Star Wars: EU texts?

MegaMan001

I just finished reading the Thrawn trilogy by Zahn and I was pretty impressed, so I went and picked up the Jedi Academy trilogy by Kevin Anderson.

All of a sudden, Jacen and Jaina went from infants to 2 years of age, and there was a third child born somewhere in there. Also, there is mention of the Ressurected Emperor?

Which texts did I miss between the two trilogies? Is there some big list out there of the order I should read these in?

Tube

It is best at this point to put the book down and pretend they never wrote any more after thrawn.

Thanatos

Cardboard Tube wrote:

It is best at this point to put the book down and pretend they never wrote any more after thrawn.

Yes. Yes, it is.

Dalboz

MegaMan001 wrote:

I just finished reading the Thrawn trilogy by Zahn and I was pretty impressed, so I went and picked up the Jedi Academy trilogy by Kevin Anderson.

All of a sudden, Jacen and Jaina went from infants to 2 years of age, and there was a third child born somewhere in there. Also, there is mention of the Ressurected Emperor?

Which texts did I miss between the two trilogies? Is there some big list out there of the order I should read these in?

All that stuff occurred in the Dark Empire trilogy of graphic novels (Dark Empire, Dark Empire II, and Empire's End).

Nitsuj82

I even tried reading the second round of Thrawn books, but lost interest really quickly. So yeah, stick to the trilogy and let it go.

Salvation122

Cardboard Tube wrote:

It is best at this point to put the book down and pretend they never wrote any more after thrawn.

Black Fleet Crisis wasn't bad if you skipped all of Luke's emo crap.

MegaMan001

Well, Jesus - that's not all that positive.

Tube

The majority of the EU composes some of the worst literature ever written.

Dynagrip

Anderson is a fucking idiot and decided to utilize material from the Dark Horse comics.

Heir

The New Jedi Order series is hit or miss, but I liked the overarching story.

Arch Guru XX

Liked the (apparently first) Thrawn trilogy, thought Truce at Bakura and The Courtship of Princess Leia were tolerable, haven't touched a SW book since the Jedi Academy books. Ugh.

The Dark Empire graphic novel / trade paperback seemed good at the time, though now I find the dialog pretty weak (like the art in general though). Interesting storyline (compared to JA, anyway), although how the imperials could have built so much stuff without anyone noticing remains a mystery.

MegaMan001

All right, lock 'er up - I won't pursue this any further.

Dynagrip

MegaMan001 wrote:

All right, lock 'er up - I won't pursue this any further.

If you're still kind of tempted, you could read some summaries on Wikipedia.

arod_77

Xwing and Wraith squadron, people! Jesus!

YodaTuna

I, Jedi! The Original Han Solo Trilogy... the newest books are awesome. NJO is pretty good.

I just finished Dark Lord, it was pretty good. Outbound Flight rocked.

Man there are some shitty shitty EU books, but there are plenty of good ones outside the Thrawn trilogy. The list of books to avoid is much shorter than the books that you should read.

How can you like Truce at Bakura but despise Jedi Academy?

DarthBinks

I'll agree with the X-Wing and Wraith squadron critique, but above all and espicially with art, creative works etc. you should really

FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF

Seriously, listening to opinions about something that's entirely subjective doesn't help. Go to your local library and check some out, it can't hurt right?

hypocritically : The novelization of Episode III was actually very well done compared to I & II.

Arch Guru XX

YodaTuna wrote:

How can you like Truce at Bakura but despise Jedi Academy?

Good question, it's been so long since I read them that I'm not really sure, and I certainly accept that Truce at Bakura could have been pretty bad. I think I read Truce a good while before I started on JA, so maybe my tastes had become more refined?

Alternatively, I remember picked up Truce on a whim, whereas JA sounded really cool, so maybe it has to do with mismatched expectations. I have no intention of reading either again, so I'll take your word for it and lower my opinion of Truce.

Conditional_Axe

despite all the hate that the EU gets, there's good stuff in it. At the very least, enjoyable stuff. Very little of it is high art, but there's room in everyone's reading diet for pulp and fun.

Here's a comprehensive list of the EU. Titles in italics should be avoided at all costs. Titles in bold are especially good, at least in my humble opinion. I've also excised the young readers' titles.

