Andrew's Review of The Black Fleet Crisis III: Tyrant's Test

3/5 Rancors - The Black Fleet Crisis started off strongly holding my interest but by this concluding third volume I found my attention beginning to waver. Michael P. Kube-McDowell’s final entry in the trilogy, Tyrant’s Test, picks right up with the three primary storylines from the earlier books. Once again he experiments with the layout of the story: this time around the Leia and Luke plots are intertwined, occasionally interrupted by a segment dubbed Interlude to spend some time on Lando’s adventures. This format is indicative of the eventual importance of the three threads. Leia’s story is clearly the primary one, focusing on her efforts to hold the New Republic together and unite squabbling factions against the nastily xenophobic Yevetha. Luke’s plot eventually ties in with one important tactical element in the final battle, but it’s a loose connection. Lando’s tale ends up having very little to do with anything, although it entertains on its own merits.

The book opens by finally bringing Chewbacca into the trilogy. Learning of Han’s imprisonment by Yevethan Viceroy Nil Spaar, he and his son Lumpawarrump (of Star Wars Holiday Special infamy!) set off for the Koornacht Cluster to mount a rescue. Mr. Kube-McDowell opts to translate the Wookiee language Shyriiwook directly rather than have Basic-speaking characters paraphrase the Wookiees’ utterances. I prefer this approach, as it fosters a more direct engagement with the Wookiees’ thoughts and emotions. While not given a large amount of time in the novel, the Chewbacca story is exciting and leads to an unusual action sequence on the Yevethan flagship Pride of Yevetha, where a clandestine agent aboard the vessel assists in clearing a path to Han.

Poor Leia is beset on all sides: she sees video of Han being savagely beaten within an inch of his life, old Senatorial friends from the past turn on her politically and force her to expend energy simply retaining her office, and her brother Luke has run off with a strange Force user named Akanah who claims to have information on their mother. Watching her grapple with the various situations she encounters and eventually build toward a climactic moment where she is able to unify the government behind her is the strongest part of the story. By this third volume, I often found myself wincing when I opened a page and saw the name Luke on it: his plot simply didn’t hold enough interest. Akanah’s manipulations of him were nausea-inducing, especially at the end where her abuse of the truth is revealed, and by this age in his life Luke should be a more mature character than the one the EU authors insist on portraying (I don’t subscribe to the dropping-my-responsibilities-to-chase-around-the-galaxy idea in this trilogy).

Not much is done here to expand the Yevethan culture. They place survival-of-the-fittest on a pedestal and live short, violent lives dedicated to that tenet. Nil Spaar sinks to new depths in several bloody moments, but for the most part the other Yevethan characters are interchangeable, more there to provide points-of-view rather than to be fleshed-out characters. There’s an excellent exploration of the remnants of the Imperial occupation force the Yevethan conquered twelve years earlier, and their sudden arrival in the storyline is entirely logical and fundamental to the final victory. Nil Spaar’s own demise is open-ended: I can’t say I hope to ever see him again in a future story.

Besides sporting a timely and key intervention from Luke using a nifty new Force power he learned from Akanah, Lando’s adventure on the vagabond starship doesn’t really relate to the rest of the trilogy. I continued to enjoy the interactions of Lando, Lobot, C-3PO, and R2-D2 on the vessel, but was disappointed at the anti-climactic ending of their tale. Still, it’s OK to have a sidebar in a story, and even though this one wasn’t very important, it is still fairly intriguing taken on its own merits.

The strengths of the Black Fleet Crisis trilogy taken as a whole are the innovative and detailed depictions of alien species both new and old, the exciting pacing of the political and military actions underlying the eventual confrontation with the Yevetha, and the breathing room the stories get by spreading them over a trilogy. However, this spreading out also is a weakness at points, as the Luke and Lando plots run out of steam to varying degrees. Overall, the trilogy is a worthwhile Star Wars story, particularly for readers interested in the New Republic government or the many fascinating aliens of the Expanded Universe.

Andrew: Rancor Spotting #6

This spotting comes to you straight from the pages of Dark Horse's Zam Wesell one-shot, recently reprinted in the excellent Menace Revealed omnibus. No page number, but about one-third of the way in a small street urchin is being threatened by some unsavory Coruscant hooligans. Cornered in a desolate dead-end, things look grim for the little four-armed tyke.

Little do these thugs know, though, that a rancor is on its way to the rescue! In one spectacular panel, we see an immense toothy beast magically appear as back-up to our small hero. The rabble can't believe their eyes, but nonetheless, they have the brains to take to their heels when a rancor, king of beasts, shows up on the scene.

Strangely, the little one seems as mystified as anyone by the turn of events, but the timely arrival of Jedi Master Yarael Poof swiftly sheds light on the situation....

David's Bonus Review of The Art of Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Note: I consider this review to be a bonus review because the book is not part of the official reading list of Star Wars books that Andrew and I are working our way through. However, it is an excellent addition to the Star Wars canon, plus it is really a visual treat to enjoy as you go through it.

