Death Star : Week 1 discussion - Warning Spoilers!!

Duffster · November 26, 2007, 06:12:12 AM

So what did everyone think of the opening 100 pages of Death Star?

I sometimes have a problem with novels that start off with a bunch of different characters, in different places and bring them together. I didn't have as big a problem with this story, but I do wonder why a few of the characters are in the story so far. I guess that will be revealed.

This is also the first SW novel I have read that has a Vader view point, which I find pretty interesting.

Duffster

Jen · November 26, 2007, 07:09:49 AM

I enjoy the scenes with Vil and the Ti pilots; their perspectives are interesting. Did anyone else catch the parallel to the creation story at the beginning of the book, in the first scene with Tarkin? The Reaves and Perry used the line "and it was good" when they described the Grand Moff's assessment of his Battlestation. I don't have the book with me, so I can't write the exact quote. I'll post it later.

The stories are pretty loose ended right now, but I think it will become tighter after we read past chapter 18. I'm enjoying it thus far. Vader's scenes are my favorite.

Jen · November 27, 2007, 10:02:55 AM

Has anyone else finished the first 18 chapters?

wraith1701 · November 27, 2007, 10:15:48 AM

Sorry, Jen; I'll pick up the pace. :)

I'm reading this while trying to finish up the DS9: Mission Gamma Series. Each time I pick up Death Star, the Star Trek books give me the ol' puppy-dog eyes, and I end up reading Trek instead. I'm going to have to lock those books up until I finish this one. 8)

Duffster · November 27, 2007, 11:27:30 AM

I also like those characters. They are definitely the odd ducks out, and I have been finding myself wondering where they will fit in.

Duffster

billybob476 · November 27, 2007, 01:38:29 PM

Personally I like the sergeant (cen't recall his name right now). They keep calling him a guard but I wonder if he's a stormtrooper?

Jen · November 27, 2007, 01:54:27 PM

The one on Despyre? I bet he is a stormtrooper.

Jen · November 27, 2007, 07:50:46 PM

I recognized Uli's name (the surgeon) when I first read it... It just now dawned on me how I know him. He is also in the Clone Wars Novels Med Star I and II. Great books that are reminiscent of MASH.

jedijeff · November 28, 2007, 07:34:20 AM

I am up to Chapter 7, I hope to get to Chapter 18 by the end of the week. Seems like a lot of Characters so far, so hopefully I can keep track of them all. The Gunnery officer sounds interesting, and the Guard on Despyre as well.

Duffster · November 28, 2007, 07:39:18 AM

I do like the Gunny. I would like to fire the big gun also if that was my career!

Duffster

billybob476 · November 28, 2007, 08:27:09 AM

Quote from: Duffster on November 28, 2007, 07:39:18 AM
I do like the Gunny. I would like to fire the big gun also if that was my career!

Duffster

Sounds like a fun idea but I think they may be setting him up to be a bit too moral to blow up planets.

PepperDude · November 28, 2007, 11:09:31 PM

I do like how MCGO Tenn Graneet's character is being developed. Who knows billybob? He might still not hesitate very much to pull the trigger on that super weapon. He works on guns--it's what he does and he loves it.

I also like Ratua and Sgt. Nova Stihl. Even though Nova is part of the Imperial military, he comes across as a good guy. According to the list of characters, he's an Imperial Marines guard sergeant. Does that mean he's a stormtrooper? What exactly is a stormtrooper anyway?

I find Darth Vader interesting as well; I didn't think he would be able to feel physical pain.

Jen, I didn't catch the parallels to the creation story. Either I wasn't paying too much attention or it simply went over my head which means my reading skills need to improve. :-\

billybob476 · November 29, 2007, 04:31:38 AM

I'd also like to add that I do really enjoy the way we're getting into Vader's head. It definitely makes him an even more interesting character then he was in the first place.

Jen · November 29, 2007, 04:35:20 AM

The reference I made about the creation parallel was early in Chapter two:
Willhuff Tarkin—now Grand Moff Tarkin, with that exalted promotion being due to this very project—stood before the deck-to-ceiling transparisteel viewport on the observation deck, looked out at his creation, and found it good. He was building a world.

The paragraph used "exalted promotion" to describe his title, as well as the sentences "looked out at his creation, and found it good." and "He was building a world." I just thought that was a great way to really drive home how full of himself Tarkin was. He very well could have thought of himself as a god with all that power the Emperor had given him. I'm sure he felt the Death Star would triple that power once it was completed.

billybob476 · November 29, 2007, 05:34:13 AM

Though interestingly, he knew that challenging the emperor was still beyond his power.