Jedi Council Forums - The JC Lit Reviews Special: Rebel Dream (RD Spoilers imminent)

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Author	Topic: The JC Lit Reviews Special: Rebel Dream (RD Spoilers imminent)
Caine Registered: Mar '02	Date Posted: 3/28/02 10:05am Subject: The JC Lit Reviews Special: Rebel Dream (RD Spoilers imminent) - Date Edited: 3/28/02 10:07am (1 edits total) Edited By: Caine
	Rate RD on a scale from 1 to 10. If possible, note your ratings of previous NJO books (also on a 1 to 10 scale) for comparison. If you'd like, supplement your rating of RD with a few (or alot, as you see fit ) words. -----signature----- "For what I do, weapons are irrelevant." -Jacen, from MWS' TRAITOR The Jacen Solo Fan Club: http://boards.theforce.net/message.asp?topic=4379448 ~~~
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chissdude10 Registered: Jul '01	Date Posted: 3/28/02 10:06am Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: Rebel Dream (RD Spoilers imminent)
	9
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flying_fishi Registered: Mar '02	Date Posted: 3/28/02 10:07am Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: Rebel Dream (RD Spoilers imminent)
	RD: 9.5. This is my favourite NJO so far. Comparison? um... DJ: 6 -----signature----- Goody gumdrops
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Genghis12 Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Nov '99	Date Posted: 3/28/02 10:39am Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: Rebel Dream (RD Spoilers imminent)
	9 - Allston's best SW work to date. I do think it is even better than Starfighters of Adumar. It showcases what a good EU novel is all about, IMO. -----signature----- ========== Intelligently Fitting The newer EU into Established Star Wars Continuity (Or How About a No-Prize) http://boards.theforce.net/message.asp?topic=1111146 "Envy the nations that have heroes. Pity the ones that need them." -- Van Zan
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Fire_Light Registered: Mar '02	Date Posted: 3/28/02 10:44am Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: Rebel Dream (RD Spoilers imminent)
	I need to get this book! Anyone have 6.99 plus tax laying about
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Gandalf the Grey Registered: May '00	Date Posted: 3/28/02 10:46am Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: Rebel Dream (RD Spoilers imminent)
	9/10. I don't like it as much as Starfighters of Adumar, and there's a bit that sticks in my craw. But his writing is excellent, the charactization great, and he's funny as anything. -----signature----- I play far, far too much World of Warcraft. L70s on Staghelm: Hopefire (Paladin), Silverbow (Hunter), Shadowhope (Rogue), Silverfire (Mage)
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Face Loran Registered: Mar '99	Date Posted: 3/28/02 10:47am Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: Rebel Dream (RD Spoilers imminent)
	9- I wholeheartedly agree with Genghis. It's what a Star Wars novel is supposed to be like. It's simply fun to read. For comparison, I'd give SBS and DJ 8.5's... -----signature----- "Face, you're a genius!! " - PAd
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Genghis12 Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Nov '99	Date Posted: 3/28/02 10:59am Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: Rebel Dream (RD Spoilers imminent)
	One specific item that I think Allston generally did better than most SW authors on for RD is striking IMO a near-perfect balance on summarizing things for new readers while still making it interesting for experienced ones. I mean, to be honest about this - there was a rather extremely large cast including all of the extended characters. Yet, I wasn't bored at his introductions of established characters nor overewhelmed by his introductions of new ones. Another specific item was Lando. I don't have to say anymore. One of the best portrayals of the character outside of Billy D. However, reasons why it didn't get a 10 - more my own personal likes. I think Arhul Hexotrophan should've been used as the historian, and I think Voren Na'al could have helped foil the spy. Their absence, especially given that the whole plot point existed on NR Historians and Journalists virtually screamed out for Arhul and Voren. IMO, it would be the same as including a plot point about Jedi Masters in the NJO and not ever discussing Luke or Kyp. Or discussing Luke's family and leaving out Mara and Ben. It was a major letdown for me on that plot device. -----signature----- ========== Intelligently Fitting The newer EU into Established Star Wars Continuity (Or How About a No-Prize) http://boards.theforce.net/message.asp?topic=1111146 "Envy the nations that have heroes. Pity the ones that need them." -- Van Zan
