Rating: 
Summary: Keeps you wondering ...
Review: ... how these two were selected out of the blue to write not just one bad book in the SW universe, but a three volume trilogy. They may have won awards for the "Evergence" series, but will win none for their efforts here.SW is supposed to be fun. Lively. Interesting. Rapidly changing pace. Heretic (I or II) are none of these.
Rating: 
Summary: seemingly a side note
Review: A whole book without the Vong? To me, that seems to defeat the purpose of having it in the series. It seemed uninspired and unnecessary for the cyruke (sorry for the misspelling) to make an appearance when we've been focused on the vong for the last 15 books. I'm looking forward to the next few books to see how this ends up tying in with the rest of the series, but as a stand-alone with knowledge of the 15 preceeding books,, it's a disappointment to me.
Rating: 
Summary: The New Star Wars Revival
Review: After having read nearly ever Star Wars book in existance, and being disappointed in the latest Prequel, Force Heretic II: Refugee is a wonderful guide back to the Star Wars Universe. Just when its getting boring, redundant, and painful to read, they release this great book. Could this mean the Lost Age of Star Wars is returning? Possibly.
Rating:
Summary: part two of Betty Landers's review
Review: Appologies for doing a split review, but this one is to focus on the chop-job of an abridgement. When I read this book, I read the audio abridgement and there was no mention of the vong at all, and Jason in the library was only mentioned at the very end. The entire thing focused on Bakura, and as many others have said, it's a complete waste of paper.
Rating:
Summary: The calm before the storm?
Review: As an avid reader and reviewer of Star Wars novels, I often look forward to each installment and often find myself turning page after page for juicy action and plot development. However, 'Refugee' seemed to be a struggle for me and at times I fought the urge to skip ahead only because I am a SW loyalist. After such great promise that was the climax for Force Heretic I with the induction of the Imperial Remnant allying themselves with the Galactic Alliance (formerly New Republic), I was expecting the first major push of the continued Vong war to begin continue here. Not so. Instead, the authors seem to have rehashed old material back from the pages of 'Truce of Bakura' where Leia, Han, Jaina and Tahiri must uncover a plot that holds the fate of the peoples of Bakura in question amongst themselves. Yup, nothing really what-so-ever to do with the Vong war. The only interesting development that takes place here is the further exploration of Tahiri and what she was, is, and who she may become. If this story arc of Refugee was intended to be a vehicle for Tahiri, the ride was long with little pay-off. On the other side of the galaxy, we have Jacen, Danni, Luke, Mara, Soontir Fel, and Wyn Fel in Chiss space continuing their search for Zonoma Sekot, the living planet which *may* hold the secret in beating the Vong. But alas, yet another mediocre story line with no real payoff again. Unless you count that the Chiss may reluctantly choose to fight alongside the Galactic Alliance and aide in the search of Sekot. What I felt was this novels strongest point was the very few and brief chapters with Nom Anor. His dealings with shamed-ones, and his manipulations of the new "jedi heresy" are great, and much more attention was warranted to this. In summary, there are only 2-3 books left before the Vong war concludes, and in a time where the whole galaxy and all the major players should be ramping up (Gen. Antilles, Galactic Alliance, Palleon and the Imperials, Chiss, Hutts, Lando, Karde, etc. etc. etc.) for the biggie, they are sadly all MIA in this book. There wasn't even one Vong skirmish. So, if you skip this novel, you aren't missing too much of anything.
