Heir to The Jedi

I continues my Star Wars run with another more recent book, Heir To The Jedi by Kevin Hearne.  This book also falls into the new timeline category, though not necessarily part of the storyline.  I guess it's going to be whatever the movie/tv show franchise runners decide they want to use.  Anyhow.  This book as released way back in March 2015.
    HTTJ is all about Luke Skywalker, and that's why I decided to give it a chance.  It's been a long time...honestly I can't remember the last time....a book was written that was solely about Luke.  And it's the Luke that's in between the events of A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back.  It's nice to get a fresh look at him at this point.  He still doesn't know where he fits in all of this.  Is he really supposed to be a Jedi?  His abilities and powers in the Force are extremely limited.  He hasn't even been talking to a dead guy yet.  Ole Ben hasn't even bothered to whisper in his ear since he blew up Death Star 1.0.  The Luke we see is very young, and that's something we haven't seen a long time.
     This book is also told in the first person, all through Luke's eyes.  That made me skittish at first.  I rarely like first person books.  It's creepy and limited.  But, a few people manage to pull it off.  Hearne did, and did it well.  There is not flashing forward to when Luke knows better, and then flashing back to the real story.  Instead, we just move through the story as Luke tells it to us.
     This was a lot like how George Lucas originally envisioned Star Wars as The Adventures of Luke Skywalker.  Going on an adventure with the future Jedi.  And in case you're wondering, yes, R2-D2 is by his side the whole way.

Thanks for reading,

Darth Baptist

Lords of the Sith

I know, it's been a while since I've posted anything.  I've been busy being lazy.  That's partially true.  I've been preparing for a new Autumn Bible study that I'll be teaching, and that has included reading about four books at the same time, writing notes, and turning that into complete written lessons.  So, yeah, busy.  The lazy part is, I haven't done much reading of anything else.  I have listened to a bunch of podcasts though.  Go brainpower!

Anyhow, I just finished reading one of the newer Star Wars books that have come out as part of the all new Expanded Universe as mandated by Disney.  Several have come out already, several more are slated to arrive before the big day in December.  I decided to give this one a shot.  Oh, in case you didn't read the title, it's Lords of the Sith by Paul S. Kemp.  I read it, enjoyed it, mostly liked it, and that's about it.

OK, since this is about what I read, here's what I thought about it.  Pay attention my two readers.

This book was promoted as a look into the Emperor and his best bud, and everybody's favorite villain, Darth Vader.  The cover art even sports the Emperor sparking off a few bolts of force lightning beside Vader holding his ignited light saber.  Oh, and a few AT-ATs in the background for good measure.  Why, I don't know.  That wasn't a scene in the book.  Unless aliens abducted me and I'm missing some time.
     We did gain some insights into the relationship, described by Palpatine to Vader as being symbiotic, between the two greatest Sith lords of all time.  But...the book really isn't about them.  And that's my beef.  It's well-written, the story moves at a great pace, but it is really about Twi'lek rebels and their plot to kill the Emperor and his pet monster.
     The Emperor manages to continue to guard his true identity from everyone, except those he intends to obliterate.  Old Palpatine really comes off as a disturbing character.  I like the way Palpatine is treated in the book.  It's probably the best version of him that we have seen since Return of the Jedi.  But, then I'm very biased.
     We are shown a tormented and haunted Vader who is still coming to grips with the person he has become.  He appears powerful, lethal and amazing.  Of course, Vader is always amazing.  Except in Revenge of the Sith.  That never happened.
     I just wish we had been given more of Palpatine-Vader 2015 and less of the rebels.  I don't care about the rebels.  I wanted and had hoped to see more of the two Sith, and maybe gained some insights as to why Vader continued to serve the Emperor until he finally tossed his wrinkled old behind down the core shaft above the moon of Endor.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book.  It doesn't make my list of the best Star Wars books, but it does go into the good list.

Thanks for reading.

Darth Baptist