Star Wars Challenge Day 25

Sorry for not posting yesterday- the internet was being annoying and made it impossible for me to upload anything :p

Well anyway, today is Day 25 and the topic is "Favorite EU Book."

YAAAAAY!!! I LOVE the EU! Well, most of it anyway :) I have a lot so- here goes!!!

My favorite books out of the entire EU are the Jedi Apprentice series by Jude Watson. It's just so awesome and amazing because we get to see Obi-Wan as a boy and watch him grow throughout the books which is just so much fun to watch. I also love how Jude Watson writes Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon's relationship- it's very well done and fun to watch as they grow closer. We get to see Obi-Wan struggle with his insecurities about whether or not his Master accepts him and Qui-Gon's with his dark history of his last Padawan who turned to the darkside; and we see how they work passed all that. The books are also action packed and extremely exciting! I mean, I remember being so excited to get the next installment while reading them for the first time. And later it's fun to go through them again when your older and see the things you missed the first time around. The emotions are also very well done and you get to feel for the characters and the situations they find themselves in. I really, really LOVE how Jude Watson writes Obi-Wan- she does him the best in my opinion. And anyway, who doesn't want to read about a young Obi-Wan? :) Plus, some of the scenes in the books are just hilarious! And Obi-Wan rules :)

This was pretty much the first book I read about Obi-Wan/Anakin/Qui-Gon(I'd read Yoda: Dark Rendezvous before this, but that is more about Yoda and other characters). I loved this on my first reading of it and later, I went back and re-read it and loved it even more! It's exciting, all about Obi-Wan and Siri, and is just plainly awesome!!!! :). I have never liked romance in stories(I cover my eyes when I see people kissing in a film or on t.v) but the one between Obi-Wan and Siri has always intrigued me- I really liked it. It was also while reading this book that Obi-Wan became my favorite character. The writing is very good and the romance is good and not inappropriate or annoying- something that is hard to find. It was also nice to see how Obi-Wan handled a romantic relationship(and he handled it pretty well- better than Qui-Gon or Anakin). Oh, and the ending is really sad :(. I just really love this book!!!!!!!!! :) Obi-Wan and Siri forever!!! (Is it just me, or does Siri look kind of like Quinn from Glee?)

Definitely one of the best books I ever read! It completely blew me away! I'd already read Matthew Stover's Shatterpoint and knew he was a really, really good writer but he greatly impressed me in this novel! This book is AMAZING!! It really shows us every single major character and delves into their psyche and how their minds work- even Sidious. We really see how and why Anakin fell and I understand his reasons; no other author has been able to write him as well as Mr. Stover did in this novel and you really get to feel for him(though I still did want to smack him a few times :p). I really love Obi-Wan and Anakin here and it's pretty much perfect and it makes it even more sad when Anakin turns to the darkside. Some of the scenes from the movie are done better here and some scenes are better done in the movie what that's what makes this book SO good-it compliments the film. Oh and I love Obi-Wan here; Matthew Stover does a really awesome job here! Also, I wrote a review on this book on my blog awhile back; so here it is- http://writing-reading-acting.blogspot.com/2010/11/amazing-book-i-read-this-month.html - WARNING! THERE ARE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW!

The Jedi Quest series! While not as good as the Jedi Apprentice books, I still really enjoyed this series! We get to see Obi-Wan and Anakin in their earlier years and it's a joy to read about(except for that rift they had, but it got patched back up, thankfully). Jude Watson does a really good job on writing from both Obi-Wan and Anakin's perspectives and we see how much the they care about each other. We also see how hard it was for Obi-Wan to train Anakin(I mean, he went from Padawan to a Knight with a huge responsibility;training the Chosen One, a boy raised as a slave and is still angry about it). And we see how hard it is for Anakin to control his emotions and adhere to the Jedi Code. The emotion is also very well done and realistic and we feel for the characters. The books are also hilarious and filled with great action sequences which makes them even more awesome!! Jude Watson is AMAZING!!(did I mention that? >:) )

