This afternoon I finished the Star Wars novel “Vector Prime” by R. A. Salvatore. This is the first book of a 20 book series called “The New Jedi Order” which takes place 25-30 years after the first Star Wars movie, “A New Hope” or Episode IV.
At the time of this story, the New Republic is up and running with a 6-8 person council instead of a full senate like before. Luke is contemplating putting together the Jedi council again, as he has already opened a new Jedi Academy (that the beginning was POORLY novelized by Kevin J. Anderson). The Jedi at this stage are just kind of going around doing their own thing, and the most prominent is Kyp Durron and his group of 13 others that are bumming around the Outer Rim.
A new enemy arrives, not from their galaxy. The Yuuzhan Vong. They are without automation what so ever, yet very powerful and technologically advanced. Meaning; everything they have is a living creature. Their starships, their armor, etc. What makes them even more dangerous to the Jedi is that not being from the galaxy they have no tie whatsoever to the Force.
As far as SW novels go, this was pretty good. Salvatore is a respected writer, but most everything he does is franchise (meaning that he does little that is original). There was cheesiness, as expected with SW, but it wasn’t too bad. And though there were two times when I think things were too coincidental, it was still entertaining and not a waste of time. Of course that is coming from a SW fan that doesn’t mind a light reading book.
The one thing that really sticks out, and most SW fans know about this, is that lovable hairball Chewbacca dies in this book. I knew this going it, because such a big stink was made of it from SW fans upset that he would die. (Like he is a real living creature!) I can understand some of the uproar, but in real life heros die. And some before their time. To be totally honest, when it comes to the books it is a little hard to write for Chewbacca anyway. He never had diaglogue. It is always stepped aside, “…… and Chewie voiced his dislike of the plan with a howl.”
Anyway, this series could be real hit and miss since many different authors have written the books. But as a geeky fan it will be interesting to read on how this all works out.
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