More Tales from Jabba's Palace

Might take me three days to get through all these now that I look at it.

And Then There Were Some: The Gamorrean Guard’s Tale by William F. Wu: 1/5 HAHA PIG ALIEN DUMB! 

Old Friends: Ephant Mon’s Tale by Kenneth C. Flint: 4/5 One of the few stories we see where a non-Jedi character interacts with a Jedi in a way that actually makes sense. He knows about them, but is awed by Luke. Also, one of the few characters in the anthology not actually trying to kill Jabba, and thus not doomed to fail. Good job.

Goatgrass: The Tale of Ree-Yees by Deborah Wheeler: 2/5 This is probably the biggest example of a story hurt by the fact that it has to be about a failed plot to kill Jabba. Ree Yees is crazy AND brain washed. There are bomb components hidden inside a frog-dog! But he can't actually kill Jabba since Leia has to, and then he dies when the sail barge explodes. And he dreams about boobs.

And the Band Played On: The Band’s Tale by John Gregory Betancourt: 2/5 Another story that just doesn't really go anywhere.

Of the Day’s Annoyances: Bib Fortuna’s Tale by M. Shayne Bell: 2/5 One would think Jabba's majordomo would get a story with a bit more meat on it. It's another "X fails to kill Jabba" followed by getting his brain stolen by the monks.

The Great God Quay: The Tale of Barada and the Weequays by George Alec Effinger: 2/5 Stupid aliens worship Magic 8-Ball.

A Bad Feeling: The Tale of EV-9D9 Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens: 3/5 EV-9D9 is legitimately creepy, the twist is decent, and the final disassembly scenes is some solid mecha-body-horror. This deserves better than a short entry in a mediocre collection.

A Free Quarren in the Palace: Tessek’s Tale by Dave Wolverton: 3/5 This is probably the best use of the B'omarr sub plot in the collection. Stumbles at the end when he manages to transmit a distinct thought through the Force? to all the main characters, and which never pays off in the rest of the EU.

Tongue-tied: Bubo’s Tale by Daryl F. Mallett: 1/5 Similar to the earlier Salacious Crumb story, this is another unfunny "joke" story about a prop.

Out of the Closet: The Assassin’s Tale by Jennifer Roberson: 1/5 Retread of the Anzati story from the previous collection. "Forced loser" issue. Doesn't need to exist.

Shaara and the Sarlacc: The Skiff Guard’s Tale by Dan’l Danehy-Oakes: 1/5 Thin story dressed up with awkward dialect.

A Barve Like That: The Tale of Boba Fett by J. D. Montgomery: 3/5 This is another one that would've benefited from more pages and a little more editing. First pass at how Bob Fett escapes the Sarlacc, and sets up his later rivalry and fights with IG-88.

One or two stories and overall thoughts tomorrow.

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