Star Wars
WARNING!!!! INSIDE ARE SPOILERS OF THE PAST AND FUTURE OF STAR WARS. DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER IF YOU ARE AGAINST SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...Star Wars occurred.
In case you have yet to see any of the movies, or read the books, here's what you have missed!
Jedi Apprentice Books (The Rising Force, Dark Rival, The Hidden Past, The mark of the Crown, Defenders of the Dead, Uncertain Path, Captive Temple, Special 1: DeceptionsDay of Reckoning, Fight for Truth, Shattered Peace, Deadly Hunter, The Evil Experiment, the Dangerous Rescue, the Ties that Bind, the Death of Hope, The call to Vengence, the Only Witness, the Threat Within and Special 2: The Followers)
This series of books tells the life of Obi-Wan Kenobi back when he was 12 and 13. It explains how Yoda did indeed teach him and how Qui-Gon Jinn became his master. You get to find out about Obi-Wan leaving the Order, Qui-Gon's lost love, and many other adventures. Commendable books, well written for any age. They contain many interesting facts about the Star Wars galaxy, and are well worth the time reading it.
Cloak of Deception
A good book leading up to Episode one. Mostly an introductory book, with a lot of foreshadowing. Qui-Gon book mostly, with some new characters which are nice to read about, and some good old bad guys.
Darth Maul - Shadow Hunter
This Book is mostly some insight into the mind of Darth Maul. Not one of my personal favorite books, but a good read for the Sithlords in us.
Episode 1: The Phantom Menace
This is the latest of the Star Wars movies, even though it is the first. This movie and book tells the story of Anakin Skywalker, Padme Naberrie **Queen Amidala of the planet Naboo**, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Qui-Gon Jinn. Naboo, a small planet, has recently come under attack by the Trade Federation. Queen Amidala, seeking help from the council, pleads for the Senate to come to her help. They send out a small team of negotiators to see into the dispute. This team is comprised of Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan (Apprentice) Obi-Wan Kenobi. Once the two of them dock on the Trade federation Ship, their lives are endangered and their ship destroyed. Trying to get to the planet Naboo to warn the Queen, The two Jedi hide on some ships and go down to the planet. Once on the planet, they encounter a Gungan by the name of JarJar Binks. They have several adventures and finally get around to warning the Queen. With their help, the Queen leaves the planet to appeal to the senate in person. On route, they loose power and are forced to land on the small desert planet of Tatooine. Qui-Gon, Artoo Detoo, JarJar and Padme all head towards Mos Eisley, a small slave town where they believe that they can find the parts needed to fix their ship. Once they find their way to the town, they encounter a small boy of 10 by the name of Anakin Skywalker. Anakin admits that he knows he will marry Padme when he grows older. Brushing him off as a small child, Padme smiles and they end up leaving. After finishing all of his work, Anakin meets the small group again and saves them from a sand storm. After several more adventures, they leave off planet, to go to the Senate. Once they reach Coruscant {the planet of which where the Senate is housed}, they find out that the Senate will not help them. They leave back to Naboo, where the Naboo and the Gungans fight together against the Trade Federation.
will leave it there so that I do not completely spoil the new movie for you, but if you want to know what totally happens, there is the book out there and the movie is in the theatres.
Rogue Planet
A novel about Anakin and Obi-Wan training. They go off in search of a lost Jedi, Vergere, and encounter a mysterious planet. This story sets a precedent for things to happen much later in the novels.
The Approaching Storm
Another Inbetween book, focussing on the relationship between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Not an essential read for the story line, but a good story anyway.
Jedi Quest Series (1 and 2 now out, as well as special edition)
This series follows young Anakin and Master Obi-Wan through their training years, similar to the Jedi apprentice series followed Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon, a good read for the younger group, but in my opinion not the same uniquess as the other series.
