Initial Feelings on the Characters

[Teresa, Ewok Defender]

As we begin this novel right after Return of the Jedi how do you feel the characters are written? Do they resemble our characters from the films or do they not match up? When reading do you see Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford etc. in your mind or your own creations?

[Lori]

I feel the characters are well written and sync well with their movie counterparts. Unlike some other books I don't fell that they have any out of character moments.

[Tommy]

I see the actors when I visualize any Star Wars character I'm reading about. The characters all seem well fleshed out and "real" tho, I have to admit and yes my perceptions my be askew from reading so many other Star Wars novels, but Luke always seems to have become "holier then thou". I personally feel he would be still struggling with the death of his father and his understanding of the true depths of the force. (It is really hard to express what I want to say accurately without referencing other novels I've read)

[Derek]

agree

[Travis]

I also always envision the actors and such from the movies when the characters appear in novels. That comes from their portraits on the covers of those books as well.

Regarding Luke being "holier than thou" I felt so frustrated when he wouldn't accept a simple bacta tank to heal himself quickly yet still insisted on recklessly going off on the mission. His excuse about his breath smelling like bacta for a week after his first treatment isn't very good, and he's too important to the Alliance, New Republic, and Jedi Order to risk himself. But I guess he successfully Force healed himself in the transit to Bakura? It felt like his injuries stopped being a focus once they arrived there.

[Aaron, Jedi Master]

I feel like they got the characters right. Han and Leia especially. Luke seems a little off to me but my view of him may be tainted by the way he is written in later books.

[Derek]

luke varies in EVERY book, his powers got from force unleashed to not being able to tell if han and leia or crorran horn and tahiri are in trouble when they are within sight in NJO, guess thats the authors "fault"

[Ben]

It's been a while since I've read a star wars books (thanks to this group, by the way, for rekindling my interest). That being said, the characters seem pretty consistent with their movie counterparts and as I read them, I can see the actors and their actions easily, and the words read like it's the actors speaking. Whether or not their characterization is right yet, I can't say until I get more into the novel (I've read it before, but a very long time ago. This may actually have been the first one I fully read).

[Eugene]

Hey guys,
I agree with both Tom and Travis in regards to Luke seeming a bit off at times. Its hard to get a read on him sometimes and his power due to other novels i’ve read i guess it really just depends on the author. I def do picture the actors in my mind when i read the books. Im always stumped when i feel that Luke has been bested when i as the reader feel like he should just be fine. lol

[Teresa, Ewok Defender]

I think they really got Han and Leia right on the nose. I think Luke is a hard character because he is written so many different ways and after reading some of the more recent novels it is hard to rewind and go back to this point.

[Derek]

ya luke's all over the place in the EU.

[Bianca]

Back in the day...as the EU books came out there seemed to be a trend of "let's beat up on Luke" in every, single book. He was always hurt or getting hurt and then struggling through it. It was getting to the point where I dreaded reading anything that had to do with Luke.

As this is the "aftermath" of ROTJ, it's more understandable that he's hurt.

While I do agree that his "character" does seem to be off from all my EU knowledge of Luke -- I can't unlearn what I've learned...in this case. :-)

However, if you take this story for what it is...Luke is still pretty "green" for a Jedi. There's a little bit of cockiness in him -- not taking the Bacta treatment -- and it kinda takes from the prime example from ROTJ where he says to Han, " I've
taken care of everything," in regards to their impending meeting with the Sarlacc.

Just like everyone else -- Luke needs to grow. He may think he's a man and a Jedi -- but in lots of ways, he's still that farmboy.

Just my opinion. :o)

[Derek]

ya i find it frustrating that luke is never at 100% he always has a problem holding him back