Dear Reader,
This book report was written when I was at the age of 17. Since this was our writing curriculum that we used at Golden Hills Academy it covered just about everything. The goals of this lesson were: 1. Identify the forces in conflict in a novel 2. Describe these forces 3. Show how these forces are important to the book
If you haven't read this book I would recomend that you read it. If you like Star Wars that is.
9/14/09
Writing Strands Level # 6: Lesson # 6: Book Report
The Mandalorian Armor
The most notable book I read, in 2008, was The Mandalorian Armor. Published in June, 1998, by Bantam Books, and written by K. W. Jeter.
In this book Jeter writes of the struggles that face bounty hunters in the Star Wars universe. Some of these being: a criminal organization known as the Black Sun, the Empire, the growing Rebel Alliance, an arachnoid Assembler, and – perhaps the most dangerous of all – each other.
Emperor Palpatine, ruler of the Empire; Prince Xizor, leader of the Black Sun; and Kuat of Kuat, operator of a large ship production company; are all powerful players in Jeter’s book. However, the majority of the author’s writings follow Boba Fett.
Boba Fett is a legendary bounty hunter known throughout the galaxy for being ruthless and very competent. Dengar is another bounty hunter who along with his wife and a freed dancing slave, named Neelah, end up helping Fett in part of the story.
The Assembler, known as Kud’ar Mub’at, works for Prince Xizor and at the same time for himself. Many characters appear to be working for other forces, but have their own fortunes in mind all along. This complicates the story and keeps you guessing who will betray who next.
Finally the character Cradossk is a Trandoshan who is on the council of the Bounty Hunter’s Guild. Fett has been hired to infiltrate and dismantle this guild. In doing so he ends up working with Bossk, a longtime rival and the son of Cradossk.
An interesting element, that makes this book more complex, lies in the fact that there are two time periods in which this book takes place. Jeter moves interchangeably through these periods and works them so the reader is able to link them together.
The first time period, the “Now” period, occurs on Tatooine. A major crime lord Jabba the Hutt is now dead and Boba Fett has been grievously wounded after a battle with the Sarlacc. Dengar has taken Fett to a small cave, his personal hideout, not far from Jabba’s old palace.
The other time period, the “Then” period, occurs on board Fett’s personal ship the Slave 1. Then part of it in the Bounty Hunter’s Guild’s base. The final part of the “Then” period occurs on a planet belonging to the Shell Hutts. Shell Hutts have all the greed and criminal intent that a normal Hutt has, but they are encased in a solid durasteel shell. The shell itself is kept afloat on repulsorlifts and has two crablike mechanical arms.
Since Jeter writes about two time periods there are two climactic endings. I will relate to you the “Then” events first.
The Bounty Hunter’s Guild receives word that there is a bounty on Oph Nar Dinnid. He was an accountant who, more or less, stole thousands of credits from his boss and fled to find refuge with the Shell Hutts. The Guild council elects to send Fett after Dinnid because he is sure to collect the “hard merchandise.” Cradossk schemes to have his son killed, so he sends Bossk and Zuckuss along as well. He then calls for the young Guild member named Zuckuss prior to the start of the mission. He instructs Zuckuss to have Bossk meet with an “accident” while trying to help Fett.
Fett decides to take some more help along. He calls in a favor on D’hahran, a laser cannon mounted cyborg, and IG-88, a droid bounty hunter. Together with Zuckuss and Bossk, the five of them head out for the Shell Hutt’s home world.
When the bounty hunters arrive they are hailed by beings working for Gheeta, a Shell Hutt, who has had unpleasant dealings with Fett in the past. Gheeta invites them to a large party, of sorts, with many other prominent Shell Hutts. Providing, of course, that they leave their weapons behind. Boba Fett agrees.
During the party Gheeta to begins to rant and rave about the injustices that Fett has inflicted upon him. Meanwhile his hired mercenaries wait in the shadows. Fett anticipates Gheeta’s treachery and has made provisions by hiding a bomb near the pedestal from which Gheeta is talking. When Gheeta has revealed the fact that he has killed Dinnid, Fett blows the bomb. Unfortunately Gheeta survives and his mercenaries attack.
I kinda leave you hanging don’t I?
In the “Now” time period’s climax: Fett has recovered just enough, from his encounter with the Sarlacc, to be fighting fit. Both he and Neelah relocate themselves to a small stash similar to that of Dengar’s cave.
Speaking of whom, Dengar is in Mos Eisly under the excuse of gathering supplies. However, his real intentions focus around sending a message to Kuat of Kuat. Meanwhile Bossk, who apparently isn’t dead, has found Fett’s ship Slave 1 and is loading it with a large amount of thermal detonators.
Finally two other bounty hunters, yet unheard of, discover that Fett is alive and decide to either kill or capture him.
Drat another cliffhanger! Read Jeter’s book to discover the conclusions to these exciting climaxes.
The Mandalorian Armor is an exciting book; however, accustoming yourself to Jeter’s writing style takes a little time. Unlike most Star Wars books, this one contains no major Jedi characters; therefore, a different side of the Star Wars universe is revealed. One filled with intrigue and deception.
One of my favorite characters is Bossk. He has a quick temper and often rushes in on a situation without thinking. When things go wrong for Bossk, which they often do, it is almost funny to read the thoughts that fly through his head.
I think Jeter’s book is exciting through and through. I also think it makes a good read for many adults and teens.
Copyright Isaiah T. Silkwood © 4/9/2012
No comments:
Post a Comment