The Bantam Novels: what's your opinion of them? Loose ends?

I just compiled a list of the Bantam Novels, so let's use this thread to discuss:
-what do you like/dislike about the different novels?
-are there loose ends, plotlines or characters, which disappeared or were never resolved?





1. Truce at Bakura (Tyers)
-immediately after the Battle of Endor
-Rebels go to aid Bakura, protect from the Ssi-Ruuk invasion
-Anakin's spirit asks Leia for forgiveness...
-introduction of Gaeriel Captison

2. The Courtship of Princess Leia (Wolverton)
-leads to marriage of Han Solo and Leia Organa
-downfall of Imperial Warlord Zsinj
-introduction of the Hapan society, Dathomir, Taa Chume, Geztherion, Augwynne Djo, Witches of Dathomir, Prince Isolder, Teneniel Djo

3. The Thrawn Trilogy (Zahn)
-5 years after the Battle of Endor
-Grand Admiral Thrawn, a Chiss general returning to save the Empire, and Cbaoth, a mad Jedi clone, are the villains
-introduction of the Noghri, Gilad Pellaeon, Garm Bel Iblis, Talon Karrde. Coruscant is named.
-introduction of Mara Jade
-birth of Jacen and Jaina

4. The Jedi Academy trilogy (Anderson)
-Luke searches for students to create a New Jedi Order on Yavin IV
-Exar Kun's spirit is featured, the Sun Crusher appears
-introduction of Kyp Durron, Admiral Daala, Kessel, the Maw

5. I, Jedi (Stackpole)
-focus on Corran Horn, the Corellian who discovers his Jedi legacy, and his quest to save Mirax Terrik

6. The Crystal Star (McIntyre)
-set 7 years after the Battle of Endor
-appearance of Waru, Hethrir, Rillao, Tigris
-the three Solo children are kidnapped by a cult, led by Hethrir, formed around Waru and his healing powers
-Waru is a transdimensional being, uses the "Anti-Force," causes a nearby black hole to create weird side-effects on Force users

7. The Corellian Trilogy (Allen)
-introduces us to the Corellian system, Thrackan Sal-Solo, Centerpoint Station

8. Children of the Jedi (Hambly)
-introduction of Callista Ming
-appearance of the Eye of Palpatine
-Leia discovers Belsavis
-Callista takes over the body of Luke's student, they begin a romance

9. Darksaber (Anderson)
-the Hutts are reconstructing the Death Star superlaser, called the "Darksaber" and shaped like a giant lightsaber, led by Durga the Hutt
-Daala returns to unite with Pellaeon, plan to attack the New Republic, are repelled by Dorsk 81 and other Jedi at Yavin IV
-Daala uses her political skills to unite the imperial factions by killing all the warlords, and with Pellaeon founds the Imperial Remnant
-Luke & Han investigate Jabba's Palace, Durga is in the Hoth asteroid field, Luke and Callista travel to Dagobah
-discovered that Callista can only use the dark side, leaves Luke heartbroken
-Crix Madine is killed by Durga, Darksaber is destroyed

10. Planet of Twilight (Hambly)
-Leia is captured by the Beldorion the Hutt Jedi, for Seti Ashgad, on the dreary backwater planet Nam Chorios
-Seti Ashgad was Bail Organa's old friend, exiled there by Palpatine for opposing security measures, now leader of the Rationalist Party and the religious fanatical cult
-introduced to the Death Seed plague (the droch bugs, led by the human-appearing bug called Dzym), which Seti Asghad plans to release in a deal with a Moff and the Loronar Corporation
-Leia befriends Liegeus Vorn, the hologram-hacker, who helps her escape
-As a servant of Seti Ashgad, Liegus Vorn is forced to edit the personal collection of Hutt pornography for Beldorion the Hutt Jedi
-Luke searches for Callista on Nam Chorios, but finds Liegeus Vorn and unravels the conspiracy
-Daala saves the New Republic and the galaxy, and is reunited to live happily ever after with old boyfriend Liegeus Vorn

11. Black Fleet Crisis Trilogy (Kube-McDowell)
-Chief of State Leia deals with political crisis at home, and the military threat of the Yevetha
-Luke searches for his mother, finds Akanah and the Fallanasi of the White Current, has a fling with her
-Han is raising and protecting the children
-Chewbacc

 

I've only read a few of the Bantam novels. More specifically, Shadows of the Empire, The Thrawn Trilogy, and the Hand of Thrawn Duology. And what do I think of them?

SotE is great. Really bridges the gap between Episode V and IV nicely. It's nicely written and really continues in the rather dark style of Empire. Still, it was a multi-media project, and in the novel version (I don't know about the comic or the game) we see a little too little of Boba Fett, in my opinion. The focus is maybe a little too little on the mission to rescue Han.

TTT, then. What needs to be said? They are absolutely among the best Star Wars novels ever published. Especielly The Last Command is a personal favorite, probably tied with Stover's RotS and Shadows of Mindor. When the final showdowns (at Belbringi and Wayland, respectively) were closing in, I simply could not stop reading - even though I knew the endings.