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Gandalf the Grey Registered: May '00	Date Posted: 3/28/02 11:05am Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: Rebel Dream (RD Spoilers imminent)
	I agree 100% about Lando. If Lando could be like that in every book, I'd rather read about him than virtually any other Star Wars character. He was Mr. Cool himself, and his interactions with 1-1A were bleeping hilarious. -----signature----- I play far, far too much World of Warcraft. L70s on Staghelm: Hopefire (Paladin), Silverbow (Hunter), Shadowhope (Rogue), Silverfire (Mage)
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Charlemagne19 Registered: Jul '00	Date Posted: 3/28/02 11:06am Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: Rebel Dream (RD Spoilers imminent)
	True but it is a big galaxy. Furthermore I suspect Voren Naal has long since retired from historian field work to sit back with the beautiful Rivoche Tarkin every morning Not that I blame him... 9.5 I remove a -5 because i wanted to see the worldship go boom this book dangit! Also I feel uncomfortable getting to know the Lah family Tsavong has a father as well as a son? Sheesh
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JediMasterAaron Registered: Oct '00	Date Posted: 3/28/02 11:07am Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: Rebel Dream (RD Spoilers imminent)
	9.6/10 for me. Allston's writing style was a breath of fresh air into the overly serious, overly dark world of the NJO. Loved seeing the Wraith's again, and having the Lusankya in action again was beyond description. Fantastic stuff. JMA -----signature----- In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti Are you trying to say that Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?
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Gandalf the Grey Registered: May '00	Date Posted: 3/28/02 11:08am Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: Rebel Dream (RD Spoilers imminent)
	Tsavong has a father as well as a son? Actually, many beings have fathers. It's true, not everyone in the Star Wars galaxy has a father (Anakin Skywalker didn't, and Waru might not have), but I honestly think that most do. -----signature----- I play far, far too much World of Warcraft. L70s on Staghelm: Hopefire (Paladin), Silverbow (Hunter), Shadowhope (Rogue), Silverfire (Mage)
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Caine Registered: Mar '02	Date Posted: 3/28/02 12:46pm Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: Rebel Dream (RD Spoilers imminent)
	Wow, JC Lit regulars really enjoy AA's writing. It appears Allston benefits from a convenient position within the NJO story arc (can't get much worse, right?). The question arises: could AA deliver for fans in the same way if DR chose him to continue the NJO story arc immediately following RAS' Vector Prime with expectedly "darker" overtones? My Rebel Dream Review Rating: 7/10 { For comparison: Vector Prime 8 DT I: Onslaught 3 DT II: Ruin 7 AoC I: Hero's Trial 10 AoC II: Jedi Eclipse 7 Balance Point 9 EoV I: Conquest 8 EoV II: Rebirth 5 Star by Star 9 Dark Journey 4 } Honestly, this book amounts to pure and clean fun. I must admit AA's reputation is well-deserved: I found myself laughing out loud on more than one occasion. But RD contained more than humor. I loved the battle where Lusankya and the Falcon arrive in the middle of a YV fleet. Chaotic, thrilling and forces Wedge to win a battle he hoped to lose. Two distinctive parts actually shape this book: a first half and a second half. I loved the first half and I felt it relieved some of the dark and stressful tension of previous NJO novels. With Jaina's arrival at the beginning of the second half, however, the novel turns more grim in nature. Although RD continues Jaina's Goddess storyline from DJ, it seemed forced here after a first half which saw primarily Luke, Wedge, Lando, Han and Leia. Nevertheless, my favorite scene in the book deals with a mother and daughter conversation between Leia and Jaina. Now there are those who will say RD was good, but ultimately constrained by the elements of the NJO story arc. I tend to agree. I remember the shadow bombs technique employed by our heroes at least 3 times in this book. You'd figure the Yuuzhan Vong would at least try to develop some counter measures for this. There exists a fine