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Customer Review
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2014
When they announced that the Star Wars EU was being cancelled I felt sad. I understood the business side of it. Still to this day it saddens me that one of my favorite novels of all time wouldn't be considered canon any longer. That novel was the masterpiece Darth Plagueis. I adored that book. Not only was it an incredible read but it also made me love the movies even more. That means I was very excited to read Tarkin.
I am sad to report that this isn't close to being as good as Plagueis. At no point do I want you to think that I am saying that this book is garbage. This book has some really great stuff going for it. First the beginning chapters that center on the history of Tarkin are fantastic. They paint a picture of the man who would make the call to destroy a planet without flinching. Most impressive is how Tarkin is a villain but never feels cheesy. There isn't easy answers to what makes Tarkin who he is.
My favorite bits of Tarkin is when Palpatine is present in chapters. Luceno is spot on when writing the evil Dark Lord. I found chapters involving him grabbing every inch of my attention just like when I was reading Plagueis.
The issue here is that the main plot that propels the story wasn't that interesting to me. Not bad exactly just didn't make me care much either way. It is also to short. In an interview I heard of Luceno had him saying he didn't feel like adding in any extra material just to make it feel longer. I agree with that statement. It was in the same interview that he said something that I found curious. He stated that with Plagueis he wasn't rushed. He was able to refine that book until he thought it was perfect.
I believe that is the issue here. Luceno had to get this out and didn't have the time to refine it in the same way that made him so successful in the past.
This is the second book in the new chronology and I haven't been very impressed yet. I have to wonder if the focus is on the books that will be released right before or just after when Ep. VII hits theaters. There energy and focus might be on that time making these earlier books feeling rushed. I would have waited for this book as long as it took to make it the best that it could be.
This is still worth it for the hardcore Star Wars fan. Just because I felt underwhelmed doesn't mean I didn't like it. I enjoyed the book and will happily buy the next Star Wars Novel and especially ones written by James Luceno.
P.S. Can we please add Darth Plagueis officially into the new cannon?!
I am sad to report that this isn't close to being as good as Plagueis. At no point do I want you to think that I am saying that this book is garbage. This book has some really great stuff going for it. First the beginning chapters that center on the history of Tarkin are fantastic. They paint a picture of the man who would make the call to destroy a planet without flinching. Most impressive is how Tarkin is a villain but never feels cheesy. There isn't easy answers to what makes Tarkin who he is.
My favorite bits of Tarkin is when Palpatine is present in chapters. Luceno is spot on when writing the evil Dark Lord. I found chapters involving him grabbing every inch of my attention just like when I was reading Plagueis.
The issue here is that the main plot that propels the story wasn't that interesting to me. Not bad exactly just didn't make me care much either way. It is also to short. In an interview I heard of Luceno had him saying he didn't feel like adding in any extra material just to make it feel longer. I agree with that statement. It was in the same interview that he said something that I found curious. He stated that with Plagueis he wasn't rushed. He was able to refine that book until he thought it was perfect.
I believe that is the issue here. Luceno had to get this out and didn't have the time to refine it in the same way that made him so successful in the past.
This is the second book in the new chronology and I haven't been very impressed yet. I have to wonder if the focus is on the books that will be released right before or just after when Ep. VII hits theaters. There energy and focus might be on that time making these earlier books feeling rushed. I would have waited for this book as long as it took to make it the best that it could be.
This is still worth it for the hardcore Star Wars fan. Just because I felt underwhelmed doesn't mean I didn't like it. I enjoyed the book and will happily buy the next Star Wars Novel and especially ones written by James Luceno.
P.S. Can we please add Darth Plagueis officially into the new cannon?!
