EU Book Recomendations

[Vyndim]

Recently, I've been toying with the idea of reading some EU books. *I'm looking for something around the Fall of the Old Republic or The New Jedi Order. *Does anyone know of any preticular book or series of books that is a nice starter, so that I don't just jump into the middle of a story and not understand the background to it.

[Justin]

On the whole, I'd say the Expanded Universe is crap. Crap, crap, crap. However, the first novel in the New Jedi Order series wasn't all that bad. The collected comic book adaptations of the "Heir to the Empire" are ok too, but the novels they're based on suck. The best story-telling in the EU is in the comics, with the exception of the "Dark Empire" series.

But other than that, the Expanded Universe is a crap-laden mess, and none of it really counts.

[Vyndim]

On the whole, I'd say the Expanded Universe is crap. Crap, crap, crap. However, the first novel in the New Jedi Order series wasn't all that bad. The collected comic book adaptations of the "Heir to the Empire" are ok too, but the novels they're based on suck. The best story-telling in the EU is in the comics, with the exception of the "Dark Empire" series.

But other than that, the Expanded Universe is a crap-laden mess, and none of it really counts.

I am not interested whether or not the books "count", I simply want some nice reading material to keep me occupied and grant me some releaf from real life. But thanks for information, Justin.

[Swamprat_Jedi_Knight]

I have just recently started reading Star Wars books myself. I am reading the New Jedi Order series right now. I am very pleased with it. You said you wanted some nice reading material to keep you occupied and grant you some releaf from real life, well this is the Series for you. It takes place the farthest down the timeline of all the current books, but I found starting in this series isnt a problem. It explains, to a certain degree, about the characters and their history. For example, how Luke and Mara met and got married, Han and Leia getting married and having three kids, etc... It is a very good series and still in the makeing. I would obviously recommend starting with Vector Prime, the first book of the series. You also said you didnt want to jump into a story and not know the background. Well you should be familiar with most of the basic characters, and the authors familiarize you with the solo kids and any new characters they put in or bring back. Altimately if you wanted to know the background and not jump into a story, you would have to start with the first book and work your way through chonologically. That would be impractical, especialy if you wanted something "modern" in the SW timeline.

But anyways I definately recommend the New Jedi Order series. Ausome !!

Another note: While reading this series you may discover a character that you like, and may decide to go back and read the books he/she is in.

[Tonin]

I started with Heir to the Empire and its two companions and then started going cronologically from The truce at Bakura on until the latest book in the NJO, bt that did take a considerable amount of time and effort, because some of the books were harder to find than others. Plus if you are always afraid you might miss one, you can find a timeline and checked them off as you go.

my favorite series is the X- wings and you could also start with those if you wanted, or just read them bythemselves because they were very good. Happy reading!

[Handothrawn]

I've been a fan of the novels of the EU for several years and I have most of them.

These are some of the better and more important books of the EU, they're in chronological order by the way.

The Courtship of Princess Leia

Heir to the Empire
Dark Force Rising
The Last Command

Jedi Search
Dark Apprentice
Champions of the Force

The New Rebellion

Specter of the Past
Vision of the Future

Then the New Jedi Order Starts.

Vector Prime
Dark Tide I: Onslaught
Dark Tide II: Ruin
Agents of Chaos I: Hero's Trial
Agents of Chaos II: Jedi Eclipse
Balance Point
Edge of Victory I: Conquest
Edge of Victory II: Rebirth
Star by Star
Dark Journey (note: Do not for any reason read Dark Journey)
Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dream
Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand

more NJO coming soon...

[Vyndim]

Thanks Swamprat_Jedi_Knight, Tonin, and Handothrawn. *Now I at least know what to look for next time I decide to visit the bookstore. *It should be a nice change of pace from all the fantasy books I've been reading lately.

[Handothrawn]

Glad to Help

[Swamprat_Jedi_Knight]

No problem. Glad to help someone start on Star Wars books.

[Whuffa]

If the EU is such crap Justin, then why are you posting at this tread?

[jade51999]

Just to add to Hand of Thrawn's list..def. read Truce at bakura as it takes place right after ROTJ and is a nice bridge..

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

otherwise i think he got most of the ones that you should read before hitting NJO ..

but i'd also try and read all the X-wing Novels...

they're by Michael Stackpole
and Aaron Allston who are both also NJO
authors...charachters from the NJO are introduced in those novels...

jade

oh i had a thought..a good thing to know and familiarize yourself with the Solo kids who are prominant in the NJO
is throught he Correlian Trilogy

Ambush on Correllia
Assault on Selonia
Showdown at Centerpoint

By Roger Macbride Allen

(they also introduce Lando's wife Tendra )

okie dokie

[Rogue_0009]

I'd recommend reading in chronological order while at the same time reading the NJO

[Brian]

Do the EU novels contradict themselves or do they stay fairly consistent (in general)?

I too have just begun reading EU and so far I have read Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter. It takes place right before TPM. Vyndim, I recommend this book. It gives a little insight on Maul and displays far more of his capabilities than in TPM.

Now I am reading Truce at Bakura. Again, it takes place right after ROTJ. So far, so good.

I went to la bibliotecca today and checked out Vector Prime, but now I am thinking I should take it back and wait to read it.

The EU awesome. From reading other threads, one could think it was "crap", that is simply not the case. Sure they don't exactly follow the movies, but who cares. You must look at them independent of the movies. However, they can still provide just as much entertainment, IMHO. Besides, "Reading is Fundamental." Remember that anyone?

[Mookel1138]

Yes, there are some small contradictions in the EU, but nothing that will destroy the experience. Also, I would recommend that you go ahead and read Vector Prime. It's a very good book, and if you read it now you'll be able to continue with the NJO and stay on top of that.
Also, please, don't bash the EU in this forum. I know that none of the people that read the EU appreciate it, and I know on other boards that EU bashing is strongly discouraged. You don't have to like the EU, but don't come here and insult it.

[Brian]

On another note, why is there like 25+ Star Trek books in the library and only 6 Star Wars books? *WTF is up with that? *My local library stinks!

MODERATOR'S NOTE: *EDITED FOR LANGUAGE. *That's your first warning.

[Nathan Butler]

Several comments from the timeline guru:

Justin: This board is not here for bashing the EU. If you don't like it, don't come to this section of the boards. See the little label above the section? "Expanded Universe." Further posts that are essentially EU-bashing-only will be deleted or locked without further warning.

Vyndim: You can really start anywhere, with any story that sounds interesting by the "back cover" info. If you need further information to supplement from things you haven't read, you can use The Star Wars Timeline Gold (http://www.starwarz.com/timeline).

O-B-GATES: Your post has been edited for language. Don't do it again.

(I'll drop by and continue after I get back home tonight.)

[Vyndim]

I did download the Timeline and have started reading it. However it is extremely lengthy so it may take me awhile to finish reading. Nice job on it by the way, very impressive. Anyway, I'm going to the book store next weekend(hopefully) I guess I'll stock up on reading material then.

[Brian]

Woops, didn't mean to do that. Sorry dude. *Where is the FAQ/terms of use so I can read what is approriate, etc? *I really didn't mean to offend.

Please forgive me and forget that I made that honest mistake (i.e. take away the warning). Pretty please.

[Nathan Butler]

O-B-GATES: Just don't do it again. I don't know if there's a FAQ or anything other than the signup TOS yet, but I figure non-swearing is, for the most part, going to be frowned upon across the board. As for the warning, it's just sort of a mental note for myself. There's no set system of "however many strikes and you'ore out." It's discretionary. I could ban you right now, muwahahaha . . . (But I won't. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif )

Okay, back to those comments:

Handothrawn: There's actually quite a bit more to the NJO than you listed, just within materials already published. You covered the basics, though. The SWT has a detailed chronology (and source listing) for all the others under their respective years.

