Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor (Star Wars)

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Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor (Star Wars Universe)

by Matthew Stover

3.50 · rating details · 426 ratings · 74 reviews

Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader are dead. The Empire has been toppled by the triumphant Rebel Alliance, and the New Republic is ascendant. But the struggle against the dark side and the Sith Order is not over. Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, and their faithful comrades have had little time to savor victory before being called on to defend the n...moreEmperor Palpatine and Darth Vader are dead. The Empire has been toppled by the triumphant Rebel Alliance, and the New Republic is ascendant. But the struggle against the dark side and the Sith Order is not over. Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, and their faithful comrades have had little time to savor victory before being called on to defend the newly liberated galaxy.

Powerful remnants of the vanquished Empire, hungry for retaliation, are still at large, committing acts of piracy, terrorism, and wholesale slaughter against the worlds of the fledgling New Republic. The most deadly of these, a ruthless legion of black-armored Stormtroopers, do the brutal bidding of the newly risen warlord Shadowspawn. Striking from a strategically advantageous base on the planet Mindor, they are waging a campaign of plunder and destruction, demolishing order and security across the galaxy–and breeding fears of an Imperial resurgence. Another reign of darkness beneath the boot-heel of Sith despotism is something General Luke Skywalker cannot, and will not, risk.

Mobilizing the ace fighters of Rogue Squadron–along with the trusty Chewbacca, See-Threepio, and Artoo-Detoo–Luke, Han, and Leia set out to take the battle to the enemy and neutralize the threat before it’s too late. But their imminent attack on Mindor will be playing directly into the hands of their cunning new adversary. Lord Shadowspawn is no freshly anointed Sith Chieftain but in fact a vicious former Imperial Intelligence officer–and Prophet of the Dark Side. The Emperor’s death has paved the way for Shadowspawn’s return from exile in the Outer Rim, and mastery of ancient Sith knowledge and modern technology has given him the capability to mount the ultimate power play for galaxy wide dominion. Dark prophecy has foretold that only one obstacle stands in his way, and he is ready–even eager–for the confrontation.

All the classic heroes, all the explosive action and adventure, all the unparalleled excitement of Star Wars come breathlessly alive as the adventures of Luke Skywalker continue.(less)

Hardcover, 316 pages

Published December 30th 2008 by Del Rey

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Mar 25, 2010

Kevin rated it

Fan of Stover's Clone Wars era books, but, uh, this did nothing for me. The nod-and-wink allusions to Alan Dean Foster's ... EDIT BRIAN DALEY's early Han Solo books are overplayed, and the characterizations limp. There is no real point to this book. Very disappointing.

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Mar 24, 2010

Jesse Whitehead rated it

Few authors understand Star Wars. Timothy Zahn got it, Michael Stackpole got it. Greg Keyes understands it. A few others have come close. Matthew Stover not only understands Star Wars but he loves Star Wars. It shines through in everything he writes.

When Del Rey was working through the New Jedi Order series (19 books by 13 different authors) Matthew Stover's 'Traitor' elevated the series to a new level, vaulting the characters and their beliefs so far above what the other writers wer...more

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Jan 29, 2009

Michael rated it

Shelves: read-in-2009

At long last, a "Star Wars" novel that remembers the "Star Wars" universe is supposed to be fun.

Set after the events of "Return of the Jedi" and a couple of other books in the continuing series, "Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor" tells the story of Luke's first and only mission as a general of the New Republic. He's sent out to investigate the planet of Mindor where a group of stormtroopers led by Lord Shadowspan is playing havoc with...moreAt long last, a "Star Wars" novel that remembers the "Star Wars" universe is supposed to be fun.

Set after the events of "Return of the Jedi" and a couple of other books in the continuing series, "Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor" tells the story of Luke's first and only mission as a general of the New Republic. He's sent out to investigate the planet of Mindor where a group of stormtroopers led by Lord Shadowspan is playing havoc with the local government and planet and disrupting Republic space traffic. Turns out this is just a ploy to get Luke out to investigate so he can assume his throne as the replacement to both the Empreror and Darth Vader.

It sounds dark, ominious and serious, but Matt Stover keeps the novel light, fun and moving along at a crisp pace, something I can't say of a lot of other "Star Wars" novels of late. If the title sounds pulpy sf, then you're thinking along the right lines for this one. At one point, it's revealed that our heroes from the movies are the subjects of badly written, highly inaccurate, pulpy and best-selling accounts of their exploits in overthrowing the Empire. So, Luke has to contend not only with these rogue stormtroopers but also his own reputation from these books. It's here the book really is at its best, seeing Luke struggle with this conflict. It's done in a serious way, but not so deadly serious you can't have some fun with it. Stover seems to realize that these are not paragons of all that is good in the universe and has fun poking at the characters a bit. One funny chapter involves Han, Leia, Lando and several others all being at a peace conference and having to leave to go and resuce Luke. Seeing how the dominoes fall with each one in stunned disbelief that other has left in front of them is nicely done and works well because it feels realistic based on the characters.

