July 2021 Legends Group Read: Into the Void

[Allyssa, Former Moderator/Group Founder]

Monthly Group Read
July 2021 Legends Group Read
This group reads starts July 1st.
- Published May 7th 2013
- Set roughly 26k years before Star Wars: A New Hope
Publisher's Summary
On the planet Tython, the ancient Je'daii Order was founded. And at the feet of its wise Masters, Lanoree Brock learned the mysteries and methods of the Force—and found her calling as one of its most powerful disciples. But as strongly as the Force flowed within Lanoree and her parents, it remained absent in her brother, who grew to despise and shun the Je'daii, and whose training in its ancient ways ended in tragedy.

Now, from her solitary life as a Ranger keeping order across the galaxy, Lanoree has been summoned by the Je'daii Council on a matter of utmost urgency. The leader of a fanatical cult, obsessed with traveling beyond the reaches of known space, is bent on opening a cosmic gateway using dreaded dark matter as the key—risking a cataclysmic reaction that will consume the entire star system. But more shocking to Lanoree than even the prospect of total galactic annihilation, is the decision of her Je'daii Masters to task her with the mission of preventing it. Until a staggering revelation makes clear why she was chosen: The brilliant, dangerous madman she must track down and stop at any cost is the brother whose death she has long grieved—and whose life she must now fear.
Timeline
Read
- 10.3 pages a day (it's a 320 page book)
- 25% a week

[Don]

Dawn of the Jedi: Into the Void assumes the reader has first read the five-part Dawn of the Jedi: Force Storm comic series. There are many elements of the story that are unfamiliar and unexplained in Into the Void that reading it can seem like you have an incomplete story without the background presented in Force Storm.

As an added help, there is a thread HERE that presents a reading guide for the Dawn of the Jedi series as a whole and where Into the Void fits in.

Let me know if you have any questions, and may the Force be with you.

[Allyssa, Former Moderator/Group Founder]

Other Groups with threads about this book
- Jedi Temple Codex
- The Expanded Universe Note: This thread is locked

[Zuzana, Jedi Apprentice]

Thanks, Don, for the information. I need to go and get the comic series first. *sigh*

I really hoped that this book wouldn't win the poll as it was the only one I wasn't keen on reading. I've heard mostly bad things about it so here's hoping that the reviewers I follow were wrong this time and I'll like the book.

[Don]

Zuzana wrote: "I really hoped that this book wouldn't win the poll as it was the only one I wasn't keen on reading. I've heard mostly bad things about it so here's hoping that the reviewers I follow were wrong this time and I'll like the book"

Yeah, I am with ya here. I was a bit shocked it won, but perhaps it is a good chance for folks to form their own opinions. I hope they and that they share.

I have read Into the Void twice. I read it a second time because I thought, "Maybe I missed something in the first read." Lebbon is a capable writer. But, this is that rare book that I thought was worse the second time around. I saw more of its flaws; and more significant, I saw how much it relies on story elements presented in the Force Storm quintet of comics.

We shall see. I sincerely hope other readers like it. It could be that Into the Void just is not for me. And that is okay.

[Zuzana, Jedi Apprentice]

Well, I've finally managed to get my hands on the Dawn of the Jedi: Force Storm comicby John Ostrander. I will start reading tomorrow.



Anybody ready to participate in the group read?

If you've already read this book share your thoughts with the group.

[Don]

Zuzana wrote: "Well, I've finally managed to get my hands on the Dawn of the Jedi: Force Storm comic by John Ostrander. I will start reading tomorrow.

Nicely done. I do not want to detract from anyone's reading experience. So, I'll lurk and jump if anyone has questions or if a comment warrants some context or insight.

[Peter]

Zuzana wrote: "Well, I've finally managed to get my hands on the Dawn of the Jedi: Force Storm comicby John Ostrander. I will start reading tomorrow.

[bookcover:Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi, Volume 1: Force Storm..."

Yeah, I'm going to start this weekend.

[Zuzana, Jedi Apprentice]

Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi #0 by John Ostrander



I haven't read many comic books, so i was quite surprised by the #0 issue of the series. It's in the style of a visual dictionary - it seems it's meant to supply the worldbuilding for the series (history, planets and locations, lore, different species and short info on main characters. It's like they didn't trust their readers to connect the dots themselves by reading the story.

[Don]

Zuzana wrote: "It's in the style of a visual dictionary - it seems it's meant to supply the world-building for the series: history, planets and locations, lore, different species and short info on main characters. It's like they didn't trust their readers to connect the dots themselves by reading the story."

