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Traitor (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 13)

Traitor (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 13)

List Price: $6.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: excellent
Review: This book was, in my opinion, the best NJO book so far. For the non-StarWars fan, that's the New Jedi Order series, the latest in the Star Wars Universe.

Jacen Solo is the main character in the book, and Veregre playes probably her biggest role yet, but aside from that there are very few characters represented in the book. Those in the book are portrayed excellently though.

For the readers that like action, this book is only for the patient reader. You will not find giant battles either in space or with Jedi flashing lightsabers. The action is there, but what action there is focuses on the philosophy of it. That brings me to the main point of the book. Jedi philosophy takes a hit, and Jacen re-invents himself.

The book focuses on the training of Jacen by Veregre and Jacen's growth from a child into a man. The book is written with a purpose and is one of the few Star Wars books I could call literature. It was truely written with the flow and form that rivals some of the best novels I've ever read. When I read the book i was reminded when I was taught exactly how to write in my English classes. Through all this though, I believe the book is written in such a way that less advanced readers would enjoy it too. It is not like "Animal Farm" for instance, as Animal Farm's true point is difficult for the young reader to grasp. The plot of the book is easy to grasp, but the way it was written was what made it rise above many other books I've read.

I recommend this book to everyone that has an interest in fiction, young or old.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Perceptions, myths, lies, and truths.
Review: Have you ever picked up one of those books that spoke not only about what was happening to the characters within, but also spoke about reality itself? Have you ever read a story that made you question your own place in the universe, but were ultimately entertained throughout the story?

Simply put, that is what Traitor is. Though I was fascinated by the story and the art of unfolding the plot, I found myself constantly amazed by the way that certain phrases held multiple meanings if read in just the right way. The truth of any one's words can hide a thousand meanings. The difference is perception.

This book, in my opinion, is the best of the New Jedi Order series. Period. I am by definition a R. A. Salvatore fan, and loved Vector Prime, but this book is the one in which NJO finally awakens and makes a convincing argument for its continued existance. This book alters the perceptions of its readers, as well as those of its characters.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Finally a NJO book worthy of Star Wars
Review: Stover delivers a wonderful plot, with excellent character development. It's not the same old cast of thousands, lightsaber fights, and star fighter battles. This it deep story telling that brings a new clarity to the NJO series through no more than 5 characters, and makes you question everything you know about Star Wars.

I have been very critical of the NJO series and very disappointed. I have even gone as far as saying it is beyond saving...and then along comes Traitor. With each turn of the page I found myself getting more and more hopeful that this NJO book would not fail to deliver. I was not disappointed...if anything I found myself more interested in Jacen and the Vong than ever before.

Stover delivers an amazing read through character development and complex events that dove tail into the greater story with precision. By experiencing almost the entire book through Jacen you begin to understand him and his transformation. The book asks the reader to "think" and question all they know about the Jedi, the Force, the Vong and what it means to be alive...all through Jacen's experiences.

Traitor is so well written that I fear the books to follow will only live in its shadow, leaving us readers longing for Stover to return and write another NJO book.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Finally Getting Somewhere
Review: Once again I looked foreward to another Star Wars book being released. Now though it just seems like everything is going stagnant, books are being written and released, just to make money. I have always loved the Star Wars series, and consider most of the pre NJO books to furter the story that was put forth in the movies. The NJO series on the whole has been disappointing and seem to be written by authors who want to see who can put the most shocking event in. Now I only read the books after borrowing them from a friend or library, just to see what's happening. I used to care about what happened, but the plot lines and events don't even seem like star wars anymore. It's sad. :( I had hoped tha this book would be different but I was wrong. If you are looking to just see how the story is developing, read it. If you are a fan of star wars, stay away from the NJO series as a whole and keep the faith with the earlier stories. Since I starting this series, it's been nothing but disappointments. I wish I had never started reading these. I should have just stayed with the old ones.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: What is this?
Review: Is this supposed to be Star Wars? This book is just a collection of sick and twisted violence and torture. The whole NJO has been stupid. Why did they have to ruin Star Wars?

The wonderful series that Star Wars used to be is gone forever. I refuse to buy the books anymore. I just read borrowed copies or skim them in the store.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: gripping novel
Review: This is one of the finest installments in the NJO series. Though some have criticized the lack of a number of characters, it is the focus on Jacen that makes this book great. There is enough given to finally develop a character more than one dimensionally. There are no boring subplots to bog one down either.

The novel switches back and forth between third person present and third person past tense. At first, I found it odd, but later on the reader finds that it provides a defintite mood and a certain "surreality."

