Jedi Search - Jedi Academy Trilogy Book 1 - New Republic Novel

As the war between the Republic and the scattered remnants of the Empire continues, two children the - Jedi twins - will come into their powers in a universe on the brink of vast changes and challenges. In this time of turmoil and discovery, an extraordinary new Star Wars saga begins.


While Luke Skywalker takes the first step toward setting up an academy to train a new order of Jedi Knights, Han Solo and Chewbacca are taken prisoner on the planet Kessel and forced to work in the fathomless depths of a spice mine.

But when Han and Chewie break away, they flee desperately to a secret Imperial research laboratory surrounded by a cluster of black holes and go from one danger to a far greater one.

On Kessel, Luke picks up the trail of his two friends, only to come face-to-face with a weapon so awesome, it can wipe out an entire solar system. It is a death ship called the Sun Crusher, invented by a reclusive genius and piloted by none other than Han himself...

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Jedi Search lives right up to its name.  For the first time, Luke is actually starting his journey in rebuilding the Jedi.  After receiving permission from the New Republic to start his academy, he starts his search for potential Jedi students.  Luke's journey takes him to the volcanic world of Eol Sha, very similar to Mustafar, to investigate a potential new student, Gantoris.  Gantoris and the people of Eol Sha put Luke thru a series of trials to prove his intentions with Gantoris.  Luke and Leia also assist in the relocation of the Eol Sha people to save them from their currently unstable planet.

After going back to Coruscant after a failed business venture, Lando is dispatched by Leia to investigate another potential Jedi for the New Republic.

Han and Chewie's adventure as diplomatic adversaries to the Spice Mines of Kessel and find themselves in the hands of an old enemy during the days of the Empire.  The are taken hostage and are working in the Spice Mines, and meet up with a young man with extreme potential as a Jedi.

The adventures in this book takes us to many familiar and new places.  Han and his gang end up in the Maw, a cluster of black holes, in one of their escapes and find themselves cornered by Imperial Forces that have lost contact with the Empire since the creation of the first Death Star.  Another weapon of mass destruction is unveiled, while Han is taken captive by the Imperials that believe they are still under Governor Tarkin's orders.  There are many turns and new faces forming the New Republic in this novel; while we still never lose track of the victors over Endor. 

Luke is beginning to lead the way to creating the Jedi Knights of the New Republic and establishing his Jedi Praxium over none other that the forth moon over Yavin, Dxun.  Much darkness resides in the history of Dxun, such as the exile of Dark Lord of the Sith, Exar Kuun, from over 3,500 years before and is much alive in the Force.

"This is the beginning Leia, I feel it. Great things are coming. The Jedi Knights will rise again."

Star Wars Hitchhiker

Crimson Empire - Audio Drama - New Republic

The explosive Star Wars saga continues! Crimson Empire introduces you to a new generation of space heroes and thrilling adventures!  This Audio Drama is an adaptation of the popular Crimson Empire comic book series.

As the story opens, the Empire's in turmoil; Luke Skywalker has destroyed the last of Emperor Palpatine's clones, and the Dark Lord Carnor Jax plans to seize the throne. But he has a formidable opponent to contend with: the brave Kir Kanos. The only survivor of the elite Crimson Guard, he alone stands between Jax and universal domination.

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Kir Kanos (right) a former Emperor's Red Guard is out for vengeance against the empire and former guard Carnor Jax.  Kanos started as a storm trooper but was recognized for his abilities and was brought to train with the elite to become an Emperor's Guard.  Kanos earned his position in a dual of fates against another guardsman.  He was permanently marked by Darth Vader, Kanos carries the scar a crossed his right eye from Vader's light saber.  Kanos is united with the New Republic on the Planet Phaeda, in his hunt for revenge.  He is offered sanctuary by Mirith Sinn who hopes to turn Kanos to the New Republic, but Kanos wants nothing of their rebellion.  Kanos and the New Republic are united by their common enemy but he is only after avenging the wrongful death of the Emperor he was sworn to serve.

