Author Topic: What are you reading? (Read 149828 times)

Fiero · « **Reply #90 on:** Jan 27, 2010, 03:14:07 PM »

Aspho Field by Karen Travis

Derrick · « **Reply #91 on:** Jan 28, 2010, 11:33:35 AM »

She produces the worst St*r WarzzZZ books. Basically, she sucks off Boba Fett every book even if he's not even related to the subject. Han Solo is not amused.

Rama · « **Reply #92 on:** Jan 28, 2010, 11:55:54 AM »

Nothing she writes can change the fact that Boba Fett went out like a total bitch in Return of the Jedi.

Derrick · « **Reply #93 on:** Jan 28, 2010, 03:20:00 PM »

Apparently this week's episode of Clone Wars (yes, the kids cartoon) contained something so egregious that she now refuses to write anymore St*r WarzzZZ books. As I've only listened to three of hers (books on tape), I can't say I mind.

Fiero · « **Reply #94 on:** Jan 28, 2010, 04:18:34 PM »

What happen?

Derrick · « **Reply #95 on:** Jan 28, 2010, 06:41:38 PM »

No idea, it hasn't aired. Since she attributes every Mandalorian (Boba Fett) to super beings more moral and powerful than the Jedi, who really knows. I'm hoping it's something small and meaningless to everyone else.

Derrick · « **Reply #96 on:** Jan 29, 2010, 01:22:33 PM »

from: http://theforce.net/latestnews/story/Preview_TCW_The_Mandalore_Plot_129055.asp

Quote

Nearly wiped out by the Jedi Knights in a long-ago war, deadly Mandalorian warriors emerge from the shadows to exact cold revenge upon their peace-seeking rivals. Cloaked in mystery and hardened by memories of their bitter defeat, they are fueled by a collective desire to reclaim the glory of Mandalore – no matter the cost. Pitting skill and determination against the powet of the Force, “The Mandalore Plot,” launches an epic, three-part clash that could turn the tide of the war itself. It’s an all-new episode of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS airing at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT Friday, January 29 on Cartoon Network.

Sent to look into troubling rumors surrounding Duchess Satine of Mandalore, Obi-Wan Kenobi discovers the truth behind the whispers of a mysterious conspiracy. But his investigation uncovers more than he’d originally anticipated, pulling back the shadowy shroud from a long-rumored splinter group and bringing to light a deadly threat to the Republic.

Originally introduced as concept art that ultimately became the basis for bounty hunter Boba Fett, the Mandalorians have been favorites within the St*r WarzzZZ fan community for years, even though much remains to be discovered about their culture, their history, or their in-universe origins. With only glimpses into the true nature of these mysterious warriors, they have long been the subject of rampant fan speculation and discourse. And now they are making their Clone Wars debut.

“This is how George has always envisioned the Mandalorians,” says Supervising Director Dave Filoni. “Of course, people immediately think of the iconic Fett armor, because that’s all we’ve had to go on for so many years; it’s mysterious, and we’ve built up that mystique as fans. But Boba and Jango Fett aren’t necessarily what I would consider accurate representatives of the Mando culture. They’re bounty hunters and outlaws – totally rogue. If you go way back to the original concepts, the Mandalorians were a group of supercommando troops; it’s only now that George is really bringing that to the screen. They’re in the series because he wanted to define their culture, to explore the foundations of this warrior faction.”

According to Filoni, the introduction of Mandalorians was something that had been discussed as early as the first season of The Clone Wars – although Lucas held off on approving the story arc until the series’ second season, once the larger conflict had been more firmly established.

“This was a running joke among the crew early in the production,” says Filoni. “A lot of people on the crew wanted to see the Mandalorians – especially our head writer, Henry Gilroy – but they were off-limits to us at the time. George definitely has a sense of pace, and of a natural order for St*r WarzzZZ storytelling; plus, it’s his universe, so we had to set aside our Mando ideas for the time being. Ultimately, though, he came back around and gave us his blueprint for how he wanted to see the Mandalorian culture represented, which is great because they bring so much to the conflict. The first season was pretty straightforward; we had the Republic versus the Separatists. But now we have these splinter groups – like the Mandos, the bounty hunters, and the Geonosians – who each bring something totally different to the table."

