it flow so well, the story is constantly changing, there isn't a dull moment. And that's just the bad guys. The book also has a lot of interesting settings, ranging from the dark police state of Darkknell, which is Lord Daiman’s capital, to the icy world of Syned, Arkadia’s headquarters. They’re all finely described, the author expertly transporting the reader’s mind to these imaginary places. In addition, the action is well plotted out, keeping you on the edge of your seat the whole time through. We have everything from speeder bike chases to pitched battles to the classic lightsaber duels. Then there’s the tone. This book can be serious when it needs to, but is overall a rather enjoyable and lighthearted read, a nice departure from more grim and serious Star Wars books like the Thrawn trilogy or even Fate of the Jedi. In addition, I also liked how the writer focused on details in the Star Wars lore, such as why the heroes can’t simply escape back to the Republic, the difficulties of a bunch of different alien species living crammed together in Rusher’s ship, Diligence, or fun little nods to the Kotor video games. The POV is handled primarily from the perspective of Jedi Kerra Holt, but you also have sections told from the perspective of Bothan spy Narsk Ka ‘hane and mercenary Rusher. Those two help to give alternate viewpoints of the conflict especially Rusher, a man whose simply trying to survive in a part of the galaxy where just about everyone is a slave in al but name. Their perspectives help to explain why their aren’t rebellions against the Sith and give a more neutral tone to what would otherwise be a purely good vs evil tale. What makes it work is the very strong cast of characters. Every character is well rounded and individualized, from Kerra Holt herself to the Bothan spy Narsk to bumbling mercenary recruit Beadle Lubboon. The most interesting character in the novel is undoubtedly Rusher, a military history buff and experienced commander. Rusher is a classic anti-hero in the same vein as Han Solo. What differentiates him from Solo, however, is his dedication to his men and his admirable sense of duty, though he doesn’t mind the money. Naturally, he and Kerra don’t get along well at first, but it’s a testament to Miller’s handling of the character development that they’re fire forged friends by the end of the book. They’re both selfless in their own way, with Rusher being the pragmatist and Kerra being the idealist, thus being perfect foils to each other. The main character herself is... Not the greatest. She feels a little under developed, but again I feel that this is due to the fact that half the story is in comic form, and we don't know a lot of what's happened to Kerra. The one thing we do see is that she's not the model Jedi, which is refreshing after many ideal Jedi in the Expanded Universe. But my favourite characters are the artillery captain, Rusher, and the Bothan spy, Narsk. These two characters are the two that really add depth to the book. They work for the Sith, but only because the Sith are the only people around. This idea is an interesting one, because it allows the author to show prejudice against them (working for bad guys), while also showing that there are just ordinary people in the star wars universe. Too often the main characters in the star wars books are all "professional heroes", or fighter pilots, or basically full-time good guys. It's nice to see more realistic people. One downside to the book is that there was never a continuation of the Knight Errant story. I’m not sure if this series was cancelled due to poor sales or as a result of the Disney acquisition and the Star Wars comic line moving from Dark Horse to Marvel. The continuing adventures of Kerra Holt, though this seems very unlikely at this point. On the whole, this book is worth reading, The plot and the cast are both excellently written, with superb action and an engaging writing style. It’s a fun, adventurous read which should be on the reading list of any Star Wars fan, or any fantasy or science fiction enthusiast for that matter. It's easy to read, while still being complex, and a great addition to the Star Wars Legends universe. ...more |
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1
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Sep 27, 2023
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Oct 2023
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Sep 27, 2023
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Mass Market Paperback
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| 3.76
| 897
| Oct 10, 2023
| Oct 10, 2023
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liked it
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Star Wars: Crimson Climb by author E.K. Johnston, tells us – as the title suggests – how Qi'ra worked her way up in the criminal organization Crimson
Star Wars: Crimson Climb by author E.K. Johnston, tells us – as the title suggests – how Qi'ra worked her way up in the criminal organization Crimson Dawn. It doesn't pick up her story after Solo: A Star Wars Story, when she takes the reins from Dryden Vos, but it picks up right after the start of the Solo movie. Qi'ra stays behind at the spaceport where Han just manages to escape. Qi'ra is grabbed by Moloch and taken back to Lady Proxima's headquarters, where she is punished for her escape attempt and ends up in an even worse situation than she was already in. Throughout the story we see how Qi'ra is sold and abused several times and skillfully fights her way up within Crimson Dawn, until she eventually becomes the right hand of Dryden Vos. Not much has been written about Qi'ra's life, we saw her in Solo and Most Wanted by Rae Carson. And in 2021 she appeared in the Hidden Empire story arc in Marvel Comics, where we follow her for a while between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. So now we learn a lot more about her early life. We see how she stood her ground under the authority of Lady Proxima and how she always made herself valuable to her masters. This book doesn't make any big waves in the larger Star Wars story, it is really a focus on Qi'ra's life and development, but that development is very strong. Crimson Climb is definitely recommended for fans of the character, but so far it doesn't seem like a must read if you're not interested in her. We catch some glimpses of the criminal underworld, but mainly stay close to home. Crimson Climb gives us our first glimpse into Qi'ra's mind. We see how the - not very talkative - lady is extremely attentive and how little escapes her attention. By following her thoughts, we see how she notices and evaluates the behavior of others in order to benefit herself. She is no Thrawn when it comes to strategy, but she is certainly a skilled player of the game of games, in both small and large organizations. Although this book falls under the heading Young Adult, it is certainly not a children's book. It's actually quite dark and grisly. For example, we learn that the Crimson Dawn tattoo Qi'ra has on her wrist is done with the ink of a Quarren. And especially how that came about. A number of creatures are also killed, and Johnston does not shy away from portraying the ways in which this happens. As always: as an adult reader, don't be misled by that YA label! The book starts quite strong and the ending also holds the reader's attention well, but in the middle it is all a bit long-winded and especially confusing. We see a large group of new characters, none of whom are really interesting enough to properly absorb. This makes the adventures that these characters experience over a longer period of time somewhat confusing. I could often no longer remember which names participated in a previous mission and what their role was there, etc. In my opinion, it would have been good for the book if the number of characters in these parts had been smaller. Crimson’ is the type of book that is a rather frustrating read. For years fans have been left wondering about how Qi’ra became involved with Crimson Dawn. The story we get here feels rather underwhelming. Don’t get me wrong, there’s some good material here to be sure. Her scenes with Dryden Vos are always engaging, learning about the innerworkings of Crimson Dawn shed more light on the organization, and seeing how Qi’ra adjusts to a huge change in her life (all while trying to survive the dark and cruel world that she is in) proved to be compelling. What falls short is the story itself. Granted, Johnston may have been hamstrung by the story she could tell, but it felt like only part of a bigger story. You’re left wanting more about her and Dryden, tidbits about Darth Maul, and a bigger overall journey for the character. The book sort of ends just as Qi’ra begins to move on up in Crimson Dawn. Yes, there’s some little tidbits at other points in time, but it all feels like one big tease. With all of that said, perhaps one day we will get bigger Qi’ra stories or maybe even see the character in live-action form again. The story itself is very entertaining, although I would have liked to see a bit more than we got. Fewer meaningless missions, more intrigue within the criminal circuit. At the end the door is more or less open for a sequel, so perhaps, just like Johnston's Queens series, it will also end in a trilogy. I personally wouldn't object to that. All in all, Despite my few problems with the book. I Crimson Climb very entertaining and definitely recommended if you are a fan of the Character or want to gain more insight into the Crimson Dawn organization. But not mandatory if you don't have time for it. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 03, 2023
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Nov 07, 2023
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Sep 18, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 1368057292
| 9781368057295
| 1368057292
| 3.72
| 1,609
| Aug 25, 2020
| Aug 25, 2020
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really liked it
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Star Wars the Clone Wars: Stories Of Light and Dark By various authors, is a anthology novel based on the “Star Wars The Clone Wars TV series”. The Cl
Star Wars the Clone Wars: Stories Of Light and Dark By various authors, is a anthology novel based on the “Star Wars The Clone Wars TV series”. The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark offers old and new fan a whole new way to revisit the show. This collection offers mini-novelizations of several memorable moments from the show. The best part is there’s something for everyone! The book contains 11 stories. 10 of these stories are based on existing episodes but told through different POVs. The other story is an original creation. So, what all is in this book? Allow me to break it down for you. Author Jason Fry’s “Sharing The Same Face” is based on the Clone Wars episode “Ambush” in which Yoda embarks on a mission to Toydaria with Clone troopers. The story is told through Yoda’s eyes. “Dooku Captured” is a tale by Lou Anders told from the perspective of the overconfident Count Dooku as he is captured by Hondo and the Ohnaka Gang pirates while also getting mixed up with Anakin and Obi-Wan. Preeti Chhibber’s “Hostage Crisis” is also based on the episode of the same name. This is the story in which Republic Senators are held hostage by Cad Bane and company. Anakin (whose POV we follow in this written story) rushes to save Padmé who is among the Senators. “Pursuit Of Power” by Anne Ursu is based on the episodes “Heroes On Both Sides” and “Pursuit Of Peace.” In this tale, we see things from the view of Padmé as she seeks to end the war with a peaceful negotiation. “The Shadow Of Umbara” by Yoon Ha Lee is based on the Umbara arc comprised of “Darkness On Umbara,” “The General,” “Plan Of Dissent,” and “Carnage Of Krell.” As you may recall, this is the storyline involving the unhinged Jedi General Pong Krell attempting to take the planet of Umbara by recklessly ordering Clone troopers to insane missions. This time around, we see the story through the helmet of Captain Rex. “Bane’s Story” by Tom Angleberger is based on the saga made up of “Deception,” “Friends And Enemies,” “The Box,” and “Crisis On Naboo.” Cad Bane tells Boba Fett and Bossk the story of how he broke Moralo Eval out of jail with Rako Hardeen (who is really Obi-Wan in disguise). After that, they all embark on a job to kidnap Chancellor Palpatine. “The Lost Nightsister” by Zoraida Cordova is based on the “Bounty” episode in which Asajj Ventress is hired on to protect precious cargo alongside bounty hunters Boba Fett, Bossk, Latts, Dengar and Highsinger. “Dark Vengeance” by Rebecca Roanhorse is based on the one-two punch “Brothers” and “Revenge” in which we learn that Darth Maul survives and is now teaming up with his brother Savage Opress to seek revenge against Obi-Wan Kenobi. “Almost A Jedi” by Sarah Beth Durst is based on “A Necessary Bond” and is told from the viewpoint of Youngling Katooni. For those that may recall, this one finds Ahsoka and the Younglings encountering Hondo, pirates, and General Grievous. “Kenobi’s Shadow” by Greg van Eekhout is based on “The Lawless.” This is the heartbreaking tale in which Obi-Wan travels to the Maul ruled Mandalore where Duchess Satine meets her end. “Bug” by E. Anne Convery which is an original story inspired by the episode “Massacre.” The story is set on the planetoid Sidi where a bored young girl nicknamed Bug lives with her parents who run an inn. Bug encounters a old Nightsister (Falta) who tells the story of her past, her daughter, and Mother Talzin. With this anthology novel fans new and old gain a new perspective on some of the show’s most popular and memorable episodes. For first timers, or younger audiences not yet ready for watching the show, Stories of Light and Dark is an