Ascension (Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi, #8)

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Ascension (Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi #8)

3.86 of 5 stars 3.86 · rating details · 1,278 ratings · 80 reviews

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

THE GALAXY STANDS LEADERLESS. CAN THE JEDI SAVE IT—OR WILL THEIR ENEMIES ENSLAVE IT?

The toppling of ruthless Natasi Daala has left a political vacuum on Coruscant and ignited a power struggle between opposing factions racing to claim control of the Galactic Alliance. Surrounded by hidden agendas, treacherous conspiracies, and covert Sith agents, th...more

Hardcover, 410 pages

Published August 9th 2011 by Random House Publishing Group (first published August 1st 2011)

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Dec 12, 2012 Lucinda rated it 4 of 5 stars

A fantastic addition for any STAR WARS enthusiast and which complements the ‘Legacy of the Force’ series, by including popular characters!!

Having followed the journey from the very beginning when one looked at the world through the eyes of Anakin Skywalker and his master Obi Wan Kenobi, and learning the ways of the Jedi, this is now a turning point within the STAR WARS history. This is an additional nine-book story ARC for fans of the original series, the Dark Lords of the Sith, and which inclu...more A fantastic addition for any STAR WARS enthusiast and which complements the ‘Legacy of the Force’ series, by including popular characters!!

Having followed the journey from the very beginning when one looked at the world through the eyes of Anakin Skywalker and his master Obi Wan Kenobi, and learning the ways of the Jedi, this is now a turning point within the STAR WARS history. This is an additional nine-book story ARC for fans of the original series, the Dark Lords of the Sith, and which includes some of the most cherished and recognizable characters such as; Luke, Han and Leila. Full of twists & turns, fast-paced action and exiting encounters within those of many different and conflicting galaxies this enthralling and totally captivating read will leave you breathless!

This is the penultimate novel in the Fate of the Jedi series, where Luke Skywalker and his son Ben, together with the Sith girl Vestara are in the midst of a hot pursuit of the dread power called Abeloth. This great, almighty power has joined forces with the Sith in a bid to take over the galaxy, whilst unknowingly the Sith are harboring a terrible and astonishing secret. As the leadership of the government is uncertain, torn and fervently ripped apart by infiltrators and power struggles, this great secret threatens to shake the Jedi order to its very core…

Having already read the previous seven books within this series with Outcast, Abyss and Allies as ones that really stood out for me as being so fantastic, I was naturally interested to read on and find out where the story would take me. Exceeding all expectations, Ascension is a remarkable and astonishing read which delves even deeper into those wars and significant battles that raged through the galaxies in the time of the Old Religion and when the FORCE was something to be recognized, as Jedi’s were ruling the Empire. Luke continues to try and defeat Abeloth whose power is growing as too is her desire for supremacy and dominance over all, with his ambitions taking the lead as Luke continues to track her down and destroy this terrible dark power. Many of the major subplots within this series come together in this one volume, for example such as Ben and Vestara's relationship and Moff Lecerson's planned coup. This book will leave you wanting more and desperate to read the final book ‘Apocalypse’ as once again Christine Golden leaves you hanging on a cliffhanger, sitting in suspense and wanting to know more! This is a solid, penultimate volume within an outstanding, wonderful series that goes into detail about how the Jedi order try to restore political stability in the midst of Lecerson’s conspiracy and Abeloth’s quest to become a Goddess. Ending quite darkly unlike the other books there is a reason as to why this is called the ‘fate of the Jedi’ and gives one a hint of what is to come, for those who can wield the power of the FORCE and those opposed to the dark side.

It is such a powerfully moving, dramatic read that sends shivers down your spine, and fills you with excitement as you grip the pages tightly. Written on such an epic and magnificent scale this book stands above the rest within this series, for we get to know more about the characters and their personal aims and goals as well as seeing the bigger picture of the galaxies ruling; in a political sense. The uprising between the Republic and the Empire is just so tense as those with the FORCE are tested to their limits, and Luke Skywalker’s mission to finally defeat Abeloth comes nearer to its dramatic, ultimate conclusion. AMAZING!
(less)

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Dec 18, 2011 Marcelo rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

As I foresaw reading «Conviction» (the previous book in the series), «Fate of the Jedi» really picked up! All stories coalesce into one sweeping arc, grand as an Odyssey — in fact, one of the grandest and more epic sagas I've read in the behemoth that is the Star Wars Expanded Universe.

