Rating: Summary: Starts out with a bang; ends up with a fizzle Review: I hate to say it but I'm glad this long storyline is coming to an end. Unless something earthshattering and shocking happens in the last two books I wont be sorry to see this series finish. I use to think the opposite especially after reading books 1,2,3,5,9,10,11,12, 13,14, and 16 but this latest entry has really soured my enthusiasm. It started out great the storyline really pulling me in but as it progressed it bogged down into more Jedi sudo-philosophy and other such tiresome nonsense. i thought book 6 and 13 had dealt with all that but as soon as the heroes landed on Sekot all action died down. Yes there was action later on with the battle at the communications outpost but I wasn't holding my breath for any surprises to happen; turned out I was right. I mean, how predictable. Then we got this talking planet of all things. Biotechnology is one thing, a living breathing entire planet is another. This is not Lord of the Rings or some fantasy series. Of course a devoted fan like myself can see how the series will eventually end though like I said before that I hope at the very least there will be a great battle with losses on both sides. Another problem is Jason Solo. I thought he had resolved his personal dilemmas in books 6, 13, and 14. Apparently now he's back to being a pathetic pacifist. By the way, what gives some teen age yahoo Jedi the right to make such momentous decisions? Sorry, its too unbelievable and I hope to the dark side he is snuffed out in the last two books. He is a character i can't stand. Then there is Tahiri; it took 10 books for her little plot to finally come to and end. I mean after all, she got shaped by the Vong in book 7; Give me a break! Is it because she is a female Jedi that we can't kill her off? I would have rather seen her betray the Galactic Alliance then the Vong. Speaking of which the last two books could kill of over half the new characters introduced in this series and I am sure the fans wouldn't mind. In addition this book was just too one sided. The folks who created this excellent series I guess decided to start dumbing the enemy to death so he can easily be killed off by book 19. An overused and well worn out device in the SW books. It would have been best to seriously study the X-Wing series to see how one can cleverly defeat an enemy without dumbing him or her to death. Thus there would not be the need to rely on talking planets and other such malarkey. Finally, what's up with this need to pair off everybody? Must SW books constantly portray that there is only one proper lifestyle to lead? Can't we have a few single Jedi; or even a gay one? People who read these books come from a variety of backgrounds and family situations; lets give other folk some time as well. Maybe that's a bit too radical but I can't help but see a trend in these books. So certainly not one of the best entries but exciting overall. Its SW after all. As a quick revision I rated this trilogy thus, Book 1, 4 stars, book 2 5 stars and book 3 3 stars. Lets see if my enthusiasm will be restored with book 18, The Final Prophecy. the title sounds good at any rate.
Rating: Summary: Jacen needs help! Review: I liked this book especially the scenes where Tahiri and Riina connect with each other, which I felt could of been explained better. But my major problem with this book was that Jacen's charater was more like his charater in BALENCE POINT then his charater in TRAITOR. I mean his personality was really developed in TRAITOR into a character you could really respect and admire as a Jedi who was willing to use violence to protect the ones he loves. In this book, however, it was as though he will sacrifice everything he could to avoid violence of any form no matter the cost. This doesn't stand with what we know of his charater growth. It just doesn't make sense! All in all, I felt it was a step backwards for his charater, and it would not have affected the overall feel of the book if his charater was the other way. Plus, I thought that his romance with Danni could have been more realized than it was. On a happier note, I liked how Jag and Jaina's romance is shaping. That was another one of my favorite aspects of this book. It was a good book but not the best STAR WARS book I've ever read. My advice to anyone who likes STAR WARS books is to read this book even though they might not quite like it because the STAR WARS info. in this book is important to later books. All info. in filler books are! Really!!
