Labyrinth of Evil

[Sam Kenobi]

I thought I'd jump the gun a little and start a thread about the pre RotS novel. I don't know if anyone knows the premise, so I'll lay it out for you - according to the Science Fiction Book Club. Possible spoilers, I suppose.

Capturing Trade Federation Viceroy - and Seperatist Councilmember - Nute Gunray is the mission that brings Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, with a squad of clones in tow, to Nemodia. But the treacherous ally of the Sith proves as slippery as ever, evading his Jedi pursuers even as they narrowly avoid disaster. Still, their efforts yield an unexpected prize: a unique holotransciever that holds intelligence capable of leading the Republic forces to their ultimate quarry, the ever-elusive Darth Sidious.

Swiflty taking up the chase, Anakin and Obi-Wan follow clues from the droid factories of Charros IV to the far-flung worlds of the Outer Rim . . . every step bringing them closer to pinpointing the location of the Sith Lord - whom they suspect has been manipulating every aspect of the Seperatist rebellion. Yet somehow, in the escalating galaxy-wide chess game of strikes, counter-strikes, ambushes, sabotage and retaliations, Sidious stays constantly one move ahead.

Then the trail takes a shocking turn. For Sidious and his minions have set in motion a ruthlessly orchestrated campaign to divide and overwhelm the Jedi forces - and bring the Republic to its knees.

Sounds good, no? But here's my question. What will this do for us who are staying spoiler free? Will it contaminate us? Discuss.

[Ningen]

It's being billed as a direct lead-in to the events of Episode III, no? I'm sure it'll have some pretty important spoilers contained within it. Luckily for me, I don't mind a few spoilers, so I'm really looking forward to it. The preview chapter in Yoda: Dark Rendezvouz seems to indicate an emphasis on the clone troopers, a group of characters I really enjoy reading about, so this should be something I'll like.

[Dani_Maul]

I've been planning on the picking this book up for well over a month now. I can't wait for Tuesday. I haven't been this excited about a book since Shadows of the Empire back in 1996! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[James T. Skywalker]

Some people have posted (alleged) spoilers over at the Official Site, and yeah, it's gonna be hard to stay Episode III spoiler free if those spoiler are true...

(And I really don't know if they are, because they sound too much like generic Episode III spoilers thrown in there to begin with.)

~JTS

[Sam Kenobi]

So should we hold off reading it until after we see RotS, or will be reading it before be cool?

[Dani_Maul]

I don't see what could hurt from reading it. Afterall, it's not the ROTS novel!

[Ningen]

If you want to remain completely spoiler free, then you should probably wait until seeing Episode III. Of course, the downside is that the book leads into ROTS, so there're probably a few things that can be found in the book that'll make the movie that much more enjoyable.

[Sam Kenobi]

Well, If you remember AotC's lead up novel, all it got was a metion. Something along the lines of, "They just got back from a border dispute on Antion."

So the Clone Wars Anitmated Series will be in the opening crall, and the first supposed battle will be in the EU. NICE!

[Dani_Maul]

Originally posted by Sam Kenobi@Jan 22 2005, 03:50 PM
Well, If you remember AotC's lead up novel, all it got was a metion. Something along the lines of, "They just got back from a border dispute on Antion."

So the Clone Wars Anitmated Series will be in the opening crall, and the first supposed battle will be in the EU. NICE!
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>


That's what's been so great about this wave of EU. It's being integrated into the films so much more. The Clone Wars cartoons is even considered by most to be an extension of the films as well. This is shaping up to be a good year for the EU.

[James T. Skywalker]

Originally posted by Sam Kenobi@Jan 22 2005, 01:50 PM
Well, If you remember AotC's lead up novel, all it got was a metion. Something along the lines of, "They just got back from a border dispute on Antion."

So the Clone Wars Anitmated Series will be in the opening crall, and the first supposed battle will be in the EU. NICE!
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>


First, it was Ansion, not Antion. Second, this one's been planned well in advance to be a very direct lead-in to Episode III, rather than just a minor mention. My guess is there will be quite a bit for the spoiler hounds to enjoy, while the non-spoiled will have a tough go-around.

~JTS

[Jjm3233]

^ That would be my guess as well, my guess would be, if you want to stay completley spolier free, avoid it until RoTS comes out.

Will there be a spoiler and non-spoiler thread for the book discussion?

[Sam Kenobi]

Originally posted by James T. Skywalker@Jan 22 2005, 04:17 PM
First, it was Ansion, not Antion. Second, this one's been planned well in advance to be a very direct lead-in to Episode III, rather than just a minor mention. My guess is there will be quite a bit for the spoiler hounds to enjoy, while the non-spoiled will have a tough go-around.

~JTS
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>


It's been quite a long time since I read that one; and it wasn't very important to the overal scheme of things Star Wars IMO. Therefore, I didn't remember the spelling. I thought I mispelled it, though, lol. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hehe.gif


Originally posted by Jjm3233@Jan 22 2005, 05:07 PM
^ That would be my guess as well, my guess would be, if you want to stay completley spolier free, avoid it until RoTS comes out.

Will there be a spoiler and non-spoiler thread for the book discussion?
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>


That's what I wanted to know. If I should read it before or after. Thanks for the input. And I assume this will turn into a spoiler thread, but we;ll have to wait till the book comes out, lol. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/w00t.gif

[Soontir Solo]

I don't think it will really have very many spoilers in it at all. Approaching Storm really had no spoilers to Episode 2.

[James T. Skywalker]

Trust me when I tell you that it will have spoilers. I can practically guarantee it.

~JTS

[Soontir Solo]

Have you read it yet or something?

[James T. Skywalker]

Originally posted by Soontir Solo@Jan 23 2005, 06:42 PM
Have you read it yet or something?
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>


I wish... style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unhappy.gif

No, but I've heard from those who have read it (from the Official Site's forums) that there will definitely be things that will spoil Episode III.

~JTS

[Suzanne (ex CoS Leia)]

Are you trying to stay spoiler free, JTS?

Even so, there are degrees of freeness (?) aren't there? ... you would probably find out as much from the webdocs and the postnotes as you would from this book wouldn't you? (or are you staying away from those too?)

[DarthSolo]

when is the official release date for this book? cause i saw a few copies of it on the shelf today at B&N. too bad i dont have time to read it!

[Suzanne (ex CoS Leia)]

Originally posted by DarthSolo@Jan 24 2005, 07:28 PM
when is the official release date for this book? cause i saw a few copies of it on the shelf today at B&N. too bad i dont have time to read it!
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25 January ...

[Master Magnus]

Originally posted by James T. Skywalker+Jan 24 2005, 07:00 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(James T. Skywalker @ Jan 24 2005, 07:00 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Soontir Solo@Jan 23 2005, 06:42 PM
Have you read it yet or something?
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>


I wish... style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unhappy.gif

No, but I've heard from those who have read it (from the Official Site's forums) that there will definitely be things that will spoil Episode III.

~JTS
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>
[/b][/quote]

I really don't think it will spoil ROTS as it leads into it.

[Sam Kenobi]

Originally posted by DarthSolo@Jan 24 2005, 07:28 PM
25 January ...
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>


Ohh, Ohh, must go get it! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/happydance.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/w00t.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dance.gif

[Ningen]

I'll see if my local Waldenbooks has a copy when I visit the mall today. I read pretty fast, so I should be able to let everyone know how spoiler-laden or spoiler-free it is by tonight (should have half the book done by then).

