The Truce at Bakura

Yes, I know, another SW:EU novel. But they're a special brand of crack, and it's fun revisiting the things I was so thoroughly addicted to in 1996/97. This is probably one of, if not the best, novel which has been written in the Star Wars extended universe. Like all the rest of the EU novels, this is really just glorified fanfiction, a fictional romp through the history which the films don't cover; however, it's one of the better examples of the genre. The storyline rollicks along, the characterisation is solid, and the villains suitably boo-hissable. Every now and then, there are a few uses of metaphor and simile which made me wince (the planet hung in space like a cloud-veiled turquoise?), but on the whole it's much, much better than show more the average Star Wars novel.

The one place where Tyers really helps elevate the novel above the ordinary is the fact that she actually has her characters think, behave and feel in ways that are psychologically believable. Leia has huge problems with Vader being her father, while Luke's coming to terms with the fact that he's now the only Jedi in the galaxy (well, as far as he knows, plot devices in later devices notwithstanding, etc). Tyers even works some side-effects from Luke's duel with the emperor at the end of RotJ (because you know those lightning bolts couldn't have been good for Luke's health.

On the whole, it's the novel version of a popcorn movie - fun but largely forgettable, and probably not worth getting if you don't have at least a strong liking for the characters in the first place. show less

I'm not going to lie. I couldn't stand this book. Between all the personal drama that seemed to happen when people should have been focused on the very real approaching threat, and Luke's weakened body that kept interfering with the awesome Jedi skills he had developed by Episode VI, I found a lot to dislike about this book. It felt like a mediocre, ordinary scifi book rather than a Star Wars novel.

The Emperor is dead, but the Empire lives on. Luke, Leia, and Han go to a planet that I assume is named Bakura, where they try to convince the Imperial governers to surrender. Luke falls in love and tries to save a boy who is talented in the Force but controlled by evil. But what I really remember is that Luke is infected by parasites that everyone *knows* will kill him, but he fights them off with the Force and then, in a dramamtic moment that I remember to this day, appears to confront his former enemies. One of them shoots at him, he ducks, and then (barely holding himself together after all his adventures and fighting off the infection) he slowly presses upward and stands again, like a "lithe grey shadow." At least ten years later I show more remember specific lines from this scene. For some reason it made a huge impression upon me. For the Luke scenes alone, I recommend reading this book in addition to the rightfully ubiquitously recommended Zahn trilogy. show less

A continuation of the Star Wars saga after the destruction of the second Death Star. Luke, Leia, Han and the gang travel to a far off Imperial controlled planet that has sent a distress call. Bakura is being invaded by a mysterious alien force and the meager Imperial presence there is unable to defend the planet without reinforcements. The Alliance decides that this is a prime opportunity to win a planet over to it's cause.

I enjoyed this novel quite a bit. I haven't read any of the Star Wars books besides the original trilogy and Phantom Menace. The story remains true to the feel of the original Star Wars trilogy and the action continues along nicely. There is also quite a bit of political intrigue and maneuvering that keeps things show more interesting during the slow points in the action and an attempt to throw a love interest Luke's way as well as continuing the budding love affair between Han and Leia. The author has created new characters and alien races that feel like a natural part of the Star Wars universe. It's a fun read and I would recommend it for any Star Wars fan. show less

Read this one several years ago.

Story takes place right after Return of The Jedi. The Alliance has become aware of a distress signal from a far outpost bordering the Unknown Regions and send assistance as part of the first diplomatic missions for the new to be New Republic.

Our heroes find a previously unknown alien race, the Ssi-ruuk, who drain the life-energy of sentient beings to power their ships, a technique called entechment.

Bakura is an Imperial outpost but because of the Ssi-ruuk threat they agree to join forces with the Rebels and stop an invasion of a species that had not been seen before.

Luke meet Gaeriel Captison, a young Bakura senator, to whom he feels an attraction (one of the first love interests for Luke in the Expanded show more Universe) and Gariel also feels something back but has to fight her religious beliefs that objects the Jedi.

Leia also starts dealing with the fact that she is the daughter of Darth Vader who appears in spirit form a few times to ask for her forgiveness.

This book opened the possibility of new threats from the Unknown Regions, something that was explored in future books, and also the growth of Luke as a character finding potential romantic interests and become a Jedi Knight/Master. Some readers might not find it one of the best books but it would be a good starting point. show less

This novel, which takes place pretty much right after the events of Episode VI, finds our heroes rushing to the aid of the planet Bakura, which has been under Imperial control and now finds itself under the threat of the Ssi-ruuk, an alien species who want to harness human souls to power small fighter droids. Luke and Leia are dealing with the death of their father (in very different ways), Han is trying to romance Leia amidst political intrigue and fighting, and Luke is learning to fully master his use of the Force. While the events of this book are interesting, I did not connect fully with the story - probably because I kept having to stop reading for long periods of time due to being busy with work and other things. I hope that as I show more continue to move through the Star Wars novels they become more interesting and engaging. show less

This was a great introduction to the Star Wars Novels. I wanted to start reading them because I wanted to know what happened next in the story of Luke, Leia, and Han Solo. I loved The Truce at Bakura because it basically picked right up after Return of the Jedi ends.

It was high adventure all of the way. It took me awhile to get used to understanding the Star Wars lingo, but once I got the flow of it, all was well.

The Rebel group intercepts a message to Emperor Palpatine from a planet quite far away-Bakura. Bakura is under attack by unknown alien forces who are taking hostages. No one knows why they are there . . . but the Imperials on Bakura have no idea that Emperor Palpatine has been killed.

In an adventure that twists and show more turns--Imperial and Rebel forces must unite in order to save themselves from unknown horrors.

I enjoyed the book. Its a quick, easy, enjoyable read. show less