Dark Journey: Star Wars Legends (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order Book 10)

Great for your Star Wars fan who likes to read

After the death of one brother and the capture of the other, Jaina Solo and Kyp Durron, along with what's left of a Jedi strike team that was sent to take out the Voxyn nest on the planet Myrkr are looking for a safe port to regroup. They settle on the Hapes system, the main planet that just happens to be where the mother of one of the Jedi, Tenel Ka, rules as queen. You would think that would be a good thing but the Jedi land right in the middle of a battle for succession to the throne of Hapes. Tenel Ka's mom is relatively young but seems to be afflicted with a disease that has left her in almost a Alzheimer's like state. She doesn't really understand anything you say to her, hardly recognizes anyone and just sits around or lays in bed all day. One of her last acts was to let refugees from the Yuuzhan Vong invasion of Coruscant to take shelter on her planet. The Vong make a point of attacking planets where refugees hide out so the Hapens are waiting for the other shoe to fall. Tenel Ka's grandmother, who was the former queen, is very active behind the scenes trying to get rid of her own daughter and marry her son to a younger bride....maybe even Jaina!I am a little over halfway through this 19 book series and one thing I like about such a long series is that you have enough books to focus on different characters. Everyone gets their time in the spotlight. Other books have focused on Jacen and Leia, Anakin, or Han Solo or others, but Jaina takes front and center here.The book is titled Dark Journey because Jaina is seriously flirting if not outright going over to the Dark Side most of the book. The death of Anakin and the unknown fate of Jacen has created two very strong Dark Side factories within her. She wants to take revenge on the Vong for Anakin and she is willing to do whatever she has to do to rescue Jacen. She frequently screws around with the memories of strangers and even her best friend and fellow Jedi, Lowbacca, to make them forget or uses the Force to manipulate their minds. She even asks to become Kyp's apprentice, knowing full well, that he has also been accused or in actuality uses the Dark Side. Jaina has even used Force Lightning, which I thought was only a Sith Power.I liked Jaina's battle with the Dark Side. Her and her two brothers have been fleshed out a lot, Jacen and Anakin in earlier installments, and now Jaina as well. It hasn't been an easy road for them. The authors involved in The New Jedi Order could have easily made the Solo kids White Hats that were completely good and always do everything right. Instead, they are all too human and fallible. Sometimes they do have a tendency to believe their own myths and that's when things usually go bad for them and they learn from it.The aspect that made this book unique was that Jaina and crew land into what feels like the filming of Game of Thrones. Tenel Ka's grandma is a lethal combo of Cersei Lannister and Olenna Tyrrell, the Queen of Thorns. Even though she is past her prime in age and is no longer queen, she still retains all the power behind the scenes and is willing to assassinate and deceive and manipulate in order to keep her family in power, along with who will make the best queen.I have two complaints about Dark Journey. The real widescreen moments are not handled well. I mean, in this book the Vong invade and decimate the capital of the Republic, Coruscant, but I think the author devoted less than a page to that event. To me, the battle for Coruscant would be a CLIMATIC event, not a throwaway moment in which we just see a few main characters escaping. It wasn't even a battle! It was more like "OMG, the Yuzzhan Vong are here, peace out!". Not a word about its defense or any huge space battles. Just a panicked fleeing.It's not the only time Cunningham comes up short. Jaina is using her brains and science to construct a secret weapon to battle the Vong with. When it comes to actually revealing that weapon, she uses it in a minor skirmish in which the Vong lose only a few ships.It just seems like there is a LOT of buildup to what you think are going to be big space opera scenes but they are just glossed over. I get it, maybe this is meant to be a more personal journey. But even there, Jaina's Dark Side leanings manifest in her immature brat behavior and moments more like Mean Girls rather than true evil. I was like "oh, that was wrong" instead of "omg, that is evil!"One thing that I have found disappointing about the series is that Luke has not really had his own book yet. It seems like everyone else has. But from what I read on the blurb about Book 11: Rebel Dreams, he finally will get the main stage by returning to Vong occupied Coruscant by himself! I am looking forward to that.I liked Dark Journey probably more than it deserved mainly because the last book, Star By Star, was to me the lowpoint of The New Jedi Order series so far. It seemed to go on and on forever and it was a shame because what happened to Anakin and Jacen were such big moments. It could have been shortened by about 100 pages.This series has not been GREAT, but it is much better than the corrupt, disrespectful, deceitful and woke Disney Star Wars sequel movies.

