Dynasty of Evil (Drew Karpyshyn)

Title: Darth Bane: Dynasty of Evil
Author: Drew Karpyshyn
Copyright: 2010 (Del Rey); 306 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-345-51157-7
Series: Star Wars Expanded Universe
Sensuality: None
Genre: Science Fiction
ERA:  Sith/Republic – 1,020 years before the Battle of Yavin (Star Wars: A New Hope)

Ten years have passed since the events in Rule of Two. Bane and Zannah, posing as his sister, live on Ciutric IV. They have kept their true identities hidden, all the while gathering knowledge and wealth, building their strength for the time when the Sith will reveal themselves and eliminate the Jedi. Bane has accepted the fact that the destruction of the Jedi might not occur in his lifetime. The long-term effects of wearing the orbalisk armor has weaken him and time is taking its toll. Had he been a Jedi, he could have lessen the effects, but the dark side of the Force is too destructive to be used for healing and repair.

Though Bane has tried to conceal the effects from Zannah, he is sure she has noticed his weakness. It bothers him that she has yet to take advantage of his weakening body to challenge him. He is worried that she is waiting until he is so feeble that little or no effort will be needed to strike him down. He believes, for the Sith order to remain powerful enough to eventually destroy the Jedi, an apprentice must defeat her master while he’s still strong, thereby proving the apprentice has earned the right to be the Master. Her inaction convinces Bane that she lacks the ambition. She is unworthy to be Sith. With time no longer on his side, Bane must find a way to extend his life so he can train a new apprentice, and he must do so without drawing Zannah’s attention to his actions. He sends Zannah on a mission to find out who killed a Jedi on Doan, and to find out why he was there in the first place.

Zannah has noticed the signs of weakness in Bane. However, she also knows that Bane is a master manipulator. It is possible that he is trying to trick her into attacking him before she is ready, proving she hasn’t learned the lesson of patience he has drilled into her for years. Zannah has been actively looking for an apprentice of her own, an apprentice that will take her place when she defeats Bane and becomes the Master. So far, Zannah hasn’t found any potential candidates and until then, she will bide her time. Her mission to Doan might lead her a likely candidate. Zannah is wary enough of Bane to wonder if the mission is also another of his tests and shrewd enough to consider the possibility that Bane intends to replace her with whoever defeated the Jedi.

With Zannah out of the way. Bane sets out to track down the knowledge he needs to extend his life, not knowing his past is about to come back to haunt him and that he has underestimated his apprentice.

Comments: I loved this book. It was so much better than Rule of Two. I’ve enjoyed reading the Darth Bane trilogy, having a Sith as the main character and rooting for someone who would ordinarily be considered the villain.

In Dynasty of Evil, Bane is the bad guy and I found myself sympathizing with Zannah. Bane believes her unworthy, forgetting that sometimes biding one’s time is the right course of action, even for the Sith. In fact, patience is more important than ever — acting rash could jeopardize all their plans. The time isn’t right for the Sith to overthrow the Republic and only those who learn the value of being patient are going to make the order stronger.

Besides the hunt for new apprentices and the quest for immortality, the plot involves a young woman bent on revenge. I liked Serra and Lucia were tied to Bane’s past. I couldn’t help rooting for them, even though I knew — in the back of my mind — that they were no match for a Sith Lord and things would not end well for them.

I loved the ending. Though not a cliffhanger by any means, the epilogue gives me the impression that at least one story thread was left hanging, just in case. I would like to see the Sith deal with that ex-Jedi.

Start: 1 February 2011
Finished: 6 February

Rating:

Loved It!

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Disclaimer: I purchased this book.

Bellwether (Connie Willis)

Title: Bellwether
Author:  Connie Willis
Narrator:  Kate Reading
Length: Unabridged (6 h, 30 m)
Published: February 2009 (Blackstone Audio, Inc)
Genre(s): Science Fiction, Fiction
Start: 16 November 2010
Finished: 19 November 2010
Source:  Public Library

From Audible.com:  Sandra Foster studies fads and their meanings for the HiTek corporation. Bennett O’Reilly works with monkey group behavior and chaos theory for the same company. When the two are thrust together due to a misdelivered package and a run of seemingly bad luck, they find a joint project in a flock of sheep. But a series of setbacks and disappointments arise before they are able to find answers to their questions – with the unintended help of the errant, forgetful, and careless office assistant Flip.

