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Dark Tide II: Ruin (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 3)

Dark Tide II: Ruin (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 3)

List Price: $6.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Bre's
Review: This edition to the Star Wars saga is as excellant as one might expect, being written by Michael A. Stackpole. The action sequences are fabulous - you feel as though you are a part of it, not a mere bystander. The characters were all well-realised, and I was particularly happy with Mara, as Stackpole, apart from Timothy Zahn, of course, has a far better grip on her than the other SW writers seem to have. We get to learn a lot more about the Vong culture and way of thinking then what we previously knew, and I found that it helped with my understanding of the plot a lot more. The ending upset me on a personal note, but on an impersonal note, I'd have to say that it was quite exceptional. Very unexpected, and unexcepted is good. I wished, however, that the sub-plot about Daeshara'cor, though good by itself, had a bit more to do with the overall scheme of things.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great job.
Review: Wow. What a book this is. Mike Stackpole delivers with a whiz-bang in this spectacular two book set. What is there to like about this book? Everything.

Stackpole's plots are tight and well woven especially the Daeshara'cor subplot.

Action sequences are flawless as usual. The battles on Garqui and Ithor are wonderfully done. Mike has long wowed me with his space battles. Now we know he has a similar affinity for lightsaber and blaster fights.

Cameos abound and there is some good character development. Corran, Shedeo Shai, Ganner, and Elegos A'Kla are handled very nicely. The conversations between Shai and his visitor are great and I really liked the way that plot ended. Good to see Wedge and Tycho back. Wedge didn't get much to do, but maybe some other author will pick him up. Kre'fey, Kyp, and Wurth show considerable promise. I still love to hate Borsk.

In short, the only real negative about this book is that it is book two and not book three. Yup, Siege was cancelled. Now I guess I get over it.

I am feeling understandably nostalgic upon finishing this book. I am actually enjoying the NJO. New friends like Luceno, Denning, Salvatore and others are being introduced. Old friends, like Stackpole, Allston and Tyers, still drop around. Someone once said, "Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver, the others gold." Goodbye, Mr. Stackpole, Mike, you were truly gold.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A serviceable end to the duology.
Review: "Ruin" is a sufficient, if slightly derivative, conclusion to the "Dark Tide" duology. As with the first book, the Star Wars gang splits up, goes on some missions, then bands together in the end for a final battle. The problem with the New Jedi Order books is that they're all starting to read the same. How many times are we going to read about "dovin basals," "amphistaffs," and "curling lips?" All the battle scenes are completely indistinguishable from one another and aren't particularly interesting or exciting.

To its credit, "Ruin" has a pretty good surprise ending, and there are some very interesting things happening to those wacky Jedi kids, notably Jacen. There's some potentially ominous foreshadowing going on with this kid; I'm eager to see if future books pick up on it.

In short, don't expect "Ruin" to blow your mind away; read it to keep up with the New Jedi Order plot and then move on to the next book.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Thoroughly Enjoyable
Review: Stackpole's Dark Tide Duology is fantastic. The ever-present sense of doom that makes the book impossible to put down.

Ruin is a good conclusion to Onslaught. The Jedi storylines are great.The Ganner-Corran rift is handled very well, as is the "soul searching" of Jacen Solo. Even the subplot involving Daeshara'cor was good. But the best parts involve the outcome of Elegos' mission and the ending duel. The duel is great with the expected outcome, but it is the events after the happiness that are the reason this installment is called Ruin.

Stackpole is a master of handling several characters and storylines, and has shown himself to be a credit to the Star Wars universe with this book.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Bravo, Stackpole!!!
Review: I just finished reading the "Dark Tide" novels and I haven't been more pleased with a Star Wars novelist. I've stayed away from Star Wars fiction for the most part because of bad experiences I've had with it in the past (the over-rated Timothy Zhan trilogy), but the "New Jedi Order" books rock! In particular, I found the way Stackpole connected his own novels together with the criminally under-appreciated "Vector Prime" to be exceptionally noteworthy. He picked up right where Salvatore left off and upped the adrenaline.

Corran Horn, whom I know nothing about, was tremendous! What an awsome character Stackpole has here; clever, deadly, cocky, and humble, we was the perfect embodiment of the post-Skywalker Jedi Knight. With 20-something novels left to round out this series, I'm sure he'll be back.

I also found the character developement outstanding; Luke Skywalker certainly demonstrates why he is the Master...

One passage in particular, was incredible!...I had goosebumps....Speaking of, Anakin "The Vong Killing Machine" Solo is also handled nicely, as he come to grips with Chewbacca's death and grows as a warrior and into a man. His future's so bright, I gots to wear shades. Jacen's a conceited dweeb, but Jaina kicks coral tail as part of Rogue Squadron! The flight passages were extrordinary! I could actually visualize the action in my mind's eye while I read of Jaina and Gavin Darklighter (who is also excellent) deftly manuvering their X-wings through the action.

Overall, it's oustanding! As someone who is not a fan of Star Wars fiction at all, I found a smile on my face as I tore through both books in just four sittings (and paid the price at work following each). The Yuuzhan Vong are a truly formidable adversary, with a certain dignity in their beliefs and ferocity with which they defend them. I'm 27 years old, and I found myself wishing they'd come out with Vong action figures. What's up with that?! Salvatore put the hook in me, but Stackpole has reeled me in for the entire series.

Now, I wonder what a certain grieving ex-smuggler is up to...

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: it just gets better and better
Review: Of all the books in the new jedi order so far, Ruin is definatly the best. It's about time the star wars books started focasing on characters besides the well known trio, Han Luke and Leia. Bringing in the emperial remnant as allies to the new republic was the best thing anyone's done in the star wars universe since return of the Jedi. It adds a whole other depth to the storyline. Another great thing was bringing in Baron Fels son, Jag Fel. I just hope they develop him more in the next books; he could be really great.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Couldn't put it down, but then again I'm a SW nut
Review: Well let me say that after reading through Onsluahgt I wasn't quite prepared for at least one of the smaller twists that Stackpole throws out. Therein lies the key to the grip of this novel. All the characters are true to life, they grow and change as new experiences alter their view on life which neatly ties in with the experiences they've had in the previous two NJO books. All that combined with some wonderfully played combat and action scenes moves the novel along so quickly I finished it without stoping for anything but a cold coke, the ending also stays true to the swerve like nature of the novel and it goes both ways all at once. The only down side is I wish we had just a bit more background behind the conflict.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great characters, great setting, great battles: GREAT BOOK!!
Review: Stackpole does a fine rendering of this new enemy in the SW universe. The book is composed of a great plot, decorated with astounding battles and supported by an amazing development of characters. There are a lot of nonsense Star Wars books out there, this is completely the opposite of those.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A very Good Installment
Review: This is a very good book. In the entire series, though, a few loose ends could be taken care of: when is Luke going to find out that C3PEE0 and R2 belonged to his father, and the death of Chewie was unnecessary and added nothing to the story plot. Nonetheless, this episode is griping and spell binding. The sense of desperation on the part of the New Republic comes thru very clearly and the imagery is great. This saga though needs to be wrapped up. Recommend this as a MUST BUY.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Continuing the Saga. . .
Review: I'll be honest, I loved this book. Jaina flies with the Squadron and she deserves it. Aniken still deals with his guilt, but what surprised me the most, is that we heard realatively nothing about Han. This upset me, as he is a very important character in the SW universe, and they can't afford to lose him. The alien species that out heroes are facing seems to be gaining, slowly. I love how the chapter switsh to even the Yuuzang Vohngs point of veiw.

Anyways, the point is, this book is an absolute musty have for any Star Wars fan around.


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