Star Wars novels - opinions please

[Ilander]

Yeah, like I said in my post, a good place to start, timeline-wise is with Shadows of the Empire, and then start with the books set after RotJ. Also note that most newer SW books (the ones that are printed by Del Rey) have timelines IN them, just inside the front cover.

[Dron_Cah]

Originally posted by Morgeruat: the movie novels do fill in some of the gaps in the movie, but the amount of new info is negligible and I disagree with some of it (ie in the book for Episode one, it mentions after Qui-Gon dies at the hands of Darth Maul that Obi Wan becomes one with the light side of the force to defeat Maul, I'm sorry, he's seriously channeling the dark side in that scene. Just because he doesn't continue using it, or make a habit of drawing on it doesn't mean he didn't in that instance.

Not necessarily. I agree, he wasn't becoming "one with the light side." Had he, he would have taken Maul VERY easily. Check out what happens when a young jedi does something similar to that. I would tell the two instances in the NJO books, but I'd hate to spoil something so big! Now, that being said, he also doesn't have to bve using the dark side. For instance, rage, which I would say would be the accurate description of what he was feeling, is not necessarily of the dark side. True anger and hate are, but rage isn't necesarrily the same as anger. Just a quick look at a couple definitions, one defines rage as "Furious intensity, as of a storm or disease." and another as "A burning desire; a passion."
Also: yes, I do look into this too much, (Geek!!), lol. And yes, I could, of course, be wrong.
And Kyp's a whiny baby [img]tongue.gif[/img] , and everyone lapses into philosophical inner banter! Stackpole just writes out more of Corran's, lol. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[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.

[Dron_Cah]

Wow, talk about major spoilers that I was working hard to not mention. I think it would be preferable if you edited your post, Mierkos, either taking out the spoilers, or giving a warning, please.