A book all about Mace Windu? Sounds good. And it IS. I remember seeing this book on Wookiepedia and thinking that it looked interesting since I didn't know much about our Korun Jedi Master. Well, I eventually got to it and was extremely impressed. In the films, Mace is shown as a stoic, cold man but here we get to look beneath his surface and see the human within. After reading this book, Mace Windu was bumped up even higher list of favorite characters. It is just so good- the story tells about Mace being sent to his homeworld to find his former Padawan, Depa Billiba, who appears to have went insane(this is a Clone Wars era novel). We see him go through many trials and as he does, we get to know Mace a whole lot better. Matthew Stover writes Mace perfectly- so glad he wrote this book!!! :)

Wild Space!!!! Oh my gosh, this book is awesome!!! It is pretty much Obi-Wan's book (along with Bail's) and he just ROCKS in it. Karen Miller does an awesome job writing the characters in her books- particularly Obi-Wan. Her writing is really nice and she conveys emotion very, very well. I also love how she does Obi-Wan and Anakin!! The main bulk of the book is Obi-Wan and Bail's trials as they hike across the Sith world of Zigoola deep in Wild Space. We get to see their friendship and come to a deeper understanding of what makes them who they are. The book is also quite funny(I actually laughed out loud a few times) and is kriffing INTENSE!!! So, all in all, really awesome!!! And poor Obi-Wan, he sure takes a beating in this novel but through it all he is able to pull through and prove how awesome he is!! (Plus it has the coolest dedication ever!)

The Young Jedi Knights series by Kevin J. Anderson and Jessica Moesta was my favorite series several years ago. The books revolve around Jaina and Jacen Solo, the children of Han and Leia, and their friends Tenel Ka and Lowbacca. The series is really exciting and epic! We get to watch these young teens become Jedi Knights over the course of the series and the characters really grew on me :). Jaina was always my favorite character in the series and I remember wanting to be just like her. The emotion is well presented and I especially enjoyed the writing style. Also, the books are hilarious, especially regarding Jacen and Tenel Ka >:).

Legacy of the Jedi by Jude Watson covers four generations of Jedi- Dooku as an apprentice, Dooku and Qui-Gon, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, and Obi-Wan and Anakin. Jude Watson does an epic job of showing us the differences between the different Jedi and the differences between the Master-Apprentice pairings. Though not as good as Secrets of the Jedi, Legacy is still an awesome read. I really like how she wrote each character- their characterizations were right on the money! It was especially interesting to see Dooku as a young boy- I actually felt sorry for him in the first section(even as I was annoyed with him). I also loved the ending- really sad but really well written.

The Last of the Jedi series. So far I have only read the first four books in this series(I got the fifth and sixth today through Inter-library a loan!!). So far, the series is proving to be a really awesome series! I had already liked Ferus from Jedi Quest and getting to read from his perspective is really great! Obi-Wan is also really good in the parts he is in(I kind he wish he could be in it more, but then he has to stay on Tatooine to look after Luke.) But anyway, I really like the main characters and I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

Yes, I know the Junior Jedi Knights series is for little kids but they are still really good! I loved reading about Anakin Solo and his friend Tahiri Veila as they learn the ways of the Force and save the day! I really like the main protagonists and the adventures they go on are very exciting to read about!

I also enjoyed reading - Yoda: Dark Rendezvous, Rogue Planet, Darth Bane trilogy, Darth Maul:Shadow Hunter, and the Prequel trilogy novelizations(junior and adult).

