Star Wars Books Thread

[kirk55555]

The problem is, without reading a book, there's nothing to base your assessment on. You're not judging YA books in general, you're saying book X is bad. To make that statement, you have to have read the book, otherwise, you're making a statement without seeing the evidence, reviewing the book without reading it. That's not good reasoning.

(If you were approaching it as you don't think the story sounds interesting, dislike the author's style from past books, or such, and so were saying that you think it sounds bad, that's one thing. You've been saying that you know they're bad without having read any of the books that have come up. That's bad reasoning at best, and dishonest at worse -- since it implies that you have first-hand experience with the material that you do not have. This is the crux that I'm taking issue with. Do you understand where I'm coming from here?)

I get what you mean, but I don't think anyone is getting what I'm trying to say. I'm only stating things as my personal opinion. I'm not trying to be an impartial reviewer. What I think effects nobody but myself, and its not meant to sway other people's opinions. For me, when it comes to deciding what I like and dislike, having to read something to judge what I think about it is ridiculous (especially for YA stuff, my opinion on that is extremely solid). If I was trying to present my comments as a review, then I'd have to read it, but I'm not. My loathing of YA stuff is not objective and what I say is not meant to inform people. Its a personal opinion, and one I consider fully formed and unchanging. I don't care if anyone agrees, and it doesn't really matter if people accept it, because people's opinion on my opinion of YA books doesn't matter. I consider it a legitimate opinion formed off evidence I find compelling and my experience with YA stuff.. I get where people are coming from, I just don't agree with the idea of having to read every pile of trash because I can call something what it is.

I will never change my opinion on YA and kiddie stuff. Repeating "you need to read it to judge" or "listen to the people who have read it" is just as uncompelling the 10th time its posted as it was the first time, especially since I'm not talking about this from a position of being willing to change my mind. If some people like the YA/kiddie stuff, good. I'm fine with that. But no one can tell me what I think about YA stuff or individual books, regardless of their experience with them. If I was asking "What do people think of Lost Stars", then the opinions of people who had read the book would be important. But, I've never asked that. I know what I think of Lost Stars and other YA/kiddie junk. The opinions of other people, experienced or not, do not effect my opinion on this subject at all, and its getting a bit tedious to be honest. My opinion will always be: YA books (SW and in general) and kiddie stuff are trash and generally fluff, and I will never read them. That's my unchangeable, final opinion. I don't care what people who have read the stuff think of my opinion. I'm perfectly happy with my way of doing things. I have a lot of good or potentially good SW stuff to read, the books I consider garbage are stuff I don't give a second thought to when they're not being brought up. I am missing absolutely nothing, except some stuff I would find intolerable to try to read. That's not meant as a judgement on anyone else liking the things I don't.

Off-topic, and to hopefully calm things down, you mentioned that you liked Power Rangers. What do you think of the upcoming Power Rangers movie? I didn't watch the TV show, but the movie looks interesting, according to the trailers. I'm even curious about checking out the original show (after I can see the movie).

The movie looks interesting. I think it could go either way, honestly. It could be an enjoyable new take on the Power Rangers formula, or it could be a poorly done corporate cash grab (a lot of people are comparing the trailer to Chronicle, which I didn't like, and they're kind of right but I still see a lot of potential). I'm hopeful it will be entertaining, and I'm keeping an open mind.

As for the TV show, its very cheesy and I honestly have no idea what it would be like trying to get into as an adult as opposed to liking it as a kid and continuing to like it like I did. The original few seasons (the classic "Mighty Morphin" era) were very episodic, and the series is in general, but the seasons all have their own twists about them and they actually kind of have a long era that kind of caps off with the "Power Rangers: In Space" season. After that there really isn't much connecting the seasons, but there is a lot I enjoy, but I really have no idea what it would be like going into it with having a history with the show.

 

[Ithekro]

I'm pretty sure they using stuff from Lost Stars in other novels. Possibly Bloodlines, since that is the same author. Also it seem to be the main source of information on the Battle of Jakku, since that was its first appearance.

