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Topic:
What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
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Manisphere
Registered:
Aug '07
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Date Posted:
5/10 6:52pm
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
- Date Edited:
5/10 7:36pm (2 edits total)
Edited By:
Manisphere
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JAKE1 posted:
I have read TTT liked it a lot and read Outbound Flight enjoyed that also. Thrawn is awsome. I read Shadows of the Empire which was preaty good. I read the first two LOTF books and thought they were ok but I doubt I will finish the series. I read the rise of Darth Vader and liked the Vader stuff but not the Shrine stuff as much. I loved both of the Bane books. I read I Jedi and I know everyone loves that book but mehh. Im half eway through Shaterpoint right now and OMG best EU book yet. As for comics I read the first two Legacy TPBs and loved them. I read the first two KOTOR TPBs and didnt think they were as good as the hype. I liked the first Dark times TPB. So what next I seem to like the darker stuff and I am in no way willing to take on all the books in the NJO. Some kind of stand alone or triligy.
Well, you have done your research. Based on some of your answers I'd say with liking Thrawn I'd try The Thrawn Duology: Specter of the Past and then Vision of the Future by Tim Zahn. It is the last series before the NJO and any Thrawn fan should find this series delectable. If you liked Zahn's style of writing and you loved Thrawn go no further.
I'd say since you loved Shatterpoint to look into the SW books of Matt Stover. You might want to try The Revenge of the Sith novelization which is the highest rated book in the EU by fans or Traitor which is a standalone in the NJO about how Jacen Solo ended up as he did. It's a masterpiece and a burning page turner with only two characters. Also another book taking place in the Clone War Era that rivals Shatterpoint in quality is Dark Rendezvous by Sean Stewart. Do check that one out.
Finally I'd recommend The Dark Nest Trilogy. Not sure you'll love it but it's fairly strong trilogy that bridges The NJO and LOTF and it's plenty dark as it was written by Troy Denning.
If you like "dark" then you might want to give The NJO a try. It's one long dark 19 book arc. Some books aren't "must reads" but really, some of the books are just stunning. Edge of Victory 1: Conquest by Greg Keyes stands out in this capacity of the top of my head.
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garindanslob
Registered:
May '08
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Date Posted:
5/11 3:23am
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
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[[/quote]
Do buy it in paperback. It really isn't a "must buy". Death Star is my least favorite SW novel of all time. Leave it to Del Rey to finally print a decent sized hardcover full of nothing. I loved Shadows of the Empire. Who didn't? Top 5 SW books ever. Death Star is no Shadows of the Empire. It doesn't even touch Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter by Michael Reaves. But as a paperback you might get something out of it. For 9 bucks how can you lose? [/quote]
Cheers Manisphere for that I shall stay off until it's in paperback. At least the one thing the EU's not short of is books! I might have a look at "I,Jedi" and some others. I have some of those nifty book tokens so I feel I'm getting a book,(or two), for free. 
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Arruda
Registered:
May '08
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Date Posted:
5/11 5:31am
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
- Date Edited:
5/11 6:45am (1 edits total)
Edited By:
Arruda
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About ten years ago when I fell in love with Star Wars, I started reading some of the EU novels and comics that were available at that time. ( Thrawn trilogy, Jedi Academy, Dark Empire). Picked up Vector Prime and got halfway through it before I for some reason stopped reading. I then sort of lost interest in the EU and did not pick up another EU product for almost nine years.
Then, last September when I was walking by a comic book store, fate would have it that I should glance my eyes on the first two KOTOR TPB's. Having LOVED the video games, especially the first one, I figured I'd give them a shot. I liked them. And even though I believe the KOTOR comics didn't become great untill the third TPB(that was out in january) it was ceratinly enough to trigger my interest in the EU again.
Since then I have read pretty much all the SW comics I could get my hands on, and would consider myself quite up to date on the comics. However, I have still got a lot of cathcing up to do with the novels. I recently re-read the Thrawn trilogy and the Jedi Academy trilogy. Am currently working my way through I, Jedi, and have the Thrawn duology next in line. I'd like to evetually start reading the Legacy of the force-novels, but understand that there's this whole NJO thing in between. Some of you have mentioned that not all the 19 NJO books are essential. Could someone tell me the most important/essential ones with a view to start reading LOTF?
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Manisphere
Registered:
Aug '07
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Date Posted:
5/11 9:03am
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
- Date Edited:
5/11 9:46am (4 edits total)
Edited By:
Manisphere
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Vector Prime R.A. Salvatore-It's the first book so missing the setup for the whole series would be a mistake. Read it.
Dark Tide I: Onslaught Michael Stackpole-
Dark Tide II: Ruin Michael Stackpole- This series is quite excellent and important in setting up and understanding things to come.
