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 119: Incarceron

Incarceron, by Catherine Fisher

I think “Incarceron” may be one of the most unique books I’ve read in quite a while. Fisher grabbed my attention on the very first page, and didn’t let go until the very last page. This is one of those books where I ask myself, “Why didn’t I think of that?!”

The concept is interesting: a prison that is alive. Incarceron was originally created to “take care” of the inmates by educating, civilizing, and nurturing them. But something went drastically wrong, and instead of a utopian society the inmates live in territorial and savage tribes. Inside the prison, the reader meets Finn, a boy who was created by the technology that runs Incarceron.

The world outside of Incarceron is absorbed in Protocol, a mingling of technology and 17th century customs. Claudia is the Warden’s daughter, and has been prepared for marriage to a Prince for her entire life; yet she longs to buck the Protocol that strangles her world.

Finn and Claudia, one stuck inside and one stuck outside, will cross paths when each finds a key. For Finn the key is his way to escape a world where he never belonged. For Claudia, the key is her path to a grand adventure and an answer she’s sought for years.

I don’t want to give too much of the plot away, because I think this book is best when you read it fresh, with no preconceptions or ideas about what will happen. I very much enjoyed “Incarceron,” and I think it’s one that will appeal to teens and adults.

I have a few little quibbles, such as I would’ve liked more information on Claudia’s world as I found it very fascinating, but I did like how Fisher let the reader piece together information on their own. But that’s simply my view, as I love lots of information. Everything else is done very nicely: the characters are strong, interesting, identifiable. The plot is so chock full of twists and turns that you likely won’t be able to predict what will happen next. The worldbuilding is unique, as it’s a cross between a utopia ideal, historical customs, and a technical prison.

The ending left me hanging, but fans will be happy to know a sequel is due out in December 2010.

4/5.

Book 99: Shimmer

Shimmer: The Clockwork Jungle Book, by various authors

This isn’t really a book, but instead a fiction magazine. I won an issue, “The Clockwork Jungle Book,” and it’s a collection of steampunk fairy tales. There are plenty of monkeys, birds, dogs, elephants, and even a crazy train or two.

Normally I don’t care for short stories, but I was blown away by this collection. There were no weak stories, and I thoroughly enjoyed every single story – something that’s never happened for me with an anthology. I kept wishing that I could share each story with friends, and raved about it to a few people.

One favorite story was by Lou Anders, and featured the above mentioned crazy train. In the story, inventors have figured out a way to put a person’s life essence to work controlling trains, and it’s a punishment for criminals. Another favorite was James Maxey’s tale about space adventurers, rocketed to the moon with no way to return.

But it’s hard for me to pick a real favorite, since as I said, I loved every story in “The Clockwork Jungle Book.” The artwork was also excellent, with each image neatly fitting the accompanying story. Just an all around hit; I’m so happy I won a copy, or I never would have been exposed to the works of some wonderful authors.

5/5.

Book 97: Morgaine Saga 1: Gate of Ivrel

The Morgaine Saga #1: Gate of Ivrel, by C. J. Cherryh

Cherryh’s style is sparse, controlled, limited. It takes a little getting used to, but I came to like it. Don’t give up with her books right away if you don’t like it, just give it a little time.

In “Gate of Ivrel,” we meet Morgaine, an other-worldly being tasked with a mission to destroy the Gates. Described as “relics of a lost era,” the Gates allow travel between worlds, but must be destroyed because they also allow time travel. The only surviving member of a team assembled to take care of the Gates, Morgaine has no qualms about doing whatever necessary to survive; she is both good and bad. Vanye is her servant, a man bound to her to salvage his own personal honor. Cast out from his tribe for kin-slaying, Vanye is just as interesting as Morgaine; his honor is most important to him, but his survival is just as important, leading to some difficult situations for him.

It’s hard to describe “Gate of Ivrel.” I think it’s better to read the series as one book rather than as the individual volumes, to get the full impact of the story of Morgaine and Vanye.

3/5.