5/5 Rancors - The Art of Star Wars: The Clone Wars is a coffee table book that looks excellent and is packed with renderings from the theatrical release and Season I of the TV series. The book also includes a quick peek at Season II. The emphasis is on concept art and you can get a real feel for the development of characters and places. My suggestion would be to take your time going through the book. Study the pictures and absorb the artwork.

Each picture in the book has a caption explaining specifically what you are looking at and what the artist’s name is. Many of the pictures also come with much longer explanations giving excellent background information, e.g., a particularly interesting write-up on the influence of Ralph McQuarrie. We hear from Director Dave Filoni a good deal as he explains the initial concepts of The Clone Wars and takes us through some of the changes that took place as the project came to fruition.

If you are a fan of The Clone Wars and enjoy the visual presentation, then this book is for you.

David: Rancor Spotting #5

Star Wars: The Clone Wars - The Visual Guide by Jason Fry, pages 50-51

As was previously noted in Rancor Spotting #2, a major sequence that was cut from the film The Clone Wars was to have been a lightsaber battle among Asajj Ventress, Anakin Skywalker, and Ahsoka Tano atop a rancor. This scene is also referenced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars - The Visual Guide with a very nice drawing of a jungle rancor and a picture of Anakin and Asajj on top of a rancor. Most rancors are described as having dull brown hides but breeding by animal dealers has produced giant rancors, horned rancors, and ones with skins in bright colors.

David's Review of The Black Fleet Crisis Book 2: Shield of Lies

4/5 Rancors - Shield of Lies is the second book in The Black Fleet Crisis, a trilogy by Michael P. Kube-McDowell. It picks up where Before the Storm left off. The leadership of the New Republic is gradually accepting the fact that the Yevethan are engaged in a campaign of genocide against anyone who is different from them. The campaign is one of no mercy and utter destruction. The question Leia is faced with as the leader of the New Republic is how to deal with the situation. Decide that it is not their problem and ignore the morality of the issue? Try to arrive at a diplomatic solution? Force the Yevethan to stop through engaging them in open warfare? The decision is one that may very well cost Leia her job as Chief of State.

The book is divided into three different sections. The first is Lando and his continuing search for the Teljkon vagabond, the mysterious craft that drifts through space and refuses to be investigated or even approached. Lobot, R2, Threepio, and a crew supplied by the military are all along with Lando to help learn about the vagabond. This section of the book is interesting. The concept of a large ship apparently just drifting through space with no identification and with powerful weapons systems is intriguing. However, as Lando and company succeed in actually getting aboard the ship, the entire concept of what the ship is and how it operates gets vastly complicated. The explanations may be more than you want to know.

The second section is Luke as he continues his mystical journey with Akanah to find the Fallanassi and possibly his mother. This entire section drags significantly as not a whole lot happens and we are subjected to endless philosophical discussions of the powers of the Fallanassi and how Luke should be using his powers purely for peace and not for any violent purposes. This continues a string of books in which Luke spends much more time thinking about what he should be doing rather than actually performing any useful functions. I’m tired of it. The Republic and Luke’s friends are in serious trouble, and he is trying to figure out what to do with his life.

The third section is Leia’s and is by far the most interesting. She is beset by problems on all sides, not the least of which is whether or not she can stay in office. She feels a moral obligation to confront the Yevethan, but many of the Republic’s other leaders do not agree. The situation becomes very personal for her when Han is captured by the opposing forces. The book ends as a cliffhanger with perilous situations all over the place. I look forward to the third book, and I fervently hope that Luke will see his way to actually helping out his friends.

David: Rancor Spotting #4

Tyrant’s Test: Book 3 of The Black Fleet Crisis by Michael P. Kube-McDowell, page 203

Republic ships are attempting to make a surprise attack against a Yevethan T-type ship in the battle in the Koornacht Cluster. Commodore Brand’s ships have been following one Yevethan vessel and plan to attack as soon as the vessel reappears from behind a planet. The only trouble is that when reappearance happens, the one T-type ship turns out to be three T-type ships. Oops. Here is Commodore Brand’s reaction.

“Three!” Brand said in surprise, loudly enough to be heard at most of the bridge stations. “Three, “ he repeated to himself. “Well, that yanks the rancor’s whiskers.”

Andrew's Review of The Black Fleet Crisis II: Shield of Lies

3/5 Rancors - Shield of Lies is the second entry in Michael P. Kube-McDowell's Black Fleet Crisis trilogy and has many of the standard hallmarks often found in middle chapters of a longer story. There is no particular beginning or ending point and the three primary storylines of Before the Storm are carried forward without any significant conclusions or new plots introduced. One tweak to the format is a reorganization of the three main plots: rather than interweaving them, they are presented in three completely separate parts. This is a welcome change if you don't enjoy jumping storylines from chapter to chapter, but maybe not so much if one or more of the scenarios taking place does not particularly engage you.

Mr. Kube McDowell's strengths from the first book continue unabated. His portrayal of alien species remains strong, his use of politics as an arena of battle alongside the detailed military engagements gives the book an exciting military fiction slant, and more unsettling aspects of the viciously memorable Yevethan culture are revealed.