excellent way to familiarize them with the series, while longtime fans will enjoy the new way to experience the show. One of my favorite aspects to Stories of Light and Dark stems from its basic premise, the different point of views retelling certain episodes. In every story, minus one, the POVs were excellent expansions on familiar episodes, providing new insights or deeper meaning to events for the characters featured. In Padmé’s tale, we get to see her internalized struggle with loving the idea of the Republic and knowing its failures while striving to still make change; for Asajj Ventress, we get the more in-depth look at her coming to terms with her new life, after being spurned by Count Dooku, and forging a new one, while honoring her family and sisters; with Cad Bane, we get a fun spin on an Obi-Wan focused tale; and Maul’s searing hatred and determination comes to life in ways only prose could cover that even the episodes couldn’t touch. As a fan of TCW, and easily remembering each episode(s) these stories cover, the new perspective adds extra layers to old favorites, providing new context for characters’ actions and words, adding something special to any re-watching. For fans who haven’t gotten into TCW yet, or for those younger fans who might not yet grasp some of the show’s lessons, Stories is the perfect introduction and explainer to some of its bigger concepts. There’s a great mix of characters and a few surprising perspectives, while the breadth of storylines also matches the show’s penchant for different tones and genres. I also really appreciated how the overall episode picks told a somewhat cohesive story between themselves of the war and for some characters. Each story is told from a different character’s point-of-view. This gives each author the opportunity for fresh exploration of these stories most fans are already familiar with. While not every story will blow your mind, there are some beautiful and unexpected thoughts we share with these characters. The beauty of novelizations are the quieter moments they elaborate – a facial expression, a sigh, or a tear can provide fodder for a whole chapter. The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark is certainly a great example of that. The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark delivers some great writing paired with characters and stories we already know. Is this for everyone? Probably not. If you don’t have any interest in The Clone Wars I’m not sure this collection of stories will move the needle either way. However, I could see someone not knowing anything about the series picking this book up and loving it. Everything fans love about The Clone Wars exists in this book. These stories are the same ones that captured fans. Everything good about The Clone Wars is in this book, so I could see it definitely grabbing the attention of a curious fan and turning them into a devotee easily. All in all, Whether you go in looking for something new or just want a love letter from some of the finest authors out there, I’m willing to bet you’ll enjoy your time reading The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 31, 2023
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Nov 03, 2023
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Sep 16, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 0345509625
| 9780345509628
| 0345509625
| 3.70
| 12,516
| 2009
| Oct 13, 2009
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really liked it
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Star Wars: Death Troopers is a horror based Star Wars novel written by Joe Schreiber. While the idea of horror based Star Wars may not appeal to every
Star Wars: Death Troopers is a horror based Star Wars novel written by Joe Schreiber. While the idea of horror based Star Wars may not appeal to everyone, the thought of zombie storm troopers hunting down Rebel scum just seems to resonate with my inner geek. Putting the fanboy bias aside, this is a well thought out story that does a good job of bringing the undead into the Star Wars universe without coming off as cheesy or contrived. The story is set just prior to the events from "A New Hope" and follows the crew of an Imperial prison ship The Purge who become stranded when the ship breaks down on route to a prison colony. As they drift through empty space, they come across a derelict Star Destroyer from which they hope to salvage enough parts to repair the ship. A boarding party is sent to retrieve the parts from the Star Destroyer but when they come back they bring with them a deadly virus that kills the living and reanimates the dead. For the half dozen survivors immune to the virus, they quickly become locked in a desperate fight for survival against hordes of the undead looking for fresh meal to eat. Death Troopers, is a thrilling and horrifying Star Wars adventure published in 2009 under the umbrella of Legends–Star Wars material that exists outside of Disney’s established canon. At only 270 pages, the book makes for a quick, edge-of-your-seat (or, in this case, under the blankets) read, expertly combining elements from the horror genre with the Star Wars galaxy. Star Destroyers are imposing vessels by themselves. Schreiber adds rage-fueled and starving hordes of undead stormtroopers, Imperial agents, Rebels, and aliens (including a family of zombified Wookies), to the mix, which creates a terrifying atmosphere reminiscent of Alien and Dead Space. There’s plenty here for both horror fans, and Star Wars fans to enjoy, from cameos of familiar alien races, name-drops of Darth Vader, and the addition of Han Solo and Chewbacca, who surprisingly feel right at home in this blood-soaked adventure. Horror fans will appreciate the buckets of blood and gore Death Troopers has to offer–and trust me, there’s plenty of gore. Non-horror or squeamish Star Wars fans may feel put off by the descriptions of heads blowing up, flesh being ripped from the body, and severed limbs being wielded around by flesh-starved zombies. Death Troopers moves at a surprisingly fast pace, but its small cast of characters ensures the reader will never get lost in what’s happening on the page and will feel the emotional weight when a character meets their grisly demise. As a horror fan, I had an absolute blast with this book. I thought it was well-written, and some sequences were truly horrifying. I wanted Death Troopers to explore some plot points further, like why certain characters were immune from the disease, but considering that’s just a staple of zombie fiction, it wasn’t something I was too bothered with. Overall, I enjoyed the story and the characters. One character who particularly stood out to me was Dr. Zahara Cody, the chief medical officer on board the Purge. She’s a wealthy heiress who falls in love with an older surgeon and accompanies him across the galaxy, learning from him and acquiring various other medical skills. Determined to escape the grasp of her prim family, she enlists as a medical officer on board the Purge and soon becomes a firm advocate for the prisoners, even resigning from her post just before the barge breaks down following the unjust murder of one of the Purge‘s unlucky occupants. The passages detailing Zahara’s attempts to find a cure and cope with the mass death around her rang familiarly true to current events. I also enjoyed the brothers Trig and Kale, who are trapped on the Purge through no fault of their own and band together to survive the undead horrors awaiting them. All in all, Death Troopers makes for a fast-paced and blood-soaked adventure, and I highly recommend this book for any fans who may be curious how Star Wars deals with the horror genre. The zombies worked well in the period of the dark reign of the Empire, and the appearance of Han Solo and Chewbacca will delight any Star Wars fan looking for those familiar faces. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 17, 2023
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Sep 20, 2023
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Sep 12, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 0345511174
| 9780345511171
| 0345511174
| 3.46
| 7,516
| Dec 28, 2010
| Jun 28, 2011
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liked it
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Jedi, Sith, and zombies! Joe Schreiber, in his novel Red Harvest, continues to bring a different kind of villain to the Star Wars Legends universe. Wi Jedi, Sith, and zombies! Joe Schreiber, in his novel Red Harvest, continues to bring a different kind of villain to the Star Wars Legends universe. With Red Harvest, Schreiber follows up Death Troopers with a prequel examining the origins of the Blackwing virus: the infectious agent that turned an entire Imperial Star Destroyer into a derelict tomb packed with flesh-hungry zombies that Han Solo and Chewbacca had to blast their way through. However instead of again setting the story within the timeframe of the classic OT movies, Schreiber takes the readers back to the era of the Old Republic, more than thirty-five hundred years before the time of the Empire. Set in the days of the Old Republic on the planet Odacer-Faustin, It focuses on the deranged experiments of Sith Lord Darth Scabrous, as he seeks eternal life. The last piece in his plan is a rare flower, kept in the care of Jedi Knight Hestizo Trace, who has the unique ability to speak with plants. Scabrous’s agents seize her when they capture the flower, and very soon his experiments begin to go wrong, and the Sith Academy he rules over faces the consequences. I thought that Red Harvest is something of a mixed bag, that for the most part works decently fairly well. But I have to wonder if it might have been more effective at eliciting terror had Schreiber set it during the period of the classic films. The virus, it turns out, was originally created by a Sith Lord named Darth Scabrous, as part of his bid to find a means of living forever. Maybe it's just me, but Scabrous as a character just... didn't have the sense of menace that most Sith Lords have embodied. Although there is one vile act that Darth Scabrous does involving a bounty hunter and his partner that is... well, it's pretty harsh. I mean it, it's outright gross to the max! And I can't help but think that somehow it would have been more intense had it been Darth Vader doing that instead to some poor shlub. Death Troopers worked so well because it involved a setting and characters that most Star Wars fans already understood and appreciated. Red Harvest on the other hand demands that we feel empathy for an entirely new cast and an era of Star Wars lore that for many people, is still an unknown quantity. I'm not saying that you won't get a thrill from Red Harvest, just that the "scare factor" in Death Troopers was in most part because it involved elements we'd already invested significant time in coming to know and love. With Red Harvest even die-hard Star Wars fans will have to "work" at arousing the empathy needed to feel something toward the story's large cast of good and bad guys. While Schreiber’s vivid and often grotesque use of imagery helped to sell the horror elements of this novel. One can easily envision the decomposing corpses tearing at the flesh of the living in their never ending lust for dietary satisfaction. However, I would have hoped that there would have been some different elements ascribed to the “living undead” in order to separate or enhance them from the traditional zombies that we have come to know and expect in the horror genre. Schreiber’s incorporation of a botanical element, the rare Murakami Orchid, was a nice addition to the story and the creation of a “zombie plague”. However, it felt as though this part of the story needed some additional fleshing out. Further exploration of the plants and their mystical Force powers could have elevated certain aspects of the story in regard to the “space zombies”. As another Star Wars zombie novel this book was a fun read, but not as strong as Death Troopers. Whereas Death Troopers was a genuinely scary and fun zombie horror story, this prequel feels more like a fantasy novel. There isn’t really the creepiness factor or scared wonder at what lurked on the next page. It seemed more like a straight forward run to the finish. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it, it just didn’t live up to the previous book. So yeah, it wasn't quite up to the snuff that Death Troopers is, but I still have to say that I was entertained plenty enough by Red Harvest. It was good to see the concept of midi-chlorians explored further, and Schreiber also demonstrates in Red Harvest that he's not squeamish at all about turning the reader's stomach. Overall, If you’re looking for a quick Star Wars read that doesn’t require a lot of brain power, this is a good place to stop. It moves quickly, it doesn’t drag, and it is good clean fun. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 20, 2023
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Sep 23, 2023
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Sep 12, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 0345511379
| 9780345511379
| 0345511379
| 3.84
| 5,080
| Jul 24, 2012
| Jul 24, 2012
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really liked it
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What happens when a ship full of Old Republic era Sith crash lands on an isolated planet with no communication with the rest of the galaxy? In Lost Tr
