5 comments about The Approaching Storm (Star Wars).

1. I liked this book although it was hard to follow at times. While reading more about Obi-Wan was good, I had a hard time really getting into Luminara's character. Bariss was a good character, yet there needs to be more about her. If you want to read Star Wars in order, this a good read!



2. The Approaching Storm was written by Alan Dean Foster, the ghost author of the A New Hope novelization and writer of the first Star Wars spin-off novel Splinter of the Mind's Eye. This book takes place immediately before Episode II: Attack of the Clones.
   
   This novel was released a few months before Attack of the Clones and billed as a "prologue" to the movie. I was so excited because I thought this book would set up the events of the movie while not revealing too much. Well, it definitely didn't reveal too much! Count Dooku is only mentioned once in the novel. Obi-Wan and Anakin's mission to the planet Ansion is mentioned in Episode II. The two other Jedi, which are the true main characters in the novel, are background characters in the movie. The novel mentions Anakin's issue with his mother. (And it was even intriguing to hear Anakin reflect on Watto as being the closest thing he had to a father figure before the Jedi came into his life.)
   
   Overall, the portrayal of Obi-Wan and Anakin were fairly true to the movie, but we don't really get any insight to the character of Anakin that is not in the movie. And like Rogue Planet, this novel lacked the galactic feel that I love about Star Wars and this time it is even worse because the protagonists' adventures are set exclusively on a backwater planet. In this book, there is not a single mention of Padme, but in the movie Anakin says he has thought about her every day for the last ten years! While incorporating the Secessionist Movement into the basic plot of the novel, it really did nothing to enhance Star Wars II like Cloak of Deception did for Star Wars I.
   
   In the movies, Jedi are portrayed as being able to sense danger right before it happens. One flat-out contradiction in this book is that the Jedi fall for the old smell-the-perfume-with-paralyzing-effects trick that I saw coming a parsec away without the powers of two Jedi Masters and their padawans. Other than that, I can consider this novel to be a part of continuity, just not a very exciting part.
   
   And the movies did have the arena creatures, mynocks, the space slug and the rancor, but this book had countless encounters with wildlife which got old quick.
   
   Instead of this book, I highly recommend the following 5-star novels that are more relevant to the film series:
   
   Cloak of Deception (Star Wars)
   Shadow Hunter (Star Wars: Darth Maul)
   Labyrinth of Evil (Star Wars, Episode III Prequel Novel)
   Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader (Star Wars)
   Shadows of the Empire (Star Wars)



3. It seems the books in the "Expanded Universe" are either hit or miss. The title of this review should insinuate where this book stands. Rather than engaging in conflict, it seems the Jedi and Padawans spend most of this book wandering the desert while engaging exotic creatures. If this excitement is not enough, the C-Span like political negotiations that are the climax should make readers label this book a "miss".
   
   The Jedi are the peacekeepers of the universe and seem to spend many books in the "Expanded Universe" on strange and new planets brokering peace. The twist that may set this book apart is that the Jedi are attempting to keep the planet Ansion from leaving the empire to join the Separatists. With Soergg of the Hutts economically motivated to prevent the Jedi from accomplishing their mission, several devious plots are hatched. Of these plots, all seem to be different just for that sake of being different rather than actually succeeding.
   
   If you found yourself annoyed by Jar Jar Binks, you are certain to be annoyed by the rodent-like character Tooqui. Just like Jar Jar, he speaks strangely and stupidly stumbles into saving the Jedi. In terms of sequence, this book is near Episode I. In terms of plot, it is also very close to Episode I. The three star average on this book should suggest that readers have had trouble liking this book. There is a good reason for most readers not liking it.



4. First and foremost, it's great to see one of the founding fathers of the Expanded Universe returning to the fold. When Foster wrote Splinter of the Mind's Eye in 1978, there was little for him to worry about. Jump twenty-four years into the future to 2002 and you have a completely different story. The Star Wars universe has become a vast and mighty organism, one that no single person fully grasps. Foster is a master of playing in other peoples' universes, Star Wars being one of them.
   
   It was also enjoyable to see two background characters, Luminara Unduli and Barriss Offee, take a leading role in a novel. Foster does an excellent job building these characters and their relationship, something that will increase the enjoyment of the upcoming Clone Wars Medstar duology, in which Barriss will play a major role. Through these two characters we are given a glimpse of the deep relationship between master and apprentice.
   
