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Coming soon: Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay

Guy Gavriel Kay is one of Fantasy Book Review’s favourite authors and widely regarded as the fantasy writers’ writer. Tigana, The Lions of Al-Rasan and Ysabel (2008 World Fantasy winner) and the The Fionavar Tapestry and The Sarantine Mosaic series are all wonderful examples of fantasy, often based on real historical events and times.

April 29, 2010 will see the publication of his latest work, an epic historical adventure set in a pseudo 8th century China.

Under Heaven is a novel of heroes, assassins, concubines and emperors set against a majestic and unforgiving landscape. For two years Shen Tai has mourned his father, living like a hermit beyond the borders of the Kitan Empire, by a mountain lake where terrible battles have long been fought between the Kitai and the neighbouring Tagurans, including one for which his father – a great general – was honoured. But Tai’s father never forgot the brutal slaughter involved. The bones of 100,000 soldiers still lie unburied by the lake and their wailing ghosts at night strike terror in the living, leaving the lake and meadow abandoned in its ring of mountains. To honour and redress his father’s sorrow, Tai has journeyed west to the lake and has laboured, alone, to bury the dead of both empires. His supplies are replenished by his own people from the nearest fort, and also – since peace has been bought with the bartering of an imperial princess – by the Tagurans, for his solitary honouring of their dead. The Tagurans soldiers one day bring an unexpected letter. It is from the bartered Kitan Princess Cheng-wan, and it contains a poisoned chalice: she has gifted Tai with two hundred and fifty Sardian horses, to reward him for his courage. The Sardians are legendary steeds from the far west, famed, highly-prized, long-coveted by the Kitans.

We will be reading and reviewing Under Heaven as soon as is humanly possible, so check back nearer the publication date.

Guy Gavriel Kay was born in Canada and is still based out of Toronto. At the beginning of his career Gavriel Kay aided Christopher Tolkien in the editing of JRR Tolkien’s The Silmarillion. Kay incorporates real history into his fantasy books with the influences of medieval France, Moorish Spain and the Byzantium Empire all prominent in his novels. His first major and successful work was the Fionavar Tapestry which was first published between 1984 and 1986.

Posted: March 18th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Guy Gavriel Kay

Official Eclipse trailer; Breaking Dawn to be split into two movies?

The official trailer for the movie adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s Eclipse is now available (we have embedded the YouTube version below).

Also below is the production description from the book and it will be interesting to see how faithful the film remains to Meyer’s work.

‘Bella?’ Edward’s soft voice came from behind me. I turned to see him spring lightly up the porch steps, his hair windblown from running. He pulled me into his arms at once, and kissed me again. His kiss frightened me. There was too much tension, too strong an edge to the way his lips crushed mine – like he was afraid we had only so much time left to us. As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob – knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which? Following the international bestsellers Twilight and New Moon, Eclipse is the much-anticipated third book in Stephenie Meyer’s captivating saga of vampire romance.

Breaking Dawn to be split into two movies?
According to an inside source, the fourth saga and the most highly anticipated film in the Twilight Series, will be split into two movies, and filmed in 3D. "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part I", and "Part II" has not been confirmed "officially" by Summit Entertainment, however author Stephenie Meyer has stated, "it would have to be made into multiple movies because it is hard to imagine it fitting into ninety minutes."

In addition, a new production company, Sunswept Entertainment, has been brought on board for Breaking Dawn. Sunswept Entertainment was created by Karen Rosenfelt, who is the daughter of former MGM Chairman & CEO Frank Edward Rosenfelt. Karen Rosenfelt served as Producer on both "Twilight" and on "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse". She did not work on "New Moon", but is producing "Breaking Dawn" through her Sunswept Entertainment banner.

Fans can expect a massive talent search for the role of Renesmee Cullen, the half-vampire, half-human daughter of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan, just as there was for the roles of Seth and Leah Clearwater in "Eclipse". Due to the introduction of this character, Breaking Dawn is going to be the most CG-intense film of the Twilight series.

The Breaking Dawn novel is much more adult in tone than its three predecessors. Therefore the screenplay adaptation will likely have quite a bit of tweaking due to the explicit sex and birth scenes to avoid an R rating.

