Destiny's Way by: Walter Jon Williams

Summary:   In the war against the ruthless Yuuzhan Vong, the fall of Coruscant leaves the New Republic divided by internal strife and on the verge of bowing to conquest. But those who steadfastly refuse to consider surrender--Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Leia Organa Solo, and their children and comrades-in-arms-are determined to seize victory against overwhelming odds. And now, finally, there are signs that the tide may be turning in the New Republic's favor.   After capturing crucial Yuuzhan Vong intelligence, Jedi fighter-pilot Jaina Solo prepares to a daring surprise strike against an enemy flagship. Meanwhile, Jaina's brother Jacen--liberated from the hands of the enemy and newly schooled in an even greater mastery of the Force by the Jedi Knight Vergere--is eagerly poised to bring his unique skills to bear against the invaders. And on Mon Calamari, the New Republic's provisional capital, the retired ailing hero Admiral Ackbar has conceived a major tactical plan that could spell the beginning of a swift end for the Yuuzhan Vong.   Yet even as opposing squadrons face off in the depths of space, intrigue runs rampant: in the heated political race for Chief of State . . . in the shadows where Yuuzhan Vong spies plot assassinations . . . and in the inscrutable creature Vergere, a Jedi Knight whose allegiance is impossible to predict. And as Luke Skywalker sets about reestablishing the Jedi Council, the growing faction opposed to the ways of the Force unveils a terrifying weapon designed to annihilate the Yuuzhan Vong species. But in doing so, they may be dooming the New Republic to becoming the very thing it has sworn to fight against--and unleashing the power of the dark side. Review: Good:  I enjoyed Jacen Solo's new outlook and duty. His work was great, 'course I have always been a Jacen fan, so... But to see him sort of replacing Anakin as the symbol for the new generation of Jedi is SO COOL. 'Least that's how I view what he's doing. Jaina is now a Major and starting to build a reputation for Twin Suns squadron and I love her work early on in the victory at Obroa-Skai. Luke talks with Vergere and gets some new insight into the Force and the Jedi's role in this war and finally starts commiting Jedi to the Defense Force, not just seperate Jedi groups like at Coruscant. The final battle is a page turner, I couldn't put the book down at this point. You keep asking "What's going to happen next?" Plus we finally get a MAJOR upset for the Yuuzhan Vong. It's the turning point. Bad:  In Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dream the Advisory Council goes to Borleias and are asked what happened to Cal Omas and Triebakk, the Council, however, has no clue. These two return but no explanation for their survival is given. So you're left to wonder about it. I would like an explanation personally. Time shifts a lot, too. It seems we go through a week in ONE character's (or group of characters') view, then we jump back in time and go through it AGAIN with another character (or group of characters). That gets a bit confusing. Plus they jump several weeks or months at a time. I understand that one 3 month period was for the Ylesia e-book, or at least it is mentioned as having happened during that time, but for those that didn't read I think they should hae put a bit more info in. (Go read the Han Solo trilogy Rebel Dawn and notice the italicized sections that explain what Han did during the Han Solo adventures series.) The rest of my complaints are mostly just typos. Characters changing species, ranks getting messed up. SPOILERS: I think Tsavong Lah went out poorly. When Jacen decided to head down to Ebaq 9 I was expecting this great big battle between him and Lah. but it NEVER CAME! Lah never even SAW Jacen. He went after Jaina and was killed, rather easily I feel, by HER. Plus what is with the voxyn? They keep talking about how these creatures have short lifespans but they just WON'T DIE! Back to the New Jedi Order Era. Back to Star Wars Eras.