All the Star Wars books I have currently read; in chronological order

Crosscurrent by Paul S. Kemp

Old Republic: Deceived by Paul S. Kemp

Old Republic: Fatal Alliance by Sean Williams

Knight Errant by John Jackson Miller

Darth Bane trilogy by Drew Karpyshyn

Legacy of the Jedi by Jude Watson

Jedi Apprentice: The Rising Force by Dave Wolverton

Jedi Apprentice: The Dark Rival by Jude Watson

Jedi Apprentice: The Hidden Past

Jedi Apprentice: The Mark of the Crown

Jedi Apprentice: The Defenders of the Dead

Jedi Apprentice: The Uncertain Path

Jedi Apprentice: The Captive Temple

Jedi Apprentice: The Day of Reckoning

Jedi Apprentice: The Fight for Truth

Jedi Apprentice: The Shattered Peace

Jedi Apprentice: The Deadly Hunter

Jedi Apprentice: The Evil Experiment

Jedi Apprentice: The Dangerous Rescue

Jedi Apprentice: The Ties that Bind

Jedi Apprentice: The Death of Hope

Jedi Apprentice: The Call to Vengeance

Jedi Apprentice: The Only Witness

Jedi Apprentice: The Threat Within

Jedi Apprentice Special Edition: Deceptions

Jedi Apprentice Special Edition: The Followers

The Life and Legend of Obi-Wan Kenobi by Ryder Windham

Secrets of the Jedi by Jude Watson

The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader by Ryder Windham

Cloak of Deception by James Luceno

Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter by Michael Reaves

The Phantom Menace adult novelization by Terry Brooks

The Phantom Menace junior novelization by Patricia C. Wrede

Episode I Journal: Queen Amidala by Jude Watson

Rogue Planet by Greg Bear

Jedi Quest: Path to Truth by Jude Watson

Jedi Quest: The Way of the Apprentice by Jude Watson

Jedi Quest: The Trail of the Jedi by Jude Watson

Jedi Quest: The Dangerous Games

Jedi Quest: The Master of Disguise

Jedi Quest: The School of Fear

Jedi Quest: The Shadow Trap

Jedi Quest: The Moment of Truth

Jedi Quest: The Changing of the Guard

Jedi Quest: The False Peace

Jedi Quest: The Final Showdown

Outbound Flight by Timothy Zahn

The Approaching Storm by Alan Dean Foster

Attack of the Clones adult novelization by R.A. Salvatore

Attack of the Clones junior novelizations by Patricia C. Wrede

Boba Fett: The Fight to Survive by Terry Bisson

Boba Fett: Crossfire by Terry Bisson

Boba Fett: Maze of Deception by Elizabeth Hand

Boba Fett: A New Threat by Elizabeth Hand

Boba Fett: Pursuit by Elizabeth Hand

Republic Commando: Hard Contact by Karen Traviss

Republic Commando: Triple Zero by Karen Traviss(DON'T LIKE THIS ONE!)

Shatterpoint by Matthew Stover

The Cestus Deception by Steven Barnes

MedStar I: Battle Surgeons by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry

MedStar II: Jedi Healer by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry

Jedi Trial by David Sherman and Dan Cragg

Yoda: Dark Rendezvous by Sean Stewart

The Clone Wars adult novelization by Karen Traviss

The Clone Wars junior novelization by Tracey West

Wild Space by Karen Miller

No Prisoners by Karen Traviss

Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth by Karen Miller

Clone Wars Gambit: Siege by Karen Miller

Labyrinth of Evil by James Luceno

Revenge of the Sith adult novelization by Matthew Stover

Revenge of the Sith junior novelization

Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader by James Luceno

Jedi Twilight by Michael Reaves

Street of Shadows by Michael Reaves

Patterns of Force by Michael Reaves(well, I'm currently reading it)

