Book Review - Star Wars The Force Unleashed

by Sean Williams

I have to admit, I hesitated when I first came across this volume. Books written after video games can really be a hit or miss. In this case, it is a direct hit. Star Wars: Force Unleashed presents interesting new characters along with the classic ones that we know including Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine, Bale Organa, Leia Organa, and others.

The background for Force Unleashed is that Darth Vader, while on a mission on Kashyyk (the Wookie Homeworld), comes across a Jedi in hiding and his force empowered young son. Vader kills the Jedi and decides to take the son as his secret apprentice. Over the next several years, he trains the youngster into a hardened Sith warrior whose existence is in complete secret.

Things get interesting when Vader decides to send Starkiller, his apprentice, on a mission to take on a former Jedi General. Paired up with the ace pilot, Juno Eclipse (who beings to stir up feelings in him that he had not experienced before), and his trusty droid PROXY (whose job it is to keep him on his toes by constantly utilizing the holographic images of long dead Jedi Knights and Sith Lords, as well as their Lightsaber fighting styles, to try to kill the apprentice), Starkiller meets up with more than he could have ever imagined and his entire world, and everything he has known is turned upside down.

This is a great book with lots of action and some interesting plot twists. I highly recommend it.

Mike Saxton
Author
http://www.7scorpions.com

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Book Review - Star Wars Darth Maul Saboteur

So I have to admit, Darth Maul is one of my favorite characters in the Star Wars universe and he just did not receive nearly enough attention in the Phantom Menace. That is why I am glad that the expanded universe has included a couple of volumes specific to him. Along with Darth Maul: Saboteur, there is Shadow Hunter (Star Wars: Darth Maul) and Star Wars: Darth Maul, Edition# 1 (which takes place right after this one).

In this volume, we are taken to the world of Dorvalla, that has a highly sought after mineral. There are two competing mining companies that are looking for dominance: Intergalactic Ore and Lommite Limited (abbreviated LL throughout the book). Intergalactic has been sabotaging LL's ships and the recent one (closer to the beginning of the book) caused a lot of damage and enraged the CEO of the company. They make the decision to fight fire with fire, since going to the senate would be worthless. In comes Darth Maul, who is sent to make the situation favorable. The Sith are looking to set up a relationship with the Trade Federation, and this is a great way to do it. Without spoiling too much, the book is mostly espionage, both corporate and force wielding.

Keep in mind that this book is short. If it was printed, it would be under 100 pages. The storyline is not overly complicated, unlike some of the others in the expanded universe. There is not a whole lot of action, it's more subterfuge than anything else. It's a good, quick read. I didn't think it was as focused on Darth Maul as the title led me to believe but that is really my only "complaint". Good book and definitely worth the buck and a half. I give it four out of five stars.

Mike Saxton Author http://www.7scorpions.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Saxton

Vampire Academy The Movie?

Vampire Academy is a series written by Richelle Mead. It contains 6 books, with the last one said to be released on Dec. 7th 2010. It is an incredibly popular book, and for those that have not read it yet, but love Vampire Books, you should really get your hands on it.

In fact, it is so popular that this series has been optioned out for a movie. It hasn't been picked up yet, but their are people working on find producers and all the like to get this going. For many of Richelle's fans this is a dream come true. The books are amazing, and a movie would be wonderful. Richelle has put in a great deal of detail into the characters of this book, and you can really fall in love with them.

Recently, I have found that Facebook has a page especially for the Vampire Academy Movie. Their are already so many eager fans putting in their two scents on the subject. Discussions on who should be cast are a frequent read over there. In addition, Richelle Mead has even been interviewed multiple times about the possibility of a movie, and while she is pretty vague on the subject, you can really tell that she is super excited that people really love her books.

Currently, the 6th book is due to be the last book, but Richelle states on her website that their is a spin off in the making, which includes many of the original characters from the book. I will be looking for this in the future, as her books really seem to be some of the best vampire books I have ever read! Thanks Richelle for this wonderful series!

Find the Vampire Academy Reviews on this Vampire Books site, along with much, much more!

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