Dark Tide I: Onslaught

I've got to be honest. I was starting to get weary of the continuing adventures of my favorite characters. I picked up Vector Prime and thought it was all right. There was more potential there and I wanted to see how the story continued, so I picked up Onslaught. Wow! I'm exited about Star Wars books again!It's great that the Empire isn't the enemy, but a far greater threat. With the Vong, you actually expect something bad to happen to our heroes. It's edge of your seat and has you turning the pages. I'm glad that we see other characters get some of the spotlight, instead of concentrating SOLEY on Luke, Han and Leia. We get to see Jacen, Jaina and Anakin come into their own as true heroes of the Republic. But, before they can let their heads get to big, they get to see why the older generation are legends. I got chills when Luke finally got to whip some butt again. Wielding TWO lightsabers? That's almost too good to be true!Anyways, the action flows, the story is interesting and the characters are great. Some complain about Han not having enough page time, but I have a feeling we'll be seeing Han Solo back sometime soon. Simply, Michael A. Stackpole delivers the most entertaining literary Star Wars tale in a long time... a long time.

I'm a Star Wars junkie, with no apologies. Though I have little bad to say about various post-"Return of the Jedi" Star Wars books, I have to admit for the most part, they have been a disappointing and forgettable bunch. For those not familiar with the books, they are all part of the same storyline, though written by different authors. The only ones that I am tempted to reread are the initial Timothy Zahn - "Heir To The Empire" series. Those were pretty good, the rest well . . .It was with these limited expectations that I picked up Michael Stackpole's "Onslaught." If you have been keeping up, the New Republic has been invaded by a cruel species from outside the Galaxy that use biological weapons rather than technology. In "Onslaught," the battle begins in earnest, and this time I couldn't put the book down.Stackpole has a terrific understanding of the Jedi and does a tremendous job of painting scenes with Luke and his compatriots doing battle with the evil enemies that exist outside the Force. For the first time since the Phantom Menace, we get an idea about how Jedi work together and what kinds of conflicts they might have. Though the senior and most powerful Jedi, Luke is faced with disgruntled Jedi that disagree with his approach. Some of the dissenters are even from his own family."Onslaught" is a fast-paced novel, and brings back memories of when the Star Wars universe was a much more interesting place. The Jedi seem powerful and mysterious again. The bad guys seem scary and threatening once more, and I am eager for the sequel. The Force has returned to the Star Wars universe, and not a moment to soon.

This is the second book in the New Jedi Order storyline. The first, Vector Prime, was fantastic though I wondered if the ambitious story could be maintained over the several dozen books that Del Ray has planned, but my concerns are mute now. This book actually ups the anti of the story and delivers several new elements that are very welcome. Michael Stackpole has written his best Star Wars book yet and retains his place in the surprisingly small group of authors to have successfully tackled the Star Wars universe and come out with a really bright gem. High points of the book include Stackpole's Corran Horn as an older, more mature Jedi, the introspective examinations of The Force, the characterizations of the Solo children, and the strong relationships between the characters, particularly Luke and Mara (Stackpole being one of the few who can actually write Mara well, apparently it's harder than you'd think!). The only complaints I have about it is that Lando seems to only be along for the ride, Lando is NEVER just along for the ride, and also I would have liked to see Leia using more Jedi skills, but I understand why she doesn't in this book so that's not so much a complaint. All in all, one of the best Star Wars books written.

After reading Vector Prime, I was seriously considering not reading anymore Star Wars novels; then I found out Stackpole was writing the Dark Tide Duology and I fugred that this story-arc deserved one more chance.Stackpole hasn't failed to disappoint me. The major problem I had with Salvatore were all the continuity errors strewn throughout his novel and the lack of explanations as to why characters were doing things they wouldn't be expected to (Mara and Luke acting so cold and aloof towards each other; the character assination committed against Kyp) or getting equipment they shouldn't have (Lando having T/A x1s for instance).You don't even need to read Vector Prime in order to understand what's going on in Onslaught; if you're reading this review and haven't read VP: don't bother. Salvatore doesn't know a thing of what he's writing about in the first place.The part of the plot that strikes me as being most interesting concerns the Jedi. Kyp's always been head strong and tempermental; Luke had best be on his guard. Unfortunatly, Luke has been scared to death of the dark side thanks to Ben and Yoda, and he preaches on and on its dangers to his students.Kyp wants to take these Vong on--good for him! I'm hoping Kyp'll get sick of Luke's whining, sever all ties with Skywalker and take his followers and take care of the Vong themselves (and it looks like that's exactly what will happen in Ruin). Of course, Luke wouldn't be pleased with this develeopment. He'd probably chew Kyp out and then Kyp would get aggitated and leave.Kyp's anger could be focused upon Luke for taking such a whimpy approach to handling the Vong and the New Republic Senate for failing to act forcefully enough.To sum it all up, I believe Kyp's heading down the path to the dark side again. I can't wait to see if I'm right.

That the pages be turned slowly is important, as this is much briefer than previous books, carefully, because if 2 pages stick together you could literally miss an entire appearance of a long time mainstay of the Star Wars History.The additional time spent on the organic weaponry of The Yuuzhan Vong, is brilliant. I don't know where the credit should be given, but whether from one author, a collaboration, or Mr. Lucas, this part of the new series I find fascinating.This book opens a variety of issues that are going to need to be resolved. To the extent these details are shared, I believe the reader can get a better idea of where this whole new series that started with Vector Prime may be heading. The book resolves very little if anything, and really sets the stage for a variety of future plot lines.Additionally it strongly reinforces the mood that Vector Prime began. This is a more violent, more graphically depicted part of the Star Wars Saga. It also introduces conflict where you would least expect it, on issues as basic as what a Jedi Knight was, is, or should be.So far these two books offer no moments that are light, the whole experience is burdensome, painful.The quality in this new series is present and abundant, the issue is making the adjustment from the previous mood that was Star Wars, to the new experience it has become.Other than the brevity I have one complaint that may be considered nit picking, but I believe Star Wars Fans tend to be demanding, and I am glad they are. The artwork on the book is weak. I don't like the style and unlike Vector Prime it is almost generic.When Chewbacca was portrayed as a constellation on the Vector Prime Cover, you either knew something was coming, or after the reading was through, the image on the book was exceptional, regardless of whether or not you cared for the storyline.My complaint is hardly large, as I would read these books if they had blank covers. Since there has been such outstanding artwork, i.e. Dave Dorman, I have come to expect it, so it was glaringly missed this time around.The book is very well done, and the shortcomings like the length are minor, all in all buy it.Just take your time reading it!