Customer Reviews

Speed of Darkness (StarCraft #3)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Speed of Darkness tells an outstanding story, but unlike most others in the series it caters to adult readers (or mature younger ones). There are several critical reviews posted here, and I am going to respond to the general "gist" of each of them:

1.) "This novel wasn't full of StarCraft action and violence."

The writer cannot help the fact that the narrative of StarCraft is told through the skeleton of a super-violent Real Time Strategy game. I love the StarCraft universe -- it is one of my absolute favorites (even above classics like Star Wars), but I did not love it because it was an incredible video game. I had fun *playing* StarCraft because it was an incredible video game -- I loved it because it told a mature, gripping story. When one considers the rise, betrayal, and fall of characters like Sarah Kerrigan, the trials that Speed of Darkness's protagonist (Ardo) is subjected to begin to make more sense. The world of StarCraft is gritty, if not outright disgusting when you peel back the layers that are slapped on and sugar-coated for the preteen crowd. Corruption, genocide, betrayal ... these are all quintessential elements of this world, and Speed of Darkness illustrates this mood as no other novel in the series has before or since. If you want a novel that is full of nothing but crappily-written Zerg vs. Protoss vs. Terran death, go read the most embarrassing novel in the series: Shadow of the Xel'naga.


2.) "This novel is full of Science Fiction cliches."

This is an awfully easy criticism to make of a work of fiction that is so deeply entrenched within a specific genre that it can barely breathe. Personally I did not find that Speed of Darkness was overburdened by cliches, though obviously there are going to be some given the very framework the author was constrained to. Speed of Darkness is morbid, dark and depressing. While there are certainly examples of Science Fiction that fit this mold, I consider them to be few and far between. Some other reviewers have commented that the novel is completely depressing -- it is, and the entire story is about finding meaning and purpose within the darkest depths of one's misery and sacrifice. It is a beautiful story, and one that boldly goes into domains not commonly explored by contemporary literature in a premanufactured Science Fiction genre. If you weren't pressed to the verge of tears the last time you read the word "golden" before the curtains close ... you either missed the point or desperately need therapy.

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This is, without a doubt, the single best story in the StarCraft line thus far. I have read all of them. If you want to supplement this story with other decent StarCraft literature, this is my personal list of favorites in descending order:

1. StarCraft: Speed of Darkness
2. StarCraft: Liberty's Crusade
3. StarCraft Ghost: Nova (technically a sequel to #2)
4. StarCraft: Dark Templar #1: Firstborn
5. StarCraft: Queen of Blades
6. StarCraft: Uprising (ebook)
7. StarCraft: Shadow of the Xel'naga (DO NOT buy this!)

This is definitely the best Starcraft book so far and totally redeems the Starcraft novel series. If you haven't read any of the novels yet, you should start with this one, since none of the stories are connected. (But definitely DON'T read "Shadow of the Xel'Naga")

Taking place during the beginning of the STARCRAFT game (before BROOD WARS), it follows a band of soldiers through a single battle as they go against the Zerg. The writer really researched the world and portrays everything realistically and in detail (so the book is exciting even if you never played the game). Like how those Terran barracks can spit out marines so quickly.

Sorry Protoss fans - since this is early in the STARCRAFT wars, the Protoss never show up or are even mentioned here. The story follows Aldo through the Confederates' training/brainswiping and spits him out against the Zerg which are finally portrayed realistically.

To me Speed of Darkness is the best book of the series, which unfortunately seems to have fallen on the wayside. The Starcraft universe enthralled me in a way I did not think a videogame could. Liberty's Crusade by Jeff Grub was a wonderful (if underdeveloped) telling of the original story, which spent some time in the trenches with the average Joe. I didn't care too much for Shadow of the Xel'naga. I enjoyed the read and the perspective, but it hasn't clung with me like Speed of Darkness. Being human helps me to relate to the Terrans and their plight, and since the game came out, I've had a special fascination for the Terran Marine. To me Speed of Darkness shines as a view in the trenches of a small squad of marines. My experience as a living history reenactor in 18th and early 19th century soldiering see the marine as a throwback to earlier warfare. Today we expect our soldiers to be super-smart, technological single-person armies. The Terran Marine seems like a throwback, a brainwashed conscript with no purpose in life but to follow orders.

Soldiers from the age of linear warfare were expected to follow orders and stay in line, Terran Marines are treated pretty much the same way. Yet just as the soldiers of that bygone age were capable of extraordinary acts of heroism, sacrifice, humanitarianism, initiative, and ambition. Tracy Hickman shows an incident where the Marines do the same thing. That small squad consisting of a diverse group of people, all with different backgrounds act on their own initiative. Not because of orders, or duty, or glory, they do it because it is the right thing. It's quite beautiful, without coming across as too corny, or over dramatic, because it works in context of the Starcraft universe. A place so dirty, corrupt, rife with conflict, death, and negativity. Speed of Darkness works, and it works in a memorable way.

Unfortunately, the novel is quite short, and somewhat underdeveloped, leaving a lot to the reader's imagination. Plus without a good working knowledge of the Starcraft universe, there is much that will be missed, and the story itself will just feel like something that's been done dozens of times.

