Rating: 
Summary: Truth....?
Review: This book opened up whole avenues of directions for the New Jedi Order series to go from here. Full of conflict, but not of battles, full of questions, missing answers, full of truths, equally full of lies, this book was enigmatic beyond belief, and it will completely shake the foundation of everything you believed about the force. Two sittings, and this book was done.
Rating:
Summary: A reveiw by SmartOneX10
Review: A good book. A few things that are weird about it though. Jacen gets along far to well during torture and the rest without the force. Also, with only 6 charaters, it seems like too much, compared to the 3 pages of names in the Enemy Lines duology. Another major character is killed of, one that was growing on me, especially in Star by Star. Vergere is becoming more and more unpredictable in the sides she takes. i'm glad to see Nom Anor taken down a peg, it was a long time coming, an deither side could have done it too. A lot of questions were answered, like why the other Jedi couldn't feel Jacen. i liked the Jacen book much better than the Jaina book (Dark Journey). It finally changed jacen. Up until mow, he was really on my nerves, because of his moral questions, and not using the Force. Jaina has a cameo, but the path of Ganner to Jacen seems kind of farfetched. One thing I really liked was that it took out much of the action. Now the other books can be more free about different subjects. I didn't like the Vongshaping on Coruscant, or, i mean, Yuuzhan'tar. I thought eventually the New Republic would retake it, and maybge they still will, but it will never be the same. It will be interesting to see how the return of Jacen, with Vergere, will go over for Jaina, and the rest of them. All in all a good book. I struggled between 4 and 5 stars. i really enjoyed it, but there were a few problems. I'd say 4 1/2 stars. Next up, Destiny's Way!
Rating:
Summary: I read it in the parking lot of the bookstore
Review: I bought this book and went outside to my car. I decided to read the first chapter while I prepared my cigar for smoking. I didn't pull out of the parking lot until I read every page of the book. A lot of questions about the force are answered, even some questions that were raised in book 12. Go out and get this one immediately
Rating: 
Summary: Different, Enigmatic, and a Definite Good Read
Review: For those of you expecting the typical Star Wars novel, forget it. This is not it. On the flip side, it's an excellent story, both in plotline and writing style. Much like Stackpole's 'I, Jedi' and its 1st person approach, this book is written partially in the present tense (with enigmatic poetic phrasing), and is all about character development. 'Traitor' parallels the events of the last 3 books. Jacen finally finds that answer he's looking for, and Vergere's confusing actions become more resolved. The plotline was believeable, and actions were explained fully with decent metaphors. More on the Vong culture, religion, and bio-technology; characters acted within the personalities given them by previous writing (I would say that Stover did as good a job as Allston in this area). I'm looking forward to the eventual meeting between Jaina and Jacen. Stover builds that up into quite an area of suspense, as readers who have read to this point know that both characters have changed substantially since separated. On the down side, one more Jedi does die in this book. I won't say who, but it's one that I didn't expect and I wish they hadn't killed this particular Jedi, who was an interesting character. The mode of death, however, was appropriate, so if this Jedi had to go, that was the way to do it. (btw, how can there be a NEW JEDI order if the new jedi keep being killed?) The other less-than-good aspect of this novel was the repetition of certain ideas and the easier-than-it-ought-to-be predicatibility of what Jacen learns in the end. Hence, 4 stars instead of 5. 'Traitor' was an excellent read, for its different style and its character development; you'll never look at Jacen quite the same way again, nor Vergere. (As a side note, you should read 'Rogue Planet' to understand Vergere's comments about Anakin Skywalker) 'Traitor' was a necessary installment in this series, and one not to be missed. Based both on this book and the blurb from the next at the end of 'Traitor', I can't wait for 'Destiny's Way' to be published.
Rating:
Summary: WOW!!!!
Review: This book is, without a doubt, one of the best Star Wars books to ever be published. Though very very different then the previous twelve, this book is my favorite so far, and probably the best written as well, surpassing even Star by Star. As I mentioned before this book differs considerably from all that have come before it, the most immediate difference being that there is only one true main character, Jacen Solo. Far from the wide sweeping epics of the past, this book takes place over a much longer space of time than the others, picking up just after Star by Star extending well beyond Rebel Stand. Also, there is only one storyline, and that is Jacen's. All the events in this book revolve around him, and his searching as to his place in the universe comes to a head at last. This book is deeply philosophical, without a lot of action, which will, I'm sure, annoy some fans, but truly, this book is worth far more than the usual. Anyway, not long after the stunning events of Star by Star, Jacen lies in the Embrace of Pain, the Vong's favorite torture device, as the mysterious Vergere alternately tortures him and tends to him. Vergere seems like a traitor to all sides, but is it possible she is actually helping Jacen? While Dark Journey was great, and I thought it described well Jaina's feelings about Anakin's death, it didn't even come close to this book's in depth description of the trauma and guilt and grief of losing a sibling. I don't think anyone who has a sibling could not be touched by the powerful emotions this book calls up. By the end of the book, I was missing Anakin all over again! Do yourself a favor and avoid all spoilers before reading this book. I guarentee it won't disapoint any true Star Wars fan.
