medievil's reviews
225 reviews

Star Wars: Darth Vader, Vol. 8: Dark Droids by Greg Pak

dark emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This volume serves as an extension of the Dark Droids event, with impressive action sequences and presenting some interesting dilemmas, related to the concept of man/machine. The dynamic between Darth Sidious and Darth Vader seems to be approaching a breaking point, something I've been enjoying, but it's taking too long in my opinion.

The main theme here that I really liked because it revealed character evolution is that Vader no longer lets his hatred control him; instead, he controls that hatred, which is interesting because Sidious then takes advantage of that. This ends up creating a continual spiral of chaos, which is ironic, given that both characters claim to seek order. Some interesting ideas were thrown around here and I hope to see them developed in the next volume. 

Star Wars: Dark Droids - D-Squad by Marc Guggenheim

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

This story, part of the Dark Droids event, is one of the funniest comics I've ever read. It truly captures the spirit of the Clone Wars D-Squad arc, and it was impossible not to smile at the interactions between our droids. The artwork was fantastic as well.

If I had to point out any flaws, it would be that the story is heavily tied to the larger Dark Droids arc, so to fully understand it, you need to read the other related stories. This comic seems to contribute only a small piece to the overall narrative.

That said, if this comic has shown me anything, it's that I’d love to see more adventures like this, preferably independent of other storylines. It would be guaranteed fun. 

Out of the Shadows by Justina Ireland

adventurous lighthearted mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

 This second YA book from High Republic, that continues the events of The Rising Storm, didn't work for me. 

The main problem with this book for me was the protagonist, Sylvestri Yarrow. I couldn't sympathise with her, nor did I think she was an interesting character to lead the story. Her romantic relationship with Jordanna seemed superficial to me, and the insistence on focussing on them made the reading tiresome. What's more, I found the book too long for the story it offers. The pace is slow, with constant repetition of information and little progress in the overall plot. 

Despite this, there were some interesting points, such as the exploration of hyperspace, and the relationships and political interests between some higher families such as the Graf and the San Tekka, who have piqued my curiosity and hope to see more of them in the future. 

The book planted seeds for the future of the High Republic, emphasising that Marchion Ro is not the only threat present in the galaxy, and there are other intriguing players around. I'm especially curious to follow the evolution of Vernestra. The political and economic view of the galaxy was also interesting, but I felt that everything was covered superficially, as was the development of several characters in favour of one uninteresting character. 

Finally, the audiobook also disappointed me. Although the narrator did an acceptable job, it lacked the usual sparkle of Star Wars productions, with the absence of music and sound effects. 

Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn

adventurous dark funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

 Heir to the Empire deserves the reputation it has earned. The book masterfully captures the essence of the original trilogy, continuing the story in an organic way, while introducing some extremely captivating new characters, such as Thrawn, Pellaeon, Mara Jade, C'baoth and, perhaps most surprisingly, Karrde. It's true that you could argue that the author relied heavily on elements from the classic trilogy (perhaps even too much), but I can imagine that this was important at a time when there were no new stories in the galaxy, nor the possibility of revisiting the movies as we do today. 

The stars of the book are undoubtedly Han Solo (you get the feeling that Zahn's favourite is our smuggler) and Luke Skywalker, but I think there's a good distribution of attention between the main characters, although I hope to see more emphasis on Leia in the next books. 

It's true that some of the ideas presented in the book no longer fit perfectly with the canon. However, that doesn't compromise the pleasure of simply enjoying the story. 

The audiobook version, narrated by the phenomenal Marc Thompson, elevates the experience even further, as is usual with Star Wars audiobook productions. 

Heir to the Empire is an extremely entertaining read, with an excellent pace that easily keeps you hooked. For all Star Wars fans who want to see more thrilling, high-risk adventures with our classic heroes, this book is a must. 

Looking forward to continuing the trilogy! 

The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 The Lord of the Rings is an unavoidable fantasy classic, a work that has inspired thousands of creators over the decades and continues to do so today. And it's no coincidence. J.R.R. Tolkien didn't just create a story; he expanded this universe, which had already begun with The Hobbit, in a way that was unimaginable (or perhaps imaginable, given that it came from the mind of just one person). With this trilogy, Tolkien built a timeless journey, masterfully adapting Joseph Campbell's ‘Hero's Journey’ and giving us iconic characters. 

From Samwise's unwavering loyalty, to Merry's courage, Frodo's persistence, Pippin's heart, Legolas and Gimli's friendship, Gandalf's wisdom, and the way Aragorn assumes his destiny... each character makes a unique contribution to the epic outcome of this adventure. I've always considered Peter Jackson's trilogy to be one of the most extraordinary in cinema. However, I knew that sooner or later I would have to read the work that inspired not only the movies, but redefined the genre. 

