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Location: Toronto | I"ve read a lot of classic Sci-Fi, Hugo and Nebula Award winners. I've read the entire Dune Universe, Lord of the Rings and many Series. Recently I have started reading Star Wars novels and have found many to be well written and of the same quality and caliber as many sci-fi novels i've read and found on WWE. Am I the only one who thinks Star Wars is worthy of more praise and should be considered in the same realm as many other novels found here?
Happy to hear others thoughts on Star Wars novels.
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Location: Dallas, Texas | @Maximus: I've not read any of the Star Wars novels but I've heard good things from folks who have. Personally I'm tired of the Star Wars universe. I know I'm probably unfairly lumping the novels in with the atrocious movies that Lukas shat out on his unsuspecting fans but I just can't bring myself to consume any more Star Wars. My feelings aside, I don't think the novels get the attention they deserve but that holds for most movie/TV tie in books. For some reason they're never taken very seriously. My guess is that because there are so many series and the series are so long it's just assumed they're crap because they get churned out so fast. The same stigma gets attached to other series like Warhammer 40K or Dragon Lance or Star Trek too. I suspect a good bit of the criticism is warranted but why toss out the baby with the bathwater?
The funny thing is, the very people who turn their noses up at Star Wars novels and the like are the same people that get bent out of shape when literature snobs poo-poo their favorite SF/F books.
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Location: Dallas, Texas | So, I'm certainly open to adding some Star Wars books to the WWEnd DB but I don't know where to start. What is the best series in the Star Wars universe to begin with? I had the same question when I was considering Warhammer 40K and people pointed me towards the Horus Heresy series. (I read the first 2 and really enjoyed them.) Just last week I got the whole series added to the DB. Hit me with the best of the bunch and I'll get 'em added. |
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Location: Toronto | Excellent news! I am happy to help bring the best of Star Wars to WWEnd.
Since the Novels for Star Wars are so extensive, I recommend sticking to the works for adult readers. I also consider myself to be a completest, and have found The Force.net to be an excellent resource - here is the link to the Star Wars books in chronological order with reviews - http://www.theforce.net/books/reviews/novels_chrono.aspsource of info for the novels
The most recent publications dealing with the Old Republic, set 3500 years before the time of Darth Vader are recommended readings. The backstory surrounding The Sith are quite good and provide an insight into the dark side the movies simply can't. In particular, the Darth Bane trilogy clearly explains the reason for The Rule of Two.
For those readers who enjoy Military Sci-Fi, the Clone War Novels by Karen Traviss tackle subject matter and characters not normally accociated with the Star Wars films.
Which brings me to an approach that may work for WWEnd. Perhaps expanding the Sci-Fi Authors page with a section similar to Works in the WWEnd database. Something along the lines of Sci-Fi and Works outsideof the WWEnd database? This would allow the inclusion of works related to Star Wars, Warhammer 40K or Dragon Lance or Star Trek too. If an Award winning or nominated author has works recognized on WWEnd then their other works can easily be referenced on their Author page as well.
As I continue to explore the Star Wars Universe I will certainly send along recommendations and referrals through this post or other forums that others may find helpful.
Thanks in Advance! |
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Location: Dallas, Texas | Hey Maximus, I've managed to get a few Star Wars books added. I'll post more at a later time. We're still under the gun to get things ready for the convention.       |
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Location: Toronto | That is TREMENDOUS work! Thanks for taking the time and effort to add the books. It is much more than I expected and greatly appreciated. I look forward to other additions. |
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Location: Toronto | I am happy to report i have completed reading 6 Free E-Books - Lost Tribe of the Sith avaiable through KOBO (and other sites). Great insights into what life in the Galaxy is like when ruled by The Sith 5,000 years before Luke Skywalker.
I also want to recommend reading the following three books as a trilogy. Labyrith of Evil, Revenge of the Sith & Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader. We see Anakin Skywalker turned to the Dark Side, how he is manipulated and used to become Darth Vader, and learn, not only what he has gained, but, all that he has lost.
