The Nameless Planet - Book Reviews

Darksaber - Kevin J. Anderson

As a warning, I should say that I read this book two summers ago. However, the simplicity of the plot (which is shared by most of the literary Star Wars universe) allowed me to remember the good and bad things about this book. Anderson's Jedi Academy Trilogy (JAT) was a good series, but Darksaber is lacking in some ways. First of all, Anderson, like the other SW authors, likes to use as many expanded universe characters as possible, to show off their control of the SW literary continuum. Darksaber picks up roughly where the mediocre Children of the Jedi left off. We find out that Luke is still pining over Callista, and trying to find some way for her to become fully human again, and one with the Force (since that's the only way they can truly be together...*gag*). Since Anderson uses some of the characters he introduced in the JAT, its okay because at least he is familiar with them. However, he messes around a bit with Kam Solusar, who was introduced in the Dark Horse Comics series Dark Empire II. We get some more of Han's political antics, and the weird romance between Wedge and Qwi Xux (don't ask me how he came up with THAT). The major plot here is a pretty neat one, the Hutts gain possession of the original Death Star plans and decide to build a superlaser, codenamed: DARKSABER (hmmm...this sounds familiar). The Hutts think that the Imperials were stupid for making a battle station, instead they believe that a simple housing for this superlaser will do (in a cylindrical shape, kind of like a lightsaber's hilt). After all, its sole purpose will be to blow stuff up, right? The book sees the return of Admiral Daala and even Vice Admiral Pellaeon. The most shocking plot point...be forewarned, I'm kinda giving something away...is the death of a major character when he was on a sabotage mission to take out the Darksaber. Overall, the book is pretty decent in comparison to other Star Wars novels, I have to give Anderson credit. Read it if you love Star Wars...but mostly if you like Star Wars' expanded universe. Rating: ** 1/2 (Added 1999.06.28).

Foundation - Isaac Asimov

Before setting out to read this series, one must realize that the Foundation series began as a serial in an SF publication. The first three books, Foundation, Foundation and Empire and Second Foundation were basically groupings of the short stories that appeared in the publication, and comprised the original "Foundation Trilogy". Asimov added books later on, but that's another story. First of all, Asimov is known as a master of SF for good reason. He has great ideas...but he has trouble writing, I think. His style is very hard to get used to, if you can call it a style. The story will appear boring at first because of this, but honestly if you can look past it Foundation is a good book. The story basically takes place over hundreds of years, as one man tries to redirect the course of future history. Basically, Hari Seldon is what is known as a psycho-historian, and predicts the fall of the Galactic Empire which is followed by thousands of years of war. He sets up the Encyclopedia Foundation to prevent this from happening, and long after Seldon has died the people of Terminus (the home planet of the Foundation) recieve messages of guidance from Seldon that have been pre-recorded. It is an story of an epic struggle of a civilization that knows what future lies ahead, and must do everything in their power to prevent it. There is a lot of political intrigue, and battles for supremacy. Overall, great SF, but unfortunately not good enough for me to continue the series. I'll probably finish it eventually. Rating: *** 1/2 (Added 1999.06.20)