STAR WARS - SPECTER OF THE PAST

A Bantam Spectra Book

Written by Timothy Zahn

Copyright 1997 by Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cover illustration by Drew Struzan,
copyright 1997 by Lucasfilm Ltd.




Star Wars - Specter of the Past by Timothy Zahn, is the first of the The Hand of Thrawn Duology. With the Empire on the brink of collapse, the New Republic is also on the verge of a civil war as various factions want justice for the virtual extermination of the Caamasi race and their planet. However, this pales in comparison to the shocking news - the Empire's Grand Admiral Thrawn is back.

I liked how Thrawn was brought back into the series and how manipulative he and his co-conspirators are in the Empire as they make strategic plans for their agenda in creating their own power. I also liked how honorable Admiral Pellaeon tries to broker a peace between the Empire and the New Republic. Pellaeon was never really the Empire to me, but just a guy caught up in the political aspect of the galaxy. I was not crazy about the various political factions capitalizing on revenge for the Caamasi for their own agendas. Only the Caamasi should have the right to proclaim justice, and the Caamasi refuse to do so - but the other factions within the New Republic refuse to do what the Caamasi say, zealously enraging their own biases.

Luke teams up with Mara Jade to search for rogue pirate ships in deep space, which apparently contain clones, as well as sesarching for the appearance of a mysterious ship which appears to be related to Thrawn. You can see Luke and Mara's relationship growing as Luke teaches Mara more about the Force, and Mara teaches Luke more about himself as they search for the Hand of Thrawn.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

STAR WARS - REVENGE OF THE SITH

Del Rey Books Mass Market Edition

Written by Mathew Stover

Copyright 2005 by Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.



Revenge of the Sith by Mathew Stover is the novelization of the movie Revenge of the Sith. In the midst of the Clone Wars, the Jedi Council sends Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi on a mission to get the cyborg Separatist leader General Grievous. Meanwhile, Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic Palpatine strips away the citizens personal liberties throughout the Republic in the name of security to establish the Galactic Empire. Palpatine also turns the public against the Jedi - including Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, of which the Jedi Council denies Anakin from becoming a Jedi Master. Anakin also has visions and fears that his secret wife, Senator Padme Amidala, will die in childbirth. Palpatine manipulations, and Anakin's fear, leads to an unspeakable new Sith Lord - Darth Vader.

While many of the politics of the book may seem like they came out of today's headlines - George Lucas actually based the politics from the Vietnam War era, since that is the time when George Lucas started writing Star Wars. This is perhaps the darkest story of all of the stories in the Star Wars series as the story of Revenge of the Sith leads into the dark times and the Galactic Empire - and the darkness of the various characters as the Dark Side reaches them.

While I have never believed Hayden Christensen as Anakin in the movie, in the book the characterization of Anakin was much more believable. Having Anakin defeat Count Dooku in the way that he did was rather graphic for the Chosen One - a preview of Anakin's path towards the Dark Side. Chancellor Palpatine seems more like a reasonable regular politician throughout most of the book - although Palpatine does give the infamous Order 66 for the clone troopers to exterminate the Jedi. It is hard for me to believe that the young Darth Vader had no remorse or not having any type of emotion for his deeds, except for his anger toward Obi-Wan at the climax and of what Vader's deeds has ultimately cost him. Having tiny little Yoda do battle with Darth Sidious is great to see, even though Yoda will grow weak by the time of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. I liked how the end of the book set everything in motion for the next series of books, starting with Star Wars: A New Hope.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

STAR WARS - 501st

A Del Rey Mass Market Original

Written by Karen Traviss

Copyright 2009 by Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

501st, an Imperial Commando novel, has, after the Great Purge of the Jedi, several clones deserting the Grand Army of the Republic and joining former clone trainer Kal Skirita's group of adopted clones at a secret hideout on the planet Mandalore who is making a safe haven for the clones. While Kal has the best scientists in the galaxy trying to find a cure to the clones rapid aging. A couple of clones formally of Kal's group are now serving as Imperial Commandos in the 501st Legion searching for refugee Jedi survivors after the infamous Order 66.

What is sad is that the book really is not about the 501st, but more about Kal Skirata and his clones. Even with Darman and Niner in the 501st, the story really is about them than the 501st. As much as I love Kal's clones, the title can be misleading if you wanted to learn a lot more about the 501st Legion.

