Author Topic: The Official Death Troopers Discussion Thread (Spoilers Allowed)
Juken_Rukhan  1156 posts
Registered: Jul '04
46276_Nat Skywalker
Date Posted: 10/19 8:05pm Subject: The Official Death Troopers Discussion Thread (Spoilers Allowed)
Does the people who have the book recommend buying it for a regular star wars fan who doesnt read horror?

 

-----signature-----
One lone candle is enough to hold back the Darkness.
Post Reply | Quote Reply | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Rogue...Jedi  17513 posts
Title: Comms and Arena Admin ready for basketball
Registered: Jan '00
6341_Rogue Squadron Seal
Date Posted: 10/19 8:35pm Subject: The Official Death Troopers Discussion Thread (Spoilers Allowed)
As a SW fan who doesn't read horror myself, I'd say either wait and get the paperback or get it from the library. Its worth reading, just not at hardcover prices, IMO.

 

-----signature-----
The Arena's Favorite Baseball Player Tournament - Come vote!
http://boards.theforce.net/the_arena/b10777/29864047/p1/
I approve of NYCitygurl's sig grin
Post Reply | Quote Reply | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Qui-Gon_Reborn  5757 posts
Title: Qui-Gon's Personal SWC Modsaber
Registered: Dec '08
8038_Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan
Date Posted: 10/19 10:07pm Subject: The Official Death Troopers Discussion Thread (Spoilers Allowed)
I wouldn't be able to wait patiently for it to be released in paperback, to be honest, tongue but I think RJ's right. I've never really read a horror novel before, either, and this one's definately worth reading. But if you're not sure about it, just wait for the paperback.

 

-----signature-----
Twenty years ago, there was another Edward with a strange disposition and even stranger hair that the ladies swooned over. This Edward had scissors for hands, but he was much, much cooler.
Post Reply | Quote Reply | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
El Kabong  579 posts
Registered: Sep '99
6893_Atari 2600, ESB
Date Posted: 10/20 12:23am Subject: The Official Death Troopers Discussion Thread (Spoilers Allowed)
Well, finished the book last night - I feel. . . well, I'm of two minds on the book.

I loved the horror aspect of the book. Now, this is coming from a HUGE grindhouse/horror/slasher/zombie/monster fan. I've been a horror fan ever since I got my first copy of Fangoria and Famous Monsters of Filmland when I was a wee tot back in the late seventies - So it takes a lot to get my mojo rising. Paper thin characters? Bah, big deal. Plot that really goes nowhere? Whatever. I wasn't expecting much out of the book and I got exactly what I wanted! A very nice, solid read - and I dug it because it wasnt something you generally get from a Star Wars book/flick/whatever.

The only problems I had with it was the inclusion of Han and Chewie. That really took the wind out of my sails as ANY good horror/slasher/zombie flick should leave you guessing on who is splatter fodder and who will be The Final Girl. Having Han and Chewie as untouchable, un-killable characters really got my horror nickers in a twist. The other problem was the book was seriously too damn short. Okay, there wasn't that much plot to go around so it probably wouldn't ever have a big page count, but a hardcover? Dude, make it a paperback or something. Fortunately I checked it out from the library, so I wasn't down any dosh against the hardcover price.

That and I wasnt a big fan of the two page chapters. A bit more length to the chapter stops would have been nice.

So, top notch book, but wait for the paperback.

 

Post Reply | Quote Reply | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Jedi Ben  9353 posts
Registered: Jul '99
23785_James Bond Jedi
Date Posted: 10/20 2:27pm Subject: The Official Death Troopers Discussion Thread (Spoilers Allowed)
El Kabong posted:
Heh, nice name check: Quatermass and Phibes. I busted up laughing at those two (I wonder if Quatermass's first name was Bernard?)


Heh, quite - didn't know Phibes though, found it was a Vincent Price character so - 'nuff said.

 

-----signature-----
Excellence: "You are the forum's Quick Ben."
SW EU fans: John Ostrander needs your help!
http://www.comix4sight.com
Post Reply | Quote Reply | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
TalonCard  7500 posts
Title:
•Author: Slave Pits of Lorrd
•TFN EU Staff

Registered: Jan '01
6036_Pit Droid
Date Posted: 10/20 5:05pm Subject: The Official Death Troopers Discussion Thread (Spoilers Allowed)
I'm digging the subtle--and perhaps coincidental--tie-in with Galaxy of Fear via the Imperial Biological Weapons Division, which was first mentioned in Planet Plague. It's not Starscream, but I'll take it. wink

TC

 

-----signature-----
Death in the Slave Pits: http://www.starwars.com/hyperspace/fiction/feature20090531/index.html
GODV Guide: www.myuselessknowledge.com/swfa/main.html
Hyperspace Blog: http://blogs.starwars.com/taloncard
Post Reply | Quote Reply | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Havac  14309 posts
Title: Lit Mod of War
Registered: Sep '05
23735_Obi-Wan Kenobi
Date Posted: 10/20 9:19pm Subject: The Official Death Troopers Discussion Thread (Spoilers Allowed)
I'd love a Gog retcon.

