Unofficial Book Review Forum

[Rogue_0009]

Just thought it would be nice to have a place to post thoughts on different books

PS try to avoid just saying stuff sucks without giving a reason

[tunafishman]

Is this for Star Wars books only or any book?

[Nathan Butler]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Is this for Star Wars books only or any book?[/b][/quote]

Only reviews of Star Wars books belong here. Reviews of non-SW books belong in Communications (http://www.galacticsenate.com/ikonboard.cgi?act=SF;f=3).

[Rogue_0009]

What Nathan said

[James T. Skywalker]

Well, being a somewhat avid reader of the Expanded Universe material, I guess I'll give my review of one of my personal favorite books--I, Jedi by Michael A. Stackpole

----------------------------------------------------------

I, JEDI
Michael A. Stackpole, c. 1998, Bantam Spectra Press

Mike Stackpole continues his tradition of excellence in the Star Wars universe with the very first First-Person-Account novel in the history of the Expanded Universe. From the perspective Stackpole's featured character from his acclaimed X-Wing series, Rogue Squadron pilot Corran Horn, Stackpole details the events of the disappearance of Corran's wife, Mirax, and the journey Corran takes to bring her back to him.

A good majority of the events take place during the events of Kevin J. Anderson's Jedi Academy Trilogy, in which Corran attends Luke Skywalker's Jedi academy on Yavin IV and is present for many of the events of Anderson's best-selling trilogy. Corran witnesses the rise and fall of Gantoris, the arrival of Mara Jade and Kyp Durron, Exar Kun's grab for power, all while remaining neatly tucked into the plot of Anderson's story. Corran ultimately helps the Academy fend off Kun's spirit, and barely escapes thanks to the efforts of Mara Jade.

The remainder of the novel deals with Corran's struggle to find out who he really is. Leaving the academy because he felt that becomming a Jedi wasn't the solution at that time, Corran returns to Corellia where his adopted grandfather helps him along. Finally, Corran makes his way undercover into the ranks of the Invids, a pirate group working for Leonia Tavira, the Imperial moff-turned-warlord who had Mirax kidnapped. Working his way into her graces is challenging, but eventually Corran (aka Jenos Idanian, an old alias of Han Solo from A.C. Crispin's Han Solo Trilogy) works his way to her personal Star Destroyer, the Invidious. Along the way, Corran meets up with a Caamasi named Elegos A'kla, who helps him yet again rediscover who he really is: a grand mixture of cop, pilot and Jedi.

Using all three to his advantage, Corran and Elegos devise and carry out a plan to rid Tavira of her pirate forces. Corran meets some challenges, including several Force-sensetives who work for Tavira and want him silenced (luckily for him, Luke Skywalker comes to the rescue). With Luke, Elegos, and Corran's Rogue wingman Ooryl in tow, Corran goes to rescue his wife, and finally stops Tavira and her Force-adepts.

----------------------------------------------------------

I, Jedi was, by far, one of the most impressive works in the SW universe I have ever had the privilege of reading. I definitely recommend the book to all readers, as it gives one a fascinating first-person perspective of the events of the JAT, and also has the action, adventure and comedy one expects from Stackpole's novels.

~James T. Skywalker

[Rogue_0009]

Well no one else is posting here so I might as well,

Rebel Stand by Aaron Allston

I loved this book it has everything Dark Jedi, the return of Wraith Squadron, Jag and Jaina finally hooking up, and some of the finest space combat squences in the NJO.
I have always enjoyed Allston's writing style he doesn't give away all the character's plans right away it leaves you guessing. It was great seeing some of the Wraiths (one of my fave bunches of dudes) back in action. It was really cool to read about Vong trying to take down Lord Nyax, I've kinda wondred how a sith/vong fight would go down.
The only negative comment I have is that I think the whole Force resservoir thing wasn't explained.

In closing READ THIS BOOK!

[Doctor Evil]

Here is another review. I just finished The Thrawn Trilogy.

I know a high percentage of posters here have read this trilogy already, but there may be folks like me, who started with the NJO, who have not.

