Star Wars Dark Tide II Ruin Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I fondly remember Michael A. Stackpole's X-Wing series and I, Jedi. He's perhaps the best writer when it comes to dogfights and Rogue Squadron. I don't think he's as strong in the New Jedi Order series. I do think Dark Tide II: Ruin is better than Dark Tide I: Onslaught. However, both are plagued by similar problems.
Stackpole presents a world in which all politicians are aping morons and all military men are honorable and intelligent. I understand this is Star Wars, and the prequels weren't exactly a civics class, but sometimes Stackpole takes this too far. Some of his characters' comments about politics are just unbelievable. It seems in every chapter at least one character makes a snide comment about how the military needs to get its work done before the politicians interfere. For example, Fel, an Imperial Tie Fighter pilot, snubs the New Republic politicians and bows only to its military officials. When asked why, he goes into a monologue about how politicians just argue and only military men solve problems. Meanwhile, the politicians seem almost treasonous in their stupidity and unwillingness to confront the Yuuzhan Vong threat. In the real world, if anything politicians have been almost too willing to hype threats and seize more power, rather than to ignore them. Although I did find the touch of a Bothan admiral to be a nice departure from normal conventions.
Fortunately, unlike the first Dark Tide book, Stackpole presents several interesting plot twists, from an alliance between the New Republic and Imperials to a potential bioweapon against the Yuuzhan Vong. These developments make for a more dynamic situation in which we're not just confronted with despair but also dashes of hope and intrigue. Elegos, the Caamasi senator, becomes particularly important as the New Republic envoy to the Yuuzhan Vong. We see him grow and change in unexpected ways. Still, even with these segments, I thought Stackpole too often took the easy route. I know Admiral Pellaeon is noble, but still it seems utterly unrealistic for the Imperials to agree to an alliance with the New Republic so easily.
Despite its weaknesses, Dark Tide II: Ruin is a fun story and advances the New Jedi Order series admirably. Overall, 3.75 stars.

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While Luke struggles to keep the Jedi together, Knights Jacen Solo and Corran Horn set out to learn some kind of secret that might be used to undermine the enemy. With a team of commandos they slip onto Gardi, an occupied world. If they are discovered, the Jedi will fall, and the New Republic will die...

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