The JC Lit Reviews Special: DARK NEST I: THE JOINER KING (spoilers)

I generally agree with Adm. Nick. I thought this was a solid if unspectacular SW novel. At first I thought it jumped about a bit too much, but it found its pace and was a good read, if with more typos than normal. I really liked Jacen here, liked Luke, Leia and Han. Liked the Indiana Jones reference. I don't know whether I'm more concerned that Jaina, Zekk, etc. will be stuck in their condition, or will find some cheap way out of it when the series ends. I liked Leia's decision. I like that this was not a huge galaxy-threatening conflict (at least, known galaxy) -- it was nice that the Galactic Alliance wasn't at stake. It was good to see the Chiss retcons as well. My favorite chapter was probably the one with Tenel Ka and Jacen, followed by Leia and Alema. I definitely enjoyed the book pretty much through and through, even if I'm tired of the same-old Jedi debates, and it has me stoked for Volume 2.

8.3

 

Counting 7 ratings: 56.3/7 = 8.04

 

I'm from Poland and I've a question... is TJK available in bookstores now? Because there are no infos about it on main page. Tommorow I go to the bookstore where I can order books from the USA. But they bring only books that are really available, so I must know it

 

Cool. I just got back from Poland. And yes, it is on shelves now.

 

Ooh, thanks What did you do in my contry? And which city did you visit?

PS.Maybe it would be interesting to you... polish SW-books cost more than american...

 

Proszę bardzo. My grandfather is Polish. I was just checking out my roots. I started in Warszawa, travelled to Lódz, where my grandfather lived when he was my age, down through Czestochowa, Katowica, Krakow, then over to Kazimierz. A few smaller towns. Didn't have time to get up to Gdansk like I wanted.

 

Interesujace I live in Sosnowiec, the medium-size city that is locate close to Katowice. I hope that you like my country and will back to see Gdansk

 

Ahhh.. the day I delurk into the murky realm of the lit boards.

Rating: ~8.2

Thoughts:

This is my first SW novel I've completed post Thrawn Duology, so there were some minor issues remebering who everone was and what thier MO was (I had a passing knowledge of what happened in NJO but didnt complete any of the books). However after the first couple pages I got sucked back into the EU. So I would firstly like to say the book is a decent place to jump off into EU so long as you have a passing knowledge of what has gone on before (or cheat sheets ). The story was good and solid but nothing amazing. I'll definately read the following two books in the Trilogy (as ive already preordered on Amazon).


Remember be nice to the Lurker

 

What was the Indiana Jones reference?

 

Warszawa My city

I'm getting the book tomorrow Yes!!!

 

Ooh, Chimpo Hello there!

My book will be in my hands probably at the end of August

 

A gdzie zamawiasz?

BTW hello

 

W Katowicach w Omnibusie. Calkiem niezle ceny, tylko trzeba czekaæ 4-6 tygodni...

 

Czyli cos takiego jak u nas w American Bookstore.

Lepiej skonczmy z tym polskim albo skonczymy z banami

 

Han said in the book (cant remeber the page) something to the effect of Bugs, I hate Bugs.

its kind of funny because of Harrisons other charaters famous Snakes, I hate Snakes.

 

Counting 8 ratings: 64.5/8 = 8.06

 

LOL, that is actualy quite nice indeed.

 

My score is an 7.5

The good:

The Han and Leia banter was fabulous. These two are a match made in heaven and to keep it going on for so long makes me wish I had someone like that.

Luke and Mara and Ben: good all around for them

Saba: Loved everything about her, including being Leia's choice as a Master

and basic storyline. It's different, and I like different.

The bad:

I didn't think the timing of the Padme thing was right. I would have put it in the beginning of the book, keeping Luke and Leia too preoccupied to notice all the Jedi Knights disappearing.

The whole hive thing. Not really that the Knights became part of the hive but that Jaina and Zekk were so attuned with each other they became like a he-she, siamese twins but not. And that whole throat clicking, touchy feely thing. Ewwwwww!!

Jag seemed cold and unless something devestating happened during his time in the Known Regions that 5 years, I can't see him returning to the old him. Plus he only gets cameo's? What was that?

And the Jedi Council. I could have sworn Kenth Hamner was for one thing during one discussion and then when they went to something similar chose the opposite.

Finally, what the heck did they do to Kyp? Did he get amnesia and forget everything that happened during NJO? He changed and now he changed back?

 

Counting 9 ratings: 72/9 = 8

 

Grr. The site refuses to post my review (which, admittedly, is a bit on the big size at nearly 5 KB).

 

Split it in twain.

 

My rating 7.5 out of 10.

I felt this book was good. Not a great novel, but a solid one. It had some strong points, as well as a few weak ones.

Some of the things I liked about The Joiner King:

- The character portrayals, especially of Luke, Mara, Jacen and Leia.

- The new view of the Force by the Jedi, and how it effects them. I especially like how even though Luke seems to follow this new view, he still has reservations about it.

- The Padme' storyline. I am looking forward to when Luke and Leia finally get all the knowledge about their mother.

- Leia finally becoming a true Jedi, and taking Saba as her master.

Some things I did not like about The Joiner King:

- Jaina and Zekk, rubbing forearms and acting like "siamese twins". I dont mind them becoming Joiners, but I am afraid of how they will solve this. I think either they will just suddenly get over it, or they will solve it in the same they did Tahiri and Jaina and Zekk will become part Jedi part Joiner.

- I also did not like the way certain Jedi were arguing that the Jedi were responsible to the GFFA. I feel that is the same problem the prequel Jedi faced, as they felt they were responsible to the Old Republic. I feel the Jedi are responsible to the Force and the people, not the government.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, and I am looking forward to the Unseen Queen

 

Counting 10 ratings: 79.5/10 = 7.95

 

I give it an 8.8.

 

Counting 11 ratings: 88.3/11 = 8.03