Ruling in place of the recently killed Palpatine, Carnor Jax is establishing his new empire and one person stands in his way.  The sole living being that knows Jax's true secret is Kanos.  Kir Kanos is the only guardsman that witnessed Jax's treachery by sabotaging the remainder of Palpatines clones to destroy is chances of finding a new body after death.  This is Kanos's driving force to live and breathe, to avenge the death of the Emperor.

This audio drama completely follows the events of the ending of the Dark Empire Series.  Although lacking the main Star Wars characters, Crimson Empire introduces new members of the Star Wars EU.  This tale ventures deep in the history of the two Red Guards and their journey through the ranks of storm troopers to arch enemies.  The audio drama adaptation is shorter than any of the 6 movies and is an exciting adventure in the New Republic, with a few new faces (Sish Sadeet - Trandoshan - Left) and Mirith Sinn (Female on Right). 

"You have allowed this Dark Lord to twist your mind until now… until now, you have become the very thing you swore to destroy!"

Star Wars Hitchhiker

Empire's End - Dark Empire Finale - Audio Drama - New Republic

Emperor Palpatine has a new weapon -- one that can annihilate a planet. But he's not targeting a planet -- he's targeting the future of the Jedi, Leia's children. It looks like a hopeless situation for Luke Skywalker, who has the critical task of protecting the children. But it's not the first time Luke has found hope where none existed. The finale to the Dark Empire trilogy is collected here.

The Emperor is back and in a dual of fates against the Skywalker legacy.  The remnants of the Empire tests the New Republic in this final chapter of the Dark Empire.  The New Republics Pinnacle Base is destroyed by the Empire's new Galaxy Gun, and is now on target to destroy the New Republic home world.  Our favorite Astro-mech droid does that galaxy a great service with hands in the ultimate destruction of the Galaxy Gun.

With the slowly dying body of the Emperor deteriorating, he needs to find a new inhabitant for his mind to dwell and targets little baby Anakin Solo.  Han Solo show's he has a little bit more in common with his father in law than he truly believes, and a great friend from the clone wars makes the ultimate sacrifice of his life, to join the force, and forever destroy the Emperor Palpatine.

"This weapon can destroy a city… a landmass… or even an entire planet anywhere in the galaxy."

As Vader once said..... "Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed. The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force"

Star Wars Hitchhiker

Boba Fett Omnibus - Comics - Empire and New Republic Era

Who's the badest Bounty Hunter Man, who wears the armor of the Mandalorian????   FETT!!!  You're Damn Right!

Boba Fett, the most feared, most respected, and most loved bounty hunter in the galaxy now has all of his comics stories collected into one massive volume!

In these stories, Boba Fett gets caught between the Rebellion and the Empire; seeks a mysterious relic from a wrecked Star Destroyer; settles a diplomatic dispute — with extreme prejudice; takes part in a bounty-hunter free-for-all; fights Darth Vader; and even goes up against a Boba Fett imposter! There’s no job too deadly for the man in Mandalorian armor!

 

 

This isn't my first Omnibus nor the last but was very excited with the collection of Boba Fett.  The comics in this collection were good and not great.  I found myself in a few of the comics really lacking a good story and found following a few of the story lines a little rough.  Mostly filled with good stuff, this is very enjoyable and a must for anybody who wants to learn more about the other man behind the mask, and no....not even a sarlacc's pit can kill the galaxies most feared Bounty Hunter!
 

 

Enemy of the Empire - Before the events of A New Hope, Darth Vader employed the galaxy's greatest bounty hunter on a search-and-retrieval mission: Boba Fett must discover and return to Vader a single small box, the contents of which could change the fate of the galaxy. For such an important mission, Vader cannot rely on a single operative… nor can he allow that operative to walk away alive!

 

This comic collection was probably the best of the group and first chapter in the Omnibus. Darth Vader contracts Boba Fett to recover an item of his personal interest and ends up being betrayed by Fett and locked in battle with the ruthless Mandalorian. Some of the smaller characters were very lame, but the Fett and Vader fight was very cool. Little did Vader know, his adversary would later in life train Vader's grand daughter, the ways of the Jedi.....but that's for another time. Most enjoyable, best in the Omnibus.

