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Topic:
The Official Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight Discussion Thread (Spoilers allowed)
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Senator_Cilghal
Registered:
Jul '03
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Date Posted:
7/12 3:32am
Subject:
RE: The Official Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight Discussion Thread (Spoilers allowed)
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"I could figure out what most of the words meant quite easily, but that doesn't make it any less annoying. My gripe isn't that there are big words, but that there are obscure, needless big words, used when a much simple but by no means 'easy' word would work just as well, if not better. It seemed almost like Reaves was trying to impress with his vocabulary. But again, it's a minor gripe, and one of the few things that bugged me about the book."
As a student in information sciences (ie, librarianship, I totally understand what you mean. There's nothing wrong with a big vocabulary, and I am against "dumbing down" vocabulary, but big vocabulary, in my opinion, has too places: to make things sound poetic, or too express a technical concept for which "simple" word exists. Using "big words" or "jargon" for the sake of just DOING so (or showing off) is conceted at worst, pointless at best, and always confuses someone. THis is not to say that everything should be written so a CHILD can understand it, but there is a certain plateau to what the adult average joe understands. Reading fiction for relaxation should not NECESITATE constant referral to the dictionary. I love dictionaries, love using them, but I do not want to do so in the middle of a fantasy novel, because it ruins the suspension of disbelief. The primary purpose of clarification is not to show off vocabulary, but to be UNDERSTOOD. For a popular-consumption novel appealing to a wide audience, audience-appropriate vocabulary should be used. Otherwise, readers are presented with needless technobabble. Technobabble may not necessarily be incomprehensible, but it may take time and a little rereading to understand. That may be fine (in limited measure) in a textbook, but again, this slows down the fast pace of a novel and interferes the suspension of belief (or as Tolkien might say, the choice to believe in "else"). For example, librarians are now being called "information scientists" or "Media specialists." These are inefficient, needlessly complex synonyms for "librarians."
Star Trek is PLAGUED by technobabble, and even most Trekkies and Trekkers laugh at it. Star Wars has its place for technobabble: Essential Guides, Incredible []s, etc. These sources are mock-reference works and logically should include mock-technical terms. But character dialogue should not CONSTANTLY do so. CHaracters should use more acronyms, slang, and simplifed terms. That's silly. People say "I was driving my car, my hand on the wheel" in everyday speech, not "I was manually operating combustion-powered automobile wheeled vehicular transportation machine with my manipulatory appendages interfacing with an elevated steering device".
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Amrita_Glittersong
Registered:
Jan '07
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Date Posted:
7/12 10:58am
Subject:
RE: The Official Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight Discussion Thread (Spoilers allowed)
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I just finished Jedi Twilight, and though I was expecting it to be good simply because of the characters appearing (such as Nick, Den, I5, etc), it surpassed my expectations. Not only was the plot interesting, but again the characters were compelling and even the very setting of Coruscant's underworld was outstanding.
I especially liked a few points:
Coruscant. The descriptions and detail given to the different areas, the different culture, and even the air was excellent. Usually I don't reeeeeally care about the planet or city in whatever story, but I found this setting really intriguing and somewhere I'm glad is going to be explored more.
Jedi. The idea of Jedi factions like the Paladins was very cool, as are the Paladins in general. (Deflecting blaster bolts with blaster bolts? How awesome is that?  ) I also really enjoyed seeing Jedi who were realistically powerful. The Jedi who showed up were definately good examples of ability and power that Jedi posess, but they weren't overboard. Jax especially was a good example, disregarding his flaky force-connection (which was neat on it's own.) He was obviously quite a competent Knight, but he wasn't invincible by any means. Also appreciated was that when Jedi were overpowered, it wasn't in a cheap way.
Nick. I just had to say it, because I love Nick. Very interesting and fun to read, and I'm glad his personality and attitude were captured for this book.
So yeah, all in all, very fun to read. The action was paced just right; it wasn't constant, but there weren't long down times of just talking. The story all fit together, it was realistic how the characters came together, etc. Can't wait for the next one. 
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Senator_Cilghal
Registered:
Jul '03
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Date Posted:
7/12 2:12pm
Subject:
RE: The Official Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight Discussion Thread (Spoilers allowed)
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I-5 is by far an awesome character. And Den and I-5 allow much needed comic relief in an otherwise dark book.
"What is he doing here?"
"What are WE doing here?"
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Mon Cal Jedi Master
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Author of an "Abeltastic" article that won a MOO award
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DarkScythe
Registered:
Jun '02
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Date Posted:
7/12 4:22pm
Subject:
RE: The Official Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight Discussion Thread (Spoilers allowed)
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I really enjoyed the novel. I wasn't expecting much from it but I really did enjoy it.
Didn't need to know the hutt made most of his money from Virtual sex palors where lonely "people" could get their needs met.
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QuinineVos
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
7/13 8:06pm
Subject:
RE: The Official Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight Discussion Thread (Spoilers allowed)
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Robimus posted:
I think it could have been R2D2 and C3P0(Just read that part last night). It does kinda hint at it "A Blockade Runner gave us passage to the outer core". Could this not be Bail Organa's Ship with the droids aboard serving him? Might be, but just as easliy might not be, but the hint is there.
All this said I think Reaves definitely wanted to hint that the appearances in question could be the Droids and the Falcon, without giving proof. He is simply allowing the readers decide.
