I'm so thrilled to join in the cover reveal for War of Torment by Ronie Kendig releasing from Enclave Publishing in April 2023! This is the fourth and final epic conclusion to the space opera series, The Droseran Saga, and is available to preorder in hardcover now! 

"Waiting on Wednesday"/"Can't Wait Wednesday" is a weekly meme now hosted by Wishful Endings, where you feature a yet-to-be-released title you're anticipating!

Title: Dawn of Vengeance [The Droseran Saga #4] 
Author: Ronie Kendig
Release Date: April 2023

About the Book:

"The time for peace is over—now he demands vengeance. 

They followed him back. Against his will, against his intention. Now enemies threaten from every direction. Amidst it all Marco Dusan struggles to lead his people, to help them survive, even mayhap win the war. He will take any advantage to even the odds. But only after tragedy strikes does he learn just how much he’s willing to sacrifice. 

He's not alone. Droserans fight as one, united against the offworlders—Symmachians who covet their planet. With the aid of unexpected allies, the Droserans battle on longer than anyone could have anticipated. Yet they cannot win. And the Faa’Cris, those supernatural warriors, fair of face and fierce of mien, do nothing. 

But not all have turned their backs. After a bitter year of pain and loss, Kersei Dragoumis navigates a new heritage, ever intent on defending her people. Like her, light-years away from the Quadrants and even farther from the girl she thought she was, Eija Zacdari must come to terms with a new role. Or, rather, with an ancient one. And her success or failure may determine back in the Quadrants who lives and who dies. 

In the end, Marco will have vengeance for the torment brought by this war. No matter the price. Not even if the price is his soul. "

I became a HUGE Star Wars fangirl in high school thanks to their Expanded Universe novels (now rebranded as Star Wars Legends) and the very first New Jedi Order series book I read was Balance Point, written by Kathy Tyers.  When I later discovered she was one of the earliest traditionally published Christian Sci-Fi writers, I immediately picked up her annotated/re-released Firebird trilogy.  In Crystal Witness, Tyers combines space opera with art (along with a touch of dystopia) and sets the stage for her new upcoming sci-fi series, The Sunstone Saga.  Read on for a complete review and a chance to win signed copies of two of Kathy's past works and a set of Star Wars miniature figures! 

Title:  Crystal Witness
Author: Kathy Tyers
Published: 2020 by Enclave Publishing

About the Book:

"Her memories are blocked. Her freedom is gone. Her crime is a mystery.

When Ming Dalamani awakens from twenty years of suspended animation, she recalls only fragments of her former life: the life she led before she was arrested by the governing interplanetary corporation, Renasco, for a now unremembered crime.

Relocated to an alien world far from the only home she has ever known, Ming serves a powerful Renasco representative to repay her debt. But daily she lives with deadly threats from two men—the hideous mutant Zardir Huekk and the handsome, secretive musician Tieg Innig—who both want the same thing: information. Renasco-trained as a calligrapher in three dimensions, Ming begins to remember more: a clan, a mission, and interstellar piracy.

Ming must decide where her loyalties lie: with her powerful new employer, with a budding resistance movement… or elsewhere."

The Artist Librarian Review:

Crystal Witness is my favorite sci-fi novel I've read so far this year!  I wasn't sure if I would totally enjoy the novel from the summary, but it was by Kathy Tyers and I was intrigued by the protagonist being a calligrapher and vaguely presenting as Asian from her name and the cover art.  I was not disappointed and actually rather surprised at how much art was a central theme to the story!  Having a background in studio art, I adored all of the artistic methods, mediums, and accuracy in descriptions, both the traditional (such as contour drawings, typography, etc.) and the author-created futuristic (such as three dimensional calligraphy).  The idea of the precise, drill-like tradition of calligraphy being the ultimate punishment for a creative visual artist is genius and the way Ming was able to still find joy and satisfaction in her work made me cheer.  With modern lettering and calligraphy making a comeback, I found it something very fun to find in a sci-fi novel.  Tyers' other descriptive details such as music, culture, and different world-building elements are equally well done.