The Jedi are not as well loved in this book with many ordinary people having grievances with the Jedi as well as believing the Jedi are traitors to the Republic. The Jedi also are not portrayed as being very enlightened either. As much as the clones were originally bred to serve the Jedi, the clones have grown not to trust the Jedi. It is rather disconcerting that the Jedi are not the heroes of the galaxy that we always believed them to be. Having Darman actively hating Jedi and trying to capture/kill refugee Jedi is also rather tragic as he is trying to protect his Jedi son from being taken by the Jedi. This also seems contradictory since he was married to a Jedi and refuses to return home to his son.

It is sad that this is the last of Karen Traviss's books for the Star Wars books. I was hoping that she would be able to finish her clone series, at least one more book with Darman and Niner eventually getting out of the 501st Legion and returning home.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

STAR WARS - THE CLONE WARS - NO PRISONERS

A Del Rey Trade Paperback Original

Written by Karen Traviss

Copyright 2009 by Lucasfulm Ltd.

All Rights Reserved.

In No Prisoners by Karen Traviss, Padawan learner Ashoka goes on a routine three day space shakedown cruise on a newly refitted assault ship with brand new untested clone troopers - when they suddenly go on a rescue mission for a Republic undercover agent who was investigating a planetary rebellion.

It is interesting to see Ashoka relate to a different type of Jedi order who assists in the rescue of Republic agent Hallena Devis. Anakin's reaction to this Jedi order is sad as well, since this order allows marriages amongst their Jedi. With his secret marriage to Padme, and his taking time off to see her when Ashoka's routine mission becomes a rescue mission, this Jedi order makes Anakin feel very guilty and fills him full of regret when he meets them and measures his life against them. Anakin also feel betrayed that Master Yoda did not tell him about this order of Jedi.

Captain Gilad Pellaeon's secret relationship to agent Hallena Devis fills him full of regret as well, since he is using his authority as the ship's captain to go to his lover's rescue. Devis regrets that everyone is risking their lives to rescue her, especially when one of the new inexperienced clone troopers gets killed during the rescue. I feel so sad for her as I know I would feel the same way if I were under the same circumstances. You also feel how powerful Jedi can be when one of the Jedi uses the Force to become one with the assault ship during a space battle.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

STAR WARS - ORDER 66

Del Rey Mass Market Edition
Written by Karen Traviss

Copyright 2008 by Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.

In Order 66, part of the Republic Commando novels told from the clone troopers point of view, events leads up to the most infamous order in the Star Wars galaxy as Kal Skarita strategically plans to get his clan of elite clone commandos out of the Galactic Army of the Republic. Now how does Order 66 affect their relationship with their Jedi close friends?

The actual order number 66 is part of 150 contingency orders that were never meant to be used, but meant for only the most dire of emergencies: the Jedi have staged a coup and all must be shot on sight. As a clone says to a Jedi general, "you thought we were excellent troops because we obey orders, but when we obey all orders - and these are legal orders - we've betrayed you." The reason the order is so destructive is that the Jedi are so powerful, only lethal force can be used to stop them. As the Jedi have become more of a political force in the Star Wars universe, instead of a force for good, we are not as sympathetic to the Jedi as when we first heard about them in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. In fact, when a Jedi accidentally kills a major character, I felt no sympathy to that unknown Jedi, who to me the Jedi was an insurrectionist. Life after Order 66 by Emperor Palpatine effects Kal Skirata's clan of clones and makes it much more difficult for them to extract themselves from the galactic war, and the newly formed Empire, as the clones mission objectives are to officially search for Jedi escapees. While most of the action takes place on Coruscant, there are some scenes in space as some of Skirita's clones are on other planets and are trying to be extracted for home - including Jedi Etain trying to make it home to her clone husband and son.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

Star Wars - Dark Nest - The Joiner King

A Del Rey Books Mass Market Original

Written by Troy Denning

Copyright 2005 by Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

In The Joiner King, Jedi Knights involved in a strike force in the book Star by Star, including Jaina and Jacen Solo, go missing. Luke, Han, and Leia leave home and to search for their kids in the Unknown Regions. They encounter a colony of alien insects led by a former disfigured old friend as king.