What happens when a ship full of Old Republic era Sith crash lands on an isolated planet with no communication with the rest of the galaxy? In Lost Tribe of the Sith, that question is answered across a collection of 9 short stories that track the development of Sith culture and their domination of the native populace. When they land, the Sith face massive obstacles, yet they control the entire planet and produce a large number of dark side users before they reemerge in the galaxy about 40 years after the destruction of the first Death Star. How do they manage to survive and thrive? How do the Sith conquer internal conflicts to maintain a stable society that keeps Sith traditions alive for 5,000 years? Lost Tribe of the Sith was written by John Jackson Miller. Originally, the short stories were released as digital ebooks between releases of the now Legends “Fate of the Jedi” series. Those stories were released to explain the origins of the Lost Tribe faction. Miller tracks the evolution of this society through the years in his several short stories, tracing probably the only route that could possibly end in the mostly-stable Sith society we meet in “Fate Of The Jedi” Series. As mentioned in the intro, Lost Tribe of the Sith is a collection of short stories. As such, summarizing the overall plot is difficult since it reads more like 5-9 individual stories. Included in those smaller stories are “first contact” plots, “forming order from political chaos” plots, “individual finding freedom” plots, and an invasion plot. If I had to connect them all into one overarching plot, I would say that it was a plotline of political refinement as the Sith discover how to live and thrive on Kesh, the planet on which they were stranded. First off, if you haven’t read any of the Lost Tribe short stories yet, then YES, it’s worth the read! The Lost Tribe of the Sith play a huge role in the “Fate of the Jedi” series, as well as Paul S. Kemp’s Crosscurrent spin off series. While the short stories aren’t necessary reading in order to understand those stories, they do provide a rich history that adds to the story. Miller covers how the Sith landed on Kesh, how they dealt with the inhabitants and each other in order to build an empire, and how these Sith became something different than the Sith we’ve seen before in other EU material. The stories range from puzzle-solving mystery tales to love stories and tales of conquest and rebellion. There is a huge variety in both content and characters. Readers get to see that not all Sith are the same. In fact some Sith are even likable. That said, there is one thing that is worth pointing out: these stories are not your typical Star Wars tales. These stories focus on the survivors of a Sith warship that are stranded on a backwater world. The inhabitants of Kesh don’t have any technology. The result is that the stories are compelling adventures set in the Star Wars universe, but without the typical sci-fi elements. At first there is a spaceship, blasters, hyperspace travel, aliens, all the things people come to expect of Star Wars. But as the stories progress, the technology dwindles away. The Tribe loses the technology over the years with no way to reproduce it. Instead they make due with other means. Blasters become elaborate diamond spitting rifles. Turbolasers turn into ballistae. People travel via flying creatures called uvaks instead of spaceships. The one thing that remains through the ages is the iconic lightsaber. That, and the legends of the ancient Sith and the hated Jedi. It makes for a very different type of Star Wars story that, while not very sci-fi like, is still very enjoyable and different compared to other EU material. These various short stories were exceptionally well done. The Sith portrayed throughout the series were believable characters – not some nameless evil set on dominating the galaxy. Conquest and the search for power are dominating goals throughout their lives, but there are both heroes and villains among the Sith themselves. The stories compliment the outlook of the Jedi – elevation of self versus selflessness, domination versus guidance. Sometimes people need to be selfish, just as at others they need to sacrifice themselves for a greater good. The Sith, without a doubt, are largely villains; but they are understandable villains in the context of their own society. In them, we see all the evils that exist within ourselves, as well as some admirable traits such as strength and courage. While the short stories aren’t necessary reading in order to understand those stories, they do provide a rich history that adds to the story. Miller covers how the Sith landed on Kesh, how they dealt with the inhabitants and each other in order to build an empire, and how these Sith became something different than the Sith we’ve seen before. The stories range from puzzle-solving mystery tales to love stories and tales of conquest and rebellion. There is a huge variety in both content and characters. Readers get to see that not all Sith are the same. In fact some Sith are even likable. Overall, The Lost Tribe of the Sith is neither a particularly strong nor a particularly weak entry in the Star Wars Legends canon. It provides a backstory that should prove intriguing for readers of the Fate of the Jedi, and it gives a deeper look at Sith culture and interactions than you get in most other Star Wars books. ...more |
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Sep 23, 2023
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Sep 27, 2023
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Sep 12, 2023
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Paperback
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| 0345529413
| 9780345529411
| 0345529413
| 3.96
| 6,824
| Jan 01, 2012
| Nov 13, 2012
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really liked it
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Star Wars: The Old Republic: Annihilation By Drew Karpyshyn, is a Star Wars Legends novel acting as a tie-in to the the MMORPG PC video game “Star War
Star Wars: The Old Republic: Annihilation By Drew Karpyshyn, is a Star Wars Legends novel acting as a tie-in to the the MMORPG PC video game “Star Wars: The Old Republic.” As someone who hasn’t really gotten around to playing the SWTOR game, I went into Annihilation not expecting anything more than a decent tie-in to the video game. What I actually got was an incredibly fun read. The story never feels like you need to have played the game in order to understand what's going on. With a small, tight nit cast of characters, Drew presents an espionage story interwoven with personal conflicts. On the surface there are space battles, lightsaber fights, and gripping spy missions. But beneath that is a subtle exploration of emotional turmoil. Whether it’s the exploration of a much more relatable dark side when a person becomes consumed with anger, or the burden and doubts of duty, there’s a clear emphasis on showing the depth of the human character. Set over 3500 years before A New Hope, As the galactic war between the Republic and Sith Empire continues. Neither covert war is fought in the shadows by both sides. Theron Shan, a field agent for the Republic’s Strategic Information Services. He’s also secretly the son of Jedi Grand Master Satele Shan but has no connection to the Force. The Sith Empire has at its command a technologically impressive and incredibly dangerous warship called the Ascendant Spear. Under the symbiotic control of Darth Karrid, it is a ship that the Republic has to destroy if they want to ultimately beat the Sith Empire. Cue Operation End Game: It’s up to Theron Shan and Jedi Master Gnost-Dural to find a way to stop Darth Kerrid and the Ascendant Spear. From the beginning of this book, I absolutely enjoyed it. Theron Shan is a very interesting character, from his unusual origins to his general attitude. In some ways Annihilation is like a Russian doll. There is a very simple plot, which surrounds a whole range of smaller stories without which the main plot wouldn't work. While the reader is working towards the resolution of the plot, Karpyshyn introduces different characters and different plot lines without which Annihilation wouldn't be as rich and fun as it is. However, Karpyshyn's main focus is on Theron and he seems to love writing about him. Theron is a funny main character who doesn't take himself too seriously in a galaxy populated by Jedi and Sith, but is also very dedicated to what he believes is right. Although initially he may seem to be quite a run of the mill action character, Karpyshyn keeps adding to his character and really giving him more depth throughout the novel. By the end of Annihiliation you'll be wholly on board the Theron-train. One of Annihilation's main strengths is its multitude of interesting characters. Besides Theron, there is a whole group of characters, each of which feels like a worked out and genuine character. This seems like a very general thing, yet it is surprising how often side characters fall into stereotypes or are used as exposition or "point makers". What I have always appreciated about Star Wars was that its stories span a whole galaxy and genuinely include characters from the whole galaxy. Although many of the characters are human, there are plenty of other species within this novel which mean it becomes a very diverse read. Each of these characters is judged by their actions rather than for their species and the purist attitude of the Sith, who only recruit pure-blooded Sith or, preferably, humans, is, quite rightly, judged. Prejudices towards species are also addressed which adds to the depth of the SW galaxy. The beauty of Star Wars is that it is never afraid to tackle deep social issues, just look at the attention the prequels paid to politics and democracy. However, it always manages to find the grey area between the extremes of good and bad. Similarly, Annihilation doesn't shy away from showing how the bad guys have feelings and how the good guys have weaknesses. The plot itself is entertaining and never really drags. The book is one part spy, one part action, and often left me fondly reminded of the X-Wing novels. It opens with an unauthorized mission that helps establish not only the tone of the novel but also who Theron is both as a person and as an agent. The book continues to move the overarching plot forward with just the right amount of missions/ action sequences to keep things interesting but not enough so that it feels overly excessive. The threat of the Ascendant Spear also works well because it presents enough of a danger to warrant Operation End Game but doesn’t fall victim to Ridiculous Super Weapon Syndrome we see in other Star Wars books. The characters are what really help the novel succeed. Theron himself is an interesting protagonist who occasionally gives off a strong Corran Horn/Han Solo vibe because of his huge amount of self-confidence. He’s self assured and a bit cocky at times but it never truly spills over to arrogance. He also doesn’t fall into the expected trap one would expect of the Force blind offspring of the Jedi and never really broods on it. Does Theron have some unresolved issues in regards to his mother? Sure, but they never become a defining character trait and only really surface when prompted by circumstances. Another entertaining character was Marcus Trant, the Director of SIS, who you just can’t help but sympathize with when he has to deal with Theron’s antics in the field. He’s good at his job, struggles a bit with his personal life, and just positively had it up to here with Theron some days but can’t fire such a valuable agent. Gnost-Dural, the token Jedi of the book, was another pleasant surprise who left me intrigued about his life from before the book’s start. I also found myself soon warming to Teff’ith, the young smuggler who has a very weird bond with Theron. She’s incredibly independent and doesn’t want Theron poking into her business. Her speech patterns thankfully manage to walk on the right side of endearing or irritating and she ultimately has one of the best lines in the book. One thing that really pushed Annihilation to a new level was the flow of the story. It kicked off strong, took a step back to build things up, and then consistently moved forward with a strong focus. Theres no break midway through the story. We get the whole story in one book. Drew manages to develop Theron as a likeable character early on, yet surprisingly pulls off a depth to the story through the supporting characters. While Theron’s character is explored and faced with some dramatic choices, it’s the supporting cast that plunges into both intellectual and emotional depths. By doing so, the story is able to move forward without slowing down. In between the action, we get short bursts from the Dark Council, the Republic leadership, and Theron’s allies that provoke questions and reflection on the characters and the story. There’s some nice concepts to chew on and I love how it added layers to the story. As mentioned before, the story unfolds like a typical action-packed adventure set in the "Star Wars" universe, which means the downside is that the plot is a bit predictable and you'll see what's going to happen a mile away. Also, all the usual tropes are here, such as the Jedi being wise but preachy, and the Sith being their usual evil selves. For some, this is exactly what they want to see and it's what they expect from a "Star Wars" story. I did mention that you didn't need to have played the game in order to understand what's going on, and that comment still stands. However, after doing a bit of research it seems many of the characters in this novel feature in the game and some of them are quite prominent characters at that. Consequently, while you can still appreciate the story without having played the game, it's probably not going to be as rich and rewarding an experience. Overall, Annihilation is a great read for anyone who is a Star Wars fan. Even if the Old Republic-time isn't one you're the most familiar with, this is a novel that you are bound to enjoy. Karpyshyn's writing is fun and engaging and his characters are fascinating. ...more |
Notes are private!
