Finished "Empire's End" - [Spoilers]

By Crabbok, in X-Wing Off-Topic

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So I just finished Empire's End.

The Battle of Jahhu was probably the highlight of the book, but I was rather disappointed in the entire mystery of Jakku. The whole thing was just a map to the outer reaches, plus a bomb? And how was blowing up a planet supposed to destroy the entire New Republic fleet anyway? Wouldn't someone on the ground radio to the fleet that the planet was starting to fall apart? Anyhow the whole map thing was silly. Such an intense level of security for charting the stars? Like ANYONE would have assumed a map of the galaxy meant that Palpatine planned to kill everyone in the Empire.

But what REALLY gets me is that this whole trilogy was effectively "The Birth of the First Order". And the reason that makes me angry, is because we already saw that in Bloodline. Granted Bloodline approached it from a different angle, but it leads you to believe that the first order was being formed in the main galaxy, while this says they were forming the first order outside the galaxy. I'm sure there's a way for them to explain it away, but it's really annoying having multiple stories contradict each other. Reminds me of the original trilogy ideals that were contradicted by the prequels... (Obi Wan: When I met your father I was AMAZED at how the force flowed through him so I took it upon myself to train him).

Cool thing though -

The Eclipse. This is probably the best little tidbit in the book. They sent it early. They didn't say HOW early. But it's clear the Eclipse has been missing for years. You know who ALSO has been missing for years? Thrawn. It SEEMS like Thrawn is commanding the Eclipse and ends up being a founding member of the 1st order. That's my theory. Going to do a video on it soon actually.

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9 hours ago, Crabbok said:

So I just finished Empire's End.

But what REALLY gets me is that this whole trilogy was effectively "The Birth of the First Order". And the reason that makes me angry, is because we already saw that in Bloodline. Granted Bloodline approached it from a different angle, but it leads you to believe that the first order was being formed in the main galaxy, while this says they were forming the first order outside the galaxy. I'm sure there's a way for them to explain it away, but it's really annoying having multiple stories contradict each other.

The First Order always had a bunch of officers who "grew up shielded on the far side of the Unknown Regions, as well as a splinter group of Republic (former Imperial) "political hardliners". It goes right back to the TFA Visual Dictionary.

Empire's End shows how they got into the Unknown Regions in the first place.

Bloodline is focused on the Republic splinter faction - the "Centralists" (secretly sponsored by the Unknown Regions First Order) who will eventually break away from the Republic to become the public face of the First Order. Because the Republic doesn't know about the Unknown Regions First Order, they don't consider the former Centralists to be any real threat.

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Oh I get that much... I just hate how they are in reverse time order... so when you read Bloodline, which came out first, it leads you to believe that THIS is how the first order came to be.... but then with Aftermath's final book it's like "no no no but THIS is ACTUALLY how it came to be".

It's annoying to me. Star Wars has released like 10 books in the past 2 years, all are happening in completely different timelines, yet all are somehow supposed to introduce something new. That is my one pet peeve with Star Wars. Keep things chronological please..... I hope eventually they will do that.

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On 3/5/2017 at 6:36 AM, Crabbok said:

But what REALLY gets me is that this whole trilogy was effectively "The Birth of the First Order". And the reason that makes me angry, is because we already saw that in Bloodline. Granted Bloodline approached it from a different angle, but it leads you to believe that the first order was being formed in the main galaxy, while this says they were forming the first order outside the galaxy. I'm sure there's a way for them to explain it away, but it's really annoying having multiple stories contradict each other. Reminds me of the original trilogy ideals that were contradicted by the prequels... (Obi Wan: When I met your father I was AMAZED at how the force flowed through him so I took it upon myself to train him).

If you go back and read what's actually told in Bloodlines it doesn't say that the First Order was forming within the New Republic. What it says was that there are FO sympathizers and agents influencing the politics of the New republic and that an FO aligned militia force was planning a series vanguard military strikes ahead of a possible full scale invasion by the Order. The First Order was already a fully formed, albeit still mysterious splinter faction of the Empire that resides in the unknown regions at this point in time.

