Let's see...Where to begin on my take of Betrayal. I guess I should start at the beginning in a galaxy far, far away...


***********************SPOILERS AHEAD***********************




I, like my buddies before me, am an avid reader of EU and have dived into the databank of the vast Star Wars literature. I have managed to read the majority of the EU novels and have mixed feelings about the EU literature as it relates to the context, structure and path originally adopted by Lucasbooks. One of those adopted derailments was the fall from the Star Wars space opera theme. I am happy to say that Lucasbooks has returned back to the Star Wars space opera theme, in full FORCE, with Betrayal.

The book starts off at a fast pace...Don't sip your coffee you might miss a word or two. As Master Yoda would say, "A real page turner, this book is." At the heart of the story are Luke and company. The Order is now unified as a cohesive group under the guidance of Jedi Grand Master Skywalker. It starts off with Luke having a dream vision of a shadowy figure...A faceless shadowy figure. Allston carries this theme throughout the book with mastery. It is not until the end that the reader grapples with facts of what lies ahead for Luke and company.

The two characters that steal the show in this book, without a doubt, are Jacen and Ben. Allston does a beautiful job developing these two characters. He masters the complexity of Jacen's character, yet captures the goofy, force talent side of Ben. Generally speaking, Ben resembles his father as a Jedi, but has his mother's quick wit and tongue. The duo is just a hoot to read about. Not only does Allston deliver lots of action, suspense and lightsaber thrills, but he also delivers comic relief. If I were to give an example I would say that reading about the duo is like reading about ying and yang. The two characters balance each other out, with a twisted comic relief at the end of it all.

Hear ye, hear ye, all Wedge lover's need to pay attention. Wedge and company are back in full force and serve as a sub-plot to the overall main theme. Allston uses very little effort in describing the space battles. And the Antilles are at the center of it all. This is where Allston really begins to shine in this book. Or should I say it's awfully pretty and shiny in-your-face-space-battle that adds to the galactic upheaval that is rising. Some of the battle scenes are the best battle scenes I have read to date in the EU world. They are done so well that, as a reader, you are swept away to the point where you think you feel the warmth of the jets burning on your face. Only three words can describe the whole experience: Burn, baby, burn!!

Han and Leia lover's need not fear. Our beloved couple is back with a vengeance. And I literally mean that. There is plenty of action from the two, with a sub-plot that intertwines our beloved couple into a complicated situation. So, how does an Author in the EU world take two beloved characters and twist their fate? Very carefully, that's how. This is sacred ground Allston has to dance on and he does it with baby steps. What comes across to the reader is smooth and flowing. It is so smooth that you don't pay attention to what is happening to our fearsome couple. If Allston had missed the mark on this one...Well, let's just say "Betrayal" would have gone south to Mustafar for some lava juice, ending with a bad case of acid reflex. Instead, Allston easily stands and delivers a complicated fate for our beloved couple.

Where did it go wrong? Not much of it did go wrong. The only thing that had a slight negative impact on the story would have to be the complexity of it all. Trying to mix a multiple-complex storyline is difficult even for the best of the best. The trouble I had while reading this book was jumping from plot to plot. There were times in the book where I had to go back and re-read a section, simply because I got lost in translation or missed some facts. That being said, Allston does handle the multiple plots with grace and, from a certain point of view, the multiple storylines provide for a fast pace read. Each Chapter is marked by location of where the event is taking place, which is helpful. The book ends with an in-your-face-bite-your-nails spectacular finale that left me with only one thing to say..."I want more."

Rating: This Drama Queen gives "Betrayal" 4 yodacon's out of 5.

Side Note: "Betrayal" is a Luke, Han, Wedge, Jacen and newbie Ben fan paradise. At this time, Jaina and partner (Zekk) have minor references in the story. However, I have a feeling that these two characters will have bigger appearances as the plot thickens in "Legacy".

This book is doable with only the basic knowledge of the New Jedi Order.