Star Wars: The Old Republic: Fatal Alliance by Sean Williams

Pub date: July 2010

Science-Fiction (Adult)

417 pgs.

If you’re at all interested in Star Wars or videos games, you probably know that the much-anticipated online role-playing game, Star Wars: The Old  Republic, was just released.  Fatal Alliance is a tie-in novel to this game, the first of a series of three, with a fourth set to be released in fall 2012.  Don’t be discouraged if you haven’t heard of The Old Republic.  You don’t need to know anything about it in order to enjoy the novel, but you should have at least a basic knowledge of the Star Wars universe.

Fatal Alliance is set in the Old Republic era, thousands of years before any of the films took place.  The story begins on the Auriga Fire, where captain Jet Nebula has just encountered a mysterious ship in Wild Space.  When he attempts to contact the ship, warning that his crew is preparing to board them, the ship responds “we do not recognize your authority” and proceeds to blow itself up.  The Auriga Fire just manages to escape, thanks to Jet’s quick reflexes.

The strange ship wasn’t entirely destroyed, however.  A couple of remains end up in the hands of the Hutts, who decide to hold an auction, knowing that these objects’ value will attract bidders from both Empire and Republic alike.  Meeting at the auction are a Jedi Padawan who is trying to prove himself ready for knighthood, a Republic Trooper who was kicked out of her squadron, an Imperial spy who would much rather stay in the shadows and out of the action, and a Sith apprentice, ruthless and full of hatred for the master who sent her.  A botched robbery attempt soon reveals the true nature of the auctioned objects, and everyone on all sides find themselves fighting for their lives.  A threat is revealed that is far too powerful for either Empire or Republic to face alone, and they begin to realize that they must fight together to save the galaxy.

If you’re looking for a book full of intense sci-fi action scenes, look no further, because this one delivers.  It was definitely un-put-downable at moments.  I’ve heard some criticize it for having shallow characterization, but I don’t think I would entirely agree.  While some fringe characters could use some fleshing-out, I thought the main characters were all pretty well-written.  I could recognize the Jedi’s feelings of failure and his lack of self-confidence.  I enjoyed seeing the directionless and lonely Republic Trooper find a place for herself both in battle and among friends.  I also have to praise the book for having some great, well-rounded female characters, which can be rare in the science-fiction genre.

This book’s aim was to get the reader excited about the video game, and interested in this period of Star Wars history.  In that, the author certainly succeeded.  If the plotlines of the game are half as exciting as this novel, I’ll gladly join in.

-Christine

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