Dark Tide II: Ruin

i think the dark tide series were great you know i've read a couple NJO books and they've left the Jacen and Danni Quee love story in the dust.

The excellent New Jedi Order series continues with the second of Michael Stackpole's Dark Tide books. The Yuuzhan Vong have begun overrunning New Republic worlds on the edge of the galaxy, although the bureaucrats who run the Republic have finally acknowledged the threat. An infiltration mission led by the Jedi Corran Horn uncovers a possible weakness (fortunately not some stupid all-powerful deus ex machina) of the invaders, which leads to a massive battle over the planet Ithor. Meanwhile, Leia Organa Solo negociates with the remnants of the old Empire to bring them into the war on the Republic's side and a rogue Jedi seeks an alternative, forbidden method of striking back.I was most impressed with many aspects of the book. Stackpole continues to brilliantly portray both space and ground combat, while at the same time not sacrificing character interest. Special tribute should definitely be paid to Elegos A'Kla, the alien senator who goes to try to negociate peace with the Yuuzhan Vong, even though he knows it may well mean his death. The characterisation of the Solo kids remains excellent as well, particularly Jaina (mainly because she seems more self-assured than her brothers and therefore is less annoying). Admiral Pellaeon of Timothy Zahn fame makes a welcome return, as pragmatic as ever. Of the new characters that appear in Ruin, I thought Jagged Fel (son of Stackpole's Baron Soontir Fel) was a good addition to the cast - I particularly liked his standing up to the New Republic politicians. Too bad he seems to have vanished in more recent books. The subplot with Daeshara'cor may seem superfluous, but it does actually have a point - how far should the New Republic go to protect itself? Would the Empire, less fettered by bureaucracy and grey-area ethics, do better against the Yuuzhan Vong?The ending (as mentioned by another reviewer) was indeed downbeat, but it fit well with the generally gritty and realistic tone of the New Jedi Order series, reminding the reader that in real life, sometimes all the Boy's Own heroics in the world (or galaxy, in this case) can't save the day.

Wow. What a book this is. Mike Stackpole delivers with a whiz-bang in this spectacular two book set. What is there to like about this book? Everything.Stackpole's plots are tight and well woven especially the Daeshara'cor subplot.Action sequences are flawless as usual. The battles on Garqui and Ithor are wonderfully done. Mike has long wowed me with his space battles. Now we know he has a similar affinity for lightsaber and blaster fights.Cameos abound and there is some good character development. Corran, Shedeo Shai, Ganner, and Elegos A'Kla are handled very nicely. The conversations between Shai and his visitor are great and I really liked the way that plot ended. Good to see Wedge and Tycho back. Wedge didn't get much to do, but maybe some other author will pick him up. Kre'fey, Kyp, and Wurth show considerable promise. I still love to hate Borsk.In short, the only real negative about this book is that it is book two and not book three. Yup, Siege was cancelled. Now I guess I get over it.I am feeling understandably nostalgic upon finishing this book. I am actually enjoying the NJO. New friends like Luceno, Denning, Salvatore and others are being introduced. Old friends, like Stackpole, Allston and Tyers, still drop around. Someone once said, "Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver, the others gold." Goodbye, Mr. Stackpole, Mike, you were truly gold.

This book has LOTS of action and a pace that really harboured the feel of the origional trilogy. There are lots of tender moments between characters and events that occur that would make a fan cry. I hoped to see more of Han Solo but that is what the next duology is for (Agents of Chaos). It is a great read that I reccomend to any reader who is following the New Jedi Order story arc.

All in all, the book is pretty good. Some of the ideas and plots are a little farfetched even for Star Wars but I guess that just adds to the flavor. Michael Stackpole is an aewsome author, so I like pretty much like everything he writes. In the book, you get to know some of the not-as-well-know characters and I think that is waht makes it most interesting. This is definitley a must have if you are a Star Wars fan.