Star Wars Books Thread

[kirk55555]

I could not stand the villains of the Dark nest Trilogy, specifically how their biology worked or how a bunch of characters were screwed up by it. The other SW writers seem to have agreed, because

Spoiler: Dark nest Trilogy Ending

the series ends with Jaina and others still possessed by the bugs, but that is immediately ended/ignored by every book set afterwards, with the explanation being that the effect just faded from them eventually once they weren't constantly with the bugs and presumably no one wanted to rejoin once their heads were clear of the possession.

Besides that I just felt the trilogy wasn't very well written or particularly compelling, and thats saying something because I love 90% of old EU books, even ones most people don't like (like Darksaber, for example).

 

[Turtletrekker]

The Dark Nest trilogy is where I gave up on the original EU.

 

[Reverend]

I didn't make it past 'Vector Prime'. the mainline books got to feel less and less like Star Wars, and more and more like trashy, generic sci-fi action, and the overly angsty early 2000's villains certainly didn't help. Not that NJO was the cause of it; the mainline had been sliding in that direction since the Academy trilogy. 'Vector Prime' was just where I decided to give up on it. Many years later I did go back and listen through all of the NJO audiobooks, and I don't feel like I missed out on much.

Not that other EU books and comics that didn't focus on the OT three weren't worthwhile. Probably my favourite EU book ever is 'Kenobi' and it came pretty late on. I missed them at the time, but I've since gone back and the early X-Wing novels plus 'I Jedi' are solid. I know some of the Clone Wars books that came out between Episodes II & III have a loyal following, but I never got around to those; and some people rave about the Bane & Plagueis novels, but I bounced off of them fairly early on.

With Bane I just couldn't get a handle on the world building, and with Plagueis I simply didn't like the idea of him still being around during TPM. I'll never buy that Palpatine didn't murder his Master at the very first opportunity, nor that he would tolerate subservience for a second longer than necessary. I'd say it should have all gone down in his early 20's, if not earlier.

Honestly the best EU storytelling in this period wasn't being done in the novels, but in the video games & comics.

 

[Ithekro]

I stopped at 'Star by Star". Between all the Star Trek novels and Star Wars there were just too many novels coming out for me to keep up.

 

[JD]

I didn't make it past 'Vector Prime'. the mainline books got to feel less and less like Star Wars, and more and more like trashy, generic sci-fi action, and the overly angsty early 2000's villains certainly didn't help. Not that NJO was the cause of it; the mainline had been sliding in that direction since the Academy trilogy. 'Vector Prime' was just where I decided to give up on it. Many years later I did go back and listen through all of the NJO audiobooks, and I don't feel like I missed out on much.

Not that other EU books and comics that didn't focus on the OT three weren't worthwhile. Probably my favourite EU book ever is 'Kenobi' and it came pretty late on. I missed them at the time, but I've since gone back and the early X-Wing novels plus 'I Jedi' are solid. I know some of the Clone Wars books that came out between Episodes II & III have a loyal following, but I never got around to those; and some people rave about the Bane & Plagueis novels, but I bounced off of them fairly early on.

With Bane I just couldn't get a handle on the world building, and with Plagueis I simply didn't like the idea of him still being around during TPM. I'll never buy that Palpatine didn't murder his Master at the very first opportunity, nor that he would tolerate subservience for a second longer than necessary. I'd say it should have all gone down in his early 20's, if not earlier.

Honestly the best EU storytelling in this period wasn't being done in the novels, but in the video games & comics.

How much have you been keeping up with the Disney era novels? Most of the ones I've read so far I've enjoyed, and overall I'd rate them higher than the old EU.

 

[kirk55555]

People are really showing their lack of endurance. I read every NJO book all the way through except Traitor, which admittedly is the single worst Star Wars book I've ever tried to read and made me hate the character of Jacen Solo long before he became a full villain. Still besides that I liked the New Jedi Order stuff fairly well, although I won't deny that it probably went on for too many books.

I have to disagree about the Disney SW books though, they're mostly worthless fluff. Disney's SW books will never even approach the old EU's level until they're allowed to tell stories at least a few stories that matter. As long as every single time period, character backstory and most important event in the new SW canon are being held in reserve for even the slight possibility that they want to make a show/movie/cartoon out of it in the future the new books will always just be a waste of paper. The old EU had a few clunkers but they had more gold then anything. They also expanded on/introduced things that mattered to its canon, and even the few stinkers I rarely felt were pointless.

The last literal two years of general audience New Canon SW books have had less then half a dozen books, and of them: one is a video game tie in, two are High republic novels, one is a book about an OC inquisitor who isn't referenced in any other material and the last one is a Phantom Menace prequel book. 5 books in two years is pathetic, and if you're not invested in the High Republic or a specific video game series you're down to two books, both of which are filler. The only other normal book scheduled for this year is a Mace Windu book, so another filler prequel novel. Even if I include YA books its just a few High Republic books and a Solo prequel.