Rating: 
Summary: Solid NJO book but too predictable
Review: Force Heretic II: Refugee is very well-written, fast paced New Jedi Order story. Although it one of the longer books in the series, it is a very quick read. The storylines are good if a bit predictable. One storyline follows Jacen Solo on his quest to find a mustical living planet. Along for the ride are Luke Skywalker, Mara Jade, Saba, and Danni Quee along with some Imperial Remnant troops. They fly into Chiss space where typical, if a bit predictable and subdued, Star Wars mayhem ensues. The second storyline follows Han, Leia, Jaina, Jag and Tahiri to Bakura where anti-Republic sentiment masks a deeper more malevolant plot. The third storyline deals with Nom Anor and his Jedi heracy. This was actually a very interesting Vong subplot, usually I just find those subplots annoying but hearing Nom Anor preach about the Jedi was quite interesting. There is not all that much action to sustain the story and Mara Jade and Han Solo get nothing more than bits parts to play, while Princess Leia only shines occasionaly. Danni's relationship with Jacen, which seemed to be moving forward seems stalled in this book. It was interesting to return to Bakura and to see Chiss space, and the subplot involving Tahiri jumps forward and one of the better parts of the story. Overall, this book is not as good as Force Heretic I. It is well-written, but misses something that the first book had. There is less of the witticism and humor that are contained in the best Star Wars books. This is a solid addition to the NJO series and sets up the third book in the trilogy rather nicely.
Rating:
Summary: More filler in the SW Universe
Review: I am one of the fans that hopes this series ends on a high note. The initial books were really well done and interesting, but I find myself buying these latest additions to the SW universe because of fan loyalty. Heretic II is a decent book, but I must agree with many of my fellow reviewers that it is somewhat predictable. I was never a fan of the Bakura story when it first came out, and the sudden about face of the Ssi-ruuk and the subsequent storyline seemed a little unimaginative. Tahiri's problems continue to be my favorite story line, especially as the Ssi-ruuk and Jacen's adventures in Chiss space are rather dull. Nom Anor also proves to be an interesting character, but again, it appears that this is at the expense of the classic SW characters. Overall, it is a decent read, but don't get your expectations up too high. I hope that the conclusion of the New Jedi Order will make more of us fans happier.
Rating:
Summary: Somewhere in the middle
Review: I am sumewhat taken aback by all of the negative reviews. I have read better books in the overall series and I've read worse. This book is simply the means of getting from point A to point B. If anything, I feel the authors are a bit too constrained. Venturing into Chiss territory should have invoked more imagination. With so many books making up the Star Wars universe, there are very few instances to give things a shot in the arm. The other two story lines, offer opportunity for an interesting conclusion to the NJO series. I also think the transitions were well-written and harken back to earlier works. Pick up this book knowing that it is the SIXTEENTH book in a series. If you are looking for something profound, stick with classic literature.
Rating:
Summary: Indifferent - Don't buy it even if you are an addict
Review: I finished the book last week, and if you ask me now what it was all about I can say "nothing really": Luke and company search for Zonama Sekot but without success, some irrelevant sub-plot in the Chiss part of space develops and is resolved thanks mainly to Jacen, Han & Leia return to Bakura where another indifferent sub-plot is developed & resolved, this time thanks to Jaina, Tahiri goes back to her problems with her Yuuzhan Vong alter ego... Nothing we have not read in one book or another, nothing that is even remotely interesting or helps in the overall evolution of things. I actually deplore the money I spent on this book. I have been warned, of course, by other reviewers, but I guess I am an addict. I keep buying the books of this story arc even if I have not read one single interesting page after Star by Star - with the possible exception of Traitor, which offered some insights in the philosophy of both Jedi & Yuuzhan Vong and some interesting character development for Jacen. All this, however, are completely forgotten in subsequent books, as if all readers suffer from collective loss of memory & judgement. Don't waste your money. Go right to the third installment of this trilogy, if only to find out whether Zonama Sekot could be the solution or if it will be another dead end, a clever idea toyed with and then abandoned for the sake of more sales of the following books of this never ending NJO saga. Only my addiction to Star Wars makes me still buy these books. But I guess money is the only interest of Del Rey and Lucas, milking the fat cow of old time fans of what used to be the best science fiction film trilogy ever (and no, I am not refering to the prequels).
Rating:
Summary: A Great book for a great series
Review: I found this book a very good read. It was very enjoyable. I don't understand all the negative reviews that this book has gotten from people writing reviews here on amazon. This is a great book.
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