Think Disney Star Wars is Trash? Stop Hate-Watching And Give The Expanded Universe a Try

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  • @mikesbookreviews
    @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому +47

    Hey bookworms! I know my EU vids may seem redundant but I'm just always going to scream into the wind about how that Star Wars people complain about missing is still there. Enjoy!

    • @Tim_with_Tomes_and_Tales
      @Tim_with_Tomes_and_Tales 4 місяці тому

      We can lose our voices together.

    • @siebersorama
      @siebersorama 4 місяці тому +1

      Per your suggestion I am doing a buddy read with my fellow star wars head. Started with thrawn trilogy and working our way to njo. Thank you! We are on Jedi academy trilogy now and its so fun!

    • @J-tp2wb
      @J-tp2wb 4 місяці тому

      The EU ist awesome ❤! I read them aß a Kid and still going on. nearly 100 books, such a great stuff. just look at Thrawn from timothys originals he is such a menace to name only one (It's the most common example) but the yuzhan vong books I think those really got me. what are your favourites?

    • @thelawrencewoods2871
      @thelawrencewoods2871 4 місяці тому

      Nah Mike, you're just keeping it real man. It was wayyy better before Disney. And I'm with you, I'm not here to sh!t over and over on the new stuff. But if you ask me, I'm gonna tell you the truth. The EU is a thousand times better than anything Disney put out.

    • @JaketheMovieGeek
      @JaketheMovieGeek 4 місяці тому

      You should review individual books and/or read EU books that you’ve never read before

  • @AlanW1983
    @AlanW1983 4 місяці тому +40

    Disney should have adapted a lot of the EU novels as films and kept it all as official Canon. Then we wouldn't be having this conversation.

    • @EntertainmentEncyclopedia
      @EntertainmentEncyclopedia 4 місяці тому +7

      I feel like they took some good elements and tried to pass it off as their own idea, but absolutely 💩 the bed.

    • @stevenstewart782
      @stevenstewart782 4 місяці тому +4

      Yeah they didn't wanna consider anything Canon From 91-2,012 but Now they're going and using a whole bunch of the characters created during that time And giving them Alternate Story storylines Grand admiral thrawn for instance

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому +9

      If only they had competent leadership that could have seen this

  • @chillercentral8125
    @chillercentral8125 4 місяці тому +33

    Darth Bane trilogy is great. Great character development in the first book

    • @Slobrojoe
      @Slobrojoe 4 місяці тому +2

      Read the first two so far, thought they were both pretty good, although I’ve only read around 20 Star Wars books

    • @JaketheMovieGeek
      @JaketheMovieGeek 4 місяці тому +4

      As of now Path of Destruction is my favorite SW book

  • @eavanodonoghue
    @eavanodonoghue 4 місяці тому +10

    I agree with you Mike. I read the Thrawn trilogy and it absolutely felt like the original films. I could see the original characters in my head while reading.

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому +4

      I used to tell people the only thing missing from those books was the John Williams soundtrack.

    • @eavanodonoghue
      @eavanodonoghue 4 місяці тому +1

      @@mikesbookreviews that’s how it feels definitely!

    • @patriciaa65
      @patriciaa65 4 місяці тому +1

      I re-read it, and it made me feel very sad. Because it was all it could've been.

    • @samspeaks2016
      @samspeaks2016 15 днів тому

      @@mikesbookreviewsand they had special music made just for the shadow of the empire line so even for the books there’s no excuse, it literally had it all

  • @Michael-ee4uz
    @Michael-ee4uz 4 місяці тому +16

    This is what I've been saying. Every time I get upset about the new Star Wars shows and movies I just remember the 120+ novels I have on my shelves that I read growing up and can return to.
    While it might be nice to see new stories on the screen, the book is always better anyway.

  • @JonahsWail
    @JonahsWail 4 місяці тому +5

    New Jedi Order is legit tough. Vector Prjme crushed me in a way that was unmatched by even song of ice n fire.

  • @jonathankoan
    @jonathankoan 4 місяці тому +11

    I’ve been alternating with about 1 canon book and one EU/Legends book each month and I’m overall really enjoying the experience. The Star Wars books are so fun and entertaining and I appreciate not having to relearn a whole new worldbuilding and Magic system each time.

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому

      Keep going!

    • @Blackdeathgaming-yv1kk
      @Blackdeathgaming-yv1kk 3 дні тому

      What have you read so far? I read both as well but I do strongly prefer the old EU.

    • @jonathankoan
      @jonathankoan 2 дні тому

      @ I have read the entire canon thus far, which is about 50 adult books. I have read about 120 out of the 150 EU books.
      I guess I would say I prefer the EU overall, but there are a lot of great individual canon books.

  • @octavioortiz679
    @octavioortiz679 4 місяці тому +18

    I watched your older Star Wars EU video and it absolutely changed the way I approach the franchise. I read Heir to the Empire and I never looked back. Almost to the end of NJO now (Force Heretic I to be specific)

    • @gerrade71278
      @gerrade71278 4 місяці тому

      Heir to the empire is my next TBR for sure.

