Before the Storm (Star Wars: The Black Fleet Crisis)

I was genuinely surprised to read of the relatively poor reception this book got from many Star Wars readers here. I read all three books in Kube-McDowell's trilogy, and I would rank his story-telling right beside Timothy Zahn's books. The general plot does lack some of the subtlety of more modern Science-fiction, since the main story line (of the three)is centered primarily on the meeting of powerful, technologically advanced but xenophobic race hell-bent on carving out their little empire in one part of the galaxy. The weakest of the three story lines is the one of Lando's search for the ghost ship; Luke's story of his search for his mother is poignant- even if rendered irrelevant with the release of The Phantom Menace last year- was still at moments touching when he dwells upon the use of his Jedi powers. There is also some truth in some of the criticism leveled that the three storylines in reality bear little relation to each other- it's almost like reading three, functionally independent stories in the Black Fleet Crisis trilogy. In addition, it is arguable that Leia's characterisation is weak (in my opinion, not so- it demonstrated only that Leia was torn between priorities at one juncture), and Han Solo is given substantially short treatment in the series, even though Chewbacca gets quite a bit of attention. But what saved the series for me- and enough for me to rate it to 5 stars still- is ultimately Kube-McDowell's highly imaginative writing. The space battle scenes are simply the most outstanding I've read anywhere in sci-fiction, and reminiscent of massive battlewagons fights. It's simply nice to see a substantive series of books not centered around the latest Imperial Warlord attempting to re-establish control, or yet another kidnapping of a Jedi child. There is also an enormous amount of little humourous touches too that I have simply not read of in other Star Wars books; these include the Mon Calamari wedding pot, Leia's bodyguards, Chewbacca's family, and most of all, the retrofitting of the Millinieum Falcon, which had me laughing in stiches!Ultimately, the weak points in this series are generally real enough; but for myself, the excellent writing won me over, and the lack of a coherent relationship between the three disparate story lines didn't bother me as much as it has for other readers. Perhaps a litmus test- the first two chapters or so in the first book pretty much establishes Kube-McDowell's style. If it engages you, there's a very good chance that you will enjoy it as much as I did. :)

I love this novel! I picked it up a couple of days ago AGAINST the advice of some nay-saying friends and couldn't put it down until it was fininshed. The characterization is deep and richly textured and Princess Leia in particular shines, which impressed me a great deal becuase I feel quite often her character suffers the most in the novels for lack of understanding of her personality. I also liked the fact that there is hardly a chapter of this book that dosen't contain at least one of the main characters. A lot of times, authors are so infatuated with thier own creations, they'll dedicate chapter upon chapter to them. Not so with Kube-McDowell, who realizes I'm reading the novel to learn more about the characters I know and love(Luke, Leia, Lando, even Ackbar). It's well writing, interseting and talky(which I like. The movies aren't all action sequences, you know). Possibly my favorite SW book of all time!

I've read several Star Wars novels. Some of them are quite good (Zahn's original Thrawn trilogy), and some of them make me wonder how they ever found their way to print (Anderson's Jedi Academy trilogy).But nothing in the entire Star Wars line up has impressed me the way Michael P. Kube-McDowell's "Before The Storm" does. The book is exceptional. I could not put it down. It is not only THE best Star Wars book I've read, it's one of THE best novels I've ever read.The book holds its own against the best works by Tom Clancy.I'm not kidding.Gone are the silly situations that Star Wars is sometimes known for (Ewoks beating a Legion of the Emperor's best troops; Jar-Jar taking out several attackers because his foot stuck in the wires of a downed droid).What you get instead are the more "adult", serious types of situations, like the attack on the Death Star or the battle against the giant Walkers on the ice planet of Hoth.The story is a very believeable look at the "empire building" the New Republic is engaged in 12 years after the events of "Return of the Jedi".If you like the political intrigue evident in "The Phantom Menace", you get much more of it in this book. I like what Kube-McDowell did with Leia--she's not infallible.You also get some gruesome, realistic action, that takes you to a Star Wars universe that is more akin that of "Babylon 5" or "Aliens" than the sometimes too childish "Star Wars" flicks and books.For example, take a peek at this paragraph describing the reaction to a planetary bombardment:---- On what had been one of the wide, flat landing pads of Ten South, those who had come out to watch the visitors land were evenly divided between the stunned and the screaming. A man near Plat Mallar went to his knees and vomited. Turning away from the sight, Mallar found a woman clawing madly at her allsuit with such force that she was bleeding profusely from beneath what was left of her nails. The sight galvanized Mallar out of his paralysis, and he began edging his way toward the east edge of the pad. ----If you want to read something more believable than your average, every day Star Wars book, I suggest this one. If you want the more "fantasy" style of stuff, then you might want to look elsewhere.I give this book my highest rating and recommend it to anyone interested in reading Star Wars.It's a new take on a familiar universe.Kenneth.

Well, remember, details can be lost in time, and have been, I see no reason why it couldn't happen in the star wars universe.

In this story the New Republic faces a threat of unknown magnitude. The creatures think of the human race as vermin, and,like all vermin, they must be exterminated. This story really shows a great imagination and is worthy of Lucas' universe!