| Literacy -Sared - Aug 04 08:04pm | |
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Okay now, lets try to wipe off the sweat on my eyeballs and try to write an article. How hot is it? Pretty friggin hot thank you. 107 degrees Fahrenheit and my AC doesn’t work. Oh, that’s 42 degrees Celsius for you centigrade folk. Now lets see where I can go with this… WARNING, IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE NEW JEDI ORDER SERIES, AND INTEND ON DOING SO, DO NOT READ THE BEGINNING SECTION! I re-read the first of the Star Wars New Jedi Order books again in an attempt to jump-start my reading of the NJO series. I am sad to say that it didn’t work. I’m sorry, but if you are going to kill off one of the most beloved characters in the entire SW universe, then you deserve to be drug out to the street, stripped naked, and shot in the mouth. I don’t care if you are doing it for a ‘storyline starter’, because there are plenty of other characters/races/planets that can die to do so. Like, oh, Streen? Mara Jade? My policy is, if they were in the movies, then messing around with that character in major ways constitutes borderline heresy. Okay, I’ll stop now.  Now, as far as literacy is concerned in the Jedi Academy… How many of you have actually read any of the Extended Universe? I.E., books/comics. If you HAVE read some of the EU, then you realize exactly how expansive and huge the entire Star Wars universe has become. Now, cross that with the story of Kyle Katarn, and then the further adventures of Jaden Korr and you see how small they are to the entire EU as a whole. No reason they should be, they ARE just games after all aren’t they? This provides the argument that it is not really necessary to read any of the books at all. This is a perfectly acceptable viewpoint to take, as I can understand that some don’t have the time to read, the attention span, the energy, or even the care too. But to those of you reading this that do want to, may I give this encouragement, the Star Wars universe has become deep and wide, and give a great understanding to some of the reasons we do what we do here at the Academy and what we have modeled ourselves after. In these books are a wealth of a story that should be drunk from deeply. Allow me to give you a small map to this world that might help you get a greater understanding of the way things work. The Truce at Bakura, by Kathy Tyres This is a good starter. The plotline picks up the very day after the events of Return of the Jedi. So much so that Luke can still feel the tingle from getting zapped. This book also introduces the Ssi-Rusk, a Forec-immune species, like the ysalamiri, as close as you can get to the SW equivalent of the Borg. The day after the Battle of Endor, the Rebel fleet receives a distress beacon from an Imperial planet. They come in a show of goodwill and try to forge a truce, while being attacked from the mysterious alien invaders, and a murderous threat from within.The Courtship of Princess Leia, by Dave Wolverton Okay, so Han and Leia get married, we all know that, but how did it actually happen? That ‘scruffy-looking nerfherder’ was barely scraping by with the occasional kiss last time we checked, and there are quite a few intergalactic princes that wouldn’t mind marrying one of the most powerful women in the New Republic, Prince Isolder of the Hapan Consortium to say the least. Enter, the planet Dathomir. Those of you who play Star Wars Galaxies know very much how hellish and dangerous this planet is, and this book is what establishes this as fact. A place where tribes of rancor-riding ‘force witches’ rule, and an old Imperial Prison is kept. We also meet Warlord Zinj, the most powerful known Imperial at the time, wielding his own Super Star Destroyer. It is truly a dangerous situation, and the last place you would expect two men to compete for the love of Leia. The Heir to the Empire Trilogy, by Timothy Zahn These three books have been quoted by many as possibly the greatest addition to the Star Wars universe. Zahn is amazing, telling an intriguing story and crafting incredibly complex characters. To name a few, Talon Karrde, the master smuggler (has dirty fighting 5, eat your heart out SWG  ), who tries to remain neutral, despite the conflict around him. Mara Jade, formerly an extremely close associate to the Emperor himself, who’s skills and abilities seem to hurt and help our heroes in the most confusing ways. Grand Admiral Thrawn, master tactician, learning about the very intricacies of his opponet from their races/homeworlds art and sculptors. These characters help form the base for which a great conflict arises. Thrawn is the last known legitimate Imperial power remaining, and wields the command, the force, and a most lethal cunning that will bring the Republic to its knees. Bring Joruus Caboath into the mix, an old, half-crazed Jedi Master bent on killing Luke, who allies himself with Thrawn, if only to serve his purposes. The X-Wing series, by Michael A. Stackpole and Aaron Allstone Though not quite as focused on the more peak characters in the SW universe, The X-Wing series more than holds its own with its own unique flavor of casting. It centralizes around Wedge Antillies, and his work with Rogue Squadron, something I would think is as important to the SW universe as large walking carpet. Stackpole kicks off the series right after the Truce at Bakura with four grippig novels, Rogue Squadron, Wedge;s Gamble, The Krytos Trap, and The Bacta War. Allstone then picks up where Stackpole left off in Wraith Squadron, Iron Fist, and Solo Command. Here, Allstone plays Han Solo into his books very well, portraying the character and accurately and fairly. He also brings in Solo’s nemesis, Warlord Zinj, and plays well into that dispute. Stackpole, apparently no finished, wrote Isard’s Revenge. Who is Ysanne Isard? Well, you’ll just have to read ‘em now won’t ya? To wrap things