CLASSIC REVIEW: 'BREAKOUT SQUAD - DUEL AT SHATTERED ROCK'

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS - DUEL AT SHATTERED ROCK

A BREAKOUT SQUAD adventure by Ryder Windham

Published in the UK by SUNBIRD books

Reviewed by Scott Weller

Its double duplicity from the evil Dark Lords of the Sith-Darth Sidious and his apprentice, Darth Tyranus-when they hatch and unleash a bold and destructive dose of death and deceit against their turmoil stricken Republic opponents in the evocatively titled DUEL AT SHATTERED ROCK, the next book in author Ryder Windham’s series of THE CLONE WARS: BREAKOUT SQUAD spin-off adventures for SUNBIRD books in the UK .

And it seems the only Jedi who might be able to quash these dark plans is that young Padawan with a mysterious past yet to be revealed: the blue skinned, fiery red eyed alien Nuru Kungurama (a hero who more than makes up for the fact that Grand Admiral Thrawn, another one of his Chiss born species, will later become an absolute monster in the HEIR TO THE EMPIRE saga…), whose motley and diverse crew of Breakout Squad continue to help him on his missions for the Republic far, far out into the galaxy-including his loyal four man commando squad of Clone Troopers, trusty lady space pilot Lalo Gunn (and her ship, the Hasty Harpy) and the adapted Separatist commando droid, Cleaver.

On the planet Vaced for a rendezvous with the important representative of the Kynachi peoples- Langu Sommiar- about to signify his planets vital association with the Republic, Nuru is unaware that Dooku has dispatched a top assassin from the Mandalorian Death Watch, Hudo Shiv, to stop it at all costs. And if he succeeds in his attempt, it will send the Republic into further shock waves of distress and chaos, especially within the already fractured Galactic Senate…

As the enjoyable plot strands continue to brew further across the series, our heroes still have a spy and saboteur within Breakout Squad to be revealed and dealt with, plus the return of the green skinned, armoured Separatist baddie, Overseer Umbrag, who escaped their grasp at the end of the previous novel. And the danger continues on a more personal level for Nuru, as his prior captured Jedi Master, Ring-Sol Ambase, is being manipulated by Dooku into a carefully controlled situation in the hopes that he we will turn against his Padawan.

The adventures of Nuru, the young Padawan, out in the most hostile and treacherous quarters of the galaxy, away from the protection of his Jedi comrades, works well as a book series and author Windham works hard in capturing the early to mid-age readerships with his teen lead creation, born in the best traditions of the early heroism of Anakin Skywalker and his son, Luke, with whom we can identify and share in their epic and often dangerous journeys. Also in the best STAR WARS tradition, the bold fantasy spirit will surely become tragically darker with ongoing books, what with Nuru’s origins/Chiss birthright yet to be revealed, and obviously its ultimate revelations being something that the Sith plan to use for their own purposes against the Republic and his Jedi masters (tapping his Dark Side potential, a la Anakin Skywalker?).

As has been the case with Lucas opus, and its subsequent spin-offs, where would the adventures be without many new interesting and diverse creatures and peoples to both help and hinder our heroes, as Windham introduces a new, giant sized alien named Grizz- a bulky criminal and talented swoop rider with an always hungry stomach- to help Nuru and his team out. I look forward to seeing how this character develops in the ongoing story.

There’s also further strong use of iconic STAR WARS Prequel universe characters (look out for some fun cameos from lethal assassin with the hair aversion, Asajj Ventress, and the duplicitous Durosian, old red eyes himself, Cad Bane, who kicks the book off with a an action packed start by confronting the latest slimy member of the Hutt clan: Drixo), and it’s all highly readable fun, zipping along at an enthusiastic pace perfect for young STAR WARS fans/readers. There’s also some much welcome unexpected twists and surprises in the last section of the book which should keep readers guessing about what will happen with the next adventure.

Above all, though, the climactic duel of the title, between Mandalorian and Nuru, is certainly the books highlight section and credit to the artist Wayne Lo for his great cover painting depicting this key sequence. One little glitch: a continuity problem arises from the return of Death Watch- it states that EPISODE II’s Jango Fett was a Mandalorian Warrior, but this is something that has been contradicted and shot down by THE CLONE WARS animated series, which, in the episode THE MANDALORE PLOT (regarded as official story cannon by Lucas himself), states that Jango was not from Mandalore and that his armour was acquired through unknown means. With the Expanded Universe and THE CLONE WARS at occasional friendly odds over the origins of certain characters, this is surely an accidental slip-up that managed to get through the publishing cracks.