Reading this trilogy, in this particular case The Return of the King, allowed me to understand the characters and the universe of Middle-earth in a much more profound way, especially compared to the adaptations. The tone of the books surprised me with the way they move from cheerful, pleasant moments to darker ones. One of the moments that struck me most was the discovery of the famous chapter ‘Scorching of the Shire’, a passage that was left out of the adaptations, but which made a positive impression on me. This part, in my opinion, managed to complete Frodo's Hero's Journey, showing how he applies the lessons he learnt during the War of the Ring. Getting to know the outcome of all the characters in more detail was also a bittersweet experience, but, as Tolkien teaches us, every beginning has its end, and a new Age is born from there. 

Another highlight is the Appendices at the end of the book, which offer a much deeper understanding of the entire history and mythology of Middle-earth. These details further enrich the desire to explore the author's other works and to learn about the previous eras that culminated in the War of the Ring. 

I also had the opportunity to experience this work through the narration of Andy Serkis, whose phenomenal interpretation makes the reading even more accessible and immersive. 

I recognise that The Lord of the Rings may not be the most accessible work today, with its sometimes slow pace, but once you've read it, it's easy to see why it has had and continues to have such an impact. It's impossible not to get lost in Middle-earth while reading about Théoden or Aragorn leading their armies, or the adventures of Frodo, Sam and Gollum's journey. 

This work is a must read for anyone who has some sort of connection with fantasy. This literary genre, which presents us with the impossible, offers a unique perspective on life and our world, and The Lord of the Rings is undoubtedly one of the best representations of this vision. 

Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories Volume 3--Light and Shadows by Cecil Castellucci, Amanda Deibert, Michael Moreci

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

3.0

It was a fun read. The Quilan Vos vs Cad Bane was very simple but I really enjoyed the art; The Bad Batch one was a lot of fun and made me want more stories of them in this format; Mace Windu and Yoda was the least impressive for me, perhaps because it's already a well-known dynamic and didn't introduce anything new; finally, the last story was definitely a nice surprise, exploring a background character and create a funny connection with the Battle of Endor, with some emotion thrown in. Also, the outcome for these volumes of Hyperspace Stories was also something unexpected.

I had a good time with these short stories.

Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade by Delilah S. Dawson

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Inquisitor the Rise of Red Blade is fantastic. Extremely well written, profound and very emotional. Not only was I able to connect with new characters, but I saw certain events that I thought I already knew in a completely different light. It's the story that allowed me to understand so well how a Jedi, a beacon of light, can become something as dark as a murderer, a monster. This is the tragic journey of Iskat Akaris.

My only criticism is that the third act wasn't longer. I would have loved to have seen more of that side of the character.

Recommended for anyone who wants an extremely mature story that focuses on the dark side of the Force.

What Have We Here?: Portraits of a Life by Billy Dee Williams

emotional funny inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

For me, Billy Dee Williams was Lando Calrissian. And it was one of the main aspects that made me want to read his autobiography. This book made me realize how much more he is than just a character. Yes, he's that intergalactic swashbuckler hero, but he's also Louis McKay, Brian Walker, Martin Luther King Jr., Harvey Dent and so much more. A painter. A sex symbol. A son, a brother, a father and a grandfather. Someone who grew up at a time when Hollywood didn't fully embrace him because of his skin color, and yet he was able to turn it around. In short, an extraordinary human being with 80+ years of incredible, sad and funny stories to tell, not just about his career as an actor, but about everything that defined him. 

It's impossible not to admire the greatness of Billy Dee's life, his principles and his battles. And by the end he inspired me to be someone better and to reflect on life’s choices and meaning. 

Chandelier. 

Jedi: Battle Scars by Sam Maggs

adventurous lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

 The novel promised to bridge the gap between Fallen Order and Survivor, two of my favorite Star Wars stories and video games in general. However, despite containing interesting elements such as the exploration of the magick of the Nightsisters and the perspective of the Mantis Crew (I particularly liked the portrayal of Greez), it fails to capture the essence of Star Wars in my opinion. The narrative lacks the poetry and magic of the Star Wars universe, and the development of the characters seems superficial, with missed opportunities to dive deeper into the dynamics of the Mantis Crew or to explore Fifth Brother's backstory, which would allow him to be more than just an obstacle and to help understand better his motivations, and it was not the case. Instead, the focus shifts awkwardly to a romance that feels out of place and, to be honest, too spicy for a saga like Star Wars.

Overall, although there were some good moments, the execution of the story leaves a lot to be desired, feeling more like romantic fan fiction than a real addition to the Star Wars universe.

 

The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0