AFICIONADO REVIEW: 'INFERNO SQUAD' (OUT THIS WEEK IN UK PAPERBACK)

From the flames of Imperial crisis comes Inferno Squad!

"We're going to get them Gideon. We're going to make them pay." 

Imperial Senior Lieutenant Iden Versio

MILD SPOILERS AHEAD...

The Empire's "Fearsome Four"- the alternate take to Jyn Erso's brave rebel Rogue One squad, led by another battle-hardened, revenge-fuelled female star just as dedicated to her own cause in Iden Versio, are showcased in a new and fast paced adventure of covert warfare from reliable STAR WARS book talent Christie Golden, linked to the official Lucasfilm/EA Games bestseller: STAR WARS Battlefront II - Inferno Squad, out this week (27/3/18) in Arrow UK paperback.

One of the few Imperial survivors of the Battle of Yavin, and the destruction of the once-thought seemingly indestructible Death Star battle station - the ultimate firepower satellite of which she was proud to be in service during her role as a TIE fighter pilot, Iden wants bitter revenge against Princess Leia Organa and the Rebel Alliance, a terror organisation which has since become more dangerous than anyone had prior realized.

Iden is disciplined, intelligent, fiery, ambitious and attractive -using all those talents to the fullest in her personal wish to bring order to chaos in the galaxy around her, whilst living the powerbase dream of galactic rule of which she is a part, having grow up under the disciplines and doctrines of the Emperor's order and via the advice and upbringing of her strict disciplinarian, seemingly compassionless Imperial admiral father. There's certainly no love lost between them as Iden's first mission as team leader for him begins, though there is a healthy respect of sorts, and efficient businesslike relations.

Iden Versio, as seen in the STAR WARS: Battlefront II game.

And in this newly created group called Inferno Squad, with all the latest fruits of Imperial technology and weaponry at their disposal, Iden's new leadership role will be a true baptism of fire, in charge of a unique team of four that must yield quick results and solidify the fear that the Empire must bring to insurrectionists. A team that will comprise friendly rival Gideon Hask-  an older figure, and a respected lieutenant of promotion and talent, Del Meeko, who has risen up the ranks from stormtrooper grunt to Star Destroyer engineer, and new star Seyn Marana, a keen and arrogant officer with a meticulous eye for detail from Intelligence and a brilliant blaster shot!

On a quest to find a defector from Saw Gerrera's reorganized Partisan forces who has stolen important Imperial information, Inferno Squad's earliest missions are soon interwoven: retrieve said info then infiltrate and destroy the enemy group. Killing these partisans, bolder than ever with the passing of the Death Star, should be a simple idea, but it'll soon prove anything but for Iden and her team once their infiltration of 'The Dreamers' begins, as a building storm of emotion and ideological complexity begins.

One could get fatigue with the many 'teams' of heroes and antiheroes we've had within the current realms of STAR WARS films and Expanded Universe tales, but Inferno Squad remains a solid enough read, effectively carrying on the gritty feel established by Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, of which this is an official sequel of sorts. Golden keeps things moving briskly, even if the characters, including Iden Versio (clearly designed as 'the next big thing' in STAR WARS female-dom) don't particularly feel all that memorable, though there is a very satisfying use of a popular and very relevant character from The Clone Wars animated series whose ultimate fate was never shown.

Thankfully, the book has a tough and satisfying conclusion, but it's not quite as ambitious a novel and adventure that I was hoping for, feeling more like a smaller scale continuance of something like Star Wars Rebels than a movie.

The idea of Inferno Squad remains a good one, and there's lots of potential for a future series of books with the surviving characters. But let's hope for more story originality, and an overall feel of action/adventure that actually lives up to this book's evocative selling-point cover art!

AFICIONADO RATING: 3 out of 5

Get the book here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Battlefront-Inferno-Squad/dp/1784752940/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522060960&sr=8-1&keywords=inferno+squad&dpID=51yWuYCBp8L&preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch

OUT NOW IN UK HARDBACK: 'STAR WARS: FROM A CERTAIN POINT OF VIEW'

The Fortieth Anniversary year for the original STAR WARS may be closing soon, but there's still more celebratory goodies out there to celebrate and enjoy. Out now in UK hardback from CENTURY is a lovely idea, albeit from the official media side of the fan community.

Experience Star Wars: A New Hope from a whole new point of view.

