The book we will be covering for the next month (or so) is Coruscant Nights III: Patterns of Force by Michael Reaves:
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Coruscant_Nights_III:_Patterns_of_Force
As always, the only thing we ask is that you be courteous to others' opinions. Disagree in a respectful manner. But do feel free to disagree.
That being said, be sure to check out some of the new book club format/organizational changes:
http://tinyurl.com/BC-changes
Tangents are fine. But if they get too far off topic, we will ask you to start a new thread to continue discussing the tangent. But error on the side of saying what you have to say. It could lead to an interesting discussion.
Also, feel free to bring up points from the previous books (CN1 and CN2) as they relate to the final book. If it goes too far off topic, one of the PooBah Knights will direct the topic back to as it relates to CN3.
If you have not participated in the book club discussion before, please feel to jump in on the discussion and consider yourself a member (no obligations: participate as much or as little as you like).
Always feel free to let me, or any of the PooBahs (i.e., book club facilitators), know if you have any questions, comments, grips, and/or concerns.
And be sure to cast you vote for the next book you'd like to see covered at the following link: http://tinyurl.com/BC-vote-10-09
Sep 30, 2009 9:36 AM | Report Abuse reply
Currently, I am finishing up another non-Star Wars book, but once that is done (probably within the week, it's not very long, even for me!) I'll be on Patterns of Force!
I am really looking forward to seeing Jax's outcome. Will Reaves kill him off? There are only three books in the series, but maybe he has plans to show him later on (like with a ton of the characters from MedStar Duology). On one hand, I think not, but Reaves did the remarkable and whacked Pavan's daddy...an almost unheard of move in SW (Imagine if Stackpole spent all that time on Corran and then *POOF* killed him). So we shall see.
We also have that weasel, Rhinnan, who is being a whacko. What will happen to his bota quest? Will he get Jedi high and fall with a big bang?
What about Laranth? Will Jax snap out of his fixation with super sexy and realize what a fool he is? (OMG, I turned into a shipper!!) Honestly, other than her GORGEOUS body, pheromones, and moola, I see no reason why Jax drools over Dejah. Seems more like a guy gaga over a Pamela Anderson photo in Playboy, if you ask me.
What about everyone else? What do you expect to see in this book?
Oct 1, 2009 9:56 AM | Report Abuse reply
Keep comments focused on the book, not your general moral philosophies of life please (LOL).
Oct 3, 2009 5:54 PM | Report Abuse reply
Last night, I finally began CN3. The story starts out with our favorite psychotic whiner...you guessed it! Rhinann. I am maybe 5 pages into it, but he is basically recapping for those who haven't read 1 and 2.
More to come!
Oct 6, 2009 7:56 AM | Report Abuse reply
Maybe I am high, but it seems like there may be continuity issues. Not that it ruins the story, but I do want to talk about it, see if I understand the chain of events correctly.
This book can't be immediately after RotS. It clearly mentions the fact that it's been 20 years since the Clone Wars (page 4). What is odd, is this book is placed in the 22 - 19 years BBY category at the chronology at the front. What gives?
Also what I find contradictory is Rhinann himself. In the last book, I got the impression he wanted to show Vader what for and where to. That was why he wanted the bota: to get out from under Laranth and Jax's shackles. HERE, he says he wants to be able to feel the Force before he died, like he did in book 1 (he was curious about the Force which caused him to investigate in the first place!). I guess what I mean, is that it seems that book 2 took Rhinann way out of his character with the "Vader WILL DIE!!!!!!!" mentality for me.
Oh, and seeing Dejah charm Haus made me gag. Mary Sue much? Okay, Stymie, I realize she's got pheromones...but really...
Oct 7, 2009 7:22 AM | Report Abuse reply
She-Ra I agree with you on the continuity issues. My main gripe are the Inquisitors. How were they able to undergo training on Coruscant without the Jedi noticing them? Palpatine shielding his true self is one thing, but hiding a school of Dark Side force sensitive underlings while the Jedi Order was still intact is an entirely different matter.
My second issue is Rhinann's character is all over the map. At the end of CN2 Rhinann was having delusional thoughts of grandeur. He fantasized challenging the Emperor, but now that Tuden Sal propositioned our heroes with a plan to use I-Five to assassinate Palpatine, Rhinann suddenly thinks it's too dangerous and preposterous. I could understand if Rhinann didn't want I-Five to carry out the assassination for his own selfish reasons, because he wants to do it and become the new ruler of the galaxy. But this new change of heart doesn't make sense based on Rhinann's machinations from CN2, and I don't get the impression that Rhinann finally came to his senses between that time and the present.
What do you guys think of Kaj? I'm impressed he was able to defend himself from Probus Tesla and is steadfast against joining the Sith. He was in desperate straights, but he wasn't going to join the Empire in any capacity when that ruling force destroyed his family.
And Dejah... I'm sorry if I come across as callus, but the only good thing she's good for is her credits. My goodness she's even troubling towards Kaj. When he had that meltdown he told Jax that Dejah didn't like him anymore. She needs to keep her pheromones and flirtatious behavior to herself.
Pol Haus is shady. He might not turn Jax & company into Vader, but I think he has plans to use them for his own interests in the future.
Oct 7, 2009 9:24 AM | Report Abuse reply
Agreed! Palpatine is one thing; but now, we have to believe he hid a whole sect of Dark Side users? When did this happen? For how long? Where did they come from? If they were former Jedi, I thought there were only a few (20?? 10?) that left, one being Count Dooku. Now, it seems like Jedi leave all the time, only they don't get a little image in the library.