Episode 2: Attack of the Clones
This movie and book deals with the progression of the romance between Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala. Padme is now a Senator for Naboo, and Anakin is a Jedi Padawan, to Obi-Wan Kenobi. After some attempts on Amidala's life, Anakin is to escort Amidala back to Naboo, while Obi-Wan searches out her attackers. Eventually, Obi-Wan finds the new clone army which has been created for the Republic, and Anakin is forced to head home to Tatooine to save his mother from some Tusken Raiders (and meet his stepfather and stepbrother Owen Lars). In the end, we meet Count Dooku, (evil bad dude) and we get to see Yoda fight! A definately good movie, even better book! ENJOY!
Episode 3: unnamed
Episode 3 also has yet to come out {2005 is the set date, no certainties yet}, but the plot line is evident
This is to be the movie where Anakin Skywalker falls from his Jedi glory, to the Sith {dark side}. His wife, Padme, pregnant with the twins Luke and Leia, runs away and gives them life. Luke is sent to live under his real name with the brother of Obi-Wan, Owen Lars. Leia is sent to live with a friend of Padme's, Bail Organa under his name. In this movie, Anakin will change his name to Darth Vader, Dark Lord of Sith, after falling in a pit of Lava in a duel with Obi-Wan. This is said to be the saddest of all the Star Wars movies
Episode 4: A New Hope
This is the Star Wars movie that most of us know as the first. This movie tells us the story of Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, the droids Artoo-Detoo and See-Threepio, the dashing smuggler Han Solo and his Co-pilot Chewbacca and the Evil Darth Vader.
The movie stars out in the stars where the ambassador Leia Organa's ship comes under attack and the evil Sith Lord Darth Vader takes it over. Her having the plans to the latest super weapon, the Death Star, sends out a droid with the plans to seek out Obi-Wan Kenobi, a friend of her adoptive father. The droids soon encounter Luke Skywalker. After several adventures, Luke is on route with Obi-Wan, the droids, and Han Solo to the Alderaan system. After reaching it and finding it destroyed, they land on the Death Star. Several more adventures, they save Leia, Obi-Wan gets cut down by Vader and get off the Death Star, they head to Yavin 4, where the Rebels are holding their base. With the Death Star coming to destroy them, the rebels launch a small squadron of fighter ships to defend themselves?yaddy yaddy?Luke blows it up and everyone parties!!!
That is a short and hopefully accurate enough version of A New Hope for you
Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back
This is the darkest movie of the original trilogy.
It has the Rebels hiding on the remote Ice planet of Hoth. After the Empire figures out where they are, they leave the planet. Luke runs off to Degoba, where he starts to train to be a Jedi under Yoda. Leia and Han having troubles with their ship, have to evade the Empire and eventually land on Cloud city, a city owned by one of Hans friends, Lando. On Cloud city, they are captured by Vader and are held as bait for Luke. Luke feeling that his friends are in danger, leaves his training hastily to save them. Han, being used as a guinea pig, is incased in Carbonite and sent off with the bounty hunter Boba Fett to be handed over to the vile gangster Jabba the Hutt. Luke comes to Cloud city and runs into Vader. There he finds out that Vader is his true father. After loosing his hand and his lightsaber, he falls down a deep shaft and lands on a weather vane. After being saves by Leia and Lando, They return to the Rebels.
Shadows of the Empire (novel)
This novel takes place between the two movies, and it tells what Luke, Leia and Lando were doing while trying to free Han. It introduces the Black Sun, a small organization that does a lot of dirty work. They capture Leia. Luke, has built a new lightsaber in the house previously used by Obi-Wan Kenobi. I'm gonna let you read this one.
Episode 6: Return of the Jedi
This is the last installment of the original Star Wars trilogy.
In this movie, Luke, Leia and Lando save Han from Jabba the Hutt. After saving him, Luke returns to Yoda, where he finds out that Vader is his father and that Leia is his sister. He heads back to the Rebels after Yoda passes away, and regroups with them. He joins an away team with Leia and Han to attempt to defeat the newest death star. Once on this mission he realizes that he is endangering everyone by being there. He revels his news to Leia, and leaves to confront Vader. Leia and Han, with the help of the Ewoks, help to take down the main shield generator, helping the Attack by Lando Calrissian succeed. Luke, aboard the Death Star, is faced by his father and the evil Emperor. They try to turn him several times, but don't succeed. In the end, the Emperor tried to kill him. Vader, realizing the light inside of him, throws the Emperor down a shaft, and by this, kills himself. Luke escapes the Death Star with the body of his father. He takes it down to the planet and holds a funeral. Leia reveals her relations to Han and they fall in love.
