First SW Book You Ever Read

[Kyle]

Planet of Twilight is the only Star Wars book I've ever stopped reading and never went back to. I even tried the audio book but couldn't put up with it. It seems to suffer from the same problem as the James Luceno books and the entire Bounty Hunter Wars in that the author has had an idea that would take a short story or novella to suss out but it's stretched into a novel (or in the case of Bounty Hunter Wars a trilogy) because novels are what Lucasbooks wanted.

[Wicked ♥ (Wickedly Bookish Reviews) aka Bat-Jess]

@Endor: You're welcome! I'm glad you're liking i, Jedi!

@Stephen: Yes it's by Kevin J. Anderson. I don't know what it is but the man just cannot pull me in to the story. Darksaber is horrible in that you can tell right away what is going to happen in the end and the way he foreshadows makes you feel like he thinks his reader is a compete idiot. He gives so much away just hinting at the plot. I need to finish so I can see what happens with Luke and Calista so that I won't start Planet of Twilight totally confused.

@Kyle: I'm really sad to hear that. I'm starting to think I'm in for a lot of disappointments. Please tell me that Specter of the Past and Visions of the Future are at least decent. I badly want to get out of this mediocre stint the novels have seemed to hit. :-(

[Kyle]

I suppose the Kevin J Anderson thing is a matter of taste. I recall enjoying the Jedi Academy books just fine and not having the issues with Darksaber I had heard about from friends (other than the general Bantam Spectra megaweapon-of-the-week problem).

I've certainly enjoyed all the Timothy Zahn novels and would suggest that it's worth going out of your way to find all his Star Wars short fiction as well. Hyperspace is a good starting point.

[Wicked ♥ (Wickedly Bookish Reviews) aka Bat-Jess]

Ok, thanks! I really enjoy Timothy Zahn, I just don't know what it is about Kevin J Anderson and me. We just don't get along. His style of writing really grates on me, plus the fact that he seems to write about a new super weapon that is more powerful than the Death Star in every one of his books. Oddly enough I really enjoyed his Young Jedi Knights series when I was a kid, but other than that I haven't found much of his that I like. Oh well, like you said a matter of taste. :-)

Oh btw, do you have any feelings or thoughts on the Black Fleet Crisis trilogy? That one is coming up pretty soon in my reading list. Right after The Crytal Star if I'm not mistaken.

[Kyle]

Actually, I, Jedi and The Black Fleet Crisis are, I think, the only non-X-Wing Bantam Spectra books I haven't read.

Let me know what you think!

[Noelle]

I'm curious and I don't know if this is the right place to ask.....but, did y'all like Shatterpoint?

[Kyle]

Clone Wars stuff is on the back burner for me, so I'm afraid I won't be much help, but you might get more responses in that era's thread.

[Noelle]

Kyle wrote: "Clone Wars stuff is on the back burner for me, so I'm afraid I won't be much help, but you might get more responses in that era's thread."

Thanks. I was just curious to see what people on here thought. Most of the reviews on Amazon lead me to the conclusion that everyone loves it. I, on the other hand, could not stand it.

[Jeff Diamond, Grand Moff]

Kudos on going back and reading all of them in order. That's a tall order, especially considering that they are coming out with new ones from all periods all the time. Have fun!

By the way, we are getting a little off-topic, so I'm going to open up a new thread about general book chat. We can continue this there.

[Jonah]

I don't know. I believe my first Star Wars book ever was Tales from Jabba's Palace (if you count any books), but I'm not entirely sure.

[Jeff Diamond, Grand Moff]

Jonah wrote: "I don't know. I believe my first Star Wars book ever was Tales from Jabba's Palace (if you count any books), but I'm not entirely sure."

I haven't read those ones. What drew you to those?

[Stephen]

Jeff wrote: "Jonah wrote: "I don't know. I believe my first Star Wars book ever was Tales from Jabba's Palace (if you count any books), but I'm not entirely sure."

I haven't read those ones. What drew you to..."

I actually read the tales books almost directly after I read Jedi Academy, starting with Jabba's Palace, and moving to the bounty hunters. I think that I saw them in borders, and, since I was still testing the waters of the universe, decided to pick it up since it was a bunch of short stories combined into one novel. I have been vigorously tearing into the star wars universe ever since.

[Kyle]

Jeff wrote: "I haven't read those ones. What drew you to..."

I read the Tales books early as well. They're compilations of older short fiction that are easily read in short bursts and often interesting.

The Star Wars short fiction is generally of very high quality and if it turns out to concern a subject you don't care much about, you've only lost half an hour. Official short fiction fills lots of gaps and covers lots of backstories. In order, it's been available in Star Wars Adventure Journal (gaming magazine), the Tales novels collecting a bunch of those, Star Wars Gamer magazine, Star Wars Insider, and Hyperspace (which also has a lot of the older stuff).

