Books I Recommend (Star Wars)
By now there are dozens of books in the Star Wars franchise, and hardly all of them are worth reading. Please note that I have included some books in this list that aren't necessarily on my personal "A-list", but I still recommend them because of significant developments/plots. For that reason I have given each book a grade at the end of the mini-review.
Please also note that, aside from the four prequel tie-ins, I fell behind in my reading post-New Jedi Order (that series finally spent my craving for Star Wars fiction for awhile). So there are no books on this list that were released from late 2003 through to the present--which currently comprise (mostly) the Clone Wars and Commando books, the Dark Nest trilogy, and the Legacy series. I will update this page as needed as I eventually get through those. Having said that, Karpyshyn's Darth Bane: Path of Destrution, Traviss's Republic Commando series (which is in the tradition of X-Wing), Denning's Tatooine Ghost, and Zahn's Survivor's Quest have all received very high marks from numerous and trusted sources.
I do not cover movie adaptations, reference books, or children's fiction here; I will be doing a seperate comic book-related page at some point. If you are looking for recommendations for kids, any of the series by Jude Watson (Jedi Apprentice, Jedi Quest, The Last of the Jedi) or Ryder Windham (The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader, Star Wars Adventures, film adaptations) is highly recommended; Kevin J Anderson's, Young Jedi Knights series is also an excellent choice.
(NOTE: "# BBY" means "Years Before the Battle of Yavin"; "# ABY" means "Years After the Battle of Yavin")
New Jedi Order era | Legacy era
THE NEW ESSENTIAL CHRONOLOGY
Daniel Wallace (The Marvel Encyclopedia, DC Comics Encyclopedia, The Essential Guide to Droids)
This is a reference book written in-universe (by Tionne Solusar) as a history book around 28 ABY. The book covers the entire history of "a galaxy far, far away" from its ancient history through the post-Yuuzhan Vong invasion. It is an invaluable resource that is especially useful for filling in the gaps of anything you passed on or missed in your reading (either comics or novels) or video game playing.
GRADE: A+
JEDI VS SITH: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO THE FORCE
Ryder Windham (Episode IV-VI-junior novelisations, The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader)
Another in-universe reference book "by" Tionne Solusar, this one delves into the history of the Force phenomenon and its wielders--famous, infamous, and legendary; it especially helps to understand exactly what the Force is and how it works. Unlike most reference books, this guide includes original material written by Ryder and not found anywhere else. I am not a big fan of the Jedi/Force aspect of the Star Wars mythos, but there are elements that I still find intriguing or that I am unwittingly exposed to in my reading-travels--which is exactly the reason I own this indispensible guide.
GRADE: A+
CLOAK OF DECEPTION (32.5 BBY)
James Luceno (The Mask of Zorro, Robotech series-as "Jack Mckinney")
The Galactic Republic is crumbling. While greed and corruption choke the Senate, entities such as the Trade Federation grow in power, groups like the Nebula Front resort to terrorism, and caught in between is Cancellor Valorum and the Jedi Order. But behind the scenes lurks a shadow who is using the galaxy as his personal chess board--a dark and intelligent phantom menace... This Episode I tie-in introduced Star Wars fans to James Luceno, a name that has quickly grown in stature to be measured against other fan favourites Zahn, Stackpole, and Allston. What makes Luceno such a delight to read is his flowing style of writing, intricate plots, and genius use of the whole Star Wars canon. In his debut, Luceno gives the EU its first true political thriller, and its brilliant. What also puts this book very high on my list is the large amount of material devoted to Master Qui-Gon Jinn, one of the best Jedi characters in the Star Wars universe (and that's saying something coming from this much-less-than-moderate Jedi fan). Last but not least, this novel will significantly change how you view Episode I--in fact I consider this book required reading for any fan of the films.
GRADE: A+
DARTH MAUL: SHADOW HUNTER (32.5 BBY)
Michael Reaves (Batman: The Animated Series, Gargoyles-Disney, Mr Twilight)
On the eve of the implementing his blockade of Naboo, Darth Sidious discovers treachery in the midst of his Neimoidian circle. Therefore he sends his Sith problem solver, Darth Maul, to eliminate the traitor and anyone else connected with him... That's pretty much the whole book. And even though there isn't much in the way of plot or new information, the book just exudes cool and compensates for Maul's lack of screentime in Episode I. I don't usually like stories from the perspective of villains, but I make an exception in the case of this very entertaining tale of "who will survive".
