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crystalstarrlight's review against another edition
4.0
"I had built this bubble around us...Nothing could hurt us—could really hurt us."
Twenty-five years have past since Luke Skywalker went from a farm boy on Tatooine to destroyer of the Death Star. Han and Leia are married with three teenagers, Jaina, Jacen, and Anakin. Luke has married once-enemy, Mara Jade. But things are never easy for our heroes. Mara is inflicted with a strange illness. And on a far away scientific station on Belkadan, Danni Quee receives the first hint of a menace about to invade the galaxy.
NOTE: Based on audiobook and novel.
The year is 1999. The Phantom Menace is in theaters, the first Star Wars movie in over fifteen years. Del Rey has acquired the license for Star Wars novels. And The Powers That Be knew that there had to be changes. Readers complained about the lack of a cohesive storyline, about the invulnerability of our major characters, about the lack of a decent threat. And thus, "Vector Prime" was born.
For me, "Vector Prime" isn't much different than the Battlestar Galactica miniseries. The stories both tell are very similar: the impending doom of a nation/galaxy. Neither know what is about to come, both are pretty contented (even if peace is constantly just barely out of reach for the New Republic), and both have enemies they don't know/understand.
The Yuuzhan Vong threat was wonderfully executed. Salvatore nicely introduces (but not TOO much) this strange and foreign culture and begins laying the foundation for novels to come. Yammosks. Dovin basals. Ooglith masquers. The blankness in the Force (though exacty what this means still remains a mystery to me). I personally like the new "darker" edge, and I like the movement back to an epic war and story. Many of the Bantam novels were one shots or trilogies; there was little overall story and enemies appeared suddenly in one novel, only to be killed off or arrested by the end. Furthermore, many of these enemies (such as Admiral Daala) lacked the punch to make them ominous villains. What villains could be more scary than ones you don't know and ones who are invulnerable to your greatest asset?
Salvatore did a fair job with the recurring characters. Han, Luke, Leia, and Mara were well done for the most part, and these aren't the easiest characters to recreate (trust me, I've read loads of poor attempts). Many could criticize Han for his actions, but given what happens in the course of the novel (no spoilers, although it has been 11+ years so you probably know already), I thought it was believable. A real, major character dies in the novel, and his death was well done and poignant. I even liked how Salvatore brought Jacen out of the "goofy, animal dork" that the Young Jedi Knight novels painted him as.
But that doesn't mean the characters were perfect. I honestly groaned when I read about "battle hardened" Jaina at the ripe old age of 16. Really? I get she's been through those YJK adventures, but to go so far and say she's battle-hardened and a superbly wonderful pilot able to outbeat Kyp Durron in a pointless scene at Lando's Folly is just over-the-top. Anakin and Jacen are slightly annoying in the same regards. I liked how they bickered about the Force and what it means, as that does feel like something teenagers would do, but please, stop treating the kids like they are 20-year olds.
The worst was Danni Quee. I can't imagine a then-18 year-old being allowed on such an uber special mission, nor can I imagine a now-21 year-old being an "inspiration" for the entire team. Unless she is the Littlest Cancer Patient. Then she can be an inspiration.
There are some nice action scenes in the novels, particularly the one between Mara and Corr (Mara gets the first YV kill! WOOHOO!). I also like the introduction of the Battle Meld. But the way that the Helska Yammosk is dealt with is more goofy science (melting ice can make a planet EXPLODE??? Gosh, maybe I was a bit harsh on my Rule of Two review!). Not to mention, probably because I listened most recently to an audiobook, not everything goes from A to B to C. For example, Sernpidal's moon is about to impact, so Han takes off only to return in the next section. Talk about Huh? factor!
If you haven't been following the Star Wars novels, this is an excellent place to start. There is little backstory you need that isn't already given. Even with goofy science, some extreme characters, a skippity-do-da plot and a highly controversial character death (that I think was well-done and appropriate, but not everyone will agree with me), this is a decent novel, a nice entrance to the rest of the series, but also a decent "standalone" should you decide you just don't care for the rest of the series.
