Book Review: Star Wars: Scourge SPOILERS!

The first Star Wars novel by Jeff Grubb, Scourge takes place in the New Republic era, when Bantam Spectra had reign of the Star Wars Expanded Universe novels. It takes place in 19 ABY. Synopsis: In the heart of crime-ridden Hutt Space, a Jedi Scholar searches for justice. While trying to obtain coordinates of a secret peril-packed but potentially beneficial trade route, a Jedi novice is killed--and the motive for his murder remains shrouded in mystery. Now his former Master, Mander Zuma, wants answers, even as he fights to erase doubts about his own abilities as a Jedi. What Mander gets is immersion into perilous underworld of the Hutts as he struggles to stay one step ahead in a game of smugglers, killers, and crime lords bent on total control.

The novel opens with the death of Jedi Knight Toro Irana on Makem Te. His Master, Mander Zuma, an archivist, has been dispatched by the Jedi Academy on Yavin IV on behalf of the New Republic. Mander is at a loss for his apprentice's death. Mander blames himself for Toro's death. Toro's sister, Reen, blames Mander, but quickly comes to his aid when he identifies that poison was used to kill her brother. The local Swokes Swokes and Rodians are trying to kill them. Koax, an aide to the Spice Lord, receives Toro's lightsaber from Dejarro. Dejarro is a Tempest--a hard spice--runner. Koax kills Dejarro for his failure to stop Mander and Reen. They identify the poison as Tempest. It's a new spice that showed up in 18 ABY and it's suddenly all over the galaxy. Toro's mission was to get coordinates for the Indrexu Spiral. The Hutts hold the answers so Mandar, Reen, and a Bothan named Eddey Be'ray head to meet with the Anjiliac clan's head, Popara Anjiliac Diresto. They talk to his aide Vago Gejalli Thokka and learn that Popara is willing to give the New Jedi Order the coordinates so long as Mander serves the Anjiliac clan. Things go awry, especially when the Bomu Rodian clan and Koax get involved on the plague-ridden planet of Endregaad. The Corporate Sector Authority also gets involved. Mika Anjiliac Chiera helps Mander and his allies by capturing two Tempest addicts during a fight. The CSA locks Mander and his allies, except Mika, up. Mander and his allies take Mika to Nal Hutta. Popara dies and Zonnos Anjiliac Priare accuses Mander, Reen, and Eddey. The trio escapes to Nar Shaddaa with Angela Krin, Lt. Cmdr in the CSA. Zonnos puts a price on their heads. Mika passes them info on the Tempest. They find out that Zonnos killed Popara. Mander kills Zonnos and Mika takes over the Anjiliac clan then demands that Mander and his allies leave Hutt Space. The Spice Lord is unimpressed with Koax's recent dealings. Through a couple of contacts, Mander, Reen, Eddey, and Angela head to Dennogra and confront Koax. Koax dies and the last of the Bomu clan die. The information leads them to Varl and Vago. It was a set up. Mika is the Spice Lord and has been behind the whole thing, including the death of his father. Mander fights Mika which results in Mika's death. The novel ends with an agreement between Vago Gejalli and Mander Zuma about the Anjiliac business model.

A great first Star Wars novel by Jeff Grubb. Considering this is based on the Tempest Feud game product for the Star Wars Roleplaying Game, from Wizards of the Coast which was written by Jeff Grubb and Owen K. C. Stephens. Very well crafted, great characterizations of the main characters from the RPG, and great prose. Grubb has demonstrated that he knows the Star Wars Expanded Universe as well as the World of Warcraft universe which he also writes in.

Book Review: A Black Jewels Novel: The Shadow Queen SPOILERS!

In 2009, Anne Bishop returned to her Black Jewels series with another tale but this time, the setting is in Terreille, in Dena Nehele. Synopsis: Dena Nehele is a decimated land. Once it was ruled by the corrupt Queens, who were wiped out when the land was cleansed of tainted Blood. Now only one hundred Warlord Princes stand...without a leader and without hope. Theran Grayhaven is the last of his line, desperate to restore Dena Nehele. But first he needs to find a Queen who knows Protocol, remembers the Blood's code of honor, and lives by the Old Ways. Languishing in the Shadow Realm, Lady Cassidy is a Queen without a court, a castoff. But when she is chosen to rule Dena Nehele, she must convince bitter men to serve once again. Theran's cousin Gray is a Warlord Prince who was damaged in mind and body by the vicious Queens who once ruled Dena Nehele. Yet something about Cassidy makes him want to serve--and makes him believe he can be made whole again. And only Cassidy can prove to Gray--and to herself--that wounds can heal and even the whisper of a promise can be fulfilled.

