The New Jedi Order

'Star by Star' by Troy Denning

A Del Rey Book, published 2001

Set 23 years after RotJ

 book cover
Story -- the Yuuzhan Vong are getting more and more ruthless - and clever. Infamous for their biotechnological capabilities, they've now developed a creature capable of detecting Jedi and can therefore step up their campaign to eradicate their main stumbling block to Vong domination. As if that's not enough, they also announce that if Leia doesn't tell them where the main Jedi base is, they'll kill millions of innocent refugees...

Characterisations -- mainly the JJK & YJK gang - the characters look pretty good to me. I thought the Solo kids were written pretty well, and it was particularly nice to see Tahiri again. Some Luke & Mara (pretty good) and Han & Leia (excellent characterisations!). Wedge, Bel Iblis, and brief appearances by a few others - including some nice 'Lando' moments. :)

New characters -- apart from the YJK lot, Viqi Shesh is back, as is Vergere, and Tsavong Lah, the Yuzzie we all love to hate. Ganner Rhysode is cool (altho' I kinda expected more about him) and Borsk Fey'lya still wants a good smack!

Cover art -- (by Cliff Nielsen) A REALLY HORRIBLE YUZZIE!!! And an old-ish Luke. Leia (wielding a lightsabre!) and one of her offspring on the back (consensus is it's Anakin). Assorted X-wings and other ships.

Chicks -- Leia - I particularly liked her portrayal, especially the bits with Han. Mara felt a little two-dimensional to me, altho' perhaps that's just 'cos she's not got a huge part in the book. I liked the characterisation of Jaina, as well as Tenel Ka, Tahiri and co. - yet again, young women have an important part to play in the SW galaxy. Viqi Shesh is, well, a politician ('nuff said!) and Vergere's character is a lot more developed in this novel. Hmm, I just counted - out of thirty non-droid characters mentioned in the Dramatis Personae, fifteen are female. Cool!

Any good? -- nicely written, with some fantastic battle scenes and good dialogue. Occasionally the characters' logic and situations made me yell 'plot device', but not very often. Lots of well-written, believable suspense and angst - personally, I found it difficult to put down.

Read it? -- it's another 'love it or hate it' book, folks! If you can happily imagine thirty-odd major characters heading into a galaxy-wide war and coming out with nothing more than a few bruises, this ain't the book for you. If, however, you like your books dark and full of realism, then this will suit you fine. Remember - this hardcover marks the half-way point in Del Rey's NJO series and it doesn't take a genius to figure out that this may well be the lowest point for the NR. Although the main 'stars' of the book are the characters from the YJK novels, many young fans may find this book a little upsetting. I liked the novel, but several friends have sworn they won't touch another NJO book - it's up to you.

Rating -- 8 out of 10
 
 

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