lazypadawan (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
lazypadawan) wrote2011-02-20 06:19 pm
lazypadawan) wrote2011-02-20 06:19 pm
Entry tags:
How To Get Me To Read Star Wars Novels Again
Del Rey has been asking fans for feedback on the Star Wars novel program, so I added in my .02 here:
http://www.facebook.com/starwarsbooks/posts/10150116427638713
I have to say that if Del Rey were to follow the advice of 60% of those replies, it would pretty much ensure I wouldn't even buy a SW novel to use as toilet paper or kindling. How ridiculous most EU fans have become. They're the ones polluting every Clone Wars discussion thread on TFN, wetting their diapers about "continuity."
But many of the responses seem to indicate what I've been unhappy with the EU for years, and that is its rather dark and dreary stories, especially post-ROTJ. There doesn't seem to be a lot of inspiration or love for the universe/characters in most of the novels over the past several years. Trash Karen Miller all you want for her fan fiction quirks, but at least you can tell she loves these characters (and is quite possibly the only Obi-Wan fangirl who can simultaneously do justice to Anakin). Whatever else I've read has been either boring or infuriating, i.e. killing off most of the Solo children and the Big 3 stupidly handing the Republic over to an enemy.
Life's too short and there are plenty of other things, fiction or non-fiction, that I can read. These books cost money, and since I haven't bought an iPad or Kindle yet, they take up space. If Del Rey wants my business back, it will have to consider the following:
1. End the post-ROTJ continuity and don't go back to it unless/until you do a reboot and start all over. Chewbacca lives, Anakin Solo lives, Jacen Solo never turns to the Dark Side, and Jaina gets to be part of the strong heroine tradition of Leia, Padmé, and Ahsoka. I might be willing to bring Mara back so long as she doesn't get to be Mary Sue Supreme. They completely wasted an opportunity for Luke and Leia to reconnect with their maternal roots.
2. I'm okay with books about the Sith; I liked the Darth Bane books. I'd be happy to read about Darth Plageuis or about Sidious/Palpatine's rise to power. I'd be happy to read about Dooku's fall. But no matter what, Del Rey has to remember the core values of the Star Wars saga. I'm sick of evil being good and good being dumb. I'm even more tired of "dark" being conflated with "quality."
3. They tried doing a couple of Clone Wars books but I actually would like to see more! I've always wanted to read a novel that focused on Ahsoka. I've seen some other ideas that suggested novels about Cad Bane. That would be cool. They have a hit show on their hands, and they're wasting an opportunity.
4. I'm looking forward to the upcoming Nomi Sunrider novel, who was one of my favorite comics characters from the '90s. I may not be interested in reading about every popular comics character or video game character, but it's not a bad idea.
5. I'm not really excited about original characters who have nothing to do with the movies or with Clone Wars. I may as well just read original sf instead.
6. There are still characters and eras from the films that have had little to no exploration in the expanded universe. What did Padmé do in the 10 years between TPM and AOTC? Why not a trilogy of books about Leia's pre-ANH adventures? How about another pre-ANH Vader novel like "Dark Lord?" There aren't a lot of books that take place between ANH and TESB for that matter. One series I liked were the "Tales From" anthologies back in the '90s. How about "Tales From The Clone Wars?" "Tales From The Jedi Temple?" "Tales From The Theed Palace?"
7. No matter what you decide to tackle, you have to pick the right authors. I want somebody who bleeds Star Wars when you cut him or her. Enthusiasm comes through on the page. The problem with a lot of these guys is that they are sf authors first and try to shoehorn Star Wars into hard sf and that doesn't always work. A fantasy author happened to have cranked out my favorite film novelization (TPM in case you're wondering). I'd be really excited to read a Star Wars novel by Neil Gaiman. And why not give fans a chance? I understand about maintaining quality and professionalism, but if the Trek publishing program gave a shot to former fan fic writers like Jean Lorrah and Jacqueline Lichtenberg, I don't see why Del Rey can't give a shot to some SW fan fic writers. (And not exclusively to their budsies in Club Jade either.)
http://www.facebook.com/starwarsbooks/posts/10150116427638713
I have to say that if Del Rey were to follow the advice of 60% of those replies, it would pretty much ensure I wouldn't even buy a SW novel to use as toilet paper or kindling. How ridiculous most EU fans have become. They're the ones polluting every Clone Wars discussion thread on TFN, wetting their diapers about "continuity."
But many of the responses seem to indicate what I've been unhappy with the EU for years, and that is its rather dark and dreary stories, especially post-ROTJ. There doesn't seem to be a lot of inspiration or love for the universe/characters in most of the novels over the past several years. Trash Karen Miller all you want for her fan fiction quirks, but at least you can tell she loves these characters (and is quite possibly the only Obi-Wan fangirl who can simultaneously do justice to Anakin). Whatever else I've read has been either boring or infuriating, i.e. killing off most of the Solo children and the Big 3 stupidly handing the Republic over to an enemy.
