by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: Rebel Dawn, book three of the A.C. Crispin Han Solo trilogy. This Expanded Universe tale takes place during the Rise of the Empire era, about 2 BBY (or two years before the Battle of Yavin).
SUMMARY
Han wins the Millennium Falcon from Lando in a big sabacc game, then he and Chewie head to Kashyyyk to visit Chewie’s family and fix up the ship.
Things get wild when Han’s old girlfriend Bria (who’s now a Rebel commander) shows up to speak with Han, Lando, and a bunch of other smugglers into hitting the Hutt spice colonies on Ylesia for a huge payday. What seems like easy money turns into a mess of betrayal, secret agendas, and loads of trouble with the Hutts.
THOUGHTS
Han Solo wins the Falcon from Lando! Is it just me or are sabbacc games the most boring thing to read in a Star Wars book? I’m pretty sure I say that same line in my reviews, every time that game is played.
Han Solo gets thrown in a sack for Chewbacca to haul him up in the trees of Kashyyyk. t’s such a silly thing, the whole description of it is funny, it’s hard to take it seriously… Han Solo in a bag slapping against trees as his Wookie pal swings and climbs in the forest. I laughed at this.
There’s also a Wookie with a speech impediment, which makes it easy for humans to understand what’s being said. I also laughed at this… what are we doing?
I don’t like how Boba Fett was written; the book says Boba Fett it’s his adopted name… obviously the book was written before we see Boba Fett on screen in Attack of the Clones with his biological father… Jango Fett. Then again, is Boba Fett his son, or is brother? There’s no mother, it’s a genetic copy. Why am I just now realizing this? Anyone can argue that there’s inconsistencies in the Star Wars timeline; I’m on the, I don’t really care, side of the fence.
There are few quotes that I are hilarious, one of them being “I don’t give a ragnuff’s patootie, about this floozy.” Now if that’s not top-notch Star Wars dialogue – I don’t know what it is. There is a quote that beats this one out, if you want to know what that is, check out my other channel, I’ll provide a link in the description box below.
Overall, the book was pretty lame, the best stuff is when Solo drops the spice.
RATING
I give Star Wars: Rebel Dawn a D.
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: Jedi Healer, part two of the Medstar Duology was written by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry. This Expanded Universe tale takes place during the Clone Wars in the Rise of the Empire era, 21 BBY (21 years before the battle of Yavin)
SUMMARY
Barriss Offee is ready to leave the Medstar, she believes her duty is done, two guilty parties are now dead, the Bota now without a threat of being taken. Yet, her master says no, she still has a job to do. She is to remain, to assist the medical team and put to use her Jedi Healing power. Barris wants to be tested, she thinks she could heal anywhere.. she desires to become a Jedi Knight.
The Bota is loosing its potency! The healing affects are diminishing, which creates a sort of urgency for it’s transport off the world by all parties seeking it, the Republic, the Separatists, and even the crime organization, Black Sun.
A new surgeon fills the role of the fallen Zan Yant, who was killed during an attack on the Rimsoo unit. This creates a bit of an issue with Jos Vondar and puts a wedge in his relationship with Tolk le Trene.
THOUGHTS
My favorite moments from this story would be the bits with Barriss Offee and her struggle with self control. She recalls a warning from her master about the deceptive temptation of the dark side, how it will arise when all hope seems lost and that the power it could release would be used to right the wrongs, but in reality will ultimately destroy the one who uses it. There’s also this nice moment when a young character asks Barriss can use her Lightsaber (violently) and also be a healer. I liked how she explained the Jedi’s role in the current galactic conflict.
I laughed when Figrin Dan and the Modal Nodes were mentioned, they’re a pretty old band! I guess their playing at the Cantina on Tatooine is equivalent to some older bands playing at Casinos or State Fairs (nothing wrong with that). There’s also a strange sort of reference to the Wizard of Oz. I5 (a droid) wins a game of Sabbacc, and when asked why a droid needs credits, I5 says he’s going to a a sorcerer to buy a heart and brain.
While the book offers a few good moments throughout, I really did not care for this second book of the Medstar duology. In my opinion, it just wasn’t as fun as the first book, Jedi Surgeons. I do think that the authors did a pretty good job of with dialogue and the descriptive details, but there’s just something about this story that wasn’t as captivating for me.
RATING
I will give Medstar II: Jedi Healer a C-.
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: Yoda Dark Rendezvous was written by Sean Stewart. This Expanded Universe tale takes place during the Clone Wars in the Rise of the Empire era, 19 BBY (19 years before the battle of Yavin)
SUMMARY
A message has been delivered to Yoda, that Dooku wants to return home. Despite the casualties and destruction of the war, Yoda desires to meet with his former Padawan. Yoda and a small team set out for the planet Vjun. Clearly, it’s a trap.
Ventress has a desire to be trained as a Sith under Dooku. However, he explains to her just how unprepared and unlearned she really is.
THOUGHTS
I like diving into these characters, Yoda and Dooku. These older characters have been around a while, they have so much unexplored backstory. Dooku binging Yoda’s most talented student; there should be a book series on the adventures these two had. The wedge that was placed between them is heart breaking, image the emotional impact we could have experinced if we had so much more content focused on these two.
I really liked the writing style. Yet sometime I felt like humor was squeezed in at the weirdest places, and mostly pined on Yoda, which made him feel out of character. Yes, we get a few comical moments with him in film, especially Empire Strikes Back, with R2-D2. It’s the same sort of humor but far too often. I could’ve used less of it. However, the confrontation between Yoda and Dooku shows the mature, wise, and power within Yoda.
There seems to be a contradiction, Qui-Gon appears to Yoda… that wasn’t a thing until the end of Revenge of the Sith… Unless Yoda has been communicating with him for a long while before he decides to tell anyone else about it?
