Victories and Sacrifices (Star Wars: Clone Wars, Vol. 2) Review

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(More customer reviews)Clone Wars Volume 2, "Victories and Sacrifices", progresses the Clone Wars in ways only graphic novels can. For followers of this graphic series, you really have no choice but to continue with the purchase of Victories and Sacrifices. Here's the rundown of what to expect in the second of the series.
First of all, the Confederacy comes in right off the bat with chemical warfare. The main objective for Obi-Wan Kenobi is to find the cure. In this, we meet Asajj Ventress and Durge, a Dark Jedi and a biological phenom respectively. Both play their part in the war against the Republic, serving Count Dooku with no remorse as to the effects of their actions.
We also learn the stories of unheard of Jedi, one in particular, a fascinating Jedi Healer named Master Fay who "never raised her lightsaber in combat". Her story alone is brilliant, and will please any fan of the Star Wars universe. It's simply marvelous what this book does for the face and meaning of the true Jedi Master.
The main element you will take from Victories and Sacrifices is how amazing Obi-Wan Kenobi is as a Jedi Knight. You'll adore his adventures and his willpower in this collection, and especially see how deserving he is of his spot on the Jedi Council.
One last thing... you meet an ARC trooper, and they are yet another wonderful story in the ever expanding universe of Star Wars. ARCs are more independent (more like Jango Fett himself) than the other clones, and they are true warriors.
This collection has the next great chapter in the Clone Wars saga. If you haven't read Clone Wars Volume 1, do so first. Once again, Star Wars proves itself as truly the greatest franchise to ever be created.

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From one of the swamp moons of Naboo, to the war-torn cityscapes of Brentaal IV, the battles of the Clone Wars have thrown the galaxy into turmoil. New Separatist threats, ranging from deadly biological weapons, to dark Jedi, to unkillable alien bounty hunters, have the loyalist Jedi and their clone troops pushed to their limits. This graphic novel collection contains three separate, yet linked stories of heroism and sacrifice set during the time between Episode II and Episode III!

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Star Wars, Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back Review

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(More customer reviews)We all know the story that unfolds in The Empire Strikes Back, and many people consider it to be the best of the films. So what does an author do to make the story seem fresh to the reader? Add details? Change the story? Closely follow the film? In the case of this book, Mr. Glut has elected to follow the film. I think he made the right decision, and he describes the action very well. I was not distracted by being familiar with the story, and I think that the unique individual who has not seen the film would obtain a good grasp of the tale by reading this book. Just as in the film, it was great fun to follow our heroes from Hoth to Bespin and Dagobah. One can only wonder what happens next.

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The New Essential Guide to Characters (Star Wars) Review

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(More customer reviews)Truly essential! Doubtless any Star Wars fan will find this book as fun, informative and entertaining as I did. I have the earlier edition as well, and while it was good in it's time, it became hideousely out of date quickly, and a new edition was definitely needed. I'd definitely say that this fantastic book is the best of the Essential Guides period; the author's clear, straightford, and unbiased tone are what really gives the book it's charm. Many of the minor inconsistensies between the novels are easily explained away here as well. And of course the illustrations. WOW!!! They certainly picked the right guy for this job; everyone is perfect, just how I imagined them. Among my favorites were Mara (deadly yet beautiful), Jacen (Wow, who ever guessed he'd be that cute), and Tsavong Lah (delightfully hideous). My only minor gripe is that a few characters, such as Callista for example, who hasn't even been MENTIONED in eight or nine years, kept a spot in the actual book, whereas a key character in the New Jedi Order such as Tenel Ka, or Jagged Fel were reduced to the "other persons of note" section in the back. Being that I despise Callista (always have always will) and adore Tenel Ka this irritated me enough that I took off a star for it. Desipite this however, I definitely recommend this book for any Star Wars fan, young or old. It would probably help if you have a fairly well read backround in the Expanded Universe, but this one promises to be entertaining even to amateur fans. Oh, also worthy of note, major AOTC spoilers in this one.

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The Star Wars universe is expanding faster than ever before, and Star Wars: The Essential Guide to Characters has received an exciting new face-lift–with completely updated text and more than a hundred brand new, full-color illustrations by extraordinary new artist Michael Sutfin. This all-new Essential Guide features detailed profiles of more than one hundred and thirty characters from across the Star Wars galaxy, including all of your favorites–such as Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Darth Vader, and Mara Jade–as well as, from Episode II: • Jango Fett • Count Dooku • Anakin Skywalker • Zam WesellAnd the key players from Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace:• Queen Amidala • Qui-Gon Jinn • Mace Windu • Darth MaulHere is complete, updated coverage of the novels from the incredible New Jedi Order and all of the classic movies, books, comics, TV specials, games, and the rest of the Star Wars universe.This must-have book describes the essential history and personal data for each character–with vital statistics, homeworlds, and political affiliations.More characters, more information, brilliant artwork–the Essential Guides are hotter than ever!

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Vindication (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Vol. 6) Review

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(More customer reviews)I think it was hard coming off Vector, but the writers did a brilliant job. It picks up right where Vector left and starts to involve more of the original elements from the game. Previous volumes went off on so many tangents, it began to lose sight of the mission, which was to flesh out the game.
This book really does both. It satisfies the fans of the game and those looking for an original storyline. Plus the art from Brian Ching is top-notch. At the same time it feels both vivid and fluid. Clearly this has been the best book in the series to date.

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Fugitive Padawan Zayne Carrick's quest to clear his name is finally concluded in this huge, novel-length volume!Zayne and his con-artist companion Gryph commit to exposing the dark actions of the secret Jedi Covenant. Doing so takes them not only to the homeworld of one of Zayne's murdering Masters, but into the most highly guarded place on the planet - a storehouse of Sith artifacts! But his days as a renegade won't end there! Zayne's search for justice will continue to Coruscant, where he'll confront his Master, Lucien Draay, and the members of the Jedi Covenant in a showdown that will end his days as a fugitive - one way, or another!