On May 25, 1977, the world was introduced to Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, C-3PO, R2-D2, Chewbacca, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Vader, and a galaxy full of possibilities. In honor of the fortieth anniversary, more than forty contributors lend their vision to this retelling of Star Wars. Each of the forty short stories reimagines a moment from the original film, but through the eyes of a supporting character. From a Certain Point of View features contributions by bestselling authors, trendsetting artists, and treasured voices from the literary history of Star Wars

- Gary Whitta bridges the gap from Rogue One to A New Hope through the eyes of Captain Antilles.


- Aunt Beru finds her voice in an intimate character study by Meg Cabot.


- Nnedi Okorofor brings dignity and depth to a most unlikely character: the monster in the trash compactor.


- Pablo Hidalgo provides a chilling glimpse inside the mind of Grand Moff Tarkin. 


- Pierce Brown chronicles Biggs Darklighter's final flight during the Rebellion's harrowing attack on the Death Star.


- Wil Wheaton spins a poignant tale of the rebels left behind on Yavin.

Plus thirty-four more hilarious, heartbreaking, and astonishing tales from: 


Ben Acker - Renee Ahdieh - Tom Angleberger - Ben Blacker - Jeffrey Brown - Rae Carson - Adam Christopher - Zoraida Cordova - Delilah S. Dawson - Kelly Sue DeConnick - Paul Dini - Ian Doescher - Ashley Eckstein - Matt Fraction - Alexander Freed - Jason Fry - Kieron Gillen - Christie Golden - Claudia Gray - E. K. Johnston - Paul S. Kemp - Mur Lafferty - Ken Liu - Griffin McElroy - John Jackson Miller - Daniel Jose Older - Mallory Ortberg - Beth Revis - Madeleine Roux - Greg Rucka - Gary D. Schmidt - Cavan Scott - Charles Soule - Sabaa Tahir - Elizabeth Wein - Glen Weldon - Chuck Wendig


All participating authors have generously forgone any compensation for their stories. Instead, their proceeds will be donated to First Book--a leading nonprofit that provides new books, learning materials, and other essentials to educators and organizations serving children in need. To further celebrate the launch of this book and both companies' longstanding relationships with First Book, Penguin Random House has donated $100,000 to First Book, and Disney/Lucasfilm has donated 100,000 children's books--valued at $1,000,000--to support First Book and their mission of providing equal access to quality education. Over the past sixteen years, Disney and Penguin Random House combined have donated more than eighty-eight million books to First Book.

Get it here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Certain-Point-View/dp/1846056837/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1507217961&sr=8-1&keywords=star+wars+from+certain+point+of+view

OUT NOW IN UK HARDBACK: 'INFERNO SQUAD'!

Riding the crest of the wave of the success that is the all-new BATTLEFRONT II game, the rapidly assembled elite Imperial team comprising Inferno Squad make their explosive novel debut today in the literary STAR WARS Expanded Universe, as author Christie Golden propels them on a satisfying and pacy adventure against the surviving members of Saw Gerrera's partisan group, following the successful destruction of the once mighty Death Star by Rebel forces. This is a baptism of fire for the squad worthy of their name, against an enemy they have sworn revenge against- a revenge dish needing keen serving by their team leader in new female villain fan favourite Iden Versio.

Get the immediate best seller book, in hardback from Century Publishing, here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Inferno-Christie-Golden/dp/1780894821/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501157915&sr=8-1&keywords=inferno+squad

http://www.starwars.com/news/7-reasons-iden-versio-rules-battlefront-ii-inferno-squad

'INFERNO SQUAD': LATEST NEWS

Check out the latest interview with the confident, happy and totally sexy actress inhabiting the role of battle-hardened Imperial officer Iden Versio in the new BATTLEFRONT II saga online: Janina Gavankar, clearly pleased as punch, and beyond (and who can blame her!), to be a part of the STAR WARS universe in any of its diverse expanded universe forms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56TQzjUVY5g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDCmDglAZ8Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s3uqZ9NiQ0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDCmDglAZ8Q

And read the first preview chapter of Inferno Squad's novel adventure (from Christie Golden) here: https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2017/06/21/star-wars-battlefront-ii-inferno-squad-exclusive-excerpt/103037074/


Latest US exclusive cover: http://www.starwars.com/news/these-star-wars-sdcc-exclusives-are-calling-to-you-first-look

