341 pages, suggestion (Science Fiction)Having never read a Star Wars book before, I decided to grab one of the few my father in law recommended over the holidays and dig in.
The Truce at Bakura starts off where the sixth movie (the third that was actually made) leaves off. The Rebel Alliance has just blown up the second Death Star, saving Endor, Vader/Anakin has just killed the Emperor, and all the members of the Alliance are trying to regroup. While they are licking their wounds, they discover among the space debris an ancient probe of some sort containing a message imploring the Intergalactic Empire for urgent assistance arrives from the Outer Rim. Obi Wan speaks to Luke, and, just like that, our favorite rebels - Luke, Leia, Han, Chewy and the droids - are en route to Bakura.
We learn that an evil race of space reptiles, the Ssi-Ruuk, plans to use Bakura as an entry point to the realm of the Empire. They see humans as soulless, lesser beings and want to 'free' them by turning them into a sort of battery to power all their equipment - fighters, freighters, etc. While the Ssi-Ruuk cannot sense the Force, they have captured and brainwashed an orphaned human, Dev Sibwarra, who is Force sensitive but untrained. Dev uses his gift to sense the approach of Luke and the Ssi-Ruuk, in addition to enslaving the Bakurans, set their sights on capturing him, hoping his mastery of the Force will aid them in their conquest.
In addition to the mission of saving Bakura - in cooperation with the Empire's troops stationed there - Luke, Leia and Han all have their own agenda when they arrive at the secluded, Outer Rim planet. Han wants to protect Leia and try to further their relationship, bristling when she 'dismisses' him to do her job. Leia tries to ferret out information about opposition to the Imperial government and align another planet with the Rebels. Luke, is distracted from his higher calling to help the planet and the force user when faced with an attractive young senator who gives rise to somewhat baser desires.
I liked how this book introduced an Imperial general and gave a little of his back story, allowing the reader to experience the internal struggle of a talented general who bristles under the iron fist of the evil Empire. I also enjoyed the few chapters told from Chewy's perspective. It was interesting to finally understand thoughts and emotions from one of my favorite characters. The story itself, while fairly engaging, seemed to use the same formula as the movies - big, bad enemy threatens small and backward planet; Our Heroes swoop in to save said planet in the nick of time; all the 'real' work is done by Luke; formerly evil Force user is converted to the side of the righteous; said Force user dies in the end, absolved of his sins; Luke is sad and lonely; Han and Leia bicker.
Admittedly, this wasn't the best book I've ever read, but I'm a Star Wars geek so I enjoyed it. I would have to go with a 2 out of 5 rating though - the plot was predictable (see above), and unless you are a huge Star Wars fan, this genre is definitely not one I would recommend.
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