Dark Tide I: Onslaught (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 2)

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The Jedi are back and ready to rumble in Dark Tide 1: Onslaught, the second book to appear in Del Rey's five-year New Jedi Order story arc, which picks up events 25 years after A New Hope. Reading R.A. Salvatore's Vector Prime first--while not necessary (and some fans even recommend against it)--will help enormously in understanding the alien threat facing the New Republic, the sinister Yuuzhan Vong. The Jedi, under the now truly formidable Luke, must rise to beat back the biotech-wielding invaders, and we really get to see the Solo kids and good ol' Corran Horn shine. Lando and especially Han get short shrift (that's probably just as well in this new series), but Luke and Mara still manage to get a whole lot of lovin' going on. This is excellent work by the ever popular Stackpole (Rogue Squadron). --Paul Hughes

Book Description

In this epic of unsurpassed action and imagination, Michael Stackpole helps to launch an exciting new era in Star Wars® history. ONSLAUGHT pits the battle-tested heroes of the past--Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Leia Organa Solo--along with the next generation of Jedi and droids, against fearsome never-before-encountered enemies from beyond the galactic rim . . .

It is a perilous time for the New Republic. Just when unity is needed most, mistrust is on the rise. Even the Jedi feel the strain, as rogue elements rebel against Luke's leadership. When alien invaders known as the Yunnan Vong strike without warning, the New Republic is thrown on the defensive. Merciless warriors, the Yunnan Vong glory in torture. Their technology is as strange as it is deadly. Most ominous of all, they are impervious to the Force.

Now Luke must wield all the awesome powers of a Jedi Master to defeat the gravest threat since Darth Vader. As Leia and Gavin Darklighter lead desperate refugees in a fighting retreat from Yunnan Vong forces, Mara Jade, Anakin, Jacen, and Corran Horn find themselves tested as never before by a faceless, implacable foe determined to smother the light of the New Republic forever beneath a shroud of darkest evil . . .

Customer Reviews:

The New Jedi Order marches on.......2007-08-24

Onslaught is the first book in Michael Stackpole's Dark Tide duology, and the second book overall in the New Jedi Order saga. Picking up where Vector Prime (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 1) left off, Onslaught finds the technology-hating and pain-obsessed Yuuzhan Vong continuing their invasion of the Outer Rim planets. The New Republic politicians would rather scheme and debate rather than meet this challenge head-on, so it's up to the Jedi and Rogue Squadron to try and repel the Vong invasion.

Stackpole's previous Star Wars experience was with the excellent X-Wing Rogue Squadron series, so key characters like Corran Horn and Gavin Darklighter play key roles in Onslaught, as do Luke and Mara Skywalker and the Solo children, who are finally starting to emerge from their parents' shadows. The author also places plenty of emphasis on the ground and especially air battles, which is in keeping with his X-Wing background.

While this chapter in the New Jedi Order is relatively free of casualties, the mood is still very grim. The Yuuzhan Vong invasion has tested our heroes to the limit, and this is only the beginning. The book suffers from two real flaws. One is that we really aren't given any insight into the Vong that we didn't get from Vector Prime until the epilogue. The other, and this is something that shows up often in Stackpole's work, is that his characters tend to say things that nobody - in any galaxy - would ever say out loud. I'm all for characters that are introspective and seek to learn new things about themselves and their place in the grand scheme of things, but that kind of stuff should be thought, not spoken in every casual conversation. I found myself wondering whether these Jedi Knights were preparing for battle or a group therapy session!

Those gripes aside, Stackpole does a decent job of moving the series forward, and since I'm on my third trip through the series I know that the story improves greatly in Dark Tide II: Ruin (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 3).

Overall a pleaser for those who love the Star Wars characters.......2006-09-04

I m a very big fan of the NJO, and I thought this book was one of the best. It dived into a whole new world, still being only the 2nd book in the series. You also get to know many character on a more personal level. Characters such as Mara Jade, Anakin, and Jacen. And if you are like me, and find intense battle scenes too complicated to follow, this bok makes it a little simpler, but still delivering a well thought-out and realistic battle.

Overall, this book was a pleaser on both emotional levels and action sequences. Very well written! Five Stars!