GRADE: B+
ROGUE PLANET (29 BBY)
Greg Bear (Blood Music, Foundation and Chaos, Eon)
Zonama Sekot is perhaps one of the galaxy's biggest enigmas. The planet is native to an undeveloped civilisation and yet it produces some of the most advanced starship technology in the galaxy. The Trade Federation under the direction one of the Republic's budding new sector commanders, Wilhuff Tarkin, have decided to claim this technology--but they are not the only ones. The Jedi Council has dispatched Obi-Wan Kenobi and his twelve year-old apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, to the planet as well, where they will discover untold secrets and a disturbance in the Force like none other felt before... This book was meant to tie the prequel era to the ongoing New Jedi Order series (which had just started publishing abot six months prior). Don't judge this book by its cover like I initially did. It's tale of action, intrigue, and betrayal is more than a worthy addition to the Star Wars pantheon of books.
GRADE: A
THE APPROACHING STORM (22.5 BBY)
Alan Dean Foster (SW: Splinter of the Mind's Eye, Spellsinger series, Transformers-novelisation)
There is a throw-away line at the beginning of Episode II where Mace Windu mentions Obi-Wan returning from a border dispute on Ansion. This book is about that event. Ansion is a little-known planet considering to secede from the Republic. The problem is that their secession could create a massive domino effect since the system is the hub of two very important treaty and alliance wheels... If there was ever a "love or hate" book in the canon, it's this one. If you enjoy Jedi adventures, Force theolgy, and Trekkish-style planet exploration, then this book is for you; if you prefer planet-hopping, swashbuckling, and galactic (space) battles, then you may want to pass on this one. The book is well-paced (if it wasn't I would have ditched it), has interesting characters, offers some thought-provoking perspectives on the use of the Force, and plots out some decent political intrigue--but I felt claustrophobic, and I suffered from starfighter withdrawl halfway through.
GRADE: B
LABYRINTH OF EVIL (19 BBY)
James Luceno (The Mask of Zorro, Robotech series-as "Jack Mckinney")
A failed mission to capture the Viceroy of the Trade Federation, Nute Gunray yields an unexpected prize: the Viceroy's specially-made holotransceiver, which yields a valuable clue that could lead to the apprehension of the pantom menance himself, Darth Sidious. Obi-Wan and Anakin are off on a planet-hopping adventure that will span four regions of the galaxy, while the Jedi Council and its allies contend with the increasing boldness of the Separatists and their leaders, Count Dooku and General Grievous... Luceno's second movie tie-in is just as brilliant as his first, only this time he adds non-stop war-action and an indiscriminate body count to his political thriller plot. Easily one of the best books of the "BBY" era, the book ends where the opening moments of Episode III begins--and you'll be able to smile with Obi-Wan when he winks at Anakin in Episode III and says, "that...that business on Cato Neimoidia doesn't count".
GRADE: A+
DARK LORD: THE RISE OF DARTH VADER (19 BBY)
James Luceno (The Mask of Zorro novelisation, Robotech series-as "Jack Mckinney")
Three Jedi have somehow escaped "Order 66" and the Emperor has decided to give his new apprentice his first mission... This book isn't what it seems--a book from the the POV of the Sith Lord; it starts with a force of Jedi and clone troopers on Murkhana just before the infamous "Order 66" and then moves on from there. Now don't get me wrong, Vader and his psychological adjustment to his new role in the galaxy is certainly a major part of the book. However, the larger part of the novel focuses on the escaped Jedi as they lead Vader on a wild gundark chase from Coruscant to Alderaan to Kashyyyk. I think it took me some psychological adjustment to this (I was prepared for a Vader POV read), and may be the reason why I didn't enjoy this canonical edition as much as I wanted to. There is certainly no shortage of action and suspense; the prose flows naturally and the in-universe references are as spot-on as every other Luceno book. Whatever its shortcomings, this novel drips with emotion and includes some of the finest scripted lightsaber duels you will ever read.
GRADE: A-
THE HAN SOLO TRILOGY: THE PARADISE SNARE/THE HUTT GAMBIT/REBEL DAWN (10-0 BBY)
AC Crispin (Trek: Yesterday's Son, Trek: Time for Yesterday, StarBridge series)
The trilogy starts with a young Han Solo and the adventures of (and resulting from) his first job as a pilot on Ylesia; the second book continues with Han soon after leaving the Imperial Academy and covers his first-meetings with Chewie, Jabba, Boba Fett, Lando, and the Millennium Falcon; the final book finds Han caught up in the growing rebellion and reunites him with the planet Ylesia and an old flame (this book also provides the context for the scenes in Episode V when Han is given a hard time landing on Cloud City)... This is arguably the best written of the Expanded Universe trilogies. Crispin did her homework writing these and fans of the general EU will find some cool references and cameos.
