Book 169: Star Wars: Boba Fett 4: Hunted

Star Wars: Boba Fett #4: Hunted, by Elizabeth Hand

“Hunted” is the fourth book in a six book series on the life of young Boba Fett. In “Hunted,” Boba Fett flies to Tatooine to find the crime lord Jabba the Hutt.

Jango Fett, Boba’s father, had left instructions for his son to go to Jabba to learn knowledge. But Boba runs into problem after problem on Tatooine, first losing his father’s Mandalorian helmet to a street gang, to having no credits to buy water – a necessity on the desert planet.

Will a trip to Jabba’s palace teach young Boba the knowledge necessary for a bounty hunter?

As with the other books in this series, I’m not entirely thrilled with the writing. I do understand that they are written for younger readers and I’m over the intended age, but I wish Star Wars had kept up the quality a little better. The passage of time in this series isn’t clear – the first three books seemed to take up only days, but this book is apparently set months after the event of book three, “Maze of Deception.” At least the story in “Hunted” was better than the previous book.

2/5.

Book 168: Star Wars: Boba Fett 3: Maze of Deception

Star Wars: Boba Fett #3: Maze of Deception, by Elizabeth Hand

“Maze of Deception” is the third book in a six book series on the life of young Boba Fett. In this installment, Boba and Aurra Sing journey to Aargau, the banking planet of the galaxy. Similar to Coruscant, Aargau is a layered planet; the lowest levels are the most dangerous, full of the scum of the galaxy.

Aurra Sing, a very dangerous bounty hunter, takes Boba to Aargau to get half of Jango Fett’s fortune. Boba, naturally, isn’t keen on splitting his inheritance with her, and makes a dangerous escape to keep the entire fortune for himself.

But can a young, inexperienced boy really avoid all the pitfalls a planet like Aargau holds?

I found “Maze of Deception” to be an okay book in the Boba Fett series. A week after reading it I’ve already forgotten most of it, so it’s not that memorable. Younger readers will enjoy Boba’s exploits on Aaragu, and his gradual evolution into the great Boba Fett of Star Wars Legend.

2/5.

Book 167: Star Wars: Boba Fett 2: Crossfire

Star Wars: Boba Fett #2: Crossfire, by Terry Bisson

“Crossfire” is the second book in a six book series on the life of young Boba Fett. Boba is now the guest, or prisoner, depending on how you look at it, of Count Dooku. When the starting war comes to Raxus Prime, Boba manages to escape the junkyard planet by pretending to be an orphan.

While en route to a Bespin orphanage, Boba makes the first friend of his life. But when he’s torn between his new friend and his father’s teachings – which will he choose?

“Crossfire” was a bit blah to me, and even though it’s a short book, it felt like it dragged on for too long. I think it could have been tightened up a little.

2/5.

Book 166: Star Wars: Boba Fett 1: The Fight to Survive

Star Wars: Boba Fett #1: The Fight to Survive, by Terry Bisson

This Boba Fett series is aimed at younger readers, but as Boba Fett is one of my favorite Star Wars characters, I read everything I can find on him. This is book one of a six book series.

“The Fight to Survive” covers the events of the film, “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones,” and expands on Jango’s death, Boba’s upbringing, life on Kamino, and what Boba did after his father died.

The writing is at a 9 to 12 year old level, but I don’t think older fans would mind it that much. I’m 24 and enjoying reading a novelization of Boba’s younger days, as I don’t like comics. There’s some touching scenes, and it’s fun to read about Boba’s transformation from an orphaned ten-year-old to the merciless bounty hunter he is in the future. I can’t wait to see what else Jango’s black book has to say to Boba.

3/5.

Book 128: Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith 3: Paragon

Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith #3: Paragon, by John Jackson Miller

Finally, there’s some action in this ebook series! Lost Tribe of the Sith is a series to provide back story for the new Fate of the Jedi books. “Paragon” is the third installment.

All Star Wars fans know that if you leave two Sith in a room only one Sith is going to come out. The same is true of the crashed Sith on Kesh – their numbers are slowly dwindling, cut down by mainly by sabotage.

The native population of Kesh are now the servants of the Sith, most happily serving those they consider the descendants of gods. But Keshiri start dying in droves after some Sith visit their towns – what is the cause? Is it a new mysterious illness, or is there some darker force behind the mass deaths?

“Paragon” is a better story than the previous in the series. Seelah, the wife of the Sith ruler is shaping up to be an interesting character; at first I thought she was spoiled and annoying, but my opinion changed as I read. The author reveals her early life in flashbacks; the flashbacks also give some insight into the early Sith Empire. Readers new to the series should start with book one, “Precipice.”

Direct download link for this book, from Star Wars.com.

3/5.

Book 125: Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith 2: Skyborn

Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith: Skyborn, by John Jackson Miller

“Skyborn” continues filling in the history of Kesh, an integral location to the new Fate of the Jedi series.

Five thousand years before the battle of Yavin, a ship of Sith crashed on the planet, seemingly falling out of the sky to the native Keshiri. With their Force powers, the Sith quickly fulfilled the local legends of the “Skyborn,” and started taking over the Keshiri people.

This ebook starts out slowly, introducing readers to the Keshiri theology as a young woman is prosecuted for her heretic beliefs. Miller dumps knowledge on the reader, almost as if he’s writing a textbook. “Skyborn” thankfully picks up when the young woman, Adari, encounters with Sith crash survivors.