Rating:
Summary: An intense and gratifying read
Review: In TRAITOR, Matthew Stover gives one of the first real hero journeys in the NJO series. Jacen Solo was captured by the Yuuzhan Vong shortly after his brother Anakin died. It has long been advanced that he was subsequently killed by them. Stover provides the action which led to Jacen's severance from the force causing even his twin sister Jaina to believe him dead. While all the previous NJO novels boasted a large supporting cast, TRAITOR possesses only six characters. The foremost of them are Jacen and Vergere. Vergere has appeared several times in past NJO novels, as well as some Pre-Empire novels. Always enigmatic, she plays both friend and foe to Jacen, seemingly helping ease his pain at times during his indenture, other times aiding those who hold him. Constantly throughout the book, the reader is forced to wonder exactly whose side she is on, if on any side at all other than her own. Thankfully, it seems this question is honestly resolved at the book's end. As a prisoner, Jacen is first subjected to what any reader would regard as torture, but not for any specific purpose, e.g., gathering of information. This motivation, among others, is part of the learning Jacen must experience in order finally to find a path for his life. In previous novels he has appeared only as a whiner, always wondering if he is doing enough, too much, or simply the wrong thing. While he must suffer much, he gains wisdom and experience unique among Jedi. This book is filled with some of the most descriptive writing in the series, but it lacks some of the flamboyant action and violence typical of some of the past books. If you really want space combat and individual battles of Jedi and Yuuzhan Vong, this is really not the book for you. While there are some moments, they all serve to educate and mature young Jacen. There is a very significant combat at the end involving a figure not seen much since the earlier novels in the series in which he played a noticeable role. I really enjoyed this book, as it was more cerebral and psychological in nature than those preceeding it in the series. It is a short book, though, under 300 pages, ending too quickly for my enjoyment.
Rating:
Summary: Stunningly good.
Review: This book, by far, surpasses all of the earlier in the series. Having read through since the very beginning, I can say that the series has progressed quite well. This book is pure genius at heart - it presents both Jacen and the reader with problem after problem, and when the solution is finally revealed, you simply get the feeling of "Ahhhhh. So THAT'S why." Myself being a hardcore Jacen fan, I was in love with this book as soon as I saw it. Others who aren't necessarily as interested in him might be somewhat turned away, since the book is a pure and complete focus on him, but even for those people, this is well worth buying and reading over and over again.
Rating:
Summary: the book of mind games...
Review: After countless poundings and poundings of nonstop Star Wars action (not saying it's a bad thing but it does get old after a while), this book has finally been able to bring what the prior New Jedi Order books haven't: a book of the psychological kind. Instead of using blasters or lightsabers to get to the answers, we have here instead the utilizing of the brain and combing through what is the truth and what isn't. And yes, this book definitely has answered a lot of the questions that have lingered ever since Jacen disappeared, for example why no one can feel him through The Force. This book takes Star Wars to a whole another dimension, and it definitely makes the impending release of Destiny's Way even more intriguing.
Rating:
Summary: Mastadge, you stole my title
Review: This book is something of a departure for the NJO series, but it turns out to be a welcome one. I'll skip the tired plot rehash and get right down to why I liked this book. First off, Stover crafts the story excellently, delving into several well-explored but worthwhile themes, and making Vergere into a much more interesting character than she's been protrayed thus far. Also, the story doesn't play around with its parallels to The Empire Strikes Back, but acknowledges them head-on; by the end of the first scene, it's clear that this is Jacen's version of Dagobah, and Vergere is a somewhat twisted mirror of Yoda. By getting it out of the way without being coy, Stover gives himself and the reader room to play with the dynamics, and it works very well. Finally, Stover's world-creation skills are excellent; both the Nursery and Yuzzhantar (there's no way I spelled that right) are believable and compelling, and I felt myself drawn into them, particularly the bizarre confederation of the Nursery's several slave-cliques. I held back on a four-star rating because I felt the narration was clunky in a few places, and the abrupt introduction of Ganner two/thirds through felt tacked-on. (Although I will say I loved this subplot's final resolution, and the justly deserved fate of Nom Anor. The creep.) But, overall, thsi book is [money] well spent, and I can't wait for Destiny's Way.
Rating:
Summary: whoa
Review: when i first read it i was confused about some issues but when i re-read it, i understood everything and this book is awesome. take your time reading it.
|
