Outcast and another "new" series (Fate of the Jedi)

[Bel-Cam Jos]

I got the first of this "new" series today from my library, in the time period that is the WORST in all of SW EU, IMHO (acronymally yours, B-CJ :p ). It's so-so after the first 6 chapters so far, and so I'll refrain from commenting until it's done.

Why has LucasBooks gone the route of the uber-series that takes multiple years to finish? The trilogy series of books at the start worked decently, as did the more frequent single hardcover novels. Maybe that's why I've preferred the CW books lately, as they've held closer to the previous styles. I've disliked NJO and LOTF, so I am a tad hesitant at this newest entry, but as I like Allson's writing style, that may ease my anxiety.

Oh, well. If anyone else finishes (starts? opens?) this book, and its later sequels, post away about your thoughts.

[pbarnard]

The reason is to get the series to link together a bit more fluently so that it's not so scatter shot. There was little consequences that carried over from book to book/author to author. Events in the NJO flow to create the problems of the Legacy of the Force, and LotF events shape this series. As to why the release schedule is what it is, that's a publishing house model, and not a lot that LucasBooks does.

[El Chuxter]

I just read the synopsis of the first two books and the series. Ugh. I've made clear how incredibly WRONG I think it is to revive the Sith. I'm not going to waste my money on a book I know I won't like.

I really, really wish there were Star Wars books still being written to appeal to those of us other than the type of fans who were (in the X-Men world) the reason Rob Liefeld had so much success with X-Force long ago. Even the Millennium Falcon novel has a frame set in the Legacy era. :(

[bobafrett]

I was at a signing session with the author of "Outcast" last evening. I bought a copy and had it signed, but I never do read any of the EU stuff. In fact the only EU stuff I have ever read was "splinter of the minds eye".

[pbarnard]

I was at a signing session with the author of "Outcast" last evening. I bought a copy and had it signed, but I never do read any of the EU stuff. In fact the only EU stuff I have ever read was "splinter of the minds eye".

If that's the reason you haven't read any additional, well your sample chosen is amongst the worst of the EU authors. Alston, Luceno, Stackpole, and Zhan are the EU authors parsley, sage, rosemarry and thyme. Alan Dean Foster, author of Splinter & The Aproaching Storm, and ghost writer of the Star Wars novelization, is amongst the worst to read.

[Bel-Cam Jos]

Since this book was on loan from the library, and someone else had a "hold" on it after me, I was under minor pressure to finish it soon. And so I did. Here are my thoughts, which surprisingly aren't too bad.




SPOILERS BELOW...



This was an okay read, mainly due to Allston's style. Plot-wise, it was a bit dull. They went back to the across-the-galaxy storyline, where the multiple groups solve some conflict or mystery, but this time without the let's-meet-at-the-end resolution. Other points:

- From the excerpt of the next book, it appears that Jedi losing their minds is going to be the basis? And this is a first-time (I think) SW writer? Uh oh...

- Allana's/Amelia's "mystery voice" she heard, I re-he-he-heally hope it doesn't turn out to be Jacen, or Darth Cadeus, or Catydid, or KDIG FM101, all rock/all day

- So Luke's banished, eh? And his son's with him. There's potential there, perhaps. But remember when Luke was searching for info about his mother? That story arc was stale and poorly done (since they couldn't reveal anything, being pre-prequels). Tread carefully.

- I still have no interest in saving creatures or mineshafts on Kessel. That part was bad, sorry.

- Jag's pick-up-the-"phone"-while-in-bed idea was funny.

Overall, I give it a 7.4 on Bel-Cam's In No Way Accurate Or Even Legitimate scale of 10.

[bobafrett]

The following news was posted on Aaron Allstons condition.

http://www.suvudu.com/2009/04/a-message-about-author-aaron-allston.html

[Bel-Cam Jos]

The second book in this new series, Omen, is apparently out (6/23 was the listed release date), but I have yet to find it anywhere. It's "On Order" at one library, but not even on shelves at B&N. Odd. Since this is her first SW novel, I'm interested to read Christie Golden's style.

[pbarnard]

The second book in this new series, Omen, is apparently out (6/23 was the listed release date), but I have yet to find it anywhere. It's "On Order" at one library, but not even on shelves at B&N. Odd. Since this is her first SW novel, I'm interested to read Christie Golden's style.

