by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: Republic Commando – Hard Contact, book one 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-two years before the Battle of Yavin (ABY).
SUMMARY
A special Republic Commando unit is formed, Omega Squad. They are sent to the planet Qiilura, where they are to destroy a Seperatist Research Facility that is actively developing a nano-virus designed to specifically kill the clones! Omega Squad is also instructed to capture the head scientist of the project.
Just as the mission gets started, one of the members of Omega Squad is separated. The communications systems are limited on this mission, as the Neimoidians have control of the planets long range communications. This makes things a bit difficult for the team to regroup.
A Jedi Padawan has trouble adjusting to a war torn galaxy and her role in commanding clones. Omega Squad learns to work together quickly in unfamiliar territory to survive hard contact with attack droids, a rugged Mandalorian, and to accomplish their mission.
OVERALL THOUHTS
I’m not sure how I feel about the writing style. Karren Traviss keeps the story entertaining, yet sometimes the way things are written, the prose, seem amateur-ish, or just too plain and simple. Sometimes though, there would be a poetic flow to the writing. I like how Traviss didn’t try to get to technical in the story telling with military jargon and the like. This battle-focused story did well by focusing on the characters more than the action.
I enjoyed the cast of characters, while they were all the same… from a certain point of view, they were all very different from each other. The elite squad of clones came together under difficult circumstances. Yet they put their duty before their emotions and form a bond that comes across as genuine.
It was nice meeting a new Jedi Padawn who was separated from her master. She was afraid and unsure of herself. The interaction between her and one of the commandos was great, the clone expecting the padawn to take command, but the padawn had no experience or knowledge on how to lead a squad.
In the Star Wars universe there seems to be a cycle of weaponry. Massive super weapons and/or viruses aimed at specific groups. Those ideas can get tedious, which is why the author must put real weight to the characters, their actions and reactions. I believe Karan Traviss did a good job with this story, making the Commando mission feel adventures and dangerous, leading the reader from chapter to chapter, not knowing if each member of the squad will make it out of this one alive.
Do I recommend this novel? Yes, the action was good and the characters were cool.
RATING
I give Star Wars: Republic Commando – Hard Contact, an A.
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: The Courtship of Princess Leia, was written by New York Times Bestselling Author, Dave Wolverton. This Expanded Universe tale takes place during the New Republic Era, eight years after the battle of Yavin (8 ABY).
SUMMARY
After overthrowing the Galactic Empire, the New Republic is still at war with the remnants of the empire. An attempt had been made to build up relations with the people of Hapen to gain a powerful new ally. Months had gone by before the Hapens make a visit to Coruscant to negotiate terms once again. Han Solo (who’d been gone for months, chasing down Imperial warlord. Zsinj) arrives on Coruscant just in time to see the big offer from the Queen of Hapen; her son, Prince Isolder – to be marraied to Princess Leia. Only through the arranged marriage will the Hapens become allies with the New Republic.
Luke Skywalker is on a quest to discover the history of the Jedi, finding very little information, but he is determined to rebuild the Jedi Order.
Mon Mothma and other leadership of the New Republic are determined to persuade Leia into accepting the Hapen offer, as it would be extremely beneficial for the New Republic. Han Solo is stunned by the Hapen offer and the hesitancy of Leia. He loves the Princess and can’t believe she didn’t decline the offer once it was made. He turns to gambling, winning the deed to a planet, Dathomir.
Han abducts Leia, taking her to Dathomir, demanding that he gets a few days to win her love. Luke returns to Coruscant and learns of what has happened, and teams up with Prince Isolder to find Han and Leia. Once on Dathomir, the gang has a run in with witches, Nightsisters, and the Imperial warlord, Zsinj!
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Dave Wolverton provided pretty solid roots for the future of Star Wars from this point. A lot of fan favorite content today can be traced back to this novel, such as Dathomir, Nightsisters, Rancor’s being used as mounts. We’ve seen these things come to shows, video games, and other books. While I do take issue with much of the plot, I do have to commend the Expanded Universe and Dave Wolverton for creating aspects of Star Wars that would impact the franchise so greatly.