This novel was originally released in 1989, but revised for its 2020 publication and honestly, I don't know how much was edited or changed, but it didn't really feel dated at all.  There are also slight dystopian, suspense, and romantic elements as Ming navigates her new life and struggles to figure out who she can trust.  Another thing I really enjoyed were side characters such as the ambitious Holjpip, supportive Lyra, and the mysterious Tieg.  Though marketed as Christian Sci-Fi, I couldn't really see a whole lot of spiritual elements other than some characters referring to presumably monotheistic gods. However readers could also consider the ethical or moral implications of certain policies or technologies in this universe as thought-provoking. I also understand that the upcoming sequel series, The Sunstone Saga, will have stronger spiritual elements.

As a side note, there was one use of the word sl-t that a side-bit character used as an assumption about another character, which dropped me out of the story for a very brief moment because I've only seen Edgy Christian Fiction use the term and any similar descriptions utilized in-universe slang but I know some readers would want to be aware.  However, I still think the novel has high crossover appeal to both teen and adult sci-fi fans, along with Christian and General Market Fiction since, though full of action, the violence is never gratuitously graphic and romance elements are tastefully handled as well.  I recommend this to fans of Tyers' previous works, sci-fi franchises such as Star Trek, or fellow Enclave Publishing author Ronie Kendig's Brand of Light.

About the Author:

Kathy Tyers is widely published in speculative fiction, including her award-winning Firebird series and two licensed Star Wars “Legends” novels, as well as a travel book, a writing reference book, and a memoir co-written for classical guitarist Christopher Parkening. Her messiah-in-space novel Daystar, fifth in the Firebird series, won a 2013 Carol Award, and her terraforming/genetic engineering science fiction novel Shivering World won the 2019 Christy Award for Visionary Fiction. At home in southwest Montana with her husband William Gillin, Kathy focuses on writing, teaching music, and freelance editing.

Giveaway:

Title: Dawn of Vengeance [The Droseran Saga #2] 
Author: Ronie Kendig
Release Date: December 8, 2020

About the Book:

"A haunting prophecy upended his identity. Now it demands his life.

Once a formidable bounty hunter, Marco Dusan is plagued by insecurity as he tours the realm he now rules. This quiet, backwater planet is not as untouched as he’d once thought. Evidence of collusion between Droseran factions and the powerful Symmachians with their forbidden technology litters his encounters. Worse, all signs indicate Xisya, the alien who tortured him, is still snatching Kynigos Brethren—but to what end?

Corporal Eija Zacdari works hard to win a coveted place on the Symmachian hyperjump program, but instinct tells her their intel is flawed. Despite nearly failing the tests, she is assigned to the team—and lands in the middle of a bewildering conspiracy.

Haunted by a prophecy that promises pain and war, Marco forges alliances to protect the primitive world against Symmachia’s devastating influence. But one truth becomes painfully clear: the biggest threat to their world may be much, much closer to home."

Ever since Ronie Kendig debuted her first romantic suspense novel 10 years ago, she's become well known for her portrayal of multi-dimensional military protagonists.  In 2015, I was pleasantly surprised to find her publishing her first fantasy novel and was even more excited this year to learn about Brand of Light, since Sci-Fi novels in the Christian/Inspirational market are as rare as finding Jedi in the original Star Wars trilogy.  Read on for my full review and a chance to win a copy of Brand of Light and the most awesome prize package!

© 2019 Enclave Publishing

"There’s a price on her head, and it has everything to do with the brand on her arm.

Tertian Space Coalition has blessed every planet in the quadrants with high technology, save one: Drosero. But in spite of their tenuous treaty with the ruling clans, TSC has plans for the backward planet. And they’re not alone.

After a catastrophic explosion, Kersei Dragoumis awakens in a derelict shuttle, alone, injured, and ignorant of the forbidden technology that has swept her into a nightmare. The brand she’s borne since childhood burns mysteriously, but the pain is nothing to that when she learns her family is dead and she is accused of their murders.

Across the quadrants, Marco Dusan responds to the call of a holy order—not to join them, but to seek a bounty. Gifted—or cursed—with abilities that mark him a Kynigos, a tracker sworn to bring interplanetary fugitives to justice, Marco discovers this particular bounty has nothing to do with justice and everything to do with prophecy. One that involves the hunter as much as the hunted."