The recent success of films like Avatar has changed the perception of 3D film with the public and the major studios, and Summit Entertainment is on the cutting edge of film making technology. Avatar director James Cameron recently said, "Everything is going to change in the next couple of years, very, very rapidly. If you take the 3D away from the film and you take the spectacle away from the film, it is still a strong story. People do not cry in a movie because of the 3D. They cry in movie because something is touching them, and the 3D should only be part of enhancing the experience."

Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner have officially signed on to Breaking Dawn. The Breaking Dawn’s director has yet to be officially announced.

Twilight book review
New Moon book review
Stephenie Meyer biography and bibliography

Stephenie Meyer was born on the 24th of December 1973 in Hartford, Connecticut. She grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and was one of six children. The unusual spelling of her name came from her father, Stephen (+ ie). After the publication of her first novel, Twilight, booksellers chose Stephenie Meyer as one of the "most promising new authors of 2005" (Publishers Weekly). Her favourite authors/biggest influences are Orson Scott Card, Jane Austen, William Shakespeare, Maeve Binchy, Charlotte Bronte, Daphne DuMaurier, L.M. Montgomery, Louisa May Alcott, Eva Ibbotson, William Goldman, Douglas Adams, Janet Evanovich. She can’t write without music, and her favourite band being Muse.

Posted: March 18th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Stephenie Meyer

Fantasy Book Review: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

When 17 year old Isabella Swan moves to Forks, Washington to live with her father she expects that her new life will be as dull as the town. But in spite of her awkward manner and low expectations, she finds that her new classmates are drawn to this pale, dark-haired new girl in town. But not, it seems, the Cullen family. These five adopted brothers and sisters obviously prefer their own company and will make no exception for Bella. Bella is convinced that Edward Cullen in particular hates her, but she feels a strange attraction to him, although his hostility makes her feel almost physically ill. He seems determined to push her away ? until, that is, he saves her life from an out of control car. Bella will soon discover that there is a very good reason for Edward’s coldness. He, and his family, are vampires ? and he knows how dangerous it is for others to get too close.

Fantasy Book Review says “After seeing and enjoying the movie Twilight, I had to get the book.  If I was less of a glutton for punishment I probably would have heeded the warning signs. Every teenage girl I knew of swooning over the book and the Romeo of the story, Edward Cullen. I even had a 24 year old friend update her status with something along the lines of “After Edward Cullen I can never again want a human male.”

Read the full review of Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Stephenie Meyer is an American author best known for her vampire romance series, Twilight. The Twilight novels have gained worldwide recognition, won multiple literary awards and sold over 85 million copies worldwide, with translations into 37 different languages.

Posted: March 17th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Fantasy Book Review, Stephenie Meyer

Competition: Win a signed copy of Graham Hancock’s Entangled

Competition is open to UK residents only and will run from March 16, 2010 until April 1, 2010

Graham Hancock is the author of The Sign and the Seal, Fingerprints of the Gods, Keeper of Genesis, Heaven’s Mirror, Supernatural and other bestselling investigations of historical mysteries. His books have been translated into twenty-seven languages and have sold over five million copies worldwide. Written with the same page-turning appeal that has made his non-fiction so popular, Entangled is his first work of fiction.

We have five signed copies of Entangled to give away as prizes. Email us with the answer to the following question and the five lucky winners, chosen at random, will receive a copy of the book, signed by the author.

Question: By what name is Los Angeles also known?
a) Little Mexico
b) New Madrid
c) The City of Angels

Email entangledcompetition@fantasybookreview.co.uk with your answer as the subject; please include your full name and UK mailing address within the email body. Thank you.

If you would like to pre-order Entangled, please visit http://www.rbooks.co.uk/product.aspx?id=1846055539. If you use the promo code ENTANGLED you will receive a 40% discount!