    • @JaketheMovieGeek
      @JaketheMovieGeek 4 місяці тому

      I’m working my way up to NJO. I’m going to be starting The Jedi Academy Trilogy soon

  • @FrostyMourne92
    @FrostyMourne92 4 місяці тому +13

    Bane and Thrawne trilogy are essential Star Wars and simply amazing.

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому

      Indeed

    • @JaketheMovieGeek
      @JaketheMovieGeek 4 місяці тому

      Darth Bane: Path of Destruction might be the greatest SW book I’ve read so far! (I consider myself a noob in the EU)

  • @damo6794
    @damo6794 4 місяці тому +5

    Preaching to the choir for me, currently rereading the NJO, nearly up to star by star . Worth checking out, you get the original trilogy characters fighting alongside a new generation

  • @JaketheMovieGeek
    @JaketheMovieGeek 4 місяці тому +7

    From my point of view everything in the George Lucas era is canon. Everything past that point is fan fiction

  • @Josh-hi7tc
    @Josh-hi7tc 3 місяці тому +2

    Started reading some of the knights of the old republic comics. Disney literally should’ve just turned that into a TV show and they would have a hit on their hands.

  • @nashur3403
    @nashur3403 4 місяці тому +1

    Thanks so much for making this video. It's rare to find positive SW content on social media. My first foray into the EU was the Han Solo trilogy by A.C. Crispin and I have been reading and re-reading EU novels ever since for the last 25+ years. Even the not-so-great books (The Courtship of Princess Leia, in my opinion) are still worth re-reading.
    You are so right about the mature content in the New Jedi Order series. There is a great deal of grief, violence, body horror, and complex political maneuvering. They really took the gloves off with that series and yet it was never over the top. They took a gamble by having us follow secondary characters and the villains for whole novels, and I never paused to wonder what was happening with the main group. The stakes were there. Respect was give to characters. These books really made the reader feel things. I cried too during Vector Prime (and Star By Star).
    Typically, I ignore the Disney SW content, but I have to say that I will be forever INCENSED that they discontinued Tom Jung's original cover art for the Thrawn trilogy when they reprinted. I feel privileged to own the original cover novels (especially without the "Legends" banner). I would bet they cost a pretty penny now!

  • @The.natrix
    @The.natrix 19 днів тому

    Your older video about the New Jedi Order definitely helped motivate me to read the series, and I loved it so much! Thanks Mike!

  • @Buchertn
    @Buchertn 4 місяці тому +2

    Mike I'd love to see more Star Was EU content from you and funny enough it was your original video on the EU that got me to read the Thrawn Trilogy and I've not looked back since.

  • @Nicole-dh3um
    @Nicole-dh3um 4 місяці тому +1

    OMG yes the EU! I was in high school when Heir to the Empire came out and I was so excited to return to a galaxy far far away. This video is making me want to start a reread of my extensive collection of books (100+). NJO hit hard and Vector Prime gutted me.

  • @FingFantasticFox
    @FingFantasticFox 3 місяці тому

    i really appreciate that you share the great stories and content of legends with people still. even if it doesn’t reach that many people think it’s so important to preserve these stories and allow them to live on. i’m only 21 and i absolutely adore legends and it’s nice to know that there are people looking to pass these stories down to the younger generations. keep it up man :)

  • @asfaloth12
    @asfaloth12 3 місяці тому +1

    I loved this video! It’s so wonderful to see other fans who appreciate the Star Wars EU.
    Mara Jade is an amazing character, but honestly? I’m glad Disney did not include her. I’m afraid they would not have done her justice.
    I’m a big Jaina Solo fan as well.
    Thrawn and the Yuzhaan Vong were unforgettable villains.
    Thanks for sharing! EU videos never get old for me!

  • @BenLaSoul908
    @BenLaSoul908 4 місяці тому +2

    The Republic Commando series about the clones was absolutely amazing. Same thing w the Darth Bane trilogy.

  • @tonygonzales726
    @tonygonzales726 4 місяці тому +1

    All I can say is ... BRILLIANT!! you explained the EU perfectly. I've been collecting the star wars novels since the original novelisations from 1978 to the last book, CRUCIBLE, and all the related encyclopedias and references books. These books filled that 16 year void and they were great! They were just as big in the UK as in the US. Star wars fans are united no matter an ocean of water or an ocean of stars. Thank you for the wonderful video .

  • @matthewburgins5204
    @matthewburgins5204 4 місяці тому +1

    Your EU videos, especially the Thrawn Trilogy video, are what got me started on the books. The Thrawn Trilogy reminded me of why I loved Star Wars. I had Timothy Zahn sign my books not too long ago!

  • @Michael-ee4uz
    @Michael-ee4uz 4 місяці тому +2

    I also loved how the books tied into each other, especially toward the end, where there were emotional payoffs and loose ends wrapped up and callbacks that were very satisfying to someone who'd read most of the previous books. I exclaimed audibly when I read about Callista Ming and Abeloth, because I remembered her story from years prior.

