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gj377's review against another edition
2.0
Probably 2.5 stars and for a lot of this book it did just bumble along like an old school EU novel, but it was lacking heart. It had a lot of themes in common with TZ's Thrawn trilogy and I hated what the ending implied for the Force (although potentially better than midichlorians amirite?). It felt tired, and compared to the freshness of [b:Lost Stars|25067046|Lost Stars (Star Wars Journey to the Force Awakens)|Claudia Gray|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1462731623s/25067046.jpg|44751860] and the new SW canon movies, this was so empty. The ending felt like a goodbye to the EU universe, and as this was one of the last old (now Legends) books, that's probably for the best. A disappointing read - there are far better ones to sink your teeth into.
crasscasualty's review against another edition
3.0
This novel is a little uneventful. Without giving spoilers, it's obviously setting up the pieces for a new story arc. It started out strong but quickly petered off.
Nonetheless, it is still an entertaining enough read for EU fans, though I don't think anyone else would find it accessible or enjoyable.
Unless you are dedicated to the EU, I would recommend getting your sci-fi kicks elsewhere.
*Disclaimer: I received this novel for free through First Reads.
Nonetheless, it is still an entertaining enough read for EU fans, though I don't think anyone else would find it accessible or enjoyable.
Unless you are dedicated to the EU, I would recommend getting your sci-fi kicks elsewhere.
*Disclaimer: I received this novel for free through First Reads.
nerdyrev's review against another edition
4.0
Usually, the first book of a new Star Wars series can be quite dull. There may be some action and excitement, but generally the first book is a set up for the next 6-7 books to follow. Crucible doesn't follow this pattern at all. This is a solid story filled with excitement, close calls, and centers around the four main people Star Wars fans want to read about- namely Luke, Leia, Han, and Lando.
The story follows after the end of the last one with some time in between. I am writing a review without spoilers, so let me just say that this is worth your time, if you are an extended universe fan. The ending is one that most fans more than likely have wanted to see. It has the four main, plus the return of Vestra (not a spoiler as it happens early) and the next generation of Skywalkers/Jedi, but really focuses on the four main.
Troy Denning is one of my favorite extended universe writers and I look forward to what he writes. There will obviously be more to come in this new series, but this book could almost be self contained. Be sure to pick this one up if you have been deep into the extended universe, but if this is your intro, it might be worth your time to read the last series, so you know the importance of some of the characters.
The story follows after the end of the last one with some time in between. I am writing a review without spoilers, so let me just say that this is worth your time, if you are an extended universe fan. The ending is one that most fans more than likely have wanted to see. It has the four main, plus the return of Vestra (not a spoiler as it happens early) and the next generation of Skywalkers/Jedi, but really focuses on the four main.
Troy Denning is one of my favorite extended universe writers and I look forward to what he writes. There will obviously be more to come in this new series, but this book could almost be self contained. Be sure to pick this one up if you have been deep into the extended universe, but if this is your intro, it might be worth your time to read the last series, so you know the importance of some of the characters.
dgignac's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first Star Wars book I allowed myself to truly enjoy for a while. The big epic multi book series were often so stressful to read. It was nice to be able to sit back and enjoy a book that wasn't part of a series. Having the big 3 or 4 characters was nice, and it was nice to actually acknowledge how old they really are. I was surprised by the ending, just because I didn't think the books would ever allow this to happen.
biblialex's review against another edition
3.0
Luke, Leia, and Han are a lot older than they used to be. They still get in a lot of firefights whilst trying to save the galaxy (again). The EU as a whole is crazy and uneven, but this is a solid entry with plenty of badassery all around.
eoghann's review against another edition
3.0
This is the latest book in the expansive "Expanded Universe" of Star Wars. That is stuff which is not movie canon but generally stays consistent within it's own existence. The EU has been around for a long time and it's built up a pretty complex continuity at this point which can be a problem.
So the core audience for this book is pretty specific. People who not only love the movies, but also have at least somewhat kept up with the expanded universe. And it shows because this book reads like a bridge novel between a bunch of adventures and the next adventure. Which is exactly what it is.
Allowing for that, how does it do? Well it does give us a high action, comparatively stand alone story for the majority of the novel. And while it does rely on what's come before, there's plenty of recap built into the novel so you don't get lost.
If anything it's guilty of over-recapping and in particular there are far too many movie references. Right from the beginning when we're told a bar reminds them of Mos Eisley. Let it go. We know it's Star Wars. You don't need to hit us over the head with it.
Still we get Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, Princess Leia and of course Luke Skywalker all back together again, along with some of the new blood the novels have introduced over the years. And it definitely has the swashbuckling Star Wars feel to it. Plenty of action, plenty of danger, just a hint of spirituality in The Force.
Speaking of which... did we have to be told it was Force lightning every time, or that Luke sensed it in the Force, or that they Force jumped, or that they were using the Force in their words? I know they're Jedi, I get how it works.