After a glut of "Star Wars" books that took themselves too seriously and were so mired in continuity that they could be off-putting to the casual reader, it's nice to see a book that is fun, accessible and recalls why all want to revist a "galaxy far, far away." (less)

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Aug 08, 2011

Brandon Rooney added it

This is a great novel that depicts Luke in a period of his life that we rarely are shown; a young Jedi bristling with a power that he isn't quite aware of yet. Have you ever wondered what happened to the Luke from Return of the Jedi that was bold, mysterious, and charging headlong into the unknown? The Luke of late has been way too serene and calm for my taste. This book gives us a Luke that RotJ instilled into our hearts and minds as the salvation of the Star Wars universe.

The villain in this b...more

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Feb 03, 2012

Donovan rated it

Shelves: sci-fi

Set shortly after the events of Return of the Jedi

Plot ***Spoilers***
Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader are dead. The Empire has been toppled by the triumphant Rebel Alliance, and the New Republic is ascendant. But the struggle against the dark side and the Sith order is not over. Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, and their faithful comrades have had little time to savor victory before being called on to defend the newly liberated galaxy.

Powerful ...moreSet shortly after the events of Return of the Jedi

Plot ***Spoilers***
Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader are dead. The Empire has been toppled by the triumphant Rebel Alliance, and the New Republic is ascendant. But the struggle against the dark side and the Sith order is not over. Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, and their faithful comrades have had little time to savor victory before being called on to defend the newly liberated galaxy.

Powerful remnants of the vanquished Empire, hungry for retaliation, are still at large, committing acts of piracy, terrorism, and wholesale slaughter against the worlds of the fledgling Republic. The most deadly of these, a ruthless legion of black-armored stormtroopers, do the brutal bidding of the newly risen warlord Shadowspawn. Striking from a strategically advantageous base at the planet Mindor, they are waging campaigns of plunder and destruction, demolishing order and security across the galaxy—and breeding fears of an Imperial resurgence. And another reign of darkness beneath the boot-heel of Sith despotism is something General Luke Skywalker cannot and will not risk.

Mobilizing the ace fighters of Rogue Squadron—along with the trusty Chewbacca, Threepio, and Artoo-Detoo—Luke, Han, and Leia set out to take the battle to the enemy at the site of its stronghold, and neutralize the threat before it's too late. But their imminent onslaught against Mindor will be playing directly into the hands of their cunning new adversary. Lord Shadowspawn is no freshly anointed Sith Chieftain, but in fact a vicious former Imperial Intelligence officer—and Prophet of the Dark Side. The Emperor's death has paved the way for Shadowspawn's return from exile in the Outer Rim; and mastery of ancient Sith knowledge and modern technology has given him the capability to mount the ultimate power play for galaxy-wide dominion. Dark prophecy has foretold that only one obstacle stands in his way, and he is ready—even eager—for the confrontation. (less)

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Dec 12, 2011

Mphecker rated it

I wasn't sure how much I was going to enjoy this book when I started it. I remember seeing the cover when it came out in hardcover and wondering why the book had such an action-movie style when most of the other Star Wars books at the time were much more serious. While this isn't the best book set in the Star Wars universe, I have to admit that I'm very glad I finished it. The story is very similar to the old novels I started to read when I was ten or eleven years old, with over-the-top villains...more

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Dec 06, 2011

Christopher rated it

In this novel, Stover once again shows how to truly break a beloved SW character down mentally. He is like the ultimate evil genius of Star Wars literature. This time around, Stover breaks down nearly every single character from the classic trilogy down into absolute desperation and despair. In particular, Stover nearly breaks Luke apart in probably the worst day he has ever had (up to that point in the SW timeline). Nothing seems to go right. Even when the good guys are about to win, things go ...more

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Apr 15, 2010

Carl rated it

Matthew Stover's Shatterpoint was a Star Wars novel which I'd really enjoyed previously (more intelligent than the typical Star Wars novel), so I was looking forward to this-- and as you would expect from the cheesy title, this IS the most "meta" or self-reflexive Star Wars novel I've ever read-- but it didn't win me over entirely. In particular the science was just not working for me-- OK, lightsabers and hyperspace, that's out-there enough that I can say to myself "it's so far ...moreMatthew Stover's Shatterpoint was a Star Wars novel which I'd really enjoyed previously (more intelligent than the typical Star Wars novel), so I was looking forward to this-- and as you would expect from the cheesy title, this IS the most "meta" or self-reflexive Star Wars novel I've ever read-- but it didn't win me over entirely. In particular the science was just not working for me-- OK, lightsabers and hyperspace, that's out-there enough that I can say to myself "it's so far in the future that it's indistinguishable from magic for us" (thanks Arthur C Clarke), but when you have the orbital mechanics within the solar system changing as fast as they do in this book (and the plot depends on it) then we're talking about a solar system smaller than the diameter of the earth-- plus they have asteroids falling into the sun and causing solar storms which destroy ships, while star wars stories set 5000 years before have ships flying within thousands of miles of the surfaces of stars without any problems.

