Reviews (40)

The title says it all...
I'll start from the very beginning.

The YJK series is a spectacular read for teens or for any Star Wars fan who doesn't mind the upper primary to middle school level reading. Hey, I'm 18 and I don't mind reading a young teen book because I LOVE THE STORY. It's a change from all the blood, gore, goose-chase plots, and meaningless sex that have frequented the shelves more and more. I own all 14 volumes in their original paperback form. ^_^ Great for passing by the time and relaxing or for a little Jedi-action - geared for teens of course. The series basically takes off where the Jedi Academy series ended -- with the introduction of the children of Lei and Han at the Yavin 4 Jedi Training grounds with Luke. Albeit it starts quite a few years later, but just the same...

Heirs of the Force introduces the twins of the Solo family -- Jacen and Jaina, and their Jedi comrades -- Tenel Ka and Lowbacca. The story moves in different ways for different people. If you are like me and want a change from total slam-bang action and could use a little more descriptions, then you'll prolly think the beginning of the story is great. It doesn't move too fast I'll admit because Anderson and Moesta are introducing the people and places and the circumstances. TERRIFIC USE OF DESCRIPTION AND IMAGERY! If you're not all that familiar with Star Wars and didn't keep up with everything (I did! Star Wars forever!), then the long-winded intro may do you a little good. The existence of the Imperials (HA! Can't be missing for long!) are reintroduced by the means of a stranded Tie-fighter pilot and when Jacen and Jaina come across a wrecked tie-fighter and its pilot in the forests, they know that the Imperial forces may not be as dead as the Republic thought. And since this is a series, you just have to wonder exactly what's to happen next and how it correlates. And I assure you - it DOES correlate! The main ideas? JEDI TRAINING, CHARACTER AND SETTING DEVELOPMENT, AND SOME GOOD 'OLE IMPERIAL TROUBLE.

The physical aspect of the book? I bought the book many years ago when it first came out and I am the proud owner of the first edition -- complete with the foil-embossed covers that gives it a super trendy look. David Dorman's cover artwork is AMAZING and I'll admit that in this case -- it's A-OK to judge a book by its cover! ^.^ If you collect Star Wars books -- this is a terrific series to collect -- not as hardcore, but still your Star Wars, BEAUTIFUL covers, and it's MORE JEDI! More from the teens' perspective that is. Perhaps this series is most powerful to the teen readers because all of a sudden with the intro of teen Jedi Jacen, Jaina, Tenel Ka, and Lowbaccca -- the fantasy of becoming a Jedi Knight seems closer to home... It doesn't matter how old you are -- you are never too old to dream!

Great series, Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta!
Written by the terrific husband and wife team, Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta, the Star Wars Young Jedi Knights series are not to be missed! These series of books center on the young twins of Han Solo and Lei Organa, Jacen and Jacen, and their friends, Lowbacca and Tenel Ka, as they journey on the road to becoming Jedi Knights.

The first book, "Heirs of the Force", begins on the planet Yavin 4. There, Luke Skywalker has his Jedi academy where his nephew and niece, Jacen and Jaina, are enrolled. Both of them are fourteen and are being trained as Jedi Knights, along with their good friend Tenel Ka. One day, the twin's father, Han Solo, drops by, along with Chewbacca and his nephew, Lowbacca. Lowbacca is also going to be trained as a Jedi and soon, he and the other three humans are good friends. While Lowbacca is riding his T-23 skyhopper in the jungle, he chances upon a wrecked TIE fighter. Jaina, who loves mechanics, is eager for a challenge, to try to fix the broken fighter. So along with her friends, they begin the task of repairing it, and to also install a hyperdrive which Jaina's father had given her. Little do they know that the original Imperial pilot, Qorl, is still a live and watching them as they work. He has been waiting for years for a chance to return to the Empire and it seems that his chance has come...

I must say that I just love the Young Jedi Knights! I really like all Star Wars books but this series one of my favorites for the reasons that, 1) the characters are very interesting and close to my age, 2) superbly and well written, and 3) all books are exciting and full of adventure. The five main characters of the books are well likable because each of them have their own personalities, characteristics, and quirks.

JACEN: He loves all living thing from plants, animals, to insects. In his own room he has his on menagerie of them. He has a special talent in using the Force to communicate with living creatures, though he doesn't know exactly how.
JAINA: An almost complete opposite of her brother, she takes after her father, Han Solo. She is a mechanical whiz and just loves taking apart and putting together droids, machines, and just almost anything. Also like her father, she is very spirited and has a self-confidence which makes her a natural leader.
LOWBACCA: Called Lowie by his friends, he is a Wookie and the nephew of Chewbacca. Very courageous and strong, he loves his friends very much. But sometimes he can't but just help missing his home planet Kashyyyk.
EM TEEDEE: Very much like C-3PO (almost to a fault), Em Teedee is a miniature translating droid who is always kept on Lowie's belt. Though talkative and annoying at times, Em Teedee is a member of the five friends.
TENEL KA: My personal favorite character, Tenel Ka is the daughter of Teneniel Djo, one of the witches of Dathomir, and Prince Isolder of the Royal House of Hapes. Loyal, a little humorless, brave, and strong, she is a warrior and most of all a true friend. Though strong in the force, she tries not to rely too much in it so she is very athletic.

But the reason I gave only four stars for this book is not one of best in the series since, in my opinion, the books just get better. So I highly recommend you read all of the fourteen books in order. The series are divided mostly into three parts. The first six books are about the rising force of the Empire and its Dark Jedi Knights. The next five books are about how the Jedi's must stop the Diversity Alliance. And the last three books are how the Jedi's deal with Czethros and Black Sun. Another Star Wars series I very much recommend are the "Jedi Apprentice" series. Don't miss them!

a good book for younger star wars fans
this book is the first of the young Jedi books and it is very interesting. All of your favorite characters like Han and Luke show up in this book but the Solo kids have their own adventures as well. The story about the wrecked tie fighter pilot was a pretty good one and I think it will keep all readers interested

Awesome continuation of Return of the Jedi
This is a exciting continuation from Return of the Jedi.
Han and Leia get married and have twin children,Jacen and Jaina, brother and sister. One day Lowbaca, Chewbaca's nephew, Tenel Ka, Jacen, and Jaina were in the jungel and found a crashed X-Wing Tie Fighter. As they search deeper into the jungle they found the pilot of The X-wing fighter and they all were scared because he was shooting at them. They knew that The Impire, Darth Vader, was evil and so if he was evil then his men were also. Tenel Ka and Lowbaca got away but Jacen and Jaina were stuck with the Imperial Pilot and they were slaves.
Star Wars fans READ THE WHOLE BOOK!!!

HEIRS of the FORCE
This book is about two young Jedi named Jaina and Jacen that go to the Jedi Acadamy run by their uncle, Luke Skywalker. When Jacen and Jania go for a ride in their friend's ship, they see something shiny. They decide to go check it out. When the get there they find a crashed Tie Fighter. When Jacen looking around he finds a path. Jacen follows the path and finds a hutt.The owner the owner of the hutt and of the crashed Tie Fighter takes Jacen hostage. If you whant to find out if Jacen escapes read HEIRS of the Force. I like this book because it has a lot of action in it. There is a series of Yuong Jedi Knits so the action wont end so quickly. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

An Incredible Sequal to the Young Jedi Knights Series
I especially liked this Book because it really starts the Jedi/Sith relation ship and it begins the actual story because it introduces the real enemy to the Jedi: The Shadow Academy.

In this book, Luke tells the Young Jedi knights that he encountered spies in his acedemy long ago, sent by the Second Imperium. Luke came across one truely talented young man by the name of Brakiss. Instead of banishing him like the others, he decided to keep him and train him. Luke made an attempt to turn him from the dark side.

