A review by mardukzero
Sacrifice by Karen Traviss
3.0
I have mixed feelings about Sacrifice.
On the one hand, it was painful because I already knew the titular sacrifice that was going to occur. But the actual execution of that event was very well done, and I think that Traviss handled it very well.
My mixed feelings boil down to this: I'm not a Traviss hater, but I can see, to a degree, where some of their points come from. I feel that she did a very good job on the sections of the story which directly related to the overarching plot of Legacy of the Force. However, the Boba Fett storyline felt invasive.
Each of the three authors of this series have B-plots or aspects of the A-plot which they favor, but Traviss' Fett story arc feels the least integrated. It is interesting in its own way, and feel like it would operate decently well as a stand alone work, but feels invasive when switched to in the middle of the more tightly-knit plot threads. Some of the action does have its relevance on the main plot, such as the antagonism between Fett and Jacen, or the, but a lot of it is a personal story for Fett which is a bit too removed to fit into place in the middle of this book.
That being said, I recall enjoying the Fett story in Bloodlines. There, it seemed there was a strong parallel in the theme of family and relationships with the Solo family and Fett's family. Here, two books later and more distant from the plot, I had trouble getting back into it.
Again, Traviss did a good job on the primary plot sections, and I give her credit to that. I've heard comment that she tends to glorify Mando and thug-ize Jedi, but I felt her portrayal of the Jedi was well done here. As for her Mando favoritism, I'm hesitant to call Mary Sue on it, but some more actual flaws and screw ups would help. Characters are more awesome when they aren't just "cool and awesome guys and gals".
On the one hand, it was painful because I already knew the titular sacrifice that was going to occur. But the actual execution of that event was very well done, and I think that Traviss handled it very well.
My mixed feelings boil down to this: I'm not a Traviss hater, but I can see, to a degree, where some of their points come from. I feel that she did a very good job on the sections of the story which directly related to the overarching plot of Legacy of the Force. However, the Boba Fett storyline felt invasive.
Each of the three authors of this series have B-plots or aspects of the A-plot which they favor, but Traviss' Fett story arc feels the least integrated. It is interesting in its own way, and feel like it would operate decently well as a stand alone work, but feels invasive when switched to in the middle of the more tightly-knit plot threads. Some of the action does have its relevance on the main plot, such as the antagonism between Fett and Jacen, or the
Spoiler
discovery of new beskar veins on MandaloreThat being said, I recall enjoying the Fett story in Bloodlines. There, it seemed there was a strong parallel in the theme of family and relationships with the Solo family and Fett's family. Here, two books later and more distant from the plot, I had trouble getting back into it.
Again, Traviss did a good job on the primary plot sections, and I give her credit to that. I've heard comment that she tends to glorify Mando and thug-ize Jedi, but I felt her portrayal of the Jedi was well done here. As for her Mando favoritism, I'm hesitant to call Mary Sue on it, but some more actual flaws and screw ups would help. Characters are more awesome when they aren't just "cool and awesome guys and gals".