Showing posts with label Dark Disciple. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dark Disciple. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Paul's TOP BOOKS Read in 2015

2015 was an amazing year for YA, especially Fantasy YA! I completed my Reading Challenge and read over 50 books. So I'm going to share my favorites! First, I have my top books that aren't sequels. Following that are my favorite sequels from this year. Click on the titles or cover pictures for links to my reviews!

MY TOP 10 BOOKS OF 2015













MY TOP SEQUELS OF 2015


                  


What were your favorite books of 2015? What books are you looking forward to in 2016?


--PAUL


Friday, August 21, 2015

Star Wars: Dark Disciple by Christie Golden - Paul's Review

*I received this book as an eARC from Del Ray via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Star Wars: Dark Disciple

Author: Christie Golden
Recent Release Date: July 7, 2015

My Pre-Reading

Synopsis: Based on unproduced scripts from the blockbuster TV show Star Wars: The Clone Wars!

The only way to bring down the dark side's most dangerous warrior may be for Jedi and Sith to join forces.

In the war for control of the galaxy between the armies of the dark side and the Republic, former Jedi Master turned ruthless Sith Lord Count Dooku has grown ever more brutal in his tactics. Despite the powers of the Jedi and the military prowess of their clone army, the sheer number of fatalities is taking a terrible toll. And when Dooku orders the massacre of a flotilla of helpless refugees, the Jedi Council feels it has no choice but to take drastic action: targeting the man responsible for so many war atrocities, Count Dooku himself.

But the ever-elusive Dooku is dangerous prey for even the most skilled hunter. So the Council makes the bold decision to bring both sides of the Force's power to bear—pairing brash Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos with infamous one-time Sith acolyte Asajj Ventress. Though Jedi distrust for the cunning killer who once served at Dooku's side still runs deep, Ventress's hatred for her former master runs deeper. She's more than willing to lend her copious talents as a bounty hunter—and assassin—to Vos's quest.

Together, Ventress and Vos are the best hope for eliminating Dooku—as long as the emerging feelings between them don't compromise their mission. But Ventress is determined to have her retribution and at last let go of her dark Sith past. Balancing the complicated emotions she feels for Vos with the fury of her warrior's spirit, she resolves to claim victory on all fronts—a vow that will be mercilessly tested by her deadly enemy . . . and her own doubt.



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Review: This has taken the spot as my favorite of the new Star Wars canon novels. The storytelling is excellent. Reading this book, I could hear the voices of the animated characters. There wasn't a moment when I thought a character's actions didn't allign with their already canonical self. Ventress especially has excellent quips. 


The material that went into creating this was many unproduced episodes of The Clone Wars tv series. There were certain points where it seemed evident that one arc ended and a new one started. I didn't mind though. There was constant action. I never found myself bored. Since these arcs would have made up a large part of the season, a lot of time passes. This isn't a book that takes place over a few days. Relationships really build and change within this book. 

I liked how this book addressed the Dark Side and the way it was handled make me excited for the future of Star Wars. The Dark Side isn't always connected to the Sith. The Force is used in many different ways. The characters in this novel truly embody the idea of grayness. 

I loved watching the relationship between Vos and Ventress evolve. There were a lot of great parallels to Anakin and Padme. It is even addressed within the book. The Anakin in this book is the closest to Revenge of the Sith I've seen before. The Jedi Order is also degrading and the effects of the war are evident. 

This was an excellent Star Wars novel. It was always moving forward. The story actually progressed. Characters changed. Things happened that truly matter to the overall Star Wars universe. I give this novel a 5/5 and I really hope more stories are told form this time period. I'm sure the focus in the next year will be on post-ROTJ, but I want at least a few Clone Wars era stories. 

--PAUL

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Star Wars: Dark Disciple by Christie Golden - Paul's Pre-reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Del Ray via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Star Wars: Dark Disciple

Author: Christie Golden
Recent Release Date: July 7, 2015

Synopsis: Based on unproduced scripts from the blockbuster TV show Star Wars: The Clone Wars!

The only way to bring down the dark side's most dangerous warrior may be for Jedi and Sith to join forces.

In the war for control of the galaxy between the armies of the dark side and the Republic, former Jedi Master turned ruthless Sith Lord Count Dooku has grown ever more brutal in his tactics. Despite the powers of the Jedi and the military prowess of their clone army, the sheer number of fatalities is taking a terrible toll. And when Dooku orders the massacre of a flotilla of helpless refugees, the Jedi Council feels it has no choice but to take drastic action: targeting the man responsible for so many war atrocities, Count Dooku himself.

But the ever-elusive Dooku is dangerous prey for even the most skilled hunter. So the Council makes the bold decision to bring both sides of the Force's power to bear—pairing brash Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos with infamous one-time Sith acolyte Asajj Ventress. Though Jedi distrust for the cunning killer who once served at Dooku's side still runs deep, Ventress's hatred for her former master runs deeper. She's more than willing to lend her copious talents as a bounty hunter—and assassin—to Vos's quest.

Together, Ventress and Vos are the best hope for eliminating Dooku—as long as the emerging feelings between them don't compromise their mission. But Ventress is determined to have her retribution and at last let go of her dark Sith past. Balancing the complicated emotions she feels for Vos with the fury of her warrior's spirit, she resolves to claim victory on all fronts—a vow that will be mercilessly tested by her deadly enemy . . . and her own doubt.



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Why?: Christie Golden wrote some of my favorite Star Trek books, the Voyager: Homecoming duology! She also has quite the resume with Star Wars books, but I have not had the pleasure to read any of them. This book has been created from unproduced episodes of The Clone Wars animated series. It is also part of the new canon of books. The two main characters are Asajj Ventress and Quinlan Voss. The Clone Wars Darkhorse graphic novels are my favorite comic book form of Star Wars and they featured Vos prominently. There is absolutely no reason why I would not read this book.


Expectations: I'm expecting a high action story with two characters that are the very definition of gray. Quinlan Vos doesn't have much canon backstory before this book compared to his vast history in the old Expanded Universe. I'm interested to see how similar he is to his EU origins. 


Judging a book by its cover: Amazing cover. I loved it the first time I saw it. The colors are great. The way the facial tattoos pop is great. The yellow and green lightsabers are great. I need everything about this book! 



--PAUL