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Oct 10, 2023
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Oct 14, 2023
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Sep 12, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 0345511328
| 9780345511324
| 0345511328
| 3.74
| 10,421
| Jul 2010
| Jul 20, 2010
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really liked it
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Star Wars: The Old Republic: Fatal Alliance By Sean Williams, is a Star Wars Legends novel acting as a prelude to the massively multiplayer online PC
Star Wars: The Old Republic: Fatal Alliance By Sean Williams, is a Star Wars Legends novel acting as a prelude to the massively multiplayer online PC game “Star Wars: The Old Republic.” Three and a half millennia before Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the dark side and the rise of Palpatine’s Galactic Empire, the Republic finds itself on the brink of war with the Sith Empire. However, when a third party comes forward with a proposition neither side can refuse, things begin to heat up. Centering around a Jedi Padawan, a Sith apprentice, a disgraced commando, and an undercover operative ultimately looking out to recover a mysterious package. When it’s learned that the package is actually a army of evolving droids that threaten to overrun the galaxy. this unlikely group will have to form a unlikely alliance to combat this threat to both the Republic and Sith Empire. Without the usual cast of Luke, Leia, Han and Chewie et al (or even the established characters from the KOTOR series) the success of the book depends a new set of characters. Luckily Williams' does not disappoint. Each character is enjoyable and he constantly changes up which characters are paired with each other which allows for interesting and fluid dynamic shifts. The dialogue is handled well with some genuinely amusing banter between characters. Each character is also meant to represent different playable classes within the game; Jedi, Sith, Smuggler, Bounty Hunter, Spy, Soldier etc. Before I actually began reading this novel, I was interested in discovering how it would be different from other novels in the Star Wars Legends Universe. In the past, novels centering on the search for an unknown object usually contained the same motifs: multiple parties are interested, multiple parties fight over the object, and one party walks away with the prize. Obviously, this is highly generalized, but it serves to exemplify my slight apprehension at the initial premise of Fatal Alliance. However, I was very pleasantly surprised in the direction this novel went. Sure, it began with the multiple parties coming together because of an interesting unknown object, but it deviates from there. In Fatal Alliance, the object of interest becomes the primary threat—to all involved parties, not just a single one. And not only was there that twist within the novel, but the threat becomes so great that it causes Jedi and Sith, Republic and Sith Empire, to join forces in order to have even a hope of a chance at survival. The thing that made Fatal Alliance a truly good read, though, was Williams’ characters. For characters who are essentially one-shot characters for these novels, Williams brought an astonishing level of depth and complexity to them. Of special note is the inner turmoil the Jedi Padawan and the Sith apprentice go through while interacting with their respective sworn enemies. It’s not often that fans of the Star Wars universe get to see old-school Jedi and Sith working together, and I don’t think fans will be disappointed with how things develop in regard to the alliance. In addition to the Jedi and Sith extremes, I enjoyed the character development of the undercover operative, despite my dislike of the character. As the alliance forms, it is very interesting to see how the operative’s focus and goals shift from one political spectrum to another—and from there to sheer survival. Throw in a possible romantic relationship, and this character development shakes, stirs, and serves, and does it very well. Williams' cleverly uses his large cast to tell events from multiple angles but never to the point where he's repeating himself too much. He wisely saves this technique for the large action sequences and boy is there a lot of action in this book (a lot more than its synopsis suggests). The action material is written well, it is compelling, exciting, and it is always clear what is going on. Williams' does world building very well particularly in this previously untapped era of Star Wars history. There are passing references to other factions, characters, and planets all of which will no doubt appear in the game. This helps give the novel a sense of being grounded within the rich tapestry of the Star Wars expanded universe, but also teases what players can expect in the game. Fortunately these references shouldn't alienate more casual readers but may inspire them to read some of the other material that's out there. This is a swift moving action adventure with moments of light and surprising darkness. It also throws up some particularly interesting reflections of our own world as characters discuss the nature of war and Williams' cleverly uses the Sith and Jedi as a an allegory for when two religious orders with shared gods find themselves in a futile cycle of destruction. My only real gripe is that the ending seems a little rushed, the last part of the book seemingly tying up loose ends but teasing narrative developments that will never really be resolved considering this is a novel set in the Legends universe. All in all, the book will entertain. It’s not groundbreaking and it won’t win any awards. If you love Star Wars and want a book to distract you for a few days this one will do the job. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 05, 2023
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Oct 10, 2023
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Sep 12, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 0345511387
| 9780345511386
| 0345511387
| 3.91
| 12,604
| Mar 22, 2011
| Mar 22, 2011
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really liked it
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Star Wars: The Old Republic: Deceived By Paul S. Kemp, is a Star Wars Legends novel tells the tale of Darth Malgus, a fierce Sith Lord who lived durin
Star Wars: The Old Republic: Deceived By Paul S. Kemp, is a Star Wars Legends novel tells the tale of Darth Malgus, a fierce Sith Lord who lived during the time of the Great Galactic War. We first met him in a Star Wars: The Old Republic game trailer — the mysterious masked Sith that brought down the Jedi Temple during the sacking of Coruscant. Darth Malgus, dark lord of the Sith, was the one who led this brutal assault and cut down countless Jedi on their own sacred ground. Now he is one of the main characters in Deceived, the second book in the SWTOR tie-in series by Paul S. Kemp, which tells the story of the attack as well as the calamitous events which came afterward. Set over 3500 years before A New Hope, Sith Lord Darth Malgus leads an attack on the Republic capital world of Coruscant. Thousands of light years away, at a peace treaty between the Republic and the Sith Empire, Jedi Knight Aryn Leneer feels the death of her master and the decimation of the Jedi Temple. What follows is a tale of revenge, faith, love and loss. Author Paul S. Kemp has given us a rollercoaster ride filled with great and memorable characters and a strong emotional core. Despite being tied to the videogame “The Old Republic” and based off the cinematic trailer teasing said game, this is very much an isolated tale that’s easy for any casual fan to pick up and get drawn into. The world building layered within the story and never feels laboured and despite all of the action this is very much a universal character driven tale. On the surface, Deceived might just be another novel based on a video game, but after reading it, I admit the quality of the storytelling took me by surprise. Even as Star Wars novels go, I have to say it is better than most. Granted, it is still your standard Star Wars fare — you have your archtypal tale about a Jedi and her comrade pitted against a Sith Warrior and the dark side and such. But still, it was refreshing to read a game book for once and get the sense that the author is actually more interested in telling a good story rather than trying to write a blatant tie-in. “Deceived” focuses on two central characters, Darth Malgus and Jedi Knight Aryn Leneer. Malgus leads an attack on the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, essentially tipping the scales in the favor of the Sith Empire. Malgus’ passion for destruction is only matched by his love for Twi’lek Eleena Daru, a dangerous emotional state for a Sith of his stature and ambition. Leneer’s Master is a victim of Malgus’ attack and Aryn, a Force empath, is rocked to her core and makes it her mission to make Malgus pay. Also in the mix is Zeerid Korr, a former Republic soldier who finds himself entangled in a criminal organization called The Exchange. He’s in crushing debt and is doing all he can to work his way out for the benefit of his daughter. Zeerid’s code of honor starts to crumble as a spice run with the potential to wipe his slate clean is offered. Aryn and Zeerid have history, and their paths cross once again as both of them have their sights set on Coruscant, he to deliver spice, and her to kill Malgus. The central Jedi and Sith are both on emotional, deadly missions while the political cards are shuffled and a treaty of peace between the Empire and Republic is proposed. Malgus, Leneer and Korr seemingly will do whatever it takes to get what they want, but will it require everyone to touch the darkness to do so? The attack that launches the story acts as a catalyst for the blurring of what it means to be both a Jedi and a Sith. Aryn and Malgus’ devotion to their respective faith’s are tested and the strict light and dark lines are heavily blurred in some truly fantastic character work by Kemp. I also enjoyed how, despite this story being set to the back drop of warring empires, this is very much a street level story. Aryns companion on her quest is smuggler Zeerid Korr and I couldn’t help but get drawn into his story. His plight is far less grand than the others in the book but the stakes are no smaller. The window he provides into the murky underworld of the galaxy, Coruscant in particular, roots this book to the ground and gives it a tangible heart and grit that elevates it beyond other books in this Old Republic series. Deceived is one of the more tense thrillers I’ve yet to read in the Star Wars Legends universe. The book kicks off in an explosive way and doesn’t let up the entire time. Paul S. Kemp’s chapters are long, but he breaks them up with switches in perspectives to keep the tension high, a very effective literary technique. While there are some quite large galactic stakes at play in the book, the events of the story are relatively small; there is a small core group of characters who are impacted by the larger events going on, but it’s their individual aspirations and motivations that drive Deceived. It’s these smaller, more personal stories that often have the greatest emotional impact, and The Old Republic: Deceived has it in droves. The book has elements of romance, intrigue, and action, but the story is never imbalanced. Kemp utilizes the romantic elements in brutal, heartbreaking ways, drawing readers in with a familiar trope, then surprising us with dramatic narrative twists. Kemp is masterful in his treatment of characters, allowing readers to quickly understand and connect with them, making the book hard to put down. His focus on a Jedi who struggles between her emotional ties and her commitment to the Order is beautiful, and is achingly human. We really feel the emotional toll that the death of Aryn’s master has on her, and even cheer her on as she marches towards avenging his death. It was a great change of pace to see a Jedi with raw human emotions and her arc was perilously thrilling. When reading this book you really do get the feeling you are in the Star Wars universe and I’m sure people who read Star Wars books will not be let down by Paul S. Kemp’s ability to give life to characters and the world in which they live. He truly is an amazing author. You really start getting to know the characters instantly. His narration of his characters and the descriptive way he brings each location to life is great to read through. Overall, whether or not you are a Star Wars fan this is one book not to be missed, with non-stop action from the start of the book and an extremely well written story, which brings to life one of the biggest parts of the Star Wars history. It most definitely is a book to read. ...more |
Notes are private!