I'm slow on this thread to avoid spoilers now that I've started these books, I'll respond more.

I've seen Omen in Wal-Marts (and B&N). I ordered it from Amazon myself (thank you mypoints!!!). I'm waiting on #3 to ship next month. Too early to tell about overall direction of the series until 1/3 through third book. Also, the hardcover thing is annoying. Although, since cutting back on figures, books are the only thing Star Wars I collect.

[OC47150]

I picked Outcast up at the library. I have, oh, about 80 or so pages left. It's not bad, but I've read better. I enjoy Allston's writing style; it was fast-paced.

[dr_evazan22]

Omen is short... less than 300 pages. That's including the excerpt for the next book. I still don't care too much for the lost tribe of Sith. Hopefully they'll become more interesting in the future books.

[OC47150]

I finished it this morning. It was satisfying.



SPOILER:



I'll admit: I haven't read too many of the NJO books, so some of the characters and circumstances/background was foreign to me, but I was aware of the basics like Jacen turning to the dark side. I'll have to get back and read the NJO.

I'm glad the Skywalker storyline on Dorin (?) was wrapped up, but I could've easily seen it continued to the next book.

Lando continually in trouble gets old. It happens in just about every book now, right?

End SPOILER

The library didn't have Omen, but I will check back.

[pbarnard]

I'll admit: I haven't read too many of the NJO books, so some of the characters and circumstances/background was foreign to me, but I was aware of the basics like Jacen turning to the dark side. I'll have to get back and read the NJO.

That's not NJO, that's Legacy of the Force. Key NJO book to read is Traitor, followed by the Dark Nest Trilogy, his first truely "dark" act, than LotF.

[Bel-Cam Jos]

Omen is short... less than 300 pages. That's including the excerpt for the next book.I just got mine in the mail today; it's 236 (and the Prologue starts on page 5), plus 14 pages of the Abyss excerpt. That's almost a novella! I should be able to finish it before this weekend ends.

[pbarnard]

Amazon has just sent me book 3. Got another 54 cents knocked off.

[Bel-Cam Jos]

Finished Omen this morning. Got Abyss from the library this afternoon.







SOPILERS (or SPOILERS :p)...

I am getting really tired of the "body snatchers" fake Jedi story. I can see how bringing back the Sith works now, being isolated on a planet, but I still don't really like it. I haven't been excited about any post-Thrawn series, I guess.

[pbarnard]

SPOLERS BELOW





I like how they linked the "body snatcher" disease to all the Jedi children who spent the NJO/Vong war in the sancutary of the MAW so far. Of course, by eliminating Center Point and The Maw, they take away sillier plot devices that no one else can regrettably incorporate. My guess is if this series doesn't end with Jag declaring himself "Emperor" and him and Jaina with a kid, they can't shoe horn much else in because of stepping into the pre-Legacy era.

[Bel-Cam Jos]

I've started Abyss, and for the first time ever in my memory, I noticed that the "preview" chapter in Omen for the next book is different than chapter one is. I know they say it's "set for this edition only and may not reflect the final content of the forthcoming edition," but this is the first time I found it to actually be different (and I like the new version, BTW). So far, too early on to give it a rating.

As far as Omen goes, for a first-time SW writer (although she's quite prolific as a sci-fi author), Christie Golden did a pretty good job; I liked her pacing and the descriptions weren't too detailed, nor too bland.

[pbarnard]

Finished Abyss...spoiler below...





Denning seems to contradict himself with the phantasm converstaion with Jacen. Jaina seemed to think at the moment of his death, he converted back. Here he seems to be Caedus again. This sort of thing I would expect if it were between authors. But since this is the same author, oddly peculiar.

[Bel-Cam Jos]

Since I seemed to have started the misspelled "spoilers" line here in this thread...