Christie Golden brings (excuse my cheap pun) gold to the series, having written a complex, deep and rich story which lifts the bar a little higher in regard of what to expect from a Star Wars EU novel. As in my re...more As I foresaw reading «Conviction» (the previous book in the series), «Fate of the Jedi» really picked up! All stories coalesce into one sweeping arc, grand as an Odyssey — in fact, one of the grandest and more epic sagas I've read in the behemoth that is the Star Wars Expanded Universe.

Christie Golden brings (excuse my cheap pun) gold to the series, having written a complex, deep and rich story which lifts the bar a little higher in regard of what to expect from a Star Wars EU novel. As in my review of the previous book, there's very little I can say about it incurring the risk of spoiling things big time. So trust me: if you managed to come this far, you won't be disappointed!

This is a licensed work, though, so if you are used to authorial books instead of novels made to order to fit a pre-existing universe, be aware that all the praise I give here is regarding pleasure of reading, not artistry quality. If you want that, you should read Joe Haldeman's exquisite The Forever War or Orson Scott Card's Ender books. This is a shared universe in which stories are made to order and not exactly free-thinking from the author — they don't own their tales, characters, worlds... Lucas Film does. So it's a different kind of literature. It doesn't mean it's not entertaining (it is, very much!) but you won't find the kind of lease or creativity you find in a Michael Crichton or Anne McCaffrey.

The villains, for example, and specially in «Ascension», are more than a little caricatural, openly referring to themselves as corrupt, power-hungry, and traitorous. This does diminishes their "evilness" a little bit, but incredibly it does not make them less dangerous or hateful. The Sith are a little different, though — they are way more complex and credible than the government conspirators, even if such an organization (or culture) could only exist in a fantasy universe.

In conclusion, read Star Wars novels for the sheer fun of if, the delight of following up in a story that already expands hundreds of books, most of them fine pieces of entertainment. Great novels have their rightful places, but so are shared universe, made to order books.(less)

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Oct 21, 2011 James Swenson rated it 1 of 5 stars

It's sad to give this only one star.

I was born in 1977, just like Star Wars. I grew up with the Jedi, and I'm certainly not new to the universe of Star Wars novels. I loved the Thrawn stories, from Heir to the Empire through Vision of the Future, The Truce at Bakura, and Shadows of the Empire.
I liked the Rogue Squadron books, the Black Fleet Crisis trilogy by Michael P. Kube-McDowell; I even liked some things about Splinter of the Mind's Eye.

But Ascension is the eighth book in the Fate of the Je...more

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Oct 21, 2011 Don rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Aug 17, 2011 Mike rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I found Christie Golden's "Ascension" (book 8 of 9 in the "fate of the Jedi" series) to be interesting, but not really satisfying.

Book 8 has the tankless task of mostly being set-up for book 9 ("Apocalypse" due April 2012...why so long?) and has to manage events accordingly.

But a LOT of things do happen in "Ascension." A lot of ground is covered. Much of the "standing around waiting for something to happen feeling" is gone. Perhaps if this level of action had been attempted in earlier books, the...more

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Crystal Starr Light Do you think they will actually end the galactic civilization, not let Han, Luke, and Leia miraculously save it from yet another supposedly insurmount...more
17 de Ago 12:43

Mike I'm sure that the galaxy will take a beating and that a lot of characters (and possbily whole civilizations) will meet their end before Abeloth's "apo...more
updated 17 de Ago 13:50

Crystal Starr Light Mike wrote: "I'm sure that the galaxy will take a beating and that a lot of characters (and possbily whole civilizations) will meet their end before A...more
17 de Ago 14:10

Aug 13, 2011 Christopher Stilson rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, sci-fi, pulp

This series as a whole suffers from being in the unenviable position of having to cover events that are simultaneously new ground and ancient history. Thanks to the Legacy comics, we know that Jagged Fel and Jaina Solo will become Emperor and Empress and will command the services of a Jedi splinter order; we know that Ben Skywalker will have two sons, and that these children do not show any signs of being from a broken home in their adult life; we know that the Galactic Alliance is not consumed...more This series as a whole suffers from being in the unenviable position of having to cover events that are simultaneously new ground and ancient history. Thanks to the Legacy comics, we know that Jagged Fel and Jaina Solo will become Emperor and Empress and will command the services of a Jedi splinter order; we know that Ben Skywalker will have two sons, and that these children do not show any signs of being from a broken home in their adult life; we know that the Galactic Alliance is not consumed from within by an eldritch abomination, and we know that the Lost Tribe of the Sith eventually amount to nothing in the grand scheme of things. The series in general, and this book in particular, seems to resent these things as given and is determined to draw out how they occur in as protracted and painful a manner as possible.

