I'm a big Star Wars fan, and I own, in some form or another, pretty much every Star Wars adult novel that's been published up till now (the ones I don't own usually haven't been released in paperback yet, so I'm still waiting for the last two Fate of the Jedi novels, even though their hardcover editions are already out), and most of the young adult novels.
And today I wanted to share my thoughts on the latest Star Wars reference book: The Essential Reader's Companion.
This is a different book than past Essential Guides. Rather than being written from an in-universe perspective, akin to the Essential Chronologies, this book is basically a encyclopaedia of every single Star Wars adult and young adult novel that's ever been published, from the novelization of the first movie to the Fate of the Jedi novels and Mercy Kill (including two books that haven't actually been released yet, Scoundrels and Old Republic: Annihilation; naturally to say, their entries contain spoilers). It also places them in rough chronological reading order, from the Lost Tribe of the Sith e-novels (5000 ABY) to the aforementioned Mercy Kill (44 ABY).
One of the things I like about this book is that it makes an effort to try and consolidate the previous Clone Wars material from 2003-2005 with the material being done for the current animated series (something those in the know have said they would do when the series was finished, but which I have yet to see anyone involved actually TRY to do). It's a noble attempt, but seeing one of the bigger continuity fluffs (that of Even Piell's death in Coruscant Nights: Jedi Twilight being contradicted with the Season Three episode "Citadel Rescue")still skirted over is bothersome. It was, at the time, the clearest disconnect between the current series and all previously published material (until the current season started off by doing the exact same thing with another Jedi character that died in previously published material, having apparently learned absolutely nothing from the last time they did it), and seeing the issue continue to be non-addressed doesn't thrill me at all.
There's also a bunch of beautiful artwork in the book, pretty much all of which can be seen at Wookieepedia here.
In summary, I feel that this is a Star Wars book no fan should be without. If you can get it, do so. It's worth it.
And today I wanted to share my thoughts on the latest Star Wars reference book: The Essential Reader's Companion.
This is a different book than past Essential Guides. Rather than being written from an in-universe perspective, akin to the Essential Chronologies, this book is basically a encyclopaedia of every single Star Wars adult and young adult novel that's ever been published, from the novelization of the first movie to the Fate of the Jedi novels and Mercy Kill (including two books that haven't actually been released yet, Scoundrels and Old Republic: Annihilation; naturally to say, their entries contain spoilers). It also places them in rough chronological reading order, from the Lost Tribe of the Sith e-novels (5000 ABY) to the aforementioned Mercy Kill (44 ABY).
One of the things I like about this book is that it makes an effort to try and consolidate the previous Clone Wars material from 2003-2005 with the material being done for the current animated series (something those in the know have said they would do when the series was finished, but which I have yet to see anyone involved actually TRY to do). It's a noble attempt, but seeing one of the bigger continuity fluffs (that of Even Piell's death in Coruscant Nights: Jedi Twilight being contradicted with the Season Three episode "Citadel Rescue")still skirted over is bothersome. It was, at the time, the clearest disconnect between the current series and all previously published material (until the current season started off by doing the exact same thing with another Jedi character that died in previously published material, having apparently learned absolutely nothing from the last time they did it), and seeing the issue continue to be non-addressed doesn't thrill me at all.
There's also a bunch of beautiful artwork in the book, pretty much all of which can be seen at Wookieepedia here.
In summary, I feel that this is a Star Wars book no fan should be without. If you can get it, do so. It's worth it.
tita:
Thanks for sharing Alex!
lembow:
cool