An interesting introduction to the next generation of Jedi Knights.
Short and filled with one purpose, this book sets up the relationship between
the four main characters, Jacen and Jaina Solo, Tenel Ka from Dathomir,
and Lowbacca, Chewie's nephew.
They attend lecture sessions given by Luke, or by Tionne, the
historian. They practice levitation and meditation, but want their
own lightsabers.
Han and Chewie come to deliver supplies, messages, food for Jacen's
myriad animals, and a hyperdrive for Jaina to fiddle with. Some of
the news must have been distressing, because Luke goes off Yavin 4 for
a while (conveniently until the end of the book, actually).
Lowie has a translation droid called M-TD, which was programmed
by C3PO, so we get the requisite droid chatter. He's actually quite
funny, when he's not annoying.
Lowie has his own small craft, which he likes to explore with
through the jungle. He misses home, so he goes out exploring often.
He discovers a TIE fighter that must have crashed during the Battle of
Yavin. Jaina thinks this is the most wonderful find, and she gets
her friends to help her work on fixing the ship up. They do so, around
their other duties and studies.
Suddenly, when they are almost finished, the TIE pilot arrives.
He has survived all this time living by his wits. Tenel Ka and Lowie
escape, but he captures the twins, and forces them to finish the repairs
to his ship. He also knows that Jaina has installed the hyperdrive
her father brought her into this craft.
Finally, he takes off, intent on causing as much damage to the
Academy as possible, but Jaina had never fixed the weapons systems.
So he takes off into hyperspace in search of other Imperials.
Han and Chewie were called down from Lando's new gem-mining station
orbiting Yavin to deal with the crisis, since the Academy doesn't have
any ships. He is furious to learn that Jaina installed a hyperdrive
in the TIE. But he forgives her by the end. She was just jealous
of Lowie, after all.
The biggest problem I have with this book is the TIE pilot.
A lot has happened on Yavin 4 since the Battle of Yavin. I just don't
believe he could have survived like that, especially so close to the Academy.
But it was still a decent opening to the Young Jedi Knights.
by Warren Dunn, all rights reserved.
