Star Wars: Blogs | Reflections of a Grey Jedi

Reflections of a Grey Jedi

by: Count Meulstee

date posted: Dec 16, 2005 3:56 AM | updated: Nov 05, 2007 12:53 PM

Book review summary

Why this summary
Following the end of the movies I decided to pick up reading Star Wars novels. I really got into it and decided to write a review about every Star Wars novel I read. This in order to create a nice database for newbies and other people who are considering buying one of the novels. I hope you enjoy it.

In order to make my ratings understandable and workable, I will split the rating up in two factors and give each factor a multiplier.
1. The quality of the novel
This rating represents the "objective" quality of a book. Plot, character development and storyline are the determinants here
2. Personal opinion
This rating represents the way I appreciated reading the novel. Examples of things that are important here are: Does the story contradict (my) Star Wars philosophy? Do I like the way the book has been written? Does this add anything (positive) to my Star Wars experience?

The first one will have a multiplier of .6 and the second one of .4, so my personal "feeling" about the novel is a big part of the end rating. In addition to a rating I will provide some other information as well, namely:
- Writer name
- Number of pages
- Where does it fit in the Star Wars timeline

Top ten novels
1. Revenge of the Sith - Matthew Stover 94.4/100
2. Outbound Flight - Timothy Zahn 93.4/100
3. Labyrinth of Evil - James Luceno 92.0/100
4. Shatterpoint - Matthew Stover 90.8/100
5. Medstar I: Battle Surgeons - Michael Reaves & Steve Perry 88.4/100
6. Cloak of Deception - James Luceno 87.6/100
7. Republic Commando: Hard Contact - Karen Traviss 87.0/100
8. Shadows of the Empire - Steve Perry 86.8/100
9. The Approaching Storm - Alan Dean Foster 86.4/100
10. X-Wing: The Krytos Trap - Michael A. Stackpole 86.2/100

The other novels alphabetically
A/G
- A New Hope - Alan Dean Foster & George Lucas 75.0/100
- Attack of the Clones - R.A. Salvatore 80.6/100
- Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader - James Luceno 85.0/100
- Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter - Michael Reaves 80.0/100
H/M
- Jedi Trial - David Sherman & Dan Cragg 66.8/100
- Medstar II: Jedi Healer - Michael Reaves & Steve Perry 86.0/100
N/S
- Rebel Dawn (THT) - Ann C. Crispin 78.8/100
- Republic Commando: Triple Zero - Karen Traviss 79.2/100
- Return of the Jedi - James Kahn 82.0/100
- Rogue Planet - Greg Bear 68.0/100
- Slave Ship - K.W. Jeter 65.6/100
- Splinter of the Mind's eye - Alan Dean Foster 52.0/100
T/Z
- The Cestus Deception - Steven Barnes 72.2/100
- The Empire Strikes Back - Donald F. Glut 85.2/100
- The Han Solo Adventures - Brian Daley 76.0/100
- The Hutt Gambit (THT) - Ann C. Crispin 83.8/100
- The Lando Calrissian Adventures - L. Neil SMith 46.0/100
- The Mandalorian Armor (BHW) - K.W. Jeter 67.2/100
- The Paradise Snare (THT) - Ann C. Crispin 81.0/100
- The Phantom Menace - Terry Brooks 77.2/100
- The Ruins of Dantooine - Voronica Whitney-Robinson 69.2/100
- The Truce at Bakura - Kathy Tyers 83.2/100
- X-Wing: Rogue Squadron - Michael A. Stackpole 79.2/100
- X-Wing: Wedge's Gamble - Michael A. Stackpole 81.2/100
- Yoda: Dark Rendezvous - Sean Stewart 83.2/100

The list of novels I'm planning to review next:
- X-Wing: The Bacta War - Michael A. Stackpole
- X-Wing: Wraith Squadron - Aaron Allston
- X-Wing: Iron Fist - Aaron Allston
- X-Wing: Solo Command - Aaron Allston

Second opinions
Want to see a different point of view? Looking for other novels? Visit these Blogs, they may prove helpful.
- Darth Rex0 - So be it....
- Eirtae - Rebel Heart
- Aush - Exploring the Expanded Universe of Star Wars
- Jedivan2 - Jedivan's viewpoint
- Jedi Master Obiwan Kenobi - Not Dead Yet:
- RJ_Peters - Geek Rebellion
- Not many Bothans died to bring us this Blog... - ~Suzanne~
Comments and advice are ver welcome.
If you are a reviewer as well, please let me know and I will ad you to my "second opnion" list.

