Bloodlines (Star Wars: Legacy of the Force – Legends)

Bloodlines is by far the best of these new novels (and I have read them all including the newest one, Sacrafice). Traviss is one of the finest EU writers so far and her handling of Boba Fett is outstanding. Some don't like Fett, but I for one find him very interesting. To see him actually take on some human emotions and find a lost relative is terrific. However, the best part of this book is the slowly and menacingly turn of Jacen to the dark side. It is not a quick thing as we saw with Anakin Skywalker. It takes years and much pain, anger and sacrafice to become a sith lord. While it is in Sacrafice that he actually does it, it is in Bloodlines where the seeds are set. Han SOlo plays a major role in this book which is always great and his new "comrade" is a great twist and one that is not obvious and for that reason surprising. Leia has become a true Jedi knight and she is powerful which is very cool. I am disappointed in Luke thus far. I guess the Vong war changed him for the worse as he seems to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and wants to find the good in everyone rather that take care of business. I long for the day when he activates the lightsaber and kicks butt. This mught be a integral part of this storyline, though, as Jacen rise to sith can only be done with Luke not getting what is happening. I just find it hard to believe that despite Jacen's skill at hiding his presence, Luke doesn't act stronger. Maybe that will change later on (in fact it does a bit in Sacrafice). Traviss is the bomb and I can't wait for her thrid installment. Go and get Bloodlines, it is one the best Star Wars novels along with Courtship of Leia, New Rebellion, The one with Xizor between Empire and jedi, Outbound Flight and The Last Command (3rd of the original Zahn series). By the way, Rogue Planet is also an outstanding book that I just read

Karen Traviss brings the characters I loved as a kid to life as people that I can relate and reflect on as an adult. She elevates space opera to new heights as she continues to show how she can operate on two levels and tell a romping story of space opera intrigue and at the same time ask deeper questions. She continually asks the reader to think and does not give easy answers. Boba Fett is given new life as a dying man who is looking back on a life of tragedy and blood without flinching. Jacen Solo is a metaphysical politician with a resemblance to far too many to whom power comes too easy. Ben Skywalker manages to be the stand-out. A boy born to privilage who becomes a teenager trying to be his own man but unsure of the path he has to follow. This is the very best that Star Wars has to offer, and if anyone has any snobbery towards what is known as "tie-in" fiction, then this is the book to slap in their faces; a highly original and powerful piece of fiction that works on multiple levels and asks the reader to question both the preconceptions they and the the characters on the page have. A rare treat in a crowded universe. A must have for Fett fans and Star Wars fans.

In this the second installment of the nine book Legacy of the Force series Karen Traviss picks up the plot after Aaron Allstons excellent Betrayal. The Galactic Alliance and the Corellian system of planets are locked in a tense stand off as the book begins. However terrorist attacks by Corellians on Coruscant threaten to push the situation into a full scale war. A war in which the Skywalker/Solo family would be torn onto opposite sides. Bloodlines was a great read it picks up just a few days after the conclusion of Betrayal and shows us already the implications of Jacen Solos radical choice at the end of that book. Jacen Solo now believes that he alone by becoming a Sith can fix the galaxy and end the cycle of violence that has troubled the galaxy. This takes the form of him dealing with the threat of terrorism in a startling brutal way and in so doing gives the impression that the Galactic Alliance is becoming more and more like the Empire. This is mirrored by the actions of Han Solo and Leia becoming equally involved in the events within the Corellian camp. While this is all going on we see Luke and the Jedi Council attempt to get the Galactic Alliance to deal with the situation with diplomacy but Luke is extremely troubled and distracted by the thuggish actions of Jacen and worries whether he should remain as Bens master. Plus lots of Mandalorian goodness aswell. The plot is surprisingly light on action but this has no negative effect on the book at all and I found it to be an engrossing and complex look into the developing crisis in the galaxy. Karen Traviss has given us an excellent insight into the thinking of the characters in Bloodlines. Her tight third person POV focusing on five characters Luke, Han, Jacen, Ben and Boba Fett made this book a real treat to read. There was also a lovely surprise at the end of the book in the form of an excerpt of Tempest the next book in the series by Troy Denning which was wonderfull. Overall an excellent book that was great fun to read.

