** I received a copy of this book for free through a Goodreads giveaway. **

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Loved the story and the pacing and the characters but I feel I would have enjoyed it even more if I had ever played the Starcraft games. The book was very detailed and descriptive, allowing you insight into the characters and the story was engaging and a lot of fun. I just didn't feel as invested in the characters as I may have if I had played any of the games and had any idea of why some of the things that occurred were happening. It did make me want to go out and buy at least one of the games though and give it a try! Also, if this author decides to write more books in this world, I would definitely give them a read too! ( )

Starcraft Evolution by Timothy Zahn follows the triumvirate of species – Terran, Protoss & Zerg – through a cunning interplay of intrigue in which all three species decide on a ceasefire and attempt to foster piece. From here, a slew of duplicitous ordeals ensue, which leaves everyone wondering who’s pulling the strings and what’s the endgoal. Once chaos ensues, everything is put on the line as the truth races against deceit and the fate of the world lies in the balance.

The story itself is rather good, although quite predictable in a few key spots.

Zahn as a writer does a really good job of bringing an authentic feel to the book. That said, as a huge Starcraft fan since the late 90s, I was expecting just a bit more. Granted, the book does an adequate story of being part of the Starcraft Universe. It just didn’t seem to be as engaging as the Jim Raynor novels or even some of the earlier trilogies. Heck, just read Spectres two weeks ago and that was a lot more fun and intense than this. That’s what disappoints me a bit.

Don’t give me wrong, I am sure Zahn is quite a writer, and do plan on getting his latest Star Wars novel. It’s just that this book, given all the potentiality for information within the Starcraft Universe, could have easily accomplished so much more with just a handful of key pieces of information.

A stand alone novel, the book is okay, and it keeps a steady pace. The pace didn’t bother me as much as the lack of in-depth, especially considering the amount of in-depth additional information about Starcraft lore that could have been had.

Having read all main Starcraft Novels, I was really looking forward to taking a bite out of this. However, for all of the reasons above and more, can’t help but have mixed feelings about this. On a 10 scale, I would give it no higher than a 7, although it could easily drop to a six.

For what it’s worth, if Blizzard is listening – at all – and additional novels get planed for the future, PLEASE add more background information to these. I wouldn’t have taken more then 2-3 paragraphs in key sections and this book would have been excellent.

If you’re a diehard fan, like me, you will probably like it, if only a bit. Just don’t get your hopes up too much. ( )

Starcraft: Evolution
By Timothy Zahn
Del Rey Books, 2016
$28.00; 354 pages
ISBN 9780425284735

In general, I don't read videogame books for the same reason I don't watch videogame movies. With a few exceptions, they all suck. I picked this volume up because Timothy Zahn is one of my favorite authors, and I wanted to see if he could pull off a novel about the real-time strategy (RTS) game Starcraft.

To my pleasant and mild surprise, he did. I say mild, because I figured if anyone could do it, Zahn could. When I saw the book on the shelf, I imagined a pitch:

He could do for Starcraft now what he did for Star Wars in the early 1990s.
I don't have any reason to think anything remotely like this actually occurred, but it was a funny thought. I say pleasant, because I found that I was actually having a hard time putting this book down.

Even though I am a fan of Starcraft the game, I always found the story a bit confusing and hard to remember. Since most of the dialogue in-game happens in briefing sessions introducing the next mission, this isn't really surprising. Zahn managed to tie everything together into a satisfying narrative, and there was even a handy timeline in the endpapers that cleared some events up for me.

I would be surprised if anyone who wasn't already a fan of either Zahn or Starcraft would pick up this volume. Especially if you hadn't played Starcraft, a lot of context would likely be missing, although I feel that Zahn did a good job salting in backstory. But to miss this book would be a shame, since it was fun to read. This is a solid military sci-fi novel by a good author. Anyone who likes those things should have a decent chance at enjoying this book, even if you don't know what a Firebat is. ( )