The Last Man Standing by Jude Watson

The Last of the Jedi: The Desperate Mission by Jude Watson

The Last of the Jedi: Dark Warning by Jude Watson

The Last of the Jedi: Underworld by Jude Watson

The Last of the Jedi: Death on Naboo by Jude Watson

The Paradise Snare by A.C. Crispin

Junior Jedi Knights: The Golden Globe by Nancy Richardson

Junior Jedi Knights: Lyric's World by Nancy Richardson

Junior Jedi Knights: Promises by Nancy Richardson

Junior Jedi Knights: Anakin's Quest by Jessica Moesta

Junior Jedi Knights: Vader's Fortress by Jessica Moesta

Junior Jedi Knights: Kenobi's Blade by Jessica Moesta

Young Jedi Knights: Heirs to the Force by Kevin J. Anderson and Jessica Moesta

Young Jedi Knights: Shadow Academy

Young Jedi Knights: The Lost Ones

Young Jedi Knights: Lightsabers

Young Jedi Knights: The Darkest Knight

Young Jedi Knights: Jedi Under Siege

Young Jedi Knights: Shard of Alderaan

Young Jedi Knights: Diversity Alliance

Young Jedi Knights: Delusions of Grandeur

Young Jedi Knights: Jedi Bounty

Young Jedi Knights: The Emperor's Plague

Young Jedi Knights: Return to Ord Mantell

Young Jedi Knights: Trouble on Cloud City

Young Jedi Knights: Crises on Crystal Reef

New Jedi Order: Edge of Victory I: Conquest

New Jedi Order: Edge of Victory II: Rebirth

New Jedi Order: Star by Star

New Jedi Order: Dark Journey

Star Wars Challenge Day 24

Okay so day 24- "A character you dislike."

So I don't like- wait, I dislike and/or hate more than one character :p

Warning, I am most likely going to rant in this post.

So I'll start, shall I? :)

My least favorite character is definetely a tie between Satine Kryze and the person below(who I shall get to in a bit). Why do I hate her? Well, there are several reasons the main one being the uncanon, FAKE, made up relationship with Obi-Wan. I got quite upset when I first read about her on Wookiepedia and I didn't watch the Mandalore arc because of her(well, I did watch the first one just to see what I thought and yes- total crap :p). Also, there is NO chemistry between her and Obi-Wan(gag!) at all! I mean, with Siri I could see it but with her it. just. isn't. there.

So, I say she ISN'T canon and never existed in the Star Wars Canon. Also, when her planet was in trouble she just STOOD there looking at her FINGERS while Padme went in and helped fight the villains off. >:(

This isn't a really picture of my second least favorite character, but it was listed as one so I'll just go with it. This is supposed to be...Taria Damsin(Uhhh!!!!) and she has green hair that she wears in braids. The reason I hate her is because she is ALSO is supposed to have had a fake, made up, uncanon relationship with Obi-Wan(gag again). She makes an appearance the in Clone Wars Gambit duo and I immediately felt uneasy about her- I just didn't like her. While reading the second of the duo, I was flipping through the book to see what was going to happen next(I sometimes do this with Star Wars books), and I saw something that greatly upset me on page 332 which completely RUINED the book for me(which I had been enjoying.) Luckily, no one considers her canon at all so I guess it's not that bad. She and Satine make Obi-Wan seem very out of character(and Siri didn't) so I don't count them as real in the story. >:(

I really, really don't like this bounty hunter! I don't care how cool he is- I don't like him. I've never been into the Bounty Hunters in Star Wars-there too criminal which is something I don't like at all. Plus, he seems I hate his battle with Obi-Wan and Quinlan Vos- it made me really angry >:(

Okay, I'll admit, at first he was kinda of interesting, but really he's just a rip off of Darth Maul(who I don't like all that much either). He is also WAY too powerful- I mean he could fight Dooku AND Ventress at the same time? He was able to get away from Obi-Wan and Anakin? That is just DUMB!

Ordo Skirata, well pretty much all the Nulls, are ANNOYING! He is pretty much a big baby- whining and screaming if he doesn't get his way. And he only listens to Kal Skirata and hates the Jedi. Also, he called Obi-Wan a glory seeker! What the heck!!!?? Since when was he a glory seeker? Since NEVER. Plus, I don't like Karen Traviss AT ALL. :P

Etain Tur-Mukan.....sigh. How shall I start. Well, let me say- LAMEST EXCUSE FOR A JEDI EVER!!!! Yes, there are Jedi that went bad but she's just ridiculous! I mean, she mopes about her connection to the Force and her lightsaber abilities and doesn't even do anything about it! Then, when she's getting chased by a psychopath she doesn't pull her lightsaber out but when a farmer irritates her she pulls it out- WHAT??!!!! In the words of Ron Weasley -"She needs to sort out her priorities. Also, she doesn't seem all that sad about her Master's death and apparently doesn't care that much about Order 66 being initiated. Then when she finds out she's pregnant she worries that the Jedi will want to train it so she plans to leave but when Kal Skirata tells her that he will take her son and raise him as a Mando she's just fine with it. Also, I was kind of hoping to see some interesting plot lines going on since she is in love with a clone but it was lame. She doesn't deserve to carry a lightsaber.