Twenty-five years have past since Luke Skywalker went from a farm boy on Tatooine to destroyer of the Death Star. Han and Leia are married with three teenagers, Jaina, Jacen, and Anakin. Luke has married once-enemy, Mara Jade. But things are never easy for our heroes. Mara is inflicted with a strange illness. And on a far away scientific station on Belkadan, Danni Quee receives the first hint of a menace about to invade the galaxy.
NOTE: Based on audiobook and novel.
The year is 1999. The Phantom Menace is in theaters, the first Star Wars movie in over fifteen years. Del Rey has acquired the license for Star Wars novels. And The Powers That Be knew that there had to be changes. Readers complained about the lack of a cohesive storyline, about the invulnerability of our major characters, about the lack of a decent threat. And thus, "Vector Prime" was born.
For me, "Vector Prime" isn't much different than the Battlestar Galactica miniseries. The stories both tell are very similar: the impending doom of a nation/galaxy. Neither know what is about to come, both are pretty contented (even if peace is constantly just barely out of reach for the New Republic), and both have enemies they don't know/understand.
The Yuuzhan Vong threat was wonderfully executed. Salvatore nicely introduces (but not TOO much) this strange and foreign culture and begins laying the foundation for novels to come. Yammosks. Dovin basals. Ooglith masquers. The blankness in the Force (though exacty what this means still remains a mystery to me). I personally like the new "darker" edge, and I like the movement back to an epic war and story. Many of the Bantam novels were one shots or trilogies; there was little overall story and enemies appeared suddenly in one novel, only to be killed off or arrested by the end. Furthermore, many of these enemies (such as Admiral Daala) lacked the punch to make them ominous villains. What villains could be more scary than ones you don't know and ones who are invulnerable to your greatest asset?
Salvatore did a fair job with the recurring characters. Han, Luke, Leia, and Mara were well done for the most part, and these aren't the easiest characters to recreate (trust me, I've read loads of poor attempts). Many could criticize Han for his actions, but given what happens in the course of the novel (no spoilers, although it has been 11+ years so you probably know already), I thought it was believable. A real, major character dies in the novel, and his death was well done and poignant. I even liked how Salvatore brought Jacen out of the "goofy, animal dork" that the Young Jedi Knight novels painted him as.
But that doesn't mean the characters were perfect. I honestly groaned when I read about "battle hardened" Jaina at the ripe old age of 16. Really? I get she's been through those YJK adventures, but to go so far and say she's battle-hardened and a superbly wonderful pilot able to outbeat Kyp Durron in a pointless scene at Lando's Folly is just over-the-top. Anakin and Jacen are slightly annoying in the same regards. I liked how they bickered about the Force and what it means, as that does feel like something teenagers would do, but please, stop treating the kids like they are 20-year olds.
The worst was Danni Quee. I can't imagine a then-18 year-old being allowed on such an uber special mission, nor can I imagine a now-21 year-old being an "inspiration" for the entire team. Unless she is the Littlest Cancer Patient. Then she can be an inspiration.
There are some nice action scenes in the novels, particularly the one between Mara and Corr (Mara gets the first YV kill! WOOHOO!). I also like the introduction of the Battle Meld. But the way that the Helska Yammosk is dealt with is more goofy science (melting ice can make a planet EXPLODE??? Gosh, maybe I was a bit harsh on my Rule of Two review!). Not to mention, probably because I listened most recently to an audiobook, not everything goes from A to B to C. For example, Sernpidal's moon is about to impact, so Han takes off only to return in the next section. Talk about Huh? factor!
If you haven't been following the Star Wars novels, this is an excellent place to start. There is little backstory you need that isn't already given. Even with goofy science, some extreme characters, a skippity-do-da plot and a highly controversial character death (that I think was well-done and appropriate, but not everyone will agree with me), this is a decent novel, a nice entrance to the rest of the series, but also a decent "standalone" should you decide you just don't care for the rest of the series.
agenn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
heikieesmaa's review against another edition
5.0
Just a fantastic reminder how much more lively and exciting the Expanded Universe books were, how much more likable the main characters, how much more open and creative the plotlines. I know this series rises strong opinions both for against but I really like the Yuuzhan Vong as interesting villains and enjoyed reading this book.
jcayala76's review against another edition
5.0
Heartbreaking!
