Rating: 
Summary: New Guy
Review: Alright, I know that there are a lot of people who disagree with Salvatore's debut in the SW world. However, I am inclined to agree with SLIPKNOT in his retort to all those who have voiced their unrest. "Vector Prime" is a great book. He's opening up this new chapter in the lives of our heroes that not everyone was ready for. This book is a lot like "Return of The Empire," in that it places the characters in these horrible positions that they now have to find some way out of. Now, admittedly, I have yet to read the next books in line, but I can already tell that this story is going places. My one regret is this, Chewie. Now, I know that this is an obvious scapegoat for downing Saslvatore, but I'm not. He's a great writer, not perfect, noone is, but he is a welcome addition to the SW world. I question, however, whether or not it was his place to kill one of the main characters. I mean, it was an inevitable occurance, these characters are all mortal, there's no getting around death. And Chewie's demise was unarguably noble, but I wonder at Salvatore's status as a newcomer. The way I see it, if one of the main characters is to be terminated, the honor of telling the tale should be left to someone who has been in touch with the charcter longer. Personally, I feel that the task should have been left to a veteran writer, maybe Stackpole, or Anderson, or even Zahn himself. My fear is that Salavatore will now forever be tainted as the "pompous new guy who came an killed the loveable Chewbacca." He doesn't deserve this, but it's gonna happen. In the end though, there's no changing it, it's happened, and there's nothing anyone can do about it, so there's no use bitchin' about it. And, one has to admit that Salvatore dealt with Chewie's death with class and honor. It was unexpected and shocking. Also, it didn't involve him dying in some fiery explosion fighting against the Empire or something old and familiar. That, I believe, would have greatly downplayed Chewie's courage and nobility. Being crushed by a falling moon was a brilliant stroke that noone could have forseen. Also, the image of Chewie, his arms raised defiantly, his mouthe open wide with the characteristic roar, all silhouetted against the huge maelstrom of the oncoming, firestorm of the fallen moon is etched into my mind. I regret his death, as anyone would, but I accept it. On a lighter note, I own the softcover version of the book, and the picture that they decided to include of Salvatore on the back doesn't agree with me. None of the other SW books I own include pictures of the authors, I don't really think that it agrees with the idea of the SW world. The whole basis of the SWs books is that the worlds exist in our own minds. Yes, there's the underlying structure given by the movies, but other than that, it is left to our own imaginations. Whichis why I also mildly disagree with the map of the galaxy. Helpful, yes, but needed? Anyway, I like the book, and I will definitely head to the the sight mentioned by Slipknot and take a look at the interview with Salvatore. I'm curious about his explanaitions and how they'll affect my opinion of him.
Rating: 
Summary: Not the best way to open a new series of SW books
Review: As SW books go, this one is all right, but it is by no means the spearhead for a new series of books. I suppose my real problem is the whole New Jedi Order thing...this new "threat" we're supposed to dread does not seem consistent with the universe Lucas created, and I simply find myself not really caring.First of all, Salvatore takes forever to actually get into the real plotline. He has this whole subplot with a bunch of scientists who (What a surprise) eventually die, and even has a race among the Solo twins that I guess is supposed to be what passes for action. The death of _______ is rather unconvincing in that it had no purpose other than to kill off a main character, and the guilt the other characters are supposed to feel is even less convincing. Don't get me wrong; There are some good points. We get to see the Solo kids develop more along the lines that Allen had created in the Corellian trilogy, and Kyp Durron has also been well-developed. And this book starts off well. That, I suppose, is my main problem; because this book starts off well with the first chapter and yet ends so poorly, it was in more than one way a real downer. Some people like this book, and if you do then I'm happy for you. But I found it entirely bland, and do not suggest it or any other of the NJO books.
Rating:
Summary: Epic! Exciting!
Review: Exciting new addition to the world of Star Wars. The Yuuzhan Vong are a fascinating and dread-inspiring new enemy threatening the Galaxy.
Rating: 
Summary: A must for all star wars fans.
Review: When I first bought this book, I thought it would be sonehow different to other star wars books, due to the time it takes place 20 years after return of the jedi, I thought the charactors would have changed considerably, but I was surprised to see little change, I dont know if it was dissapointment or releif. I was also surprised to see Nom Anor, since I have only seen him appear in Crimson Empire 2. I must admit I was shocked to see Chewbacca die, he was always my favorite charactor since I first saw Star Wars. These new aliens I also loved, even though I can barely pronounce their name and cannot spell it, I thought it different to see an alien race that does not use mechanical technology, and I hope to see more of them in future novels. But the one thing that confuses me is, does this book have a happy ending or not.
Rating:
Summary: Not a top book, but it was okay
Review: This wasn't the greatest Star Wars book I ever read by far, but it really wasn't all that bad. My cousin told me it was very dissapointing, and I was ready for the worst, but it was suprisingly good. Some of it is perhaps far fetched, but it isn't at all as bad as I was expecting. Personally, I didn't really like Jacens personality. He seemed a little wimpy, or Something. That, to me at least, was a little dissapointing because I've always liked Jacen. He wasn't a total waste though, and I did enjoy many of his parts. Jaina, however, was done very well. She's always been my favorite, so if I'm not giving a biast opinion, I'm sorry. She did some really cool flying, and after I warmed up to R. A. Salvatore's style of writing, I really enjoyed these scenes. Even though Chewie died, I thought that on the whole, this was a pretty good book. The Yuzhan Vong are pretty gross, and my sister was asking me what kind of name is 'Yuzhan Vong', but Hey! It's Star Wars. They're from another universe. They have to be different to make this a good book. And it is.
