#tbf even back then I only got about two chapters posted before I just stopped

[lotus-ignis]

The worst part is that this fic is for someone that I would like to consider my friend (not that it takes much for me to consider someone my friend) and I don't want to accidentally massacre their favourite characters!

[justastormie]

@thiswaycomessomethingwicked Did someone say STAR WARS BOOK RECS? 8D!!!

WELCOME TO THUNDERDOME.

I hate to admit, there aren’t any Tarkin-centric books I really like. Tarkin is OK but I feel like it misses the mark in capturing his old school menace. The voices are all great but the empire comes off much more as a…military rationalist colonial power than I’d prefer. Which isn’t a bad read of the empire, just not the one I prefer. (My favorite is more the unstable, late medici-eqsue power struggle with a little sci-fi magic for flavor.) Also the plot is…Meh.

Tbf most SW plots are Meh.

Now there’s one series I recommended without reservation, it hasn’t got the Grand Moff but it has some other great baddies. The Mandalorian Armor series by K.W. Jeter. It’s AMAZING. Watch two trashcan human beings follow around my favorite mandalorian trashcan. You have Dengar; the burnt cinnamon roll, should not have to put up with this shit even if he gets himself into most of it. Neela; looks like will kill you and will definitely kill you. It’s her story that drives the narrative and it’s gr9. This one time dancing girl will FUCK YOUR SHIT UP. Other dodgy bounty hunters for days. Prince Xizor brings you Wow, I’m Rooting For This Scumbag. This series really captures the sprawling nature of the SW universe and serves as a great entry point. Did i mention awesome aliens? And a solid fucking plot? Some of the best written action scenes in any book ever. It’s only three books which is nice. 

Even nicer, like a crack dealer I always have an extra copy of book one sitting around to give to people. Literally anyone can hit me up and I will ship it to you, no joke. It’s not only the best SW series it’s just great sci-fi. And a great series for anybody who likes scum and villainy type characters. 

Newer books I recommend: 

The Weapon of a Jedi by Jason Fry, technically kids book but it’s good Luke Content. Fun, breezy read with a cool story.  

Before the Awakening by Greg Rucka also a kids book, but also a great read. Fun, easy read with lots of good character stuff. As always I trust Greg Rucka with all the things and he does not disappoint. 

Battlefront: Twilight Company by Alexander Freed. NOT a kid’s book. If you liked the Rogue One cast of rebels you’ll love these assholes. Similar themes to Rogue One in general. 

Republic Commando series by Karen Traviss. (this is technically in the “Legacy” category now, but they were written pretty recently) I only have two major complaints with this series. One of them is not Traviss’ fault because they wouldn’t give her Boba Fett and the other one is it needed more women. I started out with what i didn’t like so I could look remotely objective. I love this series. This series is fucking LIFE. Traviss did her military research and it SHOWS. It will clear your skin, renew your crops and save your soul. It will rip your heart out, stomp on it and laugh. The series also operates on the Pterry principle that you can read the first book if you want to for completion’s sake, but if you wanna start with a Great Book you can jump right to #2. Personally I love the first one, but I know a lot of people found it a little slow. Fair warning; Traviss and Lucasfilm got into a fight before she could finish the series. It ends at a stopping point but you will be screaming in frustration. (i am literally getting a tattoo from this series my dudes, it’s quality AF) 

Older books I recommend:

Tales from the....Mos Eisley’s Cantina/Bounty Hunters/Empire/New Republic by a whole bunch of people. Each book is a collection of short stories. Some of them are terrible, but some of them are really great and worth the time. They also show up in used bookstores all the time. 

Truce at Bakura by Kathy Tyers. Immediate post-script to ROTJ, just some good star warsy shit. 

The “Thrawn Triology” actually titled Heir to the Empire series. I’m pretty sure I get kicked out of fandom if i don’t recc this. It’s Thrawn. He’s cool. There are lots of other cool people. I’m not crazy about how he writes the trio but his OCs make up for it in spades.

The Adventures of Lando Calrissian by L. Neil Smith. Now this depends on your tastes. This is a collection of three smaller books, and i love ‘em because they are full on Space Fantasy Ridiculousness. It’s Noir In Space. A dirtier Flash Gordon. Lando at his scoundrel best. 

books to avoid like the plague: 

Legacy of the Force series. Just oh god run. RUN. HEED THE WARNINGS OF THOSE WHO FELL BEFORE YOU. Fails so hard at everything. They took a good idea and fucked it right up. If you absolutely feel like you have to dive into this morass of bullshit, just read the Traviss books. They are marginally less painful. Marginally. 

The Courtship of Princess Leia by Dave Wolverton. Literally the worst. Renown for being both a literary and sexist piece of trash. 

Darth Plagueis by James Luceno. Listen. I know it sounds cool. I know you’ll crack it open and go ‘huh this writing’s alright. how back can it be’. You’ll make it a few chapters. You’ll be underwhelmed but hey, why not finish it. Just don’t. Put it down. Walk outside. Enjoy your life. Don’t maroon yourself in this tepid bullshit. For such a badass subject this is SO. GODDAMN. BORING. I know you want a history of the Sith my friend, but this is not the book for it. 

Sadly there just aren’t that many good SW books. There are a lot more quality comics, but I’m not sure if you’re into that.