Star Wars

[Musichead]

I've always been interested in the Star Wars movies and I'm thinking about branching out into the books and comic books. I have no idea where to start though. Are there essential books to read? I was also interested in the earliest time period in which these stories take place, the origins of Jedi's and The Dark Side. Do any of the stories take place on earth? What time period are we talking about for the films in terms of AD? Any help or suggestions is greatly appreciated.

[Gaz]

My favorite of the EU books are Aaron Allston's X-Wing novels. They're tightly paced, all the characters are distinct and developed, and the humour (yes, humour) isn't as forced as in others.

[Blueferret]

Book wise, start withTimothy Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy and go from there. As far as comics go, you might want to check the Tales of the Jedi mini's from a few yearts back. These deal with a lot of the stuff that might interest you. You can probably pick them up as a TPB.

[Inkthinker]

My favorite of the EU books are Aaron Allston's X-Wing novels. They're tightly paced, all the characters are distinct and developed, and the humour (yes, humour) isn't as forced as in others.

I'd back this up. The Stackpole X-Wing books are good as well, though I like Allston's characters better... the Wraith Squadron series is much more amusing and interesting than the Rogue series, I think.

But both are pretty good.

[Expletive Deleted]

Book wise, start withTimothy Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy and go from there.I'll second that. Zahn's first three books (HEIR TO THE EMPIRE, DARK FORCE RISING, and THE LAST COMMAND) are the closest you can get to Episodes Seven, Eight, and Nine.

As far as prehistory material, I think the furthest back they go is in a few of the Dark Horse comics. I forget what they're called, but they're set several thousand years before the fall of the Old Republic.

TheForce.Net's timeline (http://www.theforce.net/timeline/default.asp) site seems pretty comprehensive. Navigate by that little drop-down menu.

[Gaz]

I'd back this up. The Stackpole X-Wing books are good as well, though I like Allston's characters better... the Wraith Squadron series is much more amusing and interesting than the Rogue series, I think.

But both are pretty good.
I liked the Stackpole stuff too. But Corran verges on Mary Sue-ness sometimes and other characters don't get a look in. I'd like more time on Asyr for instance.

OTOH,all the Wraiths got distinct voices and motivation. Face and Ton's double act is great and Lara is a great character that doesn't get over used.
The last one is odd but fun as well. It really develops the 4 senior Rogues well. Particularly Wes and Wedge.

[The Batman]

the Thrawn Trilogy was great, defiantely worth checking out. for some of that origin material you'll definately want to check out Dark Horse's Tales of the Jedi series of mini series. i think there was something like 6 or 7 of the series that chronicle events roughly 4000 years before A New Hope.

finally, while it's not essential, Labyrinth of Evil is rather enjoyable IMO and a great lead in to Episode III,

[Dizzy D]

the Thrawn Trilogy was great, defiantely worth checking out. for some of that origin material you'll definately want to check out Dark Horse's Tales of the Jedi series of mini series. i think there was something like 6 or 7 of the series that chronicle events roughly 4000 years before A New Hope.

finally, while it's not essential, Labyrinth of Evil is rather enjoyable IMO and a great lead in to Episode III,

From what I remember, there are seven comic-series set in 5000-4000 years before the moviesin the Dark Horse series (I hate that timeline though. The first series was set ~4000 years before ANH, the next series was set 4 year later so they put in the timeline it was set 3996 years before ANH. Pet-peeve, sorry):

-Golden Age of the Sith
-Fall of the Sith Empire

-Knights of the Old Republic
-Freedon Nadd Uprising
-Dark Lords of the Sith
-The Sith War
-Redemption

I may forget a couple of them. From these, the Dark Lords-Sith War-Redemption were the best IMHO. Haven't read Freedon Nadd Uprising, but was disappointed with Golden Age/Fall. Knights of the Old Republic is just some small stories.

Of the regular novels, I fourth the Zahn-trilogy. I would think twice about any Kevin J. Anderson-stuff (but your taste may differ.) I didn't read the X-wing series, but I do enjoy the "Tales of", which contain various short stories about characters in the Star Wars Universe. Quality of each story vary strongly though, but overall they are enjoyable.

[Roquefort Raider]

By the way, does a novel describe how the Force came to be unbalanced?

In the original trilogy, I assumed that the emperor's takeover and the destruction of the Jedi had caused shift toward the dark side; however, in the prequels, it seems that someone is already needed to restore balance to the Force.

Maybe the Force is like a basket of apples... All you need is a rotten one for the whole thing to go bad.

[Gabriel]

As far as the comics go Dark Empire II was great... I am still looking for Dark Empire I. :(

The farthest back the books go? 5 years before Phantom Menace. I just finished The Unifying Force. The New Jedi Order series has been quite entertaining. I've loved the whole series... except:
When they killed Chewbacca... I was pissed off, but I managed to continue reading... until they killed Anakin Solo. I had to wait 3 yeaers before I could start reading the series again!

By the way, does a novel describe how the Force came to be unbalanced?

Jacen Solo is starting to believe that there is no "Dark" side of the Force. He believes that the Force is a vast energy that can be used for good or evil. There is no energy that will turn you evil.

[Blueferret]

By the way, does a novel describe how the Force came to be unbalanced?

In the original trilogy, I assumed that the emperor's takeover and the destruction of the Jedi had caused shift toward the dark side; however, in the prequels, it seems that someone is already needed to restore balance to the Force.

Maybe the Force is like a basket of apples... All you need is a rotten one for the whole thing to go bad.

I think that may have been a taboo subject as far as Lucas was concerned until Ep.3 comes out. Now that it has been completed, maybe other writers will have the leeway to explore that subject.

[SleepWalker]

I've only read six SW novels (the Han Solo Trilogy, Shadows of the Empire, Truce at Bakura, and The Courtship of Princes Leia) and of all six I found Shadows and Truce to be the most fun.

Shadows of the Empire is my personal favorite of the six. To me it just felt so right within the SW universe. Maybe it's because it took place during the trilogy.

[Gaz]

I've only read six SW novels (the Han Solo Trilogy, Shadows of the Empire, Truce at Bakura, and The Courtship of Princes Leia) and of all six I found Shadows and Truce to be the most fun.

Shadows of the Empire is my personal favorite of the six. To me it just felt so right within the SW universe. Maybe it's because it took place during the trilogy.
Dash felt contrived and dull to me, but the bit with Luke building his ROTJ saber is cool.
Try the X-Wing series, it's extremely good and shows a different side of the SWU

[UniqueFrequency]

okay my faves:

Shadows of the Empire - man i fell in love with this book

the Wraith Squadron books - Rogue squad is good too, but i think Wraith squadron's characters are better. don't get starfighters of adumar as your first book though

the jedi academy trilogy - not many people like KJA's trilogy, but i did. introducing new jedi was cool. I, Jedi by Stackpole ties in as well

Darth Maul - Shadow Reaver wasn't bad, and i enjoyed the Approaching Storm too (because it featured luminara and barriss)

i know people love Zahn, but personally, his books have done nothing for me. too much focus on Thrawn. i know he created the character, but give it a break already. he doesn't have to write him into EVERY book he writes

[Gaz]

Adumar isn't my absolute favorite but I like it, it's different and quirky.

[DonC]

I've always been interested in the Star Wars movies and I'm thinking about branching out into the books and comic books. I have no idea where to start though. Are there essential books to read?

So far, Labyrinth of Evil is about as essential as it gets. That's the novel that directly, and I do mean directly, leads into Revenge of the Sith. And even that isn't totally essential, it will be recapped in the opening crawl. But it is a really enjoyable novel. Many, myself included, feel this novel is the first time we've actually liked Anakin Skywalker.

I was also interested in the earliest time period in which these stories take place, the origins of Jedi's and The Dark Side.

Dark Horse has covered this more than the novels. Along with the "Golden Age of the Sith" books (4000 years before Star Wars: A New Hope, give or take a decade or two), they did a really, really bad six-issue miniseries called Jedi vs. Sith. I, personally, don't recommend any of those comics. They're just terrible.

Do any of the stories take place on earth?

You mean planet Earth? No. All of the Star Wars comics and novels take place, ya know, a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

What time period are we talking about for the films in terms of AD?

In the Star Wars universe, Star Wars: A New Hope is the "Anno Domini" event; "Year 0." For example, the Clone Wars started 22 years before Year 0 and end 19 years before Year 0.

It breaks down like this:

Star Wars: The Phantom Menace - 32 years before Year 0
Star Wars: Attack of the Clones - 22 years before Year 0
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith - 19 years before Year 0
Star Wars: A New Hope - Year 0
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back - 3 years after Year 0
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi - 4 years after Year 0

[UniqueFrequency]

So far, Labyrinth of Evil is about as essential as it gets. That's the novel that directly, and I do mean directly, leads into Revenge of the Sith. And even that isn't totally essential, it will be recapped in the opening crawl. But it is a really enjoyable novel. Many, myself included, feel this novel is the first time we've actually liked Anakin Skywalker.


good. i was hoping i didn't buy a hardcover just for nothing. haven't read it yet though

kinda reminds me of how the approaching storm led straight into AOTC, but had about just a one liner about ansion in the script

[BoosterBronze]

the Thrawn Trilogy was great, defiantely worth checking out.

I LOVED Heir To The Empire, Dark Force Rising, Last Command.
But are they still Canon? I mean, they hinge on a description of cloning technology that no longer fits within the Star Wars movie world.
I think a number of the better novels no longer stand the test of being consistent with the Prequal Trilogy.
(I think)Truce at Bakura, maybe the Jedi Academy triology... those don't work with the knowledge that Storm Troopers are clones.

[Gaz]

I LOVED Heir To The Empire, Dark Force Rising, Last Command.
But are they still Canon? I mean, they hinge on a description of cloning technology that no longer fits within the Star Wars movie world.
I think a number of the better novels no longer stand the test of being consistent with the Prequal Trilogy.
(I think)Truce at Bakura, maybe the Jedi Academy triology... those don't work with the knowledge that Storm Troopers are clones.
I don't think the Stormtroopers are cloned, they probably folded the Republic infantry into the Troopers after Palpadine took full power.
And Lucas says NO novel is canon. But I'll take them over Ep I and II.

[Toonimator]

we still don't know whether the OT Stormtroopers are clones or not. If they are, they're Nth generation clones (clones of clones of clones) unless Boba Fett donates his material, which is still 2nd generation, or they start cloning other individuals. The cheapness of the trooper armor & the wimpiness of your average TIE Fighter in terms of taking damage show the Empire's going for quantity, not quality, and looking for cheap ways of doing things. Clones would be expensive, easier to conscript or hire a bunch of folk from the thousands of worlds in the Republic to serve as intimidation/cannon fodder.

[Inkthinker]

So far, Labyrinth of Evil is about as essential as it gets. That's the novel that directly, and I do mean directly, leads into Revenge of the Sith. And even that isn't totally essential, it will be recapped in the opening crawl. But it is a really enjoyable novel. Many, myself included, feel this novel is the first time we've actually liked Anakin Skywalker.

How does it (or does it at all) play with the Clone Wars Season II animated series that just aired on Cartoon Network? Because that series also leads directly into the beginning of Epsiode III, literally ending with Anakin and Obi Wan on their way to a beseiged Coruscant to rescue Palpatine from Grievious.



Star Wars: The Phantom Menace - 32 years before Year 0
Star Wars: Attack of the Clones - 22 years before Year 0
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith - 19 years before Year 0
Star Wars: A New Hope - Year 0
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back - 3 years after Year 0
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi - 4 years after Year 0

That's the canon, but I always thought Luke and Leia looked a lot older than 19, 22 and 23.

[cactusmaac]

we still don't know whether the OT Stormtroopers are clones or not. If they are, they're Nth generation clones (clones of clones of clones) unless Boba Fett donates his material, which is still 2nd generation, or they start cloning other individuals. The cheapness of the trooper armor & the wimpiness of your average TIE Fighter in terms of taking damage show the Empire's going for quantity, not quality, and looking for cheap ways of doing things. Clones would be expensive, easier to conscript or hire a bunch of folk from the thousands of worlds in the Republic to serve as intimidation/cannon fodder.

Yeah the Empire probably had to really skimp on costs for the rest of its' armed forces (exceptionally crap stormtroopers, TIE fighters with no defensive shielding) in order to build two new Death Stars.

That's the only way it makes sense for the Clonetrooper badasses in AOTC and Clone Wars to have successors who got beaten by a ragtag bunch of rebels and Ewoks.

Anyway I was heavily into the Star Wars books when the Special Editions came out but gave them all away a few years ago.

I liked Anderson's Jedi Academy trilogy for the most part although he way overpowered the Jedi. Zahn's series just seemed far too techie (slave drives? WTF?) and not adventuresome enough for Star Wars although Thrawn and Mara Jade were nice additions.