Although Star by Star is definitely my favorite book in the New Jedi Order series, this book does not feel like a let down. It provides an strong emotional tone that follows Jaina around as she is being tempted by the dark side. This book is an excellent follow up to the action packed books that came before it and allows the reader to breathe a bit before continuing the epic Star Wars saga.

First off, I will say, I found the book a decent read. It wasn't that bad as I have often wanted a bigger introspect into Jaina since she was the most like Han, who is so awesome, I mean a jedi with Han's nature and wit!!!! I've read a lot of people who say there's not much action and they're right, however that didn't bother me as much. Some say her drift to the dark side wasn't all that bad, but I disagree if you look at it from Luke's POV of the light side. She uses Force Lightning, constantly manipulates people, has a guy tortured, and sends a bunch of people on suicide ruins just so she can get more info. My biggest problem with the book is the end. The book is about 300 pages long, Jaina uses the dark side without caring for about 280 pages, then has an epiphany out of nowhere and totally sees her error and the last 20 pages wrap up the story. That resolution is way too sudden and quick. That is horrible story writing for a journey to the dark side and then back. Like another reviewer said, it's like throwing off a bad weekend in Vegas, which is not the same as a Jedi falling to the dark side and coming back. Finally, I do also agree I would have liked more on the final battle with Jagged Fel taking on the Vong. That would have been interesting. He seems like he should be really awesome, however, this writer just didn't do much with him.

I read the fate of the Jedi series first, but it doesn't take anything away from this series, it still keeps a high drama level throughout, and manages to keep me guessing even though I already know the fate of characters!

EU books are the best. Disney is stupid for trashing them

First, if you haven't read Star by Star, or if you don't want to know the vague storyline for Dark Journey, DON'T read this review.This is a revision of my first revieww, because after I read this book a few times my perception of it changed. This story is another well written addition to the New Jedi Order series. It wraps up many of the loose storylines that James Luceno's NJO books started. The story itself focuses on Jaina Solo and the escape of the Jedi strike team from a Vong held world as told in Star by Star. With the recent death of Anakin and the capture of Jacen, Jaina is dangerously close to the dark side. As they strike force flees from the Vong, they go to the Hapan system where more intrigue awaits. Kyp Durron is prominately featured again, and he continues to evolve in a well rounded character. It is really up to Durron to make Jaina see how dangerous the line she is treading is. This story revolves around Jaina, Kyp, Jagged Fel and the Hapan Royal family. While the Skywalkers, Han & Leia all play minor roles, almost nothing is said of Jacen. None of the chapters are from his point of view. The reader hears about him early in the story, but nothing is confirmed. Again this is a good story, the characters are well written, but the lack of any of the story from Jacen's perspective is a bit of a let down. At first this story seems a bit lacking when compared to other NJO books, but that is simply not the case. Its a very subtle book, in perfect harmony with Jaina's first steps on the path to the dark side. Many readers dismissed this book out of hand, I encourage NJO fans to read this story. Its essential to the continuation of the NJO, and is really a good book on its own.

great read for serious star wars fans. would recommend it to all my friends. Need more clean books like this.

Bücher halt ich mag sie

In the follow up to Star By Star we get a story focused around Jaina Solo. A good book but cannot be read stand alone so I DO recommend the entire New Jedi Order if you are a fan of Star Wars, more so than ever it is a fantastic series!!

great item !!

To be frankly I was worried before I started to read this book due to the fact that's written by a woman. I know that must sound terrible but be honest, how many Star Wars books written by a woman are good?! See I had reason to be worried. Actually I wanted to give it 4 1/2 stars but like you know it's not possible.Anyway this book is pure pleasure to read. She really knows how to write dialougs. Also the fact that Jaina is on a dark-force-path is rather nice even though it ends quite fast. I mean on the one hand they always write once you're seduced by the dark side it's almost impossible to return again. But here it seems that it's just a matter of minutes.But don't be afraid this book is definately a must have!