Overall, DUEL AT SHATTERED ROCK is a book that’s highly accessible and a good immersion into the Prequel universe at the same time. With his fine ability to write enjoyable, well-plotted and fast paced adventure stories for the younger audiences, I’m surprised Mister Windham hasn’t been asked yet to contribute ideas for THE CLONE WARS series. Perhaps they will…

AFICIONADO RATING: 3.5 out of 5

CLASSIC REVIEW: 'STAR WARS - THE CLONE WARS: BREAKOUT SQUAD'

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS

BREAKOUT SQUAD

A novel by Ryder Windham

Published by PUFFIN BOOKS UK

Reviewed by Scott Weller

It takes all sorts to win a war. And in the STAR WARS universe that saying has never been more true than during the epic three year reign of the Clone Wars conflict. In George Lucas’s diversified universe, humans, aliens and droids mix with tremendous ease, and, as the Republic and Separatists forces begin to tear the universe apart with their war of words and weaponry, all of the people caught in between have to choose a side to fight with, to believe in, to die for. So far, through the films and TV series, we have been at the very forefront of the fighting through the eyes and battle experiences of the main Jedi Council, primarily their Chosen One, Anakin Skywalker, and via his Clone Troopers that serve and die for them, and the political system, for better or worse, of which they all serve believing in the greater good. Beyond that, though, are the periphery tales of the Clone Wars battles-of the other not so well known Jedi, Padawan and Master, who number in their thousands, battalions of created new soldiers who join the conflict each day, civilians caught in the middle of it all whether they like it or not (or capitalizing on it all for their own greedy desires and ambitions), spies coming in and out of the dark on hundreds of planets and Separatists enemies believing their way is the right way-also partaking in the galaxy spanning conflict that, only now, are starting to have their own unique tales revealed through the popular and, at times, creatively inspired world of the STAR WARS Expanded Universe of LUCASFILM books, comics, computer games and other avenues. BREAKOUT-the first of a new young readers novel series from Ryder Windham- highlights a diverse group of these new characters caught in the struggle between good and evil, as part of this exciting and still ripe for exploring storytelling environment.

Opening a short time into the start of the Clone Wars, just after the events of the animated TV episode Destroy Malevolence, Clone Trooper “Shinies”, led by Captain Lock, discover a connection from the ruins of the destroyed enemy vessel to that of a possible new Separatist ally-the previously isolationist Kynachi race-a planet that has connections to the Jedi-one in particular, Jedi Master Ring-Sol Ambase, who, having been born there, makes him the perfect choice, alongside the aforementioned “Shinies”, to find out what is going on at this mysterious world, and where his people’s true loyalties lie. Ambase, however, won’t be the only Jedi on this danger-ridden journey. Accompanying him is his very young Padawan learner, Nuru Kungurama (a name very fitting for a Jedi and also very Samurai sounding-perhaps a tribute to the Akira Kurosawa films that George Lucas and Gary Kurtz enjoyed in their USC days?). Adopted by Ambase after his original master was killed at the battle of Geonosis, Nuru’s partaking in the Kynachi mission soon proves essential. Only there’s more to it with this young Padawan- a member of the distant, totally alien, Chiss race (one of whom would later become the skilled Empire tactician Grand Admiral Thrawn from the still resonating 1990’s HEIR TO THE EMPIRE book trilogy), whose unique history has yet to be revealed, and, being strong in resourcefulness and Jedi power, has shown abilities which will soon receive interest from the Dark Side…

Right from the start, BREAKOUT spins a carefully built web through its main story of intrigues, lies, deceptions, and sabotage tied in with bravery, loyalty and action. It moves at a fair old pace, too-after years of writing STAR WARS adventures, Windham knows his stuff and effectively keeps the reader wanting to turn the page, and, most importantly, keeps the spirit of THE CLONE WARS animated series intact within his adventure writing…

This motley collection of new characters assembled by books end (including “Shinies” stand outs like Breaker, Knuckles and Chatterbox-to find out how they get these names you’ll have to read the book!!- and freighter captain Lola Gunn and her trusty navigation droid Teejay) are a likeable bunch with lots of promise, and the set-up reminds me a bit of Dave Filoni and Henry Gilroy’s original series plans for THE CLONE WARS animated series when it was conceived with a group of all new, but familiar STAR WARS universe-type figures, rather than using any of Lucas’s own creations. We assume that Windhamhas created this new series as a kind of tribute to that intriguing early idea. To maintain the continuity, and to keep the faithful happy, familiar friends and foes appear from time to time in this first book, too. Cad Bane adds some villainy to the mission-presumably the first of many encounters to come-as do Yoda, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine and Count Dooku.