On a sidenote, there is a decent time gap in the third book. This gap is where one would insert Brian Daley's The Han Solo Adventures, which comprise three short novellas that were written in 1979-80. The stories are campy in the tradition of the comics published by Marvel at the time; they are not the best fiction you'll read but they are enjoyable for what they are. I'd recommend them only if you're a Han Solo fan and looking for a break from the Galactic Civil War and/or mainstream Star Wars fiction lines as the books take place in an isolated part of the galaxy called The Corporate Sector.
GRADE: A+
TALES FROM THE MOS EISLEY CANTINA (0 BBY-3 ABY)
Kevin J Anderson; Doug Beason; M Shayne Bell; David Bischoff; AC Crispin; Kenneth C Flint; Barbara Hambly; Rebecca Moesta; Daniel Keys Moran; Jerry Oltion; Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens; Jennifer Roberson; Kathy Tyers; Tom & Martha Veitch; Dave Wolverton; Timothy Zahn
Some of the top scribes in Star Wars and fantasy/science fiction come together in this anthology to add depth to sixteen background characters from one of the iconic representations of the vast Star Wars galaxy in the original trilogy: the Mos Eisley Cantina. Just about every story here is at the least quality writing; my personal favourites are the tales for Greedo (also features Han), Muftak and Kabe, Momaw Nadon, Stormtrooper Davin Felth, Het Nkik, and Ariq the Moisture Farmer.
GRADE: A-
TALES OF THE BOUNTY HUNTERS (3 ABY)
Kevin J Anderson; M Shayne Bell; Daniel Keys Moran; Kathy Tyers; Dave Wolverton
This anthology details the adventures of the five bounty hunters hired by Darth Vader to capture the Millennium Falcon. Each story follows the hunters from the bridge of the Executor (as memorably depicted in Episode V) to their ships and out to the hunt. All five stories are worth reading (despite a part of IG88's tale bordering on lack of sanctity), but the three best are definitely those of Fett, Dengar, and Zuckuss & 4-LOM.
GRADE: A
SHADOWS OF THE EMPIRE (3.5 ABY)
Steve Perry (Matador series, Aliens series)
"Meet me at the rendesvouz point on Tatooine," Luke says to Lando at the end of Episode V, and that is where this book picks up. Leia intends to resce Han from the clutches of the bounty hunter, Boba Fett. So Luke, Leia, and Lando round up a skilled team consisting of a snide Corellian smuggler, his ship and droid, and Rogue Squadron. Meanwhile, Prince Xizor, perhaps the galaxy's most powerful gangster as the leader of Black Sun, harbours secret desires to supplant Darth Vader as the Emperor's top ally. He is willing to work with his rival to achieve his plans, which (unbeknownst to the Dark Lord) includes Luke as the primary bait... With the theatrical release of the "Special Edition" trilogy on the horizon, this book was hyped like a movie with two comic book tie-ins (one is an adaptation of the story from Fett's perspective), collectibles, trading cards, toys, a video game, and even a soundtrack. The story was the first book with original material featuring Darth Vader, so the expectations for this novel were very high and I thought that it definitely delivered the goods. It gave us several new major EU characters--Prince Xizor, Guri, Dash Rendar, Leebo--who have been used in other parts of the canon and provides some pretty cool insight into the heroes. In other words, this book does somewhat raise the value of Episode VI, and that's what a movie tie-in is supposed to do.