I find the concept of this book a bit silly and aggravating a lot of the time. My feelings are interfering big time with how I interpret the story. It bothers me more than it should, that Leia has this internal conflict with Prince Isolder and Han. She literally just meets Isolder and nearly falls in love with the guy after a few days. Her and Han have been a thing for nearly 8 years! I dislike that Han had to kidnap her to get her attention and affection again. However, it does make it clear to me know, that their relationship can only thrive on adventure and near death experiences. (Not a healthy relationship)
Some of my favorite moments, would be reading about Luke on his quest to uncover the history of the Jedi. He has high hopes of re-establishing the Order of the Jedi. Witnessing Luke’s passion and excitement upon minor discovery’s is cool and makes me excited for the character, and for what may come in future books.
Do I recommend that you read this novel? I’m on record as saying, “skip this book.” After revisiting this novel, I’ve changed my mind. Yes, read it.
RATING
Star Wars: The Courtship of Princess Leia receives 3/5 stars, or a C+.
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: Champions of the Force, book three of the Jedi Academy trilogy, written by bestselling author, Kevin J. Anderson. This Expanded Universe tale takes place during the New Republic era, eleven years after the Battle of Yavin (ABY).
SUMMARY
Jedi trainee, Kip Durron, continues his downward spiral through the dark-side. The evil spirt of Exar Kun has twisted Durron against the light, leading down a path of destruction – from paralyzing Luke Skywalker with the force, to destroying a planet with the Sun-Crusher.
Meanwhile, New Republic forces attempt to capture the Imperial facility in the Maw. However, much of the Imperial crew flee the installation, and commandeer their new Death Star protype! Now, The New Republic must face off against a familiar superweapon and a fleet controlled by Admiral Dalla.
Will the light prevail over the darkness? Will the New Republic meet its doom in the shadow of the Death Star? Sorry folks, you’ve gotta read this one to find out!
OVERALL THOUGHTS
I really enjoy the writing style. The tone of the story is written well, a fair balance of describing the state of one’s well being to the action taking place. As with the previous novels, I said, “so many cool things I wish I could see on screen.” Same goes for this novel. But, I say Kevin J. Anderson does a really good job detailing the imagery to paint the scenes in my mind.
Reading the continued descent of a Jedi apprentice into darkness was exciting, dramatic, and tragic! In the comic series, Dark Empire, we experiece Luke dabbling in the dark, many fans couldn’t buy into it. It was a challenge to successfully pull someone down to the dark side, I believe Anderson was smart to create in a new character (Kip) for the trilogy and bring such weight to his instability.
Exar Kun talks to Luke, I feel there was a missed opportunity to mention the events from A New Hope, it would have been cool if Exar Kun would have said something like, “I felt your presence and the energy you brought here, 11 years ago.” However, Kun mentions the Witches of Dathomir, that they would make a fine addition to a new Sith brotherhood. I thought that was cool, a nice call back to Courtship of Princess Leia and tie-in to other material.
I can’t let this review end without saying that the story had it’s fair share of cheesiness! Some bits can be frustrating with the repetitive lines and themes, but overall, whatever. I like the addition of force healing, and the unity within the new Jedi Order.
Do I recommend Star Wars: Champions of the Force? Yes! A good book to close out a fun trilogy!
RATING
I give Star Wars Jedi Academy: Champions of the Force, A-
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: I, Jedi was written by bestselling author, Michael A. Stackpole. This Expanded Universe tale takes place during the New Republic Era, 11 ABY (11 years after the Battle of Yavin).
SUMMARY
The dangerous Invid Pirates causing havoc throughout the space ways and manage to evade New Republic forces! Rogue Squadron hero Corran Horn learns that his wife, Mirax, is taken by the network of bandits. He’s denied intel by General Cracken; if Corran Horn goes off on his own to be a hero, it could put many other lives in danger.
