Death Star

Book Details Title Death Star Era Empire Series Single Type Novel Hardback 16-Oct-07 Author(s) Steve Perry Michael Reaves Avg. Rating

Synopsis

The Death Star's name says it all, with bone-chilling accuracy. It is a virtual world unto itself—equipped with uncanny power for a singularly brutal purpose: to obliterate entire planets in the blink of an eye. Its annihilation of the planet Alderaan lives in infamy. And its own ultimate destruction, at the hands of Luke Skywalker, is the stuff of legend. But what is the whole story, and who are the players, behind the creation of this world-killing satellite of doom?

The near extermination of the Jedi Order cleared the way for Palpatine—power-hungry Senator and Sith Lord—to seize control of the Republic, declare himself Emperor, and usher in a fearsome, totalitarian regime. But even with the dreaded Darth Vader to enforce his sinister will, the threat of rebellion still looms. And the Emperor knows that only abject fear—and the ability to punish dissent with devastating consequences—can ensure his unchallenged control of the galaxy. Enter ambitious and ruthless government official Wilhuff Tarkin, architect of the Emperor's terrifying dream come true.

But from inception to completion, construction of the unprecedented Death Star is awash in the intrigues, hidden agendas, unexpected revelations, and daring gambits of those involved on every level. The brightest minds and boldest egos, the most ambitious and corrupt, the desperate and the devious, all have a stake in the Death Star and its potential to control the fate of the galaxy.

Soldiers and slaves, loyalists and Rebels, spies and avengers, the innocent and the evil—all their paths and fates will cross and intertwine as the Death Star moves from its maiden voyage to its final showdown and a shadowy chapter of Star Wars history is stunningly illuminated in a thrilling, unforgettable adventure.

 

Lord Depravus Says

Underwear shopping with Darth Vader - 12-Jan-10

I like Steve Perry and Michael Reaves. I like their writing style; I like their characterisation and I think they work well as a team. Consequently, this book was very well written and I very much liked the main characters and how the story surrounding them unfolded. It was good to get personal perspectives of some of the other players, especially the guy who fired the laser. The ending to the book was very well choreographed - as is to be expected from Perry especially - and left me feeling quite sad... in a good way.

I think they did as good a job as possible on explaining why it took the best part of two decades to build the first Death Star but only 2 or 3 to build the second… it’s good to know even in that highly technological galaxy far, far away they experience the same labour difficulties and supplier problems as we do!

Having said that, I guess there is only so much one can write about a planet-sized battle station and I felt that a lot of the book was blatant page filler material. I also wasn’t too keen on some of the more recreational aspects of the battle station. Whilst reading, I started to picture the battle station more like my local shopping centre rather than a weapon of mass destruction and, for some disturbing reason, I couldn’t stop imagining Darth Vader out on a shopping spree picking out new items of clothing to go with his little black number… I am seeking help now!