About the Author:

"Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author of over twenty titles. An Army brat, Ronie lives a shot train ride from New York City with her husband, twin sons, and two fur-sons, VVolt N629, a retired military working dog, and Benning the Stealth Golden. Described as an empath by her literary agent, Ronie has used her degree in psychology to write books that have won the coveted Christy Award, Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, HOLT Medallion Award, and more. Her books have also hit the CBA Bestseller List multiple times."

To celebrate her tour, Ronie is giving away the grand prize package of a Tinted Prose edition of Brand of Light, Galaxy Tumbler, “Kersei” Dio Adorable Candle, 3 Character Cards (Marco, Kersei, and Tigo), and 2 Maps (a map of Drosero and a planetary map)!! Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Enter here:


https://promosimple.com/ps/f2e2/brand-of-light-celebration-tour-giveaway
Through the Fire Blogs, December 14
April Hayman, Author, December 14
 Hallie Reads, December 14
amandainpa, December 15
Inside the Wong Mind, December 15
Christian Chick’s Thoughts, December 16
Wishful Endings, December 16
Pause for Tales, December 16
A Reader’s Brain, December 17
 Faery Tales Are Real, December 17
Simple Harvest Reads, December 18
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 18
Where Faith and Books Meet, December 18
 Texas Book-aholic, December 19
Mia Reads Blog, December 19
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, December 20
Betti Mace, December 20
Books, Life, and Christ, December 20
 Just the Write Escape, December 21
Britt Reads Fiction, December 21
Blogging With Carol , December 22
A Good Book and Cup of Tea, December 22
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 23
All-of-a-kind Mom, December 23
The Artist Librarian, December 23 [YOU ARE HERE!]
Emily Yager, December 24
 mypreciousbitsandmusings, December 24
Bakerkella, December 25
Worthy2Read, December 25
janicesbookreviews, December 26
Tell Tale Book Reviews, December 26
Just Your Average reviews, December 26
Inklings and notions, December 27
Splashes of Joy, December 27

Over the years, I have read hundreds of books, and on occasion, I have run into several characters that reminded me a bit of myself.  This Top Tuesday was a fun theme to try out and is from the That Artsy Reader Girl blog.

"I looked at him, and saw myself." - Hiccup Haddock III (DreamWorks' How to Train Your Dragon)



1. Felicity Merriman (American Girl Series by Valerie Tripp):
--The American Girl series and Little House on the Prairie books got me into historicals when I was in elementary school.  While Felicity and I don't really have a lot in common personality-wise (she felt much braver than me and abhorred "proper lady" things like sewing and such), she was the first book character that had siblings in the exact same gender and order as I did (until my youngest brother came along).  I also could totally relate to her as the eldest and her relationship with Nan the "perfect younger sister" too!

2. Meg Murry (A Wrinkle in Time et al. by Madeleine L'Engle):
--From the very first chapter, Margaret "Meg" Murry came alive and was instantly relatable as a young tween/teen.  Meg was also the oldest child and her feelings of awkwardness, ordinariness, and dislike/frustration with herself (I think self-loathing is too harsh a term, but you know what I mean) ... I felt she was just like me (minus her genius level math skills).  Watching Meg grow up throughout the books made me hope that those awkward adolescent phases would pass and that I might run into a Calvin O'Keefe of my own someday ...

3.  Lehman Bardon (The DragonKeeper Chronicles by Donita K. Paul)
--While I adore and slightly relate to the protagonist wizard apprentice and DragonKeeper, Kale Allerion, I chose to list Bardon, the by-the-book squire introduced in the second novel of this series.  Initially, Kale thinks of him as a strict, stuffy rule follower, but I could relate to Bardon's caution and introvert tendencies.  Being thrust on a quest because his superior denies him the chance to become a squire, the young lehman questioned what his future would hold if unable to continue down the path to knighthood that he had trained for his whole life.  That uncertainty of the future was something I was familiar with when I first read the series as a young adult ...

