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Star Wars: The New Jedi Order #2
Dark Tide I: Onslaught
Twenty-one years after the destruction of Darth Vader and the Emperor, the Star Wars galaxy has been hit by a threat more deadly than anything that has gone before. In VECTOR PRIME, aliens invaded from outside the galaxy and were routed. . . at great cost to our heroes. Now, in a climate of mistrust - especially of the Jedi - Leia cannot convince the New Republic that the threat may not be over, even as the next wave of alien warships are entering the galaxy. . . It is up to Leia, Luke, the Solo kids - Jedi Knights all - and the few who believe to defend the Outer Rim planets from invasion!
292 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2000
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September 29, 2017
Onslaught book 2 of the New Jedi Order was an alright sequel to Vector Prime. The author did well overall, but it demonstrates one of the Star Wars novels weaknesses...varying authors. Different authors provide different experiences which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it makes it hard to know what to expect. Plus I've found I dislike a few authors in the Star Wars series which makes it difficult to enjoy the series. Onslaught was solid, but I missed seeing a Yuuzhan Vong as a point of view character. Having a Yuuzhan Vong point of view character made them more interesting rather than simply monsters to be slayed.
March 3, 2023
The Dangers of Neutrality: Political Strife in the New Republic
Why Pacifists Within the Galactic Senate are Attempting to Block a New Jedi Council and What that Could Mean in the Face of Potential War with the Yuuzhan Vong
(This article first appeared in the New Republic magazine, The Lightsaber, on 03.16.9054, 25 A.Y. It was pieced together from several articles by several journalists. Parts of Michael A. Stackpole’s book “Dark Tide I: Onslaught” were used as inspiration for this article.)
Aftermath of Dubrillion
Nemoj Emjad, 9, rummages through trash bins for half-eaten MREs or galga berries. He has not slept for five days. During the short nights at Refugee Camp CR-12C on planet Anglu, he still hears the echoes of the screams of his family in his dreams, and most nights he avoids sleep altogether.
His face momentarily brightens in the light of the twin moons of Anglu as he finds the motherlode: three ripe galga berries, each the size of his head. He voraciously bites into one, the blood-red juice dripping down his cheeks. They smell like bantha fodder, and they taste just as awful, but there is not much human food on Anglu. Most of the inhabitants of this third-world planet are Twi’leks and Bothans, and most are smugglers. What little human food that is available is due to New Republic Emergency Management Corps. (NREMC) and the efforts of former New Republic General and hero of the Rebel Alliance, Lando Calrissian.
It was Calrissian’s planet, Dubrillion, that was attacked by the alien race known as the Yuuzhan Vong. Of its roughly two million inhabitants, only 84,690 escaped. Refugees have taken shelter on Outer Rim planets Muunilist, Dantooine, and Yaga Minor, with a majority going to Dantooine.
It has been difficult to determine the number of casualties from Dubrillion due to the fact that the Dubrillion system has been quarantined and is now controlled by the Yuuzhan Vong. Attempts to communicate with any representatives of the Yuuzhan Vong to determine a count have failed.
Emjad doesn’t talk much about what happened to him and his parents on Dubrillion. It is not surprising. A team of New Republic psychologists and medics stationed on Anglu have reported numerous cases of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a shocking number of attempted suicides by survivors.
“After witnessing first-hand the viciousness of the Yuuzhan Vong, it’s not hard to understand the feelings of fatalistic hopelessness among the survivors,” said Calrissian. “Even Emperor Palpatine and his army of stormtroopers were occasionally capable of moments of mercy. I don’t think the Yuuzhan Vong even have a word for “mercy” in their vocabulary.”
Emjad may be young, but he has grown up in rough surroundings. Both his parents were spice miners, and the town in which he lived was notorious for illegal spice smuggling. His only schooling was working with his mother on the carrier equipment at the space hangar in town. Despite this, Emjad recalls happy times with his parents, and he also remembers fondly the few times that Calrissian paid visits to the space hangar.
“Mr. Lando always had silver sabacc coins for us kids,” Emjad said. “Everyone liked Mr. Lando.”
Calrissian has, in the two months since the fall of Dubrillion, been an extremely loud proponent of more military spending in the Galactic Senate. He has also led a small but growing grass-roots campaign to convince the New Republic government to officially declare war on the Yuuzhan Vong, a call to arms that has continuously fallen upon deaf ears.
Yuuzhan Vong: Elaborate Jedi Hoax or Proof of Life Outside the Galaxy?
The newest threat to the galaxy, the Yuuzhan Vong, allegedly appeared in the Outer Rim and is rumored to be from an unknown source outside the galaxy, according to a new report recently released by Princess Leia Organa-Solo, former President of the New Republic.
If true, this marks the first time an extragalactic alien race has introduced itself in this galaxy, leading numerous scientists within the New Republic to cast serious doubt on the report.
Xard D’Yart, a Mon Calamari astrophysicist, adamantly denies the possibility that the Yuuzhan Vong are an extragalactic race.
“Every scientist knows that the space between galaxies is filled with potent gases and turbulent dark matter, making hyperdrive capabilities impossible,” said D’Yart. “The countless species within our own galaxy have yet to create a safe and reliable method of extragalactic transportation. It is ridiculous to think that a species from another galaxy could have such an advanced technology.”
Regardless of where the Yuuzhon Vong comes from, Dr. D’Yart added that the race “poses a clear and present danger to the New Republic.”
Sadly, this is not an opinion shared by some of the more powerful members of the Galactic Senate, including President Borsk Fey’lya.
“It is difficult to give credence to this report,” said Fey’lya, referring to former President Organa-Solo’s report to the Senate. “It is clearly an attempt by former President Organa-Solo, and her brother, Luke Skywalker, to institute and install a new Jedi Council which will usurp the powers of this Galactic Senate and bring martial law throughout the galaxy. It has only been a few short years since the long war with the Empire came to an end. We are still picking up the pieces here on Coruscant, a planet which did not even receive the worst of the Empire’s evil campaign of conquest. Our constituents here in the Core Worlds, the Inner Rim, and even the Mid Rim are tired of war. Now Princess Leia, her husband, Han Solo, and her brother, Luke Skywalker---along with these so-called “peacekeepers” known as the Jedi---want to engage in another galaxy-wide war? I vehemently oppose any attempt to stir up another war, especially if it means giving any more power to these Jedi Knights, practitioners of an outdated religion.”
Fey’lya’s statement comes upon the heels of rumors of a possible coup de’ tat attempt led by Organa-Solo, in conjunction with certain members of the New Republic military. Organa Solo has neither confirmed nor denied these rumors, leading many within the Galactic Senate to believe that this is, in itself, a confirmation.
Could the Yuuzhan Vong be an elaborate ruse devised by the Jedi Knights to garner support for a new Jedi Council?
According to a recent galactic poll (spearheaded by the Sullustian government), roughly 85% of the population within the Core systems do not believe that the threat is real. Roughly 10% believe that the Yuuzhan Vong is real but not a serious threat, and only about 5% believe that the Yuuzhan Vong poses a clear and present danger.
A Conflict Within the New Jedi Order
Hero of the Rebel Alliance, Luke Skywalker is still admired and revered by nearly every citizen within the galaxy. He is, after all, the man who single-handedly destroyed the first Death Star at Yavin 4 over 25 years ago, killed the ruthless Sith Lord known as Darth Vader, and ultimately put an end to the rule of Emperor Palpatine, striking a powerful blow to the Empire, which exists today as a mere shadow of itself on the planet Bastion, led by the kinder, gentler Admiral Gilad Pellaeon.
Yet, criticism surrounds Skywalker and his handling of the Jedi Academy that he founded 20 years ago on Yavin 4.
Now considered a Jedi Master, Skywalker has been criticized for not providing tighter reins on the roughly hundred new Jedi Knights that have graduated from his Academy.
Many critics within the Galactic Senate---President Fey’lya being the most vocal---oppose the idea of having Jedi Knights at the forefront of any military operation.
Indeed, several Jedi Knights are currently members of the now-famous X-Wing Rogue Squadron, led by General Wedge Antilles. Among these Jedi Knights are Kyp Durron, Corran Horn, and Jaina Solo (who happens to be the daughter of former President Leia Organa-Solo and former-smuggler-turned-hero-of-the-Rebel-Alliance, Han Solo).
Mara Jade, wife of Skywalker and former (reformed) Imperial assassin, publicly defends her husband.
“It’s ridiculous to think that Luke has any control over the behavior of his former students,” she said. “My husband may be a powerful Jedi Master, but that’s asking a hell of a lot. He may not agree with the views and politics of some of his students, and he may offer occasional advice, but part of being a Jedi Knight is finding one’s own path through life, not relying on any one person or even a group of people to make decisions for you.”
Skywalker declined to be interviewed for this article.
What We Know About the Yuuzhan Vong
When the ExGal-4 scientific outpost on planet Belkaden stopped transmitting data one year ago, few planetary systems heard the silence. Not much is known exactly as to what transpired on that small, uninhabited planet. Only one scientist survived the alleged Yuuzhan Vong invasion.
Danni Quee was abducted by the Yuuzhan Vong, tortured for months, and forced to watch as her other human cell-mate, a Jedi Knight named Miko Reglia, was tortured until his eventual death at the hands of his captors.
Quee thought that her life was over, too, until a daring rescue attempt, led by Annakin Solo (the youngest son of former President Leia Organa-Solo and Han Solo), set her free.
Most of what we know about the Yuuzhan Vong comes from Quee.
Quee, a Force-sensitive now undergoing Jedi training, has written an article about the Yuuzhan Vong in the latest issue of Xenological Journal. In it, she writes that “this highly evolved warrior race is somehow “immune”, or biologically disconnected, to the Force, giving them an evolutionary advantage against the Jedi Knights.”
This controversial fact alone has led supporters of a full-scale war against the Yuuzhan Vong to push harder to convince the pacifistic members of the Galactic Senate, citing the possibility that, if true, the introduction of a Jedi Council to lead the military would be irrelevant anyway.
“The Jedi Knights count on, and draw strength from, the Force,” Quee writes in her article. “If they go up against an enemy whose very existence negates the use of the Force, to say that the playing field would be level is an unfair assessment. Indeed, the Yuuzhan Vong automatically has the biological advantage, given their biotechnological advances and the fact that they are a culture whose sole purpose is waging war. How can a group of Force-sensitives, founded on the principles of peace-keeping, ever hope to compete, let alone win, against such a race?”
(Michael A. Stackpole is a free-lance galactic journalist whose books, “Dark Tide I: Onslaught” and “Dark Tide II: Ruin” have become intergalactic bestsellers. Even the Imperial Booklist on planet Bastion has announced that Stackpole’s books have outsold the long-running Imperial bestseller “My Struggle” by the late Emperor Palpatine.)
Why Pacifists Within the Galactic Senate are Attempting to Block a New Jedi Council and What that Could Mean in the Face of Potential War with the Yuuzhan Vong
(This article first appeared in the New Republic magazine, The Lightsaber, on 03.16.9054, 25 A.Y. It was pieced together from several articles by several journalists. Parts of Michael A. Stackpole’s book “Dark Tide I: Onslaught” were used as inspiration for this article.)
Aftermath of Dubrillion
Nemoj Emjad, 9, rummages through trash bins for half-eaten MREs or galga berries. He has not slept for five days. During the short nights at Refugee Camp CR-12C on planet Anglu, he still hears the echoes of the screams of his family in his dreams, and most nights he avoids sleep altogether.