 

 

 

 

 

Underworld: The Yavin Vassilika - Remember when Han Solo was still a scoundrel? Ah, the good ol' days.. A group of Hutts decide to place a wager to see who really carries the most weight throughout the Galactic Underworld. When it comes to setting a goal for this contest they decide to hire crews to seek out the fabled Yavin Vassilika - a legendary treasure which most sentient beings believe to be fictional. The best and brightest rogues of the Star Wars universe are recruited, and you won't want to miss it as Boba Fett, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Greedo, Lando, Dengar, and others team up and square off to decide who is the best scoundrel in the galaxy!

 

This collection was to very intense and got every bit of scum and slim of the Star Wars EU possible. From reading the AC Crispin Han Solo Trilogy, the events in this comic fit right in with the trilogy, it is an adapted story that played on those events, although did not have any effects from that series. A fun collection and was very entertaining, and wasn't just about Boba Fett.

 

 

Star Wars: Empire 7: Sacrifice - With the news of the destruction of the Death Star spreading throughout the galaxy, the Rebellion has grown bolder—and the Empire has cracked down harder. On a remote world, the struggle between self-rule and Imperial edict has erupted into a civil war that pits brother against brother. When the feared bounty hunter Boba Fett is dropped into the middle of the action, things really heat up! But with the Rebellion's forces consolidating, and the Imperial fleet on the way, which side will Fett support?

 

 

 

 

 

Star Wars: Empire 28: Wreckage - Boba Fett is on a mission. But this time his objective is not a person, but a thing: a holo-projector containing an irreplaceable recording. The one caveat is that the device is somewhere in the wreckage of a massive Star Destroyer, guarded by Imperial fighters and scheduled for destruction by the Empire to prevent any salvageable parts from falling into Rebel hands.


An impossible mission? Not for the greatest bounty hunter in the galaxy. Stormtroopers beware! Boba Fett is on a mission, and none had better stand between him and his prize!  This one was cool but the ending was pretty lame, read with my caution.....

Boba Fett: Overkill - Boba Fett rockets onto the scene with blasters blazing in this stand-alone story featuring the galaxy’s greatest bounty hunter taking on a dangerous contract that proves deadly for all involved!


Summoned to settle the score between two warring factions, Fett quickly shows his employers the importance of always choosing the right tool for the job, and the folly of underestimating just how much damage and chaos a single Mandalorian can inflict. Once unleashed, Fett's drive to finish the job is unshakable, and both groups quickly realize they’re dealing with a bigger and much deadlier mutual problem—one that must be stopped before it obliterates everything!
 
 

Boba Fett ½: Salvage - While en route to Coruscant, Slave I picked up a distress signal from a ZZ-class freighter, Mingula. The entire crew was dead. Boba took a prisoner, Tsumo, with him onboard the freighter. There was another prisoner in the hold named Chung. They found Volpau, third cousin of Emperor Palpatine, in a Death Casket with a royal amulet in it, and the dead crew with boils all over them. Ubuugan fleshborers came out of their bodies and attacked Fett and Tsumo. Tsumo was infected and died from the fleshborers.

Boba Fett: Twin Engines of Destruction - Boba Fett is the most feared, most respected bounty hunter in the galaxy. He only cares about two things: his money and his reputation. So when he discovers someone has been impersonating him, he decides to teach his inferior dopplegänger exactly why he's the most feared, most respected bounty hunter in the galaxy!


Dengar has a troubled meeting with Jodo Kast, a young bounty hunter who's becoming famous for his wearing a set of Mandalorian Armor, very similar to Boba Fett's. The Corellian bounty hunter contacts Boba Fett, informing him that his new "alter ego" is becoming a highly requested mercenary, thanks to his habit of pretending to be better then Fett himself. There can only be one Boba Fett.

 

 

Boba Fett: Bounty on Bar-Kooda - He is the one man who delivered Han Solo to both Darth Vader and Jabba the Hutt. Across the galaxy, the most-wanted criminals shudder at the mere mention of his name… Boba Fett!