This is the first time I've read a star wars novel and felt such dread and sadness. No spoilers on the specifics, this may not have the same tone as the other star wars novels, but it is a great read!
This is the first time I've read a star wars novel and felt such dread and sadness. No spoilers on the specifics, this may not have the same tone as the other star wars novels, but it is a great read!
siobhan15's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
arf88's review against another edition
1.0
The book that put me off all New Jedi Order books for life.
xonrad's review against another edition
2.0
Having finally made the effort to read up on the now "deleted" expanded lore, this book is kind of indicative of what the general vibe of a lot of pre-Disney Star Wars stories possess.
Despite being in Salvatore's hands, there's a pulp'y quality to this story, like the others, which is far from being grand/profound reading, but is not outright horrible either. It skirts that weird limbo between franchise fascination and budding adventure-prose potential.
This one does not capture the grandiose potential of the Thrawn trilogy, but the more I consume, the more I realise that is indicative of how powerful Thrawn was as a post film character creation.
Generally the impact of pulp fiction like this is going to rely more on how invested you are in the actual franchise/mythos than the actual quality of writing.
Had I read this when I was in my teens it may have earned an extra star, but no more.
Far from either a great Star Wars novel OR an example of Salvatore at his best.
Despite being in Salvatore's hands, there's a pulp'y quality to this story, like the others, which is far from being grand/profound reading, but is not outright horrible either. It skirts that weird limbo between franchise fascination and budding adventure-prose potential.
This one does not capture the grandiose potential of the Thrawn trilogy, but the more I consume, the more I realise that is indicative of how powerful Thrawn was as a post film character creation.
Generally the impact of pulp fiction like this is going to rely more on how invested you are in the actual franchise/mythos than the actual quality of writing.
Had I read this when I was in my teens it may have earned an extra star, but no more.
Far from either a great Star Wars novel OR an example of Salvatore at his best.
ldawg4545's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
hidekisohma's review
3.0
So I have read quite a few Star Wars books. I've read the Thrawn trilogy, the Darth Bane trilogy, heck, i've even read the Boba Fett resurrection trilogy. So after reading a bunch of these I looked up which book is mandatory old EU reading and this one came up in nearly every list.
Why? Two reasons. 1. Because it's the first book of a lengthy series, but also for one very important reason. This book is INFAMOUS across the internet as the book where Chewbacca dies. So, knowing that, I felt I had to read how it happened. And honestly, this book....wasn't that great.
The biggest issue this book faces is that the first 100 pages is very, very boring. It focuses on this alien guy spending chapter after chapter trying to sabotage this science outpost so that the Republic won't see their extra galactic army coming. And it focuses on him and the scientists talking. It's about as interesting as it sounds. Also for the first 100 pages there's also a lot of political talk. Hooray for space politics!
Once you get past this and the group realizes that there are indeed evil aliens, things start to pick up. But only just. The scene this book is known for takes place about 2/3 of the way through the book. Han is doing a regular run to a planet with Chewie and his son Anakin when they discover that the evil alien people are using a gravity thing to pull the moon onto the planet. They evacuate a bunch of people, but Chewbacca sacrifices himself to save Anakin (Solo. Not Darth Vader) Then they drop a moon on Chewbacca.
Yes. That is how Chewbacca dies. They drop. A moon. on him. I don't know if I should laugh or what, but I was like "Wow... that uh...that's a bit overkill I think."
The book in itself seems to have ADD as it jumps between a bunch of different characters' stories. At one time you have
-Anakin
- Bad guys
- Research Scientist/minor jedi
- Kyp (another jedi)
- Mara/Luke
- Han/Leia
- Jacen/Jaina (Han and leia's twins)
You tend to get whiplash from all the different stories going on at once. Danni (the scientist) is made out to be this important character and I actually had to look her up on Wookiepedia to learn that she actually is important later apparently. (shrug) i...i don't really care about her so...yeah.
