Jedi Council Forums - The JC Lit Reviews Special: LEGACY OF THE FORCE: BLOODLINES (Spoilers)

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Author	Topic: The JC Lit Reviews Special: LEGACY OF THE FORCE: BLOODLINES (Spoilers)
Havac Title: Lit Mod of War Registered: Sep '05	Date Posted: 8/29/06 6:08pm Subject: The JC Lit Reviews Special: LEGACY OF THE FORCE: BLOODLINES (Spoilers) - Date Edited: 5/23/08 5:04pm (2 edits total) Edited By: Havac
	Considering Bloodlines has been released, I want to post a review and there's no thread, and I seem to be the only one updating review averages anyway, I'm starting the Bloodlines review thread. Some rules: rate Bloodlines on a scale of 1 to 10, supplementing your rating with a review, if you want to. However, please do not rate or review the book until after you've read the whole thing. Thanks. Go ahead and review. Some previous review threads: Republic Commando: Hard Contact, by Karen Traviss Shatterpoint, by Matthew Stover The Cestus Deception, by Steven Barnes Medstar I: Battle Surgeons, by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry Medstar II: Jedi Healer, by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry Jedi Trial, by David Sherman and Dan Cragg Yoda: Dark Rendezvous, by Sean Stewart Labyrinth of Evil, by James Luceno Revenge of the Sith, by Matthew Stover Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader by James Luceno Galaxies: The Ruins of Dantooine, by Veronica Whitney-Robinson Tatooine Ghost, by Troy Denning Survivor's Quest, by Timothy Zahn Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dream, by Aaron Allston Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand, by Aaron Allston Traitor, by Matthew Stover Destiny's Way, by Walter Jon Williams Force Heretic I: Remnant, by Sean Williams and Shane Dix Force Heretic II: Refugee, by Sean Williams and Shane Dix Force Heretic III: Reunion, by Sean Williams and Shane Dix The Final Prophecy, by Greg Keyes The Unifying Force, by James Luceno Dark Nest I: The Joiner King, by Troy Denning Dark Nest II: The Unseen Queen, by Troy Denning Dark Nest III: The Swarm War, by Troy Denning RFEdit: Just putting it in the style of the past review threads... -----signature----- "Is there a captain's hat involved in this?" "I . . . don't know what department I want. I need . . . pants."
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exar-tull Registered: Feb '01	Date Posted: 8/29/06 6:11pm Subject: RE: The Bloodlines Review Thread - Date Edited: 8/29/06 6:25pm (1 edits total) Edited By: exar-tull
	10/10 the book is very powerful and potrays a very orginal take on the ROTS plot,jacen will chill you to the bone. -----signature----- COFFEE, you can sleep when your dead. "some days you just can't get rid of a bomb." batman COFFEE WHERES MY COFFEE!?!?!? "you focus determins your reality." qui-gon jin "you saw what you wanted to see" jagged fel ruin
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fuzzyjedi Registered: Jun '06	Date Posted: 8/29/06 6:11pm Subject: RE: The Bloodlines Review Thread
	well, im only about 2/3 of the way through, but i have to say, what i have read so far, is outstanding. pluss, the exceprt of tempest in the back is very very sweet -----signature----- I’m just a big pussy.- Stephen King Like SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, but instead of Nazis it’s a giant monster.---Harry Knowles (aintitcool) on Cloverfeild
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ConservativeSoldier Registered: Oct '05	Date Posted: 8/29/06 6:35pm Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: LEGACY OF THE FORCE: BLOODLINES (Spoilers)
	9/10. Outstanding novel. The pacing is terrific. The storyline meshes well with Betrayal. And the plot development and character development is second to none. Sadly, I can't give it a 10/10 because it just doesn't have quite enough action for me. -----signature----- Aut vincere aut mori! Joe Biden says paying taxes is patriotic. Joe Biden is an idiot. John McCain '08.
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Havac Title: Lit Mod of War Registered: Sep '05	Date Posted: 8/29/06 7:15pm Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: LEGACY OF THE FORCE: BLOODLINES (Spoilers)
	Interesting. It would appear that posts become uneditable by the original poster after being edited by a mod, Probably a good idea. Anyway, thanks for the edit, Rogue. -----signature----- "Is there a captain's hat involved in this?" "I . . . don't know what department I want. I need . . . pants."