However they just kept on piling galactic crisis on after galactic crisis and I quit reading the books about the time the Black Fleet and Corellia series came out as I realised this was all an exercise to milk money from the fanbase. I came to prefer that after ROTJ, the Rebel Alliance won an easy victory and the galaxy experienced calm and peace with Luke rebuilding the Jedi Order instead of having a sixty-year old Han Solo run around in the Millenium Falcon fighting off the friggin' Vuzhan Vong or whatever the hell they're called.

That's just so cliched. "We've run out of ideas so we'll introduce new bad guys who are reptilian religious fundamentalists!"

I wonder why the Rogue Squadron series gets so many positive mentions since Michael Stackpole's writing was about excitng as someone providing running commentary on videogame action.

The comics which deal with the era before New Hope like the ones dealing with ancient Sith wars are pretty good reading. Dark Empire was pretty spiffy although the sequel stunk and having the Emperor return was pretty unimaginative.

edit - Another thing I disliked about the post-ROTJ books was the depiction of Luke, primarily as a milquetoast wuss. By the time of ROTJ he was a take-no-prisoners badass who'd kill you, all your henchmen and your pet monkey if you did something stupid like keep his buddy as a wall ornament when he'd politely asked to have him back. There was very little Luke-badassery in the books.

[Gaz]

I have said that the Allston X-Wing books are better novels but the grounding in the Stackpole run is needed to set the premise.

[Zun Liako]

edit - Another thing I disliked about the post-ROTJ books was the depiction of Luke, primarily as a milquetoast wuss. By the time of ROTJ he was a take-no-prisoners badass who'd kill you, all your henchmen and your pet monkey if you did something stupid like keep his buddy as a wall ornament when he'd politely asked to have him back. There was very little Luke-badassery in the books.

Wow, you know I hadn't really thought of that but you are 100% right. What happened to Luke?

[Glaucon]

I have read the majority of the post ROTJ books and I am glad I did. Granted, there were some lousy ones, such as The Black Fleet Crisis (I felt that the Yevetha were lame, but hey, they were exterminated in Force Heretic I), but I do treasure them for the most part. I have to say that I have really enjoyed the New Jedi Order series. The novels are more structured and are all very connected with each other, something I found absent from many other Star Wars books. To fully enjoy them however, it might be best to start right at the beginning with Truce at Bakura. That book actually does tie into the later New Jedi Order books.
I have not started reading the prequel books but it sounds like I should give them a shot.
The Star Wars books are great light reading and quite entertaining.

[DonC]

How does it (or does it at all) play with the Clone Wars Season II animated series that just aired on Cartoon Network? Because that series also leads directly into the beginning of Epsiode III, literally ending with Anakin and Obi Wan on their way to a beseiged Coruscant to rescue Palpatine from Grievious.

They end in the same place, storywise, but the details contradict one another. For example: In the novel, Mace Windu fights Grievous while Shaak Ti and the cannon fodder Jedi try to get Palpatine to a safe house. In the animated series, Mace shows up after Grievous has Palpatine. Also Anakin and Obi-Wan are chasing leads about Darth Sidious in the novel. Not whatever the hell they were doing in the animated series.


That's the canon, but I always thought Luke and Leia looked a lot older than 19, 22 and 23.


Yeah, me, too. And I never thought Vader was only in his 40s, either. I think that's part of the reason they replaced Sebastian Shaw at the end of Jedi.

[Gaz]

Little survey here, who's everyone's favorite original and/or expanded (bit player in movies, big part in books) character in the EU?

[cactusmaac]

Mara Jade..

[Gaz]

Mine's either Mara or Wedge. With the Wraiths as a close joint third.

[saintjon]

Thrawn.

The guy's just too dominant.

[Toonimator]

Mara, Wedge, Thrawn... all great choices, all faves of mine. Stackpole's boy Corran Horn is pretty damn cool, too, though the double-length lightsaber ala Gantoris is kinda silly.

[Gaz]

Mara, Wedge, Thrawn... all great choices, all faves of mine. Stackpole's boy Corran Horn is pretty damn cool, too, though the double-length lightsaber ala Gantoris is kinda silly.
I liked him too, until I realized how much he's supposed to be good at. It's close to Mary Sue levels of expertise.

[Dustin]

I read the Star Wars books. They are very good. The one I'm reading now is called, Star Wars: Labyrinth of Evil

[The Batman]

there's also a book out right now called Star Wars On Trial. essentially David Brin and Matt Stover argue over the merits, or lack thereof, of Star Wars both on the big screen and the bookshelf. among the charges are that Star Wars isn't real sci-fi, that Star Wars has ruined sci-fi, and that Star Wars fiction is driving real sci-fi/fantasy off the bookshelves.

an interesting book for people that love, or hate, the saga of a galaxy far, far away. given my signature it's probably pretty obvious which side i belong to.

beyond that, i'm also reading the new Legacy of the Force novel, Betrayal. i've not gotten into the NJO so this is really my first attempt at the Star Wars EU post RotJ that's post the Thrawn trilogy. so far so good though. interesting read and easy enough to pick things up on the run.

[The Batman]

I LOVED Heir To The Empire, Dark Force Rising, Last Command.
But are they still Canon? I mean, they hinge on a description of cloning technology that no longer fits within the Star Wars movie world.
I think a number of the better novels no longer stand the test of being consistent with the Prequal Trilogy.
(I think)Truce at Bakura, maybe the Jedi Academy triology... those don't work with the knowledge that Storm Troopers are clones.

i think that they still might be able to be cannon, or as cannon as the EU can be. after just like we've got Macs and PCs and brith control pills, injectionsm and patches i'm sure that the GFFA has a variety of cloning methods that have developed over the years.

also, the way i understand it, during the Empire not all Stormtroopers were clones. at that point they were recruited or maybe even drafted into service. in a real world sense it's kind of logical as this would give people something to do rather than wonder about just how worth it the "New Order" was.

[Shellhead]

I lost interest in Star Wars in 1983, when the Ewoks showed up. Prior to that, I read some of the earliest Star Wars books:

Splinter in the Mind's Eye, by Alan Dean Foster ('78)
Han Solo at Star's End, by Brian Daley ('79)
Han Solo's Revenge, by Brian Daley ('79)
Han Solo and the Lost Legacy, by Brian Daley ('80)

Although Lucas has often said that he wrote all nine screenplays years ago, and has just been holding back until the theatrical releases, these early Star Wars books cast doubt upon that claim. All four books assume that Luke and Han parted ways after the events depicted in the original Star Wars movie. Luke, Leia and the two droids go off on an adventure, while Han and Chewbacca go off on their own separate adventures in a different part of the galaxy beyond the reach of the Empire.

Splinter in the Mind's Eye is pretty good, although it depicts Luke and Leia as developing a more serious romantic relationship that seems very wrong in light of the revelations in Return of the Jedi. The Han Solo trilogy has some better characters but worse writing. Daley did better work on his two Coramonde fantasy books.

[The Batman]

well from Lucas's various tellings of the extent to which he had the story planned out, all of which are true from a certain point of view i'm sure, it seems that while he clearly didn't have the whole saga scripted out he did have a rough sketch of where he wanted the main elements to come from and where they needed to go. lost in this rough sketch were certain details, among which is undoubtedly Leia's parentage and relationship to Luke Skywalker, and it seems that Splinter of the Mind's Eye which is a good if no longer in continuity story in it's own right is a product of that rough sketch and the unanticipated success that Star Wars was.

another thing to consider is that given that Lucas doubted that Star Wars would take off the way it did, he figured it'd just be the one movie, he crammed in as much as he could and didn't worry too much about a larger saga.

[Rabid Trekkie]

i think that they still might be able to be cannon, or as cannon as the EU can be. after just like we've got Macs and PCs and brith control pills, injectionsm and patches i'm sure that the GFFA has a variety of cloning methods that have developed over the years.

also, the way i understand it, during the Empire not all Stormtroopers were clones. at that point they were recruited or maybe even drafted into service. in a real world sense it's kind of logical as this would give people something to do rather than wonder about just how worth it the "New Order" was.

Zahn may actually get a chance to bring that up in his new book. Taking place sometime between ANH and ESB with some focusing on a group of Stormtroopers who have gone rogue. It's going to be called Allegiance.

I'm just hoping I can get into Dark Force Rising more than I did Heir to the Empire because for me it didn't live up to the hype. Mostly though because he was trying to set everything up just right, hopefully with the next one he won't have to explain everything and just jump right in.

[The Batman]

yeah i just read about Alliance today. exactly what's going with the Rebellion era stormtroopers is one of the things that i'm hoping will get cleared up with this novel.

[Bruce Wayne Jr.]

May I recommend Yoda: Dark Rendezvous?

It's fast-paced, action packed, and pretty much the definitive Yoda and Dooku story. I've only read a handful of the novels, but so far Dark Rendezvous is my favorite.

My favorite EU character is either Jolee Bindo or Darth Traya, for obvious reasons. ;)

[Gabriel]

Even though no one seems to be reading the newer books-- I recently finished Betrayal... great book, although it sucks that Jacen, the most highly educated Jedi is slowly slipping farther and farther down the 'path of the darkside."

Has anyone picked up the new comic book Star Wars: Legacy? I have a suspicion that Jacen is Darth Krayt.

[Rabid Trekkie]

May I recommend Yoda: Dark Rendezvous?

It's fast-paced, action packed, and pretty much the definitive Yoda and Dooku story. I've only read a handful of the novels, but so far Dark Rendezvous is my favorite.

My favorite EU character is either Jolee Bindo or Darth Traya, for obvious reasons. ;)

Seconded. That book was awesome. I liked it as much as Labryinth of Evil and that's saying alot.

[jwd]

A new series titled "Legacy" has just started. Aaron Allaston (the writer of the X-Wing books) is 1 of 3 writers working on the series. I think its 9 parts with each writer doing 3 books. So Mr, Allaston is writing books 1, 4 and 7.

I thought book 1 was really good. It takes place after the New Jedi Order (a series that lasted way to long and got way to depressing) and after the Dark Nest Trilogy. The Dark Nest Trilogy actually gives Luke the details about his father's fall. I think it was the first series written after EP3 was released so they could put stuff in the books.

Back to the Legacy series - It actually takes place I think 35 years after the movies. This is a novel series and not to be confused with the Dark Horse Comic series that takes place 90 years after this series.

[Armless Penguin]

Jacen's fall has been predicted since the end of NJO, but I held onto the vague hope that he might persevere, as he's my favorite EU character, until the Dark Nest Trilogy. But alas . . . Still, it makes for VERY interesting storylines.

Betrayal was great--bought it the day it came out and finished it in short order. I'm currently eagerly anticipating Bloodlines and the rest of the series.

The Legacy comic is decent so far, and I too got the feeling that they might be doing that with Krayt, but if that IS what's happening, I doubt it'll be revealed any time soon. :-/

[Rabid Trekkie]

Jacen's fall has been predicted since the end of NJO, but I held onto the vague hope that he might persevere, as he's my favorite EU character, until the Dark Nest Trilogy. But alas . . . Still, it makes for VERY interesting storylines.

Betrayal was great--bought it the day it came out and finished it in short order. I'm currently eagerly anticipating Bloodlines and the rest of the series.

The Legacy comic is decent so far, and I too got the feeling that they might be doing that with Krayt, but if that IS what's happening, I doubt it'll be revealed any time soon. :-/

I don't know, haven't read Betrayal or any of the NJO books, but doesn't it seem stupid for a character with the family history that he's got and seeing the dark side like he has to suddenly believe its okay?

Of course when it comes to the twins I've only read book one and two of the Young Jedi Knight series.

[The Batman]

from what i read of Betrayal it seemed that in Jacen's mind since he knows the dangers of the Dark Side so well he can explore it while simultaneously avoiding the traps that caught his grandfather and uncle. Jacan may have gotten the Solo smart-mouth and unhelpful manners but he also got the Skywalker [over]confidence.

[Armless Penguin]

New Jedi Order seriously alters Jacen's character, especially Traitor, where his new philosphy is birthed, and those books following it.

Several passages from Traitor:

He went very, very still. "What do you mean? I can feel the dark side here. I touched the dark side, and it, and it, it touched me—"

"No. What you feel is the Force." Slowly, painfully, she lifted herself onto her elbows, and she met his blankly astonished stare. "This is the shameful secret of the Jedi: There is no dark side."

. . .

"The force is one, Jacen Solo. The Force is everything, and everything is the Force. I've told you already: the Force does not take sides. The Force does not even have sides."

. . .