Anyway, still worthwhile. It is an interesting attempt to deal with the figure of "Luke Skywalker"-- my impression from some of the other material out there is that it is just too difficult now to write a convincing narrative about him b/c he is just TOO BIG in this universe-- this one, and others, really can do nothing more than repeat the archetypal narrative about his loss of innocence, nearly or truly falling into evil, then getting out, older and wiser-- except this just keeps happening over and over again. Though I admit that I feel that way about this novel in particular b/c I feel like it is too close, in some ways, to Kathy Tyers' "Truce at Bakura", one of the earliest expanded universe novels, and set only 1/2 a year before the events in this book.

I also thought the villain was not particularly compelling-- but look, I'm saying all the bad things about a book that I enjoyed very much. The 'meta' promise of the start is there, but not so obvious-- the ending in particular has me wondering just how deep we should think about this. But I'll leave that up to you. (less)

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Apr 12, 2009

Jacen rated it

Shelves: star-wars-novels-i-own

Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor, a self-effacing, often moving little adventure by Matt Stover may just be the ultimate in EU fiction. Finally we are given a Luke Skywalker that lives up to his reputation and lore.

Stover writes what feels like a light adventure which all at once becomes a study in The Force vs nihilism and the second law of thermodynamics. If you thought Vader was dark, Shadowspawn is quite literally a black hole.

The dead on movie sounding dialog...more

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Jul 13, 2009

Ron rated it

Shelves: fantasy, science-fiction, star-wars

3.5

Excellent storytelling and a good grasp of the iconic characters and relationships. Really good use of physics to support the concept of the Dark. Kind of enjoyed Luke's angst over killing. The framing story was a cute idea, and Stover accounted for Geptun reporting things he couldn't possibly know in the most believable way possible. (No, I'm not going to tell you; read the book.)

Why not a 4?

1. Dangerously close to parody. It's fine to comment about how t...more

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May 18, 2010

Jordan Hofer rated it

This book rates among the top 5 star wars books that I have ever read. Just the way that the author describes the battle and the raging war inside Luke Skywalker's head is enough to capture anybodies attention. Nothing described in this book happens anywhere else in the whole star wars sage. One of Darth sidious' "hands"/servents, who is very adept in the dark side of the force has found a planet (Mindor) that has a peculiar type of stone on it. The stone is alive and all that it wants...more

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Feb 24, 2011

William rated it

Shelves: star-wars, paperback

Here is what I liked: 1) The character of Cronal who seems to be quite powerful in the force. In fact so powerful, his defeat comes with his belief that he is also infallible. 2) the return of characters like Nick Rostu and Kar Vastor from Stover's previous work "Shatterpoint". Also, I liked the many references to the Clone Wars era and the way they have changed over the years: the surviving clones, the Mandalorians, etc.
Here is what I did not like: the Melters, are they good or b...more

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Jul 28, 2010

Wesley added it

When I first saw this book, it looked a little over the top, but then I saw the time-line and thought it would be fun to go back to those days when these guys are young, since most of their books are 30+ years later now. The idea was okay....but the delivery was horrible.

Here is the problem in many books, stories, etc with well known heroes. For whatever reason, they like to make the bad guys so over the top, or so feeble, or in some way another so completely fake and unrelatable, ...more

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Aug 20, 2009

Kim rated it

Shelves: science-fiction, star-wars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I liked this book but there were a few things about it that bothered me. Intensely.

I have to preface this review by admitting that I REALLY do not like it when writers deviate from canon. Whether it be an episode of Buffy or the Twilight series or a Star Wars book, this makes me absolutely crazy.

On that note, there was one major flaw in this story as far as I'm concerned...Luke's knowledge of what an Emperor's Hand is. Um, what? Timothy Zahn sets it up pretty clearly ...moreI liked this book but there were a few things about it that bothered me. Intensely.

I have to preface this review by admitting that I REALLY do not like it when writers deviate from canon. Whether it be an episode of Buffy or the Twilight series or a Star Wars book, this makes me absolutely crazy.

On that note, there was one major flaw in this story as far as I'm concerned...Luke's knowledge of what an Emperor's Hand is. Um, what? Timothy Zahn sets it up pretty clearly in his Thrawn trilogy that the concept is new to Luke. I don't seem to recall Mara announcing that she's an Emperor's Hand and Luke being like, "Oh, yeah, like that Blackhole guy." Also, in Children of the Jedi, we see Mara realizing FOR THE FIRST TIME that she was not the only Emperor's Hand. Had Luke known about other Hands beforehand, I feel like it might have come up in conversation.
I get the feeling that Blackhole is mentioned in some previous literature somewhere (possibly in a comic book?)so I suppose he is canon in some respect. However, Zahn's novels were published first, so they should remain the basis for the story. Whatever.

