by Matthew Wilson
Pitch Dark, a novel written by best selling author Paul Doiron.
Pitch Dark is a cool read for a hot summer day! Paul Doiron writes a great story full of mystery, investigation, and humor sprinkled throughout. I read this story not knowing that it’s part of a long running series for the main character, Mike Bowditch.
Doiron does a great job being descriptive and setting the atmosphere. The characters are written very well, tempting me to find and read all of the other Bowditch books!
If you’re looking for an entertaining mystery with great characters and setting, Pitch Dark should be your next read.
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: Tyrant’s Test, was written by Michael P. Kube-McDowell. Book three of the Black Fleet Crisis trilogy. This Expanded Universe tale takes place during the New Republic era, 16 ABY (16 years after the Battle of Yavin).
SUMMARY
The conclusion of the Black Fleet Crisis! Lando, Lobot, and the droids are STILL in the Vagabond ship! Luke continues the search for his mother, and Leia is standing up against her political foes as well as the Yevethan threat.
Chewbacca, who had been back on Kyshykk to spend time with his family, receives word of Han’s capture. Once again, Chewy leaves his family behind, but does allow his son who was in the midst of his warrior testing, to come along.
Nil Spaar announces to the New Republic that they have allied with the Empire, leading Leia to declare war on the enemy of the New Republic.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
The Black Fleet Crisis trilogy had a strong start. However, the story arch as a whole was weak, especially in the entertainment department. McDowell did fine with descriptive details and squeezing in some action in a rather boring tale. Though the story was boring, we did get to experiance some cool things that we haven’t before, such as Chewbacca with his son, Lumpawaroo.
The trilogy did have character arch’s for our heroes, the only one I’ll mention is Luke’s. The pointless goose chase that he had been on, searching for his biological mother, was a disappointment not only for the reader, but for the character. He was manipulated and somewhat humiliated by the Fallanassi woman that came to him. Through his disappointment however, Luke came to realize that the family he’d been searching for was with him all along, Leia and the kids.
Nil Spaar met his end and thankfully, I reached the end of this trilogy. It isn’t as bad as I’m making it out to be, as the story overall did have some good points and fun moments, but the way in which the story had dragged on, it wasn’t exciting.
Rating
I will give Star Wars: Tyrant’s Test a C+.
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: Shield of Lies, was written by Michael P. Kube-McDowell. Book two of the Black Fleet Crisis trilogy. This Expanded Universe tale takes place during the New Republic era, 16 ABY (16 years after the Battle of Yavin).
SUMMARY
The Adventure continues! Lando, Lobot, R2 & 3PO are trapped in the Vagabond as it blasts into hyperspace! Luke is getting frustrated as his search for his mother drags on. Leia faces the challenge set before her with Nil Spaar and the growing threat of the Yevethan.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
While I found the first book to be somewhat entertaining, I found this one to be more of a let down. There really isn’t anything negative I have to say about the writing style or the dialogue.
The Lando and Vagabond plot was is dull and just drags on and on. What I do appreciate though, is that the author really utilizes a character we never really think about or spent much time with in any other books, Lobot.
The New Republic really is run by a bunch of morons, and I hate to say it but Leia fits in that category as far as this story is concerned. It’s no wonder they still struggle so much with galactic affairs. Genocide is taking place and the council believes no action should take place because the event took place a few days, maybe weeks ago? However, Leia pushes forward and attempts to do something about the Yevethan problem, which may lead to a possible career ending action.
Luke continues his adventure searching for his mother, but is getting frustrated on the journey, he’s starting to believe that the search is a deceptive game by Akanah.
RATING
I will give Star Wars: Shield of Lies a C+.
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: Before the Storm, was written by Michael P. Kube-McDowell. Book one of the Black Fleet Crisis trilogy. This Expanded Universe tale takes place during the New Republic era, 16 ABY (16 years after the Battle of Yavin).
SUMMARY
Luke wants to step away from his responsibilities as the head of the Jedi Academy. He passes authority over to Streen, who understands Luke’s desire to leave and accepts his new role. Luke leaves the planet, seeking solitude.
Lando, bored with life goes on a mission to track down a legendary ship that skips across the galaxy, it’s origins unknown.
Residents of the New Republic grow leery of the Leia’s leadership. She deploys the new Fifth Fleet. Some consider this an act of aggression or suppression of the people, when it’s simply sent to patrol a sector struggling with pirates. The New Republic has been growing lately. Leia, speaks with Nil Spar, a representative of the Yevethan people. Leia struggles in her role as president of the Republic, not fully trusting in her advisors. Her poor decision making and trusting others outside of her leadership circle, brings certain doom to Coruscant and worlds across the galaxy.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
I’m a fan of what McDowell did with this book/series. He took the characters we enjoy and puts them in uncomfortable, unpredictable situations. While we all know are we aren’t going to see the death of any major characters, putting the characters in high stakes situations that could alter the outcome of the New Republic or the people is a great way to make the story have weight.
The book has multiple storylines happening between Leia, Luke, and Lando. The author did a fine job being heavily descriptive. I believe he gave a good voice to each character and provided great dialogue that wasn’t dull. I’m happy to report that Luke Skywalker doesn’t come across as super annoying like he has in previous books, though there are some things he’s still working out with himself.
The book gets political, which I find far more entertaining than blasters and explosions. The political chess pieces being strategically placed on the board before chaos consumes the New Republic is more entertaining to me, than an author attempting to make it seem as though a main character is a bout to be killed off.
This book has a lot of entertaining moments sprinkled throughout. While there are many times the story drags, I’d say the exciting moments made this story worth the read.
RATING
I give Star Wars: Before the Storm, a B (plus).
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: The Crystal Star, was written by bestselling author, Vonda N. McIntyre. This Expanded Universe tale takes place during the New Republic Era, 14 ABY (14 years after the Battle of Yavin).
So, this book hurt my brain… sorry for the poor review of this book. Just… don’t read it if you love yourself.
The three Solo children had been kidnapped! You gotta love how Leia and the kids spent time on a planet Montro Codrru, knowing that abduction was a popular thing. It’s a tradition there, people stealing others… great parenting.
Han and Luke are at Cressi Station, the are unable to be contacted by Leia due to the Crystal Star, the black hole nearby disrupts communications. Han had been receiving messages about strange activity at the station, which was once imperial but abandoned and reinhabited by random folks. Luke believes there is a Jedi there in hiding, and he hopes to find the force user.
Hetherir has the Solo kids, tells them that their family was killed, an earthquake had destroyed everything, took the lives of their parents. Jaina knew he was lying. The twins knew that their father and Luke were not even with them, that they were far away.
This guy, Hethrir is attempting to bring up a new Empire, the Empire Reborn, made up of force users. This Empire Reborn, huts children and tests them for force abilities.
The interdimensional being called Waru is at Cressi Station, people believe Waru to be a healer… it’s a blob covered in gold scales…
Luke is weak, Han is angry, Leia is in a panic. Waru is Waru – I’m done.
Rating is an F.