Whuffa: You tell 'em! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hehe.gif

O-B: On the contradiction thing: They actually do it far less than people think, and the times that they do, LFL later issues what I call "decrees" that fix any errors before they can be fixed in print in, say, an Essential Guide.

And, yes, your library stinks. You could probably get an interlibrary loan through them, though.

[Handothrawn]

Originally posted by NathanButlerSWT@June 12 2002 - 23:31
Handothrawn: *There's actually quite a bit more to the NJO than you listed, just within materials already published. *You covered the basics, though. *The SWT has a detailed chronology (and source listing) for all the others under their respective years.
Yeah, but I only incuded the novels, because the comics and etc. may be a little difficult to get a hold of now.

[Nathan Butler]

Only 4 were comics. Recovery (the E-book) is still readily available, as are back issues of Gamer from WotC. The Chewbacca comics, though, may be hard to find.

[jade51999]

oh hey an addition is that
i think i heard that Recovery will be in the beginning ofthe ppb for Star by Star


style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif so that way if you don't like e-books..you have it in print..i know i'm gonna end up copying it from someone b/c i got an incomplete onlinecopy...

[cmulligan01]

I don't think the Chewbacca TPB should be that hard to find. I've seen it a few times in bookstores if you don't want to go to a comic store or there isn't one near you.

[Keiran_Halcyon]

As far as the stories in the magazines they can more than likely be ordered by back issue or they might even be on a website somewhere. Everything else is. Including my social security number.

[Executor]

Well, aside of the Shadows of the Empire that was my first EU novel to be read, I would reccomend starting with Cantina Tales Trilogy, which means Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina, Tales of the Bounty Hunters, and Tales from Jabba's Palace. There are a lot of beautiful little stories there and you will have one major backup while reading them; THE FILMS. It's really a good thing to start with. I also reccomend following the timeline, it is a great and really funny approach.
style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/bigsmile.gif

Wish you luck!

[Luminara Skye]

i would recommend starting with TTT. *i've just introduced my brother to the EU and i have him reading that one. *there are so many details in those books that are carried out through the rest of the books. *on the other hand, you could start with the NJO and not really miss much. *they are written where you don't have to have read all the other books. *i've just discovered Corran Horn in the NJO. *i totally love I, Jedi and i'm starting on the X-Wing Series in between NJO books. *although i'm reading the BFC right now. *i bought the books way back when but never got around to reading them. * ??? i was never able to get through SotE or PoT. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/eh.gif

[catwmnjedi]

Yes, yes, Vyndim. Definitely read the Mike Stackpole books. They're grrrrrrrrrrreat!

[Tonin]

definately read the X wing books. They are my favorites, but also check out the Han Solo Trilogy ( I cannt remember who wrote them) the titles were The Paridise Snare, The Hutt Gambit, and Rebel Dawn. They cover Han from a teenager till the cantina scene in ANH. They were the first books that i read, but i find that alot of people haven't heard of them. Good luck with your reading!

[James T. Skywalker]

Originally posted by Tonin@July 11 2002 - 18:54
definately read the X wing books. They are my favorites, but also check out the Han Solo Trilogy ( I cannt remember who wrote them) the titles were The Paridise Snare, The Hutt Gambit, and Rebel Dawn.
The person who wrote the Han Solo Trilogy was A.C. Crispin. Also, if you plan on reading those, check out the Han Solo Adventures by Brian Daley. There are three "cut scenes" (Interludes, to be more specific) which take place between the three stories in that series: Han Solo at Star's End, Han Solo's Revenge and Han Solo and the Lost Legacy. For a writer who wrote these before the modern EU started, he had an excellent grasp of the SW universe, and he introduces the Corporate Sector. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

~JTS

[catwmnjedi]

Ooooo... I forgot about the Han Solo books... yes, I liked those too. I read them a LONG time ago.

[Darth Darthy]

I've just finished reading Cloak of Deception and started The New Rebellion.
I enjoyed cloak because it was a backdrop to that of which was to come in EP1. It was a political thriller as opposed to a description of fighters in space.
Can anybody recommend a book in a similar style to Cloak?
I've already read Zahns stuff...

[Obidobi]

I read Darth Maul Shadow warrior some weeks ago. I liked that one.
But you proparly already read it.
???

[Darth Darthy]

Yeah, great minds think alike eh? It was the last one I read before Cloak. They all died though. Sniff. Even the guy who should have lived at the end, he was rescued and then got his head chopped off!?!?! :0

[Obidobi]

Yeah! It was a sad thing that it was Palpy the senator who was there rescuing him.

I think I must find myself a book store when I come home from sea next Monday and buy myself "Cloak". Do you recommend it?

[Darth Darthy]

Yeah, definitely. It starts off a bit ropey, a character you've never heard of (Captain Cohl) takes up a lot of space but it becomes clear why later on. It answers alot of questions about Palpatine but still leaves you wondering - is he schizophrenic or is that how Sith really are? Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan get to meet Jorus C'boath and try to uncover the plot set in motion by Sidious. It's better then I thought it'd be but more expensive then the other books?!?

[Rogue_0009]

I'd recommend the X-wing series cuz they're really great and there is some political stuff (the good kind, not like in BFC where it drives insane with boredom) Also there is some really good humour dialogue.

PS I liked Darth Maul Shadow Hunter kinda reminds me of terminator.

[QuigonWindu]

You know I've been wondering about the X-Wing series how is it. I never thought it would be something I'd like. You know all that pilot stuff.

[Rogue_0009]

It's just great really, once you pick up on the vocabulary ["jinking", "juking" etc.] it's very entertaining.

[Darth Darthy]

The reason I'm holding off the X-Wing series is because I don't like reading descriptions of ships dog fighting in space. It just never seems to work. But then again, I might give them a go. How many are there?

[Rogue_0009]

There are 9 [10 if you want to count I,Jedi. Which features famed X-wing pilot Corran Horn of Rogue Squadron]

[Javen]

Ive never read any of the EU so my question is what should I try first?I know there will probably be alot of opinions on that but is there something that was written after ROTJ that is worth reading?

Anyway opinions away...

[RedMirax]

The Thrawn trilogy by Zahn is a good start. Introduces a lot of cool characters.


And, of course, the X-Wing series by Stackpole and Allston!!! Great stuff!!! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[Dark Skywalker 9]

If you want to get into post-ROTJ stuff the five Timothy Zahn books are great. Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising and The Last Command take place 5 years after ROTJ. Specter of the Past and Vision of the Future occur 10 years after that.

Then I'd recommend reading Rogue Planet which is a prequel book with Obi-Wan and a early-teenage Anakin Skywalker.

After that read the New Jedi Order books...most of them rock.

I also recommend Shadows of the Empire, which is a great segway novel between ESB and ROTJ.

[Blizzard]

Javen, watch the movie Return of the Jedi and then sit down and read "The Truce at Bakura" by Kathy Tyers.

I guarantee you'll like it and it will suck you right into the Extended Universe.

Then read everything RM said to read, they are the absolute best novels!

[Whisper]

I'd say start off with the Han Solo Trilogy by A.C. Crispin.

Then Truce, which is okay. Then the Thrawn Trilogy by Tim Zahn, then the Jedi Academy Trilogy immediately after that read I, Jedi by Mike Stackpole (It will clear a HELL of a lot of that crap KJA spewed out :-D)

Then Read the X-Wing series. Rogue Squadron, Wedge's Gamble, Krytos Trap, The Bacta War, Wraith Squadron, and the rest. By far the most character driven books....and hey...Corran's in it!

I'd also pick up the two Tales books (Empire, New Republic) Not too many famous writers in them, but damn it, great stories!

And that's my 2 cents!

~~Da Whispaman :-D

[RedMirax]

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

[jade51999]

i think they've pretty much covered it...

although, despite problems with plot holes..i'd read the Jedi Academy Trilogy by Kevin J anderson..
takes place after Zahn tril.

as an accompaniment (and after reading xwing) i'd read i, jedi..