You know what I'd kill for? Books about sequel trilogy characters that had no backstory. I'm not even asking for books about characters that could come back, I'm fine with expanding the story of the dead ones. We're never seeing Phasma (Phasma's first book gave basically nothing away, it was absolutely pointless) or the Knights of Ren again, so why not give us actual books about them and explain things like who they were, what their motivations and history were, etc. Its literally what tie in material was made for, but instead we're getting more books set in the damn prequel trilogy era.

 

[Reverend]

How much have you been keeping up with the Disney era novels? Most of the ones I've read so far I've enjoyed, and overall I'd rate them higher than the old EU.

Yeah, I've been read more or less everything that's been released from 'Aftermath' onwards. 'Lost Stars' was an early stand-out, all of the Rogue One tie-ins were great and surprisingly coherent, and the handful of animation tie-in books like 'Ahsoka', 'Dark Disciple', 'A New Dawn' were all enjoyable. Other honourable mentions include the 'Alphabet Squadron' trilogy, the 'Queen' trilogy was pretty good (mostly the first one, if I'm being honest), the first new Thrawn trilogy of books were great (not so much the second trilogy - I just couldn't bring myself to care about Chiss internal politics and didn't bother finishing them.) 'Brotherhood', 'Shadow of the Sith', 'Rise of the Red Blade', 'Crimson Climb': all enjoyable reads.

These days though it's the 'High Republic' that really rules the roost as far as publication is concerned, even if Phase 2 didn't really land for me very well at all (I very much struggled to get through most of them.)

 

[JD]

Yeah, High Republic has definitely been a highlight. So far I've read Light of the Jedi, Into The Dark, and the first three volumes of the core ongoing Phase One comic, and I've really enjoyed them all.

 

[kirk55555]

I'm currently trying to read Light of the Jedi, and its rough. I'd tried listening to it on audiobook before and didn't get far, so I figured I'd try reading it since I'm a fast reader and that might make it feel less tedious. I've gotten farther reading it, but its still really dull. I also really don't like the bits we've gotten with the Nihil so far, and I know they become a lot more of a presence after the first book. It doesn't help that the Jedi are are bland and forgettable. I think I have to just give up on the High Republic stuff (not counting shows like The acolyte, which is technically set in the High Republic), it just fails to keep my attention even a little.

 

[thribs]

Yeah the High Republic books don’t really get interesting until book 4 or so. There are way too many characters at the start to keep track of.

 

[urrutiap]

Eyes of Darkness was the last main adult High Republic novel I read like last year.

I need to get Temptation of the Force to keep me busy til the next one thats supposed to be out in November this year I think

 

[JD]

During the SDCC panel today they announced some novel and comic tie ins for The Acolyte.

• Wayseeker by Justina Ireland will focus on Vernestra Rwoh 20 years before The Acolyte.
• Tessa Gratton is writing a YA novel focused on Jecki and Yord.
• Kelnacca is getting his own one-shot, and will also be joining the cast of the main The High Republic comic.

We're also getting a second Art of The High Republic book focused on Phases I and II, and a The Art of books for The Acolyte and Outlaws.

I'm definitely looking forward to both Acolyte novels, and seeing more of Kelnacca in the comics.

 

[kirk55555]

I wonder if Wayseeker will require High Republic book knowledge. I'd be interested in reading it just based off of enjoying The Acolyte and wanting to know more about the character, but not if its impenetrable without reading the High Republic series books. The Acolyte branding makes me think it won't require HR book knowledge, but I guess we'll see.

 

[The Wormhole]

I wonder if Wayseeker will require High Republic book knowledge.

Doubt it. They know there are people who have watched The Acolyte who haven't bothered with the High Republic, so logically The Acolyte's tie-ins shouldn't treat the High Republic as required knowledge. I suspect at most there will be easter eggs and vague references which High Republic readers will get but won't make the story incomprehensible to any unfamiliar with the High Republic.

 

[JD]

Yeah, I think Lucasfilm is probably smart enough to know there are going to be a lot of The Acolyte fans who want to read the book who haven't read the other High Republic books and comics.

 

[Tuskin38]

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[Fuddles]

I haven't read any SW books yet, but just picked up The Dark Nest trilogy by Troy Denning at the used book store. Will get into them later this winter.I read some of his Forgotten Realms books bitd and one Dark Sun book.

 

[urrutiap]

I haven't read any SW books yet, but just picked up The Dark Nest trilogy by Troy Denning at the used book store. Will get into them later this winter.I read some of his Forgotten Realms books bitd and one Dark Sun book.

same here. I just ordered Star Wars Dark Nest III from Walmart online just a couple of days ago and its coming in the mail later today.

the first two Dark Nest books were pretty good.

 

[urrutiap]

rest of this month I'm going to be really busy with these books

Mistborn book 2 from the first trilogy. been breezing through since I read it a few years ago

Star Wars Dark Nest III

The Unmothers. a new horror novel. supposed to be about a town where horses are giving birth to human babies and some other dark secrets going on.

 

[Tuskin38]

Bad Batch novel coming

Star Wars: Sanctuary

www.penguin.co.uk