A review by michaelchurch
Tempest by Troy Denning

2.0

If you can’t tell from the fact it took me 5 months to read this, it was a bit of a slog to get through. It’s really the same issue I have with most of the Star Wars books. There’s too much focus on politics and intrigue without enough actually happening. The main characters hardly ever encounter each other, so the reader is constantly being introduced to new side characters that may be present for a single book or may crop back up years later.

This approach also presents serious pacing issues. 3-5 separate plot threads are set into motion early on and are revisited once every few chapters. It’s only at the end of the book immediately surrounding the climax that it feels like it gets any momentum. I remember now why my favorite book from the New Jedi Order series (Traitor) appealed to me so much. It was almost entirely focused on one character and sequence of events.

Some may not like what is being done with these characters, but I think it’s compelling drama. I may not like it, but it’s interesting and at least makes some sense. I just really wish it could get to the point sooner. Knowing the rest of the series is about the same size of book, though, I don’t think it will happen anytime soon. Of course, I’m a glutton for punishment, so I’ll be continuing to read this series until it’s over.