3 out of 5 Shovels
The last trilogy of the New Jedi Order, Force Heretic I: Remnant is book 15 in the series. With their first strong victory over the Yuuzhan Vong in the near past, the New Republic changes its color and mission to become the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances, or simply the Galactic Alliance.
Since the Yuuzhan Vong war, the New Republic has struggled to defend itself from the enemies within and out of its borders. With the Empire and Chiss as well as other factions separate and aloof, the New Republic found little backing to its cause against their new enemy. However this challenge is one of many that need to be addressed and a new government to solve these issues. In order to accomplish this task the Galactic Alliance wants to bring the diverse populations of their galaxy together into one coalition to provide a sound government, safer environment, and collective military.
The series begins with the Galactic Alliance needing to reform its communication system and former military strength in order to win the war. Han and Leia with Jaina, Jagged Fel, Tahiri and the Twin Suns Squadron decide to investigate the worlds taken by the enemy and develop a plan for the future re-establishment of communications. Luke, Mara, Jacen, Danni, Saba and Tekli travel to the Outer Regions. Searching for a lost, but living planet identified as Zonama Sekot by Vergere, the Jedi led by Mara and Luke set out in the Jade Shadow only to find a weakened Empire. All the while Nom Anor living with the Shamed Ones begins to unravel the system he once invoked without question. The Yuuzhan Vong outcasts who worship the Jedi could be his salvation.
In this novel, I especially enjoyed the romances between Danni and Jacen –he needs something to bind him to the universe except philosophy- as well as the romance between Jagged Fel and Jaina, who needs positive reinforcement to keep her from the Dark Side of the Force. On the other hand, Tahiri has an intriguing storyline as she fights the mental brainwashing the Yuuzhan Vong implemented before Anakin Solo’s death and the other personality that keeps creeping into her consciousness. The story should become pretty interesting trying to tie up these loose ends by the end of the trilogy.
This book is about average for the New Jedi Order Series but the storyline has a few slow places. Though a rough start for the Williams/Dix team, I am confident the pacing will pick up in the second novel.
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