SOILPERS BELOW :p





This was clearly an "in between" book, meaning there wasn't much developed, nor much revealed, until reading the later books fills in more details. Why was Ben so surprised that he "figured out" the red lightsaber-wielding Force users were Sith ("I'd like to solve the puzzle, Pat... "Duh." )? Why didn't we see other recently dead Jedi in the pool (unless that would've just been filler)? I was surprised to read that Han's "getaway" was meant to make it seem like the Falcon had been destroyed; I did not get that impression while reading the scene as it happened. The "teaser" about the upcoming Backlash novel seemed really confusing. I think they should just create a new series, "Star Wars: I Have a Bad Feeling About This." If I wasn't addicted to collecting the books and knowing the storylines, I'd be quite tempted to hang it up. :(

[El Chuxter]

I was addicted and broke that addiction quite easily after wasting money on two Legacy of the Force novels. You'll find it quite liberating. I have a lot more time to read better books now.

[OC47150]

I was addicted and broke that addiction quite easily after wasting money on two Legacy of the Force novels. You'll find it quite liberating. I have a lot more time to read better books now.

LOL. I have to check the library and see if they've received number 2.

[Bel-Cam Jos]

Checked out the next in the FOTJ series, Backlash, from my friendly neighborhood library. About a third of the way through it. This series just seems too much like all the other multi-year, multi-book runs: no clear end in sight, lots of wheel spinning, no focus. I like AA's writing style (and in his introduction, he mentions his recent heart attack troubles), but even that's not enough to save it. A ship called the Naboo Duckling was somewhat funny, though.

[OC47150]

I'm about 3/4 of the way through Abyss. It's better written than the previous one.

But you're right: no clear end in sight.

[OC47150]

Finished Abyss late last night. Like I stated previously, I thought it was better written.




SPOILER
















My one complaint about the book and the previous one deals with the Sith. It's like they're an afterthought. You go three or four chapters and then the Sith pop up for a chapter and then forgotten about. They hopped around the galaxy a lot, too. Went from space, to the mystery planet and then were on the Skywalkers. Just odd placing.

[Bel-Cam Jos]

I almost started with a "Spoilers Ahead" warning on Backlash, but I lost my desire to post any specific details.

Allston has the right grasp of detail and description (I'm not sure how I feel about the polls part of Daala's Chief-of-State scenes), plus a nice humorous style with some good one-liners and comic relief, but this series has the same virus of stretching a plotline too long, and even his writing can't help it too much. I felt like this one was a cul-de-sac, where the story makes a stop, does a three-point turn, then heads off in whatever direction the GPS (George's People Say) tells it. :( The last chapters had some stuff to connect it to future books, I suppose. But... :sad:

[Bel-Cam Jos]

Chux, since the name "Callista" appeared in Allies, the newest FotJ book, you may ingore this post.

I did gasp or react once or twice at brief plot situations, but as has been the case far too often with SW EU multi-year series, it just seems to take too long to tell the story, with an unfulfilling ending. Golden has a different style with is a good change from the established writers. Could've done without the "teenage romance" parts, though.

Oh well.

[questorminator]

I used to like the EU books, but I sort of got disappointed on how far removed they are from the 6 movies. Heck, even George Lucas doesn't think they are in the same level as the movies and might retcon them all if he had a bad morning and got ****ed off by seeing his universe get bastardized by his underlings.

For one, the Force powers in the novels are inconsistent with the movie. Sometimes, they were blown way out of proportion. Second, there is a character stronger than Luke Skywalker? The guy is the kid of someone who had the highest midi-chlorian count in history and "a living vessel of the Force" and someone is more powerful than him? It would take generations to dilute the Skywalker bloodline.

Another thing, the writers of the novels should take what the maker of Star Wars has said about the Sith: THEY WERE DESTROYED WHEN PALPATINE DIED. OK, so George Lucas didn't like the cloned Palpy too but that's a different story. Yet, resurrecting the Sith feels like they are blatantly flashing the middle finger on the 6 movies.

The EU is still a good read sometimes. NJO's Star by Star and Destiny's Way along with The Unifying Force are still some of my favorites. But I do wish that the post-ROTJ stuff respects the 6 movies in a way that the prequel EU stuff did. I don't hate the EU man, I just sometimes feel that they are so far removed from what made Star Wars magical.

[DarkArtist]

I'm actually enjoying the series of FOTJ. currently reading Backlash (have 100 pages to go) and looking forward to picking up Allies this weekend.

I'm just wondering if this series is setting up for yet another major character to be killed off. looking forward to finding out.

[questorminator]

I'm actually enjoying the series of FOTJ. currently reading Backlash (have 100 pages to go) and looking forward to picking up Allies this weekend.