First and foremost: The melodrama that is Ben and Vestara's relationship is getting ridiculous. Granted, they are teenagers and teenagers are always going to be a bit over the top, particularly if they are teenagers that regularly have to decide matters of life and death, but given that - barring spectacularly anticlimactic revelations in the endgame of the series - we know that they are going to eventually have children, the angst is starting to be beyond tiresome.

Likewise, one of the primary draws of the series is for Legacy fans to discover the history of the creation of the Fel Empire and the Imperial Knights, and at present, both have been excessively prolonged. Several opportunities for forward movement occurred in this book, and yet there is scarcely any progress. As the series is fast reaching its climax, some progress had better be made fairly quickly.

As to the book itself, it feels very rushed. The segments dealing with the two aforementioned topics read as though they were originally much longer and have been cut down. The segments dealing with the political conspiracy are much more fleshed out, and considerably more interesting to read, even though the direction they take is so profoundly obvious that the book's twist ending is not even remotely a surprise.

On the whole, this is not the best entry in a series that is generally not as groundbreaking as it is supposed to be.(less)

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Jan 01, 2012 Derrick rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, star-wars, owned-in-hc

So many different threads being woven. I feel like I'm on a rollercoaster. As soon as one crisis is over, another one IMMEDIATELY pops up and then whammo, time for our heroes to jump into action again.

I like Luke, Leia and Han and the host of the original characters. Some of the newer people are ok, ie, Jaina, Jag, Tahiri, but most of the characters seem to be there as props.

The Sith. What a joke. What a phracking joke! Where are the ysalamari [excuse the spelling]? Why aren't they blanketing Co...more

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Oct 17, 2011 Mike rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I finally finished listening to the penultimate volume in the Fate of the Jedi series, Ascension by Christie Golden. On the whole the story and pacing feels about even with the rest of the series. How you taken that statement is entirely dependent on how you’ve felt about the series to date. Ascension isn’t going to win people already against the series over and, in many aspect, it might drive some who were on the fence away. I think the larger problems with Ascension, and with the entire Fate o...more I finally finished listening to the penultimate volume in the Fate of the Jedi series, Ascension by Christie Golden. On the whole the story and pacing feels about even with the rest of the series. How you taken that statement is entirely dependent on how you’ve felt about the series to date. Ascension isn’t going to win people already against the series over and, in many aspect, it might drive some who were on the fence away. I think the larger problems with Ascension, and with the entire Fate of the Jedi series, rests squarely on the shoulders of the editorial team. From the start I have been baffled by the release schedule and the seeming lack of progress volume to volume on many of the plot points. There are moments over the series, and particularly in Ascension, where the whole narrative threatens to come apart at the seams.

Be warned, BIG spoilers abound!

Ascension features a rather strong opening. In fact, probably the strongest opening in the whole series. We get a fully Sith perspective with some fascinating insights and a detailed look at the culture of the Lost Tribe. Indeed, their interactions with Abeloth provide welcome non-Jedi perspective and Lord Vol (the big Sith muckity-muck) manages to strike as big a blow to the squamous dark side entity as any that Luke has. Unfortunately it is after this wonderful and exciting opening that the rest of the book loses focus and falls apart. Jedi bumble around the galaxy, Daala continues to be non-nonsensical, and the Galactic Alliance continues to prove itself a hopelessly ineffective and wonderfully stupid governing body.

If you plan on reading this novel you should stop reading now as I’m going to delve into major spoiler territory.

So the Sith have infiltrated Coruscant. So has Abeloth. Of course the former doesn’t recognize the latter. The telegraphing of this maneuver is fairly obvious as it happens and Abeloth, in her confrontation with the Sith in charge of the infiltration could not have been more obvious as to who she was. As her alter ego she professes a desperate need to be loved and worshiped by the people of the Galactic Alliance, given what Lord Vol learned at the start of the novel this should have set off major alarm bells. Sure one could argue that the blindness is indicative of Sith arrogance but it really comes off as rather stupid and somewhat unbelievable.