His face momentarily brightens in the light of the twin moons of Anglu as he finds the motherlode: three ripe galga berries, each the size of his head. He voraciously bites into one, the blood-red juice dripping down his cheeks. They smell like bantha fodder, and they taste just as awful, but there is not much human food on Anglu. Most of the inhabitants of this third-world planet are Twi’leks and Bothans, and most are smugglers. What little human food that is available is due to New Republic Emergency Management Corps. (NREMC) and the efforts of former New Republic General and hero of the Rebel Alliance, Lando Calrissian.
It was Calrissian’s planet, Dubrillion, that was attacked by the alien race known as the Yuuzhan Vong. Of its roughly two million inhabitants, only 84,690 escaped. Refugees have taken shelter on Outer Rim planets Muunilist, Dantooine, and Yaga Minor, with a majority going to Dantooine.
It has been difficult to determine the number of casualties from Dubrillion due to the fact that the Dubrillion system has been quarantined and is now controlled by the Yuuzhan Vong. Attempts to communicate with any representatives of the Yuuzhan Vong to determine a count have failed.
Emjad doesn’t talk much about what happened to him and his parents on Dubrillion. It is not surprising. A team of New Republic psychologists and medics stationed on Anglu have reported numerous cases of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a shocking number of attempted suicides by survivors.
“After witnessing first-hand the viciousness of the Yuuzhan Vong, it’s not hard to understand the feelings of fatalistic hopelessness among the survivors,” said Calrissian. “Even Emperor Palpatine and his army of stormtroopers were occasionally capable of moments of mercy. I don’t think the Yuuzhan Vong even have a word for “mercy” in their vocabulary.”
Emjad may be young, but he has grown up in rough surroundings. Both his parents were spice miners, and the town in which he lived was notorious for illegal spice smuggling. His only schooling was working with his mother on the carrier equipment at the space hangar in town. Despite this, Emjad recalls happy times with his parents, and he also remembers fondly the few times that Calrissian paid visits to the space hangar.
“Mr. Lando always had silver sabacc coins for us kids,” Emjad said. “Everyone liked Mr. Lando.”
Calrissian has, in the two months since the fall of Dubrillion, been an extremely loud proponent of more military spending in the Galactic Senate. He has also led a small but growing grass-roots campaign to convince the New Republic government to officially declare war on the Yuuzhan Vong, a call to arms that has continuously fallen upon deaf ears.
Yuuzhan Vong: Elaborate Jedi Hoax or Proof of Life Outside the Galaxy?
The newest threat to the galaxy, the Yuuzhan Vong, allegedly appeared in the Outer Rim and is rumored to be from an unknown source outside the galaxy, according to a new report recently released by Princess Leia Organa-Solo, former President of the New Republic.
If true, this marks the first time an extragalactic alien race has introduced itself in this galaxy, leading numerous scientists within the New Republic to cast serious doubt on the report.
Xard D’Yart, a Mon Calamari astrophysicist, adamantly denies the possibility that the Yuuzhan Vong are an extragalactic race.
“Every scientist knows that the space between galaxies is filled with potent gases and turbulent dark matter, making hyperdrive capabilities impossible,” said D’Yart. “The countless species within our own galaxy have yet to create a safe and reliable method of extragalactic transportation. It is ridiculous to think that a species from another galaxy could have such an advanced technology.”
Regardless of where the Yuuzhon Vong comes from, Dr. D’Yart added that the race “poses a clear and present danger to the New Republic.”
Sadly, this is not an opinion shared by some of the more powerful members of the Galactic Senate, including President Borsk Fey’lya.
“It is difficult to give credence to this report,” said Fey’lya, referring to former President Organa-Solo’s report to the Senate. “It is clearly an attempt by former President Organa-Solo, and her brother, Luke Skywalker, to institute and install a new Jedi Council which will usurp the powers of this Galactic Senate and bring martial law throughout the galaxy. It has only been a few short years since the long war with the Empire came to an end. We are still picking up the pieces here on Coruscant, a planet which did not even receive the worst of the Empire’s evil campaign of conquest. Our constituents here in the Core Worlds, the Inner Rim, and even the Mid Rim are tired of war. Now Princess Leia, her husband, Han Solo, and her brother, Luke Skywalker---along with these so-called “peacekeepers” known as the Jedi---want to engage in another galaxy-wide war? I vehemently oppose any attempt to stir up another war, especially if it means giving any more power to these Jedi Knights, practitioners of an outdated religion.”
Fey’lya’s statement comes upon the heels of rumors of a possible coup de’ tat attempt led by Organa-Solo, in conjunction with certain members of the New Republic military. Organa Solo has neither confirmed nor denied these rumors, leading many within the Galactic Senate to believe that this is, in itself, a confirmation.
Could the Yuuzhan Vong be an elaborate ruse devised by the Jedi Knights to garner support for a new Jedi Council?
According to a recent galactic poll (spearheaded by the Sullustian government), roughly 85% of the population within the Core systems do not believe that the threat is real. Roughly 10% believe that the Yuuzhan Vong is real but not a serious threat, and only about 5% believe that the Yuuzhan Vong poses a clear and present danger.
A Conflict Within the New Jedi Order
Hero of the Rebel Alliance, Luke Skywalker is still admired and revered by nearly every citizen within the galaxy. He is, after all, the man who single-handedly destroyed the first Death Star at Yavin 4 over 25 years ago, killed the ruthless Sith Lord known as Darth Vader, and ultimately put an end to the rule of Emperor Palpatine, striking a powerful blow to the Empire, which exists today as a mere shadow of itself on the planet Bastion, led by the kinder, gentler Admiral Gilad Pellaeon.
Yet, criticism surrounds Skywalker and his handling of the Jedi Academy that he founded 20 years ago on Yavin 4.
Now considered a Jedi Master, Skywalker has been criticized for not providing tighter reins on the roughly hundred new Jedi Knights that have graduated from his Academy.
Many critics within the Galactic Senate---President Fey’lya being the most vocal---oppose the idea of having Jedi Knights at the forefront of any military operation.
Indeed, several Jedi Knights are currently members of the now-famous X-Wing Rogue Squadron, led by General Wedge Antilles. Among these Jedi Knights are Kyp Durron, Corran Horn, and Jaina Solo (who happens to be the daughter of former President Leia Organa-Solo and former-smuggler-turned-hero-of-the-Rebel-Alliance, Han Solo).
Mara Jade, wife of Skywalker and former (reformed) Imperial assassin, publicly defends her husband.
“It’s ridiculous to think that Luke has any control over the behavior of his former students,” she said. “My husband may be a powerful Jedi Master, but that’s asking a hell of a lot. He may not agree with the views and politics of some of his students, and he may offer occasional advice, but part of being a Jedi Knight is finding one’s own path through life, not relying on any one person or even a group of people to make decisions for you.”
Skywalker declined to be interviewed for this article.
What We Know About the Yuuzhan Vong
When the ExGal-4 scientific outpost on planet Belkaden stopped transmitting data one year ago, few planetary systems heard the silence. Not much is known exactly as to what transpired on that small, uninhabited planet. Only one scientist survived the alleged Yuuzhan Vong invasion.
Danni Quee was abducted by the Yuuzhan Vong, tortured for months, and forced to watch as her other human cell-mate, a Jedi Knight named Miko Reglia, was tortured until his eventual death at the hands of his captors.
Quee thought that her life was over, too, until a daring rescue attempt, led by Annakin Solo (the youngest son of former President Leia Organa-Solo and Han Solo), set her free.
Most of what we know about the Yuuzhan Vong comes from Quee.
Quee, a Force-sensitive now undergoing Jedi training, has written an article about the Yuuzhan Vong in the latest issue of Xenological Journal. In it, she writes that “this highly evolved warrior race is somehow “immune”, or biologically disconnected, to the Force, giving them an evolutionary advantage against the Jedi Knights.”
This controversial fact alone has led supporters of a full-scale war against the Yuuzhan Vong to push harder to convince the pacifistic members of the Galactic Senate, citing the possibility that, if true, the introduction of a Jedi Council to lead the military would be irrelevant anyway.
“The Jedi Knights count on, and draw strength from, the Force,” Quee writes in her article. “If they go up against an enemy whose very existence negates the use of the Force, to say that the playing field would be level is an unfair assessment. Indeed, the Yuuzhan Vong automatically has the biological advantage, given their biotechnological advances and the fact that they are a culture whose sole purpose is waging war. How can a group of Force-sensitives, founded on the principles of peace-keeping, ever hope to compete, let alone win, against such a race?”
(Michael A. Stackpole is a free-lance galactic journalist whose books, “Dark Tide I: Onslaught” and “Dark Tide II: Ruin” have become intergalactic bestsellers. Even the Imperial Booklist on planet Bastion has announced that Stackpole’s books have outsold the long-running Imperial bestseller “My Struggle” by the late Emperor Palpatine.)
January 30, 2022
“Can I truly discover how to integrate myself in the Force if I do not know who I am without it?" - Jacen Solo
I always loved the Dark Tide duology, it's very X-Wing esque, but that's okay. I like the Gannar/Corran team up, though it was a bit slow. Ganner has one of the best moments in all of Star Wars down the line.
I know, some people didn't like Jacen from until around Traitor, due to how uncertain he is about his life and his path, but I think it's realistic as hell. Imagine being a Jedi, and related to Luke no less. Trying to find your own path would be so difficult, especially since the old Jedi lore wasn't fully known. (Of course, since only Episode 1 was out at this point.) I've always enjoyed his journey as a character.
Then of course, I love Anakin learning to not abuse his force powers too. I wish the whole Master Mara thing had been used more, I didn't like where they took her post-NJO, but alas. Plus, the whole killing off Anakin Solo thing so he wouldn't be confused with Anakin Skywalker will never not bother me.
“On Dantooine, when Mara made me stop using the Force like a crutch, I had a
lot of time to think about things. I realized I was using the force too much.
Uncle Luke uses it like an advisor, or sometimes a power source. Others use it
like a vibroblade, some like an opinion poll, and others yet like a whole
variety of tools. I thought all about that, and I guess I chose to follow in
Uncle Luke's footsteps." -Anakin Solo
I always loved the Dark Tide duology, it's very X-Wing esque, but that's okay. I like the Gannar/Corran team up, though it was a bit slow. Ganner has one of the best moments in all of Star Wars down the line.
I know, some people didn't like Jacen from until around Traitor, due to how uncertain he is about his life and his path, but I think it's realistic as hell. Imagine being a Jedi, and related to Luke no less. Trying to find your own path would be so difficult, especially since the old Jedi lore wasn't fully known. (Of course, since only Episode 1 was out at this point.) I've always enjoyed his journey as a character.
Then of course, I love Anakin learning to not abuse his force powers too. I wish the whole Master Mara thing had been used more, I didn't like where they took her post-NJO, but alas. Plus, the whole killing off Anakin Solo thing so he wouldn't be confused with Anakin Skywalker will never not bother me.
“On Dantooine, when Mara made me stop using the Force like a crutch, I had a
lot of time to think about things. I realized I was using the force too much.
Uncle Luke uses it like an advisor, or sometimes a power source. Others use it
like a vibroblade, some like an opinion poll, and others yet like a whole
variety of tools. I thought all about that, and I guess I chose to follow in
Uncle Luke's footsteps." -Anakin Solo
January 1, 2015
Although Michael Stackpole is to blame for many of the problems that weigh down Dark Tide I: Onslaught (which I'll get to in a moment), I'm pointing my finger at the entire New Jedi Order editorial team. The decision to publish Onslaught directly after the cataclysmic Vector Prime is the novel's true undoing. Don't get me wrong, this is far from what I consider to be a good read, but its failures are compounded by its ill-conceived timing.
