Tag Archives: series: star wars

Book Review: Star Wars: Scoundrels by Timothy Zahn

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star wars: scoundrelsInfo:
Title: Star Wars: Scoundrels
Author: Timothy Zahn
Release Date: January 1, 2013
Publisher: LucasBooks
Source: Amazon Vine
Series? Star Wars
Genre: Science Fiction
Page Count: 432
Rating:

Summary:

To make his biggest score, Han’s ready to take even bigger risks.
But even he can’t do this job solo.

Han Solo should be basking in his moment of glory. After all, the cocky smuggler and captain of the Millennium Falcon just played a key role in the daring raid that destroyed the Death Star and landed the first serious blow to the Empire in its war against the Rebel Alliance. But after losing the reward his heroics earned him, Han’s got nothing to celebrate. Especially since he’s deep in debt to the ruthless crime lord Jabba the Hutt. There’s a bounty on Han’s head—and if he can’t cough up the credits, he’ll surely pay with his hide. The only thing that can save him is a king’s ransom. Or maybe a gangster’s fortune? That’s what a mysterious stranger is offering in exchange for Han’s less-than-legal help with a riskier-than-usual caper. The payoff will be more than enough for Han to settle up with Jabba—and ensure he never has to haggle with the Hutts again.

All he has to do is infiltrate the ultra-fortified stronghold of a Black Sun crime syndicate underboss and crack the galaxy’s most notoriously impregnable safe. It sounds like a job for miracle workers . . . or madmen. So Han assembles a gallery of rogues who are a little of both—including his indispensable sidekick Chewbacca and the cunning Lando Calrissian. If anyone can dodge, deceive, and defeat heavily armed thugs, killer droids, and Imperial agents alike—and pull off the heist of the century—it’s Solo’s scoundrels. But will their crime really pay, or will it cost them the ultimate price? (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
Scoundrels is set right after Star Wars: A New Hope. Don’t worry if you’ve never read a Star Wars Expanded Universe novel before — you don’t need to know any background. As someone who has been disappointed by some of the EU developments and experiments (such as the Yuuzhan Vong war and the Red Harvest horror/zombie novel) I was a little worried, but I shouldn’t have been. Timothy Zahn has always been one of my favorite EU authors, and in Scoundrels, he delivers an exciting adventure that I devoured in a matter of hours.

Remember the big reward Han got at the end of “A New Hope?” The one he needed to pay off Jabba? Well, he lost it, and with Jabba still after him, he needs a job with a big payoff. It’s his lucky day when a guy named Eanjer claims he’ll split 163 million credits with Han if Han can help him recover the stolen credits. The only problem? The guy that has Eanjer’s credits is a Black Sun sector chief, and Villachor is serious about his security. Paranoid doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Even though Han’s a smuggler, not a safe cracker or thief, he’s sure he can do the job. Using the huge payoff as a lure, he assembles a team including his faithful sidekick Chewie as well as Lando Calrissian. Also included are Winter and Kell Tainer, faces experienced EU readers will recognize, and some new rogues, such Bink and Tavia, as a pair of identical twin thieves.

The heist is the focus of the novel. As always with Han, nothing is as easy as it sounds, and before he and the team know it, they’re in way over their head. Besides getting into a virtually impregnable safe, they’ve got a Black Sun Vigo in the mix and even some Imperials. I don’t want to spoil anything, because part of the fun is figuring out all the clues. I will say the ending surprised the kriffing Sithspit out of me! I SO did not see it coming, but I’m sure if I reread the book, I’d see clues pointing it out.

Scoundrels isn’t the typical Star Wars novel, full of space battles and lightsaber fights. Because Han, Chewie, and Lando are familiar characters, we don’t learn a whole lot of new information about them. Zahn instead develops the ensemble cast. I particularly enjoyed seeing Winter in a bigger role, and watching Villachor try to figure out the right thing to do — aka how to stay alive.

I tend to prefer the older EU books, such as the Thrawn trilogy, the X-Wing series, and the Jedi Academy trilogy. I’m happy to say that Scoundrels will join those favorites in my Star Wars section, and I look forward to rereading it in the future. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a Star Wars book so much.

