Star Wars novels: What to read?

Discussion in 'Science Fiction & Fantasy' started by JD, Jun 28, 2011.

  1. JD

    JD Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    For a while now I've been wanting to start getting into the Star Wars EU in more depth, and with the release of the novels in ebook format I now have a lot more options for what to read. So I was just wondering what books that I haven't read yet are worth picking up.
    So far I've read:
    Courtship of Princess Leia
    Tatooine Ghost
    The Thrawn Trilogy
    The Jedi Academy Trilogy
    Shatterpoint
    Medstar I & II
    Yoda: Dark Renezvous
    The Phantom Menace novelisation
    The Approaching Storm
    The Attack of the Clones novelisation
    NJO: Vector - Jedi Eclipse
    The Dark Nest Trilogy
     
  2. Lindley

    Lindley Moderator with a Soul Premium Member

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    Looks like you've hit most of the high points. I would suggest the X-Wing series followed by I, Jedi. Most of Zahn's stuff is good (Hand of Thrawn, Outbound Flight, Survivor's Quest, etc).
     
  3. Whofan

    Whofan Fleet Captain

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    You might want to give some of the comics a try as well. Although with the exception of "Dark Empire" and "Legacy" they're mainly side-stories (Although still in the same canon as the novels), they're still often very good.


    A few suggestions:


    -Dark Empire trilogy. Although the art is unusual, and the story is a bit out there, it has a really epic feel, and bridges the gap between The Thrawn Trilogy and Jedi Academy Trilogy.

    -X-wing comics. These comics came out roughly the same time as the novels, and are sort of a forerunner to them, introducing the character of Baron Fel who is important in later fiction and also showing the rise of semi-Empress Ysanne Isard.

    Republic-Although set mostly during the prequels, these stories are pretty good and give us a grittier vision of the Clone Wars than the cartoon series (unfortunately they'll also been largely de-canonized by that same series). The best tales are those featuring Quinlan Vos, a sort of rogue Jedi.
     
  4. DarKush

    DarKush Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    ^
    Whofan is definitely on to something there. In addition to the comics WF named I recommend Knights of the Old Republic, the adventures inspired by the video game featuring Zayne Carrick and Gryph. This series recently concluded its 50 issue run.

    There's currently Star Wars: The OLd Republic comic being published right now, in separate miniseries, that isn't quite as good. Knights are all collected in trade paper backs now.

    Some others:

    Crimson Empire 1 (Part 2 isn't as good, though it does introduce a major character in the NJO series)

    Dark Times: I really enjoyed the first volume.
     
  5. seCrawler

    seCrawler Lieutenant Junior Grade

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    I, Jedi
     
  6. issreliant

    issreliant Lieutenant Commander Red Shirt

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    Give death troopers a try, and zahns allegiance.
     
  7. JD

    JD Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    I've read some comics already. I've read the first five Clone Wars/Republic TBPs, the first two Legacy TPBs, first KOTOR TPBs, and the Chewbacca graphic novel. I also own but have not yet read Union and Mara Jade: By the Emporer's Hand.
    I know alot of people didn't like the Legacy of the Force series, but what about the next one, Fate of the Jedi? I haven't heard alot about it.
    There are some other specific books I've been meaning to ask about that I just remembered:
    Truce at Bakura
    Corellian trilogy
    Shadows of the Empire
    Darth Bane series
    Courscant Nights series
    Republic Commando series
    Clone Wars tv series tie ins
     
  8. Whofan

    Whofan Fleet Captain

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    Truce at Bakura-It's OK. Basically some cool ideas but a ton of wasted potential. It takes place right after ROTJ as well.



    Corellian trilogy-Sort of a 'meh' trilogy, but has some plot points used later on.

    Shadows of the Empire-This is an interesting novel, it was basically a Star Wars film that was not a film-it had a soundtrack, figures, games etc. which all told a different POV of the story. Basically it takes place between ESB and ROTJ.


    Darth Bane series-These novels are OK if a bit corny at times-they're basically a bit like the KOTOR games as they were written by the same guy....basically establishes how the Sith were wiped out and became "Always two there are".

    Courscant Nights series-Haven't really read this, sort of got mixed reviews.


    Republic Commando series-These novels are better than your average video game tie-in. The writer, Karen Traviss, however left when the novels conflicted with the Clone Wars TV show.


    As for Union and the Mara Jade series, Union is very much an attempt at a more laid-back Star Wars tale, with the characters pretty much just having fun without any high stakes.By The Emperor's hand is a pretty dark tale written by Zahn and Stackpole.
     
  9. Lindley

    Lindley Moderator with a Soul Premium Member

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    Courscant Nights wasn't bad, but don't get too excited about it.
     
