I used to read a lot of Star Wars fiction. "I, Jedi" by Michael Stackpole was my favorite Star Wars book, and I think he wrote a bunch of the Rogue Squadron series as well. Liked them all - so naturally, when I see a new novel by Michael, I went ahead and bought it (didn't hurt that the eBook version was on a sale for 99 cents!). It's called "A Gathering Evil."
If I'd paid any more than 99 cents, I would feel cheated. The book is terrible. It's scant redeeming qualities don't even come close to making up for the poor writing, infodump & exposition heavy pages, and the interest-derailing wandering "plot". To top it all off, he takes a complete left turn about two-thirds in, and not the good kind.
Needless to say, I don't recommend this. I'm really sad - I don't know if his Star Wars books were heavily edited or if he suffered some manner of brain damage (or maybe these novels were written way, way before he became a good writer, and he never bothered to change them). Either way, I was sad to see the trip that is going out under what was a previously enjoyable author's name.
If I'd paid any more than 99 cents, I would feel cheated. The book is terrible. It's scant redeeming qualities don't even come close to making up for the poor writing, infodump & exposition heavy pages, and the interest-derailing wandering "plot". To top it all off, he takes a complete left turn about two-thirds in, and not the good kind.
Needless to say, I don't recommend this. I'm really sad - I don't know if his Star Wars books were heavily edited or if he suffered some manner of brain damage (or maybe these novels were written way, way before he became a good writer, and he never bothered to change them). Either way, I was sad to see the trip that is going out under what was a previously enjoyable author's name.
Auror
