Revenge of the Sith - Novel - Old Republic

The Force grows dark, Anakin.....Be wary of your feelings.

The turning point for the entire Star Wars saga is at hand…

After years of civil war, the Separatists have battered the already faltering Republic nearly to the point of collapse. On Coruscant, the Senate watches anxiously as Supreme Chancellor Palpatine aggressively strips away more and more constitutional liberties in the name of safeguarding the Republic. Yoda, Mace Windu, and their fellow Masters grapple with the Chancellor's disturbing move to assume control of the Jedi Council. And Anakin Skywalker, the prophesied Chosen One, destined to bring balance to the Force, is increasingly consumed by his fear that his secret love, Senator Padmé Amidala, will die.

As the combat escalates across the galaxy, the stage is set for an explosive endgame: Obi-Wan undertakes a perilous mission to destroy the dreaded Separatist military leader General Grievous. Palpatine, eager to secure even greater control, subtly influences public opinion to turn against the Jedi. And a conflicted Anakin—tormented by unspeakable visions—edges dangerously closer to the brink of a galaxy-shaping decision. It remains only for Darth Sidious, whose shadow looms ever larger, to strike the final staggering blow against the Republic…and to ordain a fearsome new Sith Lord: Darth Vader.

I think we all know by now Revenge of the Sith was the final chapter for most, of the Star Wars movies.  Matthew Stover's novelization takes a darker and more intense turn Episode 3.  Probably the greatest difference from the movies is the brief elaboration's of the character at key points of the book:

This is Obi-Wan Kenobi:
       A phenomenal pilot whoe doesn't like to fly.  A devastating warrior who'd rather not fight.  A negotiator without peer who frankly prefers to sit alone in a quiet cave and meditate.
      Jedi Master.  General in the Grand Army of the Republic.......

Matthew Stover takes in depth looks into each character at climatic points of the book.  "Mace Windu saw the shattering point of the galaxy was between Anakin, Obi-Wan and The Supreme Chancellor".  You are not left without the most finite detail.

The Dead Star Dragon - There is another form of the dark side represented in the novelization.  Anakin is haunted by the Dead Star Dragon, almost like a fable or fairy tale in the Star Wars EU.  Small peak....

"And it was now that even through that marvelous feeling, the furnace within his heart raged, as the dead star dragon within in whispered tales of failure to his subconscious, though he heard them louder than the cackle of the sparks contacting the floor....." 


"The Dead Star Dragon is what is left after stars die."  The fear set in Anakin that everything dies.  "Eventually, even stars burn out."

From Anakin Skywalker to Darth Vader the Dead Star Dragon is what haunts him and pushes him in the end.


The Arrest of the Chancellor - We all know the movie killed the Jedi to fast and very lame for most.  The novel didn't get into Plo Koon on Cato Neimodia or Aayla Secura on Felucia, but a very dramatic ending for Kit Fisto, Saessee Tiin, and Agen Kolar.  Not just a light saber to the gut from a helpless old man.  Lets just say we have a thrown light saber thrown decapitating one victim, light saber through the head, and another decapitation, much more dark and gruesome than the cinematic version.  So worth reading, I've actually read it 3 time and enjoy ever minute!!   


The dark is generous, and it is patient, and it always wins - but in the heart of its strength lies weakness.  One lone candle is enough to hold it back.  Love is more than a candle.  Love can ignite the stars.  

Star Wars Hitchhiker

Star Wars Meets Facebook - Hilarious

OK, Since Clone Wars was a re run, I'll add some humor instead.  Although, this is not mine and I do not take credit for this, although I wish I could!!!

Labyrinth of Evil - Novel - The Old Republic

Embark upon a breathtaking adventure that pairs Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker on a deadly hunt for the lord of evil who has torn the galaxy asunder….

The war that erupted in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones is nearing its boiling point, as the dauntless Separatist forces continue their assault on the teetering Republic—and the diabolical triumvirate of Count Dooku, General Grievous, and their Master, Darth Sidious, fine-tune their strategy for conquest. In Episode III: Revenge of the Sith the fates of key players on both sides of the conflict will be sealed. But first, crucial events that pave the way to that time of reckoning unfold in a labyrinth of evil…

Capturing Trade Federation Viceroy and Separatist Council Member Nute Gunray is the mission that brings Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, with a squad of clones in tow, to Cato Neimoidia. But the treacherous ally of the Sith proves as slippery as ever, evading his Jedi pursuers even as they narrowly avoid deadly disaster. Still, their daring efforts yield an unexpected prize: a unique holotransceiver that bears intelligence capable of leading the Republic forces to their ultimate quarry, the ever-elusive Darth Sidious.

