My original intention was to read the New Jedi Order, writing reviews as I worked my way through it. Of course, I wrote a review of Vector Prime and then abandoned this practice. And now I'm picking it up again with Star by Star. Oh well, maybe I'll review those two books, and The Unifying Force down the road, and then fill in the gaps when I feel like it. Next, this review is divided into a non-spoiler section (the review part) and a spoiler section (the fangirl gushing part).

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Star by Star starts off about two years into the Yuuzhan Vong war, and, as usual, things aren't going so well for the New Republic. The Yuuzhan Vong have engineered a deadly enemy for the Jedi -- the voxyn. Capable of hunting force sensitives, the voxyn is savage and lethal. Meanwhile, executor Nom Anor visits Leia Organa Solo with an ultimatum: she must reveal the location of the Jedi base, or millions of refugees will be killed. In an attempt to buy time for the refugees and destroy the voxyn, Anakin Solo decides to lead a mission deep into enemy territory, along with Jacen and Jaina Solo and several other Jedi. And as the Jedi strike team struggles to accomplish its vital yet ill-fated mission, more planets fall as the Yuuzhan Vong forces move towards their ultimate goal -- Coruscant.

I would like to start by noting the length of this book. Star by Star is five hundred and twenty-three pages long, or six hundred and five pages if you count Recovery, the e-book that was reprinted in my paperback edition. I salute this novel. If J. K. Rowling can sell me over seven hundred pages of intense wizarding action, Star Wars should too. And unlike a certain seven hundred and sixty-six page installment of Harry Potter, Star by Star was fast-paced and packed with action. Now that is getting my $10.99 (Canadian funds) worth!

The constant action of this novel is one of its main strengths. Denning juggles multiple plotlines and points of view, where at any given moment there is some form of battle, conflict, or disaster taking place. There is a constant sense of danger as Anakin and his fellow Jedi set out to destroy the voxyn and as the New Republic attempts to fend off the incoming invaders. The action wasn't described in excruciating detail, which kept the story moving at a fast-pace. Denning also managed to depict the action from the point of view of a large number of characters, each point of view fitting the scene and bringing to it an interesting perspective. Characters like Lando, Danni Quee, and Borsk Fey'lya not only got significant amounts of screen time, but part of the story was told from their perspective. This made the action interesting by constantly implicating a large number of characters that readers care about.

Denning's characterizations were excellent. Every previously existing expanded universe personality is in-character while being thrown into unfamiliar situations. Luke and Mara must adapt to their new role as parents as well as Jedi. Jacen Solo must contend with circumstance clashing with his ideals. This was particularly well done. I agree to a certain extent with many opinions I've read stating that Jacen's moral dilemmas became rather annoying as the series progressed. However, this story put Jacen into a situation where he was forced to act and follow Anakin's orders regardless of his misgivings; his ideals were compromised by the necessity of duty and the reality of war. Anakin remains the star of this book series, having matured since the beginning in the war. Though Anakin no longer holds the same views regarding use of the force, he is still possesses a fierce determination to do right for the Jedi and the New Republic, bravely volunteering to lead the dangerous mission to destroy the voxyn. Jaina also reacts to a certain event in a manner which sets up what promises to be an interesting character arc in future books. Less major characters like Tenel Ka, Zekk, and Tahiri Veila were also interesting and compelling. Han and Leia's relationship was wonderfully well-written (more about that in the spoiler section).

Although it is nice to see original expanded universe characters play important roles in this conflict, it is disappointing that Luke's character was underused in this book, and the entire New Jedi Order up until this point, for that matter. Luke has been a prominent character in most of the series, yet it seems as if he has done little of significance so far. None of his exploits have taken center stage in the series, as if Luke is merely just another part of the war effort. Luke's contributions have been important, but frankly, I expect better from the son of Anakin Skywalker and the most powerful Jedi in the order. Luke wielding two lightsabers in Dark Tide: Onslaught was a good start, but I think the time has come for Luke to lay down the law and show the Yuuzhan Vong who's boss in this galaxy.