Darth Bane: Path of Destruction by Drew Karpyshyn

Darth Maul: Saboteur by James Luceno
Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter by Michael Reaves

Cloak of Deception by James Luceno

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace by Terry Brooks

Rogue Planet by Greg Bear

Outbound Flight by Timothy Zahn

The Approaching Storm by Alan Dean Foster

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones by R.A. Salvatore
Star Wars Republic Commando: Hard Contact by Karen Traviss (22 BBY)
Shatterpoint by Matthew Stover (21.5 BBY)
The Cestus Deception by Steven Barnes (21 BBY)
The Hive by Steven Barnes (21 BBY) (E)
Star Wars Republic Commando: Triple Zero by Karen Traviss (21 BBY)
MedStar I: Battle Surgeons by Michael Reaves & Steve Perry (20 BBY)
MedStar II: Jedi Healer by Michael Reaves & Steve Perry (20 BBY)
Jedi Trial by David Sherman & Dan Cragg (19.5 BBY)
Yoda: Dark Rendezvous by Sean Stewart (19.5 BBY)
Labyrinth of Evil by James Luceno (19 BBY)
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stover
Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader by James Luceno (19 BBY)

the Han Solo Trilogy
The Paradise Snare by A.C. Crispin
The Hutt Gambit by A.C. Crispin
Rebel Dawn by A.C. Crispin

The Adventures of Lando Calrissian
Lando Calrissian and the Mindharp of Sharu by L. Neil Smith
Lando Calrissian and the Flamewind of Oseon by L. Neil Smith
Lando Calrissian and the Starcave of ThonBoka by L. Neil Smith

The Han Solo Adventures
Han Solo at Stars' End by Brian Daley
Han Solo's Revenge by Brian Daley
Han Solo and the Lost Legacy by Brian Daley

A New Hope
Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker by Alan Dean Foster writing as George Lucas (later reissued as Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope)
tales From the Mos Eisley Cantina edited by Kevin J. Anderson
Tales of the Bounty Hunters edited by Kevin J. Anderson
Tales From Jabba's Palace edited by Kevin J. Anderson
Tales From the Empire edited by Peter Schweighofer
Tales From the New Republic edited by Peter Schweighofer
Star Wars Galaxies: The Ruins of Dantooine by Voronica Whitney-Robinson & Haden Blackman
Splinter of the Mind's Eye by Alan Dean Foster

Galaxy of Fear
Eaten Alive by John Whitman (Y)
City of the Dead by John Whitman (Y)
Planet Plague by John Whitman (Y)
The Nightmare Machine by John Whitman (Y)
Ghost of the Jedi by John Whitman (Y)
Army of Terror by John Whitman (Y)
The Brain Spiders by John Whitman(Y)
The Swarm by John Whitman (Y)
Spore by John Whitman (Y)
The Doomsday Ship by John Whitman (Y)
Clones by John Whitman (Y)
The Hunger by John Whitman (Y)

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back by Donald F. Glut
Shadows of the Empire by Steve Perry
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi by James Kahn

The Bounty Hunter Wars
The Mandalorian Armor by K.W. Jeter
Slave Ship by K.W. Jeter
Hard Merchandise by K.W. Jeter

The Truce at Bakura by Kathy Tyers

Jedi Prince series
The Glove of Darth Vader by Paul & Hollace Davids
The Lost City of the Jedi by Paul & Hollace Davids
Zorba the Hutt's Revenge by Paul & Hollace Davids
Mission from Mount Yoda by Paul & Hollace Davids
Queen of the Empire by Paul & Hollace Davids
Prophets of the Dark Side by Paul & Hollace Davids

X-wing series
Rogue Squadron by Michael Stackpole
Wedge's Gamble by Michael Stackpole
The Krytos Trap by Michael Stackpole
The Bacta War by Michael Stackpole
Wraith Squadron by Aaron Allston
Iron Fist by Aaron Allston
Solo Command by Aaron Allston
Isard's Revenge by Michael Stackpole
Starfighters of Adumar by Aaron Allston

The Courtship of Princess Leia by Dave Wolverton
A Forest Apart by Troy Denning (E)
Tatooine Ghost by Troy Denning

The Thrawn Trilogy
Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn
Dark Force Rising by Timothy Zahn
The Last Command by Timothy Zahn

The Jedi Academy Trilogy
Jedi Search by Kevin J. Anderson
Dark Apprentice by Kevin J. Anderson
Champions of the Force by Kevin J. Anderson

I, Jedi by Michael Stackpole

Callista Trilogy
Children of the Jedi by Barbara Hambly
Darksaber by Kevin J. Anderson
Planet of Twilight by Barbara Hambly

The Crystal Star by Vonda McIntyre

The Black Fleet Crisis Trilogy
Before the Storm by Michael P. Kube-McDowell
Shield of Lies by Michael P. Kube-McDowell
Tyrant's Test by Michael P. Kube-McDowell

The New Rebellion by Kristine Rusch

The Corellian Trilogy
Ambush at Corellia by Roger MacBride Allen
Assault at Selonia by Roger MacBride Allen
Showdown at Centerpoint by Roger MacBride Allen

The Hand of Thrawn Duology
Specter of the Past by Timothy Zahn
Vision of the Future by Timothy Zahn

