by Matthew Wilson
Godzilla x Kong The New Empire, a novelization written by Greg Keyes. based on the screenplay by Terry Rossio, Simon Barrett, and Jeremy Slater, the story by Terry Rossi, Adam Wingard, and Simon Barrett
SUMMARY
On the surface of the earth, Godzilla is on the move. The beast is building up his strength, concerning the organization of Monarch. Something in the world is about to change! The “World Ender” is being unleashed.
Kong, searching far and wide in the Hollow Earth for his kind (family) stumbles on something familiar, yet different. In doing so, a new enemy rises, putting the entire world in danger of being obliterated. Kong must depend on advanced technology and an ancient culture to rise against the coming evil.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
This book was a fun read. I felt that the characters were written well. Just enough for me to care about the human element of a monster’s tale. Jia, the Iwi girl that has a special bond with Kong is an interesting character for sure. She’s been adopted by Ilene Andrews who tries to give Jia the best life she can. Jia attends school but just doesn’t fit in, but she senses “a disturbance” taking place in the world.
It’s mentioned that someone had gone into Hollow Earth to hunt titans in a giant mech suit, that’s a pretty cool idea. I also got a kick out of an X-Files mention when someone says “great Mulder & Skully!”
I think the hollow earth is one of the coolest concepts in a fantasy/sci-fi when it comes to the present age. It seems like a conspiracy theory that doesn’t seem too far fetched.
I wouldn’t doubt that the film would be cooler to absorb because of the awesome visuals, but the book was absolutely a solid read. I recommend picking up this novelization, read it before Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is available to purchase, see if you can spot some differences.
RATING
I will give this novelization, a B(plus).
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor was written by bestselling author, Matthew Stover. This tale takes place during the Rebellion era on the Expanded Universe novel timeline, four years ABY (After the Battle of Yavin).
SUMMARY
Another crazy man steps up in an attempt to rule the galaxy! The New Republic faces off against a new enemy on the planet Mindor. The planet is violent, not only because of the war, but the planet – in the Taspan system, is breaking apart! The planet’s atmosphere is a mess of asteroids and meteor slinging all over the place.
Lord Shadowspawn, one name for the villain in this tale is obsessed with destruction and power. Luke Skywalker leads the charge to free hostages that were taken by Shadowspawns raiders. Many of which were either chosen to die, or join Shadowspawn. Much of the villains tactics are designed after popular holovids (what we would call movies).
Luke Skywalker faces one of his biggest challenges yet… guilt. His force ability reaches new heights, resulting to a situation that cannot be undone. The New Republic must act fast as they race against the clock, before the world of Mindor, is utterly destroyed.
Or… did any of the things in this story actually happen… or is this a story within a story about the legendary heroes of the New Republic… It’s hard to tell.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
When I first saw the cover of this book, I thought, “this is gonna be a chore to get through.” That’s right, I judged a book by its cover without knowing a thing about it. Yet, I didn’t let the cover hold me back forever, (I let the paper do the talking).
This book starts off with a bang, it’s fast paced, explosive action, and gritty. My impression of the opening chapters, was that this story is the punk rock of Star Wars. It’s loaded with weirdness, some of it is interesting, while most of it… is not. A theme that runs throughout this book, is that nothing is as it seems.
The characters felt so different than what they should be. The dialogue is a mess, characters cut each other off so much in this book. mid sentence. Everyone is talking back to each other, there’s far too much sarcasm, and witty comebacks… it got annoying.
Stover does a fine job with descriptions… to a point, sometimes the details are so elaborate, it drags out and gets boring, even to the point of forgetting what’s happening in the moment.
I do like the way that Stover explained some of the traits of Vader and Palpatine. Palpatine had a lust for power in the force, he had a knowledge of its power, he was steeped in its lore; but still trying to have the force bend to his own will. Vader on the other hand, was a pawn, using the force in the most shallow ways, as a machine absorbs fuel to operate.
However, what drives me crazy, is when authors attempt to undermine the credibility or weight of characters or actions that have already been established, especially from the films. In this story, Stover attempts to make the villain of this story, far superior than Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine. The villain is revealed to be the actual puppet master over the Empire. He was the mastermind behind Palpatine’s demise. I find this character development ridiculous.
Do I recommend that you read this tale? I have to say, no. I had a few interesting moments, but not worth the time.
RATING
I give Star Wars: Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor, a D (0.5/5)
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: The Living Force, a novel written by bestselling author, John Jackson Miller. This story takes place before the events of Episode I: The Phantom Menace.