The events of Vector Prime had introduced a drastically different adversary to the Star Wars universe, one that instilled fear and pessimism by way of untold aggression and discriminating hatred. The novel crescendoed to a paradigm-shattering climax, one that left me in eager anticipation for what was to come next.
Unfortunately, what came next was Onslaught, a shallow and irrelevant installment in the New Jedi Order series.
Luke Skywalker gathers many of his Jedi Knights on Yavin 4, there to assign them a slew of reconnaissance missions in hopes of learning more about the Yuuzhan Vong's current and future activities: Corran Horn and Ganner Rhysode are sent to Bimmiel to investigate the loss of some missing scientists, Anakin accompanies Mara Jade to Dantooine as she continues to stave off her deadly disease, and Luke brings Jacen along as he visits the Ex-Gal facility on Belkadan. Of these three (main) plots, not one is interesting, nor do they add anything substantial to what we know about the Vong.
Corran and Ganner's mission to rescue the scientists lacks any real purpose. The scientists are of no particular importance, and the entire sub-plot seems contrived just to pit these two opposing Jedi against one another for the fun of it. Their dichotomy, while occasionally interesting and entertaining, does little to spruce up this storyline. Neither develops beyond what they were at the novel's outset.
While Anakin does learn a few things about himself and the force during his time on Dantooine, we continue to be bombarded with droning details about Mara's illness. Yes, she's still sick. We understand. Move on already.
Luke and Jacen, thankfully, discover some information that is useful to us, namely that the Yuuzhan Vong are using humanoid slaves as a means to grow their bioequipment. I have read several reviews that praise Onslaught for being Luke-heavy; frankly, I don't know what they're talking about. He receives just about as much face time as anyone else; no more, no less. If you were planning on checking out Onslaught based solely on Luke alone, you are better served elsewhere.
As can be expected, all plot threads eventually converge in the end, building towards a confrontation with a Yuuzhan Vong strike force. Enemies are defeated. Good wins the day. I know, shocking stuff. Stackpole tries to convince us that there are grave consequences as a result of this event---Rogue Squadron loses two-thirds of its pilots, over fifty troopers are killed in battle, the Vong slaughter countless people on Dubrillion, and Dantooine refugees suffer 50% casualties---but the reader never actually feels like lamenting these losses. Stackpole doesn't make us care for even a moment.
The reason for this is that Stackpole has completely undermined the Yuuzhan Vong's credibility. In Vector Prime, R.A. Salvatore introduced us to a fearsome, destructive force that could stand toe-to-toe with the Jedi. And what's more is that they appeared to be just the tip of the iceberg, the vanguard to a massive invasion force. You'd never know this from reading Stackpole's interpretation. His Vong are nowhere near the imposing foes that we were led to believe they were.
Furthermore, Onslaught offers absolutely nothing in the way of Yuuzhan Vong development. We only see them from a distance, and they serve as little more than a convenient way to stage a series of tedious battles that up the page count. We are quickly introduced to the Embrace of Pain (which will apparently play a larger role in Dark Tide II: Ruin), but that's about all we get. Out of 37 chapters, the only Vong POV is the epilogue, which is essentially a throwaway.
I would be remiss not to mention the fact that Onslaught almost completely avoids what is doubtless the most pressing storyline at the moment: the death of Chewbacca (in Vector Prime). Han appears for only a handful of pages---in what is one of the few good scenes in the book---and then inexplicably disappears from the story. Again, I can't blame Stackpole for this, as Han is purposely ignored so that his story can continue in books four and five (it's done for marketing/sales purposes, so that's not his fault). Now, I can understand why the NJO brain trust structured the books like this, but I disagree wholeheartedly with the decision. Revealing only faint glimpses of Han only frustrates the audience, and it stalls any momentum created at the end of Vector Prime.
Perhaps the most significant event of the book (or, at least the one that will have a significant impact on the series moving forward) is Jaina Solo's joining of Rogue Squadron. One would think that Stackpole would make a big deal about this, being the Rogue Squadron obsessive that he is. Jaina joins Rogue Squadron at 16 (an impressive feat), and it seems quite clear that being a part of Rogue Squadron is going to factor heavily in Jaina's development during the New Jedi Order series. I felt that this was a fairly important moment. Evidently Stackpole didn't think so. The whole scene occurs in one underwhelming paragraph.
To be fair, Onslaught is certainly not all bad. Amidst all the action there are actually a few intermittent "quiet" scenes, in which the characters are allowed to breath. I may be one of the few people that loves Jacen Solo and his force philosophizing, and there are several good scenes involving him, Anakin, and Luke. His quest to find the Jedi's true relationship to the force continues to fascinate. Near the end of the novel, during one of his talks with Anakin, Jacen says something that I found particularly interesting, considering where Jacen's future lies:
"For now, I'm Jacen Solo. What I will be in the future, however, is anyone's guess."
For now, I'm still enjoying the New Jedi Order. Whether I'll still enjoy it after Dark Tide II: Ruin, is anyone's guess.
The events of Vector Prime had introduced a drastically different adversary to the Star Wars universe, one that instilled fear and pessimism by way of untold aggression and discriminating hatred. The novel crescendoed to a paradigm-shattering climax, one that left me in eager anticipation for what was to come next.
Unfortunately, what came next was Onslaught, a shallow and irrelevant installment in the New Jedi Order series.
Luke Skywalker gathers many of his Jedi Knights on Yavin 4, there to assign them a slew of reconnaissance missions in hopes of learning more about the Yuuzhan Vong's current and future activities: Corran Horn and Ganner Rhysode are sent to Bimmiel to investigate the loss of some missing scientists, Anakin accompanies Mara Jade to Dantooine as she continues to stave off her deadly disease, and Luke brings Jacen along as he visits the Ex-Gal facility on Belkadan. Of these three (main) plots, not one is interesting, nor do they add anything substantial to what we know about the Vong.
Corran and Ganner's mission to rescue the scientists lacks any real purpose. The scientists are of no particular importance, and the entire sub-plot seems contrived just to pit these two opposing Jedi against one another for the fun of it. Their dichotomy, while occasionally interesting and entertaining, does little to spruce up this storyline. Neither develops beyond what they were at the novel's outset.
While Anakin does learn a few things about himself and the force during his time on Dantooine, we continue to be bombarded with droning details about Mara's illness. Yes, she's still sick. We understand. Move on already.
Luke and Jacen, thankfully, discover some information that is useful to us, namely that the Yuuzhan Vong are using humanoid slaves as a means to grow their bioequipment. I have read several reviews that praise Onslaught for being Luke-heavy; frankly, I don't know what they're talking about. He receives just about as much face time as anyone else; no more, no less. If you were planning on checking out Onslaught based solely on Luke alone, you are better served elsewhere.
As can be expected, all plot threads eventually converge in the end, building towards a confrontation with a Yuuzhan Vong strike force. Enemies are defeated. Good wins the day. I know, shocking stuff. Stackpole tries to convince us that there are grave consequences as a result of this event---Rogue Squadron loses two-thirds of its pilots, over fifty troopers are killed in battle, the Vong slaughter countless people on Dubrillion, and Dantooine refugees suffer 50% casualties---but the reader never actually feels like lamenting these losses. Stackpole doesn't make us care for even a moment.
The reason for this is that Stackpole has completely undermined the Yuuzhan Vong's credibility. In Vector Prime, R.A. Salvatore introduced us to a fearsome, destructive force that could stand toe-to-toe with the Jedi. And what's more is that they appeared to be just the tip of the iceberg, the vanguard to a massive invasion force. You'd never know this from reading Stackpole's interpretation. His Vong are nowhere near the imposing foes that we were led to believe they were.
Furthermore, Onslaught offers absolutely nothing in the way of Yuuzhan Vong development. We only see them from a distance, and they serve as little more than a convenient way to stage a series of tedious battles that up the page count. We are quickly introduced to the Embrace of Pain (which will apparently play a larger role in Dark Tide II: Ruin), but that's about all we get. Out of 37 chapters, the only Vong POV is the epilogue, which is essentially a throwaway.
I would be remiss not to mention the fact that Onslaught almost completely avoids what is doubtless the most pressing storyline at the moment: the death of Chewbacca (in Vector Prime). Han appears for only a handful of pages---in what is one of the few good scenes in the book---and then inexplicably disappears from the story. Again, I can't blame Stackpole for this, as Han is purposely ignored so that his story can continue in books four and five (it's done for marketing/sales purposes, so that's not his fault). Now, I can understand why the NJO brain trust structured the books like this, but I disagree wholeheartedly with the decision. Revealing only faint glimpses of Han only frustrates the audience, and it stalls any momentum created at the end of Vector Prime.
Perhaps the most significant event of the book (or, at least the one that will have a significant impact on the series moving forward) is Jaina Solo's joining of Rogue Squadron. One would think that Stackpole would make a big deal about this, being the Rogue Squadron obsessive that he is. Jaina joins Rogue Squadron at 16 (an impressive feat), and it seems quite clear that being a part of Rogue Squadron is going to factor heavily in Jaina's development during the New Jedi Order series. I felt that this was a fairly important moment. Evidently Stackpole didn't think so. The whole scene occurs in one underwhelming paragraph.
To be fair, Onslaught is certainly not all bad. Amidst all the action there are actually a few intermittent "quiet" scenes, in which the characters are allowed to breath. I may be one of the few people that loves Jacen Solo and his force philosophizing, and there are several good scenes involving him, Anakin, and Luke. His quest to find the Jedi's true relationship to the force continues to fascinate. Near the end of the novel, during one of his talks with Anakin, Jacen says something that I found particularly interesting, considering where Jacen's future lies:
"For now, I'm Jacen Solo. What I will be in the future, however, is anyone's guess."
For now, I'm still enjoying the New Jedi Order. Whether I'll still enjoy it after Dark Tide II: Ruin, is anyone's guess.
April 12, 2011
"Easy isn't for Jedi"
The Yuuzhan Vong have entered the Outer Rim of the galaxy. Leia is attempting to garner support from the New Republic; Luke and Jacen head off to Belkadan to get further developments; Corran and Ganner head to Bimmiel to check up on some missing academics; Mara and Anakin head to Dantooine to attempt some R&R for Mara.
NOTE: Based on audiobook and novel.
I thought Vector Prime was a great entry into this most recent, more gritty series. But Onslaught is amazing. It is a perfect second novel: gradually building the conflict, displaying the players/characters, and intensifying the story.
In Onslaught, Stackpole brings back fan favorites, Corran (who is now a Jedi), Wedge, Tycho, and Elegos A'Kla (among others, including a Bothan admiral who ISN'T sneaky and duplicitous). Corran is in prime form. It's nice to see him married with kids, to have him a more mature Jedi, and to have him bounce off with the younger Jedi, Ganner Rhysode. His mission with Ganner on Bimmiel is interesting and relevant to the story (even though at first sniff it doesn't appear to be).
But Stackpole does a brilliant job with our major characters. Probably my favorites were Mara and Anakin. Mara gives Anakin a good lesson about using the Force (similar to one she gave Luke in Vision of the Future and one Anakin got in the Junior Jedi Knight series). I also enjoyed how they stumbled upon their own Yuuzhan Vong crisis. Luke and Jacen are also great, as they argue over each own's perception about the Force. One thing sorely missed in the audiobook, however, is Jacen's capture by the Yuuzhan Vong's Embrace of Pain, where Luke has to rescue him. That was a critical scene and shouldn't have been omitted, in my opinion.