HoT was... well, both the novels are good. No doubt of that. But after newly finishing TTT, I suppose my expectations were way too high. And from about the first page, I just waited for the moment when the fake Thrawn and Admiral Pelleaon would meet. Yes, I practically cheered when it finally happened. But the wait made me appreciate the rest of the story far less than I could have. So I don't regret reading them, but they're not my favorites.

 

Wow. I just realized how many of the examples in bold that I've skipped. I really wanted to know what happened to Zinj but I just couldn't put myself through CoPL. Just couldn't.

It's not a loose end but I wish Corran Horn had more to do with FotJ. He was once a fully realized character.

 

CoPL isn't terribad. Worth it for the insight on the Dathomiri witches and the odd little tidbits of galactic culture that you see in the gifts from the Hapans, if you're like me and into that sort of thing - also, the showdown between Tenel Ka and the Queen Mother is priceless. There are a few giggle-worthy lines, but overall, I'd give it a 4.5 out of 10, maybe a 5.

SoTE, while featuring one of my very, very favorite characters (Prince Xizor) left me howling for a sequel. Sure, Xizor is killed, (blacked out in case some people didn't know) but it touched off a lot of different options for continuing the story afterwards. I want to know what happened, dammit! FWIW, the music CD that was available was a real, real disappointment. (Told you it was one of my favorites; I have the CD and the comic/action figure tie in) I'd give it a 7.5 out of 10- I love it and can reread it fairly often.

Truce at Bakura- read this recently. Again, I have the same complaint as with SoTE- there's SO much material there that could be developed more. The ending seemed a little forced, but some of the narrative was very nicely done. 6 out of 10.

I, Jedi - LOVED this book. No one could have done this but Stackpole. He does full justice to Corran, Ooryl, and Mirax, and even good ol' Booster. To agree with Manisphere, Corran should have not gone gently into the good night of the GFFA. We need more Corran! 7.5 of 10.

Crispin's Han Solo Trilogy- if you can find them, buy them. It's wonderful to see how the scruffy nerf-herder got his start and how he became the lovable rogue we all know. 8 of 10, overall.

X-Wing Series- I'll admit, I was loath to start this series, because the person who recommended it to me isn't known for great taste in literature (she's a huge Twilight fan) but once I started I couldn't stop. It is very refreshing to see some blantant humor in the GFFA! The battles are extremely well written, and I even love the Wraith Squadron books as well (Runt is a character that should be immortalized!) Not for everybody, but I really, really liked them. The Lusankya events are just...wow. 8 of 10, for the whole series.

I don't think I need to add my voice to the howling masses singing the praises of TTT- I loved it. I want to meet Thrawn. I want to have dinner with him and discuss politics and statecraft and art. Him, and Machiavelli, and pre-Sidious Palpatine.

Bounty Hunter Wars - I got into these because I had a nerd-girl-ish sort of crush on Boba Fett for awhile I liked them, though the insight into the Trandoshans was kind of icky, especially the skinner. The Assembler is a very intriguing character. I recommend this trilogy for anyone who is interested in the seedy underbelly of the GFFA with one major caveat- as I have said before on these boards, with some judicious editing, thise easily could have been one very good, fast-paced and quick-moving book instead of three that drag along a bit in places. 7 of 10 for the series as a whole.

 

Until I read this list I didn't realize how many good books were from Bantam. I don't really think of the publisher when reading a book.

 

I suppose you could say that Callista is a loose end...

Also, I sort of expected to see the kids from the Galaxy of Fear novels popping up as Jedi Knights.

 

What about Waru and Ken Palpatine?

I'd also like to know if any restoration takes place on Honoghr for the Noghri, or Caamas. Maybe they were part of the Ossus Project?

Bel Iblis also disapeared, although that's not Bantam's fault.

It seems like Brakiss' force-sensitive son Tigris might have played a future role too, but I don't think he ever showed up again.

 

Tigris was Hethrir's son, and IIRC, he wasn't Force sensitive, which was considered peculiar since both his parents were.

 

personally i like the Bantam books more than the Del Rey. i know they really are the same publisher, i'm just using the names to differentiate. i miss the episodic nature, one didn't HAVE to buy every single novel. back then if i thought a plot was ridiculous i just didn't read it. to this day i still won't pick up The Crystal Star or Planet of Twilight.

although the negative is that the authors were constantly referencing the OT. Luke stubs his toe and spends a paragraph thinking about Jabba's palace.

 

Opinions replacing the outlines. As for general opinion, I think there were better authors doing m

 

My opinions are underlined

 

I thought Truce At Bakura was a good novel. I loved Courtship, especially luke on Dathomir. I thought the Thrawn trilogy was legendary, and New Rebellion was well done. although i was annoyed at Luke being weakened for his battle against Kueller. I thought the Black fleet crisis was horrible for the most part, and The Corellian Trilogy was good in parts, but not great. I love the Hand of Thrawn Duology, especially VOTF. I also thought COTJ was great, but i did not like DarkSaber, and i hated Planet Of Twilight. Crystal Star was a horrible joke, but i enjoyed the Jedi Academy Trilogy.