SUMMARY
Jedi outposts are being shut down across the Republic, opening up many regions to a rise in criminal activity. With the urging of Qui-Gon Jinn, the Jedi Council will make a trip off coruscant to celebrate a Jedi Outpost scheduled to close, this outpost is special to many on the council, many were present at its opening centuries before.
This celebration will also be interrupted with violence from a pirate group that Depa Billaba had recently infiltrated, the Riftwalkers. The head of the Riftwalkers, Zilastra, is bitter toward the Jedi and the Republic and will stop at nothing to burn them to the ground.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
I said I wasn’t going to review another canon novel, but when I see something as interesting as this, written by an author that’s written pretty solid books in the Expanded Universe, I just had to give it a read.
John Jackson Miller did a fine job in the opening chapters, capturing the feel and flow of the prequel films. There was a sense of familiarity with the scenario taking place, and the characters read true to who they were in the prequel films; such as Qui-Gon’s confidence and Kenobi’s curiosity and dry humor.
It was neat having the full Jedi Council out of the Jedi Temple to be servants of the the people. However, when the action starts and lives of the people and Jedi are in danger, we know from the films that these council members are fine, so there wasn’t anything in this book that really felt like a real risk when it came to the characters. My favorite character in this story has to Qui-Gon Jinn and I wish we focused a lot more on him; he truly has a servant’s heart, wanting to help the innocent lives in the galaxy.
What stuck out to me, was how easy it was for the Empire to take control after the Republic had fallen. The citizens throughout the galaxy were pretty needy, unable to really take care of themselves, too dependent on the Republic and the Jedi. However, I think the Republic failed the people when it came to planetary security and preservation; crime is just way too rampant.
The message I feel this book is delivering, is that the people are suffering, not just in this fictional world, but the one we live in. Suffering with physical, financial, and identity issues. The Jedi, the Star Wars equivalent of spiritual leaders, have grown distant from their purpose as servants. Through Qui-Gon, a Jedi who seeks the will of the Living Force (the Star Wars version of the Holy Spirit) is the one who brings the Jedi back to their roots, waking them up from a sort of spiritual sleep.
To conclude, I honestly felt the story to be a little weak. I felt this one was pretty similar to a previous canon book I read, maybe a High Republic novel. While I think John Jackson Miller did well with the characters, bringing in good humor at times (especially with Ki Adi Mundi) and really pivoting from several different characters and their actions to others; The plot was a bit of a dull one. I did not hate this book, I don’t think it was bad, in fact this book delivers a better message than a lot that I have read in canon.
RATING
I give Star Wars: The Living Force by John Jackson Miller, a B-plus.
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: Isard’s Revenge was written by Bestselling Author, Michael A. Stackpole. This Expanded Universe tale takes place during the New Republic Era, nine ABY (9 years after the battle of Yavin).
SUMMARY: Wedge Antilles finally accepts a promotion. He and Rogue Squadron.
Somehow… Isard has returned. Turns out the Isard that was believed to have been killed, was a clone. With Thrawn out of the way, the real Isard is ready to establish herself as the successor to the Emperor.
OVERALL THOUHTS
I really hate to say it, but this book was such a boring read. After the excitement and thrills I experienced with the three Wraith Squadron books by Aaron Allston, this one was a sad let down. The book wasn’t horrible, but it wasn’t near as fun as the Wraith Squadron trilogy. Corran Horn believed the hard battles would be over, that the New Republic just had some mopping up to do to snuff out the Empire, but he was wrong. The arrival of Thrawn had disrupted everything! I like getting into Rogue Squadron’s thoughts of Thrawn and how they aren’t buying into the belief that he’s truly dead.
This book pivots back to Stackpole’s take/vision of the New Republic X-Wing squadrons. We spend too much time with boring characters and get a deeper look into the strange lifestyle choices of two, with their interspecies relationship. It’s pretty gross and really stupid, the Bothans view relationships with non-Bothans is the Emperor winning.
Somehow… Isard has returned. With this book taking place after the Thrawn trilogy, where Timothy Zahn brings in the use of cloning, Stackpole jumps on the coat-tails of that idea and uses it as a way to reintroduce us to an enemy that was already defeated. However, that does seem to be a recurring issue in Star Wars… the dead enemy is resurrected. I believe that sort of thing can work, when handled appropriately, such as Palpatine in Dark Empire.
This book just feels like “things happen” and “more things happen.” Just to get us to the back cover. The previous three books felt like a real structured story with satisfying arcs and conclusions. By the end of this book I was just tired with the characters.
Do I recommend you read this X-Wing book? No, too boring.
RATING
I give Star Wars: X-Wing” Isard’s Revenge, a D.