Socialize with the author:
Timothy Zahn:
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– leeanna

Review: Darth Vader and Son by Jeffrey Brown

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darth vader and sonInfo:
Title: Darth Vader and Son
Author: Jeffrey Brown
Release Date: April 18, 2012
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Source: Library
Series? No
Genre: Graphic Novel, Humor
Page Count:

Summary:

What if Darth Vader took an active role in raising his son? What if Luke, I am your father was just a stern admonishment from an annoyed dad? In this hilarious and sweet comic reimagining, Darth Vader is a dad like any other except with all the baggage of being the Dark Lord of the Sith. Celebrated artist Jeffrey Brown’s delightful illustrations give classic Star Wars moments a fresh twist, presenting the trials and joys of parenting through the lens of a galaxy far, far away. Life lessons include lightsaber batting practice, using the Force to raid the cookie jar, Take Your Child to Work Day on the Death Star (Er, he looks just like you, Lord Vader!), and the special bond shared between any father and son. (summary from goodreads)

My Review:
I have to start off by saying I am a huge Star Wars fan, particularly of the original movies and the Extended Universe. I once impressed a roomful of guys because I knew more about the Imperial Navy than they did.

So it’s probably no surprise that I loved this book. Darth Vader and Son is, dare I say it, cute! I can see it being a go-to book when I’ve had a bad day or need cheered up. Each comic is extremely detailed, and I think young Star Wars fans would have fun recognizing the little things, like Leia dressing a Darth Maul doll in a dress, or a baby Admiral Ackbar going trick or treating.

Obviously, the stars are Darth Vader and Luke. The two share many classic father son moments in true Star Wars fashion. There’s nothing like Take Your Son To Work Day when Dad works on the Death Star. I especially liked when movie dialogue was woven into the comics. Darth Vader pulled out “Luke, I am your father,” to try to get Luke to clean his room.

Non Star Wars fans might not get a lot out of this, but if you like Star Wars, or you know a youngster who does, this would be a great book for them. I’ll be buying my own copy soon.

Rating: 4 owls

Socialize with the author:
Jeffrey Brown:
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Book 169: Star Wars: Boba Fett 4: Hunted

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HuntedStar Wars: Boba Fett #4: Hunted, by Elizabeth Hand

“Hunted” is the fourth book in a six book series on the life of young Boba Fett. In “Hunted,” Boba Fett flies to Tatooine to find the crime lord Jabba the Hutt.

Jango Fett, Boba’s father, had left instructions for his son to go to Jabba to learn knowledge. But Boba runs into problem after problem on Tatooine, first losing his father’s Mandalorian helmet to a street gang, to having no credits to buy water – a necessity on the desert planet.

Will a trip to Jabba’s palace teach young Boba the knowledge necessary for a bounty hunter?

As with the other books in this series, I’m not entirely thrilled with the writing. I do understand that they are written for younger readers and I’m over the intended age, but I wish Star Wars had kept up the quality a little better. The passage of time in this series isn’t clear – the first three books seemed to take up only days, but this book is apparently set months after the event of book three, “Maze of Deception.” At least the story in “Hunted” was better than the previous book.

2/5.

Book 168: Star Wars: Boba Fett 3: Maze of Deception

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Maze of DeceptionStar Wars: Boba Fett #3: Maze of Deception, by Elizabeth Hand

“Maze of Deception” is the third book in a six book series on the life of young Boba Fett. In this installment, Boba and Aurra Sing journey to Aargau, the banking planet of the galaxy. Similar to Coruscant, Aargau is a layered planet; the lowest levels are the most dangerous, full of the scum of the galaxy.

Aurra Sing, a very dangerous bounty hunter, takes Boba to Aargau to get half of Jango Fett’s fortune. Boba, naturally, isn’t keen on splitting his inheritance with her, and makes a dangerous escape to keep the entire fortune for himself.

But can a young, inexperienced boy really avoid all the pitfalls a planet like Aargau holds?

I found “Maze of Deception” to be an okay book in the Boba Fett series. A week after reading it I’ve already forgotten most of it, so it’s not that memorable. Younger readers will enjoy Boba’s exploits on Aaragu, and his gradual evolution into the great Boba Fett of Star Wars Legend.

2/5.

Book 167: Star Wars: Boba Fett 2: Crossfire

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CrossfireStar Wars: Boba Fett #2: Crossfire, by Terry Bisson

“Crossfire” is the second book in a six book series on the life of young Boba Fett. Boba is now the guest, or prisoner, depending on how you look at it, of Count Dooku. When the starting war comes to Raxus Prime, Boba manages to escape the junkyard planet by pretending to be an orphan.

While en route to a Bespin orphanage, Boba makes the first friend of his life. But when he’s torn between his new friend and his father’s teachings – which will he choose?

“Crossfire” was a bit blah to me, and even though it’s a short book, it felt like it dragged on for too long. I think it could have been tightened up a little.

2/5.

Book 166: Star Wars: Boba Fett 1: The Fight to Survive

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Fight to SurviveStar Wars: Boba Fett #1: The Fight to Survive, by Terry Bisson

This Boba Fett series is aimed at younger readers, but as Boba Fett is one of my favorite Star Wars characters, I read everything I can find on him. This is book one of a six book series.