[James T. Skywalker]

Originally posted by Suzanne (ex CoS Leia)@Jan 24 2005, 12:17 AM
Are you trying to stay spoiler free, JTS?
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>


Ha! Nope, I'm definitely not spoiler-free. Pablo, Paul and Bonnie told us maybe a week into the introduction of Hyperspace that it would be impossible, or nearly so, for any mod there to stay spoiler-free with the work we had to do.

Kaelis was the big anti-spoiler guy, and even he has read all of the Set Diaries and whatnot.

~JTS

[Dani_Maul]

Well...I'm gonna venture out and see if I pick this book up today. I can't wait to read it! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[Ningen]

Well, unfortunately, Waldenbooks had it, but they wouldn't sell it to me since it's not the 25th. If I happen to be the first person to snag it tomorrow, I'll still try to let everyone know how "spoilerific" it is.

[Soontir Solo]

I'll probably pick it up this weekend maybe.

[Anguirus111]

Labyrinth is spelled wrong in the topic title. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/victory.gif

[James T. Skywalker]

Originally posted by Anguirus111@Jan 24 2005, 07:06 PM
Labyrinth is spelled wrong in the topic title.* style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/victory.gif
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>


Yes it is. I'll fix it. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

And by the way, everyone who's a fan of the Clone Wars needs to pick up this book.

Definitely another good read from James Luceno. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

And yes, I was able to find it a day ahead of time, and it was right where I thought it would be. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/happydance.gif

~JTS

[Soontir Solo]

I'll definitely get it now I think. And Soon.

[Dani_Maul]

Unfortunately, my search ended in disappointment...I checked three book stores...Oh well, I'll definitely be headed out again tomorrow to grab it! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

[James T. Skywalker]

Ok, just 200+ pages into this book, I can already say that's it's probably now my second favorite Star Wars book of all time, right behind I, Jedi... and in the 130+ pages left, it could easily surpass it.

The threads that this book single-handedly ties together is astonishing. It's very much like Luceno's Cloak of Deception, but links things in a far more subtle way that is just remarkable.

Best book of the Clone Wars, by far, and I'm not even done with it!

~JTS

[Dani_Maul]

Originally posted by James T. Skywalker@Jan 25 2005, 03:00 AM
Ok, just 200+ pages into this book, I can already say that's it's probably now my second favorite Star Wars book of all time, right behind I, Jedi... and in the 130+ pages left, it could easily surpass it.

The threads that this book single-handedly ties together is astonishing. It's very much like Luceno's Cloak of Deception, but links things in a far more subtle way that is just remarkable.

Best book of the Clone Wars, by far, and I'm not even done with it!

~JTS
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>


Wha-what?!

That's awesome! I am officially wetting myself in anticipation! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blush.gif

[Sam Kenobi]

JTS, is it loaded with spoilers? Do you have to have read any of the other CW books? I must know! Especially if itsa the best EU out there! I am salivating in anticipation! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/drool.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/inlove.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/happydance.gif

[jedijaybird]

I picked it up today during lunch and I hope to devour it tonight… did anyone who bought it today see the audiobook version in stores? I went to 2 stores, B&N and Borders and struck out on both counts. I was hoping to listen to it while at work today but at least I snagged the book.

[Dani_Maul]

I picked it up this morning, and I just finished reading the first 100 or so pages. So far I am blown away by it. No major spoilers to ROTS yet, but a few revelations are coming out. Needless to say, this is a quick read and an awesome book. I expect to finish it by tomorrow night.

[Soontir Solo]

I haven't looked for it yet. But I definitely will. It sounds awesome.

[James T. Skywalker]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>JTS, is it loaded with spoilers?[/b][/quote]

It's definitely going to spoil some things... for both the remaining EU works that take place at the same time (Clone Wars Animated Series, Reversal of Fortune web comic) and Episode III.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Do you have to have read any of the other CW books? I must know! Especially if itsa the best EU out there! I am salivating in anticipation! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/drool.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/inlove.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/happydance.gif[/b][/quote]

You don't have to read the other CW books to get into it, but it does help a little. There are a LOT of reference to the past Clone Wars novels AND comics. Quinlan Vos, Aayla Secura AND Tholme get some nice mentions.

It's definitely an astounding lead-in to the film...

~JTS

[Soontir Solo]

Have you finished it yet?

[Tarkin the Ewok]

I finished this book a short while ago, and it is a fantastic piece of work. It's not quite up to the level of Shatterpoint, but it is the best broad-canvas book since Destiny's Way.

Many characters told this story, including Obi-Wan, Anakin, Yoda, Padme, Mace, Grievous, and Dooku. I love seeing the enemy's point of view, and I especially enjoyed reading more about Grievous. This guy is a force to be reckoned with.

Luceno has always been a continuity-lover's dream, and this book is no exception. He ties in pieces ranging from Cloak of Deception to the classic trilogy, and even those obscure references make sense from the context.

Just like the inside flap says, this book sets up the time of reckoning in Episode III, so don't go into it expecting any resolutions.

TO BE CONCLUDED in April....

[Sam Kenobi]

Don't you mean May? style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[James T. Skywalker]

Originally posted by Sam Kenobi@Jan 25 2005, 09:53 PM
Don't you mean May? style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>


Matthew Stover's Episode III novelization comes out in April...

~JTS

[Sam Kenobi]

Oh . . .

[James T. Skywalker]

Also, according to Luceno in his interview about the book (http://www.starwars.com/eu/lit/novel/f20050125/index.html) on the Official Site, he revealed that this book, Stover's Episode III novelization, and Luceno's next book, Dark Lord, form a sort of trilogy spanning a few months of time, following the story of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader and Sidious.

~JTS

[Sam Kenobi]

AH! SPOILER! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banghead.gif

[James T. Skywalker]

Originally posted by Sam Kenobi@Jan 26 2005, 12:47 AM
AH! SPOILER! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banghead.gif
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>


Yes, Anakin Skywalker becomes Darth Vader!

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/royalguard.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/holosid.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/royalguard.gif

~JTS

[Suzanne (ex CoS Leia)]

Just as well you didn't mention that Sidious is actually Palpatine. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif

[Sam Kenobi]

No, I mean the stuff about Ani and Obi in the interview. I haven't read Jedi Trial or Dark Renzdezvous yet.

[James T. Skywalker]

Heh heh.

Oops. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

~JTS

[Sam Kenobi]

Tis okay. Hopefully I'll forget, though.

[Valin Kenobi]

Originally posted by Dani_Maul+Jan 22 2005, 02:58 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Dani_Maul @ Jan 22 2005, 02:58 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Sam Kenobi@Jan 22 2005, 03:50 PM
Well, If you remember AotC's lead up novel, all it got was a metion.* Something along the lines of, "They just got back from a border dispute on Antion."

So the Clone Wars Anitmated Series will be in the opening crall, and the first supposed battle will be in the EU.* NICE!
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>


That's what's been so great about this wave of EU. It's being integrated into the films so much more. The Clone Wars cartoons is even considered by most to be an extension of the films as well. This is shaping up to be a good year for the EU.
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>
[/b][/quote]

IIRC, the line about Ansion was in the script and Approaching Storm was spun off as a novel -- not the other way 'round.

