black fleet crisis

is it a good read?

is it worth it?

and should i try to get it, or is it not that relevant in story lines?

thanks for any help

 

I found it a good read, although a lot of them will disagree.

It provides a different look into the New Republic military and government. We get to see the inner workings of each, and the trials and tribulations peoples go through in each respective branch.

I recommend it to you.

 

I loved it. It was a very good plot, though the end isn't too great. The main plot is awesome, while Lando's side plot was interesting and good too. Luke's plot wasn't too good, but it's still all right reading. Luke's plot is kind of hard to follow, and you can see why after reading why it wouldn't work.

I think it's important to the arc, because this is the series where the New Republic finishes that transition from rebels to government, and you can see how that creates new problems.

 

Dialect...
"Is it a good read?"
Well, I actually did not enjoy it the first time I read it. However, I reread it again a couple of years later and now have a much better opinion of it. For what it does, it does well. However, there are still portions which I think could've been done differently. The big picture - the positives far outweigh the negatives.

"Is it worth it?"
Yes.

The first time through, it took me a long time to make it through Shield of Lies and Tyrant's test. However, I'm glad I did.

You may enjoy it on the first reading, and get much more enjoyment on successive readings. Or, it may take you a couple of times.

 

Other than Luke's entire side quest, it is a very good story. Not very important overall, but still good to read.

 

I warn you though, the parts with Lando just wandering around that ship WILL put you asleep.

 

The military aspects of the series are quite good. The political aspect is also handled well. Lando's plotline is hit and miss, and Luke's story is pretty bad. About halfway through the second book, I started skipping the Luke sections. The author very nicely grouped them together for easier skipping.

 

That's funny, I found the Lando parts to be the best of the series.

When I read them for the first time, I didn't like them at all, but nowadays, I absolutely love them.

 

2/3 yes

yes

yes

 

The Lando sections are also my favorite. His whole quest is very remniscent of the mystery of the Sharu temples in Lando Calrissian and the Mindharp of Sharu.

 

Personally, only Tyrant's Test is worth reading. However, you need to make up your own mind about this trilogy. Which means read it and decide for yourself.

 

In Shield of Lies, skip the Lando section(maybe even the Luke section) or you will find mind wandering and not really paying attention to the story. In other words, that section is boring.

 

I think the series was very good except for Lukes wild goose chase.

I read them again recently...anybody else find parrallels to Yvethra and the Vong?

just an observation

 

No, do not skip the Lando section. It was virtually the only thing worth reading in the whole book.

 

Make up your mind people!!!!

Lando or no Lando????

Nil Spaar was one Bada**. . . . . great Star Wars moment when he was beating up Han Solo. Some great stuff.

 

Lando's story rocks, plain and simple.

 

I wish more of K-Mac's military stuff made it to other novels. We see alot of his political ideas and views of Coruscant in the NJO, but only Luceno has made any references to the military aspects of the trilogy. I always liked Brand.

 

I'm glad that a lot of his stuff has made it into the NJO novels. Well, the Luceno novels, that is.

 

I liked that too. And he actually got to talk to. Someone pointed out that he's usually like Lassie in most of the books.
Ex. In most books.
Chewie. Rwooorrrrrrr
Han: What chewie, Jacen fell down a well?
Chewie: Rwoooooorrrrr
Leia: I think he wants us to follow him
Not so in BFC.

 

Well, Chewie was barely in the first book, and he wasn't in the second book at all. Only in the third book do we really get to see him shine.

 

Thats A LOT better than the first book of the NJO when we get to see him die.

But I think there may be a way for them to spin him back to life... it won't happen though.

 

I have made up my mind. The only parts I found actually intresting enough to keep me from nodding off while reading the first two books were the parts with Lando, Lobot, and the droids. Well, those and the Chewie parts. The only thing McDowell did real well in his books was write Chewbacca. Unlike most authors who don't seem to know what to do with the Wookiee, McDowell actually had an idea how to use him. But for the most part these books were far too concerned with politics, something that was not before or since a major plot for Star Wars (with the possible exception of Cloak of Deception, which I'm unforetunately having to wait for in paperback to find out about). Politics has always been more a means to support the plot, not the plot itself.

 

The only part that bugged me was Luke sitting out of the battle in the End. I thought that was just BS. The Luke Skywalker I picture wouldn't sit and watch while his friends went into battle. Other than that I thought the books where very good.

 

Yes, it is a good read especially for older people becasue it is more politically complex than the other novels. If you're into SW EU just for the action then you may not enjoy it as much