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Oct 2023
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Oct 05, 2023
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Sep 12, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 0345511344
| 9780345511348
| 0345511344
| 4.00
| 21,911
| Oct 01, 2011
| Nov 15, 2011
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liked it
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Drew Karpyshyn plunges readers into The Old Republic era with Revan. Taking place in between Knight of the Old Republic and Knights of the Old Republ
Drew Karpyshyn plunges readers into The Old Republic era with Revan. Taking place in between Knight of the Old Republic and Knights of the Old Republic: The Sith Lords, and then later picking up after the second game, the book fills in the gaps of Darth Revan’s story. With some of the classic characters, Karpyshyn plays on the nostalgia for gamers, and also builds up the events of with Star Wars: The Old Republic PC game. Set just shy of 4,000 years before the original trilogy, the game told the story of Revan, a Jedi Knight who defied the Jedi Council to help the Republic wage war against the Mandalorians, disappeared and then returned with his apprentice and an army of dark-siders to attempt to enslave the Republic. During the course of the game, Revan was seen to be betrayed by his apprentice and captured by the Jedi. He then gathered a crew of companion characters together and set off to defeat his former apprentice; players could choose to make Revan return to the light-side and save the Republic or fall back to the dark-side to enslave them all. The canon ending is that Revan returned to the light and fell in love with companion character and fellow Jedi, Bastilla Shan. The novel begins two years after the end of the first game and three years before the second, but finishes after the end of KotORII. If you haven’t played these games and are getting a little lost; don’t panic. Whilst the book is certainly better if you come to it with the knowledge gained from playing the games, it explains everything that one needs to know; beginners, fear not. The book follows former-Darth Revan as he begins to piece together the missing fragments of his memories and attempts to track down the hidden threat from the Unknown Regions that turned him to the Dark Side in the first place. He aids former ally, the Mandalorian mercenary, Canderous Ordo before setting out for the Unknown Regions in search of truth. Without spoiling the plot, Meetra Surik is sent after him when he does not send reports to his wife, Bastilla. Meanwhile, a new Sith Lord, Scourge is assigned to serve Darth Nyriss of the Emperor’s Dark Council and is wrapped up in back-stabbing Sith political treachery and intrigue, which question his beliefs. The threat of the Sith Emperor and his designs on the Republic hangs like a shadow over everything. If you’re looking for your standard Star Wars action adventure, you’ll find some of that herein (just as you might in Revenge of the Sith) but mostly the sense of foreboding that you might feel when reading it is justified – things are not going to go well for Revan. Revan is a Jedi who turned to the dark side, was mind-wiped by the Jedi Council and ultimately came back to the light to defeat his own apprentice. But he’s a hero that can’t be trusted, because no one knows why he turned to the Dark Side in the first place – a question even he doesn’t know the answer to. He is having visions of a storm covered planet, where he believes a threat exists which may hold those answers. Revan’s journey begins after KOTOR and the destruction of the Star Forge. His strange dreams lead him to leave his home and Bastila behind in order to secure peace for the future. He heads off with his friend Canderous, and his trusted droid sidekick T3 in search of answers. Unfortunately all of Revan’s other companions only get name drops and no page time. As an avid HK-47 fan, this was a pretty big let down. Still, Canderous did play a small chunk in the story and it did fill in some gaps. Drew adds some canonical elements thus establishing a true Revan and not one built in the minds of gamers. One thing I really liked about Revan was how witty and sarcastic elements were added to his personality. It at times made for some funny dialog. Intermixed with Revan’s storyline is a new character named Scourge. Scourge is a Sith Lord and a one of the red skinned Sith species. His viewpoint gives readers a glimpse of the Sith Empire out in the Unknown Regions and a very good look at the Emperor. A lot of details are revealed on where the Emperor came from and who he is. For his own part, Scourge is a somewhat interesting character. He shows a bit more restraint and forethought than most Sith. He’s the type to look ahead and see the larger picture. Yet he’s still a Sith and the Sith Empire really isn’t all that different from what one would expect. They are an angry, vengeful people who scheme against each and rule with an iron fist. Scourge’s role in the book wasn’t as memorable or as enjoyable as Revan’s, although that’s pretty much expected. What was surprising was the arrival of the Jedi Exile. The Exile was the main character in KOTOR II and here Drew finally gives her a name. Furthermore, she plays a major part in the second half of the book. When I read the first half, I had the inescapable feeling that there was something missing. It was neat to see Revan and Canderous again, and the new Sith character Scourge was kind of neat, as was the glimpses of the Sith Empire, but there was a degree of characterization and prose missing from the novel. It was fun, it was enjoyable, but it wasn’t great. Yet the Exile’s arrival seemed to bring about a change in pace. The story shifted up a gear and I found myself finally being driven in deeper and caring more about what was happening. I truly loved her addition to the story. Revan is a character introduced in the original Knights of the Old Republic video game for the XBox and PC, in fact he’s the character you play as while you become the redeemed hero described above. Likewise Meetra is the main character from the sequel to that game, and though you need not have played either to enjoy this book it is helpful as a reader already familiar with these characters will feel more strongly attached to them. Because Drew Karpyshyn was one of the writers of the original game, and a writer of the The Old Republic MMO, Revan comes off as the strongest character in the narrative. He is driven to uncover his memories – convinced it is the only way he can keep his child from knowing the horrors of war. He’s a powerful Jedi, far more like those of Luke Skywalker’s era where to have a better understanding of the Force, they must not fear the Dark Side. Meetra comes off a little weaker in characterization, only driven by her desire to help Revan whatever the cost to herself – but without any real reason other than loyalty to him. Drew Karpyshyn has a tendency to turn Star Wars stories slightly on their ear, like in making the Sith the more relatable characters in the Darth Bane series, and he does so again here with the Sith Empire faction. While I did enjoy the book it left me feeling unsatisfying – but it had to be, in order to segue into EA’s The Old Republic game. Scourge sees a new Jedi (obviously you, new player!) killing the Emperor, so he kills Meetra but she stays around as a ghost. Scourge himself becomes The Emperor’s Wrath so he can learn the weaknesses of the Emperor (and help you, the Players character!). Revan himself stays in suspended animation (waiting for you, Players character!) And that is the major flaw of Revan: though it’s stocked with potential, mostly well written, it’s full of missed opportunities to develop meaty characters in order to serve the KOTOR franchise. My main criticism of the book is that it feels that there are parts of the story that are being held back; like the book purely serves as promotional material for The Old Republic PC game. The book creates a bridge between the original games and the new one, setting up the changes is Revan’s status quo and explaining his disappearance, as mentioned in KotORII. As someone who simply doesn’t have time to play an MMO, I feel a little cheated. It’s evident from the book that there is more to come and the journey of Revan within the story simply doesn’t feel complete. I doubt that this was completely intentional, but likely a side-effect of the writer’s intimate familiarity with the source material and an attempt to balance the jigsaw-like pieces of the whole story. At the same time, I loved visiting again with these characters – though I did wish that more of the characters had made appearances instead of just being name dropped. Honestly though the author made the right choice with regards to that, as it would have just been catering more to the hardcore fan than serving a purpose in the story. I love The Old Republic setting for this new series of novels associated with the videogame, it tends to be very accessible to new fans and has resulted in some nice surprising twists on what I’d normally expect from a Star Wars story – and Revan continues to live up to that expectation. It’s not necessarily the best book to begin a journey into The Old Republic era but it’s a welcome addition to the Star Wars Legends EU. This is the most complete picture readers of The Old Republic novels have gotten yet of this side of the conflict, and I’m always intrigued by how differently the people who live by that set of rules thinks. There are multiple layers of plots, turning villains into unknown agents who may hold the key to victory or defeat. I enjoyed Revan, but ultimately I have some mixed feelings on it as well. I love Drew Karpyshyn’s various novels, and while Revan is a good book, I don’t think it’s quite at the level of those other novels. Perhaps it’s the nature of it being a tragedy – which isn’t necessarily to my taste in a novel. Maybe it’s because, more than the prior The Old Republic books, this actually feels like a prequel or “set-up” to the game. It seems obvious to me that a number of the plots left dangling at the end of this book will be picked up by players who play the game. That’s not to say that the book does not tell a complete story, it does – it just isn’t resolved in a way that was very satisfying for me. Looking at the book in retrospect, I can easily say I enjoyed the novel. It was a good book. However, it wasn’t great. There wasn’t a whole lot of time spent on deep character moments or wonderful prose. The pacing was brisk. There were some cool, profound moments, but they were brief. If something cool happened, Drew didn’t spend a whole lot of time dwelling on it. There were ample opportunities for the characters to explore their situations and the events that were happening to them, an element that would have helped create a deeper bond with the reader and a richer experience, but these moments were passed by. Due to that briskness and those missed opportunities. ...more |
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Oct 14, 2023
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Oct 18, 2023
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Sep 12, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 0345470664
| 9780345470669
| 0345470664
| 3.18
| 1,034
| Dec 30, 2003
| Dec 30, 2003
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liked it
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Star Wars: Galaxies: The Ruins Of Dantooine By Voronica Whitney-Robinson, is one of the more maligned “Star Wars” novels, but it doesn’t commit any hu