About Entangled
When a drug overdose causes Leoni, a troubled teen from twenty-first-century Los Angeles, to have a near-death experience, her soul is lifted from the modern world and flung into a parallel time 24,000 years in the past. There her fate becomes entangled with that of Ria, a young Stone Age woman fighting for her life against the ferocious Illimani, an army of evil led by the vicious Sulpa, a powerful demon determined to destroy humanity. As the invaders annihilate Ria’s people, inflicting torture and human sacrifice, Sulpa moves ever closer to his ultimate goal: to manifest physically in the twenty-first century and doom all of mankind to perpetual slavery. The hour is late and all hope of stopping him seems lost. But there is still hope, if Leoni and Ria can rise to the challenge fate has set them. Uniting outside the flow of earth time, they must venture forth into regions of wonder, master their own deepest fears, and fight battles they could never have prepared for, if Sulpa is to be defeated…

Posted: March 16th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Competitions

Why Star Wars is coming to Fantasy Book Review

When you come to Fantasy Book Review, you probably come because you want “reviews” on “fantasy books.” It’s a pretty decent assumption, right? It’s in the name, it’s what we’re all about.

So you might find yourself asking, why are there now Star Wars reviews up on Fantasy Book Review?

Well I can answer that for you, as I’m the one who’ll be leading the charge through the Star Wars universe.

When you think of Star Wars, what do you think of? Space? Battles? Lightsabers? Jedi? Bagels?

All of these are likely, and each in and of itself could immediately make you think Sci-Fi (let me work on how the bagels makes you think Sci-Fi, I can make something of it). But take another look at all of those ideas that make up Star Wars and you might see a similarity to Fantasy in there as well.

Space? Just another setting.

Battles? Uh, Lord of the Rings anyone?

Lightsaber? Just a shiny sword.

Jedi? Another word for sorcerer.

Bagels?

And look at the whole picture as well. The good versus bad, dark versus light, the Dark Side versus the … well, what was the other half called?

Beyond that we see a lot of archetypes that Star Wars uses that are similar to those used in the Fantasy genre. ‘Princess’ Leia, the princess from a lost world; mysterious powers bestowed upon a boy from a rural nowhere town; the used feel of the universe compared to the sleek and shiny Star Trek universe.

You can even be really nerdy like Keires on the official Star Wars forum;

“…you can find the typical D&D team (in episode 4, for example): an apprentice-knight, an expert-knight/magician, a mercenary, a princess… Instead of a dwarf and an elf you have two droids (dwarf-size and elf-size!)…”

George Lucas, the creator extraordinaire behind the Star Wars universe, describes the movies as Space Fantasy, which is probably the best way to look at it. The universe isn’t really based on “science” like Star Trek or Babylon 5. The hyperdrive just exists, without any scientific explanation as to how. The same can be said for the power generation for Death Star and Super Star Destroyers, how Coruscant hasn’t just collapsed in on itself under the pressure of all that city, and why everyone speaks basic except for the Sullustans and Wookies.

In Sci-Fi, these things would normally be explained; in Fantasy, they just ‘are,’ whether by being magic or simply unexplained by the author.

Long lost family, redemption for the bad guy, swords and sorcery, wise old men (and Yoda’s) and princesses in distress all cry Fantasy. So it comes really as a natural conclusion for us here at Fantasy Book Review to include Star Wars in our collection of reviews.

As for that bagel? Here’s my attempt at it being Sci-Fi;

Nah, I’ve got nothing.

Note – the prequel trilogy definitely make this classification a little murky, considering its sleek ships and attempt to explain the Force, but as with most Star Wars fans, we’ll simply ignore them.

Posted: March 16th, 2010
Author: JoshSHill
Categories: Star Wars

The New Jedi Order

A look at the list of Star Wars novels will see the Star Wars expanded universe split into several eras. There is the Rise of the Empire era, the Rebellion era, the New Republic era and the New Jedi Order era (as well as the Legacy era which follows). For the majority of those periods of time the books that fill it are a collection of trilogies, duologies and individual books.

However, towards the end of 1999, the beginning of a single line of books, published under the title The New Jedi Order, or more commonly referred to as NJO, was started. The brains trust behind the Star Wars novels decided it was time for a change, and the change would leave a lasting impression on the Star Wars universe.

The New Jedi Order is made up of 19 novels, plus a collection of short stories, ebook novellas and comic books. Published between 1999 and 2003, the series wrought heavy changes in the Star Wars universe.

