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Vector Prime (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 1)

Vector Prime (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 1)

List Price: $7.50
Your Price: $6.75
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Not too bad, but definately 2nd tier
Review: When talking about Star Wars books, there are two different scales: the universe of Star Wars fiction, and the universe of general fiction.

For Star Wars fiction, this really isn't too bad. We've got a new enigmatic enemy, and the relatively new characters of Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin. The plot is not the traditional Rebels vs. super-weapon-wielding (ex) Imperials. Sure, Salvatore is in way over is head when trying to have his characters work with the philosophy of the Force or deep emotional crises, but it still reads OK. If you just want to read a Star Wars book, this is reasonably good. It's no Greg Bear, Timothy Zahn, or Kathy Tyres, but you could do a lot worse.

Ultimately, though, this reads like a weak Star Trek episode: 43 minutes of meandering plot followed by 5 minutes of resolution, all with no character development. Sure, lots of (sometimes traumatic) stuff happens to the characters, but they hardly develop as people. War of the Rats had vastly better and more believable characters, and that was only a couple steps above pulp itself. The death of a major character is handled particuarly poorly, being both not very dramatic and too late in the book to have any meaningful influence on the characters; this whole plot line could have been written by a 12th grade English student, which leaves a sour taste in my mouth over the whole thing.

And then the final question ... is there nobody in the galaxy who doesn't have Skywalker DNA who is competant? I mean, we're talking 20+ years post-Star Wars, and the whole cast is still out there risking their lives to save the galaxy. I mean, haven't they done enough already? Luke is a Jedi Knight, so that's his job (maybe), but surely Han & Leia and their family deserve a break?

I'd recommend Greg Bear's Rouge Planet as a good Star Wars book. This is more readable Star Wars pulp. It's not bad, it's likely to keep you resaonably engaged for at least a few of the 390 pages, but there is way too much irrelevant stuff in there, the characters are much too weak, and it's not somthing I felt good about when I was done. By about page 280 I just wanted to be finished. I certainly won't be reading any of the following books.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: dark, tragic, onimous and loving it
Review: I have ready every star wars timeline novel since the thrawn trilogy came out. after 25 books or so, i kinda wanted the good guys to win! i wasn't impressed with the 4 or 5 books, so when i was on this site i found out this book was coming out. i read the synopsis and was blown away! I thought the Sri-ruuk invasion was fun, but this book on many levels is my favorite Star wars book.(right under heir to the empire, of course!) it reminded me of planet of twilight, with it's dark atmosphere. without giving anything away, buy this! if you are not sure, go to your library, they should all have copies by now.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Well Worth the Wait
Review: I hesitated starting the NJO because frankly, I haven't read a single Star Wars novel I thought captured the spirit of the characters in the films. In the Star Wars world according to Zhan and Stackpole, Luke is a whiney, sniveling weakling, full of foolish ideas and has no real understanding of The Force. This consistent character treatment alone has put me off to almost all writers of the Star Wars universe, but this guy was new and I decided it couldn't get any worse, so why not take a chance?

I was more than pleasantly surprised when I cracked Vector prime, by R.A. Salvatore. He has managed to create a deadly, diabolical and truly terriflying adversary for the New Republic, without having to fall back on some stupid "super-weapon", "lost-super-admiral" or cloning absurdity. This is a totally unique and utterly original enemy, unlike anything that's ever landed in the Star Wars world. The psychological assault they wage on the young Jedi captive is horrifying. Totally horrifying, and unforgettable. When I think of those passages I still get shivers.

The death of...is treated with class and respect, with the loss not even truly beginning to resonate within the central cast yet. It is an event that will effect everyone in some way, as the death of a dear friend always does. It was a harrowing read, one that gave me pause while I took it all in.

With the events of Vector Prime, Salvatore has set forth a chain of events that will no doubt make for a wonderful story arc, one that will change the Star Wars universe for the better. I just wish he was coming back to do a few more, because the NJO certainly has the hook in me.