The three storylines are distinct enough in tone and content that it is unlikely any reader will enjoy them all equally. My take is that the Luke Skywalker plot is the least engaging. Luke and the mysterious White Current adept Akanah continue to seek evidence of the whereabouts of her people and Luke's mother. Of course, thanks to the prequels we know Luke won't find his mother but that's beside the point. Their quest doesn't have enough narrative thrust behind it to sustain the story. It's hard to credit that Luke would be spending his time running around the galaxy on this personal mission while his friends back home are preparing for a possible full-scale war. It comes off as selfish and weak rather than mystical.

Faring better is Lando, Lobot, C-3PO, and R2-D2's continued exploration of the strange vagabond spaceship they have been trapped on. While they don't make much forward progress in Shield of Lies, they do have some entertaining moments, and Mr. Kube-McDowell's juxtaposition of Lando's impulsive humanity with the attitudes of the droids (and the cyborg Lobot occupying an interesting space in-between) continues to intrigue.

By far the most gripping part of the book is Leia's portion that deals with the actual Black Fleet situation. I would have liked more of the book devoted to her struggles with her own emotions, her fellow members of the New Republic government, and the malicious Yevetha. There's a terrific space battle at Doornik 319 that drives home the seriousness and scope of the Yevethan threat and more in this vein would have been welcome too. However, what there is of this story in the book is well executed, and the ending does leave quite a cliffhanger for the final volume.

Shield of Lies is a reasonable continuation of the Black Fleet Crisis trilogy, but it does not add very much of substance to the overall story and does not stand well on its own.

David: Rancor Spotting #3

Shield of Lies: Book 2 of The Black Fleet Crisis by Michael P. Kube-McDowell, page 247

In a time of crisis for the New Republic, war with the Yevetha appears to be inevitable. However, for political reasons, the Republic forces would rather not be thought of as the instigators . General Etahn A'baht, the commander of the New Republic's Fifth Fleet, has a large armada of ships patrolling the perimeter of the Farlax Sector. He is trying to decide whether to keep his vessels where they are and just remain watchful or to push forward bit by bit to see if he can spur the opposing Yevetha forces into action. He is receiving advice from Admiral Hiram Drayson, chief of Alpha Blue, a super-secret intelligence group in the New Republic.

A'baht - "Are you saying that we were sent here to draw the Yevetha into a war?"

Drayson - "I am saying that you may decide for yourself how much of your arm to place into the rancor's mouth."

Could be a useful expression in today's world.

David's Review of The Black Fleet Crisis Book 1: Before the Storm

4/5 Rancors - Before the Storm is the first book in The Black Fleet Crisis, a trilogy by Michael P. Kube-McDowell. Now the book had a couple of things going for it before I even opened it up. First, I always like the idea of a trilogy. Second, I think The Black Fleet Crisis has a nice ring to it, slightly ominous. Then I discovered that Luke, Lando, Leia, Han, and our two favorite droids were major players in the story. That made everything look good, and I am pleased to say that the book met my expectations. Fun stories to read for the most part.

The series takes place in a time of relative peace for the New Republic. The Empire is in tatters. The Jedi Knights are emerging once again as a force to be reckoned with. However, as one would expect, everything is not just good times and happiness. Leia is Chief of State and spends her time administering the Republic while resolving a multitude of problems and trying to raise a family. Her current focus in this book is a period of negotiations with the ruthless leader of the Duskhan League. Everything is not as it seems with the Yevetha who opposes her.

Luke is off in a wilderness area of Coruscant acting as a hermit and trying to get in touch with the Force or something. He does not seem to need clothes, food, water, or contact with other people. Leia has begged him to help her raise her kids and teach them the ways of the Force, but Luke is not going for it. Then suddenly one day a woman named Akanah appeared in his house without warning and asked Luke to go with her on a quest to find the Fallanassi and possibly to find news of his mother. Just like that, Luke agreed to go with her. Needless to say, Leia was not pleased. This section of the book requires an adjustment for readers who have seen the prequels and are comfortable with the story of Padme. Keep in mind that the book was written in 1996.

My favorite storyline in the book so far is Lando's quest as part of a military team to investigate a mysterious spacecraft that seems to have extremely destructive weapons and a mysterious mission. The craft is unapproachable and either jumps to hyperspace when approached or destroys any ship getting near to it. I love the mystery of this unknown vessel just traveling through space with an unknown purpose.

Before the Storm is a good effort by Mr. Kube-McDowell. I look forward to the next two books in the trilogy.

David: Rancor Spotting #2

The Art of Star Wars: The Clone Wars - pages 48-49

A major sequence that was cut from the film The Clone Wars was to have been a lightsaber battle among Asajj Ventress, Anakin Skywalker, and Ahsoka Tano atop a rancor. Too bad that it didn't make it. Apparently this rancor would have been way different from the one in Return of the Jedi. More of a Godzilla-like Japanese movie monster.