I'm just wondering if this series is setting up for yet another major character to be killed off. looking forward to finding out.

I think they're just trying to build up some suspense. Artoo won't die because he appears in Legacy (besides, he's just a droid) and you can bet none of the Skywalkers will die because George Lucas might come out to retconn the whole Expanded Universe if they did.

My guess is it is probably an important EU character. Chewbacca dying was approved by GL but I don't see him agreeing to killing off Luke, Leia and Han not this time anyway.

[Bel-Cam Jos]

My guess is it is probably an important EU character. Chewbacca dying was approved by GL but I don't see him agreeing to killing off Luke, Leia and Han not this time anyway.I hope it's not Jaxxon, or a Zeltron. :p

But I was wondering if/when such a plot line would occur, too. I have my theories, as do others like you guys.

[questorminator]

I hope it's not Jaxxon, or a Zeltron. :p

But I was wondering if/when such a plot line would occur, too. I have my theories, as do others like you guys.

I think Luke, Leia and Han will probably have peaceful deaths or maybe the universe will skip this event as per respect to George Lucas......

Anyway, I think it is time they expand on Ben Skywalker and Cade Skywalker. And I hope they make a Ben Skywalker figure too but that's for another thread. :D

[Rocketboy]

Chewbacca dying was approved by GL but I don't see him agreeing to killing off Luke, Leia and Han not this time anyway.They wanted to kill Luke initially, which was immediately nixed by Lucas, which is why Chewie died instead.

[questorminator]

They wanted to kill Luke initially, which was immediately nixed by Lucas, which is why Chewie died instead.


Like I said, they couldn't kill Luke without the permission of George Lucas. It would be pretty impossible given the role of Luke in the whole saga.

It is like George saying "You can screw my universe but you can't kill my characters."

Like this whole Fate of the Jedi series. At the onset, it feels like "Death of Luke Skywalker" to me. However, as the series went on, it became apparent to me that any attempt by the writers to broach to topic of killing off Skywalker to George has been met with no success.

[DarkArtist]

i wouldn't be surprised if they use the Fate of the Jedi series to launch into the concept of Star Wars Legacy with Cade... I mean an entire planet of Sith sounds like the start of the backstory for Legacy.... perhaps Luke is killed at the end of Fate of the Jedi by the very Sith he is currently allied with.

for some reason that's how these books have been building up for me.

[questorminator]

i wouldn't be surprised if they use the Fate of the Jedi series to launch into the concept of Star Wars Legacy with Cade... I mean an entire planet of Sith sounds like the start of the backstory for Legacy.... perhaps Luke is killed at the end of Fate of the Jedi by the very Sith he is currently allied with.

for some reason that's how these books have been building up for me.


Totally possible but methinks Luke will die peacefully and not betrayed. That would really **** people off if Star Wars' good guy gets betrayed killed off in an EU book that George Lucas can disregard no matter what fans say.

But I like Cade Skywalker though. I think they should leave Luke alone and focus on Cade some more. Also I would like them to build more on Ben Skywalker.

[DarkArtist]

Totally possible but methinks Luke will die peacefully and not betrayed. That would really **** people off if Star Wars' good guy gets betrayed killed off in an EU book that George Lucas can disregard no matter what fans say.

But I like Cade Skywalker though. I think they should leave Luke alone and focus on Cade some more. Also I would like them to build more on Ben Skywalker.

see that's the beauty of the EU though... if they do decide to kill Luke off (which I think is a logically step) then that will pave the way for more of Ben Skywalker and the start of the story for Cade etc...True fans are going to ****** off but hey fans are already ****** off at the direction of EU..why stop now.

i say Luke is killed at the end of Fate of the Jedi, and the Legacy series gets it first nudge and start in the novel world.

eagerily awaiting Votex now... really wish they didn't have such long breaks between these books....(thought New Jedi Order was going to go on forever)

[questorminator]

see that's the beauty of the EU though... if they do decide to kill Luke off (which I think is a logically step) then that will pave the way for more of Ben Skywalker and the start of the story for Cade etc...True fans are going to ****** off but hey fans are already ****** off at the direction of EU..why stop now.

i say Luke is killed at the end of Fate of the Jedi, and the Legacy series gets it first nudge and start in the novel world.

eagerily awaiting Votex now... really wish they didn't have such long breaks between these books....(thought New Jedi Order was going to go on forever)

I agree with that it is the next logical step. I am starting to feel that Lucas is letting these people run his story anyway. Well, until the next time he makes movies that screw the stories his people had a hard time making up.