One day, while Luke was giving the young man lessons, Brakiss left the Jedi acedemy and fled. Luke had failed to turn him and later will encounter him in a more deadly form.

The Solo twins, Jacen and Jaina, and their friends, Lowbacca and Tenal Ka, have been given permission by Lando Calarissian to come to his Gem diver station located on the Gas Giant Yavin. They all decide to go, except Tenal Ka. She imforms her friends that she thinks that the experiance would be boring and that she had seen rainbow gems on Gallinore.

When the twins arrive at the Gem diver station, Lando shows them around and tells them how his company mines a very rare gem known as Corusca Gems. When Lando is done showing them how to capture the gems, an unknown fleet appears. Lando tells them that nothing could get past their heavily armored walls, but the fleet had a speacial mechanism that got through. They later relise that the ship was using Corusca Gems to cut trough. When the ship docked with the station, and Dark women walked into the station with a squad of strom troopers. Jaina, feeling a distrubance in the force, somehow knew that they were after her and her friends.

The dark women stunned all the guards and captured the young jedi knights and took them to the Shadow Acendmy where they would be trained as Dark Jedi to assist the Second Imperium.

I really enjoyed this book and it was a very good addition to the Young Jedi Knights series.

The dark side is in everyone -- but who overcomes it?
Shadow Academy is an awesome book to continue the YJK series! If you were wondering about the introduction on the Tie-fighter and the pilot in the first book, now you know!

The Dark Side is everywhere and now it's found its way to the twins! The newly borne Dark Jedi group -- Shadow Academy -- has been alerted to the twins' and their fellow Jedi's presence at Yavin 4 (by a most unprecedented means!) and want to use the twins' Jedi abilities to their own dark advantage. So what do they do? Kidnap the twins and any other Jedi who happen to be there! From where and how? You've got to do the reading! And what about the other Jedi Knights and Luke? Tenel Ka has her own problems to deal with, but it's a good thing she did otherwise... Lowie is in the same boat as the twins, and Luke's got some Jedi chasing to do.

Topics? A RE-INTRO TO A CLASSIC STAR WARS CHARACTER, GEM-HUNTING ^.~, KIDNAPPING, EXPLOITATION, TEMPTATION, AND THE DARK SIDE.

The description and imagery is again vivid and the style is consistent with the first book. Again, great artwork (I miss the foil-embossing! ^.~) and another one to add to your (hopefully) growing collection!

Its ok
This book is ok but there is no lightsabers in it so its not really exciting

Great!
This is probably one of my favorites in the Young Jedi Knights sereis.
Jaina, Jacen, and Lowie go to Lando's GemDiver station. While they're there, a group kidnapps them. They are taken to the Shadow Academy to be trained in the Dark Side of the Force.
Meanwhile, Tenal Ka and Luke learn of the kidnapping and set out to find the twins and Lowie.
Will Luke and Tenal Ka find Jaina, Jacen, and Lowbacca? Or will the Shadow Academy succede where the Emperor did not(turning the heirs of Anakin to the Dark Side of the Force)?
Grab this book and find out! You won't regret it!!![.]

Another great book in the "Young Jedi Knights" series!
This story is about the Dark Jedi apprentice starts his own school of training Dark Jedi-the Shadow Academy. Luke Skywalker had once tried to turn him, but the evil training of the Empire proved to be firmly placed inside him. He had disappeared...only to reappear now.
Meanwhile, the twins and Lowbacca are visiting their adopted "Uncle" Lando's GemDiver station, the job of the place is to capture valuable Coruscan gems. Suddenly, an Imperial fleet appears and attacks the station. The Imperials shoot all the workers, including Lando, into unconsciousness and kidnaps the twins and Lowie.
Tenel Ka, who didn't go along with them because she had to have a meeting with the Ambassador Yfra, and Luke Skywalker race to find them. They find out that the Nightsisters of Dathomir, who had been all destroyed, was rising up again and were making alliances with the Empire. They also find out that the twins and Lowie had been taken to a Shadow Academy...to be trained into becoming Dark Jedi Knights for the rising Empire.

What will happen to the twins and Lowie? Will Luke and Tenel Ka be too late?

This book is great, I love reading it! I'm sure you will too, and the next book, "The Lost Ones" is just as good so you will want to read it as well! ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Star Wars
Recommendation This book takes place in the Tatooine. I would recommend this book for People between the ages of 11-14 because it presents a wide of survival events in Tatooine that were both exciting and intense. A reason that this book was exciting was the things that Jacen and Jaina ran into in space. "Jacen said that this is the best trip to Alderaan because they did something for their mother. Then they went to their mother to give her the rock she said what is this they said a rock from Alderaan. I recommendation this book to people who likes to read Star Wars because if you do not like Star Wars you will not like this book. "Dad," Jaina said. "Jacen and I have been trying to come with just the perfect gift for Mom's birthday. That means that they love their mother a lot "Then Leia said that if Jacen and Jaina don't work together they will not get back." That means that they will not get back at all.

Not bad for YJK
Normally I don't like this series, but this one wasn't bad. It had its flaws though...like Fett coming back. I mean, how old is he by now? Too old to be bounty hunting if you ask me. And Mijeje from CA already mentioned by second point--Luke and Leia are twins, how come no one's looking for a present for him but just Leia? That was pretty stupid. Also where did they find out when their birthday was? Yoda and Ben were the only ones that would have known, and they're dead! But overall, this book was not bad.

An excellent start to the second cycle of Young Jedi Knights
I'll admit, this is probably one of the more boring books in the series, but it was still well-written and had good, true-to-life characters. Part of what makes this such a good series is that the same plots are not recycled over and over again, and each book has it's own particular dilemma to solve that all adds up to the intertwining plot of the whole series. In this particular story, Jacen and Jaina go to the Alderaan system to get a small piece of the planet to give to their mother, Leia for her birthday. As you can probably guess, things do not go as planned and they have several adventures along the way which I won't elaborate on for those of you who havn't read it yet. One of the good points of this book, and this whole series actually, is that the kids in them are so nice. They are always polite and respectful and are never cruel and nasty to anyone. And yet, the authors accomplished this so flawlessly that it doesn't make them seem like goody-two-shoes either, since they can be bad sometimes too, it's just pleasant to read that kind of a book sometimes. One of the major flaws in this book, which several people have already mentioned, is that the everyone forgets that it isn't just Leia's birthday, it's Luke's too. I mean, the whole point of the story was that the twins get a present for their mother, and then, even in the ending birthday scene, everyone completely forgets about Luke, including Luke himself it would seem! If what they celebrate is their adoption dates then they at least should have said something about that instead of just ignoring him. I think that would kind of hurt his feelings. Well, at least he got to come to the party. Like I said, this is an excellent book in the series, if you ignore the flaws I just mentioned.

The Hunt Begins
Great book for those young people who loved the Star Wars movies. It brings back into the fold a mysterious character who has revenge on his mind. Definately a must read for those Boba Fett fans or kids that remember him and need to relate a character from the to this series.

Great Book U should read this book
I loved this book it is very suspendful. But the book wasn't as good as all the other Young Jedi Knights. The book I think u should read would have to be Jedi Under Siege. This book has a descent amount of action in it. I especially like the part when Zekks friend dies. ... Read more

Reviews (66)

"Jedi Under Siege" is TERRIFIC!
Written by the terrific husband and wife team, Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta, the Star Wars Young Jedi Knights series are not to be missed! These series of books center on the young twins of Han Solo and Lei Organa, Jacen and Jacen, and their friends, Lowbacca and Tenel Ka, as they journey on the road to becoming Jedi Knights.