Rating: Summary: This Book Was Great; Trilogy Was Weak Review: I love the NJO series. But this trilogy was really one of the weakest parts of the entire series. In it's defense, Reunion would actually rate much higher with me if it wasn't for the first two Force Heretic books. I was extremely satisfied with this book especially after a disappointing beginning to the trilogy.The interactions between Luke and Jacen with Sekot are the highlight of the book along with Tahiri's merging of her two personalities. And Nom Anor is great as always. Plus, the retun of Droma teaming up with Han again was good to see. It just took too long to get to the good stuff of the 3rd novel. This should have been done as one novel with all the filler crap made more brief. This is a great series so you have to read all three books. It could have been better, though.
Rating: Summary: The NJO springs into action Review: I was not expecting much from this book. But, all is not known in the Star Wars universe. This action packed book unveils all story trails from the two previous books and reveals much about the potential outcome of the war against the Yuuzhan Vong. This book will keep you glued onto it until you've read it all.
Rating: Summary: I couldn't put it down! Review: I'm a fan of the NJO series and this book was still better than I could have expected. Unlike some other reviewers, I an fascinated with the Solo children and the younger Jedi knights. Han and Leia are still great (don't get me wrong) but it's nice to read about so many different characters, romantic storylines and adventures. This series is what made me a Star Wars fanatic. This book is a must buy as long as you've read the preceding novels. Just a note: the cover art doesn't actually apply to any part of the book. I'm not sure why they chose to illustrate something that never happens.
Rating: Summary: Fantastic turnaround Review: I'm highly impressed. I didn't like FH1 or esp. #2 very much, but this one is incredible. The characters all act like themselves, events happen and characters act for a reason, space battles and combat are well described, and the plot moves fluidly. I esp. liked the changing viewpoints, particularly where Sekot is asking Jacen and Luke the same question and you get to see their same-meaning-yet-different answers. That was cool. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has read part of the NJO before now; you won't be dissappointed.
Rating: Summary: Best book in the trilogy.... Review: If you are a fan of the NJO series then this book is a must read. Luke, Mara Jade and Jacen succeed in their quest to find Zonoma Sekot (oh come on you knew that they would). This part of the trilogy also provides a very interesting back story about Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader for Luke. That's the good stuff, but the other story line involving Leia and Han's mission appears to be warmed over filler. Yes our heroes are caught in a desperate situation, one that you know they are going to over come - helped along by Vorrik the Vong command who is nothing more than a predictable stumbling-bumbling idiot whose questionable leadership skills make it hard to believe that he would be put in charge of a latrine let along a Vong battle group. Now you might think that I am trashing the book - far from it, as I said at the start of this review if you are a fan of the NJO series you do not want to miss this book. Sandwiched in between the two main plots are several subplot lines that are interesting. Saba's sorrw over the loss of her people is handled well - it is good to see her character on the road to recovery. Saba's visit to Zonoma Sekot proves to be a healing of sorts for her. Jag and Jaina grow closer and Jag expresses his true feelings for her. Han is reunited with Droma a character from an earlier book in the NJO series. His appearance provides a surprising twist to the story. Admiral Pellaeon and the Imperial Remnant return in time to illustrate that although the Alliance and Remnant can work together for their mutual interest, they still have a ways to go before either can really trust the each other. Tahiri's dilemma is resolved in a predictable fashion - one that is welcomed since it would have been tedium beyond belief to see her continue to grapple with her dual personalities. What emerges is a new Tahiri, a character who has the combined strengths of a Jedi Knight and a Vong warrior - one can only assume that she will play a pivotal role when the series reaches endgame. Finally we have the continued scheming of Nom Anor as he manipulates everyone around him in his quest to return to power. We witness the demise of one of his key followers along with the predictable discovery and destruction of a new ally. The story leaves this character shaken but not deterred - he has no other alternative and you just know that he too will probably play a pivotal roll in resolving the series when it reaches its conclusion. Overall it was a good end to the trilogy and we look forward to the next two books that will conclude the NJO series.
Rating: Summary: Keeps moving along Review: If you have been reading the New Jedi Order Series, then by all means continue with this one. But it has some problems. The ending is a little too quick and convenient. The book has no real revelations about what is happening, only minor blips along the major storylines.
