Rating: 
Summary: A case of arrested development
Review: Matthew Woodring Stover is the perfect author for a prequel book, in that like George Lucas, his emotional and moral development stalled at the age of fourteen. Mind you, a bright, precocious fourteen, but still. Writing sci-fi of this nature is the profession you take up if you, like Peter Pan, never want to grow up. And what you read if ditto.
Rating: 
Summary: 200 pages a day
Review: My first non-movie Star Wars experience. This book drew me in and wouldn't let go, I had to know what was about to happen around each and every twist and turn. Mathew Stover knows how to develop a character and tell a story (I bet he could win a story shootout with George Lucas --sorry George, he's got you beat) This reminded me why people still read books.
Rating:
Summary: This ain't your daddy's Rebellion. . .
Review: My review in one word: superb. Shatterpoint is an excellent Star Wars novel, and an excellent start to the Clone Wars novel campaign. Although the book is significantly longer than Traitor, it's all from the POV of one character: in this instance, Mace. I wasn't sure how that would go when I started the book, because Mace, as far as I was concerned, didn't really have a character. He had a couple of lines in the films, but for most of the comics he was just kind of there, without a whole lot of personality. So I didn't really have a clear mental image of the guy. But it turned out well. He turned out to be a compelling character. I guess the Star Wars novel that this most reminds me of in terms of content is a much darker Courtship of Princess Leia. Just a thought. It was good seeing a Jedi actually using the Force. Too often, but not always, the Force is used in pretty unimaginative ways, when it's used at all -- it seems that some authors forget that it's there until they come up with a scene specifically designed to use it in some neat way. But it's used frequently and often quite imaginatively here. I also really enjoyed the action. Nothing as powerful as the Ganner sequence, but it wasn't as abstract, either. There were lightsaber fights, Force-fights without sabers, ground battles, dogfights, everything, all done very well. Some of my favorite Star Wars fights are contained in this novel. Pretty action packed. All done very well. Those of you who liked seeing Luke in action with two sabers . . . just wait till you see Mace. Wow. Also, this book has a great deal of the humor that didn't make it into Traitor. A few of the jokes were groaners, but there were quite a few good chuckles in there as well. Some of the characters seemed pretty stock, but most were well-done, and I'd like to see more of Geptun down the line. So as a Star Wars novel it's a good, thoughtful, action-packed adventure. But it's also a Clone Wars novel. And it also works on that level. Though the events of this book probably don't have a huge impact on the Clone War itself, this book was a good introduction. It really defines the role of the Jedi in the war, which is essential because, for better or worse, it seems that all of the upcoming CW novels are about the Jedi participants, and it also really serves to underscore the difference between the Jedi and the fundaments of the Jedi Order in the time of the Republic, as opposed to the Jedi we're used to seeing in the NR/NJO days. This book really helps to underscore both the differences and similarities between how the two orders operated and trained and thought and functioned. Of course, take this out of the GFFA, and it also serves as a war novel in its own right, going over territory familiar and less so about the rules of war, and the way war is waged, and the terror of war, and how no one really wins in a war, and all that kind of stuff. As far as I'm concerned, this book works on just about every level. Shatterpoint is a great read. Not Stover's best, and it's too early to tell yet how long it will stay with me, or whether it'll be my favorite Star Wars novel - it may be, though - but a very good effort.
Rating:
Summary: Shatterpoint shows stand-alone Star Wars novels can rule.
Review: Out of all the Clone Wars novels, Shatterpoint is by far the best. Taking the character of Mace Windu to new heights and depths, the novel shows how emotion can still tear at even a Jedi Master's soul. It portrays the horrors of war in the way that one can't help but sympathize with the characters as they witness and experience them. Overall, a great novel that any fan of Mace Windu, let alone fan of Star Wars, should definitely read.
Rating: 
Summary: Decent story but in the end disappointing!