This Star Wars story has what makes the Expanded Universe so good, new characters, new relationships and relationships that are established (but we get to dive into them). It’s got real threats and character deaths. We get so used to characters facing threats that don’t have consequences, for this book, obviously we know Yoda is going to survive… however the new characters are fair game, we don’t know what to expect of their fate.
RATING
Star Wars: Yoda: Dark Rendezvous receives an A.
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: Battle Surgeons, part one of the Medstar Duology was written by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry. This Expanded Universe tale takes place during the Clone Wars in the Rise of the Empire era, 21 BBY (21 years before the battle of Yavin)
Jedi Padawan Barris Offee was sent to the planet Drongar to assist the Clone medic team and use her force ability as a healer. Her other task is to to keep an eye on Bota harvesting. Bota is a plant with several medicinal benefits and is in high demand across the galaxy… It’s value is high.
Admiral Bleyd is not happy to be on Drongar, in charge of the Medstar medical frigate. He’s upset, so naturally, he comes up with a get rich scheme and aligns himself with Black Sun.
This story focuses on a few characters going about their daily tasks. Life is hard during war. We tend to think only of the warriors during the Clone Wars, this novel sheds light on the other heroes… the surgeons.
I’d say the authors did a fine job of expressing the chaos of war, especially within the medical units. Although the clones are disposable, the medics do what they can to prolong and heal the injured.
This book starts off pretty gross with some surgical gore. The clones have a tough, dangerous job fighting on the front lines of a galactic war. Spare body parts/organs are grown from cells, so when a clone is in need of say, a spare lung, the surgical team may have one in a cooling tank.
The cast of characters is great, I enjoyed the bits with the villain of the story, Bleyd (silly name). He gets cocky, which leads to stupid decisions. I also enjoyed Barris Offee’s role in the story. Some in the galaxy really have a distaste for the Jedi and the force.
The little link to some other EU tales with the arrive of I-5, Lorn Pavan’s droid, Lorn was from the EU book I really enjoyed, Maul Shadow Hunter, which was also written by Michael Reeves. There were few sexual things that are unnecessary, I’m guessing that’s Steve Perry’s doing. A lady is trying to seduce Jos, but he want’s to reserve himself.
While I thought the story was decent, it is much slower than I’d prefer. I’m not the biggest fan of the Clone Wars era (which I’ve said multiple times on the channel). Sometimes slower stories that focus on characters is much more enjoyable than constant – flashy action.
I will give Star Wars: Medstar I: Battle Surgeons, a B.
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: The Cestus Deception was written by bestselling author,Steven Barnes. This Expanded Universe tale takes place during the Clone Wars in the Rise of the Empire era, 22 BBY (22 years before the Battle of Yavin).
Kenobi & Kit Fisto are summoned by the Chancellor to see first hand a new battle droid in action, it contains bio-engineering from a force sensitive creature – A battle droid with force sensitivity is extremely dangerous.
Clone training exercises are extreme! We follow arc trooper Nate on one exercise, the drill is deadly, claiming the lives of many clones, which some consider cheap and expendable.
I highly enjoyed the first half of this book, witnessing the deep dive of Clone training and the perspectives that people have of the clones was great. The book does say something I disagree with, Kit Fisto is a superior fighter than Kenobi… ha!
I love that Jango’s death is a mystery, the truth has been twisted. Some clones believe that Fett was loyal and heroic, that he was betrayed, that it took 11 jedi to take him down.
It’s like a better quality episode of the Clone Wars. The story starts off strong but gradually gets less captivating.
I don’t care for the characters, I don’t care for the plot, I just… don’t care about this book and I’m ready to move on from it.
For the rating, I give this book a D. The strong intro kept the book from failing all together.
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: Republic Commando – True Colors, book three in a series of Republic Commando novels, written by Karen Traviss. This Expanded Universe tale takes place during the Clone Wars in the Rise of the Empire era. Twenty-one years before the Battle of Yavin (BBY).
SUMMARY
There is quite a lot happening in this story, making it a little difficult to summarize. Heroes aren’t immune from harm, as this tale puts the cast of Commandos and Jedi into deadly situations.
Weapons aren’t the only object of war, but secrets that lie behind a vale of darkness. Doubt, insecurity and moral conduct of the Republic is in question. The secrecy of the financial support of the galactic war and it’s tools of conquest, arouse suspicion in some.
A quest to alter the lifespan of the clones is underway. The lifespan, so short, creates an issue of where loyalty should lie.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
This book starts off so much better than the previous. I think Karen Traviss did well in setting a tone. There are moments in this book I found extremely interesting and some, very boring. I’ve got to say, Traviss has done well in this series keeping the characters consistent. I still believe the first book is the better tale of the Republic Commandos.
The one thing I really enjoy is getting into the thoughts and doubts some of the troops and jedi have about the war. While the clones can’t help being – clones, there is a gross vibe that comes from the whole ordeal. It’s immoral, technology replicating life, speeding up the growth rate, just to send these men to fight and die… not really expected to live off the battlefield.
A Jusik, a jedi, leaves the order. It made me wonder just how many Jedi overall had abandoned the order during this time period, their position in galactic affairs were a heavy burden, one that many but not all would have been able to handle.
I love that one of the characters is digging into the financial side of the the war. She finds the lack of financial reporting questionable. The budget doesn’t really exist.. not just a lack in payments for the Clone Army, but the equipment; weapons, ships, vehicles, armor, med-kits – everything… so much money would be needed to fund this war!
Do I recommend you read this book? I say yes, even though didn’t recommend book two, Triple Zero.
RATING
I will give Star Wars: Republic Commando – True Colors, a C+.