Kal Skirata. I liked him in the first chapter of Triple Zero but after that I really started to dislike his character. I mean he rants about the Jedi and how having attachment is just fine for a Jedi, how the Jedi are stupid and evil, how the Mandalorians are saints, how he loves his boys(Clones) when he ABANDONED his family because his wife got annoyed at him for being gone all the time. Oh, and he's a HUGE hypocrite.

Jabba the Hutt is a psychopath and very creepy. He's also a slimy git and a criminal. I think that's reason enough to dislike him.

And Krell. I don't like him because at first he seems like a un-Jedi like jerk who turns out to be working for the Separatist. He is cruel and crazy! I hate that he sent the two different Clone groups unknowingly to kill each other- that was horrible.

I also don't like Dal Perhi, Jorus C'boath, Cody, Bly, and all the other Clones who executed Order 66, especially the 501st legion.

Second Week of Advent: The Little Drummer Boy

In honor of the second week of Advent I will post one of my favorite carols - Little Drummer Boy

Star Wars Challenge Day 23

Today is Day 23 and the subject is "Something you wished was different"

Well, the main thing is Satine and Taria-I HATE them and I don't think they are canon, but I'll be talking about them tomorrow so I won't go on.

Something I wished was different is this- when Anakin tells Mace that Palpatine is Darth Sidious. In the adult novelization it was much more dramatic and Anakin is a lot more upset- he collapses into the door frame, asking for Obi-Wan and Mace has to help him to a chair. Mace seemed a lot more concerned about Anakin and I liked how upset Anakin was. So, in other words, I wished the scene has played out more like it did in the book.

I wish there had been a bit more of Obi-Wan and Anakin interactions in the films- particularly in The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. I know the films are only approximately two hours long so they fit in as much as the could- and anyway, what is the EU and fanfiction for :)

I also don't want Darth Maul coming back! >:(

I could write other things but I am trying to not focus on the negative so I'll stop here :)

Star Wars Challenge Day 22

Okay, ready for some more Star Wars fun? :)

So, today is "Favorite ROTJ moment."

This is my favorite OT film!

My favorite part is a tie between the redemption and the end. I love the end because we finally get to see the galaxy set right, the heroes are victorious, and once bitter enemies are friends once more. Anakin is redeemed- YES!!! And reunited with Obi-Wan and everyone else in the Force- DOUBLE YESS!! I also love to see the different planets celebrating the defeat of the empire. And the music is just amazing and makes me happy :). All in all, a wonderful ending for a wonderful Saga.

Darth Vader finally becomes Anakin again when he decides to destroy the cause of all his pain- Palpatine -to save his son. It is amazing that he was able to break though the evil in him, destroy Vader and Palpatine, and become a Jedi once again. Oh, and it's great to see Palpatine finally GO AWAY- especially after all the horror he caused.

I love the symbolic nature of Luke's refusal to turn to the darkside. In other words, he is doing the opposite to Sidious- telling him that, NO, I will not join you. NO, I will not give in to my anger and hate and become like you. Luke was definitely a Jedi here- being what his father never could- strong in the face of temptation. Something that is greatly admirable.

This scene is very sad :(. Luke takes off his father mask at his request and Anakin is able to look on the face of his son for the first and indeed, the last, time. And what I like is that, behind the monstrous mask, is the face of a broken man and not the face of a monster- which is very different from the one we see at the end of ROTS which was that of a monster. Anakin is finally apparent in his face for the first time since he came to the crossroads in the Chancellor's office.

Luke and Vader's fight is really epic! It's by far the best duel of the Original Trilogy. Luke shows how truly powerful he has become and how much potential he has to become a great Jedi.