Rating:
Summary: Great little book
Review: I greatly enjoyed this book. There were some negatives however. Salvatore didn't do his homework for this book and so there are a few minor errors in continuity. Bolphur the Noghri made me snicker a bit. There were others but in my opinion they are all pretty minor. Positives: 1. Han and Chewie are like they are suppposed to be. Chewie actually has a personality in this book. For the first time since Tyrant's Test we see a glimpse of what the walking carpet is thinking. The scene of Han and Chewie running the belt is hysterical. I laughed out loud, something no Star Wars book except for Allston and Wolverton has made me do. 2. I am warming slightly to Anakin. He isn't like he has been in previous books and I count that a good thing. He seems to be maturing. Kyp Durron was also likeable. And you cannot appreciate the miracle it took for me to find this horrible Anderson creation likeable. He seems to have finally got over his fall to the Dark Side. Nice to see Nom Anor again. Can't wait to see more of Wurth Skidder. In my opinion, Lando wasn't that far off. I have an uncle that reminds me of Lando. He is never going to mature. He is in an endless cycle of maturing and having second childhoods. That is the way Lando is too. 3. Salvatore is one of the better action writers around. His battle sequences never failed to deliver. I was kept on the edge of my seat through Jacen's journey to the planet and the space battle going on. Miko Reglia's battle with the Vong and Mara's fight with Yomin Carr were both standout fantastic. 4. I liked way Salvatore actually kept all the principles together and in the dark for the first little bit. So, as far as I can see, Vector Prime is good in humor, character, plot and action. A good book. And it is worth reading just for chapter 26. Stunning and realistic. Oh and if you haven't read this book, there are major spoilers in the reviews below. Just thought I'd warn you.
Rating: 
Summary: I didn't do homework for this?
Review: I thought kick-off books were supposed to make you excited about the series. This book made me want to chuck it against a wall. Not because someone dies and not because someone is sick, but because it absolultely has nothing to do with Star Wars. I agree with whoever wrote that this was like a bad Star Trek episode. The characters wander all over the galaxy just because they feel like it, and they just stumble over the bad guys. The bad guys have no personality and no motivation. They are just bad. Noone seems to care when someone dies because they have to go out and fight, now! Then they beat the bad guys because one of the characters suddenly turns into a nuclear physicist out of nowhere. I felt like I was reading a bad parody of War of the Worlds mixed with Starship Troopers and the characters just happened to have to have the last names Skywalker and Solo. I guess Salvatore is supposed to be a good writer, otherwise so many people wouldn't jump to his defense. However, I'm a junior in high school and we're currently working on creative writing. If I turned this book in, my English teacher would hand it back with red marks all over the grammar. I heard that the books by Michael Stackpole and James Luceno are supposed to be much better, but based on this book I don't think I'll skip homework for them.
Rating:
Summary: A decent book, just not much feel to it
Review: I do applaud Salvatore for many things from this book : he introduced the enemy well, making them not only a foreign species apparent but also their charachters strong; it gave a decent start to the series, showing the plot quick into the story; and it's pretty well written, attempting at some detail and characterizations. However, there were some things that just didn't work with that Star Wars title on it. Perhaps it might be the style of writing I like, but this book just didn't flow like a Star Wars book. It was obvious that Salvatore was new to the Star Wars writing, and I think he could have researched the Star Wars universe some more. Although he tried to make Han's charachter come out at the end, it didn't work too well. Han didn't seem realistic after the tragic event(not giving away anything else!) and at some moments(especially during the time he had w/ Anakin) he seemed paper thin(Luceno does a good job in succeding Han's charachter in following books). All in all, it was a decent book ; good plot, nice novel, overall good. However, I think it could have been a lot better.
Rating:
Summary: NO MORE SALVATORE!!!
Review: I hope Salvatore will not be allowed to write any more Star Wars books. I don't plan on buying any books by this author.
Rating:
Summary: Controversial; Beautiful
Review: THIS REVIEW WILL HAVE A SPOILER However, I am sure everyone knows what controversial event happens in this book. Either you've read it or you have heard - if you have not and you are a true Star Wars Fan I do not know how you escaped the hype. Chewbacca died. I believe this book was one of the best, most utterly beautiful books I have ever, in my entire life, read. I am not saying that I was overjoyed to hear Chewbacca died; I am a huge Star Wars fan and when I read in the Washington Post one morning that Chewbacca had died, I was simply crushed. However, the particular passage of Chewbacca's demise is gorgeous and emotional. He died fulfilling his life debt to Han Solo and Han's kin, an act which he has been prepared to do ever since Han saved him. Although the situation is too complicated to explain, a planet's moon was going to collide with the planet and Jacen, Han, and Chewbacca had to evacuate the planet's inhabitants. Chewbacca had to be left behind because of the abnormal gravitational effects that the moon was having on the planet's atmosphere. As the fierty moon came crashing down, Chewbacca struggled to a rock and stood there, roaring and waving his huge arms in triumphant rebellion. That last image was burned into Han's mind, and mine as well. I believe a better demise could not have been created, and I believe the circumstances of his demise could not have been better. This is a definite must-read, no matter how uncomfortable you are with the fact that Chewbacca dies. As well, this is the beginning of the landmark New Jedi Order series, and the Yuuzhan Vong are quite intriguing.
|
