Archive for the ‘Rogue Planet’ Category

In today’s Steve Glosson is back to break down more of the movie novelizations, as he tries to defend the novelization of Episode IV…I am Serious.  He is going to argue this is a good book.  I jest.  I would like you to weigh in on our discussion.  Do you agree with Steve that this novelization is great and entertaining? or do you agree with Wayne and I that this book left a lot to be desired?  You can e-mail us your opinion to jesse@starwarsbookreport.com or you can jot us a note on Facebook or tweet us twits on Twitter @swbookreport.   We want you to sound off on this novel.

After Wayne, Steve, and I argue for a while, we bring on a much more agreeable guest in Mr. Greg Bear who is the author of numerous science fiction novels that have won multiple Hugo and Nebula awards.  He authored Rogue Planet in the Star Wars Universe, and in working on a Halo prequel trilogy.  He also consulted for NASA, which I just think is too cool.

So come along and explore with us the galaxy one page at a time as we enjoy two guest in Steve Glosson and Mr. Greg Bear.

Thanks for listening, Jesse

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

In today’s episode, Wayne and I have a great time making fun of each other as I poke fun at Canada’s Junior Hockey team, and Wayne makes fun of my knowledge of Hockey and at how only six inches of snow can paralyze our community…Oh yeah, and we also discuss a novel, Rogue Planet by Greg Bear, and how this novel bridges the gap between The Phantom Menace and The Attack of the Clones.

We discuss at length the fascinating character development of Anakin Skywalker from boy to teenager, and how Mr. Bear has Anakin dealing with his tremendous power in the force and his responsibility of being the chosen one.  We discuss Tarkin and his slimy plans to farther his own ends.  We share our thoughts on the depth of Obi-Wan Kenobi and his issues at being the one who is training the chosen one.  We open up the question of when do the ends justify the means.  On top of all this, there is an assassin, a living planet, the biggest engine ever, tying in a future series, some football talk and so much more, so join us as we explore the galaxy one page at a time.

Thank you for listening, Jesse

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

This is a spoiler conscious review of Jedi Trial by David Sherman and Dan Cragg.  Although I try to be spoiler free, any review will reveal some information about the stroy. 

Novels or Series Mentioned

Rogue Planet

The Approaching Strom

Medstar Duology

X-Wing Series

The Clone War Cartroon Tie In Novels

Luke Skywalker so often discusses how there was not much to do on an out of the way world like Tatooine, but I do not see how that could be possible.  The powers that be love to take out of the way desert planets you would never think were important and give them galactic significance, making them the center of come huge event.  Tatooine had a multi-system crime lord and syndicate…Luke could have become a wise guy if he would have stayed on Tatooine.  Then, there are other out of the way desert planets that to become all of a sudden extremely important like: Ord Cestus, Rhommamool, Geonosis, Klatooine, Apatros, Korriban, and many others.  Star Wars loves elevating out of the way desert planets to extreme importance, and Jedi Trial follows in this rich Star Wars tradition elevating the desert world of Praesitlyn to the center of a huge battle between the Republic and the Separatists.

Read the rest of this entry »

Novels or Series Mentioned

Rogue Planet

MedStar II: Jedi Healer

Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader

The Legacy of the Force

One of my favorite aspects of the prequel novels is how they flesh out the inner-personal struggles going on inside of Anakin Skywalker.  I find them to be fascinating.  You rarely read or see in movies a hero of prophecy struggle the way Anakin does, and I find it to make for great reading. 

Anakin’s struggles remind me of my time teaching middle school.  Middle school students are stupidly fascinated with dangerous things.  One dangerous hobby the students at my school had took place in the math class adjacent to my classroom.  They enjoyed sticking pencils and silver gum wrappers into an electric socket to watch the sparks fly out of the plug.  It is a miracle none of them electrocuted themselves or others.  When they would do this, the circuit breaker would flip and the electricity would go out in my room and that wall of the math classroom.  It seemed to always happen as I was typing up quizzes or entering in grades, and when the circuit breaker would flip, my computer would cut off, and I would lose not only the data I didn’t save, but all kinds of information because a 15 year old computers can only take so much abuse.   It seems that every time that breaker flipped, I would lose another vital program that made my computer good. 

Read the rest of this entry »