Following the events of Dark Empire II, a Hutt's misguided affections lead to a death contract on a faraway planet. Hired by the Hutt, Boba Fett pursues an intergalactic magician who may hold the key to the Hutt's future. The fact that the magician has died only poses a slight problem for the bounty hunter, as not even the dead can escape from Boba Fett! I had the hardest time with this series of comics, it is an antique collection, probably one of the oldest made comics of Boba Fett but very hard to follow.
 
What is so great about these Omnibus's is what comics may be collectible or not in circulation, is collected in these Omnibus's.  A good read, 500+ pages of pure Fett.  The first quarter of the book is very good, the rest is a must for any Boba Fett fan.
 
Betrayed by Vader for the last time.....my journey begins.
 
Star Wars Hitchhiker

Dark Empire 2 - Audio Drama - New Republic

Six years after the fateful battle of Endor, Luke Skywalker discovered that the Emperor Palpatine had survived the battle by transferring his mind into the body of a clone. Lukes bold attempt to learn the Emperors secrets nearly ended in disaster for Luke and for the Rebel Alliance. But thanks to Luke's sister, Princess Leia-Solo and her husband Han Solo and other hero's of the Alliance, Luke was rescued, the Emperor himself was annihilated by Luke and Leia and the Empires terrible World Devastator Weapons were destroyed.

But the Emperors minions continue the war. An elite core of dark side warriors were authorized to put into action the Emperors master plan to take over the galaxy. Operation....Shadow Hand. Led by the Darkside executor Sedriss (right), these Dark Jedi initiated a series of assaults against the worlds in the galactic core. Sedriss first target is the weapons world of Balmorra. While Luke continues his search for other Jedi throughout the galaxy our story begins.....

Our journey starts with a violent confrontation with Kam Solusar(left), previous Jedi lost to the Darkside and converted minion of the Emperor. Luke see’s the good in Kam and while Kam lays down his life for failure, Luke grants him his life back to serving the Light side of the Force. Gov Beltain of Balmorra is engaged in a heated battle with the remnants of the Empire, and has a deceitful plan to destroy the Empires Shadow Droids. – Dead Imperial Ace Pilots turned into Droids. He unveils his Viper Obtomindons sold to empire and unleashes a plan with Mon Mothma for the New Republics interception.

Leia and Han head back to Nar Shadda to find Vima Debota to help bring back the Jedi Order. Boba Fett is summoned to assist the Empire, but ends up unleashing his fury on dark side warriors when they attempt to render his services for free, and unmask the Mandalorian. We also see the beginnings of another smuggler that assists the Alliance and walks out in the time of trouble, but this isn’t the first time a smuggler tried to walk out on the Alliance.

Luke and Kam after accessing the Emperors stolen Jedi Holocron, tap into knowledge over a 4 millennia old and embark on a mission to Ossus, to gain more Jedi knowledge and history. They encounter a lost civilization, destroyed by the Sith wars over 4,000 years ago, and meet a planet full of force users, very untrained. They have a deadly encounter with Executor Sedriss and receive the aid of the dead Jedi Master Ood (left), who ended his life and turned into the great tree and great source of the planets power 4000 years ago. (That story is told in the Tales of the Jedi Omnibus) Fates will be met and heroes will be made, as the Emperor again returns……


Many may forget its name, but the force will never die….

Star Wars Hitchhiker

Dark Empire - Audio Drama - New Republic

Six years after the Battle of Endor (from Return of the Jedi), the fight for freedom rages on. While Luke Skywalker delves deeper into the mysteries of the Force, Han Solo and Princess Leia, now married, struggle to protect their twin children from danger. Darth Vader is dead, but a reborn Empire—guided by a mysterious new leader—strikes back against the Rebel Alliance. But the Rebels discover that their greatest foe may be their closest friend: Luke Skywalker!

The Dark Empire audio drama was a full cast audio adaption of Dark Horse Comics' Dark Empire comic book series. It was adapted by John Whitman from the source material by Tom Veitch. It was directed by Arthur G. Insana and featured parts of composer John Williams's classic score along with authentic stereo sound effects.