The Breakout Squad look set to have many exciting new adventures with Ryder Windham enjoyably at the helm to control their destinies. The adventure closes with a whole host of further book plot lines to be explored before what will likely be a grand, explosive finale. How far into the Clone Wars story-or beyond it-these characters will eventually go, however, is so far unknown.

With its great eye catching action cover by artist Wayne Lo, this is a promising start to the series, and opens new avenues within the ever expanding framework of THE CLONE WARS.

AFICIONADO RATING: A solid adventure yarn for its young target readership. 8 out of 10

AFICIONADO REVIEW: "CURSE OF THE BLACK HOLE PIRATES"

STAR WARS: BREAKOUT SQUAD

BOOK II: CURSE OF THE BLACK HOLE PIRATES

By Ryder Windham

Published in the UK by PUFFIN BOOKS

Reviewed by Scott Weller

On his first true assignment/ mission as a representative of the Republic- sent on his way by that kindly protectorate of the galaxy, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine!- young Jedi Padawan Nuru Kungurama, whose search for his missing Jedi Master- Ring-Sol Ambase- has currently stalled, heads for the largely unexplored and dangerous Outer Regions to partake in a delicate diplomatic meeting with the secretive and isolationist race who also just happen to be a part of his birthright: theChiss.

Accompanied by his newly formed Breakout Squad of Clone Troopers to a world in the Csilla system, things don’t go according to plan from the outset, with incorrect co-ordinates leading to an uneasy arrival at their ultimate destination, followed by a first encounter with the female Chiss representative, Veeren, that promises little for any kind of future pact between the two civilizations. Soon caught up in a new battle against attacking Separatist forces, the would-be retreating allies-to-be find themselves unwittingly caught in an unknown region of space, and facing off against a brigand of desperate and dangerous space pirates.

Beyond those conflicts, frightening plans are also under fruition in another corner of the galaxy, as Nuru’s aforementioned missing Jedi Master, Ring-Sol Ambase, previously captured by Cad Bane, is ultimately delivered to Count Dooku, who has his own special and manipulative agenda to commence against his once friend and the Republic he serves...

Old pirate clichés get the revisionist STAR WARS treatment, and there’s even a few nods to other films like Disney’s classic THE BLACK HOLE from 1979.

Add to the mix a little bit of STARGATE and TOTAL RECALL, as well as a whiff of STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION’s second season episode Contagion, and you've got another lively adventure from longtime EU scribe Ryder Windham that younger readers will enjoy. And, as ever, there's some fun references and dialogue quotes linked to previous STAR WARS films.

The author carefully develops his recently introduced characters a little bit further, and obviously has bold plans ahead for them. Jedi Padawan Nuru, despite early hesitancy and anxiety about his new mission and what it entails, becomes a more confident Jedi, hopefully learning something about his mysterious identity along the way, whilst new antagonist/heroine Veeren is another fine addition to the roll call of Expanded Universe women: young but an experienced ambassador and warrior. Efficiently trained as a protector of the Chiss people, her first encounter with Nuru is cold to say the least, but will presumably soften to either Han/Leia proportions at some point in the future or, at worst, they’ll end being brother and sister!

Adding some enjoyable invention to the tale, the Hasty Harpy‘s eccentric smuggling vessel Captain, Lalo Gunn, has to use all of her knowledge and experience to outwit the trapped space pirates, operating at the edge of an unknown system containing a black hole, whilst the Clone Troopers of Breakout Squad have to adapt to an intriguing kind of servitude!

There’s also more mixing and matching of guest star aliens from across the two trilogies, which works better in novel form than in any of the revisions added to the Blu-ray movies!, including the return of the scaly Trandoshan bounty hunter with the lisp problem: Bossk, who, as part of the motley band of rag tag pirates, makes a welcome reptilian re-appearance and proves as slippery and aggressive a customer as ever!

Meanwhile, the dark forces of the Sith may remain in the background, but their manipulating presence continues to be felt, as the books final chapter, with the deceptive Count Dooku, gives the tale an enjoyable To Be Continued… flavor.  

AFICIONADO RATING: Though its not my personal favourite of the three Breakout Squad books so far- it doesn’t feel quite as well constructed story-wise as the other adventures it bridges- it's all still highly readable stuff. 3 out of 5