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Rogue_Follower Title: Manager: • Lit Registered: Nov '03	Date Posted: 8/29/06 7:19pm Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: LEGACY OF THE FORCE: BLOODLINES (Spoilers)
	Sorry if I edited in the extra stuff too soon. If there's anything you want me to add, just ask.
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Pipboy Registered: Jul '06	Date Posted: 8/29/06 7:21pm Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: LEGACY OF THE FORCE: BLOODLINES (Spoilers)
	Because I know that the book will sink lower than it deserves due to bashers, moralists and the like and the fact that the book is better than 9/10th of the EU my official rating is 10. My unofficial rating would be a 9.3 Far more than Solid the book is gripping from one moment to the next. Real action replaces going through the motions of action and the characterizations are lovely in their reality. Traviss never manages to lose the belief that each character has in themselves and never allows herself to slip into commentary from a disdainful author. This is an especially difficult task given that she shoulders the Lions share of significant developements for Jacen's 'fall'. By layering caution, doublechecking, tests and self doubt sher manages to lay a path to hell that is not only paved with good intentions, but is calculated and envisioned with loving care. People have called Jacens fatal flaw arrogance, but this book realizes that arrogance can only take you to minor evils. Only true righteous devotion to good can create such a straight path through the abyss. Her prose is not elegant but it is easy to follow and descriptive and since I have no biases towards or against the Mandalorians being largely divorced from them I can say that her devotion to them shines through a little but luckily her overall devotion to remaining in the characters point of view means that it comes out with little taint. Overall I would rank this book 3rd in path of starwars books, below Shatterpoint and Traitor. Congratulation are however due to Miss Travis in creating possibly the most well written book that will be honored in Continuity. Stover continues to be a little to willing to accept ambiguity to be allowed through the door by the community. Traviss still has one foot in the door and her construction creates several artificial scenarios that create villific situations that didn't need to be there. -----signature----- I am Currently Enjoying a Shift towards insanity!
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Crox Registered: Apr '06	Date Posted: 8/29/06 7:32pm Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: LEGACY OF THE FORCE: BLOODLINES (Spoilers)
	9/10 There were a few parts where I found myself a bit bored. However, I thought that the characterizations were spot on, I thought it was interesting to see the GA turn more and more into the Empire, and Jacen has become even more despicable.
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Ive_Got_Two_Legs Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 8/29/06 7:58pm Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: LEGACY OF THE FORCE: BLOODLINES (Spoilers)
	After springing it from my library, and against all expectations, I have to admit that I rather liked it. It comes at no surprise, however, that she kills off Ailyn Vel (whom she had stated as not liking long before LOTF was announced), tries to make the Jedi as stupid as possible, that a good deal of the plot was designed to showcase Republic Commando, or that most of her EU mentions are from video games (as I suspect Ryan Kaufman had something to do with this). I also don't like the fact that half the characters/plotlines from Betrayal are dropped. However, it saddens me to see that her Fandalorians are not only upvoting it to give it a better grade than it deserved, but admit to it. So while I would probably have given it a good score, I'll give it a 1. -----signature----- "Where's your sense of optimism?" "It opted out."
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sidious618 Registered: Apr '03	Date Posted: 8/29/06 8:01pm Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: LEGACY OF THE FORCE: BLOODLINES (Spoilers)
	However, it saddens me to see that her Fandalorians are not only upvoting it to give it a better grade than it deserved, but admit to it. So while I would probably have given it a good score, I'll give it a 1. Way to take the high ground, man. -----signature----- But in purple, I'm stunning!- Londo Mollari, Babylon 5
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Ive_Got_Two_Legs Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 8/29/06 8:07pm Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: LEGACY OF THE FORCE: BLOODLINES (Spoilers)
	"I don't ask for it, I just do the best I can with it." -KT -----signature----- "Where's your sense of optimism?" "It opted out."
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Mandalorian_Crusader Registered: Jun '05	Date Posted: 8/29/06 8:18pm Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: LEGACY OF THE FORCE: BLOODLINES (Spoilers)
	sidious618 posted: Way to take the high ground, man. Ignore him. He's just looking for attention again. -----signature----- Who cares... Fear the Pie!!!