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому +1

      I was a blubbering mess in Unifying Force because they did it so well and it truly felt like the end for those original characters as the main focus.

  • @adamrenfrow
    @adamrenfrow 4 місяці тому +6

    I love the EU, and when I say EU, I mean the dubbed "Legends" series. So many great villians and heroes that came out of the old EU. Wish Disney would pull more ideas from these stories.

  • @Tim_with_Tomes_and_Tales
    @Tim_with_Tomes_and_Tales 4 місяці тому +2

    Great timing, Mike. I just re-read Tales of the Bounty Hunters, which came out before the prequel trilogy. I'll have a review out for it in a couple weeks. I think I might review some more of those classic SW EU books at some point. Happy reading.

  • @gymjunkie35
    @gymjunkie35 4 місяці тому

    I really appreciate you making this video. I sort of grew up with the EU, I didn’t read them when I was young(I’m working on it now) but my older brother collected about 30 ish of them when he was in high school and kept me updated on big things that happened in the universe. I’ve since inherited the collection and added to it so that I now have over 100 EU novels. I can no longer acknowledge the existence of Disney Star Wars, this is my Star Wars universe.

  • @Erisplay
    @Erisplay 4 місяці тому +2

    Thanks for the video and recommendations, always love your Star Wars stuff! :)

  • @simonedwards9450
    @simonedwards9450 4 місяці тому

    Thank you so much for this video. Because of you I have just brought the three Thrawn trilogies and I have just started Heir to the Empire and it is amazing!

  • @BilboBaggins365-ex6dr
    @BilboBaggins365-ex6dr 4 місяці тому +1

    Well if I am honest, I am actually quite thankful that I was disappointed by the Disney era of SW. I got way more into the EU because of it. I had read some books and played some of the games (the KOTOR games are still some of the best SW stories period in my opinion) however, I hadn't read NJO until after TLJ came out. That was a treat. I also just got way more into other sci fi/space opera esque fiction due to being less interested in SW. In the case of books classics like Dune, recommendations from you such as the Sun Eater series, or just tons of 40k fiction. There is one space opera universe on par with the sheer scale of the EU.
    I just got more into other space opera media I hadn't checked out before such as in anime with Legend of the Galactic Heroes (this show basically does what Lucas was trying to do with the PT) or Gundam The Origin, which I had dragged my feet on watching/reading for awhile. So I see that as a win.

  • @christophermcmahon3069
    @christophermcmahon3069 4 місяці тому +1

    Good video. I really needed someone to convince me to dive into this expanded world. I’ve been borderline for a long time. Love the “soul” of star wars and been disappointed for far too long

  • @IowaJay
    @IowaJay 4 місяці тому +4

    EU comics are also great, as they really flesh out the stories in the EU books. Marvel is republishing them as Legends graphic novels in the Epic Collection and Omnibus formats.

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому +2

      I saw a physical graphic novel of the Thrawn trilogy. Really cool.

  • @jayspeijer614
    @jayspeijer614 4 місяці тому

    Hey Mike, after watching a previous video a couple of years ago, I’ve been rounding up most of the EU (and new ‘canon’), and jumped in with both feet. I’ve read about 8 so far (following the Youtini Ultimate Reading Order) and having a blast. Everything you have gushed about is spot-on.
    Thrawn is next up!

  • @benconlin3557
    @benconlin3557 4 місяці тому +1

    I read the Thrawn Trilogy and loved it. The outbound flight is mentioned in those books so I read that and through it was great too. Haven’t got round to doing more but I will one day

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому +2

      Zahn knows his shit when it comes to this universe.

    • @benconlin3557
      @benconlin3557 4 місяці тому

      @@mikesbookreviews it seems so. Any recommendations in between Thrawn trilogy and new Jedi order?

  • @DanTheMeek
    @DanTheMeek 4 місяці тому +4

    Sad that star wars has become like politics, one of those things you can't talk about with friends or family with out fights breaking out. I've enjoyed The Acolyte, and found Andor to be one of the best Star Wars "things" period, but I understand there are people who those shows don't spark joy for them. They're in the star wars universe, but they feel uniquely distinct from the classic star wars movies in their tone, so liking A New Hope doesn't necessarily mean you'll like those shows. Still, when I even admit I enjoy those shows in a group of "star wars" fans, its crazy the vitrol that gets thrown my way. No I am not a disney shill, I just like what I like. I did not care for the Sequel movies, or episode 2, or 90% of The Clone Wars show, but I don't attack people who do, so its so strange how people seem to want to come to literal blows with me for expressing an enjoyment of a thing they don't like (and most of the time I find, that they didn't even actually watch, just a review of it, or the first 10 minutes of it).
    All that said, when people have complained about all the new star wars stuff sucking, I have recommended they explore the expanded universe, particularly if I know they don't read it like I do. To date the response I've gotten was more vitrol for some reason, like reading makes me even more of a "disney loving nerd". Makes me quite sad. Not only is some of the post disney canon stuff fantastic, but there's so much great stuff in the pre-disney Legends era, but it really feels like a huge chunk of the "fan" base doesn't want to give anything new a try, they just want to keep watching the OT over and over, maybe even just episode 4 and 5 over and over since many feel Lucas lost his way starting with episode 6.

