Rating: 
Summary: Middle book of series takes literary action to new heights
Review: "Dark Apprentice", more than anything else, really sold me on the "Jedi Academy Trilogy" and Kevin J. Anderson as a writer. The second volume of this trilogy amplifies the action and the tension to such a high degree that I was cursing myself for not being able to read faster. "Dark Apprentice" delves deeply into Luke's education of his first group of Jedi adepts. It's fascinating to read how each of the respective Jedi students uncovers his or her latent force talents while also learning how to make the best out of force ability each one has been given. In addition, each one seems to have talents in specific areas of the force that are more powerful than the others. Kam Solusar seems to be a more gifted pure warrior, while Tionne uses her lesser force skills to spin beautiful music and be the caretaker of the Jedi tradition, and Cilgal proves to be a gifted healer. Adding to the mystery, difficulty, and danger of trying to re-establishing the Jedi order is 4000-year old presence of a Dark Jedi name Exar Kun, who's spirit has been trapped inside one of the temples on Yavin IV since a horrific Jedi battle long ago (read more about this in the Dark Horse comic "Sith War"). Kun's spirit seeks to corrupt the vulnerable Jedi trainees and turn them to the dark side. The presence of a student with seemingly greater force ability than Luke Skywalker makes Kun's influence all the more deadly.
While that drama plays out on Yavin IV, the ruthless Admiral Daala took her remaining Star Destroyers out of the Maw research installation and set about waging her own personal war against the New Republic. After testing her forces against some less-populated, lower technology worlds, she sets out to attack Admiral Ackbar's homeworld of Mon Calamari. The battle is on a grand scale and the resolution of this battle is quite clever. On top of Daala's guerilla attacks on the New Republic, there is also a traitor among the Republic forces who may end up endangering Princess Leia's life and the life of her third child, Anakin. And, the Sun Crusher returns with catastrophically devastating consequences.
Much in the same way "Empire Strikes Back" is generally considered to be the best of the three original movies while serving as a bridge between to the beginning and ending of the trilogy, "Dark Apprentice" has very much the same feel. It's obvious that all the situations that are introduced here or continued from the first book will not be resolved in this edition. Yet, at no time does this feel like a time filler. It's as riveting as "Empire Strikes Back" and the cliff-hanger ending of this book leaves the reader salivating at the chance to read the conclusion to this magnificent trilogy. KJA scores again.
Rating:
Summary: 2+2=fun!
Review: I am not one. Usually buy tapes(or CD as in this case) but I have wanted to obtain the Rings so as to hear incredible stories over. After having "it" several times, my book is in tatters and so I searched for an audio recording. Many of those I have seen claim to be. But the fact is they are not! They give parts!!! The books in full leave out many sections or chapters. This set by Rob Inglis is!!! It is read with no characters. Characters are easily and thoroughly. This set is full of sound effects and music, so if you are looking, this is not. However, personally prefer the fact "not a production" and is. Rather quite what I wanted in the place, the characters and the story. Inglis does a job and I am. Again. Not to harp on, this is a "PACKAGE" well the money!!!
Rating:
Summary: BEST BOOK IN TRILOGY
Review: The Second book starts with one of the new Jedi taking the sun crusher out on a joy ride waging his own personal war against the imperials. Admiral Dalla has been released from her MAW prison and launches her own war against the New Republic. The action builds from here this is the best book in the series in my opinion.
