Star Wars: Ahsoka Book Review

SPOILER FREE

Ahsoka is the 11th novel released in Star Wars canon, the second Young Adult Novel. It was written by first time Star Wars writer, E.K. Johnston.

Summary: This story is focused on the life of the Ahsoka and it takes place after the Clone Wars. Order 66 has been issued and the Empire has been formed! Ahsoka is doing her best to avoid imperial entanglements by moving from one planet to the next once the Empire’s presence grows. She finds herself making friends on the moon, Raada, and actually helps them resist the Empire’s grip on their home world.

Characters: If you’ve ever watched my YouTube videos, you should know by now that I’m not a big fan of the Clone Wars era, especially when it comes to characters! I thought the creation of Ahsoka actually damaged the relationship between Obi-Wan and Anakin. After reading this novel dedicated to this character, my feelings remain. I still don’t like Ahsoka. We meet a few new characters in the book, but none of them save Kaeden,were interesting. The others, you read them then forget them.

Overall Review: I read this book with an open mind, wanting my dislike for Ahsoka to turn around. The book started out great, but half way though it, I felt it turned into an episode of the Clone Wars. There are flashbacks scattered throughout the book, I don’t think we really needed those. The writing was decent, mostly dialog and brief descriptions. There was nothing to really there to make me feel like I was in the “real” Star Wars galaxy. It’s silly when a character can understand what an astromech droid is saying without a translator. The book was highly predictable and sadly anticlimactic. I do believe Clone Wars era fans or fans of the Clone Wars TV series will like love book. I need to make it clear, this book wasn’t awful. I just feel I wasn’t the target audience.

Rating: I give this book a 2.5 out of 5

Back

Star Wars: Aftermath Life Debt Book Review

by Matthew Wilson

SPOILER FREE

Aftermath – Life Debt is the 10th novel released in Star Wars canon. It’s the second installment of the Aftermath trilogy and was written by New York Times Bestselling Author, Chuck Wendig

Summary: We have a rag tag team of characters that we were introduced to in the first book. The soldier, the pilot, bounty hunter, the imperial, and a droid sidekick. This team works for the New Republic, combing the galaxy for high ranking officials of the empire. Though the Empire suffered a major blow from what we witnessed in Return of the Jedi and read about in the first Aftermath installment, they haven’t completely fallen yet. This team is also tasked with an important mission, to find the missing Han Solo. Han Solo and Chewbacca both went missing on their quest to liberate Kashyyyk from the empires grip.

While the Empire is struggling for control of not just the galaxy but control within itself, Admiral Sloane is on a personal mission to uncover the true identity of the man calling all the shots throughout “her” Empire.

Characters: Only a few new characters are introduced including the high ranking antagonist, Gallius Rax. He somewhat interesting, manipulates those around him to his will. Some may speculate he may actually be Supreme Leader Snoke, I think not. The main characters such as Norra Wexley and SInjir, are okay, I still don’t care about these characters. The pet droid, Bones, hate him! “Roger roger.” Han Solo and Leia, written poorly… too whiney and absent of the voice have in other books and especially the films. I’d say he did a bad job with Mon Mothma, but because we don’t have her much in the films, we don’t know who the character really is, nothing to compare to… so that said, I don’t like Mon Mothma. Not the way she was written, but just as a character in general.

Overall Review: Alright, I hated Aftermath. My expectations were too high for the book. So upon the release of Aftermath Life Debt, I lowered them greatly and accepted the story being told. This book wasn’t my favorite. It wasn’t horrible either. I didn’t connect with the characters of the New Republic, I found Rax and Sloane interesting – I think it’s because Wendig did a better job writing the Empire, the New Republic coverage was tiring. The book has a lot of sexual content, still odd to have in what’s supposed to be a family friendly story. I lost count of how many characters pinched their brow. The writing style is still not my thing, there were a lot of predictable and convenient moments. The end of the book was indeed the best book, not because it was over! But because that’s when it got really interesting. I can’t believe I’m going to say it, but I’m looking forward to January’s release of Aftermath: Empire’s End.