My only other gripe is the following: Ben's attempted kidnapping would have been interesting, if the same thing hadn't happened to the Solo children countless times since their birth. But I suppose this is to be expected: now that Ben is the son of a major movie character, he will inevitably be the victim of many a kidnapping attempt! Get used to it kid; the Solos probably did eventually.

To conclude on a positive note, this novel conveys a message of hope in the face of calamity, tragedy, and despair. Star by Star begins as a dark and grim tale; yet the last hundred pages are absolutely inspiring. Every protagonist is dealt a painful blow in some way during this story: delusions are shattered, heroic stands end in failure or defeat, and again, characters learn that war has a terrible cost. The future is bleak for the New Republic, but like during the Galactic Civil War so many years ago, there is always hope. Regardless of how defeated the New Republic is, how terrible today is, and how grim tomorrow looks, there will always be people fighting.

Our heroes are the underdogs again, and I love it.


The Great Line of Spoiler Warnings!

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Now let us take a moment to shed a few fangirl tears for Anakin Solo.

I was very upset by the death of Anakin. He was probably my favourite character of the New Jedi Order. That being said, I can't think of a better way for him to go. The mission to Myrkr was doomed from the start, and Anakin's death, along with the deaths of many more of the strike team, was the price the Jedi paid for destroying the Voxyn cloning facility. It was suggested in previous novels that Anakin was destined for something greater. Anakin represents youth cut down in its prime. He died in complete harmony with the force, suggesting that Anakin achieved a deeper understanding and connection to the force, which could have made the difference in the war, had he lived longer. Despite being destined for greatness, Anakin was mortal. Anakin's death emphasizes the fact that everyone is vulnerable, and that every war has a cost.

To continue on the above point, the death of Anakin and the New Republic's defeat at Coruscant show the gravity of the situation facing the galaxy. No longer can the New Republic government and citizens simply look away or point fingers at others during this crisis. And for us, the readers, this novel has a great deal of shock value. Anakin Solo is dead. The Yuuzhan Vong have taken over the galactic capital. Two years ago, the characters of Star Wars lived in peace and comfort. Now, they face a threat that is greater than the Empire. They have been defeated, but are not yet vanquished. The Jedi are now the underdogs, yet they continue to fight. The New Jedi Order, despite being vastly different from and much darker than the original trilogy, has an original trilogy-like feel to it. That's why I put in a picture from A New Hope, by the way.

As mentioned previously, Denning does a brilliant job of writing Han and Leia's relationship. After Chewbacca's death, Han was overwhelmed by grief and isolated himself from his family. Han and Leia's marriage encountered problems as Han ventured throughout the galaxy in the Falcon, abandoning Leia and his children. Han and Leia reconciled after the battle at Duro, but unfortunately, tragedy struck again. Yet after Anakin's death comes one of the most touching and beautiful moments in the entire expanded universe, and for me, one of the most memorable of this entire book. Upon learning of Anakin's death, Han is angry, then devastated, but he realizes that he can't fall apart like he did after Chewbacca's death, and that he needs to be strong for Leia's sake. Han holds her and says, "I'm here, Princess. I'll always be here." Denning builds upon Han's character arc beautifully, as we see Han grow from his second brush with extreme grief.

Now, as a long-standing yet infuriating expanded universe character, I suppose Borsk Fey'lya deserves a mention. That's why he got the obscure reference in the title; it's a tribute of sorts to him. Apparently, Borsk is said to be quite the hero later. As with Anakin, Fey'lya's death was very fitting. He made a stand against the Yuuzhan Vong, and I actually started to root for the Bothan when he stood up to Nom Anor. Fey'lya finally stopped playing politics and started fighting a war, but it came far too late. And as the Yuuzhan Vong descended upon Coruscant, it appeared that Fey'lya had no other choice. But Fey'lya took the easy way out. He had his epiphany, but instead of living by it, taking responsibility, and leading the New Republic against its conquerors, he committed suicide in an attempt to take Tsavong Lah with him. It infuriates me, but I would expect nothing less from dear old Borsk. Here's to you, Borsk Fey'lya! But you're no martyr, buddy.

I've said that Vector Prime was my favourite Star Wars book, but we may have a new winner here.