The thing to remember is that these books were written about ten years ago. Zahn was basically creating the EU that we know today. A great mix of the classic characters and new ones!

Perfect amount of action and Jedi philosiphy stuff. That is a hard balance to keep sometimes. Some of the books that have dealt heavily in Jedi/Force philosophy have dragged a bit for me, but Zahn never seems to let that bog his story down and the philosophical questions don't seem to get the short end of the stck either.

Zahn also sets up the political framework that we continue to see throughout the EU. Underlying distrust of the Jedi, misguided (if not downright dishonest) politicians, it's all here.

Zahn has a great style that fits the SW style to a tee!

I am going to read a couple more NJO books now, then maybe some Xwing books and then I can't wait to sink my teeth into the Hand of Thrawn books!

TTT are the best SW books I have read so far, followed closely by Stackpole's "I, Jedi", and I highly reccomend them.

Stackpole and Zahn appear to be friends and I can only hope that someday they will colaborate on a SW project!

Doc *style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/devil.gif

[Jedi Princess]

Planet of Twilight

I thought that this book was rather predictable and didn't carry much of a plot...

[Rogue_0009]

Well, Doctor Evil, Zahn and Stackpole have collaborated several times actually. The have co-written short novels in the anthologies
Tales from the rebellion
Tales from the empire
and...
Tales from the new republic

[James T. Skywalker]

Originally posted by Rogue_0009@July 24 2002 - 09:25
Well, Doctor Evil, Zahn and Stackpole have collaborated several times actually. The have co-written short novels in the anthologies
Tales from the rebellion
Tales from the empire
and...
Tales from the new republic
There was no Tales from the Rebellion. Only Tales from the Empire and Tales from the New Republic. Rebellion-based stories were in the TFTNR anthology.

[I'm gonna post a review in my next post, but I don't know what book yet...]

~JTS

[Darth Darthy]

Oh what the hell, I'll have a go...

Cloak of Deception

Set just before THE PHANTOM MENACE:

Nute Gunnrays Federation vessal the REVENUE has begun transferring a shipment of ore above the planet Dorvalla. Suddenly they are attacked and outnumbered. Without warning a crack-troop of commandos gains entrance through one of the shipment pods lead by Captain Cohl.
Cohl is the leader of a break-away millitant faction of the Nebula Front, a group intent on causing chaos for the tyranical Trade Federation and it's allies.
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are using the same tactic as Cohl, a hollowed out ore transport, to track the mercenary to his final destination - his base.
Meanwhile Palpatine is busy making alliances within the senate, ensuring Valorum is undermind at every step, and sealing the fate of the Republic with his backstabbing tactics...

The book starts off slow due to it's very nature. I had never heard of Captain Cohl and didn't really care much about him, until the story got into full swing. He became yet another character USED by Palpy, but without even meeting the Sith himself.
That's whats great about this book, we really do see what a coniving git Palpatine really is, aware of everything and everyone in his little game, but all the time pretending to be a friend and ally to the Republic and its champions.
Politics is the order of the day here, there are very few if any space battles and the Jedi only really kick ass once. But this book goes to show you don't need starships pulling Delta 5 manuvers and loop-de-loops etc. to be intriguing.

If your curious as to how our friend Palpy got to be such a trusted and well loved Senator, and want to know the history between Sidious and the Neimodians; read this...

[Brian]

Actually, I just finished reading Splinter of the Mind's Eye by Allen Dean Foster for the first time.

**Spoiler Alert** (but I don't see how I could spoil this not-so-good book)

This older novel (1978) was set between ANH and TESB.

It starts off with Luke and Leia traveling to Circarpous IV on a diplomatic mission. When Leia's Y-Wing malfunctions, they must make an emergency landing on Mimban, a sparsely populated, swampy planet. The twins wind up crashing in the jungles of Mimban under rather suspicious circumstances. Along with their droids R2-D2 and C-3PO, they make their way to civilization, an old mining city. While in a cantina in the mining city, the heroes learn about the planet and realize that it is occupied by Imperials.