Furthermore the less said about the Jedi searching abandoned Sith strongholds looking for Abeloth the better. I mean why bother trying to convince Vistara to give up the location of Kesh; you know that completely not abandoned Sith stronghold. Meanwhile, as if Sith and ancient Dark Side entities weren’t enough, there is that whole plot to overthrow the Galactic Alliance thing that is totally transformed into a plot to take over the Imperial Remnant. Throw in a totally random and extraneous plot about Moff’ creating some kind of youth serum and the narrative really starts to struggle under the weight of its many appendages. The less said about Daala the better I don’t even understand how she can still find supporters is beyond me.

I won’t lie I really like the idea of Abeloth. I love her Lovecraftian overtones and her mysterious origins. I loved the early parts of the series where Luke and Ben were exploring the deeper mysteries of the Force. I loved Han and Leia’s encounter with Ancient technologies on Kessel. I have been less fond of the novel’s political sections. The dual threats of the Lost Tribe and Abeloth due little to help another and seem to do more damage to one another. I enjoyed the trippy scenes “Beyond Shadows” and miss the more fantastical elements of the series. Those things have all but disappeared. At this point I don’t even know if Ben and Luke succeeded on their initial quest (to determine how Jacen went bad) and that whole Alanna will be Queen of the Jedi angle has completely disappeared here.

At this point I think I’m mostly anxious to see this series end. I think the editorial staff needs to be shaken up and I think a more focused planned for future series needs to be enacted. In truth there are a lot more problems with this series than I’ve commented on and Fangirl does a heck of a better job in detailing the troublesome depiction of female characters in the series both in her review of Ascension and in this lengthy manifesto/open letter. Truth be told there are only two reasons I’m even remotely excited about Apocalypse (which comes out in April 2012….seriously WTF?) the promise (or vague hint of a promise) to answers regarding Abeloth and the dulcet tones of Marc Thompson (and the wonderful audio production of the team at Random House Audio). Seriously, whatever Marc Thompson asks for he should be given the men is a genius and I seriously cannot imagine anyone else reading these audiobooks.(less)

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Oct 30, 2011 Russ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

This was by far Golden's strongest contribution to the series, and in general it was a move in the right direction for this series. I felt for the past couple books that the same plot kept repeating itself. Crazy Jedi, chasing Aboleth but not quite getting her, underexplained plot brewing involving Imperials, etc. It was like the stories were spinning their wheels and not going anywhere. Without getting into too much detail here, this book actually felt like it went somewhere new. This is the so...more

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Aug 17, 2011 Rex rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook-epub, series, sf

The Fate of the Jedi series has been pretty hit or miss in my opinion. This has resulted in me feeling that several of the books were only worthy of "it was ok" rating. "Ascension" is definitely the best book in the series. It left me wanting more! There were some very predictable twists and then some total surprises. My biggest disappointment in the book came in the actual size of the story which dropped my rating from "it was amazing" to "liked it." My ebook page counter displayed a total of 5...more

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Aug 21, 2011 James rated it 3 of 5 stars

overall, not bad, felt a little slow with all the set up in the early portions, but did pick up a nice pace and a few twists, though some were not as well hidden as attempted, yet clarity was never quite fully exposed until the end to know for sure what was hinted at.

The ending was likely to be expected in the long run of the series, and does leave an interesting story line for the series to eventually deal with, or perhaps to hang on into a new later series.

Time is the one thing that seemed od...more

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Nov 19, 2011 Scott Johnson rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, sci-fi, star-wars, fate-of-the-jedi

I think Golden may be my least favorite author in this series. Her books have seemed forced and not organic. In particular, the ending seemed rushed, to say the least.

In the course of maybe 10 pages we had a surprise coup, a jailbreak necessary to avoid writing Leia into a corner she couldn't escape from, and a Sith-turned-Jedi turning back to the Sith. All were necessary to set up the continuation of conflict into the next book...but they just exploded onto the page with no subtlety. No tensio...more

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Nov 17, 2011 Jonathan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: sci-fi