  10. Set Harth

    Set Harth Vice Admiral Admiral

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    It's spelled Coruscant.
     
  11. Lindley

    Lindley Moderator with a Soul Premium Member

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    That's what I get for the copy/paste....
     
  12. Set Harth

    Set Harth Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Anyone planning to read Coruscant Nights: if you get to a point where you think you're missing something because the timeline references don't seem to make sense, it's not you. That series is a trainwreck when it comes to mistakes, timeline and otherwise. Obviously the initial responsibility for these falls on the author, but it doesn't help that the editors are idiots. The quality control in these books has been atrocious of late. Part of the problem seems to be that the prequels are so hated and "uncool"; authors and editors apparently don't ever watch them and thus don't notice when a manuscript gets something wrong.
     
  13. ryan123450

    ryan123450 Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    I'd recommend the Darth Bane trilogy. I picture Vin Deisel as Bane.
     
  14. timothy

    timothy Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    so I recomend all the old republic books espically knight errant fantastic.
     
  15. Smiley

    Smiley Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    After paring down my collection which used to have virtually every adult book, here are the ones that remain that I like the most and have the most rereadability:

    Darth Bane Trilogy
    The Phantom Menace novelization
    Attack of the Clones novelization
    Republic Commando: Hard Contact
    The Clone Wars novelization
    The Clone Wars: Wild Space
    The Clone Wars: Gambit Duology
    Labyrinth of Evil
    Revenge of the Sith novelization
    The Han Solo Trilogy (Crispin's)
    Death Star
    The Star Wars Trilogy novelization
    Tales From the Mos Eisley Cantina
    Tales of the Bounty Hunters
    Shadows of the Empire
    Tales From Jabba's Palace
    Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor
    X-Wing: Books 1-7
    The Thrawn Trilogy
    The Jedi Academy Trilogy
    I, Jedi
    Darksaber
    The Corellian Trilogy
    The Hand of Thrawn Duology
    Millennium Falcon
     
    Last edited: Jun 29, 2011
  16. Stevil2001

    Stevil2001 Vice Admiral Admiral

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    I couldn't stand the Darth Bane books. Jedi vs. Sith tells the same story way better.
     
  17. JediKnightButler

    JediKnightButler Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    Thanks for the thread. I was wondering the same thing too- trying to decide what books to get my hands on now that they are pretty much all available on eBook and/or audiobook. I've read bits and parts of the EU but want to read more. Zahn's books are the best of the lot by far. IMHO his "Heir to the Empire" trilogy could have easily been (or could be) the Episodes 7-9 that Lucas originally wanted to do. The Outbound Flight/Survivor's Quest make for an interesting duology and help expand a bit on the new characters introduced in the "Heir" books but are mostly side stories. I just recently got started on his "Hand of Thrawn" duology that follow the "Heir" books.

    The Legacy of the Force series (which takes place LONG after the OT) is the only EU series I've read all the way through, which was pretty decent. I've waded into the New Jedi Order and the more recent Fate of the Jedi series a bit though I haven't gotten very far in either of them as of yet.
     
  18. DigificWriter

    DigificWriter Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Here's my recommendations, based on what you've already read:
    The Bounty Hunter Wars trilogy
    The Hand of Thrawn duology
    The Young Jedi Knights series
    Cloak of Deception
     
  19. Stevil2001

    Stevil2001 Vice Admiral Admiral

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    To be more constructive, books I'd read that you haven't already:

    - Specter of the Past and Vision of the Future - not as good as Zahn's original trilogy, but still very good
    - X-Wing series - Jedi are cool, smugglers are cool, but starfighter pilots are the coolest
    - I, Jedi - it's like the Jedi Academy books, but good
    - Rogue Planet - good characterization for post-TMP Obi-Wan and Ben, plus some cool concepts and nice politics
    - The Adventures of Lando Calrissian - you can't get cooler than Lannnndo
    - A. C. Crispin's Han Solo trilogy - a strong, well-written backstory
    - Republic Commando/Imperial Commando - Traviss's masterwork, with excellent characterization... almost too excellent
    - Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor - the best classic-era adventure that's not the OT
    - Crosscurrent - a fun standalone that leaves you wanting more
    - The Ruins of Dantooine - okay, I'm just messing with you; this book is awful

    And do finish The New Jedi Order.

    I refused to try Fate of the Jedi after the debacle that was Legacy of the Force, so I can't help you there.
     
  20. Turtletrekker

    Turtletrekker Admiral Admiral

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    Not novels, but you should look for the trades of the Star Wars: Legacy series from Dark Horse Comics. For my money the best Star Wars since The Empire Strikes Back.