Death Star (Star Wars)

Death Star, which parallels the timeline of the original Star Wars : A New Hope story, was a very satisfying read. The thirteen main characters in the story and their roles are listed in the front of the book, but the novel was so well-written, I didn't need to refer to the list. Each character had a back story, but the focus was on the present. I had never thought about the constructors of the death star and how they felt when its power was demonstrated. I recommend this book to anyone who is a Star Wars fan.
--Anita, Seattle

The book has a very interesting premise, but the book does not live up to the promise of having the story of the Death Star told from the side of 'the common person'. The flaw in the book is that the reader never really cares much about the characters. It makes for a decent book if you are the kind of person who reads all of the Star Wars novels, but the book is far from gripping for a casual Star Wars reader.

Like many of the reviewers before me I really enjoyed this book. The first 250 pages (The "Construction" section) were very engaging. The people on the death star are deep, dynamic characters. The final 100 pages is taken verbatim from the movie "A New Hope" in terms of the dialogue with usually 1 or 2 sentences of internal thought after each spoken line. Definitely a library read, I would not recommend buying this book since it appears to be a stand alone and not part of a series. Sadly a strong start with just a so-so ending. This book is a must read for any fan of Star Wars EU. If you have to ask what EU is, then it probably is not for you.

The Death Star is finished. 2 planets--Despayre and Alderaan have been obliterated. Some of the crew are appalled and wish to desert their posts. But getting OFF the Death Star won't be easy. Their best chance is to work together. Can they get out before it's too late?

I've read about 30 star wars novels throughout the years, and without a doubt, this one had the least amount of action compared to all the others I've read. Death Star very much reminded me of a soap opera. I also think the authors forgot that Star Wars is not Science Fiction; it's a space FANTASY, so when they spend 2 pages explaining inconsequential technology that exists in their heads, it feels like your reading pages of "Blah blah blah blah". My final beef with this book is that the last 100 pages of it overlap Episode 4 and alot of time is spent reading the darn script that any starwars fan should know by heart. Even if you are a big star wars fanboy, avoid this book cause you're seriously not missing anything.

I really liked the first 250 pages. Interesting read about the process of constructing the Death Star, from the technical details to the daily nuances. Vader and Tarkin were interesting characters, too.

Then around page 250 the story reached events that happen right at the beginning of the movie "Episode IV: A New Hope", and from then on any scenes with Vader or Tarkin in them are simply word-for-word re-enactments of their scenes from the movie, and themselves as characters lose their spark.

I read Star Wars novels to experience something different from what I've already seen in the movies. I would've liked this book much better if it had ended with the Death Star still under construction, or ended with the destruction of Alderaan. But after the events from the movie intertwined, I lost interest pretty quick.

"I find your lack of faith disturbing"... *choke*

Well told story of the Death Star from the Impirial perspective of a Tie fighter pilot, canteen owner, archivist, architect, bouncer and sundry others. Tells more about the people who were in command and the lead up to "A New Hope".

Good to read background to station and ties in with other Star Wars books.

While some may have found the various subplots disjointed or confusing, I found them to be entertaining. I enjoyed reading about new minor characters in the SW universe and seeing how they came together. But what I especially liked about the book was seeing the other side of "A New Hope" from Tarkin's and Vader's eyes. A fun book to read that I didn't want to put down.

This book was absolutely amazing, it answered questions about how Qui Xux was still involved with the Death Star after Episode II, and really gave an awesome perspective into those who work for the Empire. Over all a great, and quick read, definitely one that is worth purchasing.

Grand Moff Tarkin for three decades lobbied for the Death Star, a war vessel the size of a large moon, to be built. His dream comes to fruition as his killing ship with its special pandemic death weaponry is constructed in outer space in the Horuz Sector by residents of the nearby prison planet Despyre.

Lieutenant Commander Vil Dance is euphoric to be a fighter pilot on the Death Star. After her cantina burned down in Imperial City Memah Roothes and her bouncer Rodo open another one on the Death Star . Dr. Gli Divini has not been allowed to leave the service and when he is transferred to the Death Star, it is just another undesirable assignment to him. Political prisoner Teela Kaarz jumps at the chance to get off of Despyre and use her skills as an architect on Death Star. Master Chief Petty Officer Tenn Graneet wants to be the one to use the largest laser in the known universe. Planet prisoner Ratua Dil, a Zelosiann is a con artist smuggler and who sneaks onto the Death Star and blends in with the crew. It is only after two worlds are annihilated that these crewmembers realize what they work on and want out; with the help of an archivist and a librarian they may be able to escape.