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[Blizzard]

WHISP!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Dude has spoken!!!! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/bigsmile.gif

[Swamprat_Jedi_Knight]

I would suggest the Zahn(Thrawn) Trilogy, and the New Jedi Order. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif

[vodo]

Try truce at Bakura then the court ship of leia and then the zahn trilogy thats how I started.
you can get sited that give you a time line so you can go in order.+ the x -wing novels are good

[Enneth42]

I'd read the X-wing novel (at least Rouge Squadron) before I,Jedi, because they are the introduction of Corran Horn's character. I actually read them in chronological order, from Truce at Bakura on, but the first Zahn Trilogy (Heir, Dark Force Ris, and L. Command) are a GREAT start to the EU universe (Zahn is so the master). I wouldn't recommend reading his Hand of Thrawn Dualogy until you've covered at least a few others in between, as it takes place just near the dawn of New Jedi Order. The Dualogy is GREAT though. New Jedi Order is good, but you should read a good number of the others first to get to know the characters, and over two decades of history that comes after the movies. I highly recommend all of Stackpole, Zahn, and Anderson's works, though I've read and enjoyed almost all of them.

For pre-original movies, The AC Crispin Han Solo books are GREAT, as is the old Brian Daley trilogy.

The Tales of the Jedi comic sagas take place thousands of years before the movies, but are GREAT Jedi history and explain many origins, including the Sith, temples of Yavin 4, and some dark legacies that Luke and the Jedi end up facing in the Jedi Academy trilogy.

[Ieluuka]

I concur with Whisper, the Han Solo trilogy is good to start off with because it is right at the beginning of the whole Star Wars thing. Then I advise that you either read every book in order from there, because alot of background information is located in those books like the ones that begin with 'Tales...', or you can either jump to the major books like the Thrawn Trilogy (Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Risisng, The Last Command), Truce at Bakura and then start on the Rogue Squadron series. You can go from there to the Jedi Academy series if you want, and then to NJO. But if I remember correctly, I, Jedi tells the same story as Champions of the Force except from Corran's point of view.

[Nathan Butler]

You can find more opinions on this matter in this older thread:

Looking to Start EU Reading (http://www.galacticsenate.com/index.php?act=ST&f=8&t=333)

[Javen]

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

[Javen]

From all the suggestions I finally bought some books

I'm reading Heir to the Empire, so far I really like it.

[Justin]

Skip to the NJO, that's when it starts to get good, and it's more like what the sequel trilogy would be about.

[Booster Terrik]

When the time comes, don't miss Crystal Star, ( 'bout 12 novels down the line. Great story concerning the Solo twins. And from Heir... I would read in order, but I know how dificult it can be to not pick up every NJO book out there.Especially once I found out that Stackpole was writing his share.
From Booster Terrik this is unheard of, but Corran Horn is the MAN.

[Whuffa]

I have to disagree. Stay clear of The Crystal Star. IMHO it had a bad plot, awful characterizations and was just too Star Trek for my taste.

[Whisper]

I agree on the Crystal Star. It adds NOTHING, and takes away A LOT.

Also onthe avoid list: Children of the Jedi, Planet of Twilight, by Barbara Hambly and (just cuz it's the Middle of this trilogy) Darksaber by KJA. What they were thinking I don't have a clue.

Also the true first appearance of Corran Horn was in Star Wars Adventures, made mainly for the WEG RPG. It appeared six months before Rogue Squadron. It's reprinted in one of the "Tales" compilations.

[RedMirax]

And the "Tales" books are cool, too!! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[Whisper]

Yes they are. It's a shame some of those writers don't get a book or two. Or even do another Tales type thing that takes the perspective of those characters during the NJO.

[jade51999]

NO CRYSTAL STAR

why?
1. bad charachter interpretations..
2. the storyline has been recycled..i mean its not that it would have been a bad storyline..but she places it and writes it so we dont even feel like its taking place in the SW universe..just with some charac. with the same name...

[Whuffa]

Maybe they'll make a "Tales from the New Jedi Order" book, featuring all the NJO short stories from Gamer and Insider. And then they could make a "Tales from the Old Republic" book, with all the Prequel era stories from Gmr. and Insd. But I doubt they will style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unhappy.gif

[Zane Marit]

Everyone has their favorites and its hard to contend with opinions...so heres mine.

You've probably started off with the best of the best in the Zahn Trilogy. Finish that.

The X-wing series is a must also.

The Thrawn duology, I Jedi, Truce at Bakura, the "Tales from" books, Han Solo trilogy and Vector Prime are all worth a read.

As far as prequel books. Cloak of Deception is the best one. All the others are fairly lame. Once I read a few chapters into it Shadow Hunter turned out to be decent, but it was predictable.

NJO books are hit and miss. The first 3 are pretty solid with VP being the best.

I recommend getting the Essential Chronology book to tie up some of the loose ends of the books you do not read. It will let you know the major events that happened without wasting hours of your life.

Books to completely avoid...

1. Children of the Jedi
2. Darksaber
3. Crystal Star
4. The New Rebellion

JMHO style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/saber.gif

[Whisper]

I actually don't mind New Rebellion.

[Zane Marit]

Like I said...Everyones got their opinions. I thought it Suck didlyucked...

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/saber.gif

[jedisaber]

If you want to start reading about the new jedi order,
first read rouge planet, to get some background info.
i didnt like vector prime, but hey thats just me, the books that start to get very interesting start with edge of victory 1: conquest and all of them are good after that

[jedisaber]

my true favoritea are the EOV duology and the last two, T & DW

[jedisaber]

and most importantly forgotten was the black fleet crisis
im starting it now and WOW

[Brian]

bump

[Brian]

bump

[James T. Skywalker]

Originally posted by jedisaber@Oct 29 2002, 07:41 AM
and most importantly forgotten was the black fleet crisis
im starting it now and WOW
I've found that the Black Fleet Crisis is one of the blandest, worst-conceived attempts at characterization (except for Leia) in the history of the Expanded Universe. Kube-McDowell just didn't know how to write the characters correctly. His interpretations of Luke, Han and Lando were wrong beyond belief.

I personally don't like the Black Fleet Crisis, but I understand that others do. I sometimes question "why" but it's not my decision what books people want to recommend. I just had to comment.

~JTS

[jade51999]

Really? I agree with most of the above statement..but i thought that Leia was the worst out of everyone in the book..she was well WHINING through the first one..about how she can't do this, and she can't do that..it was

irritating..Leia may have been afraid some things, but she never would have WHINED about how to take care for her own children..

but i agree BFC is not on the top of my must read list for anyone

[jade51999]

huh?

[Brian]

Originally posted by jade51999@Nov 4 2002, 11:11 AM
huh?I was bumping this thread to the top.

[Whuffa]

I completley agree, I found her very annoying in that trilogy altough the books didn't leave a bad impression altogether. I remember liking the author's style.

[supreme emperor dictactor teokuk]

You should try ''The Truce at Bakura''because it takes place after ROTJ.

[Luminara Skye]

I just read the BFC recently. I've been having the books, just never got around to them. They were OK. I like the parts with Chewie and his son, Waru. I must admit Luke going off to be by himself and pout seemed a little out of character. ???

[jedisaber]

ive only read the first book, so i can only comment on that

[Javen]

Well so far you guys have helped me out alot, and I have read the Thrawn triology and will read next The Truce at Bakura that someone mentioned and the book that Blizz mentioned also.

But great stuff everyone.

[Brian]

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[Javen]

bump

[kopernikuz]

I've read one book in the EU... "Rogue Planet". It just happened to be available once on a cart at the library and I snatched it up. It was pretty interesting.

I want to start getting into the EU... I need suggestions based on two things:

1. What is a good book for the uninitiated to start with? For example... is it best to start from the beginning? What is the first book after the events of ROTJ... is that a good place to start? I don't want to jump into the NJO... I want some background first...