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Rohniss Registered: May '05	Date Posted: 8/29/06 8:20pm Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: LEGACY OF THE FORCE: BLOODLINES (Spoilers)
	However, it saddens me to see that her Fandalorians are not only upvoting it to give it a better grade than it deserved, but admit to it. So while I would probably have given it a good score, I'll give it a 1. Uhh, last I checked prior to this point Pip hasnt came out one way or another for or against Traviss.. or specifically Mandalorians.. so Fandalorian labling may be a bit premature. Anyways on to the review. I'll go ahead and shock everyone and agree with my favorite punching bag (Jacen) on a few points. Namely, the internment and subsequent roundup of Correllians/Terrorists.. and thier "relocating". However, his callous disreguard for INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, (namely the right to Life, first amoung inalienables) without due process of the Law. I'm all for killing Vel, so long as there was a Legal proceeding preceeding the execution. (assassins rank very low on my sliding scale of justice).. Within the Star Wars rules everything he did was abherrant and bordering on sociopathic. Using real world parallels I can see the necessity of some less than ethical actions (going back to first statement). As it is murder is murder, and murder in the process of attempting to force a confession with torture is something straight out of Nazi Germany or Stalinst Russia. Anyways, a interesting picture of an control freak who gains power, and subsequent descent into darkness. the best part ofcourse, is like all (rather most) of these type of criminals believe that they are doing the "right thing" or "for the greater good" I liked seeing Taris agian. as well as Squid bieng sent back to Kamino a piece at a time (mafia flashes <3 mafia) anyways I cant find anything to seriously complain about, other than a certian charcter whois morally repugnant (better said as completely without morals). Anywhow.. 10/10 Note i dont particullary like the Mandalorians, donot like or know thier language (Bad Klingon flashbacks) -----signature----- Rammer Jammer Yellowhammers, Give 'Em Hell, Alabama TF.N's resident Gun Nut Mejor morir a pie que vivir a rodillas.
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Havac Title: Lit Mod of War Registered: Sep '05	Date Posted: 8/29/06 11:08pm Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: LEGACY OF THE FORCE: BLOODLINES (Spoilers)
	Rogue_Follower posted: Sorry if I edited in the extra stuff too soon. If there's anything you want me to add, just ask. No, I was just going to add "Thanks for the edit." To the review: F. For Fricking Awesome. Excellent characterization, good plot, best use of Jaina and Luke in ages, fun Fett plot, lots of big-picture stuff happening (how the heck will they stretch this to nine books?). I liked Betrayal a lot, but this is better, meatier. Minor points off for some continuity kriff-ups that should have been avoided. I always liked Traviss's writing but didn't feel I had enough to go on to rank her that highly, but this has put her in my top five for sure. 9.9/10 -----signature----- "Is there a captain's hat involved in this?" "I . . . don't know what department I want. I need . . . pants."
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Havac Title: Lit Mod of War Registered: Sep '05	Date Posted: 8/29/06 11:13pm Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: LEGACY OF THE FORCE: BLOODLINES (Spoilers)
	Average score: 58.9/7 = 8.41 -----signature----- "Is there a captain's hat involved in this?" "I . . . don't know what department I want. I need . . . pants."
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Eleventh_Guard Registered: Dec '05	Date Posted: 8/30/06 12:35am Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: LEGACY OF THE FORCE: BLOODLINES (Spoilers)
	I'm going to give this book an 8. I liked it; the Mandalorian stuff wasn't boring, and now I'm a little curious about how their language works and about their culture - these were things I couldn't care less about before. I loved the way Ben was written, and also Jacen - Jacen is turning into a real villain now (IMHO) and that's actually fun to read about. I no longer empathize or really even sympathize with him, but I was pleasantly surprised by how fascinating Dark Jacen is. On the down side, the new character seemed a bit shoehorned-in and I could smell her background story - well, some of it - a few light-years away. Mirta managed to be an interesting character despite the shortcomings of her creation, but it was very difficult to suspend disbelief for her. Also, Jacen's decision at the end on what he had to do next? Felt forced. It would have made more sense if there was some Hapan involvement in the war that sparked his though process - maybe some Hapan pirates getting involved, or somebody putting a contract out on Tenel Ka. SOMETHING to make Jacen's decision more believable. The other thing I wasn't too crazy about is the constant "clips of the prequel trilogy" that characters get, but this goes back as far as Dark Nest. So, all in all, a good book, with a few flaws. -----signature----- A conversation on Dathomir: Welk: My daughter did that... I am blameless. I'm not even armed. Jacen: And you just let her do whatever she wants? Welk: You're new here, aren't you?
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