The quotes on the Star Wars wiki has this on the reception on Lost Stars:

Lost Stars has met with an overwhelmingly positive reception from Star Wars fans. As of November 29, 2015, the title held an overall average rating of 4.7 / 5 stars at Amazon.com, with 423 reviews and 83% of reviewers giving the title 5 stars. Many reviewers rated the title favorably in comparison with Aftermath, which was also released as part of the Journey to the Force Awakens initiative, and many expressed regret that the title seemed to be being marketed at a young-adult audience when they found the title engaging for adult readers as well. Tobar Dobinson, author of the review voted "most helpful," stated that the novel "...feels like Star Wars, and it ties together important scenes, locations, and motivations. And it's fun!" Another reviewer, Adam Selzer, expressed pleasure that the book was "...more about what went on Jakku than the other books released on 'Force Friday.'"[4] "Saf," a reviewer for the fan site Making Star Wars, described the title as "exciting and unpredictable," stating that it expressed "an artistry similar to Stephen King."[5]

 

[JD]

You keep talking about how you don't like YA books, and that is not the issue. The things that are really pissing me of is when you start talking about how they're all the same, and they're all written in the same style. Those are things you would not be able to know without actually reading the books yourself. The problem is when you are making statements about the contents of the books when you have not actually read them. As someone who has read several YA books I can tell you from experience that both of those statements are WRONG. Or like when you start talking about how Lost Stars couldn't add anything to the Star Wars universe, when that is also WRONG. It might not add anything to the movie characters' stories, but it does add a lot of stuff to the overall universe.

 

[Reverend]

Yeah I think marketing 'Lost Stars' as a romance of sorts was a little deceptive. It feels more like a 'Lower Decks'/'A View from the Gallery' type narrative set within the Star Wars saga. Following around two people from their childhood around the end of the Clone Wars, all the way through to the end of the Galactic Civil War with their varying perspectives on much larger events.

That's not to say they don't have a compelling story all their own, they do. We get to see how their relationship to one another changes in various ways as they grow up. How their paths diverge and re-converge in unexpected ways.

It's just set against the backdrop of a much more expansive story. A much more personal story than I think any Star Wars story has ever even attempted to be.

 

[Set Harth]

and then killed her.

He didn't even have the guts to do that.

Some might say that was already obvious in The Clone Wars.

 

[Ithekro]

To be fair to Ahsoka, she though Anakin was dead after Order 66, since she did try to find him in the Force and he wasn't there, (consumed by Darth Vader). So when she does finally encounter Darth Vader in the Force and pushes, she does get the glimpse that he's Anakin, but then a very common thing happens....denial. Ahsoka idolized Anakin. He was her master and friend. She still feels bad for leaving him at the end, but still thinks she made the right call.
As she investigates more, she finds this Vader has done things that Anakin would never do, this attempts to comfort her mind that it can't be Anakin.

Spoiler: Ahsoka in Rebels season Two

But than she has her visions in the temple. She knows it is Anakin, but is having a hard time accepting it, because it is probably the most painful thing to have happen to her. Her Master and friend, is now this monster Sith Lord that has killed untold number of Jedi and ordered the deaths of many others. Betrayed everything that he taught her about the Jedi and the Force. That has to be incredibly painful and emotional to handle. Even for someone like Ahsoka. Actually confronting him? As long as he has that mask on she can try to keep her denial up. Keep thinking he's just a Sith Lord and can fight without her emotions getting to much in the way. But if that mask is broken...she has to accept it, as Anakin's face and voice are still under that mask, and the fates will determine if she lives or dies that day.

I think Anakin/Vader looked sad when she told him she wouldn't leave him this time.
I wonder how proud what was left of Anakin was of Ahsoka.

Ahsoka probably died. That is the logical outcome. But the story's ending is open enough to allow her to live.

 

[Reverend]

^That wasn't sadness, it was hatred and rage.

It's quite eye opening to watch the unfinished Utapau episodes, as there's a scene between Anakin and Obi-Wan where Anakin (for the only time ever) speaks openly of how he feels about Ahsoka leaving. As one might expect, Anakin blames the council for driving her away, but what caught me off-guard was that he was deeply disappointed in her. He believes *she* failed *him*, not the other way around. Which says a lot about his core character and makes his eventual fall all the more credible in retrospect.