2. What are some good books that take place between TPM and Episode III (Besides the obvious novelizations of the two PT movies. I'm looking for some PT books. I'm already in the middle of Shadow Hunter, which I chose without having access to the first Maul book. I'd like more books like this that take place within the context of the PT.

I

[Master Patton]

The X-wing sieries!....they aren't too far behind, and there not to far ahead...

[Rogue_0009]

Plus, they rock!

1.Your better off trying to your way chronologicaly through the series but some of the Bantam Sepectra series you can skip, like the Crystal Star, the Black Fleet Crisis trilogy, and probably the Hambly books.

2. Shadow Hunter is good, as is Cloak of Deception, and possibly Approaching Storm.

[Rogue_0009]

On the other hand if you just want backround before jumping right into the NJO you want Shadows of the Empire, Truce at Bakura, Courtship of Princess Leia, The Thrawn trilogy, I,Jedi [waayyyy better than the Jedi Acadamy trilogy with most of the same story], maybe the Corellian Trilogy, and the Hand of Thrawn Duology.

[Brian]

Kopernikuz, I am glad you are getting into the EU. It will likely make you a better, more knowledgeable Star Wars fan. However, there are already 2 threads with EU recommendations. Check the index pinned at the top of the Books & Comics forum. Feel free to discuss, but be mindful. :hint: :hint: :wink: :wink: style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

Books & Comics Index (http://www.galacticsenate.com/index.php?act=ST&f=8&t=1945)

~OBG

[jedisaber]

also, try joining the EUDF, you could become a member and learn a lot there about the EU...

[Whisper]

Recommendations:

The Han Solo Trilogy, by A.C. Crispin. Very very good. Takes place about 12 BANH to a I think a couple minutes before Han meets the Farmboy and the Old Man inthat Cantina.

Shadows of the Empire, by Steve Perry. It's pretty good. Not great, but it fills some blanks...and personally it had me cheering for Vader style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif As bad as he is, he tries to have...well....it's good.

Next The Truce At Bakura, by Kathy Tyers. Pretty good book, takes place IMMEDIATELY after ROTJ (Literally it starts the day after!)

Then try and get the Tales of the Empire. It has the first story with Corran Horn (pg 82 it starts), the meeting of Karrde and Mara Jade by Tim Zahn, and a joint story by Mike Stackpole, and Timothy Zahn that features Corran and Hal Horn, and Grand Admiral Thrawn as Jodo Kast. Makes a line Corran states later a lot more Ironic style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

Then leap into the first 4 books of the X-Wing series by Mr. Stackpole.

After that read Courtship. As near as I can tell this is about in between 1-4 of X-wing, and 5-7 of X-wing.

After digesting Courtship, start on 5-7 of X-Wing, by Aaron Allston. Very good read. Yub, Yub, Commander.

After that it's the Thrawn Trilogy (and technically the first series of books published over a decade ago) by Timothy Zahn (I also Highly recommend all of Mr. Zahn's books, as they are very good. Just as I recommend all of Mike Stackpoles!)

Next is X-Wing 8, by Mike Stackpole. If you read the Tales from the Empire, here is the Ironic line...on the first page, first paragraph style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

Then you COULD read the JEdi Academy Trilogy, by Kevin J Anderson, or the I, Jedi, by Mike Stackpole. I, Jedi is much better written, but Jedi Academy goes a bit more in depth. I read the Tril first then I, Jedi (The Tril predates I, Jedi by a couple years), I, Jedi was more concise, complete. But the ending is a bit rushed. I think if I had the choice I'd do it the same way.

After that I'd read Darksaber. One of the first "Major/Minor character deaths" so it's important, plus it's a million times better than the other two surrounding this book (Hambly's).

As for Hambly's...I'd see if I could borrow from a Library. While they SUCK, some of the characters are in NJO in some form or another. Borrow and skim them I say.


X-Wing 9 is now, and it's quite possibly the best. Not a full squadron now, just one flight, really. I think that makes the difference, not having to shift between a whole bunch of characters. Here it's just four main characters, so it's more straightforward. Also a cool mystery for the bit, thoughh it gets fairly obvious about 2/3's of the way through.

Next would be New Rebellion. It could be a skipper, but it has some cool stuff. The Smuggler's Run situations are good enough to warrant the book.

The Black Fleet Crisis, by Michael P Kube-McDowell. Not good. I had a little more fun reading this than others it seems. It's decent if yu want an unsolvable mystery

The Corellian Trilogy. This is good, IMO. It has the Twins and Anakin Solo as more than things to be put in peril. Hell, the whole thing would have gone a lot worse if the Kids WEREN'T there. Thios guy has a knack for writing kids....adults however give him a couple problems

After that I'd say The Hand of Thrawn Duology is next. Excellent books. And FINALLY, FINALLY Luke isn't alone

After that I'd pick up Union, a comic by Dark Horse Comics. Shows the aftermath of the HOT Duology.

Then jump into the NJO.

[jedisaber]

Originally posted by jedisaber@Jan 29 2003, 11:51 AM
also, try joining the EUDF, you could become a member and learn a lot there about the EU...
i hardly ever quote myself, but that was just such an excellent comment, you should try it...

[Whuffa]

Read the Zahn books and Stckpole's books. Also read The truce at Bakura, Shadowss of the Empire, The Courtship of Princess Leia & The Corellian trilogy and then you can read the New Jedi Order. The prequel era novels are mostly not that good.

[jedisaber]

But whatever you do dont forget to read the thrawn books......

[JediKeri.]

Even read The books where Mara and Luke go looking for Thrawn's Home planet.

[vodo]

read them all in chrono order if you can

[Soontir Solo]

All you really need to read is the Thrawn Trilogy, Jedi Academy Trilogy or I Jedi (Preferebly I Jedi, it is much better, and Corran Horn is an awesome character who isn't even mentioned in the JAT) and the Hand of Thrawn Trilogy. After that you can move right into the NJO without any major problems. If you want mroe though than definetly read the X-Wing series, the Courtship of Princess Leia, teh Corellian Trilogy, and Darksaber. Forget the Hambly books, Crystal Star, and the Black Fleet Crisis. They suck.

[JediKeri.]

Crystal star wasn't that Baaaaaaaad...
style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

[Exar D'an]

Defenitly need to read The Thrawn Trilogy, The Hand of Thrawn Duology, I Jedi, The Jedi Acadamy Trilogy, and then get into The New Jedi Order.

[mirax terrik horn]

ummm IMO you should read truce at bakura even though it was a little slow then the courtship of princess leia then the x-wing books than any and all of the timothy zahn books that you can get your hands on. but of course that is just my opinion.

[xagete]

I'd say the courtship of princess leia then the x-wing books, the thrawn books, I, Jedi, and then the NJO. But that is just me.

[Exar D'an]

I can agree with you Xagete, but you also need the Thrawn Trilogy and maybe the Thrawn Duology. IMO...

[Plo Koon]

bump
Vyndim, I recommend the Thrawn Trilogy and the NJO series if you haven't already gotten any of those books. The Young Jedi Knights series is also pretty good.

[Obitwokenobi]

Paradise Snare
Hutt Gambit
Rebel Dawn

Courtship of Princess Leia

Heir to the Empire
Dark Force Rising
Last Command

[Plo Koon]

Shadows of the Empire style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif

[Obitwokenobi]

Truce at Bakura

[Trilogist]

The only EU I have read and have been willing to read is the trilogy written by Timothy Zahn:

Heir to the Empire
Dark Force Rising
The Last Command

This is the continuation of the classic movie trilogy. The events pick up not long after Return of the Jedi. They are, unofficially if you will, Episodes VII, VIII and IX. At least in my opinion, since there aren't going to be any new movies.

[jedi_freak]

The Jedi Academy trilogy is good along with Shadows of the Empire and NJO.

[Plo Koon]

Originally posted by Plo Koon@May 14 2003, 05:35 PM
Shadows of the Empire style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif
This one also has it's own soundtrack.

