Lou, KY October 2013 Book Club Poll: Back to Bantam!

For October, I thought we should go back to the 90s. Back to when we got two books a year. Back to Bantam Publishing!


The Truce at Bakura by Kathy Tyers, picks up immediately after Return of the Jedi. The plot is a self-contained story about the Empire’s and the Rebel Alliance's efforts to save the population of Bakura from an invasion by the lizard-like Ssi-ruuk. One of my favorites, the book is the first to feature an extra-galactic threat—one that comic readers had read in the old Marvel, and a theme that would reappear years later in the NJO series of books. The novel also has one of the first religions in the Star Wars universe – one that sees the Jedi/Sith as immoral.

The next novel, The Crystal Star by Vonda N. McIntyre, is perhaps best known for being consistently at the top of fans' lists of the worst Star Wars books ever published. Hey, it’s Halloween right? Well, the book is not bad at all, but it is weird as Sith. Its plot about a secret cult surrounding a being from another dimension is certainly odd in the Star Wars universe, at best. The Crystal Star is notable for being the first novel to focus on the Solo children as characters. Twisty and I read this book to each other every night.

The The Hutt Gambit: Book Two of the Han Solo Trilogy by A.C. Crispin goes back in time, exploring Han Solo's life before the Rebel Alliance. The Hutt Gambit develops Han Solo's partnership with Chewbacca and entrance into the world of smuggling under Jabba the Hutt. True, this is the middle of a three book cycle, but stands alone very well. The plot points of the first book are retold, and re-retold, in the narrative: and besides, it is Han Solo! You know him! Of course, you are more than welcome to read all three books, and will get bonus points for doing so. Like the OT, the middle one is the best of the three.

 

Ah yes... gotta go with another Han book. Han Mi-Bookee.

 

Considering AC Crispin was a guest at ConGlomeration several years ago...AND she came to my room party...I have to vote for the Hutt Gambit

 

I'm casting my vote the way I always do. Going for The Crystal Star. Even though the book is weird, it still deserves some love, if only just a little...lol!

 

Woot! +1 Crystal Star!

 

Waru Waru Waru

 

wut the hey... I'll take me some Crystal Star too.

 

Aaah! Tied again!

 

Untied and unhinged!

 

As interesting as the Crystal Star sounds just the thought of twisty and jammies being together at bedtime

Well lets just say I'm trying too get it out of my mimdddddddddd,

OMG I'm ruined.

On a brighter side the Hutt Gambit would give me the chance to find out how the twosome did get together.

 

Yes, but you will never know the lowest depravity of the universe until you Read the Crystal Star....lol....nothing could ever prepare you for Waru, the Great and powerful.

 

And, the way the poll is going, it looks like we all will

It is not THAT bad! But it is WEIRD. Sometimes, you need that to appreciate the good books out there. Or, just to be a well-rounded star wars fan.

 

I cast my vote and leave the fate of our choices in the hands of those who know differently about the SW universe.

Even if it is the weirder side of the galaxy

 

OK Gang I cast my vote and we're all tied up again...

 

Eeevil

 

Come on those of you who haven't voted...let's get Waru some love!

 

Looks like we've got a pod race going on here..

Hey we could alway choose a side read for those that want too!!!

Just a suggestion if Waru doesn't pull ahead at the finish line!!

 

Just say Booooo! to Waru

 

And now we are untied.
\IT is weird, but not bad-- besides, we are all about the discussions!

 

That's why I want it to win. I can't wait to hear the out of this world discussions for this book.

 

LMAO!!!!!

 

OH Sith spit the tie is off by the tie breaker!

 

Mika!! EPIC Vader!

 

Aaaand oops. I tied it back up. A.C. Crispin's Han Solo trilogy has and will always be one of my favorite book series. Han was always my favorite character, and this book trilogy did a fantastic job catching the feel and essence of Han in his early years.