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Post by ZRissa on Jul 4, 2004 21:35:27 GMT -5
What do you get when you cross Star Wars with MASH? A really good novel! And one I'd recommend even to those who aren't big SW fans. It focuses on a Republic Mobile Surgical Unit, pronounced--and usually written--"Rimsoo." I was hooked from the opening chapter by the characters. Republic surgeons Jos & Zan aren't clones (hehe) of Hawkeye and BJ by any means--but they're just as likeable. And of course there's Bariss Offee.
It's been a pet peeve of mine for quite some time that much of the "offical" material on Bariss ignores the fact that she is a healer--even though her Big Scene in Approaching Storm involves her healing talents. So I was delighted to find out about 2 upcoming novels that would focus on this at least in part.
And I wasn't disappointed. I'm not going to spoil anything, but the characters are well-done & the situations quite believable. The medical aspects are reasonable, too--except for one minor error that was probably a "typo.
I highly recommend this book, and the upcoming sequel Medstar 2: Jedi Healer, due out in late September.
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Post by Nova Darklighter on Jul 5, 2004 23:35:04 GMT -5
This sounds cool, I'll have to look it up, was it released in HC or PB?
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Post by ZRissa on Jul 6, 2004 10:52:14 GMT -5
Nova, it is a paperback, $7.50. The cover is very nice, too, as is the one I've seen for the upcoming Jedi Healer. I may try a costume of the Medstar 1 version of Bariss.
A couple minor notes: 1--The "Medstar" of the titles is a frigate that supports the RMSU's on a planet. I'm assuming it's a medical vessel, although there's no way to tell in the novel. The few scenes onboard aren't medical & take place in "generic" areas like docking bays.
2--Warning for those who are Really Obsessive about continuity: There is a passing reference to the Noghri species--which (per Tim Zahn's Thrawn trilogy) was unknown until Rebellion times. This same "error" has occured in several other Clone Wars novels. I consider it inconsequential--but have read posts on other boards from fans who have gone ballistic.
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Post by Johann Shinobi on Jul 6, 2004 11:24:39 GMT -5
I've noticed the references to the Noghri as well in other Clone Wars novels it is possible for continuity sake that the old republic new of the Noghri, had very little contact with Honoghr, until Vadar decided to use them. Remember there are other continuity discrepancies, one point is Zahn claims Vadar lost his sword hand after ESB where he told Luke they could over throw the Emperor. But at least one novel (Splinter of the Minds Eye) and Episode 2 cotradict this. I wouldn't worry to much about it
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Post by Jedimom/Cor-Al Gelkar on Jul 6, 2004 14:21:26 GMT -5
Haven't found it around here yet. Can't wait to read it
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Post by ZRissa on Jul 8, 2004 11:04:08 GMT -5
Cor-Al, Barnes & Noble has it for $5.99 online--but shipping would probably cost more than the savings, unless you were buying other books. I'd just ask a local store to order it.
Johann, small continuity issues like that don't bother me. Actually I'm more amused at the number of people that did seem bothered that something wasn't exactly right. If the story & characters are good, why complain.
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Kesshi
Message Board Member
There needs to be a gay Star Wars character
Posts: 553
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Post by Kesshi on Jul 11, 2004 20:49:12 GMT -5
I'm only at Ch.4 but after chapter one I two thought of MASH meets Star Wars. I knew I wan't alone on that thought.
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Post by Jedimom/Cor-Al Gelkar on Jul 11, 2004 21:28:33 GMT -5
Found it, am on Chapter 5. Also thinking M*A*S*H/Star Wars mix. But okay so far. Like Barriss' role so far
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Post by Johann Shinobi on Jul 12, 2004 11:56:59 GMT -5
Cor-Al, Barnes & Noble has it for $5.99 online--but shipping would probably cost more than the savings, unless you were buying other books. I'd just ask a local store to order it. Johann, small continuity issues like that don't bother me. Actually I'm more amused at the number of people that did seem bothered that something wasn't exactly right. If the story & characters are good, why complain. I'm a fan of continuity, but if you can come up with a good reasopn to change it go for it.
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Kesshi
Message Board Member
There needs to be a gay Star Wars character
Posts: 553
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Post by Kesshi on Jul 21, 2004 0:19:35 GMT -5
Well I'm done, GREAT BOOK best Clone Wars story i've read. I love how they brought back I-Five in Loved that droid in Shadow Hunter.
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Post by Nova Darklighter on Jul 27, 2004 0:03:50 GMT -5
Finished it, really did enjoy it, plot wise there were a few nice little turns, and the character developement was quite nice as well. I liked the ideas about the clones, which only made sense to me, they are after all human, and liked I-5 as well, nowhere near as annoying as C-3PO. The differences in human customs from one system to another, and one species to the next were really nice extra details, and are one of the things that makes the book such a standout, I'd have been happy reading it as a novel, even if it were not a Star wars book. Good Story, looking forward to the next part. The MASH/SW mix & feelings were unavoidable, given the subject, but I liked that asspect, and the tension between Barriss & the fight instructor is good.
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Post by Nova Darklighter on Oct 17, 2004 22:56:00 GMT -5
Well, I picked up MedStar #2 last night, but haven't started it, I no doubt will do so tonight. I hope that it's as good as the 1st one, I really enjoyed that one, and maybe they'll continue the series if it gets positive reaction & sales.
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Post by Jedimom/Cor-Al Gelkar on Oct 19, 2004 8:09:07 GMT -5
About half-way through Medstar 2. I love it! There are also some references to another favorite series of mine: HITCH-HIKER'S GUIDE! Hoopy! I love reading a book with references to other series in it. Makes me wonder who catches them
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Post by Johann Shinobi on Oct 20, 2004 7:36:00 GMT -5
I just finished Medstar 2 and loved, great book. I'll wait to disscuss it until more of you have finished it.
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Post by Jen-Ru Balon on Oct 20, 2004 15:04:06 GMT -5
There are also some references to another favorite series of mine: HITCH-HIKER'S GUIDE! Hoopy! I love reading a book with references to other series in it. Makes me wonder who catches them I am still only halfway through part 1. Did you catch the Star Trek replicator reference made. I have a trekie friend that I am looing forward to sharing it with. I am enjoying the book. I have noticed it is full of references to other things within the Star wars universe. There was a comparison to the speed the Tatooine Sarlac digests, etc. It seems odd to me to have so many references to little know places, and when I say little known I refer to within the star wars world. How many of them would realy know about a Sarlac? It is like they are making to much of a stretch to creat cultural references and slang terms. It would make more sence if they had to do with the planet or at least the system the character saying or thinking it is from. Even Han didn't know the dtails of the Sarlac in ROTJ and he had dealt with Jabba and visited Tatooine before. I do enjoy these little additions to the story. They make it feel more like a space saga by not using Earth terms. I do have a theory about reference to the Noghri. Perhaps the Empire removed all record of them causing people to forget they existed between the Clone Wars era and the Zahn trilogy. It seems like something they could do. It would ensure their devotion to Vader if no one else knew of them to step in and help also. Hopefully I wil finish this one soon and can start part 2.
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