In Empire's End we are literally shown the origins of the First Order; the cleansing of the slate at Jakku, the first architects of the FO, the beginnings of it's new stormtrooper corp, the first HQ of the Order, which we find out is actually the Eclipse. So I don't see any contradictory information here. It is more likely your assumptions based on the given information that lead you to believe there is a contradiction.

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See, Hitler dies, and the remaining unreconstructed Nazis flee to Brazil ...

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The only thing I really dislike about this series is the lack of numbers that could've been so easily put in.

I just wrote this up quickly for example, indulge me its just a quick and dirty write up of more of what I wished to have seen:

"Approaching from Jakku's orbit the Imperial fleet emerged to meet its enemy on more favorable footing, further from the planet's gravitational pull. More then a hundred of the triangular star destroyers swept through the stars in rigid formations, each section slicing through the loose clusters of Mon Calamari starships and Star Hawks. From the cockpit windows we could see the immense fleets clash as a horrific exchange of turbo lasers lit ships and fighters alike leaving little more then smoking, drifting wrecks. Hordes of Tie Fighters, of every kind and variation, poured from their mothership's bellies and met with minimal fighter resistance took their opportunity to swarm and consume the surrounding vessels in lasers and explosions. The New Republic vanguard of a few dozen ships was soon overwhelmed by the unanticipated ferocity of the Imperial assault. This was the vengeance of Imperial officers and soldiers who from a year of defeats relished any opportunity to decimate their foes. Nothing would stand in their way. Not the Rebels. Not the New Republic. For the first time in a year a feeling swept through the Galactic Empire's ranks, hope.

As time passed more New Republic vessels entered the system although such forces did little to assuage the Imperial onslaught. Very little was left of the initial New Republic vanguard, although their numbers had since been replaced by reinforcements. Two dozen capital ships lost in exchange for the destruction of only two of the fearsome Star Destroyers with another three disabled. Yet even with victory imminent the Imperial flagship, the Super Star Destroyer Ravager remained in close orbit of Jakku, far from the apocalyptic battle's carnage. Perhaps Grand Admiral Rae Sloane chose to not risk repeating the destruction of a super star destroyer such as the Executor whose loss was instrumental to the collapse of the Imperial fleet over Endor.

What was left of the New Republic fleet, thirty or so capital ships and two dozen frigates and corvettes and support ships, began to break and pull away. A third of the Imperial fleet's formation dissolved as well. Groups of Star Destroyers under the command of overconfident captains and rear admirals pursued the escaping rebel ships despite orders to the contrary. Revenge for Endor, Yavin, and Scarrif would not be tempered. It was soon after that the universe seemed to flip upside down.

Jumping into the system from hyperspace the bulk of the New Republic fleet arrived. Score of the bulbous organic Mon Cal Star Cruisers and newly christened Star Hawks, accompanied by an immense array of support ships soared into the now scattered Imperial forces. At the charge's head was Fleet Commander Gial Ackbar on his flagship the Home One. Many of the Imperials who had broken formation were soon cut off and surrounded. Despite the ramshackle nature of most of the New Republic's starships, overwhelming numbers cut down the pockets of Imperial resistance. Still, two thirds of the Imperial Fleet remained and under new orders pulled back to Jakku. It would be in orbit that the battle for the fate of the galaxy would truly begin as the two massive fleets, the entirety of what either side could muster at one location, met."

Edited by Forresto
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It sounds as terrible as everyone anticipated.

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I agree I think Thrawn will be with the Eclipse. It makes to much sense.

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On 3/12/2017 at 11:22 AM, Hawkstrike said:

See, Hitler dies, and the remaining unreconstructed Nazis flee to Brazil ...

Argentina*

I have been avoiding this series. It seems like it was the right call to make. I really enjoyed bloodline, lost stars and Catalyst as well. So it seems the new EU is about 50/50

Edited by Timathius
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I honestly am astonished that I enjoyed a book featuring both Lumpy and Jar-Jar.

It is pretty corny (and the writing is...not what I tend to like?), but the characters are pretty good. The mystery was set up well and resolved disapointingly, meh, but having read lots of trashy books thats not the end ofthe world.

I have no issues between Bloodlines and this. It was always clear that the sympathizers were orchestrated from the shadows - here is what connects these shadows to the old empire. Too bad the story group will want Snokes origins for the movies, we will have to wait quite a bit on that I fear.