Star Wars:Fate of the Jedi:Ascension
This book is part of the EU or Expanded Universe part of the Star Wars storyline. It was written by Christie Golden. This series of books in the Fate of the Jedi series takes place 40 years after A New Hope aka Star Wars aka Star Wars Episode IV. The books are written by different authors over the years since the Original Trilogy came out. Depending on who you ask will depend on if the books are considered canon or not. Meaning if it follows the timeline/stor...more Star Wars:Fate of the Jedi:Ascension
This book is part of the EU or Expanded Universe part of the Star Wars storyline. It was written by Christie Golden. This series of books in the Fate of the Jedi series takes place 40 years after A New Hope aka Star Wars aka Star Wars Episode IV. The books are written by different authors over the years since the Original Trilogy came out. Depending on who you ask will depend on if the books are considered canon or not. Meaning if it follows the timeline/storyline of the Star Wars Universe. But whether or not it is it is its own canon.
This book continues the story of Grand Master Luke Skywalker being ablento.come back to Corscant from a lifetime ban from the former Chief of State Daala, who is an Admiral of the Imperial Navy who got elected when the Empire became a part of the Galactic Alliance. Daala had become paranoid because of her hatred of the Jedi. In the previous book she had set up Luke to be accused of a crime so severe she convinced the Senate to ban off-planet. So Luke and his son Ben traveled to find out how his nephew Jacen became a sith named Darth Caedus.
Daala becomes unfit for duty and is arrested, tried & found guilty. While in jail she is broken out by Boba Fett and while out they make a deal for him to help her in exchange for the antidote to a virus that target's Fett's bloodline. They agree and Daala gets her fleet back to start to take over the Galactic Alliance. Meanwhile on Corscant Luke decides that due to what happened when Daala was in power he withdraws the Jedi from Corscant and politics to be able to help the galaxy as a whole. To help the transition Luke's sister Leia,who once was chief of state, will stay behind to help things go smoothly. Shortly after Luke and the rest of the Jedi leave Leia gets arrested on false charges because the LostnTribe of the Sith have already started to infiltrate Corscant and the Senate. Luckily Han and the few Jedi that stayed behind rescued Leia.
This book is a good storyline that seems like it needs to finish wrapping up because somehow it went from trying to find out how Jacen became a Sith to finding a tribe of them and finding them again. Don't get me wrong I have always been a fan of both the movies and the books but it seems like whoever is overseeing the books don't want it to stop. If that's the case then they need to think of better stories soon.(less)

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May 10, 2013 Denae rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: sci-fi

Sigh.
I have not found many Star Wars books after Anakin's death that have impressed me. I like the earlier books better. They are more focused, have more action and adventure and fighting and such. I don't mind a fair amount of political intrigue and machinations, but this is too much for me. The books have nearly lost my interest completely. These Star Wars books are spread out too thin among a plethora of pov characters, and it takes so long to get back to a character you may really enjoy read...more

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Oct 18, 2011 Steve Melton rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, sci-fi, series, star-wars

A decent enough book, probably one of the better of the series. It mostly styas away from the constant pull of Star Wars novels to fall into cliche, as though people are still using the same catch phrases 30-40 years later...this novel has allowed growth while remaining true to the original characterizations.

The story was good, although it seemed to be mostly another transition novel. This series seems to be the worst at that, although more and more this is where the Star Wars novels have headed...more

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Oct 31, 2011 Ben Arispe rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was a little disappointed with this one. I think we see far too much of the politics of the Lost Tribe of the Sith. Quite frankly, that's not what I'm interested in this series. of course, it being a novel by Christie Golden, we have to see Ben Skywalker and Vestara Khai having a damn picnic and being teenagers "in love". Part of this I realize must be from the editorial team from Lucas Books, seeing as Star Wars is always supposed to have some kind of love intrest. But I also realize that it'...more

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Jun 23, 2012 Megan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-sci-fi-fantasy, series, 2012, likable-heroes, better-than-expected, library-book

Maybe not quite four stars...perhaps 3.75?

It's taken a while, but finally things are starting to make sense. (view spoiler)

And, honestly, Abeloth is starting to resemble Palpatine a little too m...more

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Sep 02, 2011 John Carter McKnight rated it 3 of 5 stars

Marred by a slow start: political intrigue can work well in series books, but only when well-bracketed by action(cf. DeCandido's Articles of Federation). Ascension begins with two long chapters of politicking, all involving tertiary characters. We're held back for seemingly ages before being allowed to see any of the main characters or plotlines.