I'll admit, I wasn't too fond of Stackpole's treatment of Leia, Jaina, and Han. Yet again, Leia comes off shrill and demanding, as she argues with Gavin Darklighter about allowing 16 year old Jaina onto Rogue Squadron. I understand this galaxy has different rules (as evinced by a 14 year old queen and an 18 year old senator), but nonetheless, I found it disgusting to hear Leia pouting about her daughter not getting into Rogue Squadron. Similarly, the Solo kids tend to be treated as if they were in their twenties instead of teens and are UBER AMAZING at everything. This is best seen in Jaina, a 16 year old Rogue Squadron member. Talk about cheapening what it means to be in the Squadron! Lastly, Han is barely visible in the novel, and only at the beginning as a drunken idiot. The characterization seemed a bit off, even considering the events of the last book.
But what makes Onslaught so good is how Stackpole begins to up the ante and weaves in all the storylines. I liked how the Yuuzhan Vong are spreading out to cover as many planets as possible (creating a base from which to launch further campaigns), the discoveries that the Jedi make about the Yuuzhan Vong, and the intimacy between the characters (such as between Luke and Mara, Mara and Anakin, or Luke and Jacen).
If you liked Vector Prime, be prepared for an even better book (especially if you liked the X-Wing series). If you didn't like Vector Prime, there is a good chance this will change your mind about the series. Great book; I can't wait to move on to Ruin!
The Yuuzhan Vong have entered the Outer Rim of the galaxy. Leia is attempting to garner support from the New Republic; Luke and Jacen head off to Belkadan to get further developments; Corran and Ganner head to Bimmiel to check up on some missing academics; Mara and Anakin head to Dantooine to attempt some R&R for Mara.
NOTE: Based on audiobook and novel.
I thought Vector Prime was a great entry into this most recent, more gritty series. But Onslaught is amazing. It is a perfect second novel: gradually building the conflict, displaying the players/characters, and intensifying the story.
In Onslaught, Stackpole brings back fan favorites, Corran (who is now a Jedi), Wedge, Tycho, and Elegos A'Kla (among others, including a Bothan admiral who ISN'T sneaky and duplicitous). Corran is in prime form. It's nice to see him married with kids, to have him a more mature Jedi, and to have him bounce off with the younger Jedi, Ganner Rhysode. His mission with Ganner on Bimmiel is interesting and relevant to the story (even though at first sniff it doesn't appear to be).
But Stackpole does a brilliant job with our major characters. Probably my favorites were Mara and Anakin. Mara gives Anakin a good lesson about using the Force (similar to one she gave Luke in Vision of the Future and one Anakin got in the Junior Jedi Knight series). I also enjoyed how they stumbled upon their own Yuuzhan Vong crisis. Luke and Jacen are also great, as they argue over each own's perception about the Force. One thing sorely missed in the audiobook, however, is Jacen's capture by the Yuuzhan Vong's Embrace of Pain, where Luke has to rescue him. That was a critical scene and shouldn't have been omitted, in my opinion.
I'll admit, I wasn't too fond of Stackpole's treatment of Leia, Jaina, and Han. Yet again, Leia comes off shrill and demanding, as she argues with Gavin Darklighter about allowing 16 year old Jaina onto Rogue Squadron. I understand this galaxy has different rules (as evinced by a 14 year old queen and an 18 year old senator), but nonetheless, I found it disgusting to hear Leia pouting about her daughter not getting into Rogue Squadron. Similarly, the Solo kids tend to be treated as if they were in their twenties instead of teens and are UBER AMAZING at everything. This is best seen in Jaina, a 16 year old Rogue Squadron member. Talk about cheapening what it means to be in the Squadron! Lastly, Han is barely visible in the novel, and only at the beginning as a drunken idiot. The characterization seemed a bit off, even considering the events of the last book.
But what makes Onslaught so good is how Stackpole begins to up the ante and weaves in all the storylines. I liked how the Yuuzhan Vong are spreading out to cover as many planets as possible (creating a base from which to launch further campaigns), the discoveries that the Jedi make about the Yuuzhan Vong, and the intimacy between the characters (such as between Luke and Mara, Mara and Anakin, or Luke and Jacen).
If you liked Vector Prime, be prepared for an even better book (especially if you liked the X-Wing series). If you didn't like Vector Prime, there is a good chance this will change your mind about the series. Great book; I can't wait to move on to Ruin!
June 28, 2020
Special thank you to my goodreads pal Crystal Starr Light for sending me this entire book series! My attempt to read this massive storyline continues with Dark Tide I: Onslaught!
Vector Prime may not have been my favorite reading experience when it comes to Star Wars novels, but it proved to be a serviceable start to the series by introducing the Yuuzhan Vong in an interesting way and handling a major character death very effectively .
Michael A. Stackpole's followup does a pretty good job continuing the story from the first book in this series. I haven't read any of the X-Wing books or I, Jedi, but this novel turned me into an immediate fan of this author, got me excited to read Dark Tide II: Ruin, and sparked an interest in me to check out his previous Star Wars work in the future.
THE STORY: Two months have passed since the Yuuzhan Vong began their invasion of the galaxy, and our heroes are still processing the devastating loss of a character who was close to their hearts, as well as ours. Han Solo is hopelessly depressed and has taken up heavy drinking to cope with his grief. Anakin Solo may still be suffering from survivor's guilt, but we still have 18 novels worth of adventures to get through, and he must continue the fight alongside his siblings and the other members of the Big 4. Joining them will be new characters freshly introduced in the NJO as well as a whole ensemble of fan-favorites.
The jedi are beginning to face a new schism as one faction, lead by Kyp Durron, calls for aggressive action against the Vong threat. But the other half of the order remains loyal to Grand Master Luke, who believes in exercising caution. With that, Luke sends Corran Horn and Ganner Rhysode to Bimmiel to rescue a team of scientists as well as to investigate strange activity. He sends Mara to Dantooine so she can recover from her disease away from the fight, and Anakin is sent as her protector. Luke and Jacen return to Belkadan to learn more about the Yuuzhan Vong and further investigate the threat they pose to the galaxy.
Leia attempts to gain the backing of the New Republic in the fight against the Vong, but is forced to find Allies elsewhere after finding little support from the senate. Danni Quee accompanies her as a witness that can offer concrete evidence, and Luke sends Jaina with them so she can help Danni refine her nascent force talents. Gavin Darklighter works to prepare a new generation of Rogue Squadron pilots for the coming fight, but can they stand against an enemy with unfamiliar and superior technology?
THE BAD: There's no major overarching problems with this book. The pacing can get a little slow in the middle, but it doesn't take long for things to pick up as everything comes together for the climax. It all comes down to a number of various smaller moments not landing for me that prevented this book from receiving a higher score.
After a very well-done spotlight in Vector Prime, Han Solo gets relegated to the sidelines. This would have been a big problem had I read the book when it first came out in 2000, but I can forgive this because I know that the further exploration of Han's grief is going to be saved for the Agents of Chaos duology. This book is also part of its own Stackpole duology, so maybe he will have a bit of a larger role in Stackpole's second NJO book. Regardless, it allows for Luke and Leia to get more of a spotlight after they just faded into the ensemble during Vector Prime.
The rest comes down to a bunch of specific moments that go heavily into spoilers.
THE GOOD: This book does an excellent job building upon Salvator's efforts to introduce the Vong and kick start this massive story in Vector Prime.
Not only does Stackpole manage to recontextualize some of the weaker plot points from Vector Prime in compelling ways, he integrates them effectively into the plot that he set up for his Dark Tide novels. Despite the large number of simultaneous parallel subplots that play out in this novel (just like Vector Prime), they feel more cohesive in Dark Tide 1 because of how well they come together towards the end (with one exception, I'll get to that momentarily). More importantly though, it feels like all these subplots have a strong unifying theme- while the subplots in Vector Prime largely felt like they were mostly killing time until the Yuuzhan Vong came, in Dark Tide 1 they all are serving a common purpose established from the start of the book.
Even the one subplot that didn't really link up with the others (Corran and Ganner's) at the end works because the epilogue teases that Dark Tide 2 is going to continue it.
The characterization all around is great. Stackpole brings in many fan favorites from earlier in the EU (ie, his own X-Wing books), as well as working wonders to expand upon the familiar characters from where R.A Salvatore left them in Vector Prime. Despite not reading the X-Wing novels and I, Jedi, I really got into Corran Horn. His characterization as a mythodical jedi master with a propensity for quipping was able to stand on its own in this novel specifically, but Stackpole's summary of his backstory from the earlier EU novels helps keep him more grounded and relatable. Ganner Rhysode (newly introduced in this book) works well as Corran's younger, more eager foil. Gavin Darklighter, also from the X-wing series, was also great- his fear of not living up to his predecessors is a nice way to utilize the lore from previous books, but its made more relevant with the sim sequence in the beginning of the book.
I think Stackpole did an excellent job with Kyp Durron and describing his motivations. While Durron's motivations are perfectly compelling given what happened just in Vector Prime, a summary of Durron's story from the Jedi Academy Trilogy also is used to increase the complexity of those motivations and make him even more compelling.
Elegos A'kla, first introduced in I, Jedi, is integrated seamlessly here as well.
Luke gets to be more interesting than he was in Vector Prime as his abilities as a leader are tested. Aside from her scene in the middle of the book, Leia works better here too- I loved the scenes she has with the senate both at the start and at the end of the book.
After Jaina Solo didn't get much to do in the first NJO book, she becomes a bit more interesting here. She still has a long way to go before catching up to her brothers, but Stackpole setting up a character arc for her is a good start. Heck, even Danni Quee gets a nice character moment when she helps Jaina through her identity crisis and her disagreements with her mother.
I was surprised to see Jacen getting a little mini-arc in this book during his adventure with Luke. Trying to discover what it means to be a jedi, it actually serves Jacen's larger story in the NJO but still leaves plenty of possibility open for later books to continue it.
I was absolutely floored by Anakin and Mara Jade, with their subplot being by far the best despite how little is actually going on in it. I'm continuously impressed by how complex Anakin Solo is. Stackpole could have just focused on Anakin's survivor's guilt from the previous book but instead he decides to give him a mini-arc that plays into his overall portrayal as an idealistic young jedi. As for Mara Jade, I am constantly surprised by how much the NJO is winning me over when it comes to her character. I loved the arc that she goes through in this novel as her strong sense of independence is challenged and she must come to terms with the new reality that her illness imposes upon her. I also found her scenes with Luke to be incredibly sweet- despite not having read the novels where their relationship blossoms, I still can see how strong the chemistry between them is.
Finally, Stackpole's action sequences are a blast. Between the awesome dogfighting between the starfighters and the coralskippers and the exciting melee showdowns between Jedi and vong, I can see why people loved Stackpole's earlier Star Wars work. His writing talents really shine through in this NJO entry.
THE CONCLUSION: Final rating is 4 stars.
While there were a good number of minor problems that added up and prevented this book from true greatness, I really enjoyed it. The plot is cohesive despite how many characters it focuses on, and the characters themselves are well written and likable. The action is exciting, and the writing overall does a good job building upon Vector Prime while also turning me into an immediate fan of Michael A. Stackpole and building up my anticipation for Dark Tide II: Ruin.