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Location: Dallas,Tx. | well I am a huge star wars fans I have all the novels and can help you with the chronlogical reading order.
star wars the old republic the lost tribe of the sith is a 8 part e book saga and all are free
star wars the old republic Deceived
star wars the old republic Fatal allinace
star wars the old republic Darth Revan
star wars the old republic red harvest
star wars the old republic knight errant
star wars the old republic path of destruction (Darth Bane trilogy)
star wars the old republic the rule of two
star wars the old republic dynasty of evil
pre clone wars:
star wars darth maul saboteur * <(a original e book)
star wars darth maul
star wars cloke of desepction
star wars episode 1 the phantom menace
star wars Rouge planet
star wars outbound flight
clone wars:
star wars the apporaching storm
star wars episode 2 attack of the clones
star wars a clone wars novel the hive <( a origianl e book)
star wars the clone wars <(animated film novelisation)
star wars the clone wars wild space
star wars the clone wars no prisoners
star wars the clone wars GAMBIT stealth
star wars the clone wars GAMBIT siege
star wars a clone wars novel shatterpoint
star wars a clone wars novel the cestus deception
star wars the clone wars republic commando hard contact
star wars the clone wars republic commando triple zero
star wars the clone wars republic commando true colors
star wars a clone wars novel MEDSTAR book 1 battle surgeons
star wars a clone wars novel MEDSTAR book 2 jedi healer
star wars a clone wars novel jedi trial
star wars a clone wars novel YODA dark rendezvous
star wars a clone wars novel Labyrinth of evil
star wars the clone wars republic commando order 66
star wars episode 3 REVENGE OF THE SITH
star wars dark lord the rise of darth vader <(and the begining of the dark times era)
star wars republic commando 501st
the dark times:
star wars coruscant nights trilogy book 1 jedi twilight
star wars coruscant nights trilogy book 2 street of shadows
star wars coruscant nights trilogy book 3 patterns of force
star wars the han solo trilogy vol 1 the paradise snare
star wars Lando calrissian and the starcave of thonboka
star wars Lando calrissian and the flamewind of oseon
star wars Lando calrissian and the mindharp of sharu
star wars the han solo trilogy vol 2 the hutt gambit
star wars Han solo at stars' end
star wars Han solo revenge
star wars Han solo and the lost legacy
star wars the force unleashed book 1
star wars the force unleashed book 2
star wars death trooper
star wars deathstar
star wars shadow games
star wars the han solo trilogy vol 3 rebel dawn
common era
star wars episode 4 a new hope
star wars tales from the mos esisley cantina
star wars tales from the empire
star wars tales from the new republic
star wars allegiance
star wars the choice of one
star wars galaxies the ruins of dantooine
star wars splinter of the mind's eye
star wars the episode 5 empirstrikes back
star wars tales of the bounty hunter
star wars shadows of the empire
star wars episode 6 the return of the jedi
star wars tales from jabba's palace
star wars the bounty hunter wars trilogy book 1 the mandalorian armor
star wars the bounty hunter wars trilogy book 2 slave ship
star wars the bounty hunter wars trilogy book 3 hard merchadise
star wars the truce at bakura
star wars luke skywalker and the shadows of mindor <( the begining of the new republic era)
new republic era:
star wars x-wing series book 1 rouge squadron
star wars x-wing series book 2 wedge's gamble
star wars x-wing series book 3 the krytos trap
star wars x-wing series book 4 the bacta war
star wars x-wing series book 5 wraith squadron
star wars x-wing series book 6 iron fist
star wars x-wing series book 7 solo command
star wars the courtship of princess leia
star wars a forest apart * <(this is a e book)
star wars tatooine ghost
star wars the thrawn trilogy book 1 heir to the empire <(the original)
star wars the thrawn trilogy book 1 heir to the empire <(25th anniversery edtion)
star wars the thrawn trilogy book 2 dark force rising
star wars the thrawn trilogy book 3 the last command
star wars x-wing series book 8 isard's revenge
star wars the jedi academy trilogy book 1 jedi search
star wars the jedi academy trilogy book 2 dark apprentice
star wars the jedi academy trilogy book 3 champions of the force
star wars I,jedi
star wars children of the jedi
star wars darksaber
star wars planet of twilight
star wars x-wing series book 9 starfighters of aduma