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This 3 part series is so easy to get into even without reading any of the prior novels.  These events take place six years after the "death" of Emperor Palpatine and the destruction of the second death star.  Luke Skywalker is drawn to a mysterious yet familiar feeling in the force.  While Luke is being seduced by the Dark Side, Leia, Han and company go back to Nar Shadda for some unfinished business and end up in the grasps of slew bounty hunters along with arch enemy, Boba Fett.

The Emperor still lives strong as he mastered the ability to transfer his self in death to another life form, and before his death over Endor, he transferred to one of his clones......again with the clones!  That was my only gripe about these audio drama's.  In Luke's curiosity in the Dark Side, and the pursuit for the knowledge of what destroyed his father Anakin and turned him the Dark Lord Darth Vader, Luke finds himself on a familiar path of destruction and controlling what is left of the Empire.

When turning back from the power of the Dark Side, Luke finds he does not have the power with in to turn back to the light, and will need the help of another powerful Jedi to remove the embrace of the dark side, and destroy the Emperor and his clones, once and for all.  Luke must be rescued and tempt not to destroy the New Republic while under the Emperors spell, the New Republic seeks to find Luke on the Emperors Citidal on his private planet of Byss.

These audio dramas are no longer than the movies and are all in familiar places and really easy to follow.  With the great cast playing the roles, sound effects and usage of some of the original movie scores, this will not let down and full time or part time Star Wars Fan.  Adapted from the comic series, these should be able to be enjoyed by all audiences.

I find your lack of faith disturbing..............

Star Wars Hitchhiker

X-wing: Isard's Revenge - Book 8 X-Wing Series - Novel

Sleek, swift, and deadly, the famed X-wing fighters have earned their reputation as the Rebel Alliance's ultimate strike force the hard way first in battle, the last line of defense. Now they must make a deal with the devil herself—an enemy whose ultimate goal is their total annihilation.


It's the kind of mission only Wedge Antilles and the Rogue Squadron would dare to undertake. Against impossible odds they will stage a daring raid into an enemy stronghold only to be rescued from certain destruction by an unexpected ally. Ysanne Isard, the ruthless Imperial commander, has appeared on the scene seemingly from out of nowhere. Now she proposes a most unusual alliance, offering to help Wedge rescue his captured comrades from Imperial Warlord Admiral Krennel's sadistic prison camp. But her offer is not without a price. Wedge must lead Rogue Squadron in Isard's deadly struggle against an enemy made in her own image. It's an offer Wedge would love to refuse, for Isard is certain to betray them. But how can they leave their comrades at Krennel's mercy? The answer is: they can't—even if it means being caught between Krennel's ruthlessness and Isard's treachery.

Isard's Revenge, the 8th book in the X-Wing Series was better than the 7 predecessors of the series, but failed to captivate where other Star Wars Novels have.  Clone, Clones, Clones are becoming a commonly used plot, and it is wearing very thin based on its usages.  The thought to be destroyed Ysanne Isard is resurrected from the dead....but we find out no she was not killed in the prior novels, it was a clone of her that was supposedly destroyed, but the clone lived, and there were now double Isard trouble.  These novels use warlord characters as the basis of the enemies of the New Republic and rulers of what is left of the empire, but they lack the evil, sinister foes that we are used to in the Sith used in the prior novels and movies.

Isard's Revenge was a step up from the other X-Wing Novels but you may want to skip straight to the Jedi Academy series if you are looking for a real thrilling novel.  More updates soon, lots of school work is killing my hitchhiking!

Mind your feelings, your thoughts betray you.......

Star Wars Hitchhiker

The Last Command - Thrawn Trilogy Book 3 (final of series) - Novel

Heir to the Empire was a number-one New York Times bestseller and the science fiction publishing event of the year. Dark Force Rising continued the gripping new adventures of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and the other heroes of the most popular trilogy in movie history. Now the saga concludes with The Last Command.

It is five years after the events of Return of the Jedi. The fragile New Republic reels from the attacks of Grand Admiral Thrawn, who has not only rallied the remaining Imperial forces, but has driven the rebels back with an abominable new technology: clone soldiers.