[CzulkangLah]

Thrawn Trilogy and Duology, the Best

[bluemilk]

Well so far what everyone had said pretty much the best of the bunch. If you want a great read to supplement the "core" books then I recommend the Han Solo Trilogy by AC Crispin. and all of the XWing books both Rogue and Wraith Squadrons. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blink.gif




oh and to Nathan - I seem to see a lot of you around lately here and at the SW boards style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif Your battle of wits regarding Hyperspace was absolutely hilarious *L* it was almost a sport style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif


------------------------------------------
[http://www.outpost10f.com/ccc]

[Ripley the Warmaster]

I'd suggest you read all the prequel novels. There are only six out now, and they are far superior to the Post-ROTJ stuff, IMO. Read Thrawn Trilogy mainly do to the impact on Post-ROTJ novels. While I feel it's overrated, it's essential for reading Hand of Thrawn duo, which is way better than TTT.

If you read X-Wing, I'd say just read the first four, and possibly the eighteth novel. Main complaint against them is they feel more like regular sci-fi than Star Wars IMO. The ones after the first four feel tacked on, and the last novel, Starfighters of Adumar, is one of the worst SW novels. The eighteth novel, Isard's Revenge, serves as a bridge novel for Thrawn Trilogy and the Dark Empire comics. Plus the ones by Mike Stackpole(1-4,8) are needed later in the timeline.

Read Jedi Academy Trilogy or I,Jedi. They cover the same events. JAT is from the main characters POV, when I,Jedi is from Corran Horn's POV. Corran being one of the main characters from Stackpole's X-Wing novels. Both are great.

Now skip the novels till Hand of Thrawn duo. These are amazing, and must read for New Jedi Order. Then you're ready for New Jedi Order, which is the best Post-ROTJ series, IMO.

[brookie]

i just bought Tatooine ghost, but havent started it yet, what you guys think of this book with out revealing any spoilers? style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[Brian]

As I said last year when I read TG, it's "good fluff." It does a good job to tie the prequels to the OT (e.g. Leia learns about some stuff in Anakins past, etc.) The trek through the desert is bor-ring, but the rest of the book is good for the most part. The squibs are kinda funny too. And there's a special cameo in the early chapters of the book. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

I still haden't finished the ebook that's included with the paperback, A Forest Apart. I read about 1/8 of it and got bored.

[Ripley the Warmaster]

Brookie, I enjoyed it. Good read, well worth getting even in hardback, which I did.

[Leia]

Argh, can we quit the orange type? It's killing my eyeballs, and I'm tired of highlighting all of your posts so that I can read them style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

[Ripley the Warmaster]

<span style='color:blue'>Wait a sec, you were the person who told me to stop using a manual sig. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

wait, blue looks cooler. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif</span>

[Blizzard]

Love the blue, Sniper.

[BoHeDia]

NEW JEDI ORDER ALL THE WAY!!!

[brookie]

thanks sniper and brian! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif


what does everyone think about darth maul shadow hunter? worth reading?

[Ripley the Warmaster]

<span style='color:blue'>No problem Brookie. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif Yes, read it. I just finished it on monday, and it's the best prequel novel I've read.</span>

[brookie]

Originally posted by Sniper Wolf the Warmaster@Jun 12 2004, 05:26 PM
<span style='color:blue'>No problem Brookie. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif Yes, read it. I just finished it on monday, and it's the best prequel novel I've read.</span>
yeah!!? what did you like about it? style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/duel.gif

[Soontir Solo]

It is the best, Cloak of Deception was pretty good as well but the up close personal view of Darth Maul is really unique and enjoyable.

[Ripley the Warmaster]

Brookie, Reaves pulls off a perfect Maul. Very true to the character we see in TPM. I like the unusal cast of characters he chasing through Coruscant. The characters being an information broker who hates jedi, his rather funny droid, and a jedi padawan doing her final trail. Plus I like the ending.

[Brian]

I loved DM:SH. It was the very first Star Wars book I read (shortly after AOTC came out). Maul is great and even though you will wind up knowing what happens in the end, the book was still edge-of-your-seat. The action was great and Michael Reaves does a terrific job of getting inside of Maul's head. Brookie, it's a fun read.

Again, the ebook included with the paperback, "Darth Maul: Sabatuer" is not very good. Not as fast-paced and action-packed as Shadow Hunter.

And I suggest you get these SW books at the local library for the time being. That way you won't be wasting money on bad books.

[brookie]

Originally posted by Brian@Jun 12 2004, 08:33 PM


And I suggest you get these SW books at the local library for the time being. That way you won't be wasting money on bad books.
thanks, yeah i try to be very conscientious when it comes to which books i get i have oly purchased three, "the courtship of princess leia" which i stopped half way through, "shatterpoint" which kicked major ass, and now tatooine ghost, but i plan on buying DM shadowhunter which got great reviews and jedi.net, (they give pretty good reviews) and i think it would appeal to me!

thankyou so much for your advice brian and everyone else!

[Ripley the Warmaster]

Originally posted by brookie+Jun 12 2004, 10:37 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brookie @ Jun 12 2004, 10:37 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Brian@Jun 12 2004, 08:33 PM


And I suggest you get these SW books at the local library for the time being. That way you won't be wasting money on bad books.
thanks, yeah i try to be very conscientious when it comes to which books i get i have oly purchased three, "the courtship of princess leia" which i stopped half way through, "shatterpoint" which kicked major ass, and now tatooine ghost, but i plan on buying DM shadowhunter which got great reviews and jedi.net, (they give pretty good reviews) and i think it would appeal to me!

thankyou so much for your advice brian and everyone else!
Quoted post
[/b][/quote]
Pick up MedStar 1. Reaves co-writes, and I-Five shows up. It's a great novel.

[Lord Ulic]

PT or OT era? Plz tell me I can't choose and there are too much Jacen lovers on TOS.

[Ripley the Warmaster]

Originally posted by Lord Ulic@Sep 18 2004, 01:39 PM
PT or OT era? Plz tell me I can't choose and there are too much Jacen lovers on TOS.
Quoted post

Prequel. The material feels a lot more like it's source movies than OT and post-ROTJ novels.

[Tresk Im'nel]

Tatooine Ghost is definitely worth a look, IMHO, especially if you're a Leia (*raises hand*), Han or Han/Leia fan. It's quite different from other Star Wars novels (and films, for that matter) in that the action stays with the two main characters for the entire duration, which allows for some really superb character development as well as making the reader feel closer to the characters as the story unfolds. The way the action stays with Han and Leia without ever switching to the Imperial point of view also makes for some truly creepy foreshadowing of the Thrawn Trilogy. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif It's also an interesting change to have an entire novel set on one planet (even if it is Tatooine *AGAIN* style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif).

BTW, Sniper, I think your second quote sums it up perfectly. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif

[Ripley the Warmaster]

Originally posted by Tresk Im'nel@Sep 18 2004, 10:52 PM
Tatooine Ghost is definitely worth a look, IMHO, especially if you're a Leia (*raises hand*), Han or Han/Leia fan. It's quite different from other Star Wars novels (and films, for that matter) in that the action stays with the two main characters for the entire duration, which allows for some really superb character development as well as making the reader feel closer to the characters as the story unfolds. The way the action stays with Han and Leia without ever switching to the Imperial point of view also makes for some truly creepy foreshadowing of the Thrawn Trilogy. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif It's also an interesting change to have an entire novel set on one planet (even if it is Tatooine *AGAIN* style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif).

BTW, Sniper, I think your second quote sums it up perfectly. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif
Quoted post

<span style='color:blue'>Do you mean my signature? style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif</span>

[Soontir Solo]

Yah, Tattoine Ghost was ok. It fits pretty well with the Thrawn Trilogy, all things considered. It is kind of interesting with Leia having the journal of Shmi and everything. And of course Han is Han.