star wars the crystal star
star wars the black fleet crisis trilogy book 1 before the storm
star wars the black fleet crisis trilogy book 2 shield of lies
star wars the black fleet crisis trilogy book 3 tyrant's test
star wars the new rebellion
star wars the corellian trilogy book 1 ambush at corellia
star wars the corellian trilogy book 2 assuat at sekonia
star wars the corellian trilogy book 3 showdown at centerpoint
star wars the hand of thrawn dueolgy book 1 specter of the past
star wars the hand of thrawn dueolgy book 2 vision of the future
star wars survivor's quest <(begining of the new jedi order)
new jedi order:
star wars boba fett a practicle man <(a original e book)
star wars the new jedi order vector prime
star wars the new jedi order dark tide book 1 onslaught
star wars the new jedi order dark tide book 2 ruin
star wars the new jedi order agents of chaos book1 hero's trial
star wars the new jedi order agents of chaos book 2 jedi eclipse
star wars the new jedi order balance of power
star wars the new jedi order recovery <( a original e book)
star wars the new jedi order edge of victory book 1 conquest
star wars the new jedi order edge of victory book 2 rebirth
star wars the new jedi order star by star
star wars the new jedi order dark journey
star wars the new jedi order enemy lines book 1 rebel dream
star wars the new jedi order enemy lines book 2 rebel stand
star wars the new jedi order traitor
star wars the new jedi order destiny's way
star wars the new jedi order ylesia * <( a original e book)
star wars the new jedi order force heretic book 1 remnant
star wars the new jedi order force heretic book 2 refugee
star wars the new jedi order force heretic book 3 reunion
star wars the new jedi order the final prophecy
star wars the new jedi order the undying force
star wars the dark nest trilogy book 1 the joiner king
star wars the dark nest trilogy book 2 the unseen queen
star wars the dark nest trilogy book 3 the swarm war
star wars legacy of the force book 1 betrayal
star wars legacy of the force book 2 bloodlines
star wars legacy of the force book 3 tempest
star wars legacy of the force book 4 exile
star wars legacy of the force book 5 sacrifice
star wars legacy of the force book 6 inferno
star wars legacy of the force book 7 fury
star wars legacy of the force book 8 revelation
star wars legacy of the force book 9 invincible
star wars crosscurrent
star wars tiptide
star wars milllenium falcon
star wars force of the jedi book 1 outcast
star wars force of the jedi book 2 omen
star wars force of the jedi book 3 abyss
star wars force of the jedi book 4 backlash
star wars force of the jedi book 5 allies
star wars force of the jedi book 6 vortex
star wars force of the jedi book 7 conviction
star wars force of the jedi book 8 ascention
star wars force of the jedi book 9 apocalypse <( not out itll april)
and here is the complete reading order up to date.
Edited by jedi timothy 2011-12-22 7:20 PM
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Location: Dallas, Texas | Oh, lord that's a lot of Star Wars books! Tell you what, let's eat this elephant one bite at a time. I've got 2 series in based on user feedback so let's try that again. Which series in that massive list should I tackle next? Tell me which one you would recommend above all others and that's where I'll begin - 1 series at a time. I've still not read any Star Wars books but I did manage to score Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy in hardcover for $3 at HalpPrice Books last week. That's right, $1 buck each and they are pristine like they've never been read before. I've got a few books in front of them but at least I'm ready to start. Thanks for the list! |
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Location: Dallas,Tx. | no problem like I said I am a huge star wars fan. now there are all so ya star wars books but I don't read those. and pf course the comics coinside with the books. and I'll be updating the list as new books come out.   |
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Location: Dallas, Texas | You didn't say which series to do next. |
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Location: Dallas,Tx. | well if you want to stay with the new republic I would start with truce at bakura which picks up immedately following return of the jedi. |
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Location: Toronto | Thanks for the List Jedi Timothy, happy to have another Star Wars fan to chat with.