"Jedi Under Siege", the sixth book of the YJK series, is the last book of one story arc. The story begins right after book five, "Darkest Knight", when the young Jedis have learned that the Second Imperium plans an attack upon Yavin 4 where Luke Skywalker's Jedi academy is located. Jacen, Jaina, Tenel Ka, and Lowie rush back to Yavin 4 just in time for when Shadow Academy gets ready to launch their forces. When the academy's shield generator is destroyed, the have only one choice, and that is to fight against the Dark Jedi Master Brakiss, Darkest Knight Zekk, Nightsister Tamith Kai, and their forces. If Skywalker and his Jedis gain victory, that means the end of the Second Imperium. But if they are defeated, then there will be no more hope for the future of the galaxy...

I must say that I just love the Young Jedi Knights, which is best read in order! I really like all Star Wars books but this series one of my favorites for the reasons that, 1) the characters are very interesting and close to my age, 2) superbly and well written, and 3) all books are exciting and full of adventure. The four main characters of the books are well likable because each of them have their own personalities, characteristics, and quirks. Jacen with his love for all living plants, animals, insects, etc. Jaina with her mechanical ability and strong willed nature. Tenel Ka, the warrior and true friend. And of course there's Lowie, courageous and strong.

This book especially has much excitement and suspense. Terrific ending and close for this one story arc but still you have enough hunger to get your hands onto the next book, "Shards of Alderaan". The story doesn't focus just on the main characters, you'll be able to see through the eyes of both main characters and other friends and foes. You'll get insight on everyone's thoughts and feelings, plus you will find a few surprises. For example, when Tenel Ka shocks everyone by... but of course I won't spoil the surprise and humor by telling you! You will just have to read the book yourself!

So I highly recommend you read all of the fourteen books in order. The series are divided mostly into three parts. The first six books are about the rising force of the Empire and its Dark Jedi Knights. The next five books are about how the Jedis must stop the Diversity Alliance. And the last three books are how the Jedis deal with Czethros and Black Sun. Another Star Wars series I very much recommend are the "Jedi Apprentice" series. Don't miss them!

"The Lost Ones", great addition to the YJK series!
Written by the terrific husband and wife team, Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta, the Star Wars Young Jedi Knights series are not to be missed! These series of books center on the young twins of Han Solo and Lei Organa, Jacen and Jacen, and their friends, Lowbacca and Tenel Ka, as they journey on the road to becoming Jedi Knights.

"The Lost Ones" is the third book of the Young Jedi Knights Series. During their vacation and break from the Jedi Academy, the twins and their friends visit the world of Coruscant. There, Jacen and Jaina are eager for a time with the whole family, Han Solo, Leia Organa, and of course their younger brother, Anakin. Also, they would be reunited with their friend Zekk, who lives in the streets without a care in the world. But now he sees the changes in Jacen and Jaina, how they have grown up so much with a hope for the future. While he... he has nothing, just a 'lost one'. However, the Dark Jedi Brakiss, who is looking for recruits for his Shadow Academy, sees a Jedi potential in Zekk. Brakiss wants to use Zekk, turn him to the dark side of the Force, then teach him to be his Darkest Knight. What will Zekk's decision be?

I must say that I just love the Young Jedi Knights! I really like all Star Wars books but this series one of my favorites for the reasons that, 1) the characters are very interesting and close to my age, 2) superbly and well written, and 3) all books are exciting and full of adventure. The four main characters of the books are well likable because each of them have their own personalities, characteristics, and quirks.

JACEN: He loves all living thing from plants, animals, to insects. In his own room he has his on menagerie of them. He has a special talent in using the Force to communicate with living creatures.
JAINA: An almost complete opposite of her brother, she takes after her father, Han Solo. She is a mechanical whiz and just loves taking apart and putting together droids, machines, and just almost anything. Also like her father, she is very spirited and has a self-confidence which makes her a natural leader.
LOWBACCA: Called Lowie by his friends, he is a Wookie and the nephew of Chewbacca. Very courageous and strong, he loves his friends very much. To help in translating, he has miniature translating droid, Em Teedee clipped on his belt. Very much like C-3PO (almost to a fault), Em Teedee talkative and annoying at times.
TENEL KA: My personal favorite character, Tenel Ka is the daughter of Teneniel Djo, one of the witches of Dathomir, and Prince Isolder of the Royal House of Hapes. Loyal, a little humorless, brave, and strong, she is a warrior and most of all a true friend. Though strong in the force, she tries not to rely too much in it so she is very athletic.

So I highly recommend you read all of the fourteen books in order. The series are divided mostly into three parts. The first six books are about the rising force of the Empire and its Dark Jedi Knights. The next five books are about how the Jedis must stop the Diversity Alliance. And the last three books are how the Jedis deal with Czethros and Black Sun. Another Star Wars series I very much recommend are the "Jedi Apprentice" series. Don't miss them!

Well...
While I gave the first book a good reveiw, by the time this book rolled around, I realized how silly these books are. I know they're for young adults but still...

While the characters were likeable, I got tired of them using the same phases over & over. Em-TeeDee especially got on my nerves(I've always hated how Star Wars writers have written C-3PO). And these Dark Jedi that are suppose to take over the galaxy, please! They never once resembled a threat. Lightsabers was the best one.

excelenant
I love the star wars books series I have read them all. These books got me into the star wars series. And I still read them.

I'm mostly nostalgic
I first saw STAR WARS in 1991, I was seven. When this book came out in '96, it was the first Star Wars book I'd ever read, and was the conduit between fan and fanatic. Granted, most of it didn't make a lot of sense as I hadn't read the previous five books in the series yet, but it was still a page-turning read. 'Jedi Under Seige' wraps up the 'Shadow Academy' series of Young Jedi Knights. This series was done as a series of individual events that all tied together in 'Seige'. The second sub-series, 'Diversity Alliance', is one long adventure divided into five major events. A third sub-series, 'The Gallandro Trilogy', is more or less a waste of time. But 'Seige', alone or in context, delivers the goods.

Kavin J. Anderson has probably never had an original idea in his life. He's written numerous Star Wars novels, co-written three Dune novels, at least three X-files books, but only a precious few original stories whose plots seem suspiciously like old episodes of Star Trek. Anderson's wife, Rebecca Moesta, has even fewer credentials. However, Anderson and Moesta both have solid skills at characterizing, plot-development and visualizastion, though sometimes their dialogue falls flat.

Despite all of the down-falls that would seem to make this book a waste of time, it's not. The few hours spanned in the story move faster than real-time with action, emotion, and some genuinely witty dialogue here and there. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Anderson and Moesta have done it again!!
What a relief after "Return to Ord Mantell"!! In that one, I just wanted to hit Jacen over the head and knock some sense into him!! But this one was better. The Anja character is getting deeper, starting to sound like a REAL young woman with REAL problems, not some she-woman. All the characters are progressing into their "realness" nicely. Tenel Ka cries. Zekk is not riddled with gilt. And above all, Jacen is not such a idiot!! But I am curious about the next book. How are they going to bring all this to a final resolve?? And what about Raaba?? This book does have it's few faults, but above all it's a winner. There are a few sceans [one in paticular] that are written with such talent and beauty. Way to go Anderson and Moesta!!! Everybody else, READ THIS BOOK!!

This was a great book! I hope KJA and RM never stop writing!
This was a really good book. (In fact, I think it just might be the best.) It was really exciting and action-packed! There were so many surprises that I gave up trying to figure out what would happen next! The story goes like this: Lando Calrissian shows up and asks the twins and there friends if they liked to go on a "vacation" to Cloud City. ( I've always liked Cloud City, that's one of the things I like about this book.) So, they gladly accept and go to Cloud City and have a great time, right? Wrong. Well, the part that they gladly accept is true, but they find out that Lando's partner, who was working on Cloud City's new amusement park "Sky Center Galleria"with him, is dead. The Jedi Knights decide to investigate his death, and, in the process, end up having some pretty exciting adventures. So buckle up and enjoy the ride!

