last reads

Star Wars Vol. 3 Rebel Jail by Jason Aaron, Mike Mayhew, and Leinli Yu Publishing information: Paperback; 152 pages Publisher: Marvel; 16 Aug 2016 ISBN: 9780785199830 Series: Volume 3 Copy: Out of Pocket Reviewer: Tyson Amazon Synopsis: "What comes next for the Rebels after the events of Vader Down? Find out as the adventures of Luke Skywalker and friends continue! The Rebel crew are en route to a prison base with a very important captive. But, unlucky for them, they aren't the only ones with their eyes on this prize! And, in another tale from the journals of Obi-Wan Kenobi, journey back to the Jedi's days of exile on Tattooine. Moisture farmer Owen Lars may have taken in young Luke, but he refused to let Ben be part of the boy's life. Now, prepare to discover the reason why! COLLECTING: STAR WARS 15-19, Annual #1" The third installment of the series mainly deals with Princess Leia as she delivers a new inmate to a secret rebel prison when it is attacked by a myst...

Star Wars Vol. 2 Showdown on Smuggler's Moon by Jason Aaron, Stuart Immonen, and Simone Bianchi Publishing Information: Paperback; 144 pages Publisher: Marvel; 26 Jan 2016 ISBN: 9780785192145 Series: Vol. 2 Copy: Out of Pocket Reviewer: Tyson Amazon Synopsis: "Injustice reigns on Tatooine as villainous scum run rampant. Will Ben Kenobi risk revealing himself to do what's right? Then, Luke continues his quest to learn about the Jedi by heading for the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Plus: Han & Leia are confronted by an unexpected foe from Han's past! COLLECTING: STAR WARS 7-12" Last week I reviewed the first volume of the new Star Wars comic book that covers the time between New Hope and Empire Strikes Back. Volume 2 continues the adventures of the rebels and this time it features a little more of Leia, which was missing from the last book. I don't want to give too much away but in this storyline Han and Leia's struggling romance gets sidelined when someone...

Star Wars: Volume 1 Skywalker Strikes by Jason Aaron, John Cassaday, and Laura Martin Publishing Information: Paperback; 160 Pages Publisher: Marvel; 6 Oct 2015 ISBN: 9780785192138 Series: Volume 1 Copy: Out of pocket Reviewer: Tyson Amazon Synopsis: "The greatest space adventure of all returns to Marvel! Luke Skywalker and the ragtag rebel band opposing the Galactic Empire are fresh off their biggest victory yet - the destruction of the massive Death Star. But the Empire's not toppled yet! Join Luke, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2 and the rest of the Rebel Alliance as they fight for freedom against the evil of Darth Vader and his master, the Emperor! But when a Rebel assault goes very wrong, Han and Leia will have to think fast to make their escape...while Luke fi nds himself faceto-face with Darth Vader! In the explosive aftermath, a humbled Luke returns to Tatooine to learn more about his mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi. Meanwhile, Leia and Han undertake a vital - a...

The Wall of Storms of Ken Liu Publishing Information: Paperback (Arc); 680pgs Publisher: Saga Press; 4 Oct 2016 ISBN: 978-1481424301 Series: The Dandelion Dynasty #2 Copy: Provided by publisher Reviewer: Tyson Amazon Synopsis: "In the much-anticipated sequel to the “magnificent fantasy epic” (NPR) Grace of Kings, Emperor Kuni Garu is faced with the invasion of an invincible army in his kingdom and must quickly find a way to defeat the intruders. Kuni Garu, now known as Emperor Ragin, runs the archipelago kingdom of Dara, but struggles to maintain progress while serving the demands of the people and his vision. Then an unexpected invading force from the Lyucu empire in the far distant west comes to the shores of Dara—and chaos results. But Emperor Kuni cannot go and lead his kingdom against the threat himself with his recently healed empire fraying at the seams, so he sends the only people he trusts to be Dara’s savvy and cunning hopes against the invincible invaders: his children,...

Lord of the Darkwood by Lian Hearn Publishing information: Paperback; 240pgs Publisher: FSG Originals; 9 August 2016 ISBN: 9780374536336 Series: Tale of Shikanoko #3 Copy: Provided by publisher Review: Tyson Amazon Synopsis:"Shikanoko, at what should be a warrior’s hour of greatest triumph, turns his back on those around him, in mourning for a secret love . . . The Spider Tribe, spurned by their guardian, explore the extent of their powers and ruthless ambitions . . . Hina, who alone knows the whereabouts of the true emperor, has to forge a new identity of her own. No one must ever know that she is Kiyoyori’s daughter . . . As the traditional powers navigate weakness and disarray, old spirits and new figures enter the epic battle for the Lotus Throne . . . In Lord of the Darkwood, the major players of The Tale of Shikanoko are forced to deal with the consequences―expected and unexpected alike―of their past reckless actions. Each of them strives to achieve their destiny, but so far...

Institutionalized by Tim Marquitz Publishing information: Kindle Publisher: Amazon; 28 Oct 2016 ASIN: B01MF4QQ1C Series: Demon Squad 10 Copy: From Author Reviewer: Tyson Amazon Synopsis: "Blood on his hands, bridges burnt, ancient entities unleashed, the world falling into chaos, and it’s all Frank “Triggaltheron” Trigg’s fault. So what does he do? He joins the enemy, of course. Out of options, Frank surrenders to the DSI in hopes of working out a deal that will save DRAC and end the supernatural rebellion he instigated. As it turns out, the punishment for his crimes is the absolute worst thing he could imagine. They offer him a job. Now tasked to hunt down the former head of the DSI, Frank is caught up in a chess match that just might determine the fate of the universe. Who really needs a happy ending, anyway?" *In full disclosure, Tim Marquitz and I are good friends. Back in 2010 before SBR was just got started I read a fantastic book called Armageddon Bound and was blown a...

Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel by James Lucerno Publishing information: Hardback; 352 pages Publisher: Del Rey; 15 Nov 2016 ISBN: 978-0345511492 Series Copy: Out of pocket Reviewer: Tyson Barnes and Noble Amazon Synopsis: "War is tearing the galaxy apart. For years the Republic and the Separatists have battled across the stars, each building more and more deadly technology in an attempt to win the war. As a member of Chancellor Palpatine’s top secret Death Star project, Orson Krennic is determined to develop a superweapon before their enemies can. And an old friend of Krennic’s, the brilliant scientist Galen Erso, could be the key. Galen’s energy-focused research has captured the attention of both Krennic and his foes, making the scientist a crucial pawn in the galactic conflict. But after Krennic rescues Galen, his wife, Lyra, and their young daughter, Jyn, from Separatist kidnappers, the Erso family is deeply in Krennic’s debt. Krennic then offers Galen an extraordinary opportunity...