The Expanded Universe discussion
Books, Authors, and Series
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What book are you reading at the moment?
I just liked having a story about Chewbacca. It had been too long in my reading since having him as an integral part of the story, even with reading Scoundrels recently.
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That doesn't even begin to describe it. We found a copy on ebay about eight or nine years ago, and torture ourselves with it whenever a masochistic urge strikes us.
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Do you happen to know if Star Wars Scoundrels paperback will be released someday?
Probably, but when? I have no idea. Practically every book has been rereleased in paperback, so I would assume so.
They usually release the paperback about a year after the hardcover release so it might be awhile.
I've just started reading Shatterpoint. I hope it'll be as dark and mysterious as promised in description.
Next SW book that i will be reading is Shadow games.
I've just finished Darth Plagueis and it was really good , but am now reading Fate of the Jedi Conviction.I liked choices of one it was great to read more about Mara Jade as the emperor's hand
Derrick wrote: "@Tomas-I really enjoyed Shatterpoint. I thought it was one of the best of the Clone Wars sub-series."I agree. I found it to be one of the best SW books ever written
That's great. I'm glad that I decided to buy that one.
Just got Scoundrels today. I'm excited to start reading it, I've heard such good things.
I just finished re-reading Dark Force Rising, part of my favorite star wars trilogy. Just curious, but does anyone else notice that Timothy Zahn uses the word "sardonic/sardonically" way too much? Virtually everything Kardde or Thrawn says/does is sardonic. I didn't notice it very much when I read Scoundrels. Maybe it stands out more with the audiobook versions rather than when reading it because your eyes might skip over the adverbs.
I'm really enjoying the fate of the Jedi book conviction , but I'm not sure about Vestera Khai though but can't wait to see how the series ends.
James wrote: "I just finished re-reading Dark Force Rising, part of my favorite star wars trilogy. Just curious, but does anyone else notice that Timothy Zahn uses the word "sardonic/sardonically" way too much?..."
Sardonic/sardonically might be the most used description in the Star Wars EU. Especially with Zahn, lol.
Sardonic/sardonically might be the most used description in the Star Wars EU. Especially with Zahn, lol.
Derrick, if you are into audiobooks, I would recommend the unabridged versions of the Thrawn trilogy. The reader does such a good job with the voices that I would swear he's using some sort of voice enhancement to make himself sound like the actual actors. He is close enough that he sounds just like Han Solo, Lando, and C3PO. He even has Mark Hamill's cadence down for Luke. The only thing I didn't care for is that Talon Kardde sounds like Antonio Bandaras. What is it with Lucas products (books/clone wars cartoons) where they make the smugglers sound hispanic)?
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it's only the 20th anniversary editions of the Thrawn trilogy that are unabridged. they got the music, sound effects to include Chewie, R2, and background noise.
I'm so far behind in Star Wars novels. Finished the NJO and then got distracted by school, so now that I'm back in I'm reading the Dark Nest stuff. I've read a few prequel era books in the past year or so, but I'm really enjoying this post-NJO stuff more. Maybe it's because there is so much more flexibility for storylines. Maybe it's because I've already read so many books about these beloved characters. Whatever it is, I'm really enjoying it!
Yeah that era is really fun. I jumped into the Legacy era, had to go back and read all of NJO.
Steven wrote: "I found the Darth Plagueis Book very good indeed."The ending was a bit of a disappointment, but I think that's more due to the fact that Plagueis has to die according to Star Wars canon. Still, it was a great book and an interesting look into the ways of the Sith.
Kyle wrote: "If you like Darths, you'll love Revan."Everything was great about the book except the ending. It was a great action-packed adventure but the way the Emperor manages to defeat Revan was too far-fetched.
Jason wrote: "I, Jedi"But be sure to read the Jedi Academy series first or else you're bound to be lost by references that are sparse in detail or context.
I love the Jedi Academy! One of my favourites.
I enjoyed the series as well, although the Sun Crusher was a bit far-fetched.
I didn't read either of those series when I read Star Wars: I, Jedi and I was totally confused by the end. I really should pay attention to the Star Wars Timeline.
It is a really good star wars book. But I don't think it has the best Corran Horn moment, my personal favourite is in the New Jedi Order books when he fights that Yuuzhan Vong warlord for the planet Ithor awesome.But the book I'm reading is Aurian, the first book in the Artefacts of power series
I'm still powering through the Post-Rebellion Era myself, so I have yet to read that book but given your description, it sounds really awesome especially since the Yuuzhan Vong people are not force-sensitive.
It is an awesome series and really makes a for a much needed change from the whole Jedi versus Sith thing and the whole super weapon of the month story arcs that were going on before it.
I agree. It's been a while since I read them, but I feel like people tend to hate on thr NJO more than it deserves. It definitely was ambitious, and it may not have always lived up to those.ambitions in every book, but it definitely took the series in a completely new direction, away from the "Imperial warlord"/"Dark Side User" of the month pattern of the Bantam era (not that many of those books are not excellent books themselves).