up, Allstone finishes with Starfighters of Adumar, a book that manages to balance both political and military struggles with the minds of people set off-balance by the rest of the universe. The Jedi Academy Trilogy, by Kevin J. Anderson I. Love. Anderson. End of report. This man’s hand in crafting the comeback of the Jedi is nothing short of masterful, taking storytelling to the depths of each characters struggle between light, and dark. We start with Luke Skywalker, researching the supposedly ‘lost’ bloodlines of the ancient Jedi Order, finding descendants of the Jedi of old, and recruiting them in his work of rebuilding the Jedi Academy, his praxeum. Over the course of the three books, Jedi Search, Dark Apprentice, and Champions of the Force, we meet several of the new order of Jedi Knights. Streen, a hermit from Bespin. Kam Solusar, former henchman of the Emperor. Dorsk 81, a clone that broke the mold. Tionne, Jedi Lore Master and Historian. Along with many others. I, Jedi, by Michael A. Stackpole This is a rather unique perspective on storytelling, and quite difficult to execute properly, though Stackpole has done a superb job of it. The story is told from the eyes of Corran Horn, a pilot in Rogue Squadron who was found by Jedi Master Skywalker to be the grandson of a great Corellian Jedi Master. When he finds that his wife has been kidnapped, he goes to Master Skywalker urgently seeking training, and the strength to rescue his loved one. Over time, he manages to learn patience, and. through actual experience, learns what it truly means to be a Jedi Knight, defender of the peace. At one point, Horn becomes the peacekeeper in a small ghetto on a remote planet, choked by crime, while he is always on the lookout for information about his love. There, that’s a good seventeen books to start with. In my opinion, they are the ‘core reading’ of the Star Wars universe outside of the movies. Read these, and you will be more than well-prepared for any comic, cartoon, or game having to do with a time long ago, in a galaxy far, far away. |
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Anakin Skywalker - Student 
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Thrawn>Daala. _______________  {MOTS}Masters Of The Sith
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DF_SithMaster44 - Student 
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I don't like this book about the Yuuzhan Vong invasion when Chewbacca dies. But well, a talented Star Wars writer could bring him back in a professional way, I think. _______________ Once I heard about something called "real life". I tried to find out what that was and I discovered that it is a place where you can use Force powers without draining your Force pool!! | laming NPCs is good for your soul |
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Carve - Student 
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I, personally, have read nearly all of the novels and novelizations for Star Wars, up until the NJO series. I read up until they killed that oh-so-vital character, finished that book, and that was it. Really, the books are just overkill - though my friend continues to read it and I gain insight from him from time-to-time. Up until the NJO series, I considered myself somewhat of a Star Wars aficionado - able to tell you what company made what ship and what the tradenames of its weapons were (Can anybody say Taim & Bak X9 Turbolaser?) However, I never went too far into the new movies (Episodes I and on) or the NJO series - and much has been added since then, so my continual thirst for Star Wars knowledge has waned, if for no reason other than it seems too much information has been added to catch up on. Despite this, I highly recommend the novels (and the videogames, too). They offer an insight into the Universe that really gives it amazing depth. Also, by far the majority of the novels are very well written. So if you like reading, dive in! You won't run out of material for a long time and heck, you just might like it. _______________ © |
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PlooKoon - Student 
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they rule reading the NJO at the mo, read others as well _______________ Moo |
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Jade - Student 
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* Jade hands over his collection of NJO books to Tido....enjoy!* _______________ "You don't know the power of the dark side....Buurrp!" |
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Tido - Student 
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Wow, I don't think I've read a single SW book..ever. Guess I better go pick one up. Thanks for the suggestions, Sared! This comment was edited by Tido on Aug 06 2004 06:10am. |
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Sared - Retired 
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Thrawn>Daala. _______________ I'm crazy, not stupid. |
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Trad Redav - Student 
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NJO SPOILER!! you do know that the author who killed chewie didn't WANT to? he was told to, by the people who were managing and writing the whole NJO plot. The authors didn't just pick up where it was left off and write whatever they want, they were told a few things that had to happen, and could do anything along with that, but certain things had to happen. Like, R.A. Salvatore HAD to kill chewie, and he could have had it happen in a firefight, but no, it takes a moon to kill chewie. And the people who decided chewie had to die knew that they needed to kill somebody who would create huge shock with their death. i'd say they succeeded. Now, I, Jedi is one of the best star wars books of all time. Zahn is still #1, but if i had to pick my second-favorite star wars author, i'd say Michael A. Stackpole. Along with that, Stackpole is my favorite author, overall, for his work with The DragonCrown War Cycle, and more. those are fantasy books, though. maybe for the same reason i love I, Jedi (all 600 or so pages of it) my favorite NJO book is Traitor. I don't like Anderson that much. For me, the only reason i'd want to read that trilogy would be to see if it mentions Keiran at ALL, but i just can't bring myself to read books i don't like. edited for typos _______________ Well then. Just so you know, just because I don't post often doesn't mean I don't lurk this place multiple times every day... This comment was edited by Trad Redav on Aug 05 2004 06:25pm. |
