[Mierkos]

I've been an avid Star Wars fan since the movie came out. I was 3rd in line to see it back in 1977. My cousins were first and second with my brother number four. I was 10 so stuff like that was cool. I agree with the previous postings Timothy Zahn's SW books are the best of the lot. Next would be the New Jedi Order series. The NJO books have a maturity about them. YES, R.A. Salvatore has been getting all kinds of crap because "He killed Chewbacca". Well if you look at the series as a whole Chewie's Heroic death(He sacrifices himself to save Han's son--fans in the know will see this as fullfilling his life debt to Han Solo) as is the mysterious disease that nearly kills Luke's wife Mara and unborn son are both necessary to develop characters like the Solo Children. Chewie's death sends Han into a rapid downward spiral. The tragedy sidelines him for several books so he is not there to overshadow his children who end up as the major heroes in the series. Luke is so preoccupied with his wife's disease that younger Jedi must step up to help fight the Vong. I was actually more upset When Anakin Solo dies. Albeit he died giving his life to save his fellow Jedi Knights--an action of a true Jedi. I've got to cut my stint on the soap box short--my 2 year old needs redirection. Everyone will have their opinions about the books--Read them and make your own decision.