    • @DanTheMeek
      @DanTheMeek 4 місяці тому

      5:50 - Ironically a lot of the push back I get when I express liking anything from post disney star wars is that disney has tried too hard to make nuisanced and interesting villians. They tell me, star wars was at its best when evil was just evil, good was just good, and disney has watered all that down with villians like thrawn, and so on, which is ironic since while thrawn is a major villian in the disney cannon, he didn't originate there, but in the EU.

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому +2

      It really is sad. Almost like talking about a friend who got in with a bad crowd and you know you'll never see them again.

  • @RekindledReader
    @RekindledReader 4 місяці тому +1

    Might have to check these out one day after a rewatch. I never really cared for the new stuff so this might be a fun way to enjoy that universe.

  • @MatthewwehttaM
    @MatthewwehttaM 4 місяці тому +2

    The books have completely eclipsed the movies and shows in my mind. So many tales from the EU and new canon are better than what we've ever gotten on screen. I've read all the new canon I'm interested in (which is most of it tbh) and I'm currently working my way through the Bantam era gearing up for New Jedi Order.

  • @J-tp2wb
    @J-tp2wb 4 місяці тому +1

    So I watched this Video now and the way you are talking about those books... i could feel your emotions about them and i Was getting excited to read some of them aggain 😃😃 I mean those moments on Sernpidal or bobas bounty war series It's really brutal and they managed it so good to connect these Storys over so many different books from different Autors. some of the pictures in your Videos these are actually some of my books 😁😁I started with Prinz xizor and dash went from there to the Thrawn series to Hans origin Story smuggling glitzerstim, bounty wars, Jedi academy and so on and on until abeloth, Bane and they are all sooo damm good. as you said they are for grown ups with high stakes! kyp, Exar Kun, cadeus mara oh no it was so terrible her way at the end and jacen and everything. every Person who likes Star wars should definitly read them!! the latest ones i bought were the 3 new Thrawn books when he was young and some of the high Republik stuff.
    here in Germany they started always with dramatis personae on the First site (after book timeline) great great. oh I just remembered when mara and Anakin were on their own an the vongs after them sooo good or Luke with jacen when they explored Belkaden (right?) corran, karrde, cboath, Admiral Daala and so many other good Charakters. Fazit I love them all, like you said : Hit, Hit Hit .... ok thats cool but not completely Blowing my mind.... Hit Hit Hit, Hit thanks for bringing some good memories back 👍

  • @JonahsWail
    @JonahsWail 4 місяці тому +1

    Legends is the canon, for sure. The old EU books is really what made me love star wars, was never just about the OT movies. Nu-lucasfilm is certainly fan fiction at this point.

  • @horonin
    @horonin 4 місяці тому +2

    When I was younger I would tell people I loved Star Wars, but as I got older I realized that most people think that just means the movies, and for me it was always the rest. The setting for tabletop games, the novels, the video games, and eventually the shows too.

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому +1

      For sure. I remember reading the paperbacks in high school and people were blown away that there were books on it.

    • @horonin
      @horonin 4 місяці тому

      @@mikesbookreviews The X-wing series was the first I read of the EU novels, and I have a few of them on my TBR now that I am older and have disposable income.

  • @philippburnett6045
    @philippburnett6045 4 місяці тому +1

    So good you came back to them after being gone so long

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому +1

      Oh, the EU will never go away for me. The day this channel goes belly up I'll probably commit to a full re-read.

  • @joeyhorn4100
    @joeyhorn4100 4 місяці тому +2

    I agree 100%. This is my canon.

  • @shelfherder
    @shelfherder 4 місяці тому +1

    I love the EU stuff but I genuinely really enjoy the high republic stuff. Soule is one of the best Star Wars writers out there, even including EU works.

  • @brucegrossman3531
    @brucegrossman3531 4 місяці тому +1

    Funny enough I've got the series you havent read Rogue Squadron/X Wing. Along with some stand alone titles. Just read Death Troopers

  • @auditect950
    @auditect950 2 місяці тому +1

    I am happy to see the EU being kept alive by other fans! Doing my part with my comic dubs!

  • @animalmother8037
    @animalmother8037 4 місяці тому +1

    I try not to use the word hate when referring to the current state of Disney SW. I'm apathetic now and YES if you love SW and Disney isn't quite your flavor definitely give expanded universe/Legends a shot you won't be sorry. Pleanty of SW EU to explore out there.

  • @manzanogianni4935
    @manzanogianni4935 4 місяці тому +6

    I’ll keep it simple by saying that you are absolutely correct on everything with this video. My Episodes 7,8, and 9 will always be that Thrawn Trilogy.