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Jacen Aratan - Student |
I never did like the character you mention in your intro. Laff. Zahn is god of sci-fi, btw. |
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Fizz of Belouve - Student 
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*high fives DeeJay* yeah, Timothy Zahn pwns. well I think the JA trilogy is quite cool. Actually I found myself guilty to NOT have read all of the X-Wing series, or the I, Jedi one. oh, and well, Thrawn is the last but one official Imperial power remaining  You didnt mention Adriral Daala So, how many Super Star Destroyers were there in total ? who knows it? _______________ One of the Belouve boys, founder of the mighty FiZZsters Midbie council #20 - Fizz - #1933 - Jan '03 - Aug '04 "Renfield, you idiot!" |
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DJ Sith - Jedi Council 
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I highly reccomend any book that Zahn has ever touched. The man knows plot, and most of the EU is centered around his work. I have to disagree with Sared on the Jedi Academy trilogy though. While it introduces a bunch of lovable characters and such into the timeline its so poorly wirtten with the most ludicrous plots ever. Read it only to know what happens. Not for enjoyment. The NJO series was great as well. They really shook things up. It'll be interesting to see what happens next. Also reccomended are the "tales of" series of books. Tales from the cantina and tales of the bounty hunters are some great reading. If you're going to read these in any particulat order read them in order of their publishing date.  _______________ My car is made of Nerf. |
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ozzcoz - Cosplay Nerd 
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I like the EU books and stuff, but the problem is they've all come out before the prequels, and GL has said if it's not in the movies it's not gospel. So even though some of the books have great craft in their telling, ep 1 + 2 (and soon 3) come and stomp all over them by having a different universe almost. It leaves the avid fan confused or at least slightly disheartened when they conflict with each other. But still they are excellent books (in some cases better than the newer movies IMO). Good article sir. _______________ A wizard did it. This comment was edited by ozzcoz on Aug 05 2004 05:35am. |
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Jade - Student
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Nice Article Sared. # DONT READ IF YOU HAVENT READ THE NEW JEDI ORDER AND WANT TO...THIS WILL SPOIL IT FOR YOU "" # I have read most of the New Jedi Order Books. When Chewie died it did give a bad after taste. However, later in the series it does come back as a reason why Anakin (Han and Leia' youngest son) grows up the way he does. He is filled with the guilt that he was the reason why Chewie died. This is also reflected in Hans reaction, hence molding Anakin into the person he grows up to be. Hopefully, didn't spoil it too much for those who havent read the books. I might add, once you get into the series, it does suck you in. The Jedi are faced with fighting warriors on par or better than the jedi...gets you by the seat of your pants in some places. It also paves the way for the new generation - Jacen, Jaina etc... Lots of twists...a good read....my favourite is "Star by Star" Last SW book I read was "Shatterpoint - a clone wars story". Features Mace Windu....very good book...try it! Thats my penny's worth..See ya btw: If you want a quick review of the New Jedi Order Series, let me know... Take care all _______________ "You don't know the power of the dark side....Buurrp!" This comment was edited by Jade on Aug 05 2004 03:11am. |
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Bail Hope of Belouve - Student 
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omg! It's as hot there as it is here? Dammit, it's in the middle of the night, and I'm sweating my ass off! _______________ Visit the Belouve Family Website! Quote: I try to have fun with my friends and try to make a difference as best I can. What does making a difference mean? Well, it can be as simple as saying hello, answering a question that seems obvious or heck, just talking. -- Vladarion
Want to know Vladarion? Read the Article about his life here. |
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Fire - Student 
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Sweet article man! I've read the first and second of the Jedi Academy trilogy books, but now I'm motivated to read the third |
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Badger Hat - Student 
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Good idea, I needed some reading direction! _______________ RL bro to HawkJedi Chuck Norris pwns!(duh) Proud member of Yeah, it's a hat. |
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Charly - Student 
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Wow! Great article Sared! This is exactly the type of thing I was looking for. I never exactly where to start seeing as there are so many SW books being published. |
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