chrisduhbird's review against another edition
It’s just not for me. I’m sure there’s some cool moments in there somewhere, but I couldn’t do it.
hstapp's review against another edition
4.0
Wow! This book was excellent. I can't recommend it highly enough. It Also has a really good cover. How come I don't do real reviews for goodreads only for Tumblr? I guess I'll just copy it here.
Wilhuff Tarkin, Moff and former Governor of Eriadu is stationed out in the outer rim overseeing the construction of the Death Star. He receives an urgent message from a nearby system, A strange unexpected call claiming that they have come under attack. Tarkin sees past the deception noticing some tell-tale interference caused by a recorded loop and is prepared when the attack come.
Tarkin foils the attack but is soon called away to Coruscant where he learns of a recently discovered cache of communications devices that could be used to disrupt and break into holonet communications. Despite protests the emperor sends Vader an Tarkin to the world these devices were discover. The two fall into a trap, and Tarkin’s ship is stolen. Tarkin and Vader must stop the ship and bring down the dissident’s network before they manage to do real damage.
This is one of the best Star Wars books I’ve read in a while. James Luceno does a good job making Tarkin seem adventurous an heroic, while still not taking away from his status as a villain. The format of the book is a bit strange. At one moment the book will read as a historical account. At the next, It’s Tarkin in present time. Then, It’s Tarkin n the past. These segments have no real division or Transition. It can make things a bit awkward at times, but for the most part it works well enough.
Besides being inside Tarkin’s head we also get to be inside of Palpatine’s. I think this is the first time I have seen that done, and if it isn’t it is certainly the best representation of Palpatine that I have seen.
The only problem I really have with the character of Tarkin in this s he doesn’t seem like the kind of man who would refuse to have his ship readied. He doesn’t seem like the kind of man who would refuse to listen to someone telling him that the rebels attack posed a threat. In fact he seems like the kind of man who would have analyzed their attack himself, and would have an escape plan, as well as a plan of attack.
The artwork for this is really good too. I love the realistic but still cartoony style of Tarkin and Vader. I also really like the choice of text and coloring for the title. There’s just something about it that screams Star Wars.
Definitely Check it out.
Wilhuff Tarkin, Moff and former Governor of Eriadu is stationed out in the outer rim overseeing the construction of the Death Star. He receives an urgent message from a nearby system, A strange unexpected call claiming that they have come under attack. Tarkin sees past the deception noticing some tell-tale interference caused by a recorded loop and is prepared when the attack come.
Tarkin foils the attack but is soon called away to Coruscant where he learns of a recently discovered cache of communications devices that could be used to disrupt and break into holonet communications. Despite protests the emperor sends Vader an Tarkin to the world these devices were discover. The two fall into a trap, and Tarkin’s ship is stolen. Tarkin and Vader must stop the ship and bring down the dissident’s network before they manage to do real damage.
This is one of the best Star Wars books I’ve read in a while. James Luceno does a good job making Tarkin seem adventurous an heroic, while still not taking away from his status as a villain. The format of the book is a bit strange. At one moment the book will read as a historical account. At the next, It’s Tarkin in present time. Then, It’s Tarkin n the past. These segments have no real division or Transition. It can make things a bit awkward at times, but for the most part it works well enough.
Besides being inside Tarkin’s head we also get to be inside of Palpatine’s. I think this is the first time I have seen that done, and if it isn’t it is certainly the best representation of Palpatine that I have seen.
The only problem I really have with the character of Tarkin in this s he doesn’t seem like the kind of man who would refuse to have his ship readied. He doesn’t seem like the kind of man who would refuse to listen to someone telling him that the rebels attack posed a threat. In fact he seems like the kind of man who would have analyzed their attack himself, and would have an escape plan, as well as a plan of attack.
The artwork for this is really good too. I love the realistic but still cartoony style of Tarkin and Vader. I also really like the choice of text and coloring for the title. There’s just something about it that screams Star Wars.
Definitely Check it out.
cassidyd97's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great read! I really enjoyed the character study. Tarkin was previously of no interest to me, but this book fleshed him out well. There were several times when I caught myself almost rooting for him, and had to remind myself he is the villain. Luceno does a great job of putting you in his headspace.
It's only four stars and not five because Luceno's tendency to go off on long tangents, such as the one about the pirates, does not suit me personally that well. It can be a little hard to follow and then I have to go back to the beginning to reorient myself / pick up on the idea again. I think as a result, the book was a little longer than necessary. Not strictly a bad thing, just not for me.
Overall I did really like it.
It's only four stars and not five because Luceno's tendency to go off on long tangents, such as the one about the pirates, does not suit me personally that well. It can be a little hard to follow and then I have to go back to the beginning to reorient myself / pick up on the idea again. I think as a result, the book was a little longer than necessary. Not strictly a bad thing, just not for me.
Overall I did really like it.
sabregirl's review against another edition
4.0
Not what I expected, and kinda disappointed that we didn't see ANYTHING with Tarkin on the Death Star but interested to see how he got to the rank of Grand Moff and how his home world trials shaped him.
big_lew's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
piranacon's review against another edition
5.0
Great book.
The writer never strayed to far from Peter Cushings orginal performance, and was easy to picture the character in the events.
Vader on the other hand felt very one dimensional, but in fairness thats Vader in general.
Loved the fact the book also has sub plots that with other characters.
I do have a complaint though, but this is aimed at LFG and Disney. According to wookipeda this is new Cannon, However the plots read and felt old Cannon. I double checked many times to makesure it wasn't under the "Legends" Cannon (Not that there's anything wrong with the old cannon. Just trying to get a grip on the new cannon).
The writer never strayed to far from Peter Cushings orginal performance, and was easy to picture the character in the events.
Vader on the other hand felt very one dimensional, but in fairness thats Vader in general.
Loved the fact the book also has sub plots that with other characters.
I do have a complaint though, but this is aimed at LFG and Disney. According to wookipeda this is new Cannon, However the plots read and felt old Cannon. I double checked many times to makesure it wasn't under the "Legends" Cannon (Not that there's anything wrong with the old cannon. Just trying to get a grip on the new cannon).
elliototoole's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Spoiler
I loved the parts about his backstory and the adventure he had with Darth Vader. Also, throughout the book, him figuring out Darth Vaders real identity as Anakin Skywalker is phenomenal (referencing clone wars episodes he had with anakin I.e. the citadel).hamlet71's review against another edition
4.0
Good, not as good as Catalyst, but nice to get some deep insight into what makes Tarkin the terrifying man he is.
awishman's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting look at the man "holding Vader's leash" in A New Hope. The story was interesting, but I did have a harder time keeping track of all the characters and species, especially all the characters that steal Tarkin's ship.
strwbrry_jamm's review
A book truly about evil. This does a great job of fleshing out Tarkin and Vader and gives them much more depth. Definitely something you have to be a fan of Star Wars, or at least familiar with, to appreciate let alone understand. Very engaging and actually had me on the edge of my seat for a few chapters. Will be reading again after a rewatch of the prequel trilogy at some point.