Rating: 
Summary: the Imperial babe should have Won!
Review: I don't exactly know why but Anderson created this brilliant character only to make her out to be nothing but stupid and full of pomposity. Admiral Daala has got to be one of the coolest newly created characters in the SW universe yet her creater seems to give little regard for her abilities. Anderson is so eager to make sure that good triumphs over evil that he will do anything to make sure he meets that goal; including sacrificing storylines and dumbing characters to the hilt. This book started out great and ended up being just plain unbelievable and silly. First, Anderson set out to write a storyline about a superweapon similar to the Death Star only to simply grow tired of the storyline in the end and have it simply smash into an astaroid so he could get rid of it. Second, he creates this female Admiral full of determination and stratagy only to have her lose a simple battle which the odds were tipped in her favor. Don't tell me a bunch of cheery jedi can defeat a full imperial attack comprising of numorous star destroyers and a super star destroyer. Don't tell me that only one jedi got killed during this whole assault; don't tell me that some jedi bimbo managed single handedly without the force to bring down a massive war ship full of troopers and personnel; No, Mr. Anderson lets face it, you were looking for excuses to finish the book and you chose the most illogical ones to do so. personally, I think this should have been another trilogy or at least a duology. Admiral Dalla should have won the battle reduced the jedi knights to half their number and gotten close to absolute victory before being stopped for good. She had the means and the determination to do so. As well in a plot twist she could have seized control of the darksaber and exterminated Durga in the process. And how, oh how, I kept hoping in the final scene Daala would have blown Calista's head off; but no Anderson couldn't even let her die because it simply would have not been right. I gave 4 stars for the action Anderson knows how to write about that but I would rate it 1 star for plot and character development. Thank the darkside the New Jedi Order series is full of true villans who are not portrayed stupidly and where the force doesn't always save the day.
Rating: 
Summary: Fair, if a bit sappy
Review: Bluntly put, this story is about what you would expect from the Kevin J. Anderson school of Star Wars:slightly tacky writing, overabundant superweapons, lacking villians, and grossly overemphized and exaggerated use of the Force.Kevin J. Anderson writes a fast paced tale, but the devolpment and ideas are lacking. I grow tired of the constant use of superweapons as plot centers in the Star Wars universe. This was no different. Worse was the title weapon failing to work. One of my greatest frustrations, though, is the character of Daala. While she is constantly refered to as a grand tactician, she manages to lose in situations where the odds are tipped in her failure. I like the original idea behind her, a female with skill, competance and command in a sexist environment. But Kevin J. Anderson either has no idea how to portray those attributes or else simply belives in the rumors of her relationship with Tarkin. This breeds another problem in Pellaeon. His portrayal in Tim Zahn's Star Wars novels makes it very unrealistic that he would be serving under Daala since all I've rfead suggests him to be far and away a superior tactician, adding to my previous theory that KJA has no idea how to portray tacticians. Thirdly is the overplay of the force. As with KJA's previous Star Wars novels, the Jedi are vastly exaggerated in their abilities. Never is this exaggeration better exemplified than when the Jedi trainees hurl seventeen star destroyers across lightyears of space. Still, on a fast-paced action level, where the "good guys" always win and the "bad guys" always lose this is a fair read. Consider what type of story you are looking for before you buy this.
Rating:
Summary: Anderson never fails to disappoint me...
Review: Continuing on his poor 'Jedi Academy Trilogy', 'Darksaber' is just a LOT of fluff in the same mold as the other three of his books in the Star Wars saga. Let me say that I borrowed this book because after reading the monumentally disappointing 'Jedi Academy' books I was NOT about to waste any more money on Anderson's feeble attempts to create a story within the guise of good science fiction. I made the right choice. I HAVE to say one thing though: Kevin J. Anderson DOES come up with GREAT story-lines, and 'Darksaber' is no exception...however what to do WITH these great ideas, well THAT is where Mr. Anderson falls flat. I guess he feels that by writing a fighting scene on as many pages as he can will offset his inability to give us a cohesive story that makes sense. I am truly surprised that ANY of the reviews are favorable. Maybe it's because they haven't read any of the 'good' Star Wars books available...yet. IF they have, and STILL enjoy Anderson, I guess it MUST be that I have a higher set of standards...(sorry if that offends those who enjoyed this book). I don't think I can make it any more plain than this: I DON'T LIKE THIS AUTHOR'S STAR WARS BOOKS.
