Shadows of the Empire (Star Wars) by Steve Perry
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Book Reviews of Shadows of the Empire (Star Wars)
Book Review: An Addictive, Interesting Read
Summary: 5 Stars
I picked up Shadows of the Empire because I had already knew of it through the popularity it gained in the late nineties. I waited for years before I ever bought it to read it. It was a shame that I waited any time at all. The story, placed chronologically between episodes five and six, fills some time between the movies which I love so much. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this story is the divergent storyline which keeps you intrigued as you watch the varied threads come together as one coehesive fabric. It was because of this that I was unable to put the book down once when I started reading it.
While there are many holes filled by Shadows of the Empire, I feel that the most important one deals with the views of Darth Vader. The story places him in relation to the powerful, charismatic, and wicked Dark Prince Xizor, the Emperor, and to himself. The story is, in the end, an exposition of Vader with respect to the Emperor and the Empire. It is because of this that the novel was such a success with me. It develops Vader in such a light that it makes him more visible than could have been done in the movies alone.
Nevertheless, the story is also good for its continued action and explanations of varied events which occurred between the movies. It is a quick and easy read and should pose little time strains. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who has even a slight interest in the Star Wars setting!
Book Review: An excellent book with a great villain!
Summary: 5 Stars
"Shadows of the Empire" was the first Star Wars novel that i read, and i did not quite believe that it was possible to catch the atmosphere, which the movies possesed, in a book. Luckily i was wrong, and "Shadows of the Empire" is indeed a great book. It explains a lot of details which any fan of Star Wars would like to know about, and the story itself proves to be very good as well. There is one thing/person, however, who really makes the book one of the best. This is Prince Xizor, leader of the crime organization "Black Sun", and one of the most powerfull individuals in the galaxy. Xizor is very fascinating because he is always cool and calm. He is cold and calculating, and he always seems to have control of any situation. Xizor's vendetta with Lord Vader makes everything even more exciting, because we here have to men who are almost equal in power, and who both wants the title as the Emperors right hand. The book is written from all sides; both rebel and imperial, and this makes the book more unusual, but also more interesting than the average Star Wars book. These are usual written from rebel/New Republic point of view, but that is not the case here, where all views are introduced. "Shadows of the Empire" is an exciting story about deceit, double deceit, lies and battles inside the Empire. I loved the book, and i can only recommend it.Book Review: The Space Between
Summary: 5 Stars
Set between Episodes V and VI, "Shadows of the Empire" proves to be a strong story that furthers the plot of Star Wars without damaging the original storyline. I never saw myself as becoming interested in Star Wars novels. At this point I have yet to read a bad one, though I select them carefully.
While Han Solo is frozen in carbonite, the rebels have a chance to rescue him before he arrives at Jabba the Hutt's palace. After the rescue fails, an assassination attempt on Luke Skywalker finds the Alliance investiging the crime sindicate Black Sun. Prince Xizor and Black Sun want Luke too, except they want him dead. Xizor's goal is to win favor with the empire at the expense of Darth Vader. While pursuing Luke, he becomes quite taken with Leia.
Along the way, we are introduced to a young pilot named Dash Randor who fills the roll of Han Solo in story as the brash pilot. Also, Luke continues to advance in his Jedi training and grows in the strength with the force. The author does an excellent job at putting these developments into words.
"Shadows of the Empire" is a solid work that contributes to the progression of the original three episodes of the Star Wars movies. Written before the prequels, it also does not contradict any of these plots. It is an enjoyable read for even casual Star Wars fans.
Book Review: What a Good Star Wars Story Should Be
Summary: 5 Stars
This story takes place between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of The Jedi. Bobba Fett is taking Han Solo, frozen in carbonite, to Jabba's Palace, while Darth Vader keeps searching the galaxy for Luke Skywalker. Leia is staging the daring rescue that will take place in Return of The Jedi, and Luke goes back to his home planet of Tatooine for some unfinished business, like making his lightsaber. (Pretty cool stuff)
This novel was one of the first's novels written after the first Star Wars trilogy and to this date, it is one of the best ones. You will get to meet Xizor, the head of the notorious Black Sun crime organization, and one of the best Star Wars characters of all time.
Xizor is the most powerful and wealthy creature in the universe after the Emperor and Darth Vader, and the one person that did not fear them. When the Star Wars prequels came out, I tough that Xizor, being such and important and powerful person, might appear in some form in the new movies. But sadly, George Lucas instead of taking all the millions of great ideas that the people around him had, opted instead to use his own misguided judgment in making the new movies (Jar Jar anyone?). Still, this novel is a great take on the good things found in this amazing universe.
Book Review: I Find Your Lack of Faith Disturbing
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm a fan of Perry's work for Aliens, so when I heard Lucasfilm was going to turn him loose on the Star Wars universe, I was there. And I have to say it wasn't bad. Perry's descriptive voice lends detail to the exotic locations of Star Wars, his Luke Skywalker is the most dead-on I've seen. Dash Rendar is not as detailed as I would have liked, and I get the impression that Perry wasn't all that fond of the character. If I have to complain, Perry's dialouge can be clumsy at times. We all have a ingrained sense of how these characters talk and act, and while his Han Solo was bang on (for the whole half-page he's in the book) his other characters sometimes use a lot of " do nots " and other fancy talking. And another thing! Perry uses too many exclamation points! We know action is happening! We don't need to go overboard. But the big enchilada, the place where Perry truly shines, is when he gives us the viewpoint of Darth Vader. No one has gotten into the Dark Lord's head like this before, and it is just so boss. My one Star Wars wish is the Perry get to craft a novel with Vader as the protagonist. That would rock. A fine book, and a great way to get turned on to the plethora of Star Wars novels out there today.