The Roboblog Chronicles 2009.02 - Lost in the '90s
This week: I talk up James Luceno (writing as Jack McKinney)'s 1994 ROBOTECH novel The Zentraedi Rebellion and talk down his 1995 effort The Masters' Gambit. I then run out of time before I can talk about how boring his 1996 ROBOTECH novel Before The Invid Storm is. Enjoy!
Also: I've responded to all the comments made at YouTube about last week's show, and next week's show should be all about the very soon forthcoming Robotech Masters Sourcebook from Palladium Books.
Also: I've responded to all the comments made at YouTube about last week's show, and next week's show should be all about the very soon forthcoming Robotech Masters Sourcebook from Palladium Books.
Labels: McKinney novels, Roboblog Chronicles
posted by Captain JLS at
01:58
6 Comments:
Please don't do anymore outdoor Roboblog Chronicles. I could still make out what you were saying during the nosier bits, but it's an inconvenience.
The Zentraedi Rebellion is the only one of the Lost Gen novels that I own. A sad admission for a late-comer McKinneyphile, but have you *seen* the prices on used book sites for these three? I'm reconsidering that, though.
Anyway, The Zentraedi Rebellion, it almost felt like it was trying too hard to be "mature" in a lot of places, and was a huge, rambling beast of a book that could use some editing.
For a story about Zentraedi, the characterization of Exedore and Breetai was pretty poor, with the only saving grace that Miriya actually *gets* some characterization, more she ever got at any point in the franchise. (I've rambled about these topics in various essays, and I'm not going to try to fit more into a teeny blog reply post), and overall it was a decent book, just needed some polishing.
By
Pterobat, at 17 March, 2009 13:50
'The Zentraedi Rebellion' to me is more like an expansion from the 'Malcontent Uprisings' maxi-series because it tells us how Rick and Lisa became Vice-Admirial and Admirial respectfully and their later engagement, Lazlo Zand's unhealthy obsession with Dana Sterling, and what Luceno added that wasn't in the 'Malcontent Uprisings' comics makes 'The Zentraedi Rebellion' a definite MUST READ once you've finished reading the 'Macross Saga' novels.
By
SailorCallie, at 20 March, 2009 21:24
I agree wholeheartedly with you...
Zentraedi Rebellion is my favorite Robotech book.
Miriya Sterling's portrayl is excellent... After he defeat at Max, she becomes so docile in the Robotech setting. (Macross as well, excluding 7... ) Her female Zentran style comes out so well in that book.
I think they went overly "mature" with Leonard... but as you pointed out, so much of the series development assumed that. (And they couldn't QUITE pull that off in a syndicated cartoon.) But the whole political side of things was really well handled.
I have to thank you, Jon... now you totally have me wanting to pick up Zentraedi Rebellion and read it for the fourth time.
(I've got a rant about the Robotech RPG I want to send you... I've got a few new thoughts for you.)
By
Unknown, at 21 March, 2009 18:20
I remember when I first picked up all three books as they slowly came out, I was so excited. I LOVED each story as I read each book. But as I have tried to reread each book over the years The Zentraedi Rebellion was easier to get back into the story then The Masters' Gambit or Before The Invide Storm. But since you did this Blog maybe I will try to reread them all again.
By
Rick Chat, at 05 April, 2009 12:32
Speaking of the Zentraedi Uprising, did you happen to notice both the timeline mention and the mention of a Zentraedi Malcontent Uprising sourcebook in the Masters Saga book?
Short review: Quite a stellar job on the Masters Saga book. I really need to do my rant on the New Robotech RPG here real soon. I really do.
By
Unknown, at 24 April, 2009 05:23
To paraphrase Talking Heads:
'Still waiting, still waiting'
By
SailorCallie, at 28 April, 2009 17:59
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