May the Force be with you!

http://blogs.starwars.com/philosophy/4

Click here to hide comments for this entry

	PadawanQui-GonJoe The History of the Jedi Knights
date Posted: Dec 16, 2005 4:56 AM PART I Previews of the Star Wars Novels is an on going thing in this forum. I myself have an extensive collection of the Star Wars Novels. What I would adives is to just start reading! Read them by Era. In the Front of the Novels (EU Mostly) The New Jedi Order Series is a Star Wars Time Line, and A Star Wars Galaxy Map.

PadawanQui-GonJoe
The History of the Jedi Knights

date Posted: Dec 16, 2005 4:57 AM

PART II

I have found that all of the Star Wars Novels I have Read, "Are great Reading, and I learn something new about the Star Wars Universe every Book"! The only one I would say, any thing bad about The Truce at Bakura, by "Kathy Tyers". The Book started out very dry, and slow. Half way through it got much better. I just counted how many Star Wars Novel and books I have (47). Shatterpoint - Matthew Woodring Stover, I have read three time as of yet! AHHHHsome!

I TOO like to Write about the Star Wars Universe (Mustly books)

May The Force Be with you!!!

Rogue Squadron Leader
After-Action Summary

date Posted: Dec 16, 2005 5:33 AM

Great idea, I love the EU novels, my ongoing tribute to Rogue Squadron is almost exclusively drawn from the EU.

My suggestions for reading:

The entire X-wing (Rogue Squadron) series and it's companion Wraith Squadron series, about 8-10 novels long, not sure off the top of my head.

Avoid at all cost:

Splinter of the Mind's Eye

Avoid if following the entire EU story line is not important to you:

Crystal Star

The New Rebellion

Planet of Twilight

Dark Empire Comic Series

Avoid only because IMHO, this tangent was a way out there.

Black Fleet Crisis series

Anakin SoloOrganaSkywalker
Are the Sith all gone forever...?

date Posted: Dec 18, 2005 2:22 AM

Hey, a lot of work if you really want to go by following the timeline...I have about 60 books sofar (still 4 njo missing...) o I don't know how fast you are, but it could take you uite a whlr to get to the crown jewels (timothy zahn). agree with rogue squad leader that some eunovels are less good but splinter is worth simply because it was the first eu novel (1978)and the story was considered as a low budget sequel if hope hadn't payed off too much...

	Anakin SoloOrganaSkywalker Are the Sith all gone forever...?
date Posted: Dec 18, 2005 2:22 AM One of my favourites is the comic boo Dark Empire...it feels a lot like the movies (even like the prequels though it's from the early 90s), George Lucas liked it ad it adds more to the universe than most post jedi novels! Check out my humble opinion here... http://blogs.starwars.com/byssbastion/1

Count Meulstee
Reflections of a Grey Jedi

date Posted: Dec 18, 2005 11:54 PM

@ Anakin SoloOrganaSkywalker

Yep, it will be some time before I've read everything, but I consider that a good thing. Right now I'm planing on reading between one and three books each month, it depends on how busy I am in terms of "real" work. I'll just do it step by step. I'm looking forward to the experience though.

I am not reading everything from the timeline on my first go. I have compiled a list of books to read up untill the end of the X-Wing series (including the Thrawn trilogy). This list consists of 24 books, so it will take me some time to get through this. After that I will compile a new list using the advice you guys give me.

MTFBWY

	Jedi Master Obiwan Kenobi Not Dead Yet:
date Posted: Dec 27, 2005 1:00 PM All of the Clone Wars paperback novels are quite good, much better than their hardback counterparts, I'd recemmend adding those in.

	lovelucas
date Posted: Mar 01, 2006 1:49 PM Matt Stover is top of the line for Star Wars authors as always IMHO

Aush
Exploring the Expanding Universe of Star Wars

date Posted: Jun 02, 2006 8:14 PM

If you haven't considered reading Darth Vader: Rise of the Dark Lord which I would call the end of the Episode III trilogy (Labyrinth of Evil, Episode III novelization, Rise of the Dark Lord), then I strongly recommend that one as well. It really brings Anakin Skywalker around to Darth Vader, including where the labor for building the Death Star came from.

- yub yub

	jedivan2 Jedivan's Viewpoint
date Posted: Jun 05, 2006 7:38 PM I'm honored that you would have a link to my blog in your blog, Count Meulstee. And thanks for the feedback on my reviews.

	≈Suzanne≈ Not many Bothans died to bring us this Blog...
date Posted: Jun 09, 2007 5:39 AM I too am honoured that you have included a link to my blog. I look forward to reading your thoughts on the books as you make your way through the various series on offer. I hope you enjoy the x-wing books.

Please log in to post comments