This book deserves 10 stars!
Well, I have to say that this was the best Young Jedi Knights book to come along in a while. Oh, but don't get me wrong, they're all good, but a few definitly stand above the others. Namely, Lightsabers, Jedi Under Siege, Jedi Bounty, and The Emperor's plague. And now Trouble on Cloud City has joined the ranks of the great. In this book, Lando askes Jacen, Jaina, Lowie, Tenel Ka, Anja, and Em Teedee to come with him to Cloud City to help supervise a new amusement park he is building there. When they get there however, they find that Lando's partner has been murdered, and they set out to find who did it. Anja knows of course, or at least guesses that her master Czethros is at work and she struggles on many moral points concerning her new friends, and her growing adiction to Andris Spice. Actually, in this book I found myself softening a bit towards Anja, who I previously hated. I still don't like her nearly as much as the other characters, but I began to realize that she is a victim is her own right, since it isn't her fault she was mislead and used and duped into Andris. Also, this book focused a lot on Tenel Ka, who is my favorite character in the series, and allowed us to get inside her, and see her thoughts and feelings in a way that has not been done since the masterpiece of Lightsabers. Her reaction when Jacen fell of Cloud City was heartbreaking, and I'll confess, that the scene where they all thought that they would never see him again almost had me in tears, and I never, EVER cry over books or movies or anything. I liked how this book let us see how much Tenel Ka truly cares about Jacen. Speaking of Jacen, his crush on Anja seems to have ended, which may in fact be what opened me up to her a bit, since I was always adamently against that. Anyway, I would recommend this series to any Star Wars fan, no matter what their age, even though they are generaly geared towards the 10-15 set. Also, this book would have a stronger effect on you and generally make more sense if you have read the previous twelve first, though if that is to much work, it is at least reccomeded that you read the one before it.

If you love Star Wars you will love this series!
These are great books! This book is great for begginers. The story is great, the plot is great, it's very intriging. The book is about Jason, Jaina, and Tenel Ka, and Lobaca. Lando Calorisian is inviting the Young Jedi Knights to his Resort on Cloud City. The kids will come as long as they can bring their friend Anga Gilrado. But what they will find out is... You'll just have to read the book. It's a great book as a gift. It's a must for all Star Wars fans.

Not bad at all
Alright, I know YJK is supposed to be for the younger set, but I'm 15 and really do enjoy them. They shed new light on the characters of Jacen and Jaina, who, until YJK came along, were portrayed as bratty wonder children who kept getting kidnapped and escaping by dumb luck. OK, on to the actual book, sorry to ramble. This is the second in the Under Black Sun trilogy, which will be the last of the YJK books, at least for the time being. The kids are invited by Lando to spend time on Cloud City, bringing Anja Gallandro along. When she was introduced, I immediately understood the significance, since I have read the original Han Solo adventures back from 1979 and 1980. They arrive to find Lando's partner murdered by agents of Czethros, the Black Sun operative controlling Anja and out to get the YJK. Through a series of discoveries and things, the kids find out about Black Sun's involvement through several parties, most notably Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes, who were supposed to be playing on CC. Concluding a bunch of near-death mishaps, the kids are reunited on Cloud City, but Anja is suffering Spice withdrawl, and the preview of Crisis at Crystal Reef indicates that she's really losing it. It's interesting that something that's a young adult book would deal with something like drug addiction, but it's well written and thoughtful. This is a good read for fans of the series, and even for you older folks looking for a nice light read. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

For anyone who likes suspense, action and Jedi Knights.
I read this book. It's excellently written, very sci-fi, and once you start you just can't stop.

In this book, Zekk and Raynar go to search for the missing Bornan Thul. Bornan is protecting a deadly plague and weapons depot. There is enough plague in the place to kill every living creature in the entire galaxy.

Zekk and Raynar finally reach Bornan, only to find that he is cornered by bounty hunters Shakra and Boba Fett. Bornan puts the ship into self- destruct, grabs his navicomputer holding the coordinates to the depot, and jumps into his escape pod. But, before the ship blows, Boba Fett successfully slices into Thul's computer and takes information form the ship's log. Then, he returns to Nolaa Tarkona, the leader of the diversity alliance, and leaves.

Jacen and Jaina Solo, Tenel Ka Chume Ta'a Djo, and Lowbacca join Zekk, Raynar and Bornan and make it to the weapons depot. They must use mines and other bombs to blow up the depot before Nolaa Tarkona reaches it.

At the end, there's a BIG surprise so you'll have to read the book or I'll give it away. Anyone Who is willing to read a book 2 cm thick and thinks they can handle it is more than welcome to read it !

An excellent conclusion to the second storyline in the saga
Since I am rereading this entire series for the first time in several years I was surprised to realize I remembered almost nothing about this book despite the fact that it is the climax of the series. This does not however, in any way imply a lack of excitment. In fact it was solidly gripping from page one right to the end. This book was the last in the second cycle of Young Jedi Knights novels, and it was one of the best. It basically takes up right where the previous book left off, with the kids, now fully healed, preparing to meet with the senet to discuss the possible threat the Diversity Alliance may be posing to all human life in the galaxy. Meanwhile Zekk goes to find Bornan Thul and takes Raynar with him because Raynar is Bornan's son and he would be more likely to trust him if he is with him. They discover the human plague secret so Leia sends them (Zekk, Bornan, Raynar, Jacen, Jaina, Lowie, and Tenel Ka) on a mission to go and try to destroy the plague storehouse before the Diversity Aliance can get to it and destroy all human's with it. The rest of the book is an intense account of their adventures trying to accomplish this goal, but as to whether they succeed or not, well, you'll just have to read the book, because I'm not telling! I will say though, that it has several unexpected twists, one of which is very sad. One of the few problems with this book is that Leia would knowingly send her children on such a dangerous mission. Despite the fact that they are almost full Jedi Knights, that doesn't change the fact that they are her children, and I don't believe any parent would willingly send their child into such mortal danger. My parants definitely wouldn't! I must admit, I am getting slightly less resentful of all these irritating little couples that are forming (Jacen and Tenel Ka, Jaina and Zekk, Lowie and Raaba, and of course Lusa and Raynar). Jacen and Tenal Ka are funny and interesting, and I have no objections to them liking each other, and Lowie and Raaba are plausible, though boring. Jaina and Zekk are hugely boring though, and Lusa and Raynar are completly implausible. Even so, this was not overpoweringly bad, so I guess I really have nothing to complain about really. In short, this is an excellent series of Star Wars books that are better even then some regular books I've read, and certainly more exciting.

This book ROCKS!!!
This the second best book in the series and I really like it!One of the best things is how Boba Fett mows down the Divirsity Alliance troops! I'll try not to give much more away exept that I think it's high time we had some romance in the series! I just think that Zekk should have kissed Jaina when he had a chance! I think it's sad that Raynar's dad died after all he went through to hide the plauge from Noala Tarkona.

What a good book.
I am a fan of star wars espesially the books.This set of books is one of the best I've read so far.I like them all but I think the best part in this one is the surprise ending wich is very funny.But I think they should be read in order.Other wise your in the dark for have the book!But these books are my favorit yet.Thank you for your time.