4.  Jennifer Lim (Sushi Series by Camy Tang):
--While I love all of the cousins in the Sakai family, Jennifer Lim was the one whose personality seemed closest to my own.  I'm thankful that Camy Tang chose to write a novella for Jen after she finished the trilogy covering her other cousins, but I've always wished that it could have been a full length novel like the other girls got ... Not sure if Zondervan still has publishing rights for the Sushi Series, but if so, they TOTALLY dropped the ball when they could have hyped up this series as the Contemporary Christian Fiction alternative to Crazy Rich Asians (which was also published years before CRA)!

5.  Barriss Offee (Star Wars Legends novels by various authors)
--Before the animated Clone Wars series messed it up, I really liked Barriss Offee --serious, studious, compassionate ... I could relate to her type of upbringing and balancing what you were taught and how that works when the rest of the world doesn't share all of those views ...

6.  Matthias (Redwall by Brian Jacques)
--There's so many characters that Brian Jacques created that I love, but Matthias was the first.  He's clumsy, makes mistakes, but he doesn't give up and becomes a legendary hero in his own right. 

7.  Jill Pole (The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis)
--In case you haven't sensed a theme with these characters ... I relate to those ordinary, everyperson types.  Jill isn't brave at first, but through Aslan and her adventures in Narnia, finds her voice and the courage to stand out and be a hero.

8.  Princess Yona (Yona of the Dawn manga by Mizuho Kusanagi)
--A sheltered princess forced to grow up quickly after her father loses the throne to an usurper, I can relate to Yona's slight obliviousness at times, but also to her sense of justice and desire to rely on herself and not trouble others.

9.  Elinor Dashwood (Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen)
--I always picture myself as the least emotional sister, the one the holds it together, the oldest, responsible one ... Kind of like Elinor.  While she's not my favorite Austen heroine (it's Lizzy Bennett of course), I think she's the one who's the most like me.

10. Rose Campbell (Rose in Bloom by Louisa May Alcott)
--Even though it was written over 100 years ago, Rose was going through a lot of things girls everywhere do when growing up. I could relate with Rose in many aspects ... troubles with superficial friends, temptation to do things (i.e. read books) that parents or guardians don't want you to, wanting to make a difference with your life, using your gifts for good, trying to discover your heart and letting yourself fall in love ... not that I've fallen in love, when Mac Campbell is out there setting high standards, LOL.

Who are some literary characters that you relate to?

The MedStar duology written by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry is one of my favorite Star Wars Prequel Era tales.  It's like M*A*S*H meets Star Wars!  ^_^

© 2004 Del Rey

Title: Star Wars: MedStar I: Battle Surgeons [Star Wars: MedStar Duology #1] 
Authors: Michael Reeves & Steve Perry
Published: 2004 by Del Rey

About the Book:

As civil war between the Republic and the Separatists rages across the galaxy, nowhere is the fighting more fierce than on the swamp world of Drongar, where a beleaguered mobile hospital unit wages a never-ending war of its own…

A surgeon who covers his despair with wisecracks; another who faces death and misery head-on, venting his emotions through beautiful music … A nurse with her heart in her work and her eye on a doctor … A Jedi Padawan on a healing mission without her Master … These are the core members of a tiny med unit serving the jungle world of Drongar, where battle is waged over the control of a priceless native plant, and an endless line of medlifters brings in the wounded and dying—mostly clone troopers, but also soldiers of all species.

While the healers work desperately to save lives, others plot secretly to profit from the war—either by dealing on the black market or by manipulating the events of the war itself. In the end, though, all will face individual tests, and only those of compassionate hearts and staunch spirits can hope to survive to fight another day.

The Artist Librarian's Reflection Review: 
I'm more of an "Original Trilogy and after" fan.  The things I liked most about the Prequel Trilogy and Clone Wars were the costumes, battle choreography, and special effects.  However, there were a few Star Wars characters I loved from this era and one of them was Bariss Offee (as depicted in novels like this, not the CGI Clone Wars series).  Despite this book now being branded as part of the "Star Wars Legends" continuity and no longer part of the official timeline since Disney acquired the franchise, I still look back on Battle Surgeons fondly.