I will still stand by my opinion that you can get into the NJO without having read much of the expanded universe taking place after Return of the Jedi, but I can admit now that there may be some benefit to be had if you had previously read some of those other books.
While I can see that reading the X-Wing books or I, Jedi before the Dark Tide duology will definitely be rewarding, this book does offer enough summarized backstory within its text to get behind the motivations of Stackpole's creations, or at least it that did for me. If you happened to read the X-Wing series and/or I, Jedi before this, awesome. But if you haven't, there's no need to backtrack to those earlier novels before continuing the NJO with Dark Tide 1, Onslaught. The only truly prerequisite novel you'll need to understand what's happening here is Vector Prime.
R.A Salvatore got me interested in this series, but Michael A. Stackpole was the one to get me fully invested. The series has yet to reach true greatness in my eyes, but this is a promising step in the right direction.
Vector Prime may not have been my favorite reading experience when it comes to Star Wars novels, but it proved to be a serviceable start to the series by introducing the Yuuzhan Vong in an interesting way and handling a major character death very effectively .
Michael A. Stackpole's followup does a pretty good job continuing the story from the first book in this series. I haven't read any of the X-Wing books or I, Jedi, but this novel turned me into an immediate fan of this author, got me excited to read Dark Tide II: Ruin, and sparked an interest in me to check out his previous Star Wars work in the future.
THE STORY: Two months have passed since the Yuuzhan Vong began their invasion of the galaxy, and our heroes are still processing the devastating loss of a character who was close to their hearts, as well as ours. Han Solo is hopelessly depressed and has taken up heavy drinking to cope with his grief. Anakin Solo may still be suffering from survivor's guilt, but we still have 18 novels worth of adventures to get through, and he must continue the fight alongside his siblings and the other members of the Big 4. Joining them will be new characters freshly introduced in the NJO as well as a whole ensemble of fan-favorites.
The jedi are beginning to face a new schism as one faction, lead by Kyp Durron, calls for aggressive action against the Vong threat. But the other half of the order remains loyal to Grand Master Luke, who believes in exercising caution. With that, Luke sends Corran Horn and Ganner Rhysode to Bimmiel to rescue a team of scientists as well as to investigate strange activity. He sends Mara to Dantooine so she can recover from her disease away from the fight, and Anakin is sent as her protector. Luke and Jacen return to Belkadan to learn more about the Yuuzhan Vong and further investigate the threat they pose to the galaxy.
Leia attempts to gain the backing of the New Republic in the fight against the Vong, but is forced to find Allies elsewhere after finding little support from the senate. Danni Quee accompanies her as a witness that can offer concrete evidence, and Luke sends Jaina with them so she can help Danni refine her nascent force talents. Gavin Darklighter works to prepare a new generation of Rogue Squadron pilots for the coming fight, but can they stand against an enemy with unfamiliar and superior technology?
THE BAD: There's no major overarching problems with this book. The pacing can get a little slow in the middle, but it doesn't take long for things to pick up as everything comes together for the climax. It all comes down to a number of various smaller moments not landing for me that prevented this book from receiving a higher score.
After a very well-done spotlight in Vector Prime, Han Solo gets relegated to the sidelines. This would have been a big problem had I read the book when it first came out in 2000, but I can forgive this because I know that the further exploration of Han's grief is going to be saved for the Agents of Chaos duology. This book is also part of its own Stackpole duology, so maybe he will have a bit of a larger role in Stackpole's second NJO book. Regardless, it allows for Luke and Leia to get more of a spotlight after they just faded into the ensemble during Vector Prime.
The rest comes down to a bunch of specific moments that go heavily into spoilers.
THE GOOD: This book does an excellent job building upon Salvator's efforts to introduce the Vong and kick start this massive story in Vector Prime.
Not only does Stackpole manage to recontextualize some of the weaker plot points from Vector Prime in compelling ways, he integrates them effectively into the plot that he set up for his Dark Tide novels. Despite the large number of simultaneous parallel subplots that play out in this novel (just like Vector Prime), they feel more cohesive in Dark Tide 1 because of how well they come together towards the end (with one exception, I'll get to that momentarily). More importantly though, it feels like all these subplots have a strong unifying theme- while the subplots in Vector Prime largely felt like they were mostly killing time until the Yuuzhan Vong came, in Dark Tide 1 they all are serving a common purpose established from the start of the book.
Even the one subplot that didn't really link up with the others (Corran and Ganner's) at the end works because the epilogue teases that Dark Tide 2 is going to continue it.
The characterization all around is great. Stackpole brings in many fan favorites from earlier in the EU (ie, his own X-Wing books), as well as working wonders to expand upon the familiar characters from where R.A Salvatore left them in Vector Prime. Despite not reading the X-Wing novels and I, Jedi, I really got into Corran Horn. His characterization as a mythodical jedi master with a propensity for quipping was able to stand on its own in this novel specifically, but Stackpole's summary of his backstory from the earlier EU novels helps keep him more grounded and relatable. Ganner Rhysode (newly introduced in this book) works well as Corran's younger, more eager foil. Gavin Darklighter, also from the X-wing series, was also great- his fear of not living up to his predecessors is a nice way to utilize the lore from previous books, but its made more relevant with the sim sequence in the beginning of the book.
I think Stackpole did an excellent job with Kyp Durron and describing his motivations. While Durron's motivations are perfectly compelling given what happened just in Vector Prime, a summary of Durron's story from the Jedi Academy Trilogy also is used to increase the complexity of those motivations and make him even more compelling.
Elegos A'kla, first introduced in I, Jedi, is integrated seamlessly here as well.
Luke gets to be more interesting than he was in Vector Prime as his abilities as a leader are tested. Aside from her scene in the middle of the book, Leia works better here too- I loved the scenes she has with the senate both at the start and at the end of the book.
After Jaina Solo didn't get much to do in the first NJO book, she becomes a bit more interesting here. She still has a long way to go before catching up to her brothers, but Stackpole setting up a character arc for her is a good start. Heck, even Danni Quee gets a nice character moment when she helps Jaina through her identity crisis and her disagreements with her mother.
I was surprised to see Jacen getting a little mini-arc in this book during his adventure with Luke. Trying to discover what it means to be a jedi, it actually serves Jacen's larger story in the NJO but still leaves plenty of possibility open for later books to continue it.
I was absolutely floored by Anakin and Mara Jade, with their subplot being by far the best despite how little is actually going on in it. I'm continuously impressed by how complex Anakin Solo is. Stackpole could have just focused on Anakin's survivor's guilt from the previous book but instead he decides to give him a mini-arc that plays into his overall portrayal as an idealistic young jedi. As for Mara Jade, I am constantly surprised by how much the NJO is winning me over when it comes to her character. I loved the arc that she goes through in this novel as her strong sense of independence is challenged and she must come to terms with the new reality that her illness imposes upon her. I also found her scenes with Luke to be incredibly sweet- despite not having read the novels where their relationship blossoms, I still can see how strong the chemistry between them is.
Finally, Stackpole's action sequences are a blast. Between the awesome dogfighting between the starfighters and the coralskippers and the exciting melee showdowns between Jedi and vong, I can see why people loved Stackpole's earlier Star Wars work. His writing talents really shine through in this NJO entry.
THE CONCLUSION: Final rating is 4 stars.
While there were a good number of minor problems that added up and prevented this book from true greatness, I really enjoyed it. The plot is cohesive despite how many characters it focuses on, and the characters themselves are well written and likable. The action is exciting, and the writing overall does a good job building upon Vector Prime while also turning me into an immediate fan of Michael A. Stackpole and building up my anticipation for Dark Tide II: Ruin.
I will still stand by my opinion that you can get into the NJO without having read much of the expanded universe taking place after Return of the Jedi, but I can admit now that there may be some benefit to be had if you had previously read some of those other books.
While I can see that reading the X-Wing books or I, Jedi before the Dark Tide duology will definitely be rewarding, this book does offer enough summarized backstory within its text to get behind the motivations of Stackpole's creations, or at least it that did for me. If you happened to read the X-Wing series and/or I, Jedi before this, awesome. But if you haven't, there's no need to backtrack to those earlier novels before continuing the NJO with Dark Tide 1, Onslaught. The only truly prerequisite novel you'll need to understand what's happening here is Vector Prime.
R.A Salvatore got me interested in this series, but Michael A. Stackpole was the one to get me fully invested. The series has yet to reach true greatness in my eyes, but this is a promising step in the right direction.
December 14, 2025
More space trash (complimentary)
December 30, 2021
I think the New Jedi Order series is unnecessarily long, and this seemed to be more of a 'filler' to me. However, the character development moves forward well, particularly with Jacen and Anakin Solo. The gradual discovery of the Yuzzhan Vong threat is effective, and the reader learns along with the main characters just how different and deadly they are.
November 17, 2025
That this took me so long to read was a byproduct of life and not the quality of this book.
I actually thought this was a much better book than Vector Prime. I think being a huge fan of the Rogue Squadron books I am a big fan of Michael Stackpole’s writing style.
I really liked how he wrote the core characters. Obviously, he could write Corran, Mirax, and Gavin super well but I was curious how that would extend to the core group (Ie the Greater Skywalker clan) and he didn’t disappoint.
Now that we got some background in Vector Prime, I think the story flowed a little better in Onslaught. There were some really interesting plot points between Jacen and his feelings of the Order, Jaina joining the Rogues, Corran V Ganner’s philosophies, and Anakin’s growth as a Jedi. While we see some impressive feats from Luke, I think it is really the supporting cast who really shines here.
This book did a really good job of extending the story and I can’t wait to see what comes in Dark Tide II.
I actually thought this was a much better book than Vector Prime. I think being a huge fan of the Rogue Squadron books I am a big fan of Michael Stackpole’s writing style.
I really liked how he wrote the core characters. Obviously, he could write Corran, Mirax, and Gavin super well but I was curious how that would extend to the core group (Ie the Greater Skywalker clan) and he didn’t disappoint.
Now that we got some background in Vector Prime, I think the story flowed a little better in Onslaught. There were some really interesting plot points between Jacen and his feelings of the Order, Jaina joining the Rogues, Corran V Ganner’s philosophies, and Anakin’s growth as a Jedi. While we see some impressive feats from Luke, I think it is really the supporting cast who really shines here.
This book did a really good job of extending the story and I can’t wait to see what comes in Dark Tide II.
August 13, 2022
This one was too violent/bloody in its descriptions in just a couple fight scenes for my liking (it's different when it's a book, though - I certainly would never want a completely faithful film adaption of this series). Nothing over the top gory, but certainly a PG-13 Star Wars novel.
Well written, though, with wonderful character development. That's where I think Michael Stackpole shined with this book's writing - character's learning, especially the journey of polar-opposite brothers Anakin and Jacen, sons of Leia and Han Solo. The total absence of Han for most of the book and all the dangerous adventures of his very own wife and children was disheartening - but you must remember, he's still mourning .
Well written, though, with wonderful character development. That's where I think Michael Stackpole shined with this book's writing - character's learning, especially the journey of polar-opposite brothers Anakin and Jacen, sons of Leia and Han Solo. The total absence of Han for most of the book and all the dangerous adventures of his very own wife and children was disheartening - but you must remember, he's still mourning .
October 10, 2025
This was horrid. Too many characters without any sense of who they were or their internal motivations other than a few superficial stabs. And they are mostly brought together through awkward choices for a horribly botched climax.
This is a book about nothing. When it is done, the reader hasn't seen any real changes or advancement in an overall plot. There is no plot.