"Light and dark are no more than nomenclature: words that describe how little we understand." She seemed to draw strength from his weakness, slowly managing to sit up." What you call the dark side is the raw, unrestrained Force itself: you call the dark side what you find when you give yourself over wholly to the Force. To be a Jedi is to control your passion . . . but Jedi control limits your power. Greatness—true greatness of any kind—requires the surrender of control. Passion that is guided, not walled away. Leave your limits behind."

He ends up subscribing to a version of that philosophy, where he uses his passion to fuel his use of the Force but is still "wary" of the dark side. Though I believe he does state in several other books that there is "no dark side," I can't find a specific passage, and his argument with Lumiya at the end of Betrayal seemed to indicate he at least currently believes in it. Anyway, he leaves at the end of the series and travels the galaxy for a number of years learning all he can about alternative Force using cultures, incorporating their skills into his, and further distancing himself from the actual ideals of the Jedi.

In Betrayal and the books prior he's shown to believe that the ends justify the means, which is what he sees himself doing by becoming a Sith. He believes that the only way he can save the galaxy—and more specifically his family—from destroying itself is by doing so. His situation is rather analogous to Anakin's in that respect: Jacen had a daughter with Tenel Ka that no one knows about, and he has done many questionable things—especially in Dark Nest—in order to "protect her," just as Anakin had been doing for Padmé. And like the Batman said, he thinks that, because of everything he has learned, he can master the teachings of the Sith rather than letting the teachings master him, like all other Siths have done.

Anyway, if you haven't read the NJO, I suggest at least reading Traitor. It's, overall, one of the finer EU books, and vastly different from the others. The core cast is tiny, which really allows for character expansion, and that's the whole point of the novel.

[The Batman]

^^^

i'd been avoiding getting into the NJO for so long. it just seemed to be so unwieldy and i'd have so much ground to cover that it didn't seem worth.

you just got me to start reading the NJO books.

damn you.


;)

[G. Wayne]

...
Has anyone picked up the new comic book Star Wars: Legacy? I have a suspicion that Jacen is Darth Krayt.

Makes sense from the little I know of Jacen from Wiki and Wookiee-pedia.

I've always been more interested in the Old Republic era, and I'm intrigued by the speculation that Zayne from the new KoToR comic might be Darth Nihilus.

And on a side note, while I love the concept to the Legacy era Sith, I'm going to pick up the Darth Bane book one of these days too.

[Armless Penguin]

^^^

i'd been avoiding getting into the NJO for so long. it just seemed to be so unwieldy and i'd have so much ground to cover that it didn't seem worth.

you just got me to start reading the NJO books.

damn you.


;)

*Bows* Then I have done my duty as a Star Wars fan, :D

The New Jedi Order is a LONG ride, but changes SO many things that at the very least, knowing what happens is essential. The ending of Star By Star is still haunting.

[Rachel Grey]

Babbling Fangirl Mode. Jacen/Tenel Ka 4 Evah!!!!oneone!!!1

[ChrisIII]

Regarding the different cloning explanations, Timothy Zahn linked the cloning in his books with that of the prequels in one of his short stories for Star Wars insider, I think.


BTW the Thrawn trilogy was adapted into slightly abridged comic form by Dark Horse. I think Mike Baron did the adaptation with art by Oliver Vatine, Terry Dodgson and the late Edvin Biounivic (sp?) The TPBs should still be available.

There is a Darth Bane novel coming that apparentally picks up where "Jedi vs. Sith" left off. Also a Darth Plageuis novel is also on the way.


Depending on how you feel about the prequels, you might want to check out the "Clone Wars" novels and comics, which are pretty good and an improvement over their source material IMO. I also recommend the X-wing comic series, which is sort of a prequel to the X-wing novels.

[The Batman]

yes the Thrawn trilogy was adapted, quite well IMO, by Dark Horse and i'd always hoped that there'd be more of an effort to adapt someone of the better Star Wars novels to the comics.

[ChrisIII]

SPLINTER OF THE MIND'S EYE and SHADOWS OF THE EMPIRE were also adapted; SPLINTER was altered somewhat to better fit into SW continuity; while SHADOWS was heavily abridged and featured scenes featuring Boba Fett that were not in the novel. (Apparentally when you combine the game +novel+comic you get the 'whole' Shadows story).

An adaptation of TRUCE AT BAKURA was in the planning stages but was cancelled because of the upcoming prequels. Also THE NEW JEDI ORDER was originally going to be a Dark Horse project but got shifted to the novels instead. Only a few comics really deal with the Yuzzhan Vong; CRIMSON EMPIRE II which introduces Nom Anor; CHEWBACCA which mainly deals with the characters remeniscing about their recently departed colleague; and a short story in STAR WARS TALES featuring Kyle Katarn and Jan Ors (From the Dark Forces/Jedi Knight series of games) battling Peace Brigade and Vong.

The comics seem to be 'looking back' currently while the novels handle the 'further adventures' stuff. There are currently three ongoings-KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC which takes place a few years before the game and millenia before the movies; REBELLION which takes place between ANH and ESB; LEGACY featuring SW a century or two after the current time, and the upcoming DARK TIMES which will deal with the early days of the Empire.

[Athena Bast]

Timothy Zahn's Thrawn books.

I seem to be the only person alive who likes the Jedi Academy Trilogy by Kevin J Anderson.

I also really like "The Crystal Star" by Vonda McIntyre. It's mostly a "Leia" novel when her kids get kidnapped she goes off to rescue them while Han and Luke are on a mission elsewhere. It's been a while since I read it but believe this is a novel that had a really powerful moment with Admiral Ackbar in it that sealed it for me as him being one of my favourite peripherial characters.

I couldn't get into "Truce" for the life of me because of the reptilian bad guys and just the beginning where I think Chewie was making a little secret love nest getaway for Leia and Han on the Falcon. I've read a lot of trashy romance novels in my time but that moment was the corniest thing I've ever read.

[cactusmaac]

there's also a book out right now called Star Wars On Trial. essentially David Brin and Matt Stover argue over the merits, or lack thereof, of Star Wars both on the big screen and the bookshelf. among the charges are that Star Wars isn't real sci-fi, that Star Wars has ruined sci-fi, and that Star Wars fiction is driving real sci-fi/fantasy off the bookshelves.

an interesting book for people that love, or hate, the saga of a galaxy far, far away. given my signature it's probably pretty obvious which side i belong to.

beyond that, i'm also reading the new Legacy of the Force novel, Betrayal. i've not gotten into the NJO so this is really my first attempt at the Star Wars EU post RotJ that's post the Thrawn trilogy. so far so good though. interesting read and easy enough to pick things up on the run.

Brin's criticism is truly woeful. It boils down to him hating Star Wars because he intensely dislikes the notion that people can be born with abilities that elevate them above the average person. THE INCREDIBLES seemed to have been written as a response to him. It's a wonder he gets so irritated by Star Wars when LOTR is far worse when it comes to praising hierarchy, tradition etc.

[Kirayoshi]

I liked Zahn's Thrawn trilogy. Also, check out his follow-ups, "Spectre of the Past" and "Vision of the Future". Helped lay out the groundwork for the NJO stories by indicating that a new threat would arise, while creating the truce between the New Republic and the Imperial remnant and finally getting Luke and Mara together. They were the last Star Wars books published by Bantam before Del Rey took over the franchise, so they essentially provided closure for one Star Wars era and helped usher in a new era.

[Roquefort Raider]

Brin's criticism is truly woeful. It boils down to him hating Star Wars because he intensely dislikes the notion that people can be born with abilities that elevate them above the average person.

That's odd... one could argue that Brin himself was born with above-average abilities (his academic and literary success bespeaking of a high IQ).

Besides, books like "Forrest Gump" show us that being born with higher than average abilities doesn't mean we're better at handling whatever fate throws at us.

But I would agree that Star Wars is like a box of chocolates... The first is great, the second enjoyable, the third okay... and by the sixth helping you're feeling a bit green around the gills.

[sun tzu]

Chalk me up as another guy who loved the Thrawn trilogy - and, more recently, "Outbound Flight". What can I say? Thrawn's my favorite litterrary character.

[The Batman]

SPLINTER OF THE MIND'S EYE and SHADOWS OF THE EMPIRE were also adapted; SPLINTER was altered somewhat to better fit into SW continuity; while SHADOWS was heavily abridged and featured scenes featuring Boba Fett that were not in the novel. (Apparentally when you combine the game +novel+comic you get the 'whole' Shadows story).

An adaptation of TRUCE AT BAKURA was in the planning stages but was cancelled because of the upcoming prequels. Also THE NEW JEDI ORDER was originally going to be a Dark Horse project but got shifted to the novels instead. Only a few comics really deal with the Yuzzhan Vong; CRIMSON EMPIRE II which introduces Nom Anor; CHEWBACCA which mainly deals with the characters remeniscing about their recently departed colleague; and a short story in STAR WARS TALES featuring Kyle Katarn and Jan Ors (From the Dark Forces/Jedi Knight series of games) battling Peace Brigade and Vong.

The comics seem to be 'looking back' currently while the novels handle the 'further adventures' stuff. There are currently three ongoings-KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC which takes place a few years before the game and millenia before the movies; REBELLION which takes place between ANH and ESB; LEGACY featuring SW a century or two after the current time, and the upcoming DARK TIMES which will deal with the early days of the Empire.

i own and enjoyed all those you mentioned. i thought the Chris Spouse art on Splinter of the Mind's Eye was especially fantastic and really hope that he'll do more Star Wars work someday.

i wasn't aware that the NJO stories were originally conceived as material for the comics - i think that would've been great. aside from the films, and the Clone Wars animated series of course, i think that comics do Star Wars the best because of their hybrid nature they're really able to capture the amazing visuals of the GFFA better than other mediums. i think i'd have rathered the comics dealt with the post RotJ adventures of Luke, Han, Leia et al. rather than what we're currently seeing in Rebellion.

[Mufluddag]

Too early...

[Mr. Palmer]

Chalk me up as another guy who loved the Thrawn trilogy - and, more recently, "Outbound Flight". What can I say? Thrawn's my favorite litterrary character.

Does "Outbound Flight" deal with Thrawn?

I'm new to Star Wars novels, and I can dig Thrawn, too.

[sun tzu]

Does "Outbound Flight" deal with Thrawn?

I'm new to Star Wars novels, and I can dig Thrawn, too.
He's one of the major characters of the book, yes.
You might or might not recall that, at the beginning of the Thrawn trilogy, Thrawn mentions the Outbound Flight project...but that was, arguably, a bit of a spoiler for the "Outbound Flight" book itself, which happens before Episode II.

[Jay]

I don't know, haven't read Betrayal or any of the NJO books, but doesn't it seem stupid for a character with the family history that he's got and seeing the dark side like he has to suddenly believe its okay?

Let me just state this: I'm a Star Wars fan, bit I believe the overwhelming majority of the Star Wars books I have read have been something closer to absolutely awful than ever approaching even being average. Outside of efforts by Stover, Stewart and Traviss, very few titles go beyond being deemed readable; I do think Zahn's original trilogy - the following duology was much weaker - is essential.

All that said, I read Allston's Betrayal a few months ago, and this is a book I'm ready to include among the best Star Wars novels I have read - I'm very excited about this sequence (next book written by Traviss) which is something that I have never said Star Wars books - a great read about Jacen.

[Mr. Palmer]

He's one of the major characters of the book, yes.
You might or might not recall that, at the beginning of the Thrawn trilogy, Thrawn mentions the Outbound Flight project...but that was, arguably, a bit of a spoiler for the "Outbound Flight" book itself, which happens before Episode II.

I remember that, but am cool with spoilers. Thanks for telling me where it fits into the timeline, too.

I appreciate the help. :)

[sun tzu]

I remember that, but am cool with spoilers. Thanks for telling me where it fits into the timeline, too.

I appreciate the help. :)
Glad to be of assistance.

[The Batman]

He's one of the major characters of the book, yes.
You might or might not recall that, at the beginning of the Thrawn trilogy, Thrawn mentions the Outbound Flight project...but that was, arguably, a bit of a spoiler for the "Outbound Flight" book itself, which happens before Episode II.

have you read Outbound Flight? if so how is it?

[sun tzu]

have you read Outbound Flight? if so how is it?
I loved it. Lots of thrawny goodness, the Chiss elements, the story of Outbound Flight itself...I consider it a good story.

[The Batman]

awesome.

i'm diving headlong into the Star Wars EU this last month of summer before my M.A. starts up and i'm looking for another good Star Wars book to read.

[Lester C.]

I am reading the dark nest trilogy and I'm really digging it and will buy a copy of the Hardcover Betrayal. What I love about the expanded universe it that it changes and moves forward unlike Star Trek Novels which, for good or worse, remain consistent to whatever TV show is based. I just love the fact that in 1992 Jacen and Jaina were first born and now in the newest hardcover they are both 31 years old.

