An Unrevised Exploration of Star Wars Expanded Universe
This book by Barbara Hambly had some interesting moments and made good use of the original trilogy characters. Once more there is an abundance of creepy bugs, but there is also a well balanced use of old characters as well as some new ones. There is a lot of mystery and suspense in this package. … Read more
Darksaber by Kevin J. Anderson is the follow up to Children of the Jedi and follows multiple threads. It’s a bit of a complex story, involving the Jedi, the Empire and the Hutts, as well as Luke’s saga with Callista, his would be lover. It’s actually quite a roller coaster of an adventure and jumps … Read more
Grand Moff Tarkin is one of the most infamous characters of Star Wars, even without any flashy fight scenes. Few can compete with the sheer ruthlessness of a man who would casually order the destruction of an entire populated world of pacifists. He’s also notable as one of the few with authority even over Vader, … Read more
This novel, Dark Lord Riise of Darth Vader, really is a transition period for the fallen knight. The catalyst is not surprisingly, surviving Jedi, a struggle he’s wrestled with before. After all, his choice was predicated on saving his wife and he lost her and his health at the same time. Formerly the Jedi Anakin … Read more
Leading directly into Revenge of the Sith, Labyrinth of Evil by James Luceno takes Anakin and Obi-Wan on a hunt for the identity of Darth Sidious. This is the trail that could lead them to unveiling their foe before he is ready. While most of us already know who that is, sometimes the journey is … Read more
The Death Star by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry adds a whole new depth to the first ever Star Wars movie, A New Hope. From the movie standpoint we only see the side (mostly) of the heroic freedom fighters. But while villains ran the Death Star, there were others aboard, who had bought into the … Read more
Patterns of Force doesn’t just wrap up the Coruscant Nights trilogy, but several plotlines from previous Michael Reaves’s stories and finishes in a satisfying way. It is a fun adventure, but a bit frustrating because it doesn’t so much explain all it’s own started threads as well. I love the general story I just do … Read more
The main story in Street of Shadows is a murder mystery set in the Star Wars dark times, when the few surviving Jedi are in hiding. The main story is well worth a read, though I didn’t care for the side quest and the continuity hiccups were a distraction. It continues the set noir style … Read more
by James Luceno This is kind of an adventure crossed with a political thriller and a mystery that, if you’ve seen the movies, you do know the answer to. But you don’t know how it got that way! It’s a solid story if you like intrigue, or if you want more Qui-Gon. Cloak of Deception … Read more
Spoilers for the previous books. Jedi Academy: Champions of the Force by Kevin J. Anderson story itself does reiterate and repeat certain points, as a refresher for those who haven’t read them in awhile. It’s an action packed finale to the series. It was a bit overwhelming at times but did get a great thrill … Read more
The inspiration for this era comes of Star Wars the Old Republic game’s Tython and it’s ancient Jedi lore, as well as Knight’s of the Old Republic’s Rakata. Who were the Jedi, before their were Jedi, or a Republic? Dawn of the Jedi comics answer this. They were the Jedaii Rangers, originating from Tython where … Read more
Wookiees are tall, bipedal fur covered people with an animalistic snout, and are easily underestimated. They have a deep history and impressive achievements. Modern Wookiee culture is one of loyalty and honor. Physically wookiees usually come in shades of brown, which camouflage well with the forests of Kashyyyk, there homeworld. There are exceptions however, an … Read more
In 2003 George Lucas decided to hire Genndy Tarkovsky to create a series of animated shorts of the Clone Wars. Originally it aired in the commercial break, during cartoons on the Cartoon Network channel. Eventually these shorts were put together into DVDs. The first set of animation featured various battles throughout the galaxy. Genndy had … Read more
Dawn of the Jedi : Into the Void by Tim Lebbon opens up a whole new era. Before there was a Republic, the precursors to Jedi were confined to the Tython system, taken there by the Tho Yor for unknown (to them) reasons. This is the story of one Jedaii Ranger, Lanoree Brock and her … Read more
As the title “Dark Apprentice” indicates, the promising start of the first story in the trilogy is about to meet some dark challenges. Admiral Daala, loosed from the Maw cluster with her Star Destroyers is out seeking vengeance. Leia finds a tragic diplomatic crisis rocks the New Republic, as she struggles to manage family with … Read more
Story by Kevin J. Anderson, original cover art was by John Alvin. It was released in 1996. This is an amazing piece of galaxy building and I can’t overestimate it’s importance to the mythos of Star Wars. This was the book that starts the massive multimedia project, where game, comic and novels would tie together … Read more