My other semi-major complaint is that for the first chapter or two, Han doesn't sound anything like Han. Where are all of those "y'knows?" coming from? What is that? It stops later on, but it was pretty irritating in the beginning there.

Two more things: the "creatures" in the metalmastiff were a little too obscure for me. I didn't really feel like I understood exactly what they were. Also, the holodrama jokes started off funny but it was obnoxious by the end.

Things I did like:
1. Chewie!!! I miss him so much. He's so fun.
2. Anything told from Artoo's POV. He is SO cute and funny.
3. Old-school Lando. Hahahahaha. Love Lando. And he makes quite the impressive General, if I do say so myself.
4. Princess Leia bashing another woman's face into the ground, with a big smile on her face. Awesome.
5. Mandalorians! I started to love them when Jaina went to train with them in the Legacy series, and while they're underused in this book, I still liked having them around. I still can't figure out where Shysa managed to find 600 of them though. Didn't he come alone? Or did he take them from that one planet where they were working for the Imperials? That was puzzling.
7. This book was a lot more fun and a LOT less depressing than watching Jacen go crazy and kill people.
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Feb 02, 2009

Chad rated it

Shelves: star-wars-novels

Well this one really takes me back to the Bantam days of the Star Ward EU. Back then, a seeming horde of novels were tossed off, one after the other, where all the primary Star Wars characters were thrown into some calamatous peril, then worked together to take down the villain of the month. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that formula, but it began to ware pretty thin in the waning days of the Bantam SW-EU contract. I would read the novels as they came out, but I always felt myse...moreWell this one really takes me back to the Bantam days of the Star Ward EU. Back then, a seeming horde of novels were tossed off, one after the other, where all the primary Star Wars characters were thrown into some calamatous peril, then worked together to take down the villain of the month. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that formula, but it began to ware pretty thin in the waning days of the Bantam SW-EU contract. I would read the novels as they came out, but I always felt myself pining for the Zahn's original Thrawn trilogy, Anderson's Jedi trilogy, or the quite amazing X-Wing books. Novels like "The New Rebellion" and "The Crystal Star" kind of stretched my completist tendencies.

When Del Rey took over (around '99?) the EU, they decided to go in a completely and shockingly extreme new direction. "Vector Prime" set up the years-long story line which saw the Yuuzhan Vong invade the galaxy, and many characters, new and old, die. Lots of people threw hissy-fits when Chewbacca was killed off, but I found it quite refreshing that the safety was off, and that anything could happen. Dramatic tension had been reintroduced to the EU!

Some people feel that Del Rey went too far with the doom and gloom, and though I have actually enjoyed the entire Yuuzhan Vong saga, as well as the "Legacy of the Force" arc, I can see why people might start to get tired of such dark storylines. Hence, the arrival of "Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor".

I liked it far more than I thought I would. On the surface, it looks a lot like the old Bantam books that I grew to hate. All the main characters are here, they all get involved in some way or another to defeat a villain of the month. But Matt Stover handles the characters so deftly, that I couldn't help but enjoy myself. I think one reason is that Stover takes Luke into some dark places that resonate really well with the Luke we'll come to see in the more recent stories. I kind of laugh when I see other reviewers calling this mindless fun, because its actually quite grim in places.

A few hightlights for me included:

* A few short sections giving a detailed account of the way R2-D2 looks at the world, which was clever and fitting...
* the involvement of a few Clone Wars characters Stover wrote in "Shatterpoint"...
* a glimpse at pre-marraige Han and Leia, before they were a serious couple...
* Lando in full-on military tactician mode (he's written so light and breezy lately, that you forget he was a quite successful general during the Rebellion)...
* very brief glimpses at some of the Rogues, who, aside from Wedge, have pretty much disappeared from the EU...

And the ne lowlight:

* the odd framing sequence rang a little hollow. I wasn't sure about the prologue, but I gave it a chance to see how it played out. But then the epilogue went off the rails. I think this would have been a stronger book if Stover had just left them off completely.

So, if you prefer your Star Wars novels quick and easy, this is definitely one of the better one-off stories.(less)

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Jan 20, 2010

Russ rated it

I've really enjoyed Matthew Stover's other Star Wars novels, so I went into this with pretty high expectations that were at least partially met. The writing is great, the dialogue is fantastic and witty, and he captured Han Solo as well as any author I've read.

The problem with this book is the setting- particularly the time. After so many prequel novels and books set 30 years after ROTJ, this book takes place relatively soon after ROTJ, just a little after The Truce at Bakura. So, ge...more

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Aug 27, 2009

Jwm rated it

I expected more out of Stover, though 4 out of 5 stars may seem like a high rating. It's just that his previous Star Wars efforts were 5 star efforts.