[Soontir Solo]

I am going to buy the book this weekend and read it all this weekend, probably in one day I might add.

[Ningen]

Just got back from the mall, and I've got the book in hand. I'm looking forward to starting in on it.

[Soontir Solo]

Can someone tell me about the book? And I mean tons of spoilers.

[Dani_Maul]

Just finished it. It was awesome. You learn a bit of history of Sidious.

[James T. Skywalker]

Originally posted by Soontir Solo@Jan 26 2005, 06:04 PM
Can someone tell me about the book? And I mean tons of spoilers.
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>


Aw Soontir, you've really gotta read it for yourself... style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/devil.gif

But really, it's something you do have to experience, it's just fantastic in all aspects.

~JTS





















Ok, one spoiler:

Darth Sidious' master's name is Darth Plageuis.

[Soontir Solo]

Your killing me JTS

[jedijaybird]

GG was trained by Dooku in the lightsaber arts… GG doesn't need sleep. GG was present during the arena battle on Geonosis… GG doesnt know Palpy and Sidious are the same person. I could go on but…

[Soontir Solo]

good information

[Sam Kenobi]

AH! NO SPOILERS!

Gouges out eyes style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banghead.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/censored.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/barf.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/giveup.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thud.gif

[James T. Skywalker]

Ok, cool.

This thread doesn't have spoiler warnings, after all. I'll enforce a "no spoiler" rule in this thread.

~JTS

[Sam Kenobi]

Oh, thank you. I think there's a thread for this book in the spoiler section of the senate, but that might have too many spoilers for some of you. Maybe we need two threads for this.

[Soontir Solo]

No! I need spoilers!

[James T. Skywalker]

Originally posted by Soontir Solo@Jan 27 2005, 03:10 PM
No! I need spoilers!
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>


You've been to the Episode III Spoilers thread for the book, Soontir. I think that one will suffice.

~JTS

[Sam Kenobi]

Phew, thanks. Sorry Soontir.

[Soontir Solo]

(Soontir walks away slumping his shoulders)

[Ningen]

I'm about 80 pages in (haven't had the time to read further) and while the book isn't a disappointment like the MedStar duology, it is lacking in what I'd call an exciting story. Maybe it's because I'm not a big fan of Anakin and Obi-Wan, or maybe it's because JTS hyped it up so much, but I'm just not really into the book. I've still got an open mind, however, as I've got far more than half the book left, but as it stands now, it's grabbing me like the Cestus Deception, which is to say not really.

[James T. Skywalker]

Oh Ningen, ye of little faith. All of Luceno's books start a little slow, then they hit you full speed. You haven't even gotten to the beginning of the search for Darth Sidious yet! That's where the fun begins! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

~JTS

[Sam Kenobi]

AH! I MUST STOP COMING HERE. Well, actually, that wasn't a spoiler. I knew that.

[Ningen]

Originally posted by James T. Skywalker@Jan 27 2005, 07:18 PM
Oh Ningen, ye of little faith. All of Luceno's books start a little slow, then they hit you full speed. You haven't even gotten to the beginning of the search for Darth Sidious yet! That's where the fun begins! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

~JTS
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>

Well, like I said, I've still got an open mind, but I just have a gut feeling I won't enjoy this book as much as the last few I've read. I'll hold further opinions until I get done with it, though.

Oh, by the by, any idea if commandos is a term Luceno uses loosely to describe clone troopers, or are there actual clone commandos running about in the early sequences? If the answer spoils anything, please fill me in with a private message.

[Sam Kenobi]

AH! SPOILERS! Just kiding. That's generic enough for me.

[James T. Skywalker]

Yes, I believe there are some commandos running around at the beginning.

~JTS

[Emperor Palpatine]

JTS has convinced me that I wanted to read this book. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/happydance.gif

*Runs out of door to go by Labyrinth of Evil*

[Ningen]

I still have't quite finished the book, as my house is always a zoo, but I'm past the halway point and the books slowly growing on me. It's still not at the level of books like Hard Contact or Shatterpoint, but my opinion of it has raised it at least to my top five. I love the way that Luceno ties different events from different sources together. That sort of continuity is what drew me to the Star Wars Universe.

[James T. Skywalker]

I think the battles at the end will get you going, Ningen. Mace goes and does some Vaapad, but Luceno doesn't describe it to the detail that Stover did. Plus, he's gotta focus on three different characters...

~JTS

[Ningen]

In that case I'll try to wrap things up tonight. I always enjoy seeing Mace get a little face time, especially when he's got the lightsaber out and he's busting heads.

[Dani_Maul]

^ Yeah, you get to see a bit of Mace in this. Kind of an echo of what his saber work in Shatterpoint was. [SPOILERS EDITED-Spoiler free in this thread, folks!]

[Sam Kenobi]

Saved by JTS! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hehe.gif

[maddog62]

I give it an 8 out of 10.

Good story/very detailed but certain details are messed up like Aurra Sing being a Human. I found alot of mistakes like spelling and grammer errors. It seems like they rushed it out. SIth backstory is awsome and the explaining the Syfo-Dyas stuff is great.

[Ningen]

Ok, I finally got the chance to finish the book last night. I still don't rate it quite as highly as JTS, but it did claw it's way into the number three spot of my favourite Clone Wars novels. It got there for three very big reasons. First, it featured characters I like, and that's important to drawing me in. Second, more than any other book, Labyrinth of Evil connects events from different sources pretty seemlessly. As I mentioned, that sense of continuity is what made me a Star Wars fan. Third, the book got me really excited about Episode III. I was disappointed when the book came to an end, because now I have to wait almost four months to find out what happens next.

[Soontir Solo]

Well this is definitely the best Clone Wars novel out there. I read the whole book Saturday and must say I couldn't put it down. It was incredible! This is the PERFECT book for anyone excited about Episode 3. I loved how their were so many characters involved. I loved how one of the novels finally had Grievous as a main character. I loved all the information we finally have about Dooku, Sidious, Sifo Dyas, Grievous, and other things. It is a great lead in to Episode 3. I can't wait for the movie now. It set the stage perfectly.

[Sam Kenobi]

I think I'll have to read it now. Such high praise from everyone. So, is it worth spoiling some things for Episode III?

[Soontir Solo]

I look at it like the 1st Half of Episode 3. It doesn't tell you what is going to happen in Episode 3, but at least after this book you will know what is going on at the beginning of Episode 3. Because Episode 3 is going to start off real fast, right in the middle of the battle at Coruscant. I consider this book to be a must read if you really want to enjoy Episode 3 as much as possible.

[Sam Kenobi]

Battle Of Coruscant! AY CARAMBA! NO MORE IN THIS THREAD FOR ME! I'm gettin' real anal about knowing anything! Sorry

[Soontir Solo]

Dang! Don't get all hot and bothered. Almost everybody knows the movie starts off during that.

[Sam Kenobi]

Almost . . .

[Soontir Solo]

lol

And now you do too!

I am sorry though, didn't know you were trying to go spoiler free.

[Darth Vegas]

Guys, try to keep the Episode 3 spoilers (i.e. battle of Coruscant) out of this thread, use the thread in the prequels forum for that.