For those living on a far planet in a distant time, the Death Star is the massive starship that Luke and company destroyed in the original Star Wars movie. STAR WARS: DEATH STAR takes a look inside the humongous weapon of planetary destruction-ship at the crew and ordinary people living in something the size of a large moon. Readers will see first hand the normal everyday folks who make the Death Star work and their elation to be part of it turning to horror as worlds are destroyed by its weaponry. Cameo appearances by a who's who of the 1977 movie adds a sense of time and place to a fascinating character study of everyday people caught up in supporting the atrocities of deliberate genocide of the innocent as a terrorist effort to defeat the opposition.

Harriet Klausner

This book falls far short of the potential. There are so many mundane and insignificant characters that it's difficult to sort them all out and see where they fall in the main story. A better premise was to focus on the sabotage, the Rebellion's presence in and out of the station and how the Empire, and particularly Tarkin and Vader deal with them.

I'm surprised by the lack of quality storyline here. No one cares about Tarkin's love life, Death Star libraries and cantinas. Focus next time on plot, the antagonist (in this case the Rebellion), and how the shifting battle between good and evil culminate into the station's completion. Then you'll have a very good Death Star novel.

Steve Perry's "Shadows of the Empire" remains my favorite SW-related novel, and the fact that he co-wrote this one is the only reason I picked it up. I enjoyed the way the authors were able to integrate a new story with new characters into the existing events of Episode IV.

Still, I was really hoping this book would answer the question of how the Empire managed to build the second Death Star in less than three years after it took nearly twenty to build the first one. I was waiting for someone to say something like, "You know, they're secretly building another one in the Endor system, and it's going to be twice as big as this one, blah blah blah..."

The story fell flat with very uninteresting characters. I kept waiting for them to have some sort of goal, mission or adventure. They had boring backstory, they met, then they get up and leave. Vader and Tarkin were developed well.

Forget those long reviews. This book is cool. It adds depth to the story you already know and love. There is overlap in the timeline with the movie, but it'll make you want to watch episode 4 again. This one got me hooked on the Star Wars books.

I greatly enjoyed this book and am hoping there will be a sequel. Some of the latest SW books have not been great, and I really only read them because they were SW. Great book, would def recommend to anyone!

I really enjoyed Death Star. I liked the view from the other side! The new characters along with how they interacted with the original charcters in the A New Hope made the book very enjoyable. We always have to remember, there is always another side to the story.

I'm looking forward to reading more Star Wars books. This book was good. I need more words; ok how's this: This was a very very very very very very good book. There! now I can submit my review. ;-)

To call this book "disjointed" is perhaps the understatement of the century (or at least this century so far.) Clocking in at 75 chapters spread out over only 384 pages, if you find yourself bored with one plotline you can be assured that in about 5.12 pages you will be reading an entirely different one. I was shocked to find that only two authors were involved in this production, as I could envision this being cobbled together by no less than thirty, with each of them turning in their 10 pages of fan fiction to the editors that sleepwalked through this one. Example, a Lieutenant Commander on page one suddenly becomes a Lieutenant on page two, seemingly demoted for thinking of having a rug knitted for his Star-Destroyer cabin. (I only wish I was making that up!)

In summary, if you are a "completist" and must have all the SW books, do yourself a favor and get de-programmed by watching Phantom Menace three times straight and then don't buy this book. At the very least wait for the paperback.

I'll give this one 1 star for the inspired use of chapter breaks (about 85 pages worth of blank space) that you can use to write your own (most likely superior) SW novel.

Why do authors keep putting out 'unofficial' star wars books. these are not official star wars Canon. Another boring books with dull characters and pointless drivel.

Disappointing because we don't find out anything important about the death star or how the plans were stolen. Star Wars books are not that good because they Have the Potential to go againtst George lucas's vision and canon. Don't bother reading this one. I wasted my time reading it and learned nothing

I recently purchased Death Star as one of around 14 EU novels that I was to consider my second and likely final visit to Star Wars books. I am a woman, that while I appreciate a solid story and plot, I usually focus on characters when reading or watching a tale unfold. I purchased Death Star *solely* because I saw Wilhuff Tarkin on the Main Character page at the front of the book. I, personally, think that Sir Peter Cushing's Grand Moff Tarkin is The Man in ANH...without question, Tarkin is my favorite character in the entire film.

I am usually wary of reading reviews prior to reading a story myself but in the case of Death Star, I'm extremely grateful to the 1 Star reviews here on the store that informed me that my two biggest fears regarding Tarkin's portrayal in this novel are well founded. Well, I for one, *refuse* to see Tarkin as hopelessly evil or as a dog. Thus, I give this story a pass and say in closing: Thank you, Sir Peter for bringing a quiet humanity to Tarkin that few dare acknowledge. You are remembered, Sir!