Star Wars, Dark Forces Collector's Trilogy (Soldier for the Empire; Rebel Agent; Jedi Knight)
by William C. Dietz
from Highbridge Audio
After you've seen the Star Wars movies enough times, certain unmistakable sounds get hardwired into your brain: the warbly snicker-snack of dueling lightsabers; the signature fwoosh of hatches opening and closing (which Star Trek never did as well); the sharp, metallic bangs of blaster fire; even Han's trademark "yee-haw!" as he and Chewie lay into Imperial ships with the Falcon. If any advantage sets audio CDs apart as the format for telling dramatized Star Wars stories, this is it. In the Star Wars: Dark Forces Collector's Trilogy, all these audio tropes get employed to their full effect--along with John Williams's stirring score, of course--to convincingly transport you to that galaxy far, far away.
A CD drama based on a graphic novel series, based on a video game, and based on ... well, Star Wars, may sound a little suspect, but even derivative work can excel when the original source is strong (Lucas), the writing skills proficient (long-time sci-fi author William Dietz), and the voice talent able (dozens of workman actors, with credits ranging from The Fugitive to Shine to Fargo).
The story arc of the set's three Dark Forces stories (Soldier for the Empire, Rebel Agent, Jedi Knight) spans roughly the same time period as New Hope-Empire-Jedi, following Kyle Katarn, a young Imperial officer turned Rebel operative turned (nearly) Jedi Knight. Old favorites like Han, Lando, Luke, and even Chewie pass in and out of the story, a classic Star Wars tale of honor, love, loyalty, and revenge, which sets Kyle against the evil Imperial pretender Lord Jerec. Good fun, well done. (Running time: six hours over six discs; two discs per title.) --Paul Hughes
Fully dramatized.
Kyle Katarn has joined the ranks of legendary Star Wars heroes such as Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. A timeless adventure of revenge and honor, the trilogy is set in a shimmering universe of sound that only CD technology can fully capture. In Soldier for the Empire, Kyle Katarn, having just graduated from the Imperial Military Academy, learns of his father's murder. On his way home, he meets a Rebel agent, learns the ugly truth about the way in which his father died, and swears revenge.
In Rebel Agent, Kyle learns more about what his father found in the Valley of the Jedi that ultimately led to his death. Kyle finally earns his Knighthood as a Jedi, and the stage is set for him to avenge his father's death and stop the Dark Jedi from taking control of the source of energy that lies underneath the Valley.
Jedi Knight, the exciting conclusion to the series. In Jedi Knight Jerec, the Dark Jedi, brings his forces to Ruusan in the final part of his search for the Valley of the Jedi. Destroying anything that gets in his way, Jerec reaches the Valley just ahead of Kyle Katarn and Jan Ors. With the help of the indigenous inhabitants of the planet, Kyle and Jan confront Jerec's Jedi and prepare for a final showdown with Jerec. If Jerec defeats Kyle, the unlimited power contained in the Valley will enable him to rule the galaxy. Are Kyle's untrained Jedi powers enough to defeat Jerec?
Soldier for the empire: dark forces (Star Wars, Dark Forces)
by William C. Dietz
from Berkley Trade
In Soldier for the Empire, writer William Dietz and painter Dean Williams have accomplished something rare among the numerous spinoffs of the Star Wars films: a story that captures the essence of Star Wars while charting new territory in terms of character development.
The story is a simple one. Like Luke Skywalker, Kyle Katarn is a young farm boy who dreams of the stars. But for Kyle, the way off his home world is through the Imperial Military Academy, not through a Jedi mentor. Just as Kyle reaches the end of his training in a vicious firefight on a Rebel-held asteroid, his father, Morgan, is killed in an Imperial attack. As he learns the truth behind his father's death, Kyle is awakened to a terrifying vision of the Empire that he has grown to respect, and he suddenly finds himself working for the Rebels to steal plans for the newly completed Death Star.
By integrating Kyle's tale into the actual plot of Star Wars, Deitz makes his novel especially relevant for Star Wars fans. But what really drives Soldier for the Empire are the grim details that bring the war to life. Dietz's vision of the Empire recounts the awesome discipline of Nazi Germany, and his descriptions of Dark Jedi Jerec are reminiscent of the twisted minds that must always stand behind organized evil. At the same time, by going inside the Empire (and into the psyches of Storm Troopers), Dietz reveals the seductive power of that evil. Dean Williams's award-winning paintings are a perfect complement to the story, creating a cinematic life for the text. Kyle's tale continues in Rebel Agent and Jedi Knight. --Patrick O'Kelley
Kyle Katarn is a decorated graduate from the Imperial Military Academy who would forfeit his life for the Empire. But when he learns of his father's untimely death--and the devastating way in which he was killed--Kyle swears revenge against the very Imperial forces he was about to join. His opportunity comes when the Rebel Alliance offers him a special mission: break into the Imperial Research Facility on Danuta, find the Death Star plans, and bring them out.
Any sensible person would call it suicide. Kyle calls it vengeance.
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