Powerful Pages - Star Wars: Death Troopers by Joe Schreiber

Powerful Pages - Star Wars: Death Troopers by Joe Schreiber (2009)

If the idea of a horror novel set within the Star Wars universe intrigues you, there is every reason to think that you would enjoy Death Troopers.  A grisly tale of hapless survivors being hunted by zombies on abandoned vessels in deep space, Schreiber does a good job of marrying two separate worlds together.  Yes, this is most definitely a zombie story, dripping with terror and boasting many of that sub-genre's favorite staples.  Yes, it is a Star Wars tale as well, capturing the feel of that universe and inserting two of the franchise's most beloved characters into the fray.  There are also nods to Alien and other sci-fi horror ventures, so the tale's biggest shortcoming may be it's derivative nature.  Schreiber is a fine writer, and while he doesn't paint any grand pictures with his words, he keeps things moving and proves quite adept at establishing mood and tension.  At the end of the day, one shouldn't expect Death Troopers to use the Star Wars brand and the various horror genre tropes it relies upon to springboard into some fantastic new realm.  It is awesome to experience a gruesome zombie shocker taking place in the same world where the Jedi and the Sith wage war, but as zombie tales go, this one adheres to the formula.  In a way, while most Star Wars ventures aim to be epic sagas overburdened with riches, Death Troopers is totally satisfied with operating on a lesser scale.  If this were a film, it would be a B movie, and while it wouldn't shatter the mold by any means, it would surely be a crowd-pleaser for those who appreciate the concept.

Final Grade: B-