Rating: Summary: Ouch. What more is there to say? Review: If you thought Star Wars couldn't get any worse than Kevin J. Anderson, you were wrong. Majorly, majorly wrong. Force Heretic III is a book without purpose, plot, or character. The Solo-Skywalker clan is still split up, with Luke, Mara, and Jacen out in the Unknown Regions, searching for a planet that they believe can end the war with the Yuuzhan Vong- though they have no clue how. Suffice to say that Vergere, the Old Republic Jedi teacher of the irritating and insufferable Jacen, told him about it. Leia, Han, Jaina, and Jag (along with Twin Suns Squadron) are still on their pointless journey through...comm black-spots? The Force Heretic series is such that by the third book, I'm really not quite sure what any of them are supposed to be doing by now. Tahiri, the Jeedai-who-was-shaped, is still struggling with her Yuuzhan Vong alter ego, Riina Kwaad. WHY exactly Riina has just now shown up is explained, albeit weakly. Riina/Tahiri's new peace with herself (which occurs after many pointless mental arguments) is over-exaggerated, with the reader being reminded constantly of it throughout the book after it finally occurs. Another point to me that seems confusing is that after her new "mental-melding" Tahir keeps the name, "Tahiri." I find it rather hard to believe that a Yuuzhan Vong like Riina would allow her name to be so easily cast aside in favor of the infidel Jeedai's. Of course, all of Tahiri's, and Jaina's(who is constantly fainting and being wounded), and Jag's and Leia's and Han's exploits are like the work of Zahn when compared to the Barbara Hambly-like stupidity of Jacen and co. on Zonama Sekot. Personally, I feel that Zonama Sekot should NOT have taken up three whole book of the series, especially as we still have NO CLUE of what the heck its purpose is (if it has one at all). And the constant praising of Jacen Solo (whom I hate), of how smart he is, and how moral, and Danni throwing herself all over him has not helped one bit. Luke as a Jedi Master is esentially ignored in favor of this hermit-wannabe and Mara is made out to be nothing more than a grumpy red-head lacking the brains to make sense of the "brilliant" plans Jacen comes up with. Which, when you think about it, to NOT be able to figure out Jacen's plans doesn't indicate a lack of a brain so much as the existence of one. I'm rambling, I know, but this book was so impotently infuriating in its sheer idiocy and pointlessness that I'm really at a loss for sensible words. All in all, a stupid book, one you really don't need to waste your time on, especially if you're a fan of Luke and Mara as I am, since they are so grossly IGNORED in this book. Simply know that Zonama Sekot is found, Leia and company are called back to Mon Cal, and Jag has not yet proposed to Jaina, and move onto the next book in the series, The Final Prophecy by Greg Keyes, who, despite the vomit-inducing cover of the book, is a GREAT author. He wrote Ben's birth and Anakin and Tahiri's Yuuzhan Vong exploits, didn't he?
Rating: Summary: Getting worse..... Review: Let me preface this by saying I'm a huge SW fan. I've read all the books, and played the games. This last Triology, to me, emphasizes all the things that are going wrong with the SW paperbacks. The stories are degrading into a chain of chance encounters, conveniant rendevous, and bumbling badguys. Worse, the books are getting longer, and the stories they tell are getting more boring, mundane, and pointless. I expected something *SPOILER ALERT* to come out of the whole Zonama Sekot search. Maybe a battle or an explanation of how at least the planet will help the new alliance. No, rather, a whole triology on a boring search with nothing to show for it except, "Hey look, we found the planet, cool." It's like the authors are taking very scant ideas, stretching them out as far as they can go, and then handing them off to the next author or triology to deliver the climax. Problem is, the last 6 or so books in the VV wars have delivered nothing in the way of excitement. This Triology was one of the worst. It's getting so bad, they could knock off Han, or Leia or (hopefully) Tahiri, and no one, at least not me, would care much. It's sad when you love a universe for 25 years and it comes to this, not caring what happens to the main characters anymore. If you want a series where the characters truly get to you, and you tear up when they die, try Weber's Honor Harrington series. In depth character development and written much better than the trivial Star Wars crap that has come out since 2001.
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