 

[kirk55555]

You keep talking about how you don't like YA books, and that is not the issue. The things that are really pissing me of is when you start talking about how they're all the same, and they're all written in the same style. Those are things you would not be able to know without actually reading the books yourself. The problem is when you are making statements about the contents of the books when you have not actually read them. As someone who has read several YA books I can tell you from experience that both of those statements are WRONG. Or like when you start talking about how Lost Stars couldn't add anything to the Star Wars universe, when that is also WRONG. It might not add anything to the movie characters' stories, but it does add a lot of stuff to the overall universe.

I'm making statements that are part of my opinion. As far as I'm concerned, I'm right. You're under no obligation to agree, and I honestly don't understand why you can't just let it go. I know all I need to about the books contents. As far as I'm concerned, YA books are all the same style. The big differences between Tiwlight and Lost Stars is plot details and setting. Again, you don't have to agree. But, its what I believe, and I'm not going to change my mind just because my statements annoy some people. I know more then enough about YA books to know exactly what Lost Stars is. I don't need to read everything I hate to know I hate it. I'm never going to change my opinions about this, and I'm honestly not trying to irritate anyone. I'm sorry you seem so annoyed by what I think, but when it comes to what I think my opinion is absolutely correct, in the context of that I like and dislike and what I know about YA and kiddie books. That's not going to change, no matter how much back and fourth we have

I'm also right about it not adding anything to the universe. It really doesn't, its just a cliche YA love story in the SW universe. Its in its own little corner. If nothing else, it adds nothing that will ever be important to the books made for the larger SW book audience. Maybe it will get a sequel, which would make the first book important to something in that conext. But, I'm pretty sure I won't be reading a GA SW book and ever encounter info/characters/an event first used in Lost Stars, unless its just the author putting in a cameo from one of the characters, which isn't important so much as a easter egg.

I'm pretty sure they using stuff from Lost Stars in other novels. Possibly Bloodlines, since that is the same author. Also it seem to be the main source of information on the Battle of Jakku, since that was its first appearance.

I'm glad you mentioned Bloodlines having the same author as Lost Stars. I didn't know that, but now I know to skip Bloodlines. As for the Battle of Jakku, I'm sure that will be covered in a GA SW book or comic eventually (not that we need much, its completely unimportant to the movies or SW universe).

 

[Ithekro]

Well we are certainly helping you avoid reading. But it is definitely not helping your SW universe experience.

Also there are rumors of a Old Republic series to follow Star Wars: Rebels. Any known truths behind these rumors. Also a Filoni was promoted to oversee all Lucasfilm Animation projects in September. So the third season of Rebels has a different supervising direction than the first two seasons.

 

[Set Harth]

Spoiler

Ahsoka probably died. That is the logical outcome.

So who was that we saw walking away at the end? Her Force ghost? How is that consistent with what we learned about Force ghosting in ROTS and Filoni's previous show, given that she hasn't received the training?

 

[Ithekro]

We aren't sure. That the open ending. It could be metaphor. It could be a ghost. It could be a live person

We don't know for sure. I suppose the TOPPS trading carde Filoni made make it more clear what the symbolism means, but the ending is open if case they need to bring her back forsome reason. In whatever form.

Also remember that Ahsoka already died once in the Clone Wars, but came back via Force, magic plus sacrifice.

^That wasn't sadness, it was hatred and rage.

I mean the tiny bit when he looks down then it cuts to a longer shot of the two standing there, before coming back to close-up followed by his line and blade ignition. He looks sad and reflective for a moment. Then that anger and hatred return.

 

[kirk55555]

Well we are certainly helping you avoid reading. But it is definitely not helping your SW universe experience.