Voicing the leader of the Mandalorian warriors is actor/director Jon Favreau – a long-time St*r WarzzZZ fan. His involvement in The Clone Wars came as an indirect result of post-production for the first Iron Man film; he was working with Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound when his path crossed with Filoni’s at Lucasfilm’s Skywalker Ranch.

“I had mentioned that I would love to do a voice, and that I’d done voices before – and the idea for me to play a Mandalorian came up. I wasn’t holding out for a cool character, but I think the Mandalorians are probably the ones that the die-hards are going to be the most curious about,” says Favreau. “I grew up a fan of St*r WarzzZZ. It was the first time I had ever experienced that really iconic, mythic archetypal storytelling. What’s fun about St*r WarzzZZ is that it still has as much relevance and impact now as it did then. It seems to be a set of characters and a world that is timeless, and every generation seems to embrace. So it’s fun to be able to share with my family and my kids the excitement that I had when I was young.”

So this must be what angered Karen Traviss. She built he own preconceptions of Mandalorian history and culture, and it seems George decided he needed to reaffirm his desires. Nice.

Rama · « **Reply #97 on:** Jan 29, 2010, 04:22:11 PM »

And so she takes her ball and goes home. I mean you are writing in someone else's universe. Stuff like that is going to happen and you have to just make it work. If you want god like final say then stick to fiction you create yourself. Course I'm sure she doesn't sell half what she does when "Retard Wars" is printed on the front.

Fiero · « **Reply #98 on:** Jan 29, 2010, 04:31:08 PM »

I can't wait to play as a Mandalor in SW: TOR

Derrick · « **Reply #99 on:** Jan 29, 2010, 05:32:18 PM »

Quote from: Rama on Jan 29, 2010, 04:22:11 PM

And so she takes her ball and goes home. I mean you are writing in someone else's universe. Stuff like that is going to happen and you have to just make it work. If you want god like final say then stick to fiction you create yourself. Course I'm sure she doesn't sell half what she does when "Retard Wars" is printed on the front.

Fiero bought it, there's one. Obama was right, the economy is improving!

Fiero · « **Reply #100 on:** Jan 29, 2010, 09:39:52 PM »

Its not a horrible book. Also, I've liked some number of the St*r WarzzZZ books, especially those written by Timothy Zahn, especially those featuring Thrawn.

Rama · « **Reply #101 on:** Jan 30, 2010, 02:10:44 AM »

I always thought the Thrawn stuff was overrated. Course it's better then most of the EU stuff which is why I just threw it all out and act like it doesn't exist. Which is also what I did with the SE and the Prequels. There is now more SW that I ignore then accept.

Derrick · « **Reply #102 on:** Jan 30, 2010, 09:15:10 AM »

I checked out throughout the Yuuzhan Vong crap. The newer 9-logy books have been great.

Merla · « **Reply #103 on:** Jan 30, 2010, 12:49:09 PM »

Philosophical Foundations of Adult Education

It's for class and it is so boring that I want to cry.

Fiero · « **Reply #104 on:** Jan 30, 2010, 11:02:25 PM »

Quote from: Rama on Jan 30, 2010, 02:10:44 AM

I always thought the Thrawn stuff was overrated. Course it's better then most of the EU stuff which is why I just threw it all out and act like it doesn't exist. Which is also what I did with the SE and the Prequels. There is now more SW that I ignore then accept.

What about Shadows of the Empire?

Rama · « **Reply #105 on:** Jan 30, 2010, 11:34:38 PM »

Man I knew that would come up...

After some thought, No. But the N64 game was still boss.