 

-----signature-----
"Is there a captain's hat involved in this?"
"I . . . don't know what department I want. I need . . . pants."
Post Reply | Quote Reply | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Valin__Kenobi  1016 posts
Title: Author:
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Praji

Registered: Mar '04
48742_General Grievous (63009)
Date Posted: 10/20 9:34pm Subject: The Official Death Troopers Discussion Thread (Spoilers Allowed) - Date Edited: 10/20 9:34pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Valin__Kenobi
Waiting for the paperback and in the meantime I requested it from my library system, but they're only ordering three copies so it will be a while. I was originally excited about the book ... until I found out it was going to be about zombies (played out) and feature Han and Chewie (yawn), and then was immediately turned off by the incessant viral marketing and gimmicks trying to ram the book down my throat. Not going to pay $24 for that, thanks....

 

-----signature-----
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Fanboy: http://blogs.starwars.com/valinkenobi
Generation Bantam/KJA/WEG
"Before the "Oprah effect" bookstores were like monasteries. Now it's like going to Best Buy." -- Arawn_Fenn
Post Reply | Quote Reply | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
CeiranHarmony  4481 posts
Registered: May '04
17274_Dark Apprentice
Date Posted: 10/21 7:47am Subject: The Official Death Troopers Discussion Thread (Spoilers Allowed)
Well... I had my concerns about the book (not the author)..

I am on page 88 now and have yet to get into the heavy horror content stuff. I have not yet met Han & Chewie.

I have to say, Joe Schreiber really surprised me. His writing is excellent. Definitely a writer who can be on par with the best of the best. And while I thought horror does not fit into Star Wars if it is gore. As far as I am into the book, IT FITS. It is not the movie style of storytelling but it is very very good storytelling. The characters are well fleshed out and very interesting. The setting is cool and his writing helps to visualize the action and he could write movie scripts for sure. The book reads like a good horror movie. The Star Wars stuff is well done and fits in nicely so far.

All in all I LIKE IT. Let's see how Han & Chewie or the gore part can ruin that, but I like the author and want more written by him.

Now I, too would love a Galaxy of Fear related retcon^^ as well as a future Schreiber novel Post-DeathTroopers (and after its Prequel) that CONTINUES the GALAXY OF FEAR series for adults with Tash and Zak Arranda as Adults accompanying Uncle Hoole across the galaxy, even after they join Luke's Jedi Academy, etc.

Tie together DeathTroopers, its Prequel, Galaxy of Fear, the Plague Space Station of the YJK second story arc, etc.



now back on DeathTroopers: I can recommend it to every adult reader. And if the adult-themed novels will be a trend or sub-culture in Star Wars EU in the future (even aside from Horror), I wonder what else we will get. F.e. Schreiber not only includes horror in his book but also some allusions open to sexual interpretations^^ No graphic scenes though yet. So maybe these adult themed novels might reference or in the passing mention/show us more "adult stuff" aside from horror.

 

-----signature-----
www.njoe.com (Govsec Author)
"Less is more!" Union
In Love with the Star Wars Atlas
Dark Horse: Star Wars: Invasion (best idea ever!!!)
My life is an Idiots Array, PURE SABBACC
Post Reply | Quote Reply | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Manisphere  2927 posts
Registered: Aug '07
48570_Zayne (60609)
Date Posted: 10/22 9:36am Subject: The Official Death Troopers Discussion Thread (Spoilers Allowed)
Valin__Kenobi posted:
Waiting for the paperback and in the meantime I requested it from my library system, but they're only ordering three copies so it will be a while. I was originally excited about the book ... until I found out it was going to be about zombies (played out) and feature Han and Chewie (yawn), and then was immediately turned off by the incessant viral marketing and gimmicks trying to ram the book down my throat. Not going to pay $24 for that, thanks....


Yeah, my library typically takes a month to get new books out for lending. Not sure why. I'm first on the list though.

I've never read a horror before but I'm actually looking forward to this...kinda. For reasons I can't fathom. Oh yeah. It's Star wars. tongue

 

-----signature-----
"Head of State, a Sith is just a Jedi who's gone off his meds."-Natasi Daala
Post Reply | Quote Reply | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Valin__Kenobi  1016 posts
Title: Author:
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Praji

Registered: Mar '04
48742_General Grievous (63009)
Date Posted: 10/22 10:12am Subject: The Official Death Troopers Discussion Thread (Spoilers Allowed)
My system usually gets a lot more copies of SW stuff, but I guess they only ordered three since it's not part of one of the big series like Republic Commando or FOTJ.

