Rating: 
Summary: Star Wars: The Next Generation....Not your typical SW novel
Review: With so many novels, collections, comics and movies where the formula of the New Republic vs. the Imperial Empire and good triumphs over evil, it is refreshing to see a new spin on the SW universe.The first thing that you will notice is that the Empire, those villians of soo many countless stories aren't even present. Here comes a new enemy, unlike any ever seen in the known SW universe. The author's description of this new force is both artistic and deep, yet as the story unfolds we are still looking for answers. Perhaps in a follow up book? Second the character development is astonishing. Many of the characters have grown older, more mature, more mortal and their perpectives reflect that. There is also a passing of the torch if you will for the next generation of Jedi. Anakin, Jacen, and Jaina Solo are teens now, Luke is married to Mara Jade and contemplates having his own children. There are many emotional moments between Han Solo and his children, and more of an insight to his character than has ever been written about. Chapter three really stuck out for me as the defining chapter of character development for new inductees in the SW universe. For those that don't read the Dark Horse Comics or other novels, you may not recognize some people or refrences, but they are not needed to move this story along. This novel is a very well put together, self-contained story. You will appreciate it more if you know the history of Mara's wedding, Lando's dealings, and some of the New Republics council, but again....not needed for the plot at hand. The book moves along at a decent pace, and we learn that our invincible characters, are no longer invincible. Finally, the last climax of the book makes for great swashbuckling action, just like the Battle of Yavin as seen in Star Wars. With this novel, there is a re-birth, or better yet an infusion of what I feel has been a long overdue house of ideas and concepts to explore. There are many more stories that can get a jump start right here, and breathe the magic back into Star Wars. Very well done.
Rating: 
Summary: Death of Chewbacca
Review: The book was really great. I was captivated, and didn't put it down for a second. I thought the charachters were good and so were the new aliens. The problem with these books, is the fact that, the writer builds up the story and then finishes it in the last ten pages. They defeat the aliens to easily in the end. My biggest problem is how Chewbacca dies in this book. Not only does he die, but he dies in what I feel is a non heroic manner. This is one of the greatest hero figures of all time and his death is anti-climatic. I kept wondering if some how he would be saved and that he would come back. I am willing to bet that Chewbacca's son joins the team in the following books. All in all it was a good book but in all fairness I have to send out a big F-U to the author for having the gaul to kill Chewbacca. It just ain't right.
Rating: 
Summary: I've seen bad, and I've seen worse, but this it HORRID!
Review: This is the most pathetic excuse for a Star Wars novel in the history of George Lucas' wonderful saga. The plot was stale and stangnant, the majority of which didn't grip my attention in the slightest. The characters were all wrong, with Han Solo, Luke, and Leia acting completely out of character, the rise and fall of action and events was screwed up, and the death of one of the most beloved characters was nothing more than a petty attempt at making the name 'R. A. Salvatore' remembered as "the author that killed Chewie." Well, all that it has done is made a lot of people very angry. As an author-in-progress of Star Wars novels, I dissavow any knowlege of this work. In short, the book that I am writing takes place after this horrid piece of trash does, and I will utilize none of the events from this novel in my book. The Yuzhan Vong will never be mentioned, nor will Mara's disease, and by the Force, I will have Chewbacca alive in my story! That is the level of deep dislike that I have for this book, and the measure of disregard that I hold for the author in general. All in all, Vector Prime is a complete waste of money. It's still a waste even if you get it for free, because it's taking up valuable space that could be used for a far better book (unless it's holding up one end of your couch).
Rating:
Summary: Vector Prime (Star Wars)
Review: I have seen many knock around this book for the death of Chewie but I do understand what the author is doing. Think about it for a minute The Characters are getting old.. and they are mortal characters with a life line of about 100 years so they will die in reality.. what I think the author was doing is subjecting us to the horror of reality in which even the good-guys can die. I for one thought the book was a solid addition to the starwars universe. The plot was solid though mystic(hoping to learn more about the new enemies in upcoming novels),fast paced, and introduces a new character.
Rating: 
Summary: Vector Prime: Mediocre at Best
Review: Well, let's see...where to begin? This book has it's good POINT, and it's bad POINTS. Let's start with bad: first and foremost on everyone's mind is the death of Chewbacca. I feel that this is an insult to what the Star Wars universe is all about. Star Wars has always been about immortality, and yes, although many characters have died before, (i.e. Ben Kenobi, Owen and Beru, Yoda), they were never as influential as Chewie. Chewie has been there since the beginning. What's up with that? The second thing on everyone's mind is this business with the Force. Salvatore hardly ever mentions it. When Mara was battling Yomin Carr, Luke should have immediately sensed that she was in danger, he shouldn't have had to have R2-D2 come and tell him! The Force is hardly mentioned in this book, and the Force is one of the main principles of the Star Wars unverse! That is all I care to write about the bad points, there are just too many to list. As for the good POINT, well, uhhh...hmm, let's see, uhh, let me get back to you on that. I sincerely hope that the publishers and future author's can bring some sense of ORDER into the New Jedi Order series...thankfully Mike Stackpole is writing the next 2 books in the series, and he is a seasoned veteran when it comes to Star Wars. I trust in the Force that he will do all he can to revive this magnificent universe we call Star Wars.
Rating:
Summary: An insult to Star Wars fans.
