Title: Star Wars: New Jedi Order: Star by Star (Book 9)
Author: Troy Denning
Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: October 30, 2001
Format: paperback
Release Date: October 30, 2001
Format: paperback
Genre: Sci-Fi
Rating: 5/5
Synopsis:
" It is a solemn time for the New Republic, as the merciless Yuuzhan Vong continue their campaign of destruction. The brutal enemy has unleashed a savage creature capable of finding-and killing-Jedi Knights. Now Leia Organa Solo faces a terrible ultimatum. If the location of the secret Jedi base is not revealed within a week, the Yuuzhan Vong will blast millions of refugee ships into oblivion.
As the battered but still unbroken Jedi scramble to deal with the newest onslaught, Leia's son Anakin lays out a daring plan. He will lead a Jedi strike force into the heart of enemy territory in order to sabotage the Yuuzhan Vong's deadliest weapons. There, with his brother and sister at his side, he will come face-to-face with his destiny-as the New Republic, still fighting the good fight, will come face-to-face with theirs..."
Oh the wonders of Star Wars Expanded Universe! While it no longer is canon within the Star Wars Universe, it is still near and dear to my heart! This book, more so than any other of the EU books, has brought me much sorrow, happiness, and remains my most conflicted reads ever! This book is the 9th in the New Jedi Order (NJO) mini-series,therefore, much that is discussed in it and on here will be kinda new to those who don't know much about it. Not to mention that the entire EU is one giant comprehensive group and many story lines from either books and characters get fleshed out more here, or even meet their ends.
As the synopsis states (very Star Wars opening scroll is it not?), The New Republic, the government that is formed out of the Rebel Alliance after the fall of Emperor Palpatine, is fighting a losing war against the extra-galactic invaders, the Yuuzhan Vong. Invaders from a distant lifeless galaxy. The Yuuzhan Vong wield organic ships, weapons, and armor, obsessed with self-mutilation in honor of their Pantheon of gods, and most vexing of all, are invisible to the Force. Calling the technologically advanced races of the Star Wars galaxy "infidels" and looking for a new home, the Vong invade the galaxy and begin a long and deadly war. The Jedi, rebuilt by Luke Skywalker, are seen as the only honorable and dangerous beings to be found in the galaxy and worthy of personal destruction at their hands. Creating a Force-hunting creature based off the native creatures of the planet Myrkr, the Vong unleash them upon the battered Jedi.
With no options left to the dwindling guardians of the galaxy, Anakin Solo, Leia and Han's youngest son, devises a plan to strike at the Voxyn Queen, mother of all these dangerous creatures. Joined by his siblings, the twins Jacen and Jania, Chewbacca's nephew Lowbacca, the Dathomiri Tenel Ka, the former Dark Jedi Zekk, the Alderaan survivor Raynar Thul, his childhood friend Tahiri Veila, the healer Tekli, the reptilian hatch mates, Tesar Sebatyne, Krasov and Bela Hara, the rebellous Ganner Rhysode, musically inclined Ulaha Kore, spacer Eryl Besa, and the Rodian sniper Jovan Drark, they plan on taking the war finally to the Vong and showing the galaxy the might of the Jedi Order.
While this team of Jedi apprentices battles overwhelming odds in order to save their Order, the Yuuzhan Vong, allongside traitors and spies, plan on launching daring attacks against the few remaining strongholds of the New Republic, including their capital, Coruscant.
This book is just jam packed with wonderful, sad, and joyous information of the Star Wars EU. The author, Troy Denning, brings characters introduced in older books, to a close in a way that shows the overarching impact of the antagonists. Bringing in twists and turns from beginning to end, Denning turns a simple book into a block-buster that would have made a wonderful addition to George Lucas's movie franchise! Following not just the young strike team but also old favorites like Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa Solo, Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, and Wedge Antilles, the book brings action and intrigue to every corner of its pages. From beginning to end, from every upturn to every tear-jerking moment, this book brings to mind the very movies it was based on.
If sci-fi is your cup of caf, and if you are looking forward to a book that harkens to the block busters in theme, grandeur, and storylines, this is a book, and a mini-series for you!