Rating: 
Summary: Light weight
Review: Quick read. Light wieght, but what do you expect from a Star Wars novel. Some of the scenes are just silly.
Rating:
Summary: Nice work, Kevin J!
Review: Kevin J. Anderson is a very cool writer and he pulls off a predictable story in style. What I mean by predictable is that the New Republic has to yet again defend the galaxy from a superweapon. This time, it's the Hutts, led by Durga, who've built another Death Star variation called the Darksaber (a reference to its long, cylindrical shape). There are some interesting plot elements in this book. Luke Skywalker returns to Tatooine, along with Han Solo, to try to make contact with Obi-Wan Kenobi. What a great way to start off a book! Also, Callista makes an appearance, love her or hate her. We find out quite a bit about Qwi Xux, the woman who was brainwashed into helping design the original Death Star along-side Bevel Lemelisk. Good background information on both of these characters, plus nice interaction between Qwi and Wedge Antilles. We also find out how the Empire is doing with Admiral Daala in full control. Other highlights include background stories about a younger Admiral Ackbar and his relationship with Grand Moff Tarkin, plus some funny dialog between Luke's Jedi apprentices Kyp Durron and Dorsk 81. This is a very enjoyable read, as are most in the Star Wars series of novels. If you are a fan, I'm sure you would enjoy it too.
Rating: 
Summary: this is an awesome book
Review: I would like every one to read this book......it's the best book i've ever read it holds your interest...i brought this book not knowing what it was i read this book in 2 days...i got yelled at and yelled at to do work instead but i couldn't quit reading it. So buy it or borrow it from a friend or libery!
Rating: 
Summary: Soooooo Bad
Review: This book was ridiculous. Bad writing, bad plot, bad characterization... The villians were buffoons, and the ending was a foregone conclusion. Like most of Anderson's books, I found myself mentally editing as I read. Usually the story is basically good, but this one didn't even have that going for it.
Rating:
Summary: Great Sequel To The Jedi Academy Trilogy
Review: This has been a really good book. A nice sequel to the Jedi Academy trilogy. This book alone is easy to understand. I read this book about a year before I actually read the Jedi Academy trilogy. I enjoyed it a lot. This book goes into depth on Admiral Daala and what happened to her. I guess she doesn't have a lot a luck with dealing with the New Republic. This book also goes into depth with the Jedi Academy and the Hutts. If you have read the Jedi Academy trilogy, this is a must read book.
Rating:
Summary: Oh No, Not Again
Review: Um..why do they let Kevin Anderson write Star Wars novels? He is an excellent editor, but his Star Wars novels continually fall short of satisfying. There are times when I wonder if he's actually ever seen Episodes IV, V, and VI. This one was once again annoying. The plot was another lame one, with yet another scourge to the galaxy rearing its ugly head, and after all the build up, the overall ending was also a major let down. The writing is, on the whole, good, but the story leaves something to be desired...
Rating:
Summary: A great Star Wars Novel added to the list
Review: Usually when I finish reading a Star Wars novel, there are three things that I immediatly take note of. 1) If the story remains true to the Star Wars lineage. 2)If the author added any original content, and 3) If the story opens up the Star Wars universe for a continuation. One fear that usually haunts me, is if the author will mess the story up, totally disgracing the Star Wars name. But, thankfully, Kevin Anderson was careful when translating the Star Wars formula, into another great addition to the list. Darksaber starts off with another evil Hutt glamoring for power, this time using the aid of Lemelisk, the creator of the Death Star's laser. Soon the New Republic and the Empire are drawn in to a battle with the evil Hutt's intentions. Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker goes on a quest to help Callista, his ex-Jedi lover, to recover her lost power. This is a great book, that proudly shines the Star Wars name. Let's just hope the new batch of Star Wars books are as faithful to the series as this book is.
|