Why this book?
One of my favorite Connie Willis books. I’ve read it several times, but not in the last four years (due to it being in storage). Also, it was one of the few books I was actually interested in listening to that the local library had in their virtual stacks for download, and it was available — no waiting list. As I stated before, I was looking for books I’d already read and loved, so this was a no-brainer for me.

Narrator: Kate Reading
First off, isn’t that a great last name for someone narrating a book? I enjoyed her narration so much, there were times that I did not want to stop listening. I suppose that’s the audiobook equivalent to “I couldn’t put the book down”. Since I save audiobooks for my commute, I normally stow the iPod and earphones when we get close to my destination. However, once the sheep got loose, I was so into the story that I got off the bus and was nearly home before realization hit me. By that point, the story was almost over anyway, so I finished it.

Ms. Reading (ha!) did an excellent job of giving Sandy’s various co-workers and the people she interacts with their own distinct voices. You could tell the various eye-rolling, sighing-because-you’re-making-me-do-my-job service personal apart, just as you could tell the difference between Sandy’s co-workers — even if you couldn’t remember which one was planning a birthday party and which one was having relationship issues. The book is written in 1st person and the narrator changes her voice slightly so you know when Sandy’s talking to the other characters and when she’s the narrator. Sandy-the-narrator sounds more confident and sarcastic, while Sandy-the-character is more soft spoken and a little hesitant.

I thoroughly enjoyed this adaption of Bellwether and I plan to purchase my own copy so I have it on hand to listen to again.

About the Story:
Bellwether is SF, but not the type most people would describe if asked. It’s about chaos theory and researching trends. It’s about how a misdelivered box can lead to falling in love. It’s about how one person can wreck so much havoc, that things actually work out for the best in the end because of it. There are no spaceships, aliens, or time-travel in this book.

Ratings:
Story: 5 stars
(I’m still working on how to rate the narration)
Overall Reading:  Excellent
Characters: Excellent

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For 2010 “pages read”: 247 pages (own a paperback copy of book)

Darth Bane: Rule of Two

Title: Darth Bane: Rule of Two
Author: Drew Karpyshyn
Copyright: 2008 (Del Rey); 320 pgs.
ISBN: 978-0-345-47749-1
Series: Star Wars Expanded Universe
Sensuality: None
Genre: Science Fiction
ERA: Sith/Republic – 1,020 years before the Battle of Yavin (Star Wars: A New Hope)

Spoilers for Darth Bane: Path of Destruction

Rule of Two picks up where Path of Destruction left off. The Brotherhood of Darkness is no more, completely destroyed by a thought bomb. The Army of Light has suffered huge losses, including its general, Jedi Master Lord Hoth. They are under the impression that no Sith survived. However, there is a lone survivor, Darth Bane, and he wants the Jedi to keep believing the Sith are extinct.

The book started off slow for me. Bane and Zannah, his newly acquired apprentice, spend much of the first nine chapters still on Ruusan, or trying to get off it. To be fair, the author had to set both Johun Othone — Hoth’s former padawan — and Tomcat — Rain’s cousin — on their respective paths before the main story could move forward. Johun is convinced that at least one Sith survived. He wants to pursue this, but the new leader of the Jedi — Jedi Master Farfalla — finds no credible evidence to suggest there were survivors. Instead, he gives Johun a different mission. As for Tomcat, having failed both as a Jedi and a Sith, he has no idea what to do with himself. He survives a run-in with Zannah and Bane and is left to make his own way on Ruusan. Both young men will encounter the Sith years later, with tragic results.