The site I use to keep track of the novels in either chronological or series order is Theforce.net
I can only recommend the books I have read and am glad to report I have completed another trilogy in the Star Wars cannon The Coruscant Nights by Michael Reaves
Set during the time period just after Order 66, the story follows Jedi Knight, Jax Pavan trying to survive on Coruscant while being hunted down by Darth Vader. The trilogy is actually an extension of the novels Medstar 1&2 (also co-written by Reaves) where we learned the origin of the rare force enhancing plant, Bota. Characters introduced there, continue the story in the Coruscant Nights trilogy, along with the appearance of a Force Adept with untrained and untamed force powers.
Over the coming weeks I will be tackling the Force Unleashed 1&2 based on the first Star Wars video game (not to be confused with The Old Republic MMORPG recently released) and will provide a recommendation once complete. The Force Unleashed tells the story of Darth Vaders secret apprentice, and since I am fan of the Sith, (sorry Timothy Jedi!) am really looking forward to learning more about how the Sith, Rule of Two, applies to Vader and Palpatine!
Since I am reading the novels in chronological order it will be some time before I get to the Thrawn or Corellian Trilogies, but I look forward to the reading leading up to those stories.
Cheers & Happy Holidays
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Location: Dallas,Tx. | Maximus - 2011-12-23 8:10 AM
Thanks for the List Jedi Timothy, happy to have another Star Wars fan to chat with
I can only recommend the books I have read and am glad to report I have completed another trilogy in the Star Wars cannon The Coruscant Nights by Michael Reaves
Set during the time period just after Order 66, the story follows Jedi Knight, Jax Pavan trying to survive on Coruscant while being hunted down by Darth Vader. The trilogy is actually an extension of the novels Medstar 1&2 (also co-written by Reaves) where we learned the origin of the rare force enhancing plant, Bota. Characters introduced there, continue the story in the Coruscant Nights trilogy, along with the appearance of a Force Adept with untrained and untamed force powers.
no problem Ilike I've said I am a huge star wars fan. How ever the coruscant nights is no longer cannon. if you watch the clone wars tv series in season 3 master peel dies during a three parter. the only things in star wars that is considered cannon are the clone wars and the all 6 movies. now do you read the comic series?
Edited by jedi timothy 2011-12-23 9:47 AM
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Location: Toronto | Jedi Timothy,
It was actually the comic book versions of the original Star Wars movies that interested me in reading the Star Wars books based on the movies. I too have watched the Clone Wars, all six movies and am looking forward to adding the 3D Blu-Ray version to my collection.
For now, i'm hooked to the novels, am really enjoying the books of The Old republic, since it deals a lot with The Sith. So far, no plans to get into the comics or young adult stuff. Tried reading some free ebooks on my blackberry but its just not the same!
Cheers |
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Location: Dallas,Tx. | you need a proper e reader you need to get you're self a barnes and nobel tablet. the best reader on the planet.
also dark horse has gone digital to so check out www.digital.darkhorse.com trust once you go digital it saves space. |
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Location: Dallas, Texas | Well I finally read a Star Wars book! I just finished Heir to the Empire and I have to say I enjoyed it very much. Certainly more than I expected to. What I liked best was the comfortable connection with the original movies. The familiar characters and the often referenced events from the movies were great. I'll be reading the rest of the trilogy. |
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Location: Dallas,Tx. | that is a great book and the restart of a fantastic universe. after you finish it I highly recommend you read truce at bakura which picks up immidately following return of the jedi. |
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Location: Dallas,Tx. | new novel STAR WARS DARTH PLAGUIES novels is out basically it is the life and times of papa palpatine <( aka the EMPEROR} all ready picked it up tuesday on my NC.
