Rating: Summary: Almost, but not quite, 5 stars Review: Many of those who have disliked Conquest appear to have concluded that because characters from the Young Jedi Knight and Junior Jedi Knight series are in it, this book, too, must be for "young readers." Not so! Keyes has presented us with an epic tale of a young hero who must confront his own inner demons as well as monstrous foes in a quest to redeem himself. Conquest is, as another reviewer has observed, a classic "hero quest," and as such is a welcome return to the mythological underpinning of the entire Star Wars saga. Keyes' style is both fluid and engrossing. The characters imported from Junior Jedi Knights are fully fleshed out and much more enjoyable than in their original venue. We are caught up in Anakin Solo's adventure, truly experiencing what he experiences and caring deeply about those things that matter to him. The story has its twists and turns, always leaving us on the edge of the seat. Even the Yuuzhan Vong are made interesting, as we see sides to their culture only hinted at in other works; we are finally given, as Anakin himself observes, Yuuzhan Vong who are not *enemies* but *people.* Keyes brings a new perspective to the New Jedi Order series, a much welcome one. What prevents Conquest from receiving a five star rating is that its ending is too pat. Anakin's friend Tahiri undergoes an experience that cries out for an in-depth treatment (an experience that Jack Chalker's characters inevitably go through), but the potential is not followed up on. I cannot say more without completely spoiling the end, unfortunately. Fans of adventure stories, as well as fans of Star Wars, should enjoy this one, even those who have not been following along with the rest of the series.
Rating: Summary: THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST STAR WARS NOVELS IN A LONG TIME! Review: This is a great novel, but am I the only one who feels the books have gotten smaller and smaller? The type seems bigger, and the pages seem smaller. The only novels that seem to compare to the Bantam Spectra books in size is the Agents of Chaos books. We pay the same price, but for smaller books. The positive side, however, is that this is a very enjoyable read, and you'll be tempted to read it cover to cover. This is the first novel I have read by J. Gregory Keyes, and I was impressed by his abilities to create a character-driven Star Wars novel, steeped in action and emotion. He does a great job of tying previous Star Wars stories together, and even though I have never read the Junior Jedi Knights series, I was not turned off or confused by the references to them in this book. It moves at a very fluid pace. Anakin Skywalker rushes to Yavin 4, the jungle moon that has been the academy for jedi knights for many years now. The Peace Brigade, who in an attempt to appease the Yuuzhan Vong, are there on a mission of conquest and kidnapping. They plan to steal the young Force-adapts and hand them over the enemy. The New Republic, of course, still does nothing, and does not send a fleet to meet them and stop the kidnappings. While Luke Skywalker attempts to contact the smuggling chief Talon Karrde, Anakin is in the middle of the biggest adventure of his life. He must find a way to survive in a wild enviroment, without his lightsaber, and avoid capture by the Vong and Peace Brigade while trying to rescue his dear friend Tahiri. This novel, while too short in my opinion, offers an enjoyable read, an a good look into the mind of Anakin Skywalker. For all you Star Wars fans who may have been turned off by Balance Point or Agents of Chaos II, rest assured, this one offers hope, light humor, and a rousing action adventure that will re-invigorate your love for the Star Wars universe.
Rating: Summary: A Big Surprise Review: First of all, I have to say that I was almost dreading the new subseries by Greg Keyes, Edge of Victory. So far in the New Jedi Order series, new authors have disappointed, and the only ones who wrote good books had prior experience (Michael Stackpole and Kathy Tyers) but Keyes just blew me away. Even though the story focuses almost exclusively on Anakin Solo (who i cant stand), I still found this book exciting to read. As first shown in James Luceno's Hero's Trial, the Yuuzhan Vong hate the Jedi. Whether they fear the Jedi or just want them out of the way, is unknown. Warmaster Tsavong Lah has declared (at the end of Kathy Tyers' Balance Point) that the Yuuzhan Vong will stop invading new lands if and only if all of the Jedi are turned over, especially Jacen Solo. A group of people who want peace with the Yuuzhan Vong have called themselves the Peace Brigade and have set out to capture all of the Jedi, starting with the Jedi students on Yavin 4. While Luke Skywalker sends Talon Karrde to pick up the students, Anakin Solo fears that Karrde will not arrive in time, and sets off, against orders, to Yavin 4. He arrives in time to see the Peace Brigade baring down on the defenseless children. Without giving the story away, Anakin sets off to save the children, and in the process his closest friend, Tahiri Veila, is captured by the Yuuzhan Vong, and Anakin sets off to save her, with the help of ex-Imperial Tie fighter pilot, Qorl, who had previously kidnapped Jacen and Jaina. Along the way, Anakin really establishes himself as the wonder kid of the Star Wars Universe, as he allies himself with a now shamed Yuuzhan Vong, to save Tahiri, and it the Vong's case, to get revenge. Greg Keyes puts forth a great effort, creating one of the top books in the whole nineteen book series. While focusing only on Anakin, Keyes manages to not get repetitive and the reader will not get tired of hearing about Anakin (even if they dont like him). You wont be disappointed with Edge of Victory: Conquest. Even if you have not liked the New Jedi Order series so far, Conquest is sure to please.