Get Inferno Squad in UK Hardback (from Century Publishing) here:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Inferno-Christie-Golden/dp/1780894821/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1498736106&sr=1-1&keywords=inferno+squad

COMING IN JULY 2017: 'STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT II: INFERNO SQUAD'

With her acclaimed success in novel adapting the never completed episodes linked to the destiny of THE CLONE WARS animated series fan favourite former Sith assassin Asajj Ventress, via the popular Dark Disciple, and with her talent for creating and developing strong female characters in both sci-fi and STAR WARS, Christie Golden has proven the latest popular choice in bringing to life in novel form the next chapter of the STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT gaming universe, charting the new shades of grey Imperial 'heroes' that are Inferno Squad, as their titular book comes to hardback from Century this 27th July 2017.


Here's the blurb:

Set in the aftermath of ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY, this action-packed prequel to BATTLEFRONT II introduces the Empire's elite force: Inferno Squad.

The Rebellion may have heroes like Jyn Erso and Luke Skywalker. But the Empire has Inferno Squad.

After the humiliating theft of the Death Star plans and resulting destruction of the battle station, the Empire is on the defensive. In response to this stunning defeat, the Imperial Navy has authorized the formation of an elite team of soldiers, known as Inferno Squad. Their mission: infiltrate and eliminate the remnants of Saw Gerrera's Partisans. Following the death of their leader, the Partisans have carried on their extremist legacy, determined to thwart the Empire- no matter what the cost. Now, Inferno Squad must prove their status as the best of the best and take down the Partisans from within. Bus as the danger intensifies and the threat of discovery grows, how far with Inferno Squad go to ensure the safety of the Empire? In this thrilling prequel to Battlefront II, the Empire's handpicked team will be forged in fire.

Get Inferno Squad here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Inferno-Christie-Golden/dp/1780894821/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1495018719&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=star+wars+in+ferno+squad

 

THE CLONE WARS: TWISTED SISTER!

She was the Dark Side assassin with a thirst to destroy the Jedi, then, once abused and left for dead by her former master in Count Dooku, became the loner, the adept bounty hunter for hire, before finding an all-new purpose and love for one of the race she had once sworn to destroy. Asajj Ventress's arc across the span of THE CLONE WARS animated series and its spin-offs proved an extremely satisfying one for her creators and the worldwide fanbase, and now her final adventure, alongside the rogue Jedi Quinlan Vos, returns via UK paperback this month, courtesy of ARROW: Christie Golden's well received, fast paced tale of love, danger and redemption adapted from never-completed series episodes: Dark Disciple.

Check out our original review here: STAR WARS AFICIONADO WEBSITE: AFICIONADO REVIEW: 'DARK DISCIPLE'

Get hold of the book here: Star Wars: Dark Disciple: Amazon.co.uk: Christie Golden, Katie Lucas: 9781101884959: Books

AFICIONADO REVIEW: 'DARK DISCIPLE'

Two of a kind? Asajj Ventress and Quinlan Vos team-up for STAR WARS: DARK DISCIPLE- an unproduced THE CLONE WARS story now making an impact in novel form.

STAR WARS: DARK DISCIPLE

By Christie Golden

Based on unproduced episodes of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS

Foreword by Katie Lucas

Available now from CENTURY PUBLISHING


Reviewed by Scott Weller


Enough is enough.

Truly appalled by the latest murderous act specifically masterminded and wrought by their once friend, Count Dooku in a war against the Separatists that seemingly looks unending, Master Yoda and the Jedi Council take a momentous and far-reachingly dangerous decision to assassinate the corrupted Dark Lord of the Sith and end his reign of terror across the galaxy. But who to send on the mission? Only someone experienced or touched by the nature of evil and the Dark Dide of the Force will surely be accomplished enough to destroy his insidious power. One who knows Dooku, his methods, motivations and potential weaknesses. Someone who has faced him in combat and almost defeated him: his once Sith assassin now exiled bounty hunter Asajj Ventress!