This is a book about nothing. When it is done, the reader hasn't seen any real changes or advancement in an overall plot. There is no plot.
July 15, 2023
Ich habe das Buch jetzt das zweite Mal gelesen und festgestellt, dass ich mich praktisch an nichts erinnere, was darin passiert.
Und ich vermute, daß wird sich auch nicht wirklich ändern auf lange Sicht.
Es ist nicht langweilig, aber wirklich denkwürdiges passiert auch nicht. Allerdings habe ich damit auch nicht wirklich gerechnet - es ist immerhin Band 2 von 19 in der Reihe.
Weder gut, noch schlecht. Solider Roman.
Und ich vermute, daß wird sich auch nicht wirklich ändern auf lange Sicht.
Es ist nicht langweilig, aber wirklich denkwürdiges passiert auch nicht. Allerdings habe ich damit auch nicht wirklich gerechnet - es ist immerhin Band 2 von 19 in der Reihe.
Weder gut, noch schlecht. Solider Roman.
December 24, 2018
3.0 Stars
A fun romp in the Star Wars legends universe, but not as good as the first book in the Jedi New Order series.
A fun romp in the Star Wars legends universe, but not as good as the first book in the Jedi New Order series.
October 21, 2024
This one was a bit better I like the fact it shows a gradual increase of power between all the characters. Anakin and Corran and Ganner are the underrated goats.
February 6, 2024
It was alright. Last 3rd of the book felt way too fast. A few memorable moments of growth for a few main characters, but otherwise forgettable. It moves the NJO story forward, but just a little.
May 19, 2024
4.5
Book 18 in the EU read along brings us further to new heights! This is seriously peak Star Wars - right up there with the Clone Wars (and I don't say that lightly).
The concepts layed out by Salvatore in Vector Prime are perfectly explored here by Stackpole. The characters that are chosen as focuses are developed extremley well. The action is far and away the best in the EU that we have read so far. We finally see characters do things that are actually really cool and entertaining. How did it take this many books to actually get that? I'm not sure but I'm just happy to have it now. This is Star Wars its supposed to lean heavily into the "cool factor" at it's core and that is what we're seeing now. We get things like Jedi kicking ass in one on one duels as well as fighting on the frontlines of lord of the rings style large scale combat! Seriously, just ask my read along buddies (hi Chris and Cody) these action sequences had lighting up the discord channel will long messages and enthusiatic gifs.
Also the best in the EU, is the character work. There's no denying that some of that comes from having read a chunk of the x wing books but even the Solo kids get even better here. We see a lot of very interesting and well executed continuations of X wing character arcs and that is alwasy rewarding. Also, I wasn't sure who was my favourite Solo kid going into this but now I'm certain. It's Anikan all the way. The name he has been given proves to be a really interesting point of discussion faciliated by another one of my favourite original EU characters here (shout out Elegos). It has significant and well explored implications for Anikan obviously but also for Leia herself. We also see appropriate effects of the events of Vector Prime on certain characters in this book which maintains realism in a situation that could have been really poorly handled.
Another bonus is that it feels like Stakcpole took some biology classes before this book. The sci fi elements are fantastic here. Both the ones are critical for the plot and building up the Vong as a society and the throaway ones that exist only for sub plots in this book. The ecology of certain planets is handled with solid detail and even becomes important for the plot!
This seriously flirted with a 5/5 but ultimatley there were nitpicks that held it back. First of all, it should have been about 50 pages longer. I don't have a problem with breakneck pacing like this book has but I do have a problem with skipping things. There a couple things that should have have been set up a little better - even just one chapter each. For example
Book 18 in the EU read along brings us further to new heights! This is seriously peak Star Wars - right up there with the Clone Wars (and I don't say that lightly).
The concepts layed out by Salvatore in Vector Prime are perfectly explored here by Stackpole. The characters that are chosen as focuses are developed extremley well. The action is far and away the best in the EU that we have read so far. We finally see characters do things that are actually really cool and entertaining. How did it take this many books to actually get that? I'm not sure but I'm just happy to have it now. This is Star Wars its supposed to lean heavily into the "cool factor" at it's core and that is what we're seeing now. We get things like Jedi kicking ass in one on one duels as well as fighting on the frontlines of lord of the rings style large scale combat! Seriously, just ask my read along buddies (hi Chris and Cody) these action sequences had lighting up the discord channel will long messages and enthusiatic gifs.
Also the best in the EU, is the character work. There's no denying that some of that comes from having read a chunk of the x wing books but even the Solo kids get even better here. We see a lot of very interesting and well executed continuations of X wing character arcs and that is alwasy rewarding. Also, I wasn't sure who was my favourite Solo kid going into this but now I'm certain. It's Anikan all the way. The name he has been given proves to be a really interesting point of discussion faciliated by another one of my favourite original EU characters here (shout out Elegos). It has significant and well explored implications for Anikan obviously but also for Leia herself. We also see appropriate effects of the events of Vector Prime on certain characters in this book which maintains realism in a situation that could have been really poorly handled.
Another bonus is that it feels like Stakcpole took some biology classes before this book. The sci fi elements are fantastic here. Both the ones are critical for the plot and building up the Vong as a society and the throaway ones that exist only for sub plots in this book. The ecology of certain planets is handled with solid detail and even becomes important for the plot!
This seriously flirted with a 5/5 but ultimatley there were nitpicks that held it back. First of all, it should have been about 50 pages longer. I don't have a problem with breakneck pacing like this book has but I do have a problem with skipping things. There a couple things that should have have been set up a little better - even just one chapter each. For example
January 26, 2011
While Vector prime was merely an introduction of new Yuuzhan Vong era of Star Wars univere (altough left many of readers scared by certain death), Onslaught unleashes te full potential of NJO describing new arch enemies as something completely different than what readers have been used to.
As a Star Wars space tech enthusiast I really apreciated Stackpole's focus on Rogue Squadron. Some might miss the "classic" star wars character, but I consider it as a good thing, because the book is set about 21 years after movies, so it is logical, that younger generation is now the main moving force of upcoming events.
It's much darker than any other Star Wars (this trend shall continue trough all NJO books) and it's exactly what the name of series is - NEW Jedi Order, its new star wars, new era, new characters and a lot of changes in the universe. If you can cope with it, you'll enjoy the ride, but if you like SW as you know it from the movies and don't want to change your view to the universe this book (and any other from this series) isn't for you. For anyone else (who didn't buy it yet) it's a buy!
As a Star Wars space tech enthusiast I really apreciated Stackpole's focus on Rogue Squadron. Some might miss the "classic" star wars character, but I consider it as a good thing, because the book is set about 21 years after movies, so it is logical, that younger generation is now the main moving force of upcoming events.
It's much darker than any other Star Wars (this trend shall continue trough all NJO books) and it's exactly what the name of series is - NEW Jedi Order, its new star wars, new era, new characters and a lot of changes in the universe. If you can cope with it, you'll enjoy the ride, but if you like SW as you know it from the movies and don't want to change your view to the universe this book (and any other from this series) isn't for you. For anyone else (who didn't buy it yet) it's a buy!
May 3, 2009
This is the first Stackpole book I've read and he's a decent hammer and nails kind of writer. He doesn't get flowery with his prose but he is willing to ask some deeper questions about the role of the Jedi in the universe. This series "The New Jedi Order" is very interesting in that the younger generation (Skywalker and Solo children) are trying to find themselves while living in the tall shadows cast by their parents. They ask questions about the force that Luke and Leia didn't have the luxury asking as they were too busy saving the universe. But now the next generation's time is coming to face a great evil and will they be up to the task? As I said in my comments while reading it, the Yuuzhan Vong are some of the best villains ever seen in the Star Wars universe. If only Lucas would had been willing to take a chance at a more mature storyline with his second trilogy. This series proves that the Star Wars universe has legs and the ability to stretch into more adult territory.
February 23, 2022
First read around 2002, re-read in 2022.
Am I seriously re-reading the entire NJO? It seems I might be. Why am I doing this to myself? (lolsob)
Stackpole's contributions to this series were definitely some of the better ones. There are some nice human moments in Onslaught, like Corran and Ganner's headbutting and Mara's talks with Anakin about living with illness. A lot of fans hated the dysfunctional way Han managed his grief in this book, but I felt that it was in-character; Han Solo is not someone who's going to immediately sit down with Leia and talk through his feelings.
I'm going to reread the next book in the series, also by Stackpole... after that, I guess we'll see whether I'm feeling intrepid enough to keep going! [Two NJO books down; a gazillion to go]
Am I seriously re-reading the entire NJO? It seems I might be. Why am I doing this to myself? (lolsob)
Stackpole's contributions to this series were definitely some of the better ones. There are some nice human moments in Onslaught, like Corran and Ganner's headbutting and Mara's talks with Anakin about living with illness. A lot of fans hated the dysfunctional way Han managed his grief in this book, but I felt that it was in-character; Han Solo is not someone who's going to immediately sit down with Leia and talk through his feelings.
I'm going to reread the next book in the series, also by Stackpole... after that, I guess we'll see whether I'm feeling intrepid enough to keep going! [Two NJO books down; a gazillion to go]
December 31, 2020
Much like the previous book in the series, it’s better than I remembered.
February 28, 2021
For 2021, I decided to reread Del Rey’s first attempt at a multi-author book series in the Star Wars universe: The New Jedi Order, which was published between 1999 and 2003. This shakes out to 19 novels, two eBook novellas, three short stories, and a tangentially-related prequel era novel.
This week’s focus: the first book in the Dark Tide duology, Dark Tide: Onslaught by Michael A. Stackpole.
SOME HISTORY:
Michael A. Stackpole originally planned to write the Dark Tide trilogy, not duology, but the middle volume Siege was cancelled and its plot points mostly redistributed to Dark Tide II: Ruin. This move allowed Del Rey to stretch James Luceno’s Agents of Chaos from one book to two. Dark Tide: Onslaught made it to number fourteen on the New York Times paperback bestseller list for two straight weeks--from the week of February 20 to the week of February 27, 2000, and was on the NYT list for three weeks.
MY RECOLLECTION OF THE BOOK:
I remembered around half of this book. Parts of this story--Anakin’s time with Mara on Dantooine and Jacen’s misadventures on Belkadan--felt very familiar to me, but other aspects (like Jaina joining the Rogues) didn’t trigger that déjà vu feeling.
PRINCESS LEIA COSTUME COUNT:
I stopped tallying up costumes in the second half of the Bantam era books, because it became too sad when there were no notable outfits in a book. But Stackpole delivered for me! Leia wears a warrior-like ensemble of a cerulean tunic, black pants and boots, and an updo when she speaks before the Senate, and robes embroidered with waves when she appears before the council on Agamar. Corran Horn wears traditional Corellian Jedi clothes (his grandfathers would be proud), and even Ganner Rhysode sports spiffy Jedi robes. Thumbs up on the costume count!
A BRIEF SUMMARY:
As refugees from Dubrillion flee from the incoming Yuuzhan Vong forces, our Jedi heroes find themselves tested by a relentless foe determined to forever smother the light of the New Republic…
THE CHARACTERS:
Since Stackpole breaks the characters up into various teams, I thought I’d tackle them group by group. First up was Luke Skywalker and his nephew Jacen Solo. I actually like Jacen’s philosophical questioning and searching, as it feels very apropos for a sixteen year old Jedi. Jacen’s trying to reconcile his view of the Force and his role within the Jedi Order, and this book shakes his confidence in his viewpoint a little.