  • @mistymarshall5438
    @mistymarshall5438 Місяць тому

    Every time Disney announces a new SW series/movie, I think: "eh, we had that already." Examples:
    The Acolyte = Dawn of the Jedi/Knight Errant
    Book of Boba Fett = The Bounty Hunter Wars Trilogy
    Solo: A Star Wars Story = The Han Solo Trilogy/Han Solo Adventures
    Rogue One = Dark Forces Trilogy (novellas)
    Rebels = The Force Unleashed Duology
    Obi-Wan Kenobi = Kenobi (2008 novel)
    Tales From the Empire = Good lord there's a 1997 anthology with the same title!
    And whaddaya know, there's also a 2008 novel titled "The Last Jedi"!

  • @Theworthlessopinion
    @Theworthlessopinion 4 місяці тому +17

    Irony- this video comes out same day as acolyte finale 😂

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому +3

      Ha ha I was informed of that the day it came out

  • @587monster
    @587monster 4 місяці тому

    I know everyone always rants about the Thrawn Trilogy, but while not as good but very close, it was the jedi Academy trilogy (which is prime mara jade) Also anyone who liked the mandolorian I would recommend the bounty hunter wars trilogy It felt like the EU version 30 years early.

  • @emeza2331
    @emeza2331 4 місяці тому

    Love the EU… absolutely agree with you., many highs and some lows but I love it all.. One cohesive storyline spanning thousands of years…
    All power to those who enjoy the Disney content, but the EU (Legends) is truly great..
    Awesome job btw, love talking Legends anytime..

  • @Nickzstuff
    @Nickzstuff 4 місяці тому +1

    Picked up the Thrawn trilogy on prime after stumbling on your where to start with the EU videos a few days ago and haven’t put it down yet!

    • @gerrade71278
      @gerrade71278 4 місяці тому

      Hope they were second hand. I don't like the idea of giving Disney those publishing dollars.

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому

      Excellent!

  • @stephensmith8474
    @stephensmith8474 4 місяці тому

    Great video. I love the EU. Started with Splinter when it first came out as a kid but it was pretty weak. Heir the Empire and beyond are mostly great. Some are a little slow and boring I guess. But I love the original characters. The area I have never ventured into is the NJO which I believe starts with Vector Prime. When I heard about VP and the negating of the force (Thrawn pet notwithstanding) I was pretty skeptical and saw it as maybe jumping the shark. So, I have never read those. But I hear so much good about them that maybe I will try someday.

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому +1

      Right. I remember reading it after RotJ realizing I wasn't getting any more movies and feeling let down. But when Heir came out I was in Borders for the release party. It was amazing.

  • @Kellen81
    @Kellen81 4 місяці тому +1

    Original Thrawn trilogy is still head canon for me. I haven't read a lot of other EU stuff but I loved the storyline from the Dark Forces/Jedi Knight video games, wish Kyle Katarn would make a comeback.

  • @unlimitedreads
    @unlimitedreads 4 місяці тому

    I started my EU journey last year and really must get back to it. I read Darth Plagueis, Millennium Falcon and Death Troopers, all of them were fantastic!

  • @andreamiller3578
    @andreamiller3578 4 місяці тому

    Oh, man. This takes me back to some good times! I brought Heir to the Empire home and my dad asked me what i was reading. From that point on, I got to share these books with him. I have some funny memories of trying to hide the next book so I could start reading it before he did. I usually failed. Heh. The books always ended up with my unicorn bookmark and my dad's horrid dog-ear method in a race to see who finished first. Then dad would ask, "So, when's the next one coming out?"

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому +1

      Oh wow that's amazing. I can only hope things like that happen with my kids someday.

  • @AverageJoesLibrary
    @AverageJoesLibrary 4 місяці тому

    I’m still making my way through. Started from the beg and moving chronologically. Prob read 15+ SW books? Fav: republic commando, darth bane, original thrawn, darth plagus.. there a lot of these on Libby so trading for free.

  • @nyxian_grid
    @nyxian_grid 4 місяці тому +3

    I was confused for a second. I thought wth did the European Union have to do with this 😅😂

  • @jadenkorr32
    @jadenkorr32 4 місяці тому +8

    When I left the theater in 2017, I left Disney Star Wars, and after a 10-year hiatus, I jumped back into the Expanded Universe. I’ve yet to find a compelling reason to come back to Disney, and with every book/comic/RPG supplement I read, the wisdom of that decision only grows.

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому +1

      Right. The SW folks love still lives on outside of Disney.

  • @gearoidosullivan356
    @gearoidosullivan356 4 місяці тому

    Hey there Mike, I'm curious if you have read ROGUE PLANET by Greg Bear, as I haven't seen you mention it. Since I was a big fan of his sci-fi books like Eon and Moving Mars, I was delighted to see him do a Star Wars novel. And since it's 20-something years since I read it, I can't remember the fine details, but I remember thinking it did a great job of fleshing out Anakin's character, and giving us an idea of how he could eventually fall. Plus the book had some interesting tie in to the new Jedi order stuff as well. Surprised I don't see it mentioned more? Have you read it, and if so, what did you make of it?