Fool's Bargain by Timothy Zahn (E)
Survivor's Quest by Timothy Zahn

The New Jedi Order
Vector Prime by R.A. Salvatore Dark Tide I: Onslaught by Michael Stackpole
Dark Tide II: Ruin by Michael Stackpole
Agents of Chaos: Hero's Trial by James Luceno
Agents of Chaos: Jedi Eclipse by James Luceno
Balance Point by Kathy Tyers
Recovery by Troy Denning (E)
Edge of Victory: Conquest by Greg Keyes
Edge of Victory: Rebirth by Greg Keyes
Star by Star by Troy Denning
Dark Journey by Elaine Cunningham
Enemy Lines: Rebel Dream by Aaron Allston
Enemy Lines: Rebel Stand by Aaron Allston
Traitor by Matthew Stover
Destiny's Way by Walter Jon Williams
Ylesia by Walter Jon Williams (E)
Force Heretic: Remnant by Sean Williams & Shane Dix
Force Heretic: Refugee by Sean Williams & Shane Dix
Force Heretic: Reunion by Sean Williams & Shane Dix
The Final Prophecy by Greg Keyes
The Unifying Force by James Luceno

The Dark Nest trilogy
The Joiner King by Troy Denning
The Unseen Queen by Troy Denning
The Swarm War by Troy Denning

Legacy of the Force
Betrayal by Aaron Allston
Bloodlines by Karen Traviss

Kriz

the Han Solo adventures trilogy by Brian Daley is quite enjoyable.

Salvation122

HOW CAN YOU RECOMMEND VECTOR PRIME

[realspoiler:3925f903ec]THEY DROP A MOON ON CHEWBACCA

A GODDAMN MOON

I MEAN COME ON[/realspoiler:3925f903ec]

Kriz

Salvation122 wrote:

HOW CAN YOU RECOMMEND VECTOR PRIME

[realspoiler:caae67d0ab]THEY DROP A MOON ON CHEWBACCA

A GODDAMN MOON

I MEAN COME ON[/realspoiler:caae67d0ab]

How would you have prefered that they

[realspoiler:caae67d0ab]kill off Chewbacca? that was dictated by whoever manages the EU, RA Salvatore had to kill him off somehow, I think it was pretty badass way to die.[/realspoiler:caae67d0ab]

MegaMan001

Wow, thank you so much Conditional_Axe - I'll print that off and head over to the library tomorrow

Conditional_Axe

Salvation122 wrote:

HOW CAN YOU RECOMMEND VECTOR PRIME

[realspoiler:ec13300272]THEY DROP A MOON ON CHEWBACCA

A GODDAMN MOON

I MEAN COME ON[/realspoiler:ec13300272]

[spoiler:ec13300272]best death ever.[/spoiler:ec13300272]

Szechuanosaurus

Rogue Planet was a fucking travesty. It might pass muster as star wars fluff, but as a greg bear book it's a critical fucking miss. Formulaic, boring, uninspiring, unimaginative, idiotic, filth.

Conditional_Axe

Szechuanosaurus wrote:

Rogue Planet was a fucking travesty. It might pass muster as star wars fluff, but as a greg bear book it's a critical fucking miss. Formulaic, boring, uninspiring, unimaginative, idiotic, filth.

No, as a Star Wars book, it's also total garbage. There are a few noteworthy Anakin moments, but even then, none of that elevates the thing above being absolute crap. Such a huge disappointment.

Dynagrip

Szechuanosaurus wrote:

Rogue Planet was a fucking travesty. It might pass muster as star wars fluff, but as a greg bear book it's a critical fucking miss. Formulaic, boring, uninspiring, unimaginative, idiotic, filth.

Greg Bear has fallen drastically off since he tried to imitate Crichton.

Szechuanosaurus

Conditional_Axe wrote:

Szechuanosaurus wrote:

Rogue Planet was a fucking travesty. It might pass muster as star wars fluff, but as a greg bear book it's a critical fucking miss. Formulaic, boring, uninspiring, unimaginative, idiotic, filth.

No, as a Star Wars book, it's also total garbage. There are a few noteworthy Anakin moments, but even then, none of that elevates the thing above being absolute crap. Such a huge disappointment.

Ah. I missed the bit about what the italics mean! And seriously, what was Bear thinking? He's not my most favorite sci-fi author but he's better than that.

Dynagrip

Szechuanosaurus wrote:

Conditional_Axe wrote:

Szechuanosaurus wrote:

Rogue Planet was a fucking travesty. It might pass muster as star wars fluff, but as a greg bear book it's a critical fucking miss. Formulaic, boring, uninspiring, unimaginative, idiotic, filth.

No, as a Star Wars book, it's also total garbage. There are a few noteworthy Anakin moments, but even then, none of that elevates the thing above being absolute crap. Such a huge disappointment.

Ah. I missed the bit about what the italics mean! And seriously, what was Bear thinking? He's not my most favorite sci-fi author but he's better than that.

$$$

Bloods End

Anything by Matthew Stover.

If the Revenge of the Sith movie was exactly like the book it would be imeasurably better.

Also Clone Wars comics are really good.