Rating: 
Summary: Keep 'em coming!
Review: I love this New Jedi Order serie and therefor I love this book too. To me it's just as exiting as the Timnothy Zahn trilogy.
Rating:
Summary: Out of the ruin.
Review: This book was certainly depressing. But it was also an excellant contribution to the Star Wars galaxy. It picks up not to long after Onslaught, book one of the Dark Tide duology, left off. The New Republic government can't seem to decide how the handle the Yuuzhan Vong invasion. Jaina continues to serve in Rogue Squadron. Jacen, Corran, and Ganner set off a reconn mission to Garqi, a planet occupied by the Vong, in the hopes of learning something that can be of use. Elegos sets off in a futile attempt to negotiate with the invaders. And when the world of Ithor is threatened, everyone must band together to evacuate the occupants to safety and defend the world from the merciless Yuzzhan Vong. A dark, action-packed page turner. The New Jedi Order is really coming along well, and I highly reccomend the books to Star Wars fans.
Rating:
Summary: Best New Jedi Order book yet!
Review: This book was truly awesome! I loved it! The empire finally gets involved in the battle with the Yuzhan Vong. It's about time! One of my only complaints is there is no Han. But at least looking at Heroes Trial, synopsis (the new book in new jedi order series) it looks like Han has finally got over his depression and is one of the main characters again. Yessss! (Han is one of my favorites) This book comes down to one brutal battle to save Ithor. It is great! Ruin really sets up a lot of the story line for the New Jedi Order series. I would recommend this book today!
Rating:
Summary: The Jedi Strike Back
Review: I think Stackpole does a wonderful job of showing all sides of the war between the Yuuzhan Vong and the New Republic.He also includes the difference of opinion between the Jedi.Which is an important idea. That and the fact that Corran Horn is now Jedi and goes Medieval on the Yuuzhan Vong, make this one of Stackpoles best books so far.
Rating:
Summary: What a sequel!
Review: What a book! Finally, without a doubt, I give it a 5. I loved it! I could have reviewed it much sooner, but I was busy re-reading it. The story flows as it should. The settings, the development of the Shedao and his cohorts, Senator A'Kla and the final scene! I do weep for them all. I can only say, "Good work Mr. Stackpole!" You've set up the story very well, because, whoever picks it up afterwards has enough leeway, to explore interesting venues for Deign Lian and whoever will be in charge (another War Coordinator?), the Solos, Kyp and his gang (I loved the fact that Ganner finally WOKE UP!) and others we have yet to meet. Thanks Mr Stackpole, Research librarian, Obroa-Skai Library
Rating: 
Summary: ....staying right on track
Review: I am just as impressed with "Ruin" as I am with the previous two books in the NJO series. This book was very well written and easy to follow. It flowed very nicely and it is so good to see new characters rising to the awesome challange that is at hand. I am very surprised at the amount of violence that has come into these novels. To me it is a welcome change. There is a new element to these novels that is truly terrifying and these books have just as much a place on the horror shelves as they do in the Sci-fi section. To me its almost as if the Yuzhan Vong were not meant for the Star Wars universe. Its as if they left the pages from a completely different genre and entered the Star Wars universe to wreak havoc. Whoever came up with the Yuzhan Vong should be commended - not so much because they are such an awesome advesary - but because they allow the characters that we all know and love to further grow and mature in a way that we haven't seen in the movies or past novels. All in all - the NJO series is on the right track in keeping the Star Wars genre interseting. Before the series I had no desire to read any Star Wars novels. Now I can hardly wait for the next one in the series to hit the stores.
