Star Wars - Shadows of the Empire: Evolution

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable, but not remarkable.
Review: I think Shadows of the Empire had a good story that was ruined by a mediocre author. Perry's habit to write the characters' thoughts tends to get annoying. I also don't like his use of cliches or having the characters say pretty dumb "jokes" and such. He also has a tendency to explain the obvious, taking some of the fun of reading a book out. The basic plot of the book was good, though, and there were a few surprises. If you are a Star Wars fan, read it. If you are a all-around SF fan, the book is not a must-read.

Rating:
Summary: Good story...good characters...bad writing
Review: This book was an excellent bridge between ESB and ROTJ. The new characters were original and creative. I especially liked Prince Xizor since he added a new sense of reality to the Star Wars Universe...MONEY!!! The book focused heavily on riches and the personal wealth of our favorite characters. However, based on the quality of the writing, I would have to say that Steve Perry only saw the trilogy once. Many of the scenes were unwarranted and tedious (One wiff of Xizor and Leia was under his power). Much of the dialogue was also out of place. C-3PO would NEVER call R2-D2 a "walking trash can." The same goes to Vader telling the Emperor that the enemies of the Empire had been "blown to bits." I follow the Star Wars novels with a cult passion, but this one I could only read once. I think the game does the story more justice. As for the soundtrack, that's a different story.

Rating:
Summary: Better than the N64 version, totally!!!!!!!!
Review: I found this book in a book store in Califorina. It took me a few days to read, and to understand what happened. It was such a great book, I read it at least six or seven times over again!!!!! Then I got the game for N64. It had some parts from the book, but one thing is still bothering me. Dash Rendar died in the book. But in the game, he some how jumped to highyper space before Xixor's skyhook belw to nothing. So did he die? Or did he sneak out of the battle without any body seeing him leave?

Rating:
Summary: I just KNEW Anakin was in there somewhere...
Review: This book is still one of the best SW novels ever, even after I've read it so many times. I love how we can finally know what Vader's thinking, and I love Luke's excitement at learning new Jedi techniques-maybe he's been taking his power a little too much for granted lately, or something (see Specter of the Past for his wake-up call). Anyway, Vader's feelings toward his son are finally shown somewhere other than Return of the Jedi (the novel) and that is one of the best things the Star Wars Universe has ever done. I gave it 4 stars because Planet of Twilight and Children of the Jedi are still my favourites.

Rating:
Summary: The best Star Wars book I've read
Review: Wow, this book is great. With lots of action and great new cahracters it's hard to put down. I read this book in 2 days it was so good. This is a must read for all Star Wars fans.

Rating:
Summary: BETTER THAN JEDI
Review: This book was one of the best I've ever read. Adding the new villain, Xizor, makes the reader actually join sides with the evil Darth Vader. If you read this, I suggest also getting Joel McNeely's CD "Shadows of the Empire," which adds even more vivid imagery to Steve Perry's writing. This one should have been(or be?) a movie, and was certainly a better creation than a movie with the Ewoks!

Rating:
Summary: An excellent book with a great villain!
Review: "Shadows of the Empire" was the first Star Wars novel that i read, and i did not quite believe that it was possible to catch the atmosphere, which the movies possesed, in a book. Luckily i was wrong, and "Shadows of the Empire" is indeed a great book. It explains a lot of details which any fan of Star Wars would like to know about, and the story itself proves to be very good as well. There is one thing/person, however, who really makes the book one of the best. This is Prince Xizor, leader of the crime organization "Black Sun", and one of the most powerfull individuals in the galaxy. Xizor is very fascinating because he is always cool and calm. He is cold and calculating, and he always seems to have control of any situation. Xizor's vendetta with Lord Vader makes everything even more exciting, because we here have to men who are almost equal in power, and who both wants the title as the Emperors right hand. The book is written from all sides; both rebel and imperial, and this makes the book more unusual, but also more interesting than the average Star Wars book. These are usual written from rebel/New Republic point of view, but that is not the case here, where all views are introduced. "Shadows of the Empire" is an exciting story about deceit, double deceit, lies and battles inside the Empire. I loved the book, and i can only recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: The inspiration was to sell toys, not storytell
Review: Everyone has their beefs and loves with SW. Mine toward this book is that Xizor is too easily defeated. ONE thermal detonator destroys his whole complex? A villain with this much power doesn't seem to have very many defenses. And Dash was pathetic, a lame fill-in for frozen Han. I have the feeling, especially after seeing all the toys for Shadows being pushed, that if Dash or Xizor prove popular enough, they will be brought back. Guri is another sequel in hiding. A mediocre effort which to me proves that The Crowd loves only the same contrived plot over and over again, hating the sometimes-lame but more daring SW book efforts . . .

Rating:
Summary: Remember the movies, and buy our stuff!
Review: I really enjoyed reading the book, but it was more out of nostalgia than being captivated by the author. There are times when a scene from ESB is re-created and the book takes you to another point of view not seen in the movie. It's neat to finally see that other side and fill in the missing pieces between ESB and ROTJ. HOWEVER, a reader should remember at the time the book was published it was leading a huge marketing charge to sell books, toys, comics, and video games. That's why generic characters like Dash are around (gee, does he live for a sequal?), and why Vader could possibly be challenged by some tall, ugly green guy who smells really nice.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent! explains lots of gaps
Review: This will be A short rewveiw considering I read a long time ago. Xizor Balck Son is so big and in charge itmake the hutts operration in smuggling writher. I finally knew how Luke got the green lightsaber and how it was made. Chewie and Leia makes an excellent team. Guro, Xizor's superb assasin droid is quite deadly. Hoowever this book is great but is quite limited since it's set in the middle of the last two movie.