Star Wars Gamer #4
Deep Spoilers
by Ryder Windham

Published by Wizards of the Coast

Scott's Rating:   2.5 out of 4

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This short story was published in the Star Wars Gamer magazine. It takes place a short time after Episode I.

After the battle of Naboo, the Gungan culture is slowly changing. They have since become more open to outsiders and tourists who have become interested in seeing the aquatic race who battled the Trade Federation. One of the main tourist attractions is the Otoh Gunga Challenge, a bongo race through the depths of Naboo.

Two of the racers, Spleed and Neb Neb, are fiercly competitive and are the stars of the racers. Their reckless maneuvers win them many fans, but no friends in the racing teams. One of their competitors, Squidfella, carries out an act of revenge against them that might not only end their careers, but kill them. Major Fassa from the Episode I Adventures series (and Jar Jar's one time love interest) returns to help save the day.

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Scott:

    I thought this story was interesting because it explored the aftermath of Episode I on Naboo. How did it change the Gungans and their way of life? This discusses it a little. It's intereting to see how Otoh Gunga goes from being a hidden city to a place open for tourists.

I thought it was also nice to see Major Fassa return. I like seeing the books from the various series be tied together. It makes it seem more like one continuous story is being told. She's also one of the more interesting, and tolerable characters.

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Scott:

    Deep Spoilers started out blissfully free of Gungan-speak, but it eventually falls into the frequent "mesa's" and "wesa's" that were so despised from Episode I. It becomes tedious to read after a while.

Despite a fun little chase and race, not much happens here. However, since it is a short story, there's not much room for something major to happen. It's a good effort by Windham, but not a story you'll be inclined to recall in the future.

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Scott:

    Gungans. Lots of them.

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