A mission to kill! Asajj Ventress duels her old master, Count Dooku.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend is the old adage for this latest adventure from STAR WARS author Christie Golden, as she adapts eight ground-breaking unmade episodes from the axed way before its time THE CLONE WARS series- Dark Disciple, a tale which would effectively being back popular Expanded Universe hero and Outer Rim-based occasional rogue Jedi, Quinlan Vos, in a striking way far removed from his prior seen devil-may-care efforts with Obi-Wan Kenobi tracking down the fugitive Ziro the Hutt. Very much the maverick, beyond anything seen with Qui-Gon Jinn, and with more than the roguish dare and happy scoundrel Han Solo-ish touch about him, Vos is the perfect choice to recruit the beautiful but deadly Ventress into the Jedi's most daring and ultimately out of character by necessity plan. Undercover as a bounty hunter he soon becomes her sparky rival, her concerned and passionate lover, then her enemy, as the adaptation unfolds efficiently and speedily over its highly readable 336 pages. Developed behind the scenes by writer Katie Lucas- who saw her potential for character growth across the series run, and whom she shared a certain amount of creative kinswoman-ship to, Ventress has come a long way since those early bitter days taunting and fighting the Jedi she once swore to annihilate. Falling from grace with Dooku and abandoned to death, she has had to survive by any means necessary now that her beloved Witch Sisterhood of Dathomir have been annihilated, whilst her more recent, often irregular activities and life as a bounty hunter has seen her in a far more melancholy and reflective mood. But that doesn't mean her instincts and Force potential have dried up- far from it- especially when she recognises what her new friend and lover Vos is up to, and whom she strikes up the perfect, almost empathic partnership with. Over the course of the planned eight episodes split across Season Seven or Eight, it would have been interesting to see how this unique relationship of trust, anxiety and violence would have been realized in the animated episode medium, especially as the story moves into dark betrayal and shocking revelations. On the printed page it certainly works well, and not in the MILLS & BOON tradition when it comes to STAR WARS! Things here will surely not end well!

Early teaser artwork for DARK DISCIPLE showing the new-look Ventress.

Planned as major arc episodes of the series that would also bring specific closure to events and characters introduced way back from Season One, the story also features what would have been memorable appearances from the likes of the always loathsome General Grievous, once more in multi-lightsaber duelling action, and a now approaching the sequels attired Boba Fett and his small bounty hunter posse. Meanwhile, Count Dooku's evil-dom reaches new heights of depravity and viciousness once he is aware of Vos and Ventress's plans against him-his interactions with this unique duo of assassins proving particularly noteworthy during the book's concluding chapters. Thought by many Prequel haters as boring characters within the actual live-action films, our Jedi heroes of the animated series have been given far more thought-provoking and challenging material to explore, with added shades of grey layerings particularly given to Mace Windu (the main initiator of the assassination plan) and Obi-Wan Kenobi, the latter soon worried about the potential of Vos going astray to the Dark Side in Ventress company, as their time grows together in locating Dooku. Later in the book, seeing the influential likes of Yoda and Windu interact with their once enemy in Ventress proves an additional highlight and history-making moment for the STAR WARS saga- destinies crossed in a situation now making our noble warrior monks more vulnerable that ever, of which, despite their best intentions, they are now truly committed to travelling the road to their own self-destruction, soon enough cemented by the vengeance of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader and the manipulations of Darth Sidious.

AFICIONADO RATING. A very creditable adaptation from the well-selected for the task Miss Golden, further developing Ventress and her complex relationship with Vos, whose dark romance is a strong showcase for the author's talents but those of the series original writers (Katle Lucas, Matt Michnovetz and Dave Filoni ). With the success and overall acclaim for this novel endeavour, let's hope that we get more adaptations of unseen episodes of THE CLONE WARS Seasons Sevens and Eight for the future. We deserve them. 4 out of 5.

Get hold of STAR WARS: DARK DISCIPLE here: Star Wars: Dark Disciple: Amazon.co.uk: Katie Lucas, Christie Golden: 9780345511539: Books

Telling the Untold in Dark Disciple | StarWars.com

OUT THIS MONTH: 'DARK DISCIPLE'

In war, there's an old saying: "The enemy of my enemy is my friend". Just how true that is will soon be discovered by one-of-a-kind Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos when he's paired up with the lone wolf and former Sith Padawan, Asajj Ventress, in a mission to assassinate the dreaded Count Dooku, as the duo's unproduced eight-episode arc for THE CLONE WARS animated series comes to printed realisation via author Christie Golden: Dark Disciple, out next week in UK hardback from CENTURY PUBLISHING.