Rating:
Summary: Nice book in trilogy
Review: I have just finished reading this book and can not wait to read the last one in the trilogy, Champions of the Force. In fact, I have it right here beside me. This book fills you with suspense, excitement and awe at what the characters go through. (Han doesnt get in as much trouble as in the first book though=) All in All, if you read this book, I would advise you to have the other book ready to read, or else you might die of suspense of what happens..... P.S. it covers the history of the jedi knights and the Sith Lords, also, it covers alot with Kyp, Luke, Han, The twins, Mon Mothma, definetly Leia, Lando, Mara Jade and is one of the finest books i have come to read!!! Good Job Kevin J. Anderson this should be a good series! *)
Rating: 
Summary: This didn't help my opinion of Kevin J. Anderson
Review: I can't say that I was particularly pleased with the first book in this trilogy, Jedi Search. However, this fact did not stop me frombeing even less pleased with the second entry into the series. Once again, we are treated to a lengthy series of escapades involving incompetant Imperials, grandoise superweapons and, of course, the omnipotent Jedi. Why did I read this series?I'll start with the Imperials, more specifically Daala. Somehow, despite all the build up Anderson gave her, she manages to come off as little more than a cartoon villian, who dreams up wild plots, pats herself of the back for her supposed cleverness, and then fails miserably. If I wanted to see this type of character, I would turn on a children's cartoon! On a side note, the original idea behind Daala seems a little derivitive of Thrawn (character whose brilliance allows him/her to overcome a prejudiced environment). Sadly, unlike Thrawn, Daala is never able to live up to her reputation. What the heck is up with the suncrusher? I could live with the Death Star (it was a very original idea the first time). Heck, I can tollerate a second Death Star. However, taking basically the same concept and going one better with it (we destroy stars now, instead of planets) pushes my limit. Especially when said weapon is invencible (it survives supernovas) and has the manueverability of a TIE fighter. Death Star? Who needs it? We can wipe out entire star systems with this little number. And, for good measure, its utterly indestructable. (Of course, we can't have such a weapon in Imperial hands. So, naturally, the rebels somehow get a hold of it. Go figure.) Kyp. I rarely hate characters in Star Wars (why waste hatred on people who don't exist?), but Kyp annoyed me terribly. A brazen young hotshot whose limitless power in the force (conviently overlooked by the Empire) seems to me to be little more than a testiment to Anderson's ego, demonstarting that he can create a seemingly allmighty character. Oh well. I shouldn't complain TOO much, since I honestly enjoy writing rants more than pleasent reviews (where's the fun in just saying nice things about a book?). Still, I can think of better ways to spend one's time, such as reading The Thrawn Trillogy, or The Hand of Thrawn. It is a free country, so I therefore conclude by saying that you are, as always, entitled to form your own opinions.
Rating:
Summary: This is where it falls apart
Review: The second book of a trilogy can make or break the overall product. This book falls into the latter category. Dark Apprentice is a cliched mess that's not worth picking up. First, let's start off with characterization. The best characters in the book are two dimensional. The others...well, the others make cardboard cutouts seem lifelike. Kyp Durron, a kid with a hard life, is Luke Skywalker's most impressive apprentice. We all know what happens next. Kyp is tempted by the Dark Side, and ultimately rebels against his master. Admiral Daala, the biggest threat since Grand Admiral Thrawn (or, at least, Kevin J. Anderson would like us to believe so), is a bumbling idiot. She is as inept in subtlety as she is in conventional warfare. Another problem that plagues this book are the multiple, and unneccessary, plot threads. There's Luke and his Academy, Kyp and his temptation, Daala and her desires of vengeance, Leia and her children, Ackbar and his pouting. With such a jumbled mess, it's of no wonder that the fundamentals are sorely lacking. Perhaps the only thing of good worth mentioning is the Academy itself. Kevin J. Anderson actually does a fair job with explaining the history of the Jedi, the origins of the Sith, and various techniques the Jedi use to teach others in the ways of the Force. Unfortunately, even this is ultimately marred by another of his unending supply of cliches. This is a poor book of a poor series, and unfortunately the trilogy only gets worse from here.
Rating: 
Summary: Review of The Dark Apprentice
Review: This is the second book in Kevin J. Anderson's Star Wars: Jedi Academy Trilogy. It is exciting, scary, and adventurous all at the same time. If you're a Star Wars fan than grab this book and hold on, for it will send you spiraling headfirst into a galaxy far, far away.
In the previous book, Jedi Search, Luke Skywalker is granted permission to open up a Jedi Academy on the forest moon of Yavin IV by the New Republic High Council. Han Solo and Chewbaca are taken prisoner by Moruth Doole on the spice mining planet of Kessel. With the aide of a young man, Kyp Durron, they escape.
Unfortunately they discover a new enemy. They find that the Empire still lives in the form of Admiral Daala. She is the only woman to reach the rank of Admiral in the Imperial navy. Seeing as how the Imperial rulers were so prejudice against all but human males means Daala must have been incredibly skilled and a masterful tactician.