Well, I was never going to read that stuff anyway, so its not like I can be less likely to read that stuff. As for my SW universe experience, I'm reading the real, well done (well, ok, sometimes not so well done, I never said all GA books are great), important stuff. There are books I still need to read right now, and they're only going to publish more. Plus, while I've read a lot of the old EU there are still some things I need to read (like the zombie books, the Med-Star books, and some other stuff like that). So, I've got a bunch of old stuff and a lot of the new stuff to read, and there will only be more made. Skipping the non GA stuff that I already hate and don't effect the books I read anyway only helps my SW experience.

Also there are rumors of a Old Republic series to follow Star Wars: Rebels. Any known truths behind these rumors. Also a Filoni was promoted to oversee all Lucasfilm Animation projects in September. So the third season of Rebels has a different supervising direction than the first two seasons.

Well, it looks like Lucasfilm Animation is now completely worthless. To be fair, SW animation was terrible in every case until TCW came along, so its really just business as usual when it comes to animated SW being a poorly done after thought of the franchise.

 

[Set Harth]

I suppose the TOPPS trading carde Filoni made

Huh?

EDIT: Oh. Never mind.

 

[Skywalker]

Also there are rumors of a Old Republic series to follow Star Wars: Rebels.

Please be true!

 

[fireproof78]

I'm making statements that are part of my opinion. As far as I'm concerned, I'm right. You're under no obligation to agree, and I honestly don't understand why you can't just let it go. I know all I need to about the books contents. As far as I'm concerned, YA books are all the same style. The big differences between Tiwlight and Lost Stars is plot details and setting. Again, you don't have to agree. But, its what I believe, and I'm not going to change my mind just because my statements annoy some people. I know more then enough about YA books to know exactly what Lost Stars is. I don't need to read everything I hate to know I hate it. I'm never going to change my opinions about this, and I'm honestly not trying to irritate anyone. I'm sorry you seem so annoyed by what I think, but when it comes to what I think my opinion is absolutely correct, in the context of that I like and dislike and what I know about YA and kiddie books. That's not going to change, no matter how much back and fourth we have

I'm also right about it not adding anything to the universe. It really doesn't, its just a cliche YA love story in the SW universe. Its in its own little corner. If nothing else, it adds nothing that will ever be important to the books made for the larger SW book audience. Maybe it will get a sequel, which would make the first book important to something in that conext. But, I'm pretty sure I won't be reading a GA SW book and ever encounter info/characters/an event first used in Lost Stars, unless its just the author putting in a cameo from one of the characters, which isn't important so much as a easter egg.



I'm glad you mentioned Bloodlines having the same author as Lost Stars. I didn't know that, but now I know to skip Bloodlines. As for the Battle of Jakku, I'm sure that will be covered in a GA SW book or comic eventually (not that we need much, its completely unimportant to the movies or SW universe).

Probably because it feels like stereotyping of a particular type of book (YA) when others have had more positive experiences and see the benefit in the world building.

No one is telling you to change your mind, but it's more of a logical fallacy. All YA books=bad, doesn't work because I can name YA books that I have read, own, and enjoyed. So, yeah, it's a logical gear grind because it doesn't make sense to me for such a categorical judgement-it's not logical and it feels very vindictive.

 

[Voth commando1]

Thinking of my love for the Vong-is there any Vong/trek crossover fanfiction that is reasonably good?

 

[Ithekro]

Please be true!

There seems to be a two to three year lead time for these shows, so even if they have a plan, I would not expect to see it until 2018 or 2019. Though that does fit with the idea that Rebels will continue until basically the Battle of Yavin in A New Hope, which should be sometime roughly two to three years away in story.

 

[WebLurker]

I get what you mean, but I don't think anyone is getting what I'm trying to say. I'm only stating things as my personal opinion. I'm not trying to be an impartial reviewer. What I think effects nobody but myself, and its not meant to sway other people's opinions. For me, when it comes to deciding what I like and dislike, having to read something to judge what I think about it is ridiculous (especially for YA stuff, my opinion on that is extremely solid). If I was trying to present my comments as a review, then I'd have to read it, but I'm not. My loathing of YA stuff is not objective and what I say is not meant to inform people. Its a personal opinion, and one I consider fully formed and unchanging. I don't care if anyone agrees, and it doesn't really matter if people accept it, because people's opinion on my opinion of YA books doesn't matter. I consider it a legitimate opinion formed off evidence I find compelling and my experience with YA stuff.. I get where people are coming from, I just don't agree with the idea of having to read every pile of trash because I can call something what it is.