[Kapit]

i just read the cestus deception

wonderful, definitely worth it

[Whuffa]

Yeah, I'm just finishing it and I loved it. I'm really surprised, 'cause I got used to prequel novels being only so-so good, but the Clone Wars novels have been excellent so far. Almost as good as the NJO, and better than most of the Bantam books.

[Tresk Im'nel]

Do you mean my signature?

That's the one. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif

[Lord Ulic]

Thx for the help, I'm gonna order Tatooine Ghost and Mara Jade: By The Emperor's Hand, so I have all the stuff leading up to the Thrawn Trilogy.

[Lord Ulic]

Is there any other stuff leading up to the Thrawn Trilogy? style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif

[Kapit]

Originally posted by Whuffa@Sep 20 2004, 06:03 AM
Yeah, I'm just finishing it and I loved it. I'm really surprised, 'cause I got used to prequel novels being only so-so good, but the Clone Wars novels have been excellent so far. Almost as good as the NJO, and better than most of the Bantam books.
Quoted post


i love that the clone wars novels are less war, mor psychology

it's completely unexpected from what you would think

[Whuffa]

Exactly. I love how neither side is "good" or "bad" they both have their reasons which are valid, and I also like the fact that even the Jedi are questioning themselves. And seeing what goes on in the mindsd of clones is also very cool.

[Tresk Im'nel]

Is there any other stuff leading up to the Thrawn Trilogy?

The X-wing series and The Courtship of Princess Leia take place between ROTJ and HTTE, but they really don't have much to do with the Thrawn Trilogy. Of course, if you're a real glutton for punishment, there's the Trioculus Saga...

The story First Contact in Tales From the New Republic is also relevant, as are one or two of the Zahn short stories on the TOS Hyperspace Fiction feature, if you have a Hyperspace membership...

[Kapit]

Originally posted by Whuffa@Sep 23 2004, 05:20 AM
Exactly. I love how neither side is "good" or "bad" they both have their reasons which are valid, and I also like the fact that even the Jedi are questioning themselves. And seeing what goes on in the mindsd of clones is also very cool.
Quoted post


never thought a clone could DO what nate/jangotat did

hehe style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

[Whuffa]

lol style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

[Lord Ulic]

By just having watched part of THE duel I'm doubting again which era I should put my money in. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/censored.gif

[Kapit]

go with the NJO first, there's more to it

the prequel era tends to be more political before and right after ep1, and psychological after ep2

[Lord Ulic]

If there's one thing I'm not keen on reading, it's the NJO. The whole is just too much Solo kids, and not enough OT characters. The people that made me fall in love with Star Wars barely appear in it. Jaina's ok, but I just can't stand Jacen. I HATE him. He's incredibely annoying.

[Kapit]

Originally posted by Lord Ulic@Sep 24 2004, 03:22 PM
If there's one thing I'm not keen on reading, it's the NJO. The whole is just too much Solo kids, and not enough OT characters. The people that made me fall in love with Star Wars barely appear in it. Jaina's ok, but I just can't stand Jacen. I HATE him. He's incredibely annoying.
Quoted post


the only thing i saw wrong with jacen was him getting all preachy and introspective

the classic characters aren't meant to be the spotlight though, it's called the new jedi order for a reason

and seriously, if you don't read the NJO, you're REALLY missing out

[Ripley the Warmaster]

Originally posted by JediKaputski+Sep 23 2004, 10:14 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JediKaputski @ Sep 23 2004, 10:14 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Whuffa@Sep 23 2004, 05:20 AM
Exactly. I love how neither side is "good" or "bad" they both have their reasons which are valid, and I also like the fact that even the Jedi are questioning themselves. And seeing what goes on in the mindsd of clones is also very cool.
Quoted post


never thought a clone could DO what nate/jangotat did

hehe style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif
Quoted post
[/b][/quote]
<span style='color:blue'>Perv. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif</span>

[Soontir Solo]

Originally posted by Lord Ulic@Sep 24 2004, 02:22 PM
If there's one thing I'm not keen on reading, it's the NJO. The whole is just too much Solo kids, and not enough OT characters. The people that made me fall in love with Star Wars barely appear in it. Jaina's ok, but I just can't stand Jacen. I HATE him. He's incredibely annoying.
Quoted post



First off let me just say the NJO are great EU books. I mean they are really awesome. Yes there is a-lot about the newer characters, but don't think the older ones are forgotten. They play an equal if not bigger role than the newer characters. Han, Leia, and Luke all get plenty of time. Vector Prime pretty much deals with them, Jacen, Anakin, Jaina, and Lando equally. The Dark Tide really focuses mainly on Luke, Corran, and Leia. The Agents of Chaos focuses almost entirely on Han. Balance Point deals mainly with Luke, Leia, Han, Mara, and Jacen. Star by Star focuses on everybody equally too, with detailing the mission on the worldship alot, but also what Luke and everybody is doing, and Leia and Han dealing with Borsk, the battle, and Anakin's death. The only books that really focus on the newer generations primarily are Dark Journey with Jaina, Traitor definitely with Jacen, and the Edge of Victory duology with Anakin and Tahiri. The rest really do deal with everybody equally. With some being primarily OT characters. You even get a huge taste of Wedge in the Enemy Lines, and almost entirely Luke, Leia, Han, and Jacen in the entire Force Heretic Trilogy.

And I don't see how you can like Jaina but hate Jacen. That is just beyond me. Jacen is my favorite Star Wars character every, ever since I read Traitor. The books are really good, the OT characters still had huge roles and were definitely not left out and you are really missing out by not reading them.

[DarthSolo]

Ulic, the Solo kids and their generation is what the future of SW is about, because the BIG THREE and their generation is getting old, so focusing on the younger generation, who would be active in the war, is realistic.

[Whuffa]

Although it would be kinda fun if Luke was 80 years old and still fighting and suddenly his back gave out!

[Lord Ulic]

Dooku was doing pretty well for an old man.

[Handothrawn]

Yeah, but Dooku was fighting against two people that did not want to kill him, and they were also both at the mercy of his Dark Powers, the Vong wouldn't have been.

The OT characters have had their time, let someone else do it.

[jadeskywalker]

I see nothing wrong with the NJO. Why can't the journey continue with the heros and their offspring. The few books I have read I thought were actually pretty good. And not to mintion I still read about the charaters from the OT also. The Vongs are an intresting species and keeps the NJO intresting. That I am still learning about the Vongs. My favorite chataters are the Solo Twins. I like them both and I will not choose between those two.

It is the time for the new generation of Jedi, and Jedi masters with the help of the OT charaters. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/happy.gif

[Lord Ulic]

With Jedi Healer being released tommorow, do you think I should buy the Medstar duology?

[Durnar]

Originally posted by Lord Ulic@Sep 27 2004, 07:51 PM
With Jedi Healer being released tommorow, do you think I should buy the Medstar duology?
Quoted post

Yes Yes and Yes. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[jadeskywalker]

^ what he said.

[Stellaraven0073]

I hated the NJO, because they killed Chewie, and i thought the whole series was poorly concieved and written. Howver, I adored the Thrawn trilogy and the Crystal Star. The DK guides are good, also. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/happy.gif

[Durnar]

Originally posted by Stellaraven0073@Sep 27 2004, 08:03 PM
I hated the NJO, because they killed Chewie, and i thought the whole series was poorly concieved and written. Howver, I adored the Thrawn trilogy and the Crystal Star. The DK guides are good, also. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/happy.gif
Quoted post

Hated NJO, loved Crystal STar.
Dont worry, ive called an ambulance. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[Whuffa]

lol, better make room then because I liked Children of the Jedi style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue2.gif

[Kapit]

^style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thud.gif

[Lord Ulic]

Originally posted by Whuffa@Sep 28 2004, 04:41 AM
lol, better make room then because I liked Children of the Jedi style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue2.gif
Quoted post


That book is sooooo underrated.

