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Agents of Chaos II: Jedi Eclipse (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 5)

Agents of Chaos II: Jedi Eclipse (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 5)

List Price: $6.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Jedi Eclipse: Star Wars with a new twist
Review: This novel is heavy with betrayel. Viqi Shesh is on the New Repulics inner council, one of the most trusted individuals in the government. But she is in contact with the Yuzzhan Vong. Randa Besadii Diori plays a double agent. Naturally, as a Hutt he is a scum bag, but he brought Hutts to an all time low in this book. He first helps the Yuzzhan Vong then helps the New Republic. He gets many Non- Yuzzhan Vong killed in the process, including one Jedi and many expert pilots. This book is one of the best I' ve read. The New Jedi Order has turned the Star Wars Story line. It proves that all of the main characters in Star Wars aren't invincible. But why did Chewie have to die???

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Great Read
Review: 'Jedi Eclipse' was far more enjoyable to read than its companion volume, 'Hero's Trial.' If you aren't a Han fan, 'Jedi Eclipse' has more characters; unfortunately, it still continues to follow the inane, boring storyline of Han and Droma looking for the pesky Ryn's clan-mates. I hope Droma never again resurfaces--let him be banished to the bottomless character pit that Danni Quee, Callista and the Ismarens fell into.

And poor Wurth Skidder dies just when his character was starting to get some development. What a waste of a character with a lot of potential.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Not too happy with this book
Review: Sorry, I just don't like this book very much. Solo is hands-down my favorite character in the Star Wars universe, and I feel that Luceno's storyline is not doing him justice. This is due, IMHO, to an attempt to cram too much into a couple hundred pages. I agree with a previous reviewer that this novel (and the entire NJO series) feels like it was rushed into production using a set formula (must have ALL the surviving Heroes of Yavin AND some history AND be under a certain number of pages in order to make budget). In short, it is a valiant effort, but tries to do too much in a relatively short book.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The Yuuzhan Vong increase their hold. Funny Hutt's
Review: Agents of Chaos is the follow up to Hero's Trial in the New Jedi Order series that began with Vector Prime. This installment picks up where Hero's Trial ended and made for a very entertaining and action packed story in current timeline of the Star Wars Universe.

Again, like all novels within the New Jedi Order time frame, the New Republic is at war with an extra-galaxy force known as the Yuuzhan Vong. Where as Vector Prime painted a very grim future for the New Republic, the follow up novels (in my opinion) softened up on the ferocity of the Vong. However, author James Luceno re-invigorates the strength and evil of the Vong as they slowly but surely take a more prominent foothold in the Star Wars Universe. By the end of this novel, we see the Vong double their efforts and with some success inch ever closer to the core worlds. Of course the various races and alliances within the Republic are now thrown into Chaos. No one trusts the government, the Jedi are questioned, the Hutt's are made to be betrayers to the Republic and hopes are quickly dashed out.

The primary characters here are Han and his new Ryn friend, Droma. Their escapades make for a real good ride reminiscent of Indiana Jones, James Bond, and the original New Hope action. Leia is also here as she pleads her case to her former suitor Isolder and the Hapes Consortium (from 'The Courtship of Princess Leia'). Though Luke is present, he is scarcely mentioned as the focus is shifted to other Jedi; namely Kyp Duron, Wurth Skidder, Jacen and Anakin Solo. Kyp continues his aggressive style where as Jacen and Anakin question their loyalties to the spirituality of being a Jedi Knight and their role in the Force. One character, previously thought dead makes a return, but noticeable are the absences of Lando, Ackbar, R2, Jaina Solo, Mara Jade and any Imperials.

The author did include a new spin was very enjoyable to read...that of the Hutt's. For the Hutt's play both sides of the war, for obvious reasons and it is amusing to read their takes on the New Republic and the Vong. Sometimes comedic in nature, they are the master manipulators, and also the sniveling wimps who hide behind their hired hands. Many plot twists center around the Hutt's and their decisions, and we have great insight about their culture because of this.

Then there is the rift slowly forming between Han and Leia. Both silently blame each other for the division that has come between them which lends to credibility that they are human, and even strong relationships in the Star Wars universe are put to the test. You actually feel for both of them.

The one odd thing I always note in any SW novels is the creation or revelation of a new super weapon. In this case it is Centerpoint Station around Coreilla. HHHmmmm, we have had 2 death Stars, (really 3 from the Maw Installation), the Sun Crusher, the Dark Saber, the World Devastators, now Centerpoint. Each always promising to be more powerful than the last. When will it end?

