Rating: 
Summary: True to the Spirit Created by Lucas
Review: Aaron Allston's 'Rebel Stand' continues the story of the first novel in the 'Enemy Lines' duology, 'Rebel Dream'. Luke Skywalker has sensed one of those famous disturbances in the force, and it is coming from Coruscant. The only problem with that is the former capital of the New Republic is firmly in the hands of the Yuuzhan Vong and is undergoing 'Vongification'. Meanwhile, Han and Leia Solo venture to a few remote worlds to set up Vong resistance cells, and they bring along C-3P0 and R2-D2 with them. Back on Borleias, General Wedge Antilles prepares to bring his forces into combat against the Vong.Of all the novels in the 'New Jedi Order', 'Rebel Stand' proportionally gives the most face time to the 'classic' heroes. Although Jaina Solo, Jag Fel, and Kyp Durron, amongst others, are welcome and interesting editions to the cast, it refreshing to see Luke and Han play a more central role in the action for once. For the most part, Luke's mission to Coruscant was well done. Luke's wife, Mara, a young Jedi named Tahiri, and the Wraiths (a CIA-like outfit for the New Republic) tag along. Their mission begins as an effort to organize the citizenry left behind on Coruscant, but changes when they discover an unusual larger than life Dark Jedi bent on conquest. For the most part, I was pleased with the Jedi's mission to Coruscant, althought I felt the duel with the mysterious Jedi went a little over the top at the end. Maybe the most enjoyable moment of the book came in a scene starring C-3P0 and R2-D2. These two are finally re-united for some significant and memorable scenes. Their banter is classic Star Wars. The other famous duo, Han and Leia, also come off wonderfully in this novel. Han was at his wise-cracking best, and Leia has filled in for Chewbacca wonderfully as his new partner, now that she has gone 'scoundrel'. As the New Jedi Order series has moved along, the series, thus far, has become more and more adept at capturing the feel of the movies. 'Rebel Stand' may have done the best job of that so far with parts of the novel reminding me of the original 'Star Wars', 'The Empire Strikes Back', and 'Return of the Jedi'. For a change, the writers have begun to focus less on what makes other forms of science fiction unique and returned to what makes Star Wars so great. I'd recommend this novel to anyone reading the 'New Jedi Order' series. As with any novel in this series, I would recommend starting with 'Vector Prime' first, and at least read 'Rebel Dream' before thise. Starting with this one will ruin many of the surprises of the previous eleven novels in the series. However, this is one of the better novels, so it may be tempting to skip ahead.
Rating:
Summary: Goldie Hawn is back...in Black!
Review: This is one book. I have never read! This is a read! Better than the first one! YOU MUST READ! The New Republic, trying to decide what to do with the Sun, captures from the Imperial Admiral by Han Solo with help of Imperials, a scientist who she was weapons for good. Finally, the decision!!! Made to send the Sun into the heart of the gas, and the Republic figures problem is, although they have: Daala has? Come out of hiding to attack her fleet of three Stars. Young, hoping to learn to control his potential, heads to Jedi academy on IV. There: he's the spirit of Exar Kun, an ancient warrior defeated by Jedi during the War thousands ago. Exar Kun twists, luring him to the Side. Get this: you will not be, but first read! Or else. You will not understand...
Rating:
Summary: A Great Read
Review: I thought this was a fantastic book. It had something for everyone. Action, adventure, humour and romance. It was all here. I read this bok in a day and a half it was great. It was great to see characters from the classic trilogy and the bantam books come out strong. I missed Tycho and Wes Jansen's cameo wasn't bad either. I even liked Lord Nyax. I personally enjoy it when old ambiguous characters like Roa, Thracken Saal-Solo and Irek Ismaren are resurrected. You read the name and you stop and think, "where do I know that name from?" It's a lot of fun. But if Callista comes back I'll be pissed. I'd like to make a comment on the NJO series as a whole. I've read every single one of them and I've read many reviews on this site. I gotta say that I'm sick of the whining. First is was about Chewie's death. Lets face it people, Chewie was not an important character in the expanded universe. The only time we ever heard anything out of him besides "woof" or "roar" was in the Blackfleet Crisis trilogy and most of you whined about his talking in that book. Chewie's death allows for Han to make a r-emmergence and development of Anakin. Lets face it, Han had become stagnant. He was starting to become a guy who's kids continued to get kidnapped. Now he's back and everyone seems to like how he's back. This would not have been possible had Chewie not died. Then there was the whining about Anakin's death. I was not happy to see Anakin go. But then again I wasn't happy to see Ben Kenobi go either. Anakin's death allowed Jaina and Tahiri to develop into characters that are actually interesting. Lastly, the constant whining about the New republic getting it's butt kicked all the time. This is a new enemy people. It wouldn't be very realisitic if they just started winning right off the start. These three things together create one of the most compelling aspects of the NJO, unpredcitability. We don't know what's gonna happen. Any moment one of our beloved characters could die. I was freaked in this book. I thought we were gonna lose Wedge. Life has been breathed into the Star Wars universe in the form of death and loss. Lets enjoy it. The one thing we can predict is the ultimate victory over the Vong and it will be all the sweeter becaue our beloved characters have suffered. NJO rules!