What elevates this effort froma 3 to a 4 star entry is the use of metaphor for the battle between the nihilist villain and Luke. It's highly reminiscent of the ending of Empire Strikes Back that never happened; in the first draft written by Leigh Brackett, there was a metaphorical/mental battle of will between Vader and Luke at the end...more

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Apr 29, 2010

Denae rated it

Shelves: sci-fi

Despite the death and war and galaxy being on the line, this is a fun book. The dialogue is is so charactered, and I found myself wanting to read Han Solo's pov more than Luke's because Han Solo has a more interesting version of events.
And Lando and the Mandalorians were great too.
Believable bad guy with a little force philosophy and an awesome way to hook the beginning along with some well-known characters and a few new ones thrown in (not all of whom die), and even a little time f...more

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May 10, 2009

Brianna rated it

The book reads more like an episode of a TV series (say, The X-Files tongue-in-cheek "Jose Chungs From Outer Space" or "Post Modern Prometheus") than a Star Wars movie. (Incidentally, I liked both of those episodes, but I don't want them in my Star Wars)

I didn't really enjoy it, and finished it more out of obligation than interest. Leia, in particular, seemed out of character (jumping on another woman's back and bashing her head onto the surface???).

...more

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Jul 09, 2011

Megan-Marie rated it

Shelves: scifi, star-wars, hated

I was so looking forward to this book. I've had the cover art to this as my desktop background pretty much since I got the new computer, and when I found out that the book was set during the canon time period (between "ever" and Vision of the Future), I was excited. I even put a hold on it at the library to get it, I was that excited. Well, I read it at work the other night while sitting in on a parent open house, and let me tell you, not only does my disappointment know no bounds, I m...moreI was so looking forward to this book. I've had the cover art to this as my desktop background pretty much since I got the new computer, and when I found out that the book was set during the canon time period (between "ever" and Vision of the Future), I was excited. I even put a hold on it at the library to get it, I was that excited. Well, I read it at work the other night while sitting in on a parent open house, and let me tell you, not only does my disappointment know no bounds, I may not have finished it had I come home. As it was, it took me about 90 minutes to read this horrible book (not including interruptions). Let me tell you about my experience.

It started out strong. I have, er, had a good opinion of Matthew Stover since the last time I read the E3 novelization and realized it was better than I thought. Now I've come to the sad conclusion that Stover has more respect than talent. Everything about this book warned me that I was going to be reading some melodramatic garbage, but somehow I thought it would still be okay. The dedication to Alan Dean Foster and Brian Daley, old-school SW writers with very-80s work, and the old-fashioned title warned me. Luke's complaining about the stories told about him in the "prologue" also warned me. In the second chapter, when Luke and Han get into an argument (a la Shanghai Knights) about whether people have a right to read cheesy stories about their heroes, even if they aren't true, was essentially an argument that took place after Luke read this book. I should have realized then I was about to settle in for 316 pages of endless melodrama and incoherence. And yet I was still disappointed.

It starts off promisingly enough. Luke hires a private investigator to investigate himself for war crimes. Stover brings back Nick Rosta from Shatterpoint, uh, . . . well, for some reason. And Luke is doing, uh, stuff. He goes somewhere because I guess that's just what he does. And there's, like, a bad guy there, and he's doing something bad that may or may not have something to do with . . . holothrillers? (Yeah, I was surprised I was supposed to take this seriously, too.) Luke kills a bunch of people because I suppose something has to happen to propel the book forward. Mostly I think what propels this book forward are paragraphs and short chapters (admittedly a typical downfall of new SW books).

The epilogue offers apology in the way of suggesting that what you've read is the story submitted by the investigator to Luke. While it excuses the melodrama and fractured, barely-existent plot, it hardly makes up for its serious shortcomings. Like I said, I think Stover has more respect for the Star Wars universe than he does knowledge of it. It's been pretty well established that Mandalorians are an extinct race, so why was Han talking to some? It's also been well-established that Mara Jade was the Emperor's only Hand, so why is he trying to convince me there was another? Furthermore, why are words making their way into usage that have no place in the SW universe? "Sucks," Mr. Stover? I'm not reading some teeny-bopper novelette about vampires. This is Star Wars. Star Wars is serious business, and the characters do not say that things suck. (Furthermore, reference to butts is even more inappropriate. What are you, in high school?) Someone even shouts "Cut!" at the end of a chapter as though this were Hollywood. The plot was so weak, I can't quite even tell you what was going on, and that's not just because I was having to look up every so often to tell people where the bathroom was.

