NJO brawl...

[Master_Keralys]

Okay, since there seems to be considerable contention over the NJO - as there always has been - I figured I'd start a poll and general discussion over its ups and downs now that everybody's had a few months to recover from The Unifying Force.

 

I personally loved the NJO. It was a grander, more epic story than anything except the movies themselves and maybe the Sith Wars 4 millenia previously. It did have its downsides, though: the deaths of 2 major characters and the Yuuzhan Vong themselves not being conventional baddies from SW. However, I felt this was definitely outweighed by the fantastic job done by the series creators as a whole. I had my issues with certain books - I didn't think Vector Prime really felt like SW that much, and until Balance Point the series didn't truly hit its stride. Since then, though, I've liked every book except Dark Journey. I was enthralled by Traitor and loved both Destiny's Way and the paperbacks that followed it. Star by Star and The Unifying Force were both excellent books in general: they had great plots, action, and pacing; both equal Zahn in my book. Now, argue with me, people...

[TheLiberator34]

I thought the NJO was pretty good. Not great. But better than many of the earlier books. They threw some jedi philosohpy curveballs with the vong, showed the characters from earlier novels and movies evolving and there some truly amazing moments. On the downside, there were a lot of false trails laid I think. The authors didn't build off each other's ideas and plots enough. They needed to colaborate more and they didn't. But otherwise it was a fun rid while it lasted. Traitor and TUF especially.

[Lord Siraious]

The only thing I didn't like about NJO series was the Vong but once it was explained why they were not in the Force it made sence a little.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

************ SPOILERS TO NJO *****************

 

(Just a friendly warning just to make sure but by now everyone should have read most of NJO)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've been thinking, I know in the Sith/Jedi war started by Exar Kun that Ulic Qel-Droma was blinded to the Force by Nomi Sunrider. Now in NJO it said that the Vong Homeworld had stripped the Force from the entire race. What I have been wondering is how different was these two techniques to use and preform?

[Master_Keralys]

***Heavy NJO Spoilers to follow***

Just figured I'd give you a warning...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

***

Actually, that was one of my first thoughts on learning that the Vong weren't in the Force: "Wait, that sounds like Ulic Qel-Droma or Callista." I dismissed it, though, because they were only kept from their ability to touch the Force, others could still sense them in it. So the biggest differences would be that, firstly, the Vong were stripped as an entire species - quite a difference in scale, and secondly, that they were completely removed from its presence: even Jedi couldn't sense them until Anakin, and later to a fuller extent Jacen and Tahiri developed their Vongsenses. So that's a massive difference in terms of what was actually done. It's actually the likely source of the genetic difference in them and their technology (which is what made Alpha Red possible, as you'll recall). I'd like to see future literature explore this point further...

[wassup]

Originally posted by Master_Keralys

\It did have its downsides, though: the deaths of 2 major characters and the Yuuzhan Vong themselves not being conventional baddies from SW.

 

I actually enjoyed these aspects of the NJO. The deaths added a sense and emphasis of seriousness and a "this is not a game" factor to Star Wars. Also, even though the Vong weren't really that original (Borg), in the context of SW they brought something new,dark, and gothic into the saga. The NJO ended the repetitiveness of the usual "super weapon or dark jedi of the month" storyline and brought a fresh, new style into SW, and I think this change has been for the better. Those who dislike the NJO should embrace this new and exciting direction SW has taken and let go of their conventional, romantic style of SW. I also loved the epic feel of the NJO, though it was kind of frustrating to wait so long for the next part of the story.

 

9/10

[swphreak]

The NJO was out of the ballpark and scoring homeruns.

 

Better than the usual overused storyline of the month, and it was dark. Something the normal books lacked. I enjoyed reading it a lot, but like wassup said, it took too darn long for them to release the next book!

[Astrotoy7]

NJO impressed me because of its sheer scope, and the fact that it was a great feat of planning and execution of behalf of LFL, the publishers and authors. Bravo ! For its detractors, all I can say is the SW universe *needed* something new ; clones of old villains, evil clones of good characters and stupid superweapons were turning it into a farce......

 

 

oh and BTW, did I mention 'Traitor' , the greatest EU novel of all time(IMO)....