Yeah, I should've added a bit more detail about the Dawn of the Jedi comics relative to this particular content. Dawn of the Jedi #0 is a preview and companion to the whole fifteen-part series. It was a "first look" at the forthcoming series - but was really a Dark Horse cash grab. The story of Dawn of the Jedi starts in earnest in The Force Storm five part series. Sorry about the confusion.

[Peter]

I'm 132 pages in and I'm loving it. it's very different. I like seeing an origin for force users where things are a little more raw.

the story is fast paced and the characters and interesting.

(potential spoilers)

I think it is interesting how they find a true balance in the force. they aren't devoted to the light or dark side.

I also like how the technology is less advanced. there are no lightsabers and there is no hyperspace, they are limited to a single system.

I also find it interesting how the Jedaii take it upon themselves to insert themselves into situations. they think they are doing good, but the local population understandably resents them. in some ways they are worse than the prequel era Jedi who acted under the authority of an elected government, but on the other hand the prequel era Jedi also became the tools of corrupted politicians.

[Zuzana, Jedi Apprentice]

Finished the comic book and the short story Eruption.

Disapponted by both. Maybe reading the novel will change my mind about those, but I doubt it.

The main three Journeyer characters were annoying and I hoped that either Xesh kills them in the end or better the sandworm from Dune kills all of them Xesh included.

[Don]

Peter wrote: "... I'm loving it. it's very different. I like seeing an origin for force users where things are a little more raw."

I am so glad that you like the novel so far, Peter. Keep going and let us know how it develops for you. While it was not for me, I was worried my bad takes on Into the Void would color the perception of others.

Zuzana wrote: "Finished the comic book and the short story Eruption. Disapponted by both."

I hope the novel changes your mind, Zuzana. However, I felt Lanoree was unlikable from start to finish. After two reads I still wonder if I missed something. Let me/us know what you think as it unfolds.

May the Force be with you both.

[Peter]

Hey Don. I hope you enjoy it more this time around. I actually think Lanorree is an interesting protagonist. I like that the Jedaii are different than the Jedi. they place emphasis on balance and not the light side of the force. and I think they are the ancestors of both the Sith and the Jedi. I think that's probably why she is more aggressive and quick to fight than other Jedi protagonists in the Star Wars universe. she has both light and dark in her, and she keeps them in balance.

[Zuzana, Jedi Apprentice]

I expected that the events depicted in the comic would be important for my understanding/enjoyment of the novel. So far it doesn't seem like it. The comic serves as an introduction to the world of Tython and the Je'daii Order but it's not essential reading. The book so far does a good job explaining the same things.

To be fair, I'm only 2 chapters in.

I still hope for Hawk Ryo who was about the only one character I found truly interesting in the comic, to make an appearance. I'd like to know more about his exile on Bogan. How did he manage to pull himself from the dark side of the Force back to the middle? Seems like a story worth telling.

[Peter]

I'm still enjoying the book. But Lanorree gets knocked unconscious way too much. I recently read another book where this was used as plot device to build drama at the end of the chapter and pass time and or change the scene. I found it frustrating and over utilized. wouldn't a force sensitive person be harder to knock out?

[Don]

Peter wrote: "I'm still enjoying the book. But Lanorree gets knocked unconscious way too much."

So glad you are still enjoying the novel! Where are you in the story?

Yeah, in writing circles, this is often called "The Annoying Convenient Plot Device" because it is a quick way to move things along. The reality is that this approach is a buzz kill, if I can speak. It continues unabated as the novel unfolds.

I feel like "The Annoying Convenient Plot Device" in this novel especially diminishes the action sequences and creates prosody gaps. It is a literary buzz kill.

[Peter]

Hey Don. just finished tonight. I liked it. I gave it a 4 instead of a 5. basically I think the book was extremely fun to read. I liked the world Tim Lebbon created. and I liked the characters. but I think the plot was really weak.

Dal is rejected for not being force sensitive. and he is really interested in finding his home world. neither of these is inherently evil. his search to leave Tythan is what the Jedaii are most worried about because they don't understand the technology he's using? that's weak sauce. the only reason I can take that trip is because his methods are evil. he kills innocent people. but then again, that's not the real reason the Jedaii are worried about him.

[Don]

Peter wrote: "Hey Don. just finished tonight. I liked it. I gave it a 4 instead of a 5."

Nice! I know I have said this before, but I am so glad you liked it.

You are onto something in your most recent comments regarding Dalien: I feel he was insufficiently developed and he serves as a vague, token bad guy. The plot twist, "And it's your brother!" I can look past. But, perhaps a trilogy would have been more suitable to give us more of Dal's worldview, and to explore the 'cult' he is in. I love the idea of this doomsday theme and I think that Lebbon could have really gone into Dan Brown/Robert Langdon mode with enough page space and word count. I like Lebbon's writing, he is a very good writer-for-hire. This novel did not have room for that much development.