The story jumps ahead ten years. Bane has Zannah carrying out missions while he works on creating a Sith Holocron. On his orders, Zannah infiltrates separatist groups and convince them to strike out against the Republic before they are ready, thereby ensuring that they fail, but still draw the attention of the Senate and the Jedi. Zannah’s current mission is on Serenno, a planet known for its radical separatist groups. Though she carries out her tasks, Zannah questions the logic behind them. Bane has assured her that the time isn’t right:

“The Republic keeps the Jedi in check. It maintains control and imposes order across thousands of worlds. But if the Republic falls, a score of new interstellar governments and galactic organizations will rise. It is far easier to manipulate and control a single enemy than twenty.

That is why we must seek out radical separatist groups, identify the ones that have the potential to become true threats, then encourage them to strike before they are ready. We must exploit them, playing them off against the Republic. We must let our enemies weaken one another while we stay hidden and grow strong.

“One day the Republic will fall and the Jedi will be wiped out,” he assured her. “But it will not happen until we are ready to seize that power for ourselves.”

Even so, Zannah is still concerned. Ten years ago, when Bane first set out to learn the mysteries of the Sith Holocron, he became infested with a parasite. The orbalisk, as they are called, seemed to be a boon initially, giving Bane enhanced healing abilities and strength, and a body armor that blocks even lightsabers. But Zannah feels that the long exposure to them is taking its toll on Bane’s judgment. He’s failed several times to create a Holocron and he’s gone into destructive rages. Bane has much yet to teach her, and if dies before she’s reach her full potential, the Sith may truly be lost. Eventually, Bane agrees with her and Zannah’s new mission is to find a way to remove the parasites without killing the host.

I really enjoyed the story once it made the ten-year jump; it really pick up for me. Zannah is smart, but not overconfident as her future “descendants” (Maul, Dooku, Anakin). In fact, it was kind of refreshing to read about a Sith apprentice that knows she has a lot to learn, isn’t arrogant to the point of stupidity, and is patient. She can think on her feet — a couple of times she finds herself in less-than-ideal situations that she has to turn to her advantage and hope that Bane doesn’t think she’s betraying him. Her final dealings with her cousin are chilling. Even so, I actually liked her — but not as much as I liked Bane in the first book.

Started: 25 March 2010
Finished: 10 April 2010

Rating:

Enjoyed it!

Disclaimer: I purchased this book.

Allegiance

Author: Timothy Zahn
Copyright: 2007 (Del Rey); pgs. 400
Series: Star Wars Expanded Universe
Sensuality: N/A

ERA: Empire – Shortly after the Battle of Yavin (Star Wars: A New Hope)

Summary: The destruction of the Death Star by the Rebel Alliance was a decisive blow against the Empire, but Palpatine and his monstrous enforcer, Darth Vader, are no less of a threat. Among those standing against them are Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia Organa. The three have been sent to mediate a dispute between Rebel Alliance factions in Shelsha Sector. At the time, Mara Jade — all of eighteen and years away from her fateful meeting with her future husband, Luke — is serving her evil master, Palpatine, tracking suspected treachery in the Empire. And then a once-loyal Imperial stormtrooper, Daric LaRone, commits a sudden and violent act of defiance. Each of these actions, whether sanctioned or secret, will expose brutality and corruption, spur upheavals destined to shake the Empire to its core, and shape momentous events yet to come.

Comments: Like with Outbound Flight, I never thought I’d be rooting for characters that are normally viewed as the bad guys in the Star Wars universe. The five stormtroopers, ordinary young men who joined the Empire because they wanted to keep the peace and protect the citizenry, get a rude awakening when they are ordered to kill innocent, and unarmed, civilians. One, Daric LaRone, kills an Imperial officer in self-defense and he is forced to flee. His four friends choose to go with him. Before the reluctant deserters can make any long-term plans, they prevent a pirate gang from stealing equipment from an unarmed farmer. They continue to get involved wherever they go and can’t seem to let go of their sense of duty, even to save their own lives.