  • @cloeye32
    @cloeye32 4 місяці тому

    I’ve been reading the expanded universe since last year and I have to say I enjoy a great deal too. I started with the old Republic and our EVEN/the Darth BANE trilogy/de Steve/annihilation/night Aaron ET, I’ve been read Shadowhunter, Lord of the Sith, all six movie time books, all five princess Leia books, the original Timothy is on throng trilogy, the Jedi Academy series, Asoka, Jedi, Kenobi, Donna, the Jedi, DP, count Dooku, shadow of the Empire, now I’m reading the new Jedi order serious. I just got finished reading vector prime I’m on book 2 as we speak. Hope to finish the entire series by next month then I will start the force fate of the Jedi. I really try to get in characters that I enjoy so, then going in chronological order. I even read all of the clone wars books as well. I’ve read quite a bit. I really enjoy the old Republic and the beginnings of the Sith/Jedi order. I haven’t read any of the Republic stuff as yet I love shadow point that was one of my favorite book so far, I have to say I watched so I’m about to watch the last episode of the alkaline watch the first two seasons of the Mandalorian, but I’m really enjoying the clone war series which is kind of cold watch. I wasn’t really into the last three movies even though I have them, for the sake of completing the Skywalker saga on film however, I enjoyed the

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому

      Awesome! I still need to go back and read Darth Bane.

  • @OnlyTheBestFantasyNovels
    @OnlyTheBestFantasyNovels 4 місяці тому

    Well said, the EU's definitely still worth enjoying today. Even the current SW books being published are generally way more enjoyable than anything live action. A lot of them are on par if not better than the Legends EU, so I'd highly encourage the five remaining SW fans besides myself to check them out. The games also seem to be very well received. It's just the shows and movies, they can't seem to not sabotage themselves. Before The Acolyte, I thought it was downright impossible to mess up a story that has the Sith in it . . .

  • @ChaplainMalachai
    @ChaplainMalachai 4 місяці тому +1

    I always appreciate the love for the EU (I will never call it Legends). The Heir to the Empire trilogy still scratches the itch. Thanks Mike!

  • @germaholic
    @germaholic 4 місяці тому

    I do still check on the Disney canon sometimes, but the EU is so much better. I went to it about 5 years ago and found it so much better than the sequel trilogy in every conceivable way. Sometimes Disney does have some good stuff like Andor or Rogue One, but I don't think they're ever going to do anything that'll surpass the Thrawn Trilogy, Darth Bane Trilogy, or New Jedi Order.

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому +1

      The EU certainly wasn't perfect, but it's the god dang Sistine Chapel next to what Disney has done.

  • @evanhovey2554
    @evanhovey2554 4 місяці тому

    Should to a “talk about the eu” with Rachel from shades of orange. She has recently talked about this as well

  • @codyowens9137
    @codyowens9137 4 місяці тому +1

    Darth Bane and anything related to KOTOR is the best SW outside the Original Trilogy imo

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому +1

      Man I played KOTOR the game so many times ha ha

  • @PsilocybeJedi
    @PsilocybeJedi 4 місяці тому

    Reading Star By Star (midway through NJO) was the first real like blown away storytelling from the EU, and from then on I was hooked. EU will always be canon in my heart.

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому +1

      I still think about Star by Star sometimes. I was floored reading that.

  • @RedFuryBooks
    @RedFuryBooks 4 місяці тому

    I've read a few of the Disney "canon" novels and find a lot of those are better than what they're putting out on Disney Plus. I have a long way to go with these books - especially EU - but feel I'll likely be reading more books than watching the shows.

  • @JaketheMovieGeek
    @JaketheMovieGeek 4 місяці тому +3

    Everyone should read the Darth Plaqueis novel instead of watching The Acolyte

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому +3

      Everyone should do literally anything else instead of watching The Acolyte

    • @JaketheMovieGeek
      @JaketheMovieGeek 4 місяці тому

      @@mikesbookreviewsvery true

  • @jaieregilmore971
    @jaieregilmore971 4 місяці тому

    I will never forget reading about the new Jedi order on Yavin 4 The EU did Luke Skywalker justice during those Star Wars galaxy felt fresh.

  • @safinan8008
    @safinan8008 4 місяці тому

    Hi 👋 interesting video.. happy reading to you!! 😊

  • @paradigmshift7907
    @paradigmshift7907 4 місяці тому +1

    Mara and the Solo kids might be my favorite Star Wars characters, other than the original trio, and they arent even in a movie. Now adays when I think about Star Wars its about the EU, not the movies so much

  • @EhsJaySaunders
    @EhsJaySaunders 4 місяці тому

    Currently going back through NJO, and yeah...my heart's not quite ready to pick up Star by Star.

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому +1

      Man...I was in a depression. The Infinity War of the EU.

    • @EhsJaySaunders
      @EhsJaySaunders 4 місяці тому

      @@mikesbookreviews Yup. Emotionally matched for me only by a few other EU entries, like Sacrifice and Invincible in the books and Vindication and Legacy: War in the comics.

  • @JaketheMovieGeek
    @JaketheMovieGeek 4 місяці тому

    Hey Mike could you read/do reviews for SW books that you haven’t read before? It’d be cool seeing more SW content (some variety) instead of these “Hey check out the Expanded Universe” videos.

