The Joiner King Question

[jedimara77]

For those of you who have read/are reading The Joiner King:

Does it get any better? I'm on chapter 10 or so and I really, really am having a hard time getting into it. I really have no idea what's going on, and I'm not interested in anything at all. This is distressing because I really like Troy Denning. Why am I hating this book? I definitely want to finish it, and the rest of the trilogy (I have to read all the EU, it's a disorder), but I haven't had a desire to read it more than a chapter a night.

If anyone can give me some sort of description of what's to come or what the heck is going on without being too spoilery, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

Comments

[astrogrl32.livejournal.com]

I guess it gets more exciting. I dunno, I'll admit to not being too thrilled with it either. Either Denning was not up to snuff this time or LFL made him write a really weird story. :\

[christmasjedi.livejournal.com]

Huh. I rather enjoyed it, once you get past the bugs. Let's see, Chapter 10... Oh, you just met UnuThul. Yeah, I guess the beginning was a little slow. You are going to very quickly discover a hidden enemy, some Jedi are going to become bug-huggers, much to Han's dismay, some of the Jedi can't quite be trusted after that, Leia kicks butt, Han provides comic relief, Jaina acts like her father's daughter, Luke and Mara kick ass, Luke wonders about this whole Unified Force concept... Oh, and Artoo flips his lid, which is pretty entertaining. :-) The plot really isn't anything to write home about (too much Star Trek influence, and bugs, ick!), but I enjoyed all of the characterizations. He really does a great job of developing characters. Oh, and there's lots of implied sex in the book, that you may or may not enjoy.

And the odd, yet good thing is that it doesn't end on a cliff-hanger, but I'm really curious to see how they're going to get a trilogy out of this.

I hope that wasn't too much information... I tried to be rather vague.

[silent-chris.livejournal.com]

I felt much the same way you do. I did finish, but I did kind of reach the end thinking 'yeah, so?' It did kind of have a 'monster of the week' feel. And I think I really would have been more interested in a conflict between familiar powers - like the Chiss and Hapans. And I was really confused about who was and wasn't in relationships by the end.

The only thing that really got me excited was the subplot with Artoo.

[swordofthejedi.livejournal.com]

i just started chp 3 myself and am hoping things pick up...right now i'm quite confused :-)

[jedimara77.livejournal.com]

It just seems that Denning has given us absolutely no exposition for this book at all. I have no idea what's going on most of the time as far as all the Reconstruction stuff.

[ewanspotter.livejournal.com]

I thought it was a bit strange that there was such a gap between the last series and this one (it's like... six years or something?) but in general I thought it was okay. Worth your time to read I guess. Not the best of the SW novels, but not bad. I suppose I'm just waiting for the next two to come out. Usually the first isn't always the most exciting.

Actually, I cared less about the bug storyline and more for the R2 one. He's acting batty throughout the first part and when Luke trys to fix him... well, let's just say I'm glad Episode 3 is out so now certain things can actually be addressed.

[jedimara77.livejournal.com]

Heh. I read spoilers and so I flipped ahead to Chapter 18 already. To be honest if it wasn't for that storyline I wouldn't even want to finish the book.

[ewanspotter.livejournal.com]

They don't get very deep into the R2 mystery, but I look forward to seeing where it goes. I've alway wanted Luke to get to know/see his mother in some way. They even managed to slip in Obi. hehe

[ewanspotter.livejournal.com]

Err, ignore the Ewan message. That was meant for Padawan Alli. lol

[starbuck92.livejournal.com]

You already know how I felt about the book. I like Denning's writing style, and while many are complaining that it has too much influence from ST, I guess I'm immune from it as I've never really watched ST.

I am definitely looking forward to the next book a month from now. I'm very curious as to where they'll take the story. I've read a few interviews with Denning and how difficult it was to write a series that takes place after the multi-novel NJO that flipped so many things upside down. I think he still has a few surprises up his sleeve. I trust him.

[jedimara77.livejournal.com]

I guess I just still don't like all the "new ideas" about the Force. Yes, the Old Jedi Order did not survive, but I don't think that means their ideas about the Force were wrong. To read about Luke talking about the lack of a dark side is just WRONG, IMO. It's like, hey, remember your dad? I dunno, I just don't like it. I'm going to give it a chance, though.

[starbuck92.livejournal.com]

Well, yeah, I'm not too thrilled with the ideas The Unifying Force brought forth... I am of a strong opinion that this will be altered somewhere during this trilogy. No spoilers, just speculation based off the knowledge that the next set of books is going to usher in the Legacy of the Force era.

[jedimara77.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm getting that impression, too. I'm liking the book better now. Han and Leia just "confronted" Alema. I'm sorry, but I hate that girl. I hope the younger Jedi get the crap kicked out of them by Luke and the other masters, hahaha.

[starbuck92.livejournal.com]

OMG, I loved the confrontation with Alema. I never much liked her, either, lol. And I LOVE how Leia is all pissy afterwards, and how much Han likes it! :D

I hope the younger Jedi get the crap kicked out of them by Luke and the other masters

Some of them need a good ass-kicking!