If Michael A. Stackpole & Aaron Allston's X-Wing series is Top Gun meets Star Wars, Michael Reaves & Steve Perry's MedStar Duology is surely M*A*S*H meets Star Wars.  Like the X-Wing series that mostly followed original characters not seen in the films, Battle Surgeons follows the day to day life of these doctors, nurses, and staff that operate on the front lines of the Clone Wars.  I was surprised how quickly I grew attached to these characters.  There's scenes reminiscent of a medical drama, there's espionage, mystery, action, romance, humor --all with a Star Wars flair.  I won't spoil the ending except to say, I hope you have the second book, Jedi Healer, close at hand after you finish --believe me, you'll be glad you did!  This duology is easily one of my favorite Prequel era tales.

About the Authors:

Michael Reaves is an Emmy Award-winning television writer and screenwriter who has written, story edited, or produced nearly four hundred teleplays for various series, including Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Twilight Zone, Sliders, and Monsters. He has published many books, including the New York Times bestseller Star Wars: Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter. He's also written short fiction, comic books, and the dialogue for a Megadeth video. He lives in California.

Steve Perry has sold dozens of stories to magazines and anthologies and has also written a considerable number of novels, animated teleplays, nonfiction articles, reviews, and essays, along with a couple of unproduced movie scripts. He wrote for the television show Batman: The Animated Series and was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Writing, and his novel Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire spent ten weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. He also wrote the bestselling novelization of the blockbuster movie Men in Black, and all of his collaborative novels for Tom Clancy s Net Force series have made the New York Times bestseller list. He is a recipient of the Willamette Writers Lifetime Achievement Award.

Have you read any Star Wars novels?  Were they "Legends" (published before April 2014) or part of the current timeline?

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, where you feature a yet-to-be-released title you're anticipating!

Title: Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Release Date: November 10, 2015 by Feiwel & Friends

1. I'm guessing this is Levana's hand?

About the Book:

"Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won't approve of her feelings for her childhood friend--the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn't as weak as Levana believes her to be and she's been undermining her stepmother's wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that's been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters? Fans will not want to miss this thrilling conclusion to Marissa Meyer's national bestselling Lunar Chronicles series."

Why I'm "WoW" about Winter:
I'm a relatively new "Lunartic" (a Lunar Chronicles fan) since I came upon the series in early 2014, but I love these fairy tale adaptations!  I like to call them Fairy Tales + Sci-Fi = A Series You Don't Want to Miss!  I actually still haven't read the "prequel" Fairest yet, which was released earlier this year, but I should be able to get to it while I wait for the library to process Winter.  One of the things I'm so excited about is the page count:  832 pages!  Excuse me while I let that sink in a moment ... Book #3, Cress, was 550 pages and it was a pretty substantial hardcover.  I can't imaging what Winter might look like!  Even though I don't want to say good-bye to Cinder and co. (after all, it seems like I've only just gotten to know them), at least I'll have a lot of time with them before the book is over. 

Have you read or watched fairy tale adaptations? What is your favorite fairy tale or adaptation of?  What do you think makes a good fairy tale adaptation? Also, if you've participated in "WoW" feel free to share!1. Winter by Marissa Meyer book cover. Feiwel & Friends, 2015.

I haven't done a Top Ten from the Broke and The Bookish's blog for awhile, so I thought I'd pop in with this. This week the theme is "Last Ten Books That Came Into My Possession" (e.g. bought, library, review copies, etc.). So in alphabetical order ...

A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer - "A teacher on the run.  A bounty hunter in pursuit.  Can two enemies learn to trust each other before they both lose what they hold most dear?"
I've read almost all of Karen's books: Christian/Inspirational historical romance usually set in the American West filled with wit and humor.  Just started this one, so keep an eye out for my review!






Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1) by Cassandra Clare - "Magic is dangerous - but love is more dangerous still."
I've heard of Cassandra Clare's books for years, so when I got an assignment for class that has us pick an ALA YALSA Teens' Top Ten book from 2010-2014, this steampunk title caught my eye.  It was the #1 pick for the Teens' Top Ten of 2011.  Though ... is it alright to start on this prequel to The Mortal Instruments series or would it be better to go with City of Bone first?