[Rabid Trekkie]

I am reading the dark nest trilogy and I'm really digging it and will buy a copy of the Hardcover Betrayal. What I love about the expanded universe it that it changes and moves forward unlike Star Trek Novels which, for good or worse, remain consistent to whatever TV show is based. I just love the fact that in 1992 Jacen and Jaina were first born and now in the newest hardcover they are both 31 years old.

Actually the Trek novels have been changing it up and pushing forward. The new series Titan is about Riker's command and the first book takes place a month after Nemesis. The DS9 books have also been pushing forward. And then there are the book series that only share name and guest stars with the TV shows.

And to not completely make this a Trek post, I bought Dark Force Rising today and will probably start it soon.

[Jay]

I'm reading Star Wars on Trial - a debate on the merits of the saga featuring David Brin and Matthew Stover commentary.

[BigBoss]

the clone wars grahpic novels are pretty sweet.

[The Batman]

I'm reading Star Wars on Trial - a debate on the merits of the saga featuring David Brin and Matthew Stover commentary.

Star Wars on Trial is a great read. it's really interesting and alot of fun, especially the Stover parts.

i think that this would be interesting to people on either side of the debate, pro or anti Star Wars though i might be biased since i am decidedly pro Star Wars and love Star Wars scholarship.

[Jay]

I'm also going on to Bloodlines (just go it today) by Karen Traviss (Legacy of the Force part II) which is the probably the first Stars Wars books I have anticipated reading in a decade.

[Sabrina_Fried]

Im so far behind on my SW reading. I haven't even picked up Star Wars on Trial or Betrayl yet, and at the rate I am going, by the time I get around to the latter itll probably be in paperback!

Personally I find the SW books over the years have been hit and miss. Some of them I enjoyed immensely and still re-read every now and then. Some of them I didn't really like and haven't touched since the day I finished reading them. The one thing I do like about the SW books overall though is that they do try to keep a certain level of continuity with themselves and the movies and comics and TV shows and RPGs, etc

Sabrina

[Armless Penguin]

I'm also going on to Bloodlines (just go it today) by Karen Traviss (Legacy of the Force part II) which is the probably the first Stars Wars books I have anticipated reading in a decade.

How'd you get Bloodlines? It doesn't come out for another two weeks!

[Rabid Trekkie]

How'd you get Bloodlines? It doesn't come out for another two weeks!

I need to get me one of them time machines.

[The Batman]

How'd you get Bloodlines? It doesn't come out for another two weeks!

well i know that sometimes Amazon ships stuff out a little early but i don't know about two weeks early . . .

still, the latest Star Wars Insider features a sneek peek of Bloodlines and it seems awesome.

[Jay]

How'd you get Bloodlines? It doesn't come out for another two weeks!

Review copy - perks of being a reviewer.:)

[The Batman]

oh, well that's a pretty neat job.

i must confess though i am very much struggling to resist the temptation to ask for spoilers, teasers, or any other sort of giveaways.

[Jay]

Finished Bloodlines - Karen Traviss is my new hero.

[Sabrina_Fried]

oh, well that's a pretty neat job.

i must confess though i am very much struggling to resist the temptation to ask for spoilers, teasers, or any other sort of giveaways.

As much as I have tried to resist, most of Betrayl has already been spoiled for me. Ah well, by the time I get around to reading it I will probably have forgotten the spoilers anyway.

Sabrina

[The Batman]

i had Betrayal sort of spoiled for me too though it was all rather accidental. the test of a good story though for me is if it can hold up to repeated viewings, if it's still interesting even when you know what's going to happen.

knowing what happened with Jacen in Betrayal didn't hamper my enjoyment of a great novel one bit.

[Ghost]

I haven't read allot of SW books, since I find it difficult to get a hold of them in the right chronological order.
I did, however, like the entire Young Jedi Knight series allot. Not extremely well written, but they had the right spirit. Sort of Star Wars, Enid Blyton-style. :D

[sherlockbones]

from amazon:
The Swarm War (Star Wars: Dark Nest, Book 3)
The Chiss-Killik border war is threatening to engulf the entire galaxy and raising the awful specter of Killiks sweeping across space to absorb all living creatures into a single hive mind.

i was planing to give it a try but after reading this i fear it is little too obviously stolen from the trekkies. is it really as worse as it sounds?

[The Batman]

I haven't read allot of SW books, since I find it difficult to get a hold of them in the right chronological order.
I did, however, like the entire Young Jedi Knight series allot. Not extremely well written, but they had the right spirit. Sort of Star Wars, Enid Blyton-style. :D

if you go here (http://yodasdatapad.com/booklist.html) you'll find a pretty up to date chronological listing of the Star Wars novels. i found it pretty helpful when i decided to jump into the EU.

[Ghost]

if you go here (http://yodasdatapad.com/booklist.html) you'll find a pretty up to date chronological listing of the Star Wars novels. i found it pretty helpful when i decided to jump into the EU.

No, see, the problem is that I literally can't get a hold of the books in the propper order. They're simply to few and far between. I'm lucky to find one of the trilogies as rather worn pockets at the library. To make matters worse, the individual parts are placed in different genres. It took weeks for them to dig up the last book in the Jedi Academy trilogy.
To add to the confusion, they've translated some books, but left others that are set earlier in the chronology untranslated. That's not really a problem, save for the fact that I've already read all the translated ones first out of habit/comfort.

[The Batman]

oh, well i don't know where'd you be able to get your hands on more translations. sorry i can't be of more help.


in other news, i just got STAR WARS: Bloodlines in the mail yesterday from Chapters. i'll probably start it on monday.

[jwd]

Finished Bloodlines - Karen Traviss is my new hero.

Agreed. My local Wal-Mart put it on the shelf early. Its also the first Star Wars book they've sold in nearly a year. I didn't actually start reading it until yesterday morning and finished it at 1 in the morning this morning. Great read.

She did a great job with all the characters. Giving us their insights and worries/fears/doubts/motivations, etc.

[jwd]

I just love the fact that in 1992 Jacen and Jaina were first born and now in the newest hardcover they are both 31 years old.

Yeah it is a nice refreshing change of pace. I'm 5 watching Christopher Reeve play Superman. Its great. Jump ahead many years later. A 26 year old is playing Superman. Waitaminute! I'm 31. I can't be 5 years older than Superman. Nooooooooooooooo! I'm older than Superman. Its the retirement home for me. :p

Now for it to be reversed. 18 and reading a Star Wars books about Han and Leia having kids. Jump ahead a few years. I'm 31 and what's this? They're 31 already. Man those kids grow up fast. :)

I am suprised they've been jumping ahead so much recently. 5 years after NJO we get Dark Nest and then another 5 year jump to Legacy. I guess they'll fill in those years later.

[Lester C.]

I just picked up my copy of Bloodlines. I was shocked to see Boba Fett on the cover, but any story with Boba is going to have my vote.

[Armless Penguin]

Man, this series just keeps getting more and more disturbing. Guess I know why Tenel Ka's on the cover to Tempest now, huh?

I'm still hoping for some chance of redemption for Jacen by the end of the series, but with every passing book that's just looking less and less likely.

[The Batman]

^^^

there's been speculation that Jacen might be the aged Sith Lord seen in the Dark Horse series STAR WARS: Legacy.

[jwd]

^^^

there's been speculation that Jacen might be the aged Sith Lord seen in the Dark Horse series STAR WARS: Legacy.



Its possible but there's something in the first issue that disputes that.


Darth Krayt - the Sith Lord in the Legacy comic mentions in a recording at the beginning that he was waiting even during the Yuzhan (sp?) Vong War. That war occurred 10 years before Jacen started his Sith training under Luminaya (again sp?)

Now its possible this is just how Jacen perceives things after being on the Dark Side for 100 years. He already has a twisted view of things. Of course in book 1 of Legacy it also seemed like Luminaya was also talking with another presence. One that might try to take over Jacen's body perhaps. He just needs a body that's dark and powerful in order to do so. Krayt could be a Dark Side Sith spirit inside Jacen Solo's body.

Some spoilers but pretty much speculation above.

[Lester C.]

The publisher of Dark Horse has stated that legacy of the force series that his company is publishing isn't cannon and won't reflect the expanded universe. That said other non cannon Dark Horse comics have made their way into the books so who knows.

[Magneto_X]

I'm hooked on the Bounty Hunter Wars.

Now I'm branching out into Zahn's books and want to get New Jedi Order and the Legacy of the Force: Bloodlines series.

[jwd]

The publisher of Dark Horse has stated that legacy of the force series that his company is publishing isn't cannon and won't reflect the expanded universe. That said other non cannon Dark Horse comics have made their way into the books so who knows.

Do you have a link to a site that says this? From what I understood the Legacy book and the Legacy comic series would tie together some how. Bits and pieces would be revealed in each of them.

[Lester C.]

Do you have a link to a site that says this? From what I understood the Legacy book and the Legacy comic series would tie together some how. Bits and pieces would be revealed in each of them.
My source was a wikipedia article but that quote has been removed from the article without any explanation as to why.

[Lester C.]

Final bidding for Star Wars bloodlines are going for over fifty dollars. http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2 F&fkr=1&from=R8&satitle=star+wars+bloodlines&category0= Can anyone explain what that about? Speaking of bloodlines what did you guys think. I loved it myself and am enjoying the Legacy series far more than New Jedi Order, which was good but went on way too long.

[SlightlyMad]

I'm hooked on the Bounty Hunter Wars.


I read them a while back & remember really enjoying them (then I am a total fanboy with anything featuring Boba Fett).

I'm currently working my way through the New Jedi Order books. I'm on Force Heretic II: Refugee at the moment. If anyone out there is looking to start these, be warned in the first book, Vector Prime, we lose an old friend...

[Magneto_X]

I'm reading the NJO series, as well. I'm almost halfway through The Unifying Force and have yet to read Dark Journey and Vector Prime (already bought them but I've got so many EU books last week I'm way behind in my reading).

I plan on getting all the NJO novels.

The series seems to have a polarising effect on the Star Wars fanbase. People either love it or hate it*. TUF has made a fan of it.

Personally, I enjoy long sagas that's why I don't see NJO as being "to long".

* I lurk at The Force.Net

TUF has made me a major fan of Jaina Solo. Plus the illustrations of her as an adult (re: NJO covers, Wiki etc) have her as a hottie. :D

Here's a pic of the sexy Jaina!

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/c/c3/260px-Jaina.jpg

[Lester C.]

I'm reading the NJO series, as well. I'm almost halfway through The Unifying Force and have yet to read Dark Journey and Vector Prime (already bought them but I've got so many EU books last week I'm way behind in my reading).

I plan on getting all the NJO novels.

The series seems to have a polarising effect on the Star Wars fanbase. People either love it or hate it*. TUF has made a fan of it.

Personally, I enjoy long sagas that's why I don't see NJO as being "to long".

* I lurk at The Force.Net

TUF has made me a major fan of Jaina Solo. Plus the illustrations of her as an adult (re: NJO covers, Wiki etc) have her as a hottie. :D
Then you should enjoy Legacy. It's going to be nine novels, two of which have already been released. Before reading the Legacy trilogy you should read the three swarm war novels as it bridges NJO and Legacy together.

[Magneto_X]

I just began Bloodlines, Lester.

I'll get the Dark Nest Crisis novels after I've collected the rest of the NJO series.

[jwd]

My source was a wikipedia article but that quote has been removed from the article without any explanation as to why.

From what I've read wikipdedia articles can be modified by just about anyone. Someone might of posted that the Legacy book and Legacy comic werne't connected then it was deleted when they learned there was a connection.

There's a 90 year gap between them so it would only be a loose connection.

[Gabriel]

I read them a while back & remember really enjoying them (then I am a total fanboy with anything featuring Boba Fett).

I'm currently working my way through the New Jedi Order books. I'm on Force Heretic II: Refugee at the moment. If anyone out there is looking to start these, be warned in the first book, Vector Prime, we lose an old friend...

Then brace yourself, because we lose another one soon after Refugee. :(

[Lester C.]

Then brace yourself, because we lose another one soon after Refugee. :(
That isn't confirmed yet. Anyway if you think about the character we lost in Vector prime was minor. In the movies the character works great, but having he did not translate very well into books. While the character works in any visual medium, it isn't very entertaining to read about a character that only speaks in an alien language that isn't translated for the fans.

[Armless Penguin]

That isn't confirmed yet.

How so?

Though I can't remember any major movie characters that died post-Refugee. A few minor ones, sure, but no one the casual person would even know the name of.

EDIT: Whoops, just realized it wasn't solely talking about movie characters.

