STAR WARS: NEW JEDI ORDER, DESTINY'S WAY

By: Chris Wyatt
Review Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2002

Walter Jon Williams author of classic early nineties SF novels like HARDWIRED and DAYS OF ATONEMENT has just hit book stores with the most recent entry in the STAR WARS: NEW JEDI ORDER series. The fourteenth NEW JEDI book, titled DESTINY'S WAY, sees the New Republic about bow to the conquering alien army of the Yuuzhan Vong. The Republic's capital, Coruscant, has fallen to the invaders and many former republicans advocate submission. Still holding on to the fight are the New Order Jedi under Luke Skywalker's guidance.

And, due to new developments, there is some hope on the horizon for the Republic. On the planet of Mon Calamari, Admiral Ackbar, the squid-faced general from the second Death Star battle (i.e. RETURN OF THE JEDI) is rallying the troops. Despite Ackbar's age and health he's devising a new combat strategy that could turn the battle's tide.

Also, Luke's efforts to reconstitute a provisional Jedi Council have begun to bear fruit, as have his attempts to encourage nine new members to join the order. However, Luke is opposed to a rival republican faction who is developing new weaponry. Initially it seems that this weapon is a cause for hope to the Republic, by mass destroying the enemy. But it soon becomes clear that, much like the Death Star, this new weapon is too dangerous. Also, there's indication that use of the weapon causes a turn to the dark side. This is compounded by the weapons manufactur's insistence that ways of the force should be done away with.

The accomplished Williams does a fine turn as wordsmith on the tale. Though DESTINY'S WAY suffers a little from the same criticism that could be leveled at most of the NEW JEDI novels, i.e. that there are so many storylines up in the air at the same time that it becomes a little like a juggling act to keep track of them all.

In the book, Jaina Solo, the Jedi fighter pilot, leads her unit on an assault on a key alien battle-cruiser. MEANWHILE the mysterious Jedi Knight Vergere continues to shroud her motives. MEANWHILE Yuuzhan Vong spies plot against the inner-Republic. MEANWHILE the republican election for Chief of State becomes heated. MEANWHILE Jacen Solo continues his training from Vergere.

But the explosion of plot developments is balanced by Williams solid plot construction making DESTINY'S WAY an eminently readable entry in the NEW JEDI saga.


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