Revelation

Almost a month later, and I still don't know what to think about this book. There are so many things wrong with it. The Jedi are still doing nothing about Darth Caedus, Jacen is still one of the stupider masterminds in galactic history, the Mandalorians are awesome at everything ever and no one else is, Tahiri's character has been utterly mangled and ruined (bring back Greg Keyes!), and Admiral Daala was never supposed to be competent. Yet, the thing about Traviss is that when you're reading the book, you still buy all of it. (Well, except for the stuff about Tahiri. Because that totally came out of nowhere, even within Legacy of the Force.) I don't know how she does it, but Traviss's characters are all utterly convincing in their every show more action within the novel, even if they make little sense in the wider Star Wars world, and you never stop enjoying the ride. And when she nails it, it's even better-- the Boba Fett material was great, and the high point was the Ben Skywalker stuff, even if he has finally decided Jacen is evil for the sixth time this series. In fact, Ben's characterization, as he grows up and forges a new relationship with his parent(s), has been the high point of the series overall. show less

I've read Revelation twice, and it still confuses me.

There's one major point where the actions of characters simply don't make sense. Jacen could—should—have died during this book. And yet he didn't; the only reason I can see for him being spared is because then Troy Denning would have nothing to write about.

Ignoring that moment of nonsensicalness, Revelation does a good job of picking up where Fury left off, and setting up Invincible. While Traviss relies on her own characters (like Lon Shevu) and not Allston/Denning's, she manages to resolve most of the hanging plot threads. (She also does an excellent job with the Imperials from the Bantam era, especially Pellaeon.)

Revelation turns everybody against Jacen (not just the Jedi and show more Confederation, but also the Galactic Alliance military, his fellow JCOS, and the Imperial Remnant), setting up what promises to be a rather painful fall in Invincible.

So Revelation was an enjoyable read, and does what it should do in terms of the series… but. But it has that one not-so-tiny moment of fiat, one that worked at the time, but when coming back to write this review has bugged me after both readings.

The book works, and is worth reading, as long as you're willing to overlook that loose thread. show less

This is the perfect book for my 1,000th addition to my library! I feel this series is set up to conclude more believably than, say, the New Jedi Order - which, while I loved, seemed to end abruptly. While Jacen feels that he is invincible, on the other side those who are lined up to take him down seem well prepared to do so. I really liked seeing Boba Fett and Jaina interact. There is the on-going exploration of light vs. dark force - what makes the difference? Where is the line drawn? I find that an interesting theme - it has application in almost every life as we make decisions that affect others and that make our character.

well, I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed. Caedus is really slipping. Doesn't seem like much of a Sithlord at all. The GA fractures when the Duumvirate of Caedus and Niathal splits. Ben proves with evidence that it was Caedus who killed Mara. Jaina gets training from Fett. Fett uncarbonites his wife who has been in it for close to 30 years. I was mostly disappointed in how lame and shallow the training" of Jaina was by Fett. Saying things like "be a different person" and then using a real sword instead of a lightsaber. Whatever. Everything takes place in a month too. Just seemed very shallow, and there were no humorous spots to lighten things up like in Fury. And LOTS of humanistic moralizing about Jedi, Sith and what is good and show more what is wrong. Traviss has ruined it by bringing her 21st century humanistic amoralism to the table." show less

-Jacen says to random people that he's a sith
-Tahiri story makes no sense, why isn't anyone trying to get her back or at least ask where is she?!

fun.