Review: Shadows of the Empire

[bwinter]

One of the few rules I have is that I don’t do Star Wars Extended Universe. Basically, it’s movie or bust for me - I might gleam a gem or two of inspiration from an interview with Lucas or from the novelisations, but if it wasn’t in the movies, it’s not canon. I also consider 99% of the EU to be mass-rpoduced drivel.

Shadows of the Empire, which fyrie

Comments

[arabwel]

You are making me want to re-read that book :D

hell, in fact, i feel like gorging in the EU some more. But only in the goods stuff - the X-Wing novels :P

[bwinter]

I still think the EU sucks in general, you know. But sometimes it might be readable :P

[arabwel]

Oh, I admit freely that huuuge parts of it suck. But some parts are also infinitely re-readable :P

*can still quote I, Jedi like nobody's business*

[bwinter]

I'm just staying away from it so that I can keep from integrating it with my canon. Which would mean letting Kevin J. Anderson influence my thinking *shudders*

[fyrie]

Alas, yes. Xizor's toasting is far too quick for my liking, though I was pleased that Luke got one over on him ;)

[bwinter]

I just...

I would have enjoyed the book far more if Vader had cut Xizor to little pieces with the lightsaber. Starting from the toes and working his way up.

(Honestly. Criminal genius who hasn't heard of offsite backups? What'd he have that bloody skyhook for??)

[fyrie]

Alas that very few people can write a decent criminal mastermind - most writers don't seem to have the mindset that would befit criminal masterminds, so they can't think and work like one. Plus, how is it possible he couldn't get caught? I mean, he was so blatantly obvious!

[bwinter]

I think the not getting caught was mostly because the Empire tolerated criminals. Xizor was ruthless and egotistic enough to be trusted to keep the others in check, and stupid enough not to be too much of a threat, until he started getting delusions of grandeur.

[carmentalis]

It must have been almost ten years since I touched Shadows of the Empire, but I remember it as being on the (very short) readable list. Along with the Allston X-Wing stuff, but that is pure hilarious crack.

[bwinter]

I've heard a lot of good about the X-Wing books in general, might check them out sometime. But still, ugh, EU. I don't even touch the prequel stuff, apart from a few Jango Fett comics.

[carmentalis]

Some of the X-Wing stuff is good, and it has very little connection to the overall universe. So you could technically read them as standalone, especially the Aaron Allston stuff. Starfighters of Adumar especially. It has Wedge Antilles, but that's about the only real connection to the EU aside from them flying X-Wings and talking to Leia at the beginning.

The EU is... odd. My brother has most of the books, so I get to browse on occasion, but it's never drawn me. Zahn's plots and his villain had me for a bit, plus Stackpole and Allston for their X-Wing series, but nothing else. *shiver* Kevin J. Anderson. Evil.

[bwinter]

I'll check the X-Wing books out once I'm out of material (AKA, once Tanz wraps up :D). I need more SW inspiration, far too many fics in progress.

KJA needs killing.

[alice_montrose]

My imersion in SW "canon" books has been minimal at least, but I'll look this one up, ok?

Perfect song for Gerald: Within Temptation's "Deceiver of Fools". I even used some of the lyrics in that one to make a Gerald icon :D

[bwinter]

...

Got an mp3?

[alice_montrose]

*blink blink* Mp3? What is this mp3 you speak of? *tilts head looking all innocent*

Bwhahahahaha! Just kidding! Of course I have an mp3! I've just uploaded it here. And the lyrics are here.

I'll try to upload the two Within Temptation albums I have tomorrow, ok? Great Scandinavian Metal. *knowing nod*

[bwinter]

Yay! :D I have a smattering of random Within Temptations mp3s, and I like them rather a lot, but I never looked into the full albums :)

[moustachios]

*joins in the pimping of the X-Wing books*

Also, I'd really like to see what you think of Thrawn. He's one of my favourite villains.

I'd recommend an NJO book, too, but there's a depressing amount of dreck to wade through before you hit it, and it makes little sense without the backstory. Boo.

[bwinter]

I've heard various things about the Thrawn trilogy. Yet another thing I should try sometime, but I'm just too scared that EU will suck me down, KJA and all ~_~

[moustachios]

*g*
Come to the Dreck Side...

[carmentalis]

Which is the first you'd recommend, if I may ask? I only read Rebel Dream and Rebel Stand, and I was fine without the backstory... But if any of the others are readable, I'd give them a try.