I'm fixed to buy this and read it later in the week...wish I hadn't been spoiled already, but oh well.

[Sam Kenobi]

Tis okay, SS. I should know better. See, I'm still coming here.

[Soontir Solo]

Don't worry. I wont' give any more spoilers in this thread.

[Darth Nuke]

Probably the best Clone War novel, and possibly Clone War material out there. It's sad it has to be the lead in. Man how I wish all the Clone Wars would have been like this one.

For the first time I know what's going on in the Clone War, and I understand it better. I know who's winning, and who's losing. I even get to read about a great cast of characters, and get to see different enviroments. No more one planet venture's or Mash remix. Finally a Clone War novel that does something right, meaning it was actually about the Clone War. For the first time I saw this war on a Galactic Scale.

Jame's Luceno captures the feeling of Prequels, just like he did with the OT in TUF, and thus is quickly becoming my favorite EU arthur.

There were even a few fleet battles. Not to mention it was nice to see Jan Dodonna get his Star Destroyer. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/drool.gif

[Soontir Solo]

I couldn't agree more. I was also glad to see something on the Galactic Scale. Luceno is probably my 3rd or 4th favorite author right now. I like Stover more and I like Zahn more. Luceno and Stackpole are like neck and neck with me after this book. Luceno really has been fortunate to get to write the books he has been able to, the end of the NJO and the lead in to Episode 2.

[James T. Skywalker]

Told ya Soontir! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif

~JTS

[metzgerov]

Damn! I finished this book in a day and a couple hours. I never have time to finish a book in less than a week. ITS that GOOD!!!
Im still confused if Grevious is force sensative. I know this doesnt mean crap but in the Star Wars Mini's game. The grevious figure has 1 Force point. So Im guessing he is a little sensative.

Great story, action, intriuge. I couldnt ask for any more from a clone wars book.

[Ningen]

As far as everything I've seen, he's not Force sensitive, but has been trained in the Jedi arts by Dooku. That, along with his ability to use four limbs simultaneously, make him more than a match for most Jedi.

[Soontir Solo]

Yeah, I don't think he is force sensitive either. Just very good with a lightsaber and with him being part machine he has incredible speed, strength, and of course 4 arms like Ningen pointed out.

[Kapit]

okay, i just finished the book, and i while i don't think it's the best CW book (IMO) it did it's job

I NEED TO SEE EPISODE III RIGHT NOW

[Ningen]

Couldn't agree more. This isn't the best Clone Wars novel, but it is the book to read if you find you need a fire lit under you for the coming of Episode III. Luceno did a fantastic job setting the stage.

[James T. Skywalker]

What about the book didn't make it the best Clone Wars book? I'm just curious...

It had philosophy, for those Shatterpoint fans out there, it had battles galore, for the Cestus Deception and Jedi Trial fans, it had humor, for the Medstar and Dark Rendezvous fans... and it mixed it all together with that sense of forboding and that classical Luceno style of making everything very inclusive...

~JTS

[Tarkin the Ewok]

Shatterpoint and Labyrinth of Evil are both great novels, but Shatterpoint immerses the reader completely into the mind of Mace Windu, and I could be a Jedi Master while I was reading it. The galactic scale of Labyrinth of Evil also appeals to me, but Shatterpoint hit me at a visceral level and moved me emotionally. Therefore, Shatterpoint is my favorite Clone Wars novel, but it is not due to any quality issues.

[Ningen]

Originally posted by James T. Skywalker@Feb 1 2005, 02:46 AM
What about the book didn't make it the best Clone Wars book? I'm just curious...

It had philosophy, for those Shatterpoint fans out there, it had battles galore, for the Cestus Deception and Jedi Trial fans, it had humor, for the Medstar and Dark Rendezvous fans... and it mixed it all together with that sense of forboding and that classical Luceno style of making everything very inclusive...

~JTS
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>

Real simply, it just wasn't the kind of story that I'd give top honours. While I certainly don't mind sub-plots in a book, I prefer a single story done well. Labyrinth of Evil did everything it did well, but there was a lot going on at once, and that sort of back and forth nature sort of took me out of the experience, because everytime I got comfortable and immersed in one locale, I'd be shifted off to the next.

[metzgerov]

Ningen I agree with what your saying in relation to Shatterpoint and LOE. The thing that made LOE pull awat from shatterpoint though is the canon based revelations that were finally revealed after years of conjecture.
Without dealing with the overall scope of the films I say Shatterpoint is the best standalone novel based on what you said. But in relation to the grand deception and the overall scope of the films (Rise, Fall and Redemption Of Anakin) LOE is king. It was action packed and broadly scoped but then again so are the films......

[Kapit]

Originally posted by James T. Skywalker@Feb 1 2005, 02:46 AM
What about the book didn't make it the best Clone Wars book? I'm just curious...

It had philosophy, for those Shatterpoint fans out there, it had battles galore, for the Cestus Deception and Jedi Trial fans, it had humor, for the Medstar and Dark Rendezvous fans... and it mixed it all together with that sense of forboding and that classical Luceno style of making everything very inclusive...

~JTS
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>



for me, after i read both shatterpoint and RC:HC, i had this huge adrenaline rush, and i was excited as all get out

i mean, i finished the books and i was lightheaded i was so excited

LoE didn't get me anywhere near as excited as those two books did

that's nothing against LoE, i think it's becuase shatterpoint was the 1st CW novel i read, and RC:HC was about clones, which i love

LoE was a great book, there's no doubting that, but i didn't have the emotional attachment that i did to the other two

[Ningen]

Originally posted by metzgerov@Feb 1 2005, 11:18 AM
Ningen I agree with what your saying in relation to Shatterpoint and LOE. The thing that made LOE pull awat from shatterpoint though is the canon based revelations that were finally revealed after years of conjecture.
Without dealing with the overall scope of the films I say Shatterpoint is the best standalone novel based on what you said. But in relation to the grand deception and the overall scope of the films (Rise, Fall and Redemption Of Anakin) LOE is king. It was action packed and broadly scoped but then again so are the films......
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>

Well, I'm not exactly a big Anakin fan either, so that surely played a part. Like I said, the book certainly got me excited about the movie, but the books like Shatterpoint and Hard Contact got me excited period. If there were no films, then LoE loses all its draw.

[Soontir Solo]

If their were no films none of them wouldn't have been written at all. And I think the fact that it did cover alot of different perspectives is one thing that makes it better than the other Clone Wars books. For once we don't get stuck with 1 or 2 main characters we know and a bunch of people we don't know or particularly care about like the other books. This book gave us all the main characters with all of them playing important parts and that was great for me. I could care less about the doctors from Medstar or the clones from Hard Contact and those type of new characters. Now that doesn't mean I didn't like those books, just that I prefer books where the main characters, who are important on a galactic scale and in Star Wars overall are very importnat and play key roles, like LoE did with Obi-Wan, Anakin, Yoda, Mace, Palpatine, Padme, Bail Organa, Mon Mothma, Dooku, Grievous, and Nute Gunray. These characters are very importnat and finally we have a book that deals with all of them and how they are reacting to this.

