Customer Reviews

Shadows of the Empire (Star Wars)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are a younger reader who had trouble reading the adult version of Shadows of the Empire(I know I used to!), or a kid who wants to read a great story about Star Wars, this is the book for you. It captures all the fun and excitement of the adult book, but it is easier to read and is shorter. 9Not to mention is says how to pronounce Xizor! In my opinion, this is a great buy!

I remember when I first read this years ago I thought it was awesome. I particularly liked how the book came out alongside the Nintendo 64 video game and Hasbro toys. However, after rereading the novel, it comes up a bit short. In retrospect, I think my memories of the novel were shaped by the video game, which I loved. The novel itself seems to have a lot packed in, but also feels empty. Xizor, the head of the Black Sun crime syndicate, plots to assassinate Luke in order to get revenge on Darth Vader. Already, based on Return of the Jedi, we know what happens. Some subplots in the novel really feel like forced, designed to explicitly explain events in Return of the Jedi, such as the capture of the Death Star II plans. Other parts seem too dramatic or unrealistic, such as how Luke essentially utilizes Rogue Squadron for personal missions (wouldn't the Alliance High Command be a bit peeved?).

None of the new characters is particularly interesting. Xizor comes across as an overconfident playboy rather than a genuine villain. As another reviewer said, it would have been more interesting if we had seen Xizor actually succeed at something before he fails. As it stands, it looks like he's just playing out of his league with Vader and the Emperor. Dash Rendar is more interesting, but at the end of the day is just too much of a stand-in for Han Solo. His character takes a few interesting turns, but at the end it's hard to care too much about him. It would have been better to explore a completely new personality.

More tellingly, 15 years on, neither XIzor nor Black Sun have made much of an appearance in other Star Wars Expanded Universe works (Dash Rendar hasn't either, but he will feature in a book coming out later this year called Shadow Games). Rereading this novel really makes one wonder how Xizor and Black Sun were so powerful in Shadows of the Empire yet never mentioned elsewhere. In retrospect, this only highlights the lack of impact the Shadows of the Empire novel has had on the Star Wars universe.

If you are a younger reader who had trouble reading the adult version of Shadows of the Empire(I know I used to!), or a kid who wants to read a great story about Star Wars, this is the book for you. It captures all the fun and excitement of the adult book, but it is easier to read and is shorter. 9Not to mention is says how to pronounce Xizor! In my opinion, this is a great buy!

I recommend this book to readers of all ages that are crazed Star Wars fans. If you don't know what Shadows of the Empire is, it is the story in between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

It is mainly about saving Han Solo. I recommend this because each and every paragraph is full of details. My favorite part is where Luke and the rogue sqadron try to hijack a cargo plane containing special computer information. Tring to hijack it, it takes off and they follow it. Then out of nowhere it has a special defense system, half of the rogue sqadron was blown to space dust. That was the high action part. It even tells the action part from two points of view, Luke and the captains.

Again this is a great book for readers of all ages!

i think shadows of the empire is the best book of all time!!! junior novelation is the best its the best star wars story ever!!! read this book its great!!!

I haven't read the adult's version yet, but this junior novelization was really good! I thought the characters were well developed and the plot and story exelant, but I wish it had shown more of Luke's obvios inner development between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Instead it just had him act like he did in The Empire Strikes Back all the way through the book. But despite that I really did love this book and intend to read the adults version as soon as I can.

I really love the book. Steve Perry did a good job with the plot. I think having Dash Rendar gave it some humor. Even though the Emperor is on the cover he has basicly no point. I like that it mentions Boba Fett a lot. I liked the part when Dash Rendar said "Okay Goldie. My name is Man With a Blaster About to Cook You." Xizor was a good character to add. He made the plot more complex.

Dash Rendar is supposed to protect Luke from the Bounty Hunters. It is a fast moving story. The story begins at the Battle of Hoth, then progresses to the planet Tatoine to save Luke from Swoops.

Next you go to the sewers to get into Xizor's (she-zor) palace to rescue Leia. The Rebels blow up Xizor's skyhook and Dash crashes with a fiery death into the wreckage.

I really loved this book! I bought it and then read it 5 or 6 times. One of the reasons I liked this book was that, something was always happening. There was never a part that I felt like taking a break, or getting up for a glass of water. It was great. I really liked the setting (in between The Empire Strikes back and Return of the Jedi), and the way that Prince Xizor was carefully placed into the storyline. I think this is a must read book and every one who likes Star Wars should read it.

GOOD BOO