As my excitement for both Star Wars: Episode VII and the upcoming Star Wars: Rebels television series increases, I am seeking to read as many Star Wars novels as possible, to increase my knowledge of the expanded universe and satisfy my desire for more Star Wars action until those installments arrive. Specifically, I seek any novels that detail Luke's attempts to rebuild the Jedi order, any novels that feature Mara Jade and portray her eventual relationship with Luke, and any novels that detail Jacen Solo's fall to the dark side. What recommendations can anyone make?
As a side note, I have already read the novelizations of Episodes I through III, Vector Prime, Kenobi, Labyrinth of Evil, Dark Lord: the rise of Darth Vader, Darksaber, and the Darth Bane trilogy, and I currently am reading the Thrawn Trilogy (I cannot believe that I waited until now to read it), so any books that are similar to those would be ideal for me.
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“Those who would trade their freedoms for security will have neither.”-Benjamin Franklin
“When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”-Thomas Jefferson
“A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of its user.”-Theodore Roosevelt
“Patriotism means to stand by one's country; it does not mean to stand by one's president.”-Theodore Roosevelt
Well, make sure to go in knowing that a lot of the books are just terrible.
That said, anything by Zahn, Stackpole, or Allston is going to be good. Frankly, most of the writers are consistent, either good, decent, or terrible. That means all of the Thrawn books, plus Rouge Squadron (4 total), Wraith Squadron (5 total now, but one is set 30-ish years later), and Starfighters of Adumar (kinda sorta related, but doesn't fit either squadrons really).
The New Jedi Order (aka, Yuhzann Vong War) was a mixed bag. It had a few really good books (Star by Star, Traitor, and Destiny's Way were my personal favorites), and plenty of filler as well. Nothing really stood out as crap though, so you can count on any of the given books to at least be somewhat entertaining.
The Legacy of the Force had three decent to good books and six horrid ones in it. Check the authors if you want to know which are which. The whole plot arc was forced (ha ha) hard, and comes off pretty jarring. I feel like this series could have been good if Karen Traviss hadn't been involved. Troy Denning is a mediocre writer as well, and the two of them totally failed to follow up on Allston's three books (they rotated, so the book order was good, crap, mediocre, repeat).
Fate of the Jedi was similar. Aaron Allston Carried it, Troy Denning did reasonably, and Christie Golden Sucked. That, and the whole series felt like it would have made an amazing trilogy, but they spread it out into nine books and just lost all focus whatsoever.
Shadows of the Empire was really good as well, though set between Empire Strike back and Return of the Jedi. Zahn has been writing some books around this time period that are pretty good also. I enjoyed Scoundrels.
(about the English language) It's kinda like a raft that was cobbled together from parts of three different boats and since then has been kept barely afloat with crude repairs every time a leak appeared.
As a side note, I have already read the novelizations of Episodes I through III, Vector Prime, Kenobi, Labyrinth of Evil, Dark Lord: the rise of Darth Vader, Darksaber, and the Darth Bane trilogy, and I currently am reading the Thrawn Trilogy (I cannot believe that I waited until now to read it), so any books that are similar to those would be ideal for me.
“When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”-Thomas Jefferson
“A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of its user.”-Theodore Roosevelt
“Patriotism means to stand by one's country; it does not mean to stand by one's president.”-Theodore Roosevelt
I, Jedi
Finishing the yuuzhan van stuff so you can read legacy of the force which rocks
That said, anything by Zahn, Stackpole, or Allston is going to be good. Frankly, most of the writers are consistent, either good, decent, or terrible. That means all of the Thrawn books, plus Rouge Squadron (4 total), Wraith Squadron (5 total now, but one is set 30-ish years later), and Starfighters of Adumar (kinda sorta related, but doesn't fit either squadrons really).
The New Jedi Order (aka, Yuhzann Vong War) was a mixed bag. It had a few really good books (Star by Star, Traitor, and Destiny's Way were my personal favorites), and plenty of filler as well. Nothing really stood out as crap though, so you can count on any of the given books to at least be somewhat entertaining.
The Legacy of the Force had three decent to good books and six horrid ones in it. Check the authors if you want to know which are which. The whole plot arc was forced (ha ha) hard, and comes off pretty jarring. I feel like this series could have been good if Karen Traviss hadn't been involved. Troy Denning is a mediocre writer as well, and the two of them totally failed to follow up on Allston's three books (they rotated, so the book order was good, crap, mediocre, repeat).
Fate of the Jedi was similar. Aaron Allston Carried it, Troy Denning did reasonably, and Christie Golden Sucked. That, and the whole series felt like it would have made an amazing trilogy, but they spread it out into nine books and just lost all focus whatsoever.
Shadows of the Empire was really good as well, though set between Empire Strike back and Return of the Jedi. Zahn has been writing some books around this time period that are pretty good also. I enjoyed Scoundrels.
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/outside-magic/entertainment/printed-media/456672-star-wars-novels-expanded-universe
In post #10, Jay13x has provided an extensive list complete with his thoughts on each. It has been an invaluable, go to source for me.
From reading your initial post, the Jedi Academy Trilogy may be up your ally:
Jedi Search
Dark Apprentice
Champions of the Force
I also enjoyed the short story collections:
Tales from Mos Eisley Cantina
Tales of the Bounty Hunters
Tales from Jabba's Palace
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