Crucible: Star Wars Legends

By: Troy Denning

Narrated by: Marc Thompson

Length: 12 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's Summary

Han Solo, Leia Organa Solo, and Luke Skywalker return in an all-new Star Wars adventure, which will challenge them in ways they never expected - and forever alter their understanding of life and the Force.

When Han and Leia Solo arrive at Lando Calrissian’s Outer Rim mining operation to help him thwart a hostile takeover, their aim is just to even up the odds and lay down the law. Then monstrous aliens arrive with a message, and mere threats escalate into violent sabotage with mass fatalities. When the dust settles, what began as corporate warfare becomes a battle with much higher stakes - and far deadlier consequences.

Now Han, Leia, and Luke team up once again in a quest to defeat a dangerous adversary bent on galaxy-wide domination. Only this time, the Empire is not the enemy. It is a pair of ruthless geniuses with a lethal ally and a lifelong vendetta against Han Solo. And when the murderous duo gets the drop on Han, he finds himself outgunned in the fight of his life. To save him, and the galaxy, Luke and Leia must brave a gauntlet of treachery, terrorism, and the untold power of an enigmatic artifact capable of bending space, time, and even the Force itself into an apocalyptic nightmare.

©2013 Troy Denning (P)2013 Random House Audio

Exciting

What made the experience of listening to Crucible: Star Wars the most enjoyable?

Marc Thompson I love the way he reads the book and how he brings the characters to life. I like the audible books because you get a feel of the action and he seems you are part of the story and you are more aware of the story.

What did you like best about this story?

All the old characters was back together and I was glad to see new characters. The story was good and I was kind of glad they was fighting a new foe instead of the just the Sith.

The Sith was present and this will strengthen the story and I hope it will lead to another story. Han, Leia, and Luke are older and the children are older also I think this is how the saga shall proceed.

What does Marc Thompson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Action and excitement he makes you see and feel the story. The special FX are also good they help you experience the story better.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laugh at some of the scenes and I cried when I thought that Luke or Leia may not have made it. I felt sorry for some of the other characters too.

Any additional comments?

The story was good but they were a little off about Mortis and I think that could have been done a little better. But since I have been following Star Wars so long and I have seen the Clone Wars series it explain it better in one of their episode and the Dawn of the Jedi series by Dark Horse comics explains it better and you can just start putting all the pieces together. But I really enjoyed the book and I was glad that it was set after The Fate of the Jedi I hope that will be more stories In the future to build on the younger characters and other Jedi working together to make the Jedi more stronger.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Good trio swan song Novel! Had some story issues

What did you love best about Crucible: Star Wars?

Luke Skywalker... 'Nuff said.

What does Marc Thompson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Everything! Marc makes the book come to life, it's amazing that he's the only one that actually narrates it.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Though it does have it's issues... sure. It is very compelling, so yes.

Any additional comments?

See, I love the book but there are issues with the story. It's not very consistent and it throws you off stride. (Not the good Timothy Zahn 'of stride') i think Mr. Denning can make great novels, he has shown this, but this could have been better.

(SPOILERS!) Personally I would have thought a better swan song would be a more classical Jedi vs Sith book but instead Troy goes for a more exotic Columi vs Jedi book that leads them to the Not-Mortis. Now this is were it slipped for me.
The monolith wasn't executed well, and it didn't really mesh with the already explained nature of the monoliths in the Clone Wars episodes (and my personal theory, that they are some type of Tho Yor.) The execution of Not-Mortis was not very well done, the Story threw you around, and the characters felt to wide spread in a similar way to the villains in Batman Arkham City.

Nevertheless the issues surrounding this story are problematic but the areas where they are aren't large, therefore it's like a couple bad bites in a brownie. I would definitely suggest this to any star wars novel reader, casual or otherwise. It's the swan song (So far as we know....) to the original trio team up so it can't be passed up. Unfortunately it's the swan song to the original star wars trio team up. :,( Don't actually trust that statement as i'm sure another novel will reveal the death/fate of Han, Luke, and Leia.

8 of 10 people found this review helpful

Pretty good. Good full ending.

Would you consider the audio edition of Crucible: Star Wars to be better than the print version?

The emotions, moods, music, feelings, and the ending of this cannot beat by reading.

What other book might you compare Crucible: Star Wars to and why?

A good continuation to the other star wars books.

Which scene was your favorite?

The ending with Luke's revelation.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The ending was unexpected, but I guess it was bound to happen.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Out with the old?

It was a good story continuing after the events of the Fate of the Jedi series. It felt rushed though, as if Disney wanted to end this version of Star Wars canon and get on with their own.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Excellent production. Loved it.

Outstanding. Couldn't stop listening. One of the best audio books that I've ever experienced. I can't recommend it enough. Great

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Good Book but not much more

What does Marc Thompson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Marc Thompson has the ability to bring this average book into something I enjoy. His skills at bringing characters from a written media into an audio environment is simply amazing. All the star wars characters in my head have his stellar performance bringing them to life.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

It's nice to see what happens after Apocalypse!

Would you consider the audio edition of Crucible: Star Wars to be better than the print version?

Absolutely, no questions asked. Marc Thompson brings out the story so vividly in my head that whenever I'm done reading a book that he narrates, I sometimes think that I've "seen" the movie, so powerful is the imagery he creates.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Crucible: Star Wars?

The Cantina scenes; Lando; new characters.

Which character – as performed by Marc Thompson – was your favorite?

Hmmmm.. Difficult.. very difficult to answer... He does them all best!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The failure to prevent what happens at Lando's mining colony.... The bad decisions of a certain mandalorian.. it was sad :(

Any additional comments?

I really like the music, voice effects and sound effects that are added to this book, on top of Marc Thompson's stellar performance! My brain really creates an actual movie on the fly in my head !

4 of 6 people found this review helpful

Excellent fun for star wars fans

Would you listen to Crucible: Star Wars again? Why?

Yes, It was a nice brisk read and Marc Thompson is, to me, the quintessential voice for Star Wars books.

What did you like best about this story?

The action is good and it is like spending time with old friends.

Have you listened to any of Marc Thompson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Marc Thompson is the voice of Star Wars. His narration of the characters are spot on. Just flawless in his execution at all times.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, but I enjoyed listening a piece at a time. It is a good Star Wars novel. That being said there really isn't such a thing as a GREAT Star Wars novel. They are fun, light reads but nothing awe inspiring.

Any additional comments?

I'd recommend this book to any Star Wars fan. it is good for all ages. I listened to this one with my 12 year old daughter and she liked it just as much as I did.

4 of 6 people found this review helpful

Great listen if you're desperate for post FotJ

If you’ve listened to books by Troy Denning before, how does this one compare?

This is Troys weakest work that I've read. I've loved his work in LotF and FotJ but this one falls flat

What does Marc Thompson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Marc knocks it out of the park again.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

the legend continues

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The star wars saga continues and is still got it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Luke skywalker he had always been my favorite.

Which scene was your favorite?

There are to many to name one.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

I love these books and this author.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

great storytelling<br />loving it

very enjoyable storytelling a mush for all tire star wars fans the best there is.