[Ningen]

What I meant by my comment is that LoE isn't a good stand-alone book. If it weren't a lead-in to Episode III, it wouldn't do well with the story it told. It's strength is in the fact that it does lead in. It focuses on that strength and, as a result, it's a great book. However, Shatterpoint and HC are both books that stand on their own and tell a complete story. In that sense, they're the better books.

[Darth Nuke]

Shatterpoint isn't a Clone War novel. It's a novel set during the Clone War.

LOE is a Clone War novel.

[Ningen]

I fail to see the difference. Shatterpoint, while it only focuses on one battlefield, still tells a story of the Clone wars. Labyrinth of Evil does the same, but with substantially more battlefields.

[Soontir Solo]

Yeah, I consider Shattpoint to be a Clone Wars novel. It is about a battle during the Clone Wars, which is just the same as the MedStar books, Hard Contact, Jedi Trial, and Cestus Deception.

I see your point Ningen but just because Shatterpoint and Hard Contact were stand alone novels doesn't make them better, at least in my whole opinion. I look at LoE really as being the 1st half of Episode 3 personally. Thats why I think it is so great. And because if they had wanted to make it a stand alone novel they could have really. But that wasn't the purpose.

I think we just have different opinions on what makes a Clone Wars book better.

[Ningen]

Seems that way, and to each his own. I just prefer a solitary story with a set conclusion to a story with multiple sub-plots and a cliffhangar. If it's any consolation, LoE is #3 on my "Top 5 Clone Wars Novels" list.

[Soontir Solo]

I understand, as you said to each is his own.

[James T. Skywalker]

Sue Rostoni let it be known on the Official Site's forums today that Labyrinth of Evil will be the number nine hardcover on the New York Times bestseller list this week!

~JTS

[Soontir Solo]

Wow! Number 9. I don't remember the last Star Wars book that was that high.

[P-Ray]

Originally posted by James T. Skywalker@Feb 4 2005, 01:51 AM
Sue Rostoni let it be known on the Official Site's forums today that Labyrinth of Evil will be the number nine hardcover on the New York Times bestseller list this week!

~JTS
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>

Yeah!!! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/w00t.gif That means it'll go on sale and be a little cheaper.

[Sam Kenobi]

NICE! Picked up mine last night, jus gotta finish Cestus, Rendezvous, and Trial.

[Master Magnus]

Great news! I hope it climbs higher on the bestseller list.

[Soontir Solo]

I doubt it will climb higher. I bet if it was released in like April instead of now it would have been higher though since Star Wars would have been on more people's minds.

[P-Ray]

Originally posted by Sam Kenobi@Feb 5 2005, 06:19 PM
NICE! Picked up mine last night, jus gotta finish Cestus, Rendezvous, and Trial.
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>

I'm in the same boat!

And on top of that, where do we find the time?

[Soontir Solo]

You have to make the time. Read for an hour before you go to bed at night.

[Master Magnus]

LoE isn't that thick, it's only some 330 pages. I've some 70 pages to go, but I think I'll save it for the evening.

[Soontir Solo]

Yeah, my one real complaint was that it was too short for my taste. It could have added another 100 pages in my opinion. If not more.

[Luvinna]

Just so's you all know, I haven't finished the book, and I haven't read this entire thread cuz I don't want to be spoiled. I'm just wondering...

Did anyone else notice the continuty errors at the beginning of Chaper 12? I had such a hard time getting past those because they should have been so easily avoided! (It's Iego, not Viago!!!) Ask my room mate; I spent 10 minutes ranting about it before I could continue reading last night. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banghead.gif

Ok. I'm calm. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/satisfied.gif

[Soontir Solo]

I didn't notice them. And even if I did I would have just went and ignored them.

[Kapit]

i noticed the moons of iego, and i knew it was wrong, but oh well

i also noticed a spelling error shortly after that, i think...

[Master Magnus]

Originally posted by Luvinna@Feb 9 2005, 09:27 PM
Just so's you all know, I haven't finished the book, and I haven't read this entire thread cuz I don't want to be spoiled.* I'm just wondering...

Did anyone else notice the continuty errors at the beginning of Chaper 12?* I had such a hard time getting past those because they should have been so easily avoided!* (It's Iego, not Viago!!!)* Ask my room mate; I spent 10 minutes ranting about it before I could continue reading last night.* style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banghead.gif

Ok.* I'm calm.* style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/satisfied.gif
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>

Yeah, I also noticed that. I also noticed there are some grammatical errors (the most blatant one is on page 290). Now, I forgotten much English grammar, but this really stood out. An other thing that annoyed me was the Aqualish that spoke Basic (as well as the Bith K'sar) as both ANH and TPM has established that the Aqualish can't speak basic because of (presumeably) their physiology. And when did Yoda started to say "hasn't", and "wasn't"?

Other than these nitpicks, this book is one of the best EU novels and ties in perfectly with both Reversal of Fortune and Clone Wars. LoE is a must-read!

[Lunatic]

you guys might be interested in this...

http://www.galacticsenate.com/index.php?ac...ent&eventid=675 (http://www.galacticsenate.com/index.php?act=calendar&code=showevent&eventid=675)

If you have any comments on LoE, feel free to send us an e-mail.

[James T. Skywalker]

Originally posted by Master Magnus@Feb 10 2005, 02:36 AM
An other thing that annoyed me was the Aqualish that spoke Basic (as well as the Bith K'sar) as both ANH and TPM has established that the Aqualish can't speak basic because of (presumeably) their physiology.
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>


I pointed out the problems with this at the OS, Magnus.

No source that I've found thus far has said that those species cannot speak Basic.

~JTS

[Master Magnus]

Originally posted by James T. Skywalker+Feb 10 2005, 05:31 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(James T. Skywalker @ Feb 10 2005, 05:31 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Master Magnus@Feb 10 2005, 02:36 AM
An other thing that annoyed me was the Aqualish that spoke Basic (as well as the Bith K'sar) as both ANH and TPM has established that the Aqualish can't speak basic because of (presumeably) their physiology.
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>


I pointed out the problems with this at the OS, Magnus.

No source that I've found thus far has said that those species cannot speak Basic.

~JTS
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>
[/b][/quote]
Ok, I don't know about the Bith, but I'm pretty sure an Aqualish can't speak Basic on the same grounds as the Wookies, namely their physiology.

[James T. Skywalker]

And yet, even one Wookiee has been able to speak what is as close to Basic as a Wookiee can speak. True, it was a deformity, but he could speak it (from the Thrawn Trilogy).

And again, I can check my Ultimate Alien Anthology and my Essential Guide to Alien Species, but I don't think I've seen anything that says that the Aqualish cannot speak Basic.

~JTS

[Suzanne (ex CoS Leia)]

Originally posted by James T. Skywalker@Feb 11 2005, 05:43 PM
And yet, even one Wookiee has been able to speak what is as close to Basic as a Wookiee can speak. True, it was a deformity, but he could speak it (from the Thrawn Trilogy).

And again, I can check my Ultimate Alien Anthology and my Essential Guide to Alien Species, but I don't think I've seen anything that says that the Aqualish cannot speak Basic.

~JTS
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>


I was under the impression that he was speaking Wookiee with a speech impediment meaning that he was more understandable to non-Wookiees. Or am I thinking of someone else?

[James T. Skywalker]

You're right. But it was close to Basic, close enough for Basic-speaking persons to understand...