Truce at Bakura (Novel)
This novel takes place immediately after Return of the Jedi.
Luke is encountering problems caused by the Emperors lightning, and Leia and Han are down on the surface of Endor helping everyone to heal and such. Wedge Antilles find a mysterious message for the Emperor and brings it back to the rebels. It contains a message begging for help. The Rebels head for Bakura to help them. They fight off the mysterious attackers and attempt to make peace with the Imperial controlled planet. Luke falls for a young woman by the name of Gariel Capitson and almost dies for her. In an attempt to escape from another battle, the leader of the Bakurans makes a deal with their attacker?they leave and they can keep Luke. But they secretly poison Luke so that he will spread an animal to the attackers. Luke is taken aboard their ship and defeats them from inside. They then take the Imperials and allow them to either defect or leave. Luke ends up leaving Gariel for sake of difference in Religion
Courtship of Princess Leia (Novel)
This novel takes place 4 years after Return of the Jedi.
Leia is attempting to create a peace treaty with the Hapans, when she has had their prince request for her hand in marriage. In a struggle between loyalty to Han and Duty to the Hapan Prince, she seeks counsel from Luke. Luke, feeling that something is very wrong, comes back to Coruscant and finds Leia missing, kidnapped by Han. He teams up with the Prince to find him, taking them to the planet Dathomir, a planet full of force sensitive witches. There they meet Teniel Djo, who believing that Luke is a sorcerer and takes him as his slave. They are taken back to her home area, where they meet up with Han and Leia. They all team up and save the day. Isolder and Teniel Djo get engaged, as does Han and Leia. In the end of the novel, Leia and Han are married.
Thrawn Trilogy (Heir to the Empire, Dark Forces Rising, the Last Command (Novels))
In these novels, 5 years after Return of the Jedi, we meet the firey red head, Mara Jade. In a space battle, Luke's hyperdrive is shut down and he is stranded in space. Mara Jade, happens to pick up the young Jedi. They knock him out and take him to their base on the planet Mykkr, where the force is blocked out by the animals, Yslmarri. In a desperate attempt to get away from the Imperials led by Grand Admiral Thrawn, Mara and Luke team up and defeat them. Knowing that Mara likely owes Luke her life, and that Han knows about Luke, they let him go. Luke, having been contacted by another Jedi several days later goes off to meet the Jedi Master C'baoth. Meanwhile, Leia is expecting her own and Han's twins very soon. In a mission, she heads off and meets the Noghri, a race of stealthily fighters that attempted on her own life. She sees a planet devastated by her own father and the vile Empire. I think I'll stop there, you really do have to read the books.
Jedi Academy Trilogy (Jedi Search, Dark Apprentice, Champions of the Force (Novels)), and I, Jedi. (I, Jedi has the setting in the Jedi Academy's first class, different point of view and new details. It also has a different plot)
These novels take place 7 years after Return of the Jedi.
Luke is attempting to recreate the Jedi Order, and so appeals to the senate to allow him to start a Jedi Academy. Once given permission, he sets up camp on the planet Yavin 4, also the site of the first movie. Luke looks around the universe for potential Jedi Knights and finds a dozen or few at first. There is Gantoris from a backwater planet of Volcanoes and Geysers, and Streen, a lonely gas prospector from the planet Bespin. Both being very strong in the force are seen at the beginning. Luke encounters many more Jedi. He starts their Training. Along the way Luke encounters Kyp, a young man very strong in the force. But unknown to the Jedi, Yavin is also the place where the long dead Sith Lord Exar Kun lives, and waits to relive again, through a legion of Dark Jedi.
