The Crystal Star

Rating:
Summary: ugg!!
Review: I wholeheartedly agree with another reviewer, Craig Stanchfield. The Luke, Leia, Han, and the others were completely out of character. And Luke was an airhead. He's an encredibly powerful Jedi, remember?! His hopping into that thing, temporarily joining the dark side, and all that... I mean, come on!!

Rating:
Summary: Why Would Anyone Enjoy This Book?
Review: Okay, sure I will usually respect other people's opinions, especially on books, but I honestly believe that anyone who thinks that this book was the best of the SW novels should not be allowed out of their home. After all, we don't need Section-Eights running around, do we? Someone might get hurt! In this books, I found Ms. McIntyre contradicting nearly everything that all of the other SW novels stand for. I was close to tears, it was so embarresing to read about how Luke goes up to that Waru-peice-of-crap and is influenced by it! I mean, "HELLO!! This is LUKE SKYWALKER, THE MOST POWERFUL JEDI EVER!" And how about the bad guy, Hethrir or whatever his name was. Come on! When has ever a more lowly weakling of an enemy ever strolled the SW universe? Again, twice in this book, I was embarresed, when I read the diagouge between a buch of whine-ohs that can't talk, anyhow! The "goo-goo" speaking parts of all the kidnapp-ees was enough to turn any die-hard SW fanatic away from anyhting even remotely related to Star Wars. Those parts, I'm convinced, were purely page-fillers, designed to please any one who is a unicorn-loving, "oh-look-at-the-cute-little-baby-waby", Lisa Frank-fan. Not me, I say! I cringe when I think about the money-blowing boozer Han turns into in this novel. I thought he was adventurous. A scoundrel-- true, but not a dumpy guy who lives his life in bars and casinos drinking his life away. I was apalled at the disgustingly long amount of time that was spent on the feeble thing that was called by Ms. McIntyre a "plot". I could go on and on, but I won't. Let me just say that any of you who have not read this, you are the lucky ones, and all of you who did read it, from cover to cover, God bless you!

Rating:
Summary: OK
Review: This book is OK. It does have the interesting "fleshing out" point, like when Leia and Chewie disguise themselves. I agree with the person who said the author concentrated too much on the appearance rather than the personality and background. And yes, I agree that Waru is sort of Trekkie, and Hethrir is not evil. All in all, not the best read, but important in understanding the Star Wars saga.

Rating:
Summary: Good Story, Very Interesting new characters.
Review: I found that this book kept me reading it. While I may agree with the others that perhaps the 'feel' of the characters could have been better, the story was excellent, and the new characters Rillao and Hethrir were great! I really enjoyed their characters and would recommend the book alone because of them. That intertwined with the overall good story give it my thumbs up.

Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THE BEST
Review: ok first off I don't know what all of you so-called STAR WARS fans are whineing about....get a life. You guys all know that there will never be a book as good as the movies. Every review I have read so far about these books has stated how trashy they are and how they don't deserve to be Star Wars books. Sencond of course the Jedi kids are whinney, they're kids! and you would be too if you were kidnapped. Chewey's aloud to be hurt...you would be too. it just makes things harder and gives him something too do in the book. and another thing, Luke can act however the author portrayed him, Part of the time he was under the Influence of Waru, so his forces were blurred. AND LAST I don't think any of you could write that well so I would just shut-up. If you want to read something not worth while, than read a Star Trek book, and then you will see how much better Star Wars is. Honestly I think this is a very good book, one of the best I've read(and I've read all but 3) A brief summary: Luke Goes on a search to find another possible Jedi for his training camp. He's goes to the planet, Crseeih but his power of the Force is covered, by an alien named Waru.(and I can't tell you the rest 'cause it would ruin such a great book) Meanwhile Leia's kids get kidnapped and the main villain named Hethrir takes them to a place where their powers don't work. This guy is training his own jedi for an attept to restore the Empire which he says it the "Empire Reborn" I think it showed great character, and I could hardly put the book down. So those of you who are looking for a good book, don't listen to these complainers and get this one. I promise you, you won't be disappointed. :0)

Rating:
Summary: Simply put: Better than your average wookie
Review: Those who are disappointed with this novel are disappointed solely on the fact that McIntyre finally pulls focus away from Han and Luke and their constant melancholies. McIntyre actually spins the focus to Leia and the children (Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin) and uses them to tell the story. This book was refreshing to read after a series that has been laden with a not-quite-dead Empire other antagonists that, frankly, are silly and repetitive. This book definitely isn't for you if all you want is a shoot-'em-up with the boys (go buy the movies for that). But if you want a story that's been thought out slightly more, and attempts to actually engage the characters on deeper levels than usual, this is one for you.

Rating:
Summary: Good lord, what a load of crap!
Review: Hey, look- KJA is no longer the worst Star Wars author on the planet: That honor (sic) now resides with Vonda! This was the first SW book I've felt ripped off buying in hardcover. Ugh, where to begin with this deep hurting. The characters were all wrong, the story didnt have that Star Wars feel (The ending- what the hell was that about?!? I *STILL* cant figure out what was happening), and the villan was boring. Avoid this book at all costs! This novel wasnt released- it escaped!

Rating:
Summary: IT WAS VERY EXCITING
Review: IT WAS ACTION PACKED! AND I THINK IT WAS THE FIRST BOOK EVER WRITEN OF ANIKAN, JAINA, AND JACEN. AND THE EMPIRE REBORN STUFF! THAT REALL MADE IT EXCITING. I HAVE READ A LOT OF STAR WARS BOOKS AND THIS IS THE BEST. I RECCOMEND IT STRONGLY!

Rating:
Summary: This book made me want to vomit.
Review: This book was the absolutely worst thing I had ever read. First: the characters. Who are they? These people were not the same people that we have grown to know and love. Han is an drunkard, Luke is a whiny weakling who does not act like a Jedi, Leia seems very false, Chewie is a softie that had to limp around and act meek the whole book. (Strange, because I have read in countless other Star Wars novels that Wookiees have amazing regeneration speed) Leia's children were corny goody-goodies. I didn't want them to get rescued. The dialogue between the kids was positively ludicrous and absurd. At times they were so corny and sugary-sweet I wanted to rip the book to shreds. I hate this novel with passion. I hope Ms. McIntyre has learned a valuable lesson-that it is wise to watch the movies that your novel is based upon.

Rating:
Summary: The story is fine, but is it Star Wars?
Review: The Crystal Star by Vonda N. McIntyre was a fine tale of disguise and things not being quite what they appear. I'm glad it avoided the "Oh,no! Not ANOTHER Imperial superweapon!" syndrome these novel tend to get trapped in. I wanted to like this book, but I just can't. The charaterization is simply terrible. Luke doesn't act like Luke. Leia seems to be on the verge of multiple personality disorder. After finishing the book I had a picture in my mind of Ms. McIntyre getting a call from Lucasfilm: "Would you write a book for us?" "Sure, I'd love to, but I'm too busy... No, wait. I have a book done, but it's not Star Wars. I'll just change the names, add the Force, and no one will know the difference." Of course, I have not idea if that conversation happened, but considering the end result, I can't help but wonder...