Review: Shatterpoint had the makings of greatness, the coolest Jedi in the Temple: Mace Windu, on his own mission against the Separatists, to the place where he was born. Instead, there are some really cool moments overshadowed by too much philosophical discussion and outright confusion. At times the action is totally intense and at others it's very difficult to follow what is actually happening. Half the story is told from Windu's 1st person POV in the guise of entries into his journal, the other is in the traditional 3rd person POV. This constant switching makes the story difficult to follow and leaves the reader unsure of where everything is actually going. This can be a good thing at times because the twists and turns are unexpected, but the philosophy discussed during the story seems to be more appropriate to the New Jedi Order than to a Clone Wars novel. The Jedi know the difference between light and dark, that information has not been lost or deluded and still Windu and his fellow Jedi seem to struggle with this concept. The biggest problem is with Mace Windu himself. The biggest problem that an author faces when writing about some really cool established character is that you have to delve into the characters psyche and inevitably the readers view of the character changes. This is the reason that there has never been a successfuly story about Boba Fett or Darth Maul. The picture of Windu changes during the course of the story due to the constant barrage of philosophy and theology and not enough concrete story. At times Windu seems totally out of touch with how the world works, and while the Jedi were isolated they did have a clue about the real world. The other problem I have is with the idea of the "dark jungle" (when you read it you will know what I mean). I find this whole concept and the character that embodies it to be really annoying and almost totally unnecessary. The story itself has some moments that are truly cool and very well done, but then there are moments when you simply want to put that book down and stop reading it. Better editing and really a better storyline elimination of extraneous information probably would have made this story more than just a slightly better than average Star Wars novel.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent and well thought entry to the star wars saga
Review: Shatterpoint is what Star Wars is all about. It is entertaining, immersive, and creative. But furthermore, it successfully uses the escapist sci-fi universe of SW as a vehicle from which to examine philosophical issues of life, morality, etc. Shatterpoint is the only star wars novel I have read, other than Timothy Zahn's work, that adds real depth to the star wars vision. I think that the central theme of the story has to do with the conflict between the morality/compassion/order of civilized humanity (exemplified through the way of the Jedi) and the cold moral ambiguity of nature itself (which leads to the passion and cruelty of the dark side). The story explores the role of the Jedi as keepers of peace and guardians of moral civilization, and then challenges it by forcing the Jedi into a situation of chaotic and brutal war. In war, the only rules that apply are "survival of the fittest", and "kill or be killed". War occurs when the instruments of civilization fail to resolve conflict. Shatterpoint examines the struggle and dilemma of being morally good in a situation where the rules of civilized society no longer apply. The issues and themes examined in this book are serious and mature. I would not recommend it to younger audiences. This book makes somewhat of a departure from the usual feel of a star wars story in that war and battle are not portrayed as thrilling adventure, but rather as brutal/painful/dark. there is more reality and maturity here than in the usual star wars fare. The book also does a good job of fleshing out the character of Mace Windu, making him much more human and fallible than the nondescript invincible Jedi master that we've seen in the films. At the same time, the Mace we see in this book does complement his onscreen portrayal very nicely. The personality brought to the character by Samuel L. Jackson does shine through in Shatterpoint. The entire story is pretty much Mace's show. Anyone wanting a story where all of the prequel's main characters are involved should look elsewhere. Yoda is present only briefly, Anakin and Obi-wan are only mentioned a couple times, and Padme is completely MIA. There are a couple appearances by Palpatine, and although they are brief, they emphasize just how successfully Palpatine has pulled the wool over the Jedi's eyes. Mace has nothing but respect and admiration for the future emperor, and both he and Yoda show absolutely no indication of suspecting Palpatine of being a villain. Their ability to see into the Force is clearly diminished, and the chaos and hopelessness faced by the Jedi in Shatterpoint is a fitting prelude to their coming defeat.
Rating:
Summary: The emphasis is on WAR in this one...