Onslaught of the galaxy!!.......2006-08-22

alright, so im back and I promised no spoilers before and will continue to do so. I have just finished onslaught and what did I think of it??? First off id rather give it 4 and a half stars. It was a good storyline overall. It simply wasnt gripping enough until about halfway through the novel, though the exposition to help set things up really needed to be there. Some of it felt disjointed to me, the narrative. Just when you thought you knew where it should go, it went another way and left holes leaving you wondering what happened. The last 100 pages were fantastic. I loved that. It wasnt as developed as vector prime was, not as detailed. It did move along though like one of the films would, brief scenes meant to move the story along at a fast clip. I also like where they are taking the Solo children in their development as characters. As far as I am concerned this is their coming of age story and thats where I am most intrigued to see where it is headed. Overall, it does make me wanna keep going so that is a good thing. Stay tuned for my review of book 3 Dark Tide II- Ruin

#2.......2006-03-14

luke skywalker teaches jacen colo in the force now.luke spent this book rescuing those closest to him.mara teaches anakan a little also but is really jainas master.when no one coyld effectively handle the vong,anakan bested 2.like certain other anakans he was very strong in the force.the vong actualy grow thier ships they are so opposed to tech.the ships can produce black hole shields which the good guys find very frustrating.danni-the scientist that 1st discovered the vong works with anakan to stop the vong.also a couple of rogue squadrons best rejoin them.the clones/storm troopers are good again.lots of action!a real page turner!

Awesome, once again.......2006-02-06

I have just finished the book. I am now on Dark Tide 2. I thought Dark Tide 1 was awesome. It continued the adventures of all the caracters, adding new characters. The book starts out almost right after Vector Prime. I thought the ending was awesome: with all the slaves attacking on dantooine. So over all not a bad book in NJO. Lots of Action,Lightsabers, and overall a good plot line. I would reccomend this book to any star wars fan.

Dark Tide II: Ruin (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 3)

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The last Corran Horn adventure?
In a galaxy far far away.
Dark Tide review,good reading fans
Onward to Ruin!!!!!!!!
#3

Dark Tide II: Ruin (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 3)
Michael A. Stackpole
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0345428560
Release Date: 2000-06-06

Book Description

The alien Yuuzhan Vong have launched an attack on the worlds of the Outer Rim. They are merciless, without regard for life - and they stand utterly outside the Force. Their ever-changing tactics stump the New Republic military. Even the Jedi, once the greatest guardians of peace in the galaxy, are rendered helpless by this impervious foe - and their solidarity has begun to unravel.

While Luke struggles to keep the Jedi together, Knights Jacen Solo and Corran Horn set off on a reconnaissance mission to the planet Garqi, an occupied world. There, at last, they uncover a secret that might be used to undermine the enemy - if only they can stay alive long enough to use it!

Customer Reviews:

The last Corran Horn adventure?.......2007-08-30

Ruin is the closing chapter in Michael Stackpole's Dark Tide duology, and the third book overall in the New Jedi Order saga. After making some gains against the Yuuzhan Vong's invasion of the galaxy, the Jedi Knights and New Republic military, assisted by the armed forces of the Imperial Remnant, gather for a grand confrontation over the fate of the planet Ithor.

While Dark Tide I: Onslaught (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 2) spread the spotlight on various Jedi and Rogue Squadron characters, Ruin really reads more like a Corran Horn adventure. Stackpole's signature contribution takes the starring role here, and those of us who enjoyed I, Jedi (Star Wars) and the X-Wing Rogue Squadron series know that that's not necessarily a bad thing. The Yuuzhan Vong play a more visible role in this novel than they did in Onslaught, and we finally get a better idea of what drives these technology hating and pain obsessed invaders.

If you don't mind Luke, the Solo kids, and pretty much everyone else taking a backseat to Corran Horn, Ruin should prove to be an exciting and enjoyable chapter in the New Jedi Order saga. Stackpole continues to show a flair for describing military action and starfighter battles, though his dialogue still tends towards the melodramatic. His characters tend to give introspective or inspirational speeches that nobody - in any galaxy - would ever say out loud. He also seems compelled to end each chapter with some bold declaration by one of the characters, which gets old fast.

Those gripes aside, Stackpole does a great job closing out this series within a series. The final confrontation between Corran and the Yuuzhan Vong leader Shedao Shai, and the unforeseen consequences of that action are more than worth the price of admission, and will have you wondering whether this is the final Corran Horn adventure.