Here's the cover blurb:

Based on unproduced episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, this new novel features Asajj Ventress, former Sith apprentice turned bounty hunter and one of the great antiheroes in the Star Wars galaxy. 


The only way to bring down the Sith’s most dangerous warrior may be to join forces with the dark side.

In the war for control of the galaxy between the armies of the dark side and the Republic, former Jedi Master turned ruthless Sith Lord Count Dooku has grown ever more brutal in his tactics. Despite the powers of the Jedi and the military prowess of their clone army, the sheer number of fatalities is taking a terrible toll. And when Dooku orders the massacre of a flotilla of helpless refugees, the Jedi Council feels it has no choice but to take drastic action: targeting the man responsible for so many war atrocities, Count Dooku himself.
 
But the ever-elusive Dooku is dangerous prey for even the most skilled hunter. So the Council makes the bold decision to bring both sides of the Force’s power to bear—pairing brash Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos with infamous one-time Sith acolyte Asajj Ventress. Though Jedi distrust for the cunning killer who once served at Dooku’s side still runs deep, Ventress’s hatred for her former master runs deeper. She’s more than willing to lend her copious talents as a bounty hunter—and assassin—to Vos’s quest.
 
Together, Ventress and Vos are the best hope for eliminating Dooku—as long as the emerging feelings between them don’t compromise their mission. But Ventress is determined to have her retribution and at last let go of her dark Sith past. Balancing the complicated emotions she feels for Vos with the fury of her warrior’s spirit, she resolves to claim victory on all fronts—a vow that will be mercilessly tested by her deadly enemy . . . and her own doubt.

Read the first sixty pages here: Dark Disciple%3A Star Wars

Look out for a review on AFICIONADO in the not too distant future.

Get the book here: Star Wars: Dark Disciple: Amazon.co.uk: Katie Lucas, Christie Golden: 9780345511539: Books

CLASSIC REVIEW: 'FATE OF THE JEDI - ASCENSION'

STAR WARS - FATE OF THE JEDI

BOOK EIGHT: ASCENSION

By Christie Golden

Published in the UK by CENTURY PUBLISHING and in paperback by ARROW

Reviewed by Scott Weller

Having greatly enjoyed Timothy Zahn’s recent triumphant return to the STAR WARS EXPANDED UNIVERSE realm with Choices of One, I threw myself into the next instalment of the Lucas publishing schedule- book eight of the FATE OF THE JEDI series- with a greater sense of renewed reading optimism than I’ve had for the run in several years, hoping that some of Zahn’s story telling fire and magic may subconsciously help me to enjoy this penultimate tale of the new LUCAS BOOKS conceived saga, and that the plot and character developments within its 410 pages would have greatly improved from what I’d read previously in the series. Sadly, I’m afraid that ASCENSION, from recent fan favourite novelist Christie Golden, didn’t quite deliver the expected, and necessary, goods I wanted from a STAR WARS adventure…

As ever there’s lots of fast paced action, traps and escapes, and events are finally, finally moving towards their conclusion, but as has been mentioned in my previous reviews too many times before, this book series really has been padded out to a length far longer than it should have (at least a fifth of the book namely linked to the ongoing Lost Tribe of the Sith aspect in particular (though there are interesting moments here), and the pursuit of the Abeloth creature by Luke and Ben), with the overall novels strained from the heavy burden. Worryingly, certain plot elements from earlier in the series also seemed to have been either shortened or dropped (unless there’s more developments to come in the finale?), which I’m sure will annoy long-term readers of the EU cannon.

Character interactions of our favourite Classic Trilogy heroes feel incoherent and out of character once again, and sometimes I feel that their dialogue often simply doesn’t ring true. Complaints from some fans that Golden’s wordage also feels a bit too juvenile ring true in some sections. On the plus side, though, there is firm development of the supporting characters, namely the ones Golden herself introduced in previous books, in particular the interesting Vestara, who, with her still conflicted Sith heart, continues her strong relationship with Ben Skywalker, which has been an important part of the latter books of the series and which enters an important new phase here. There’s also a new development for the Jedi Order in general-already caught in the quagmire of dangers within intergalactic politics- as Luke makes an important decision regarding their future and their role with the Alliance. There’s also the death of a supporting character that fans of the series will be surprised to read about, too…

And, though the ultimate raison d’etre behind the Abeloth creature, one of the books major opponents for our Force users, is sadly not as all that exciting as its earlier promise indicated, it does at least get to show off some of its major league Dark Side powers quite vigorously towards Darish Vol, the Grand Lord of the Lost Tribe of the Sith (now that’s a mouthful to say!), alongside its accompanying semi-sentient Ship.