 

 

MTFBWYA

[Miko_lover]

Not the best. I like the older ones where they have lightsaber battles and not lightsaber-against-yuuzhan vong staff-fights. That's what really made the whole thing boring.

[wassup]

Originally posted by Miko_lover

Not the best. I like the older ones where they have lightsaber battles and not lightsaber-against-yuuzhan vong staff-fights. That's what really made the whole thing boring.

 

Boring? How are shape-shifting venom-spitting organic weapons boring?

[Miko_lover]

They're just not authentically Star Wars-ish enough for me.

[Pnut_Man]

Truly great series for me.

This was coming from a dying fan who had just seen a lump of crap (Episode 1) and was rapidly losing interest in the whole Star Wars universe.

Read through Vector Prime in 2002, became shocked and sucked into the wave of the NJO. I stuck with the series until Agents of Chaos, but then got up to date with Rebirth and read every NJO book from there on (excluding Dark Journey).

 

As it has been said, the Yuuzhan Vong were inventive-original antagonists for the Jedi. The Imperial Remnant/Sith issue had been beaten to a strip and was of no more use; the Vong were the only answer.

Not only did the NJO open up the doorway to what really could lie in the other galaxies of the Star Wars Universe, but it added that darker/realistic feel to the entire franchise. We no longer had the 'feel-good' atmosphere where the central characters were protected in a bubble of immortality (which Han Solo brings up in his time of grief ), but real people forced into real conditions of warfare.

 

The NJO (IMO) was the best depiction of where the Jedi were headed after the Clone Wars, the Jedi Purge, their Resurrection with the Academy, etc. It clearly showed how times had changed, constantly reshaping the image and boundaries of the Jedi through novels such as Traitor and Star by Star

 

To me, the NJO will always kick-ass

[Master_Keralys]

To me it was a logical development from the Bantam era series and it allowed for a further development of the Jedi order; it is now the next logical step of where it's been evolving to since the prequels. It's interesting that, of all the old order Jedi, only Yoda seemed to truly emphasize the Unifying Force; all others (think Qui-gon, for example) emphasized the Living Force. This is what Luke had to learn to master in order to win the war against the Empire. But the Jedi needed to return to their origin and find their place in the Unifying Force. I think it's awesome.

 

I find its depth amazing and inspiring; it's rather remarkable to see a series that huge, to be honest. And the deaths of major characters were disheartening, but I loved how they moved the story; they were good things, in my opinion.

[Pnut_Man]

Yes, considering what they were fighting for, keeping the sacrifices of family and friends in the back of their minds, it must have been something to stand out there on the battlefields

[Sivy]

i don't like NJO at all.

 

its too star trekkie for my taste.

[Boba Rhett]

I hate the NJO with a fiery passion that transcends time and space.

 

I haven't the words to describe it. If crap could crap, then that crap's crap would feel greatly superior and have a swelling sense of pride, when held in juxtaposition with the NJO.

[Lord Siraious]

Oh thanks for that ummm... descriptive comment Rhett, I just love it when people are so precise and constructive.

 

Good point Keralys. From what I've read, which is very little, It does seem like Yoda was really the only one who emphasised on the Unifying Force in the period of time from the last Sith War on Ruusan to the NJO era.

[Master_Keralys]

Exactly. Even before that, though, the Jedi were losing their touch with it. Fewer and fewer were focusing on it even from the era of Exar Kun onward, as the Jedi became more and more entangled with the affairs of the Republic. I think it'll be interesting to see where the characters go from here.

 

Rhett: nice post. Would you mind explaining your reasons why you hate the NJO instead of just saying it's crap, crap, and more crap? B/c I'd like to see a little reasonable debate over it instead of just slamming, you know? And most of the NJO haters never really say why they hate it; they just call it crap.

[Boba Rhett]

The Vong do not fit in the feel of the star wars universe. At all.

 

It's blatantly obvious that the people who conceived the idea of the NJO really didn't have a clue what star wars is all about. They saw it simply as another science fiction story. It's not. Just because it's background is set in space does not make it a sci fi story. They totally lost site of this. Rather than examine the original theme stick with that theme they started throwing out ideas just because they sounded neat, more than actually capturing the feel of the films.

"Hey, I know what we can do! Lets make some aliens from another galaxy who are unstoppable and have absolutely nothing to do with the rest of the universe! Yeah, that'll be great! And real creative too!"

