Star Wars: The New Jedi Order: Dark Tide 1: Onslaught

By: Michael A. Stackpole

Narrated by: Anthony Heald

In this epic of unsurpassed action and imagination, Michael Stackpole helps to launch an exciting new era in Star Wars history. Onslaught pits the battle-tested heroes of the past—Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Leia Organa Solo—along with the next generation of Jedi and droids, against fearsome never-before-encountered enemies from beyond the galactic rim . . .

It is a perilous time for the New Republic. Just when unity is needed most, mistrust is on the rise. Even the Jedi feel the strain, as rogue elements rebel against Luke's leadership. When alien invaders known as the Yunnan Vong strike without warning, the New Republic is thrown on the defensive. Merciless warriors, the Yunnan Vong glory in torture. Their technology is as strange as it is deadly. Most ominous of all, they are impervious to the Force.

Now Luke must wield all the awesome powers of a Jedi Master to defeat the gravest threat since Darth Vader. As Leia and Gavin Darklighter lead desperate refugees in a fighting retreat from Yunnan Vong forces, Mara Jade, Anakin, Jacen, and Corran Horn find themselves tested as never before by a faceless, implacable foe determined to smother the light of the New Republic forever beneath a shroud of darkest evil . . .© and (P)2000 Lucasfilm Ltd. and TM.

Good continuation of the NJO series

If you could sum up Star Wars in three words, what would they be?

Classic moral myth.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Anakin was my favorite character. He is being shaped to be the best Jedi of his generation.

What does Anthony Heald bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The inflection, tone, and exclamations bring the story to life. Anthony Heald has narrated several SW books, and I became familiar with his style. He was like an old friend telling a story.

Any additional comments?

This book brings us deeper into the world of the Yuuzhan Vong. We begin to learn more about their culture, and how different it is from that of the New Republic. They seem very powerful and cruel, verging on the sadistic. But we see signs that they are not invincible. This is part 1 of a duology within the NJO series.

Too quiet

I couldn't hear the guys voice. The story was too short, not worth the money paid.

Need unabridged

We need the unabridged version. Abridged doesn't do the story justice. The pace is too fast

Abridged books are terrible.

I read this book from cover to cover. Then I listen to the abridged version on Audible. So much of the story has been left out in the abridged version that it hardly resembles the original story at all. It is so disappointing to see audiobooks in this format. I have tried two different books in the abridged format to see if I could get used to them abbreviating the stories. I am sorry to say I will not try a third. The way the stories are butchered to condense them for the abridged audiobook format is such a waste. I cannot reconcile in my mind experiencing the story like this. It is no where near what the author had intended I am sure. Hopefully audiobooks publishers will read these reviews and understand how their customers are dissatisfied with their overall product.

The war begins...

I have a hard time writing a review for this one. It’s actually an excellent abridgement (it’s all we are gonna get guys). All the stories are deep and compelling in the way that Stockpole excels at. This novel adds even more depth to Corran Horn.
Think of it as an audio movie a great novel, rather than grumbling about it being abridged.
PS. Disney? Want some money? I’d buy EVERY EU audiobook unabridged. So I’m sure I can’t be the only one...