Excited by the plot and characters, this is fun to read as a adult. If you like Disney parks this gets into them in a very unique way. A bit of puzzle solving, mystery and nostalgia thrown in to the mix. And look out for It's A Small World—like you've never seen it before.
I was somewhat let down by Makers. After the first half of the book I was reading more or less to get through it and onto a different book. The character development is shallow, with little to adore, admire, or connect with. Sure, the main characters develop some layers through their history together, but the majority of the book reads like a documentary, with its matter-of-fact dialog.
The only real gem in the book are the ideas that the plot runs on. While the majority of the characters seem hollow, the concepts that the characters contribute to have legs. Are they all original ideas? Definitely not. Doctorow clearly has much commentary into the modern day makers and relates todays issues through this not too distant future story. Additionally, his copyright activist background (EFF affiliation) infiltrate the moral conundrums within the storytelling—not to mention the various occurrences of TSA strip ...
Excited to get into this Disney YA series. Heard an interview with the author, Ridley Pearson, on the WDW Radio podcast. A good listen and fun primer to reading this. Check it out.
Rebel Stand is one of the best reads in the New Jedi Order series.
The book introduces another villain, but that villain is not part of the Yuuzhan Vong invasion. There are some really great moments involving that villain and the plot surrounding it.
Luke and Leia take center stage in this story, presenting a depth and awesome combat sequences that make for a real page turner.
Maybe, just maybe, they will experience victory instead of such great loss.
This is a fun read. Mara, Luke, Leia and Han really make their presence known in this book. There's a lot of great action sequences and some sweet plot twists that make the read even more enjoyable. Can't wait to see how it all pans out.
In Star By Star the young Jedi face great turmoil in their efforts do their part in attacking the invading Yuuzhan Vong.
Though there is a abundance of very dark events in this novel, the majority of the action felt rather repetitious and somewhat mundane. Less mystery and more hide and go seek. Some of the characters seem expendable, and were thusly left with an "oh that's to bad, moving on" mentality upon their demise. There were some real emotional connections made with some characters and the conflicts presented.
Overall it was a good story that had a good pace, moving the series-plot into ever darker territory.
Listening to the audiobook, read by Palin.
The account of his travels is decent, though it should be noted much of the voyage is on the high seas with Indian crew. So overall the events are less than cinematic, somewhat mundane for a world travel challenge.
I spent my teens growing up with a Labrador Retriever—a best friend with a happy and outgoing demeanor. This book touched me like no other.
So I might be a little biased, but my bias is wonderful because, like the author, I too have had wonderful (and not so wonderful) experiences with a yellow Labrador of my own.
I was enthralled with this account from chapter to chapter. I didn't find the book to be humor driven, in fact it was quite the opposite. The authors account was revealing and dark at times. The candid manor in which the story was presented is refreshing.
The story is not really climax driven. It lives for a moral lesson that the author gained from his life with a great dog. Above all, this book has heart and really pulled on my emotional strings. If you love dog stories, its a ...
So I'm hooked on these stories. I leave each chapter wanting to know what's next for the SW characters I've grown to love. The darkness presented in the preceding books seems to be waning, finally. Prepared to see the good guys win.
Sure, this is a longer series than I anticipated getting myself into a couple years ago. It's well worth it, as the story improves with each novel in the New Jedi Order series. Here are some general observations on the plot thus far. (Now reading this, book 11)
Top characters: Jania Solo, Anakin Solo, Mara Jade
Comic Relief: Always C-3PO
Bumbling Idiot: Nom Anor