I'm convinced now that Disney Canon books in Star Wars are nowhere near the quality of the old Legends books....

Probably goes for the movies too....

Short review because it's late and I'm sleepy but if I don't do this now I'll forget to do it later:

Tarkin has a completely different tone from the other new canon books I've read to date. Several things set it apart, such as good writing (yay!), really good characterization (double yay!), and a cohesive plot that flows smoothly (frickin' triple yay!). While Luceno's prose occasionally slips into purple territory, his portrait of the Empire's first Grand Moff is a compelling one and he managed to capture that "This is Star Wars!" feeling that I didn't get from A New Dawn and Heir to the Jedi.

So thank you, Mr. Luceno. May you get more Star Wars book contracts in the future. If you want them. No pressure. ;)

"They failed to realize what they would bring down on themselves by turning on their leader," Vader said.

 

"Precisely."

Enter all my hopes for Episode VII. :D

Luceno, who is otherwise a more than competent wordsmith, has a limited repertoire when it comes to describing what people's eyes are doing. Brightening eyes, the Mon Calamari version:

Artoz's side-facing eyes grew vivid with interest.

Oooooh, look! Twilight is super interested!

In general, I have great respect for James Luceno as a writer. But then he pops out a phrase like this:

Teller made his eyes bright with mystification.

I mean, I get why some writers avoid the whole "wandering body parts" thing like the plague, but now I'm picturing this guy physically straining to make his eyes shine to convey his mystification.

Oooh, look! Twilight is super mystified! :o