[Sabrina_Fried]

Final bidding for Star Wars bloodlines are going for over fifty dollars. http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2 F&fkr=1&from=R8&satitle=star+wars+bloodlines&category0= Can anyone explain what that about? Speaking of bloodlines what did you guys think. I loved it myself and am enjoying the Legacy series far more than New Jedi Order, which was good but went on way too long.

Those ebay auctions are supposedly for hardback editions that aren't going to be available for regular commercial sale. (Bloodlines is a mass market book)

From looking at the photos available on ebay, it looks like some of the bids are either on advanced reading copies that were printed in a trade paperback-like format...or said hardcovers, though quite honestly, some of the photos of the latter look very photoshopped.

IF this edition truly exists, its probably a library binding.

Sabrina

[The Batman]

From what I've read wikipdedia articles can be modified by just about anyone. Someone might of posted that the Legacy book and Legacy comic werne't connected then it was deleted when they learned there was a connection.

There's a 90 year gap between them so it would only be a loose connection.



if there is a connection between the Legacy of the Force novels and the Legacy comic then given that we find out that Luke has become one with the Force by the era of the Legacy comic then i wonder if he'll survive this storyline? could Jacen kill his uncle? it certainly would be a bold move.

highlight to read possible spoilers.

[Gabriel]

EDIT: Whoops, just realized it wasn't solely talking about movie characters.

... Yep ... :p Sorry I didn't clarify that. :)

[SlightlyMad]

That isn't confirmed yet. Anyway if you think about the character we lost in Vector prime was minor. In the movies the character works great, but having he did not translate very well into books. While the character works in any visual medium, it isn't very entertaining to read about a character that only speaks in an alien language that isn't translated for the fans.

Maybe he was "minor" in the greater scheme of things, but he's a character who's been in it since the beginning (as in 1977 rather than Episode One) as wass beloved by many. Anyway, a lot of his character was in his body language & actions (he didn't have subtitles in the movie either) and that came across in the books, I thought.
I for one miss him from the Star Wars Universe, although there are still family to carry on his legacy (including a jedi).

[Gabriel]

Maybe he was "minor" in the greater scheme of things, but he's a character who's been in it since the beginning (as in 1977 rather than Episode One) as wass beloved by many. Anyway, a lot of his character was in his body language & actions (he didn't have subtitles in the movie either) and that came across in the books, I thought.
I for one miss him from the Star Wars Universe, although there are still family to carry on his legacy (including a jedi).

Exactly, the humor was in the reactions of the people who knew what the character was saying. I've never heard anyone complain about not understanding what R2 is saying.

[Lester C.]

Exactly, the humor was in the reactions of the people who knew what the character was saying. I've never heard anyone complain about not understanding what R2 is saying.
R2 was another character that didn't work in the books, untill they started translated what he said to Luke. Again these two characters, while perfect in the movies, don't make the transistion as well in the print media.

[Gabriel]

I guess it depends on the author, but I thought they worked well enough. :/

[The Batman]

^^^

Agreed. The only time I've never cared for R2 is when he becomes a plot device rather than a character.

[Magneto_X]

R2 was another character that didn't work in the books, untill they started translated what he said to Luke. Again these two characters, while perfect in the movies, don't make the transistion as well in the print media.

Zahn made R2 work from what I've read of his work (I'm halfway through Heir To The Empire right now). Which is very impressive.

[The Batman]

Got STAR WARS: Darth Bane - Path of Destruction in the mail today. It's going to be a little while before I can get to it though.

Anyone else get this? What did you think?

[Lester C.]

Got STAR WARS: Darth Bane - Path of Destruction in the mail today. It's going to be a little while before I can get to it though.

Anyone else get this? What did you think?
What you guys think of Darth Bane will deterimine if I purchase this book as a hardcover or wait for the paper back to come out so please post.

[Armless Penguin]

What you guys think of Darth Bane will deterimine if I purchase this book as a hardcover or wait for the paper back to come out so please post.

I'm in the same boat as Lester. I'm anxious to spend money on it at the moment, with it being by an author I know nothing about and about a character I'm only casually interested in.

[Magneto_X]

I'm in the same boat as Lester. I'm anxious to spend money on it at the moment, with it being by an author I know nothing about and about a character I'm only casually interested in.

This is why I only get books in tradepaperback.

To bad three of the Legacy books are only in hardcover.

Now I have no choice in the matter. :(

[Armless Penguin]

Heh, I just realized I wrote "anxious" instead of "hesitant." Wow, talk about a typo having the exact opposite meaning. XD

[Lester C.]

I'm in the same boat as Lester. I'm anxious to spend money on it at the moment, with it being by an author I know nothing about and about a character I'm only casually interested in.
That's my point. Don't get me wrong, I love the Jedi Sith era as evidenced by the number of time I've played Kotor 1 and 2 but I have no idea who Bane is and have never read anything about the author writing the book.

[Magneto_X]

Lester:

Just borrow it from a local library.

[Lester C.]

Lester:

Just borrow it from a local library.
They only have one copy and I didn't even know that this book was on the radar so I just reserved it. I'm 22 on the list to get it, and the book can be checked out for three weeks, so I'm not getting it from there anytime soon.

[Gabriel]

This is why I only get books in tradepaperback.

To bad three of the Legacy books are only in hardcover.

Now I have no choice in the matter. :(

Bloodlines came out in paperback about a week ago. I'm half way through it and there isn't a lot of action, but the story is great. :)

[Lester C.]

Bloodlines came out in paperback about a week ago. I'm half way through it and there isn't a lot of action, but the story is great. :)
The Star Wars novels are known for putting plot over action and I have no problem with that.

[Rabid Trekkie]

That's my point. Don't get me wrong, I love the Jedi Sith era as evidenced by the number of time I've played Kotor 1 and 2 but I have no idea who Bane is and have never read anything about the author writing the book.

Well the history of Bane (without going into a lot of detail from some of the comics) is that he's the Sith that creates the rule that there can be only 2 Sith. Yeah that's his whole contribution. I hope the book gives him some cooler stuff to go with it but I'm not getting it till I read some reviews first.

[Lester C.]

Well the history of Bane (without going into a lot of detail from some of the comics) is that he's the Sith that creates the rule that there can be only 2 Sith. Yeah that's his whole contribution. I hope the book gives him some cooler stuff to go with it but I'm not getting it till I read some reviews first.
I know this from the Novilzation of Revenge of the Jedi. Darth Bane belived that there should always be two. One to embody power and one to covet it.

[Lester C.]

I just bought the Darth Bane book. Thirty percent off conbined with the fact that the writer of this book was the lead writer for Kotor 1 sealed the deal.

[Lester C.]

I just read the first chapter of Darth Bane and it rocks. If you are a fan of The Sith Era comics and games this book is a must read. If not then you might want to stay away. This is espcially the case if your knolwelge of Sith Mythology doesn't expand beyond Darth Vader and Sidious. (Sorry about the bad spelling but I have no choice at this computer I'm at:o )

[Magneto_X]

Bloodlines came out in paperback about a week ago. I'm half way through it and there isn't a lot of action, but the story is great. :)

I got that not long after it was released. Excellent book!

[Gabriel]

I got that not long after it was released. Excellent book!
I'm almost done with it. At the end of "NJO" I was really beginning to like Jacen, I like him less and less as the book goes on. :(

[Lester C.]

I'm almost done with it. At the end of "NJO" I was really beginning to like Jacen, I like him less and less as the book goes on. :(
That's the point. Also don't forget it's been ten years since NJO so alot has changed with everybody. Personally I'm digging it.

[Gabriel]

That's the point. Also don't forget it's been ten years since NJO so alot has changed with everybody. Personally I'm digging it.

Me too, it just seems that every time I pick a new favorite character (at least since NJO started) they die or become evil bastards. :mad:
The character developement makes complete sense. I always manage to screw up spoiler tags so I won't say any more.

[Lester C.]

Me too, it just seems that every time I pick a new favorite character (at least since NJO started) they die or become evil bastards. :mad:
The character developement makes complete sense. I always manage to screw up spoiler tags so I won't say any more.
As long as you are familar with the Sith era you might want to try Darth Bane after you read a chapter or two in the book store. It's a very good novel and self-contained so you don't have to worry about characters you like becoming evil or dead as it is a one shot.

[Gabriel]

As long as you are familar with the Sith era you might want to try Darth Bane after you read a chapter or two in the book store. It's a very good novel and self-contained so you don't have to worry about characters you like becoming evil or dead as it is a one shot.

My only familiarity with Bane is what get mentioned at the end of Betrayal... but it would be cool to see how he comes up with and gets the rest of the Sith to agree to the rule of two.

[Lester C.]

My only familiarity with Bane is what get mentioned at the end of Betrayal... but it would be cool to see how he comes up with and gets the rest of the Sith to agree to the rule of two.
It one of the best novels I've read, and quite possibly the best individual Star Wars novels I've ever read. The only reason why I can't give it a blanket recommendation is the fact the book is steep in Star Wars lore of events that have taken place a thousands years before the first movie. If you played Knights of the Old Republic or read the Jedi vs. Sith comics you are good to go, but I can't in good conscious recommend this awesome read to a Star Wars neophyte.

[saintsaucey]

i know people love Zahn, but personally, his books have done nothing for me. too much focus on Thrawn. i know he created the character, but give it a break already. he doesn't have to write him into EVERY book he writes


okay i got part way down the first page of this on going thread but i had to reply to this quote.

my answer is this ...yes he does. Thrawn is one of the best villians ever and the main reason why i think George Lucas should have given the reigns over to TZ instead of writing the movies him self. Outbound flight is one of the greatest novels I have ever read. and it contains hardly anyone from the original series. Obi Wan the Emperor/Chancelor Palpatine and Anakin are in it but barely yet the book is completely awsome and just makes me so giddy. especially after reading Survivors quest and seeing everything revield between the two books.

the two desidedly different x-wing series were great at the beginning but then they each when one novel to far and just kinda annoyed me. (Star Fighters and Issards Revenge btw) KJA's books were good not great but good.

worst of the worst would have to be the black fleet crisis and the crystal star.

I've not made it all the way through the new jedi order though.

[Lester C.]

okay i got part way down the first page of this on going thread but i had to reply to this quote.

my answer is this ...yes he does. Thrawn is one of the best villians ever and the main reason why i think George Lucas should have given the reigns over to TZ instead of writing the movies him self. Outbound flight is one of the greatest novels I have ever read. and it contains hardly anyone from the original series. Obi Wan the Emperor/Chancelor Palpatine and Anakin are in it but barely yet the book is completely awsome and just makes me so giddy. especially after reading Survivors quest and seeing everything revield between the two books.

the two desidedly different x-wing series were great at the beginning but then they each when one novel to far and just kinda annoyed me. (Star Fighters and Issards Revenge btw) KJA's books were good not great but good.

worst of the worst would have to be the black fleet crisis and the crystal star.

I've not made it all the way through the new jedi order though.
Regarding new jedi order (NJO) it really divided fans the way Indenity Crisis divided comic book fans. Anyone interested in those books, which I think span 25 in the whole series, really needs to do some preliminary research first to see if it is your cup of tea.

[Jared H.]

Dammit, dammit, dammit.

Now I HAVE to read the Darth Bane book.

[Lester C.]

Dammit, dammit, dammit.

Now I HAVE to read the Darth Bane book.
Preread a chapter or two first. I don't want to recieve an angry pm stating that you hated the book and only bought it because I recomend it highly. That said if you have played Kotor or read the Jedi Sith comics by Kevin J Anderson you owe it to yourself to read Darth Bane. It's even written by the lead writer of Kotor 1.

[Jared H.]

Preread a chapter or two first. I don't want to recieve an angry pm stating that you hated the book and only bought it because I recomend it highly. That said if you have played Kotor or read the Jedi Sith comics by Kevin J Anderson you owe it to yourself to read Darth Bane. It's even written by the lead writer of Kotor 1.


I've read most of the Star Wars book, and love both Kotor games. My fav SW book is "Traitor."


If this is up to par with the better SW books, I'll like it.

[Lester C.]

I just figured out how to describe Darth Bane. It's I Jedi in reverse. Instead of having a young Corren Horn go from a solder to a Jedi Knight we have a young man named Des go from a solder to a Sith lord. Both books are exclent coming of age tales. If you read I Jedi by Micheal Stakpole you will know what I mean if you have not well never mind.

[Jared H.]

I just figured out how to describe Darth Bane. It's I Jedi in reverse. Instead of having a young Corren Horn go from a solder to a Jedi Knight we have a young man named Des go from a solder to a Sith lord. Both books are exclent coming of age tales. If you read I Jedi by Micheal Stakpole you will know what I mean if you have not well never mind.


I love that book!

Another reason to pick up the Darth Bane one, then.

[The Batman]

Well, with the latest contest to give Jacen a Sith Lord name I suppose the theory that he's the Sith Lord in Legacy is bust.

