Jedi Eclipse - The New Republic Strikes Back
Written: Oct 09 '03 (Updated Oct 31 '03)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: lots of 'inside' info, interesting intrigue
Cons: too much double-crossing
The Bottom Line: Luceno's ability to bring in old characters was good, but attempts at intrigue are sometimes a bit heavy-handed.
|
|
|
| martytdx's Full Review: The New Jedi Order, Agents of Chaos II Books |
NOTE: This is a reprint of an epinion which was originally under the topic JAMES LUCENO, and not the book's title. Now that they have the right topic up, I figured I would move it. Sorry if you have read it before...
_________________________________________
The New Jedi Order is a Star Wars series highlighting our favorite heroes’ struggle against an alien foe more powerful than anything they have ever encountered. Starting with Vector Prime, the saga has been continued by notable authors such as Michael Stackpole and James Luceno, who has made his own contribution with the Agents of Chaos duology.
In Hero’s Trial, Luceno detailed the return of Han Solo from his grieving over the loss of Chewbacca. Solo has decided to take the fight back against those who took Chewbacca from him, and along the way, some new characters have been introduced into the struggle against the Yuuzhan Vong.
In Jedi Eclipse, he is continuing this storyline, focusing on Han Solo’s healing and search for his new partner’s – Droma, a misunderstood Ryn – family, who disappeared during a Yuuzhan Vong attack. Because of their constant penchant for saving each other’s lives, Solo and Droma are becoming more complexly intertwined – and Han has decided that he has to find Droma’s family to repay the debt and in turn help honor Chewie’s own pledge. The two travel from world to world in a frantic search where the old ‘scruffy looking’ ex-smuggler regains his past skills at making trouble, gambling and becoming a hero – although not necessarily in that order.
Meanwhile, the New Republic and Yuuzhan Vong extend their campaigns, with the Vong making major headway towards the Core systems. Each group plot and counter-plot against each other, seeking to find that one advantage which can switch the tide of war against their enemy. The New Republic realizes how dire the situation is getting, and starts weighing alternatives as they lose ground against the advancing invaders.
Leia goes on a desperate mission to the Hapan Consortium – home to Prince Isolder, loser of the Leia Marriage Sweepstakes in The Courtship of Princess Leia - to get the heavily armed government to aid in their fight. Their decision could potentially counter the collaboration of the Hutts with the Vong, and help stem the havoc that is occurring.
Along the way, the increasingly desperate New Republic hopes to trap the Yuuzhan Vong and stop them with a weapon of incredible power – a weapon that many wonder if they have any right to use, even with the danger that they face. However, it will finally come down to Anakin Solo to decide – but do the Jedi want to use that power?
Luceno continues his complex tapestry of intrigue and deceit, failed plans and tenuous alliances. This book works very well with Hero’s Trial, continuing the themes started there. Luceno seems to have gotten his stride here, and this story moves along much quicker than the first part of the duology. The character development is still a little weak – other than Han and a half-hearted look into Leia’s troubled mind, we learn almost nothing new. Prince Isolder has the potential to shine here, but becomes only a 2D representation of what we know the story needs at that point.
The continued references to past Star Wars events provide a great set of ‘Oh yes, I remember that!’ moments for die-hard fans, and Luceno’s style is improved from the first book. The sense of desperation of the New Republic is almost palpable even as their victory comes at a horrible cost. But at the same time, the machinations of all of the double-crossers does get a bit tedious at times, even confusing; it will be interesting to see how Kathy Tyers does at picking up this story line in Balance Point.
Overall, this duology was enjoyable to read, if not the greatest of the Star Wars novels. However, the whole Yuuzhan Vong idea is a great one, and all of the authors have had their own insights and directions which they have added to the growing epic of the struggle of the New Republic to overcome the Vong plague. If you have already read all of the books to this point, this is another one to grab at your earliest convenience. You won’t find yourself gasping with wonderment, but it will give you incentive to move to the next installment of a great series.
r e l a t e d STAR WARS: NEW JEDI ORDER r e v i e w s
Apocalypse Vong - The Final Prophecy by Greg Keyes
Vong are in for a World of Hurt - Force Heretic III: Reunion by Shane Dix and Sean Williams
Han and Leia Ride Again - Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand by Aaron Allston
The Rebels Strike Back - Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dreams by Aaron Allston
Come Hither, Young Jedi, and Make Ware - Dark Journey by Elaine Cunningham
Jedi’s Revenge - Star by Star by Troy Denning
Solo’s Revenge - Agents of Chaos I: Hero’s Trial by James Luceno
r e l a t e d STAR WARS BOOKS r e v i e w s
Less Than I Wanted, More Than I Expected - Rogue Planet by Greg Bear
In a Galaxy Far, Far Away, About 20 Minutes Ago - The Approaching Storm by Alan Dean Foster
r e l a t e d STAR WARS NON-BOOK r e v i e w s
Hoping for a Harder Version - Star Wars: Rebellion (PC GAME)
Star Wars Original Soundtrack - Favorite Soundtrack Write-Off
So You Want to Be Emperor - Galactic Battlegrounds (PC Game)
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
martytdx
|
 - Top 200 |
|
Member: Marty
Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 481
Trusted by: 179 members
About Me:
Doing what I can to try new places, restaurants, books and beers.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.