Anyways, just finished Dark Nest II so it's on to The Swarm War. I have to admit, I thought this trilogy was going to be one of those stories that fills in a gap but nothing significant really happens, but this second book really proved me wrong. The discord in the Jedi Order, and the developments in Jacen's character really impressed me. Sadly I've already been spoiled to much of what is to come (it's my own fault for being ten years behind but still curious to read all the book announcement posts for each new book!) but it's interesting to see how dramatic events which seemed "out of the blue" have been foreshadowed in this book. Really glad I've been getting into Star Wars again!
Jordan wrote: "Anyways, just finished Dark Nest II so it's on to The Swarm War. I have to admit, I thought this trilogy was going to be one of those stories that fills in a gap but nothing significant really happ..."I really dislike how so many titles of the Expanded Universe have already been published making it harder for us younger fellows to get caught up to speed without having the stories be ruined by spoilers.
That's a really good point. so many of the stories in the New Jedi Order and beyond draw heavily on characters and plot threads from earlier novels, which as a fan of earlier novels is a bit of a thrill, but it does make it extraordinarily difficult to "catch up". It reminds me of my recent attempts to get into reading Marvel comic books: everytime I try to start a story arc I realize that it relies on knowledge of events that happened across 8 different titles 5 years ago, and going back just forces you back further...
I made the mistake of selling off all of my Star Wars novels at a garage sale years ago, and I'm in the process of buying new or used copies of some of my favourite series that I've read. The problem is I keep thinking of books that I didn't especially enjoy, but which introduce stories or characters which are important later. For example, Children of the Jedi was the second Star Wars book I ever read, but despite sentimental attachment it remains one of my least favourite books. However, Irek Ismaren returns as an antagonist in the New Jedi Order. So do I seek out and buy that book to complete my shelf? I don't know how new readers can begin to decide what to read. Thank goodness for The Essential Reader's Companion, and recommendations from other GoodReads users!
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Hang in there. That's one reason we're all here--to give advice to people who are coming at these books fresh on where to start and what is vital to read.
I started reading the books years ago when Heir to the Empire first came out. I also sold all my books years ago. But thanks to the Essential Readers Companion and luckily finding the books online to download. I am starting to read the entire series from the beginning as the Essential Readers Guide tell's me the correct order in which to read them
I absolutely love the Essential reader's Guide; I just saw it today at B&N and it was awesome. A book filled with the details of each book in the Expanded Universe yet complemented by stunning artwork that is both pleasing and informative. It is a genuine work of art and I hope to buy it soon. It's a really nice addition that helps us late-comers keep our heads above the rising waters.
I bought the Essential Readers Guide the first day it did. That is one book I couldn't find online to download for free. I'm glad I bought it because it is my Star Wars Bible to all the Star Wars books
I tried looking for it online as well but alas my search was futile. Plus, I don't think I could have read the entire book as a PDF b/c that would be way too many hours staring at a computer screen.
@Robert I couldn't find it either. Since I started finding the books online I used to download them on my iPad. But the kids got me a Kindle so I convert the PDF to Mobi and read them there. If you look hard enough you can find 95% of the books and comics online. I just got The Last Jedi,Star Wars and History and the new Legacy comic downloaded in the past few days
@Chuck Yeah, it's really easy to find the majority of the novels and the newer releases aren't too hard to search for as well. And the Kindle makes it easy to read all those wonderful novels. Which Kindle do you have?
@Robert I have a Kindle Fire Hd. It is completely full at the moment. With A assortment of books. Mostly Star Wars. I also have the complete Marvel Run of Original Star Wars Comics on there about 5 Star Wars Ominus's. I also have a ton of Marvel What If comics. And the final season if Smallville that was releases on comic only. Following The Essential Readers Guide I am up to The Old Republic Fatal Alliance
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And yes, I realize that half that paragraph was a link. I did it on purpose so you'd click on it.
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I read about 90% off the books already. I'm not sure about others but I'm using it as a guide to read the books and comics once again in the order they were meant to be. I look in the Essential Guide to see what book is next. Then I read the book. Then I open the guide back up and read the summary to see if there is any extra info I might have missed. For example reading Red Harvest then looking in the guide I found some info I didn't know like they considered naming it something else's. plus I think it said they thought of I using another ending. So as I see it The Essential Readers Guide can be used both ways. Either read the summary of the book your interested in to see if it catches your interest to read. Or Read one book at a time in chronological order. Then go back and read the summary for some added info you might not have known
The Expanded Universe
Books mentioned in this topic
Tarkin (other topics)The Last Jedi (other topics)
Dark Tide I: Onslaught (other topics)
Fatal Alliance (other topics)
Star Wars: Rogue Planet (other topics)
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Oh, I liked it too. The premise was a little strange but it was different and fun.