After speaking with Luke Skywalker, Corran Horn decides to chase after his Jedi roots and become Keiran Halcyon. He trains at the Jedi Praxium on Yavin, the Jedi Academy. He unlocks force powers within and learns to tame them. Once he saves Luke Skywalker from the evil on Yavin, he has a minor personality crisis. He sheds the Halcyon alians and is reborn once again as Corran Horn, with force powers.
Now, with his new found powers and previous CorSec (Corellian Security Force) experience, he infiltrates the pirates in an attempt to rescue his wife, Mirax.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Before I dive too deep here, I’ve got to say something that I really did enjoy about this book, was the ties to the Jedi Academy trilogy and the time spent at the Jedi Praxium on Yavin. While some of the events are elaborated and expounded upon to push Corran Horn up the “hot shot” ranks, sine if it was decent. I enjoyed getting more knowledge of Kip Durron when he began his fall to the dark side. What I didn’t like, was that Horn was able to best Luke Skywalker in a lightsaber sparring match. The excuse used was that Luke had too much on his mind, with Exar Kun lingering about.
I can’t help it, I’ve gotta say it. I hate the first person writing style for Star Wars. I believe this style is fine in other genres, but it doesn’t belong in Star Wars. To me it feeds into the ego that is Corran Horn and Michael A. Stackpole.
I can’t help but feel that there is a special bias toward this character by the author. Like this guy can do no wrong, he has to be better than everyone, he has to know how to do – everything. Even if he messes up, it only exposes something new that no one else has discovered yet. This character has a few self reflection moments, and I can’t stand that it seems to happen after he gains all the knowledge he needs first, in order to be better than someone else. For example – Corran takes on the alias Halcyon, a family name from his “Jedi lineage.” He gets all the training he needs before he has a personality crisis – he’s Corran Horn, not a Halcyon. I don’t know why it’s so annoying to me.
I think this book has too many coincidences and some characters are given too much knowledge about things they shouldn’t. Somehow Corran knows the way a duel went down invloving his grandfather, like the fighting style that was used.
Do I recommend you read this book? No, it’s a story about a character who seems to be better than everyone else. It gets old.
RATING
I give Star Wars: I, Jedi a C-.
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: Dark Apprentice, book two of the Jedi Academy trilogy, written by bestselling author, Kevin J. Anderson. This Expanded Universe tale takes place during the New Republic era, eleven years after the Battle of Yavin (ABY).
SUMMARY
The Jedi Temple on Yavin IV has been active with the resurrection of a new Jedi Order for a few months now. Luke Skywalker is burdened with the task of rebuilding the order, training force sensitives to have control of the power within them. The location of the new Jedi temple is on ancient Massassi grounds. A haunting presence works to destroy all that Luke is attempting to build.
Disaster shakes the New Republic leadership when Akbar crashes a ship while on a diplomatic mission, which leaves thousands dead. Akbar then leaves his role in the New Republic, seeking seclusion on his home-world. Leia takes on more responsibility as Mon Mothma slowly steps out of the limelight. Yet, she wastes no time in attempting to bring Akbar back into the action.
Admiral Daalla and her imperial fleet go back to the drawing board on war tactics. Things have been changing rapidly and drastically for this fleet. After learning what’s happened throughout the galaxy during an interrogation of Han Solo and research, they find that the remnants of the Empire are preoccupied with fighting each other instead of the “rebellion.”
It appears that history is beginning to repeat itself, will the New Republic or resurrected Jedi Order survive?
OVERALL THOUGHTS
There are so many cool moments in this book, things I wish we could have seen on the big screen. Kevin J. Anderson went dark in some places with this book, and I love it. The story is exciting, taking us to a new place with the characters, putting them in uncomfortable positions and throwing real challenges at them.
While I’m not too impressed with the characterization Luke, not just because he’s struggling with how to do the task set before him, but just the way he handles people and events regularly. I get the “Luke speaking to Jabba” vibes, I don’t care for his demeanor. I believe other, original characters to this story were handled very well.