[Lester C.]

Well, with the latest contest to give Jacen a Sith Lord name I suppose the theory that he's the Sith Lord in Legacy is bust.
How do you feel about Jacen becoming a Sith Lord? I grew up reading the character and I'll admit seeing the kind boy that good with animals becoming Darth something or other took me aback when I began noticing his fall in the Dark Nest triology of books. That said I'm really enjoying Star Wars novels in a way I haven't been since I was a kid so overall I'm happy even though I'm seeing my favorite charaters dying, turning to he darkside, etc.

[Armless Penguin]

How do you feel about Jacen becoming a Sith Lord? I grew up reading the character and I'll admit seeing the kind boy that good with animals becoming Darth something or other took me aback when I began noticing his fall in the Dark Nest triology of books. That said I'm really enjoying Star Wars novels in a way I haven't been since I was a kid so overall I'm happy even though I'm seeing my favorite charaters dying, turning to he darkside, etc.

Jacen has always been my favorite EU character. With that, I'm kind of mixed on his fall. On one hand, it's completely changing a character whom I loved into the epitome of evil; on the other, it's being extremely well done, and has nuanced his character in a very intriguing direction.

That said, I'll admit to bitterness and say that I don't believe it was the original intent to make Jacen Sith, but the plan was put into motion after the massive "fan" cry of DARK SIDE after Jacen's actions/attitude in NJO.

[Lester C.]

Jacen has always been my favorite EU character. With that, I'm kind of mixed on his fall. On one hand, it's completely changing a character whom I loved into the epitome of evil; on the other, it's being extremely well done, and has nuanced his character in a very intriguing direction.

That said, I'll admit to bitterness and say that I don't believe it was the original intent to make Jacen Sith, but the plan was put into motion after the massive "fan" cry of DARK SIDE after Jacen's actions/attitude in NJO.
Massive New Jedi Order spoilers.

It was Jacen rather than Anakin that was slated to die in Star by Star. It was changed to Anakin because the thought that having two Anakins, in different time periods, was going to confuse fans. At the time this made no sense, but if Jacen is following the path of his late brother then the pieces start to fall into place.

[The Batman]

How do you feel about Jacen becoming a Sith Lord? I grew up reading the character and I'll admit seeing the kind boy that good with animals becoming Darth something or other took me aback when I began noticing his fall in the Dark Nest triology of books. That said I'm really enjoying Star Wars novels in a way I haven't been since I was a kid so overall I'm happy even though I'm seeing my favorite charaters dying, turning to he darkside, etc.


My involvement with much of the NJO stuff was pretty casual and I'll admit that I followed alot of it through online reviews and messageboards. That being said, I never really expected them to have Jacen go over to the Dark Side like they did and I am loving it. I like that this isn't a case of someone being created to fall to the darkside or an instance like Anakin in the Prequels where he sort of had to fall to the darkside but rather this seems natural and shows just how seductive the darkside of the force can be.

[Armless Penguin]

Massive New Jedi Order spoilers.

It was Jacen rather than Anakin that was slated to die in Star by Star. It was changed to Anakin because the thought that having two Anakins, in different time periods, was going to confuse fans. At the time this made no sense, but if Jacen is following the path of his late brother then the pieces start to fall into place.

See, I knew that, and I'll admit it does make sense. But there's just something about the way that it was done and implemented that makes me suspicious.

But oh well.

[Lester C.]

See, I knew that, and I'll admit it does make sense. But there's just something about the way that it was done and implemented that makes me suspicious.

But oh well.
More Spoilers






































It could have something to do with the fact that all of the visions and prophecies around Anakin are going to go unfulfilled including the one he had right before he died where he was fighting an older version ofTahiri, while he was still eighteen. Then again that could just mean that Tahiri is going to become Jacen's apprentice and Anakain is going to come back in current continuity at the age he died and face her. They do have eight more novels to fill in before Legacy is completed so there is plenty of room for this to happen.

[Armless Penguin]

I actually think it would be kind of cool if Legacy had a time-skip a la Revenge to A New Hope (but maybe not that long) mid-way through the series. I don't think that will happen, but it could open up even more parallels between the trilogies and Legacy, as well as numerous different plots.

[Gabriel]

...after the massive "fan" cry of DARK SIDE after Jacen's actions/attitude in NJO.

I don't get that... the whole part at the end of NJO where Jacen becomes one with the Unifying Force (as opposed to the Living Force)... It made me feel more confident of Jacen as a good guy because the view point of the Unifying Force paralells my own studies (the is no Dark Side).

[Lester C.]

I don't get that... the whole part at the end of NJO where Jacen becomes one with the Unifying Force (as opposed to the Living Force)... It made me feel more confident of Jacen as a good guy because the view point of the Unifying Force paralells my own studies (the is no Dark Side).
The problem with separating the light from the dark is that there is no distinction between good and evil. Jacen’s motives are still good, but he is committing evil actions.

[ChrisIII]

Anybody check out the new comic Legacy #4? Interestingly, it takes a break from the main storyline to present a side-story involving Stormtrooopers. These Stormtroopers aren't the clones presented in the films but are more like the marines, and now there are female troopers as well. Plus we have a Quarren ("Squid Head") Sith, that's a first.

Only problem is that the Stormtrooper armor isn't that different from that of the OT (Although the commander wears yellow stripes similar to the PT troopers). You'd figure with the evolution of the armor potrayed in the films that there'd be some changes a century later. Then again, the EU has potrayed Star Wars technology as largely stagnant-there aren't many huge differences technology-wise between the KOTOR era and that of the films.

[Lester C.]

Anybody check out the new comic Legacy #4? Interestingly, it takes a break from the main storyline to present a side-story involving Stormtrooopers. These Stormtroopers aren't the clones presented in the films but are more like the marines, and now there are female troopers as well. Plus we have a Quarren ("Squid Head") Sith, that's a first.

Only problem is that the Stormtrooper armor isn't that different from that of the OT (Although the commander wears yellow stripes similar to the PT troopers). You'd figure with the evolution of the armor potrayed in the films that there'd be some changes a century later. Then again, the EU has potrayed Star Wars technology as largely stagnant-there aren't many huge differences technology-wise between the KOTOR era and that of the films.
The technology of Kotor is far more advanced than what is depicted in the current Star Wars Universe. This is double true for the comics written by Kevin J Anderson which took place before Kotor but not much before.

[ChrisIII]

^Could be because the galaxy in the films is in a bit of a decline, with items starting to be mass-produced instead of the glory days of the Republic. The chrome ships of the Naboo are sort of a last gasp....

I don't think the ships were as fast as they are in the films, though-KJA's Golden Age Of The Sith Empire emplies that there's still a big frontier in the Star Wars galaxy at that point.

[Lester C.]

^Could be because the galaxy in the films is in a bit of a decline, with items starting to be mass-produced instead of the glory days of the Republic. The chrome ships of the Naboo are sort of a last gasp....

I don't think the ships were as fast as they are in the films, though-KJA's Golden Age Of The Sith Empire emplies that there's still a big frontier in the Star Wars galaxy at that point.
The original theory was that the old republic was far more advance than the new republic because when Palipine came to power he eradicated all records of the advance Jedi and Sith powers as well as those who wielded them in an event called The Purge. It was also assumed that he took similar actions with the more advance technology. Then episode 1 thru 3 put paid to all that and there was a massive retcons that took place thanks to those movies.

[Lester C.]

Has anyone else read the Darth Bane novel yet?

[Armless Penguin]

Has anyone else read the Darth Bane novel yet?

Nope, still just you, =P.

I'm probably going to pick it up along with Tempest next month, though, so I'll definitely be reading it eventually.

[saintsaucey]

I am really looking forward to the timothy zahn book coming out in january
alliances or allegances something like that. I hated how much the movies contradicted the books. corisant having a landing pad and ground ou could actually see.

if i could invent a time machine i would go back in time and givel timothy zahn the idea of star wars before george lucas could come up with it


that plus i would capture Michael P Kube Mcdowell and Vonda Macintire and never aloow them out so their horible contributions to the star wars universe would cease to exsist

[Lester C.]

Time flys. We are less than a couple weeks away from Tempest. I really love Troy Dennings other Star Wars novels so I'm really looking forward to this one but Bloodlines set a really high bar that I don't know if this book can surpass.

[Lester C.]

Three days until Tempest. Now if Bloodlines is any indication its going to sell fast so make sure you get to your local book store on Tuesday Morning.

[jwd]

Got a copy of Tempest early:

A few highlights from it - MAJOR spoilers ahead



Luke and Lumiya fight and Luke loses his cybernetic hand to her lightwhip.

Jacen puts out a warrant for Han and Leia's arrest. He also orders his Star Destroyer the "Anakin Solo" to fire on the Millenium Falcon with them onboard.

Ben is completely loyal to Jacen. He's even onboard the Millenium Falcon along with Jaina and Zekk when its getting attacked. Instead of trying to help he attempts to arrest "Uncle Han". Jacen ordered the attack before the Millenium Falcon had Ben onboard but he didn't order the attack stopped because he was onboard.

Jacen apparently hasn't been trained Ben in lightsaber skills very well.

The gist of the story revolves around Tenel Ka and trying to get Hapes more involved in the dispute/war

A couple of characters that have been in the books for awhile get killed too


I enjoyed it. Read it in a day. It does get a little frustrating because everytime Jacen is suspected one of the characters ends up giving a reason it may not be him and how the evidence is circumstantial so they don't think its possible. If Mara suspects then Luke's the one to give benefit of the doubt or vice versa or someone else like Tenel Ka does it.

[Lester C.]

Not reading the spoilers for tempest is the hardest thing I've ever done in a while.:(

[The Batman]

Greed for spoilers, the path to the darkside that is.

[Lester C.]

Greed for spoilers, the path to the darkside that is.
You have no idea. It will even worse when I read the book. I'm always fighting with myself not to jump to the end when I'm reading a really good book and its by Troy Denning so I have faith that I'm going to be in for a really good time.

[jwd]

Not reading the spoilers for tempest is the hardest thing I've ever done in a while.:(

Heh. Sorry for the temptation. :)

Don't worry though. I didn't reveal that Jacen kills Mara in my spoilers.

Oh ooops! ... JUST KIDDING!!! or am I? Muahahahahahahaha! :evilsmile

I did put some fairly MAJOR ones there so don't swipe that post unless you want to know.

[Sabrina_Fried]

Not reading the spoilers for tempest is the hardest thing I've ever done in a while.:(

You think that's bad, I still haven't read Betrayal yet! (It's on my Birthday/Chanukah wish list though) I'm physically restaining myself from reading ANY spoilers about the Legacy of the Force Series!

Sabrina

[Lester C.]

Regarding spoilers for Legacy in Tempest there are two things readers need to be aware of. First they included a free chapter to the next book which is no surprise. What is a surprise is that they included a major, major, huge spoiler on the very last page, which I think you guys should avoid at all costs.

[Gabriel]

Bah! I didn't even see a copy at B&N tonight! I would have bought it in a heart beat. I moved to North Lake Tahoe and I don't have a decnt book store near-by. :(

[saintsaucey]

read the spoilers...

what the fuck

is that shit for real

[UniqueFrequency]

whoa sounds like Legacy is shaping up to be quite a shaker in the GFFA. i have to say the jacen thing has been building for a long time though

i've only just finished the Swarm War awhile ago, waiting for the hardcover book (Bloodlines? Betrayal?) to be released in paperback before i start reading the books. i have lots of other books to read so i've stopped buying hardcovers just to keep up with the publishing

[Gabriel]

Betrayal was the hardback. It's a great book and really gets ball rolling right off the bat.

I finally got Tempest on Thursday... finished it on Saturday night (now I have to wait for the next one). 2.5 days is a record for me for any novel. Very exciting stuff, can't wait to see how Allana grows up in future books. :)

[Lester C.]

read the spoilers...

what the fuck

is that shit for real

Yes, and that only some of the stuff that went down. They are not pulling their punches with the storyline for Legacy.

[Gabriel]

Yes, and that only some of the stuff that went down. They are not pulling their punches with the storyline for Legacy.

No doubt. Who knows who is going to die by the end of the series? :evilangry

[Lester C.]

No doubt. Who knows who is going to die by the end of the series? :evilangry

Try the next hard cover which will be the one after the next.

[saintsaucey]

Okay i need a list of the stuff that came out after njo and i want to know what came out in hardback and what came out in paper back. oh and when does tim zahn's new book come out cause i ordered it from my lcs

[Lester C.]