Meanwhile, we get to see a different side of Mara Jade: young, somewhat idealistic, compassionate. Her mission is to investigate a moff who is suspected of embezzling from the Empire. The trail leads to Shelsha Sector. She crosses paths with Captain Ozzle, who thinks she’s hunting his missing stormtroopers, and Darth Vader, who thinks she’s hunting for Princess Leia. It’s ironic that Ozzle, who shouldn’t be afraid of her if he’s loyal to the Emperor and up front about the deserters, tries to kill her; yet the stormtroopers come to her aid even when it was in their best interest not to help her. I liked this Mara, and I wish we could see more of her.

I had no problem following the multiple story lines. The blurb implies that Luke, Han, and Leia are all on the same mission. They are not. Leia’s mission, though in the same sector, is separate from Han and Luke’s. Eventually, the lines converge, and Mara just misses meeting Luke and the others.

I enjoyed this book, even with all the wincing and grimacing going on. Oh, and the total lack of R2-D2 and C-3PO. Not one R2/C-3PO or Han/C-3PO quip in the whole book. Thank goodness for Han and Leia.

Favorite Quotes:
“Is this before or after I take you to this Grand Royal Elite Privileged Ball”
– Han to Leia

“What? You mean I had the Falcon fumigated for nothing?”
“Don’t worry, I’m sure it needed it.”
“I ordered new carpets, too.”
– Han, Leia

Started: 6 July 2008
Finished: 21 July 2008

LOVED IT !!

Rating:

Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader

Era: Empire, 19 years Before the Battle of Yavin (A New Hope)

Summary: Several Jedi, survivors of Order 66, band together to find others like themselves as they elude Imperial agents, including the mysterious Lord Vader.

Comments: Overall, I enjoyed this book. I read it rather quickly. In fact, I was surprised a few times when I saw the number of pages I had covered in what felt like no time at all.

Like his previous prequel novels, Luceno does a great job with Palpatine/Sidious. I’ve always liked how Luceno handles the master manipulator. Unfortunately, Sidious wasn’t in the book as much as I would have liked. As for Darth Vader, we see him trying to adjust to his new role. He’s coming to realize that his Sith apprenticeship isn’t going the way he’d thought it would, and he doesn’t like being seen as nothing more than the Emperor’s errand boy. We’re used to a Vader who is feared, even at the mere mentioning of his name. It was interesting to see reactions that were akin to “Who?” and blank looks.

However, Vader’s not really the main character. Instead, the novel focuses on a group of Jedi, led by Roan Shryne, who survive Order 66. While it was interesting to see how ordinary, in-the-field Jedi coped with what happened back on Coruscant — and what they were going to do with themselves now that they are all fugitives — I really wasn’t that interested in the characters themselves.

Besides Sidious and Vader’s parts in the book, I was still able to enjoy it because we do spend time with other familiar faces. Bail Organa, who knows a great deal more than the movie implies, must tread carefully now that he is guardian to such an important child. Mon Mothma is pressing for immediate action, while things are still in transition, but Bail knows that the time isn’t right. We take a trip to Alderaan, too. Baby Leia and the droids make an appearance and, as usual, R2-D2 and C-3PO provide some comic relief. We also get to spend some time with Chewbacca and the Wookies.

Favorite Quotes:
“I love the new look.”
“I got tired of wearing brown.”
— Cash Garrulan, Roan Shryne

“A librarian with the Force. . . Very dangerous combination.”
— Gayn, regarding Olee Starstone

“Never a good feeling when you’re tricked by an appliance.”
— Archyr, regarding R2-D2

Started: 5 November 2007
Finished: 12 November 2007

Enjoyed it!

Rating:

As combat escalates across the galaxy, the stage is set for an explosive endgame: Obi-Wan undertakes a perilous mission to destroy the dreaded Separatist military leader, General Grievous. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine continues to strip away constitutional liberties in the name of security while influencing public opinion to turn against the Jedi. And a conflicted Anakin fears that his secret love, Senator Padmé Amidala, will die. Tormented by unspeakable visions, Anakin edges closer to the brink of a galaxy-shaping decision.