~JTS

[Suzanne (ex CoS Leia)]

My review of this book style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif (http://jedinet.com/news/Story.asp?init=active&back=archive&fldr=Books%20and%20Comics&month=February&year=2005&id=69058,20050213,7287)

[Soontir Solo]

Good review Suzanne, I didn't quite agree with your assessment of Dooku in the novel but still a very good review.

[Suzanne (ex CoS Leia)]

Thanks Soontir. I'm not sure that we can discuss the Dooku issue in here though given the non-spoiler nature of this thread. If you want to talk about it you ould come over to the spoiler thread. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif It's a point that I'm interested in hearing other views on because it's one that doesn't seem to have been taken up in any of the other comments that I've read so I guess I may be on my own with it. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif

[Soontir Solo]

Ok

[JediTrilobite]

My review:

Summary: In the weeks preceding the events of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, the Clone Wars rages on, with the Republic taking the initiative forcing the Confederation to the Outer Rim. In doing so, they come across something disturbing, a holoprojector left behind by the Neimodians. In the memory, a message from Darth Sideous is found, prompting a huge investigation by Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, who try to track down the maker of the device, while Mace Windu and Shaak Tii uncover clues on Coruscant to the Sith’s whereabouts. Meanwhile, the Confederation launches a massive attack on the Republic Capital, capturing the Supreme Chancellor.

What Worked: Labyrinth of Evil is probably one of the most chaotic, action packed and important novel of the Clone Wars era, bringing several different storylines together, while moving at a rapid pace to the beginning of the final Star Wars movie.
The book is very dense, with every page bringing the plot forwards at a very fast speed. Over the course of the novel, we follow several different storylines. Anakin and Obi-Wan track down the maker of the holoprojector that’s found on Cal Neimodia, traveling to more worlds than most of the Clone Wars novels have been focused on together. Along the way, they find more and more clues to the maker of the device, and more importantly, who it was built for. And predictably, they’re forced to fight their way to or from each place, whether on the ground or in the air.
Midway through the book, we split into a new search for the second Sith, Sideous. (Say that ten times fast.) Mace Windu and Shaak Tii are involved with this one, and they visit a couple of familiar places, the building that we see Sideous and Dooku in at the end of Attack of the Clones, where, Dooku is able to come and go as he pleases, despite the fact that it’s the Republic Capital.
Finally, we see the massive attack on Coruscant, which will be featured in four different sources: Labyrinth of Evil, The Clone Wars Animated Series, Reversal of Fortune Webstrip and Revenge of the Sith. I was somewhat surprised at how much of the battle was covered in this novel, for I had thought that they’d be saving most of that for the movie. Indeed, much of this novel read like the perfect movie novelization. Luceano’s writing style is light and fast, extremely easy to get into.
One of this novel’s strength’s is the sheer number of Expanded Universe references that it contains. I believe that almost every major event covered in most of the Clone Wars novels, comics, short stories and cartoons has been covered, whether it’s a simple name drop, or a major plot device. It’s very gratifying for a fan who’s read all of the books, to see that the author has done some, if not too much research into this project.
Another of the novel’s strength’s is the action. It’s everywhere, being in space with dog fights, fleet actions, to ground combat with the ARC, Commando or regular Clone Troopers to the Jedi Knights. The light style of writing really adds to this and it doesn’t get bogged down too much with over detailing or complicating things to get the reader confused. It’s simple and straight forwards.
In particular, there are several main fights and events that really stand out. The first is the investigation on Coruscant, when Mace Windu and others go after Sideous. They go in with Clones to be sure, but also intelligence personnel and probes, which is something that’s a little unexpected in a Star Wars novel. Second, the opening fight with the Cal Neimodia battle. It really showed off Anakin and Obi-Wan’s work together as they really do some fighting. Finally, the major battle at the end is huge, complex and fun to read. I really can’t wait to see the movie now.
Character-wise, there’s the usual, and Luceano doesn’t really mess around with them too much. He seems to essentially take them from where they stand at various points in the Clone Wars materials out there to where they stand at the movie. We don’t see too much change, but some of the things that we do see is how Obi-Wan and Anakin’s relationship has progressed, from a teacher-student relationship to being close friends. Among some of the other characters seen is Palpatine, who’s had the best portrayal in this book thus far, many of the Jedi Council, various Commandos, Padme and C-3P0 and many others that will be in the next movie. I have a feeling that this and Revenge of the Sith will compliment each other, as if they’re part of the same book split in half, storywise.
The main thing that I really liked about this book is that the plot was what I think a lot of people thought the Clone Wars should be. It focused greatly on the war itself, instead of a number of smaller sub plots in the Clone Wars. I believe if we got five books that were similar in focus, this would have been a great achievement for the Clone Wars series. (Not that there’s anything wrong with the books that we have now…)

What didn’t Work: There are some major continuity issues that really need to be worked out between this book and several sources. Labyrinth of Evil, Reversal of Fortune and The Clone Wars Animated Series Season 3 all depict the coming of the Battle for Coruscant and in some way, the Chancellor’s capture. While Reversal of Fortune seems to work well with both sources, Labyrinth of Evil and the Animated Series do not at all. For one, they both cover the capture of Palpatine, and both contradict each other in smaller details, mainly how the Jedi move to try and protect Palpatine. There are elements of both that seem to be very similar in places, but there are others where the characters go one way in one source, another in another. Even the characters and locations shift in places. In addition, the location of Obi-Wan and Anakin just prior to the Battle of Coruscant is in question, as they’re in two different places at the same time. It’s something that’s really going to be a pain.
Secondly, as some people on various message boards have pointed out, the writing style is extremely plain. While it really works for the book in most places, it seems to allow the reader to really gloss over things. I’ve also been able to spot a couple of grammatical errors here and there.

Overall: A fast paced, action packed lead in to Revenge of the Sith. Clone Wars fans will really enjoy this one.

Rating: 8 / 10

[Sam Kenobi]

A great review. But isn't it Cato Nemodia?

[Luminara Skye]

^Yeah, it is. Great review, JT! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/bye.gif

[Master Shrive]

Now, since the boards aren't open to ROTS disscussion until June 1st, this thread might be limited. However, I thought I'd start it anyway (after I did a search and couldn't find another one).

So, I'll start with a basic question to get the ball roling. Have you read this book? Did you read if before seeing Ep III? Did it enhance your viewing?

I've seen ROTS twice, but I've only just started LOE (so its a bit funny starting a thread about the book before I've finished it - I'll have to stay away from it for the next couple of days anyway! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif). I think that it will certaintly enhance my third viewing, and will answer some questions that I don't think ROTS did. However, I'll discuss these in a few days...

[Fiffis]

I read it about a month ago (so before Episode III) and have to say I thought it was great. Course everything I've read by Luceno (which isn't much I must admit) I've liked a lot (especially Cloak of Deception).

I tried my best to get all my friends to read it before they saw Episode III, but to no avail (I'm really the only reader in my group) so they had to settle for the Clone Wars cartoons.

Labyrinth of Evil = the awesome

[gforce99]

Well Yoda and Kenobi have an interesting discussion that Syphodias might have been impersonated by Dooku (which wasn't that big of a surprise).