GRADE: A
TALES FROM JABBA'S PALACE (4 ABY)
Kevin J Anderson; M Shayne Bell; John Gregory Betancourt; AC Crispin; Dan'l Danehy-Oakes; George Alec Effinger; Marina Fitch & Mark Budz; Kenneth C Flint; Esther M Friesner; Barbara Hambly; Daryl F Mallett; "JD Montgomery"; Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens; Jennifer Roberson; Kathy Tyers; Deborah Wheeler; Dave Wolverton; William F Wu; Timothy Zahn
Nearly two dozen Star Wars and fantasy/sci-fi authours contribute to this anthology, which tells the tales of nineteen characters seen populating Jabba the Hutt's Tatooine stronghold. There are more misses in this anthology than in the others, but more than half are still of excellent quality, and all do an excellent job illustrating just how dangerous, treacherous, creepy, and unpredictable Jabba's palace was. To get the full enjoyment of this book, one really must read all the stories since a well-orchestrated subplot involving murder and an assassination plot against Jabba are nicely interwoven throughout the anthology; the B'omarr Monks (who signficantly add to their ranks by anthology's end) and Leia's thermal detonator also make cameos and provide much of the anthology's dark humour... But if you just want to read some cool stories, my favourites were those of Malakali the Rancor Keeper, Porcellus, Salacious Crumb, Mara Jade, Ephant Mon (features Luke), EV-9D9, Tessek, Boba Fett (features Leia), and Yarna D'al Gargan & Doallyn
GRADE: A-
TALES FROM THE EMPIRE (4 ABY)
Laurie Burns; Erin Endom; Patricia A Jackson; Charlene Newcomb; Angela Philips; Tony Russo; Michael A Stackpole; Kathy Tyers; Timothy Zahn
This anthology departs from the other "Tales" anthologies in that the majority of the stories feature EU characters instead of background characters from the movies; all nine stories and the four-part novella are reprinted from West End Games's acclaimed (and long out of print) quarterly roleplaying publication, the Star Wars Adventure Journal. All the stories are worth reading, but the ones I remember liking especially were "First Contact" (features Talon Karrde), "The Final Exit", "Missed Chance" (features Corran Horn), "A Certain Point of View", "Blaze of Glory", and "Side Trip" (features Thrawn and Corran Horn).
GRADE: A-
X-WING: ROGUE SQUADRON/WEDGE'S GAMBLE/THE KRYTOS TRAP/THE BACTA WAR (7 ABY)
Michael A Stackpole (BattleTech series, Dark Conspiracy trilogy, Age of Discovery trilogy)
The X-Wing series of books read like a one-hour television action serial and are among my most favourite of the canon. Lots of starfighter battles, lots of military stuff, very little Jedi/Force interruptions: MMMMMM--mm. The series established that Luke, Leia, and Han did not need to be the focus of a novel for their to be quality storytelling and action. The first story arc comprise the first four books of the series and detail Rogue Squadron's major role in the recapture of Coruscant (aka Imperial Center) from the Empire and the fallout and political intrigue that results. This trilogy of books contains two major character contributions to the EU: Corran Horn and Ysanne Isard.
GRADE: A+
X-WING: WRAITH SQUADRON/IRON FIST/SOLO COMMAND (7 ABY)
Aaron Allston (Doc Sidhe duology, Terminator 3 duology)
The next three books introduce us to Wraith Squadron, a sort of elite "dirty dozen" charged with the honour of taking out the powerful Imperial despot, Warlord Zsinj, and his fleet spearheaded by the Super Star Destroyer, Iron Fist. Aaron Allston is one of the finest writers I have ever read, in or out of Star Wars. In his trilogy, Allston mixes LOL humour with excellent characters and brilliant storytelling. And because none of the main characters are well-known characters, the authour is able to script life and death as the story dictates--but first he makes you give a damn about them to the point that you're afraid to turn the page in fear your favourite Wraith makes the ultimate sacrifice.
GRADE: A+
THE COURTSHIP OF PRINCESS LEIA (8 ABY)
Dave Wolverton (The Golden Queen trilogy, The Mummy Chronicles, The Runelords saga-as "David Farland")
Han decides he wants to marry Leia. But a Hapan envoy arrives just before him with one Prince Isolder and his proposal of marraige, which would also result in a valuable poltical union between the Hapes Consortium of Planets and the New Republic. Han is devastated and kidnaps Leia (much to her anger) to faraway Dathomir, where much more awaits them than a holiday of romance and sight-seeing... If there was ever a novel in the tradition of The Princess Bride, This Is It; the sparring between Han and Threepio in this book will never be funnier. 'Nuff said.
