Star Wars Bookworms Book Club discussion

Please do not post spoilers from later chapters in this discussion.

It is so weird seeing Luke and Leia's relationship in this book. They are either fighting or mooning over each other. The clothes changing seen was kinda creepy and the Luke smacking Leia scene kinda disturbing. It is all so strange.

I'm only in chapter one but the romantic tones to Luke's thoughts about Leia are somewhat disturbing knowing what we know after the original trilogy. I wonder how much input Lucas had into these early novels, and if he purposefully wanted such aspects highlighted to throw people off his trail.

Lucas didn't decide to make Luke and Leia siblings until after he wrote The Empire Strikes Back. This novel was released in 1978, less than a year from the original Star Wars theatrical release. So Luke having feelings for Leia plays off from A New Hope since the sibling backstory was yet to be established by Lucas.

Although knowing what was established in the later films, the Luke and Leia relationship really stands out to be a bit creepy in these first three chapters, especially the way Luke's feelings for Leia are described. Looking at Leia caused Luke "to boil within him like soup to long on the fire" and her voice is "pleasing as sugar-laden fruit." The worst part is when they are campy by the fire and "her body heat was near palpable to Luke." These descriptions are a bit gooey and shows how Foster's writing style differs from later EU authors. However at this point in the story, nothing romantic occurs between Luke and Leia, and I'm hoping it stays comfortable in that way throughout the novel.

It's obvious that this was written in the early days of Star Wars development. The K in Jedi knight is not capitalized and "Deathstar" is one word. Except for one instance, Luke repeatedly refers to Leia as "Princess" although she mentions they've known each other for quite some time. Luke's lightsaber is white-energy and can create a "short, needle-thin spoke" to unlock a door.

Luke's crash landing in the swamps reminded me of Luke crash landing on Dagobah. I think Lucas had some story input into this novel, so I wonder if this scene was in the back of his mind when writing The Empire Strikes Back. I also like Leia's statement that Luke is the best pilot in the rebellion. That line reminded me of Kenobi's statement that Luke's father was "the best star pilot in the galaxy."

I wanted to read this novel because I was very curious to evaluate it's relevance in Star Wars history. I wasn't expecting to like it, but I've found myself really enjoying it up to this point and looking forward to reading more, especially about the Kaiburr crystal. I'm also enjoying the banter between our lead characters, including C-3PO and R2-D2.

I'm trying to read this book without judging it on what we know post Star Wars A New Hope. The writing style is sure strange compared to what we are used to, and whether it is good or bad, it is nice to read something so unique. I was surprised at how cynical Luke was at the beginning of the book.

I had heard this novel was considered by Lucas to be a possibility for a low budget sequel to Star Wars. This was before Star Wars became such a big hit. I had assumed Lucas passed on notes or an outline to Foster. Regardless of George's involvement, I feel like the characterizations of Leia and Luke in the first three chapters are the opposite of what they should be.

Leia is portrayed as being more inexperienced than Luke and unable to adapt to unfamiliar situations. If we just look at A New Hope, Luke is begging his uncle to join the Imperial Navy. Luke definitely shows some growth in A New Hope, but I still see him at this point as being very naive. Meanwhile Leia has been a member of the Imperial Senate, runs secret missions for the Rebel Alliance, has verbal exchanges with both Darth Vader and Grand Moff Tarkin, and leads Han and Luke into a garbage chute while aboard the Death Star. I don't see her as the uptight royalty type Foster portrays her as being. She seems much more willing to get her hands dirty, which she literally has trouble doing in this book.

I'm slowly making my way through this book while reading other stuff concurrently. So I'm up into chapter 2.

There's one passage that I found interesting from a pure writing standpoint.

"They were no different from day sounds, but anything that wears the cloak of night, especially on an alien world, partakes of the night's mystery and terror."

It's striking when the author seemingly steps out and directly talks to the reader. This isn't a "breaking the fourth wall" kind of thing. I know it partially stands out because it's not in the past tense like the rest of the non-dialogue writing. It's also like a subjective opinion offered by no character. It sort of has the feeling of an old pulp story, but those usually had a first person perspective.

Again, nothing directly related to characters or plot, just a purely literary aside.

And Luke "seeking refuge from the damp green and brown of the swamp in that hypnotic redness" of Leia's lips felt over the top.

Is there any indication how soon after Episode 4 this book takes place? The Truce at Bakura started immediately after Episode 6 with no room for the characters to take a rest and recuperate. I'm wondering if this book is a similar situation given the urgency Leia has about reaching the potential Rebels.

Also, did anyone else get a vibe similar to Bakura during the opening conversations about rushing to meet a potential new Alliance member?

Travis wrote: "Is there any indication how soon after Episode 4 this book takes place?

I believe it is meant to take place about 2 years after A New Hope

Also, did anyone else get a vibe similar to Bakura during the opening conversations about rushing to meet a potential new Alliance member?

Seems to be a common theme in the lit set in this era. Brian Wood's Star Wars comics touched on it too.

Putting the flowery language in the intro and Luke's disturbing crush on Leia aside, this book so far doesn't seem too far off from what could be found in a more modern Star Wars novel. At least as far as the story goes.

Luke and Leia's characters do seem to be a bit off. Even just based on their portrayals in A New Hope. Luke is kind of a jerk and Leia is snooty. You can tell they are trying to portray Luke as a bit more heroic and less unassuming than he was in A New Hope. They need to make up for the lack of Han.

A mud wrestling between Luke and Leia!! Really! They had to go there.

Yeah, that was a little over the top.