Hopes are dim as Thrawn mounts a final siege against the Republic. While Han and Chewbacca struggle to form a wary alliance of smugglers in a last-ditch attack against the Empire, Leia keeps the Alliance together and prepares for the birth of her Jedi twins. But the Empire has too many ships and too many clones to combat. The Republic's only hope lies in sending a small force, led by Luke, into the very stronghold that houses Thrawn's terrible cloning machines.

There a final danger awaits. The Dark Jedi C'baoth schemes in his secret fortress, directing the battle against the rebels, nursing his insanity, and building his strength to finish what he had already started—the destruction of Luke Skywalker.

An odyssey of fast-paced action, stunning revelation, and final confrontation, The Last Command spans a galaxy in flames—a tale that will conclude in this third and last installment as Good and Evil battle "a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…"

Finished it finally is, the Thrawn Trilogy I've heard so talked about among fellow Star Wars enthusiast.  I was most happy with the finally of this series.  No, not because it was over but the beginning of new stories.  The finale with estranged clone Jedi Master C'baoth, the bond that is formed between Mara Jade and Luke, and the killing of Luke Skywalker. 

Mara Jade kills Luke Skywalker in the Last Command.....how?  Its the clones.  I've been noticing a trend in the Star Wars Universe, since the Clone Wars TV Series, Cloned Jedi Master, Cloned Luke Skywalker (from his dismembered hand during his battle with Vader), clone of the War Lord Isard, and what I never thought I would see a Cloned Palpatine.  Watch for it in Dark Empire, a Cloned Palpatine.  The Star Wars EU has been thriving on the idea of Cloning, and its pretty cool, but its starting to sound like a broken record, but its still cool.

I really enjoyed the finale and I won't divulge to much but it was incredible to me the reuniting with Luke's original Light Saber, Anakin Skywalkers Original Light Saber that Luke used in his battle on Cloud City against Vader, and the beginning of Mara Jade and her transition from Emperors Hand to joining the New Republic and embarking on her journey as a Jedi.  Luke gives Mara what could be his most priceless possession and invites her to begin her Jedi Training.

Always changing, the future is!

Star Wars Hitchhiker

Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor - Novel - New Republic

Overthrowing the dark side's empire has made them heroes. But underestimating the fury of the Sith will make them targets.

Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader are dead. The Empire has been toppled by the triumphant Rebel Alliance, and the New Republic is ascendant. But the struggle against the dark side and the Sith order is not over. Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, and their faithful comrades have had little time to savor victory before being called on to defend the newly liberated galaxy.

Powerful remnants of the vanquished Empire, hungry for retaliation, are still at large, committing acts of piracy, terrorism, and wholesale slaughter against the worlds of the fledgling Republic. The most deadly of these, a ruthless legion of black-armored stormtroopers, do the brutal bidding of the newly risen warlord Shadowspawn. Striking from a strategically advantageous base at the planet Mindor, they are waging campaigns of plunder and destruction, demolishing order and security across the galaxy—and breeding fears of an Imperial resurgence. And another reign of darkness beneath the boot-heel of Sith despotism is something General Luke Skywalker cannot and will not risk.

Mobilizing the ace fighters of Rogue Squadron—along with the trusty Chewbacca, Threepio, and Artoo-Detoo—Luke, Han, and Leia set out to take the battle to the enemy at the site of its stronghold, and neutralize the threat before it's too late. But their imminent onslaught against Mindor will be playing directly into the hands of their cunning new adversary. Lord Shadowspawn is no freshly anointed Sith Chieftain, but in fact a vicious former Imperial Intelligence officer—and Prophet of the Dark Side. The Emperor's death has paved the way for Shadowspawn's return from exile in the Outer Rim; and mastery of ancient Sith knowledge and modern technology has given him the capability to mount the ultimate power play for galaxy-wide dominion. Dark prophecy has foretold that only one obstacle stands in his way, and he is ready—even eager—for the confrontation.

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All the classic heroes, all the explosive action and adventure, all the unparalleled excitement of Star Wars come breathlessly alive here, as the further adventures of Luke Skywalker continue.