 

-----signature-----
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Fanboy: http://blogs.starwars.com/valinkenobi
Generation Bantam/KJA/WEG
"Before the "Oprah effect" bookstores were like monasteries. Now it's like going to Best Buy." -- Arawn_Fenn
Post Reply | Quote Reply | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
MistrX  1542 posts
Registered: Jun '06
14536_Wedge Antilles
Date Posted: 10/22 8:54pm Subject: The Official Death Troopers Discussion Thread (Spoilers Allowed) - Date Edited: 10/22 9:17pm (1 edits total) Edited By: MistrX
My library got it yesterday and I checked it out. It's a quick, easy read, and I quite enjoyed it, even with Han and Chewie present. I think I enjoyed most of all the building suspense at the beginning, the rising tension as the story moved to the place we all knew it would go. That was the part of the book that I thought had the one genuinely creepy moment, which was when Trig and Kale came upon the young Wookiee, crying near his dead kin, then they move on and they hear the Wookiee scream followed by the sounds of eating. It works since it's the typical scene where the characters don't recognize what's going on but that we, of course, do. I liked it.

I thought another nice touch came at the end when after going the whole book of doing what characters in a typical zombie story do, calling the zombies "things" and "them" and whatnot, Han comes out and actually uses the z-word. I laughed.

Anyway, like a typical horror story, it's nothing too deep and complex, but it is pretty fun, which is all I can ask for. And gory. Man is it gory. I think most of the book would fit in the review page's "The Ugly" category.

Edit: I forgot to ask, did they ever explain what that undead scientist was trying to say and scribble on the floor in his moment of half-lucidity to Zahara?

 

-----signature-----
We are well and truly forked
Post Reply | Quote Reply | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
CeiranHarmony  4481 posts
Registered: May '04
17274_Dark Apprentice
Date Posted: 10/23 12:47am Subject: The Official Death Troopers Discussion Thread (Spoilers Allowed)
Still reading.. some more thoughts and questions:


Han & Chewie fit in so far. Though I begin to wonder where the Millennium Falcon is stored or how they will get it back/find it and what happened to it while they had been imprisioned? Is this answered in the book? If so please just tell me if it is or not.

The Horror part so far is good. Despite copying the generci Zombie tale elements I like it. It is in no way scaring me (maybe because of two other books I read once that cannot be surpassed in shock and horror or maybe I am used to quite alot by now). For a Horror Newbie it is a great book, for a zombie newbie, too. For a Star Wars fan it is good, too.

Another question: WHAT questions remain open at the end of the book? please tell me.

Millennium Falcon whereabouts etc.?

Origin of the plague?

Tale of the Stardestroyer?

How&Why Han & Chewie got captured?

Where the characters are going after surviving?


Don´t spoil me (wouldn´t care if you do, but if possible tell me if it is answered, in what detail and that suffices. though answering my question takes precedence over not spoiling me further wink )





 

-----signature-----
www.njoe.com (Govsec Author)
"Less is more!" Union
In Love with the Star Wars Atlas
Dark Horse: Star Wars: Invasion (best idea ever!!!)
My life is an Idiots Array, PURE SABBACC
Post Reply | Quote Reply | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
TalonCard  7500 posts
Title:
•Author: Slave Pits of Lorrd
•TFN EU Staff

Registered: Jan '01
6036_Pit Droid
Date Posted: 10/23 4:57pm Subject: The Official Death Troopers Discussion Thread (Spoilers Allowed)
I'd like to think that the Falcon was sold to the Millennium corporation, which they tried to pass off as a prototype... wink

TC

 

-----signature-----
Death in the Slave Pits: http://www.starwars.com/hyperspace/fiction/feature20090531/index.html
GODV Guide: www.myuselessknowledge.com/swfa/main.html
Hyperspace Blog: http://blogs.starwars.com/taloncard
Post Reply | Quote Reply | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Rogue...Jedi  17513 posts
Title: Comms and Arena Admin ready for basketball
Registered: Jan '00
6341_Rogue Squadron Seal
Date Posted: 10/24 10:12am Subject: The Official Death Troopers Discussion Thread (Spoilers Allowed)
Ceiran: Most of those are left unanswered (at least to a significant degree), unfortunately.

 

-----signature-----
The Arena's Favorite Baseball Player Tournament - Come vote!
http://boards.theforce.net/the_arena/b10777/29864047/p1/
I approve of NYCitygurl's sig grin
Post Reply | Quote Reply | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History