Star Wars Legends Fan Group discussion

This is a reading primer and discussion thread for Tarkin by James Luceno. Please share your thoughts, insights and other comments on the novel here.

Published November 2014, trade paperback June 2015 and was later included in the 2015 book Star Wars: The Rise of the Empire . The novel is set in 14 BBY, five years after the events of Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith. It tells the story of how Tarkin became a Grand Moff. The title's audiobook version is narrated by Euan Morton.

Preceded chronologically by:
14 BBY Lords of the Sith , a novel by Paul S. Kemp.
14 BBY "Mercy Mission" a short story in the Rise of the Empire compilation novel.
14 BBY Tarkin novel by James Luceno.

Followed chronologically by:
14-4 BBY "TK-462" short story in Star Wars Insider 166.
c. 14 BBY Age of Rebellion - Darth Vader 1 from Marvel comics.
c. 14 BBY Darth Vader Dark Lord of the Sith 18-25 from Marvel comics.
13 BBY Most Wanted novel by Rae Carson.

May the Force be with you.

I love the reference to Peter Cushing in this book. They didn't have time to make custom fitted boots for him, and after a day of quite a bit of pain from traipsing around in I'll fitted boots, Peter Cushing requested he be shot from the waist up. This was because he was wearing his slippers. In the first chapter Tarkin is tugging on his boots wondering what it would take to get a properly fitted pair of boots.

Ha! That's funny! I always loved that story about Peter Cushing wearing slippers while playing Tarkin, it's great this book references it. Was this book any good? I've looked at it before but never gotten around to reading it.

Let's see, I've read it twice now. Yes, this book is good. Mark Thompson is the narrator for the audiobook, I think. If you like a book told from a villain's perspective, then it's worth picking up and reading. Would it be okay if at some point I linked my blog post about Plagueis, Tarkin, and The Joker on this thread?

Cooper wrote: "Was this book any good? I've looked at it before but never gotten around to reading it."

Tarkin starts with a bang and goes downhill from there. The novel provides excellent insights into Tarkin's early life as a youth. Those interesting flashbacks are surrounded by a rather banal space-chase, then the novel ends with a bit of a sputter.

The book plays to Luceno's strength: story telling conveyed in interesting technical language in perfect Star Wars context. Dialogue, though, is perfunctory with few highlights. Vader is portrayed well, but the development of his relationship with Tarkin is just okay.

Tarkin is certainly one to read as a fan of the saga and then judge for yourself.

I do like the character of Tarkin, probably because I really like Peter Cushing. Villian stories can be really good if done well so I'll probably read it at some point. I'm sorry you didn't like the ending Don, and you're right I'll have to read it and judge it for myself. I'll probably enjoy it as I really enjoy the Original Trilogy Era stuff.

I'm glad you liked it Rebecca, like I said I like a well told villian's perspective story, especially one focusing on a character I really like, like Tarkin. I'll need to add this to my Star Wars books I need to check out.

Also, feel free to leave a link to your blog posts. I'd like to see the one on Tarkin plus I've never read Plagueis either though I've heard good things about it. I notice you enjoy the villian centric stories.

oh, it's all one blog post. I was comparing my responses to each villain story and how the way they were presented created the responses I had. Yes, I'll link it in here. There may be some degree of spoilers in it.

I like unreliable narrators.

Alright thanks! I'll tread with caution while reading it.

Here is the link to my blog post. As far as possible spoilers, it's vague but you can infer what is going to happen. Except for Joker. That one was more explicit from a spoiler stand point. The first part explains the lens through which I was looking at the characters.

https://mirageshadowlance.wordpress.c...

Don wrote: "Cooper wrote: "Was this book any good? I've looked at it before but never gotten around to reading it."

Tarkin starts with a bang and goes downhill from there. The novel provides excellent insight..."

Well Don...I haven't quite finished this one yet. I have to say that I'm disappointed with you. You summed up this entire novel perfectly in three sentences. LOL! I'm nearly to the end and now I know that it's going to sputter. That's ok though. I'm an optimist. It's not rotten cabbage...it's sauerkraut! If you don't mind, I'd like to follow you and get your opinion on other books I've read or would like to read!

Cooper wrote: "I do like the character of Tarkin, probably because I really like Peter Cushing. Villian stories can be really good if done well so I'll probably read it at some point. I'm sorry you didn't like th..."

Hey Cooper - I totally agree with you on the villain novel thing. I'm a big Peter Cushing fan myself. I remember a time when the performer really brought to life and made the character.

Patrick wrote: "I'm nearly to the end and now I know that it's going to sputter. That's ok though. I'm an optimist."

Yes, keep going! My opinion is just one and I hope you get the 'sauerkraut.' Can't wait to her your final thoughts.

If I had a magic wand, Wilhuff Tarkin would get a trilogy, like Thrawn (who has two, going on three!). I think his character merits that kind of attention. That personal expectation certainly colored my tepid assessment of the Tarkin novel. Tarkin looms large in A New Hope and as a ruthless, mass-murdering villain deserves more in Star Wars literature.

Also, I followed you. Please, follow or friend back.

It’ll look even better with blood on it. - Jova Tarkin

I vote that you get the magic wand! I’m with you on a Tarkin trilogy. I didn’t appreciate the character as much when Star Wars first hit the screen as I was young. As I’ve grown in age and the universe has developed, I can appreciate the villainous character that he was, especially with Cushing in the roll. The Tarkin novel is exactly as you’ve described it. I feel like I’m being railroaded into a Scooby Doo ending.
I’ve enjoyed the canon Thrawn stuff, but the original stuff was better. It’s almost like he’s been nerfed into a mustache twirling villain rather than a cunning and ruthless tactician.

Patrick wrote: "Cooper wrote: "I do like the character of Tarkin, probably because I really like Peter Cushing. Villain stories can be really good if done well so I'll probably read it at some point. I'm sorry you..."
I know, he manages to be one of the scariest villains in the original trilogy despite not being an alien or wearing some mask. Peter Cushing helped to make Tarkin so memorable.

Tarkin is in Leia: Princess of Alderaan as well.
I read at least part of this book and liked the backstory.