I was astonished, frankly, by the badness of this book. Shock and betrayal alike combined to earn this book a "hated" sticker, and I can't accept it as canon. I tried really hard. I liked the E3 novelization and wanted to like Matthew Stover, too, but Shatterpoint was awful, and this book was flat out travesty in its purest form. If you enjoyed it, I assume you also like the kind of stuff Alan Dean Foster and Daley put out, which is great, I mean, go for it. But I just can't award it a place in the official canon.

Via The Star Wars Librarian @ http://swlibrarian.wordpress.com (less)

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Jan 22, 2011

Crystal Starr Light rated it

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Shelves: star-wars

"Only power is real, and the only power is the power to destroy"
Out of the ashes of the Empire and the deaths of Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine, a new warlord has risen--Shadowspawn. He is a fierce menace, so when the opportunity arises for the New Republic to get rid of him, they jump on it and send their best--General Luke Skywalker. But the attack on Mindor quickly gets out of hand, and it is up to Leia, along with Han, Chewie, and Lando, to save their friend.

...more"Only power is real, and the only power is the power to destroy"
Out of the ashes of the Empire and the deaths of Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine, a new warlord has risen--Shadowspawn. He is a fierce menace, so when the opportunity arises for the New Republic to get rid of him, they jump on it and send their best--General Luke Skywalker. But the attack on Mindor quickly gets out of hand, and it is up to Leia, along with Han, Chewie, and Lando, to save their friend.

I Liked:
Matthew Stover is one of my favorite Star Wars authors. His stories are filled with vivid characters, intelligent plots, some of the most thought-provoking discussions I have ever seen in a Star Wars book, and a thorough grasp of the universe in which he writes. And I wasn't disappointed to see that all of that is here. Yes, the writing style feels more similar to Alan Dean Foster and Douglas Adams, but I still found Stover's writing enjoyable, yet thoughtful. When writing particularly as Han or Lando, Stover really infused the serious situations with appropriate humor. Han's humor was slightly different than Lando's, and both had more humor than, say, Luke.
The other aspect I was particularly impressed with was Stover's grasp of original characters. Stover had done, in my opinion, a brilliant job with Anakin, Amidala, and Obi-Wan from the Revenge of the Sith novelization, but there always was a possibility that he might not be able to get the tone and feel of our Big Three. Stover definitely proved himself more than capable of handling them, however. I loved how Luke felt like a wide-eyed boy, thrust into a position that was too much for him. Yeah, he was a commander, but to go from commander to general in so short a time, and after all his Jedi training, I could believe he would be overwhelmed. I was impressed at how well Stover grasped Han's humor and mannerisms. Lando was really nicely done, a good balance of dandy and general. Stover fits in other characters like Chewbacca, C-3PO, and R2-D2 in without making them feel like they are forced into the story (kudos to Stover for writing from the droids' point of views--and very convincingly, I might add). Also, I was really impressed with how Stover wrote the Mandalorians. He definitely gave them the respect that Traviss wrote them with and yet, didn't mind having Han take some jabs at them.
As for original characters, Nick and one other previous Stover creation reappear, both which are awesome (SO glad to see what happens to Nick Rostu after his strange departure from the Coruscant Nights Trilogy). The baddie is really good--I like how he isn't Sith, how he is more about destruction (the title of the review is one of his quotes) than he is about the Force.
Storywise, I was impressed how Stover thought out of the box. In the novels, Luke never gets to go on a military mission--he is always hopping around with Jedi or whatnot. Where is that Rebel Commander we saw in Empire Strikes Back? Well, Stover shows us--and shows us why Luke left the military for good. I also liked how Stover interwove the whole holothriller topic (though technically, wouldn't the holos be some other genre than thrillers? Like dramas and adventures? I mean, "Luke Skywalker and the Jedi's Revenge" sounds more like a drama than a thriller).
The concept of the meltmassifs was weird, almost feeling like Waru from The Crystal Star. However, unlike Waru, I think the meltmassif was the concept done right.

I Didn't Like:
I started this book back in November for my book club. At page 122, I got so frustrated with the writing style, the unclear plot and whatnot, I put the book aside for almost two months. Finally, less than a week ago, I wanted to get it off my nightstand and finish it. The book proved better towards the end, but it is pretty hard to get into and seems to ramble pointlessly. Several times, I had to force myself to keep going, to read as fast as I could to get past the slow parts and find the story buried inside.
The story, while unique, is also pretty confusing. I don't really want to get into any possible spoilers, but I spent so much time staring at the wall, trying to make sense of what was happening. In the end, I had to swallow and flow with it. Not to mention, I thought it was weird including the meltmassifs (which lent an almost Star Trek feel to the story).
Also, continuity-wise, how does what Luke learns here affect his future actions? I mean, given what he learns here, how can he possibly mess up so badly with Gantoris and Kyp in the Jedi Academy trilogy? How does he completely forget the lessons learned here when dealing with the Black Fleet Crisis or Callista or any of the other myriad of adventures he has? How come no one mentions the holodramas/thrillers later on? Wouldn't there be even more of them later?
The characters do quite a bit of beebopping in the story, hopping from the surface of Mindor to ships to caves to anywhere in between. It got confusing to figure out where the characters were at times.
While I liked most of the characters, I wasn't all that fond of Aeona. I mean, she wasn't horrible, but I didn't like how quickly Leia got jealous (actually, I didn't like the "playful, sexually tense" banter between her and Han--how many girlfriends does this smuggler need?). Also, Leia needed to have her own point of view. At least, I think she did.