Something you said earlier has stuck with me... "they place emphasis on balance and not the light side of the force." Very interesting comment and observation. As a light-side 'purist,' that is a tough notion for me to consider, but it makes sense in the context of this novel and it shows you paid attention! It is a silent sub-theme of the work and an important one to understand.

I'll end with this: the biggest plot failure for me concerned the nature of the threat. If it was so catastrophic; it the gate was so terribly and unimaginably destructive, why do alleged powers-that-be send dude's sister alone to stop him? Seems like this would demand the full force and resources of every able person and group who has an interest in self preservation.

Enough from me. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[Peter]

interesting thoughts.

I don't necessarily have a beef with the light side per se. but I don't like the Republic era Jedi. I think they become corrupt and futile and basically are the pawns of the government. I also think it's wicked to cut yourself off from all emotions, even the positive ones and discourage members of your order from maintaining family ties and getting married. that's straight up cultish.

[Allyssa, Former Moderator/Group Founder]

Agreed.

[Todd]

I just finished Into the Void. Some thoughts:

--- I have noted this before with Revan and the High Republic Books Into the Dark and Light of the Jedi, but I don’t feel the technology is sufficiently old enough considering this book takes place 26 thousand years before A New Hope.

--- I would have liked to have seen a story about the origins (Dawn) of the Jedi as the book series implied instead of just another adventure with an older version of the Jedi. This is probably a fault of my own expectations instead of a fault of the book.

--- That being said, I do like the idea of the Je’daii embracing both the light and dark sides and trying to maintain an internal balance of the force.

--- Lanoree is a bit arrogant, doesn’t seem to care as much about the innocent bystanders affected by her actions, and kills quite a bit. I am not sure if this is how the Je’daii are in general and if this is the result of balancing the dark and light sides of the force. It took some getting used to as I read the novel.

--- Sometimes the transitions between past events and current events left me a bit confused until I realized which period I was reading.

--- I thought Dal had more potential to be an interesting character who rejected the force and thought of the Je’daii as being slaves to it. Instead of turning him into a villain, I think it would have been more interesting to see him develop his non-force enhanced skills to be a “good guy” on par with or better than the Je’daii.

[Don]

Fantastic summary of your thoughts on this book, Todd. Thanks for sharing. I whole-heartedly agree with our sentiments here.

Todd wrote: "I would have liked to have seen a story about the origins (Dawn) of the Jedi as the book series implied instead of just another adventure with an older version of the Jedi. This is probably a fault of my own expectations instead of a fault of the book.
"

I feel exactly the same way. The title of the series is misleading. This whole campaign is more aptly named, Dawn of the Lesser Important Arguments and Differing Points of View of Advanced Societies, Some of Which May be Called the Jedi Order, Or Not. in the Future. I was hoping for an actual Jedi origin story as the name implies! Not our fault we took that at face value. Words mean things, and this story arch uses a false pretense by virtue signalling with an inexact title, on purpose.

Todd wrote: "Lanoree is a bit arrogant, doesn’t seem to care as much about the innocent bystanders affected by her actions, and kills quite a bit. I am not sure if this is how the Je’daii are in general and if this is the result of balancing the dark and light sides of the force. It took some getting used to as I read the novel."

Lanoree is a remorseless killer. She reminds me of a Los Angeles cop in a bad B-movie: indifferent, dispassionate to a fault, and terribly bad at making human connections. I find her unlikable and often rooted against here, though that is silly, as she is the 'protagonist.' I think a robot could have fit the character and nobody would have noticed. Her most emotional experience is when Tre died, and she is far from compelling on that front.

Todd wrote: "I thought Dal had more potential to be an interesting character who rejected the force and thought of the Je’daii as being slaves to it. Instead of turning him into a villain, I think it would have been more interesting to see him develop his non-force enhanced skills to be a “good guy” on par with or better than the Je’daii. "

Yes, Dal as shallow, mustache twirling bad guy in this novel is a shame. His character is flat and predictable (hey, sounds like Lanoree), but had much potential. The idea of Dal and his issues and views build, slightly, in the narrative. Sadly, we miss that potential and we get a vapid evil villain by declaration, not by action or story telling, empty of feeling and passion. I wish Dal was taken beyond angry with a vandetta to a smart, complex zealot with the resources and desire to go full Thanos. Opportunity missed.

Thanks again for sharing. I think you identified, regrettably, the book's literary shortcomings as written material and its failings and strengths as Star Wars content.