Past that hurdle, Ascension is a good entry in the series. Let's face it, most of us are reading the series for the wonderful young Sith Vestara Khai. G...more

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Dec 09, 2011 Shane Mcgonigal rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 06, 2011 Phillip Nguyen rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was very good and I enjoyed it much more than the past couple books. To see Ben and Vestara's relationship bloom was very interesting. Also watching the events of the Senate, Coruscant, and Daala, which were boring at first, quickly accelerated into this book. It was nice to finally see Jag show his superiority as the Head of State for the Empire against Daala. Also to finally bring the full might of the New Republic's Jedi Order against Abeloth while letting the Lost Tribe of the Sith...more

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Jan 09, 2012 Leo rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fate-of-the-jedi, star-wars

This book introduced a lot of new subplots and action that either sprang out of nowhere or keyed off single lines from the final chapters of the previous book.

The familiar characters that had been treated relatively okay through the series are made into complete fools by the most pivotal parts of this story, which again come relatively out of nowhere.

I may continue listening to the end of the series to see how it's executed, but frankly the Legacy of the Force and Fate of the Jedi stories have b...more

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Nov 06, 2011 Michael Alexander Henke rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: science-fiction, star-wars

The penultimate chapter of the Fate of the Jedi series, and quite honestly I'll be happy to see it finished. Not to say that I haven't been enjoying the series, but for me it doesn't compare to Legacy of the Force, or New Jedi Order. At the start of the series, I really liked the direction they were taking, with Luke and Ben exiled, following Jacen's path, and all the political stuff taking place back on Coruscant. I just don't like Abeloth as an antagonist. She feels too much like a monster, no...more

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Sep 21, 2011 Lisa rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure, star-wars, fantasy, science-fiction

The eigth book in this series, I felt it lacked excitement, even though exciting things happened. It begins with Luke searching for both Abeloth and the Lost Tribe, and the true test of Vestara's loyalties comes forth. Meanwhile, the leadership of both the Empire and the GA are being challenged by those who want to take over the power, but it is with the Sith that the true danger lies.

I enjoyed parts of this book, but there were sections that dragged, and due to poor writing, there were many opp...more

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Aug 16, 2011 Bee rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: legacy-era, science-fiction, star-wars, fate-of-the-jedi, kindle

Space battles, lightsaber fights, frightening space creatures, and intrigue! My favorite combination! This is the 8th book in this 9-book series and basically sets up the final novel, which doesn’t come out until April 2012 wtf? However, it isn’t merely a place holder as a lot is finally revealed and resolved. I’ve read the Fate of the Jedi books pretty much as soon as each one was published, so at this point, it’s hard for me to say if Ascension works as a stand-alone novel. The fact that I’m q...more

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Jan 06, 2012 Nicholas rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: star-wars

Okay, okay, Golden bashing aside, I think this marks a small, but noticeable step up for her. While I'm still cringing at her naming-sense and the awkward colloquial dialogue she crafts between beings living in a galaxy far, far away, I have to admit that the plot of Ascension certainly flows a lot more smoothly than her previous two entries in this series. How much of that is due to just better planning on the part of the team of writers and how much on her own initiative is still a bit of a my...more

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Oct 25, 2011 Boaz rated it 5 of 5 stars