I will never change my opinion on YA and kiddie stuff. Repeating "you need to read it to judge" or "listen to the people who have read it" is just as uncompelling the 10th time its posted as it was the first time, especially since I'm not talking about this from a position of being willing to change my mind. If some people like the YA/kiddie stuff, good. I'm fine with that. But no one can tell me what I think about YA stuff or individual books, regardless of their experience with them. If I was asking "What do people think of Lost Stars", then the opinions of people who had read the book would be important. But, I've never asked that. I know what I think of Lost Stars and other YA/kiddie junk. The opinions of other people, experienced or not, do not effect my opinion on this subject at all, and its getting a bit tedious to be honest. My opinion will always be: YA books (SW and in general) and kiddie stuff are trash and generally fluff, and I will never read them. That's my unchangeable, final opinion. I don't care what people who have read the stuff think of my opinion. I'm perfectly happy with my way of doing things. I have a lot of good or potentially good SW stuff to read, the books I consider garbage are stuff I don't give a second thought to when they're not being brought up. I am missing absolutely nothing, except some stuff I would find intolerable to try to read. That's not meant as a judgement on anyone else liking the things I don't.

Maybe framing your thoughts more in subjectivity would help? The one thing I really disagree with is your reasoning that the you know YA books are automatically crap. As others have pointed out, that's a logical fallacy and simply not true. Everything else is your opinion and you can't be wrong about that. (Also, being more polite about it would help, too. Case in point, you referred to several of the YA Star Wars books on your don't read list as "stupid." That's never going to go over well with people who love those specific volumes and really drowns out anything else you might say.)

Also, you mentioned wanting to skip Bloodline. I know you don't think much of my book recommendations, but I strongly advise that you do not skip it. It is one of the best written books in the series to date, has a great deal of complexity in characterizations and plot, and skips tortured romance and other YA stuff that rubs you the wrong way (well, there's an implied attraction between two supporting characters, but really low-key). Also, it's a GA release and marketed as such (it's very different in tone from Lost Stars, for what it's worth).

The movie looks interesting. I think it could go either way, honestly. It could be an enjoyable new take on the Power Rangers formula, or it could be a poorly done corporate cash grab (a lot of people are comparing the trailer to Chronicle, which I didn't like, and they're kind of right but I still see a lot of potential). I'm hopeful it will be entertaining, and I'm keeping an open mind.

As for the TV show, its very cheesy and I honestly have no idea what it would be like trying to get into as an adult as opposed to liking it as a kid and continuing to like it like I did. The original few seasons (the classic "Mighty Morphin" era) were very episodic, and the series is in general, but the seasons all have their own twists about them and they actually kind of have a long era that kind of caps off with the "Power Rangers: In Space" season. After that there really isn't much connecting the seasons, but there is a lot I enjoy, but I really have no idea what it would be like going into it with having a history with the show.

Okay.

 

[Skywalker]

There seems to be a two to three year lead time for these shows, so even if they have a plan, I would not expect to see it until 2018 or 2019. Though that does fit with the idea that Rebels will continue until basically the Battle of Yavin in A New Hope, which should be sometime roughly two to three years away in story.

I'm expecting Rebels to go four or five seasons, so yeah, it'll be a couple of years for the next show regardless. The Old Republic (and I'm talking like legit Old Republic, not like fifty years before TPM or something) would be really awesome, the animation team's already slipped so many OR easter eggs into TCW and SWR, there's clearly some fondness for the material there.

 

[Ithekro]

It might or might not be KOTOR related, but it would be long ago, Star War wise. Even if it was say in the days of Darth Bane, they might be able to pull some of it off. It largely depends on if they want to push it back to the days of Darth Revan or not, considering the MMO is still ongoing from Bioware, (and there are always theories that link Snoke with anyone, all they way to the immortal Sith Emperor.)