Abyss
This book pretty much picks up where Omen left off. Luke and Ben Skywalker have traveled deep inside the Maw, continuing their search for an explanation as to why Jacen Solo succumbed to the darkness and became Darth Caedus. The Jedi Order on Coruscant are still tittering on the brink of self-destruction as Jedi after Jedi fall prey to the “madness” that has already claimed so many. The only clue to this mystery lies in the fact that each Jedi victim was hidden as a child in the “Shelter” which was also located within the Maw during the Vong War. The Sith we were introduced to in the last book continue to placed all their hopes in Ship to lead them on to the greatness they feel they’re destined to obtain. Lady Rhea and her apprentice, Vestara, remain the focal points in this Sith storyline thus far. However, the Sith uncover a mysterious and deadly force which may somehow be tied to all the ensuing chaos found within this Fate of the Jedi series.
Luke and Ben Skywalker’s journey is probably the most intriguing in the entire book because of the implications which are made regarding the Force. Many times you, as the reader, wonder if the Jedi as a whole may have had it all wrong from the very beginning. This entire series has done an excellent job thus far of placing those very same doubts in the minds of the readers. Luke and Ben must remain cautious as they encounter a variety of different Force users, including some missing Jedi, who are collectively known as the “Mindwalkers”. Luke must leave his physical body and go beyond the Shadows with these Mindwalkers to find the answers that he seeks, not to mention the fact that Luke and Ben have found themselves inside of a smaller version of the now destroyed Centerpoint Station, which simply adds more mystery to this aspect of the story.
Chief Natasi Daala, the Head of the Galactic Alliance, remains determined to see that the Jedi Order be held responsible for any mistakes made in the past or the present by those individuals with the ability to use the Force. Daala’s next assault comes in the form of charging the former Jedi Knight, Tahiri Veila, with several crimes during the most recent Civil War, including the assassination of Grand Admiral Gilad Pellaeon. All of these events, of course, occurred while Tahiri was under the dark influence of Darth Caedus, AKA Jacen Solo. However, things begin to get really ugly when it’s suspected that Daala has hired an elite squad of Mandalorian soldiers to administer their own brand of justice to the Jedi Order.
Jedi Knights Saav’etu and Warv, also known as Yaqeel and Barv, are the most recent Jedi to fall victim to the madness that had begun to ruin the Jedi Order. Han and Leia Solo make it their goal to keep these Jedi out of Daala’s custody. Jaina Solo and Jagged Fel, now engaged, must endure conflicting loyalties between the Jedi Order and the Imperial Remnant. Jaina and Jag also discover a mole that lies within the Empire amongst the remaining Moffs. Moff Drikl Lecersen has been the man funding and fueling the fire under the annoying reporter Javis Tyrr.
Perhaps some of the most unusually interesting material I’ve ever read in Star Wars literature occurs when both Luke and Ben Skywalker see reflections of the past in the Lake of Apparitions. This lake ends in what’s called the Mirror of Remembrance, but first this duo must cross through the Mists of Forgetfulness in order to get there. Those two sentences alone may give you a slight inkling as to what a mysterious stage is painted here in this scenario by the author. Luke and Ben encounter Anakin Solo, Mara Jade Skywalker, and Jacen Solo, AKA Darth Caedus while wading in the waters of this lake. The above is a classic read that deserves mentioning.
Han and Leia Solo ultimately shake things up enough on Coruscant to such an extent that the author has left this part of the story wide open for the next book in the series. Han, Leia, and Alana escape Coruscant with the crazed Jedi in an effort to offer some aide of some sort to the Jedi Order.
The most exciting part of the book comes when Luke and Ben have returned from beyond the Shadow only to discover a group of Sith who are anxious to kill them. The ensuing fight scene paints an excellent picture of how incredibly powerful Luke and Ben Skywalker truly are. A group of Sith who have endured for who knows how long are almost all but wiped out by the Skywalkers. However, Vestara and Lady Rhea do put up quite a fight against a weakened Luke Skywalker. These Sith have all been led to this location by the odd presence known as Abeloth. Abeloth is seen as a woman by most of the Sith, but Vestara has been able to see this creature in her true form…one of almost an uncontrollable darkness seeking to devour any who may oppose her. This presence has also been seen and sensed beyond the Shadows by the Skywalkers. Ben’s theory is that this presence was somehow released when the original Centerpoint Station was destroyed and is not making moves that will perhaps destroy the Jedi Order.
The book ends with Jag and Jaina seeing yet another invasion of their privacy aired on the Holonews by the ever annoying reporter Javis Tyrr.
RATINGS
Storyline Importance: 9.6
This book was vastly improved from the previous book as the reader is introduced to this Abeloth character that may be the key to this entire series and then some. Not to mention the scenes depicting the Lake of Apparitions which seemed to change the entire landscape of those with whom have died in the Force.
Character Importance: 9.2
Abeloth is all that needs to be said, but I will mention that the introduction of the Mandalorians in this series is bound to shake things up a bit.
Excitement Factor: 9.0
The fight scene between the Skywalkers and the Sith is so far the best in this series. Han Solo’s escape from Coruscant in the Falcon was also a pretty good read as well. Much more exciting than the space zoo the readers were forced to endure in the last book.
Favorite Quotes:
“It’s not about the legacy you leave, it’s about the life you live”…”Remember that, live by that.” Page 252 (Mara Jade Skywalker speaking to Luke and Ben Skywalker).
“It’s a good thing your father isn’t a Jedi”…”Han Solo with Force powers would be a very frightening thing.” Page 64 (Jag Fel speaking to Jaina Solo).
Overall Score: 9.3
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