Vector Prime

Staff Writer: DL Mullan

3 1/2 out of 5 Shovels
The first novel of the New Jedi Order series, Star Wars, by Del Rey is about how a new alien race has been creeping up onto the New Republic. From the shadows of the space, these invaders have set their eyes onto other worlds. The Yuuzhan Vong are conquerors ready for their decisive battle against their new enemies.

The first novel the Star Wars book explains how a new alien species has been creepy up watching, waiting, and infiltrating the New Republic in order to conquer the galaxy. After twenty-one years of building a new government for the republic, the fledging society is teaming with political snags and unsettling rumors. Though just beyond the threshold waits something even more sinister, the Yuuzhan Vong.

After twenty-one years, the New Republic's foundations are being shaken from interstellar political power plays to a deadlier threat then the Empire. Balancing the new invaders and unrest, the New Republic is about to be hit by another blow. The aliens attack planets and disrupt their ecology making planets unlivable to their former residents. Refugees are beginning to overwhelm other planets and populations. Though there is one more discernable punch the New Republic takes before the story ends. The long time companion of Han Solo is killed saving his son, Anakin. Chewbacca dies to the dismay of many fans including this one.

The biologically based technology of the new alien species does more than elude the prodding of the Force. These devices give a frustrating advantage over the New Republic forces which are out manned and tactically challenged by the invaders strange technology and functionality. Not sure of the Yuuzhan Vong's motivations the galaxy soon realizes how destructive the aliens' intentions are as planets are lost and a friend is killed. The death of Chewbacca took many by surprise. Some believing this action give validity to the Yuuzhan Vong's deadliness. Others feel this death was unwarranted at this time in the series, if at all warranted.

Luke Skywalker, Mara Jade, Leia Organa