 

They feel that telling "darker" stories and killing of our beloved heroes will somehow make it more mature and meaningful. Awful idea. Why not set the story in an entirely new era instead trying to totally change the feeling of the one already set up?

 

What if someone wrote a followup to LotR and it was about people who came in boats who could not be harmed by arrows and were immune to the effects of wizards and magic rings? It'd be the same damn crap that the NJO is.

 

I want them to create something original within the Star Wars universe already set up. Not make a totally new one to try and spice things up and draw in the younger folk.

 

The NJO is pulling Star Wars down to Trek's level with, "Trek" par plots, villians (bio-borg) and story arcs. Not to mention a dead wookie, dammit!

 

So, yes, I hate the NJO with a fiery passion that transcends time and space and so should others. That's all I have to say on this subject.

[Astrotoy7]

Originally posted by Boba Rhett

"Hey, I know what we can do! Lets make some aliens from another galaxy who are unstoppable and have absolutely nothing to do with the rest of the universe! Yeah, that'll be great! And real creative too!"

 

Rhett in the EU forum, preposterous, outrageous, outlandish !

 

this is one of those times I wish I could give you the boot Rhett, Obviously not having read the NJO, you have no inkling, or perhaps are not acknowledging the fact the Yuuzhan Vong's absence in the force has a cause and reason..... it is a huge central plot point for the whole NJO series...

 

All of those characters whining that NJO is trek-like, perhaps you may acquiesce that it is just difficult to write sci-fi over a greater scope of time, than a mere 2 hour movie. How about *you* try it hmmm ??

 

mtfbwya

[Boba Rhett]

Give me the boot? Over books? Calm down.

 

But I don't want to try it. I'm not a writer, I'm a consumer. Your point is totally moot. It's like when contestants on American Idol yell at the judges at tell them to try singing. The fact is, they aren't there to sing, they're just there to see if the singers suck or not. I'm not here to write, nor do I want to write. I'm just here to see if it sucks or not.

 

And the part about it being "difficult to write sci-fi over a great scope of time". What kind of excuse is that. If they can't cut it, perhaps they just shouldn't even be writing anymore.

[Astrotoy7]

Originally posted by Boba Rhett

Give me the boot? Over books? Calm down.

 

But I don't want to try it. I'm not a writer, I'm a consumer. Your point is totally moot. It's like when contestants on American Idol yell at the judges at tell them to try singing. The fact is, they aren't there to sing, they're just there to see if the singers suck or not. I'm not here to write, nor do I want to write. I'm just here to see if it sucks or not.

 

And the part about it being "difficult to write sci-fi over a great scope of time". What kind of excuse is that. If they can't cut it, perhaps they just shouldn't even be writing anymore.

 

I shouldve added I j/k to that 'boot' bit, sorry chief ! What I find even more upsetting is that you admit to watching American Idol !

 

**Astro's confidence in Rhett's amazing powers take a body blow**

 

ah well, you dont like the NJO. I hope Ep3 will be able to sate your SW appetite, as the EU will be the only thing left after that..... :cry:

 

 

mtfbwya

[Wraith 8]

i agree with Rhetts first post.. i hate NJO.....

i LOVE Wraith squadron tho

[toenail1]

NJO is THE REASON why i stopped reading the EU

 

 

it was just plain horrible, im sorry, but i agree with Rhett

 

 

it ruined Star Wars, which i did not think was possible

 

 

It's blatantly obvious that the people who conceived the idea of the NJO really didn't have a clue what star wars is all about. They saw it simply as another science fiction story. It's not. Just because it's background is set in space does not make it a sci fi story. They totally lost site of this. Rather than examine the original theme stick with that theme they started throwing out ideas just because they sounded neat, more than actually capturing the feel of the films.

 

 

 

i could not put it in better words. oh wait, heres some NJO WAS ABSOLUTELY REPULSIVE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

hmmmm if any of you hate me now.... well then, :(

[Lynk Former]

Originally posted by Wraith 8

i agree with Rhetts first post.. i hate NJO.....

i LOVE Wraith squadron tho

 

NJO sucks.

 

The Rogues and the Wraiths rule \m/

[Wraith 8]

Originally posted by Lynk Former

NJO sucks.

 

The Rogues and the Wraiths rule \m/

HELL YEAH!!!!