Star Wars: Legacy Of The Force (books)

[Ethan]

So it is a series of 9 novels covering the timeline of the early legacy saga. The main characters are:
Jacen Solo
Luke Skywalker
Ben Skywalker
Jaina Solo

Mainly it covers the rise and fall of Darth Caedus. So if anybody has read the books: Is it worth reading?

 

[Rayne]

Let me ask you, how interested are you in the Star Wars series? If it's a passing interest, then no. If you want to read for the sake of seeing what happens to Luke, Han and Leia, etc. then read away. If you're a more dedicated fan, then I'd look into it to see how quickly the galaxy can be thrown out of whack in the matter of 30 years. [From the Original Episodes]

I read them out of order starting with the second book in the series (Bloodlines). I didn't have high expectations going in nor did I read any precursors, something these books rely on when contrasting certain characters' personalities. The books will refresh some moments if you never read the earlier ones, though I don't think it matters all that much since from what I can tell, they do a 180 on character development without giving too much consent to earlier detail. Big plot points seem to revolve around everything that happened in the Yuuzhan Vong War, and I believe is a huge arc in itself prior to this series since it sets up a lot of the current conflict during The Legacy of the Force. Reading without knowing those events is bearable, but I may go back and check it out when I get more time.

The main conflict wrestles with current events and real world politics. Considering this storyline was written during the initial phases of the Iraq-War, many conflicts in-story seem almost driven by that. It's pretty apparent since 'terrorism' is very prevalent and story news sounds like news out of CNN circa 2003. Looking at the plot this way makes for what seems like lazy writing, but the authors work to get out of it, even if it is at a snails pace.

You can certainly go into these books head first if all you have is knowledge of the original Star Wars movies, though unfortunately I think the authors expected that too. References from Episodes IV-VI are poorly executed at times and make certain scenes too contrived and convoluted. Things like when Han is shooting 'this' or 'that' Leia might make a quip on their rebel days back on Hoff or Endor. They tried a bit too hard...

Don't let that bring you down though. I find the plot enjoyable, just because I like reading for the sake of seeing what happens to the Solo-Skywalker clan after the movies. But if I had to give this series any literary merit, it's pretty darn mediocre. The authors trade off constantly, but at least they've been consistent since they've been working on the novels for the better part of the last decade. There are really interesting development points with Ben, and I can't wait to see how his character develops in the Fate of the Jedi series (which runs immediately after this and the first two are out now).

Give the first a shot, if you desire. It's not like you have to commit that much time to reading. I'd start with borrowing them to see how you felt about the story first. If the first one or two don't catch your interest, you could always stop. To be honest I'm only at Sacrifice, though I've taken hiatus from the Star Wars series to catch up with another one I'm wrapped up with at the moment.

 

[giratinaoriginforme]

Yes, they are worth reading.

 

[Ethan]

Well then plunge in!

@Rayne: Oh yeah I have rea dmost books starting from Heir To The Empire.

 

[Pidgeot]

NOOOOOO! DON'T SPOIL IT!!!

Only joking. Think I've got one of them, not sure.

 

[Dorothy LaRouge]

I've read 'em (except for the last two), but I just use summaries for the Traviss entries because I hate Karen Traviss with a passion.

 

[Ethan]

Just finished betrayal and am under the impression that Anderson is the best author of Star Wars and they should bring him back.