Reaves may have intended to imply that I5 ran into 3PO and R2 (and not some other, nameless, droid counterparts) aboard the Tantive while on route to Coruscant, but it can't be, given the established chronology. Reaves makes it clear that I5 and Den arrived on Coruscant before Order 66. Since 3PO and R2 weren't aboard the Tantive until after Order 66, there's no way it can be them.
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Robimus
Registered:
Jul '07
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Date Posted:
7/13 8:30pm
Subject:
RE: The Official Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight Discussion Thread (Spoilers allowed)
- Date Edited:
7/13 8:47pm (2 edits total)
Edited By:
Robimus
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Ah, but do we know I5's whereabouts in the events between Shadow Hunter and Jedi Twilight? Den and I5 are said to have become companions on Drongar. In fact much of page 45 talks about their travels around the galaxy before returning to Coruscant. I think the possibility still exists, however unlikely.
If I5 travelled to Drongar....hmnnn, I'm still thinking on this.
Edit: Yeah, I think your right unless R2 and C3PO can be placed together on a blockade runner pre-order 66. Might even be an error on Reaves part. Describing the protocol droid as downright whiny does make it sound like C3PO.
Also the when the Old Republic became the Galactic Empire statement in the book could be taken as a little vague, but I see your point.
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DarthStymi
Registered:
Jan '02
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Date Posted:
7/13 8:47pm
Subject:
RE: The Official Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight Discussion Thread (Spoilers allowed)
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There seems to be overwhelmingly positive reviews and thoughts about this book. The only negative has been about the big words, which didn't bother me at all. What does bother me is that some parts seem to drag on to long--in other words, a particular plot point is stretched farther than it maybe could be.
Also the extremely short chapters bother me. It makes the story feel very choppy, thus adding, I think, to the dragged out plot lines effect.
Anyone else feel similar?
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"...the first condition of the hero's journey is recociliation with the grave."-Joseph Campbell
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Robimus
Registered:
Jul '07
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Date Posted:
7/13 8:52pm
Subject:
RE: The Official Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight Discussion Thread (Spoilers allowed)
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DarthStymi posted:
There seems to be overwhelmingly positive reviews and thoughts about this book. The only negative has been about the big words, which didn't bother me at all. What does bother me is that some parts seem to drag on to long--in other words, a particular plot point is stretched farther than it maybe could be.
Also the extremely short chapters bother me. It makes the story feel very choppy, thus adding, I think, to the dragged out plot lines effect.
Anyone else feel similar?
Have a look at my review in the review thread, the big words issue was actually a minor concern of mine(though it got blown up a bit) and accounted for very little of the score I gave. I give a few issues I had aside from the vocabulary. Kaird, Xizor and even Vader seemed forced to me, not to mention the Twilek gunslinger. Overall the book is being very well recieved though, I am in the minority.
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I am forever seeking the damutek of Hooley Krekk
Oh, woe! Oh, misery! Oh, unhappiness. Hooley Krekk where are you?
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NelanisGhost
Registered:
Jun '06
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Date Posted:
7/13 10:16pm
Subject:
RE: The Official Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight Discussion Thread (Spoilers allowed)
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Jedi. The idea of Jedi factions like the Paladins was very cool, as are the Paladins in general.
I wish they wouldn't have called them Paladins. It's too close in my mind to Jumper.
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ARC-77
Registered:
Mar '06
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Date Posted:
7/14 2:34am
Subject:
RE: The Official Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight Discussion Thread (Spoilers allowed)
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DarthStymi posted:
Also the extremely short chapters bother me. It makes the story feel very choppy, thus adding, I think, to the dragged out plot lines effect.
Anyone else feel similar?
I noticed that, but it didn't bother me. Allston does the same thing, IIRC.
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DarthStymi
Registered:
Jan '02
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Date Posted:
7/14 4:05am
Subject:
RE: The Official Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight Discussion Thread (Spoilers allowed)
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I've read plenty of Allston. He does not do the same thing.
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Excellence
Registered:
Jul '02
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Date Posted:
7/14 4:39am
Subject:
RE: The Official Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight Discussion Thread (Spoilers allowed)
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This will bother me. How short are we talking about? Rogue Planet-type length, or Bacta War?
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DarthStymi
Registered:
Jan '02
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Date Posted:
7/14 4:57am
Subject:
RE: The Official Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight Discussion Thread (Spoilers allowed)
- Date Edited:
7/14 5:00am (1 edits total)
Edited By:
DarthStymi
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Well I certainly would not want to bother you. To be honest, I don't recall if the small chapters bothered me in either book (neither are by Allston incidentally--but I don't think that is what you were referring to).
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"...the first condition of the hero's journey is recociliation with the grave."-Joseph Campbell
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Lord_Vivec
Registered:
Apr '06
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Date Posted:
7/14 8:53am
Subject:
RE: The Official Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight Discussion Thread (Spoilers allowed)
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I can't be bothered by it because I ignore the breaks. I simply move on to the next chapter.
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Manisphere
Registered:
Aug '07
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Date Posted:
7/14 12:01pm
Subject:
RE: The Official Coruscant Nights I: Jedi Twilight Discussion Thread (Spoilers allowed)
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DarthStymi posted:
There seems to be overwhelmingly positive reviews and thoughts about this book. The only negative has been about the big words, which didn't bother me at all.
Aaahhh! Big words??!..It is toted as an "adult novel" is it not? And it isn't Nabakov we're talking about here. Personally, I don't mind an EU author that uses a bit of 9th grade vocab in their books. As long as it doesn't detract from the storytelling. In this case it hardly hampers down the novel. The complaints about "big words" are bogus. They're inane. That's a small word that means asinine. 
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