Star Wars Interviews was a site and also a series of books dedicated to Interviews with all sorts of people involved with the Star Wars galaxy. Actors, cast and crew, behind the scenes folks, game developers, authors and so on were all on his site. Sadly, the site was removed. Disclaimer here: that isn’t me. … Read more
Jax Pavan had barely made knighthood when Order 66 or ‘Flame Night’ went down. Now in Jedi Twilight, he’s finding that being on the run has compromised his morals as well as his ability to access the Force. To top it off, Vader for some reason is looking for him, him personally, with more interest … Read more
The final chapter of the Bounty Hunter Wars is an action packed story of survival set during the events of Return of the Jedi. Hard merchandise is the cold term that bounty hunters use for the people they hunt and treat as products to profit off of. And sometimes, the hunter themselves may become the … Read more
I’m writing this coming up on it’s 40th anniversary! Growing up on the original trilogy, this was my hands down favorite even though as a kid, I wasn’t sure what moved me so strongly. It left me speculating on who Anakin Skywalker was before his fall and I was eager to see it. It was … Read more
As the second book in the Bounty Hunter Wars trilogy, Slave Ship gives us more information more adventure and a bit more that is expanded on later. There are tidbits I recognize as popping up in the rest of the Expanded Universe (both before and later). Naturally, the Boba Fett and bounty hunter bits are … Read more
Well by now the word has spread throughout the fandom that another Star Wars Expanded Universe author is gone. It’s a grievous thing anytime that happens, but this one stings me as Michael Reaves was by far my favorite Del Rey era author, based on how many of his books I absolutely loved and reread. … Read more
The Bounty Hunter Wars Trilogy by K.W Jeter Boba Fett is dead, and his victims and rivals rejoice. But Dengar and a young slave woman who knows that Fett is part of her lost past have found evidence he’s not as gone as his enemies hope. And while neither trust him, they know they need … Read more
I,Jedi is by Michael Stackpole and he is the primary author of most stories (but not all) stories involving Corran Horn and his family. Warning going in: this book I,Jedi contains a few spoilers for the X-Wing Rogue Squadron Book Series. It also has spoilers for the Jedi Academy series. This book does stand alone … Read more
Black Sun is no one’s ally, and stamping it out and keeping it that way has been a job for Jedi, the Republic and even certain Sith. It isn’t the only bit of the past to rear its head in these stories. While a bit simplistic in the resolution (or suggested implementation) its still a … Read more
This story has it’s grindy moments, as I kept wanting to get back to the actual Jedi, Anakin and Nejaa in Jedi Trial. I kind of wish there had been more moments with the two of them. But it was overall a good read. Right up until the end I had no idea how or … Read more
While the Jedi Code was first laid out in the Expanded Universe, it is based entirely on what we see of the Jedi in the movies. Only the Original Trilogy was out when it was written, but the prequels only clarified that information, didn’t contradict. George Lucas did give guidelines on the Jedi to the … Read more
The final book in the trilogy hits peak action as are heroes are at their most desperate and the fate of billions is on the line. This may seem normal for them, but while the stakes are as always high, this is a different kind of foe with a different kind of weapon. The story … Read more
Assault at Selonia by Roger Allen McBride is the second book in the Corellian trilogy and the original trilogy heroes are now responding to the danger set up in the last book with new allies at their side. This book had me on the edge of my seat waiting for what happens next. The author … Read more
This game is still a blast decades after release. Jedi Knight Dark Forces 2 graphics may be dated but they don’t diminish the challenge one bit, and they are a step up from the predecessor. This one did include more save options to it. The story is loads of fun and so is the gameplay. … Read more
This game is a challenge but has a great story. It’s quite a thrill to defeat it at all, even for one like me, who fails at hitting bonus goals. The Clone Wars video game is a blast if you love playing as a heroic Jedi Knight, flying fast vehicles and enjoy the Tales of … Read more
The Ambush At Corellia is pure suspense. We find out pretty quick there is danger for our heroes in the near future, we just aren’t sure what or how. There is an interesting family dynamic here, with typical kids being kids (except they are as bright as their Grandsire and they already know about the … Read more
If we want our expanded universe to resist the efforts to diminish it, its up to the fans. Keep letting them know we want our stories, our books and comics, to be available, intact. Be very aware of digital legal limitations and do what you can to encourage protection for the buyer, not just the … Read more