Awkward......Luke:So....what do you enjoy doing? Vader: Being a Sith. Luke: Oh...well I like being a Jedi. Vader: You must join the darkside, it's way better. Luke: Ummm. I think I'll pass. Vader(nods): fair enough (door opens)

Don't you just love it when Han is trying to sneak up behind the Imperials and he steps on a stick? Classic!!!!!

Star Wars Challenge Day 21

Day 21: "Favorite TESB moment"

Okay, this should be fun!

Interesting fact: TESB is the favorite film out of the saga for a lot of fans.

"No, I am you're father." "NOOOO!!" - Definetely a powerful scene. Unluckily, I already knew about this due to having watched Toy Story 2. However, it is a very well acted, dramatic scene and I can only imagine what it felt like to watch this scene for the first time and be totally caught of guard. Wow.

The scene where Han finds an injured, nearly froze, Luke in the snow is quite funny. Especially since Luke is mumbling "Ben! Dagobah system! Ben! Dagobah system!" while Han is cutting open his dead mount and putting Luke inside of it, commenting that is must smell even worse on the inside. Oh, and we get to see a non-Jedi use a lightsaber- Nice!

You know, when I first saw the Wampa that wanted to eat Luke, my first thought was- The Abominable Snow Man from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer(well, I was nine after all). I like this scene since we see how Luke's powers have grown from the first film when he uses the Force to pull his lightsaber out of the ice below him.

Luke's duel with Darth Vader is very good and very dramatic. I really like it when their fighting in the carbonite freezing room and smoke is billowing around them and their blades glow ominously in the gloom.

When I first saw Luke on his hands, using the Force to life rocks and stack them, I was thinking "I want to do that!!!!" It shows the rigors of Jedi training and makes us wish we could become Jedi as well- which, or course, we can in our imaginations :).

I think it's really cool when Yoda lifts Luke's crashed X-Wing from the swamp after Luke 'tried' and failed. I remember when I first watched it, I really took Yoda's "Do, or do not. There is no try" to heart and applied it to my life. I still do.

When Luke first meets Yoda, the Jedi Master acts all silly and, quite frankly, crazy. It is very humerous to see Yoda eating Luke's food and banging R2D2 with a stick yelling "MINE! MINE!"

I also really like it when Rogue Two is looking for Luke and Han, who were thought to have been lost, and he finally finds them by the dead mount, Han waving to get their attention. It always makes me happy for some reason.

Well, that's all for today- have a good day and May the Force be with you!" :)

Here's a hilarious video for you're enjoyment. Very good :)

Star Wars Challenge Day 20

Day 20! Wow, I've been doing this for that long?

Well, I think that's awesome!:)

Anyway, today's topic is "Favorte ANH moment"

P.S this was the first Star Wars film I watched! :)

My absolute favorite scene in A New Hope is when Luke destroyes the Death Star. It is a really action packed, adrenaline rush scene where we begin to see Luke's prowess with the Force. I just love Luke's reaction to what he just did- astonishment. He looked completely shocked, most likely thinking- 'oh crap, I just did it.' I also like in the scene where Obi-Wan is telling him to use the Force and let go; then afterwards, while a shocked Luke bobs in space, Obi-Wan says "The Force will be with you. Always." - Obi-Wan's best line in the Original Trilogy!

This scene is so powerful- there is no dialogue but we can see the longing in Luke's face and the longing in the music that grows as he stares out at the suns, the light playing across his face. Wonderful scene, wonderful music, and wonderful acting. Also, I know many people find him whiny but really, he's not. He's stuck in the middle of nowhere and he's constantly getting disappointed and it frustrates him- totally understandable.

And of course, I love the scene where Luke gets his father's lightsaber. After watching the Prequel Trilogy we know what horrors have been inflicted with this blade and can only hope Luke will use it for good.

Oh, and I love the parts where people keep making snide remarks to Han Solo about his ship(What a piece of junk). I remember finding that hilarious when I first watched it.

Also the conversation Han has with the Imperials when they're trying to rescue Leia- "Boring conversation anyway. LUKE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE COMPANY!!!"