In a galaxy far far away........2007-07-30

The conclusion of the first wave of Vong attacks is perfectly written in Stackpole's style. And a must read for those who enjoyed any of his previous works.

Dark Tide review,good reading fans.......2007-01-29

I very much enjoyed this book, and I certainly would like to see what conclusion the writer is going to make of this!!
A fairly good story, it is allways a winner to do battle between good and evil, just make sure it`s a happy ending!

Onward to Ruin!!!!!!!!.......2006-09-20

So, here we are with our next review for book 3 of this fine series. Everything that I felt lacking in narrative in the last book was fixed in this one. This one was an exciting read in every way. I loved the buildup, the relationships and so forth. It had a very cool climax in this one as well. This one is my favorite so far in this series. I will be starting book 4 tomorrow, so stay tuned.

#3.......2006-03-14

leia travels about being saved time and time again kinda like daphane on scooby doo.anakan programs valuable info for the republic and has little trouble killing vongs unlike everyone else.jaonas a lt already shes so good!the vong capture and lose ppl frequently.anakan and jacen solos sibling rivalry chills a little as they creep ever closer.the vong use slaves as soldiers via mind control.they use one of the coolest methods for really messing up your enemies ive ever read.bu this time theyve messed up a lot of planets in the ne section of the world.the good guys have it even worse off as rhe republic unties connecrions to the jedis.everyones running about looking for weopons of mass distruction.although there are no known sith,some jedis feel the dark side calling them when they need that little something extra for battle.the drama continues!

Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919

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A Most Excellent Book!!
Killer Molasses Tsunami Floods Boston
Great Read
Forgotten Tragedy
Informative and Interesting Account of a Forgotten Disaster

Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919
Stephen Puleo
Manufacturer: Beacon Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

20th Century | World | History | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0807050210

Book Description

The compelling story of a man-made disaster amid the tensions of the early twentieth century. Shortly after noon on January 15, 1919, a fifty-foot-tall steel tank filled with 2.3 million gallons of molasses collapsed on Boston's waterfront, disgorging its contents as a fifteen-foot-high wave of molasses that briefly traveled at thirty-five miles per hour. When the tide receded, a section of the city's North End had been transformed into a war zone. The Great Boston Molasses Flood claimed the lives of twenty-one people and scores of animals, injured 150, and caused widespread destruction. But the molasses flood was more than an isolated event. Its story overlays America's story during a tumultuous decade in our history. Tracing the era from the tank's construction in 1915 through the multiyear lawsuit that followed the tragedy, Dark Tide uses the drama of the flood to examine the sweeping changes brought about by World War I, Prohibition, the Anarchist movement, the Red Scare, immigration, and the role of big business in society.

Customer Reviews:

A Most Excellent Book!!.......2007-10-10

The research for this book is phenominal. Steve Puleo answers any question the reader may have about this event. Many articles have been published over the years about the Molasses event but none as indepth as this book. All history buffs, fans of Boston or just reading a good story will enjoy this book.

Killer Molasses Tsunami Floods Boston.......2007-09-04

Blank stares, or expressions of disbelief are the usual reactions that people display when being told about a fifteen-foot tidal wave of Molasses sweeping through the narrow streets of Boston's North End during World War I. People feel that the possibility of a person being swept away and drowned in what most of them think of as only a sugary topping for pancakes or waffles seems impossible. But for the 21 people and many horses and other animals who actually drowned in the icky goo and the many more who were permanently injured by being slammed into brick walls or buried under falling buildings, the image was all too real.
Stephen Puleo writes in such a skilled manner as to make his readers feel like they were actually there, either caught up in the nightmarish flood of black goop or observing it first hand. He was blessed in his research by discovering all the transcripts and interviews from the many lengthy court cases that followed the 1919 disaster were still available. Those cases led to many reforms to the Boston and the rest of the nation's building and zoning codes. The horrible accident could have been avoided. There were plenty of indications of the impending disaster. Over many months, when too many streams of molasses were seen running down the sides of the 50-foot high storage tank and neighborhood children were regularly coming over to collect some of the sugary syrup as a sweet treat, the reaction of the manager of the storage tank was to paint the tank the same color as the molasses so that the problem wasn't as noticeable.
Thankfully, this terrible tragedy greatly curtailed the future placement of dangerous storage tanks or other industries in crowded residential neighborhoods. This book is a fascinating read. It also provides many incisive insights into the Italian Immigration of Boston and the USA as it was prior to World War I. The only weakness I detected in the book was the attempt to tie the Sacco/Vanzetti convictions and later executions into the story. They were two of the anarchist's leaders who were advocating armed revolution and terror bombings during the period of the story, but the connection with the main story of the Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919 was a bit of a stretch. The inclusion of their story is mostly a distraction from this excellent history of a surreal disaster that swept through the quaint street canyons of historic Boston. This easy-to-read narrative should be required reading for all Boston high schools and colleges.