Life's too short and there are plenty of other things, fiction or non-fiction, that I can read. These books cost money, and since I haven't bought an iPad or Kindle yet, they take up space. If Del Rey wants my business back, it will have to consider the following:
1. End the post-ROTJ continuity and don't go back to it unless/until you do a reboot and start all over. Chewbacca lives, Anakin Solo lives, Jacen Solo never turns to the Dark Side, and Jaina gets to be part of the strong heroine tradition of Leia, Padmé, and Ahsoka. I might be willing to bring Mara back so long as she doesn't get to be Mary Sue Supreme. They completely wasted an opportunity for Luke and Leia to reconnect with their maternal roots.
2. I'm okay with books about the Sith; I liked the Darth Bane books. I'd be happy to read about Darth Plageuis or about Sidious/Palpatine's rise to power. I'd be happy to read about Dooku's fall. But no matter what, Del Rey has to remember the core values of the Star Wars saga. I'm sick of evil being good and good being dumb. I'm even more tired of "dark" being conflated with "quality."
3. They tried doing a couple of Clone Wars books but I actually would like to see more! I've always wanted to read a novel that focused on Ahsoka. I've seen some other ideas that suggested novels about Cad Bane. That would be cool. They have a hit show on their hands, and they're wasting an opportunity.
4. I'm looking forward to the upcoming Nomi Sunrider novel, who was one of my favorite comics characters from the '90s. I may not be interested in reading about every popular comics character or video game character, but it's not a bad idea.
5. I'm not really excited about original characters who have nothing to do with the movies or with Clone Wars. I may as well just read original sf instead.
6. There are still characters and eras from the films that have had little to no exploration in the expanded universe. What did Padmé do in the 10 years between TPM and AOTC? Why not a trilogy of books about Leia's pre-ANH adventures? How about another pre-ANH Vader novel like "Dark Lord?" There aren't a lot of books that take place between ANH and TESB for that matter. One series I liked were the "Tales From" anthologies back in the '90s. How about "Tales From The Clone Wars?" "Tales From The Jedi Temple?" "Tales From The Theed Palace?"
7. No matter what you decide to tackle, you have to pick the right authors. I want somebody who bleeds Star Wars when you cut him or her. Enthusiasm comes through on the page. The problem with a lot of these guys is that they are sf authors first and try to shoehorn Star Wars into hard sf and that doesn't always work. A fantasy author happened to have cranked out my favorite film novelization (TPM in case you're wondering). I'd be really excited to read a Star Wars novel by Neil Gaiman. And why not give fans a chance? I understand about maintaining quality and professionalism, but if the Trek publishing program gave a shot to former fan fic writers like Jean Lorrah and Jacqueline Lichtenberg, I don't see why Del Rey can't give a shot to some SW fan fic writers. (And not exclusively to their budsies in Club Jade either.)
no subject
I understand the policy too regarding upping the suspense factor for sales, especially with some of the stinkers they had published before that. Now that the 24th Century shows and movies are done, Star Trek has gone this route too. Death, war, big changes are the norm in the Trek EU. They even reversed one of their worse deaths but believe me when I say no one objected to that one. ;)
But what I don't like is the tearing down of the characters, whether it's having a whipped Luke, Han and Leia losing their children, or everything they've fought for being wiped away and not mattering. I also resent this "reforming" of the Empire. Basically signing a treaty with them and legitimizing an evil regime. The worst offender had to be Timothy Zhan's book where he we "learn" Palpatine took over the Republic to save it from the Vong, the biggest race of Gary Stus imaginable. Not because Palpatine was an evil bastard who wanted unlimited power. Nope, Palpatine wanted to save the Republic. You know what that logic means? That the Rebellion was wrong to oppose him. Blah!
You know, another thing you mentioned lp is a young Princess Leia series. I have no idea why they havne't pursued that. It could be fascinating. Scholastic released a great series of "Life of" books involving Vader, Obi-Wan, and Luke. Why they haven't done one for Leia is beyond me.
no subject
Like I said, evil is good, good is dumb seems to be the long-standing rule. At least Mike Stackpole knew who the heroes were. He made me care about all of the Rogues, even the guys he made up. Aaron Allston is supposedly writing a new Wraith Squadron book. The previous ones were amusing.
no subject
no subject
Seriously.
SERIOUSLY?
Oh, I guess in three entire movies hinging on Palpatine's machinations GL simply conveniently forgot to EVER mention that tidbit.
God, someone needs to just throw Heir to the Empire and everything that followed it into a massive bonfire and be done with it. I'll bring the s'mores fixins!