Children of the Jedi (novel)
This novel takes place 8 years after Return of the Jedi
Luke Skywalker has discovered a large armored space station, the Eye of Palpatine. Onboard, a young Jedi, Callista, is trapped inside the computer, being locked away from her long dead body. The Eye is heading towards its first planet to annihilate, the one that Leia is currently on.
Dark Saber (novel)
This novel takes place directly after Children of the Jedi.
After being freed from the Eye, and being brought into the body of Cray, Callista has found that he Jedi Powers are gone. She has no access to the force. This story mainly evolves around Luke and Callista going off in search of her powers.
Planet of Twilight (novel)
This story takes place 9 years after Return of the Jedi.
Callista has left Luke and he goes off in search of her. Leia, has been kidnapped and brought to the planet where the force doesn't work right. Leia encounters Callista and they help each other to escape.
Crystal Star (novel)
This story takes place 10 years after Return of the Jedi.
Leia is on vacation with her children when they are kidnapped. They are taken by a man that claimed that their family was dead and he had taken them in to be their adoptive father, "hold-Father" Hethrir. Meanwhile, Luke and Han are out on a vacation to visit a planet where Luke suspected that there were some Jedi. They encounter an old friend of Hans', an older girlfriend. Luke, not trusting her, eventually meets her mentor, Waru. The creator of the Anti-Force. Leia, has gone in search of her children, which are on a far away planet learning the force in various means. And as Luke starts to feel sick, he wants to be healed by Waru. The rest?is a surprise!
The Black Fleet Crisis (Before the Storm, Shield of Lies, Tyrants Test) (novels)
These books take place 12 years after Return of the Jedi.
Luke Skywalker, feeling out of place, escapes to the refuge of his father to live as a hermit like his mentors. Soon, he is visited by Akanah, a woman who claims to have known his mother, and wanted to take him to her, and to teach him the ways of the White Current. Meanwhile, Lando has seized a mysterious craft of unimaginable power and is waiting until a war is over
The New Rebellion (novel)
This novel takes place 13 years after Return of the Jedi.
A bomb has shattered the senate hall on Coruscant and killed several senators. As Luke finds out when he is searching through the rubble, it is a former student of his own. Artoo-Detoo has found out that most of the X-wings in the Republic have been sabotaged. Luke goes off alone in search of his misdirected student, while Leia, at home, is having to deal with turmoil in the republic.
The Corellian Trilogy (Ambush at Corellia, Assault at Selonia, Showdown at Centerpoint) (Novels)
This trilogy takes place 14 years after Return of the Jedi.
Han Solo and his family take a vacation to Han's home planet. There they encounter Hans cousin, a ruthless man, determined to take over the Corellian system. Luke, meanwhile, is out with Lando in search of a rich wife that Lando wants to get teamed up with. I don't want to ruin it so
The Hand of Trawn (Specter of the Past, Vision of the Future) (novels)
These two books take place 19 years after Return of the Jedi. Vision of the Future is one of my Favorite books.
Luke and Han are off on a diplomatic mission for Leia. They land on a planet where the inhabitants are hostile towards Jedi. Soon, Luke is off to look for a pirates base in an asteroid system, and when all odds are against him, he encounters Mara Jade. Leia is desperately holding together the Republic, against many enemies, even Thrawn. Luke soon finds out that Mara has gone missing and is after her. He finds her, and as they head towards the Hand of Thrawn, they become closer and closer. As all this happens, Leia forms and unlikely alliance?
Union : Comics
These comics contain the wedding of Luke and Mara, and the complications that have arisen. Good comics, and very important if you follow the Luke/Mara Storylines.
New Jedi Order: (Vector Prime)
This book takes place about 5 years after The Hand of Trawn Trilogy. Luke and Mara are happily married.
Mara has contracted a strange disease, that no one, even the Force, seems to be able to heal. In an effort to make things better, Luke, Mara, Han, Leia and the rest of the gang head off to the Outer Rim, where they find a new and very deadly foe. Be warned, Vector Prime is the saddest of all the books and contains a big surprise. Though I didn't enjoy it very much, it should be read.
New Jedi Order: (Dark Tide: Onslaught, Ruin)
These books takes place almost directly after Vector Prime.
