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Title: Traitor (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 13) by Matthew Woodring Stover ISBN: 0-345-42865-X Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 30 July, 2002 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.34 (128 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Jacen's return
Comment: "Traitor" continues the pattern of the 'New Jedi Order' novel series taking unique directions with stories. It's a pattern that has set it apart from the 45 pre-NJO Star Wars novels that came before. Death of major characters and destruction of critical planets and cities have already made their mark in these novels and made their impact on the reader. "Traitor" keeps the dark story elements in place with the return of Jacen Solo to the forefront of the story arc for the first time since the horrific battle in "Star by Star". It involves deep personal soul-searching on Jacen's part, horrific torture inflicted by the Yuuzhan Vong, and a unique deconstruction of all previous notions of the 'Force'
As most readers remember, Jacen was captured by the Yuuzhan Vong at the end of "Star by Star" with an assist by the enigmatic creature Vergere. "Traitor" deals with his imprisonment and very graphic torture at the hands of the Vong. Vong Warmaster Tsavong Lah wants Jacen used to help capture his twin Jaina, so that Lah can perform the ultimate sacrifice to the gods to ensure victory in their war with the New Republic. Scheming executor Nom Anor suggested and was made responsible for converting Jacen to the Vong way of thinking. Jacen endures some horrific torture, but with Vergere's 'help', is able to focus on pain as merely an annoyance and embrace it rather than fight it. Vergere, a enigmatic and unknown Jedi seemingly in the employ of the Yuuzhan Vong, oversees Jacen's 'education'. One moments she seems as though she is thoroughly committed to assisting the Vong in their aims, while the next moment she seems to be trying to help Jacen overcome to the torture and become strong again. Her loyalties are very much in doubt and "Traitor" plays this angle perfectly so that the reader can't ever really predict what happens next.
To avoid spoiling some of the great plot developments, no great detail will be revealed here. It's safe to say, however, that the reader will be quite intrigued with the direction this story takes and the potential for where the future of NJO series will lead. There is even greater exposition of the inner workings of Yuuzhan Vong society and technology with the introduction of a creature called a 'world brain'. There are also many haunting scenes that take place on the ruined world of what was once the seat of New Republic, Coruscant. The imagery created in "Traitor" and thought-provoking story elements make this book a necessary addition the Star Wars library.
Rating: 5
Summary: Essential Jedi Philosphy
Comment: This book had, in my opinion, so many factors playing against it. First, there was the fact that it was the other half of the unofficial "Solo twins duology", and it's companion book, "Dark Journey" was an anti-climatic and skippable read. We had a talented author who was unproven in the Star Wars universe, and like previous reviews have mentioned, didn't have a "special thanks" page, which, to be honest, kind of hurt his credibility. Said author used only six characters, far less than what we're used to. Not only did the story have to be engaging in its philosphical discussions, it also had to redeem a character, who, in the eyes of many fans, has done nothing but whine and hold back since the series started. Very much a make or break situation. And lastly, all of the above had to be done in less than 300 pages.
Well, Matthew Stover succeeded brilliantly.
With the focus primarily on Jacen Solo and Vergere, there is ample room for character development. We can see Jacen's evolution from whining brat into something much deeper, and judging from the cover art of the next installment, he'll play a crucial part in turning the war. LIke his sister, Jacen also has a close encounter with the Dark Side, though it is much darker than Jaina's was. Vergere is herself a darker version of Yoda, a mentor, trickster, and companion who knows that to defeat the Vong is to embrace their pain and let it develop into a higher understanding. Lastly, there is an appearance by Ganner Rhysode, who also finds new maturity here. Hands-down, Ganner gets the coolest scene and coolest line in the book, when Stover borrows a classic scene from a certain 1st installment of everyone's favourite fantasy movie trilogy.
Of course, the bulk of this book is dedicated to philosphy and force-related discussion. While none of this stuff is completely new (what makes a flower different from a weed, what makes it okay to kill, etc), it actually serves a purpose instead of endlessly going around in circles for its own sake, which would have been a cheap way out. Each new thought puzzle brings Jacen to a higher level of understanding, and I can only imagine the task Stover and Lucasfilm had of mapping these parts out. The force is redefined here as a whole that is neither light nor dark, and it's interesting to think of the long way we've come, and where this will ultimately lead. Finally, Stover gives us a taste of how Lucasfilm eventually plans to link the prequel era to the New Jedi Order. I won't spoil it, but it'll definitely leave you begging for more.
Unlike past novels that featured important plot points in the series (death of Chewie, death of Anakin, etc.), "Traitor" is in itself a huge, cleverly disguised plot point. It is from this that future interpertations of the force will be defined, making it an essential read.
Rating: 5
Summary: A Breakout Performance by Matthew Woodring Stover
Comment: Perhaps more than any other book, this paperback shakes the foundations of many people's notions of Star Wars. We learn that, rather being completely absent from the Force, the yuuzhan Vong exist in a part of the force jedi cannot (yet) touch. The biggest shocker: a dramatic reinterpretation of the nature of the force. Rather than having defined light and dark sides, the force is more like a prism that reflects all colors, viewpoints,etc. It is the user who determines the Force's purpose. Some, including myself, may question whether or this conflicts with Lucas' views, but in my opinion it is a breath of fresh air. As for the characters: Jacen gains some needed depth, Nom Anor is as cunning as ever and even more stylish, Vergere forces Jacen and the reader to answer hard questions about what tehy believe, and Ganner, well...all i can say is NONE SHALL PASS!
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Title: Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dream (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 11) by AARON ALLSTON ISBN: 0345428668 Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 26 March, 2002 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Force Heretic I: Remnant (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 15) by Sean Williams, Shane Dix ISBN: 0345428706 Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 04 February, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Force Heretic II: Refugee (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 16) by Shane Dix, Sean Williams ISBN: 0345428714 Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 29 April, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Dark Journey (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 10) by ELAINE CUNNINGHAM ISBN: 0345428692 Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 29 January, 2002 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Force Heretic III: Reunion (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 17) by Sean Williams, Shane Dix ISBN: 0345428722 Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 01 July, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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