Cosplay World by Brian Ashcraft & Luke Plunkett - "Filled with striking images of costume play from around the world, this definitive look at the global phenomenon known as 'cosplay' examines its evolution from the fringes of society to the spotlight of modern culture." Earlier this summer, I looked at my local library system's catalog and discovered several titles on costuming and cosplay that I hadn't read.  I placed a hold request and it finally arrived!



Ender's Game (The Ender Quintet #1) by Orson Scott Card - "An outstanding tale of the child-hero Ender Wiggin, who must fight a desperate battle against a deadly alien race if mankind is to survive."
Another class assignment in which I have to choose a Margaret A. Edwards author and read two of his or her books. Currently debating between Card and Susan Cooper (The Dark is Rising sequence).  Any thoughts?






Fairest by Marissa Meyer - "In this stunning bridge book between Cress and Winter in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles, Queen Levana’s story is finally told."The longest line I waited in at the ALA Annual Conference's exhibit floor was for the Marissa Meyer book signing!  So worth it though --I had her sign my copy of Cinder and picked up Fairest.  I'm hoping to read this one before Winter comes out this fall.


High Style: Masterworks from the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan 
Museum of Art by Jan Reeder - "Published for the first time in paperback, this lavishly illustrated volume originally appeared in 2010 to celebrate the transfer of the Brooklyn Museum’s historic costume collection to The Metropolitan Museum of Art."
I was fortunate to see a portion of this costume collection this summer and purchased this book from the museum gift store (though I could have saved $10 if I ordered it through amazon.com, oops).  I can't wait to really peruse through this volume.



In Good Company (A Class of Their Own #2) by Jen Turano - "After growing up as an orphan, Millie Longfellow is determined to become the best nanny the East Coast has ever seen. Unfortunately, her playfulness and enthusiasm aren't always well received and she finds herself dismissed from yet another position ... "
I've heard great things about Jen Turano in the Christian/Inspirational book "bloggosphere" but never got around to her books.  I'm expecting something lighthearted and romantic.  If you've read her books, how would you describe them?




Legend by (Legend #1) Marie Lu - "In a nation at war, June and Day are fighting for revenge, honor, freedom --and each other."
Ranked #3 on the YALSA Teens' Top Ten of 2012, another possibility for my Teen Top Ten assignment.  It's a dystopian series I first came across while shelving books at the library.  Besides being highly rated by several friends on goodreads, I also am intrigued that it was written by a young, twenty-something, Asian, video game artist ...


Once Upon a Knit: 28 Grimm and Glamorous Fairy-Tale Projects by Genevieve Miller - "Iconic fairy-tale characters from storybooks, movies, and television inspire this collection of magical knitting patterns perfect for modern knights, villains, and princesses."
I like to look through arts and crafts books before purchasing if at all possible, so I requested this one from the library.  Though even if my library system didn't have it, I'd be sorely tempted to buy it from the title, cover, and description alone!  Do you do any needlecrafts?  Let's talk!


The False Prince (The Ascendance Trilogy #1) by Jennifer A. Nielson - "The False Prince is the thrilling first book in a brand-new trilogy filled with danger and deceit and hidden identities that will have readers rushing breathlessly to the end."
Voted #2 of the YALSA Teens' Top Ten of 2013, this medieval fantasy is the final possibility for my Teens' Top Ten assignment.  The Clockwork Angel, Legend, or The False Prince --which would you choose?

What have you recently added to your bookshelf?  If you've participated in today's Top Ten, I'd love to see your list!

First Throwback Thursday of October!  Elements from this reflection review were first posted on goodreads in Dec. 2010 & Jan. 2014.

(c.) Bantam Spectra

Title: Star Wars: Heir to the Empire
Author: Timothy Zahn
Published: 2011 by Del Ray; original 1991 by Bantam Spectra

Reflections and Thoughts: 20th Anniversary Edition - I absolutely love it when authors and publishers decide to re-release books with annotations or other extras.  For me, this commemorative edition was a wonderful addition to my Star Wars collection, perhaps because I previously had a used paperback copy, so I didn't mind "upgrading" to a better copy.  I found the annotations a neat "behind the scenes" look into the writing and publishing of the novel and wish that they annotated the rest of the trilogy ... I believe they didn't continue because of poor sales, which is understandable but still a shame.