[Kapit]

READ THE NJO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

then read eveything else

[Whuffa]

Originally posted by Lord Ulic@Sep 29 2004, 12:07 AM
That book is sooooo underrated.
Quoted post




Isn't it????? Or wait, are you just making fun of me? style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif

[Lord Ulic]

Originally posted by Whuffa+Sep 29 2004, 03:29 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Whuffa @ Sep 29 2004, 03:29 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Lord Ulic@Sep 29 2004, 12:07 AM
That book is sooooo underrated.
Quoted post




Isn't it????? Or wait, are you just making fun of me? style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif
Quoted post
[/b][/quote]

It was the first Star Wars book I read and I liked it alot. Especially Leia.

[DarthSolo]

Originally posted by Stellaraven0073@Sep 27 2004, 12:03 PM
I hated the NJO, because they killed Chewie, and i thought the whole series was poorly concieved and written. Howver, I adored the Thrawn trilogy and the Crystal Star. The DK guides are good, also. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/happy.gif
Quoted post

how was it poorly conceived and written, i might ask? I found the developement of the Yuuzhan VOng as the most interesting thing in Star Wars since, well trying to get spoilers for EPII and III. Killing Chewie was one of those plot points you hated,but it had to happen to catch interest in the story.

[Kapit]

^exactly

it was said in an interview that the only way they could get people to sit up and say "this is really serious"

[Lord Ulic]

Then kill more Solo brats!!!! I don't want to see Chewie die! I'll never read it. The entire series makes me miss Bantam.

[Kapit]

seriously, bantam and del rey really started to do the same thing over and over, and it was getting really dumb

read the NJO, it's the best SW book series, and besides, it's 19 FREAKIN BOOKS!!!!

read it and your life will be better

[DarthSolo]

Originally posted by Lord Ulic@Sep 29 2004, 11:48 AM
Then kill more Solo brats!!!! I don't want to see Chewie die! I'll never read it. The entire series makes me miss Bantam.
Quoted post

They had to kill a character that people knew, that people cared about. We barely knew the solo kids at all before the NJO.

[Soontir Solo]

If you had read the Young Jedi Knight series, which I have, then you knew the Solo kids pretty well.

But the NJO is seriously the best EU out there so far. But don't read it then the rest of the EU. Read teh X-Wing Series, Thrawn Trilogy, and Hand of Thrawn Trilogy before reading the NJO. It will make it much better for you. The Corellian Trilogy and Jedi Academy Trilogy/ I, Jedi would really make it more enjoyable too.

And the prequel book Rogue Planet is a prequel of NJO really.

[Lord Ulic]

I currently have a schedule with all the stuff I need to read. I've read COPL and now I'm gonna order Mara Jade : BTEH and Tatooine Ghost, then the Thrawn Trilogy, then I would read Dark Empire, but do you think I should read Isard's Revenge first before I go to DE? I haven't read any other X-wing books.

[Kapit]

read ALL the x-wing books

i can't believe i overlooked the second greatest story arc in the EU!!!

[bluemilk]

I recommend Cloak of Deception. It's a wonderful book, has that great Star Wars-y feel of the old republic and it's sorely underrated style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/happy.gif

[Kapit]

the only thing aboot "cloak" is that it's very wordy and political

don't get me wrong, i liked it a lot, but at times it really seemed to drag along

i also recommend all of the clone wars novels, cause they rock

[DarthSolo]

Originally posted by JediKaputski@Sep 30 2004, 11:20 AM
read ALL the x-wing books

i can't believe i overlooked the second greatest story arc in the EU!!!
Quoted post

and whats #1?

[Kapit]

^the NJO, of course

[DarthSolo]

well, why havent you joined the warrior caste yet then?

[Kapit]

cause i'm in a bunch of stuff already and that would force me to actually go back and read the books again, and mine are all at home, and it's not exactly fresh in my memory

[DarthSolo]

well, i guess thats ur choice, but not all of our members are extremely well versed in the NJO, most have read the whole series at least once, but not all read them all the time. think about it, man, think about it.

[bluemilk]

Originally posted by JediKaputski@Oct 1 2004, 10:03 AM
the only thing aboot "cloak" is that it's very wordy and political

don't get me wrong, i liked it a lot, but at times it really seemed to drag along
Quoted post



I enjoy the political backstory found in Cloak of Deception. The Star Wars story starts from politics with Sidious manipulating members of the different Guilds which leads to Qui Gon's discovery of Anakin. Only then does it evolve to create the Skywalker saga.

I don't think fans should under value the importance of any area (for lack of a better word) of the Star Wars universe.

[Kapit]

that's true

i usually tend towards action though, so i did get kinda bored

it helped me a lot w/ my english class freshmen year, there was a bunch of vocab words in it that i needed to write into sentences, so i pretty much just quoted the book

[Ripley the Warmaster]

I'm re-reading Shatterpoint. I order you all to read it now.

[Kapit]

I LOVE SHATTERPOINT

that is my favorite SW book of all time

[Lord Ulic]

Originally posted by Sniper Wolf the Warmaster@Oct 1 2004, 04:44 PM
I'm re-reading Shatterpoint. I order you all to read it now.
Quoted post


But I've already read it twice in 3 months.

[Kapit]

wait a week, then read again style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[Soontir Solo]

I have read it once. Thought it was ok. The only prequel book I really really like though is Cloak of Deception. All the focus they put on Valorum, Palpatine, and the Senate really helps to fully grasp the Political Situation at the time of Episode 1. And it focuses a-lot on Qui-Gon, and I am a HUGE fan of Qui-Gon Jinn.

[Kapit]

i liked cloak, but i found all the politics to get a little boring after a time

it was good, just too much talkin, not enough action for me

[Soontir Solo]

I thought it balanced enough action with it. The first 6 or 7 chapters were all action. And then there was the stuff in the Senex Sector with 7 Jedi versus Nebular Front forces. It is definitely a good prequel to Episode 1 though. And seeing how sneaky Palpatine was is amazing. Playing both sides to his advantage. And now even just two sides but everybody. He played Valorum, the senators against Valorum (like Orn Free Taa), the Nebula Front and Havoc, and even the Jedi. The ending was really good with the Aurdium Ingots being found to have been put into a Valorum family account, totally ruining Valorum's career.

[Kapit]

you know, i have to read it again, i haven't read it since freshmen year of high school, so i think i'll get once i head home again

i still think shatterpoint was better

[Soontir Solo]

Shatterpoint doesn't complement the movies like Cloak does though.

[Kapit]

shatterpoint was great as a standalone novel

you didn't really need to know much of anything to be able to jump into it

[bluemilk]

Originally posted by JediKaputski@Oct 3 2004, 09:18 PM
i liked cloak, but i found all the politics to get a little boring after a time

it was good, just too much talkin, not enough action for me
Quoted post


I can understand why you felt the politics to be boring. The only problem in your less talk all action stand is that a hero or in this case many heroes need something to fight for. If you remove the back story or catalyst then you remove reason and that would make the action seem nonsensical and ridiculous. A good story tells why the action is neccessary and what they are fighting for and that what makes it worthwhile.

[Kapit]

*jaw drops* style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thud.gif

wow.........

yeah, you're right, but most of the "quicker" SW books do that, i just felt that cloak was a little too much expostion

like i said before, it did help me w/ vocab words in my freshmen english class all those years ago

[Soontir Solo]

Yah, it would do that. It just gives such a great view of pre-Episode 1 politcs though. Its great in that regard. Too see all the stuff Palpatine is pulling behind everyone's back, its ingenious. He had the ingots put to hurt Valorum, knew the Trade Fed leaders would get assasinated, he planted that info on Orn Free Taa's computer, and plays every side like a fiddle.

[Kapit]

oh yeha, it was a great political book! it definitely did a great job of showing the behind the scenes workings

on another note, cestus deception was cool.....

