Matthew Wilson, Author at TheGeeksAttic

Warcraft: Durotan Book Review

SPOILER FREE

Warcraft: Durotan was written by New York Times Best Selling Author Christie Golden. While the novel was written by Christie Golden, the story was created by Chris Metzen.

Summary: Warcraft: Durotan is a prequel novel to the the film Warcraft. Warcraft, is a film based on the popular game from Blizzard Entertainment. In this tale, we focus on the Orc clan from Frostfire Ridge, a Northern land in Draenor; the Frost-wolves. The Chieftain of the Frost-wolves receives an invitation from the mysterious Orc, Gul’dan, to join his Horde. He warns the Chieftain of the Frost-wolves that the world Draenor is dying. He presents seedless fruit as evidence. When the Chieftain declines, Gul’dan leaves with the offer still standing.

We learn how Durotan rises up to become Chieftain of the Frost-wolf clan. The world is quickly dying. The shortage of food and water are a serious issue. It is on Durotan to make the right decisions to save his people. As the world dies, the Frost-wolves hold on to their faith in the spirits and seek their direction. Will the Frost-wolves survive the dying Draenor and the dreaded Red Walkers? Will Durotan lead his people to their death? I suggest you read this book to find out.

Characters: Durotan is the Orc to rise up and take the responsibility of Chieftain of the Frost-wolves. He’s wise and he is humble, great traits to have as a leader. He faces a situation no other Orc from his clan has had to face. He must do what he can to keep his clan alive in a dying world.

Draka is a very powerful female Orc, she was banished from the clan long ago when she was young and weak. It is tradition for the weak to be cast out of the clan and face the elements alone. If they are to survive the wilderness and come back to the village, they may be welcomed back into the clan. Draka is a strong, patient, and supportive.

The dark and mysterious Gul’dan, the antagonist. I’m so glad we got to read about him in this book. We know from the film he’s a bad dude. His presense in the book made him even more mysterious. When he comes around, Golden’s writing will give you goosebumps with his creep factor.

Overall Thoughts: This prequel novel exceeded all expectations! I absolutely loved this novel! My only complaint is that it did not release in the hardcover format. Christie Golden did an outstanding job introducing us to the characters in this book. All interaction between the characters, be it the dialogue, the battle scenes, the tension… all incredible. I developed an attachment to all the characters, good and bad. The environment was described with great detail, I actually felt like I was there on Draenor with the Orcs, watching as the world died. It’s a tragedy that was told like real mythology.

After this read, I wish we could have had this be the film. In the movie we knew very little about the characters backstory. If we got to these events on the big screen, I think the film would have won many more people over. Although this is just a prequel novel to the Warcraft film, I can’t wait to read more of Christie Golden’s World of Warcraft books. I highly recommend you pick this book up and give it a read.

Rating: I give this book a 5 out of 5

Star Wars : The Art of Rogue One

by Matthew Wilson

Star Wars: The Art of Rogue One was written by Josh Kushin and released by Abrams Books.

The Art of Rogue one starts off with forwards by Doug Chiang, Neil Lamont, and Gareth Edwards. Doug Chiang is the Lucasfilm VP creative director and Co-production designer, Neil Lamont is a Co-producer, and Gareth Edwards is the Director.

When I first heard the news about Rogue One, I thought… why this story? why the Death Star? We’ve been there. they came, they saw, they blew it up! After seeing the film four times in theater, I can say it’s one of my top three Star Wars films. I believe the novel, Catalyst, enhanced the film even more so. Rogue One and tie in material, expanded on the Lore of Star Wars and the mythology of the force.

The creators of Rogue One had a daunting task, to design a film so close in the canon timeline of A New Hope, released in 1977. The look had to be familiar but it also had to be something fresh. To accomplish such a task, several concept artist would put their pen/paint/pencil to paper or canvas, and let there imaginations run wild… but not too wild. That “Star Wars look” is important.
The Art of Rogue One is gorgeous. It’s more than just beautiful pictures of the wonderful concept art. The written words beside the pictures are definitely worth reading, a wonderful look behind the scenes. It’s amazing how a design can change the story, or the story can change the design, how many variations a character would be drawn before the final product.

So much time and effort was spent on bringing the best, familiar, fresh design from paper to the screen. Bringing imaginary places and characters to life.

Star Wars: Rogue One Novelization Review

by Matthew Wilson

SPOILER FREE

Rogue One the novelization, it was written by New York Times Best Selling Author, Alexander Freed. This is his second novel in canon, his first book was Battlefront Twilight Company.

Alexander Freed… can do no wrong!

Summary: The Empire successfully constructs the ultimate battle station! The oppression and tyranny of the Empire expands as an underground alliance is built on hope. It’s purpose, to strip power from Emperor Palpatine and reinstate the Republic. As intelligence unveils a secret planet killer, it’s realized that a peaceful transfer of power is unlikely. The transition may very well have to be executed through rebellious force!

Intelligence reports that an imperial pilot has defected! He contains highly classified imperial information regarding the Empire’s new battle station. Jyn Erso, a rebellious young lady, is intercepted by the rebel alliance. She may be the key to extracting more information on the dreaded space station. It is known that her father has played a role in its construction.

We go on a wild chase to put an end to the planet killer, meeting a few new characters and landing on new unfamiliar planets! This tale leads right up to the moments just before A New Hope.

Characters: There are several characters that I could talk about from this book, but Im only choosing two.

