Television and Movie Tie-Ins

Simple Simon: by Ryne Douglas Pearson
This is the book on which Mercury Rising was based. In fact, I bought it after seeing the movie. The book has a very similar story, but goes into much more detail. I enjoyed the book more than I enjoyed the movie. I noticed some interesting changes from the book to the movie. In the book, Art is black and Simon is 16. Anyway, I recommend the book.
May 14, 2000

Star Wars

I've enjoyed just about all the Star Wars books with only a few exceptions. I only wish the movies had been more consistent with the books. In some ways, I feel that George Lucas could have tapped the books for ideas to fill out his galaxy.

Heirs of the Force

by Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta
The Young Jedi Knights books are written for children and young adults, but I still find them interesting. They're short and go fast, though, so not as cost effective for me. This is a story of Jacen and Jaina, twin children of Leia and Han, and some of the adventures at the Jedi Academy.
May 14, 2000

I, Jedi

by Michael A. Stackpole
This book takes Corran Horn, one of Rogue Squadron, and develops him as a Jedi. I've always liked this character and I really enjoyed this book. The interaction between Corran and Luke is well done and believable. I definitely recommend this book.
May 14, 2000

Shadows of the Empire

by Steve Perry
An interesting interlude between Empire and Jedi which shows some of the political maneuvering in Emperor Palpatine's court. The book leads very smoothly into the beginning of Return of the Jedi.
May 14, 2000

Specter of the Past

by Timothy Zahn
This book mixes politics and action as the new Republic is threatened from inside and out. Luke and Mara go off on one adventure while Leia desperately tries to hold the Republic together. Also features Lando and many others.
May 14, 2000

X-Wing Series

by Michael A. Stackpole and Aaron Allston
I liked every book in this series, though I enjoyed the Stackpole books better than the Allston books. They did a good job of coordinating, though, and the books stay fairly consistent. Be warned, though, characters tend to die, which adds tension as you can't assume the whole squadron will make it out of any given battle. The series features plenty of out of the cockpit action to go along with the fancy flying and develops a number of the chacters.

Rogue Squadron, Michael A. Stackpole
Wedge's Gamble, Michael A. Stackpole
The Krytos Trap, Michael A. Stackpole
The Bacta War, Michael A. Stackpole
Wraith Squadron, Aaron Allston
Iron Fist, Aaron Allston
Solo Command, Aaron Allston
Isard's Revenge, Michael A. Stackpole
Starfighters of Adumar, Aaron Allston

May 14, 2000

The Mandalorian Armor

by K. W. Jeter
While I've always been interested in the character of Boba Fett, this first book in the Bounty Hunter Wars was a little too dark for me. The book does a good job of capturing the atmosphere of a bounty hunter's life, which is probably why I didn't enjoy it. One little thing that bothered me was that given the size of the Galaxy, the Bounty Hunter's Guild was incredibly small. I would have thought that there would have been room for many thousands of bounty hunters across the galaxy, but the guild has more like tens of bounty hunters.
May 14, 2000

Star Trek

Dyson Sphere (TNG): by Charles Pellegrino and George Zebrowski
This Star Trek book surprised me with its plethora of hard science with respect to the Dyson sphere itself. I was a little disappointed with the end, but the story was fascinating. I also enjoyed the technical Afterword and notes from the authors.
May 14, 2000

Highlander

Scimitar

by Ashley McConnell
This is a short book, but does a good job of capturing the feel of an episode of Highlander, the series. As it says on the back cover:
For centuries the legendary sword has brought death and the Quickening. A blade forged to steal the blood of princes and Immortals, the scimitar has haunted Duncan MacLeod as it has haunted history, from the slave markets of the Barbary pirates to Lawrence of Arabia's war against the Turks...
Now the sword has mysteriously been delivered into Joe Dawson's hands. With it come instructions that tell Dawson-a member of the Watchers, the secret society of mortals who have observed Immortals throug history-to give the scimitar to Duncan MacLeod. Is the scimitar meant as a challenge, a warning, or a salute across the centuries from one Immortal to another?
May 14, 2000

Scotland the Brave

By Jennifer Roberson
Another short Highlander episode, this story features Annie Devlin. A good read. And as the back cover says:
MacLeod is drawn into a conpsiracy of Immortals on a militant quest to win back the independence that Scotland lost, centuries ago, at Culloden. for her own reasons, Immortal Annie Devlin has already answered the ancient call of the clans. But if Duncan follows, he risks being drawn into a web of obsession, madness, and murder. For the Immortal who is masterminding the campaign will be satisfied with nothing less than Duncan Macleod's heart and soul... and undying loyalty.
May 14, 2000

The Element of Fire

By Jason Henderson
This Highlander book features Conner MacLeod and is a fun adventure with a sense of humor. The back cover says...
Centuries ago, the Immortal pirate Khordas vowed to destroy MacLeod. Evil and insane, Khordas delights in burning his victims inside their homes and ships, while he loots the pyres from which he alone can emerge.
Nantucket, 1987: Now on an anniversary of blood, this undying monster springs an infernal trap around the Highlander. But the pirate doesn't want merely to kill MacLeod. Unless stopped, Khordas will sear to cinders everything-and everyone-the Highlander holds dear...
May 14, 2000