A mysterious, old hag named Halla approaches Luke about his abilities to use the Force. She senses him and claims to be a master of the Force. Halla reveals to Luke and Leia a fragment of a crystal with powers to enhance one's abilities in the Force, the mysterious Kaiburr crystal. From there, Luke agrees to help Halla track down the entire crystal which is located in a temple in the jungles of Mimban. Halla gives Luke the Kaiburr splinter and they leave to find the crystal.

Outside of the cantina, Luke and Leia get in a skirmish with some locals and get hauled off to jail by some Strom Troppers. Halla and the droids are not captured. Captain-Supervisor Grammel, the head Imperial officer on the planet, is suspicious of the twins and contacts higher authorities. He also confiscates the Kaiburr splinter. While in captivity, Luke befriends two Yuzzem, Hin and Kee. Yuzzem are a large, muscular, hairy species that communicates by various grunts and roars.

Grammel contacted Governor Essada about his suspicions of the young couple, especially the girl and of the mysterious splinter. In the mean time, Halla has returned to get the twins out of jail. She uses her Force abilities to release the twins and the 2 Yuzzem. The escape is not a quiet as expected and they group escape within a shred of their lives in large part due to the 2 huge Yuzzems help. They are off to find the Kaiburr crystal.

In their stolen swamp crawler, the group, consisting of Luke, Leia, Halla, Artoo, Threepio, Hin and Kee, travel toward the temple that holds the Kaiburr crystal. On the way, they get attacked by a huge worm-like creature and get split up. Luke and Leia fell in a pit escaping from the worm, while Halla, the Yuzzem, and the droids got away. The twins were not about to climb out, so they had to find another way. Eventually, they get captured by some natives Mimbans called Coway. They realize that Halla and the others were also captured. After winning a fight with the village champion, Luke was able to get the group freed.

What happens next sucked. Luke senses Darth Vader's presence near. Apparently, Essada sent word to Vader that the Rebel leader, Princess Leia as well as Skywalker were on Mimban. Vader decided to investigate the situation himself. The Coway and the heros teamed up against the Imperial threat. Stromtroopers entered the dark cavern of the Coway and so did Vader. Of course the good guys won and the Imperials left. Vader and Grammel went on to look for the crystal as did the heroes.


At the temple, Luke and Vader had a light saber battle. Not only that, but Leia also wielded Luke's light saber against Vader. Actually, Vader's arm was cut off by one of them (I don't remember who) and he got pushed down some dark, bottomless pit.

Luke and Leia got away along with Halla and the droids. (the 2 Yuzzem were killed by Vader outside of the temple).

The ending sucked because there Luke and Vader had a light saber battle and Leia stood almost toe-to-toe with Vader when she wielded Luke's saber. Also, the book doesn't say how they got off the planet, being that Vader's Star Destroyer was off-planet waiting for him to return and their ships were pretty messed up. Oh yeah, what happened to Halla (has she showed up in any other EU stuff)? This book could have been a little longer.

Two smiles for this one.

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[JediKeri.]

I have one of the original prints of that book. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

It may not be a good book, but it's a good collectable.

[Miasmo]

Yep. That's what I would say, but I won't keep it as a collectible. No no. It's off to the bookstore to rid myself of this little story. It does make a good paper weight though...

If you don't take the book seriously at all than it can be kinda fun to read. The cheeze factor is off the scale but it is in place if you're expecting it. Those classic SW comics were pretty cheezy and this book came out at roughly the same time.

If you're unwilling to accept anything that doesn't fit into the EU than you won't accept Splinter of the Mind's Eye. Kind of like the Lando Calrissian Adventures. I haven't read them but I've read some reviews/horror stories.

You might actually enjoy the comic adaptation for Mind's Eye even more. I haven't read it but I think some things are changed from the novel. Either way, the story itself feels more like a comic book story than a novel.

So, setting aside it's placement, or lack there of, in the EU, and the obvious cheeziness, I'll give it a score of 5 out of 10. It's not bad. It's take it or leave it.