I really enjoyed the focus on conversation and especially the banter between Jacen and Vergere. One can't help but wonder what is really going on with Vergere...is she lying? telling the truth? or is she enigmatic like a certain green skinned, short statured Jedi master (Yoda)? Jacen's inward and outer journey is a fascinating story well told by Matthew Stover. I was hesitant at first because normally I am not a fan of plots not directly involving those characters from the films, but this is a brilliant example of story telling. I highly recommend "Traitor."

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: I love Star Wars
Review: Ok, so I am a Star Wars fan to the bone. I also LOVE the New Jedi Order series. This book however, while being a slow start, ended quite nicely. The first few chapters of the book made me want to skip ahead. Not much more then Stover waxing philosophical about several things that deal with both the Star Wars universe, and our own.

After that though the book did pick up, getting more to the Star Wars action I know and love. Stover still threw in his philosophy throughout the book, but it added a nice touch to it.

Being a huge fan of the Jedi in particular (my favorite part of the Star Wars universe), the best part of the book to me was Ganner Rhysodes battle with the Vong warriors. It brings to mind Anakin Skywalkers death scene in Star by Star.

Overall I rate this book a three. While it had it's great action moments, and while philosophy is NEVER a bad thing, too much of it can bog the book down and make it boring. Other then that, a great read.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Different from the rest of the series
Review: "Traitor" is a thought provoking novel that is deviant from the rest of the series in terms of pace and content. It is an easy read, with not as many scenes of action as other books in the series. If you do not care about Jacen, do not read this book.

After reading the back, and the surprisingly short list of characters at the beggining, it's obvious that most of the novel will be about the development of Jacen. The book concentrates on Jacen's journey through "the lands of the dead", led by the very strange creature Vergere (Jacen's Virgil), during his captivity by the Yuuzhan Vong. The book is fairly reminiscent of "Conquest" in pace, and "Dark Journey" in character development. Once again, if you don't care about Jacen, don't read this book.

The book is exchanges action for very deep character development. There isn't as much action as in other Star Wars books. The actions scenes that are in the book, while fairly thrilling to read, come off as mere plot devices to change Jacen.

Stover's novel is very ambitious, subtly hinting a parallel to Dante's Inferno. Stover speaks in an eloquent language, occasionally waxing into prose that could be considered poetry. While sometimes this enhances the story, at certain points this deeply ambiguous, metaphysical narration seems too grandiose for the novel. After reading the novel again, it seems that the story was built around the philosophy presented, instead of vice versa.

One thing that bothers me is the 3rd part of the book, where Ganner is introduced. I find him to be somewhat out of character, weakened to flesh out the plot. Additionally Stover's quality of writing seems to drift off as he tries to assume Ganner's thoughts. Ganner's "None Shall Pass" line made me roll my eyes, and the choice of words throughout this section is indicative of the fantasy genre, and a couple words-that-don't-exist-in-the-star-wars-universe appear.

Ironically "Traitor" would stand stronger independent of the Star Wars series. The majority is very well written, however it does not give the flavor usually associated with Star Wars Books. It is not necessary to read and no fan would get lost if they skipped to Destiny's Way. While I personally enjoyed it, the lack of action and the dominating philosophical language may turn some fans off.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: THE REVIEW
Review: In a universe filled with an abundance of unrealistic and unnecessary combat comes a book that focuses more on the other potentials dwelling beneath the complex being that is JEDI. Finally the reader gets a break from Jaina's circus plane tricks, from the falcons ability to take out ANY vong military vessel, from Luke complaining about not knowing what to do, from dumb plot add ins like Lord Nyax and FINALLY or hopefully I should say, Nom Anor is taken out of his joke of a role as Vong Executor.


Philosophy. One of the key componets of a Jedi's persona is integrated into this plot. The implication of this aspect to the NJO series was absolutely vital to the integrity of the Jedi as well as the previous authors.


I give Stover two thumbs up. He didn't waste time rambling on with a twelve page lightsaber fight or a six chapter Starship battle or try to combine seven different plots featuring thirty different characters. Instead, he philosiphizes, and as you read on, you philosiphize along with the book. Vergere turns out to be one of the most interesting characters in NJO, however, a good one is lost.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Preview was the best part
Review: This was by far the largest letdown of the New Jedi Order Series. If you want to read two hundred pages on Jacen's thought than this is the book for you, but you can skip this book and not miss much in the series. The preview to Destiny's Way was the best part of the book, in fact you can read that and not purchase the book.


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