Possibly one of the biggest changes was the dark tone that the series took. Death and destruction were brought to the fore, and the death of several major characters had fans outraged and unhappy. Most unfortunate was the untimely release of Star by Star, a book that bore striking resemblance to the September 11 attacks and was sadly released so soon after said tragedy.

Though not as unloved as the prequel movies, the NJO books were not the huge success within the Star Wars fanbase that the brains trust had hoped for.

Star Wars novelist Timothy Zahn felt the series was too dark and had stayed from the “feel” of Star Wars, and later Editorial Director of Del Ray expressed his regret over some of the grimmer aspects the series portrayed, and of the main villain, the Yuuzhan Vong.

For those with the “trust” of continuing the Star Wars universe in this format, it is only fair that they are seen to be taking the blame for something that some fans did not like. However it is a little sad that the backlash was such that they were forced into such a decision.

Being only three books in, I’ll admit that maybe the series deepens in its “grimness” and actually strays from the Star Wars ethos. But so far all I’m seeing is Star Wars characters dealing with a level of violence they had yet to encounter. This is not a bad thing, and helps deepen the characters out of the “good guy/bad guy” stereotypes that were originally conceived in the movies.

So stay tuned to Fantasy Book Reviews newest section focusing solely on the Star Wars universe for more NJO reviews as I get through the books. I’ll keep the spoilers to a minimum except for three deaths which cannot be overlooked (I’ll make sure to warn before the review).

Books making up the NJO series;

-        Vector Prime by R.A. Salvatore (25 ABY)

-        Dark Tide I: Onslaught by Michael Stackpole (25 ABY)

-        Dark Tide II: Ruin by Michael Stackpole (25 ABY)

-        Agents of Chaos I: Hero’s Trial by James Luceno (25 ABY)

-        Agents of Chaos II: Jedi Eclipse by James Luceno (25 ABY)

-        Balance Point by Kathy Tyers (26 ABY)

-        Edge of Victory I: Conquest by Greg Keyes (26 ABY)

-        Edge of Victory II: Rebirth by Greg Keyes (27 ABY)

-        Star by Star by Troy Denning (27 ABY)

-        Dark Journey by Elaine Cunningham (27 ABY)

-        Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dream by Aaron Allston (27 ABY)

-        Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand by Aaron Allston (27 ABY)

-        Traitor by Matthew Stover (27 ABY)

-        Destiny’s Way by Walter Jon Williams (28 ABY)

-        Force Heretic I: Remnant by Sean Williams & Shane Dix (28 ABY)

-        Force Heretic II: Refugee by Sean Williams & Shane Dix (28 ABY)

-        Force Heretic III: Reunion by Sean Williams & Shane Dix (28 ABY)

-        The Final Prophecy by Greg Keyes (28 ABY)

-        The Unifying Force by James Luceno (29 ABY)

Other additions to NJO;

-        Boba Fett: A Practical Man by Karen Traviss – eBook Novella set after Vector Prime

-        Emissary of the Void by Greg Keyes – short story set after Balance Point

-        Recovery by Troy Denning – eBook Novella set prior to Edge of Victory I: Conquest

-        The Apprentice by Elaine Cunningham – short story set after Dark Journey

-        Ylesia by Walter Jon Williams – eBook Novella set after Destiny’s War

-        Equals and Opposites by Nathan Butler – comic book set after Force Heretic I: Remnant

-        Or Die Trying by Sean Williams and Shane Dix – short story set after Force Heretic II: Refuge

Posted: March 16th, 2010
Author: JoshSHill
Categories: Star Wars

Dark Tide II: Ruin by Michael A Stackpole reviewed on Fantasy Book Review

Set: 25 ABY

The alien Yuuzhan Vong have launched an attack on the worlds of the Outer Rim. They are merciless, without regard for life—and they stand utterly outside the Force. Their ever-changing tactics stump the New Republic military. Even the Jedi, once the greatest guardians of peace in the galaxy, are rendered helpless by this impervious foe—and their solidarity has begun to unravel.

While Luke struggles to keep the Jedi together, Knights Jacen Solo and Corran Horn set off on a reconnaissance mission to the planet Garqi, an occupied world. There, at last, they uncover a secret that might be used to undermine the enemy—if only they can stay alive long enough to use it!