Rating: I give this book a 2.5 out 5

World of Warcraft: Cycle of Hatred Book Review

by Matthew Wilson

SPOILER FREE

World of Warcraft: Cycle of Hatred was written by USA Today Bestselling Author, Keith R.A. DeCandido. It’s a novel based on the fantasy game created by Blizzard Entertainment.

Summary: Cycle of Hatred takes place after the Burning Legion has been defeated. Though pease is loosely held in place by an Orc named Thrall – the War-chief of the Orcs and the human leader of Theramore – Jaina Proudmoore. In this tale we focus on the Humans and Orcs living amongst each other in the land of Kalimdor. In the shadows, a cult long thought destroyed has resurfaced with its members serving allegiance to the demon called Zmodlor. The followers are a mixture of both Human and Orc, setting things in motion to crumble the already too fragile peace between the races.

Character: The characters were all written well. I enjoy the accents some of the characters were give, some authors really can’t deliver on that, making it too confusing,,, but not DeCandido. Each character severed their equal part in the tale. I really look forward to further adventures with Thrall and Proudmoore.

Overall Review: The writing style is perfect for this story, it’s not deluded with too much action and it doesn’t fall short on the plot. Can Thrall and Jaina ease the tension and establish a lasting peace between their people? I suggest you get this book and find out! This book was great! It was a quick, exciting, and easy read. It has sparked a new addiction in collecting books in the World of Warcraft series. I didn’t feel like I needed to know anything about the World of Warcraft to understand anything in this book. It’s a great standalone book and left me wanting even more!

Rating: I give this book a 4 out of 5

Star Wars: Bloodline Book Review

by Matthew Wilson

SPOILER FREE

Bloodline is the 9th “adult” novel released in the new Star Wars canon. It was written by New York Times Best-Selling Author, Claudia Gray.

After reading Lost Stars, which Claudia Grey also wrote… I really looked forward to this book, and that day has finally arrived!

Summary: This story takes plaice nearly two decades after return of the Jedi. The New Republic is finding itself divided. Two factions have formed, the Centrists – who believe the galactic government should be stronger and have a more powerful military throughout the galaxy. Then there is the Populists, who believe individual planets should retain authority over their own. So we basically have big government ideology versus small government. The book is loaded with politics that change the course of the galaxy.

Leia is getting tired of the banter in the senate, she’d like to retire… that is until the senate is approached with a seemingly serious problem. In the absence of the Empire, a criminal organization is flexing its muscle in the galaxy. You may or may not remember, in the Aftermath novel by Chuck Wendig, Mon Mothma pretty much demilitarized the New Republic. So… not such a good idea Mon. Leia shoves aside her retirement dreams and steps up to investigate the problem. In the senate, during this distraction, a motion is made to create a definitive leader of the New Republic, called the First Senator.

Characters: Claudia Gray does an excellent job introducing us to several new characters and expands slightly on some of the newer worlds. One character with a fascinating backstory and arch is Ransolm Casterfo. Ransolm is a young Centrist who is fascinated by the fallen Empire, he understands why things went wrong, but the idea of what could have been possible, fuels his political aspirations. Leia, a Populist, has never been written better! She’s older, wiser, and a born leader. Another great character would be Greer Sonnel, Leia’s pilot.

Overall Review: Gray was able give me goosebumps on several occasions with this book. There are moments when something was brought up that we had already known about from the previous films. However, the emotion expressed within and from a different perspective, makes it seem likes it’s the first time we hear about it! Like I mentioned in the summary, the book is political and I know some folks would turn their nose at that. You don’t want to do that… this is the type of Star Wars I like to read, there are consequences to be paid in full by the actions of the senate. Here’s a negative – the action came off a little weak and rushed. Some issues weren’t so much predictable, but a little too convenient. Yet, the book is loaded with story, with character, emotion, and the direction brings us closer to The Force Awakens than any other book has. Star Wars Bloodline gets two thumbs up from me.