GL has already said that the EU runs in a parallel universe and does not and cannot dictate G-canon that only he can do. So that should be enough for the true fans who are bewildered by what EU has been doing to the whole Saga.

So if Luke gets killed off, that should be ok. He's got to die anyway. Why not die like a warrior?

[OC47150]

If that is the case, I'd like to see a qualified veteran writer handle it, which has been my biggest complaint about SW novels in the last few years. There are good ones out there, but there are several whose material just runs too hot and cold.

To be honest, I haven't given much thought about Luke's death until this thread. After giving it some thought, I can see him going off on a journey like Frodo at the end of LOTR.

[Bel-Cam Jos]

Two words: Jedi ghost. Huh? HUH?!? Think so?

[Bel-Cam Jos]

Finished FOTJ: Vortex yesterday, and like its namesake, this is one more multi-year series that just seems to be spinning around, headed for somewhere (I think there are two more novels in the run that are left). Only things that surprised me were the amount and extent of injuries and/or deaths to fairly-major characters, the last part of the final chapter, and the preview of the next book at the back, and those weren't all that surprising.

Too many characters and places from previous storylines are being introduced, and I just don't feel connected enough to the issues being brought up throughout the plot, book by book, to WANT the next book to arrive sooner; unlike other series in SW EU, or other genres/authors. I will keep reading, but it's just not interesting much anymore. :(

[Bel-Cam Jos]

Well, I picked up the final book in this series, Alpocalypse... ur, Apocalypse. :rolleyes: Haven't even read the dust jacket yet, but it's well over 400 pages, so maybe there will be closure to this ramblin' read-a-long after all.

[OC47150]

I'm about four books behind in this series. Need to check the library out.

[Bel-Cam Jos]

I finished the final book, Apocalypse yesterday. I will post spoilers about this book, as well as the entire FOTJ series.



SPOLIERS BELOW




...




...




...





Okay. That's the best I can say about the book and the previous eight books before it. It does end, I guess. So, what do we learn from all this? Abeloth is removed, not truly destroyed. Jaina (now a Council Master) and Jag FINALLY get married. Allana isn't Amelia anymore (and speaks far too much like a soon-to-be-Queen would at 9 years old), and is safe. Ben doesn't die, and neither does Vestara; but she's not his main squeeze anymore. Mara stays dead, as does Jacen (not considered Cadeus anymore), and Barv sacrifices himself to save Allana, similar to Hamner's last stand. Luke gets near death, once again, but survives. Coruscant is saved, but the 9/11-style building collapses were somewhat unnerving. SW politics can be fun, but also dull and boring, just as US candidates can. There's ANOTHER Chief of State (Wynn Dorvin) and Daala is still out there somewhere. Fett's issues with the clones' aging remain unresolved. The "crazy" Jedi seem to be healed for good. I suppose most of the loose ends were tied up in book 9.

That said, I just don't know if this whole series was all "worth it." Lando is apparently unnecessary to SW lore. The droids are also far in the background (although Threepio's holo recordings of the beginning of the galaxy were interesting. We never know how the Force will be changed/adjusted/undermined. Has the "fate of the Jedi" been altered, or does the end of the final book just mean there will be more "to be continued" adventures?

[El Chuxter]

Buildings toppling on Coruscant?

I was under the impression there were no intact buildings left after it was terraformed into Yuuzhantar.

[OC47150]

Even though I'm 4 - 5 books behind, I can honestly say this was too ambitious and too thin of a storyline for nine books. Four or five at the best, but nine was stretching it, IMO.

I'll eventually get around to finishing it.

[Bel-Cam Jos]

Buildings toppling on Coruscant?

I was under the impression there were no intact buildings left after it was terraformed into Yuuzhantar.Remember the time period of the FOTJ series; 43 years after ANH, and the YV timeline was 25-40 ABY. They decided to rebuild the jewel of the galaxy, I guess. :gottalovegovernmentcontractors: The undercity region was still mainly yorik coral.