Ruin, the second in Michael A Stackpole’s Dark Tide duology, takes a bit more of a sombre and slower turn than its predecessor. Similar to the first NJO book, Vector Prime, we’re introduced into the mind of one of the Yuuzhan Vong, Shedao Shai, who is leading the latest attack on the New Republic.

Though he is definitely strong in his culture, and at the top of the food chain, we still see him motivated by other aspects. First off is the desire he has to reclaim the bones of his ancestor, currently in the possession of the scientists Corran and Ganner rescued in Onslaught, which eventually leads to his hatred of Corran Horn directly. The knowledge of Corran comes, however, through senator Elegos A’Kla, who gives himself over to the Yuuzhan Vong commander in an attempt to learn about them and seek a possible peace between the New Republic and the Yuuzhan Vong.

Anakin Solo joins his uncle Luke as they go hunting for a rogue Jedi named Daeshara’cor, a Twilek who believes that the superweapons that have appeared in the Star Wars universe over the past thirty years are the answer to destroying the Yuuzhan Vong. As the book is split into two sections – the prelude and the battle – this chase story is quickly over, but so well written as to not leave you disappointed at the apparent ease with which it took place. Additionally, the lessons learned for Anakin and Daeshara’cor come into play later in the book.

The Yuuzhan Vong are headed for Ithor, a planet full of pacifists who are at one with the Mother Jungle that gave them life. Thankfully for the book they aren’t the type of pacifist who will just sit and let themselves be killed, and the Jedi are allowed onto the planet in an attempt to protect it and the people.

Corran Horn once again continues to play a major role in the Star Wars universe, and buys the evacuating people of Ithor an additional week. The battle of Ithor is vicious, but thanks to the reintroduction of Admiral Gilad Pellaeon in charge of the Imperial Remnant fleet, the New Republic have a chance.

We’re once again let into the minds of the Rogue Squadron pilots, and get to see the battle not only form the bridges of the New Republic and Imperial Remnant lead ships, but also from within the cockpits of the men and women fighting the battle. It is a technique that Stackpole is brilliant at, showing us both angles of a fight (as well as the opponents) and leads to some exciting reading.

One of the interesting aspects of the New Jedi Order series is the revulsion with which the Jedi are treated by the majority of the New Republic. They have their defendants, but they are few and far between, and tainted by being long associated with the Jedi. It leaves them with very little support, either material or emotional, and creates conflicts not just with the Jedi but within the Jedi that make for great reading.

All in all the Dark Tide duology by Stackpole is definitely worth the read, and should definitely be on any Star Wars fans bookshelf.

Posted: March 16th, 2010
Author: JoshSHill
Categories: Star Wars

Dark Tide I: Onslaught by Michael A Stackpole reviewed on Fantasy Book Review

Set: 25 ABY

It is a perilous time for the New Republic. Just when unity is needed most, mistrust is on the rise. Even the Jedi feel the strain, as rogue elements rebel against Luke Skywalker’s leadership. When alien invaders known as the Yuuzhan Vong strike without warning, the New Republic is thrown on the defensive.

Luke must wield all the awesome powers of a Jedi Master to defeat the gravest threat since Emperor Palpatine. As Leia Organa Solo and Gavin Darklighter lead desperate refugees in a fighting retreat from Yuuzhan Vong forces, Mara Jade Skywalker, Jedi apprentices Jacen and Anakin Solo, and Jedi Knight Corran Horn find themselves tested as never before by a faceless, implacable foe determined to smother the light of the New Republic forever beneath a shroud of darkest evil.…

The second novel in the New Jedi Order series continues on where Vector Prime left off. Onslaught is the first in a duology written by Star Wars veteran Michael A. Stackpole.

Though the Yuuzhan Vong were thought to be destroyed at the end of Vector Prime, the New Republic soon finds itself fighting several battles in the Outer Rim, though the Senate does not believe much of the news that comes in, believing it to be a Jedi plot to acquire more control.

Luke Skywalker has sent his Jedi out on reconnaissance missions throughout the Outer Rim, and taken the most dangerous mission for himself, and his nephew Jacen Solo. Corran Horn and Ganner Rhysode take what is probably the second most dangerous mission, and both missions quickly require the Jedi to be on their guard if they’re going to survive.