Author: Matthew Stover
ISBN: 0-345-42884-6 (Del Rey)
Finished: 2 August 2007
When: 19 years before the Battle of Yavin

Like its predecessors, Sith is more novel than novelization, as if the book was written as part of the Expanded Universe and not an adaptation of a screenplay. Compare Revenge of the Sith and Return of the Jedi novels: Sith is just over 450 pages; Jedi is 181 pages. There is more detail and Stover delves into the thoughts and feelings of the characters, things that don’t always translate on to the big screen. We see what motivates them and get a better understanding of them. This is why I like the prequel movie novels more than the movies themselves.

One of Stover’s touches is his choice of Point of View character, especially if Anakin is present. Anakin isn’t always his first choice. For instances, in the battle between Anakin and Dooku, the fight is seen from Dooku’s point of view: Dooku, arrogant snob, treats the whole thing as a farce — until he realizes that Sidious always intended for Anakin to kill him. The fight between Mace and Sidious, it is Mace’s thoughts and perceptions that we see. And it the climatic battle between Anakin and Obi-Wan, it’s Obi-Wan’s view we’re privy to.

Again, like its predecessors, there are parts that never made it into the movie: we see more of Padmé’s involvement with here fellow senators; Yoda’s arrival on Dagobah. An interesting book omission: the battle on Kashyyyk. Yes, Yoda goes to Kashyyyk, but the battle is never depicted and we never see Chewbacca.

Favorite Quotes
“Are. . . all your rescues so. . . entertaining?”
“Actually, now that you mention it, yes.”
— Palpatine, Obi-Wan Kenobi

The dark is generous, and it is patient, and it always wins — but in the heart of its strength lies weakness: one lone candle is enough to hold it back.
Love is more than a candle.
Love can ignite the stars.
— coda at the end of the book

Liked A Lot

On the planet Neimoida, Jed Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker set out to capture a treacherous ally of the Sith. Though they come up empty, their daring efforts yield an unexpected prize: intelligence capable of leading the Republic forces to their ultimate quarry, the ever-elusive Darth Sidious, whom they suspect has been manipulating every aspect of the Separatist rebellion. In the escalating galaxy-wide chess game of sabotage and retaliation, Sidious stays one move ahead. Then the trail takes a shocking turn. For Sidious and his minions have set in motion a ruthlessly orchestrated campaign to divide and overwhelm the Jedi forces — and bring the Republic to its knees.

Era: Republic, 19 Years Before the Battle of Yavin
Author: James Luceno
ISBN: 0-345-47573-9 (Del Rey)
Finished: 21 June 2007

First thing I have to mention is the graphic proclaiming this book as the prequel to Revenge of the Sith: A prequel to a prequel? How perverse!

Now that I got that off my chest. . .

At last. Back in September, I started this book but put it aside to read others. Not because it didn’t hold my interest or anything, but I was juggling too many books at the time. Then I had planned on reading it earlier this year, but Outbound Flight (in paperback) came out and, well, it’s Zahn. And Flight does take place before Labyrinth of Evil after all. Funny thing, I almost put it off again, to read after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Lo, and behold! I learned that Darth Bane: Path of Destruction (in paperback) was coming out this summer, and not November like I thought.

Even knowing how it all ends up in the movie and even knowing that, yes, Sidious and Palpatine are the same person, I thought the book was suspenseful. The Jedi come very close to learning the true identity of Lord Sidious. I felt tense when the Intelligence team was exploring Sidious’s lair, knowing that at any moment they’ll learn the truth and be killed mere seconds later. There were times when I wondered if Dooku knew they were the same person. Luceno continued to treat them as two separate people.

I got the impression that both Mon Mothma and Bail Organa knew about Padmé’s condition. At one point Padmé suffers a fainting spell and Mon Mothma gives her a knowing look. After Palpatine is kidnaped, Bail and Padmé have a conversation about the future and Padmé eludes to having other concerns than the Republic. Bail promises to help “you and those close to you.”

Anakin and Obi-Wan have quiet an adventure. Breaking people out of prison. Spending time in bars. Disabling tractor beams. Hmm. It sounds suspiciously like A New Hope.

I enjoyed the book very much and I only wish I’d read it sooner. Luceno is up there with Zahn, and I’m looking forward to reading Dark Lord. Too bad the Darth Plagueis novel was cancelled.

