Into the Void Part 1

[colls]

Welcome to our first of four check-in and discussion posts for our Book of the Month.

This month’s book is Into the Void (Star Wars Legends Novels) by Tim Lebbon
Chapters 1-5

Into the Void

1. Taking a look at the chonological order this book is supposedly set in, this is the earliest of any Star Wars material. This is also among the last published as 'Legends' material (10 years ago now). As such, the only tie-ins appear to be a series of comics. Does the lack of connection to other movies/books/comics/games detract from or add to your engagement so far?

2. What do you think of Lanoree Brock? Of the Je'daii Rangers?

3. How are you liking it so far?




FYI - There's no need to answer all (or any) of the questions above - they're just talking points to get us started. Informal chatter is more than welcome! In-person book clubs often veer off-topic, it's okay if we do as well. :)
All I ask is that you try to avoid spoilers for things past Part I of the book.

Comments

[brokenmnemonic]

1. I'm not sure what counts as spoilery from the comics for this novel and what doesn't - there was an intro comic book that explained the setup, before the comics started. The system is very difficult to get out of/into for reasons I forget, which is why there's so much mystery about what lies beyond. I rather like that it's distinct from the rest of the Star Wars universe, and that it's so early on. I'mn ot sure if the novel is going to get into more detail about why this area is so important, but I'm hoping that it'll get to spend more time fleshing out the history of this era, and the ways in which the Je'daii are different to the Jedi without the backdrop of the events in the comics.

2. The book mentioned storms on Tython - the reason the Je'daii are the way they are rather than being more Jedi-like is that Tython is a hugely force-sensitive world, as in the force has to be used in balance; if there's an excess of the light side or the dark side being used, Tyrhon responds with dangerous storms. This is why Lanoree has that mantra about balance. It's why Lanoree is prepared to use emotions like anger when she's force-wielding, but it's also why in the comics you have characters debating using things like force-lightning - some characters think it's just another tool, others that it draws too much on the darker side of the force. Outside of Tython the other planets were mostly settled by the descendants of the original group who aren't force-sensitive enough to become Je'daii, and the different worlds have distinct cultures; there's one that's basically run by criminal families, for example.

3. One of the things that I liked about this is that it has the different races like Sith and Twi'lek mixing in a shared society where it feels perfectly normal (and I liked the Sith not simply being villains). I won't spoil the comics for you, but the story of how that came to be is a big part of the plot...

[colls]

I'm not sure what counts as spoilery from the comics for this novel and what doesn't
LOL - tables turned!! Um... I don't know either. Go with your gut? Or let the force guide you. I trust whatever you decide.

I'm hoping we learn more about how this system came about. It seems the planet is awash with the Force and I'm wondering if it's related to Mortis - a place from The Clone Wars season 3.

[brokenmnemonic]

Go with your gut?
The inhabitants of this isolated system were bought here by a third party, for reasons that are revealed in the comics.

[colls]

So possibly not revealed in this book. Interesting.