Rating:
Summary: A great entry
Review: Rebel Stand was a great entry in the on going Star Wars saga. Its exciting to finally see the Vong getting some severe blows hopefully however there are many more blooddy battles to come. poor Vickey. Well she had it coming but I really liked the way she was dealt with. Of course the biggest surprise in this book is finding out what became of Irick Ismeran and his mother, what a great sub plot. A lot of action just the way a Star Wars novel should be. I also love the fact that Random House audio is now producing Star Wars audiobooks exclusively on CD. it makes for a much better listneing experience. I also love the added touch of the haunting backround music when there is a scene concerning the Vong. Can't wait till Traitor but since its all ready out there is no need to. I am simply addicted to these audiobooks! A must read or listen if there ever was one. This audiobook contains 3 CDs and is narrated by Jonathan Davis who does a pretty good job. Its also filled with sound effects and music from the first four films. A great production.
Rating: 
Summary: On the right track..great action and plot development
Review: Rebel Stand is a great sequel to Rebel Dream and a superb installment to the Yuuzhan Vong war and New Jedi Order series. Whereas Rebel Dream focused on our heroes recapturing the planet Borleias previously lost to the Vong, Rebel Stand branches out on many fronts which really gives the feeling of a larger war going on and pays attention to our main characters...all this with nonstop action. 1) General Wedge Antilles and Tycho, in charge of the resistance at Borleias continue to develop new strategies and a secretive weapon to deliver a devastating blow to the orbiting Vong worldship. The use and development of Wedge here is great and gives him a push as an important player in the war. His climatic battle scene was great and had shades of the old Rogue Squadron novels here. 2) Han and Leia (leaving young Tarc behind) begin a series of secretive missions to other planets hoping to start a network of resistance cell sites for the war. The action described in their parts is a great throwback to the original Star Wars and it is clear that Leia has not given up her political ways or Han his 'scoundrel' habits. 3) The Jaina Solo, Kyp Durron, and Jag Fel triangle is explored further with new revelations from Kyp. Though not as deep as I would have liked, there is plenty of action when this trio hits the skies to take on the Vong Corralskippers. 4) The traitorous Senator Viqi Shesh is sent to Coruscant with her Vong captors to capture the wayward Jedi. Again, we see how manipulative she can be...too bad the Emporer is no more, she would have been a great addition to the Empire. 5) Tam Elgrin (the recovering Holocam operator used against his will by the Vong), young Tarc and Wolam Tser continue their exploits. 6) Warmaster Tsavong Lah and shaper Nen Yim uncover a conspiracy amongst the Vong priests and take matters into their own hands. Cool to see Tsavong get down to business and show his merciless side. 7) Finally, Luke, Mara, Tahiri and a few others end up on Coruscant for some covert operations. Here they cross paths with Viqi Shesh and her handlers, and a new threat to both the Vong and Jedi. It seems that there is a disturbance in the force, unlike that that Luke or the vong have ever faced. Do the Jedi and Vong form an alliance to rid Coruscant of this new dark side threat? This was probably my only really complaint with this novel was the introduction of Lord Nyax. His origin and development seemed a bit silly to me, as was the climatic battle between Luke, Mara, Tahiri and new baddie Lord Nyax. If author Allston would have handled this a bit differently, I would have given this novel 5 stars, but the silly factor for dramatic sake only was unwarranted. Other wise this was one of the better books in the whole New Jedi Order series.
Rating:
Summary: Setting things up for the rest of the arc.