Favorite Quotes:
“Where are you going? Running will only make us appear guilty!”
“We are guilty!”
“He doesn’t know that.”
— Nute Gunray, Rune Haako, re: General Grievous

“Are we hit?”
“No.”
“Asteriod?”
“Not that, either.”
“Don’t tell me you’ve come to your senses and decided to surrender?”
“Tractor beam.”
— Obi-Wan, Anakin

“Any problems reaching the ship?”
“The usual close calls. Obviously you were successful at disabling the tractor beam.”
“Not a skill I expect to drawn on again, but, yes, thanks to Travale.”
— Obi-Wan, Anakin

“This has to be the fifteenth we’ve passed.”
“On this street. If we stop for a drink in each one, we’ll be drunk before we reach the bridge.”
“With any luck. Still, they’re likely to be our best source of information.”
“As opposed to just looking up her name in the local comm directory.”
“And a lot more fun.”
— Obi-Wan, Anakin

“Your relationship with females is an interesting one. The more jeopardy they’re in, the more you worry about them. And the more you worry about them, the more they worry about you.”
“You’re basing this on, what, exactly?”
“HoloNet gossip.”
— Obi-Wan, Anakin

As the Clone Wars rage, Jedi Master Yoda must once again face one of his greatest adversaries — Count Dooku. The Clone Wars have forced the Republic to the edge of collapse. During the height of battle, one Jedi Knight escapes the carnage to deliver a message to Yoda on Coruscant. It appears that Dooku wants peace and demands a rendezvous. Chances are slim that the treacherous Count is sincere, but with a million lives a stake, Yoda has no choice. The meeting will take place on Vjun, a planet steeped in evil. The challenge could not be more difficult. Can Yoda win back his once promising pupil from the dark side, or will Count Dooku unleash his sinister forces against his former mentor?

6th Clone Wars novel
Era: Republic, 19.5 years Before the Battle of Yavin/30 months After the Battle of Geonosis
Author: Sean Stewart
ISBN: 0-345-46309-9 (Del Rey)
Finished: 3 July 2006

One of the better SW novels, especially among those set in the prequel era. The author captured Yoda perfectly. Yes, Yoda is wise. Yes, Yoda is a skilled warrior. And yes, Yoda is an impish teacher who can lose his composure just as easily as a regular being. He makes mistakes, too.The silly moments in the novel are a joy. The Bard had comic relief in his Tragedies, and even the Original Trilogy had it’s funny moments. Two plot devices that stand out: “Jedi!”, the play and the actor who preforms Yoda, and Yoda disguised as an R2 unit. Yoda has always been a favorite, and so has R2. To have Yoda pretend to be one is one of the best moments in the Expanded Universe.

I thought Whie and Scout were believable, particularly Scout. While most Jedi are shown to be competent, one has to assume that there are students like her who do not have a deep connection to the Force and must struggle and compensate for her short-comings. There is sadness knowing that, regardless if they survive the story, their time is short. Whie’s visions have not shown him a older version of himself: he will die at the hands of Anakin when he invades the Temple in ROTS.

Some nitpicks/musings: Shouldn’t we be privy to Padme’s thoughts concerning her condition? She should be quite a bit along by this point. The title of “Grand Master of the Jedi” has never been used before and I’m not sure I really like it. Speaking of Yoda . . . once again, the author doesn’t get a handle on his syntax.

Favorite Quotes
“Grand Master of the Jedi Order am I! Won this job in a raffle I did, think you?”
— Yoda to Scout

“Another game?”
“I think not.”
”Are you sure? We could make it best nine hundred sixty-seven thousand four hundred and thirteen games out of one point nine million thirty-four thousand eight hundred and twenty-four.”
”I don’t feel like it.”
— Fidelis, Solis, regarding dejarik

“Regulations, ma’am. The Trade Federation is spreading madware through our droids. We start letting them skip the cleaners, one day you’ll wake up in your very own home and find it conquered by the Smartvac and the laundry droid.”
— Spaceport security to Scout, regarding the Yoda-R2

“What a horrible planet. I’d hate to be the minister of tourism here.”
— Obi-Wan Kenobi to Anakin, regarding Vjun.

