Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)First, a warning: you can't take Star Wars: Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor too seriously. Matt Stover's latest entry into the Star Wars universe is at times over the top, but that's the point. As the prologue indicates, this is really a "story within a story." Luke Skywalker expresses his exasperation with tabloid "holodramas" of his adventures and tries to set the record straight. The ensuing story is yet another example of an exaggeration of Skywalker's exploits - and, most likely, Stover's implicit commentary on the direction of the Star Wars Expanded Universe.
The narration for the book often adopts a sarcastic tone or looks into the minds of the characters. Again, odd for a Star Wars novel, but one Stover uses to good effect. Some of the plot devices in the story are quite clever, such as the "holodrama" called "Luke Skywalker and the Jedi's Revenge," a twisted retelling of the events of Star Wars Episode VI - Return of the Jedi. There were a few other funny or insightful references, such as how Han fumes about the too-perfect, too-handsome Mandalorian warriors. I'd always been a bit flabbergasted at how so many other writers treat the Mandalorians as near-sacred, so I'm glad Stover poked some fun at this.
I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5 because the plot got convoluted, particularly near the end. The use of gravity bombs and weapons simply went over the top. The end battle scenes were littered with techno-babble, which actually obscured how the Republic forces actually escape (if that's a spoiler, then ). One character, Kar Vastor, is introduced near the end, seems important, but is never really explained. It almost seems like the ending was rushed, or at least not quite as engrossing as the first three-quarters.
Overall, this book is probably not quite right for all audiences. You have to be willing to accept it as a fun adventure story, not worry about whether it constitutes "cannon" in the Star Wars EU. I'll put it this way: if you liked Brian Daley's comic-style Star Wars: The Han Solo Adventures (A Del Rey book), then definitely give Star Wars: Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor a try. If you prefer the more serious tone of the New Jedi Order, you might find yourself frustrated with this book.
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