And Rhinann's character is totally messed up. I almost feel that Reaves had an idea in the first book, forgot, came up with a new one in the second, didn't like it, and returned to him in the first book, only he forgot all the details and made him different. All the other characters are pretty consistent, but him...I just don't get him. Are you looking to save your skin? Best Vader? What? You know, if there was SOMETHING that happened to change his mind (i.e. Palpy killed a lot of people, which scared Rhinann senseless), I could understand...maybe. It's sad, as he actually is a mildly interesting question.
And Dejah. BAH! I haven't read as far as you, but I just can't stand her. She is NOTHING like Laranth. Okay, she has an almost infinite supply of wealth (which makes little sense, yes, Ves Volette was a popular artist, but how many artists do YOU know that are mind-blowingly wealthy???), but other than that, there is no reason she belongs in the team. Can she fight? Well, probably, as most Mary Sues develop sudden kick-@ss skills somewhere in the novel.
Sorry for the griping so early in the novel. If I don't get it out, I'd explode!! LOL! But I am glad to see, MJF, I'm not the only one peeved by some of the characters.
Oct 7, 2009 9:53 AM | Report Abuse reply
Finally on chapter 1 (or is it 2?). It's okay so far. The odd continuity (is it right after RotS or is it just before ANH?) still has me off, but I am mostly enjoying the book.
Kaj seems to be an interesting character. I don't know what to think, as I've never heard of Force users burning holes in walls when unable to use the Force. Jax lost his connection to the Force (which I thought was cool), but I've always got the impression that holding back the Force was more like closing your eyes and trying to walk. Reaves almost makes it sound like Kaj would roast were he not able to "release" (which just sounds almost dirty!).
Oct 8, 2009 9:44 AM | Report Abuse reply
I've finished CN3. I'll give my conclusive thoughts when more readers are further along in the book.
Oct 14, 2009 8:08 AM | Report Abuse reply
Oddly enough, I've kinda petered out...I am maybe on Chapter 2 or 3. I don't know if I'm busy, or I'm kinda disappointed with how 2 ended or what, but somehow, I don't feel so gungho about 3. :(
Ah, well, I'll try to read more today. Please, MJF, post more of your thoughts! I want to hear!
Oct 14, 2009 8:35 AM | Report Abuse reply
I could have said that tackling CN:III so soon after tackling I & II would be a bad idea but nobody asked me. *wink*
Oct 15, 2009 10:40 AM | Report Abuse reply
So what were you dissappointed about in 2? Because things in two will turn out to be as they seemed.
And how can you not like the way 3 opens---deadly I-5!!
***Spoiler*****
I think Dejah haters and Laranth lovers will be pleased with how that turns out.
Kaj is more of a plot point than anything else. And he also helps Jax to reaffirm his identity as a Jedi.
Oct 15, 2009 11:44 AM | Report Abuse reply
EJ has a point about getting burnt out on a series if we read through it consecutively. At the same time, I feel if we did not do it this way, we may have never come back to it.
Even discussion about how you don't like a book is discussion.
Oct 15, 2009 11:49 AM | Report Abuse reply
My disappointment with 2 was probably thinking it was gonna be so amazing, better than 1, when it turned out ho-hum. So, I had bloated expectations. Obviously, I didn't like Dejah, the mystery was so-so, and I was frustrated with the drastic changes in Rhinann. So that pretty much sums up my feelings there.
While I agree about burn-out syndrome, I also know that if you don't read a series through, you A) lose momentum, B) forget a ton of important information, or C) forget about it and don't come back ever. So while I don't have the pizzazz for III, I do NOT regret choosing this book.
I am trying to read again, back to maybe page 25. If I can get my @ss to the gym, maybe I can get more than two pages at night :P
Oct 15, 2009 1:54 PM | Report Abuse reply
Is not coming back to it necessairly a BAD thing, Stymie since it seems that most of the voters sound as if they're either burned out or unable to participate because they canlt get the book?
Oct 15, 2009 2:39 PM | Report Abuse reply
I, for one, am a completist. If I start something, I want to see it all the way through. This is a HUGE reason why I won't start Legacy, because I don't have the impetus to continue to reading all the books.
Plus, the book club's most basic premise is "Participate as much or as little as you want". People are just exercising that right, as members of the Book Club.
Soon enough, we'll be on a new book.
Oct 15, 2009 3:09 PM | Report Abuse reply
Keep discussion about book club issues (i.e., voting , etc.) in the appropriate thread. We are covering this book this month, so lets discuss it, for those who wish to do so.
You disagreement has been noted time and again, EJ. We get it. Move along. Maybe it would be more helpful if you discussed some specific things you did not like about the second book.
That way we can actually, this may sound crazy, discuss a book.
Oct 15, 2009 4:43 PM | Report Abuse reply
I am among thoose who can't really participate this month because I can't get a copy, Stymie. :) And if I want to discuss the second book, I'll just go back to that thread. :p
Oct 15, 2009 5:10 PM | Report Abuse reply
Just discuss it here. That thread is officially closed. I think I mentioned we can and should discuss all three bookd in this thread for the final book of the series, since the CN3 brings all the plots from the previous books together...kinda.
Plus I want to discuss some things in the previous books, and I plan to do so here. Only two weeks left!
Everyone: sorry I've been so absent lately. RL has been keeping me busy.
Crystal: thanks for picking up the slack and keeping things going.
Oct 15, 2009 5:48 PM | Report Abuse reply
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