“Don’t worry, Your Lordship — I’ll get a broom and knock it on the head.”
”Master Yoda may be small and old and shriveled up like an evil green potato, but he is my guest, and I would prefer you not hit him with a broom unless I particularly desire it.”
— Whirry,Count Dooku

Because of a shortage of available Jedi knights, the inexperienced Anakin Skywalker and the disgraced Nejaa Halcyon are sent to the planet Praesitlyn, at the head of a small fleet and army of clone warriors. Praesitlyn is under attack by a horde of combat droids under banker-turned-admiral Pors Tonith, and defended by freelance military commander Capt. Zozridor Slayke, who has a personal score to settle with Jedi Halcyon. Meanwhile, the Republic’s original defenders have left some tough survivors behind, such as fighter pilot Erk H’Arman and recon trooper Odie Subu.

5th Clone Wars Novel
Era: Republic, 19.5 years Before the Battle of Yavin/30 months After the Battle of Geonosis
Authors: David Sherman and Dan Cragg
ISBN: 0-345-46115-0 (Del Rey)
Tossed: 11 June 2006

Book was better than some of the earlier novels, but I still didn’t finish it. The authors write military fiction. Oddly, I found it easy to read and it’s not the reason I didn’t finish the book. It was the lack of character. Erk and Odie, a male pilot and a female recon scout, could have been more interesting, but the pacing never allowed for the reader to get to know them. I skimmed the book, and I know they spend most of the book together in near constant peril. We are never privy to their inner feelings, from what I could see.

Anakin got a bit of character development. He’s left at the Temple to study, while Obi-Wan is given a solo mission. He meets Neeja Halycron during one of his study breaks, and the pair become sparring partners. The Jedi Master is almost as easygoing as Qui-Gon and a friendship develops. Neeja and the Rodian, Grudo, help mold Anakin into a more involved field commander, instead of just reacting to events. The encounter with the quartermaster is humorous: Anakin listened patiently to the man and resolved to go back to his own quarters to re-read the reports.

I got far enough into the book to know that Neeja blurts out the fact he’s married with a son. Anakin, stunned, assures Neeja that he’s secret is save with him by telling the Jedi Master that he is married to Padme.

While the Clone Wars wreak havoc throughout the galaxy, the situation on the far world of Drongar is desperate, as Republic forces engage in a fierce fight with the Separatists. The threatened enemy offensive begins as the Separatists employ legions of droids into their attack. Even with reinforcements, the flesh and blood of the Republic forces are just no match for battle droids’ durasteel. Nowhere is this point more painfully clear than in the steaming Jasserak jungle, where the doctors and nurses of a small med unit face an impossible situation. As the dead and wounded start to pile up, surgeons Jos Vandar and Kornell “Uli” Divini know that time is running out. Even the Jedi abilities of Padawan Barriss Offee have been stretched to the limit. Ahead lies a test for Barriss that could very well lead to her death-and that of countless others. For the conflict is growing-and for this obscure mobile med unit, there’s only one resolution. Shocking, bold, unprecedented, it’s the only option Jos and his colleagues really have. The unthinkable has become the inevitable. Whether it kills them or not remains to be seen.

4th Clone Wars novel
Era: Republic, 20 years Before the Battle of Yavin/2 years After the Battle of Geonosis
Author: Michael Reaves and Steve Perry
ISBN: 0-345-46311-0 (Del Rey)
Tossed: 15 May 2006

Total waste. Not even the suspense of the spy’s identity or the few humorous moments/dialog could not make up for the tedious, drawn out plot. The authors expertly kept the reader guessing about the spy, but truthfully the whole thing could have been told in one book and been satisfying. I made myself read the whole thing, without skimming ahead. I wish I hadn’t. Most of the story lines were wrapped up neatly, except for the bird-like assassin’s fate. He just jumps into light-speed, giving me the impression that the bird might be back in a future story.

Rating:

:-(