Destiny’s Way

Staff Writer: DL Mullan

4 out of 5 Shovels
With the fourteenth installment of the New Jedi Order series by Del Rey, Destiny’s Way has a rounded out cast of twenty-four characters as well as their intertwining subplots. This book has several themes running through the story; the most significant themes concern the destiny of Jacen Solo and the turning point of the war with the Yuuzhan Vong.

As the story unfolds, the reader learns that the New Republic is still fighting skirmishes and introducing new ways to circumvent the Yuuzhan Vong advantage. The New Republic government is falling apart as elections begin for a new Chief of State. The Skywalkers, Solos and their comrades begin to collaborate on how to preserve the tattered government and win against the Yuuzhan Vong as odds dictate against an amicable solution. Resentment between the military officers and government officials escalate, causing desperate friends to resolve the issues with the military, politicians, and Jedi.

After elections, the Jedi Council reforms, with some modifications, and becomes the High Council; all the while, a secret biological weapon is being developed for future use by the New Republic. Later the High Council rejects the use of such a weapon but the Chief of State overrides their vote with his authority. Master Skywalker again finds himself in the political arena in order to diffuse a dangerous situation.

Amid the chaos, Jacen returns to the loving embraces of his friends and family after his escape from the Yuuzhan Vong with his friend and teacher, Vergere. Many are skeptical of her motivations and Vergere becomes a prisoner of the New Republic.

In his quest to understand Jacen, his ordeal, his new friend, and the Force, Master Luke Skywalker questions Vergere in her prison cell intensely. There in confrontation with the avian, Luke finds a perspective he had not realized before about the nature of the Force and himself. Though not convinced of her intentions, Luke has the avian stay in the Skywalker apartment and far away from Jacen Solo.

After taking the imposed, but well needed, vacation by Master Skywalker, Jacen then reenters the war. With Jacen directing the battle from his mind, the Jedi fighter pilots melding with one another in coordination, the New Republic sets a trap for their invaders. The bait of Jaina and Jacen Solo proves to be wise as the Yuuzhan Vong fall into the ambush easily. A decisive victory for the New Republic forces echoes loudly and the Yuuzhan Vong flee from their failure.

Walter Jon Williams does a wonderful job explaining the answers to many of the questions that have arisen in the New Jedi Order series. There are a few surprises and returning characters. In addition to seeing Mara in action, Lando and Karrade being inventive businessmen, and the makings of a romance between Jacen and Danni Quee, the reader is not disappointed save one: Ben Skywalker. Holovids and pictures of the youngster is not enough, will Luke and Mara ever become participants in their baby's life? We would like to see this family dynamic developed.

This book was read in less than two days. However, with any novel, too many subplots and characters causes the story to feel slow in places and much needed character interactions are written as exposition. Overall, the novel is well written and enjoyable. Entertaining and enlightening, this novel to anyone reading in the Extended Universe.

Mara Jade

Onslaught

Staff Writer: DL Mullan

The second novel in the New Jedi Order Series from Star Wars shows how much business the Yuuzhan Vong mean to do to the galaxy. In the atmosphere of distrust the Jedi are at the center of the controversy. Leia cannot seem to convince the New Republic about the impending threat even as the aliens invade the outer reaches of the galaxy.

This time the Jedi are ready for an attack. Luke Skywalker along with his wife, Mara Jade, the Solo children and Corran Horn begin to rally against the invaders. Though the invaders quickly overwhelm the New Republic forces.

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