<span style="color:gray">SPOILERS :Splinter of the Mind's Eye: SPOILERS
I did kind of like Leia's role in this, though it wasn't always consistent. For the most part she was headstrong and I really liked how that wasn't always a good thing. An example would be when she was beat down in Grammel's office for shooting off her mouth too much. I also like when Luke popped her one in the cantina. Damn slave girls need to show some respect, yo. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif
SPOILERS :Splinter of the Mind's Eye: SPOILERS</span>

[Miasmo]

The Approaching Storm - Allen Dean Foster

What do we have here? It's Splinter of the Mind's Eye: Part Deux. Ok, so it's not that similar, but I still didn't like it. Mr. Foster doesn't seem like he's improved much since Mind's Eye, which was written 25 years ago. I don't like his style. I don't agree that the things he describes need to be given that much attention. I don't like his aliens. I don't like the predictable and redundant plot. I was incredibly bored with this book.


<span style="color:gray">SPOILERS :The Approaching Storm: SPOILERS

Trial, battle, reflect, battle, reflect, trial... It get's extremely boring. Kyakhta and Bulgan kidnap Bariss shortly after the attempted assassination of herself and Luminara. Hmm... I wonder if that inclusion had anything to do with the inclusion of an asassination attempt in AOC. Anyways, these kidnappers are mentally crippled I suppose you could say. Damaged goods. They are hired because of this though, so the Jedi won't sense the danger. But wait! Bariss ends up healing their bad brain circuits and, after several minutes of healing, they make complete recoveries. Thank the maker! :sarcasm: Their speach impediments are gone! They can think clearly with no hurdles on the road to recovery. Bariss, you are one talented padawan.

So Obi, Ani, Lumi, Bari, K and B all leave the town. Yes, K and B have turned a new leaf now that they can think straight. They head out to find the head natives so they can construct a treaty between them and the city folk. Why? So Ansion, this pivotal planet locked between a number of treaties, will stay in the Republic. The first native clan they meet asks both Jedi and padawan to perform act that show they have 'inner essence' which they feel is missing from politicians. This is where things get ugly. Ugly to me at least. Bariss does some fancy stuntwork displaying her athletic ability with some force-propelled saber stunts as well. That wasn't too bad, believable, even for a padawan I suppose. Obi tells a story, using the clan's language I think, which is pretty much english I think(got a bit confused here but didn't feel like going back and reading it the next morning.). He's a good story teller and I like what Mr. Foster does with his character in this book, for the most part. Luminara does some spectacular stunt spinning ribbons of sand around herself and then spinning herself within the sandy enclosure. Even ObiWan is impressed. I was not. Every Jedi has their specialties, but this made Lumi out to be some super Jedi. Blech.(now that I think about it, Barisses stunt was more suited for a Jedi than a padawan. bariss's stunt should've been performed by Luminara instead.) Now for the dumb butt ugly ugly part(as Tooqui would say. don't worry I'll get to that blunder later). Anakin doesn't do a trick, no force... he... he... he sings. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/crying.gif He sings a little ditty that his mom used to sing to him. Everybody loved it. I did not. Anakin Skywalker, singing on the open plains. It brings tears to my eyes for all the wrong reasons. Anyway, they all show they have souls so the clan points them in the right direction. NO!! That's all?? I had to witness Ani sing! I want more.

And more is what I got. More crap. They have a run in with some monsters, and some more monsters. Barris finds Tooqui stealing her stuff, follows him, meets his 'clan', pursuades them to give it back blah blah blah. So they end up taking Tooqui along with them. Tooqui is a stand in for jar jar. He's not really clumsy, but he tries to be comic relief. He says things like "Tooqui got much brains in his head head. You listen to Tooqui you stupid-dumb ugly ugly. Tooqui not just brave. Tooqui brave brave." Tooqui makes me want to put a gun in my mouth. But I kid... not really...

They run into another clan, the Qulun, merchants. They end up getting drugged while Tooqui escapes. Turns out the Soergg the Hutt told everyone to lookout for the offworlders and try and delay them for as long as possible so they will vote for secession assuming the Jedi couldn't work things out. They delay the Jedi for a good while but eventually Tooqui saves the day. Oh joy.

