If I could choose a term that described my overall impression of this book, it would most likely be: pleasantly dissatisfied.Yes, an oxymoron.Simply put, I expected more from this book. The pleasant part comes from the way certain events played out, covering major ground without treading too heavily on any particular subject.The dissatisfied part comes from the blandness of the writing. I could discern no noticeable style or flair to Williams' writing, though, to his credit I was never annoyed by repetitive phrases or cliché situations.I also never noticed any particularly well-written sections.Admittedly, Traitor is a difficult success to follow, with the deep introspective passages, and intrigue surrounding Vergere’s intentions. Instead, Destiny’s Way is a sprawling epic, with appearances by a huge cast of characters, including a rather disturbing, but revealing portrayal of Ackbar. Because of its epic proportions, Destiny’s Way doesn’t have a chance to focus on any particular character for long.Some of the things I enjoyed about this novel were the reappearance of Luke as a leader, taking large strides to help the Jedi. His dislike of Vergere is refreshing, but seeing Luke come to terms with a different point of view about the nature of the Force is the first truly original thing I’ve seen in the New Jedi Order to date.Luke and Mara’s scenes were comfortable, though I’m a bit disturbed by how little Ben Skywalker seems to matter to them right now. Or at least by the way Williams portrays their emotions about him. The author had many opportunities to shed more insight into the characters’ emotions and actions, but did not capitalize on those chances.Looking back at the book, after having read it, I realize that it was more action-oriented rather than character-oriented. That fact is what makes the novel unremarkable. A very good action-oriented novel might be remembered as great fiction, but this novel is simply another decent Star Wars novel. Had it been a paperback publication, this review would be much more positive. However, I don’t feel as if my $26 was well spent.I must give credit to Williams for one thing I found fantastic. The space battles were indeed large and involving. Not to slight Aaron Allston or Michael Stackpole, whose portrayals of space battles are second-to-none, but Williams is the first author who has truly made me see a humongous battle, encompassing tens of thousands of troops on either side, in full-scale combat. He showed us utter fatigue and desperation of the fighter pilots that never seemed to show before.We got to see the toll this war has taken on many of these pilots.With that exception, and the final battle being the crown jewel of the novel, the myriad of events occurring in this book damage what might have been a fantastic story. Hopefully, this explains the oxymoron ‘pleasantly dissatisfied’.Now on to Sean Williams and Shane Dix’s trilogy, for which I hold very little hope...
Destiny's Way took me a while, but it's not because it was uninteresting. The book is very complex, but not too much so. When you have a universe as complex as the Star Wars Universe, and at the same time, you have a story as complex as the New Jedi Order series, it would be very easy to let it get away from you.The series is very story-driven, but there is an incredible amount of detail. Some authors tend to put way too much into their books, but this isn't one of them. There is simply too much story in the book to stuff it full of extra detail. Some important things happen, and since this is getting towards the end of the series, things are going to start to finish up. You don't really get that feeling. Fighting sequences are frantic, but the author is able to pull back and make diplomatic scenes interesting and compelling, using those to set up the battle scenes. Which let's be honest, is how wars are. It's not just indiscriminate fighting, but the politicians have a goal in mind, and they are using the military to accomplish those goals. The wrench in this war is that the Vong are fighting a holy war. This adds an aspect to Star Wars that has not been around before this series. Jedi/Sith wars can be said to be holy wars, as well but it is a different dynamic between the Yuuzhan Vong's religion and the Force.In terms of the series, I think that this one is well written, but not to the same extent as some others. There are several that move faster and are more exciting than this one, and some that just drag. This does neither, but it is an indispensable part of the series for some of the events that take place.
What do You think about Destiny's Way (2003)?
Only problem with this book is, that I have read it after absolutely mindblowing traitor, besides that, this book is ok. Many things explained, new and returning characters are well described, space battles are to be remembered. Some technical and canonical flaws are prsesent, but nothing too serious. As I wrote above, only problem with this book is, that after Traitor it feels kind of shallow and reader expects more, but that would be foolish request, because this book gives enough to NJO series.
—Jiří Budinský
Well, I got distracted. Not necessarily because the book was bad, but because I got Pokemon X. Pokemon brings out some obsessive-compulsiveness in me... in that I have to catch every single one of the little creatures.Anywho, after no small amount of prodding from my wife, I started reading again. I was a little apprehensive that picking up in the middle of the book would be difficult. Thankfully, it wasn't.Before I took my giant reading break, I found Destiny's Way to be good, but not great. I came back to a very interesting, well-written story. After thinking about it, I had a couple gripes about the beginning of the book.My main issue is Vergere changed characters almost completely. Her backstory seemed incongruent with who she was portrayed as in Traitor, earlier in the series. Her mystery disappeared, her attitude toward the Jedi was... well, what??Also... Onimi the jester. Do we really have to have a jester?It was also slightly boring. However, when I picked it back up (about halfway through), I found it to be rather compelling. Luke finally gets something he's been pushing for since the beginning of the Yuuzhan Vong war. Jacen and Jaina are written very well. The last battle in the book is massive and intense. And personal.This is actually one of the better books in the New Jedi Order--particularly if you like the longer volumes, like me. :)
—Daniel
This is a great addition to the NJO series. We learned in the last book of the series, Traitor, that Jacen Solo was still alive. The first third of this book looked at his welcome back by his family and friends. Now, I am not the most sentimental guy, but I liked how the author staggered Jacen's return. He first meets up with his Uncle Luke, than Han & Leia, then finally his twin sister, Jaina. Each meeting was more and more emotional and touching for the young Jedi. The rest of the book featured the return of an aging, and ill, Admiral Ackbar who puts forth such a simple plan to turn the tide of war, I am not sure why some other half intelligent character didn't think of it sooner. (We are talking pretty simple here. This is something JarJar Binks could have thought up.). While the lame plan is executed, Walter John Williams, the author, puts us through some of the more exciting action sequences I have read in a Star Wars novel. And, on that alone, I would recommend any fan of Star Wars to read this book. Of course, it helps if you understand what is going on too.
—William