Luke is still attempting to unite his Jedi Order and instate a supervisory Jedi Council, so in Dark Tide: Onslaught he recalls all the Jedi back to Yavin IV and sends them off on fact-finding missions. He assigns Jacen and himself perhaps the most difficult one: returning to Belkadan to discover why the Yuuzhan Vong terraformed the world, and for what purpose. As soon as they arrive, it becomes obvious that the Vong are using the planet as a biotech factory for their coralskippers and dovin basals, and that the Vong are also using slave labor. Jacen wants to save the slaves; Luke argues for caution; and after having a vision of himself freeing the slaves, Jacen heads out to handle everything solo. Except his vision doesn’t come true, and he ends up captured by the Vong and facing the same fate as the slaves.
Luke gets two very good action scenes in this book, and the first is his rescue of Jacen. He uses two lightsabers (I love that!!), it’s an amazing sequence, but he’s completely drained afterwards. The downside to Luke’s realizations about the Force in the Hand of Thrawn duology is that while he receives more guidance from the Force if he forgoes the overuse of brute force feats, those great outlays of power completely wipe him out. Likewise, he’s able to destroy a Vong craft during the Battle of Dantooine by using the Force to manipulate the dovin basals, but he passes out afterwards. There’s definite limitations to his Force abilities now.
Mara Jade is paired off with her nephew Anakin Solo. Mara and Anakin go to Dantooine in hopes that she can recuperate from her mysterious illness, and (rather like Luke in Vision of the Future) Anakin comes to some revelations about how and when to use the Force. Mara is a patient teacher, and Anakin learns that some things (like setting up tents and chopping firewood) are better to do yourself. I found it a little strange that after struggling physically for so much of the book, Mara was able to help Leia hunt Vong saboteurs in the refugee camp, but I can excuse that as a plot necessity.
And Stackpole reintroduces one of his most popular characters, Corran Horn. After the Hand of Thrawn duology, he has quit Rogue Squadron and become a Jedi full-time; I found him unbelievably obnoxious in Rogue Squadron, but he’s mellowed out in the intervening years and books. I actually like him at this point! He’s paired off with Ganner Rhysode, one of Kyp Durron’s proteges. Ganner uses the Force for everything and thinks that he knows better than anyone else, so Corran (gently) tries to point out the errors of that. They’re dispatched to check on some archaeologists, discover the Yuuzhan Vong, and barely get out alive.
Leia appears before Borsk Fey’lya and the Senate to ask for support against the Yuuzhan Vong, and is pretty much turned away. Instead, she heads off with Elegos A’Kla (the Caamasi Senator), her daughter Jaina, and the scientist Danni Quee to request aid from Agamar and then check in on Lando’s operation on Dubrillion. The Vong have decimated Lando’s world, and he decides to abandon Dubrillion; fortunately Rogue Squadron and Admiral Kre’fey appear in the nick of time to assist with the evacuation. Elegos sees the destruction caused by the Vong, Leia helps with the refugees, Jaina joins Rogue Squadron, and Danni starts to develop her Force skills.
While I loved Leia’s scene in the Senate--she’s frustrated and angry, but she stays calm and composed--I was not as pleased with how she guilt-tripped Gavin Darklighter into adding Jaina to Rogue Squadron. I felt like she was a little too combative, and should have instead focused on Jaina’s own merits. But I was so glad for Jaina, because she’s an amazing pilot and she’s already contributed a lot to the squadron. I had forgotten she joined in this book, and instead thought it happened in Dark Tide II: Ruin.
I’m happy to see that Gavin is happy and thriving after his sad ending in Isard's Revenge. He was so serious about being a father that he adopted two orphans! He married the social worker who helped him with the adoption! He has five kids now and he’s the commander of Rogue Squadron after the old guard retired! Good for you, Gavin. (I also strongly suspect that Admiral Kre’fey’s unorthodox teacher at the Bothan Martial Academy was Asyr Sei’lar under her new identity, but that’s just speculation.)
We don’t get anything from the Yuuzhan Vong perspective until the epilogue, so while they remain a huge threat, their designs and desires are unknown. The main opposition to an active, effective war effort against the Vong comes in the form of Borsk Fey’lya and the Senate. Borsk is leery of committing to any action, distrusts the Jedi, and suspects Leia of trying to retake power. It’s frustrating to see this ineffective response on the part of the New Republic, but it also contributes to the feeling of “scrappy fighters, lacking resources, against an impossible foe”--Rebels vs. the evil Empire in essence if not in name.
ISSUES:
I felt like we missed out on some battle scenes, either for suspense purposes or to keep the book to a manageable length. Leia, Jaina, and Danni arrive on Dubrillion only to find that the Vong have been continuously attacking it and Lando is evacuating his people. They engage the Vong so the refugee ships can escape, but we don’t see much of it. Likewise, we see a lot of what Luke and Jacen and Anakin are facing during the Battle of Dantooine, but we only find out after the fact about Rogue Squadron losing half their pilots and the uglies' squadrons being decimated.
Luke & Jacen and Corran & Ganner’s plots were initially too similar for me. They both discover that the Vong are using slaves, Jacen/Ganner argue that they should free them while Luke/Corran say that they’re unprepared. No slaves are freed! Fortunately they diverged later on, but it left me wondering why both pairing needed to cover the same ground--it was a little too repetitive.
I wish we could have seen some of the other Jedi missions, but I understand why Stackpole chose to omit them. (Not every book needs to be 600+ pages like Star by Star!) I also questioned why no one has tried to parley with the Vong (sure, our heroes were attacked first, but Leia and Elegos are diplomats), but I know that will play more of a role in book 2.
I also feel like Onslaught’s lack of a Vong POV (until the epilogue) made the villains feel more distant than in Vector Prime. Yomin Carr and Nom Anor were our introduction to the Vong, incomplete as that was, so it’s strange that in Onslaught we’re left completely in the dark about what they’re thinking and planning. Their society is entirely foreign to our heroes, and while we learned a little more about their culture--their callous use of slaves and their obsession with pain--we’re not any closer to understanding them.
IN CONCLUSION:
I thought Dark Tide: Onslaught was a good follow-up to Vector Prime, and I enjoyed following along with our different Jedi teams. It felt a little short, though, and I missed the presence of a Yuuzhan Vong perspective. (I'm hopeful in the end that my issues will be addressed in book 2!)
Next up: a tangentially-related prequel era novel! Star Wars: Rogue Planet by Greg Bear.
My YouTube review: https://youtu.be/9mhjwVI68Ao
This week’s focus: the first book in the Dark Tide duology, Dark Tide: Onslaught by Michael A. Stackpole.
SOME HISTORY:
Michael A. Stackpole originally planned to write the Dark Tide trilogy, not duology, but the middle volume Siege was cancelled and its plot points mostly redistributed to Dark Tide II: Ruin. This move allowed Del Rey to stretch James Luceno’s Agents of Chaos from one book to two. Dark Tide: Onslaught made it to number fourteen on the New York Times paperback bestseller list for two straight weeks--from the week of February 20 to the week of February 27, 2000, and was on the NYT list for three weeks.
MY RECOLLECTION OF THE BOOK:
I remembered around half of this book. Parts of this story--Anakin’s time with Mara on Dantooine and Jacen’s misadventures on Belkadan--felt very familiar to me, but other aspects (like Jaina joining the Rogues) didn’t trigger that déjà vu feeling.
PRINCESS LEIA COSTUME COUNT:
I stopped tallying up costumes in the second half of the Bantam era books, because it became too sad when there were no notable outfits in a book. But Stackpole delivered for me! Leia wears a warrior-like ensemble of a cerulean tunic, black pants and boots, and an updo when she speaks before the Senate, and robes embroidered with waves when she appears before the council on Agamar. Corran Horn wears traditional Corellian Jedi clothes (his grandfathers would be proud), and even Ganner Rhysode sports spiffy Jedi robes. Thumbs up on the costume count!
A BRIEF SUMMARY:
As refugees from Dubrillion flee from the incoming Yuuzhan Vong forces, our Jedi heroes find themselves tested by a relentless foe determined to forever smother the light of the New Republic…
THE CHARACTERS:
Since Stackpole breaks the characters up into various teams, I thought I’d tackle them group by group. First up was Luke Skywalker and his nephew Jacen Solo. I actually like Jacen’s philosophical questioning and searching, as it feels very apropos for a sixteen year old Jedi. Jacen’s trying to reconcile his view of the Force and his role within the Jedi Order, and this book shakes his confidence in his viewpoint a little.
Luke is still attempting to unite his Jedi Order and instate a supervisory Jedi Council, so in Dark Tide: Onslaught he recalls all the Jedi back to Yavin IV and sends them off on fact-finding missions. He assigns Jacen and himself perhaps the most difficult one: returning to Belkadan to discover why the Yuuzhan Vong terraformed the world, and for what purpose. As soon as they arrive, it becomes obvious that the Vong are using the planet as a biotech factory for their coralskippers and dovin basals, and that the Vong are also using slave labor. Jacen wants to save the slaves; Luke argues for caution; and after having a vision of himself freeing the slaves, Jacen heads out to handle everything solo. Except his vision doesn’t come true, and he ends up captured by the Vong and facing the same fate as the slaves.
Luke gets two very good action scenes in this book, and the first is his rescue of Jacen. He uses two lightsabers (I love that!!), it’s an amazing sequence, but he’s completely drained afterwards. The downside to Luke’s realizations about the Force in the Hand of Thrawn duology is that while he receives more guidance from the Force if he forgoes the overuse of brute force feats, those great outlays of power completely wipe him out. Likewise, he’s able to destroy a Vong craft during the Battle of Dantooine by using the Force to manipulate the dovin basals, but he passes out afterwards. There’s definite limitations to his Force abilities now.
Mara Jade is paired off with her nephew Anakin Solo. Mara and Anakin go to Dantooine in hopes that she can recuperate from her mysterious illness, and (rather like Luke in Vision of the Future) Anakin comes to some revelations about how and when to use the Force. Mara is a patient teacher, and Anakin learns that some things (like setting up tents and chopping firewood) are better to do yourself. I found it a little strange that after struggling physically for so much of the book, Mara was able to help Leia hunt Vong saboteurs in the refugee camp, but I can excuse that as a plot necessity.
And Stackpole reintroduces one of his most popular characters, Corran Horn. After the Hand of Thrawn duology, he has quit Rogue Squadron and become a Jedi full-time; I found him unbelievably obnoxious in Rogue Squadron, but he’s mellowed out in the intervening years and books. I actually like him at this point! He’s paired off with Ganner Rhysode, one of Kyp Durron’s proteges. Ganner uses the Force for everything and thinks that he knows better than anyone else, so Corran (gently) tries to point out the errors of that. They’re dispatched to check on some archaeologists, discover the Yuuzhan Vong, and barely get out alive.
Leia appears before Borsk Fey’lya and the Senate to ask for support against the Yuuzhan Vong, and is pretty much turned away. Instead, she heads off with Elegos A’Kla (the Caamasi Senator), her daughter Jaina, and the scientist Danni Quee to request aid from Agamar and then check in on Lando’s operation on Dubrillion. The Vong have decimated Lando’s world, and he decides to abandon Dubrillion; fortunately Rogue Squadron and Admiral Kre’fey appear in the nick of time to assist with the evacuation. Elegos sees the destruction caused by the Vong, Leia helps with the refugees, Jaina joins Rogue Squadron, and Danni starts to develop her Force skills.
