Star Wars: The New Jedi Order - Dark Tide I: Onslaught
by Michael A. Stackpole

After reading calls on the message boards for people to "burn your copies of Vector Prime!" I was worried about the future of the New Jedi Order. No more. Last night I finished this book, took off my glasses, turned to my husband, and uttered one word:

"Awesome."

Not to say the book has no flaws. Anything can be picked apart. The question is, when you read this book, are you transported to another place and time? Do you get your money's worth of entertainment out of it? Do you regret having to put it down to get some sleep or interact with real humans you supposedly care about? For me, the answer to all these questions is yes. I'll summarize the plot (very mild spoilers), then give you a few opinions on what worked for me and what didn't, and you can form your own opinion.

Plot Summary

This is the first book of a duology entitled Dark Tide, so a lot of things are left hanging at the end. Still, there is a somewhat satisfying climax to the first part.

Taking up where we left at the end of Vector Prime, Leia has gone to the Republic Senate--the collective IQ of which seems to be lower than Borsk Fey'lya's shoe size--to report on a new threat to the very existence of the Republic. The Yuuzhan Vong, invaders from outside the galaxy who possess formidable organic weapons and are undetectable through the Force, were pushed back at terrible cost, but they are still out there, and more may be coming. The Senate stick their heads up their posteriors (surprise!), and Leia is forced to take matters into her own hands. She gives all the data on the Yuuzhan Vong to the military, which begins to run simulations and devise strategies to defeat the invaders. Then she goes to the Rim planets that are most threatened by the YV advance and appeals for help. When that fails, she starts to arrange evacuations, helped by Rogue Squadron.

Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker has his hands full trying to rein in a faction of Jedi Knights, led by Kyp Durron, who want to take a more proactive approach to their roles. He divvies up some assignments to everybody, then heads out with Jacen to the ExGal station on Belkadan where the invasion first started, looking for a clue to Mara's mysterious illness. There they discover a breeding ground for the Yuuzhan Vong's organic technology.

Luke has paired Corran Horn with an arrogant Jedi, Ganner Rhysode, and told them to check up on a lost scientific team--who have, incidentally, uncovered Yuuzhan Vong artifacts. This planet, too, is found to be a nursery for YV technology. Through a few near-death experiences the two Jedi manage to establish a mutual respect, but their tentative truce is tested when they witness a slave being beaten to death for sport.

Luke sends Anakin with Mara to Dantooine, where they hope the Living Force of the planet will aid her in fighting off her illness. The YV show up, though, and the two Jedi end up in a fight for their lives. Meanwhile Jaina has joined Rogue Squadron to fill one of the many gaps left in their ranks due to attrition. The squadron, now led by Gavin Darklighter, is running escort for the evacuees. Leia's refugees end up fleeing to Dantooine, barely ahead of the Yuuzhan Vong forces. Luke, sensing he must go to Dantooine as well, shows up just in time for one big happy family reunion as the Yuuzhan Vong launch a huge ground assault.

Will Ganner really leave Corran to die, or will he disobey orders yet again? Will Anakin be able to protect Mara, or will he be responsible for yet another death? Will Jacen take up arms against the invading forces, or will he become a hermit and study his navel as the galaxy crumbles? Can Luke take out a whole army with the Force alone? What will happen to all those starving, defenseless refugees? Will Lando get over the destruction of his favorite blue silk shirt? Tune in to find out.

The Light Side

• Stackpole's writing flows very well, with just enough detail, spot-on characterization, great dialogue, and lots of humor. He even throws in a bit of affection between Mara and Luke, to which I say, About Darn Time. Wading through Vector Prime was a chore. Reading this book, in contrast, was pure pleasure.

• My favorite part of the Star Wars universe, and the main feature that sets it apart from all other science fiction, is the concept of the Force and the Jedi. So I was glad to see the Jedi in full "force" here. Luke Skywalker goes into Kick-butt Jedi Master Mode a couple of times, showing Jacen (who is having doubts about the usefulness and ethics of the Jedi) what the Force can really do in a pinch. Mara is still holding her own. Anakin and Jaina both find their niches and prove their mettle. Leia even steps into the act, teaching Danni Quee (a scientist whom we met in the previous novel) how to use her latent Force sensitivity. Corran Horn is also featured prominently -- despite his self-righteous attitude, this is one character I always enjoy reading about, and he has his hands full being humiliated by another Jedi with flashier abilities. Kyp, thankfully, disappears early on -- I keep hoping he'll get himself killed in a really noble yet spectacular way. Please? I realize a few fans believe the stories would be better without Jedi -- "no Jedi required" as one puts it -- but I can't agree. Anyway, the series is called the New Jedi Order, so you have to expect a lot of Jedi Knights in the mix.

• There's a little something for everybody here. If you like the main characters from the films, you got 'em (sort of). If you like the Young Jedi Knights, hey, they're here. Corran Horn, Mara Jade, the Solo Kids, Rogue Squadron, all in attendance. But you don't have to have read all the other books to make sense of the story.

• Of course with Stackpole at the helm, the space battles are a delight to behold. The other battles and hand-to-hand stuff are also described well, especially the epic land battle at the end. I can really see what's happening, and I don't get confused. Great stuff.

• Wedge and Tycho make a cameo appearance, and it looks like they'll be joining the fray in some capacity soon. Hurray! I mean, I like Gavin Darklighter as commander of Rogue Squadron, but Wedge is only 41, for pete's sake. It's too early for him to be retired and playing canasta at the old folk's home.

• The technology of the Yuuzhan Vong is intimidating, and the ways in which Our Heroes circumnavigate and defeat it are both creative and clever -- but this is no cakewalk. The bad guys are truly formidable. A lot of people die in this story -- a LOT. The stakes are very high, and I find myself wondering how the good guys are going to pull off a victory. I don't think it's going to be settled any time soon. Heh heh heh.

The Dark Side

• The story is a bit disjointed. Stackpole is trying to tell four or five stories simultaneously, cutting between them, and it's easy to forget what happened in each thread when you come back to it. But unlike some other Star Wars authors who have attempted this, all of the stories are related to each other, and tie back together eventually.

• We don't really get into the heads of any of the bad guys this time, except for one chapter near the end. I would have liked to see the conflict through their eyes a bit more.

• Stackpole doesn't deal with the repercussions of a major character's death from the last book except in a superficial way. I get the feeling he's postponing it for the next story, because in this one Han makes only a brief appearance, announcing he is going to get drunk and try to get into a brawl. I'm hoping we get to see more of the emotional ramifications of the death and his damaged relationship with Anakin in the next book. Even if this is a realistic reaction to Han's grief, it's still disappointing to see a major Hero of the Rebellion mired in self-pity while his friends and family risk their lives to save the galaxy.

Overall, I give this novel an A+. I recommend you all pick up a copy ASAP. Click here to buy it at amazon.com.

(Toryn Farr knew everything about Star Wars back in 1977 thanks to Starlog Magazine. She's been trying to keep her know-it-all reputation ever since. During the 90 minutes per day her three-year-old is napping, Toryn attempts to run an internet design business and write fantasy fiction.)