GRADE: A
THE THRAWN TRILOGY: HEIR TO THE EMPIRE/DARK FORCE RISING/THE LAST COMMAND (9 ABY)
Timothy Zahn (COBRA trilogy, Conquerors trilogy, Dragonback series)
A new and dangerous leader of the remnants of the Empire has emerged to challenge the New Republic (formerly the Rebel Alliance). Meanwhile, Luke and Leia are being pursued by Joruus C'baoth, a clone of the original Jedi legend, who hopes to train the Skywalkers and their children in the ways of the Force. Cracks have also started to appear in the New Republic's infant government, and a new war with reorganised Imperial remnants could cost the Endor victors everything they have gained in defeating the Emperor... If you only read one series of Star Wars books, it has to be Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy--in fact in the eyes of most fan-readers, these three books are Episodes VII-IX. For awhile there was a hot rumour that these books so impressed The Flanneled One that there might have been a third trilogy afterall. (But the closest fans got to this was Lucas acknowledging that IF he had been considering a third trilogy, Zahn's books would have been in serious consideration for adaptation.) These books capture everything that was so great about the orginal trilogy, PLUS magnificently executes treachery and mystery that the prequel trilogy only marginally achieved. This trilogy also marks the debuts of now legendary characters Mara Jade, Talon Karrde, Garm Bel Iblis, Winter, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Borsk Fey'lya, Captain Pellaeon, and the enigmatic alien race of Noghri.
GRADE: A+
X-WING: ISARD'S REVENGE (9 ABY)
Michael A Stackpole (BattleTech series, Dark Conspiracy trilogy, Age of Discovery trilogy)
The Rogues are back as the focus in this eighth book in the series. Here the Rogues are faced with "the sadistic choice": condemn several of their comrades to certain death in an Imperial prison camp run by a known rither Imperial Admiral or join forces with Ysanne Isard, under her terms, to rescue them... There are no Star Wars adventures that are better or with higher stakes.
GRADE: A+
THE JEDI ACADEMY TRILOGY: JEDI SEARCH/DARK APPRENTICE/CHAMPIONS OF THE FORCE (11 ABY)
Kevin J Anderson (Assemblers of Infnity, Dune series, The X-Files trilogy, Saga of the Seven Suns)
After the success of Zahn's trilogy the year prior, veteran sci-fi authour (and scribe of the widely popular Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi comic book series) Kevin J Anderson had a shadow the size of the Death Star to emerge out of. For all intents and purposes, he succeeds in at least coming very close. In this trilogy of books, Luke has decided to begin to rebuild the Jedi Order, starting with establishing a base of operations on familiar territory for fans: the fourth moon of Yavin; but what he doesn't (yet) know is that the moon was once the site of a great Sith outpost, and lurking there is the ghost of one of the most powerful Sith Masters in the history of the galaxy. Meanwhile, a secret Imperial contruction facility is discovered, and with a weapon even more deadly than the Death Star. Plus, the New Republic must contend with another potent Imperial leader intent on nothing short of the destruction of the New Republic... This trilogy introduces key characters to the future of the Expanded Universe, but it does an even better job opening up the door to the galaxy's ancient past, where Jedi and Sith were much more common and raged violent wars.
GRADE: A-
DARKSABER (12 ABY)
Kevin J Anderson (Assemblers of Infnity, Dune series, The X-Files trilogy, Saga of the Seven Suns)
The Hutts have acquired the services of Bevel Lemelisk, a brilliant engineer who helped to construct the first Death Star. Meanwhile, Luke and Callista tour the galaxy in an effort to help her regain her Force attunement, leaving the Jedi Academy vulnerable to a relentless and reinforced Imperial enemy. In the end, a respected hero of the Rebellion loses his life in service, while the Jedi learn what it is to be Protectors of the Galaxy... This novel gets a lot of flak for being somewhat unoriginal and a bit too fantastical; Luke sometimes stretches the patience as well. I won't argue these points too much, but what I liked about this novel was that it was fun, and is one of the only books to show what Darth Vader meant when he said "The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force". The tour that Luke goes on brings the reader back to Tatooine and Hoth, where Luke reminices on events depicted in the films. The stuff with Bevel Lemelisk (specifically the flashbacks with the Emperor) is also great reading entertainment.
GRADE: B+
X-WING: THE STARFIGHTERS OF ADUMAR (13 ABY)
Aaron Allston (Doc Sidhe duology, Terminator 3 duology)
The military world of Adumar has been discovered. So the Adumari have decided to come out of their reclusive lives and join a side: either the New Republic or the Empire. But the catch is that both factions must send a contingent of pilots as its diplomatic team since the Adumari place high value on military skill. Of course, the eventual winner will get the planet's vast munitions factories and advanced technology... Mr Allston is back to give the series a proper sendoff, and does he ever. With his characteristic LOL wit, fast-paced action, and masterful plot weaving, you will not be disappointed. By the end of reading this series, one gets the feeling that Stackpole and Allston were playing a game of "one-up" and the winners of this friendly and fierce competition were the fans.