Worthy of the Emperor himself
I really like this book. I have read many Star Wars books and this was one of the best. I thought the ending was very good and heart wrenchig. Anderson, in my opinion, is one of the 2 best Star Wars Authors there are. The other being Zahn but thats beside the point. ... Read more

Reviews (56)

One of my favorite books in the series
When I read this book for the first time, I literaly could not put it down. Since then I have read it and the rest of the series many times over, and this book never loses it's flavor. The discriptions and characters were so vivid that I could see everything that was happening, and it felt almost as if I was there. Anyway, in this book, Luke decides Jacen, Jaina, Tenel Ka, and Lowie are now ready to build their lightsabers. The story goes into great but not tedious details as to how lightsabers work, which is something I have always wondered about. So anyway, Jacen, Jaina, and Lowie all build their lightsabers slowly and carefully like they are supposed to, but Tenel Ka rushes through hers so she can be the first one to finish, and then when she and Jacen spar, something terrible happens.... Part of why I loved this book in particular was that it had a lot of character development without compromising action, most especially in Tenel Ka who is the main focus of this story. I greatly enjoyed this, because Tenel Ka is definitly my favorite character in the series, because she is so strong and tough and doesn't let anything stop her, not even a crippling accident, and of course because she is a warrior princess. This book would be best if read after the previous three books in the series, though it can be understood on it's own too. The reading level of this series is not very high, just high enough to be above the 9-12 age range. Any Star Wars fan over the age of ten would probably like this book.

One of the best in the YJK series!
This is probably my favorite book in the young jedi knights series.
Luke Skywalker decides that it is time for the Young Jedi Knights to build their lightsabers. he tells them not to rush, but after Tenal Ka finds out Lowbacca is almost done with his, she hurries to build hers.
At a traning practice with Jacen, her faulty lightsaber beam 'disinagrates' and Jacen's cuts her arm off above the elbow. an explosion a moments later destroys her lightsaber and arm.
Not wanting pity from the others Tenal Ka returns to the Hapes Cluster. her friends follow and soon learn about some assassination attempts on her grandmother. the Young Jedi Knights need to figure out who this assassin is, because soon their own lives are in danger.
If your a Star Wars fan, GET THIS BOOK!

a delight to read.
This was the first book of the Young Jedi Knights series that I read, but it is still my favorite. Once again, Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta have given readers young and old an excellent addition to any star wars collection.

a great ride
I thought Lightsabers was one of the best of the series. I just read the entire first series again and am now reading starting the second series. I couldn't put the book down. It starts with the jedi knights (Jacen, Jaina, Tenel Ka, Lowie) constructing thier lightsabers. Each of them have to go get a focusing crystal. Even though Luke tells them not to rush into it and finish it in a day or two, Tenel Ka rushes through the process. During a practice session between Tenel Ka and Jacen, something goes wrong with her lightsaber and then a big accident accures which forces her to return to the Hapes Cluster. When Tenel Ka returns to the Fountain Palace, she finds out that her parents are gone and she is to stay with her grandmother Ta'a Chume. When Jacen, Jaina, and Lowie go to Fountain Palace an assasination attempt was made on Ta'a Chume and Tenel Ka. The rest is for you to find out.

My personal favorite of the YJK series!
Written by the terrific husband and wife team, Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta, the Star Wars Young Jedi Knights series are not to be missed! These series of books center on the young twins of Han Solo and Lei Organa, Jacen and Jacen, and their friends, Lowbacca and Tenel Ka, as they journey on the road to becoming Jedi Knights.

"Lightsabers", the fourth book of the YJK series, is one of my favorites! It begins where Luke Skywalker makes a hard decision. He decides to train Jacen, Jaina, Lowie, and Tenel Ka to use lightsabers. All four begin their work in constructing their weapons. But Tenel Ka, who relies more on her physical strength than in using the Force, isn't patient enough to make her lightsaber correctly. During a sparring practice with Jacen, to the shock of everyone, her lightsaber explodes and Jacen, caught off guard, (I won't give you the whole details), severes her left arm. Feeling terrible and not wanting to have pity from her friends, Tenel Ka leaves for the Royal Court of Hapes, where her grandmother awaits. But her friends go to her and try to comfort her. Tenel Ka doesn't know how to deal with the situation. With so many mixed emotions, she doesn't know whether she wants to continue her training at the Jedi Academy. As she sorts through her feelings, she and her friends must deal with an assassin whose prime target is... her grandmother, the Matriarch of the Royal Hapan Cluster!

I must say that I just love the Young Jedi Knights! I really like all Star Wars books but this series one of my favorites for the reasons that, 1) the characters are very interesting and close to my age, 2) superbly and well written, and 3) all books are exciting and full of adventure. The four main characters of the books are well likable because each of them have their own personalities, characteristics, and quirks. Jacen with his love for all living plants, animals, insects, etc. Jaina with her mechanical ability and strong willed nature. Tenel Ka, the warrior and true friend. And of course Lowie, very courageous and strong. Also, readers will be able to get a glimpse at what is really going on between Jacen and Tenel Ka... :-)

So I highly recommend you read all of the fourteen books in order. The series are divided mostly into three parts. The first six books are about the rising force of the Empire and its Dark Jedi Knights. The next five books are about how the Jedis must stop the Diversity Alliance. And the last three books are how the Jedis deal with Czethros and Black Sun. Another Star Wars series I very much recommend are the "Jedi Apprentice" series. Don't miss them! ... Read more

Reviews (18)

I LOVED IT! I LOVED IT!!!
This book is the best one in the series so far. I liked the way the kids escape from Ryloth, and Tenel Ka really kicked the crap out of Hovrak. I can't wait until "The Emperor's Plague" comes out!

The best book in the second series of Young Jedi Knights
Usually, in most series by the time they reach book 10 it is beggining to get cheesy and unsatifying, but this is an exception. In fact, I think that this book is even better than the other three books in the second series of Young Jedi Knights, though I generaly liked the first series better. For one thing, even though there is one more book after this one, it seemed to tie in just about all the subplots of the series into a flawless intertwining story, that is much better than most people give it credit for, just because they are kids books. Anyway, in this story, The Young Jedi Knights (Jacen, Jaina, Tenel Ka, and Raynar) finally decide that they have waited long enough for Lowie (their other friend) to return from visiting the Diversity Aliance and they must assume that he has either joined them, or is being held against his will. (both bad things) So they take off to go to rescue him, but are captured by the Diversity Aliance (who is fanacicly anti-human) and thrown into the spice mines to slave out their remaining years in agony. Will they save Lowie and escape? And if they manage to will they survive in the nearly inhospitably cold exterier to Ryloth? You'll just have to read the book to find out. One thing that bothers me, is that when they ask Lusa to stay behind and cover for them saying that they went on a mission or something, well wouldn't the adults imediatly be suspicios? I mean they are just a bunch of fifteen year old kids, wouldn't the adults feel responsible if something happened to them? Yet everyone seems to simply take it in stride as a normal accurance untill Zekk and Lusa come forward and tell the truth for them. Also, these budding relationships between all the kids, while extremly innocent, are starting to get annoying. Actually, the relationship between Jacen and Tenel Ka is fine, it being fun and interesting to watch. But do we really need more than that? Now new characters have actually been created just so other characters aren't left out of this, or so it seems. Zekk in particular was never one of my favorite characters, though despite myself I am begining to like him more. I am still completly against him forming a relationship with Jaina though, despite the fact they like each other. While I suppose Jaina does like him for the right reasons, they are better as friends. Their so called relationship is not only boring, but also completly unneccacary. A poor attemp to relate to teenage girls who would be reading this book. I'm a girl, and I'm fifteen, but this still seems silly and unneccecary, as is Lusa and Raynar, and Lowie and Raaba. Well now that I'm through complaining, I'll sign off by saying once again that this is a great book that I reccomend to any Star Wars fan, especially those interested in seeing how Han and Leia's kids turned out.