Star Wars: Galaxies: The Ruins Of Dantooine By Voronica Whitney-Robinson, is one of the more maligned “Star Wars” novels, but it doesn’t commit any huge sins: It’s decently written in a young-adult novel kind of way, and it portrays the MMORPG game accurately. It’s quite readable, with a decent like able pair of main characters and fun cameos, but it’s ultimately rather shallow. Although “Ruins of Dantooine” tells a self-contained story of Imperial bioengineer turned Rebel Dusque Mistflier and Rebel agent Finn Darktrin, it seems like authors Voronica Whitney-Robinson and Haden Blackman had in mind a larger saga based on the “Star Wars Galaxies” MMORPG. For one thing, like too many “Star Wars” novels, it gives the origin story of characters who are never heard from in subsequent tales. More notably, it introduces Inquisitor Loam Redge in the prologue, but he’s never mentioned again the rest of the book! “Ruins of Dantooine” attempts to give us an Everyperson hero. Dusque is just a run-of-the-mill bioengineer, but as the story goes on, Whitney-Robinson and Blackman can’t resist describing her as being attractive – it seems that every male who meets her lets their gaze linger — and having her rapidly soak up firearms knowledge from Finn. Plus, she’s immediately assigned to a crucial Rebel Alliance mission: She must track down a holocron containing names of key Rebel cell leaders before it falls into the hands of the Empire. I guess it’s a difficult line to walk when you want your character to be both an Everyperson and a hero. “Ruins of Dantooine” provides a standard example of how someone who considers themselves uninterested in politics would switch from the Empire to the Rebellion: Dusque is betrayed by the Empire. She’s certainly sympathetic, but we saw a similar thing happen to Kyle Katarn in “Dark Forces,” to name just one of example. The aforementioned holocron, basically the Rebels’ answer to the Imperials’ Death Star plans, is a maguffin if there ever was one. While it makes sense why Death Star plans would have to exist, one wonders why the Rebels put so much important information in one holocron. The entirety of “Ruins of Dantooine” takes this type of simplistic approach, something you might expect from a game-based novel. The romance between Dusque and Finn flows naturally, but it’s as standard as they come, and the authors telegraph the big twist at the end – you’ll probably figure it out at the first of the many hints they drop. Adding to the simplicity, the book entirely follows Dusque and Finn with the exception of the out-of-place prologue. Cameos by main OT characters are peppered in nicely and logically, though. As with their previous adventures on Naboo, Naboo’s moon of Rori, Lok, Talus and Corellia, our heroes face various predatory animals in the forest and caves of Dantooine as they search for the holocron with a convenient scanner. These feel sort of like video-game fetch quests, although they are more readable than the fight scenes in the “Force Unleashed” books, as the authors at least have some fun describing the creatures. When they do encounter the ruins on Dantooine, and it’s nothing more than a bunch of abandoned buildings. Kinda felt like a missed opportunity to connect it to Kotor. The writing was decent, but I didn’t find it to be anything special. I found it rather bland, and with such an immersive and extensive universe as this one, the writing style did a bit of a disservice to several aspects of the novel. Some of the dialogue felt too stilted and forced, and I wasn’t a fan of the predictable betrayal. But it wasn’t anything egregiously bad. It just didn’t stand out for me. Not necessarily well-written, but not badly-written either. Just in the middle for me. Additionally, the plot moved along a little too quickly. The Ruins Of Dantooine is about the average size for a book (around 280 pages in the paperback edition), but for each plot point, there was usually only a short time spent, and the transitory periods between them were virtually nonexistent. Dusque herself also had a bit too easy of a time overcoming many of the obstacles she encountered, but…okay, she’s is a trained imperial scientist. I wouldn’t say she was written as a Mary Sue, but it was closish. All in all, As an addition to the extensive Star Wars universe that did some of the universe itself a slight disservice with indistinct writing, but fleshed out a original character in an inventive way. I could’ve grown to like Dusque if she had been featured in more stories by authors who could give her more depth as she went on various Rebel Alliance missions. As it stands, “The Ruins of Dantooine” is a mildly engaging path-not-taken. As video-game-based novels go, it’s better than some, but not in the same league as “Old Republic” or “Republic Commando” books. ...more |
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Sep 14, 2023
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Sep 17, 2023
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Sep 12, 2023
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Mass Market Paperback
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| 148470567X
| B01EMJ2VYC
| 4.08
| 40,967
| Oct 11, 2016
| Oct 11, 2016
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really liked it
| Star Wars: Ahsoka By B.K. Johnston, not to be confused by the recent live action Disney+ TV show “Star Wars: Ahsoka” of the same name. Is a young adul Star Wars: Ahsoka By B.K. Johnston, not to be confused by the recent live action Disney+ TV show “Star Wars: Ahsoka” of the same name. Is a young adult novel focused on a younger Ahsoka Tano that tells a semi origin story set in the aftermath of Revenge of The Sith. It’s a interesting look into the Star Wars universe immediately post-Order 66 and a good exploration of a character that I wasn’t as familiar with! Set just one year after the events of Revenge of the Sith, After Order 66 caused the assassination of almost all of the Jedi order, former Jedi Ahsoka Tano is on the run. Alienated by her former mentor, the new Sith Lord Anakin Skywalker, she flees to Raada, a backwater farming moon, with the hopes of laying low and blending in. But when the Empire sets its sights on occupying Raada, Ahsoka faces the choice of risking Imperial rule or escaping and revealing her Jedi identity. Okay. Look. I’m a massive fan of Star Wars, and I have been for most of my life. Thing is, I’ve never gotten into the Clone Wars series (I adored the 2D one from the early 2000’s, though…that was the stuff) or Rebels, and that’s where Ahsoka primarily shows up. I knew enough about both of them to piece together Ahsoka’s backstory, but she’s still a character that I wasn’t super familiar with. I’ve always liked the idea of her, though, and I thought she was FANTASTIC in The Mandalorian and Book of Boba Fett. So I figured I’d give the book a try, both to explore Ahsoka’s character and this part of the Star Wars universe. For the most part, Ahsoka was a success! There were interludes interspersed throughout that gave a good deal of backstory of Ahsoka’s life as a Padawan, which helped me to piece out everything I’d missed from The Clone Wars and Rebels. I’d say that you can read this without watching either, but this is coming from someone who lives and breathes most things Star Wars, so take that as you will. Even then, Ahsoka’s character was fascinating! For the most part, I liked the way that her character was written, and her arc throughout the novel was well-executed, showing her transition from a Jedi to a full-blown rebel. There are also a lot of details interspersed throughout that made me giddy as a Star Wars fan – we get details about how Ahsoka gets her unique white lightsabers, several cameos (inside and outside of the flashback interludes) from prequel characters, and…I think the main villain from Rebels? I think? Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure it was him? Either way, I had a lot of fun finding all of those Easter eggs. The first half of Ahsoka is the stronger portion of the book, as we get a lot of insight into Ahsoka’s mindset during this time. There is a powerfully sad feeling at work here – one well earned, because Ahsoka is experiencing so much loss. Even though she had already left the Jedi, the thought that all those she knew and fought alongside with – Anakin and Obi-Wan included – are most certainly dead now is one she can’t escape, and author E.K. Johnston does a great job of conveying these feelings Ahsoka is enduring. The book also expertly shows Ahsoka slowly but surely making a new life for herself and the tentative friendships she begins to make, particularly with a pair of siblings, that allow her to again feel some form of belonging again. The second half of the book is solid, it just feels a bit more standard. We learn more about what the Empire is up to on Raada, a notable supporting character from Star Wars canon becomes involved in the storyline, and Ahsoka discovers just what methods are being used to hunt surviving Jedi. It’s good, but there’s also a surprising amount done to line up Ahsoka with what we know about her later life in Star Wars Rebels that feels a bit too convenient – or perhaps rushed is the best word, since the events of Rebels happen many years later and it feels like it wasn’t necessary to tie things together as neatly or quickly as we see occur in this book, and quite as obviously as it plays out. There’s a lot to enjoy here though. Johnston captures Ahsoka’s fortitude and caring nature well and there are some callbacks to The Clone Wars that are both cool and heartbreaking and, on top of the presence of Ahsoka herself, of course, make this book a must for fans of that series. We also get some specific info (and an opening flashback scene) set right around the end of The Clone Wars. There are also occasional interludes that for the most part work well – though one, involving a major Star Wars character, while cool in and of itself, feels out of place and a bit randomly inserted into this particular book. Overall, An action-packed, faithful, and entertaining read, author E.K. Johnston’s “Ahsoka” is a must-read Star Wars story. The attention to detail for longtime fans of the series and its mythos will absolutely love this dive into the narrative. A beautiful blend of the end of the Clone Wars and the rise of the Empire, this story showcases how in one of the franchise’s darkest moments, the hope that the Jedi once represented is still alive and thriving in the legacy of Ahsoka Tano. ...more |
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1
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Sep 11, 2023
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Sep 14, 2023
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Sep 07, 2023
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Kindle Edition
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| 1368082882
| 9781368082884
| 1368082882
| 4.17
| 2,505
| May 02, 2023
| May 02, 2023
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really liked it
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The latest High Republic entry “Path Of Vengeance” by Cavan Scott, is final Young Adult entry of the High Republic’s Phase 2, meaning it is set 100 ye
The latest High Republic entry “Path Of Vengeance” by Cavan Scott, is final Young Adult entry of the High Republic’s Phase 2, meaning it is set 100 years before the events of Light of the Jedi and, as such, is one of the earliest stories set in Star Wars Disney canon to date. Scott’s novel takes place at a more peaceful time in the galaxy as the Jedi serve as guardians of peace, dispatched by the Republic to different conflicts all over the galaxy to facilitate peace. The relevant conflict in this story is the final confrontation between the Jedi Order and Force Cult The Path Of The Open Hand. Where to even begin with this one? Words hardly seem to do it justice. Cavan Scott’s Path of Vengeance wraps up loose ends and invites readers to jump back forward in time for Phase III, but beyond that tells a brilliant self-contained story with plenty of twists and turns that will keep readers breathlessly hooked until the end. Path Of Vengeance, takes place immediately after the Battle of Jedha. As the Jedi, the Republic, to make sense of what happened during the and Peace talks on Jedha one thing is clear… all evidence points directly to planet Dalna and the Force worshipping cult The Path of the Open Hand. It becomes clear that the Path are not the peaceful group they claim to be as the mystery of what started the Battle of Jedha becomes clear within the inner circles of the different groups involved. All point to their involvement. As the Republic and Jedi send various agents and representatives to the path’s home planet Dalna to investigate the Force cult what results is a battle sees three young woman on both sides caught in a unprecedented situation. At the heart of this story are three young woman. Marda and Yana Ro, cousins who haven’t taken center stage since the beginning of the Phase 2, but have always lingered at the background of the story. Following the Battle of Jedha, the two cousins are disillusioned: Marda with the wider world of Force users, and Yana with the Path of the Open Hand. As a result, Marda falls deeper into her beliefs and fanaticism while Yana tries to pull herself out, putting the cousins at odds Meanwhile, Jedi padawan Matthea “Matty” Cathley is sent with Jedi Knight Oliviah Zevaron to Dalna to investigate the Path and their dealings. To distill this book to a handful of paragraphs is to do it a huge disservice. It is absolutely jam-packed with plot, with not a single page wasted. Marda, Yana and Matty are taken on such a journey in Path of Vengeance, the kind that pays off who we’ve known them to be all along, while also laying the groundwork for the state of the galaxy a century and a half from now. I’m a huge fan of Scott’s work. His