GRADE: A+
THE BLACK FLEET CRISIS: BEFORE THE STORM/SHIELD OF LIES/TYRANT'S TEST (16 ABY)
Michael P Kube-McDowell (The Trigon Disunity trilogy, Alternities, Vectors)
A vicious and genocidal alien race, the Yevetha, have decided to claim the galaxy for their own. Meanwhile, Lando (with Threeprio and Artoo) are charged with figuring out the purpose of an enigmatic (and seemingly unpiloted) spacecraft with weapons of amazing power and an unknown mission. And Luke goes on a quest that may reveal the identity of his mother and her people... This trilogy is NOT a good example for future (Star Wars) novelists to follow--one part unnecessary, one part confusing Trekky sci-fi, and one part excellent Star Wars adventure, the middle book is split up into three parallel novellas (a la Tolkien's RINGS) while the final book has random "interludes" and technically two endings.
This series is easily the most violent of all the books pre-New Jedi Order era. The Yevetha plot (which is the main plot that takes up over half the trilogy), is outstanding, and marks one of the few times that I was genuinely concerned for the survival of the main cast. That said, readers can completely skip Luke's quest in the firsts two books; and unless you love alien tech/exploration, I also suggest skipping Lando and the "interludes". Consider Chapter 10 (of Book III) the true end of the series, as the last three chapters deal exclusively with the alien ship, have nothing to do with the Yevetha storyline, and are just downright "huh?"-inducing.
GRADE: A (the Yevetha material); C- (everything else--the Lando stuff had decent comedy)
THE NEW REBELLION (17 ABY)
Kristine Kathyrn Rusch (The Fey Universe series, Trek: Klingon!, Retrieval Artist series)
Now this book shakes things up. Leia the target of an assassination plot that points at Han as the prime suspect. And Luke must track down a former student who is caught in the middle of a Dark Jedi's succeeding attempt to put under the New Republic and the growing Jedi Order... This book is smartly written and makes very good use of the "Heroes of Yavin". Ms Rusch also stands out in my mind as one of few authours that manages to write Han Solo really well--there were several "lol" moments in this book involving Han. I think what also stood out to me about this book was that the EU was lacking in intelligent antagonists since Thrawn up to this point, but the Dark Jedi in this book (with his select henchman) really brings the heroes to the brink.
GRADE: A
THE CORELLIAN TRILOGY: AMBUSH AT CORELLIA/ASSAULT AT SELONIA/SHOWDOWN AT CENTERPOINT (18 ABY)
Roger MacBride Allen (Orphan of Creation, Asimov's Caliban trilogy, The Hunted Earth duology)
Han, Leia, and the kids shoot off to Corellia for a trade summit--and are subsequently captured, and the whole system locked down, by one Thracken Sal-Solo. Luke, Lando, and Mara immediately jump into action, and the situation becomes progressively dire, when it is revealed that Sal-Solo is in possession of a weapon that can make stars go nova... This isn't one of my favourite book cycles in the franchise (perhaps because the kids have such a large role), but I recognise that it is a solid bit of Star Wars storytelling and it is well-liked by many other readers. Plus the fact that I somewhat enjoyed the Solo kids in this one should count for something.
GRADE: B
THE HAND OF THRAWN DUOLOGY: SPECTRE OF THE PAST/VISION OF THE FUTURE (19 ABY)
Timothy Zahn (COBRA trilogy, Conquerors trilogy, Dragonback series)
One part of the Imperial Remnant wants peace, while the other vows to instigate another galactic civil war. Then it is revealed that Grand Admiral Thrawn has returned--or has he. While Leia sues for peace with Commander Pellaeon, Han and Lando steal off on a mission to uncover the truth behind the controversial destruction of Caamas. Meanwhile, Luke and Mara pair in a mission together to determine the nature of an encoded message possibly intended for Thrawn, and to learn more of each other... These two books are another solid addition to the Star Wars canon by Mr Zahn. He does his research and nicely ties (or pokes fun) at the EU prior to this book's release. Fans of character study and budding romance will enjoy Luke and Mara's chunk of the story (which does drag a bit for my taste), while those who prefer action and intrigue will enjoy everything else.