must get this book
This is a great book. one of the beast. A good part is when Jacen & Tenel Ka get lost in the ice land. "The first thing Jacen noticed was the cold. He shivered and looked at Tenel Ka,her lizard hide boots rose to midcalf, but her scaled armor only covered a minuscule portion of her uper thigh and left her arms bare. You must be c-c-cold,he said. This is a fact,said Tenel Ka. Chill wind went into the cave like knives of ice. Jacen, unable to thik of any other comfort, put his arms around Tenel Ka and pulled her to him in hopes of sharing some of his body warmth. Tenel Ka's arm slid around Jacen's waist and hugged him". so they are frezzing to death. It gets a bit more buddy buddy for Jacen & Tenel Ka. Now Jaina &Ranar are in the hot lands. " Raynar did his best to keep up with Jaina as they trudged between cracks, lept over open spaces like ovens, and hid from the heat in any shadows they could find. Now I know what a nerf sausage-- on a hot plate feels like,said Raynar. Jaina couldn't anser. Her skin was red and raw from the heat, her hands and feet had good number of blisters already. Jaina climbed up a rockface, along a cleft in the tones that heid some shade. She slipped briefly and reaching out to steady herself, touched an outcropping of rock exposed to the direct sunlight. She hissed in pain and snached her fingers away. Red burn-welts sprouted on her skin. Working it the mines is starting to sound like a vacationto me,she admitted. we don't have any waterout here, no food or protection...said Jaina". So they have to deal with the heat. This is a great book, to see what happens you got to get it.

A light uncomplicated read.
I have recenlty found to my suprise that many YA novels are very interesting. The "Young Jedi Knights" series have a lot of these novels and this particular book is easily representative of the breed. It helped that I have read some of the previous books of the series, however, otherwise I would have been completely lost in the character interrelationships.

I still remember parts of the book... from a year ago!
I loved this book. I read it a year ago and I still rememberparts of it, especially the day and night sides of Ryloth. It was neathow the friends kept saving each other. ... Read more

Book Description

Anja Gallandro planned to destroy the Solo family.But now she fights an intense inner battle--against her increasing spice addiction, and her growing friendship with Jacen and Jaina.In desperation for spice, she steals a ship and flees the Jedi academy.The young Jedi Knights follow her from the spice mines of Kessel to the dangerous beauty of Crystal Reef--where an even more sinister plan is hatching... ... Read more

Reviews (35)

a very exciting book
This is the first long Star Wars book I ever read and I was quite impressed. With Anja Gallendro's growing addiction to andris spice she decides to steal Zekk's ship THE LIGHTNING ROD to go and get more spice from Kessel. Jacen, Jaina, Tenel Ka, Lowbacca and Zekk decide to go after her to stop her spice addiction and get Zekk's ship back. When they get to Kessel they learn that the administraitor has had a assasination attempt on him and Anja has left to Mon Calanmari. Leaving Jaina & Lowbacca to watch over the administrator. When the rest of the gang arrives at Mon Calamari they meet with the Jedi healer/ambassador they meet Anja and decide to destroy the evil Czethros (who smuggles andris spice) spice hideaway under the ocean. But Czethros has landed troops on Kessel for a takeover,and only Jaina & Lowbacca stand in his way! The book is exciting with lots of action. I recomend it to all Star Wars readers.

Great ending to another trilogy of the Young Jedi Knights
This book was great! Finally Anja has admitted to herself that she is addicted to Andris Spice. She also realizes that Jacen and Jaina are her friends and doesn't want to hurt them any more. It was about time that the New Republic recognize the Young Jedi Knights for all the work that they had done for them. My only regret is that there is a rumor going around the Book World that this book will be the last book that Kevin Anderson and Rebecca Moesta write on the Young Jedi Knights series. I hope that that is not true. I'm sure that every fan wants to see what will happen to the Jedi Knights relationships and what they will do in the future. So Kevin Anderson and Rebecca Moesta, if you happen to read this review, please don't stop writing these books! They're great and I'm sure every fan wants to see what the Jedi Knights will do with they're futures, not to mention they're relationships. Anyway, this book is awsome and if you want to read it you better hurry because I got the last book that they had in stock.

An excellent finish to the saga
After many adventures and many friendships, not to mention fourteen novels, the much loved saga of the Young Jedi Knights has finally come to an end. I greeted this book with a measure of respect, and also a touch of sadness. I expected it to be one the best yet, and I was not disapointed. For a brief summery, Anja finally admits to herself that she is addicted to Andris Spice, (a type of drug) and, though she is trying to quit, she finally can't stand it any more. She steals Zekk's ship, The Lightning Rod, and heads for the spice mines of Kessal to get a few more doses to "tie her over" while she figures out what to do next. Naturally, the Young Jedi Knights go after her, and they eventually track her down to Crystal Reef, Calimari, and that's where the real adventure starts... In short, this book provided a fine close to this final trilogy, with (at last) an awesome confrontation with Czethros and Black Sun, as well as coming to terms with the question of Anja's adiction to spice. Speaking of Anja, this book really seemed to redeem her. I didn't like her at all at first, because of how much of a jerk she always is, and because it seemed that she was trying to replace Tenel Ka, whom I have always liked. She was better in this book, because she was at last admitting her mistakes to herself and to others and trying to set things right. Also, while this book solved the delima of this trilogy, there were many loose ends left unsatisfied, and it didn't seem to bring true closure to the whole series, except in the last few pages. For instance, what ever happened to Raynar after the death of his father? He was never one of my favorite characters anyway, but it should have been Zekk who was left out, not Raynar. Now that Zekk is no longer a villian and his healing processes are through, we really don't need him anymore except to be The Boy That Jaina Likes. I was never to enthusiastic about that boring relationship. Jacen and Tenel Ka were much better. Also, what happened to Raaba? Is she ever going to come back? They should have brought her back in this book. And I would have prefered it if all the Young Jedi Knights were together in their final adventure, instead of just Jaina and Lowie getting to fight the last battle. Anja, Jacen, Zekk, and Tenel Ka are instead all under Crystal Reef destroying the Andris, and while this has as much to do with the main plot as anything else, they are not all together and that is the point. Other than that though, there is nothing else wrong with this excellent book, and I would recommend this series to any Star Wars fan.

The end is at hand
It's over. The YJK series is at an end, but it's kind of unsatisfying end. To be brief, Anja, suffering from spice withdrawl, steals the Lightning Rod and jets to Kessel to get some of the drug. She learns of Czethros's hidden stash on Mon Calamari, and then goes there to find it. Lowie and Jaina go to Kessel and end up disrupting Black Sun's takeover of Nien Nunb's spice mining operation, and travel to Mon Cal to help out Zekk and Tenel Ka and Jacen. Ambassador Cilghal provided the group with a sub and the YJK make for the ice caps and then destroy the spice cache. Anja nearly dies until the Knights use a healing trance on her. They are nearly eaten by a sea monster looking for a nice snack, but they survive and return to the academy. Anja, discovering that she has no Force potential, goes to Cloud City and works with Lando to run the establishment. This book is drawn to a very disappointing close, with Jacen giving Tenel Ka a necklace and Zekk promising to let Jaina be his copilot whenever she wanted. I figured that since these relationships had been building over 2 years, that they would have a better end (in print.) However, there are many fan fictions dealing with that sort of thing, should you be so inclined. And that leaves me to wonder, in the New Jedi Order, where are Zekk and Tenel Ka? It's like they never existed. Oh well. May the Force be with you guys!