It’s an interesting look into how the Sith became rulers of the Keshiri, but I’m happy it’s a short story.

2/5.

Book 124: Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith 1: Precipice

Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith: Precipice, by John Jackson Miller

As I’ve said before, normally I don’t care for short stories. But I make exceptions sometimes, and how could I pass up a Star Wars short story?

“Precipice” is an accompaniment to the new Star Wars series Fate of the Jedi, and tells how the missing Sith tribe landed on Kesh. The short story series also provides a few clues for Paul S. Kemp’s “Crosscurrent.”

Omen, a Sith ship full of Lignan crystals crashes onto the planet Kesh. The survivors of the crash are stranded on the planet, with no way to contact their Sith masters or fly off Kesh.

“Precipice” has a Star Wars feel, and I liked the main character, Yaru Korsin. He’s a captain in the vein of Han Solo: cocky, sarcastic, self-assured. But he also has the ability to use the Force. And while a Sith, he is disgusted when some of the survivors start fighting amongst themselves, as the dark Force users are wont to do.

And that’s about where “Precipice” finishes. It’s a pretty good story, and I’m looking forward to reading the others in the series.

3/5.

Book 78: Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones

Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones, by R. A. Salvatore

While this is a novelization of the film, it is also more, as Salvatore fleshes out and adds to the “Attack of the Clones” story. He introduces readers to Padmé’s family, Shmi Skywalker’s new family, including Owen and Beru whom fans will remember as Luke’s aunt and uncle, and just gives some great background information on lots of other aspects that fans will appreciate.

Personally, I enjoy reading this book rather than watching the movie when I need a refresher on the events of “Attack of the Clones.” I think Salvatore was a good choice for the author; his writing fits perfectly in the universe, and he captures the essence of each character neatly. I could hear Anakin’s grumpy teen voice in my head, I winced at Threepio’s annoying whining, etc. Salvatore is also good at writing battle scenes, but I do think that some of them were rushed – I didn’t get the grand feel of battle when Yoda brought in the clones on Genosis, but Obi-Wan and Jango Fett’s battle on Kamino was perfect.

The additional insight into the primary and secondary characters is the best value of this book. In the movie, Anakin and Padmé’s relationship was always a little to quick for me, but thanks to Salvatore their relationship gets some much needed development before the marriage.

4/5.

Book 75: Star Wars: Outbound Flight

Star Wars: Outbound Flight, by Timothy Zahn

In “Outbound Flight,” Zahn gives background history on the Chiss and Commander Thrawn, the enigmatic strategic powerhouse made famous in the “Heir to the Empire” trilogy, back in 1992.

Zahn also gives the origins of the Outbound Flight, a space project meant to explore the next galaxy, crewed by potential settlers and a group of Jedi Knights. Jorus C’baoth, a Jedi Master familiar to readers of Zahn’s other books, is the force behind the Outbound Flight, and his descent into madness is described in this book. C’baoth is a sort of Jedi megalomaniac, who thinks that because the Jedi can draw on the Force, they are the rightful rulers of the ordinary people.

The portrayal of C’baoth is perhaps a little heavy-handed, as it’s hard to believe the Jedi Council would let him continue on his power quest. Especially since some members of the Council, such as Mace Windu, question C’baoth’s motives. Windu sends Obi-Wan and Anakin to covertly watch the Outbound Flight and its Jedi leader before it leaves the galaxy.

But the real star of the story is Commander Thrawn, who I loved learning more about. We get to see Thrawn’s military genius, and his initial contact with Darth Sidious. I would have liked to see even more about the Chiss, as the glimpses given of their protocol and rituals was fascinating.

“Outbound Flight” was mostly a good read, with fast action, space battles, and good characters. I had a few quibbles, such as an annoying character or two, but they weren’t enough to distract from an otherwise enjoyable installment in the Extended Universe.

4/5.

Book 74: Star Wars: Rogue Planet

Star Wars: Rogue Planet, by Greg Bear

I’ve read this book a few times over the years since it was published in 2000, and it’s never felt quite like a “Star Wars” book for me. I’m happy Bear has only written one book in the Extended Universe, as his writing just doesn’t fit.

The focus of this book is on Zonama Sekot, a sentient planet that grows spaceships. Anakin and Obi-Wan are sent there to investigate the disappearance of another Jedi Knight, Vergere, but instead are caught up in the planet’s fight for survival. The idea of Zonama Sekot is intriguing, but a whole book focused on the planet got old fast.

“Rogue Planet” also features Tarkin and Raith Sienar, who mount an expedition to Zonama Sekot in order to secure the planet’s amazing ships. This side plot gets tiresome quickly, and Bear doesn’t capture Tarkin’s essence or bearing, and instead paints him as a stiff bore.

The chapter structure irritated me a bit, as in 330 pages there are 67 chapters, some consisting of only a single page. It was a little jarring. Bear attempts to foreshadow Anakin’s descent to the Dark Side with a mysterious trial, but it doesn’t really fit with the rest of the EU. The Coda at the end feels tacked on and unnecessary, and also untrue. I was happy to reach the end of the book, but there’s not that much that happens in “Rogue Planet.” It’s as if I slogged through a boring book for nothing.

1/5.