Post destruction of the second Death Star, Luke and company find themselves in harms way and in the grasps of one of Palpatines old minions Cronal, know as Black hole and Shadowspawn (the evil image above with the black storm troopers).  Majority of the adventure takes place on Mindor, in the Tespan System on verge of self destruction.  Shadowspawn controlled the planet, its main component meltmassif, a black crystal like rock that could be formed into shapes, liquids, and people at the controllers (Cronal) command.  Cronal was more intune with Sith Alchemy and Spells, and controlled what is referred to as Darksight, and believed he was in control of the Sith.  His only mission from Emporer Palpatine, bring the rightful heir to the Empires Thrown.  Luke Skywalker.  No matter where Luke goes, somebody wants to turn him to the dark side!

Where alot of the EU post Episode 6 novels cling to power hungry warlords and tyrants as the villains, Matthew Stover brings back the remnants of the Empire thru the Sith.  He has wowed me with his novelization of Episode 3, a little disappointed in his novel Shatterpoint, but was not let down with his adventures with Shadows of Mindor.  He brings back a few characters that I though had died during the clone wars, a few close friends and enemies of Mace.  Kar Vastor (left), prior enemy of Mace Windu, and Nick Rostu, all native's of Mace's home world of Haruun Kal, home of the Korunni Species who were all force sensative.  Kar and Mace were the last remaining members of the Ghôsh Windu (clan) and were commonly referred to as each others dỏshalo (clan brother). 

Kar was controlled primarily by Cronal thru this novel and was one of Luke's major hurtles.  Nick Rostu was a prisoner of Cronal and is thought to be the image on the back of the novel's image, controlled thru one of Cronal's half moon black helmets. 

Kar had told Luke that he was the greatest Jedi, ever greater than the "Jedi of the Old"

Why?

"Luke Skywalker......you are not affriad of the Dark"

Embrace the Darkside!

Star Wars Hitchhiker

Dark Force Rising - Thrawn Trilogy - Book 2 - Novel - New Republic

The number-one New York Times bestselling Heir to the Empire was the publishing event of the year, the first novel to continue the adventures of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo, beyond the events of the most popular trilogy in movie history. Now comes Dark Force Rising, the second volume of a three-book cycle authorized by Lucasfilm Ltd. and written by Hugo Award-winning author Timothy Zahn.


Five years after the events of Return of the Jedi, the fragile Republic that was born with the defeat of Darth Vader, the Emperor, and the infamous Death Star stands threatened from within and without. The dying Empire's most cunning and ruthless warlord Grand Admiral Thrawn has taken command of the remnants of the Imperial fleet and launched a massive campaign aimed at the Republic's destruction. With the aid of unimaginable weapons long hidden away by the Emperor on a backwater planet, Thrawn plans to turn the tide of the battle, overwhelm the New Republic, and impose his iron rule throughout the galaxy.

Meanwhile, dissension and personal ambition threaten to tear the Republic apart. As Princess Leia pregnant with Jedi twins risks her life to bring a proud and lethal alien race into alliance with the Republic, Han and Lando Calrissian race against time to find proof of treason inside the highest Republic Council only to discover instead a ghostly fleet of warships that could bring doom to their friends and victory to their enemies.

But most dangerous of all is a new Dark Jedi, risen from the ashes of a shrouded past, consumed by bitterness and thoroughly, utterly insane. Now he schemes to use his awesome mastery of the Force to summon young Skywalker, allay his misgivings, cunningly enthrall him, and ultimately corrupt him to the Dark Side.

A tale of brilliant spectacle, startling revelations, and tumultuous action, Dark Force Rising moves with the speed of light across a dazzling epic landscape of galactic proportions, from world to world, from adventure to adventure, as Good and Evil clash across the vastness of space "a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away."

Dark Force Rising delivered for me where the original fell short. Zahn kept me very interested, from the political hidden agenda's of the Bothan (right) Borsk Fey'lya's imprisonment of Admiral Ackbar, the discovery of Admiral Thrawn's new clones for the Empire and more deception that was planted by Empire to turn more worlds against the rebels and the new republic, this novel does not leave you unfulfilled.