It is interesting to see how the Young Jedi Knights have grown and changed. Being under the influence of the aliens is rather frustrating, especially if you are familiar with their characters from earlier books. The alien insects are on the verge of all out war with the Chiss as the insects expand into Chiss space. This jeopardizes any alliance between the Republic and the Chiss and the insect Killiks. Having Luke get a glimpse of his mother from an old record file is rather heartbreaking.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

STAR WARS - THE LAST COMMAND

Bantam Spectra

Written by Timothy Zahn

Copyright 1993 by Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

In The Last Command, Volume 3 of a Three-Book Cycle of Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy, Coruscant, the home capital world of the New Republic, is under bombardment by cloaked asteroids from space being delivered by Grand Admiral Thrawn's fleet. Meanwhile, smuggler entrepreneaur Talon Karrde tries to build a partnership of smugglers to go up against the Empire. Luke and Mara go up against an insane Dark Jedi named C'boath in C'boath's secret fortified cloning facility who is determined to make Luke and Mara as his apprentices as well as shaping Leia's unborn Jedi twins into his own image.

After searching for, and locating, the lost Katana fleet of warships in the last book Dark Force Rising - the Katana fleet is hardly mentioned at all in The Last Command, which was a disappointment to me, when you consider how powerful the Katana fleet would have made the Republic if the Republic were the ones who had found the Katana fleet instead of the Empire. This is a shame as I was expecting that the fleet of warships would be utilized against the Republic in massive space battles, especially under the strategic command of Thrawn. While they may have been out of date, a fleet of warships is still pretty powerful and it was sad for me not to see them utilized. It is curious at how I was not sure which way Mara Jade would side with, as Mara used to be known as the Emperor's Hand. Insane Dark Jedi C'baoth was a very frustrating and formidable foe that I had looked forward to C'baoth being beaten.

Pancho
All people smile in the same langauge.

Star Wars - Survivor's Quest

A Del Rey Book

Written by Timothy Zahn

Copyright 2004 by Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Used Under Authorization.

Excerpt from Star Wars: Labyrinth of Evil Copyright 2005 by Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Used Under Authorization.

In Survivor's Quest, the remains of Outbound Flight, a lost Jedi Expedition from fifty years ago, have been found. Luke and Mara Jade Skywalker join a diplomatic expedition with the Chiss and a new alien species and travel to the remains of Outbound Flight to search for Jedi history - and discover secrets and treachery.

It is great to see Luke and Mara Jade work together as both Jedi and married couple. Mara has matured from being a brash young woman from when she had first appeared in the Star Wars universe, into an experienced mature loving woman with incredible power in the Force. It was hard for me to relate to the new aliens that were depicted in the story, in which the book makes the aliens appear to be a new force in the universe.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

Star Wars - Millennium Falcon

Del Rey Mass Market Edition

Written by James Luceno

Copyright 2008 by Lucasflm Ltd.

Han and Leia's enthusiastic granddaughter Allana finds a device on the Millennium Falcon, and they go on a series of fact finding adventures to learn about the Falcon's history.

The history of the Millennium Falcon is approached from both ends of it's history as the Solo family backtrack the Falcon's extensive history, while a former owner is driven to find out what has happened to the Falcon after he owned it. The device found on the Falcon is a key to an Old Republic treasure, so a criminal element is after the Millennium Falcon as well.

It was fun learning about the history of the Millennium Falcon. From it's beginning, it was always acting up - a lemon starship. One such incident killed a copilot. That was the one thing that spoiled the character of the Millennium Falcon for me, otherwise the Falcon is like a beloved eccentric uncle. All of the former owners had loved the ship and were sorry that they had to get rid of the Falcon for various reasons. It was really nice to learn how the Millennium Falcon got her name.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

Star Wars - Allegiance

Del Rey Books Mass Market Edition

Copyright 2007 by Lucuasfilm Ltd.

Written by Timothy Zahn



In Allegiance, by Timothy Zahn, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa, and Han Solo are sent to mediate between Rebel factions. Mara Jade, while serving her master - Emperor Palpatine - searches for treachery in the Empire. Meanwhile, a team of Imperial stormtroopers jump ship - and form an independent justice group.