The writing in the book is functional, even a little pedestrian really. It does what it needs to do. It delivers the sort of plot a Star Wars fan is going to want. It just doesn't bring much in the way of style with it.
Bottom line, if you enjoy the Expanded Universe and the "new adventures of Luke Skywalker" you're probably going to like this. If you like Star Wars you'd be better starting off earlier in the series really, but if you want to jump in, you'll likely enjoy yourself.
So the core audience for this book is pretty specific. People who not only love the movies, but also have at least somewhat kept up with the expanded universe. And it shows because this book reads like a bridge novel between a bunch of adventures and the next adventure. Which is exactly what it is.
Allowing for that, how does it do? Well it does give us a high action, comparatively stand alone story for the majority of the novel. And while it does rely on what's come before, there's plenty of recap built into the novel so you don't get lost.
If anything it's guilty of over-recapping and in particular there are far too many movie references. Right from the beginning when we're told a bar reminds them of Mos Eisley. Let it go. We know it's Star Wars. You don't need to hit us over the head with it.
Still we get Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, Princess Leia and of course Luke Skywalker all back together again, along with some of the new blood the novels have introduced over the years. And it definitely has the swashbuckling Star Wars feel to it. Plenty of action, plenty of danger, just a hint of spirituality in The Force.
Speaking of which... did we have to be told it was Force lightning every time, or that Luke sensed it in the Force, or that they Force jumped, or that they were using the Force in their words? I know they're Jedi, I get how it works.
The writing in the book is functional, even a little pedestrian really. It does what it needs to do. It delivers the sort of plot a Star Wars fan is going to want. It just doesn't bring much in the way of style with it.
Bottom line, if you enjoy the Expanded Universe and the "new adventures of Luke Skywalker" you're probably going to like this. If you like Star Wars you'd be better starting off earlier in the series really, but if you want to jump in, you'll likely enjoy yourself.
deathtrooper's review against another edition
1.0
This is how the eu ends... massive Cliffhangers. A nice little story, a great last adventure of the big three but not a worthy end for the EU...
thesarahsilvester's review against another edition
5.0
Okay, so this was a completely bizarre read because of the canon. It’s the final book in the “old” canon, before things got rewritten to line up with The Force Awakens and everything after that.
(This review has no plot spoilers as such, just spoilers relating to this older canon, of which this is the last book so I guess if you read it you do end up knowing everything that went on previously)
So it’s kind of like a parallel Star wars universe, as Han and Leia have known each other 40 years here but things are very different to the movies we know now.
But in all of that it was incredibly cool seeing Leia as a Jedi Knight. I mean, give me more of that. And I think I preferred it to battle weary General Leia in a way. She was unbelievably fierce and awesome, and the confidence Han had in her ability was so attractive 🤣 as if I needed my Han and Leia situation to get any worse 😂😂😂
I listened on audio and it was fantastic, I ignored my whole family to finish without stopping.
So if you can get past the fact that the entire timeline is different (there’s no Ben Solo, for instance, no first order, Luke has a son) then this is really fun stuff. Weird, but fun.
If you don’t want to get into confusing alternate universes, then read Bloodline by Claudia Gray for the same Han and Leia effect as an older married couple, but within the realm of the current movie plot line.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(This review has no plot spoilers as such, just spoilers relating to this older canon, of which this is the last book so I guess if you read it you do end up knowing everything that went on previously)
So it’s kind of like a parallel Star wars universe, as Han and Leia have known each other 40 years here but things are very different to the movies we know now.
But in all of that it was incredibly cool seeing Leia as a Jedi Knight. I mean, give me more of that. And I think I preferred it to battle weary General Leia in a way. She was unbelievably fierce and awesome, and the confidence Han had in her ability was so attractive 🤣 as if I needed my Han and Leia situation to get any worse 😂😂😂
I listened on audio and it was fantastic, I ignored my whole family to finish without stopping.
So if you can get past the fact that the entire timeline is different (there’s no Ben Solo, for instance, no first order, Luke has a son) then this is really fun stuff. Weird, but fun.
If you don’t want to get into confusing alternate universes, then read Bloodline by Claudia Gray for the same Han and Leia effect as an older married couple, but within the realm of the current movie plot line.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
bianca_horkan's review against another edition
2.0
If this is the "last" of the EU that we used to know -- I have to say that I'm disappointed.
Since we can't give "half star" ratings -- I gave it a 3 out of 5.
Yes, there's a "happy ending" of sorts. I don't know what to say -- somewhere around the last half of the book it turned and kinda stopped feeling like Star Wars.
I don't even know what to write...I'm so conflicted.
Since we can't give "half star" ratings -- I gave it a 3 out of 5.
Yes, there's a "happy ending" of sorts. I don't know what to say -- somewhere around the last half of the book it turned and kinda stopped feeling like Star Wars.
I don't even know what to write...I'm so conflicted.