Top 3 Paperback Novels of 2006

For my final list of the year, I present you with my top 3 paperbacks of 2006.

3) Star Wars: Dark Lord - The Rise of Darth Vader - This is the expanded universe sequel to Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, and it's a great read to get into the psychological state of cinema's all time favourite villain at a point when he himself is very vulnerable. You find more about why Vader made the choice he did, what happened to other surviving Jedi, and details on the further reformation of the Galactic Empire, including a brief glimpse into the reorganization of the Grand Army into Stormtroopers. This is a novel that no Star Wars fan should miss.

2) Halo: Ghosts of Onyx - What else can I say save that it's an original new story set within Bungie's epic military sci-fi universe. Halo: Ghosts of Onyx takes place mainly after Halo 2, and though it doesn't feature the Master Chief or Cortana in any prominent role, you get to find out what happens to the remaining Spartan IIs. More information is shed on the Covenant Civil War, and perhaps some hints about Halo 3 are glanced on as well. If you enjoyed the first and third Halo novels, odds are that Halo: Ghosts of Onyx is for you as its written by the same author and features the bulk of the same characters.

1) The Eagle - The final companion novel to the epic A Dream of Eagles series, The Eagle concludes the tale of Clothar, better known as Lancelot, and lays bare the fate of the colony of Camulod and of King Arthur and his Knights Companion. While some have called it anti-climactic, what you need to remember is that this is now Clothar's story, not Merlyn's and not Arthur's. Based on this, the final novel makes a lot more sense and will leave you feeling more satisfied. The Dream of Eagles series is the best novel series I have read in my life bar none. It is filled with all too human characters who present us with a beautiful historical fiction rendition of a traditional fantasy legend. The only disappointment I have to express with The Eagle is that it does indeed end the series, but what a series it is. If you decide to pick up The Eagle, please start at the beginning of the series proper so you follow the proper flow of the story. The first novel is called The Skystone, and if military and historical fiction is your thing, than you owe it to yourself to give this novel a read.