?????Spoilers?????
Besides that very minor things. The best thing about Labyrinth is that it leads right up to the moment Revenge of the Sith starts. It shows how Palpatine is "captured" by Grevious, Dooku's thoughts about why Sidious is interested in Anakin and why the Jedi Council are getting suspicious of the Chancelor.

[James T. Skywalker]

Y'know, there's a thread in the Clone Wars forum about this...

~JTS

[Galahad_Skywalker]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>I read it about a month ago (so before Episode III) and have to say I thought it was great. Course everything I've read by Luceno (which isn't much I must admit) I've liked a lot (especially Cloak of Deception).

I tried my best to get all my friends to read it before they saw Episode III, but to no avail (I'm really the only reader in my group) so they had to settle for the Clone Wars cartoons.

Labyrinth of Evil = the awesome[/b][/quote]

LOE was amazing...the Sifo-Dyas plot wrap-up wasn't quote what I would've liked, but it works, so it's no big deal...now that I think about it...it really makes more sense that a lot of the theories out there.

The best part about it is how it forms a duology with Stover's novelization...Stover made references that tie back to LOE, and the novelization starts at exactly the same place that LOE leaves off. Having read both before going to the movie added such amazing depth to ROTS when I saw it.

I loved Cloak of Deception for how much it clarified the political turmoil during the prequels, but it's hard to say which I liked better.

[JMAS]

I love how it showed that even Sidious' own apprentice, Darth Tyranus, didn't know that he and Palpatine were the same person.

[obstructed3ntity]

I finished the book a few days before I watched ROTS and I'd say that it really did enhance my viewing experience because it took you right up to where the film begins.

[Master Shrive]

On the topic of Sypho Dias, I found it interesting that he and Dooku were good friends. I also liked how it said about Dooku suffering after the loss of Qui-Gon.

However, I found this section a bit confusing when it also involved Tyranus. There were a lot of names and possibilities thrown around.

[Suzanne (ex CoS Leia)]

The thread for this was moved to the Clone Wars forum when that opened up - we were told thhat all threads re books in that era would have to go over there...

http://www.galacticsenate.com/index.php?showtopic=13201

[Master Shrive]

^Oh, very well. Cheers Suz. I must have missed that memo! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif

[gforce99]

How do you guys keep track of whats to be posted and where?
Too confusing, it is, time, me have not.

[James T. Skywalker]

Originally posted by gforce99@May 26 2005, 05:26 AM
How do you guys keep track of whats to be posted and where?
<div align="right">Quoted post</div>


Well, it's a book that takes place during the Clone Wars. Hence, it goes in the Clone Wars discussion forum. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

~JTS

[Master Shrive]

^Funny how that makes sense - now. I've never had a reason to venture into that forum, but now I'm glad I do...

[smudger9]

Have to say I thought LOE was brilliant... I especially liked the plot about the jedi getting closer to finding Sidious in Coruscant it gives a feeling of urgency to proceedings and shows how well Sidious thinks under pressure and how his manipulation of people like Douku and Grevious is absolute.
James Luceno is a genious.
Cloak of deception is an amazing book aswell.... I actually like it more than TPM.
Cant wait for Luceno's next book.

[Luminara Skye]

Yeah, LOE was very good. I have read it twice so far. I really wasn't too impressed with the Agents of Chaos duology, but Luceno redeemed himself in The Unifying Force. I think his next book is to be set a few weeks after the events of ROTS, so it should be good! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/bigsmile.gif

[Master Shrive]

I've just read a part of LoE that I really want to discuss. I love it in the EU (and in the movies) when there is just a little nod that refers to something that has happened or will happen later in the saga.

Anyway, the particular thing that I thought was very, very good is when Obi and another guy deactivate a tractor beam at the asteroid mining facility. Then, when Obi returns he makes the comment that he hopes he never has to do that again! - theres a nice link to ANH if you ask me!

I also liked how the spy was disscussing that the tractor beams will soon be able to be on ships. Obi seems scepticle, but look what happens in the OT?

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else had picked up something like this in LoE. I haven't finished the book yet, but I'm hoping there is some more little nods later on.

[Luminara Skye]

^Yeah, I noticed those two nods. I had to laugh at the tractor beam one, though. I think Obi-Wan said something like "I'm sure I will never need to know that again" or something like that. I thought that was funny. To my recollection those were the biggest nods to the OT. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[Soontir Solo]

Wow, I hadn't picked that up Shrive.

[darthsith19]

Labrinth of Evil was a good book, especially the Battle of Courscant, and it gave a good backstroy on Grievous, but don't you think it've been twice as good if we hadn't known that Palpatine is Sidious yet?

[tenorsaxgirl93]

this is the best sw book ever!!!!!! :cheers: :nahnah: :D :bop: :whip:

[techno-union]

Originally posted by JMAS@May 26 2005, 01:12 PM
I love how it showed that even Sidious' own apprentice, Darth Tyranus, didn't know that he and Palpatine were the same person.
Quoted post


Yes he did.

I liked how Grevious and Sidious refered to Dooku as Darth Tyrannus and it it irks me that this didn't occur Y:DR.

Dookus sith name has been under-utilized in both the movies and in EU.

[Master Magnus]

Originally posted by darthsith19@Jan 6 2006, 11:34 PM
Labrinth of Evil was a good book, especially the Battle of Courscant, and it gave a good backstroy on Grievous, but don't you think it've been twice as good if we hadn't known that Palpatine is Sidious yet?
Quoted post

Yeah, it takes away some of the suspense, doesn't it? However, the moment when Captain Dyne realizes who the Sith Lord is is marvelous.

[Braden Dar]

Agree with DarthSith19, I do. If not known Sidious' identity, better the novel would have been.

Enough Yoda-speak...

I liked the book, which I just finished reading this morning, and I also liked the references to later events in the Star Wars saga. I remember enjoying the whole tractor beam bit, but I can't remember with enough clarity why it was humorous to me.
Grievous was pretty good, but not as menacing as he was in the movie.
Also, it would be interesting to see how the Canon claim falls when you have two differing accounts of how Palpatine was "abducted" from Coruscant. One by novel, and one by the "official" clone wars animated series.
That was the only part of the novel that I had to fight with when I read it. "Hmm...which one do I think is more likely?"

But, as far as who knew of Sidious' real identity, I believe that Count Dooku knew, while its clear that General Grievous did not.
I liked that bit at the end where Palpatine manipulates Grievous into how things would go down. "You will show me, but I will not speak." "I will show you, but you will not speak." Classic!
That part should go down as one of the best moments in Star Wars lore.

And let's not forget that Sidious informs Dooku that Anakin would make a great ally. No wonder Dooku looked so shocked when Palpatine tells Anakin to kill him. Ha ha!

A pretty good book.
Might even make it into my top ten.

[Jedi Master Harrison]

^ A good review, I recently read it and feel the same about most of the points you raised, it's a really good read. But likewise I struggled to get through the last few chapters as I felt like I already knew what would happen, but of course I didn't recognise the detail as the Clone Wars cartoon shows different characters and events.