phase one book was one of my favorites. So, I was certain I’d love Path of Vengeance, too, especially since it brought the focus back on the Path of the Open Hand. As predicted, this story was brought to life beautifully by Scott’s vivid prose and his ability to use characters to create an experience of immense emotional depth. If I’ve learned anything from reading the books of The High Republic, it is that no one is too important to die. Scott utilized the tension in this book well and kept me hooked even though I already knew how the overall conflict would end. Path of Vengeance is made all the richer by its focus on interpersonal relationships, and more specifically on love: familial love, romantic love, the love shared between a mentor and mentee. All valid, all different in their own way, but united in the idea that how we feel for another person can so unintentionally inform something about ourselves. The story wouldn’t have had half of its punch if these elements had been absent, if we hadn’t been sold each of these relationships as important. That seems like an obvious statement, but is not always a given in adventure stories of this kind. It’s something The High Republic has done fairly consistently since its inception, but it shines particularly brightly here. The story thread of the Path of the Open Hand as fervent believers at best, zealots at worst (and everything in between) is also explored, to wonderful effect. It would be so easy to brush them off as a cult and have the audience follow along, but the why’s and how’s of getting people to go along with an ideology, an why a person might form that ideology at all is far more interesting. It also has the effect of putting the Jedi’s beliefs in both the High Republic era at large and the Prequel era into a starker contrast, showing how even the best-intentioned of groups can start to imitate an ideology the once opposed. The highlight of Path of Vengeance for me was the characters. I liked Marda and Yana in Path of Deceit, and they were excellent avatars for exploring different reactions to participation in a cult. Whereas Marda got totally drunk on the Kool-Aid, Yana was largely using the group as a means to her own ends. The gap between them widens significantly in this story because of Marda’s intense radicalization. Also, the use of the “ghosts” to illustrate the darker parts of their psyches was an excellent decision, and it made me so sad remembering poor Kevmo. The new Jedi, Matty, was also a great addition, and it’s always fun to have comic characters cross over to the books. The world-building in Path of Vengeance was also really good. Planet X was such a fascinating place to visit, and the descriptions left me wanting to know even more about the mysterious planet. It’s just such an odd place, and I wonder how the ecosystem evolved to spawn creatures like the Leveler. The book also spent some time on Jedha, which provided a little more background on the convocation and the Jedi’s role there. Dalna was also a prime location, and the story filled in quite a few of the gaps about what the Path of the Open Hand was up to there before and during the final battle. My main complaint about Path of Vengeance has less to do with the book and more to do with the overall storytelling of this phase. So many of the stories in phase 2 directly overlap and center the same events from different perspectives. I’m not really a huge fan of that style. It left Cataclysm feeling like parts were missing and made this book feel like a catch all afterthought at times. This story once again covered the battles of Jedha and Dalna, and I just found myself annoyed at rehashing things while also being happy to finally have the full story. I just prefer to have connected stories that don’t overlap the same events so much. Perhaps my biggest letdown in Path of Vengeance was the Mother. The reveal of her motivation was honestly so dumb. She went through all that trouble co-opting an entire cult for that reason. Seriously. I guess it does reinforce how ridiculously selfish she was, but I really thought she’d have a more profound reason than what was given. Overall, Path of Vengeance was a solid conclusion to phase two of The High Republic. It did a great job of filling in the gaps and bringing the major character beats to an emotionally satisfying resolution. It left me wondering how the Path morphed into the Nihil, though, but I hope more of those gaps will be resolved by the storytelling of phase three. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Mar 07, 2024
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Mar 13, 2024
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Sep 07, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 0593597893
| 9780593597897
| 0593597893
| 3.82
| 2,953
| Jan 03, 2023
| Feb 14, 2023
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really liked it
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The latest High Republic entry a audio drama/novel is The Battle Of Jedha by Gorge Mann, is part of the High Republic’s phase 2, meaning it is set 100
The latest High Republic entry a audio drama/novel is The Battle Of Jedha by Gorge Mann, is part of the High Republic’s phase 2, meaning it is set 100 years before the events of Light of the Jedi and, as such, is the earliest set story in Star Wars Disney canon to date. Mann novel takes place at a more peaceful time in the galaxy as the Jedi serve as guardians of peace, dispatched by the Republic to different conflicts all over the galaxy to facilitate peace. The relevant conflict in this story is the battle that breaks out on the holy moon of Jedha. Directly following the events of Zoraida Córdova's Convergence, George Mann's The Battle of Jedha sees the hostilities between Eiram and E'ronoh amp up, even as the two planets are attempting a peace summit to end the Forever War that has ravaged the worlds. It is decided that the summit be held on Jedha, a world sacred to many Force religions, seeing the planet as fairly neutral in the conflict. However, there are those of Eiram and E'ronoh who see no way around ending the conflict, and when the Path of the Open Hand makes their move to unbalance the trust in the Jedi, the Forever War may make its way to Jedha. Up to this point, every High Republic story has felt like a roller coaster in its own right. A slow build followed immediately by unpredictable twists and turns that leave you winded but ready to go one more time. The Battle of Jedha, George Mann’s latest entry in the sprawling High Republic saga pulls double duty in this respect, a roller coaster in its own right, while also serving as the tipping point, the fulcrum, the steep drop that is going to carry us straight to the end of Phase 2. This tale of politics, war, and above all hope has now been bound together in a printed version of the audio drama’s script. So is Mann’s bound script of Star Wars: The Battle of Jedha essential for your galactic collection? Let’s jet off to Jedha and explore what this script has to offer. Mann’s script begins with a flash forward, to the moment the unease on Jedha begins to boil over. The peace summit between Eiram and E’ronoh is assembled in the Second Spire of Jedha, hoping to end their feud after many years. The weight of the situation is heavy, as rioting outside the walls of the spire grows. The civilians grow restless and begin throwing rocks and driving speeder bikes through the windows, creating panic and devastation in a moment that is meant to be peaceful. The story then jumps to 72 hours prior to the battle of Jedha, with the re-introduction of Jedi Master Creighton Sun and Jedi Knight Aida Forte. Through these two, readers discover that Jedi have been brought onto Jedha to help facilitate the peace between the two rival societies. Aida is more optimistic than Jedi Master Creighton, who is anticipating problems from the citizens of Jedha for bringing trouble to their planet. Part of the trouble stems from the absence of Chancellor Mollo and Greylark as Republic representation as well as the heirs to both Eiram and E’ronoh, all for different but justifiable reasons. Joining these two on Jedha is fellow Jedi Master Silandra Sho, whose entrance is quite explosive. Arriving on a shotty transport shuttle, Sho has to hold the ship together with the force, as entrance into Jedha’s atmosphere threatened to tear it apart. However, she does manage to land the ship safely and begins her journey through the city with Mesook, an apparent friend of the Jedi Master. On this meandering walk through a busy marketplace, Silandra comes face to face with the Path of the Open Hand, a religious sect that hates the Jedi. These extremists believe that no one should be able to manipulate the force for their own good. To the group, when the Force is used, it seeks to restore balance, meaning that every action with the Force has consequences. If you save a life, another will be taken to restore that balance. Consequences that the Jedi don’t account for in their mission to save the world. Ultimately their goal on Jedha is to be accepted into the Convocation of the Force, where they’d have a say about the use and direction of the Force. As the script progresses, the peace summit and The Path of the Open Hand continue to make progress toward their respective goals. The pressure for peace builds for those involved with the summit, exhibited through Creighton’s anxiety about what’s to come if it all fails. There’s so much riding on these two planets reaching a common goal of tranquility, that it feels insurmountable at times. The pressure and panic are palpable throughout the script, all of which lead to the opening scene of The Battle of Jedha and beyond. A war is coming, resulting from the explosion and destruction, however, the Jedi work hard to get to the bottom of the mystery first. The investigation and the subsequent battle span the rest of the story, building toward an epic Star Wars fight fans won’t want to miss. The sprawling battles are exciting in the ways I’ve come to expect from Star Wars novels, films, and series, with a satisfying conclusion. Putting the script from a previously released audio drama is an interesting move, for one reason alone. Reading a script, something that is meant to be acted out never hits the same way as the initial medium. Seeing the words on the page and feeling them voiced by an actor who can add nuance and layers to them are two vastly different experiences. I have always struggled reading scripts because the bare skeletons of a story don’t leave much for my mind to expand on. That being said, The Battle of Jedha is one of the stronger scripts I’ve read. Granted many of the scripts I’ve read were in college and more scholarly in nature, so that could have easily skewed my feelings about The Battle of Jedha. Mann wrote a hefty story, full of many exciting battles and scenes along with enjoyable characters that I became attached to. Of those, Jedi Knight Aida was a standout to me. She reminded me a bit of Anakin Skywalker from Attack of the Clones, without the hint of cruelty bubbling under the surface. She had a lot of hope that things would work out, which is on brand for Star Wars. Of all the characters, I found her to be the most relatable, as someone who is younger, carefree, and wise beyond her years. I looked forward to the scenes where she was present, tearing through the other parts to get back to her quickly. I also found the Path of the Open Hand deeply intriguing, as all cults seem from the outside looking in. Parts of their belief system make sense at their core, even if the way they achieve their goals raises eyebrows. It’s definitely easy to see how they can amass a following, with their values and presentation, as well as take advantage of galactic issues. I think their part in this story, as well as the entire High Republic timeline, is an interesting foil for the Jedi, who are at the top of their game. While my knowledge of the High Republic isn’t as deep as some of the other periods of Star Wars Lore, being introduced to the Path of the Open Hand in Star Wars: The Battle of Jedha makes me want to go back and catch up on them. As stated above, scripts are difficult to read, because they lack context, thoughts from the characters’ heads, and the feel of the entire situation. All we have are the spoken dialogue from the audio drama, which is like the skeleton of the entire story. For me, that makes reading difficult, because I feel like I don’t have much to go on. Usually, when you listen to an audio drama, they add in music and background sounds, and you can hear the emotions through people’s voices, all of which make the story more robust. Overall, this script was good for what it was, the bare-boned structure of an audio drama that lacked much of the substance required for maximum enjoyment. Mann does a fantastic job with the story and characters and I fully intend to go and give the actual drama a listen. Fans of Star Wars will absolutely want this for their collections, so they can dissect every word for clues as to where the High Republic is headed. For casual fans, I’d say just purchase the audio version and listen to it the way the author intended it to be listened to. ...more |