Review: Shatterpoint may be the first Star Wars book that actually is written for someone older then fourteen. This is another great Matthew Stover novel. Finally a Star Wars book that is gritty and dark; that faces the multiple aspects that make up the human psyche. Shatterpoint not only investigates the dark side of the force, but it investigates the dark side of human nature. As in all of Stover's novels, there is no hard line between good and evil, an important lesson especially in times of war (like now) when it's easy to slip into an 'us and them' mentality. Stover has obviously taken a page (or several) from Heart of Darkness. Mace Windu travels deep into a forest like none on this earth. As he travels deeper and deeper in an attempt to 'save' his one time Padawan, Windu is forced to investigate all of his values. Values that had seemed so hard and fast, but turn out to be useless in a world outside the Jedi Temple. Shades of gray abound and often it is difficult if not impossible to decide who is right and who is wrong. If you are interested in a Star Wars book that goes beyond black and white, droids and wookies; a novel that is about the moral puzzles that each of us are forced to confront and solve every day, read Shatterpoint. You won't be dissappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Excellence....pure excellence
Review: Shatterpoint was by far the best Star Wars book I have read to date. This was an excellent "coming out" for The Man, The Myth, and the Jedi legend known as Mace Windu. The supporting characters, are comical and lovable without being annoying (think Jar Jar) and showed impressive skills. I am not sure what rock I was hiding under, because I found out about the book quite by accident, but I was excited to get a chance to read it, and IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. Of course there's only so much you could have discerned about Mace through the movies, so it was very refreshing to see the true nature of the character, what motivates him, and that he admits he likes to fight and isn't always about the deep questions and yoda'isms!! (No disrespect to Master Yoda intended). To see Yoda whip up on Count Dooku in the lightsaber in Episode II was cool, but I must say, I hope we get to see a bit of Mace and his Vaapad in Episode III!! To see Samuel L Jackson whip some serious a** would be great wouldn't it?!?!? Mace likes to fight, so lets see it, eh George? It is a very grown up, albeit dark story, but exciting nonetheless. I checked it out at the library, but I am ordering a copy for myself today!
Rating:
Summary: Excellence....pure excellence
Review: Shatterpoint was by far the best Star Wars book I have read to date. This was an excellent "coming out" for The Man, The Myth, and the Jedi legend known as Mace Windu. The supporting characters, are comical and lovable without being annoying (think Jar Jar) and showed impressive skills. I am not sure what rock I was hiding under, because I found out about the book quite by accident, but I was excited to get a chance to read it, and IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. Of course there's only so much you could have discerned about Mace through the movies, so it was very refreshing to see the true nature of the character, what motivates him, and that he admits he likes to fight and isn't always about the deep questions and yoda'isms!! (No disrespect to Master Yoda intended). To see Yoda whip up on Count Dooku in the lightsaber in Episode II was cool, but I must say, I hope we get to see a bit of Mace and his Vaapad in Episode III!! To see Samuel L Jackson whip some serious a** would be great wouldn't it?!?!? Mace likes to fight, so lets see it, eh George? It is a very grown up, albeit dark story, but exciting nonetheless. I checked it out at the library, but I am ordering a copy for myself today!
Rating:
Summary: Beyond Any Previous Star Wars Title
Review: Shatterpoint. Holy [smoke]. This wasn't just a typical Star Wars novel. This wasn't just a good Star Wars novel. Instead, it was truly great literature. Matthew Stover tells a dark and convincing tale of war. Not Star Wars war, but realistic war. Stover's story is more than pure narrative--it is a sophisticated philosophical and sociological examination of human behavior under stress, using the darkness of the jungle, of the force, and of those scarred by conflict as complex and powerful metaphors for one another. Written without moral absolutes, Shatterpoint had me constantly reevaluating my own sense of right and wrong. One character's troubled rejection of moral relativism is set against a backdrop where no person, place, or action is untarnished by the darkness. The narrative shifts back and forth between third person action and first person journal entries recorded by Mace Windu. Windu himself grows out of an essentially empty character from the movies to become interesting and thoughtful. The differences between his philosophy and that of the NJO era jedi is compelling. One major difference between the this book and the NJO era is the realism in which their conflicts are written. Mace Windu is shockingly powerful but is defined by his ever present limitations. The "minor" war seen in Shatterpoint scars everyone involved, creating a planet full of morally bankrupt, dangerously callous men, women, and children. By contrast, the NJO war, in which the Yuuzhan Vong have conquered half the galaxy, seems to be a walk in the park in comparison, with the unconquered half still operating essentially as it did before the Vong arrived. I'm not saying that the NJO story isn't still mostly good. Shatterpoint is just much more mature, thought provoking, and worthwhile. Three days after finishing Shatterpoint I'm still haunted by its images and meaning. Star Wars has never felt so real or been so significant. If George Lucas were able to bring this kind of story to the prequels they would be infinitely better.
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