Rating:
Summary: Paint It Black (Read it, you'll understand)
Review: After reading 'Onslaught' I eagerly sought out the sequel to the new Dark Tide series, 'Ruin', by Michael A. Stackpole. I must admit that I am fast becoming a big fan of his work and plan to read not only his other Star Wars novels, but his Battletech and fantasy works as well. Also, in keeping with his own comments, I will endeavor to purchase as many of these books new, rather than resort to buying used. I think one of the reasons why I like Stackpole's work so much is that it reminds of my own writing, though he is published and I am not so that might go some way to explain a few things on quality and content. He is an excellent story teller and understands the Star Wars universe, and his vision seems to match my own. 'Ruin' follows the events of the New Republic as they desperately attempt to fight of a growing invasion from the Yuuzhan Vong, an extra galactic race of religious zealots who are on a bloody pogrom to wrest the galaxy from the hands of machine using infidels. 'Ruin' reveals that there undercurrents within the Yuuzhan Vong forces that may point other reasons for this well, but they are not revealed. They are a race of evil beings bent on slaughter, even though they are aware that the two cultures are vastly different, but despite this they continue onward in a crusade across the galaxy led by Shedao Shai, the sadistic leader of the Yuuzhan Vong forces who is very rapidly developing a hate for Corran Horn. Shai views the killing of his kin on Bimmiel by Horn and fellow Jedi, Ganner Rhysode as murder while at the same time he is visited by New Republic Camassi ambassador, Elakos, who wishes to sue for peace or at least a truce. Shai agrees to the Camassi's request to learn from each other, so he immediately introduces Elakos to the Embrace of Pain, a torture device used by the Yuuzhan Vong, almost as form of entertainment. Meanwhile, Admiral Treast Kre'fey and Rogue Squadron aboard the New Republic warship Ralroost races into Imperial controlled space to ask for reenforcements from now Grand Admiral Gilad Paelleon, which the Republic gets, with a little added surprise. The next planet in the path of the advancing Yuuzhan Vong onslaught is the beautiful jungle world of Ithor, and both the New Republic and Imperial Remnant have arrived to stem the tide long enough to evacuate the peaceful Ithorians (the hammerhead guys from the cantina sequence in episode 4). Shai learns that the skeleton of one of his kin who had been doing recon 50 years previous has been found by Corran Horn, and so in order to illustrate to Mr. Horn the dishonor he has done by not properly adhering to Yuuzhan Vong tradition and prepared the bones properly, sends the Jedi grisly present. This is nothing compared to the 'Ruin' the Yuuzhan Vong cause, which is eventually heaped on to Horn's shoulders by Borsk Fey'lya. This book is very solid, and allows for a great deal of growth in who I think the main characters are-Jacen and Jaina Solo, and their younger brother, Anakin. All three really shine as they discover some pleasant and not-so-pleasant facts about life. Stackpole peppers the book with his blisteringly good action sequences, but also shines on the emotional end of story telling as well. Luke Skywalker, Mara Jade, and other characters come to life once again in 'Ruin' which will probably be Mr. Stackpole's last Star Wars novel, at least for a little while. I enjoyed this book immensely, it's ending is a bit of a gut wrencher, but whoever said war is pretty? May the Force be with you, always.
Rating:
Summary: NJO ROCKS
Review: I loved this book -but also loved Vector Prime and a lot of people didn't. It is a shame this is Michael Stackpoles last Star Wars book(for awhile anyhow). He has done a great job of devloping the younger charactors more fully and maturely. I love seeing Jaina doing so well in Rogue Sqaudron! And the mystery of where Jacen could be heading is always compellingly in the backround. My only wish is to see more of our old favorites. However there are plenty of NJO books in the future that I am sure will achieve that. And my absolute favorite thing was the (brief) introduction of Jagged Fel!
Rating:
Summary: Stackpole knows his SW characters!
Review: In the series Dark Tide:I Onslaught and Dark Tide:II Ruin; Stackpole did a fantastic job with character developement. They were the same Luke, Leia, and Mara that all true SW fans love. I especially liked the way the author tied these books into the other SW books and movies. The developement of the Solo children and other Jedi Knights, has me wanting more. I hope Michael Stackpole does more SW novels!
Rating:
Summary: Where is Han? We miss you!
Review: I was very pleased with the way that Mr. Stackpole brought all the young characters to life. He gave them all a future. But what about the generation before them....what has become of Han, Leia, Lando.....are they so old that they have left the fighting to their children? Are they that afraid of this new enemy?
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