The Jedi Academy Trilogy


Kevin J. Anderson

Summary

Luke Skywalker has decided to fulfill his dream of a Jedi Academy to raise up a new generation of Jedi Knights. He establishes his academy in the temples Yavin IV, the site of the old Rebel base, and recruits his first students. However, an unforseen enemy threatens to topple his plans and take Luke's very life while seducing his most brilliant student to the dark side of the Force. Meanwhile, the New Republic faces a new threat in the form of an Imperial admiral and her long-hidden fleet. Along with a brilliant young scientist who is able to design massive weapons of destruction and a new secret weapon that is practically invincible, the Empire is prepared to destroy the New Republic once and for all.

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Pros

The best thing I liked about this trilogy was the introduction of new characters and new worlds. Sure, Threepio talked about the spice mines of Kessel in Star Wars, but this is the first book where we have been able to see them firsthand. The same goes for the Imperial Academy on Carida. Anderson also ties in minor characters like Momaw Nadon nicely to the plot. I also enjoyed the fact that there were more major female characters added: Admiral Daala and Qwi Xux, and the introduction of Exar Kun.

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Cons

The thing I have to say about these books is that they are not very well written. Though Anderson explores the Star Wars Universe, he doesn't do it in detail. Quantity, not quality, seems to be his main focus. In trying to incorporate every aspect of Star Wars into the novels, he leaves out some of the things that has made Star Wars Star Wars to the fans. His characterizations especially were lacking. If Daala was such a threat, why was she always portrayed as such a weak character? To advance to the rank of admiral in the Imperial Navy, especially for a woman, seems to me to require abilities that Daala doesn't seem to have. Qwi Xux's innocence also puzzled me and at times really annoyed me. The characterizations of Threepio and Artoo as foolish and incompetent were totally untrue to the movies. In trying to provide comic relief, Anderson underplays their personalities. Finally, Anderson seems to set the precedent for later books that the Jedi were all powerful. Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin seem to possess powerful Force abilities that they can use though they are not trained. If Luke couldn't use the Force until Obi-Wan started his instruction, how can the three Solo children be so powerful when they are so young? Luke, on the other hand, seems to be portrayed as feeble and helpless. In Anderson's characterization he seems to have lost the youth and exuberance of the movies and is portrayed as serious, almost never laughing or joking and always worried. I could go on about the flaws in the characterizations of Kyp Durron, Exar Kun, Cilghal, and others, but suffice to say that I did not find the Jedi Academy trilogy an asset to the Star Wars Universe.

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Rating: 2 out of 5

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