Dark Forces introduces Kyle Katarn and an amazingly cathartic, immersive game that includes new challenges and the foundation for a new era of Star Wars games. That new era in turn ties in (as usual) with the rest of the content. At this beginning level, we see in the movie tie ins while it sets … Read more
This site is based on Star Wars expanded universe, and stories are my favorite thing. So naturally this is what I focus on in SWTOR. SWTOR itself is purely based on this universe. It combines all the best action, storytelling and humor just as the movies did. Origin Story SWTOR originally called these classes and … Read more
Padmé’s death dissatisfied many people. They felt it took away from her ‘strong woman’ status that she simply died when Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader. Or they felt betrayed she died then at all, given that it was suggested that Leia had some memory of her. But while screen time limited an explanation and story … Read more
A galaxy full of various races of beings is bound to have ideological differences, of what was right and wrong. The ones like the Hutts and the Sith Empire firmly believed the strong should rule. Slavery is a natural outgrowth of that attitude. On the other side you had the Republic which believed in freedom … Read more
This Young Jedi Knights story arc, about the Diversity Alliance, hits harder in 2022 than when it was released in the late 1990s. It’s the second arc in the series, so you might want to read that first if you are worried about spoilers. It picks up right where the other left off. Warning: review … Read more
While most associate the Sith Darth Sidious and the fallen Jedi of ancient days, originally the Sith were a species. The Sith pureblood race of beings was usually (though not always) Force sensitive. Sith purebloods already had an Empire when the cast out Jedi followers of the dark side happened upon them and conquered. Soon … Read more
It is rare for a Jedi to become a Force spirit that can communicate beyond death. Those that knew the skill only used it at need. It is therefore no surprise that in times of war as Jedi fell, the training to do this was lost. Overtime, it would’ve become a mere legend even in … Read more
The plans for and initial construction of the Death Star is told in bits and pieces throughout the saga. This is how it fits together. It truly was an engineering marvel, and its a shame the technological advancements made for it were put to such an evil goal. Early Years of the Death Star – … Read more
After the reboot, Lucasfilm employees said flat out that the old canon would soon be forgotten, then next generation of Star Wars fans would never know it. Those of us who loved the old, refuse to let that happen. Their promise that they would all have one canon fell through when it became clear they … Read more
This story by Dave Wolverton features Han and Leia and the reasons for their long delayed marriage in spite of what seems an overlong courtship. General Solo has been off battling Warlord Zsinj while Leia has been on the home front running diplomatic missions. On return he finds that one of those missions has led … Read more
I’d been wondering for a time now about whether the short stories in novels would appear in the newer Trade market paperbacks. I had heard no mention (in spite of asking on social media) whether they had all the same stuff as their mass market paperbacks. I don’t live near a new book store myself, … Read more
Somewhere at the back of the story, almost unnoticed beneath the blaze of blaster fire and the hum of lightsabers, lies a simple truth of Star Wars. Father figures have a huge impact on the galaxy. In this case, many are simply mentors that take on the role of compassionate guide but also teacher of … Read more
Star Wars under George Lucas never had a race issue, contrary to what the media tells the world. It has always been a massive blend of various cultures, from the languages used and created for new alien races, to accents, building styles, hair styles and clothing styles. It’s universal mythology is what gave it such … Read more
The Cestus Deception by Steven Barnes is full of intrigue, adventure and deeper themes behind the Clone Wars. Starring Obi-Wan Kenobi, Kit Fisto, a secret (but familiar) enemy it also introduces new characters that are well rounded and interesting. It’s a real page turner, and gets even faster and harder to put down as one … Read more
C-3PO and R2-D2 are the two characters are the galaxies witness within all six movies. They’ve carried secrets and been the comedy as well as the unexpected heroes of many adventures. But even droids have character growth, at least when they haven’t had a memory wipe. And their shared adventures go far beyond what is … Read more
My Thoughts I absolutely love this book, Star Wars the New Rebellion. It’s by far one of my favorites of the post Return of the Jedi era. All the heroes of the movies have a part to play with the same sense of adventure, danger, humor and heroism. This isn’t always so in the books, … Read more
The world first saw Darth Vader on screen as a villain. It would be years before his true identity was known. His history shrouded for most of the galaxy, he became a terror to the Rebellion and a traitor to the Jedi. His past would prove far more complicated. Anakin Skywalker was as much victim … Read more
