New Clone Wars Stealth Novel

[Scorch8015]

After reading Wild Space by Karen Miller and finding it to be one of my worst Star Wars EU reading experiences, I swore to myself that I wouldn't read any more of her work unless she ended up doing Imperial Commando 2 in which I would muddle through the story for the sake of finishing the series and seeing what exactly happens to the characters that I came to love. However, I was in Barnes and Noble yesterday, and I couldn't resist buying a copy of the Clone Wars Stealth novel that Miller came out with, mainly because I have a compulsion to buy anything that comes with a Star Wars label on it. Anyway, I bought it, and I just finished reading it this evening.

Overall, I thought it was an improvement over Wild Space, because I feel like Miller understood the characters of people like Obi-Wan and Anakin a bit better in this book, which counts for a lot in my opinion. It still wasn't great or anything, since I was annoyed by Miller's tendency to either write in run-ons or in fragments as well as by the comma splices galore. I also wasn't a big fan of the ending, either. It just felt very abrupt. Still, I think I have sort of made my peace with Miller after seeing her improve a bit in this novel at least in terms of characterization.

Essentially, I was just wondering if anyone else around here had read the book and had any comments on it.

[Fenn Shysa]

because I have a compulsion to buy anything that comes with a Star Wars label on it.

Same here. - Ever since I picked up KT's Order 66, (my first EU book), about seven months ago; I have not been able to get enough it. -I've read approx 20 EU books since then and have been loving this ride.

I have not yet tried any of Karen Miller's books. -I had seen a big consenus of Wild Space / Miller bashing; and so, I have purosefully avoided her. Although, I may try "Stealth" now that I've seen your take on it.

-Thank you for taking a chance on it, (and telling us about it); after suffering through her previous one.

[Scorch8015]

Fenn, I'm glad someone else besides me has to read basically every EU book they can get their hands on. (Hee, I've even read the Jedi Apprentice and Jedi Quest ones, and they are for children, because I can't resist an EU book that crosses my path.) I don't know how many Eu books I've read, but it hasn't been enough, and I really enjoyed most of them, except Wild Space, which I found a tedious trainwreck of mischaracterization.

Your welcome for taking a chance on it, since it was more a case of addiction to Star Wars than bravery, and if you do try Stealth, I hope that you find it a decent read. (It's not a great book by any means, but it is better than her last one, I think, and I find it an acceptable effort.)

[Vlet Hansen]

the only SW author I don't like is Troy Denning... Miller might not be the best ever, but she's okay...

[Scorch8015]

I think Troy Denning is the worst EU author I've encountered, Vlet. Whenever I read his stuff, I just wonder what he is on exactly. I didn't like Miller's Wild Space that much, but, as I said, Stealth was an improvement, and I like seeing authors get better, so I've made my peace with Miller. She may not be the best author ever, but I can tolerate her. As long as she doesn't go back to Wild Space level, I will not mind if she keeps writing EU material, since Stelath wasn't nearly as cringe-worthy as Wild Space in my opinion. 

[Fenn Shysa]

I have heard other complaints about Troy Denning; and so, I have been avoiding him also.
[And, its a shame because he has something like 13 SW books which is about the same as KT's number. (And I think that's most  of any other author - I think KT and TD are tied)]

But, thanks to you guys; I think I'll give Miller a shot.

[Scorch8015]

Avoiding Denning is wise choice, if you ask me, unless you like bashing your hand to your forehead at his foolishness.

I hope that you find Stealth at least somewhat enjoyable:)

[Vlet Hansen]

yeah, reading Denning you have to wonder if he even knows who he's writing for... or if he's read any of the other books in that series...

[Fenn Shysa]

It's kind of funny; because Denning and KT, (and A Allston) are all over the Legacy of the Force series.
And I had previously read KT's Bloodlines; and just yesterday I opted to skip Denning's and Allston's and went straight to KT's Sacrifice.
I had totally thought that there would be a lot of events that I missed; (that were in Tempest or Exile). But, it seems like Sacrifice picks up almost right were Bloodlines left off (like her RC series).

I'm glad that I'm not too lost by skipping Denning's; but, it almost seems weird that each of them are so independent. (Maybe not weird, per se. I guess it is just the era and/or the common characters that make them part of the series).

And, I love how KT has taken to writing about an old Boba Fett; and making some references to some of our heroes from Kyromirout. - Oya !

[Vlet Hansen]

while I liked the development, she kinda shoehorned them in...

[Fenn Shysa]

she kinda shoehorned them in...

I kind of agree.
-Although, the Boba / Mando parts of the book are by far my favorite.

Boba and Arla just met up with Jaing and Mird; and it was pretty freaking sweet !

Jacen Solo, and all his political maneuverings, tend to put me to sleep.
And, Luke and Mara.. all they do is argue about Ben. What I would give for one of them to just kill somebody, all ready.

I guess other authors have done it; but, to me it seems like a big undertaking to attempt to write so many main-universe characters (e.g. Luke, Leia, Han, Boba, etc) all in one book. They all seem to be rather flat and somewhat non-descript.
Boba has the most charcter out of all of them. But, that's probably because KT has the whole Mando-angle to write about for him. But, even with that; she is not writing so much about who he is as opposed to who he isn't. (i.e. For being Mandalore, he doesn't know so much about Mandalorians, etc.)

[Vlet Hansen]

Not Arla, he was with Mirta...

I actually find myself engrossed in the socio-political aspect of Star Wars...

[Fettishist]

Perhaps one of my all time favorite moments in a Star Wars EU novel was in Revelations.

Boba Fett knee-capped Jacen I'm a wanna be Dark Lord of the Sith Solo with a blaster.

Don't get me wrong, I love Han Solo, and Leia.  I love the whole idea of them, even force sensative children, but it was too soon for a whiny darksider to take over the galaxy.

[Fettishist]

I thought Wild Space was rough. Miller barely bridged the gap for KT.
A friend gave me Stealth, it's next on my reading list.
I'm trying hard prevent Lucas from getting any of my money.
I can only express my anger towards LFL with my wallet.
The only exception I make is for my 5 year old nephew, he's big into Clone Wars right now, and I won't deny him.
I had my Star Wars childhood, his turn (even if it isn't all I hoped for now as a franchise).

[Vlet Hansen]

so you're ticked off enough to boycott Lucas? sheesh...

I thought it was Beviin or someone who kneecapped Solo, Fett was elsewhere and that's why they didn't shoot him outright anyway...

[Fettishist]

So did I Vlet, but I re-read the section for the post and it seems like Fett did. Page 334-340
I admit, I was tired. Either way a Mando shot a whiny darksider in the knee for fun and profit.

[Vlet Hansen]

Yeah... fun times...

[Mia Ge'tal'mesh]

Either way a Mando shot a whiny darksider in the knee for fun and profit.

That part was hilariously awesome.  Bolt in the knee, just for laughs.  But it wasn't Fett, it was Baltan Carid, one of his supercommandos.  And his whole line to Jaina Solo afterward made it perfect: "No offense, Jedi, but kneecapping your brother made my day, it surely did!"  lmao!

[Vlet Hansen]

I knew it wasn't Fett... yeah, we all want to shoot Solo for being such a flaming jerk...

[Fenn Shysa]

"No offense, Jedi, but kneecapping your brother made my day, it surely did!"

That's awesome !

I just finished Sacrifice; and I had been waiting for Boba and Mirta to get a little payback on Jacen.
-And he is a whiny darksider. -probably my least favorite Sith.