They finally meet the overclan and, eventually, they agree to the Jedi's proposal, but only if they help them deal with their rival clan. Instead of fighting for the clan, the Jedi propose peace between the two clans. No dice! A three-way battle ensues and ends ten minutes later when they realize the Jedi are defending themselves by disarming the their attackers, not killing them, and doing a fine job against many many clan members. They agree to peace. Back to the city!

They make it back on THE day that the vote is taking place, but not until later. But it's a race against time due to another assassination attempt. All hope is almost lost... until body gaurds from both clans that the Jedi just met with join them and beat up the baddies. They make it just in time and, after finding out about the treaty, vote not to seceede. It is discussed between Shu Mai and Dooku, who've been in on the conspiracy to get the pivotal Ansion to seceede, that even though it is now staying in the Republic the separatist movement is inevitable so it doesn't matter.

What does this mean? It means there was no need for the book!! It built up personalities that weren't entirely accurate as we see later. It makes you think that Ansion will seceede and others will follow, and that what we see in AOC will be because Ansion seceeded. But they didn't!! I was hoping for a gloomy ending. That would've made all my pain worthwhile. To see the Jedi try their hardest and come up just a little short, resulting in the secession of several planets. It was a happy ending that didn't effect the separatist movement and shouldn't have been called a prologue to Attack of the Clones! It shouldn't even be a Star Wars book!

SPOILERS :The Approaching Storm: SPOILERS</span>

I wrote things in the spoileriffic section above partly to stimulate some discussion with some other people about the high and low points of the book, and also so others might point out some things I probably didn't realize that may give me more respect for it. And maybe to steer me clear of any books that are similar. I'm tired as well. Sorry if I sound a little rude.

After all is said, I'll still give this book a 5 out of 10. I can see how some people might like it. I mean, it is Star Wars. At least that's what it says on the cover. I didn't like it though and I don't want to read another Star Wars book that resembles it.

[Ripley the Warmaster]

<span style="color:blue">Reposting of my review from the the book review thread in Entertainment.


I,Jedi by Michael A. Stackpole, D+. This books can basically be cut in half. The first half being the events of the Jedi Academy Trilogy from Corran's POV. It was the best part of the novel, but all Stackpole was doing is inserting Corran in trilogy that was three years old when I,Jedi came out. I also found Corran to be very irritating at times, and too Gary Sue like, especially when talking to Luke about his training methods. However, it did have a good Star Wars feel, and I was able to get through it.

The second half. This is when Stackpole is finally doing original work. With the exception of the last 100 pages, this felt like a X-Wing novel. I didn't like reading another boring X-Wing fest. Corran also came to close to cheating on his wife, and he deserved to have something bad happen to him. The last 100 pages made up a little.

Another major thing I had is the fact Corran is still a rehash of Nolan from Talion: Revenant. I would love to see Stackpole do a novel without a Nolan rehash for once.

Overall, you have an average first half, a horrid middle section, and a medicore last 100 pages. The only other thing to it's credit is it's a lot better than his X-Wing novels, which isn't that hard, but suffers from the fact you have to read X-Wing to get this novel. So only read if you have time to waste, but it's not worth slugging through at least four X-Wing novels to get.</span>

[Soontir Solo]

I, Jedi by Michael Stackpole: A-

Unlike Sniper here I thought I, Jedi was a great Star Wars book. I liked how the first half of the book showed Corran at the Jedi Academy. I liked how it provided another point of view, and a better one I might add, for all the events that went on during the Jedi Academy Trilogy. I liked how Stackpole portrayed Corran, not as someone who picked things up really fast and was the perfect hero but someone who struggled with his training just like everyone else. I liked how Stackpole set-up Corran to have problems with how Luke ran the Academy as well. And I think all of his points against were Luke were completely valid. And of course it did have some unique stuff not mentioned in The Jedi Academy Trilogy, such as Corran pulling off his force trick where he made everyone see him doing something that he really wasn't, and when he confronted Exar Kun a few different times, and his huge rivalry with Gantoris, and eventually Kyp. And how he was the one who basically led the Jedi while Luke was comatose.

