by Matthew Wilson
Jaws was written by Peter Benchley in 1974. This terrifying novel was later turned into a film, becoming the first major blockbuster!
SUMMARY
We all know the premise of Jaws. Well… most people know it. Just in case, here is a very brief summary. Amity Island is terrorized by a great white shark – attacking, killing, and eating swimmers! Police Chief Brody wants to shut the beaches down until the shark is gone, but authorities with higher power… won’t let that happen. Amity depends on tourism, ans the season is upon them. If they shut the beaches down… the residents will surely suffer.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
The movie was great, one of the first, if not, THE first blockbuster films. I’m so glad I decided to finally read this book! I thought it was brilliant.
Oh my goodness I almost passed out reading this book in the first chapter! The first shark attack is so nasty and graphic. After that scene though, the graphic descriptions tone down quite a bit.
There are for sure some similarities to the film, but there are also some pretty drastic differences. The way it was altered for cinema, I thought was great, I think if it followed too closely to the book, the film wouldn’t have been as good. What I’m really referring to, are the characters. I found myself routing against a few.
Martin Brody, the police chief of Amity Island, had so much pressure on him. He wanted to keep the beaches closed after a few shark attacks left swimmers in pieces… dead. Yet, the powers that be forced his hand from doing so. Brody seems to be a simple man who does his job well. The tension at home with his wife thickens when marine biologist Matt Hooper shows up.
The build up to the end was fantastic. I loved the build up to the end. I thought all of the shark stuff was really good, but the stuff with all the characters and their drama was written really… really good! The plot and subplot mingled together so well. The character of Quint, the fisherman that owned the boat ORCA, was written perfectly. His flaw was his pride.
I don’t have anything negative to say about the book. Actions were taken by characters that pissed me off, and the language was a bit rough… but the story and the writing style was most excellent. As far as the ending is concerned, it works how it is in the book, but I preferred the film ending.
Do I recommend you read Jaws? Yes. Especially if you plan on having a beach trip. Read it before dipping your toes in the water.
RATING
I will five Jaws by Peter Benchley, an A+
by Matthew Wilson
Artificial Wisdom was written by Thomas R. Weaver, originally Indie-published in 2023. The novel was picked up by Penguin Random House to be republished, available August 12, 2025.
SUMMARY
The year is 2050. Humanity is in trouble and agrees to elect a global leader to resolve the crisis. A former U.S. President is in the running up against an Artificial Intelligence program called Solomon. A journalist is seeking the truth about his dead wife and the possibility of government evolvement, but not just her death… millions of lives, which has a altered the course of humanity.
Can mankind reverse the damage it’s done to the world… Or will it depend on Artificial Intelligence to be the salvation of humanity?
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Such an interesting book! Artificial Wisdom is a wonderful work of science fiction with a splash of mystery. Aspects of this story don’t seem to far fetched in my opinion. The story takes place in the year 2050, which really isn’t too far into the future. I’m not going to get into spoiler territory, but the technology and grim future were fleshed out nicely.
The book starts off strong as something unique and different – a futuristic political thriller. However, the middle of the book shifts into a murder mystery story. I didn’t care for this transition, It changed the whole vibe of the book. The really interesting story was buried under a crime solving plot that dragged on a bit too long. However, the backdrop/setting was still fantastic. Thankfully, the ending does shift back into the political thriller I desired, which does get pretty creepy.
Thomas R. Weaver writes some great characters in this book! Through them, important messages bleed through the pages. At least the take away I got from it was, ‘Do your research, don’t assume, and take care of yourself and your surroundings.’
The book can be an eye opener for our current age, with AI (creating realistic images, video and audio), and mainstream media.(manipulating truth to push an agenda). People are swayed way too easily and once the ball drops… there could be no way of picking it back up again.
Do I recommend Artificial Wisdom? Yes. The more time that passes after reading this book, the more I think about the beginning and ending, such good stuff. A real warning to what could be ahead.
RATING
I will give Artificial Wisdom, a B+.
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.