This series rocks!
If you haven't read these series than read them. They are soooooooooo cool. I am a major YJK fan I so badly wish there were more. I got my whole familt adicted to YJK. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE WRITE MORE. They are the best series. I almost cried when I was on the last book. READ THEM AND YOU WON'T REGRET IT! ... Read more

Reviews (22)

READ THE ONES BEFORE BETTER UNDERSTANDING
Over all, this was decent book, my favorite in the series or at all though. Most of the ones in this series are good and this one follows suit. My personal favorites are Lightsabers and Jedi Under Siege, which comes after this one. Each book focuses on certain characters, Lightsabers on Tenal Ka and The Lost Ones on Jacen and Jaina. This one is about Lowbacca. Lowie's sister Sirrakuk is to go through the Wookie rite of passage and Lowie is afraid she will go alone and get killed so he decides to go to Kashyyyk. When Lowie went through his rite of passage he went alone into the dangerous lower level of the forest. One of Sirrakuk did the same and died. Lowie is afraid she will try the same. He asks his friends to come with. They do, but once almost as soon as they arrive the Shadow Academy attacks in order to take the technology that the Wookies have built. The attack is led by one of Jaina and Jacen's former friend Zekk, who is now a dark Jedi. Lowie and Sirrakuk and the friends are forced into the lower levels to survive the attack. Zekk follows them but is having trouble letting them be killed. If you chose to read this book then I suggest that you read the other books in the series first.

This book was only just above average.
Now, only a few months after the explosive book Lightsabers took place the second imperium is planning an attack on the Wookiee world of Kashyyyk. Lobacca and his friends will be arriving on the planet to help Lowie's sister through her rite of passage.

This book was written by two of the best and brightest Star Wars writers yet. Although a good story line was involved, I have seen better from Anderson and Moesta. If you haven't read the YOUNG JEDI KNIGHTS series before, then I suggest that you read them before reading this book. The first time I read it I was totally lost because I had never read any of the other series.

The best in the entire Shadow Academy series
If I could give it a million stars I would. When Lowbacca (or Lowie) learns that his sister, Sirra, is about to do the dangerous Wookie rite of passage he decides to go to Kashyyyk to be with her. His friends Jaina, Jacen and Tenel Ka agree to go with him. Little known to Lowie and his friends, the evil SHADOW ACADEMY also plans to go to Kashyyyk. But their plans are somewhat different. They plan to raid the Wookie's tech factory. This raid is under the leadership of Zekk (Jacen & Jaina's old friend who turned to the dark side), and the Nightsister Tamith Kai, plenty of stormtroopers, and another Nightsister. Well of course both parties collide and it is very exiting with a great ending. I highly recommend it to all Star wars fans and especially Lowbacca fans.

Not the best but OK
I think that this was rather boring, but it realy leads up to Jedi under siege, which is among my three favroites. I love this series, and think that this is a great book despite that. If you have already read jedi under siege (as I had when I read this book) you will find boring, but if you just finished Lightsabers it is very suspenceful as you wait to see what will happen to the Shadow Acadmey and Luke's Praxeum, or jedi acadmey as it was called in the Jedi Acadmey trilogey.

"Darkest Knight" of the Young Jedi Knights Series
Written by the terrific husband and wife team, Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta, the Star Wars Young Jedi Knights series are not to be missed! These series of books center on the young twins of Han Solo and Lei Organa, Jacen and Jacen, and their friends, Lowbacca and Tenel Ka, as they journey on the road to becoming Jedi Knights.

"Darkest Knight", the fifth book of the YJK series, is the second to the last book of one story arc. The story begins where Lowie decides to return to his homeplanet of Kashyyyk, where his younger sister, Sirrakuk, is about to go through with a Wookiee rite of passage. That is each Wookiee must prove himself (or herself) in some way. And Sirra has decided to travel to the lowest levels of the planet to get some gossamer fibers from the terrifying and dangerous syren plant. Lowie desperately wants to help her so when Chewbacca goes with him, his friends naturally decide to accompany him. Meanwhile, Zekk who has now been named the Darkest Knight, must prove himself by accomplishing his own mission: to lead a raid on the computer center on Kashyyyk. Jedi Brakiss has total trust in him, though the Nighsister Tamith Ka still doesn't believe Zekk has truly gone over to the Dark Side of the Force. So Zekk must complete another mission... that is, to eliminate the young Jedis Jacen, Jaina, Tenel Ka, and Lowie, whom they know is on the planet.

I must say that I just love the Young Jedi Knights, which is best read in order! I really like all Star Wars books but this series one of my favorites for the reasons that, 1) the characters are very interesting and close to my age, 2) superbly and well written, and 3) all books are exciting and full of adventure. This book especially has much excitement and suspense. The ending is also sort of a cliff hanger so I suggest you have the next book, "Jedi Under Siege", on hand. The four main characters of the books are well likable because each of them have their own personalities, characteristics, and quirks. Jacen with his love for all living plants, animals, insects, etc. Jaina with her mechanical ability and strong willed nature. Tenel Ka, the warrior and true friend. And of course Lowie, very courageous and strong.

So I highly recommend you read all of the fourteen books in order. The series are divided mostly into three parts. The first six books are about the rising force of the Empire and its Dark Jedi Knights. The next five books are about how the Jedis must stop the Diversity Alliance. And the last three books are how the Jedis deal with Czethros and Black Sun. Another Star Wars series I very much recommend are the "Jedi Apprentice" series. Don't miss them! ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A very good book, worth 4 1/2 stars
Though I had read the intire Young Jedi Knights series (except the final trilogy) several times, I was surprised to note as I started reading it once again that this was the only one so far that I remembered virtually nothing about. In it, Jacen and Jaina's old friend Lusa comes to the Jedi Academy desperatly seeking refuge from the Diversity Aliance, an all alien political movement bent on destroying all humans, that she was once a part of. Meanwhile, everyone continues to search for Bornan Thul who is desperately trying to evade capture from the Diversity Aliance and keep from them the information he is protecting, because if they get ahold of it, it could mean the end of humankind... Meanwhile, Raynar gets a crush on Lusa and it moves him to do something for his family while his father (Bornan Thul) is missing. He decides to go to Mechis 3 and take care of his uncles droid operation since he too seems to be missing. As you can probably guess, everyone goes with him and discovers a startling truth. In general, this was a worthy book to continue this fascinating saga that tells of the next generation of Star Wars heroes, though not the best in the series. For one thing I wish they would include Anakin more. He is my favorite of the Solo children (with Jaina as a close second) and it's not as it there is even a big age difference, he is only a year and 1/2 younger than Jacen and Jaina. Another thing that bothers me is that who exactly gave all the kids permision fly around the galaxy by themselves? Just because Tenel Ka has her own ship somehow gives EVERYONE the freedom to go where they please. This does not sound like something that protective parents like Han and Leia would allow. I myself am fifteen, the same age as the kids in this series, and I am not allowed to do these things. Oh well, it is just a book. Oh, and one more thing, I would not advise reading this book before the others in the series, because it will make absolutely no sense on it's own.

Great series!!
I've been reading the Young Jedi Knights series from Book One and have always been looking for the next one to come out! I absolutely love how the characters have really come into their own and seem nearly real - almost like you know them! This book was not the best on I've read in the series, but it was good and I can't wait to grab the next one!

it was a little confusing but great anyway
great book!my favorite part is when Em Teedee gets his own repulsor unit.And Zekk completes his first official bounty hunter mission.BUY IT NOW!!!

Good but Jedi Bounty was a lot better.
The book was good but i think it definitly could have been better. For all you Star Wars fans I do recommand this book but only because this book is basically a kind of an understanding book. I mean it helps you understand what is going on but it needs a lot more action. But they definitly get better!So don't think that all of the books are like this.

