Sins of the Fathers
Written: Oct 09 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: great story; well-written characters and situations
Cons: 2 months before the next installment
The Bottom Line: This was one of the better books in the Star Wars universe in a while. Definitely does a great job of blending lots of past storylines into a great tale.
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| martytdx's Full Review: Karen Traviss - Bloodlines |
They survived the invasion of the Yuuzhan Vong. They defeated the hordes of insect-like Joiners to narrowly escape another war. But now, after a lifetime of conflict , the strain is showing and the Galactic Alliance is threatening to collapse due to a threat from within. As the dissident system of Corellia continues to push against the restraints of the Galactic Alliance (GA), a looming civil war threatens to destroy everything Luke, Han and Leia - and their families - have fought for.
In the first book of the series, "Betrayal", the beginnings of Corellia's push for independence - or at least relative autonomy - surfaced, forcing the GA into a difficult decision between letting them go and setting a dangerous precedent for planets arming themselves or risking a civil war by cracking down on the planet for the same. The division between Corellia and Coruscant has gone deep, pitting families against each other in their desire to do the right thing. In the Solo family, that means Han bristling against what he sees as an increasingly heavy-handed government; for his children, it means fighting a rogue state threatening the peace they swore to defend.
After destroying Corellia's biggest threat - the restored Centerpoint Station - Jacen Solo and Ben Skywalker (son of Luke and Mara) have returned to Coruscant hoping that their actions have slowed or ended the conflict. All too soon, however, they realize that their actions have only hastened the inevitable.
As the two worlds approach certain war, fueled by Corellia's independent spirit and Coruscant's position as seat of the galactic government, Jacen Solo begins down the path of the Sith under the tutelage of Lumiya, an old enemy of Luke Skywalker and pupil of none other than Darth Vader. Jacen's choice hatches the beginnings of his plan to save the galaxy by any means necessary. Taking along Ben, his student, he becomes more and more involved in the war, much to Luke's chagrin. But not even Luke truly understands what Jacen has become or what he is capable of. Meanwhile, the Solos have become targets after Han's cousin Thracken Sal-Solo, despotic leader of Corellia, has put out contracts on their entire family - a contract that Han knows means Boba Fett.
But Boba Fett has his own agenda. Slowly dying, he is on a quest to find the Kaminoans who first bred him, and learn the secrets that can save his life. Even this simple agenda becomes more complicated when he learns that his daughter has taken the bounty for the Solos, and a new, young bounty hunter shows up carrying a jewel that used to belong to his dead wife - throwing his best-laid plans aside. Now, he has to face his mortality, the shame of his past and the rest of his history all at the same time - and in the face of an impending war.
No one is left unscathed. As a galactic government tries to reign in a rebel system, forces within both camps follow their own paths, dragging those around them along for the unpleasant ride. Luke struggles as he sees Jacen delving into darker paths and ominous behaviors. Ben Skywalker finds himself a soldier at 13, learning more and more about the Force - and about the horrors of civil war. Jaina Solo and her parents find themselves squarely at odds over the issues - and worrying about what Jacen has become. Boba Fett and the Solors are speeding toward an ultimate confrontation and surprising revelations. And finally, Jacen Solo, Jedi and hero of the Galactic Alliance, will lead everyone he knows down a path toward lasting peace - or turn him into the next Darth Vader of a reborn Empire.
[ • the force IS WITH HER • ]
Karen Traviss is no stranger to the Star Wars universe, having written the "Republic Commando" series. Taking Aaron Allston's lead from "Betrayal", she grabs the reins and creates a masterful story that breathes much-needed life into the Star Wars franchise (not to take anything away from "Betrayal"). In fact, this book equals some of the best of the stories in the New Jedi Order epic, gripping and artfully weaving in aspects of the prequels, the original trilogy and several of the book series into a coherent and compelling story.
Readers will find tie-ins with Episode III, as well as a brilliant device that has the GA teetering on the edge of becoming the new Empire, despite all efforts to the contrary. The tension created within families is tangible, as parents are torn from children and personal divisions in allegiences cut deep into the fraying fabric of the core characters. Watching Jacen's descent into the darker aspects of his being - but without the normal trappings of the "Dark Side" - is interesting and very cool to read. You know it's a bad idea but he manages to rationalize it, for the most part, to the point where you almost believe that he can pull it off. You know, however, that you have a bad feeling about it, and wait as Luke and the Jedi Council can do little to stop his obvious fall.
But as interesting as it is, the best part of the book is Boba Fett. A legend of the Star Wars universe, Fett has remained mostly an enigma (despite the "Bounty Hunter Wars" series). This book gives insight into the man - how he gets where he was and his personal ethics: arrogance, extreme confidance and practicality borne of his experience. but when age and decay threaten to take down the man the Sarlacc could not, he begins his biggest hunt - to find the Kaminoan cloner who created him to find a cure for what is slowly killing him. But Fett's shell is breached by a young, female bounty hunter who can lead him to his estranged daughter - and suddenly his family is more important when death is approaching, with regret becoming more unbearable than the growing pain.
Readers of the Traviss' Republic Commando books will find extra bonuses, from references to the old clone sargeant Kal Skirata hunting the same Kaminoan as Fett, and a revelation that a clone trooper is still alive - an impossibility that Fett must follow up on. Traviss does a great job at finding each character's voice and portraying their personal trials. With the exception of Mara Jade (and somewhat with Mirta Gev), she does a great job at giving us Han Solo, hero of Corellia as a man accused of being a traitor by both sides, who could care less if he can save his family; Jacen as the self-confident Jedi, who knows there's a better way; and even Ben as a child becoming a man under fire.
I enjoyed all of the aspects of this book, and I'm sorry I have to wait two months for the next book (Tempest by Troy Denning) and almost 9 months for Traviss' next installment (Book 5 - Sacrifice). For those who have been waiting for a great series again, this one makes me have faith that this could be that next great series.
[ • related REVIEWS • ]
• Legacy of the Force - Betrayal by Aaron Allston - coming soon.
Recommended:
Yes
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Member: Marty
Location: New Jersey
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Doing what I can to try new places, restaurants, books and beers.
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