Agents of Chaos I: Hero's Trial James Luceno
Agents of Chaos II: Jedi Eclipse James Luceno-Fine books that center on Han and overcoming his grief. Not a 'Must read" for this series. I read them years later though. Fun books.
2000 Balance Point Kathy Tyers-I skipped this one as well first time around. Although it was a hardcover it was skippable as the next series which is amazing reacaps Balance Point quite well. (You can skip this one)
2001 Edge of Victory I: Conquest Greg Keyes
2001 Edge of Victory II: Rebirth Greg Keyes-Get both of these and read 'em. They are both amazing and IMO essential.
2001 Star by Star Troy Denning-This monster of a book is dead center in the series and it is NOT to be missed under any circumstances.
2002 Dark Journey Elaine Cunningham-Skip it. I did as did many many people. It's a lousy novel from what I hear and it's events are
recapped in the next series which is a great one.
2002 Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dream Aaron Allston
2002 Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand Aaron Allston-This series brings back much needed laughs. It has the most old fashioned Star Wars feel
to them of all books in this series. Don't skip them.
2002 Traitor Matthew Stover- Don't miss this one. It's one of the most important books in the EU altogether and it's genius.
2002 Destiny's Way Walter Jon Williams-Not a gigantic fan of the book but it's necessary in beginning to wrap up this arc.
2003 Force Heretic I: Remnant Sean Williams & Shane Dix
2003 Force Heretic II: Refugee Sean Williams & Shane Dix
2003 Force Heretic III: Reunion Sean Williams & Shane Dix -I skipped all of the Force Heretic novels and missed nothing. They just
weren't my thing. (quite skippable)
2003 The Final Prophecy Greg Keyes- Second Last book. You Can't miss it!
2003 The Unifying Force- This is where it all comes together. Last book so you can't miss this one either.
Edit: The Dark Nest trilogy by Troy Denning is next. It's a fun, dark series and is a kind of prologue to LOTF. They aren't essential for LOTF but it is a great series. In fact the NJO and DNT are both better than LOTF all in all in my opinion. 
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Obie-2-Kenobi
Registered:
Feb '08
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Date Posted:
5/11 5:40pm
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
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Been reading a lot of SW books lately. I've read most of the books dealing with the whole post ROTJ stuff, and of course re-read SOTE. I've gotten al the way up to the Barbra Hambly books, which I bought (and read) back when they came out. However this second time around, I just can't get through Children of the Jedi. It sucks, I don't even remember how I got through it the first time. I remember Darksaber, that one I thought was cool. But is there really anything that I'm missing if I decide to skip the Hambly books?
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Havac
Title: Lit Mod of War
Registered:
Sep '05
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Date Posted:
5/11 9:10pm
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
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Not really.
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The2ndQuest
Title: :
-Games
-LACWAC
-Lit Mod of Death
Registered:
Jan '00
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Date Posted:
5/12 4:13pm
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
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Not too much- though Darksaber was far more enjoyable than Children of the Jedi or Planet of Twilight. Darksaber's best elements are sort of beinga merged sequel to the Jedi Academy Trilogy and the Thrawn trilogy (though much more of a sequel to the former than the latter), as well as seeing what has happened to certain movie locations after that span of time.
Havac posted:
Yeah, I'd say read Rogue Planet and the Hand of Thrawn duology first. That's pretty much all you really need for the setup.
IMO, you can pretty much skip Rogue Planet- Traitor pretty much sums up the majority of the book, and other stuff is recapped towards the end of the NJO series.
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Arruda
Registered:
May '08
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Date Posted:
5/13 2:54am
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
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Manisphere posted:
Vector Prime R.A. Salvatore-It's the first book so missing the setup for the whole series would be a mistake. Read it.
Dark Tide I: Onslaught Michael Stackpole-
Dark Tide II: Ruin Michael Stackpole- This series is quite excellent and important in setting up and understanding things to come.
Agents of Chaos I: Hero's Trial James Luceno
Agents of Chaos II: Jedi Eclipse James Luceno-Fine books that center on Han and overcoming his grief. Not a 'Must read" for this series. I read them years later though. Fun books.
2000 Balance Point Kathy Tyers-I skipped this one as well first time around. Although it was a hardcover it was skippable as the next series which is amazing reacaps Balance Point quite well. (You can skip this one)
2001 Edge of Victory I: Conquest Greg Keyes
2001 Edge of Victory II: Rebirth Greg Keyes-Get both of these and read 'em. They are both amazing and IMO essential.
2001 Star by Star Troy Denning-This monster of a book is dead center in the series and it is NOT to be missed under any circumstances.
2002 Dark Journey Elaine Cunningham-Skip it. I did as did many many people. It's a lousy novel from what I hear and it's events are
recapped in the next series which is a great one.