I was hesistant to pick up "Speed of Darkness" because I heard from a few friends that it was the worst book so far. But when I did pick it up I really enjoyed it. The story follows a young man whos life seems all up and joyful until he is forced to join the Terran marines. Hickman attempts to make his character very human and sort of erie: and he does a great job! The only flaw that I find with this novel is that the ending was sort of a let down (I won't spoil it for you). Overall, read "Speed of Darkness", I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

This may sound odd, but the way I see it is this: Stracraft novels are based around a video game. Obviously, this leads to pretty low expectations. The first two novels in the series were essentially kid's books, more or less. They were meant to be fun little light-hearted romps throught the StarCraft world, where we could meet our favorite charectors and what-not. This third novel, however, is legitimate fiction. It has new charectors. Charectors with emotional trauma who go off to war and experience post-traumitc-stress-disorder and doubt their involvment in the army. Essentially, it's a "REAL" book. This book could be appreciated and considered by this who don't even know what StarCraft is, and that says alot. I hope people understand what I'm trying to say here.

The two previous starcraft books were ok, but could have been a lot better. Speed of Darkness far surpasses them. This book does not include any characters from the computer series, but familiar factions like the Confederacy and the Sons of Korhal show up. The setting is on Mar Sara (a confederate frontiers planet, for all who did not play the game), and the main character is Ardo Melkinov, a "resoc" whose family and friends were killed by the zerg. Or so he thought. I just read the book, and I cannot find a problem with it, besides the fact that it is too short. This is an excellent book, and does justice to the universe of starcraft.

While the book is not a literary marvel by any means, it is without a doubt the best book based on the StarCraft universe. After the boring recount of the game in Liberty's Crusade and mildly entertaining Shadow of Xel Naga, this book was a very pleasant surprise.

The beauty of this one is that it breaks away from the mathematical formulas that govern the combat in the game and in the process brings realism to the way events unfold. Hickman has brilliantly tied his story to the original events that took place in the game and in the first StarCraft book.

I hope that Hickman writes the screenplay for this one and gets in touch with the right people in Hollywood.

Set in the STARCRAFT galaxy where human race battles the Protoss and the Zerg for survival, this novel takes place on the Zerg-infested planet Mar Sara. Ardo Melnikov, a newly recruited marine steps into the dropship heading for Mar Sara to seek revenge for what the Zerg did to his love ones, at least that's what he thought he is doing...

For Ardo, this is more than a path to revenge, it is also a journey to reveal his true identity. As Ardo battles through the planet with his squad members, fragments of unknown memories start to surface in his mind. In no time, he can no longer distinguish his real memories apart from the "unnatural" ones. Without anyone to support him in the war-tore planet, Ardo suffers from his memories, he tries to forget them yet they always return as if they're reoccurring nightmares. Ardo's self struggle will soon face a turning point however, when he meets a woman named Merdith, a member of the rebeling organization, the Sons of Korhal.

Tracy Hickman did a brilliant job in portraying the environment of STARCRAFT universe with clear descriptions the buildings' interior, such as the barracks, command center, and refinery..,etc. The specific languages use by the marines and the routine of the army are accurately stated, which effectively grabs the attention of hardcore STARCRAFT fans.

This novel is a definitely considered a good stand alone sci-fi instead of another story in the STARCRAFT universe for people who played the game. By excluding the famous STARCRAFT characters such as Kerrigan and Jim Reynor from the novel. Hickman assures that readers who never played the game can still read the novel and get the feel of the universe and environment without being puzzled by characters relating to the original storyline.

I strongly advice this book to any readers, both players and non-players of the game STARCRAFT. As long as you are a sci-fi fan, you will enjoy the intensity and actions between the warfare of human and Zerg.

Hesitate of buying this book, from #2's failure to live up with the first, i wasn't sure. But being the Starcraft fan i am, decided to check it out. Let me tell you, it was NO MISTAKE! This book is so great! It is so filled with action and suspence. Tracy Hickman did a wonderful job with it, and I plan to read more of her books for sure! It is definately the best of the series. The story is about a man named Ardo, who is in love with this girl, when th "zerg" kill her and the terran forces rescue him and others from the area. After much fighiting, and much work on his brain, everything his mind can think of is wrong. when he rescues a civilian everything changes. She has the Psi emitter. A box that can call all the Zerg to an area. After the woman does some work on his brain Ardo cant think straight. When the time comes, he will remember the truth, and will hate all humanity for it... There you go. Thats about the sum of it, without giving away too much. goodguys die, Zergs die, people back stab, etc. Its really a great epic. i truly bieleve this can be a great movie. There was only one flaw that i found in this book. One marine can kill tons of Zerg units. whats up with that? They have a small force, and somehow manage to kill BILLIONS of Zerg when they only have about 8 to 16 men. Something is a little wrong here am I right? Anyhoo, i reccomend this book to anyone who loves Star Craft and any one who loves Sci-Fi, and any one who loves mystery and any one who loves... Why am I wasting my time! I RECCOMEND IT TO EVERYONE!

-i edited this just now i fixed up grammar ect. :)

I enjoyed Hickman's books as a teenager and thought I would try reading some of his books again. I have not read any of the other StarCraft books, so I cannot compare it against those, but I thought it was a wonderfully well written sci-fi/game book. It reads fast, has enough twists to keep it interesting, and personally, I loved the build up and the ending. It even made me want to play StarCraft again.