TighFighter's Expanded Universe Crash Couse

Television, Movies Games and Books Star Wars
#21

I agree with you on Rogue Planet. I cannot make myself re-read this book. I read it once because it’s important to understand some of the big plotlines in the NJO but other than that it’s totally not worth it. But, if you are going to read the NJO, Rogue Planet is a must read.

I have to say though that I can’t agree with the Kevin J. Anderson books, I have yet to read a single one of his Star Wars novels because I read his X-Files novels before I got around to reading his Star Wars stuff and now I can’t touch them because I hated his X-Files stuff. I loved the TOTJ comics but I don’t want him anywhere near Luke, Leia or Han. I avoided all of his stuff and got my info from the Chronology and most of the storyline of the Jedi Academy from I, Jedi.

I like to pretend that Callista never existed except Mara has to be the jealous type and so she pops back up during the Thrawn Duology (only mentioned though). Speaking of Mara, Allegiance is a book I highly recommend if you like Mara and want to see more of her as the Emperor’s Hand. Luke and the gang make an appearance, as does Vader and the 501st, but the book is really about Mara.

I loved the NJO and think everyone should give it a chance. I’m ambivalent about Dark Nest. I’d like to say skip it but it is the set up for the Legacy of the Force series and Luke and Leia get to find out about their mother for the first time in the novels. Plus Leia finally becomes a Jedi.

I highly recommend the Legacy of the Force series. It’s got the feel of the prequels in that it’s reminiscent of Palpatine’s rise to power and Anakin’s fall. There’s a war which means space battles, Mandalorians return along with Boba Fett, there are some really killer moments with some fantastic fight scenes and a rather unexpected ending for Star Wars.

Anything written by Stover and Zahn are must reads. I’m really looking forward to Shadows of Mindor later this year. I would also add the Republic Commando series because it will be morphing into the Imperial Commando series. The series is all about the Clones during the Clone Wars and will move on to them during the beginnings of the Empire. There is also going to be a new Clone Wars series of adult novels that started with the novelization of the Clone Wars movie. There is a trilogy of books being released over the next few months called Coruscant Nights that follows a Jedi who survived Order 66. I haven’t read it yet but I’ve heard good things about it and I plan to read it once all three books are out later this year.

#22

Yes this thread was started in a vain attempt to convince Chuck to turn the SW comic section into Star Wars EU. As any EU head will tell you, you can’t have the comics without the books. They all spin off each other.

#23

While not as awesome as the Thrawn trilogy(What is? The X-wing Series and maybe NJO) the Jedi Academy series is great. I love the whole arc with Kyp Durron’s fall to the Darkside. Also the Exar Kun spirit story is really cool IMO. Then there’s the whole bit about The Maw that I found really interesting. The Sun Crusher is a little shaky, but you have to realize that this was an early EU series. They were still trying to clutch on to the super weapon emulation of the OT. The series is a must simply because following the Dark Empire comic this is how Luke paves the way for the New Jedi Order.

#24

True. It does pave the way for the NJO, I just can’t make myself read any novel written by KJA. I know a lot of people like the Jedi Academy trilogy and since I’ve never read it I can’t say it’s not good, I just don’t like his writing style so I can’t make myself read it. I’m more partial to folks like Zahn, Stover, Stackpole, Allston and Traviss.

I’m really not a Kyp fan either. In fact the little bugger makes me want to Force Choke him most of the time. Of all the Jedi who show up in the NJO he’s the one I always hated reading about.

#25

I was a little creeped out with his coming onto Jania in the early NJO books a little bit.

#26

That was a bit on the creepy side, but it’s no more creepy than the insane theory floating around that Anakin Solo is really Ben’s father, not Luke. I don’t know which is worse, Kyp hitting on Jaina or thinking about Mara and Anakin hooking up and Ben being the result. Both are just wrong on so many levels.

#27

LMAO

I’m glad I don’t spend as much time on the JediCouncil.net as I used. That is the first I’ve heard that theory. That is just eww. I mean Anakin was what? Like 16 compared to Mara’s late 30s early 40s. :eek:

#28

It is one of the more repulsive Star Wars theories I’ve come across and I’ve seen some pretty disturbing ones. Especially since Mara is, you know, his aunt. I think it mostly comes from Anakin’s reaction to seeing Mara in her costume when they went to Duros.

#29

Hrm, I vaguely recall the scene. Is that in Balance Point?

#30

Yeah, it’s one of the funnier scenes in Balance Point partly because Luke and Anakin have similar reactions to Mara’s disguise. Although I attribute Anakin’s to the shock of discovering that his aunt is a good looking woman.

#31

blurgh! Anakin Solo as Ben’s dad is the reason I left TF.net a long time ago!

Now being a die hard Kyp lover I’m gonna agree with the bit about him hitting on Jaina is kinda squicky. I just love him for his humanity. I think Kyp is a good balance for Luke’s squeaky clean farm boy thing. As shown later in the Legacy series he’s a good foil to Luke and he always has been.

Thank you Ol_Whatshername for justifying my intense boredom at Rogue Planet. I kept thinking that it was supposed to be a really amazing book and I just wasn’t getting it. Although, I have gone back and reviewed the Wookiepedia entry to make some more sense of it. After the Chuck/Sean enlightenment about just how much Palpy manipulated the entire galaxy, I kinda wondered if Rogue Planet had more info in it about that. Plus there’s the whole background for Zenoma Sekot so bonus.

I totally need to get back around to reading the Coruscant Nights trilogy. I got about fourty pages into the first book then life occurred and I haven’t had a chance to finish it. puts that on the top of the must read pile

Anyone had a chance to read the Force Unleashed novel yet? The TPB was really good but I haven’t had time or $$ for the full blown novel and I’d like a heads up on “worth it” value.

#32

I skip over Rogue Planet every time I do my Star Wars re-read. Even if there are more hints about Palpy manipulating the galaxy I’m still not gonna read it again. Once was enough for me so I wasn’t totally thrown by Zenoma Sekot and Vergere.

If you are a fan of TFU the novel is totally worth it. The end made me cry and Juno gets a lot more time than in the game. I read it as soon as I finished playing TFU and had it finished in an afternoon. It’s not ROTS novelization quality but it was good.

Kyp isn’t quite as annoying by LOTF but he’s still someone I don’t like to read about much. I hate that my favorite EU characters keep getting killed off while the one’s I can’t stand stay around. If Captain Rex doesn’t make it through to the time of the OT I’m gonna be mad.