Meanwhile Anakin Solo accompanies his aunt, Mara Jade Skywalker to Dantooine so that the Jedi Master can recuperate and rest as she fights the deadly virus the Yuuzhan Vong have infected her with. Naturally, the rest and recuperation doesn’t last long.

Lando Calrissian’s planet of Dubrillion is attacked and eventually conquered, forcing the people to evacuate. They naturally find themselves fleeing to Dantooine, where the Yuuzhan Vong quickly follow.

The resulting attack is both vicious and extremely well written. The combination of Anakin’s prowess compared to his brothers, the actions of New Republic senator Elegos A’Kla, the induction of Jaina Solo into Rogue Squadron now led by Colonel Gavin Darklighter, and the actions of Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa Solo make for a thrilling and compelling climax to the story.

Corran and Ganner’s mission makes up the ‘other’ half of the storyline, as they go about creating a situation that will need to be resolved in the following book. Additionally the relationship between the two Jedi Knights, both of which stand on opposite sides to the other in their views of what the Jedi should be doing, makes for a fascinating read, and really highlights Stackpole’s ability to write interpersonal relationships.

My personal favourite aspects to this book follow on from Michael A Stackpole’s previous work in the Star Wars expanded universe, the X-Wing books. Now with Gavin at command, Rogue Squadron is still an awesome read, no matter who is in charge. And whether we’re looking at the story from Gavin’s perspective and his job as commander of the squadron, his memories and his stories about Wedge and Tycho, or whether we’re reading in from Jain’s perspective as the newest member of the squadron and definitely the youngest, the scenes focusing in and around Rogue Squadron are always my favourite.

So I’d definitely pick up this book. It doesn’t live on the need to have read Vector Prime, though it would definitely help. It’s a great book in and of itself, and definitely worth a read if you like your Star Wars.

Posted: March 16th, 2010
Author: JoshSHill
Categories: Star Wars

Vector Prime by R.A. Salvatore reviewed on Fantasy Book Review

Set: 25 ABY

The Galactic Empire has ended the war with the New Republic, but the galaxy is far from peace. Unrest is spreading everywhere, and threatens to destroy the New Republic’s tenuous reign.

Into this fragile moment comes Nom Anor, a mysterious and charismatic firebrand who is sowing seeds of mistrust and anger through his call for a simpler time. Little do his followers know the truth which hides behind his words.

When ExGal 4, a scientific outpost on Belkadan, discovers an odd comet-like object coming through the vast distance between the galaxies, astrophysicist Danni Quee takes it upon herself to investigate. She journeys to the Helska system, unaware of the danger which threatens the survival of the entire galaxy: the Yuuzhan Vong.

Jedi Masters Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade Skywalker, along with the Solo’s and Chewbacca are thrust into the middle of the danger once more, forced to fight with all they have to save the galaxy.

But this time, the Force itself may not be enough.

NOTE – this review contains significant spoilers, and should not be read if you do not want to be so spoiled.

NOTE – for a brief overview of what the New Jedi Order series is, check out my article here.

The beginning of the New Jedi Order series immediately brought about a grimmer cast to the Star Wars universe that helped realize a linkage to our own world. Though some might enjoy the escapism to a world where good values always win, sometimes the realistic needs to take centre stage so as to help our enjoyment. This is one thing that I believe the New Jedi Order series helped create.

It is twenty-one years since the Rebel Alliance destroyed the second Death Star over Endor, and the New Republic is still in turmoil. With so many planets and peoples making up the New Republic, it was always going to happen, and conflicts arise like insects in summer.

Into this turmoil and conflict step the Yuuzhan Vong, a terrible race that are the antithesis of the New Republic, hating technology and at one with nature, believing any who rely on machines to be infidels and worthy of destruction and conquest.

And that is exactly the tone of this book. Conquest. The Yuuzhan Vong want the New Republic, and by the end of the book they’re not looking like they’re going to fail anytime soon. A set back is suffered, but they are so different and antagonistic that the New Republic do not know how to deal with them.

And neither do the Jedi.