  • @johnwilson8331
    @johnwilson8331 4 місяці тому

    Disney should have just started with the vong. Mark, Harrison, and Carrie were all the right age to reprise their roles and with a coming together of characters throughout the franchise, Disney could have changed any character that was only ever in books and not widely known to fit the narrative they wanted.

  • @pugwall316
    @pugwall316 4 місяці тому

    Very cool POV! Agree 100%

  • @davidgould3297
    @davidgould3297 4 місяці тому

    Never stop doing Star Wars videos. They are so interesting.

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому +1

      I don't think I'll ever be able to stop talking about the EU, especially when things are so bleak with the current state of the IP.

  • @RiverOfBlacklights
    @RiverOfBlacklights Місяць тому

    As a former hardcore EU fan _(and former hardcore Star Wars fan, in general),_ I would agree that reading the EU is a great idea if one wants more than the festering tripe Di$ney has been peddling as "star wars" since 2012 *_BUT,_* at the same time, it's a path filled with frustration and disappointment as, eventually, you *WILL* hit a roadblock and the series just suddenly ends.
    No warning, no nothing, It just ends because as we all know, Di$ney de-canonized the EU on April 24, 2014 and basically issued a "cease & desist" order against it. It was then put into cold storage so they could rip and gouge pieces of it like the carcass of some dead animal. Pieces that would then lazily and apathetically be taped or tacked onto their flaccid and impotent material. Material that would then be served up to the casual fan masses as "new material".
    I, along with many other fans wanted the EU to continue, even as a separate but, parallel universe and Di$ney of course said, _"No."_ It was either _"Like what we offer and are shoving down everyone's throat OR... there's the 'EXIT' door"._ Well, it's almost been about 14 yrs. since I walked out that door and haven't looked back, nor will I ever be back as I know that no amount of "fixing" can ever repair what they have made Star Wars into - a rotting and burping cesspool of gender identity nonsense and modern feminism garbage...

  • @Twiceborn_by_grace
    @Twiceborn_by_grace 4 місяці тому

    Maybe I should’ve watched more of the video, but I just wanted to say that I like the thought of the EU. I’m more of a topical reader when I find something I like. So it’s okay if something isn’t canon. Atleast when it comes to certain things.

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому

      Lifes too short to read books you don't want to/don't like. Do what works for you!

  • @Montie-Adkins
    @Montie-Adkins 4 місяці тому

    I wanted to like Zahn's trilogy of Thrawn, but it never worked for me. The first Dark Empire comics and Tales of the Jedi comics were great though.

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому +1

      Dark Empire was AWESOME

    • @Montie-Adkins
      @Montie-Adkins 4 місяці тому

      @@mikesbookreviews It became the plot of the Sequel Trilogy, though other characters filled the roles Luke and Leia played.

  • @Floar
    @Floar 4 місяці тому +1

    The quality of the writing just isn't there after reading bunch of "real" scifi and fantasy books. Solid quick 3-4 star reads most of them though. After Thrawn, the Corellian trilogy was probably my favorite.

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому +1

      Sure, SW is never going to be big time for hard SF readers.

  • @Maximus0623
    @Maximus0623 4 місяці тому

    I read and enjoyed the Thrawn trilogy. After that, the amount of books seems daunting. Is there a list of essential/best books to read? Or should you just read everything? I’m more referring to post Thrawn Trilogy timeline.

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому

      Sure. Check my Where you should start with the Star Wars EU" video. I give options in there.

    • @Maximus0623
      @Maximus0623 4 місяці тому

      @@mikesbookreviews Found and watched. Exactly what I was looking for! Virtually everyone who has read the legends books says they’re better than the sequels and Disney shows. I’m a huge SW fan and decided to read the better timeline. Thanks for responding!

  • @Matthewwithers33
    @Matthewwithers33 4 місяці тому

    I loved the EU novels and was so excited when Disney got it thinking they would follow the novels but they didn’t and then said they had no material to work with. I even gave them grace and let that slide but…. When they started their rhetoric and preaching their beliefs at me and started degrading their fans then that’s when I stopped

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому

      Yep. Was thrilled and thought we'd get New Jedi Order due to the actors ages. NOPE.

  • @jeffhouse3201
    @jeffhouse3201 4 місяці тому

    Vector Prime was the biggest kick in the teeth for me to read in these books. I still won’t reread that book even when revisiting NJO.

  • @Zechree
    @Zechree 4 місяці тому

    Have you read light of the Jedi? I haven’t finished the high republic trilogy but that first book was surprisingly good.

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому

      Nah, I tapped out on the new canon pretty quick

  • @nick_a_93
    @nick_a_93 4 місяці тому +1

    I turned to the EU after the sequels came out, looking for something that wasn't hot garbage. The Darth Bane Trilogy was where i started and it was great. Picked up Heir To The Empire recently as well because of your older EU video and i thought it was great too, I've really gotta continue that soon

  • @andybarker8787
    @andybarker8787 4 місяці тому

    I don’t think I have ever agreed with a subject more completely.