Review: I feel insulted after reading Vector Prime. A am a huge Star Wars fan, bought VP the first day it came out, just as I would anyother Star Wars book, and I was horribly dissapointed. Now I now how all those people who were dissapointed in The Phantom Menace felt. The charecters of Mara Jade and Kyp Durron have been utterly wrecked, Anakin and Jacen's personalities have flipp-flopped, Lando is the same amoral rogue from The Empire Strikes Back, there is no mention at all made of his wife, but perhaps that's a good thing, considering how the mariages of Luke and Mara and Han and Leia were also very badly mishandled. Every bit of charecter development from the last 25 years of these charecter's lives have been swept away. The villains are straight out of a saturday morning cartoon. I long for the days of Thrawn, Xizor, Daala and of course Maul, Vader, and the Emperor. Del Rey should have made Salvatore actual research about these charecters. VP is an important book, starting of the New Jedi Order, and we shouldn't have to accept these horrible errors. We as Star Wars fans deserved much, much better, especially after the wonderful Hand of Thrawn duology by Zahn.
Rating:
Summary: Not your typical Star Wars book drivel.
Review: When Timothy Zahn wrote his first trilogy, it really seemed that the Star Wars books would maintain the momentum of the movies. Zahn did a great job--but then the wheels came off the car. Frankly, I'm freakin sick of the Empire, and I'm tired of all the ridiculous Star Wars drivel that has been turned out recently. The Empire was cool--when they were a threat. How many times has the Empire come back and menaced the New Republic? I mean, come on, it was almost laughable how many different ways the Empire attempted a comeback. How many Death Stars were built or discovered in the Star Wars books? 2 or 3? Please. The Empire needs to be retired. For all you StarWars purists out there, I'm sure this is sacrilege on my part. However, the series is only going to survive if it takes new directions. I am glad that the books finally took this new direction. Salvatore's most important feat in this book was the Praetorite Vong and their technology. Salvatore does a tremendous job describing the aliens and their weapons. Very inventive, and a great departure from the norm. It is nice to see a real attempt to create an alien race that isn't a mirror image of human society. This race is truly alien, and truly a mystery. Salvatore has written a tremendous book, and done an excellent job. Everything from their ships, communications technology, and handheld weapons were well-done. Lastly, I am glad to see that the old standby characters are displaying some emotions and character development again. It seemed like for a long time that Leia, Solo, and Luke have been stuck mentally and emotionally since The Return of the Jedi. It is good to see that the characters have finally been aged emotionally. It is also good to see Luke portrayed more as a mature Jedi Master, and not the farm kid he seemed to be permanently stuck in for many of the other books. For crying out loud, these characters are 40 or 50 years old, and they should show it. Honestly, if you're a StarWars purist, then you'll hate this book. But, if you're ready for a change, then this book was written for you. If you're not ready, it appears this is going to happen anyway, so you might as well prepare.
Rating:
Summary: The Newest Star Wars Series Gets A Prime Start!
Review: "It is time," Yomin Carr said, and time it is, for a blast into an awe-inspiring subject no other Star Wars author has dared touch upon: an entrance into our galaxy from another. R.A. Salvatore certainly had his work cut out for him if he was to begin a saga about creatures from another galaxy and their anti-technology society. He had to make his aliens completely unreal, but not so outlandish as to enter into the cheesy. And do it he does, with flying colors! In the first few chapters, the plot is a little thin and hard to follow, which is almost all that keeps ths book from becoming absolutely perfect. However, when we finally learn enough about these characters, they bind together into one machine that would make George Lucas himself proud. I can almost imagine the nightmare of Jacen and Anakin's battles dealing with which side the Force will take, and then having Jaina blow them all away with her amazing record in "Lando's Folly" (Isn't that everything Lando does?).Kudos to R.A. Salvatore, and let's hope he keeps up to his new Vector in this Prime new saga!
Rating:
Summary: Not worthy of the Star Wars name!
Review: I have read lots of online reviews, but I haven't been motivated to write until now. This was the worst SW tape I have every heard (and I have them all)! The narration was up to par, but the story matter was pathetic. This author was out of touch with key elements of the SW universe. I found myself talking to the tape, saying things like...'that can't happen....but what about the...no way... that character would never do that...' The character interactions were dull and unimaginative, the aliens were evil just for the evil's sake. No real reason was ever given for the invasion. (I guess they just felt like it!). Yes, they had really cool(?)bio-weapons. But what about their culture and their society, their motivation? This author has a background in horror and it is apparent in this story. Many think sci/fi and horror go together, I'm not one of them. You can have a good story, a good plot, with intrigue and suspense, without the horror element. The SW series has proven that time and time again. I can't end this review with out a comment on Chewie's demise. I'm not whinning about the loss of a 'favorite' character, but in the movies and most of the books, death has served a purpose. It was essential to the telling of the story. That was not the case here. (It was more like 'Oh gee,I'm a first time SW author and I want to leave my mark. I know, I'll kill off someone important. Now who will it be...okay Chewie drew the short straw, tough luck.) In the wonderful world of fiction, anything is possible. Maybe Chewie was somehow rescued and is recovering on a distant planet. Then he come charging in at a crucial point in the future to save the day. That would be this story's only redeming factor only time will tell.
Rating:
Summary: Star Wars is not a D&D fantasy
Review: I have not previously read Salvatore's work before but am familiar with his work as I am also a reader of his obviously preferred genre. He should stick with it. I resent the significant departures from established characterizations rampant through the book. The nearly omnipotent capabilities of his organic menagerie were ridiculous, and his concept of physics, as particularly demonstarted in the defeat of the "war coordinator" and the bugs that fly through space, nonexistant. SW is SCIENCE fiction and some liberties are taken but most have some plausibility for future technology. But cooling a planet through evaporation by adding energy....back to physics 101 guy. Or stick to demons and devils where you can make up anything you want.
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