Pros: Good continuation of the New Jedi Order storyline - expansion of some characters.
Cons: Other characters seem less developed.
The Bottom Line: A good novel about the continuing war against the Yuuzhan Vong, it helps develop Jaina's character - but for the better? We'll have to see.
martytdx's Full Review: Elaine Cunningham - Star Wars the New Jedi Order: ...
I have a confession. I’m a Star Wars fan.
Yes, I am 31-years old. No, I don’t dress up like Han Solo at random intervals. Yes, I have all the books. No, I don’t have the UnderoosŪ. Yes, I guess I am a bit of a geek. No, I don’t have a secret passion to be George Lucas’ love-child.
Okay, now that we have that out of the way, on to the story. As with most of the Star Wars stories, I eagerly awaited the next installment of the New Jedi Order series. I think that the series is the best on since Timothy Zahn’s original Thrawn trilogy, although it has gone on long enough to have had some ups and downs in the qualities of the novels. Each novel is written by a different author – or at least most are; some authors get a 2-book series.
Dark Journey by Elaine Cunningham is better than some, but not the best of the series. In this book, we follow Jaina Solo after the death of Anakin and the capture of her twin brother, Jacen. A tortured soul, Jaina has begun to feel the touch – and draw – of the dark side of the Force. At the same time, she is making some interesting discoveries about the Yuuzhan Vong – the nearly unstoppable invaders of the Star Wars galaxy.
When the story begins, Jaina and several other Jedi are attempting to escape from the Vong, barely managing to get away in a stolen Vong frigate. They try to reach Coruscant, only to find that the capital planet of the New Republic is under siege and very close to falling to the invaders. Hastily, they beat a retreat for the closest place that their wearing and damaged ship can make it to – the Hapes Cluster, a group of planets which currently isn’t the friendliest of places for the New Republic.
Still smarting from having most of their fleet destroyed by an accident by the New Republic, the Hapes’ government is fragmenting into pro-Republic and anti-Republic (and anti-Jedi) factions. Leading this contention is the former Queen Mother Ta’Chume, a conniving woman who will do anything to get back her previous power. Enter Jaina Solo – and a new plan to wrest control from her daughter-in-law and into the hands someone who she thinks she might be able to manipulate.
In this novel, we get to really find out more about Jag Fel, an Imperial pilot who has come to respect – even care for – Jaina Solo. We also get to see more of Kyp Durron, the Jedi who has been fighting with Luke Skywalker for months to do more than think about how to fight the Vong. Kyp was a great character in a series a few years back, a Jedi who bit off more than he could chew and ended up nearly falling completely to the dark side but was redeemed by Luke. Now, he finds that maybe he has to become the protector and even redeemer of an increasingly disturbing Jaina.
Meanwhile, Jaina and Lowbacca have discovered some interesting ways to trick and fight the Yuuzhan Vong. As they discover more – and test their theories, Jaina begins to slip ever further into a callous, almost Vader-like attitude towards reaching her goal. And there are those she cares about to look on, weighing the ends and the means.
Overall, I liked the story. We get to see how Kyp Durron was thinking rather than having him the brash Jedi out to act without any thought to the consequences. We delve into the political intrigue which is the Hapes Cluster, but all-in-all, I think that piece missed it’s mark. Seeing how Jaina is able to fight the Vong at their own game is a major plus, although I am not sure where they are going to take her character now after her delving into the dark side – we’ll have to see in the next few books.
If you like the series so far, I think you’ll like this book, although it is far from the best in the series. I look forward to the Behind Enemy Lines duology, by Aaron Allston, who has already proven himself with the Rogue Squadron series – it will go a long way to justifying this book as a great set-up or a disappointing segue-way. But until then, enjoy watching the tables be turned by Jaina – and wonder who will be sitting at those tables in the future.
"The New Jedi Order continues as Jaina Solo struggles with anger and despair after the Jedi Knights' harrowing adventure behind enemy lines. BRThough ...More at HotBookSale
Following intense personal loss, Jaina Solo descends to the dark side, determined to take her revenge on the Yuuzhan Vong. In the process, she learns ...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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