I actually read this book last out of the Thrawn Trilogy and I remember thinking "I like the order I read it in better." I guess after reading books 2 and 3, I was expecting more from the beginning (e.g. I didn't expect Luke and Mara to meet up like that), but I still enjoy the trilogy as a whole and it does have the distinction of being the books that jump-started Star Wars expanded universe publishing and gave us the introduction of one of the most beloved Expanded Universe Characters, the Emperor's Hand, Mara Jade.

(c.) Del Ray

About the Book (from the 20th Anniversary Edition):

"Here is a special 20th anniversary edition of the #1 New York Times bestselling novel that reignited the entire Star Wars publishing phenomenon—featuring an Introduction and annotations from award-winning author Timothy Zahn, exclusive commentary from Lucasfilm and Del Rey Books, and a brand-new novella starring the ever-popular Grand Admiral Thrawn. The biggest event in the history of Star Wars books, Heir to the Empire follows the adventures of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia after they led the Rebel Alliance to victory in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi.

Five years after the Death Star was destroyed and Darth Vader and the Emperor were defeated, the galaxy is struggling to heal the wounds of war, Princess Leia and Han Solo are married and expecting twins, and Luke Skywalker has become the first in a long-awaited line of new Jedi Knights.

But thousands of light-years away, the last of the Emperor’s warlords—the brilliant and deadly Grand Admiral Thrawn—has taken command of the shattered Imperial fleet, readied it for war, and pointed it at the fragile heart of the New Republic. For this dark warrior has made two vital discoveries that could destroy everything the courageous men and women of the Rebel Alliance fought so hard to create.

The explosive confrontation that results is a towering epic of action, invention, mystery, and spectacle on a galactic scale—in short, a story worthy of the name Star Wars."

*Disclaimer: I am a member of the Del Rey's SWAT Team (Star Wars Action Team) through Fancorps.  I may earn points through their rewards program for completing missions such as posting book reviews or promoting new books but they are required to be my own opinion (whether positive or negative).  I am disclosing this connection according to FTC guidelines.*

There's a status post going around Facebook recently that goes something like this: 

"List 10 books that have stayed with you in some way.  Don't take more than a few minutes and do not think too hard.  They do not have to be the 'right' books or great works of literature, just ones that have affected you in some way.  Tag 10 friends and me so I can see your list." 

Books (c.) by their respective authors and publishers

So, besides the obvious (i.e. the Bible), here is my list (in order of when I thought of them, not importance).  I decided to do a blog post because I wanted to ... kind of annotate my choices.  Have you done this challenge?  Post your list below in the comments! 

1.  The Chronicles of Narnia - or anything by C.S. Lewis:  My first foray into Christian Fantasy and though I haven't gotten to much of Lewis' other works, what I have read is so ... thought provoking.  IMHO, the best Narnia book is The Horse and His Boy (because Shasta and Aravis are my favorites)!

2.  The Hunger Games trilogy - Suzanne Collins:  I'm not a huge fan, but it makes the list because of that ending!  The bittersweetness, the small bit of hope despite everything that happened --that barely made the tragedies worth it.  The ending was "realistic" and giving the characters some magical happy amnesia or "fix" would be a slap in the face to everything that had happened.  The realness of the consequences and the effect the Games had on the characters ... I don't always see that in the books I read.

3.  The DragonKeeper Chronicles - Donita K. Paul:  If C.S. Lewis made me a fan of Christian fantasy; she made me realize there were authors writing it today.  I totally related to Kale, the main character (I still do, actually) and the books made me love dragons.  LOL, they also may have given me my first fictional crush, a certain squire who will remain unnamed.  =P

4.  Pride and Prejudice; Sense and Sensibility - or anything by Jane Austen:  I admit, it's a combination both Jane Austen's wit and the recent films/BBC miniseries that made me love these books.  When I first began reading them as a teen, the books were hard for me to follow at times, so I started watching the BBC adaptations as I read and it really helped me to keep track of the different characters.  I don't know what it is about this time period that I love: the clothes, the manners, maybe just because it's British?  But it quickly became one of my favorite eras to read about.