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Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords (Prima Official Game Guide) Review

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(More customer reviews)I never really liked Prima guides before but this one is an exception. The organization is really good. The maps are excellent. There are warnings before major spoilers. Basically it is well written and well layed out especially when you compare this with the knights of the old republic I guide.

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You are the Republic's only hope . . . or biggest threat. ·Detailed stats, equipment, and ability descriptions for all party members ·Covers all main allies and foes ·Exhaustive Jedi Mastery helps you master each Jedi class ·Detailed maps for every planet and location ·Construct the ultimate weapon and armor kits with our expert workbench tips ·All Secret Powers unearthed! ·All Jedi Party Members Revealed! ·The best ranged and melee weapons combat tested and approved!

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Last Stand on Jabiim (Star Wars: Clone Wars, Vol. 3) Review

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(More customer reviews)This would have been a very good book if not for one very large blunder on the part of the editors at Dark Horse, who should have sent the script back to writer Haden Blackman with the following written on the cover page in red ink: Why doesn't Anakin feel Obi-Wan die in the Force?
There's a scene here where Obi-Wan is caught in a missile barrage and in the ensuing confusion of battle is never heard from again. He is presumed dead, a quite obvious conclusion under most circumstances. But as we are dealing with beings capable of "feeling" the presence of others in the Force; as we are dealing with Anakin Skywalker, the most powerful Force user in the living memory of the Jedi (which is quite long, as Yoda has lived for nearly a millennia); when we are dealing with two individuals tightly bonded as master and apprentice, and when these two are located only a short physical distance from each other, then the idea that Anakin accepts Obi-Wan's death so quickly and so easily is quite frankly ridiculous. At first I thought perhaps the pair had concocted a ruse enabling Obi-Wan to go underground on some secret mission. That seemed much more likely as we are never shown Anakin mourning the loss of Obi-Wan, even when we get plenty of scenes with other Padawan mourning the death of their masters and pondering on the meaning of life and sacrifice as they prepare to face the next battle in this long-running war.
Obi-Wan's supposed death turns out to be a lazy solution to a plotting problem - how to get rid of the master so that the student can take the lead. On the rain-soaked planet of Jabiim, the inhabitants have divided into factions supporting Republic and Separatist forces, and as the battle drags on the only Jedi left standing are the Padawan. Trained to accept orders from the Jedi, the Republic clone army must follow these apprentices into a last battle against a numerically superior enemy. But rather than waste their forces on Jabiim, Chancellor Palpatine orders a last minute retreat, leaving Anakin in the position of choosing to stay and support the Jabiimi loyal to the Republic, or leave them to be slaughtered by an army of droids.
How much more poignant the decision would have been if Anakin knew Obi-wan was alive in the Force, but missing in action, that when giving the order to evacuate the troops he would be abandoning not only the Jabiimi but his master as well.
As it stands, we're left with a huge whole in the plot that is never adequately explained, in this book or any of the Clone Wars stories that follow. Fortunately, the tale is not an entire waste. Brian Ching is on hand to provide some of the best artwork of the entire Clone Wars series, illustration that is realistic, fluid and cinematic. Where Haden stumbles, Ching soars and the book is almost worth getting for the artwork alone.
For those interested in a follow-up, there is a Second Battle of Jabiim, published as "In The Footsteps Of Their Fathers," which sees Luke Skywalker and the Rebel Alliance visiting the planet many years later to support the Jabiimi resistance against the Empire. See my review of that book on the "In the Shadows of Their Fathers" page.

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General Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan Anakin Skywalker find themselves in command of a regiment of Clone Troopers on the muddy battlefields of the rain world of Jabiim. With their supply lines stretched thin and reinforcements unable to land due to the perpetual storms, the Jedi and their army have become easy targets for the rebel Alto Stratus and his elite Nimbus warriors. The situation goes from bad to worse when General Kenobi is listed missing in action, and Anakin is teamed with a group of other masterless young Jedi on a doomed mission to hold the last line in the Republic's defense!

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Star Wars Omnibus: Rise Of The Sith Review

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(More customer reviews)The rise of the sith omnibus has about five or six different stories in it. Some of which range from really good to mediocre, some of the better stories are
Last stand on Ord Mantell:
, Where Qui Gon and Obi Wan discover a criminal masquerading as a Jedi. This guy is involved in a mystery with a group of locally hated aliens. All of which points toward the Sith setting things in motion that will eventually lead up to the Phantom Menace.
Vow Of Justice:,
This story is about Ki-Adi-Mundi's origin and how he became a Jedi. It also tells of how he took on a band of raiders that had plagued his family during his youth.
Darth Maul:
By far the best in the book, Here, Darth Maul is set on his first mission by Darth Sidious. He is to kill the leaders of a massive criminal empire that spans the galaxy. This book is filled with action and is a fairly short read.
The mediocre stories are
The aurorient express:
Jedi Qui Gon and Obi Wan, foil a plan of space pirates and greedy aliens on a gas planet.
Aurra's Song:
A short one shot, thats just not that interesting.
Acts of War:
A long drawn out story where the Jedi are sent to battle a warring faction of the galaxy. All the while the two Sith sit in the shadows using this battle to weaken the Jedi ranks.
Prelude to Rebellion:
Another long story where Ki-Adi-Mundi is on his home planet, and is entangled in a political plot involving one of his daughters. He must come to rescue and set things to right, this story basically sets up how he became a member of the Jedi Council.
Overall a pretty good read whether your a Star Wars fan or not, the writing and artwork in all the stories is pretty good and keeps you interested.


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