Mara (Luke's wife) also has this disease. Why or how? I don't know. She just kind of does. And she's dying from it, but since she's a jedi she can fight it off while they try to find a cure. That's kind of just.. in the sidelines though.
It seems like they spend so much time setting crap up in this book that when they have to resolve it, it's done in a flash. They spend 100 pages building up this evil sabotage guy, Mara kills him in 2 pages. They spend another 50 pages dealing with this giant evil tentacle monster that telepathically controls the bad guys? Killed in 4 pages with no up close conversations. I get this was meant to be a setup book, but DAMN this book took me longer than it should have. If I could have given it a 2.5 I would have but it wasn't BAD enough to be a 2 so i'll give it a 3. The next book in the series is by a different author so hopefully in the next section things move a little faster. Either way, once you get past the first 100 pages it's not BAD, that first 1/3 is just a HUGE schlog to get through though. If you can get past that, it's a decent enough read. The bad guys are interesting enough that i'll eventually read the 2nd one. I hope there's more stuff that happens though.
Why? Two reasons. 1. Because it's the first book of a lengthy series, but also for one very important reason. This book is INFAMOUS across the internet as the book where Chewbacca dies. So, knowing that, I felt I had to read how it happened. And honestly, this book....wasn't that great.
The biggest issue this book faces is that the first 100 pages is very, very boring. It focuses on this alien guy spending chapter after chapter trying to sabotage this science outpost so that the Republic won't see their extra galactic army coming. And it focuses on him and the scientists talking. It's about as interesting as it sounds. Also for the first 100 pages there's also a lot of political talk. Hooray for space politics!
Once you get past this and the group realizes that there are indeed evil aliens, things start to pick up. But only just. The scene this book is known for takes place about 2/3 of the way through the book. Han is doing a regular run to a planet with Chewie and his son Anakin when they discover that the evil alien people are using a gravity thing to pull the moon onto the planet. They evacuate a bunch of people, but Chewbacca sacrifices himself to save Anakin (Solo. Not Darth Vader) Then they drop a moon on Chewbacca.
Yes. That is how Chewbacca dies. They drop. A moon. on him. I don't know if I should laugh or what, but I was like "Wow... that uh...that's a bit overkill I think."
The book in itself seems to have ADD as it jumps between a bunch of different characters' stories. At one time you have
-Anakin
- Bad guys
- Research Scientist/minor jedi
- Kyp (another jedi)
- Mara/Luke
- Han/Leia
- Jacen/Jaina (Han and leia's twins)
You tend to get whiplash from all the different stories going on at once. Danni (the scientist) is made out to be this important character and I actually had to look her up on Wookiepedia to learn that she actually is important later apparently. (shrug) i...i don't really care about her so...yeah.
Mara (Luke's wife) also has this disease. Why or how? I don't know. She just kind of does. And she's dying from it, but since she's a jedi she can fight it off while they try to find a cure. That's kind of just.. in the sidelines though.
It seems like they spend so much time setting crap up in this book that when they have to resolve it, it's done in a flash. They spend 100 pages building up this evil sabotage guy, Mara kills him in 2 pages. They spend another 50 pages dealing with this giant evil tentacle monster that telepathically controls the bad guys? Killed in 4 pages with no up close conversations. I get this was meant to be a setup book, but DAMN this book took me longer than it should have. If I could have given it a 2.5 I would have but it wasn't BAD enough to be a 2 so i'll give it a 3. The next book in the series is by a different author so hopefully in the next section things move a little faster. Either way, once you get past the first 100 pages it's not BAD, that first 1/3 is just a HUGE schlog to get through though. If you can get past that, it's a decent enough read. The bad guys are interesting enough that i'll eventually read the 2nd one. I hope there's more stuff that happens though.
orso's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75