The story continues as Anderson delivers his second stunning edition of the Jedi Academy Trilogy. In this book Admiral Daala continues to use guerilla warfare and her Death Star prototype to strike at the New Republic. High Councilor Leia Organa Solo along with her husband Han Solo and their friends Chewbaca and Lando Calrissian try desperately to learn where this military genius and her massive fleet of three Imperial-class Star Destroyers will attack next.
But Daala is not the only danger. In fact, she may very well be the lesser of two galaxy threatening evils. For in the midst of Luke Skywalker's Jedi Academy an ancient master of the Dark Side has awakened. And this Dark Jedi has all ready started to lead Master Skywalker's most powerful student down the path of the Dark Side.
Kyp Durron, a young man about the age of eighteen, is the most powerful and able student at Luke Skywalker has. He could very well be even more powerful than Luke himself! But Kyp is definitely the one who, along with Luke, shows us that once you have started down the wrong path it is never to late to turn back, the theme of the story.
Another character that I greatly enjoyed was Kirana Ti. She was a Nightsister; a Witch of Dathomir trained in the Dark Side of the Force. Luke Skywalker rescued her from the seduction of the powerful and dangerous Dark Side and has begun to train her as a Jedi Knight. She is a master of the physical side of the Force.
I loved this book. I think Mr. Anderson did an excellent job writing about Luke, Han, Leia, and Chewie. I greatly enjoyed his own characters such as Admiral Daala, Kyp Durron, and the Dark Lord Exar Kun.
The only thing that truly bothered me about this book is the fact that you didn't read about the villains as much as I would have liked, but other than that I loved it. Anderson did a great job keeping the story like the movies. It was so good I could almost hear John William's soundtrack.
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Summary: Anderson's consistent
Review: If only he did New Jedi Order ...
Rating:
Summary: ANDERSON IS THE CHANNCELOR OF THE STAR WARS UNIVERSE!
Review: AWSOME! SO FAR THE BEST OF THE JEDI ACADEMY TRILOGY! This book is vividy descriptive, wonderfully written, and has a great plot! This book continues the first Jedi Academy Trilogy, Jedi Search. While the New Republic struggles to decide what to do with the deadly sun crusher stolen by Han, Kyp, and Chewbacca from the Maw Installation. Admiral Daala uses her fleet of Star Destroys to attack New Republic Planets. But something is up at Lukes Jedi Academy. Kyp Durron is being seduced by the dark side and unleashes the spirit of the ancient master of the sith, Exar Kun. Kyp is on a crazy siege to destroy the rest of the Empire. and Nearly destroys Luke... This book has action, and adventure. This is one of the best books I have ever read! I love it and i am sure you will to! BUY IT!
Rating:
Summary: Not the best book ever, but still highly enjoyable
Review: While this book is not literary work of art, it deserves a full five stars just for the pure enjoyment I got from reading it. Even though I knew what was going to happen (I have the guide to chronology) it still somehow managed to be suspensful and interesting. It read the whole thing in less than two days, and that's having to squeeze in reading time on acount of school and such. Anyway, for a brief summery; Luke has established his Jedi academy on Yavin 4 and is in the process of training new Jedi. Meanwhile, the secret is out, Mon Mothma is dieing of some strange wasting disease so now more and more of her responsibilites fall on Leia, which severly takes a toll on the time she gets to spend with her family. Also, the imfamous Admiral Daala decides to mount a massive campaign against the New Republic, who barely even realize she exists. Meanwhile, some of Luke's students start taking dangerous risks and dabbling in the Dark Side without his knowledge, most specificly young Kyp Durron... One problem I had with this book was that Admiral Daala was, well, dissapointing! She didn't at all live up to her reputation as a brilliant commander surviving in a sexist envirnment. Sure she was cool and everything, but where are her brilliant tactics? She loses half her fleet and only blows up one small group of settlers! And she basically does nothing except lead pointless failing campaigns. Also, I hated Kyp Durron right from the beginning, because he is just a ripped-off version of what would have happened to a young Luke if he had turned to the dark side. A good thing was that they finally included Mara Jade, who is my favorite character besides Luke, though I was somewhat dismayed that she only stayed for about two chapters and then left again. I can't help but think that Zahn's Mara would have tried a little harder before just giving up. Besides that, this is a great book that I recommend to any Star Wars fan, though it might be difficult to understand if you haven't read the Thrawn trilogy.
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