This is a thing that just annoys me, it happens a lot in Star Wars, not just this story. I don’t like it when phrases that Yoda said are repeated by others, as Yoda said it. “Size matters not.” No one else talks like that, i just doesn’t flow right when others repeat it like that, they’d say, “size doesn’t matter.” I know… I’m being petty, but that’s just a Star Wars pet peeve of mine.
Kip Durran, one of Luke’s students, is eager to learn more, he appears to to be almost like a “new chosen one.” Once he makes it to the Yavin Jedi training area, what Luke calls the Praxium, he shuts himself off from socializing to focus on his abilities and studies. The spirit of Exar Kun, an ancient Sith Loard roams the Massasi grounds, seeking whom he may manipulate. Some of Luke’s students are tempted by Exar Kun… with knowledge that would exceed what Luke Skywalker could ever teach.
Do I recommend Star Wars Dark Apprentice? Yes.
RATING
I give Star Wars Jedi Academy: Dark Apprentice a B+.
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: Jedi Search, book one of the Jedi Academy trilogy, written by bestselling author, Kevin J. Anderson. This Expanded Universe tale takes place during the New Republic era, eleven years after the Battle of Yavin (ABY).
SUMMARY
The New Republic continues to expand and reach out to worlds unassociated with the new government. Han Solo and Chewbacca fly out to Kessel with hopes of communicating with the ruling party of the wild planet. It’s overrun with former inmates and crime lords. Kessel is widely known for its production of spice (drugs). Han Solo’s history plays a role on Kessel, the former smuggler was to deliver a load of spice to Jabba, but once the Imperials got on his trail, he dumped the spice from the Falcon (there begins the beef with Jabba and Solo). The mission falls apart quickly, leading to the capture of Solo and Chewy, and forced labor deep in the spice mines of Kessel.
Luke speaks with the Senate. He requests that the New Republic sanctions his quest to search the galaxy for force users and to establish a Jedi Academy. He stresses the importance of the Jedi, laying out their role in resolving disputes and protecting the galaxy. One person objects, stating that only one failed Jedi could bring about the destruction of the New Republic, it happened once, it could happen again, the recent battle of C’baoth is still fresh on everyone’s mind. However, the senate agrees to Luke’s proposal.
An Imperial instillation is discovered, leading to the emergence of a new threat to the Republic.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Kevin J Anderson does a fine job, he does well with being descriptive, as Luke Skywalker stands out on a platform on Coruscant, he stares up at the sky as the wind wraps around his robe. Debris of destroyed ships from the battle of taking Coruscant from the Empire is still orbiting the upper atmosphere of the planet. Parts of the planet are now a wasteland, where ships have crashed into the cityscape. (this imagery would be cool to see on film) I never thought about that, and now I can’t get that awesome/battle worn image out of my head. New Republic is at work cleaning up.
Luke’s experience in Dark Empire, where apparently he fell to the dark side of the force for a bit, broadened his insight and understanding of the force. The power of the force is so vast, it actually terrifies Luke. (reminds me of God, we fear God, the creator of the universe, we exist in a moment of time, our understanding of reality and the spiritual realm is so limited.)
Even our favorite Jedi, Luke Skywalker, misquotes Vader when reflecting on his time on Cloud City. “Luke, I am your father.” WRONG.
I’m glad we have a story of Luke going out in the galaxy to find trainees. I also like that some citizens of the New Republic are actually a bit concerned with the resurrection of the Jedi Order. Many are fearful that one slip up, one Jedi that craves too much power, could bring about the destruction of the galaxy once again. We meet new characters, young and old that are ready to be attuned to the force, to get a better understanding of the power they have within.
At first, I was concerned with how the Empire was handled in the story. An Imperial instillation has been out in the Maw, a cluster of black-holes, for 11 years. The instillation is run by Admiral Daala and she hasn’t heard a word from Tarkin, the only individual aware of this weapons development program. They continued about their work all these years, not knowing a single thing about what has happened to the Empire. As odd as it is, I think it works, only because it was a top-secret facility.
Do I recommend Star Wars: Jedi Search? Yes I do.
RATING
I give this story an A.