I do, however, fear reading Dark Tide: Onslaught knowing Stackpole is at the helm, which means the most obnoxious character ever created, the omniscient, all-powerful, all-knowing master of all Jedi, Corran "I am Yoda" Horn will surely be rearing his giant head. With any luck though, the Y. Vong will splatter it like a melon, and we can all move along.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Grrrr!!
Review: I was going to read this book.......but then my best friend told me all about it!! Boy am I PEEVED!! RA Salvatore killed Chewie!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE DID IT!!!!! HE MURDERED THAT INNOCENT LOVABLE WOOKIEE!!!!! You dolt you could have killed Ta'a Chume, or someone!!! And where in KESSEL has Tenel Ka gone? Since the New Jedi Order came out she's been missing. Okay...personally I think that he shouldn't be allowed to write another Star Wars book, because if he does, Mara Jade will die. Not happening. GET A CLUE AND GET SALVATORE OFF THE AUTHOR LIST!!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: An Amazing Peice of Literary Wonder!
Review: Vector Prime, a story of villains and heroes, of holding on and letting go, and most importantly, of Luke, Leia, Han, and the Solo kids. R.A. Salvatore gave us a brilliant display of his writing ability, and for weeks after reading this book I found myself still caught up in the climactic scenes. The death of Chewie caught me greatly, but if our beloved friend had to have his life end, I am greatful that such a wonderful author was able to describe it. Vector Prime is a treasured addition for my Star Wars book collection, and I know that it will stay that way, no matter how many months, years, or decades go by.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: I wanted to return this book for a refund.
Review: I am an avid reader of every Star Wars series, but this book was the first one that I wanted to return for my money back.

It was like reading two different books at once. One book took us into a next generation of characters, with all the opportunities for us to learn about and enjoy new characters. The second book dealt with learning about the new enemies to the Star Wars universe.

The first story line was enjoyable. The second story was unbearable. I had to drag myself through revolting descriptions about 'exquisite agony' and the great joys and honor associated with self mutilation. Not only that, but their weaponry and tools come across as a parade of increasingly gross organic blobs. Somewhere confused 'evil and frightening' enemies with 'cruel and disgusting'. It made me long for the return of Prince Xizor.

Many praise the death of a major character as a bold new era. But, if the trend continues, the series will die from either a lack of continuity with the known Star Wars universe or from the attrition of known characters.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Hes still got it
Review: Wonderful! Its all I can say! i read it straight through in one sitting . i couldn't put it down. twists, turns, and of course it opens the possibility of this same alien race in future books. i already bought heros trial but haven't started it. though i dont doubt it will be just as terific. salvatore does it again in his latest masterful novel. I had no idea where the story was going. he developed jaina and jacen as well as anakin to such a degree that they became one of my favorite characters. i can't wait for any upcoming books and il be the first one in line for it. I have read every salvatore except for Mortalis which i am looking for urgently. if you haven't experienced salvatore than try him and you wil be hooked. ...

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The best Star Wars book ever
Review: A couple of months ago, my friend let me borrow his copy of Heir to the Empire. I was impressed and considered it the best book I have ever read.

Until now.

The Empire is no longer the enemy. Thank goodness! I was getting sick of Star Destroyers and TIE Fighters. Instead, a race of aliens called the Yuuzhan Vong (or Vong for short), have decided, "Oh, this is a good galaxy to invade." It seemed kind of boring in the first chapter, but as soon as I got to the second and saw Yomin Carr's (a Yuuzhan Vong agent) point of view, I wanted to stay up all night and read it. And suddenly, Salvatore kills a main character! Don't let this distract you from buying the book, it's an incredibly good read. You may not think it's as good as some other SW books, but, believe me, it'll be near the top.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: star wars frist timmer
Review: In this book we see a new threat to the alliance a new race of bio-warriors from beyond the rim whose delight in pain and wish to show the alliance the true and only way to live, and thats without tecknology. Is this the end or the begining of more suffering.As the solo famamily mourns the loss of a long time friend and hero of the rebellion,dark forces are at work as distrust and resent builds towards the jedi. as old and new heros try to prevent this but will they. my thoughts This book is missing somthing i don't know what but it feels bland.despite the fact chewie dies (fare thee well) and the characters in some areas act diffrent (i can live with that everyone dies an change). also what ever happened to the other jedi studying with the solo kids and were is jacen gift with pets and jania desire to build and repair and ankins ablity to make thinks work. to the author: nice try hope to see you in more star wars books you'll get better writing them oh welcome to the star wars history congrads :)

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Finally...
Review: ...the Empire isn't the enemy anymore! The new enemy, the Yuukzan (sorry if I spelled that wrong) Vong truely are scary. Very creepy. And while I admit the book did have its flaws (for example, it spent too much time with the Vong guys and with new character Danni, and not to mention some of it was just too counsidental, 3PO being able to translate their language and all) overall, pretty good. I like Jaina, she's my new favorite expanded universe character. And she's a terrific pilot. It was really sad when an original character dies and Han Solo's safety bubble comes crashing down around him. I think that safetly bubble is something Star Wars fans kinda placed around the main characters, too. Now, we're not so sure. Who'll die next? Will it be Mara, whose suffering from some strange disease? Personally, I hope she and Luke *finally* have some kids! But I've gotten off topic here. It's a good book, that kinda starts the NEW star wars books. I mean, the Empire was fine, but some of the writers attempts to resurrect it were getting sort of old. They'd build a superweapon too try to kill the good guys, and the good guys would win, and no one important would die. But now...this book is definetely darker than some of the previous novels.


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