Great Read.......2007-05-14

This book is a great read for any history buff. I'd always heard about the molasses flood but when I read the book, it was fascinating to learn about the issues that were so pressing during this Era. Anarchist, bombing, death threats, Corporate greed and cover ups...it's all there and it shows that History really does repeat itself.

Forgotten Tragedy.......2007-03-22

In 1919, a tank filled with 2.3 million gallons of molasses spilled its contents onto Boston's North End creating a wave 25 feet high and 150 feet long. In its path of destruction, 21 people were killed from 10 year old children to a 76 year old messenger caught up while doing his job in the area.

In today's world of cable and internet news, insatiable for events to cover, it is hard to imagine a deadly and unusual story like this almost forgotten a mere century later. Yet, I grew up just outside of Boston and worked in the city for years without ever hearing this event referred to.

Dark Tide has just been reprinted and justifiably so as it deserves a wide readership. I ran through this book in 3 days. In part 1, Puleo paints a picture of foreboding as a giant tank looms over the North End and commercial waterfront, blocking out the sun for many residents. The tank oozes molasses when full and is surrounded by local children filling cans with the sweetener to bring home. Meanwhile, rumbling noises are emitted from inside the tank while Builder and Manager Arthur Jell ignores repeated warnings from employee Isaac Gonzales that disaster is immenent.

Using a structure similar to that of Jonathan Harr in A Civil Action, Puleo follows an account of the tragedy by covering the legal battles to determine who was at fault. Although justice seems to be better served in Puleo's North End than in Harr's Woburn, Mass, the reader may be stunned at how little value the judge assigns to human life especially when compared to a more modern calculus.

This is an exteremly dramatic book for a historical account and a must read for Boston natives.

Informative and Interesting Account of a Forgotten Disaster.......2006-12-18

Puleo's work does an excellent job of describing the event itself (the Great Boston Molasses Flood) and the ensuring aftermath, while at the same time providing vivid context of the political, economic, and social enviornment at the time (World War I, Prohibition, immigration, the power and influence of labor unions, the growth of "big business", etc.) Although he does mention the influenza pandemic taking place during 1918-1919, I would have personally liked to see a little more text devoted to its impact in the Boston area and worldwide. Regardless, the book is extremely well written and enjoyable to read... the kind you don't want to put down once you start reading it. As a professional who works in the areas of emergency preparedness and response, and with a formal background in international affairs and history, this book was perfect for me. Highly recommended!!!

Star Wars: The New Jedi Order: Dark Tide (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, 2 & 3)

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Star Wars: The New Jedi Order: Dark Tide (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, 2 & 3)

Manufacturer: Del Rey/Ballantine/Random House/SFBC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 073941111X

Product Description

Collects both halves of Dark Tide (Onslaught & Ruin)

Transylvania Chronicles I: Dark Tides Rising (For Vampire, the Dark Ages)

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Get on the campaign!
Execellent Start to a Long Journey
A Perfect Primer
Just Perfect
Storytelling mysteries unravelled in Dark Tides!

Transylvania Chronicles I: Dark Tides Rising (For Vampire, the Dark Ages)
Brian Campbell , and Nicky Rea
Manufacturer: White Wolf Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1565042905

Customer Reviews:

Get on the campaign!.......2001-03-14

Transylvania chronicles is one of the most rewarding campaigns I have ever played in Vampire. It takes the characters in a 800 - year long journey through all major events in vampire history, and gives you a lot to think about. It is structured to be an adventure that quickly escalates to epic proportions,with characters that are bound to become important.