The closing chapter made for some very interesting revelations as the war continues. Exactly who is pulling whose strings, and who is for the Republic and who is for the Vong. A mysterious cliffhanger looms.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: There's too much going on...
Review: Don't get me wrong, I loved the first book of 'Agents of Chaos'. But here Luceno tries to fit in too many things between the title page and the back cover.

I think there are about 9 parallel story threads going on. While this can work in a pageturning monster book of 700+ pages, 350 pages are not enough space to elaborate any of those strory threads. Each of the threads is in itself worthwile, 1) Leia revisiting the Hapes cluster to get reinforcements, 2) Jacen and Anakin Solo going to Corellia to rearm Cenerpoint Station, 3) Han and the Ryn trying to find the Ryn's family clan and discovering another dirty plot of humans working together with the Yuuzhan Vong (this time its transporting refugees), 4) Wurth Skidder doing a covert mission aboard a prison vessel of the Yuuzhan Vong, 5) Kyp Durron and his Dozen trying to rescue Wurth, 6) the friction of the pact between Hutts and Yuuzhan Vong, 7) Talon Karrde off on an Intelligence mission to determine the next target of the Yuuzhan Vong, 8) the rise of a new ruthless senator in the Defensive Council, 9) plans and intrigues between the Yuuzhan Vongs.

I think those were all the different plot lines. Each one in itself could have made a good story, often building on old continuity, but everything together in just 348 pages do not fit the bill.

Mara Jade is missing sorely from the book... after getting healthy again, you would suspect her to take a really active role, after trying to not let the desease hamper her actions, she gets well, she disappears (What?). Sounds like "Problem is solved, next one..." to me. The storylines in this book could have easily been spread to two books, making this a trilogy. Now its just two many stroylines eclipsing the quality of the book.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Agents of Chaos II : Jedi Eclipse (Star Wars: The New Jedi O
Review: This book is very exciting. It gets a lot of information from the books previous to it. (agents of chaos , vector prime) It is however a good book on its own. This book takes a lot of information from other books wich makes it a key read. Try not to miss out on this series.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Where are the Imperials
Review: Where is pellaeon or Bel Ibls or Lieutet Page. Half the best charicters are missing. It was better then Hero's Tials though who wants to hear about a boring old fart like Han Solo. Create a planet or to to. toss side charters that have been barly mentined prviusly like Admiral Numb, of Tschel that guy who is always on bthe bridge when something happens on the Chimaria. Mare dietail couldent hurt. This guy's about as good as the corellian serris guy Roger Mcdoell Allen.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: A huge disappointment.
Review: After the rousing and thrill-packed Hero's Trail, I would have expected more. In this lackluster follow up (in which nothing really happens,) the evil Vong and the Hutts strike a deal, and Leia goes to the Harpes Empire for help. At the same time, a Jedi allows himself to be captured and tortured, and Anakin and Jacen fall out over Jacen's unwillingness to help defend the galaxy from the most vile creations to enter it. Unfortunately, the most interesting thing that happens here is the plight of the refugees, which are actually quite compelling, as the rest is pretictable and boring, although one has to wonder whose side Jacen is really on. Pity, because Luceno is the most promising of the writers brought into the New Jedi Order storyline. But unfortunately, he is not the real problem, which affects the entire storyline. The Yuzzhan Vong are too powerful, too shallow an enemy, and five books later one would think that New Republic should have one some battles by now. The following books should have them losing some major battles or else this series will run out of steam.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: a good continuation
Review: I thought this was a good book. Although both of the luceno books lagged the series down a little it was still full of the plot twists, deception, and intrigue we are coming to expect from this series. I definitely think Star Wars is going the right way with these stories. Although the reviews probably won't matter, seeing as how you will buy the book anyway, I still think there a lot of flaws. Throughout this book it is hard to understand the point of view, intention, or purpose of some characters (notably Shesh), and all the characters we love (MARA, TALON KARDDE, and some Rogue Squadron vets) are absent. However, I thought the Hapans were a nice addition, and the ending involing them and the Vong was a beaut! Overall, a flawed book, but required reading for any Star Wars fan.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: 90% build up for 50 good action pages
Review: I have read 20 or more Star Wars books. This one is the first book that I put down for days with out wanting to pick it up. I finally got interested and finished the book when the action started about 50 pages from the end. This book has way to much build up and way to little action.


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