Edited by jedi timothy 2012-01-11 5:30 PM
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Location: Dallas, Texas |   
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Location: UK | I'm glad you gave a thumbs up to the Timothy Zahn Thrawn books.I had heard they could claim to have revitalised (perhaps legitimised? ) Star Wars books.Cant comment,as havent read them,but I will probably get round to them late in the year (huh,if my library has them,that is). I try to read as many areas of a genre as possible,even if it is not my cup of tea.I am a staunch defender of genre fiction of all kinds,and in the case of people reading such huge series, why sneer,there is obviously something there that gives satisfaction,that after all is a major factor in genre fiction.In this case,people who are often stressed out in our miserable world just want to lie back and have fun in a familiar,beloved setting.And I bet they have a hell of a lot more pleasure that someone suffering through Foucault's Pendulum,for example! :0)
Edited by dustydigger 2012-06-09 9:14 AM
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Location: UK | Foucault's Pendulum is a great book. 
I like to vary my reading diet, just like I sometimes like to watch a dumb blockbuster and sometimes a subtitled art-house flick. I must admit, though, that I usually avoid tie-ins. I'm not even that sure why. |
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Location: UK | Ah,the Great Divide,those who love that book,and would therefore probably never get into the popcorn stuff,and those who like me wouldn't touch it with a barge pole,and would love a marathon of their fave books/shows.One man's meat ! I suppose you read and liked Eco's Name of the Rose too?.For me,it was a a grim battle but I made it through,feeling that anyone who makes it to the end should be awarded a medal.
Edited by dustydigger 2012-06-10 1:38 AM
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Location: Grootfontein, Namibia | I've read a lot of Eco's books.
Foucault's Pendulum is a great book. Dan Brown is one of Eco's creatures
The Name of the Rose is easier to watch than to read.
The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana is simply a wonderful book. It has Flash Gordon strips!
The Prague Cemetery is on my shelf.
No-one gave me any medals, though.
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Location: UK | LOL As I said,one man's meat is another man's poison.So I am in a minority over Eco,am I.Dont care. |
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Location: Grootfontein, Namibia | I wonder what Eco would have done with a Star Wars tie-in novel |
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Location: UK | I dread to think,Emil- 900 pages longwith a ,huge abstruse lecture on the Force,some philosophical rant about some obscure points of Jedi honour.No,no,sorry the mind boggles,I would have to be strapped to a chair,rather like Alex in Clockwork Orange,and be forced to read Foucault's Pendulum.You and Dr.Nefario have greater fortitude than I !
Talking about large books,I saw Neal Stephenson's Anathem on my library shelf,and it was HUGE.Please tell me that it is actually a fun,fast read? I think that will be a later book in my re-entry into science fiction - much,much later.No chance of lying stretched out nice and comfy on the couch to read that,unless you want a sprained wrist.
I have just started his Snow Crash,about 30 pages in.I was looking at all this description about Hiro's stuff,and it all seemed very cumbersome.then I checked the date.Written 1992,before the internet took off,before the present day when your mobile phone has probably more computing power than Hiro's equipment. I have got to hope that the story and characters are strong enough to offset any quaintness.Probably few areas of SF will date faster than books written on the cutting edge of technology.its all moving so fast today,its out of date almost at once. |
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Location: Grootfontein, Namibia | Dusty, have a look at Rhonda's review of it in the database. She states we should not be put off by the size - it is a good read. I have that one too, and in addition also his latest Reamde, which is even a bigger monster!
Snow Crash is one of my favorite novels. I remember Hiro fondly. Thereafter Stephenson has lost me, particularly with the Baroque cycle. Since struggling through the three books, I've been reticent to read more from him, but still ended having buying Anathem and Reamde. I may give one of them still a read this year. Snow Crash is by far his most accessible book, even if dated. |
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Star Wars