Everyone's opinions of the Yuzhan Vong. I personally thought that the Vong books were spectacular- nobody was safe. You were actually concerned when you read the books, and ever when you reread them you wonder who will survive, even if you already know who will and won't.

Edit: Doh! I meant to say New Jedi Order. My bad...

They were good, but there's only one Traitor in the whole bunch.

At last a series of books for SW were the writting was good!!! They bought a new hope for the EU!

I'd like to say spectacular. Compared to a lot of the EU, it's great - but, there are still heavy flaws in the story that just bug me (I'm currently re-reading it, upto Star by Star). The plot lines and character interaction are great - it's the "details" that bug me.
As the author changed, so did the consistancy. One minute fleets are massive with 30 ships and the fate of the galaxy hangs in the balance because of this one battle over Ithor! The next minute, there's hundreds of warship duking it out somewhere else not important ... then you have some ships dying easy and other ships that are invulnrable (what comes to mind in Star by Star is how terrifying a Vong warship is until it gets attacked by a handful of jedi in old fighters and Skipray, then they're childs play). Even still with the ever likely chance of a known character dying, they still have an air of superiority about them that's just annoying. Such as where it takes Jacen in Star by Star to point out a weakness in the Vong's defences after glancing at a display, yet none of the New Republic's Intellegence forces noticed.
In fact, the thing that bugged me the most - was how the series made it seems as if the Jedi were this "ubber" force and the New Republic was, well stupid and incompetant. Without a known character present, the New Republic forces would loose.

Other than that, it was better than most series, but it still always felt one sided for the majority of the series. The Yuuzhan Vong would be unstoppable for most of the story, until towards the end in the final battle the heros would get away or win. I would have liked a more "realistic" and turbulant feel to it, where there were counts of the New Republic holding off the Vong, launching counter strikes or something more that didn't include the main characters - there was often heresay where the New Republic was loosing, at least throw in some victories.

I guess, consistancy wise, I'm use to novels like Battletech where there is constant consistancy between novels ... even if they do get pagued with author fiat constantly

Sorry guys but I disliked the whole concept of the Vong. But thats just me, I have friends who loved them. - Grand Moff Conway

I agree with Paul. Star Wars was allways about the Light and the Dark Side figthing each other. I´ve never read one of these novells but it looked like that they just wanted to create a kind of super-race which threatens all beings in the known Star Wars-Universe. That´s not "warsy" enough for me.

What the heck is a Yuzhan Vong?

*Picks up jaw off of the floor* here you go... I suppose I made a mistake in writing "Yuzhan Vong" as opposed to "Yuuzhan Vong," it's just that I pronounce the name in my head as if there were only one "u." At any rate, they spread through the New Republic and slaughtered something north of seven trillion sentient beings, I believe.

I'm a stalwart defender of the NJO series. The storyline, as a whole, was done very well - great parts that kept you going through all 19 novels. Though there were some weaker authors, the editing was decent and consistant with my view of Star Wars. I would say it really hits a high point with the hardbacks Star by Star and Destiny's Way.

The Vong may not be the most original enemies.. but they are certainly a twist from the Jedi vs Sith eras. The Jedi still play a dominant role, just as they have in every galactic conflict. More than a few characters die, albeit only 2 real main characters. (And don't blame Salvatore guys! He was given a good death in writing... the decision was an editorial board one)

I'm actually seeing how this now sets things up for the future. I read the Dark Nest trilogy, and just got the books to start with the Legacy of the Force era.

Favorite Books: Star by Star, Destiny's Way, Traitor
Least Favorite: Balance Point
Favorite Characters: Jaina Solo, Tahiri

EDIT: I'm thinking we need an NJO Fan userbar now hehe

Let me try and make one.

EDIT:
Here it is

I personally liked Han's Ryn friend, but he was sent off come Balance Point (Piece of crap that it was)

I personally liked the Dark Tide, Edge of Victory, and Behind Enemy Lines duologies. 'Course I haven't managed to secure the other half of the Behind Enemy Lines Duology, nor have I finished all of the novels (Damn this island for not having a diverse enough library!) but I did still like them...

Favorite characters: Anakin Solo, Corran Horn, Ganner Rhysode, Wedge Antilles.

I thought the series was good at the time, but having just re-read the old Rogue Squadron (including the Wraiths) series, i found that to be much better.

I'm not quite sure why, i think maybe because there's more "classic" Star Wars in there, and no over-reliance on Jedi.

I think maybe 19 books was just too amibitious, i mean, the original trilogy was told in just three books!

3 Movies... not books. Yes there were 3 screenplays to make the movies, one for each. But those took time and were specifically developed as movies. To get all the plot and background to make them into a coherent novel plot, it would have certainly taken more than 3 books.

Give me a break people, eventually I will get to the Vong, I don't read as fast as I once did. When you get to 50 you slow down a little.

I think it's just because Stackpole and Alston are superb authors

So I finally saw most of the books I was missing... At the bookstore... When I had no money on me. Always annoying...