There have been stories about why stormtroopers go down so easily, how Talon Karrde and Mara Jade met, how Captain Panaka earned his spot in the Queen's service, and why Dengar wears those bandages - just to name a few.

[[deleted user]]

The first Star Wars that I ever read was Star Wars: Trilogy - Episodes IV, V & VI, but I never read any others until I started watching The Clone Wars last year. The show sort of revamped my SW interest, and since then I've read the Thrawn trilogy and Jedi Academy trilogy.

[Stephen]

The only one of the tales books that I have not yet read is Tales of the New Republic. Is that one any good? They don't sell it in barns and noble or borders.

[Kyle]

I liked Star Wars: Tales from the New Republic quite a lot. Here's a list of the stories and authors it collects.

Yeah, all of the old Bantam Spectra stuff is out-of-print, so it's a coin-flip if it'll be available new at your favorite local book store. You'll have to check a used bookstore or somewhere like Amazon.

[*Kashi*]

My first The Thrawn Trilogy. I'm trying to avoid the novels Based on the New movies (Episode 1-3) I'll be starting the "Legacy" Series soon; as I'm quite interested in the "Fate of the Jedi".

[Erica]

Truce at Bakura and shortly after the Courtship of Princess Leia. I was addicted to the movies as a kid, and they were the only two books my library had at school. I thought I'd won the lottery when I found them and then I checked the publicly library and discovered a whole bookcase full! Currently reading Legacy of the Force series :)

[Stephen]

Derrick wrote: "@Kashi-read Revenge of the Sith, by Stover. Trust me, any badness of the film will be swept away by the awesomeness of the book."

I agree, very much so.

[*Kashi*]

Thanks Guys, I will. Is just that I Feel that George Lucas turned to the Dark Side with Episode 1&2. but that's my opinion and a Whole independent Topic.

[Stephen]

Very true. I just want to say that I have a completely biast view of the prequel trilogy, having grown up with various novels in the star wars universe and my first star wars movie being I. My feeling is that Lucas turned to the Dark Side, to coin your expression, with the recent clone wars series, which I loathe with a burning passion rooted deep inside of my heart...

[Erica]

Stephen wrote: "Very true. I just want to say that I have a completely biast view of the prequel trilogy, having grown up with various novels in the star wars universe and my first star wars movie being I

I agree. Although I watched all the Star Wars movies at a young age, the prequels first came out when I was 12 and totally blew my mind. At the time, I had already read a bit into the EU and I was desperately curious for more information about Vader. The movies made me curious about the ancient Sith which led me to later read KotOR comics, the Darth Bane books and the other Old Republic novels/comics.

[[deleted user]]

I'm noticing people either love or hate the cartoons. I wasn't too interested in them at first, but I think this season has been generally good. Tarkin was portrayed well, I thought. As long as they keep bringing in the movie characters, it works for me.

[Jeff Diamond, Grand Moff]

At this point, I am going to step in and ask everybody to please continue this discussion in the new thread "Non-book Star Wars Thread."

Thanks for the lively discussion!! It's impressive . . . most impressive.

[Stephen]

Sorry, easy for a thread to go off on a tangent.

[Jeff Diamond, Grand Moff]

Stephen wrote: "Sorry, easy for a thread to go off on a tangent."

It happens.

I'd be interested to find out what somebody things who was actually introduced to the EU by the newer Clone Wars books.

[Stephen]

Hmmm! Very good idea! We should find some innocent young human and give them a clone wars novel and forever change their future for better or for worse.

[Jeff Diamond, Grand Moff]

I like human guinea pigs.

[William]

Despite being around since the first movie came out (before it was dubbed A New Hope), I didn't read a Star Wars novel until Terry Brooks wrote the novelization of The Phantom Menace. I purchased the book as soon as it came out, in April of 1999, and read it before the movie was released in May of that year. Dare I say it was not the best Star Wars fiction I have since read, but it was the first.

[Ian-Christian]

Hey guys, new here. Just thought I'd drop in and mention that my first Star Wars Novels were the Thrawn Trilogy, and then the Han Solo Trilogy. Enough to get anyone hooked, I'd say. Still my favorites, though I've read many since.

[Stephen]

I haven't yet read the Han Solo Trilogy, but Thrawn was my second, and that was enough for me!

[Jay]

Dark Force Rising.. first book I ever read for pleasure alone.. I didn't even know there were Star Wars books until I saw it in the grocery store a long time ago. I didn't realize it was the second book of the Thrawn trilogy til the end. I had always loved the movies and was an instant fan of the books.

[Tim]

My first star wars books were these odd non-cannon books, the Prince of the Jedi series, when I was in second or third grade. After that I got into the Young Jedi Knight books, and then onto the rest of the universe.

[Pickle]

My first book was Heir to the Empire only late last year, ive just finished re-reading it and im now reading Dark Force Rising with a view to finishing the series off after that.