Rating: I give this book a 4 out of 5

Star Wars: Battlefront Twilight Company Book Review

by Matthew Wilson

SPOILER FREE

Star Wars Battlefront: Twilight Company is the seventh novel released in the new offical canon. It’s written by Alexander Freed, who’s written many short stories including Star Wars: The Old Republic, Blood of the Empire. Battlefront: Twilight Company is Mr. Freed’s first novel. This tale takes place after A New Hope and during The Empire Strikes Back era.

Summary: We gear up and delve into the wars of Star Wars! in this tale we follow Twilight Company on its campaign through the wins and the loses, taking on the Empire at every corner in the galaxy. An imperial governor surrenders to Twilight Company, with means to defect from the Empire. Now, with her knowledge, she helps lead the Company on a mission to cripple the Empire. However, trust isn’t an easy thing to come by when the enemy is now giving orders.

Characters: We step away from our familiar characters in this book, and it’s truly a breath of fresh air. Our main characters, even the side characters, are written extremely well. Each given a personality you won’t forget. I say it’s a garanntee you’ll find one of the characters to relate to. I don’t want to explain anything about them because they each have their arch that’s worth reading. Namir, Gadren, and Roach are a few of my favorites.

Overall Review: Alexander Freed’s first novel is outstanding! A real gem in the new canon. Now, I’m not a big gamer but I’ve heard Battlefront game wasn’t the best, I’m pretty certain if the game had a campaign mode based on this book, you’d have the game of the year! I have my fingers crossed we get more Battlefront stories and that we definitely get more writing from Alexander Freed!

I give this book a 5 out of 5

Star Wars: The Crystal Star Book Review

by Matthew Wilson

Star Wars: The Crystal Star Book Review

Star Wars: The Crystal Star, A New York Times Bestseller, written by Vonda N. McIntyre. This book… is not what I was wanting to come back to. You may vomit while reading this book. I thought the new canon book Aftermath was bad, this book takes bad to a whole new level.

SUMMARY

The children of Han and Leia have been kidnapped! Chewy was left for dead. While this was going on, Han was on “vacation” with Luke as he is on the search for more Jedi. There’s a character that pops up from the Han Solo trilogy… that was fun. Leia, the wounded Chewbacca, and R2 leave the planet called Munto Codru to track down the kidnappers. The antagonist, Hethrir has a plan to resurrect the Empire with himself being the all powerful leader. Occasionaly in the Expanded Universe, something drains the force from users. In this book, it’s a dying star… The Crystal Star.

I believe this may very well be the Star Wars book from hell. If you look at the picture from the back of the book, you’ll find hidden on the Falcon the number 666. Coincidence… I think not.

CHARACTERS

Character development is weak, C3PO couldn’t be more annoying and Luke less interesting. Luke is treated like a child, he’s not in his right mind really at all the entire book. He’s always confused or grabbing his light saber as a way to threaten Han. Han Solo, you want to punch his face in this book… because this, this isn’t the Han Solo we love.

Leia, comes off as a weak character, she seems desperate and not all there in the head, she’s like a crazy person. She’s always been cool and collected, but in The Crystal Star, she uses an alias,calling herself Lelila, a bounty hunter. Jaina Solo, I know she’s only a 5 year old, but my goodness she’s annoying.

Waru, a bloody blob with gold scales, with the power to hypnotize, heal, and even kill. Thats pretty much all that matters for the character of Waru. Hethrir is a crazy pedophile who creeps throughout the galaxy snatching up children. He finds out if they are force sensitive, so he may train them as his minions. If they don’t meet his requirements, he sells them to the highest bidding pedophile. How was Hethrir going to rule the galaxy with a bunch of kids? That’s possibly the dumbest plan ever.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

Horrible detail and disappointing dialogue. In the 2nd chapter there’s what I thought was a cameo from Golem, “Has it got a coin in it’s pocketses for me?” The structure of each paragraph was odd, half the sentences in this book were nearly five words each! It reads very choppy, which makes the boring tale lag.

The climax matched the rest of the book, week. The family has an awkward reunion. There are about a hundred hugs happening. As the Solo family is reuniting and having a good time, some other side characters are having it out with emotions of anger and a bit of family love drama… very weird. The last line of the book was some kid asking, “Are we home yet?’ Thats not closure!

RATING

I give this book a 0 out of 5