I don't usually write reviews, but after reading some for this book I feel compelled. First off, I just want to say that some of these long winded "reviews" seem more like some college essay. I personally want to know what somebody thinks of the book, I don't want a long summary of the plot line. Okay, second, I loved this book! Like many people I've loved Boba Fett from the start. Karen Traviss is an awesome author and I love her work. The Boba Fett e-novella was great. I only wish it was a tad bit longer. For true Star Wars fans who've read nearly every book like me will love this book. Period. Boba has come full circle. He was a shadowy, mysterious man, and he's developed. He realizes he can no longer be a loner. He's missed out on some things in life. Some last thoughts: History repeats itself! I think its fitting that Jacen is becoming a Sith Lord. Those who read the New Jedi Order series and the Dark Nest Trilogy will remember some of his behavior that has led him down the dark path. He believes he's doing the right thing for the right reasons, just like Anakin believed. However Jacen thinks he's better off because he's not following the same path as his Grandfather... yet. Yoda said it best, 'Hard to see the Dark side is.' Humans in the Star Wars galaxy don't age like us. Two minor characters in The Truce of Bakura were over 130 years, and they were considered old! I believe in Bloodlines, Karen Traviss indicates with Boba's thoughts that he should be in his prime, but that fact that he's dying rapidly is the handicap here. Now, I'm off to buy Tempest!

I must say that I found this book utterly captivating. I was addicted to it. Last night, I woke up at three and stayed up until five to finish the book. It was mesmerizing. The title of this book is perfect for it. By the end of this chapter in Legacy of the Force, lines have been drawn in blood, and the lines drawn in blood have separated bloodlines in a most unexpected way. I expected that Han and Leia would be on Corellia's side and the rest of the family would be on the GA's side. It is far more complex than that. Try to shed any preconceptions you have before you read this book. If you don't, your preconceptions will be shattered. WARNING! MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD! Throughout the entire novel, Traviss amazingly shows the steady decay of not only the situation between the Galactic Alliance and Corellia, but also inside the Skywalker/Solo family. While reading the book, I found myself wide-eyed, as in nearly every other chapter, there was a shocking and stunning ending, from Jacen's murder of Ailyn Vel to Ben's killing of an unarmed man to the assassination of Thrackan Sal-Solo. Each chapter had me asking, "What happens next?" and caused me to keep reading, making this one of the most addicting books I've ever read. I particularly love Traviss' use of the little chapter prologues in each chapter. Most of them are either public statements made by either side or they are HoloNet News bulletins showing the deteriorating situation throughout the novel. But the really good ones are the ones that give us some insight into the characters. There are a couple personal journal entries from Jacen, a letter from one of the GAG to his wife concerning Jacen, and the opinion of Jedi Master Cilghal in the Council. As I said earlier, my preconceptions were shattered by this book, particularly about the Galactic Alliance. It is scary to see the GA walking the same path that the Old Republic took before becoming the Empire. First we have the formation of the GAG, the secret police of the Galactica Alliance, and they're basically Imperial stormtroopers in black uniforms. Even more alarming is the use of "emergency powers" by the GA. Anyone remember what the Senate gave Palpatine before he took over? Oh, that's right. Emergency powers. Another preconception that was shattered by this book was where I thought the lines would be drawn. Traviss pulls hard and fast ones on us by suddenly changing the situation. Now there is Han and Leia on one side, Jacen and Ben on the side of the GA, and Luke, Mara, and Jaina on a third side. Another horrifying thing to read is Jacen's slow and steady walk to the dark side. For God's sake, he murdered a woman in cold blood! Then he orders his sister to blow up a civilian freighter. When she doesn't, he blows it up and takes Jaina off active duty. One thing that was surprising was his shock at Han's anger. I was right there with Han. Even more disturbing is Ben's walk with Jacen, as he seems to unknowin