[Soontir Solo]

It was ok, I thought it was decent at least. I wish Obi-Wan had finished off Ventress though.

[Kapit]

yeah, me too

i kinda did like how they added personality to jangotat, made him more human

[Soontir Solo]

Yah, it was definitely unique. I was hoping to see more of Kit Fisto though. It was mainly from Jangotat or Obi-Wan's perspective.

[Kapit]

yeah, true, i wish that too

he did have his moment though

[Soontir Solo]

He got whooped by Ventress.

[Kapit]

but he hijacked a rail car, that was cool

yeah, i think ventress should've been killed too, but continuty begs to differ

[Soontir Solo]

Hopefully we will see her come to an end eventually.

[Darth sion]

What are the names and numbers of the five Clone Troopers that travel with Obi-Wan Kenobi to the planet Cestus?

can sum 1 plzz email me the answer??

[Soontir Solo]

I don't know them off the top of my head. I actually only remember 4 of them I think. Or maybe it was the 4 then Jangotat as well.

[Ripley the Warmaster]

A-98; ARC Trooper
CT-X270; pilot
CT-36/732; logistics
CT-44/444; physical training
CT-12/74; communications

[Dancing_Rainbows]

Anyone know any fiction books where I can find one or two Twi'leks in? (Apart from the X-Wing series and Tales of Jabba's palace)

See I'm a obsessed Twi'lek fan and when I buy books..they have to appear in it.

Otherwise I won't read it...more importantly I won't be interested.

So can you help me out?

[Kapit]

some of the NJO books feature alema rar, a twi'lek jedi

i can't remember which ones off hand, but i'm sure somone will know that

[Ripley the Warmaster]

Star by Star has the twins. I think Enemy Lines has Alema(She's on the the Japanese Rebel Dream cover).

[DarthSolo]

and the Krytos Trap deals with the Twi'lek culture.

[Soontir Solo]

Alema Rar is in SBS, Rebel Stand, and Destiny's Way. She actually tries to get Lando to cheat on his wife with her in Rebel Stand.

Senator Orn Free Taa is a Twilek and he is in Cloak of Deception.

Why won't you read books that don't have Twileks?

[Dancing_Rainbows]

Originally posted by Soontir Solo@Oct 18 2004, 03:43 AM
Why won't you read books that don't have Twileks?


Because those ones are boring. In the ones that Twi'leks feature in, you get to read about part of their culture in their own words and their backstories etc.

I mean come on, we know all about the heros and humanity. We go through it everyday! But reading about the alien life is a breathless entrance into the unknown..in to their worlds like Lord of the rings for example.

[Dancing_Rainbows]

Originally posted by DarthSolo@Oct 17 2004, 11:01 PM
and the Krytos Trap deals with the Twi'lek culture.
Quoted post


Krytos Trap is part of the "X-Wing series"......like I said before in brackets, I've got it.

As for the others thanks. I'm not bothered in Orn Free Taa but I'll find the others.

In brackets I should have put Tatoonie Ghost in there too.

Can you think any more?

[Soontir Solo]

So I guess you enjoy reading about other aliens too besides Twileks? Like Bothans, Mon Calamari, Hutts, Noghri, Barabel, Rodian, etc.? Or just Twileks?

[Dancing_Rainbows]

Originally posted by Soontir Solo@Oct 19 2004, 03:06 AM
So I guess you enjoy reading about other aliens too besides Twileks? Like Bothans, Mon Calamari, Hutts, Noghri, Barabel, Rodian, etc.? Or just Twileks?
Quoted post


Errr....I'll read about other aliens if the main locations in the story are Jabba's Palace and Tatoonie, but other than that....just Twi'leks! And to think this obsession of mine started when I saw Return of the Jedi. Makes it clear on what my favourite scenes are, doesn't it!

[Soontir Solo]

lol

[Ripley the Warmaster]

I'd say all of the Prequel novels are worth reading.

[Soontir Solo]

I would say the Medstar books are pretty boring, at least for me. I just read the new Yoda: Dark Rendevous though and that is great. Shatterpoint and Cestus Deception are alright. I haven't read Jedi Trial yet, heard it wasn't that great, but I'll read it within the next few weeks.

[Ripley the Warmaster]

Originally posted by Soontir Solo@Dec 5 2004, 11:25 PM
I would say the Medstar books are pretty boring, at least for me. I just read the new Yoda: Dark Rendevous though and that is great. Shatterpoint and Cestus Deception are alright. I haven't read Jedi Trial yet, heard it wasn't that great, but I'll read it within the next few weeks.
Quoted post

<span style='color:red'>I style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wub.gif MedStar.</span>

[Cassus Fett]

Originally posted by Ripley the Warmaster+Dec 6 2004, 03:06 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ripley the Warmaster @ Dec 6 2004, 03:06 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'>I'd say all of the Prequel novels are worth reading.
Quoted post
[/b]

i think all the SW books are worth reading

<!--QuoteBegin-Soontir Solo@Dec 6 2004, 06:25 AM
I would say the Medstar books are pretty boring, at least for me. I just read the new Yoda: Dark Rendevous though and that is great. Shatterpoint and Cestus Deception are alright. I haven't read Jedi Trial yet, heard it wasn't that great, but I'll read it within the next few weeks.
Quoted post
[/quote]

I think there great ive read Jedi Trial, Shatterpoint and Cestus Deception, which they all were extremely good. Is Yoda: Dark Rendevous better than those three?

[Soontir Solo]

Yoda: Dark Rendevous was the best Prequel book so far in my opinion. It was great. Lots of actions, cool new characters, great humor with Yoda. Yoda is really a comedian in this book at certain times. And the talk between Yoda and Dooku was incredible to read. Awesome book.

[Dancing_Rainbows]

I'm not keen on the prequal books nor on NJO. On my opinion the X-Wing series is the best. I have a thing for Face, Hobbie and Wedge. As well as liking the twi'leks. I enjoy reading about Dia and Face's relationship.

But that's just my opinion.

[Soontir Solo]

Why dont' you like the NJO? I think it is the best the EU has to offer.

[Dancing_Rainbows]

Because I read two books of that series and found it boring. When I'm reading I prefer classic Star Wars EU. In other words I don't care about the main characters future. Main characters being: Luke, Leia, Han, Lando, Chewbacca and Mara.

I'm happy about watching the trilogy because its classic. But their future sends me to sleep. It's as though they have lost their spark to keep me interested.

[Soontir Solo]

Which NJO books have you read? And in general what Post-ROTJ EU have you read?

[Lord Ulic]

I can have one SW book this month and I'm doubting between The Approaching Storm and Hard Contact. Which one do you advise?

[Whuffa]

Oh Hard Contact is muuuuuch better.The Approaching storm may be the worst SW book ever.

[Lord Ulic]

I ordered Hard Contact this morning with a few comics after looking up a few reviews. I hope it's as good as they say. :yodaxmas:

[Ripley the Warmaster]

Originally posted by Lord Ulic@Dec 11 2004, 05:32 AM
I can have one SW book this month and I'm doubting between The Approaching Storm and Hard Contact. Which one do you advise?
Quoted post

I really enjoyed The Approaching Storm. I'd say read it.

[Soontir Solo]

I have only just started Hard Contact but I have read The Approaching Storm and it is pretty good.

[Kapit]

hard contact is better, IMO

[Soontir Solo]

I'll know in a few days. I don't have any exams on Tuesday or Wednesday so hopefully those days I'll read the book.

[Whuffa]

I found the Approaching storm very naive and akward with bad humor. The corniest joke ever made in the SW universe may be when Bariss, while talking about a guy who had a chip in his head explode, says ''he sure had an explosive personality!'' . style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif

I actualy cringed when I read that.

[Soontir Solo]

Every Star Wars book has a little bit of humor like that.

I liked the book because it really got into the relationship between Obi-Wan and Anakin, and showed how other Jedi feel about Anakin as well. It was a great book to take place just before Episode 2.