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David McK (3731 KP) rated Star Wars: Vader Down in Books
Jan 28, 2019
The first cross-over event since Marvel took over the Star Wars franchise, this ties together both the 'core' Star Wars comics, alongside the seperate Vader side-issues, and sees Vader being froced to crash land on a nearby planet when he comes out of hyperspace into the middle of a rebel fleet while searchign for Luke Skywalker (who, remember, does not yet know his relation to Vader as this is set between 'A New Hope' and 'The Empire Strike Back').
A fleet that he proceeds to decimate single-handedly, until Skywalker deliberately crashes his X-Wing into Vader's own TIE.
After crash-landing, the rebels on that planet - led by Princess Leia - then throw everything they have at the Dark Lord of the Sith: once again, and in some dramatic art, Vader is again easily able to defeat everything they send against him.
Meanwhile, Han Solo and Chewie are also on the search for the crashed Luke, in a race both against time and against Dr Aphra, who wants to capture Luke herself for Vader so she can prove she didn't lead him into a trap.
I found this a quick and rather-enjoyable read which (finally) goes to show just why Vader was feared so much by the Rebel Alliance!
A fleet that he proceeds to decimate single-handedly, until Skywalker deliberately crashes his X-Wing into Vader's own TIE.
After crash-landing, the rebels on that planet - led by Princess Leia - then throw everything they have at the Dark Lord of the Sith: once again, and in some dramatic art, Vader is again easily able to defeat everything they send against him.
Meanwhile, Han Solo and Chewie are also on the search for the crashed Luke, in a race both against time and against Dr Aphra, who wants to capture Luke herself for Vader so she can prove she didn't lead him into a trap.
I found this a quick and rather-enjoyable read which (finally) goes to show just why Vader was feared so much by the Rebel Alliance!
David McK (3731 KP) rated Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Belonging to the 'old' no-longer-considered-Canon selection of Star Wars stories (now contained under the banner of Star Wars Legends), this novel is mainly set roughly a month or so after the events of 'Revenge of the Sith' when Vader is new to the suit, and to his new life as Vader (as opposed to whiny emo Anakin Skywalker).
The start of the novel, in fact, actually takes place during the events of Revenge of the Sith, through the period in which Order 66 is exacted, with the Jedi who are the main characters of this novel surviving that purge. Like any good master/learner relationship, the newly-minted Emperor gives Vader a task -to hunt down those Jedi - to further pull him into the Dark Side of the Force, and to cement his place in the New Order.
The result is a pretty fast-paced novel that also takes in key characters from the original trilogy (and some from the inferior prequels), laying the foundations for the Rebellion that is to come and explainuing just how the Wookie came to be an enslaved species (although that part of the novel reminded me a fair bit of the The Force Unleashed video games!).
The start of the novel, in fact, actually takes place during the events of Revenge of the Sith, through the period in which Order 66 is exacted, with the Jedi who are the main characters of this novel surviving that purge. Like any good master/learner relationship, the newly-minted Emperor gives Vader a task -to hunt down those Jedi - to further pull him into the Dark Side of the Force, and to cement his place in the New Order.
The result is a pretty fast-paced novel that also takes in key characters from the original trilogy (and some from the inferior prequels), laying the foundations for the Rebellion that is to come and explainuing just how the Wookie came to be an enslaved species (although that part of the novel reminded me a fair bit of the The Force Unleashed video games!).
Awix (3310 KP) rated Darth Plagueis in Books
Oct 22, 2019 (Updated Oct 23, 2019)
Decent Star Wars tie-in is likely to satisfy devotees even if the book you get is possibly not the one you're expecting. Are you expecting the facts of the life of Darth Plagueis the Wise, legendary Sith Lord? Well, brace yourselves, for Luceno cheerfully disregards almost everything suggested about Plagueis in Episode III (where he is briefly mentioned) in favour of telling what is basically the story of Palpatine and his master (the future Emperor shows up about a third of the way through).
Relatively little action for what is, after all, a Star Wars novel, but lots and lots of political scheming and back-story, much of it (I gather) painstakingly honed to fit in with other books in the same continuity. Quite well-written and readable, though the tendency of Sith Lords to have vaguely absurd names continues. Concludes with the events of Episode I: doesn't fix every problem with that movie, but if you're wondering just why there was all that fuss about debates over taxation the book does a good job of filling in the detail. Is that a backhanded compliment? Well, if you're genuinely interested in that stuff, you'll probably enjoy this book; if not, I would look elsewhere.
Relatively little action for what is, after all, a Star Wars novel, but lots and lots of political scheming and back-story, much of it (I gather) painstakingly honed to fit in with other books in the same continuity. Quite well-written and readable, though the tendency of Sith Lords to have vaguely absurd names continues. Concludes with the events of Episode I: doesn't fix every problem with that movie, but if you're wondering just why there was all that fuss about debates over taxation the book does a good job of filling in the detail. Is that a backhanded compliment? Well, if you're genuinely interested in that stuff, you'll probably enjoy this book; if not, I would look elsewhere.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Star Wars: Gadgets and Gear in Tabletop Games
Nov 8, 2019
There was a time when pretty much the only place where new information about the Star Wars galaxy was appearing was in sourcebooks for the original WEG d6 role-playing game. Things have obviously changed since then and this is a much more focused, game-oriented product; basically a collection of statlines for weapons, armour, and other personal equipment for the FFG RPG lines.
The downside of this is that the book is probably of rather less interest to the non-gaming Star Wars fan, but it is a boon for those of us who don't want to risk a hernia carrying around the 20 or so books where this information originally appeared. Some interesting new stuff, too, especially the 'iconic equipment' entries, although these are oddly phrased - many references to 'the wearer of Darth Vader's armour' rather than just 'Darth Vader', as if anyone's going to steal that suit. Most bonkers new addition is 'Lando Calrissian's Cape Armoire', a post-Solo invention which allows you to randomly generate what cape he's wearing and its special properties. Disappointingly, this isn't completely comprehensive, and the lack of summary tables for easy comparison and reference is also a shame. But still pretty much an essential purchase for anyone who actually plays this game.