Mara and Anakin decide to take a trip off to Dantooine to heal themselves. Luke and Jacen head off to find out more about the Yhuuzan Vong. Leia, in an attempt to warn the Senate about the new threat, is dismissed, and only one senator seeks to know more. The whole galaxy faces threats, as the Senate goes against itself, the Jedi form factions and theYhuuzan Vong threaten the entire galaxy. Afterwards Corran Horn decides to take on one of the Vong himself, in a life or death duel.
New Jedi Order: (Hero's Trial, Jedi Eclipse)
These books deal mostly with Han, and his 'recovery' from the loss of Chewbacca. Heading around the galaxy in search of his lost friend. He ends up coupled with a rebel Vong and could find a cure of Mara's mysterious malady
New Jedi Order: (Balance Point)
This book centers around the Solo/Skywalker family defending the group of refugees from a dishonest planetary governement. The result, Peace, at the cost of the Jedi Knights. A surprise about the Skywalker clan is in there too!!
New Jedi Order: Conquest, Rebirth
I dont want to spoil this book so uc, but lets just say BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG HUGE EVENT about the Skywalkers. Mara's disease reappears among other new events.!! READ!!!!!!
New Jedi Order: Star By Star
This is by far one of the most shocking books in the series (and very very sad). This is a must read for all star Wars fans. The Vong have taken a far more serious turn, and it could be the very end of the New Republic.
New Jedi Order: Dark Journey
This book focusses mostly on Jaina Solo, and her dealing with the loss of her brothers, and coping with the men in her life. A very interesting book and very important in the Jaina character development.
New Jedi Order: Rebel Dream, Rebel Stand
This series deals with how the New Republic is now dealing with the Vong, as their former homeworld of Coruscant has been taken over by the Vong. They're fascinating, and Alliston does an amazing job or portraying the characters. This is a must read for any Original Series reader.
Other Books
Young Jedi Knights
(Heirs of the Force, Shadow Academy, the Lost Ones, Lightsabers, Darkest Knight, Jedi under Siege, Shards of Alderaan, Diversity Alliance, Delusions of Grandeur, Jedi Bounty, The Emperors Plague, Return to Ord Mantell, Trouble on Cloud City, Crisis at Crystal Reef) (Novels)
These books tell about Jaina and Jacen Solo. It tells of all their adventures through Jedi-Hood and growing up. It also introduces Tenel Ka, the daughter of Prince Isolder and Teniel Djo, and Lowbacca, nephew to Chewbacca.
I wont bother to try to explain each of these books, that would take forever. But, I do recommend them to any age, they are very well done.
Junior Jedi Knights (novels)
I don't know much about these books, other than the fact that they are about Anakin Solo, as a child. When I know more, I will tell.
Lando Calrissian Adventures
(Lando Calrissian and the Mindharp of Sharu, Lando and the Flamewind of Oseon, and Lando Calrissian and the StartCave of Thonboka) (Novels)
I don't know much about these books either, I am currently in the middle of them.
The Han Solo Adventures and the Han Solo Trilogy
(Han Solo at Star's End, Han Solo's Revenge, Han Solo and the Lost Legacy AND The Paradise Snare, The Hutt Gambit, Rebel Dawn) (Novels)
I don't know much about these books. What I do know is that they are about Han Solo before A New Hope, and about how he became a smuggler and such.
The Bounty Hunter Wars
(The Mandalorian Armor, Slave Ship, and there is a third) (Novels)
These books tell about Boba Fett and other bounty hunters. It takes place right after the showdown at Jabba's palace. And how Boba Fett did survive the Sarlacc.
The X-Wing Series
(Rogue Squadron, Wedge's Gamble, The Krytos Trap, The Bacta War, Wraith Squadron, Iron Fist, Solo Command, Isards Revenge, Starfighter of Adumar) (Novels)
These books tell a lot about the life of Corran Horn, a pilot in Rogue Squadron. It explains how the rebels got Coruscant and such. These are remarkable books. They are also tied to I, Jedi.