Rating: Summary: The Best of the Best Review: Greg Keyes, let me just start off by congratulating you. You have made a wonderful beginning in the star wars universe and i hope you continue to grace its glory. This is the best book in the new jedi order. It is from this that the plot is really dominanted by the rest of the series. All of the shamed ones heretics, all of Tahiris problems, every thing stems from this book. This is the one star wars book that i can read over and over again. It follows Anakin Solo's quest to rescue his friend Tahiri from the Shapers. He meets up with a Shamed One who is trying to clear his name. So they join forces to take on all of the Yuzhan Vong. If you havent read this book go out and buy it right now and read it and dont get up till you've finished reading it.
Rating: Summary: A great book! Review: This book is very interesting. It's an new Jedi Order book which continues the Star Wars saga. No longer content with the destruction of the Yuuzhan Vong have already shown, Warmaster Tsavong Lah has demanded the heads of all the Jedi! Now the Jedi knights are in terrible danger-and none more so than the young Jedi students at the Jedi academy on Yavin 4(the moon where the Praxeum is) Already the sympathizers known as the peace Brigade are in the Yavin system-and a Yuuzan Vong fleet is not far behind. at Luke SkyWalkers(tm)* request, Talon Kardde mounts an expedition to rescue the young the students. Anakinn Solo has his own ideas. Impatient and figuring that that forgiveness is easier to come by than permission, He takes off for Yavin 4 on his X-Wing. When it comes to confidence, courage and raw Force(tm*)talent, Anakin has few peers. But when his friend, Tahiri is seperated from the others he is on a mission to save her. This is one of the best Jedi order books out there:) *trade mark
Rating: Summary: Edge of Victory I: Conquest (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Review: I am an avid star wars reader and i found that this book was amazing. It had just the right mix of everything star wars fans have come to love about the series. With lightsaber battles in every chapter and interstellar space battles mixed throughout the book it gives a new meaning to action. I reccomend this book to anyone who loves reading.
Rating: Summary: ???? Review: I got this book bedfore I even new about this series so I didn't undetstand didly squat so I read the first one after reading thios one and could barly understand anything anyways.I think this seires is just made for confusion.
Rating: Summary: Can't decide between silly melodrama and quality story Review: The seventh book of the New Jedi Order series alternates between melodramatic and illogical over-simplification, and a genuine effort at developing dynamic and believable characters and at giving the Yuuzhan Vong a realistic culture. The quality of the story and writing rises and falls in three distinct waves. These correspond closely to the three sections into which Keyes divides his book. The first third or so of Conquest is simplistic and childish. I had the strong sense that Keyes here relied heavily on Kevin J. Anderson's Young Jedi Knights series. The characters are very cardboard, the dialogue is trite, and the events are implausible. The next third of the book is much better, and it is here that most of the solid character development, and development of the Yuuzhan Vong culture, takes place. Once Anakin is alone in the jungle and Keyes begins to deal with characters of his own invention (or at least not derived from Kevin J.'s series), his style improves greatly. Dialogue and events are more compelling; this is fresh material instead of a rehash of Anderson's children's books. Unfortunately, the last third of the book becomes melodramatic and illogical again. Anakin has a moment of epiphany in which he "realizes" that only people who are Force-sensitive can judge right and wrong; after this, he turns into some kind of ridiculous superhero who realizes Master Ikrit's truest dream by uniting with Tahiri to rip trees out of the ground and throw them at the Yuuzhan Vong. As for Tahiri, she all but reverts from a total brainwashing in a matter of seconds. Meanwhile, Anakin's siblings appear unexplained and out of nowhere to save the day, and are then portrayed as children. Jaina, a 17 year old military officer focused on discipline, talks with her mouth full while Jacen, who in the last book committed to fighting the Yuuzhan Vong, declares that Anakin should illogically work for peace. The resolution seems almost a mockery of Keyes' achievements in the central chapters of Conquest. His ultimate ignorance of the characterization that took place in the previous books is a shortcoming that is all too common in Star Wars books, and no doubt much of the blame should be placed on the series editors. Until they learn to do their job, I'll read something else.
Rating: Summary: ACTION, ACTION, AND MORE ACTION Review: Conquest is one of my favorite NJO books. I read it in a little over a week because it is constant action.
Rating: Summary: History Repeats Itself Review: This book is full of action and suspense and adds a new twist to the New Jedi Order storyline. There are a couple of surprises in store for Star Wars fans in this novel! The Jedi once again find themselves under attack by the very people they are sworn to protect. The Yuuzhan Vong have promised that they will not conquer more worlds if all of the Jedi of the galaxy are turned over to them. Seeking to thwart this new threat, Luke Skywalker attempts to unite the Jedi. Meanwhile, Anakin Solo senses something even worse - the Jedi Praxeum is about to be attacked! Racing to Yavin 4, Anakin finds that he is too late. And when his best friend Tahiri is captured, Anakin gets a vision of an even worse fate for the galaxy! This book is definitely fast-paced! I finished this novel in no time at all and am eager to read the second part of Edge of Victory - Rebirth. Well done!
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