Okay i need a list of the stuff that came out after njo and i want to know what came out in hardback and what came out in paper back. oh and when does tim zahn's new book come out cause i ordered it from my lcs

Here ya go. Sorry about the delay in answering this post.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Star_Wars_books

[Sabrina_Fried]

Ok so here is my birthday/Chanukah haul for SW books:

Darth Bane: Path of Destriction
Tempest
Bloodlines

So I guess I'm STILL not starting the Legacy of the Force series until May, when the paperback comes out. Or if I get desperate, I guess I could go to a bookstore and exchange the Darth Bane hardcover for Betrayl.

Has anyone read the Darth Bane HC yet? Is it worth reading in hardcover?

Sabrina

[UniqueFrequency]

Ok so here is my birthday/Chanukah haul for SW books:

Darth Bane: Path of Destriction
Tempest
Bloodlines

So I guess I'm STILL not starting the Legacy of the Force series until May, when the paperback comes out. Or if I get desperate, I guess I could go to a bookstore and exchange the Darth Bane hardcover for Betrayl.

Has anyone read the Darth Bane HC yet? Is it worth reading in hardcover?

Sabrina

i haven't read either. i'm waiting for the paperbacks of LOTF as well. 'cause i know from the NJO series that buying the hardcovers doesn't make much sense. I'd rather wait for a few books to be out at a time and read them straight (that's what i did for the Swarm War and enjoyed it much more)

for the same reason i haven't read the Darth Bane HC either. but it does look interesting!

i picked up the Darth Vader paperback over xmas. can't remember the name offhand now. Rise of Dark Lord or something

[Lester C.]

Ok so here is my birthday/Chanukah haul for SW books:

Darth Bane: Path of Destriction
Tempest
Bloodlines

So I guess I'm STILL not starting the Legacy of the Force series until May, when the paperback comes out. Or if I get desperate, I guess I could go to a bookstore and exchange the Darth Bane hardcover for Betrayl.

Has anyone read the Darth Bane HC yet? Is it worth reading in hardcover?

Sabrina

If you enjoy reading at the health club like I do, then might I recommend Evenescence’s Open Door while you read Darth Bane path to destruction. It one of the best novels I've read, and quite possibly the best individual Star Wars novels I've ever read. The only reason why I can't give it a blanket recommendation to all of you is the fact the book is steep in Star Wars lore of events that have taken place a thousands years before the first movie. If you played Knights of the Old Republic or read the Jedi vs. Sith comics you are good to go, but I can't in good conscious recommend this awesome read to a Star Wars neophyte.

[saintsaucey]

thanks les, i am so giddy about the tim zahn novel. who'da thought my nearly complete star wars expanded universe collection would be not so complete

[Sabrina_Fried]

So in the end, I decided to trade in the Darth Bane book for Betrayal after all. I still intend to read POD, but I'm going to wait for the paperback. I figured at the rate I am reading books these days, starting with Betrayal now will keep me in Star Wars paperbacks the longest, instead of reading the Darth Bane novel, and then having to wait five months until Betrayal hits paperback.

And I am NOT dissappointed. I am halfway through Betrayal now, and loving every minute of it. Especially how Wedge can still be a badass troublemaker even well into his retirement. And Allston even has me almost liking Jaina as a character. Almost.

Sabrina

[Lester C.]

So in the end, I decided to trade in the Darth Bane book for Betrayal after all. I still intend to read POD, but I'm going to wait for the paperback. I figured at the rate I am reading books these days, starting with Betrayal now will keep me in Star Wars paperbacks the longest, instead of reading the Darth Bane novel, and then having to wait five months until Betrayal hits paperback.

And I am NOT dissappointed. I am halfway through Betrayal now, and loving every minute of it. Especially how Wedge can still be a badass troublemaker even well into his retirement. And Allston even has me almost liking Jaina as a character. Almost.

Sabrina

If you don't mind me asking why don't you like Jaina? In either case I'm gald you are enjoying the book.

[Lester C.]

Thanks to Sabrina sparking my interest I just reread Darth Bane and ordered the Darth Vader dark lord rising book thanks to Saint and Saucy re-sparking my interest for that book as well.

[Sabrina_Fried]

If you don't mind me asking why don't you like Jaina? In either case I'm gald you are enjoying the book.

The main reason I was never a big fan of Jaina is because she always felt like a "spare" character to me. She was the type of character that had to exist for the purpose of a particular story (Leia had to give birth to twins to keep up the "family tradition") but after that, authors really weren't sure what to do with her. She just never developed into being a really distinct character the way Jacen or even Ben has.

And when you have a non-distinct character like that, eventually they are just supposed to fade into the background whenever their story is finished, or else become a more developed character, like the way they started to really flesh out Jacen with Traitor and the books afterward. But she just won't either develop or go away. So the authors keep coming up with stories she can be a part of but not stories she NEEDS to be a part of just so they can say "Look! we're not ignoring her because she's a girl, okay?"

That and the whole Killik mind-meld thing....I mean, really.

For the record though, I finished Betrayal tonight, and it was a great book! Just the right mix of humour and action and evilness on the part of the author :)

Sabrina

[Rabid Trekkie]

Thanks to Sabrina sparking my interest I just reread Darth Bane and ordered the Darth Vader dark lord rising book thanks to Saint and Saucy re-sparking my interest for that book as well.

Dark Lord Rising is a good book, mostly for the parts without Vader. For a large part I was imagining Anakin's whining with James Earl Jones' voice. However the last 3 or 4 chapters make up for that and give us the Vader we know and fear.

[Lester C.]

Dark Lord Rising is a good book, mostly for the parts without Vader. For a large part I was imagining Anakin's whining with James Earl Jones' voice. However the last 3 or 4 chapters make up for that and give us the Vader we know and fear.

I think that was the point. They had to create a bridge linking Anakin as he was at the end of Revenge of the Sith to Anakin from Episode One. Everything thing from Darth Vader crude but powerful fighting style to why Obiwan hid Luke on Anakin Skywalkers home world had to be explained. In short the book's job was to fill all the plot holes the movies left.

[Lester C.]

The main reason I was never a big fan of Jaina is because she always felt like a "spare" character to me. She was the type of character that had to exist for the purpose of a particular story (Leia had to give birth to twins to keep up the "family tradition") but after that, authors really weren't sure what to do with her. She just never developed into being a really distinct character the way Jacen or even Ben has.

And when you have a non-distinct character like that, eventually they are just supposed to fade into the background whenever their story is finished, or else become a more developed character, like the way they started to really flesh out Jacen with Traitor and the books afterward. But she just won't either develop or go away. So the authors keep coming up with stories she can be a part of but not stories she NEEDS to be a part of just so they can say "Look! we're not ignoring her because she's a girl, okay?"

That and the whole Killik mind-meld thing....I mean, really.

For the record though, I finished Betrayal tonight, and it was a great book! Just the right mix of humour and action and evilness on the part of the author :)

Sabrina

Now that I think about it she's always in the need of getting rescued.

[The Batman]

So has anyone gotten the new Zahn novel, Allegiance yet?

[Karl H]

So has anyone gotten the new Zahn novel, Allegiance yet?

Not yet... The whole concept is a bit meh for me... I'll wait for the paperback... Much more excited about LOTF and Legacy for my Star Wars fix at the moment.

[saintsaucey]

I do and am reading it now. well not at the moment but am in the process of picking it up. the one problem with it is its a little short. I'll let you know how it goes

[Ice'Lord]

How did you guys like Outbound Flight? I might get it, I heard it's good. Plus it has an interesting concept.

[Karl H]

I heard that it was a bit of a Thrawn w***fest but that's probably what you should expect from Zahn.

[Sabrina_Fried]

I read Outbound Flight. It was ok, but its one of those SW books that you pick up, read, and then promptly forget about 5 minutes after you finish. That's not to say it is a BAD book, just not a memorable book.

As for Allegiance, I'll probably wait for the paperback unless I get it as a gift or find myself with a bookstore gift card and nothing else to spend it on (not likely). Sadly I have neither the money nor the storage space for hardcovers right now.

Sabrina

[The Batman]

I do and am reading it now. well not at the moment but am in the process of picking it up. the one problem with it is its a little short. I'll let you know how it goes

Awesome, thanks.

[Lester C.]

One good thing about waiting for the paperback is that you get bonus such as ebooks printed after the main book.

[Karl H]

One good thing about waiting for the paperback is that you get bonus such as ebooks printed after the main book.

True but I have yet to read a single Star Wars ebook that made me think.. WOW..

Personal thing I guess..

[saintsaucey]

I loved out bound flight btw and just so you know this book was no outbound flight. for one thing, there was no Grand Admiral Thrawn. In my opinion, there was no point to the book other than it they were trying to show that not all Emperials were evil, and that some storm troopers had a soul. Luke Han, Leia and Chewie were gueststars in the Mara Jade is a bad ass hour and Threepio and R2 don't even get a mention.

the closest thing to a nod to his other books is a brief mention of Targeter, which the rebel cell believes to be a guy. we know other wise. it also ends with Mara telling the hand of judgement (rogue stormtroopers) that they need to ditch their name, she is the only hand in the empire. (he he he)

Obi Wan pops up way to much for my tastes even giving luke the answer when the young padwan is unable to concentrate on the force. Captain Ozzel is in the book and he's just as much a dumbass as he is in Empire.

I really wanted a mention of the rebel base on hoth and han running into the bounty hunters on ord mandell. no such luck.

wait for the paperback its all up to you. hck you could even skip the book all together and it wouldn't matter much

[Ice'Lord]

I loved out bound flight btw and just so you know this book was no outbound flight. for one thing, there was no Grand Admiral Thrawn. In my opinion, there was no point to the book other than it they were trying to show that not all Emperials were evil, and that some storm troopers had a soul. Luke Han, Leia and Chewie were gueststars in the Mara Jade is a bad ass hour and Threepio and R2 don't even get a mention.

the closest thing to a nod to his other books is a brief mention of Targeter, which the rebel cell believes to be a guy. we know other wise. it also ends with Mara telling the hand of judgement (rogue stormtroopers) that they need to ditch their name, she is the only hand in the empire. (he he he)

Obi Wan pops up way to much for my tastes even giving luke the answer when the young padwan is unable to concentrate on the force. Captain Ozzel is in the book and he's just as much a dumbass as he is in Empire.

I really wanted a mention of the rebel base on hoth and han running into the bounty hunters on ord mandell. no such luck.

wait for the paperback its all up to you. hck you could even skip the book all together and it wouldn't matter much
Yup, Outbound Flight takes places during the Old Republic.

[saintsaucey]

Yup, Outbound Flight takes places during the Old Republic.

um and your point is. actually then they just called it the republic

[Ice'Lord]

um and your point is. actually then they just called it the republic
...I was aggreing with you?

[sun tzu]

Me, I loved Outbound Flight...But then again, I'm a Thrawn fanboy.

[Ice'Lord]

Me, I loved Outbound Flight...But then again, I'm a Thrawn fanboy.
Thrawn doesn't appear in OF. It is Old Republic story.

[sun tzu]

Thrawn doesn't appear in OF. It is Old Republic story.

Um, hello? I've read Outbound Flight, and Thrawn most definitely appeared in it, and kicked much ass. Just because it's set before Palpatine's takeover doesn't mean Thrawn didn't exist yet.

[saintsaucey]

Thrawn was the main reason the book kicked so much ass. his intellegence was so awesome. its also one of the few books meant to be read after its sequal came out. granted the sequal (surviors quest) came first but seriously if you read them in order it would totally give away the ending. outbound flight is one of the best star wars books out there. all of zahns books (with the exception of allegiance) should be in the top 10 star wars books list.

[Ice'Lord]

Sorry for the confusion, I thought Thrawn doesn't appear in OF (since I haven't read the book yet). So you all agree it's a good read?

[ChrisIII]

A New Stover book has been announced, with the pulpy title "Luke Skywalker and the Shadows Of Mindor. Apparentally it takes place a year or so after ROTJ, with Luke facing the final hurdle to his path as a Jedi: His military commision.

[Karl O'Neill]

jedi scum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[The Batman]

A New Stover book has been announced, with the pulpy title "Luke Skywalker and the Shadows Of Mindor. Apparentally it takes place a year or so after ROTJ, with Luke facing the final hurdle to his path as a Jedi: His military commision.

Having enjoyed everything Star Wars I've read by Stover, I'm excited about this.

[jwd]

Picked up Legacy: Exile book 4 this weekend and finished it. I didn't even realize it was early until I got home and seen the release dates for the books.

I'm really enjoying this series. It definately has shades of EP3 to it.

MAJOR SPOILERS in the swiping area - Don't swipe if you don't want to know.


Quite a few team-ups of sorts here.

Ben who is suppose to be back at the Academy with his parents sneaks off on a mission he thinks Jacen has sent him on. Ben ends up on a Sith world.

Luke and Mara go out to track Ben down.

