Karen Miller and Karen Traviss are writing alternating novels that take
place in the Clone Wars universe. I really enjoyed Karen Traviss’ movie
adaptation of The Clone Wars and was eagerly awaiting her next book in
the series, No Prisoners. Stuck between the two Traviss’ novels was
Karen Miller’s first entry into the Star Wars universe, Wild Space. I
have not read either Miller’s Godspeak Trilogy or Kingmaker, Kingbreaker
series, so I was not sure what I was in for. All in all, this was a
good book that was fun to read. In parts, I would put it ahead of
Traviss’ novel as in my opinion Ms. Miller got the feel of the Prequel
Star Wars dead on.
Wild Space takes place right after the end of Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. At the beginning of the book the Jedi are still cleaning up the bodies from the battle on Geonosis and Anakin Skywalker is in the hospital getting his hand healed / replaced. It fills in a few gaps then the story jumps to events after The Clone Wars movie.
The rest of story essentially involves Senator Bail Organa and Obi-Wan Kenobi uncovering a Sith plot that is actually a trap. Those Sith are so tricky. This leads Bail and Obi-Wan into Wild Space and onto an ancient Sith planet, Zigoola. Wild Space is beyond the civilized systems and is the great untamed unknown. This leaves Bail and Obi-Wan on their own in a battle of wills against the Dark Side.
What I liked: Ms. Miller’s strength is dialogue and character development. Her dialogue in this novel gives her characters strength and makes them more life like than the standard Star Wars adventure. This is one of the few books that you get sense of what the Jedi stand for and their beliefs, not just some bloke with a lightsaber.
The character development is way above par compared to the typical Star Wars novel. For once, you really get a sense of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine’s “dual” personality and how he manages to maneuver the Republic into its demise. During Bail Organa’s and Obi-Wan Kenobi’s journey to and trek across Zigoola, they challenge an each others belief system which sets up a fascinating dynamic between the two. You really start understand the sacrifices the Jedi must make in order to protect the Republic.
What I didn’t like: The lack of action sequences will turn off Star Wars readers. I suspect Ms. Miller is not comfortable with writing action sequences therefore she generally avoids them. In the few action sequences in the book, Ms. Miller switches points of to view a different character and relays their thoughts of what is happening. Personally, this is does not bother me as long as it is done well.
I also suspect that the ending will disappoint others. There is no big battle sequence that typically finishes of a Star Wars episode. I did not have a problem with the ending, because this book is more about the journey than the pay off at the end.
Last word: This maybe Karen Miller’s first Star Wars novel but I sure hope it is not her last. This book was a nice change of pace that is not your typical Star Wars adventure. I will be looking forward to Karen Miller’s next Star Wars novel as much as Karen Traviss’ next entry and that is high praise.
Wild Space takes place right after the end of Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. At the beginning of the book the Jedi are still cleaning up the bodies from the battle on Geonosis and Anakin Skywalker is in the hospital getting his hand healed / replaced. It fills in a few gaps then the story jumps to events after The Clone Wars movie.
The rest of story essentially involves Senator Bail Organa and Obi-Wan Kenobi uncovering a Sith plot that is actually a trap. Those Sith are so tricky. This leads Bail and Obi-Wan into Wild Space and onto an ancient Sith planet, Zigoola. Wild Space is beyond the civilized systems and is the great untamed unknown. This leaves Bail and Obi-Wan on their own in a battle of wills against the Dark Side.
What I liked: Ms. Miller’s strength is dialogue and character development. Her dialogue in this novel gives her characters strength and makes them more life like than the standard Star Wars adventure. This is one of the few books that you get sense of what the Jedi stand for and their beliefs, not just some bloke with a lightsaber.
The character development is way above par compared to the typical Star Wars novel. For once, you really get a sense of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine’s “dual” personality and how he manages to maneuver the Republic into its demise. During Bail Organa’s and Obi-Wan Kenobi’s journey to and trek across Zigoola, they challenge an each others belief system which sets up a fascinating dynamic between the two. You really start understand the sacrifices the Jedi must make in order to protect the Republic.
What I didn’t like: The lack of action sequences will turn off Star Wars readers. I suspect Ms. Miller is not comfortable with writing action sequences therefore she generally avoids them. In the few action sequences in the book, Ms. Miller switches points of to view a different character and relays their thoughts of what is happening. Personally, this is does not bother me as long as it is done well.
I also suspect that the ending will disappoint others. There is no big battle sequence that typically finishes of a Star Wars episode. I did not have a problem with the ending, because this book is more about the journey than the pay off at the end.
Last word: This maybe Karen Miller’s first Star Wars novel but I sure hope it is not her last. This book was a nice change of pace that is not your typical Star Wars adventure. I will be looking forward to Karen Miller’s next Star Wars novel as much as Karen Traviss’ next entry and that is high praise.
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