The second half of the book was also great. I loved how Stackpole had Corran infiltrate Tavira's fleet. I loved how he even included Corran being seduced by Tavira to the point of him thinking about whether or not to give in to her for the sake of his mission to find Mirax. I loved how the fighters under Tavira didn't seem evil really. And I loved how Corran went to Corellia and found out the history of his family, AWESOME thing to include. The big thing was reading about him scaring everyone of the Invids on the planet at night by going out as a Jedi and starting up mayhem. And of course with him and Luke teaming up at the end, Perfect!

The only complaint was at times the book was slow and I think Corran seemed to infiltrate the Invids a little bit to easy, or at least rose up in the ranks a little too easy at times.

The book is easily an A-

[Ripley the Warmaster]

<span style="color:blue">Young Jedi Knights: Lightsabers by Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta. B+. I find it interesting how the last two Star Wars novels I've read are about jedi training, and the young readers' book is a lot better than the adult novel. I enjoyed the plot, how the characters weren't Gary/Mary Sues, and the fight scenes, especially the zero-gee lightsabre duel. Some parts did show it was a young readers' novel, like the whole carnovore seaweed and the killer bug assassins. Besides that, it was a great, short read, and I'm for sure going to read the other Young Jedi Knights novels.</span>

[Soontir Solo]

Survivors Quest by Timothy Zahn B

Overall a good read. Not quite up to The Thrawn Trilogy or Hand of Thrawn Duology but good nonetheless. Introduces us to some cool new characters and a new species (one of those terrors of the Unknown Regions). We get a good look at Mara and Luke together married before NJO as well.

Could have been more action and there were a few bits of information that raise questions about the Chiss (such as how many Ruling Families there really are for the Chiss) but overall not a bad read at all.

[Suzanne (ex CoS Leia)]

For some reason I hadn't noticed this thread before.

My review of Yoda: Dark Rendezvous -
http://jedinet.com/literature/index.asp

[Soontir Solo]

It was ignored for awhile but i brought it back up.

[Soontir Solo]

Labyrinth of Evil

Well first off this is definitely a must read for anyone excited about seeing Episode 3. This goes hand in hand with the story of Episode 3. I would have to say that not reading this book and just watching the movie would make you feel like you are missing half the story.

LoE is an excellent book. It is defnitely the best Clone Wars book and one of the best out of all the EU. Luceno getting critical information from Lucas makes this novel incredible.

The strong points include the wide range of characters. We see lots of Obi-Wan, Anakin, Yoda, Mace, Nute Gunray, Grievous, Palpatine, Bail Organa, and Dooku. They are all important characters with big roles. The chapters concerning the differences between Palpatine and the Jedi Council are extremely important and well written. This is the first book where Palpatine and the Jedi Council almost seem as if they are on two different sides. The Jedi Council keeps critical secrets from Palpatine and constantly complains abotu him in this book. Anakin Skywalker seems the only Jedi who likes Palpatine now, and his relationship with Palpatine grows immensely in this book. Palpatine is almost a fatherly figure to Anakin in this book, or at least Unlce or Grandfather figure. We finally have talk from Sidious and Dooku about turning Anakin to the dark side and how they will do it.

The Loyalist Committee (Bail, Mon Mothma, and Padme mainly) are seen as opponents of Palpatine almost in this novel. They fear all the power Palpatine has now and they want to take some of it away. They become heavily allied with the Jedi Council now almost against Palpatine. Having characters like Armand Isard and Jan Dodonna have cameo's is great for the EU.

The weak points. I have very few things to say against this novel. Number 1 it could have been longer. I would have preferred a longer book but that is ok. And the only other thing is that it seemed like Anakin and Obi-Wan were closer and more friendly with eachother than ever before, which strikes me as being kind of weird, seeing as just days after this book their friendship will be torn asunder.

This book gets 4.75 out of 5 stars from me.