line between properly continuing developments from previous books and introducing a logical evolution of those developments. Then there are those who will find events in RD too easy for our heroes. I tend to this agree with this also. But at the current juncture in the NJO, I find it acceptable. The YV drive towards Coruscant clearly spread them thin and weak. I think RD needed to mention this at least once. The OT characterizations are magnificent. General Wedge Antilles always seems one step ahead of the Yuuzhan Vong. Someone already mentioned Lando, but here we discover he ultimately enjoys the trick or the scam, not necessarily the profit (though he'll take the profits too). Luke attempts to shed his passive stereotype. The moments between Han & Leia, though strained by deaths and disappearances, maintain a sense hope and humor. I do have a minor gripe with AA's writing style. I feel it comes across as amateurish. Even in the third-person, he uses more forms of "to be" than any author I've ever read - consistently and repetitively. I just feel he could say more with less. -----signature----- "For what I do, weapons are irrelevant." -Jacen, from MWS' TRAITOR The Jacen Solo Fan Club: http://boards.theforce.net/message.asp?topic=4379448 ~~~
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Genghis12 Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Nov '99	Date Posted: 3/28/02 1:16pm Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: Rebel Dream (RD Spoilers imminent) - Date Edited: 3/28/02 1:28pm (2 edits total) Edited By: Genghis12
	Caine... "Wow, JC Lit regulars really enjoy AA's writing. It appears Allston benefits from a convenient position within the NJO story arc (can't get much worse, right?). The question arises: could AA deliver for fans in the same way if DR chose him to continue the NJO story arc immediately following RAS' Vector Prime with expectedly "darker" overtones?" Most definitely, yes. DT suffered greatly (and failed) because of Mike Stackpole's style and philosophy regarding Star Wars. Violence - AA would not have had the graphic depictions of partial beheadings which Stakpole had. Non-Larry-Stuism - AA would not have had Corran Horn as "Larry Stu, Star Wars God." Zahnisms - MAS and TZ have a union going which isn't matched by other authors. AA would not have been mimicked the effects of such an "unholy alliance." AA would not have carried forth Zahn's incorrect concepts of the Force that Stackpole furthered (probably no Luke passing out, etc.). AA would not be more inclined to have Jade as a Jedi Master, etc. We would have gotten a much wider spread than just MAS/TZ favorite characters appearing. Mains as mains - Allston proves he can write stories where the Star Wars characters (Luke, Han, Leia, Lando, etc.) aren't overshadowed by pet favorites, something which Dark Tide greatly suffered for. In short, AA does not have all of the SW "baggage" (hate to use that term, but I do think it fits) that MAS had. And the series of books would have been so much better because of it. Allston is good at writing "Star Wars books," as opposed to writing "Mike Stackpole books with Star Wars stamped on the cover," which is what I think Dark Tide essentially was. -----signature----- ========== Intelligently Fitting The newer EU into Established Star Wars Continuity (Or How About a No-Prize) http://boards.theforce.net/message.asp?topic=1111146 "Envy the nations that have heroes. Pity the ones that need them." -- Van Zan
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IAmTheDarkSide Registered: Jan '02	Date Posted: 3/28/02 2:02pm Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: Rebel Dream (RD Spoilers imminent)
	7.5 -----signature----- Mastadge
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Caine Registered: Mar '02	Date Posted: 3/28/02 2:33pm Subject: RE: The JC Lit Reviews Special: Rebel Dream (RD Spoilers imminent)
	Zahnisms - MAS and TZ have a union going which isn't matched by other authors. AA would not have been mimicked the effects of such an "unholy alliance." So basically, you don't feel dark overtones could necessarily restrict AA's writing in any way or our appreciation of it. And that other factors ("Zahnism") plagued the DT duology, not necessarily their grim nature. Actually, I don't feel Corran really overshadowed Luke in the DT duology, but I know what you mean. -----signature----- "For what I do, weapons are irrelevant." -Jacen, from MWS' TRAITOR The Jacen Solo Fan Club: http://boards.theforce.net/message.asp?topic=4379448 ~~~
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