Jyn Erso, the daughter of Galen Erso, the man responsible for constructing the Death Star’s powerful weapon by order of the Empire. Jyn is strong willed, she’s held onto hatred for those who have abandoned her over the course of her life… even though her father was taken against his will. Saw Garrera, a rebel who is known as an extremist amongst the alliance and the Empire, also left her behind. As she is forced into an explosive force of events, she must either free herself of the mental and emotional prison she is trapped in… or close herself off to reality and remain behind her personal prison.

The other character to mention is Bodhi Rook. He was the imperial shuttle pilot who defected from the Empire. It took a lot of courage to pull off what he had to do. In the book we find out a more about his past. He’s pretty rattled by his actions… from imperial pilot to full blown rebel. The man was tortured during his transition but overcame the pain. He’s got a conscience, he’s honorable, a true hero of the rebel alliance.

Overall Review: This novelization… is phenomenal! So I saw the film a few times in theater. This book doesn’t take away anything, it actually adds a few things that are completely necessary. As expected there was added dialogue that wasn’t in the film. It’s not distracting at all but adds to the story. Between some chapters are “Supplemental Data” logs. Documents of various sorts such as messages between imperials or journal entries of the rebel alliance.Alexander Freed perfected the dialogue and development of each character. We get into their minds and discover who they are psychologically and emotionally. He paints amazing visuals with his words.

I loved this book so much! If this wasn’t a novelization but just a standalone novel, I’d probably have to put this as number one on my list. It’s debatable, but as of now, I will not rank the novelizations along with the other novels.

Rating: I give this book a 5 out of 5

Star Wars Year by Year: Visual History

by Matthew Wilson

Star Wars Year by Year: A Visual History

This book, from DK Publishing, is a true work of art. It’s written by a handful of writers: Ryder Windham, Daniel Wallace, and the canon/legends lore keeper, Pablo Hidalgo.

This book dives deep into the past. Way back to when the creator of Star Wars was born. George Lucas Jr. was born in 1944. He was like many of us, a nerd who loved comics, tv, sci-fi and radio dramas. We learn a lot of about Mr. Lucas and what it was that inspired and influenced him to create his legacy, Star Wars. This book contains a lot of interesting material, a unique look at historical events that took place during or share some correlation to the creation of Star Wars. What we learn about the beginning of Lucas’s career is amazing, from the projects he was working on to the supreme talent he was surrounding himself with.

A little knowledge nugget: After the huge success of the original film, we learn a lot about what took place behind the scenes. For example, someone else wrote the first draft to the sequel of Star Wars, and George wasn’t pleased with it at all!

Parts of the book I couldn’t wait to get to were mentioned in the Author’s Note by Ryder Windham: “We would also include occasional inconsistencies between the movies, novels, comics, and merchandise.” I found that to be extremely interesting and exciting!

Many Star Wars fans love the EU. I’ve learned that the birth of the EU was Sept 1977, Star Wars Marvel comic issue #7. Although the legends canon and new canon don’t mix well, each stand on their own and are both fun to read. Before the EU most of know today, the first sequel to the hit film Star Wars, was Splinter of the Minds Eye and comics that had stories going beyond the film. Some fans argue about all canon having contradictions… true or not, fans noticed the obvious one in the early EU when a character trait was switched!

This history book is loaded with historical content, the ultimate coffee table book! From front to back, every page has several images with descriptions and the facts of the times. At the end of the book we’re reminded of how fast time sneaks past us. There is so much more history to be written already. New material is published every month, new shows, new movies… history is always in the making.

GO GET THIS BOOK!

Star Wars: The Voice of the Empire Review

by Matthew Wilson

SPOILER FREE

The Voice of the Empire: A Star Wars short story, was written by Mur Lafferty. Art was created by Jason Chan.

Summary: In this tale we take a look into the mainstream media of the Star Wars galaxy, the Holonet News, or HNN. Much like the real world, media is bias and for the most part, controlled by some unseen puppet master… maybe? In this story the Empire takes control of HNN, giving them complete control. Now the Empire can make itself as “transparent” as it wants to be, by restricting all the grusome facts. Eridan Wesye is the new head of HNN, giving Mandora Catabe (former head) a forced early retirement. The favored reporter and main character, Calliope Drouth, is promoted and given a small gift from former boss, Mandora… a small recorder droid, an X-OX model, pronounced as ZOX. She will become the voice of the Empire, a face the galaxy will trust. Calliopes first assignment under new management, is to attend the Imperial Ball and rub shoulders with the dignitaries and report on the fashion trends.

Calliope is at the ball, speaking to senators and Imperial officers until her attention turns with the crowds gaze to a new arrival. Commander Krennic, the man behind the Emperors secret projects. Calliope develops a plan to interview the man in white, and when she does, a malfunction occurs that could potentially spell out doom.

Characters: Calliope Drouth is really the only character worth mentioning in this story. She’s the lead, most of our time is spent with her. I don’t like her, though I don’t hate her. She’s just a dedicated reporter doing her job. She’s got a scar on her face that she’s refused to have removed. It’s somewhat of a trophy… a symbol of how serious she takes her job as an investigative journalist. She really wasn’t anything special and I don’t care to learn more about her in the future.

Overall Review: I did not like this story. With the lack of any action, dialogue and a climax that failed to deliver, there was nothing special about the short story. It simply doesn’t stand out. Just a day to day routine of the Empire and how it functioned. Wasn’t it assumed that the Empire had taken over the media pretty soon after it was formed? The character names were difficult to read and pronounce. In my video review I stumble of the names often.

Rating: I give this book a 1 out of 5