While I find it is always interesting to follow the exploits of a young Mara Jade, the fugitive Imperial stormtroopers were much more interesting for me to be involved with as the stormtroopers wind up serving the spirit of their ideals - instead of following evil orders. After one of the troopers accidentally kills a brutal Imperial Security Bureau agent, the troopers must flee from their ship. As the troopers struggle for a solution as to where to find a place of where to hide, the troopers still get involved in helping people when those people get in trouble.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

Star Wars - Coruscant Nights II - Street of Shadows

A Del Rey Books Mass Market Original

Writen by Michael Reaves

Copyright 2008 by Lucasfilm Ltd.



In Street of Shadows, is the second book in the Star Wars Coruscant Nights series written by Michael Reaves. Former Jedi Knight Jax Pavan is now a private investigator who is hired by a rich woman, along with Jax's supportive team of misfit associates, to help her search for the one who has killed her artist lover - while Darth Vader hires an aggressive bounty hunter to find Jax.

It seems that Jax is almost too settled into his role as a private investigator, and is not concerned at all about being discovered as a Jedi Knight - until the confrontation by the bounty hunter. The subplot of Senator Padme Amidala's former head of security, Captain Gregar Typho, driven to find out what had really happened to Padme when she was killed almost makes you want Typho to discover that it was really Anakin who had killed Amidala, and it seems a little unethical that Typho is using innocent Jax in order to kill Darth Vader in revenge.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

Star Wars - The Clone Wars: Wild Space

A Del Rey Trade Paperback Original

Written by Karen Miller

Copyright 2008 by Lucasfilm Ltd.

In Wild Space written by Karen Miller, Senator Bail Organa from the planet Alderaan comes across intelligence about the rumored Dark Lords of the Sith and persuades Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi to search for an aggressive Sith planet.

Wild Space gives you further insight into Bail Organa and Obi-Wan Kenobi. I could see Jimmy Smits continuing his portrayal as Bail Organa's character in this book. Organa and Kenobi grow to respect each other as they go through the heavy trials of surviving on a Sith planet. Although it seemed odd to me that the Dark side of the Force had no effect on Organa, but practically disabled Kenobi.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

Star Wars: Death Star

A Bantam Sprectra Book/Bantam Books, a division of Random House, Inc.

Written by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry

Copyright 2007 by Lucasfilm Ltd.

Death Star by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry is about the construction of the Death Star project, just before the movie Star Wars: A New Hope. The book covers the heavy construction, logistics, personnel, resources, and politics that the movie would never have time to show about a moon-sized space station.

The book gives you more of an idea of how big and complicated the Death Star really is. The characters who inhabit the Death Star makes you realize that most of the people who were occupying and building the Death Star were just ordinary people, such as architects, librarians, and merchants caught up in the Empire's aggressive desire to build the space station - as well as prisoners and slaves that are used to build the Death Star. It could sometimes be difficult to match the pictures you have built up in your mind when reading about the Death Star - with the scenes of the movie when such scenes overlapped in the book. It is almost of a disappointment when most of the characters in the book - who are minor characters in the story - eventually meet and come together, considering the Death Star is the size of a moon. I wanted all of these characters just residing and working on various parts of this vast moon-sized station, and never having to meet each other - just as people who live and work in the same city have never met each other. Other than that, the book is pretty much satisfying about what the massive Death Star really was all about.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

Star Wars - Shadows of the Empire

A Bantam Sprectra Book/Bantam Books, a division of Random House, Inc.

Written by Steve Perry

Copyright 1996

Set between the movies THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and RETURN OF THE JEDI, Shadows of the Empire feels like a proper sequel to the Star Wars universe. While searching for the carbon-frozen Han Solo, Jedi-in-training Luke Skywalker is pursued by Darth Vader - as well as the head of the criminal organization Black Sun, Prince Xixor, who overhears a private communication between Emperor Palpatine and Vader about Luke. One wants Luke alive, the other wants Luke dead!

The book gives more insight into the Star Wars universe, set during the movies, with the introduction of the criminal syndicate Black Sun as part of the running of the Galactic Empire; this also includes running the various merchants and bounty hunters as part of Black Sun's operations.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.