Han and Leia along with Lando borrow his ship the Looooooove Commander :p (as Lando calls it) while the Falcon is getting repaired to try and find out who was really behind the attack on Tenel Ka last book.

Wedge resigns and gets some assistance from his family and Corran Horn and his family after he disagrees with some decisions the government makes.

Jagged Fel shows up at the Jedi Academy for assistance with a new mission. He's been outcasted by his people (his role in pardoning Lowbacca) and his new mission is to hunt to down Alema who is still trying to get revenge on Leia. Luke assigns two Jedi to assist him - Yep - Jaina and Zekk. So not a friendly working enviornment as Jag is mad at Jaina but still likes her and both guys are jealous of each other.

Alema Rar is one of the few story points I'm growing tired of. Its pretty much like this "There's Leia. I will have my revenge." *sound of lightsaber or blaster* "Arrgh! I've been wounded again." *runs away. She reminds me of Wiley E Coyote going after the Road Runner.

Corellia has other systems join its side and they are now called the Sepera...I mean the Confederation.

Jacen continues to be as arrogant as ever. He resents Luke for any advice and doesn't want his help. He also comes to the conclusion that he probably should eliminate his parents when he can because of the problems they can cause.

Also the Jedi start to realize there might be more to the Corellia becoming independent. One thing it did was seperate the Skywalker/Solo clans and that is a powerful clan. Luke, Mara, Han and Leia meet up again and there's no arguing for fighting. They're glad to see each other.

No major deaths in this one. I'm pretty sure Book 5 will have at least one though. Its the next HC.

[Lester C.]

I refuse to read the spoilers above but I just to add that I too am in love with the Legacy books.

[sun tzu]

Sorry for the confusion, I thought Thrawn doesn't appear in OF (since I haven't read the book yet). So you all agree it's a good read?
I do. I basically devoured the book, then spent the next hour or so going "Holy crap, Thrawn is awesome."

[saintsaucey]

I do. I basically devoured the book, then spent the next hour or so going "Holy crap, Thrawn is awesome."

I know the feeling sun tzu

[Lester C.]

I finally made it to Barnes and Noble and picked up Exile. Today is a good day. A very good day.:)

[Farrar]

A New Stover book has been announced, with the pulpy title "Luke Skywalker and the Shadows Of Mindor. Apparentally it takes place a year or so after ROTJ, with Luke facing the final hurdle to his path as a Jedi: His military commision.

I've read Shatterpoint by Matt Stover and that was good but his novelisation of Episode III was awesome, it actually makes you feel for Anakin Skywalker and a lot of the other characters more than the actual films did, I particularly like how he did the "betrayal" by Mace Windu, and the creation of Darth Vader without the OTT "NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!"

[Karl H]

Finally got round to reading Exile... Excellent - whilst it felt like not a lot happened, I enjoyed it immensely.

[Lester C.]

Finally got round to reading Exile... Excellent - whilst it felt like not a lot happened, I enjoyed it immensely.

Like NJO the Paperback released before the Hardcover mearly sets up the Hardcover in which all hell will break loose.

[cactusmaac]

I've read Shatterpoint by Matt Stover and that was good but his novelisation of Episode III was awesome, it actually makes you feel for Anakin Skywalker and a lot of the other characters more than the actual films did, I particularly like how he did the "betrayal" by Mace Windu, and the creation of Darth Vader without the OTT "NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!"

I didn't like the implication that Dooku was an anti-alien racist. That doesn't really jibe much with his portrayal in the comics, movies and Clone Wars.

[Lester C.]

I didn't like the implication that Dooku was an anti-alien racist. That doesn't really jibe much with his portrayal in the comics, movies and Clone Wars.

He was an elitist which does jibe with his aristocratic birth.

[Orc Breath]

I hadn't read Star Wars in years and I recently read a few of the books and I just can't keep interested in them. Nothing really happens in these books.

When I read something I want death, sex, and lots of blood.

[Lester C.]

I hadn't read Star Wars in years and I recently read a few of the books and I just can't keep interested in them. Nothing really happens in these books.

When I read something I want death, sex, and lots of blood.

Then you should be really happy with the books as NJO (New Jedi Order) redefined the novels by having those elements be the core of the books. If you don't believe me go to your local library.

[Gabriel]

I picked up Exile and finished it in 5 days (nearly a record for me). It's at least as good as the rest of the Legacy series.

What's the name of the new hardback that takes place after A New Hope?... Anywho, I ordered it. Hopefully it gets here soon. :)

[Chintzy Beatnik]

What's the name of the new hardback that takes place after A New Hope?... Anywho, I ordered it. Hopefully it gets here soon. :)

Star Wars: Allegiance by Timothy Zahn.

I just finished that one. It was a pretty good read.

[Gabriel]

Star Wars: Allegiance by Timothy Zahn.

I just finished that one. It was a pretty good read.

That's the one! :D
I'm glad to hear it's good... what the hell is taking it so long to get here? ARGH! :evilangry

[Lester C.]

I picked up Exile and finished it in 5 days (nearly a record for me). It's at least as good as the rest of the Legacy series.

What's the name of the new hardback that takes place after A New Hope?... Anywho, I ordered it. Hopefully it gets here soon. :)

I want to say Truce at Baraka. It ties up a whole bunch of loose ends left by the movie.

[The Batman]

Just found out about the Death Star novel (http://www.starwars.com/eu/lit/novel/news20070418.html) that's coming out this fall. Looks really interesting.

[Sabrina_Fried]

For some reason I'm having visions of DS9 - only with Jedi...

Sabrina

[Lester C.]

Just found out about the Death Star novel (http://www.starwars.com/eu/lit/novel/news20070418.html) that's coming out this fall. Looks really interesting.

The big thing here is that it is written by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry. It takes place after the last trilogy they wrote together so we may know what happened to certain characters as their have been recurring characters in all of the Star Wars books written by Reaves by himself or with Perry.

[Rabid Trekkie]

The big thing here is that it is written by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry. It takes place after the last trilogy they wrote together so we may know what happened to certain characters as their have been recurring characters in all of the Star Wars books written by Reaves by himself or with Perry.

What trilogy did they write together? I really enjoyed Shadow Hunter and didn't know that Reaves had done any more Star Wars stuff.

[ChrisIII]

They did the Medstar novels, which basically were Clone Wars-era novels with a bit of M.A.S.H thrown in.


The Death Star's history is somewhat convulted, unfortunately...In Greg Bear's Rogue Planet you have apparentally Sienar giving Tarkin the idea, then the seperatists planning to build it in the prequels and the plans eventually winding up in Sidious's hands, with it well underway by the end of SITH, and then the whole mess with the prototype in KJA's trilogy.

Hopefully the novel will tie up some of the mess.

[Lester C.]

What trilogy did they write together? I really enjoyed Shadow Hunter and didn't know that Reaves had done any more Star Wars stuff.

In addition to the Med Star novels Micheal wrote a hardcover featuring Darth Maul. While the novel is a one shot some up the subplots and certain characters appear in the Med Star novels.

[Lester C.]

So who do you guys think will be Jacen Solo's sacrifice?

[Jared H.]

So who do you guys think will be Jacen Solo's sacrifice?

The very ones he refuses to sacrifice in the past few books.

It's the only way he can grow beyond Anakin Skywalker.

[Lester C.]

The very ones he refuses to sacrifice in the past few books.

It's the only way he can grow beyond Anakin Skywalker.

I think that too, but it's too predictable so those two might be a red hearing.

[Sabrina_Fried]

So who do you guys think will be Jacen Solo's sacrifice?

A part of me wants to say the obvious answers: Jaina or Ben or one or both of his parents.

Another part of me also wants to say he will sacrifice himself if he can find a way to do it in a way that satisfies Sith tradition without killing himself. Because the last few books have led me to think there really isn't anyone he cherishes more than himself, or at least his impression of what he means to the galaxy.

Sabrina

[jwd]

A part of me wants to say the obvious answers: Jaina or Ben or one or both of his parents.

Another part of me also wants to say he will sacrifice himself if he can find a way to do it in a way that satisfies Sith tradition without killing himself. Because the last few books have led me to think there really isn't anyone he cherishes more than himself, or at least his impression of what he means to the galaxy.

Sabrina

Over at www.theforce.net someone has posted spoilers about who dies in the book. The books out in a couple of week so some people probably have gotten a copy early.

[Sabrina_Fried]

The spoilers have migrated to the DHC boards now, which is where I read them (stupid me, I clicked on the link while drunk and read the thread, hopefully I will forget the spoilers by the time I actually get a chance to read this book). Personally I don't really agree with the character that was chosen to be Jacen's sacrifice. I mean if the sacrifice is supposed to be the person or people he cares about the most, well, I would have thought there would have been alot of other characters ahead of the one that was chosen. But that's just me.

They also posted the chosen Sith name at the DHC boards, it's kind of meh, but does have some interesting implications for the Legacy comics :)

Sabrina

[Jared H.]

To those who wish to know without having to spend time searching:

Jacen kills Mara.

[Green Goblin]

I read Shadows of the empire

[The Batman]

The spoilers have migrated to the DHC boards now, which is where I read them (stupid me, I clicked on the link while drunk and read the thread, hopefully I will forget the spoilers by the time I actually get a chance to read this book). Personally I don't really agree with the character that was chosen to be Jacen's sacrifice. I mean if the sacrifice is supposed to be the person or people he cares about the most, well, I would have thought there would have been alot of other characters ahead of the one that was chosen. But that's just me.

They also posted the chosen Sith name at the DHC boards, it's kind of meh, but does have some interesting implications for the Legacy comics :)

Sabrina

Crap, I spoiled myself without thinking.

I can see why they made the choice they did - it's really the least obvious choice and Jacen's sacrifice, in this instance, isn't so much the character themselves as what taken that life will ultimately do to his relationships with the rest of his family. Even given how forgiving the Skywalker clan can be of its own, I don't know that they will forgive Jacen for this.

[Lester C.]

To those who wish to know without having to spend time searching:

Jacen kills Mara.

There is going to be a fan uproar the likes of which we've never seen before.:eek:

[Sabrina_Fried]

Crap, I spoiled myself without thinking.

I can see why they made the choice they did - it's really the least obvious choice and Jacen's sacrifice, in this instance, isn't so much the character themselves as what taken that life will ultimately do to his relationships with the rest of his family. Even given how forgiving the Skywalker clan can be of its own, I don't know that they will forgive Jacen for this.

I thought about that, but no, I think it's because the authors who are writing this series couldn't get the OK to kill any character more signifigant than that one.

Oh and yes, fan shitstorm coming. For the sake of my sanity I am not going anywhere near the Official Site message boards for a few months until this blows over a bit.

Sabrina

[Ice'Lord]

I read Shadows of the empire
How did you like it? It's my favourite SW book.

[The Batman]

I thought about that, but no, I think it's because the authors who are writing this series couldn't get the OK to kill any character more signifigant than that one.

Oh and yes, fan shitstorm coming. For the sake of my sanity I am not going anywhere near the Official Site message boards for a few months until this blows over a bit.

Sabrina

Still, that would leave a whole mess of other EU characters for them to choose from wouldn't it? I mean, even with the big guns off the table, they still had to make a choice using some other method than just picking a name out of a hat and I think that this choice just might work.

That and for sure there's going to be a fan shitstorm coming over this.

[The Batman]

I thought about that, but no, I think it's because the authors who are writing this series couldn't get the OK to kill any character more signifigant than that one.

Oh and yes, fan shitstorm coming. For the sake of my sanity I am not going anywhere near the Official Site message boards for a few months until this blows over a bit.

Sabrina

Still, that would leave a whole mess of other EU characters for them to choose from wouldn't it? I mean, even with the big guns off the table, they still had to make a choice using some other method than just picking a name out of a hat and I think that this choice just might work.

That and for sure there's going to be a fan shitstorm coming over this.

[torippu]

To those who wish to know without having to spend time searching:

Jacen kills Mara.

Crap - I'm still in the middle of Bloodlines and wasn't thinking about what this was going to spoil until I highlighted it. Double crap!

[Sabrina_Fried]

Still, that would leave a whole mess of other EU characters for them to choose from wouldn't it? I mean, even with the big guns off the table, they still had to make a choice using some other method than just picking a name out of a hat and I think that this choice just might work.

That and for sure there's going to be a fan shitstorm coming over this.

You're right, the choice could work, I am trying very hard not to pass final judgement on it until I have had a chance to read the book, even though my being spoiled will no doubt colour my opinion of the book once I do get a chance to read it unless I manage to forget the spoilers (anyone up for a night of heavy drinking?). As for how they made the choice, I like to think they had to choose from among the characters that appeared in the earlier LOTF novels. Parachuting a character into the story just to kill them off would be worse than making a, er, strange choice.

Sabrina