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Feb 2024
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Feb 04, 2024
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Sep 07, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 0593500350
| 9780593500354
| 0593500350
| 4.18
| 3,355
| Apr 04, 2023
| Apr 04, 2023
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really liked it
| The latest High Republic entry “Cataclysm” by Lydia Kang, is final entry of the High Republic’s Phase 2, meaning it is set 100 years before the events The latest High Republic entry “Cataclysm” by Lydia Kang, is final entry of the High Republic’s Phase 2, meaning it is set 100 years before the events of Light of the Jedi and, as such, is one of the earliest stories set in Star Wars Disney canon to date. Kang’s novel takes place at a more peaceful time in the galaxy as the Jedi serve as guardians of peace, dispatched by the Republic to different conflicts all over the galaxy to facilitate peace. The relevant conflict in this story is the final confrontation between the Republic and Force Cult The Path Of The Open Hand. Cataclysm, takes place immediately after the Battle of Jedha. As the Jedi, the Republic, and the warring planets of Eiram and E’ronoh try to make sense of what happened during the Festival of Light and Peace talks on Jedha one thing is clear… all evidence points directly to planet Dalna and the Force worshipping cult The Path of the Open Hand. It becomes clear that the Path of the Open Hand are not the peaceful group they claim to be as the mystery of what started the Battle of Jedha becomes clear within the inner circles of the different groups involved. The bombings, the deaths, the chaos, etc. all point to their involvement. As the Republic and Jedi send various agents and representatives to the path’s Dalna to investigate the Cult. What results is a battle that may decide the fate of not just Jedi but the Republic itself. I have really enjoyed this phase of the High Republic storytelling, and this book was no exception. I think it may actually be my new favorite book from this era of Star Wars. It had so many great characters and a ton of pulse-pounding action. The vibes of the story actually reminded me quite a bit of The Rising Storm, another of my favorites. So, if you liked that phase one novel, you’ll likely enjoy this one too. The stories of this phase have been building up to a large confrontation with the Path of the Open Hand, and I’ve been looking forward to learning more about their long-term goals and how they plan to achieve them. There was definitely a confrontation. The back half of the book was a huge battle. The author did a fantastic job of describing the conflict and making it immersive despite having so many character POVs to juggle. I also really loved the intrigue and buildup to the battle, maybe even more than the battle itself. That’s one of the things I’ve loved about the Path as a villain. They are secretive and feel like they are constantly in the background pulling the strings when you least expect it. The open warfare was new for them, and while I enjoyed the carnage, I think I preferred the group as a shadowy puppeteer than the arbiters of brute force seen in this book. There were so many great characters, both returning and new, in this book. Phan-tu and Xiri were back, and I enjoyed seeing their marriage hit its stride despite the speed bumps caused by the unraveling of the peace negotiations. I wish there had been a bit more of them in the book, especially toward the end. The conclusion of the Eiram and E’ronoh conflict got swept aside off page because of everything going on with the battle at Dalna. I understand the decision was probably made for pacing reasons, but it still felt a bit cheap considering this entire phase pretty much revolved around the conflict between the two planets. Gella and Axel were back, as well. I enjoyed their relationship in Convergence. Gella wanted so badly to trust Axel again despite everything he did. She believed he could be redeemed even though good judgment probably would have deemed otherwise. Axel was still his usual self, a privileged twat you hate to love. lol. He was also conflicted, though. I think deep down he always wanted to do the right thing, but that desire was constantly at war with his selfish nature and his resentment over the death of his father and his mother always prioritizing the galaxy over him. Speaking of his mother, Chancellor Kyong was one of the breakout stars of this book. She had to come to terms with her failings as a mother and leader and make some really hard choices with huge ramifications. There were so many other POVs in this book. I’d be here all day if I wrote about each of them. There were plenty of Jedi viewpoints, and I loved getting to see a certain little green someone in action. The youngling of the crew was actually super endearing, as well, and they made a cute duo. A new Path member was introduced. I thought he was a bit one-dimensional and too single-minded in his ambitions, especially when compared to the overarching sinister nature of the Path. I was disappointed that the Mother wasn’t in this story more, and I think using her as the main villain POV would have made more sense. I don’t feel like I learned much about the Path or its long term plan that I didn’t already know. It still feels like there is a lot of story to tell with only one YA book left to go. One of the best parts of the High Republic initiative is also one of the more frustrating parts. At the end of this book, I feel like I only got a partial conclusion story. Characters who were in this book and who were referenced in this book do not have their stories wrapped up by the end. I assume they will be concluded in either the Quest for Planet X or Path to Vengeance but it was frustrating to get small clues about what happened without getting confirmation. I do love how all of the media intersect in the High Republic but I feel like Phase I did a better job of telling complete stories in the books without relying so much on reading everything. Overall, the plot was interesting and exciting with so many gut-wrenching moments. I even shed a tear a few times. The High Republic authors have definitely not shied away from killing off important characters. So, make sure to have the tissues handy if you’re a crier. The story had some head-scratching decisions too, though. For example, why send a message to the prison in the first place if the chancellors didn’t agree to a change in accommodations? Also, what ended up happening with the levelers? They all seemed to magically disappear underground for no particular reason. Maybe there will be some answers to that in the last book. Despite my few qualms with it, I had a great time reading this story, and I’m sure other fans of the High Republic era will too. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Feb 04, 2024
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Feb 11, 2024
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Sep 07, 2023
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Hardcover
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my rating |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| 3.80
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really liked it
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Mar 18, 2024
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Mar 06, 2024
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| 3.74
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liked it
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Jan 16, 2024
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Dec 27, 2023
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| 4.25
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really liked it
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Jan 26, 2024
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Dec 27, 2023
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| 4.09
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really liked it
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Oct 26, 2023
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Oct 10, 2023
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| 3.67
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liked it
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Oct 22, 2023
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Oct 10, 2023
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| 3.63
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really liked it
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Oct 2023
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Sep 27, 2023
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| 3.76
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liked it
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Nov 07, 2023
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Sep 18, 2023
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| 3.72
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really liked it
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Nov 03, 2023
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Sep 16, 2023
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| 3.70
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really liked it
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Sep 20, 2023
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Sep 12, 2023
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| 3.46
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liked it
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Sep 23, 2023
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Sep 12, 2023
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| 3.84
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really liked it
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Sep 27, 2023
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Sep 12, 2023
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| 3.96
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really liked it
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Oct 14, 2023
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Sep 12, 2023
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| 3.74
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really liked it
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Oct 10, 2023
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Sep 12, 2023
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| 3.91
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really liked it
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Oct 05, 2023
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Sep 12, 2023
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| 4.00
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liked it
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Oct 18, 2023
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Sep 12, 2023
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| 3.18
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liked it
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Sep 17, 2023
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Sep 12, 2023
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| 4.08
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really liked it
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Sep 14, 2023
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Sep 07, 2023
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| 4.17
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really liked it
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Mar 13, 2024
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Sep 07, 2023
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| 3.82
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really liked it
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Feb 04, 2024
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Sep 07, 2023
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| 4.18
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really liked it
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Feb 11, 2024
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Sep 07, 2023
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