GRADE: A-
New Jedi Order era
Initially this was not one of my favourite series of books (mainly because of its length). But the very real War on Terror changed my perspective. There is no way that LFL could have planned for the series to be a commentary on our War--the first book came out in 1999, book #9 (of 19) was released in October 2001, and the final installment in the series hit book shelves barely seven months into the Iraq Campaign. Yet the series has unwittingly became an objective and frighteningly accurate commentary nonetheless. I fully recommend the series for this reason. Read and decide for yourself. (NOTE: Anything below a Grade B in this series is a book that is optional reading as far as the overall stoyline is concerned; combined you can cut the series down to about a dozen books.)
VECTOR PRIME (25 ABY)
RA Salvatore (Forgotten Realms series--namely the Dark Elf trilogy)
This book serves as the prelude to the Yuuzhan Vong invasion. There is a lot of set-up in this novel: important character debuts (and exits), Vong tech explanations, key plot introductions. If you're going to read the series then this book really is a recommended read, but unfrotunately it does drag in parts as Salvatore isn't that great of a tech writer. If you want to skip it and try to jump on at the Dark Tide duology, then do so, just be prepared for a major character to be already dead and buried and to be somewhat behind in understanding the Vong technologies, culture, and other unique challenges they pose to our galaxy far, far away.
GRADE: B
DARK TIDE: ONSLAUGHT/RUIN (25 ABY)
Michael A Stackpole (BattleTech series, Dark Conspiracy trilogy, Age of Discovery trilogy)
This duology is where the invasion officially begins, and it right away establishes that Star Wars readers are not in Kansas anymore. The Yuuzhan Vong are lethal, grotesque enemies in their quest to find a new galactic home. They fully believe their invasion is justified by their religion (which holds technology to be heresy, and technology users "infidels") and they are entirely committed to the extinction of all inhabitants of the Star Wars Galaxy. By the end of this duology you will come to know that the New Republic is in a serious and very difficult fight, there will be casulties, and the Star Wars galaxy will be changed when all is over.
GRADE: A+
AGENTS OF CHAOS: HERO'S TRIAL/JEDI ECLIPSE (25 ABY)
James Luceno (The Mask of Zorro, Robotech series-as "Jack Mckinney")
The first book of this duology deals with a grief-stricken Han Solo as he goes off on his own to mull over recent events. A new character is introduced that will pop up in later books as well. The second book of this duology refocuses on tracking the general progress of the war as the New Republic takes one step forward only to take two more back. James Luceno is one of the best Star Wars authours in the EU with a great respect for and knowledge of the canon that has come before.
GRADE: A
BALANCE POINT (26 ABY)
Kathy Tyers (Firebird trilogy)
There's no plot movement: Han and Leia are still not speaking much, no physical movement (takes place entirely on one part of a planet), and the story revolves mostly around Jacen Solo's musings on the Force as it relates to a vision he has. If you have to read the book, just peruse the last chapter or two.
GRADE: C
EDGE OF VICTORY: CONQUEST/REBIRTH (26 ABY)
Greg Keyes (The Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone series)
Back to the main fight. Labeled as outcasts by the very government they swore to protect, the Jedi are on their own as the Jedi Academy on Yavin 4 becomes the focus of the Vong and their mercenary allies. Anakin Solo emerges as a serious character in this duology as does the young Jedi student, Tahiri Veila. Greg Keyes quickly proves himself worthy as a new contributor to the Star Wars mythos. This duology is a must-read and contains events with serious impact on future books.
GRADE: A
STAR BY STAR (27 ABY)
Troy Denning (Forgotten Realms series)
The Vong have created a new kind of vicious hunter-creature that preys on Force-users. The Jedi, led by Anakin Solo(?!) must stop this serious threat or millions of captured refugees will be slaughtered. The Vong and the New Republic are at a stalemate, and that's just how this book reads. The novel was meant to be the Episode V of the series, and tries much too hard to be so. Also the tome is at least twice the size it should be. This is another instance of a writer wrongly believing that Luke, Leia, and Han must all be in a book to be successful. The decision to make Anakin the leader of the Jedi strike force was never one I could reconcile, regardless of his rare strength in the Force. The climax of the book is beautifully written (and should be read), but despite that a major character is killed, the near complete lack of overall series plot movement makes this addition not worth the reading time required of 640 pages.
GRADE: C-
DARK JOURNEY (27 ABY)
Elaine Cunningham (Forgotten Realms series--namely the Songs and Swords cycle)
Jaina goes off to the Hapes Consortium for some soul-searching. Yay.