Swiftly taking up the chase, Anakin and Obi-Wan follow clues from the droid factories of Charros IV to the far-flung worlds of the Outer Rim… every step bringing them closer to pinpointing the location of the Sith Lord—whom they suspect has been manipulating every aspect of the Separatist rebellion. Yet somehow, in the escalating galaxy-wide chess game of strikes, counterstrikes, ambushes, sabotage, and retaliations, Sidious stays constantly one move ahead.

Then the trail takes a shocking turn. For Sidious and his minions have set in motion a ruthlessly orchestrated campaign to divide and overwhelm the Jedi forces—and bring the Republic to its knees.

This is not the first time I've read this novel and nor to be the last. Obi-Wan and Anakin fight together as commrads in arms, one of the final and last great battles as the Legend that is Kenobi and Skywalker. You do find out what really transpired and who did and didn't save their skin for the 10th time on Cato Neimodia. Alot of action, and alot of stratigical ploting for both the Jedi and Sith. Great pick up for less than $20 when purchased in the Dark Lord Trilogy. Embrace the darkside, pick up a book!




Star Wars Hitchhiker

Duchess of Mandalore - Clone Wars Season 2 Episode 14

"In war, truth is the first casualty."

A diplomatic mission! As dissent threatens to tear apart the peaceful Mandalore system, Duchess Satine struggles to protect her people against the escalating violence. Betrayed by two of her trusted allies, Satine now travels to Coruscant. There, she hopes to convince the Senate that a destructive splinter group, DEATH WATCH, does not represent the entire Mandalorian government.

On Coruscant, word reaches Duchess Satine that Death Watch is mobilizing, sparking a pre-emptive Republic invasion. On the run from Republic authorities, Satine and Obi-Wan set off to discover the group's true motives.

Truely a more political episode, not one of my favorites this year but it was very good. A little slow at times but in the end you got what you wanted. These last few episodes with Death Watch have started to get alot darker and I'm very surprised because of the main market being kids. Had a nice ending to it, definitely worth watching if you haven't already. Although I'm begining to think Obi-Wan had a very checkered past that we don't know about, everything he has done has been for or at Satine's request. Maybe we will see Obi-Wan taste the forbidden Ithorian Fruit's that are Satine.......probably not!

Watch the full episode here - only available for the next 2 weeks.

 

http://www.starwars.com/video/view/000980.html

Voyage of Temptation - Clone Wars Season 2 Episode 13

"Fear not for the future, weep not for the past."

A royal welcome! Sent to investigate allegations that Mandalore was joining Count Dooku's Separatists, Obi-Wan Kenobi was reunited with an old friend, the Duchess Satine of Kalevala. While Satine claimed Mandalore's intentions were to remain neutral during the war, an attack on the capital city led Obi-Wan to the discovery of a terrorist organization known as Death Watch.

Now the Duchess travels to the Senate, so she can plead her case against her involvement in the war, as the Jedi prepare a defense against her opponents...

As the Jedi and their clones defend Duchess Satine from assassination attempts, Anakin discovers that Obi-Wan and the Duchess have a history together.

This episode was awesome. So much tension, whether it be political or sexual between the Duchess and Obi-Wan. It is evident that Obi-Wan questions his decisions so young by the feelings he has and once had for the Dutchess. Anakin is Anakin in the pestering, harrasing, and saving of Obi-Wan. I don't know if it is intential or i'm just obsessive but Lucas is showing signs of Vader in Anakin in every few episodes, and I love it! It is very dominate thru the clone wars novels and its only right that it be shown in the television series. I've searched up and down for a clip of this scene but none have surfaced yet but here is how it came down in the show.

"Come on, then. Who will strike first and be branded a cold-blooded killer?" --- Tal Merrik to Obi-Wan and Satine, before being killed by Anakin Skywalker (lighsaber thru the chest).

"What? He was gonna blow up the ship." --- Anakin Skywalkers "casual" reaction to Obi-Wan Kenobi, shortly after killing Merrik

A little treat below, and you will see what I mean about the birth of Vader in the clone wars, from a previous episode, Brain Invaders.
 
 


"You are strong and wise, Anakin, and I am very proud of you. I have trained you since you were a small boy. I have taught you everything I know, and you have become a far greater Jedi than I could ever hope to be."

