More EU lists!
Dec. 17th, 2010 08:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jedimara77So we had my Top 10 EU characters...now we have my
Top 10 Books
1. Vision of the Future by Timothy Zahn
The perfect end to the Bantam line. And of course this reader couldn’t get enough of all the wonderful Luke/Mara interaction. Repeat with me: FINALLY!
2. Outbound Flight by Timothy Zahn
Zahn managed to combine many different plots seamlessly and provided new insights into the motivations of both Palpatine and Thrawn. And oh, how I loved Thrawn in this book. Considering this is a prequel book without my two favorite characters – Luke and Mara – the fact that this book tops my list says a lot about how awesome it is.
3. Tatooine Ghost by Troy Denning
This is a wonderful character study of Han and Leia’s early relationship, and her fears about having children while coming to terms with her parentage. I want more books like this.
4. The Last Command by Timothy Zahn
The conclusion to the best series of the EU. It provided a fantastic end to Grand Admiral Thrawn’s character and a promising beginning to Mara Jade’s.
5. The Unifying Force by James Luceno
The conclusion to the New Jedi Order. One of the reasons I was so disappointed with the post-NJO books is that the series ended on such a high note and brilliantly set up the characters to go in certain directions…and then that was all pushed aside for the Dark Nest trilogy and Jacen turning dark.
6. Iron Fist by Aaron Allston
Ton Phanan. Dia Passik. Face Loran. Lt. Kettch. Need I say more? Of all the X-wing books, this is the one that made me both laugh and cry so much. And I firmly believe that Ton Phanan’s death is the best of the EU. It is quiet and dignified, with just him and his best friend, as all deaths should be: Phanan's chest did not rise or fall. But his organic eye was still open, directed upward, and his expression—for once lacking pain, lacking the shields of sarcasm or manufactured self-appreciation—was that of a child wondering at the glittering beauty of the stars.
7. Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor by Matthew Stover
No book in recent memory has made me more excited about the EU or done a better job with Luke Skywalker. It shows his transition from pilot to Jedi and cements his place as the hope of the Jedi Order with my favorite line of the EU: “Unlike the Knights of old, you are not afraid of the dark.” It even made me like one of the Mandalorians!
8. Star by Star by Troy Denning
A monster of a book that was the turning point of the NJO. So upsetting, but beautifully written. Anakin shouldn’t have died, but at least he went out like a hero.
9. Force Heretic: Remnant by Sean Williams and Shane Dix
I didn’t like the entire Force Heretic trilogy that much, but this book had it all for me: great action, great characters, and Pellaeon being a BAMF: “The Empire will always strike back.”
10. I, Jedi by Michael Stackpole
I have always wondered why there haven’t been more books like this. Reading a Star Wars book written in the first person was very different and very interesting. I’d love to go back to old series and get a first person book focusing on some of the minor characters.
Top 10 Books
1. Vision of the Future by Timothy Zahn
The perfect end to the Bantam line. And of course this reader couldn’t get enough of all the wonderful Luke/Mara interaction. Repeat with me: FINALLY!
2. Outbound Flight by Timothy Zahn
Zahn managed to combine many different plots seamlessly and provided new insights into the motivations of both Palpatine and Thrawn. And oh, how I loved Thrawn in this book. Considering this is a prequel book without my two favorite characters – Luke and Mara – the fact that this book tops my list says a lot about how awesome it is.
3. Tatooine Ghost by Troy Denning
This is a wonderful character study of Han and Leia’s early relationship, and her fears about having children while coming to terms with her parentage. I want more books like this.
4. The Last Command by Timothy Zahn
The conclusion to the best series of the EU. It provided a fantastic end to Grand Admiral Thrawn’s character and a promising beginning to Mara Jade’s.
5. The Unifying Force by James Luceno
The conclusion to the New Jedi Order. One of the reasons I was so disappointed with the post-NJO books is that the series ended on such a high note and brilliantly set up the characters to go in certain directions…and then that was all pushed aside for the Dark Nest trilogy and Jacen turning dark.
6. Iron Fist by Aaron Allston
Ton Phanan. Dia Passik. Face Loran. Lt. Kettch. Need I say more? Of all the X-wing books, this is the one that made me both laugh and cry so much. And I firmly believe that Ton Phanan’s death is the best of the EU. It is quiet and dignified, with just him and his best friend, as all deaths should be: Phanan's chest did not rise or fall. But his organic eye was still open, directed upward, and his expression—for once lacking pain, lacking the shields of sarcasm or manufactured self-appreciation—was that of a child wondering at the glittering beauty of the stars.
7. Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor by Matthew Stover
No book in recent memory has made me more excited about the EU or done a better job with Luke Skywalker. It shows his transition from pilot to Jedi and cements his place as the hope of the Jedi Order with my favorite line of the EU: “Unlike the Knights of old, you are not afraid of the dark.” It even made me like one of the Mandalorians!
8. Star by Star by Troy Denning
A monster of a book that was the turning point of the NJO. So upsetting, but beautifully written. Anakin shouldn’t have died, but at least he went out like a hero.
9. Force Heretic: Remnant by Sean Williams and Shane Dix
I didn’t like the entire Force Heretic trilogy that much, but this book had it all for me: great action, great characters, and Pellaeon being a BAMF: “The Empire will always strike back.”
10. I, Jedi by Michael Stackpole
I have always wondered why there haven’t been more books like this. Reading a Star Wars book written in the first person was very different and very interesting. I’d love to go back to old series and get a first person book focusing on some of the minor characters.
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Date: 2010-12-18 01:17 am (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2010-12-18 02:14 am (UTC)UNTIL NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Date: 2010-12-18 02:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-12-18 01:33 am (UTC)YES. YES. YES. More stand alone books that are perfectly written and that the characterization is so spot on. Not to mention the fact that I want more books that take place between RotJ and Heir to the Empire. (And inter-trilogy books as well.)
I can't believe #7 is on your list. Well, wait. Yes, I can. But it wouldn't be on mine. *g*
#8 still kills me.
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Date: 2010-12-18 01:44 am (UTC)I want more books during the New Republic era. I want a Luke/Mara book BEFORE they get together. Because during the ten years between TLC and VOTF, there's hardly any times that they're actually together by themselves. Sure she goes to the Academy on and off, but that's about it. There should have been much more angst.
But in general I just want more books about characters. Like I, Jedi, but for other characters - a Kyp Durron book, as much as I dislike him, would be fascinating.
I can't believe #7 is on your list. Well, wait. Yes, I can. But it wouldn't be on mine. *g*
:P What can I say. I'm a sucker for Luke.
#8 still kills me.
Whenever I finally do my NJO re-read, I'm gonna have to stock up on the tissues for that one. Poor Anakin. :(
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Date: 2010-12-18 06:32 am (UTC)And I didn't realise that "I, Jedi" was good? It's one of those that is sitting in the 'will get around to reading one day' pile. I'd bump it up to the top based on your rec (but it's in another country...sigh.)
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Date: 2010-12-18 01:26 pm (UTC)Have you read Survivor's Quest? Those books form a duology, sort of.
I, Jedi fixes ALL the mistakes of the Jedi Academy Trilogy. Of course, it also helps if you like Corran Horn.
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Date: 2010-12-20 07:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-12-21 04:05 am (UTC)BTW - your icon is making me LOL.
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Date: 2010-12-21 11:48 am (UTC)