Discussion: Iron Fist
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As mentioned in my previous post, I had to take a couple of weeks off for my brain's sake. I will be going back to the last two discussions to rep to the posts there in the next day or so, since you all had some great comments.
Today we should be starting Isard's Revenge, but first, let's go back a couple of weeks to Iron Fist.
Iron Fist continues the story begun in Wraith Squadron, as we continue to follow the newly formed squadron through their growing pains. There are so many great moments throughout this story that it would take another novel to break them all down with proper analysis and appreciation.
Of the new pilots introduced I only had issues with Castin Donn, but I think that was the intended response that Aaron was looking for. I don't know. Either way, I felt no remorse when he met his fate after defying direct orders. I did still tear up something awful during the dreaded Chapter 12, and the moment was still poignant and meaningful. Which is the mark of a great death scene.
Despite my opposing reactions to these two events, I still appreciate the reasoning behind their necessity. Both deaths were required for the other characters directly affected by them to grow into the people they needed to be. Face, who was using his past as a shield against his future, would probably never have been capable of commanding the unit if he hadn't had a reason to drop that shield. Likewise, Dia would never have been capable of completely healing, and surviving within the unit, without the mental break that her actions caused.
The weariness that marks Wedge is seen a little closer to the surface. The little mental assessment he gives himself regarding his loneliness made me wibble. Wedge's humility in his view of himself is endearing, though it's always well hidden beneath his pilot's ego and Corellian swagger.
Wes Janson, where do we start? Where do we end? *shakes head*
So, Lara Notsil. Every time I think of Lara, I hear Malcolm Reynolds' 'YoSafBridge' in my head. We need to come up with something similar for Lara. Because it would be awesome. Now, Lara's side-swapping was much better executed than Corran's and Kell's attitude changes. You have an undercover Imperial who is deep undercover as a Rebel, though isn't affected by what she sees until she leaves her desk job and joins the front lines. Being isolated in intelligence work and data entry allows one to maintain control over one's thoughts and attitudes. It's easy to paint doctrine and long-held prejudices over-top of people's actions when you don't have to do more than say good morning to them or stand in line for caf with them. But once you need to rely on those people to watch your back, a different dynamic comes into play. The Imperial indoctrination crumbles under the assault of the Wraith's personalities and Lara can't help but realize that she's been wrong her entire life.
Lara's probably the most interesting character in this book, because of the whole deception and double-dealing that she's involved in.
Kettch: Oh, Kettch, you find a body and a voice in Wedge Antilles. Poor Wedge. The things he puts up with for the New Republic.
The Razor's Kiss fight was well done. A worthy climax to a worthy tale. This here is arguably the beginning of the end of Zsinj's campaign.
Okay, so hands up: (1) who made sure they were alone before reading through Chapter 12? and (2) Who still can't, for the life of them, figure out how to pronounce "Zsinj"?
....*raises hand on both counts*
This entry was also posted at http://obiwanken5.dreamwidth.org/421648.html.
As mentioned in my previous post, I had to take a couple of weeks off for my brain's sake. I will be going back to the last two discussions to rep to the posts there in the next day or so, since you all had some great comments.
Today we should be starting Isard's Revenge, but first, let's go back a couple of weeks to Iron Fist.
Iron Fist continues the story begun in Wraith Squadron, as we continue to follow the newly formed squadron through their growing pains. There are so many great moments throughout this story that it would take another novel to break them all down with proper analysis and appreciation.
Of the new pilots introduced I only had issues with Castin Donn, but I think that was the intended response that Aaron was looking for. I don't know. Either way, I felt no remorse when he met his fate after defying direct orders. I did still tear up something awful during the dreaded Chapter 12, and the moment was still poignant and meaningful. Which is the mark of a great death scene.
Despite my opposing reactions to these two events, I still appreciate the reasoning behind their necessity. Both deaths were required for the other characters directly affected by them to grow into the people they needed to be. Face, who was using his past as a shield against his future, would probably never have been capable of commanding the unit if he hadn't had a reason to drop that shield. Likewise, Dia would never have been capable of completely healing, and surviving within the unit, without the mental break that her actions caused.
The weariness that marks Wedge is seen a little closer to the surface. The little mental assessment he gives himself regarding his loneliness made me wibble. Wedge's humility in his view of himself is endearing, though it's always well hidden beneath his pilot's ego and Corellian swagger.
Wes Janson, where do we start? Where do we end? *shakes head*
So, Lara Notsil. Every time I think of Lara, I hear Malcolm Reynolds' 'YoSafBridge' in my head. We need to come up with something similar for Lara. Because it would be awesome. Now, Lara's side-swapping was much better executed than Corran's and Kell's attitude changes. You have an undercover Imperial who is deep undercover as a Rebel, though isn't affected by what she sees until she leaves her desk job and joins the front lines. Being isolated in intelligence work and data entry allows one to maintain control over one's thoughts and attitudes. It's easy to paint doctrine and long-held prejudices over-top of people's actions when you don't have to do more than say good morning to them or stand in line for caf with them. But once you need to rely on those people to watch your back, a different dynamic comes into play. The Imperial indoctrination crumbles under the assault of the Wraith's personalities and Lara can't help but realize that she's been wrong her entire life.
Lara's probably the most interesting character in this book, because of the whole deception and double-dealing that she's involved in.
Kettch: Oh, Kettch, you find a body and a voice in Wedge Antilles. Poor Wedge. The things he puts up with for the New Republic.
The Razor's Kiss fight was well done. A worthy climax to a worthy tale. This here is arguably the beginning of the end of Zsinj's campaign.
Okay, so hands up: (1) who made sure they were alone before reading through Chapter 12? and (2) Who still can't, for the life of them, figure out how to pronounce "Zsinj"?
....*raises hand on both counts*
This entry was also posted at http://obiwanken5.dreamwidth.org/421648.html.