The downside of this is that the book is probably of rather less interest to the non-gaming Star Wars fan, but it is a boon for those of us who don't want to risk a hernia carrying around the 20 or so books where this information originally appeared. Some interesting new stuff, too, especially the 'iconic equipment' entries, although these are oddly phrased - many references to 'the wearer of Darth Vader's armour' rather than just 'Darth Vader', as if anyone's going to steal that suit. Most bonkers new addition is 'Lando Calrissian's Cape Armoire', a post-Solo invention which allows you to randomly generate what cape he's wearing and its special properties. Disappointingly, this isn't completely comprehensive, and the lack of summary tables for easy comparison and reference is also a shame. But still pretty much an essential purchase for anyone who actually plays this game.
Erika (17789 KP) rated Star Wars: Queen's Peril in Books
Jun 27, 2020
EK Johnson is so hit or miss for me as an author. I've only read her Star Wars related books so far, because of this. @Star Wars: Queen's Shadow was NOT a good book. However, this book is an improvement, it begins with the election of Padme Amidala, and ends after Phantom Menace. It mostly covers how the handmaidens came to be, and the relationship between them.
I liked how this book revealed a little more about Shmi, that she was also good with gadgets and fixed a screen so they could watch Anakin during the podrace.I want a book about Shmi now.
What I don't understand about these new SW writers is the need to slap in love interests and who is interested in who... I legitimately don't care, and it never adds anything to the story. Unless romantic interests/feelings drive a story, leave that crap out, I'm reading it for the Star Wars content.
Parts of this book I really liked and I would read it again. However, I still think Padme's character should have been given to Claudia Gray, rather than this author. I think Padme should be given at least one adult book, written by someone else.
I liked how this book revealed a little more about Shmi, that she was also good with gadgets and fixed a screen so they could watch Anakin during the podrace.I want a book about Shmi now.
What I don't understand about these new SW writers is the need to slap in love interests and who is interested in who... I legitimately don't care, and it never adds anything to the story. Unless romantic interests/feelings drive a story, leave that crap out, I'm reading it for the Star Wars content.
Parts of this book I really liked and I would read it again. However, I still think Padme's character should have been given to Claudia Gray, rather than this author. I think Padme should be given at least one adult book, written by someone else.
Jane Wiedlin recommended Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980) in Movies (curated)
John Lasseter recommended Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) in Movies (curated)
David McK (3731 KP) rated Alliances (Star Wars: Thrawn #2) in Books
Mar 21, 2019
Grand admiral Thrawn! (1 more)
Vader
First introduced in Timothy Zahn's 'Heir to the Empire' trilogy - a trilogy that, I fell, was instrumental in bringing Star Wars back to prominence - the character of the tactical brilliant and strategic genius Grand Admiral Thrawn is one of the few to survive Disney's cull of the old EU following their purchase of Lucasfilm.
And, what's even better, they even brought back the same writer.
This is thus the second Thrawn book in the 'new' timeline, flitting back and forth between the 'now' (early days of the empire, just after the Clone Wars) and the 'then' (during the Clone Wars, prior to Order 66) and moving between the characters of Thrawn himself (both periods), Padme Amidala (in the 'then' only, obviously!) and Vader/Anakin ('now'/'then' respectively) - I particularly liked the way that Vader refused to remember/call Anakin by name, but only ever as 'the Jedi', even if I wasn't so sold on the description of 'second sight' (although it does 'tie in' to the movies, particularly 'The Phantom Menace' in explaining how Jedi reflexes seem so fast).
And yes, I'm pretty sure that Thrawn expects - if not outright knows - Vader's big secret (i.e. his actual identity)
And, what's even better, they even brought back the same writer.
This is thus the second Thrawn book in the 'new' timeline, flitting back and forth between the 'now' (early days of the empire, just after the Clone Wars) and the 'then' (during the Clone Wars, prior to Order 66) and moving between the characters of Thrawn himself (both periods), Padme Amidala (in the 'then' only, obviously!) and Vader/Anakin ('now'/'then' respectively) - I particularly liked the way that Vader refused to remember/call Anakin by name, but only ever as 'the Jedi', even if I wasn't so sold on the description of 'second sight' (although it does 'tie in' to the movies, particularly 'The Phantom Menace' in explaining how Jedi reflexes seem so fast).
And yes, I'm pretty sure that Thrawn expects - if not outright knows - Vader's big secret (i.e. his actual identity)
Becka Plitt (2 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017) in Movies
Jan 7, 2018
Overall, I enjoyed this movie. I only recently started paying attention to the Star Wars franchise and I was excited to see The Last Jedi. However, I thought that certain parts of the movie were unnecessary and dragged the movie on too long, particularly the arc involving Finn and Rose. There were also many times that it felt the movie was coming to a natural end, but they had to fit more in before the end, making it feel like the movie was dragging on. However, I still thought it was a good movie.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) in Movies
Jul 18, 2017
Darth Maul (1 more)
The Pod race
The script (1 more)
Jar jar binks
The weak link
The weakest of all the Star Wars films. Bar a couple of great scenes, the Darth Maul fight against 2 Jedi and the Pod Race, the film is disappointing. Why on earth we needed Jar jar binks character I have no idea. The dialogue is noticeable bad though, as if everything is simplified so kids under 10 could understand it. It's not Liam Neeson's finest performance by any stretch. Thankfully the 2 scenes mentioned do make up a fair bit for the rest of the film.