The book sees in subplots galore as we reach the story’s last third on Coruscant, of which conspiracies and bids for control of the Galactic Alliance begin to quickly (perhaps too quickly) form and coalesce from a multitude of relatively new Senate characters, though the deposed Chief of State, Daala, surely hoping to be as formidable as our reality’s Margaret Thatcher, isn’t out of the fight yet now that she ‘s allied with Bounty hunter fave Boba Fett and his Mandalorians. There are better moments within all this Political intrigue, witch-hunting, double dealings, intrigue and subterfuge run rampant, but none totally thrill or generate the excitement that this Saga truly deserves and should have had right from the start…

Beyond all the political stuff, readers can still enjoy further aforementioned bouts of traps, daring escapes and fast action sequences (but no lightsaber duels?!) linked to the Sith and the Abeloth quest. But none of that works anywhere near as well if you don’t have an involving, nay compelling, plot. Alas, in that respect, ASCENSION doesn’t quite make the full grade. Plainly put, there are great fantasy writers who can create great STAR WARS adventures, and then there are great fantasy writers. I think Miss Golden is in the overall latter category than the former. 

Despite the books important positioning, it all feels a bit anticlimactic, so let’s hope that the upcoming finale, APOCALYPSE, can at least end the series in some noteworthy, and respectable, style.

AFICIONADO RATING: 3 out of 5

CLASSIC REVIEW: 'FATE OF THE JEDI - ALLIES'

STAR WARS: FATE OF THE JEDI

BOOK FIVE: ALLIES

By Christie Golden

Published in Hardcover in the UK by CENTURY PUBLISHING, and paperback by ARROW

Reviewed by Scott Weller

There’s an old saying: “The enemy of my enemy is my friend!” That’s never been more true than in the latest entry in the STAR WARS: FATE OF THE JEDI series-book number five- ALLIES, by returning newcomer Christie Golden. Now, Luke and Ben Skywalker must join forces with the dreaded Sith Tribe to take on the ever growing threat of the Maw released Abeloth.

Golden’s second book for the series is no better and no worse than her last one-at times it plods along but there are also some good sequences, dialogue and descriptive passages here and there, though there have been criticisms that there are now too many plot lines being pulled within the saga and that Golden has been effectively buried in them for parts of ALLIES. Personally, the book feels a little disjointed- distractingly so at times. Of all the regular characters, Leia and Han Solo have the least to do, though Luke is one of the better involved heroes, as an old face from the past also returns to complicate matters-the last section of the book, involving Luke fighting the Abeloth is easily the best bit. Of the new characters linked to this continuing series, and having proved quite popular with fans, the lady Sith Vestara surprisingly does not have as much to do as has been seen in previous books, though her bouncy/spunky relationship with Ben Skywalker continues along, despite the odd piece of sparring dialogue here and there between them that doesn’t quite feel as comfortable as it should be. Ultimately, the Lost Tribe of the Sith storyline is not so well rounded, either, though the intentions of having them cause problems on Klatooine is a good story idea, and, having run out of steam a book ago, the Jedi madness plot also seems to be winding down to its eventual close amongst the plot strands, which is good news.

Taking up a vital section of the book alongside Luke, Ben and the Sith is the show trial of Tahiri, due to her allegiance to Darth Caedus. Once again, despite some nice dialogue and occasional dramatic flourishes there is a lot of layering and subtle referencing to our world, and the way celebrity and industrial trials are played in front of the news cameras (which wouldn’t have looked out of place on series like MURDER ONE), that doesn’t quite fit STAR WARS. And I still don’t care about the character Tahiri very much, even if she is very popular within the overall expanded universe fandom. This linked plotline involving the news media is now starting to look a bit played out in the STAR WARS universe, having previously been touched on by Aaron Allston in BACKLASH. Adding additional annoyance is the presence of another new character-a news reporter-whose role is ultimately pointless. More fantasy, more imagination, more STAR WARS-ness please would be preferred for the rest of the series.