5.  The Blood of Kings trilogy - Jill Williamson:  This Christian Fantasy series showed me that the genre was growing.  Christian Fantasy isn't just for kids and teens.  Aimed at older teens and adults, this more mature series is not without faults, however, I never wanted them to end.  It also showed me not to write off "smaller presses" such as Marcher Lord Press just because they weren't well known names such as Bethany, Zondervan, or Thomas Nelson.

6.  The Sushi Series - or anything by Camy Tang:  Contemporary Christian fiction, normally featuring Asian American characters.  I never really cared about the ethnic heritage of fictional characters (the writing and story is more important, right?) but I have to admit, there's a part of me that really loves seeing Asian Americans in Christian fiction.  Even though the novels are set on the Mainland and not Hawaii, there were a lot of Asian cultural things I could relate to.   She's definitely one of my favorite authors.

7.  Redwall - or anything by Brian Jacques:  Where to start with this author?  He was one of my favorites as a teen.  He helped me solidify my love of medieval-styled fantasy worlds and was a brilliant writer.  The riddles, songs, stories, quests ... and the descriptive details in his prose ... Plus, he wasn't afraid to show real consequences of battles and war (yes, some characters do die).  It's not just a story about mice, hares, moles, or badgers!  It's classic good vs. evil, with "old school" values of honor, bravery, duty, friendship, and love.  I dearly hope you rest in peace, Mr. Jacques.  Definitely one of the series I can't wait for any future children of mine to be old enough to read.  Oh, and if you aren't a huge reader, try borrowing the audiobooks from the library: read/acted/sang by a full cast and narrated by the late Mr. Jacques, it's like a radio theater production!

8.  A Wrinkle in Time; A Wind in the Door; A Swiftly Tilting Planet - Madeleine L'Engle:  I first read these three in middle school (thanks, Auntie Jayne).  It came at just the right time in my life: when I felt ugly, awkward, and stupid like the protagonist Meg Murry did.  I could totally relate to Meg: the eldest daughter, the precociously brilliant baby brother, that weird phase of life where you feel so ... wrong (sometimes I think I'm still in it, LOL).  In the end, through her love for her family, Meg learned to be a hero herself and seeing her grow up gave me hope that those awkward days would pass ... though I'm still trying to find my own "Calvin O'Keefe."  (Just kidding).  =P

9.  Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights or any Star Wars EU books: The Expanded Universe books have now been rebranded Star Wars: Legends since the Disney acquisition.  However, they're what really made me a fan of Star Wars, especially the post-Return of the Jedi novels.  I picked the "YJK" books to feature here, not because they're amazing writing (they're average for a kids' series), but because of the characters: how they stuck with me and how they became some of my favorite characters in the franchise as a whole ...

10.  Julie Lessman:  I might get called out for this, but anything by Julie Lessman.  She's definitely on the "spicy" side of sweet for Christian historical (I'll say it, romance!) authors and the CBA market in general, but compared to some other Christian authors of that genre, the spiritual aspect is strong (but not over the top "preachy").  For me, her books brought to life the passionate love God has for us, and they made me realize it's something I never want to compromise on.  Just make sure you read her books in order if you can!  There's always something that will keep you guessing 'til the end ...

Honorable mention (because the Little Women girls' retreat was on my mind): Rose in Bloom by Louisa May Alcott:  She's known for the Little Women series, but this book was my favorite of hers.  Similar to L'Engle's books, I think I was at the right age to appreciate this:  Rose Campbell was trying to find who she was as a person and where she fit in the world.  Even though it was written nearly 100 years ago, she faced a lot of things girls everywhere do when growing up.  I could relate with "the good girl" in many aspects ... and there was just a touch of romance that I was beginning to discover I really liked to read about...

So what's on your list?  Feel free to share it below in the comments.  Remember, it should only take several minutes to come up with the list: pick the first books that come to mind.  (Then if you're like me, you take hours annotating it.)  =P 

(Edited for formatting)

Some of my friends did the challenge on their blog as well --check them out!

holtfan @ Fernweh's Call

LoveLeigh @ Secretly Love Leigh