Rating: 
Summary: Good, but could be better
Review: Fabulous book first of all, but for the first 7 chapters, it is only about Luke and his military buddies. I think the author could have mixed it up a little. Otherwise it was a great book. Still the mystery of Jacen, is he alive???? Keeps you in suspense. Also, Jaina has a major maturity boost. I cannot wait until June for the next book!!!!!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Not the best, but definately up there
Review: Probably one of the best books so far in The New Jedi Order, Rebel Dream brings with it something that's been lacking throughout the series: humor. Allston has done an excellent job of weaving in tongue-in-cheek humor, as well as telling a compelling story. Also, he brings back the group he created, the Wraiths, who themselves can't help but produce a few laughs. The story, which takes place shortly after the events of [u]Star By Star[/u] brings some of the space combat that seemed lacking, up until that book. Saying much more might ruin the plot, but expect to see a few familiar faces...no pun intended.
Rating:
Summary: So much better than the last book
Review: The first thing I have to say is don't be decieved by the preveiw. Luke's team lands on Coruscant in the last 5 pages. Their are several main stories in this book. The main one they all tie into is the Borelias Occupation, where Wedge's forces take a stand. The main point of this book functioning in a series is to show the fall of the New Republic and rebirth of rhe classic Trilogy's Rebel Alliance. The lead up to Luke's expedition, Leia and Han's marital status and Jaina's association with Yun Harla and her recovery into a character we know and love are also prosued.All in all, most of the characters are well protrayed. This is really the first book in which we see Luke acting "in character." He takes a stand which fits with his Jedi views, which is what the real Luke would do. The only real issues I had were that the author is definately a Kyp Fan, and the women (besides the teenagers) are poorly written. Leia says some stupid un-Leiaish things about letting kids practice with lightsabers with only 3PO watching, but I suppose it can be forgiven as coming out of grief. Mara spends this book being irrational or emotionally upset. All in all this was a good book, not as good as could be but nobody is perfect and not everyone will agree with me. The plot and subplots are well crafted and complex enough to be Star Wars. In addition little flashes of humor and romance will keep everyone happy and intrigued by the New Jedi Order.
Rating:
Summary: after so so njo books, this one delivers
Review: After a horribly written Dark Journey, NJO comes back with full force in Aaron Allston's Rebel Dream. In the past, it seems that the Vong always had the upper hand.. more intelligence, more cunning. For the first time in a long time, it seems that the New Republic has finally got its act together. This book introduces some incredible plot twists that are sure to develop over future books and will be reminiscent of the good old days where the good guys were just a band of hopeful rebels. This is definately one of the better books in the series and definately a worthwhile read for NJO fans.
Rating: 
Summary: An early review, only half-way through
Review: I realize that passing judgement on a book when I'm only half-way may be a bit premature but the fact is this book isn't as engaging as the previous Allston Star Wars efforts. The Wraith Squadron trilogy had entertaining characters and a character focus for each novel allowing the reader to go into his or her mind. Allston did it perfectly allowing you to feel the character's emotions and fears in a way unlike any other Star Wars book I've read. It may be sacrilegious to say, but he surpasses Stackpole and challenges Zahn in this aspect.
The characters he created and the previously established characters like Han, Wedge, and Janson have the warmth to them of real people through Allston's previous Star Wars books; Unfortunately that warmth has faded now. Perhaps the serious nature of the war with the Vong has caused the characters to change drastically, but war ass a weekly event in the Star Wars novels even before the Vong came and they should be used to it! Wait... that was rambling. What I mean is that I don't enter Wedge's mind the same way I did in the other books, the warmth has faded and entering Luke's mind is not a substitute. Maybe I have an irrational hatred of Luke (damn farm boy, why does he get Mara Jade?!), maybe little can be added to Luke after the many books focusing on him and his character development at a standstill, but right now this book doesn't match Allston's other efforts. Star by Star was the best and last book in the NJO that I had read to this point. Plus I just read an INCREDIBLE sci-fi book, "The Stars My Destiny" by Alfred Bester which has the best plot development and backstory I have ever read, you need to read this book. With these two books behind me at a level just above the Wraith Squadron series I expected Allston to surpass himself, it's a disappointment. I'm around the 100 page of 300+ and I suppose Allston can still redeem himself since flashes of brillance still show with his visions of an enemy and a family reunion. The problem is that Bester's novel is a continuous flame of brillance and I doubt Allston can challenge it. I will finish the review when I've finished the book but right now it's a fine book in the NJO series, just not up to Allston's past level.