So, does anyone know which should be taken as the higher canon? :scratchchin:

[Darill Cyllem]

I have to be a dissenting voice and say that Luceno is definitely not one of my favorite authors. The pacing just seems to drag to me - i dunno why! I've felt that way about all his books, including LOE, though everyone else seems to think he's phenomenal.
For me, LOE had its interesting bits, but just didn't quite do the trick for me.
:giveup:

[Darth Massacrus]

I have to be a dissenting voice and say that Luceno is definitely not one of my favorite authors. The pacing just seems to drag to me - i dunno why! I've felt that way about all his books, including LOE, though everyone else seems to think he's phenomenal.
For me, LOE had its interesting bits, but just didn't quite do the trick for me.
:giveup:

It's always good to hear some voices of dissent, DC. But you already know I love anything written by Luceno, so nothings new there.:wink: What were some of the things you did like in LOE, out of curiosity?:bye:

[Darth Massacrus]

Before LOE came out, the backs of the various Clone Wars novels revealed in the timelines that Labyrinth of Evil would be about 'the hunt for Darth Sidious'.
Right then and there, I knew I would buy the book, which was made final when I found out that the name of Sidious' Sith Master would finally be revealed. Anyone else get a sense of revelation on first reading the words Darth Plagueis ?

[Sam Kenobi]

I actually don't even remember that.

[Darth Massacrus]

It was a one line sentence from Count Dooku's thoughts that he thought when he went to The Works to meet Sidious. It really was sorta just slipped in there.

[Lord Tesla]

So, does anyone know which should be taken as the higher canon? :scratchchin:

Tartakovsky trumps Luceno.

[Darill Cyllem]

What were some of the things you did like in LOE, out of curiosity?

I did think the "hunt for Sidious" stuff was good - i don't remember the book too clearly, actually.... One of the things i tend to find in Luceno's books is that there will be only, like, one storyline in the book that actually holds my attention and others don't so much. So, the search for Sidious had its moments, as i recall.
Maybe i should re-read it, but i don't know if i will! :lol:

Anyone else get a sense of revelation on first reading the words Darth Plagueis ?
I have to admit... not really. I kind of figured that from seeing ROTS - which i saw well before reading LOE.

[Sam Kenobi]

Maybe i should re-read it, but i don't know if i will! :lol:

It's on my list!

Tartakovsky trumps Luceno.

Oooohhh. I haveta disagree with you there. At least on a personal level. As much as I loved TCWAS, the way that they blatantly ignored the novels was insulting as a fan of both. They could have easily written the story to accomodate both lines, even included some of the same things. But they chose not to. The novel storylines were fleshed out before the cartoons.

[Darill Cyllem]

It is annoying when things don't match up - isn't that the purpose of having EU stuff "coordinate" by Lucasfilms?
Oh, well!

[Sam Kenobi]

EXACTLY!

[Lord Tesla]

Oooohhh. I haveta disagree with you there. At least on a personal level. As much as I loved TCWAS, the way that they blatantly ignored the novels was insulting as a fan of both. They could have easily written the story to accomodate both lines, even included some of the same things. But they chose not to. The novel storylines were fleshed out before the cartoons.

I suppose we do all have our own personal canon; however, that way lies chaos. Not least because the Maker does not feel himself bound by the products of the licensees, which he is alleged to have dubbed "glorified fan fiction".

I tend to stick to the idea that the only true canon is the Two Trilogies, that everything else constitues the apocrypha, and that within the apocrypha, that which is video trumps that which is text. Of course, not even this gets us around all conflicts and confusion, since the Original Trilogy, in particular ANH, has been remodelled going back before the even the Special Editions.

And in the case of the animated Cloner Wars, I tend to rate the cartoons superior to the novels on grounds of style, quality, and brevity, something most of the novels lack. When Lucas talks about "the grammar of film" and the Star Wars films being essentially silents films, those animated episodes come to mind, my mind anyway, as probably the purest expression of Lucas's vision.

[Lord Tesla]

It is annoying when things don't match up - isn't that the purpose of having EU stuff "coordinate" by Lucasfilms?
Oh, well!

I think the problem is that they coordinate with Lucasfilm, or least the LFL licensing department, and only rarely with Lucas himself.

And Lucas is forever fiddling with and fine-tuning the films, which makes consistency across all media virtually impossible.

[Kapit]

Let's not forget the four levels of Official Canon, too:

G-canon is absolute canon; the movies (their most recent release), the scripts, the novelizations of the movies, the radio plays, and any statements by George Lucas himself. G-canon overrides the lower levels of canon when there is a contradiction. Within G-canon, many fans follow an unofficial progression of canonicity where the movies are the highest canon, followed by the scripts, the novelizations, and then the radio plays.

C-canon is primarily composed of elements from the Expanded Universe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expanded_Universe_%28Star_Wars%29) including books, comics, and games bearing the label of Star Wars. Games and RPG sourcebooks are a special case; the stories and general background information are themselves fully C-canon, but the other elements such as character/item statistics and gameplay are, with few exceptions, N-canon. S-canon is secondary canon; the story itself is considered non-continuity, but the non-contradicting elements are still a canon part of the Star Wars universe. This includes things like the online roleplaying game Star Wars: Galaxies (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_Galaxies) and certain elements of a few N-canon stories.

N-canon is non-canon. "What-if" stories (such as stories published under the Star Wars: Infinities (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_Infinities) label), game statistics, and anything else directly contradicted by higher canon ends up here. N-canon is the only level that is not considered official canon by Lucasfilm.



I myself put Clone Wars above the novels since, for one, it's the visual medium, and two, Lucas had direct involvement in the show. While I may enjoy the way things are handled in the books better than those in the show, I tend to believe the cartoon gets the final say in that battle.

[Master Magnus]

^George Lucas had quite a lot of input on LoE as well (the dialog between Sidious and Tyranus at the end of the book were written by Lucas), but I think it's important not to exaggerate Lucas's involvement in any of the different mediums. Also, officially the Clone Wars cartoons do not have any higher canon status than the novel or vice versa.

[Darth Massacrus]

I have to admit... not really. I kind of figured that from seeing ROTS - which i saw well before reading LOE.

I was wondering. I read LOE the week it came out, which was before the ROTS novel and the film. I think it probably wouldn't have been as exciting or revelatory if I had read it after seeing the film or reading the ROTS novel.

[Darill Cyllem]

^Yeah, fair enough, DM... though i must also admit that ROTS was my first introduction to Plagueis, not being the Sith Lore buff that you are! :wink:

[Jedi Jerry]

What didn’t Work: There are some major continuity issues that really need to be worked out between this book and several sources. Labyrinth of Evil, Reversal of Fortune and The Clone Wars Animated Series Season 3 all depict the coming of the Battle for Coruscant and in some way, the Chancellor’s capture. While Reversal of Fortune seems to work well with both sources, Labyrinth of Evil and the Animated Series do not at all. For one, they both cover the capture of Palpatine, and both contradict each other in smaller details, mainly how the Jedi move to try and protect Palpatine. There are elements of both that seem to be very similar in places, but there are others where the characters go one way in one source, another in another. Even the characters and locations shift in places. In addition, the location of Obi-Wan and Anakin just prior to the Battle of Coruscant is in question, as they’re in two different places at the same time. It’s something that’s really going to be a pain.


This fanfic might help. It makes BOTH captures more or less work having Palpatine escape the capture in the cartoon only to be recaptured in the book. Basicaly, this story takes place right after the cartoon and right before the book: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4077791/1/Star_Wars_Rescue_of_Palpatine