“The Fight to Survive” covers the events of the film, “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones,” and expands on Jango’s death, Boba’s upbringing, life on Kamino, and what Boba did after his father died.

The writing is at a 9 to 12 year old level, but I don’t think older fans would mind it that much. I’m 24 and enjoying reading a novelization of Boba’s younger days, as I don’t like comics. There’s some touching scenes, and it’s fun to read about Boba’s transformation from an orphaned ten-year-old to the merciless bounty hunter he is in the future. I can’t wait to see what else Jango’s black book has to say to Boba.

3/5.

Book 128: Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith 3: Paragon

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Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith 3: ParagonStar Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith #3: Paragon, by John Jackson Miller

Finally, there’s some action in this ebook series! Lost Tribe of the Sith is a series to provide back story for the new Fate of the Jedi books. “Paragon” is the third installment.

All Star Wars fans know that if you leave two Sith in a room only one Sith is going to come out. The same is true of the crashed Sith on Kesh – their numbers are slowly dwindling, cut down by mainly by sabotage.

The native population of Kesh are now the servants of the Sith, most happily serving those they consider the descendants of gods. But Keshiri start dying in droves after some Sith visit their towns – what is the cause? Is it a new mysterious illness, or is there some darker force behind the mass deaths?

“Paragon” is a better story than the previous in the series. Seelah, the wife of the Sith ruler is shaping up to be an interesting character; at first I thought she was spoiled and annoying, but my opinion changed as I read. The author reveals her early life in flashbacks; the flashbacks also give some insight into the early Sith Empire. Readers new to the series should start with book one, “Precipice.”

Direct download link for this book, from Star Wars.com.

3/5.

Book 125: Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith 2: Skyborn

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SkybornStar Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith: Skyborn, by John Jackson Miller

“Skyborn” continues filling in the history of Kesh, an integral location to the new Fate of the Jedi series.

Five thousand years before the battle of Yavin, a ship of Sith crashed on the planet, seemingly falling out of the sky to the native Keshiri. With their Force powers, the Sith quickly fulfilled the local legends of the “Skyborn,” and started taking over the Keshiri people.

This ebook starts out slowly, introducing readers to the Keshiri theology as a young woman is prosecuted for her heretic beliefs. Miller dumps knowledge on the reader, almost as if he’s writing a textbook. “Skyborn” thankfully picks up when the young woman, Adari, encounters with Sith crash survivors.

It’s an interesting look into how the Sith became rulers of the Keshiri, but I’m happy it’s a short story.

2/5.

Book 124: Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith 1: Precipice

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PrecipiceStar Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith: Precipice, by John Jackson Miller

As I’ve said before, normally I don’t care for short stories. But I make exceptions sometimes, and how could I pass up a Star Wars short story?

“Precipice” is an accompaniment to the new Star Wars series Fate of the Jedi, and tells how the missing Sith tribe landed on Kesh. The short story series also provides a few clues for Paul S. Kemp’s “Crosscurrent.”

Omen, a Sith ship full of Lignan crystals crashes onto the planet Kesh. The survivors of the crash are stranded on the planet, with no way to contact their Sith masters or fly off Kesh.

“Precipice” has a Star Wars feel, and I liked the main character, Yaru Korsin. He’s a captain in the vein of Han Solo: cocky, sarcastic, self-assured. But he also has the ability to use the Force. And while a Sith, he is disgusted when some of the survivors start fighting amongst themselves, as the dark Force users are wont to do.

And that’s about where “Precipice” finishes. It’s a pretty good story, and I’m looking forward to reading the others in the series.

3/5.

Book 78: Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones

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Attack of the ClonesStar Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones, by R. A. Salvatore

While this is a novelization of the film, it is also more, as Salvatore fleshes out and adds to the “Attack of the Clones” story. He introduces readers to Padmé’s family, Shmi Skywalker’s new family, including Owen and Beru whom fans will remember as Luke’s aunt and uncle, and just gives some great background information on lots of other aspects that fans will appreciate.

Personally, I enjoy reading this book rather than watching the movie when I need a refresher on the events of “Attack of the Clones.” I think Salvatore was a good choice for the author; his writing fits perfectly in the universe, and he captures the essence of each character neatly. I could hear Anakin’s grumpy teen voice in my head, I winced at Threepio’s annoying whining, etc. Salvatore is also good at writing battle scenes, but I do think that some of them were rushed – I didn’t get the grand feel of battle when Yoda brought in the clones on Genosis, but Obi-Wan and Jango Fett’s battle on Kamino was perfect.

The additional insight into the primary and secondary characters is the best value of this book. In the movie, Anakin and Padmé’s relationship was always a little to quick for me, but thanks to Salvatore their relationship gets some much needed development before the marriage.

4/5.