martytdx's Full Review: Aaron Allston - Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand
Aaron Allston has done it. He has restored my faith in the Star Wars expanded universe novels. Just when I thought they were going to become like the latest Harlequin crotch-novel or Stephen King thrice-a-year novel drivel, he turns out another book which makes me WANT to find out what happens next. I'm actually disappointed that the novel ends.
The Plot Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand is the latest in the Yuuzhan Vong/New Jedi Order set of novels, and the sequel to Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dream. In it, the fragmented New Republic forces on Borleais are fighting a last-ditch holding action as they attempt to finish their secret super-weapon against the Yuuzhan Vong. However, the venerable but highly respected warlord of the Vong, Czulkan Lah - father of Vong Master of Ceremonies, Tsavong Lah - is bringing one of their worldships to crush the Republic base and destroy their secret weapon.
At the same time, Han and Leia are rushing towards currently free worlds in a desperate attempt to set up resistance cells before the Vong can attack, using both their political talent and smugglers' wile to convince, coerce and con the local governments into helping them.
Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker and his band of merry Jedi - plus a couple of hanger-ons from the the X-Wing novels - are back on Coruscant trying to find out what is happening there, and trying to start a homegrown rebellion on the former Republic capital planet. Once they arrive, they not only encounter the expected Vong warriors but a new threat, a Dark Jedi born of legend who wipes out all who stand in his search of a secret hidden beneath the rubble of Coruscant...
The Book
While it wasn't quite as good as the first book in this two-parter, it was still quite a bit better than the average New Jedi Order book of late. Allston shows that he not only knows how to write, but also understands the Star Wars universe.
The scenes with Han and Leia are part Abbott and Costello and part Original Trilogy. Allston has restored the Han we grew to love, the scruffy nerfherder whose sardonic wit was the charm in the trilogy. Leia has returned from her constantly exasperated state to someone who is actually getting things done, the powerful and driven heroine that pushed around a 7 ' wookie with little thought. The banter between the two of them makes for a fun read, and their adventures scurrying around the galaxy remind us of why we fell in love with this story in the first place.
The scenes of the siege at Borleias are good, and it's great to see Wedge coming back to be the leader he was when he was head of the Rogues - and that he has more than a few tricks up his sleeve. The whole feint-and-duck, attack-and-trick style of battle the the Republic (Rebel?) forces use against a superior foe lead to an all-out battle that shows that they are still willing to make the sacrifice for the greater good.
The Coruscant scenes are perhaps the weakest portion of the book. Although they have a lot of potential, and on occasion actually are a good read, they also leave a few things seemingly only half-done. The idea of Lord Nyax, the Dark Jedi was a great one, but the actual manifestation of the character was almost a let-down. He almost becomes a caricature of what Allston was trying to do, and turns what could be a great character into a simple plot turn and little more. He also leaves a major part of the book - one of those 'Wow! That could be cool' story arcs and turns it into little more than a comic book scene.
The plot points don't seem like Allston's failing, when you come down to it. As I said earlier, his writing is good because it captures the essence of what made Star Wars what it is. However, some of the ideas he works with could have been handled a little better. Lord Nyax could have been a great character, but he is handled too simply and doesn't live up to his potential. In fact, the whole Coruscant scene is a little disappointing because it never really goes anywhere - several things come up but then leave the scene with little explanation.
But aside from that, Allston does a fine job of producing a book that lives up to the Star Wars name. If you haven't read the Enemy Lines story arc yet, I suggest picking up both of these books at the same time - and then reserve some time because you won't want to put them down.
Not since Emperor Palpatine have the Jedi battled such monstrous evil. Unless they succeed against staggering odds, the galaxy is doomed.Luke Skywalke...More at HotBookSale
Not since Emperor Palpatine have the Jedi battled such monstrous evil. Unless they succeed against staggering odds, the galaxy is doomed.Luke Skywalke...More at HotBookSale
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