Derrick · « **Reply #106 on:** Jan 31, 2010, 09:39:11 AM »

The book wasn't as good as the game. Nothing beat the Asteroid level. Also, I have respect for a game where the first level can be the most difficult (I HAVE TO TIE UP 4 AT-ATs!!!?!?!?!?!1jcodsadhfoisudh)

Fiero · « **Reply #107 on:** Jan 31, 2010, 05:56:49 PM »

It was a fucking awesome game, and I did like the game better, too.

Derrick · « **Reply #108 on:** Jan 31, 2010, 07:17:23 PM »

I tried reading the book, but I never got through it. Reading about it is insignificant when you're firing rockets at Boba Fett.

Rama · « **Reply #109 on:** Feb 01, 2010, 12:37:08 AM »

I read the book too, but I don't remember much about it really.

B E C K · « **Reply #110 on:** Feb 01, 2010, 02:06:32 PM »

Man, I have never picked up a SW book and never had the urge to. I just really felt the original trilogy told me everything I needed to know, especially after the prequels came out.

I didn't really know what you were talking about with the Karen Traviss thing, so I googled and stumbled upon this:
http://swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=112980

She protests too much: http://www.karentraviss.com/html/gaymandos.htm

So, tl;dr, did she make them gay peaceful hippies and George was all "no, they's warmongers"?

Fiero · « **Reply #111 on:** Feb 01, 2010, 04:47:35 PM »

I didn't read it, but look for the post by YodaKenobi:

http://boards.theforce.net/literature/b10003/28128642/p5

Derrick · « **Reply #112 on:** Feb 01, 2010, 04:54:40 PM »

Quote from: B E C K on Feb 01, 2010, 02:06:32 PM

Man, I have never picked up a SW book and never had the urge to. I just really felt the original trilogy told me everything I needed to know, especially after the prequels came out.

I didn't really know what you were talking about with the Karen Traviss thing, so I googled and stumbled upon this:
http://swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=112980

She protests too much: http://www.karentraviss.com/html/gaymandos.htm

So, tl;dr, did she make them gay peaceful hippies and George was all "no, they's warmongers"?

I mainly listen to them as books on tape. The newest narrator is fucking awesome, he's a cartoon voice actor and does all the voices. The women kinda always sound alike, but it still works.

B E C K · « **Reply #113 on:** Feb 01, 2010, 08:14:19 PM »

Quote from: Fiero on Feb 01, 2010, 04:47:35 PM

I didn't read it, but look for the post by YodaKenobi:

http://boards.theforce.net/literature/b10003/28128642/p5

Wow, that's long. Is there something in particular I'm reading for in that post?

Derrick · « **Reply #114 on:** Feb 01, 2010, 08:35:59 PM »

The fanbase is split on her writings.

B E C K · « **Reply #115 on:** Feb 01, 2010, 11:31:16 PM »

All of those words adds up to something as concise as that?

Rama · « **Reply #116 on:** Feb 02, 2010, 03:29:02 AM »

Geeks can never say anything short about something they actually care about.

Derrick · « **Reply #117 on:** Feb 02, 2010, 05:26:32 AM »

Especially if they're in college. Then there's a tendency to overwrite and yet ignore words like 'slut' and 'worthless whore'.

Fiero · « **Reply #118 on:** Feb 02, 2010, 04:03:07 PM »

I liked the Gears novel, I did not like her St*r WarzzZZ novels (I think I only read one of them, though). The Gears book did a good job of providing some back story, though some of it was unexpected, specifically how Carlos Santiago died, and what Dom was doing at that time. I liked it overall, but I had little problems with it. Also, the Mandalorians are peaceful on Clone Wars so I don't know why she's bitching.

Derrick · « **Reply #119 on:** Feb 02, 2010, 06:39:25 PM »

Not all of them. A main problem is, she portrayed Mandalorians as completely honor bound and living on a hilly farm world with sprawling forests and mountains. Yet, we see the main world is like Tattooine, while the moon is closer to her vision, and honor seems to place very low. Who knows why she left the series.