I think one of my favorite new relationships was Leia's with the Noghri (left). Referred to as Lady Vader, she was an iconic part of their society, the Mal'ary'ush, meaning daughter of the savior. The savior in question was Darth Vader, whom the Noghri people revered. Years earlier, a starship carrying noxious chemicals crashed on Honoghr and threatened to destroy the entire planet. They believed Emperor Palpatine sent Vader to the planet to help them, but in reality Palpatine was responsible for the devastation of Honoghr, as a way to bend their allegiance to the Galactic Empire.

The book was primarily revolving around the capture of the Katana Fleet, or what is referred to as the Dark Force. It ends in a dramatic climatic battle for what could change the war in either direction for the capturer. I would highly recommend not listening to this in audio book format (27 hours) but picking it up and reading it. Still not a fan of Admiral Thrawn but he is a worth predecessor of the Empire

Until next adventure, the brightest lights, cast the darkest shadow.

Star Wars Hitchhiker

Heir to the Empire - 1st Book of Thrawn Trilogy

It's five years after Return of the Jedi: the Rebel Alliance has destroyed the Death Star, defeated Darth Vader and the Emperor, and driven the remnants of the old Imperial Starfleet to a distant corner of the galaxy. Princess Leia and Han Solo are married and expecting Jedi twins. And Luke Skywalker has become the first in a long-awaited line of Jedi Knights.



But thousands of light-years away, the last of the Emperor's warlords has taken command of the shattered Imperial fleet, readied it for war, and pointed it at the fragile heart of the New Republic. For this dark warrior has made two vital discoveries that could destroy everything the courageous men and women of the Rebel Alliance fought so hard to build. The explosive confrontation that results is a towering epic of action, invention, mystery, and spectacle on a galactic scale in short, a story worthy of the name Star Wars.

Heir to the Empire is the first book of the Thrawn Trilogy. Grand Admiral Thrawn (left) hooks up with an escaped Cloned Jedi from the the Pre Clone Wars Era, Joruus C'baoth (right)turned Dark Jedi, and plots to capture Luke, Leia and the Twins. The original Jedi, Jorus C'baoth, appeared in Timothy Zahn's Novel Outbound Flight, where the was killed by none other than Thrawn, short for Mitth'raw'nuruodo.

Most of the book takes place on the planet Mirkur, home of the force blocking creatures called the Ysalamir. Ysalamir are the only creatures identified to block, or neutralize the connection to the force.

Luke learns on this mission after being captured by Mara Jade, about her prior pursuit to kill Luke, during Episode 6, and the hardship he caused her by killing her master Darth Siddious. As previously the Emperors Hand, the relationship with his future wife is slowly being forged, but still working on separate sides of the table.

I'm not a huge fan of Timothy Zahn's Star Wars Novels but this book keeps you wanting more and move on to the next book!

There is a spy hidden amidst the New Republic and read more of the trilogy to find out more.



Star Wars Hitchhiker

Tatooine Ghost - Novel - New Republic Era - Post Episode 6

Tatooine Ghost is an astonishing "home coming" for the Skywalker heritage. Leia and Han's journey on her father Anakin's home planet hit home for me and was a great adventure and a great place to start reading Expanded Universe novels post Return of the Jedi.

Leia, Han, Chewbacca, and C-3P0 being their journey to Tatooine to purchase by auction an important piece of Alderaan's legacy, Killik Twilight. Leia is pregnant with their twins and has not started her Jedi Training and still learning the ways of the force. Thru this story, Leia is learning about her fathers past history as a legendary pod racer, her fathers past friends and family, and for the first time seeing her grand mother. They acquire more on this mission than just of Alderaan's past, but more of Leia's.  The items they acquire on this mission are to good to speak of and must be read to appreciate the greatness of this novel.

There is no shortage of fighting with Han Solo and Chewie, but the story is more about Leia's learning and accepting of who she, who her family was, and learning that what was behind Darth Vader's mask was really her father and how great of a person Anakin Skywalker was.
 
Check out the Clone Wars tonight with me at 9 on Cartoon Network and I'll be talking more about it later.
 
Star Wars Hitchhiker