Two years ago in Terreille, the Warlord Princes were still fighting, both against the twisted Queens and the landen. Theran Grayhaven, descendant of Jared and Lia, looks over his families former estate before rejoining the fight. He and the rest of the Warlord Princes have been on a non-stop killing spree since Jaenelle's Witch Storm. Two years later, Theran calls all the Warlord Princes left in Dena Nehele, including his rival Ranon, a Shaladoran, and Talon, who has survived all these years as demon dead. He wants to bring back the Old Ways of the Blood and says he's going to Kaeleer to find Daemon Sadi, because he owes his family a debt. After several bouts of stupidity on Theran's part, including insulting Saetan SaDiablo and Jaenelle, he finally meets Daemon and tells him that Dena Nehele needs a Queen. Jaenelle, via Daemon and Saetan, suggests Cassidy. Cassidy hasn't been ruling since a young Queen named Kermilla took (read: stole) her court. One of Jaenelle's former First Circle court member, Aaron--who is a distant cousin of Cassidy's--wants to remove Kermilla for her betrayal. Cassidy wants to put it all behind her. She agrees to Jaenelle's suggestion. When Theran meets her, he takes an instant dislike to her because she's not attractive. The whole SaDiablo family turns cold toward him, and after agreeing to take Cassidy, since she's the only choice, and Vae, a Purple Dusk Sceltie who has yet to make the Offering to receive her higher Jewel.

They go to Dena Nehele. Once there, she finds the eleven men willing to serve, including Ranon and Talon; Theran has no choice because he signed a contract and is the final Warlord Prince. Ranon's lover, Shira, a Black Widow, becomes the court's healer. Cassidy takes a break and goes to visit the damaged gardens where she meets Gray and the link between them is forged because she cares for the land. Because of this, the secrets surrounding the Grayhaven estate become unraveled. The old honey pear tree, long dead, breaks and underneath are several preserved saplings as well as a pot containing a key. Cassidy demands to meet with the other Queens of Dena Nehele that are left and Theran blocks her every move. Talon goes to the Keep and meets Saetan where he finds out that Cassidy was chosen by Witch to serve and berates Theran for not asking questions. When Cassidy's moon time comes, Vae goes to the SaDiablo's for help on Lucivar's instructions. Cassidy takes refuge from the members of her court in Gray's shed in the gardens. Gray begins to wake up from his torture and claims Cassidy for his own. Lucivar arrives and sorts things out and suggests to Daemon and Saetan that they invite Cassidy, Theran, and Gray over so Gray can get first hand experience with interacting with people. Gray takes a liking to the SaDiablo's while Theran just wants to hide. Saetan sets some rules for their courtship and Lucivar decides how fast things will happen.

Back in Dena Nehele, Vae sniffs out where the key belongs. It unlocks a hidden compartment under Lia's old bed and in there are several journals from Lia's life, as well as her death (written by Thera) and another box that, when the bottom breaks, reveals another key. Following Lia's written advice about living [Cassidy's] life, Cassidy puts the key aside and focuses on ruling her court. She demands to go into town, and Theran--like he's been doing since she arrived--blocks her, but Talon and the whole court stands with her. Ranon uses this as an excuse to visit the Shalador Queens and brings back a few flowers that resemble the ones in a journal that Gray received from Cassidy's mother. In secret, Gray builds a garden and restores the area behind the house. Much to Theran's dismay, Cassidy protects a landen family from being assaulted by Blood males. She "draws the line" and her court, including Theran, backs her. The final spell is broken and Cassidy, after a restless night, hunts for the place where the key belongs. In the attic, she finds a trunk and places the key inside it. A bookcase swings open to reveal a room full of treasures and several paintings of Jared and Lia plus Blaed and Thera. She tells the court, who's been worried sick since she vanished, and gives Theran a letter addressed to him from Lia. Things look like they're going to improve for Dena Nehele.

A subplot involves Daemon in a state similar to the rut that Warlord Princes get. His other personality, the Sadist, comes out to play with Jaenelle but she doesn't make the transition to Witch and Daemon wonders if he hurt her. Jaenelle's fine and Daemon begins to relax. On a trip, a woman tries to seduce Daemon and he threatens her. Saetan over hears this and slips into the Twisted Kingdom and sets a trap that kills the woman. Jaenelle warns Daemon and Lucivar about their father being in the Twisted Kingdom and they help him out.

All in all, Anne Bishop has shown a remarkable skill for her series and the way a court is formed around a foreign Queen. The characters are great and the setting is one that is vivid enough to picture the places. Another great read from Anne Bishop.