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: Solo Command, book seven in the X-Wing Series, was written by Bestselling Author, Aaron Allston. This Expanded Universe tale takes place during the New Republic Era, seven ABY (7 years after the battle of Yavin).
SUMMARY
The mission to eliminate Imperial Warlord Zsinj continues under the command of General Han Solo. Wraith and Rogue Squadron work close together in many space battles that result in a cat and mouse chase with Zsinj.
A new tactic of the Empire against the Republic, is to build distrust against a race of people, by inserting secret assassins to bring chaos and death to the New Republic.
Wraith Squadron will face many challenges on the hunt for Zsinj, not only from external forces, but from those internally as well.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Another great X-Wing story written by Aaron Allston! The characters he writes and the situations they get into are so fun to read. One thing that I find funny about our main villain, Warlord Zsinj, is that he’s always talking, even just thinking out loud. The drama that unfolds with who Wraith Squadron knows as Lara Notsil was intense! Such heartache and anger throughout the story, and it isn’t cheesy or cringy at all.
The concept of dividing the different alien races against one another was already a plan devised in a previous X-Wing book with the creation of the Krytos Virus. Luckily the route taken in this novel was sparse, more of a side issue that was taking place.
Han Solo is present pretty often in this novel, the title is a bit of a dead giveaway. Yet, the book doesn’t lean on Solo, the story doesn’t revolve around him, he’s not a crutch for the book to lean on. General Solo’s flagship during his quest to end Zsinj, is the Mon Calamari ship, Mon Remonda. Han doesn’t really enjoy the job too much, but he’s doing his best.
The Wraith mission at the Binring Biomedical facility was intense. I thought Allston did a nice job giving us that commando action which was teased in book five – Wraith Squadron. Taking Piggy back to the laboratory he was experimented on was harsh, but great.
One negative, I don’t like how the missions on both sides were paralleled in a few cases… It’s way to convenient! The setup for the missions were disappointing – Zsinj wants to set a trap at a specific place, meanwhile, Wraith Squadron is getting ready to investigate said place.
I’m not quite sure how I feel about how this book ended. Wraith Squadron, decommissioned as an X-Wing unit. I’m looking forward to seeing more of these characters in future books.
Do I recommend you read this novel? Absolutely, no need to skip this book! I’m surprised by how much I’m enjoying the X-Wing series.
RATING
I will give Star Wars: X-Wing: Solo Command, a B+.
by Matthew Wilson
Star Wars: Iron Fist, book six in the X-Wing Series, was written by Bestselling Author, Aaron Allston. This Expanded Universe tale takes place during the New Republic Era, seven ABY (7 years after the battle of Yavin).
SUMMARY
Warlord Admiral Zsinj is on the prowl, his hit and run tactics are brutal against the New Republic. He sits comfortably in his Star Destroyer – Iron Fist. While he seems unpredictable, New Republic Wraith Squadron narrows down his tactics through collected intel and risky groundwork.
Wraith Squadron works hard to prevent Zsinj from accomplishing one of his biggest moves yet, acquiring a super star destroyer to expand his fleet. The missions that take place to maneuver Wraith into having chance to face off against Zsinj comes with a heavy price tag; the cost… life.
In this tale, Wraith Squadron gains new members, replacing the few that were recently lost. One new member, isn’t quite who she claims to be. Lies are told, secrets are kept, and blood is shed.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Alright, this is the best one yet in the X-Wing series. This book had so many tense moments that kept me glued to the pages! I really enjoy not knowing what the outcome will be when it comes to the characters; which is the best part about “side’ characters of Star Wars. We all know the established characters will be around.
Allston does a wonderful job writing the characters of Wraith Squadron. The misfit group of pilots work well together, mostly. The plot of this book was simple, the missions were highly entertaining, and the villain really gets under the skin. The story was unpredictable, the author wasn’t afraid to kill off anyone.
Gara Petothel, has to be my favorite character in this story. One of my complaints for the previous book, Wraith Squadron, was that we didn’t get that much commando action. This book fulfills what that book lacked. The fighting on the ground was just as exciting as the fighting in the air/space. Allston does a fine job setting the scene and building up tension.
We get a peak at what happened right after that Return of the Jedi special edition scene where the people on Coruscant are pulling down the statue of Emperor Palpatine. I loved that little moment that gave us a direct tie-in visual to the film.
Do I recommend this book in the X-Wing Series? Absolutely. This book has great humor sprinkled lightly throughout, it’s not overly done. The characters are fantastically written.
RATING
I give Star Wars: X-Wing: Iron Fist, an A! Making this book the best in the series so far.
