Books

‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘Outbound Flight’ (2006) (Book review)

“Outbound Flight” (2006) offers Expanded Universe fans the thrill of learning previously hinted-at “Star Wars” history. It’s similar to what “Episode I” offered to mainstream fans.

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‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘Rogue Planet’ (2000) (Book review)

Greg Bear’s “Rogue Planet” is a schizophrenic novel. It’s hard to read, but it’s filled with fascinating ideas. It’s packed with information that’s seemingly crucial to future

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‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘The Phantom Menace’ novelization (1999) (Book review)

At the time of the original trilogy, when home video was in its infancy, novelizations were a way for fans to experience a movie outside

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‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘The Ruins of Dantooine’ (2004) (Book review)

“Star Wars Galaxies: The Ruins of Dantooine” (2004) is one of the more maligned “Star Wars” novels, but it doesn’t commit any huge sins: It’s well-written

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‘Star Wars on Trial’ Part IV: Do plot holes in ‘Star Wars’ make it ill-suited to a smart viewer? (Commentary)

Here is the fourth and final part of my series inspired by Benbella Books’ “Star Wars on Trial”(2006), a collection of essays responding to eight charges

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‘Star Wars on Trial’ Part III: Does ‘Star Wars’ portray women as fundamentally weak? (Commentary)

Here is the third installment of my series inspired by Benbella Books’ “Star Wars on Trial” (2006), a collection of essays responding to eight charges against the

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‘Star Wars on Trial’ Part II: Has the success of ‘Star Wars’ been bad for other sci-fi? (Commentary)

Here is the second installment in my series inspired by Benbella Books’ “Star Wars on Trial” (2006), a collection of essays responding to eight charges against the

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‘Star Wars on Trial’ Part I: Does ‘Star Wars’ promote bad political, ethical or religious values? (Commentary)

In 2006, Benbella Books put out “Star Wars on Trial,” a collection of essays responding to eight charges against the “Star Wars” franchise (plus a ninth, overriding

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‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘Planet of Twilight’ (1997) (Book review)

In my re-read of the Bantam novels, I thought I was saving the worst for last with “Planet of Twilight” (1997). My 18-year-old self hated this

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‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘The Crystal Star’ (1994) (Book review)

Vonda N. McIntyre’s “The Crystal Star” (1994) often appears on lists of the worst “Star Wars” novels, so I went into this re-read with low expectations and

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