The first thing I thought when I finished Betrayal (which I suppose sets things up for what will transpire generations later with the Legacy comics) is, "Jacen is an a$$." At least Anakin Skywalker was driven by desperation over what he believed was the impending death of his wife in childbirth. Jacen has visions of a possible outcome (think of it as a cross between Anakin's crystal vision dreams and Mace Windu's shatterpoints), is convinced you can be a Sith without being evil, absorbs some b.s. that he was destined to become Sith all along, and he coolly lets people die and kills his fellow Jedi.

*Kicks Jacen and beats a purse over his head.*

Of course that's not all! The book ends up pitting our favorite characters against each other and as well as parents versus children and naturally, the possible rebirth of the "beloved" Sith. It's a mess of conflicting loyalties threatening to put a great big skewer in everything the GFFA crew has worked for since 1977.

First, my quibbles. Han, who loathes the stupid jerk cousin who runs Corellia and hasn't been to Corellia in years, quickly develops a patriotic fervor for the place once the Galactic Alliance gets into a tussle with it. Han even admits the Corellian government isn't an innocent party but by gum, he's not going to let the GA push his homeplanet around. I can understand Han feeling somewhat conflicted about the situation but running off like Robert F. Lee to defend Ol' Virginny at the beginning of the Civil War, even if it pits him against his children (which he blames Luke for in one scene)? Hmm, I don't know. Leia also acquiesces to his side pretty easily as well, which I don't see happening. At least in Wedge's situation, it was understandable...the GA actually tried to hold him prisoner so that he wouldn't join Corellia's side which of course didn't make Wedge too happy. Another quibble has to do with well, the whole concept. Given what happens in Legacy the comic ISN'T an AU or an Infinities, we know full well what's at the end of the road...the GA falls and another Empire rises up in its place. The Sith are going to reappear. Hopefully, some of Jacen's visions won't come true (if they do, it'll anger fans even more than whacking Chewie in the NJO) but there is no happy ending coming. And it makes you wonder what the heck was it all for in the first place.

That said, it is a fast-paced, suspenseful story. Allston keeps things centered on favorite characters (and brings back to the EU faves like Wedge and Tycho) and his few new characters add to the story rather than hog the stage. He also introduces the grown-up daughter of Wedge and Iella, herself a great pilot. The most interesting addition is our old Marvel-era pal, Shira Brie, otherwise known as Lumiya, Dark Lady of the Sith. She'd be pretty old by this point but her cybernetics work better than Botox. She still has that nasty whip and naturally, takes an interest in luring Jacen to joining her side. She uses illusions to make people do crazy and terrible things. She was a good protagonist in the Marvel comics and she promises to be an interesting nemesis in the coming EU. Allston always was good with humor and there's a lot of quick banter that brings back the old sense of camaraderie. But there's also a sense of foreboding and mystery, especially where Jacen is concerned. One of my issues with how the EU has developed is that the next gen of characters are becoming unlikeable, and while Jacen is certainly not terribly likeable or sympathetic IMO, at least Jaina is getting a little better, and I sorta like Ben. He seems to be filling the Anakin Solo shoes. I also give a couple of points for Allston using some of what we know from the PT to inform the story.

All in all, a good start to the series.