While I loved Leia’s scene in the Senate--she’s frustrated and angry, but she stays calm and composed--I was not as pleased with how she guilt-tripped Gavin Darklighter into adding Jaina to Rogue Squadron. I felt like she was a little too combative, and should have instead focused on Jaina’s own merits. But I was so glad for Jaina, because she’s an amazing pilot and she’s already contributed a lot to the squadron. I had forgotten she joined in this book, and instead thought it happened in Dark Tide II: Ruin.
I’m happy to see that Gavin is happy and thriving after his sad ending in Isard's Revenge. He was so serious about being a father that he adopted two orphans! He married the social worker who helped him with the adoption! He has five kids now and he’s the commander of Rogue Squadron after the old guard retired! Good for you, Gavin. (I also strongly suspect that Admiral Kre’fey’s unorthodox teacher at the Bothan Martial Academy was Asyr Sei’lar under her new identity, but that’s just speculation.)
We don’t get anything from the Yuuzhan Vong perspective until the epilogue, so while they remain a huge threat, their designs and desires are unknown. The main opposition to an active, effective war effort against the Vong comes in the form of Borsk Fey’lya and the Senate. Borsk is leery of committing to any action, distrusts the Jedi, and suspects Leia of trying to retake power. It’s frustrating to see this ineffective response on the part of the New Republic, but it also contributes to the feeling of “scrappy fighters, lacking resources, against an impossible foe”--Rebels vs. the evil Empire in essence if not in name.
ISSUES:
I felt like we missed out on some battle scenes, either for suspense purposes or to keep the book to a manageable length. Leia, Jaina, and Danni arrive on Dubrillion only to find that the Vong have been continuously attacking it and Lando is evacuating his people. They engage the Vong so the refugee ships can escape, but we don’t see much of it. Likewise, we see a lot of what Luke and Jacen and Anakin are facing during the Battle of Dantooine, but we only find out after the fact about Rogue Squadron losing half their pilots and the uglies' squadrons being decimated.
Luke & Jacen and Corran & Ganner’s plots were initially too similar for me. They both discover that the Vong are using slaves, Jacen/Ganner argue that they should free them while Luke/Corran say that they’re unprepared. No slaves are freed! Fortunately they diverged later on, but it left me wondering why both pairing needed to cover the same ground--it was a little too repetitive.
I wish we could have seen some of the other Jedi missions, but I understand why Stackpole chose to omit them. (Not every book needs to be 600+ pages like Star by Star!) I also questioned why no one has tried to parley with the Vong (sure, our heroes were attacked first, but Leia and Elegos are diplomats), but I know that will play more of a role in book 2.
I also feel like Onslaught’s lack of a Vong POV (until the epilogue) made the villains feel more distant than in Vector Prime. Yomin Carr and Nom Anor were our introduction to the Vong, incomplete as that was, so it’s strange that in Onslaught we’re left completely in the dark about what they’re thinking and planning. Their society is entirely foreign to our heroes, and while we learned a little more about their culture--their callous use of slaves and their obsession with pain--we’re not any closer to understanding them.
IN CONCLUSION:
I thought Dark Tide: Onslaught was a good follow-up to Vector Prime, and I enjoyed following along with our different Jedi teams. It felt a little short, though, and I missed the presence of a Yuuzhan Vong perspective. (I'm hopeful in the end that my issues will be addressed in book 2!)
Next up: a tangentially-related prequel era novel! Star Wars: Rogue Planet by Greg Bear.
My YouTube review: https://youtu.be/9mhjwVI68Ao
December 21, 2023
Summery from theforce.net
Our heroes continue to learn about the Yuuzhan Vong and the threat they present. When the Senate refuses to take the invasion seriously, Leia and the Jedi decide to take matters into their own hands. Luke begins to regroup the Jedi and send them on fact finding missions. At this point, the story splits in several directions.
Anakin and Mara Jade go to Dantooine. Mara Jade attempts to strengthen herself against the disease she's fighting and Anakin comes to terms with the death of Chewbacca and his use of the Force. They soon discover they are not alone on the planet.
Corran Horn and Jedi Knight Ganner Rhysode go to a planet on the Rim where a group of scientist have been missing. Well within the Yuuzhan Vong invasion range, they discover a Vong artifact, the scientist, and an outpost of warriors and slaves.
Gavin Darklighter and Rogue Squadron begin preparing for dogfights with coralskippers and begin patrolling the Outer Rim looking for Yuuzhan Vong. They soon encounter a pirate who survived a run in with them, and they learn more about the aliens.
Leia, Danni Quee, and Jaina Solo head to Agamar to plea for help against the invasion. They eventually end up on Dubrillion with Lando and begin an evacuation of the survivors from the approaching Yuuzhan Vong.
Luke and Jacen Solo head back to Belkadan to look for more clues from the Yuuzhan Vong. They soon discover another Yuuzhan Vong outpost with slaves who have been infected by Vong biotechnology. Luke keeps Jacen from heading in and trying to save the slaves, but they soon end up in trouble anyway.
Eventually, Jaina joins Rogue Squadron and all of our heroes flee to Dantooine with the Dubrillion refugees. They must make a stand there in a rather spectacular ground battle with the Yuuzhan Vong. But can their growing understanding of the Yuuzhan Vong save them?
Our heroes continue to learn about the Yuuzhan Vong and the threat they present. When the Senate refuses to take the invasion seriously, Leia and the Jedi decide to take matters into their own hands. Luke begins to regroup the Jedi and send them on fact finding missions. At this point, the story splits in several directions.
Anakin and Mara Jade go to Dantooine. Mara Jade attempts to strengthen herself against the disease she's fighting and Anakin comes to terms with the death of Chewbacca and his use of the Force. They soon discover they are not alone on the planet.
Corran Horn and Jedi Knight Ganner Rhysode go to a planet on the Rim where a group of scientist have been missing. Well within the Yuuzhan Vong invasion range, they discover a Vong artifact, the scientist, and an outpost of warriors and slaves.
Gavin Darklighter and Rogue Squadron begin preparing for dogfights with coralskippers and begin patrolling the Outer Rim looking for Yuuzhan Vong. They soon encounter a pirate who survived a run in with them, and they learn more about the aliens.
Leia, Danni Quee, and Jaina Solo head to Agamar to plea for help against the invasion. They eventually end up on Dubrillion with Lando and begin an evacuation of the survivors from the approaching Yuuzhan Vong.
Luke and Jacen Solo head back to Belkadan to look for more clues from the Yuuzhan Vong. They soon discover another Yuuzhan Vong outpost with slaves who have been infected by Vong biotechnology. Luke keeps Jacen from heading in and trying to save the slaves, but they soon end up in trouble anyway.
Eventually, Jaina joins Rogue Squadron and all of our heroes flee to Dantooine with the Dubrillion refugees. They must make a stand there in a rather spectacular ground battle with the Yuuzhan Vong. But can their growing understanding of the Yuuzhan Vong save them?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2022
3.5 ⭐
This book was... good. I am going to keep reading this series bc I love star wars, but out of the first two books in the series, I enjoy the first one more than this one.
Bad things:
I'm just going to say it. This book (for me at least) was slow. There were times where I got into the story, but there were also times where I felt like I had to force myself to read it. This could just be the fact that book is a little less modern than what I normally read, but still...
Good things:
I love the Star Wars universe, so that is obviously a redeeming factor for this book. The thing that really stood out to me was the Solo children's character development. I absolutely loved it, and it was my favorite part of the book. Some people didn't like the fact that we didn't get as much of the Yuuzhan Vong's perspective in this book and I definitely noticed this too. But for me personally, that was one of the parts that I found slower in the first book, so I wasn't too mad. Overall, this was a good continuation of a great series.
😘📖
This book was... good. I am going to keep reading this series bc I love star wars, but out of the first two books in the series, I enjoy the first one more than this one.
Bad things:
I'm just going to say it. This book (for me at least) was slow. There were times where I got into the story, but there were also times where I felt like I had to force myself to read it. This could just be the fact that book is a little less modern than what I normally read, but still...
Good things:
I love the Star Wars universe, so that is obviously a redeeming factor for this book. The thing that really stood out to me was the Solo children's character development. I absolutely loved it, and it was my favorite part of the book. Some people didn't like the fact that we didn't get as much of the Yuuzhan Vong's perspective in this book and I definitely noticed this too. But for me personally, that was one of the parts that I found slower in the first book, so I wasn't too mad. Overall, this was a good continuation of a great series.
😘📖
September 17, 2025
I was enjoying it very much, much more than any of the Disney cannon novels, if I’m being honest. Probably because authors that were writing what is now the legends, had more freedom - at least that’s how it looks like for me.
Well, anyway. The plot of some aliens from the different galaxy invading was obviously fun for me, especially that this book was still full of mystery - who/what are they, what do they want etc etc. And all those creepy things they do were top notch. Generally bio-engineering by aliens is trope I like very much.
As for the characters - Leia 💖 I loved her here. And tbh I loved all women here. It’s still amazing for me that legends books are quite old (this one is from 2000) but there are so many female characters and all of them are interesting, have their agency and are independent. I so loved it when Jaina started flying an X-wing. Freaking awesome.
And Anakin the baby has my heart (again, yes); cutest babyboy in the galaxy, and kind and intelligent. I really enjoyed his interactions with Mara and Luke. As opposed to Jacen who was being very teenager about everything. Edge lord (said with love tho).
I really, really enjoyed it.
Well, anyway. The plot of some aliens from the different galaxy invading was obviously fun for me, especially that this book was still full of mystery - who/what are they, what do they want etc etc. And all those creepy things they do were top notch. Generally bio-engineering by aliens is trope I like very much.
As for the characters - Leia 💖 I loved her here. And tbh I loved all women here. It’s still amazing for me that legends books are quite old (this one is from 2000) but there are so many female characters and all of them are interesting, have their agency and are independent. I so loved it when Jaina started flying an X-wing. Freaking awesome.
And Anakin the baby has my heart (again, yes); cutest babyboy in the galaxy, and kind and intelligent. I really enjoyed his interactions with Mara and Luke. As opposed to Jacen who was being very teenager about everything. Edge lord (said with love tho).
I really, really enjoyed it.
November 30, 2024
3 and a half stars rounded down. Don't get me wrong, the novel was entertaining and sucked you in, keeping a lot of the excitement and darkness from Vector prime. Unfortunately, stackpole left his fingerprints all over this one, and not in a good way. Early on, he did really well making his typical clunky dialogue more or less dissapear. By the end, it was back in full force. What's worse is the typical clever stackpole ending wasn't present (that's usually his strong suit) I felt as though the plot barely advanced and a lot of the characters could have been written better than they were.
August 9, 2025
I appreciated that this story slowed down. Taking the time to know/get reacquainted with the old EU characters in this unique setting works so well for me. Star Wars books rarely have the chance to slow down and breathe like this one did. I also enjoyed that book two felt just as cinematic as the previous entry. So far so good with the NJO.
April 14, 2025
Amazing read! Great character development, lots of emotion, fascinating discussions of morality and responsibility, epic space battles, and lightsaber duels that actually matter—all in all, Star Wars at its best and so much better than the Disney sequels. Can't wait to continue with this series :)
August 14, 2020
Second time around
I enjoyed this book more the second time. I have always enjoyed the character of Corran Horn. I am sad he is not canon.
I enjoyed this book more the second time. I have always enjoyed the character of Corran Horn. I am sad he is not canon.
February 9, 2021
uuuugh. im sorry. i just couldn’t do it anymore, i just didn’t care. this was boring AF.
DNF at 24%
DNF at 24%
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