Less than I wanted, more than I expected
Written: Jun 02 '00 (Updated Oct 31 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great writing style, secrets revealed
Cons: Fluff storyline given to Bear to work with
The Bottom Line: One of the Sci-Fi greats, Bear writes a good story, which has become even more releveant with the New Jedi Order story line.
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| martytdx's Full Review: Greg Bear - Star Wars: Rogue Planet Books |
First of all, I am a rabid Star Wars fan. Second, I am a rabid Greg Bear fan. So, bringing the two together should have been bliss, right? Well...
The story is sound, but to me seems like an afterthought. "We aren't going to have a movie for 2 more years, let's give them something to work with." Bear seems to do a great job with what he is given to work with - he tends to do that. You can see his expertise in the details of his writing, the way you can almost see everything that he is talking about. As usual, he is fun to read.
The story itself was a little weak around the edges. Yes, it was a thrill to see the beginnings of the downfall of Anakin. Yes, it was really cool to maybe get some insight into where the Yuuzhan Vong may have gotten their biological ship ideas/expertise (I personally like the New Jedi Order series, despite some others' opinions). I liked finding out about how SIENAR SYSTEMS became the big player in the Empire, where the TIE fighter first found its hold, and where Tarkin started. But the sub-plots about the assassin, and even the planet to a degree seemed to be just filler to give the author something to work with. The planet idea seems to be a direct connection between Ep. I and the New Jedi Order, made to order.
Obi-Wan acted much as the older Obi-Wan would act - except that he acted nothing like the younger Obi-Wan was supposed to act. There was no time for a moderate change, it was more of a four-year instant transformation.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, the hooks and secrets it revealed, and most of all the style of writing. I get all of the Star Wars books but I am hoping that the level of writing turns back around to get back to where it all began again with Timothy Zahn's novels. Better that there are fewer, quality books than the multitudes that are coming out, although Rogue Planet stands out as one of the better ones of late.
r e l a t e d STAR WARS: NEW JEDI ORDER r e v i e w s
Apocalypse Vong - The Final Prophecy by Greg Keyes
Vong are in for a World of Hurt - Force Heretic III: Reunion by Shane Dix and Sean Williams
Han and Leia Ride Again - Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand by Aaron Allston
The Rebels Strike Back - Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dreams by Aaron Allston
Come Hither, Young Jedi, and Make Ware - Dark Journey by Elaine Cunningham
Jedi’s Revenge - Star by Star by Troy Denning
Jedi Eclipse – The Empire Strikes Back - Agents of Chaos II: Jedi Eclipse by James Luceno
Solo’s Revenge - Agents of Chaos I: Hero’s Trial by James Luceno
r e l a t e d STAR WARS BOOKS r e v i e w s
In a Galaxy Far, Far Away, About 20 Minutes Ago - The Approaching Storm by Alan Dean Foster
r e l a t e d STAR WARS NON-BOOK r e v i e w s
Hoping for a Harder Version - Star Wars: Rebellion (PC GAME)
Star Wars Original Soundtrack - Favorite Soundtrack Write-Off
So You Want to Be Emperor - Galactic Battlegrounds (PC Game)
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Epinions.com ID:
martytdx
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Member: Marty
Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 481
Trusted by: 179 members
About Me:
Doing what I can to try new places, restaurants, books and beers.
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