Review: The best books make you depressed that you've finished them. The good books make you desperate for the sequel. 'Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dream' fell into the former catagory for me, while this falls into the latter. 'Rebel Dream' was a breath of fresh air from the downward plunge of the New Jedi Order arc. By this book, the novelty of the Bantam style has begun to tarnish a bit. By the end we are ready to plunge back into the New Jedi Order proper, after a fun little diversion. Still, there's much to like. Allston's trademark humor remains spot on, and new story threads are emerging. Tahiri becomes a satisfying character independent of the fallen Anakin Skywalker. We see the first Dark Jedi of the series, who is quite unique for that label. The Yuzzhan Vong's response to it is priceless. Also, that twatty senator we all love to hate gets her comeupance. The real action should kick in with 'Traitor' though, coming out the later this month, which I eagerly await.
Rating:
Summary: ver good
Review: This book was awesome. I really liked it. Rebel Stand would have been 5 stars but with my own personal opinions the rooftop seen was a little odd. Another thing was the romance between Jaina and Jag!! anyone can see that KYP likes her and i think that Jaina and Kyp make a much better pair than Jaina and Jag.
Rating:
Summary: try harder
Review: since the hardback of "star by star", the writers seem to have
lost steam on this particular series. which is a real shame considering that most of the books before 'star by star' had you
clamoring for more. they have luke and mara on coruscant fighting
an new and more vicious enemy that is destroying humans and yuzahoon warriors alike. han and leia are hopping from world to
world staying one step ahead of the enemy and jania is envolved
in fights to the death to keep the galaxy free of yuhazan vong
warriors. my question is when is someone going to pick up the
thread of jacen solo? after 3 new novels after his capture, no one seems to want to touch this subject and it is getting annoying. if the next novel in this series is this boring, i think i will have to find something else to read.
Rating:
Summary: NJO Keeps Getting Better and Better
Review: The Vong continue their domination of the galaxy. Our heros are pushed back against the wall. Now, it's time to take the offensive. There is a sense of fun and excitment in this book that reminds one why he is a Star Wars fan. Sure, the nature of the story line is dark, But Allston manages to inject the sort of humor into it that we've come to expect from our heros. I guess the first big plus about this book is the fact that it has Luke Skywalker in full Jedi Master mode leading an expedition into fallen Coruscant. A Dark Jedi like none other is rearing it's ugly head and the Vong are also on the hunt. Let's just say that lightsabers flash with abundance during this mission! Meanwhile, Han and Leia are abroud trying to set up resistance cells and getting into trouble as only they can. What I find when watching all five of the SW movies is that Artoo Detoo saves the day at least once in each of them. Well, our little artoo unit comes up with some heroics here, as well, in one of the most exciting parts of the books dealing with Han and Leia escaping a prison where they are being held for the Vong. And if that weren't enough, the defense of Borelias is where we find all our X-Wing excitement. Wedge leads a defense that includes Kyp, Jag and Jaina and most Aaron Allston readers already know that he can do the space battle thing. Wait'll you see Wedge flying by the seat of his pants against a squadran of Vong. Exciting stuff. What I really admire about this whole section of the book is that we have no idea what Wedge's master plan is until it actually happens, which hightens the suspence factor up a few notches or so. So, in conclusion, this is a Star Wars book that has everything. Luke vs. Dark Jedi, Han and Leia getting in and out of tight spots, and X-Wing battles galore, making it probably the most exciting and action packed NJO book since Michael Stackpole's Dark Tide books. I find it hard to see this book disappointing.
Rating:
Summary: A New Hope for the New Jedi Order
Review: If you have read my other reviews you will know I have never quite connected with the New Jedi Order. So it may surprise you to hear me say that this is hands down the best book in the series. While I could certainly pick specific parts of the story that I could find fault, over all, the book was a page turner. Mara is written very well as are the Vong. To the author's credit Luke is also well written, and that is a high compliment as no one has really done Luke justice since Zahn. The chemistry between Liea and Han feels right for a those characters. They have the old banter but tempered by the relationship that only years of marriage can bring. Lord Nayax was a nice touch. In the beginning he was a mysterious and frightening character, but as he was revealed I felt cheated. I don't want to ruin the end of the book so I can't comment specifically but that is where the story was most lacking. While I still feel the series is unfocused and without direction, Allston has laid the ground work to bring the series into focus. We can only hope the next author doesn't ignore his work and sweep the path aside as so many have done before.
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