ALLIES moves the epic story along at an okay level and does have an exciting climax, though its being the middle point of the series, where it can move things on but not too much, is a flaw all too obvious to see-it’s a curse all series writers reaching this stage in the game have to try and overcome, and not everyone can succeed. Perhaps a little more focus by both the author and LUCAS BOOKS in its pre-determined development would have been helpful.

AFICIONADO RATING: Lots of expansion of plot lines, but not enough cohesiveness and total satisfaction for the reader in following it. ALLIES is not the best of the FATE OF THE JEDI range so far, but with the books climax the rest of the series should rattle on faster now that certain elements are out of the way. And the ending is a strong one that makes it just about worth hanging around for until its end. Oh, and it’s nice to see THE ADDAMS FAMILY actor Ted Cassidy be on a STAR WARS book cover star alongside Mark Hamill. Who knew Lurch was a Sith! 6.5 out of 10.

AFICIONADO CLASSIC REVIEW: 'FATE OF THE JEDI - OMEN'

STAR WARS: FATE OF THE JEDI - OMEN

By Christie Golden

Published in the UK by CENTURY PUBLISHING (and in paperback from ARROW)

Reviewed by Scott Weller

As the deadly madness sweeping the new Jedi Order continues to have terrifying consequences within the Republic, the exiled Luke Skywalker and his son Ben, searching for the clues that could lead to their discovering why Jacen Solo fell to the Dark Side, arrive on the planet Kesh and began an exploration of the mysterious, Sith influenced Aing-Til monks. Having previously been cut-off and isolated from the galaxy and the Republic, how will the newly arrived Jedi’s arrival on their world shape the Aing-Til’s destiny?

In her first book for the STAR WARS range, though no stranger to the science fiction medium in general (as well as penning numerous popular STAR TREK titles), Christie Golden’s introduction with Omen is a generally enjoyable affair, nicely paced and there are some nice narrative charms (with some interesting weaving in an out of the story in time flashbacks at specific points). Her prose is fast and accessible and she plots the story well, though some of her character dialogue may not be totally liked by die hard fans of the series. However, the fact that this is the second book in the series means that Golden has some obstacles to over come which she is only partially successful at overcoming-the main problem, sadly, is that the story doesn’t expand too much, with some sense of repetition with the earlier first book from Aaron Allston. All of the STAR WARS characters ring true for the most part (and Golden even makes Natasi Daala a little bit more evil than she had been in the last book, which I think fans will enjoy), and it is clear that the writer has much enthusiasm and appreciation of the young Ben Skywalker character. The Sith founded race, the previously little seen Aing-Ti monks, are also interesting and Golden attempts to make them as unique as possible to the STAR WARS universe-the writer, in promotional interviews for the book, having described them as “beautiful and deadly”. Golden also has the fun of introducing a few new Jedi to the Order and an intriguing female character to the STAR WARS universe in general-who ultimately looks set to be the new Mara Jade of the FATE OF THE JEDI series- Vestara. To find out more about her and her intriguing background, you’ll have to read the book.

Back at home, Golden increases the danger stakes for the madness afflicted Jedi, with Jedi knight Jysella Horn following in her brothers footsteps as well as the aforementioned new members of the Order created specifically by the author so that they will eventually run amok, and that they certainly do in a wildly described sequence set amongst a galactic livestock exchange and exhibition on Coruscant, of which Han Solo and Leia, alongside Jaina Solo, are there to buy their daughter, Allana, a pony!! Sounds corny, but it actually isn’t, and the action sequence is well paced and described-one of the best sections in the book by far.

For the most part, Omen is an enjoyable read, but we hope that Miss Golden is allowed to stretch her popular writing talents by the fifth book in the series that she’ll be coming to write. We hope in the future she’ll be allowed to write either a single STAR WARS adventure or a further one theme series where there are fewer books planned, so that we can appreciate her obvious love of the STAR WARS universe and it’s characters more.

AFICIONADO RATING: A very short book by STARWARS hardcover standards, Omen is a solid read and a nice introduction for Christie Golden, but ultimately does not work too well as a stand alone novel in it’s own right. Sadly, despite their best intentions and efforts, neither of the FATE OF THE JEDI books so far have captured the true essence of the STAR WARS SAGA’s magic to this writer- but I’m sure loyal readers of the Expanded Universe will probably disagree (especially as the book has scored very highly in the New York Times bestseller lists as of this review). Hopefully, this universe involving adventure will improve as the series goes on. 7 out of 10