The only major flaw of the series is that the storyteller may easily find himself in the situation that he know TOO LITTLE of the plot. Regarding the prophecy of Gehenna, for example, the first three books hint on the apocryphal signs of Gehenna. What these are, the players should not know until the end... but the storyteller? There are various times that you will find yourself not knowing the importance of the events you are playing, the role of major npcs in the story- you will have to improvise, and chances are, the next books in the series will make you have to adjust your earlier options heavily.

For people wishing to go into transylvania, take this campaign seriously. It needs a lot of play time to enjoy it. It took me more than 90 sessions to complete, and I enjoyed every one of them. If you can, buy all the books before starting the campaign - if not, book 4 is a must.

Execellent Start to a Long Journey.......2000-07-27

This is an excellent book to start with if you are just starting out as a story teller. Has all possibliltes already planned out for you and has nasty little turn abouts in it to keep players on their toes. One thing it lacked was some tiny details about some characters that would have been useful.

A Perfect Primer.......1999-12-18

Though I played in a Dark Ages chronicle, it was years ago and I wasn't running it. I wanted to see how the "pros" did it rather than learn on my own (the hard way), so I picked up this book.

A good story that will let you shape it to what you want it to be, I've found it the best way to get started in the Dark Ages (both from a Storytelling and a character creation standpoint).

Just Perfect.......1998-11-05

Imagine my surprise when I find that the LARP chronicle that myself and four others had been planning had essentially just been published by White Wolf. This series is an incredible resource in material and mechanics. Now if only they could do a MET version...

Storytelling mysteries unravelled in Dark Tides!.......1998-07-12

WOW! Transylvania Chronicles I: Dark Tides Rising is one of the BEST (if not THE best) campaign style modules I have ever read, and I have been playing RPGs since the Chainmail packet in 1976! The authors take you through at least 300 years of gaming in a flash, planning for just about all contingencies. Besides that, there are storyteller hints from how-to style through atmosphere, and they include dozens of (slightly altered for fantasy) historical incidents to throw in as filler throughout the game! All I can say is, since I am currently storytelling this game. In closing, if you are interested in Storytelling Vampire: The Dark Ages at all, this is DEFINITELY the book to pick up. Just be ready to switch to Vampire: The Masquerade at some point, since this 4 module series runs the transition between both games, and details over 800 years of Kindred history!

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Romance After WW1 Written with Too Honest Pen
Vera and Winifred at Oxford

Dark Tide (Virago Modern Classics)
Vera Brittain
Manufacturer: Virago Press, Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Testament of Youth (Penguin Classics)

ASIN: 1860497691

Book Description

Bright and vivacious, Daphne Lethbridge is back at Oxford after a stint of volunteer work. World War I has ravaged Europe, but it has done nothing to daunt her spirit ‹ she plunges headlong into the whirl of college life. Her enjoyment, though, is soured by her cynical contemporary Virginia Dennison, who spars with Daphne on every occasion. Daphne seems to triumph over Virginia when she marries a rising political star, but it¹s not long before she begins to realize the bitter truth of her marriage. It takes a chance encounter with her old enemy for her disillusionment to give way to a mature understanding of love and friendship.

Customer Reviews:

Romance After WW1 Written with Too Honest Pen.......2001-12-24

Reading Vera Brittain's The Dark Tide" now makes us feel like watching old silent films. Though it still manages to fascinate us, you cannot deny the fact that it is dated. Still, the book has its moment, and does not lose its power and honesty.

[PLOT] The story largely revolves around the two characters: Daphne and Virginia. They both came back to Oxford after the interruption of WW1, and Daphne, good-natured but a little flamboyant, enjoys her life at her college until the appearance of Virginia, whom Daphne came to see with a deep enmity. Together being coached by their selfish tutor Sylvester, Daphne cannot help entering into rivalry with Virginia, apparently cold, cynical, but intellectual woman.

Now, the book's flaw is obvious. Characters are drawn too flat. They are not given enough complexity to make us relate to any of them, so we cannot simply believe that Daphne can fall in love suddenly and deeply with her tutor, to devote her life to him. Today's readers would be surprised (and even angry) to know that the heroine, who is hit (and almost killed) by her husband (who happened to have a mistress), can not only endure such humiliated position but refuses to go to divorce court (while she has hard evidence that proves his infidelity). Instead, she forgives him and lets him go on way to be England's "Minister of Arbitration." I do not quote the convoluted logic she uses at the end of the book. Remember, the book is, as its introduction says, "an amusing period piece."

