Before the Storm (Star Wars: The Black Fleet Crisis, Book 1)

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Summary: Any relations to star wars is purely accidental
Review: I hate to say it, but I did wait until I read all three books, and they just are a massive screwup. The author has managed to completely change the characters we know and love, the technology they use, and the plot(s) are barely reasonable. Luke is searching around aimlessly for his mother (this is pre-TPM so we'll forgive the author) but has no interaction with other characters we know, and doesn't act like himself. His personality is non-existent and he is completely non-assertive. Leia is hesitant and weak, unlike the strong leader we saw from the movies. She doesn't confront anything (if she had that attitude in Episode VI she would be getting opinions on going to Endor instead of firing at stormtroopers. The universe has been changed completely. It's great to see an enemy that isn't ex-Imperial warlord #848, and they come with their own ships, but the Republic bears no resemblance to what it normally is. The battle fleet has none of our regular main line ships (such as Calamari Cruisers or assault frigates) and the starfightes which everyone else views as great (including the x-wing which in the New Rebellion has been upgraded to keep it top-notch) is inferior in this book. No longer do we fire proton torpedoes, rather we fire slugs and flechettes. The e-wing and k-wing aren't really stated why they are so great, we just have to take the author's word that they are. Personally, if it ain't broke, why is the New Republic replacing it? And as for plot(s)- they are terrible. Lando, a psychiatric Lobot (who really should be left at Cloud City), and two suddenly hostile droids are wandering around the universe blindly (and completely unconnected to the story). Luke is lost, looking for his mother (and unconnected to everything else). While battle is possible (except for technology screw-ups) and is the underlying plot, is written a little too vaguely. Everything's happening one way- then POOF!- it's going the other, but the reader doesn't know why or how. In summary, what we have here is a Star Wars universe that bears little resemblance to the movies and other books, with poor characters, and is poorly written. It contributes very little to other stories (pretty much every other author has decided to ignore it) and adds no new dimensions. If you are a die-hard Star Wars fan determined to read every piece about SW, go for it. But if you are trying to decide how to spend $20, ignore this and go read something else.

Rating:
Summary: Kinda slow at some parts, but delivered a punch!!!
Review: This book could have been better, but not much. I loved the manipulation of Nil Spaar and the jedi discoveries Luke makes of himself. Simply brilliant developement of the Yevethan race and the new fighters such as the E-Wing and K-Wing. Very good

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Summary: Loop Hole?
Review: Well, remember, details can be lost in time, and have been, I see no reason why it couldn't happen in the star wars universe.

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Summary: Good start, TERRIBLE middle and finish
Review: The first book gave a good beginning and set up a complex storyline. However, it failed to deliver. The characters did things WAY out of line for them and half the book wasn't connected in any way, shape, or form with the other half.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent, plenty of action!
Review: Michael P. Kube-Mcdowell has captured a true "Star Warsy" type theme. With his 'witty' comments by General Lando Calrissian, and action packed chapters, such as that of the prolog, where he gave the reader, the actual fear of seeing the Imperial Captain being killed.

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Summary: Going, going ... short.
Review: Not that the story is short though. This story really should've ended with book one. Instead McDowell wrote three. The story starts out with basically three plots: Leia, Lando, Luke(LLL). All three start out very interesting and demand the readers attention. However, Luke's journey and search for his mother is completely ridiculous. He jumps arround from one dead end to the other, simply nothing happens (utter frustration). As for Lando, once they get on the vagabond, nothing happens either. They never gain control of the vessel or use it in any way. They might as well have not gotten on. Everyone seems to be sitting around. Leia's plot dealing with politcal challenges and Han is the remaining and redeeming factor in this series. If you read book one, don't worry if you never finish the series. The end, which I've tried not to spoil, is incredibly anticlimatic.

Rating:
Summary: Waste of Time
Review: This is the beginning of a three book series which moves...very...slowly. Basically there are some nasty aliens, Leia worries a lot, and Luke is off with some girl. And Leia worries a lot. Then, Leia worries a lot. And, for some variety, Leia worries a lot.

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Summary: Serious plot contradiction here!!
Review: This would have been a very good book except for that it was unfortunately published before "The Phantom Menace" came out. The reason that's so bad is because it talks about Luke Skywalker's mother. In this book and the next two that follow it, instead of Queen Amidala of the Naboo, her name is Ashira of the Fallanassi; a people who have remained mysterious for a very long time, and nobody that young Anakin Skywalker would ever want to hook it up with. It's unfortunate, but I don't blame the author for this; it wasn't his fault. Also, I really liked the bad guys; Nil Spaar's "Humans are vermin" attitude makes him so despicable you want to jump in an X-Wing (or in this case, an E-Wing) and show him vermin!

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Summary: It is impssible to understand how anyone liked this stuff!
Review: When we begin the book it seems to be interesting,but then it becomes so boring and it is hard to keep reading.The Duskan League is so much smarter than the Republicans- or I should say that Princess Leia and the Senate are so dumb-and Luke tries to hide from everyone(with the most idiotic excuses that makes the reader think he is another character).At try to guess who saves the end of the party?...Yes,the Imperial Army Corps! Anyway,if you have the guts to read this dull book,skip the parts that Lando acts-Mr.McDowell was able to put the nice smuggler in the worst plot(and totally expendable and unrelated to the mainline of the story)I've ever read in the StarWars Universe. PLEASE DON'T LET MR. McDOWELL WRITE ANY MORE BOOKS OF THIS DREAMLAND!

Rating:
Summary: THIS IS STAR WARS STRATEGY!!!!!
Review: In this story the New Republic faces a threat of unknown magnitude. The creatures think of the human race as vermin, and,like all vermin, they must be exterminated. This story really shows a great imagination and is worthy of Lucas' universe!