by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: Empire & Rebellion: Razor’s Edge was written by Martha Wells. This Expanded Universe tale takes place during the Rebellion era, 2 ABY (2 years after the Battle of Yavin).
SUMMARY
The Gamble, an alliance ship is thrown into a tough situation right off the bat. The ship, which contains a small crew including Leia and Han, drop out of hyperspace and are immediately attacked. The crew were on a mission to acquire materials for Echo-Base. The attack raises the big question… how did the Empire know where The Gamble was dropping out of hyperspace? It appears that there is a deep cover Imperial Agent within the rebel group.
The Gamble is now in need of repair after successfully fleeing the Imperial attack. Contact is made with a pirate ship which turns out to be full of former Alderaanians!
The story is all about building trust, relationships, and a fight of survival.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
This book was fine. It starts off really strong and exciting, throwing Leia, Han, and a few others into a dangerous situation. I found this story to be okay overall. It has filler vibes, just a blip on the timeline, but written well. I wasn’t bored with the story, but not excited either.
I think the greatest thing about this book is the characterization of our leads, Han and Leia. In the films we get to see the friction between the two, this book dives deeper into the frustration these characters feel toward each other. Han really does come across as a difficult man to work with, hard headed and prefers to go rogue instead of following orders. I like that we get into Leia’s mind and her thoughts toward Han. She understands his distrust for others. I do think that Leia comes across a bit too harsh at times with a lot of attitude.
The banter between Leia and Han was great. However, the characters use air quotes with fingers to be sarcastic, which I thought was a dumb thing to put in the book
The story takes a route that made me think of a YA storyline. When Leia meets with the other Alderaanians they get hooked into meeting up with some other Pirates. It turns into a fight for survival game, it made me think of Hunger Games or Ender’s Game… that sort of thing. I am thankful though that the game they play wasn’t through the entire book. For me though, it went on a bit too long.
I’d say this book will be forgettable, the only takeaway is the stuff between Leia and Han; maybe the interaction with the Alderaanian pirates.
Do I recommend you read this story? Eh… sure. It wasn’t bad.
RATING
I will give Star Wars: Razor’s Edge, a B-.
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.
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: Starfighters of Adumar was written by Bestselling Author, Aaron Allston. This Expanded Universe tale takes place during the New Republic Era, 13 ABY ( 13 years after the battle of Yavin).
SUMMARY
Adumar, a world on the edge of wild space, was found by a mapping scout while doing a run in the unknown regions. The New Republic wants Adumar to join them, as intelligence shows that the planet and its people would be able to produce an endless supply of proton torpedoes.
The people of Adumar don’t like politics though, but really admire pilots, specifically fighter pilots – a strange idolized hero worship. Audumari leadership will not speak with any regular old politicians – they must be a skilled pilot, specifically, a starfighter pilot.
When Wedge Antilles arrives, he’s surprised to find that not only are the Adumari a crazy people (always fighting and killing each other in the name of “honor”), but the Empire also has representatives present to win over Adumar.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Such a strange time to bring in another X-Wing book. Such a random place in the timeline. I hate to say it, but this book feels like those TV shows that don’t really move the story forward, “filler episodes.” That’s what this book feels like.
I enjoyed the Wraith Squadron books by Allston, but this one is weak. This “filler” story starts off decent, yet quickly drops off the interest scale. The action – dull, the plot – boring, the characters – bland. I really had my hopes up that this was going to be exciting and fun. Some aspects of the story were a little interesting, with betrayal and some of the competitive spirit of the Adumari people, but overall, I’m disappointed with this story.
Do I recommend this story? No
RATING
I give Star Wars: X-Wing – Starfighters of Adumar, a C-.
