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

Rating:
Summary: Good.....
Review: This was a very good book. It had enough action scences to keep you interested between the other chapters. Stackpoles work is fantastic compared to some of the other righters, but i think Zahn should write them all. The book itself had a pretty good plot(i won't go into it because i would give things away). He handles most of the characters very well, but he seems to have a reluctance to use mara. He does a pretty good job with the solo kids. Leia is hardly in it after she talks to a certain person. Han is in it for a longer period of time and he seems to be getting better. Other characters make mistakes, then they learn from their actions, an become better at what they were trying to do. All in all, a must read!

Rating:
Summary: AWESOME
Review: Stackpole is a awesome autho who writes awesome books.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty Disapointing
Review: Ok, we have got the point that the Vong are evil - can we please have a book with a mildly satisfing ending? Something like Mara's illness being cured or them actually winning for a change. The books are getting more and more unsatisfying and depressing. Too many people are dying. I liked Elegos and I still keep hoping that Chewie comes back. (Well maybe I am reaching a bit there.) I also like Han and can't believe he would hang around in bars while his family is in trouble.

Rating:
Summary: New Jedi Order ...New Hope?
Review: Recently I finished reading "Onslaught" and "Ruin". Besides my reaction of, WOW!" I have to say that these books, in the continution of what was introduced in "Vector Prime", has really succeeced in bringing a wide range of characters together in a plot that is as wonderful as it is terrifying. And, as we all found out in "Vector Prime", no one and nowhere is safe. I, for one, like this type of conflict and while I don't want to see another beloved character bite the dust, there is that fear that it just could happen. Hey, these characters are in a dire situation; we readers should be fearful for them. If we aren't, then the plot-line for the NJO novels should consist of situation comedies. One of the most profound things, for me, in "Onslaught" and " Ruin" was not only did I learn more about the Yuushang Vong, but I got to know , gain interest in and care for some characters which otherwise I could've cared less about: Corran, Ganner and Elegos to name three. I have also gained more respect for the children of Han and Leia. All of these people become not only more insightfull of themselves, gain more depth of character in realizinfg their own faults and mistakes but earn the respect of those who otherwise may not have given such before. That Ganner is injured and leaves the scar to remind himself of his own shortsightedness made me respect him; he will definately be the stronger Jedi it. Lets hope Kyp Durron takes that que! And how about Corran accepting that he is the scapegoat the media and the government seem to need concerning the destruction of Ithoria? And how can we forget Elegos, whose ultimate sacrifice will hopefully not be in vain? Jacen, Jaina and Anakin all seem to be learning the price payed in war. I can only hope that in those lessons they will be able to understand more fully the grief thier father is in. It appears they are. One can only wait to see. In closing I have to say that I am quite happy with the treatment the author has given to the characters: their emotions and their situations. I only wish there had been more mention of Han, if only in thought, from those characters who care the most for him. It did seem that he was all but forgotten. Is that how HE is supposed to be feeling at this point in time? If so, it will be no wonder that he sets out on his own journey. I can't wait for the next 'onslaught' of novels!

Rating:
Summary: Hmmmmm.....
Review: All right. Here's a couple of little thoughts: 1. Where was Leia? 2. Why was this so short? 3. Where was all the action? 4. When will Mara get cured and have kids? And finally: 5. Why Corran? I found this book rather unfullfilling. Leia was hardly in it, Mara still has that disease, and Corran...AAARRRGGGGHHHHH! Other than that, this was a perfectly good SW book.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty Good, but not as good as Onslaught
Review: Ruin is a fun read that starts off kind of slow but picks up more and more and it goes on. The only thing is that I feel like there is so much trying to be crammed into so short a space that the story suffers sometimes. In the first half of the book a potential storyline for Luke, Mara, and Anakin and a new character Chalco ends quickly. It seemed like it was cut down to half of what it should have been and winds up looking like an excuse to have Luke and the others do something. Once again, Corran Horn is highlighted for a while, but he never has a normal conversation but sounds like he's preaching. I liked him better as a cocky pilot. The Solo kids are written okay, even though some people feel they act way too old for their ages. Han and Leia are virtually absent and you feel they should be in it more. The Vong are pretty cool though, and I don't think the novelty is wearing off. If anything I like them more now because you get a better understanding of their culture. The only shame is it seems like Stackpole was told by the higher ups that it couldn't be more than 300 pages. They should have just given Stackpole room and he would have done a better job. As it is, it is still a fun book to read. There are some neat suprises and groups that come into the story that fans will like.

Rating:
Summary: Dark Tide II RUIN
Review: I haven't read a StarWars novel I haven't liked yet and this is no exception. However, this book did seem to have been hurried. They spent all this time looking for something to use against the Vong, when they found it, they didn't use it. The older characters are getting lost. Can you see Han Solo drowning in self-pitty. I don't think so. Leia setting back while her children are knee deep into life and death. Could we please find the cure for Mara? All in all this was a great book, I couldn't put it down. As with any book I read, I would always like to do things a little different. To all StarWars fans this is a must read, but read the other 2 books of the TNJO first, it will make it a lot easier to follow.

Rating:
Summary: It's a good time to be a SW EU Fan
Review: The last few books of the Bantam series, and the new NJO books from Del Ray make it a very good time to read Star Wars. Dark Tide: Ruin ranks up the Heir to the Empire trilogy, Han Solo Trilogy and Specter/Vision, as one of the best SW books. This book focuses mainly on the Jedi and Corran Horn. I am a big fan of this character, and once again Mr. Stackpole's developement of this character is superb. This book continues the trend of the NJO order books in that the Jedi realize they are not invicible. As with the rest of the Stackpole books we get a few gory details, great tactical descriptions, and an ending that leaves you begging for more. Tactical descriptions are what Stackpole thrives on, and it seems that he pulls his info from the X-wing series of games. Probobly the greatest moment of any SW book for me, was when I read about Corran doing a sim with the frigate Warhawk (i THINK this is the name) and then realizing that I had played the same mission in the X-wing computer game series. Kudos to Mike Stackpole. Sorry to ramble.

Rating:
Summary: Good but....
Review: Overall the book was one of the better Star Wars books but the thing that let the book down for me was the characterisation of the Solo kids. I realise that they've done alot but never once do they act as 16 year olds do. They constactly act as if they where 35 and this just meant they were completely unbelievable as characters. This isn't just a fault with this book but all the books they have no idea how a 16 year old should behave. This was the only major problem the rest of the book is really quite good has good pace and there some very vivid descriptions. It would have been nice to see more of Han Solo but going to have to wait for that.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent continuation of Onslaught, but needs to be longer.
Review: This book, while it should have been longer, is a great sequel to Onslaught. The New Republic has been pushed back to Ithor but sends a recon team to Garqi. In an engagment on the surface, Corran, Ganner, and Jacen found that Baffor tree pollen is an allergen to Vong armor. Meanwhile, some Jedi is looking for a twin of Eye of Palpatine. Anakin and some other person pursue but get caught by her. The Imperial Remnent is asked for help, and at Garqi, ambush the Vong. Baron Fel's 2nd son, Jagged Fel, leads a Chiss squadron and blows away some skips harassing the Rouges. Later on Ithor, Jaina seems to have a thing for Jag. I was very sorry to see Ithor become another Alderaan. That what happens to pacifists. I think that Lecerno ought to fix Mara's disease, so that Luke and Mara can have a kid or four. I feel that Han is going to take his revenge on the Vong in Hero's Trial. He should reaccept his General's commission. (These are supposed to be five paragraphs, but the computer malfunctioned.)