GRADE: D (the writing is ok but the book is a complete tangent from the main story)
ENEMY LINES: REBEL DREAM/REBEL STAND (27 ABY)
Aaron Allston (Doc Sidhe duology, Terminator 3 duology)
Target: Coruscant. Dark times for the New Republic indeed as arrogant politics and ignorance pave the way for defeat and chaos. Aaron Allston is arguably the best Star Wars authour in the pantheon. If you've read the first three X-Wing: Rogue Squadron books (by Stackpole) then the Vong strategy is especially poetic. The books do cram a lot into its 600+ total pages so it can be overwhlming at times, but that's not Allston's fault as this was originaly to have been a trilogy (thus I'm not going to take points off for that).
GRADE: A+
TRAITOR (28 ABY)
Matthew Stover (Iron Dawn, Heroes Die, Blade of Tyshalle)
Another book for Jacen, this one much more in the vein of Jaina's but better by leaps and bounds. Still, I skipped this book and it didn't take me long to find my bearings regarding his character in the next book of the series. So it gets points off for being another "tangent book" in a series that should not be publishing "tangents". Having said that, definitely read the book at some point, preferably before the LEGACY OF THE FORCE series in which he and his matured philosophies on the Force figure heavily.
GRADE: B-
DESTINY'S WAY (28 ABY)
Walter Jon Williams (Dread Empires Fall series, Hardwired, Voice of the Whirlwind)
As infighting continues to plague what remains of the political infrastructure, the New Republic is desperate for a victory and have laid the groundwork for a biological weapon capable of wiping out their enemy. But newly acquired intelligence brings hope, and an old friend from the days of the Rebellion... This book is ambitious, but it never becomes overwhelming. You get a sense of urgency from both sides of the front...that the conflict is coming to a head, and this helps to propel you through the chapters.
GRADE: A-
FORCE HERETIC: REMNANT/REFUGEE/REUNION (28 ABY)
Sean Williams & Shane Dix (Evergence trilogy)
Tahiri fights a dual personality complex. Jacen, Luke, and Mara head off to find the fabled sentient planet, Zonama Sekot... Okay, this trilogy was awful--it totally kills all the momentum of the book that preceded it, and in fact killed my want to pick up a Star Wars book for well over two years. I'll give the benefit of the doubt to the writers, who may have been forced to drag a one-shot into a trilogy. The Tahiri third of this trilogy was completely unnecessary for one book, let alone three; there is a Han/Leia subplot that is also worthless to the overall series. However, the search for Zonama Sekot is decently important to future events; even that plot drags once the planet is found, but by then you're almost done with the trilogy so... If you feel compelled to read it, stick with the Zonama Sekot thread and you should be able to cut the whole trilogy down to a little more than 300 pages worth of material. Really though, I easily just summed up the whole trilogy in this paragraph.
GRADE: F
THE FINAL PROPHECY (28 ABY)
Greg Keyes (The Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone series)
The Master shaper, Nen Yim, has discovered the existance of Zonama Sekot, and she is compelled to learn all of its secrets--especially why acknowledgment of its existance translates to a swift death by the Vong Emperor. She is quickly joined by a high ranking Vong priest and an underground heretic leader known as The Prophet, who believes the planet key to the salvation of the Shamed Ones. But to get to the planet they need coordinates and a method of escape from the Vong capital world, and for that they will need the help of two prominent Jedi. Meanwhile, General Antilles is leading a task force in an effort to finally strike back at the over-stretched Vong fleet and tab a key victory for the New Republic... Despite the terrible-ness of the Heretic trilogy, Keyes still would have hit this book out of the park. Excellent action. Excellent dialogue and characterisation. Excellent pacing. A well-laid foundation for the series finale, and a promising Star Wars future for the authour!
GRADE: A+
THE UNIFYING FORCE (29 ABY)
James Luceno (The Mask of Zorro, Robotech series-as "Jack Mckinney")
"[F]or both the forces of invasion and resistance, too much has been sacrificed--and too much is at stake--to ever turn back..." Yep, and there's no better authour to helm the finale then tried and true, James Luceno. The book takes a bit too long to fire on all cylinders, but once it does it's "all systems go". Once again Luceno paints some masterful strokes with the canon, and fans of a certain background character from the classic trilogy will be nicely rewarded for their reading patience (even if he must fight alongside his arch-nemesis).
GRADE: A
COMING SOON--MORE RECOMMENDATIONS!
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