   The relationship between Obi-wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker provides an interesting juxtaposition to the calm and patient relationship between Luminara and Barriss. Obi-wan is a rather unorthodox teacher and Anakin an unorthodox student. It is interesting to see how the others react to Anakin, as he is the only one among them with any memory of his mother. As we witnessed in Attack of the Clones, these memories have been torturing Anakin for some time. Foster does a talented job portraying this troubling problem, as well as Anakin's predisposition towards brash actions and authoritarian political leanings. One scene in particular reminded me of the waterfall scene in Attack of the Clones during which Anakin and Padmé debate the nature of government.
   
   Another aspect of notable praise is the vivid setting Foster has created in the planet Ansion. This is not just another planet to add to the ever-growing Star Wars galaxy, but one described in rich sensory detail. We witness entire ecosystems in their natural state, oblivious to those that intrude upon the land.



5. Too say this book is bad would be wrong. It's a fun ride with obi-wan and company on a somewhat western adventure. My only real complaint is whether it is really necessary. Again, its not bad, but its not really necessary either. At 350 plus pages, this book is definitely overblown. Maybe an ebook would have been a better format. That being said, this is not a bad read its just a huge diversion from the rest of the books up to this point chronologically speaking.

5 comments about The Dig.

1. First of all, I'm a fan of Mr. Foster and have enjoyed many of his books. I didn't realize that this book was based on a game - so the unrealistic plot points might not be his fault. But I was disappointed.

   For example, one of the main characters was pushed into leading this shuttle mission because he was known as a great pilot (fine) and was a 'hero' because of a previous shuttle mission. In this previous mission, he had managed to bring the shuttle down safely even though the shuttle was sent up *without enough fuel to bring it back down* !?!?!?!!?! Huh!!

   You want him to be a hero - no problems! Have something go wrong in the previous mission - that could happen. But not enough fuel - that's ludicrous!!

   Another one - this 'asteroid' suddenly shows up in an orbit around Earth. No one saw it coming - it just appeared. But it didn't occur to anyone that - just perhaps - it wasn't an asteroid??

   And this 'asteroid' has a decaying orbit that will eventually send it crashing into the Earth. The mission goes up to set some nuclear bombs that will nudge it into a better orbit. So this is basically a do-or-die mission for Earth. And they send along a cute, perky journalist!! I don't think so.

   There are just so many things that don't ring true. After the asteroid's orbit is changed, three of them go to explore a bit. (Of course, they bring along the journalist.) But there's no major emergency, the asteroid's orbit is stable - so why do they pick up these artifacts and move them around and try fitting them into things?? This would never happen - a lot more investigation would be done first.

   The whole thing is stupid.




2. This was good tale, with a lot of interesting people. It reminded me of A. C. Clarke's story "Rama" and "Rama II", though this one ended within one book and it did not have the social dilemma. The ending was a bit disappointing, but, what else to do? At least it was positive and did not dwell on the problems that would be encountered in real life.



3. While this is one of the best SF books I have ever read, I am somewhat new to the SF world. It seems original, and I could not put it down in most parts. It ends kind of abruptly...but it is very good altogether.
   Is about an asteroid that comes to earth that ends up not being an asteriod. Very SFish with aliens and ancient cultures and such.



4. The Dig was my favorite games of 1996. By reading this book I had the impression to get back to this mysterious world and solve the puzzles all over again. I just wish someone has the gutts to produce the movie or a TV show based on this incredible story.



5. Not because I knew about the video game or anything, but just because it had people in space-suits. I SO WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED! This book is UNBELIEVEABLE. Actually, anything by Alan Dean Foster is. So read it--you will NOT be disappointed.

1 comments about Alien 3: The Novelization.

1. Alan Dean Foster does it again..with his third novelization of an Alien film. Alien 3 is an ok movie, but Foster's tie-in is much better due to the fact that it contains lots more dialogue from the original script(and some improvised obviously) that was cut from the final edit of the movie. I also like this book better than the movie because it features extra and alternate scenes that were in the original Alien 3 script, but deleted before the film was released. Such scenes mainly deal more with prisoner Golic and his obsession with the Alien, an alternare birth of the warrior Alien which I like better, and more character-developing dialogue among Dillon and the other prisoners. Buy this book today !