[BIOGRAPHICAL FACTS] More interesting side of "The Dark Tide" is its biographical background. Vera Brittain, who would be forever remembered as the author of "Testament of Youth," fantastic memoir about the time during WW1, wrote "The Dark Tide" as a virtually autobiographical story. It is said that Virginia Dennison, a seemingly cynical student back from the war-time job of nursing, is a self-portrait of Vera Brittain herself; and Daphne Lethbridge is also considered to be a caricature (and very crude and cruel one at that) of Vera's close friend, Winifred Holtby.

The heroine who dominated the whole book is, strangely, Daphne. The story vividly describes the life during her college days at Oxford, but the latter half of the book is mostly devoted to the dismal descriptions of Daphne's failed marriage. Now suppose Daphne's portrait is based on a real-life person, abd in this case on the author's best friend. Things get very uncomfortable, and they did. Many people protested against the book (she wrote other caricatures), but how Holtby felt, I wish I know. (There is a short list of suggested reading, so that may help.)

Perhaps we should read "The Dark Tide" without any historical knowledge. However, as a novel per se, it is deeply flawed though it is very readable even today. Reading this book was a strange experiance for me; it was reading someone's personal journal, someone too vivacious, and a little careless.

Vera and Winifred at Oxford.......2000-07-23

Vera Brittain is best known as the author of "Testament of Youth", one of the finest memoirs to come out of the First World War. "The dark tide" is her first novel, written in the early 1920's when she was sharing a flat in London with fellow writer Winifred Holtby, the friend who helped her survive the crushing blows she sustained during the war. The novel is a thinly disguised account of their time at Oxford in 1919. Virginia Dennison (an idealised portrait of Vera) and Daphne Lethbridge (a sometimes cruelly caricatured picture of Winifred) meet as students and spend most of the novel at cross purposes. Their gradual friendship is beautifully described, although some of the incidents of the novel are rather melodramatic. One of the best scenes in the novel- the debate where Virginia feels betrayed and rejected because of her war service- is based on fact, and the scenes of Oxford student life are fascinating. The book was banned at Oxford when it was published as the dons considered that the book brought the college into disrepute. I see it as a fascinating first step in the career of one of the twentieth century's best writers on war and friendship.

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Dark Tide
Joyce Christmas
Manufacturer: Avon Books (Mm)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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Warrows=Hobbits
It is an essay, written by a 5th grader on Tolkien's book
Misunderstood
Buy it. Read it. Be happy
The Iron Tower trilogy starts

The Dark Tide (Iron Tower Trilogy)
Dennis L. McKiernan
Manufacturer: Roc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0451451023

Customer Reviews:

Warrows=Hobbits.......2006-09-04

Okay, so it's a knock off of Lord of the Rings. It is still a good book. The Warrow's, those Hobbit-esque little guys living behind their wall of thorns are archers of great ability. 'The arrow as strayed may have just as well been tossed away'. One old gaffers saying.

The wolves come and when the river freezes over they are able to penetrate the Thornwall. A call has been sent forth to all lands for aid against the growing demondark. A band of Warror archers goes into the land of men to give what aid they can.

I liked it from beginning to end. If you can get past the Lord of the Rings similarities and enjoy it on its own merit, you will find a great adventure.

It is an essay, written by a 5th grader on Tolkien's book.......2006-05-21

Don't worry, the book is written so poorly, that you would not even bother to file a copyright infringement case.

Misunderstood.......2005-10-13

Some people slam this as a Tolkein rip off. It certainly apes much of Tolkein, but that is because it was supposed to. McKiernan wrote The Silver Call Duology for the Middle Earth universe. When he could not get the rights, he made some changes, and then wrote this trilogy as a back story. So yes, it is very middle earth, but it is also an entertaining story. If you read McKiernan's later work, you will see that he has grown very much into his own style.

Buy it. Read it. Be happy.......2005-07-26

I've been reading Fantasy for years. From Jordan through Erikson, Marco and a ton others. McKeirnan continues to be one of the BEST story tellers. His skills are amazing and in the Iron Tower Trilogy anybody can see what keeps McKeirnan in the top.

!

The Iron Tower trilogy starts .......2005-05-10

McKiernan doesn't pull any punches with this novel. He admits at the very start that it was written as a homage to J.R.R. Tolkien and he has closely emulated Tolkien's style. It is also clear that this book is the first in a series, so the reader should not be disappointed that The Dark Tide doesn't wrap everything up into a neat little ball at the conclusion of this volume.