Star wars ascension By Christie Golden is the 8th book in the series. It picks up after conviction ended. A quick recap In the first book Luke Skywalker is banished from the galactic alliance because of the actions of his nephew, Jacen Solo who had turned to the dark side. His reign of terrorwas ended when his own sister killed him in a duel to the death. Three years later Luke Skywalker and his son Ben have been looking for cluess to Jacen's actions. Many lightyears away Tahiri Veila is undergo...more Star wars ascension By Christie Golden is the 8th book in the series. It picks up after conviction ended. A quick recap In the first book Luke Skywalker is banished from the galactic alliance because of the actions of his nephew, Jacen Solo who had turned to the dark side. His reign of terrorwas ended when his own sister killed him in a duel to the death. Three years later Luke Skywalker and his son Ben have been looking for cluess to Jacen's actions. Many lightyears away Tahiri Veila is undergoing trial for the murder of Giliad Pearson the late head of Impearial state. Now the new Head of State who was appointed by Luke Skywalker. Things have gone way off track in the Galactict Allience under the rule of cheif of Galactic Alliance Natsi Daila. An old Impearial war lord. In her own Parinia she believes the Jedi is after the control of the Galactic Alliance. Anouther fun fact she also believes that sith are jedi in dark robes doing the dirty work for the jedi council. I know crazy. She has just laided seige to the jedi temple by mandolorians ( also known as jedi killers) to arest and freeze in carbonite two jedi knights who have gione insane. The true meaning of their insanity wich Daila believes to be a bunch of huey is the evil entity Aboloth whos soul goal is total universal domination People who fight against her will be anihalated as she put it. She seems to embody the spirit of the dark side. While all of this is going down a new generation of sith known as the Lost Tribe of the Sith is starting their course for domination. While on their travels Luke and ben skywalker were atacked by a death squad of sith sent by noneother than Grand Volle Leader of Th e Lost Tribe Of sith. (for short lets call them the L.T.S. = lost tribe of sith) not only does ther mission fail to kill the Skywalkers only one sith survives her name is Vestara Kai. In an intergalactic chase acroos the universe Vestara ivades capture twice. Only to be handed back over to the Jedi as compensation in a Jedi-Sith allaince to desroy aboloth. in their journey they find that Abolth has nearly escaped her prison in the Maw Cluster. There they think they have vancustured her bur realize it was a fake. They soon find the pool of knowledge that Luke had only seen in the world beyond shadows with the his two guides the Mind Drinkers. were they soon see the futuer A jedi Queen surounded by a group of Jedi Knights and the one in the front is none other than ben Skywalker in the future. To find out who this Jedi Queen is High Lord Talrussa Talon dives in to the pool. With the force Luke throws Talon out of the pool only to see that Talon has started to become one of the same creature as Aboloth. In a dire plan to escape Luke, Ben, and Vestara whose true side is not shown yet. Thdey start the hunt to kill Aboloth they start off on the world of one of Luke's old girlfriend worlds were she lives with a fetrnity of force users who use the white current to help people. They are soon captured by Aboloth and High Lord Talaon who is later killed by Vestara. Then they come to a planent were a deeadly virus carried by bugs is called the Death Locke.
Then the book begins your turn to read.(less)

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Aug 27, 2011 Bjoern rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-reads, hardcover, science-fiction, star_wars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The story slowly creeps towards the climax with only one more volume still to come out. But it doesn't do so in the most thrilling way, half of the book is quenched in unnecessary lenghts and the great revelation was obvious from the first time the person involved made her first appearance instead of being only talked about on the holonet.
And even the most intriguing aspect of the storyline, the "Lost Tribe" does loose much of it's appeal when they slowly turn from backyard fanaticists to "antip...more The story slowly creeps towards the climax with only one more volume still to come out. But it doesn't do so in the most thrilling way, half of the book is quenched in unnecessary lenghts and the great revelation was obvious from the first time the person involved made her first appearance instead of being only talked about on the holonet.
And even the most intriguing aspect of the storyline, the "Lost Tribe" does loose much of it's appeal when they slowly turn from backyard fanaticists to "antipodal Jedi" that did catch up with the modern times, technologies and politics just to show themselves as nothing more than big bad imperial moffs with queer eyes, laserswords and the random sadistic streak above the call of duty. Why in the name of everything that is good should the authorial triumvirate really go and with full intent reduce the one special element of their common storyline into just another repeat of boring and too-often-seen clichés?

I'm growing more and more disappointed with the current policies of Lucasfilm ltd as this whole unhealthy fixation with the conflict Jedi vs Sith does tend to limit the possibilities authors can invent new ways of telling stories, create new interesting characters and limits the whole portfolio of things that eventually could and would happen in any given situation. It's more and more like one has already read the gist of anything that's published several times all over and so only one point of consequence does remain from almost 400 pages of "just the same"... (view spoiler)

The sad thing is that the book isn't really badly written. Christy Golden is a complete professional and knows how to put things down on paper... but it's spectacularly lacking on the side of good and believeabla continuation of the storyline, the protagonists characterisation and the general "Warsyness" as description of the general athmosphere of the book is concerned. It's always that little tad of ALMOST right besides the real thing, not even paying attention to the annoying small habits like introducing real world stuff like cigars in barely hidden form as ciggarras into "a long time a go in a galacy far far away". (less)

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May 19, 2012 Tyler rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: star-wars

I liked this book a lot better than the previous one in the series. My only complain with Ascension was with the space battle. I was really excited to see a legitimate space battle because they have been seriously lacking in this series and when we finally get around to one I felt the battle scene was done poorly. The sense of time passage in the space battle was very awkward and the description was utterly detached from any emotion or conflict. The very essence of "telling" instead of "showing....more