MORE! MORE! MORE, STARWARS PLEASE!
Things are getting kinda complicated. But this book is so exciting, who cares?!?! It starts off with Jaina writing a holo note to Zeek. Then an old childhood friend comes to visit Jaina and Jacen. It was reallt smart of the authors to use characters from long ago. This person tells of the Diversity Alliance to Jacen and Jaina and they race off to Mechis 3. There they encounter Raynars uncle, Tyko, who was believed to have been kidnapped by the assasinn droid I-G88. If I say much more, I'll be writing the book for you. This is a must for any STARWARS reader. RUN OUT AND BUY IT TO-DAY! ... Read more

Book Description

Berkley's new imprint for young adults is off and running with the first novel in a new trilogy starring the young Jedi Knights!

As the New York TImes bestselling series continues, a devastating secret could mean disaster for the entire Solo family...

STAR WARS is hotter then Ever!
Over 3 Million Young Jedi Knight Novels in Print! ... Read more

Reviews (22)

MESMERIZING! ANJA RULES!!!
This book was totally wonderful! Anja Gallandro is a cool character, and it's about damn time that Black Sun is back and badder than ever. The knaar battle was the bomb! And we finally got to see Anakin in action. It's kinda funny how jacen and Zekk fall in love with Anja and forget about jaina and Tenel Ka entirely. This book rules, and I can't wait for the next book!

An adequate beginning of the end
This is the first book in a new YJK trilogy, Under Black Sun, which will conclude (and had already done so) the Young Jedi Knights books. Ah yes, all good things must come to an end. But if this is any indication, it's goin' out with bang. It starts with Han and his kids going to Ord Mantell (where Han and Leia where almost captured by a pair of bounty hunters over twenty year before.) Han is there to judge a Blockade Runner race, and on the pace lap, the Falcon is nearly blown to space dust by a minefield planted by Black Sun. Anakin takes a piece of the mines to analyze it. Enter Anja Gallandro, however, and things get hot. She takes the piece of the mine, and faces down Han, who supposedly killed her father during his adventures twenty-five years before. Zekk, Tenel Ka, and Lowie enter the Lightning Rod in the race, and the YJK are reunited. Anja challenges Han to go to her war-torn planet, Anobis, where the farmers and miners are constantly at war, blaming each other for the conflict. The kids get split between the mining camps and the farming village, but are reunited and are able to sow the seeds of peace between the warring groups. Anja returns with the YJK to Yavin 4 to see if she had any Force potential, and the book concludes. The authors leave some interesting loose ends to tie up, which are drawn into neat little bow-ties at the end, except for a couple ;-) See my Crisis on Crystal Reef if you *really* don't get it.

An excellent start to the final trilogy of the series
Part of what fascinated me about this book right from the beginning was that all the kids, while still in character, seemed way older, and supposedly only a few months had passed between The Emperor's Plague and this book. It was an extremly well written book, with a well defined, understandable plot. In it, Jacen and Jaina and Anakin all go on a short vacation with their Dad (Han of course) to go and check out a really cool race on Ord Mantell. Once they get there they meet Anja Gallandro, a girl who hates Han because she believes he murdered her father. She plays on his guilt, and somehow convinces him to go try to right a bloody civil war on her home planet. Through an interesting chain of events they meet back up with there other friends (big surpise), as well as Anja who by the way is not only working for some evil smuggler guy, but also is addicted to some kind of drug. I also find it very interesting that all through this whole series Jacen is hung up on Tenel Ka, and now the instant some other pretty girl comes into the picture, he instantly forgets she ever even existed, and I sense the same thing beginning to happen to Zekk and Jaina too. This only serves even more to convince me that these budding relationships were silly to begin with, though I must admit I always enjoyed Jacen and Tenel Ka. As for Anja herself, well, she was cool and all but I found myself not really liking her much, and I just couldn't really care about her like I could the other characters. She just seemed more like a glorified and somewhat twisted version of an early Mara Jade to me. Another thing that bothered me was that even though Anakin was with them throughout the whole book, he was practicly ignored and it seemed as if they somehow forgot about him at some points. This was somewhat irritating because Anakin has always been my favorite of the Solo children. Besides those minor details though, this was an exellent book. I also think it is cool that a Star Wars book can deal with serious issues such as drug adiction. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves Star Wars, though it will probably make more sense if you have read the previous 11 first.

Could Be Better
The rest of the series is really awesome but since the lately its been more about Jaina/Zekk and Jason/Tenel Ka's infatuations with each other. It'd be better if they just had more of the action than the mushy falling in love stuff. It is science fiction after all.

Pretty good, but not Anderson's best...
YJK RULE!!!!!!! RtOM was pretty good, but not the best of the series. The Jaina/Zekk and Jacen/Tenal Ka things were ignored which didn't help the book any. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A Very Good Book
Do you like Star Wars? Well if you do you should read the book the Diversty Aliance part of the Jouner Jedi Kinghts series. Its about after the movies. Its hard to compare to any series because most of the other books are about the movies. The book the Diversty Aliance is about a group of aliens called the Diversty Aliance that are looking for a plague that can kill all human life but aliens are immune to it. There leader has sent allmost every bounty hunter to find it. I think it was a good book for ages 9-13 I read this book in 1day. I liked it because I`m a Star Wars fan and you get to read about some old charters like Han Solo And some new ones like Louwe.

A very good book that does credit to the series
I have always thought the first series of Young Jedi Knights (Heirs of the Force, Shadow Academy, The Lost Ones, Lightsabers, Darkest Knight, and Jedi Under Siege) to be superior to this series (Shards of Alderaan, Diversity Alliance, Delusions of Granduer, Jedi Bounty, and The Emperor's Plague) simply because the foe was a little more interesting to me, and the characters seemed a bit better fleshed out. Now that I am older however, and reading these again for the first time in several years, I have more of an open mind and I realized that this second series is in fact very good, and, while it doesn't have as much action as the first series, the character development is superb. In this book Raynar's mother calls him to come home and be with her while his father is missing. He does and is accompanied by Jacen , Jaina, Tenel Ka, and Lowie who wish to keep him company and give him moral support while he gets settled but as you can propably guess, things do not go exacly as planned, and soon they are all off on an adventure to Kuar to try and discover where Raynar's father might have gone, with the absence of Raynar, who stays with his mother. Through epic battles with giant combat arachnids and assasin droids, they begin to discover that Raynar's father could be hiding for more reasons than his reputation, and that in fact there is a high probability that he is in fact hiding a secret that could destroy the galaxy... So anyway, this was a great book, though it would make more sense if you have already read all the previous books in the series, including the ones from the first series. One of the few things I don't really like that much about this series, is that everyone has to have someone else to "like". This gets incresingly annoying as the series goes on and the kids get older. And lets face it, Raaba's only purpose of existance is so Lowie will not be left out of all this. Zekk started out that way too, but luckily he now has his own place in the Star Wars world other than The Boy Jaina Likes, so I guess there is still hope. One of the good things is that it only goes as far as mild crushes and never all that boyfriend/girlfriend, breaking up and all that, so that is good thing, especially for someone like me who is not very big on romance at all, especially imature teen romance which seems to be so popular.

Worth your money
If you've read all of the other books in the series, you'll enjoy reading this one. If you haven't, you may want to read "Shards of Alderaan" first. However, this book is wonderful for leading up to the rest of the Diverstiy Alliance based books. It's a lot of background setting for the rest of the series. You won't regret buying it.

Pretty good!
This was very different from the other Young Jedi Knight books. Of course, that does't mean it was bad, in fact it was interesting. It was suspenseful, because you never knew what would happen next! I rate this book by an 8 because sometimes you don't understand whats happening very well. Overall, I loved it! Written by the Greatest STAR WARS fan ever to live!

good
I didn't like this book that much, but it was good. ... Read more