Star Wars Hitchhiker

Splinter Of The Mind's Eye - Novel - Rise of the Empire - Post Episode 4

Stranded on a jungle planet, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia found themselves desperately racing Imperial Stormtroopers to claim a gem that had mysterious powers over the Force.

Luke Skywalker expected trouble when he volunteered to follow Princess Leia on her mission to Circarpous to enlist their Rebel underground in the battle against the Empire. But the farm boy from Tatooine hadn't counted on an unscheduled landing in the swamplands of Mimban hadn't counted on any of the things they would find on that strange planet.

Hidden on this planet was the Kaiburr crystal, a mysterious gem that would give the one who possessed it such powers over the Force that he would be all but invincible. In the wrong hands, the crystal could be deadly. So Luke had to find this treasure and find it fast.

Accompanied by Artoo-Detoo and See-Threepio his two faithful droids Luke and the Princess set out for the Temple of Pomojema and a confrontation deep beneath the surface of an alien world with the most fearsome villain in the galaxy!

Luke and Leia's adventure really shows how at the beginning of the Star Wars Saga not much was known about how the story would develope.  The attraction between Luke and Leia was very evident although there were no actions on their thoughts, majority of it being Luke's.  Vader plays a small roll in this novel but is crucial to the story, very worth reading.

Written as the follow up to Episode 4 New Hope, Alan Dean Foster originally wrote Splinter of the Mind's Eye to be a low budget movie sequel in the event Star Wars was not a hit on its original release.  Since Star Wars was such a hit, Lucas wrote his own sequel hence the birth of the expanded universe in Splinter of the Mind's Eye.  There is also a comic adeptation to the novel which can be collected in 4 different comics, Early Victories Omnibus, and also a collection of all 4 comics. 

"The boy is dangerous. They all sense it. Why can't you?"

Star Wars Hitchhiker

Legacy Comic Series - 130+ Years after Episode 6

I can quickly sum up the Legacy comic books in the words by Nat Skywalker, long decendant of Luke Skywalker: "You get mixed up with th' imperial princess, run into your former master, help the princess escape some thing, and end up on Bastion with Roan Fel.  Oh, and half the galaxy now knows you're a Skywalker and a Jedi.  And you decide to invade the kriffing Sith Temple to rescue a Jedi you'd sold for the bounty, get caught, and nearly get turned Sith yourself.  That Purty much it?" - Nat to young Cade Skywalker.

Many story lines exist in the Legacy Comics, so much I'm going to scratch the surface, but good for everybody they keep coming out and are currently collected in multi comic volume's.  Taking place over 130 years after Return of the Jedi, Legacy Comics are a fantastic addition to the Star Wars Comics.  Cade Skywalker is the main character, is a long time descendant of Luke Skywalker.  At an early age his father's life is taken before him and changes his journey thru life.  Early a Jedi padawan, he goes bounty hunter, smuggler, Jedi, Sith and back again.  Cade is much like Anakin, and much like Luke, strong willed but also a little weak minded.  His concern over all other things is saving the lives of the ones he loves.  He is a very strong Jedi healer but is reckless and walks so close to the darkside.....


Skywalker Family History - In not revealing a tremendous amount, the family history is very thick in these comics.  Cade has many force visions with Mara Jade, Anakin (as Vader), and with Luke.

Luke is a strong force that guides Cade to live up to his destiny as a Skywalker

Enemy's - Not only do the Jedi have to worry about the Empire, but they also have to worry about the Sith (as always).  All leaders are under minded by each other and seeking ultimate rule.  Sith no longer succeeding to Darth Bane's rule of two, Darth Krayt has again reinvented the Sith Order under his legacy As One Sith.  He has many minions that do his bidding.  But Darth Krayt is non other than Jedi A,Sharad Hett that was a Jedi prior to Episode 1.  Krayt was a Tuscan Raider and had a run in with Obi-Wan during his exile on Tatooine watching over the raising of Luke.

Cade has a great team with him on the Mynock, in Deliah Blue and Jeriah Syn, his long time partners in crime before his rebirth as a Jedi.

Check it out, enjoy, I've finally gotten caught up on these comics and can't wait for more!!!!  7 volume's currently out averaging 120+ pages each, and next volume out in March.  

"Through the Force, things you will see. Other places. The future...the past...old friends long gone."

Star Wars Hitchhiker