  • @DarthArtoo4
    @DarthArtoo4 4 місяці тому

    Been reading through the EU in release order. Definitely a fair share of duds in there, but it’s still way better than what Disney has been giving us. Legends forever!

  • @jimsf5093
    @jimsf5093 4 місяці тому

    What do you thing about the revenge of the sith novelization?I tried it and the writing style is a little.difficult for me with a lot of description.Does it get better/change later in the book?

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому

      I didn't read the novelization so I cannot say

  • @Myles995
    @Myles995 4 місяці тому

    That would make for a great podcast... hit a chapter a week and discuss.

  • @jthespiceoflife
    @jthespiceoflife 4 місяці тому

    Yes I feel that new Star Wars is not good but Mando season 1 was great!
    You think that moff Gideon was not was a bit scary?

  • @GrapplingBook
    @GrapplingBook 4 місяці тому +1

    Where should we start with the EU?

  • @madLphnt
    @madLphnt 4 місяці тому +5

    If you don't like Mandalorian thats your loss in my opinion.

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому +2

      I liked the first 2 seasons. But glad you're enjoying it.

    • @flabebe2615
      @flabebe2615 4 місяці тому

      @@mikesbookreviews Did you watch Andor as well? If so, did you like it? Because Andor and Mandalorian S1 & S2 are the main things why im hesitend to ignore Disney Star Wars and not just stick to the EU.

    • @trevturp6891
      @trevturp6891 4 місяці тому

      @@flabebe2615 What about Rogue One, TCW Season 7, Rebels, The Bad Batch, Tales of The Jedi, Jedi Fallen Order, and Jedi Survivor? Are those projects also the reason why you are hesitant on ignoring Disney Star Wars and not just sticking to Legends?

    • @flabebe2615
      @flabebe2615 4 місяці тому

      @@trevturp6891 Well, yes of course you are right in most parts! I wanted to keep it short and kind of counted Rogue One as a part Andor, TCW Season 7 is part of the rest of TCW, which is like the movies both legends and canon timeline, Rebels, the bad batch, tales of the jedi and the jedi: games are all good enough and even great in some parts, but i could live without them. For me personally, i allways try to combine the best parts of both timelines because both have great and mediocre stuff, but i hate the mindset of mine that: if i want to include for example Rebels i kind of have to include the Ahsoka show, because, of course the Rebels would still be around anywhere and thats what happened. But I dont like the ahsoka show and therefore am hesitend to include rebels or even the mandalorian to an instance into my headcanon.

    • @trevturp6891
      @trevturp6891 3 місяці тому

      @@flabebe2615 TCW doesn't fit in Legends. It contradicts a lot of things that happened in Legends.

  • @OleanderRainbow
    @OleanderRainbow 4 місяці тому

    I actually liked Hemlock in Bad Batch (hell, I prefer animated Star Wars over the movies in general).

  • @the80sguy80
    @the80sguy80 4 місяці тому +2

    I don`t care what they say, I still consider "Legends" cannon. You can`t erase the past.

  • @elaineirving77
    @elaineirving77 4 місяці тому +2

    Love the EU ❤

  • @timmeyer9191
    @timmeyer9191 4 місяці тому

    Are the authors and other people that put together the EU books still getting paid for them? I heard somewhere that Disney tried to cut them out of their contractual payment agreements they had with Lucasfilm.

  • @timmytv7554
    @timmytv7554 4 місяці тому +1

    100% agreed. Just because Disney unilaterally declared prior works as non-canon does not mean fans have to accept it.

  • @GeorgeZimmermen
    @GeorgeZimmermen 3 місяці тому +1

    You ARE a bad person if you like the direction Disney is going

  • @iSamwise
    @iSamwise 4 місяці тому

    Have you read much of Matthew Stovers Star Wars books? His look to be the most interesting to me…

  • @Emroczart
    @Emroczart 4 місяці тому

    Mike you should start recording audio books of the sweu cause I’ve never seen any

    • @calebcox4963
      @calebcox4963 4 місяці тому

      There are a bunch of unabridged audiobooks of the EU, though many EU books still do not have one. They're even still making some for "Essential Legends" books, including the X-Wing series and others.

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому

      I've heard they're available but only in abridged versions? Weird.

    • @calebcox4963
      @calebcox4963 4 місяці тому

      Many are only abridged (such as all of NJO), but there are a lot of unabridged ones available too, including most Zahn books (except Choices of One I think), Darth Bane trilogy, most of the X-Wing series (others forthcoming) and a lot more. They’re on Audible, but often it’s possible to get them through Libby, depending on your public library.

  • @bottle1211
    @bottle1211 4 місяці тому +2

    Its not even worth hate watching.

    • @gerrade71278
      @gerrade71278 4 місяці тому +1

      Since tha Acolyte it has been possible to watch streamers hate-watch the entire episodes for you. Did not give D+ a single minute of streaming time yet got to witness what an absolute train wreck of a production it was. My seven year old could have created a more logical story line.

    • @mikesbookreviews
      @mikesbookreviews  4 місяці тому +1

      Ha ha I don't do it