2002 Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dream Aaron Allston
2002 Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand Aaron Allston-This series brings back much needed laughs. It has the most old fashioned Star Wars feel
to them of all books in this series. Don't skip them.
2002 Traitor Matthew Stover- Don't miss this one. It's one of the most important books in the EU altogether and it's genius.
2002 Destiny's Way Walter Jon Williams-Not a gigantic fan of the book but it's necessary in beginning to wrap up this arc.
2003 Force Heretic I: Remnant Sean Williams & Shane Dix
2003 Force Heretic II: Refugee Sean Williams & Shane Dix
2003 Force Heretic III: Reunion Sean Williams & Shane Dix -I skipped all of the Force Heretic novels and missed nothing. They just
weren't my thing. (quite skippable)
2003 The Final Prophecy Greg Keyes- Second Last book. You Can't miss it!
2003 The Unifying Force- This is where it all comes together. Last book so you can't miss this one either.
Edit: The Dark Nest trilogy by Troy Denning is next. It's a fun, dark series and is a kind of prologue to LOTF. They aren't essential for LOTF but it is a great series. In fact the NJO and DNT are both better than LOTF all in all in my opinion.
This will be a great help.
Thanks
=)
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Obie-2-Kenobi
Registered:
Feb '08
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Date Posted:
5/13 10:39pm
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
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I have decided to drop the hambly books for right now, and start from a completely different end. I've ordered the Darth Bane books based on all the positive responses I have heard by other fans. I've read Cloak of Deception and now I am on Darth Maul Shadow Hunter (which is cool), and just go that route for a while. My goal is to try to work up to the Courescant Nights books coming out. Those I think are gonna be cool. And then there are a few books in between after that. I've read Death Star, Dark Lord, Allegiance, Tatooines ghost, SOTE, and on up to the Hambly books, but I just had to put those down for a while and try this new direction.
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Dark_jedi224
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
5/14 12:05pm
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
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this goes out to anyone...
i've been reading some EU books starting with LOTF which is awesome. but i wanted to go back to when Luke was just remaking the jedi order. i no its probably around 9-13 ABY but was wonderin if anyone could give me the actually series in whihc he starts.
all hail ashla
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katriene
Registered:
May '08
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Date Posted:
5/14 12:09pm
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
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Obie-2-Kenobi - I'm reading my way through the Prequel books right now too. Just started Rogue Planet and am enjoying it a lot. I had a hard time with Hambly as well. I liked the story concepts but something about her writing style didn't click with me. I enjoyed her short stories in the Tales series though.
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Plaristes
Registered:
Jul '07
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Date Posted:
5/14 12:31pm
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
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Dark_jedi224 posted:
this goes out to anyone...
i've been reading some EU books starting with LOTF which is awesome. but i wanted to go back to when Luke was just remaking the jedi order. i no its probably around 9-13 ABY but was wonderin if anyone could give me the actually series in whihc he starts.
all hail ashla
The Jedi Academy Trilogy and the companion novel I, Jedi.
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"Adaption" is not an English word.
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Suzuki_Akira
Registered:
May '03
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Date Posted:
5/16 2:57pm
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
- Date Edited:
5/16 3:08pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
Suzuki_Akira
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EDIT: Wrong thread.
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God is great, the Lord of all. "I find your lack of faith disturbing..." Those who dare oppose us will stand knee deep in the blood of their children. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=158008483
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Obie-2-Kenobi
Registered:
Feb '08
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Date Posted:
5/16 5:13pm
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
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I'm almost finished with Darth Maul Shadow Hunter, and I gotta say, it is pretty good. Much better than trying to get through Children of the Jedi again. Lots of action, relatively little political stuff. I think that's why I'm getting bored with the post ROTJ books is all the politics and no action. I can't speak for the NJO or LOTF books as I have not gotten that far, but I honestly don't see how I will be able to continue that thread if things do not pick up. The other thing that bugs me about these older books is continuity. I know that it was hard back in the day to speculate about things such as the clone wars and stuff, but its still hard to read something when you know now that things went a different way. The newer books hold more of an interest for me now. When I say new I mean like published in 2001 or beyond. For example, Tatooine's Ghost was good, not great, but it kept my interest I think mostly because it was the first book I read in which there was continuity between the prequels and the original movies. The whole Leiah seeing the data tapes of Watto and Anakin as a boy kind of thing. Allegiance was cool too...anyway...I'll quit rambling.
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Manisphere
Registered:
Aug '07
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Date Posted:
5/16 6:19pm
Subject:
RE: What Books & Comics Should I Read? / Where Should I Start in the EU?
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Obie-2-Kenobi, I'd consider the NJO. It's as much action as you'll ever get in EU novels IMO. Also don't rule out the Rogue/Wraith Squadron stuff. That series has the wonderful ability to be action, Star Wars, yet completely outside of most continuity or canon laws which makes things much less predictable.
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