Rating:
Summary: Holding¿
Review: "Rebel Dream", the 12th installment in, "The New Jedi Order Series", reveals little that is new, leaves unresolved the arguably largest issue of installment 11, and leaves some new tactics just shortly after they begin. The next installment is not due until June so it will be awhile before this story really proceeds. The status of the survivors from Coruscant are likely similar to those prior to the movie, "A New Hope". The ruling council on Coruscant is effectively gone, and once again a core of familiar faces is set to spread rebellion against the Vong much as they did against the original Empire Of Palpatine. The previous book had the image of Jaina on the cover. While this book does not, once again she is a very central player in this continuing war. After Anakin's death, and with conflicting beliefs regarding the status of Jaicen, Jaina has come back from the dark side, but she remains confused as she takes risks that only her father Han would ever have attempted. The location that once was the lair of the scientists that built the Empire's super weapons is now being put to use by The Insiders. For those readers that remember The Maw the first time around, the area and its dangerous approaches will be familiar and welcome. There is an interesting revelation about the Vong Warmaster that sheds light on how the progression to his position takes place. And the Vong are also beginning to demonstrate emotions that would normally be reserved for their enemies. Politics is not reserved only for the remnants of The Republic, and the council the Warmaster lends credence to will be a surprise to those who have followed this series. Again not a great deal of new material or resolution, but Aaron Allston is a veteran of the Star Wars Saga and he makes the work interesting even if a bit thin on new developments.
Rating:
Summary: At last some lighter relief!
Review: The last few books in this series have been very depressing with deaths and disappearances of my favourite characters. The surviving characters have been full of angst and conflict. Rebel Dream gives us respite from this with some victories for the good guys. Even the bad guys don't get as nasty. Don't get me wrong it is not all sweetness and joy but I am now motivated to stick with this series. After all, I started reading Star Wars to escape to a time where good triumphs over evil!
Rating:
Summary: A definite reprisal to the darkness of previous NJO books...
Review: Not since the end of Vector Prime, the first book in this series, and perhaps the first Agents of Chaos book, have I actually finished a novel and felt the good guys are doing something right. Undoubtedly in this case they are. For shifting the attention away from the regular cast of characters, except for Jaina, Allston deserves much praise, but for doing it in a manner that reinforces the admirable strength and power of these characters makes it commendable. Even small touches such as adding Tam, the camera-man turned Yuuzhan Vong slave, help to flush out the plot of what was a steadily shifting, but constantly in motion chain of events. The addition of Tsavong Lah's father to the mix was also intruiging, and I wonder if Allston did this of his own ambition (in which case it was brilliantly done) as I peeked at the end of the next novel and am aware Tsavong's father dies, so he does not remain a character for the other writers. The character depth was good, the love-story between Jag and Jaina reaching the inevitable first kiss was well done, as was Jaina finally realizing her sense of mortality in an individualized manner - quite nice. All in all, I just can't wait to finish the next one.
Rating:
Summary: This book gets 5 shining stars!
Review: This is absolutely one of the best Star Wars: NJO novels that I have ever read. The battle scenes were creative and intense, the jokes were very easily understood and quite funny, and the romantic angle was very interesting. However, I'd like to see the love story expanded upon in Enemy Lines II. Otherwise a really excellent book.
Rating:
Summary: Rousing New entry.
Review: Welcome back to Star Wars Mr. Allston. This is the first of a duology that provides new insights to the Vong and the Warmaster. But it is also Aaron Allston at his typical best.. combining action and humor for an interesting story.
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