Luke Skywalker is trying to hold his Jedi together, but they are almost as fractious as the New Republic is, with each Jedi sure he knows the way to bring the Jedi back to the glory and prominence it once held prior to the Emperor.

But the Yuuzhan Vong will be in their way, and are unlike anything the Jedi have fought before.

The cast of characters is substantial for this novel, with new and old characters coming together to form a cast that will suffer much over the next 19 novels. Characters like Danni Quee and Miko Reglia are introduced and help understand what is going on from another perspective.

SPOILER – highlight to see

This book’s climax however has nothing to do with the story being told and everything to do with the death of an old friend. Presumably to ensure that readers understood that no one was sacred anymore, Chewbacca is killed off towards the end of the book. It is a heroic death, one that if you don’t see it coming you will be taken off guard. Add to this the illness that is affecting Mara Jade, and one must wonder who will live to see the end of the NJO series.

SPOILER

All in all I really enjoyed this book, and would definitely recommend it to any Star Wars fan. You’ll get sucked in and want to see what is going to come next. And I suggest you let yourself, because there is nothing quite like being sucked into a series that you know runs for at least 19 novels.

Posted: March 16th, 2010
Author: JoshSHill
Categories: RA Salvatore, Star Wars

Survivor’s Quest by Timothy Zahn reviewed on Fantasy Book Review

Set: 22 ABY

After fifty years, the remains of Outbound Flight—a pioneering Jedi expedition viciously destroyed by the alien warlord Grand Admiral Thrawn—have been found on the planet Nirauan. The beings who reside there wish to turn over to the New Republic the remnants of the doomed mission. Accepting the gesture will mean a long voyage into the treacherous cluster of stars where the thousands of souls aboard the Outbound Flight vessel met their grim fate.

Embarking on the strange and solemn journey, Luke and Mara Jade Skywalker are unaware that the gravest danger lies within the derelict walls of Outbound Flight itself. As the marooned hulk yields up stunning revelations and unexpected terrors, Luke and Mara find all they stand for—and their very existence—brutally challenged. The ultimate test will be surviving the deathtrap carefully laid by foes who are legendary for their ruthlessness…and determined to complete the job Thrawn began: exterminating the Jedi.

One of the great joys of reading Star Wars novels is finding the next book you get to read is written by Timothy Zahn. With the New Jedi Order books right around the corner for me I had one book left of what is known as the New Republic era; Survivor’s Quest.

Luke and Mara Jade are married, the first book that depicts this, and they soon find themselves travelling across space to reach a deadline that could very well change everything for the New Republic. But nothing is as it seems, naturally, when they board the Chiss ship the Chaf Envoy. A near miss, a fire near explosives, a skulk through the dark and then they finally reach Outbound Flight.

The Chiss have recently discovered the remnants of the ill-fated Outbound Flight which was destroyed by Thrawn, the forgotten son of the Chiss, some fifty years ago. Luke and Mara must deal with intrigue upon intrigue as they try and figure out just what is going on and who is trying to stop them from reaching Outbound Flight.

Zahn manages really well to tell a story about an event that, as of publishing the book, had not been put down in book form yet. Hints are given, references made, but all with the intent of filling it in later, which in my opinion just renews my opinion of Zahn as a writer. It’s all very well to refer to things that people have written or created, but to enticingly refer to things that you will write is masterful.

The only problem I have with Zahn’s writing is his habit of making everything anyone says disbelievable by the main characters if necessary. Everyone is a suspect no matter the lack of information or suspicion, and everything anyone says can be a lie, if necessary. It leaves Luke and Mara trusting no one and suspecting everyone, and it seems a little heavy handed at times.

That aside though, the twists and turns that Survivor’s Quest takes from the second half onwards are really quite brilliant. I was actually left surprised at times when the bad guys turned out to be good and the good guys turned out to be bad. And when the frustrating people turned out to still be frustrating at the end of the book, I was pleased as well. There’s only so much flipping of views you can take before it all starts to be unbelievable.

This book definitely stands on its own, with no need to read any of the previous Zahn books. You’ll get a richer experience if you do, sure, but it isn’t absolutely necessary. Make sure to have Survivor’s Quest on your bookshelf.

Posted: March 16th, 2010
Author: JoshSHill
Categories: Star Wars