Dialogue/Sexual Situations/Violence:
Made-up Star Wars expletives.
There is sexual tension between Aeona and Han. Luke protests having Aeona be his love interest in a holothriller.
Lots. Luke gets bit in the neck, vampire style. Lots and lots of people die. A whole system is basically destroyed.

Overall:
"Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor" is a novel of contradictions: it has serious moments, where characters contemplate death and destruction, the purpose of life, and moments where Han is grumbling about the food on the Falcon. I enjoyed the novel, but it also was terribly hard to get through, and I don't think this was Stover's best work. Still, if you are looking for something new and relatively light-hearted in the Galaxy Far, Far Away, you could do far worse than this.(less)

· see review

Mar 19, 2010

Jeffrey rated it

Shelves: sci-fi

Great "airplane reading" - sorta like "chick lit" but for nerds. Better-than average Star Wars novel with an interesting plot and lots of action. Stories like this from early in the post-Jedi SW universe also tend to be more interesting because the characters are still young and haven't learned everything yet. The author throws in way too much space babble like "hungrier than a fllobloxulan bantha shark" and there's never too much suspense since you know who's going...more

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Mar 10, 2011

Walt rated it

Shelves: star-wars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. It is unfortunate that the cover design is so generic that the book looks more like another cheap Star Wars book that read like all of the others. The truth is that this is one of the most original SW books to come out of the genre. Not only does this book offer a unique writing style, but is includes some impressive original creativity in terms of setting and villains.

The setting is a typical SW world - a melting volcano planet. But, there is a twist, it is part of a solar system...moreIt is unfortunate that the cover design is so generic that the book looks more like another cheap Star Wars book that read like all of the others. The truth is that this is one of the most original SW books to come out of the genre. Not only does this book offer a unique writing style, but is includes some impressive original creativity in terms of setting and villains.

The setting is a typical SW world - a melting volcano planet. But, there is a twist, it is part of a solar system that is falling apart, the result of another planet breaking up during a failed imperial experiment. Thrown into the mix are a mysterious type of life-form called Melters, actual living rock. They interact with humans, but they do not really understand concepts of life, death, freedom, or even carbon-based life. In short, the Melters act a lot like ghosts.

Everything happens in the space of just a few hours, as the volcano planet is slowly destroyed, that the action of the book is taking place simultaneously. The traditional SW cast are all accounted for and doing their own part in the story. It can be confusing what is happening when and where. Stover does an admirable job in orienting readers to time and place by strategic breaks within each chapter, so the reader can expect to follow each person in roughly the same place in time.

The only weakness is the character development. It is hard to pinpoint, but the original SW cast just do not seem to be themselves. Their words and emotions seem to go beyond what George Lucas has revealed about them in the authoritative movies. Most SW authors seems to take this liberty, and it backfires. Stover also has this problem with the lead villain. He glosses over his background. Just another super-evil guy who worked for Palpatine....The reader begs to know more. The plans and actions of the super villain are impressive, especially the means with which he uses others to carry out his plans. The interaction between the Force, the Dark, and the living stone, create a very novel approach to the SW genre that is rarely seen outside of the Dark Nest Trilogy and the Courtship of Princess Leia.

Overall, this is a highly recommended SW book for fans.(less)

· see review

Oct 13, 2010

Joseph rated it

Shelves: star-wars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. A few words can describe this book as I was reading this and after it was done. Disappointing, Weird, Ok, Funny and maybe Good. It was kind of all of that.

I will start with the basics without giving away too much of the book. This happens about a year or so after Return, Luke is a General, which he doesn't want to be, but he is invistaging Mindor, where there are Imperials still. He gets in trouble and the whole gang (Han, Liea, Lando, Chewie, and Wedge, who seem to be in almost ...moreA few words can describe this book as I was reading this and after it was done. Disappointing, Weird, Ok, Funny and maybe Good. It was kind of all of that.

I will start with the basics without giving away too much of the book. This happens about a year or so after Return, Luke is a General, which he doesn't want to be, but he is invistaging Mindor, where there are Imperials still. He gets in trouble and the whole gang (Han, Liea, Lando, Chewie, and Wedge, who seem to be in almost every book now) come to help out and save the day. There is a new bad guy, who is supposed to have more power then the Emperor, Vadar or Luke. If you want to know what happens I will let you read it.