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Aug 16, 2011 Sonny rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: star-wars

Ascension, I felt revitalized the Fate of the Jedi series after the upsetting let down Conviction was. After an intense battle with Abeloth, Luke and Ben return to Coruscant and reunite with the Jedi Order. The reunion is short-lived as a hidden wars wages between various factions throughout the galaxy. Sith, Imperial, Abeloth, Jedi... with an unstable Galactic Government up for grabs, its anyones call on who will take the top. All the while, a young woman takes her first steps away from darknes...more

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Jan 23, 2012 logankstewart rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: library, star-wars, 2012-read

Ascension, the penultimate novel in the nine-volume Fate of the Jedi series, is one of the best in the series so far. After the events of the previous books, it feels like groundwork has finally been lain for major plot development. Daala is a fugitive. Luke and Ben are finally returning from their exile. Abeloth is MIA and extremely dangerous. Ben and Vestara are teenagers in love, even if they're on the opposite sides of the Force.

There's no way I can recommend this book as an introduction to...more

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About Christie Golden

Award-winning author Christie Golden has written over thirty novels and several short stories in the fields of science fiction, fantasy and horror. She has over a million books in print.

2009 will see no fewer than three novels published. First out in late April will be a World of Warcraft novel, Athas: Rise of the Lich King. This is the first Warcraft novel to appear in hardcover. Fans of the youn...more Award-winning author Christie Golden has written over thirty novels and several short stories in the fields of science fiction, fantasy and horror. She has over a million books in print.

2009 will see no fewer than three novels published. First out in late April will be a World of Warcraft novel, Athas: Rise of the Lich King. This is the first Warcraft novel to appear in hardcover. Fans of the young paladin who fell so far from grace will get to read his definitive story.

In June, Golden’s first Star Wars novel, also a hardcover, sees print. Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi—Omen is the second in a nine-book series she is co-authoring with Aaron Allston and Troy Denning. Also in June comes the conclusion of Golden’s StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga with the release of Twlight, the third book in the series. The first two are Firstborn and Shadow Hunters.

2004 saw the launch of an original fantasy series called The Final Dance, from LUNA Books. The first novel in the series, On Fire's Wings, was published in July of that year. The second, In Stone’s Clasp , came out in September of 2005. With In Stone’s Clasp, Golden won the Colorado Author’s League Top Hand Award for Best Genre Novel for the second time. The third book, Under Sea’s Shadow, is available only as an e-book

Golden is also the author of two original fantasy novels from Ace Books, King's Man and Thief and Instrument of Fate, which made the 1996 Nebula Preliminary Ballot. Under the pen name of Jadrien Bell, she wrote a historical fantasy thriller entitled A.D. 999, which won the Colorado Author's League Top Hand Award for Best Genre Novel of 1999.

Golden launched the TSR Ravenloft line in 1991 with her first novel, the highly successful Vampire of the Mists , which introduced elven vampire Jander Sunstar. Golden followed up Vampire with Dance of the Dead and The Enemy Within . In September of 2006, fifteen years to the month, The Ravenloft Covenant: Vampire of the Mists enabled Jander Sunstar to reach a whole new audience.

Other projects include a slew of Star Trek novels, among them The Murdered Sun , Marooned , and Seven of Nine , and "The Dark Matters Trilogy," Cloak and Dagger , Ghost Dance and Shadow of Heaven .

The Voyager novel relaunch, which includes Homecoming and The Farther Shore , were bestsellers and were the fastest-selling Trek novels of 2003. Golden continued writing VOYAGER novels even though the show went off the air, and enjoyed exploring the creative freedom that gave her in the two-parter called Spirit Walk, which includes Old Wounds and Enemy of my Enemy .

Golden has also written the novelization of Steven Spielberg's Invasion America and an original "prequel," On The Run , both of which received high praise from producer Harve Bennett. On The Run, a combination medical thriller and science fiction adventure, even prompted Bennett to invite Golden to assist in crafting the second season of the show, if it was renewed.

Golden lives in Loveland, Colorado, with her artist husband and their two cats. (less)

More about Christie Golden...

Books by Christie Golden

Arthas: Rise of the Lich King (World of Warcraft #6)

Rise of the Horde (World of WarCraft, #2)

Allies (Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi, #5)

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Ascension (Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi #8)

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