Entertaining it was, and short in length. With such rhythmic, almost melodic, phrasing, McKiernan begins to pull the reader into a world highly reminiscent of Tolkien's Middle Earth. The main character of this tale, a Warrow named Tuckerby Underbank, seems quite a bit like a hobbit. The reader will also meet Elves and Men, along with a vast array of evil beings, minions of the dreaded Modru. Long banished from the lands of Mithgar, Modru has broken free and begun to move south to cast his dark shadow across the world. Responding to the High King's call, Tuck and a company of Warrows travel north to fight beside the king. In this novel, McKiernan concentrates most of the action on the Warrows' defense of the High King's citadel, Challerain Keep, but he hints at other side plots which will be addressed in the subsequent volumes of this trilogy.

McKiernan is not Tolkien, but I think he did a very good job of creating a world similar to Middle Earth. It is a world rich in history and peopled by intriguing and wondrous creatures. The characters in The Dark Tide are well drawn but not overly complex; the heroes are good, the villains are unredeemingly evil. The plot moves along quickly without a lot of distractions or annoying side trips. While the basic premise of this novel is extremely familiar to fantasy fans, McKiernan has added his own touches and managed to keep it interesting.

Star Wars The New Jedi Order Dark Tide I: Onslaught (Star Wars: the New Jedi Order)

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The New Jedi Order marches on

Star Wars The New Jedi Order Dark Tide I: Onslaught (Star Wars: the New Jedi Order)
Michael A. Stackpole
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Adventure | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0345479319
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Book Description

Customer Reviews:

The New Jedi Order marches on.......2007-08-30

Star Wars The New Jedi Order Dark Tide II: Ruin (Star Wars: the New Jedi Order)

Average customer rating:

The last Corran Horn adventure?
Skippable NJO Novel
A little something
Awesome addition to the NJO series
Jumbled and -ahem- unrealistic

Star Wars The New Jedi Order Dark Tide II: Ruin (Star Wars: the New Jedi Order)
Michael A. Stackpole
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Adventure | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

High Tech | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0345479327
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Book Description

Customer Reviews:

The last Corran Horn adventure?.......2007-08-29

Skippable NJO Novel.......2007-08-20

The Star Wars universe is technologically millennia in the future, but they still have squeaky microphones in important Jedi meetings (p32)? This novel was built around the premise of information gathering (150 pages of scouting missions, another 100 pages of politics... book is 292 pages). Vong are looking for info on the New Republic, vice versa. A super-weapons side-plot ends up going nowhere. Nothing is resolved overall, though the climax is another planetary battle along the Vong invasion corridor.

The redeeming quality of the novel is in the characterization of core Star Wars heroes. Stackpole writes the Solo and Skywalker families well, and his grasp of what makes a jedi effective and moralistic is right on. Corran Horn has major character development in this book, so if you like him, read it.

The jedi act intelligently, the military leaders are efficient, the governments act stupid, and little is resolved plot-wise. The entire NJO series is slow, being milked for cash by the publisher. Individually the novels aren't giving enough resolution. This novel especially lacked any sort of movement in the over-plot of the series -- the biggest thing that happened is a tentative alliance between the New Republic and the Imperial Remnant (around page 70, early in the novel). Unless you are rabid Star Wars fan, I can't recommend it.

A little something.......2006-01-13

i think the dark tide series were great you know i've read a couple NJO books and they've left the Jacen and Danni Quee love story in the dust.

Awesome addition to the NJO series.......2005-07-15

I absolutely loved this book and all the rest of the NJO. I would definitely recommend this to any Sci-Fi reader.

Jumbled and -ahem- unrealistic.......2005-06-21

The series started out good but really turned out to be a stinker. Its full of whiney young Jedi constantly trying to either one-up each other or prove themselves to, what, who knows because the author never hits the point. The bickering between the military and the politicians got overwhelmingly annoying and childish with idle threats this way and that. And the military strategy was simply terrible. The final "battle" made absolutely no sense what so ever. What were supposed to be strong military commanders of the Vong, the Remnant, and the Republic just came up with the most ridiculous plan of all. And the final "duel" was anticlimactic to put it lightly. I'll never read another Stackpole novel again.

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