What I liked about it:
Leia's, Chewie (He actually did more then just growl or hang out. He was fighting and was doing Wookie things) and Han's characters. They were pretty much from the movies we know and they hadn't changed (unlike the book The Courtship of Princess Leia, don't get me started...). Lando was ok in also. The story itself or how it flowed was ok. The comedy tone was good.

What I didn't like about it:
Luke's character. He was ok for the most part, but then at the end his comment that he didn't want to use his lightsaber or kill anyone anymore was dumb. There were a few other moments like that. Did Stover not read any of the other books that were written before him and set after his book? I get the whole peace thing, I am Jedi blah blah, but he sounded more like Superman. He was just wishing washing. His comedy tone was ok though. And I got the book because I sort of thought it was about Luke and maybe an adventure for himself, but the whole gang was there. Not that I mind it, but just wish the story was about him and maybe his quest on Jedi training or something. And for beign a Jedi it seems like Luke is always rescued by someone else. Maybe Stover watched too many of the episodes 1-3 or the Clone Wars, but I just wish Luke could kick butt for once. I haven't read all the ST's books, but I wish he just dominated in 1 of them. Just like I am Luke and bad guys are going to die. The character Nick was annoying after a while, he told too many jokes. There were the too many "I have a bad feeling about this. Don't tell me the odds, etc." Lastly, which is becoming a far too much trend in these books is that there is this person that is more powerful then the Emperor or Vadar. I get the galaxy is big, but for 1 book please don't make the bad try to be that way. If he was that powerful and such then why wasn't he there for the Battle at Endor with the Emperor? Just saying...

I have a feeling Stover is going to do 2 more books that are like Luke Skywalker and the whatever as title. You will see in the book by it is called that. I guess he is trying to make a joke of things.(less)

like 1 like

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Jun 06, 2009

Callista rated it

Recommended to Callista by: Marlene & Jamina

Shelves: star-wars, four-star-novels

If half-stars were allowed, it would be 4 1/2 stars. Some of the best depiction of Star Wars characters I have ever read! Stover completely captured their essence, how they speak, move, think, etc. Han, Leia, and Luke were especially well-done. Even Artoo! I don't think I've ever read a Star Wars book which had sections from Artoo's point of view before, and these were great. I was also pleased to see an Extended Universe character I'm fond of.
It always impresses me when someone manages t...more

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Aug 31, 2011

Jeremy Schoolfield rated it

Perhaps I've just read too many Star Wars books, but this one just didn't do it for me. I had hopes with Stover getting a chance to play with all the classic characters. But the setup was confusing, the villain was uninteresting, and like a bad action movie, way too many unnamed soldiers died with almost no care given to their loss (though Stover does take time out to mourn the deaths of the presumed "bad" soldiers, go figure). It all felt a little too overdone.

What saves ...more

· see review

Nov 29, 2010

Chris Hawks rated it

Shelves: owned

The Star Wars Expanded Universe lucked out when they found Matt Stover. So far, he's written the deepest SW novel (Traitor), the darkest (Shatterpoint), and now the funnest* with Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor. Lots of action, tons of laughs, a billion EU references, and spot-on characterizations make this one of, if not the, best Star Wars novels ever.

*Not a real word, I know. Deal with it.

· see review

Jul 24, 2010

Randy rated it

Set just after The Return of The Jedi, the New republic is battling the Shadowspawn and his dark stormtroopers. Until Luke realizes it's all a colossal blind. Shadowspawn was really Shadow's Pawn.

There's a power behind this new force that looks on both the Jedi and the Sith as mere dabblers in the power of the force. The Dark is so much more and the one behind this whole thing has plans to live until the end of the universe.

· see review

Sep 01, 2011

Derrick rated it

Shelves: 2009, star-wars

soon after the Empire has fallen. A shadowy figure returns to reunite the empire. But it turns out he has some power to transfer his consciousness and he wants to trap Luke and take him over. Overall, this was on the level of The Crystal Star. It was just not on the same level as Stover's other StarWars books and that was very disappointing. It was more like reading some melodramatic play or something.

· see review

Jul 27, 2011

Toby Andersen added it

witty and well plotted sw novel.

there is also some great force philosophy involved

but it isnt a patch on stover's Traitor.

the action is too complex to follow at times and the black out of body experiences distinctly un-starwars like

that said the book was an enjoyable if quick read and ties in nicely with quite a few nods to other earlier novels.

· see review

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About Matthew Stover

Matthew Woodring Stover is an American fantasy and science fiction author. He is perhaps best known for his Star Wars novels -- Traitor, Shatterpoint, Revenge of the Sith and Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor. He has also published several pieces of original work, such as Heroes Die, which Stover described as 'a piece of violent entertainment that is a meditation on violent entertainment'. ...more

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Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (Star Wars, #3)

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