Im not sure what SW book to read after this.

[Jim]

The first Star Wars book I remember reading was Heir to the Empire shortly after it came out. I was a huge star wars fan as a kid and once of my friends in college had the Thrawn trilogy. I hadn't realized there were star wars books so I checked it out and have been hooked on the books ever since. I'll read the adult, YA, and even some of the kids books. I had the original Han Solo Adventures as a kid but don't remember reading them (still haven't completed them all).

I personally like how the New Jedi Order started shaking things up and adding more tension/suspense to the series. I don't like that certain characters died but think it was better for the series overall. Things were getting a bit annoying with the tragic event of the month that they have to deal with or Leia getting captured and everyone having to spend the book searching for her (the two Barbara Hambly novels, my least favorite).

[Bill]

I checked my database and my 1st Star Wars novel was the Jedi Academy Trilogy by Kevin J. Anderson which I read in 1994. It was a SFBC choice at the time, which I really enjoyed.

[[deleted user]]

The first book I read was "Heir to the Empire". I haven't stopped since. Love the EU. I think EP 1-3 books are much better then the movies. I read the books written before "Heir" but didn't really like them.

[Scott]

I'm pretty sure the first I read was either Splinter of the Mind's Eye or Han Solo at Star's End. I've been a fan since '77. (I've had a Star Wars tattoo for many years)

[Ploy]

First book? Last of the Jedi: Crisis on Naboo. When I was eight

[[deleted user]]

The First Star Wars novel that I ever read was Shadows of the Empire by Steve Perry. I was intrigued by something that happened in between Episodes V and VI.

I didn't start reading any of the novels until 2007, and now I've read 52 books. I covered all the New Republic Books, interspersed some Old Republic, and now I'm getting to the NJO Books. It'll take some time but I'm glad I started!!

[[deleted user]]

Pickle wrote: "My first book was Heir to the Empire only late last year, ive just finished re-reading it and im now reading Dark Force Rising with a view to finishing the series off after that.

Im not sure what ..."

I would read the X-Wing books. They're great (wasn't sure if I was going to like them, but I LOVED THEM) Another choice would just be to read Jedi Academy Trilogy. It comes after Thrawn sequentially... OR maybe the Courtship of Princess Leia which is directly before the Thrawn trilogy.

[Zachary]

My first book was Shadows of the Empire. I re-read it later and got a lot more out of it.

[Cory]

My first Star Wars read was the old Marvel Comic. My dad and Grandpa were really into comics so naturally I was and that's how i was introduced to Star Wars was the old comic.

[Martin]

Heir to the Empire was my first

[Ben]

The first one I read was The Truce at Bakura in the late 90s. I was thinking of starting from the beginning to get a feel for SW history, but I'm starting to think that this isn't really necessary.

[Jonny]

Hmm...minus the comics by Marvel here and there as a kid...the first novel I tried to read was Vector Prime. But I just couldn't get into it, so I didn't finish it (I have read it through since and enjoyed it immensely). I think the first book I read (and been hooked ever since), was The New Rebellion.

[Landree]

Nah, read where you will, or you'll never get started. More and more early books are coming out constantly.

First YA books: The first three Young Jedi books. Was on vacation in fifth grade and read them several times. Had to get a new one for the plane ride back: Heir to the Empire. Read it in five days. And nearly 18 years later... Goodness I'm getting behind. So many lovely books to read, so few hours in the day...

[Christina]

The first book I read was Splinter of the Mind's Eye back in '80. I did read the newspaper strips and the Marvel comics before that.

[Kirk]

About 2 years ago I decided I wanted to start reading in the EU. I was kind of in between other series that I enjoy and thought it was probably time to take the plunge into Star Wars. I've been such a fan of the movies and lately the Clone Wars on TV, but honestly found the quantity of books intimidating. So I found a book list on Wikipedia that organized the books by 'Era' which helped me focus.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_war...

I've since also found a similar list on wookiepedia as well.

I decided to start at the very beginning of the 'Rise of the Empire Era'. I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed reading most of the books (yes, even all the kids books). So many great stories about the jedi that I always wondered about such as Yoda, Mace Windu, Ki Adi Mundu, Luminara and her padawan Baress, Shaak Ti, and the list goes on and on. I'm finally nearing the end of the era - I've got ONLY Lando's trilogy, Force Unleashed duology, Han's second trilogy, and Dark Forces trilogy to complete the entire Era. Pretty excited about that.

I know many have said not to worry about reading chronologically, and, really, it's probably not necessary. But I've really enjoyed getting immersed into everything about Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Anakin leading up to the Clones/Clone Wars and now the stories about the characters in the Rebellion Era as they were youngsters and/or young adults. It's been really fun.

[D.]

Vector Prime. I'd seen all the movies and wondered what happened to everyone in the future. That black hole sucked me into the SW:EU and I've read every book that fell after in the EU timeline. :)