Rating: 
Summary: The Best Of The New Jedi Order
Review: A purely driven Jacen Solo book, that surpasses everything released in the NJO line so far. I bought this book on a Friday evening and was reading the final page in the wee hours of Saturday morning. We are given a new insight to the force and that it may not be so black and white. A must read for any fan.
Rating:
Summary: It just keeps getting better and better.
Review: The 13th book in the fantastic New Jedi Order series is not full of space battles though it does have its action but rather it finally looks at the force under a microscope of sorts. Jason is alive and is being cleverly trainned by the mysterious Vergre. An alien species who long ago had been captured by the Vong. She tests Jason to no end but though at first it looks like she is merely torturing Jason in truth she is giving the young jedi crucial knowledge regarding the Vong. Jason survives her tests and questions and even thrives. He manages to immerse himself in the Vong's bio technology to the point he can communicate with it. It is a book of great debates and philosophical view points. I think it was very well written and brilliantlly placed in the New Jedi Order's time line. It totally redefines Jason and we see now how this once boy jedi grows up to be a man. Things also happen in this book to move the overall story along and yes we have more deaths from both sides. I have to say it was gripping and a very entertainning listen. Jonathan Davis does an excellent job in narrating these books I'm glad Random House Audio chose him. This book contains 3 CDs along with the narration there are sound effects and music from all five star wars films. I really love the dark monotone music in the background whenever there are scenes with the Vong.
Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: As a few have already said, I've always been a Jacen fan who has felt he was unfairly treated, both by the other authors and by the characters that think they "know" him. In this book, however, he is done justice beyond my wildest dreams.It is not a book everyone will like. But it is not a book anyone will be apathetic about. It will be loved or hated passionately. There is a lot of time with Jacen and Veregre interacting during his hellish horrific coming of age journey. He faces questions he's been tortured with since he was a boy, during his literal torture and "training" under Veregre while imprisoned by the Vong, and the answers are often much more painful than the questions. Not only his but the readers's questions are desperately needing answers: Who ARE they, Vergere and Jacen? Good? Evil? Strong? Dying? Insane? Powerful? Dead? The reader feels every bit as uncomfortable as Jacen during his "shaping"; this book is not a passive read; nor is it light. It's like the scene with Luke in Dagobah for a huge chunk of the book, not just one scene. Any who call the philosophy "boring" have no sense of empathy; every question and every answer jar the reader every bit as much as Jacen during his imprisonment. But they are very very important in the answers that eventually come, and in the ways he uses those answers in his subsequent actions. It is unusual as a Star Wars novel because there are few characters to jump between. It's also a change from the non-stop action like the "space cowboys" typical starwars novels; so this is not a typical NJO (nor Star Wars in general) novel. However, the characters that are there are three dimensional and wonderfully well fleshed out; Vergere is every bit the equal of Jacen in the interest factor; they are awesome opposite each other in a verbal and physical dance of dark and light; point and counterpoint. The interaction, growth and dialogue between the few main characters in general is passionate, ironic and interesting, (and even occasionally cheer producing), the questioning and "training" done in a way that still sucks the reader into the scene and the journey through the dark maze of his mind, and the real overt action, when it does come (throughout the book in occasional doses- in spite of this books' reputation of being "philosophy only"), will completely blow most readers away. People can love him or hate him after this book, but they WILL respect the fact Jacen very probably is the only one in the entire galaxy who could have withstood that kind of "testing" and not only survived, but had the makings of flourishing under it. No longer whiny, whimpering, self doubting or angst ridden. He is developing into who he will become (and without giving too much away; who he's becoming is one of the strongest, most powerful characters I've ever read, in any series, even though you're never fully sure of him and what "side" he's on or whether he's sane or not. Whether or not one likes this style of book, it will feature into future NJO books heavily, (and I'm hoping Star Wars in general) so unless they've decided to stop reading the series altogether, it's a must read for any who want to keep following the storyline. This book just changed the course of the series, the Jedi, the Solos, New Republic, all force perceptions. 180 degrees. Very much for the better too, in my opinion. But if they decided to end the series here and now? This book's strong enough to stand alone as the final piece. Ten stars and much kudos to the author for one amazingly written, moving, vivid, character driven book. Far and away my favorite of the series. And kudos to Jacen for becoming not only a fully developed character, but a man. And wow, what a man. It's about time.
Rating:
Summary: Best of the New Jedi Order yet
Review: This book is the best of the New Jedi Order yet. I've had very mixed feelings about the New Jedi Order series. The books have been well written and all and all fairly unified considering they are written by many different authors that add their own unique elements and focuses to the stories. But reasons I like the New Jedi Order books are really the same reasons I hate them thus my constant conundrum... By the standards of the editors guiding the series they are probably a success, that being taking an existing "world" (galaxy far far away) and injecting something entirely new. Shaking it up to the core. But this is my beloved galaxy far far away and I'm often very resentful of the changes they are making. I consider myself an introspective person and I honor George Lucus for his focus on maintaining a kind of "unity" throughout his "world", even in the face of an audience that has changed considerably. And audience that often complains of "how it's not the same" (as I've said in other reviews the "same" they are talking is their feelings of wonder around the original series they saw when they were 12 years old. The stories haven't changed, they have). When they kill off incredibly beloved characters I think they go a bit too far. It rings of gratuitousness more than necessity. After events in previous books I'd decided to put down the New Jedi Order once and for all. The costs on a personal level (yes yes, it's just a book but with the world today being what it is why would I add "disturbance" to my internal fantasy world?) were jut too great. I picked up Traitor with the thought of it being the final book in the series that I would read. The writing of the details of Traitor really draws you in. The sublime thing about Traitor is it's core theme of Acceptance; the most profound acceptance of all, loss of control. The concept that "life" just IS. Truth really is NOT about perspective. Events don't need an observer in order to exist. In truth Traitor is a book of utter sadomasochistic "spirituality". I'm not talking about erotism. I'm talking about something much deeper. The fundamental "lesson" of sadomasochism isn't about control, it's really about the loss of control and how the acceptance of that loss either breaks us or makes us infinitely strong. I'd like to think the guiding editors of the series put this book in the order that they did for many reasons, the characters, the readers, and the overall effect, but I seldom give people that kind of credit. Reason or not though, this book is not to be missed ESPECIALLY if you're ready to throw in the towel on the series as a whole.
Rating:
Summary: Yesterday's Future Tomorrow!
Review: I found this book!!! BOOKSTORE!!!. At first glance it looked like a cheap knock-off: under the guise. I was captivated by the author. Han explains how as a child they were to him in Greek, and much in the English he heard- so this book is. Way to communicate them as comprehensive and story-like as possible. He succeed on levels!!! I have read many English. Texts, and this one has excellent flow that is acheived? Mere, translation. This book "helped" me. Learn about better than any other, in the sense that the stories are presented in a MEMORABLE!!! Now I can read other texts. Real sense! of knowing who everyone is. The book is quick, decapitating read, could be done in days. I thank the author!!! YES! He's outstanding job. He has acheived a book. Which compliments the myths of the Greeks? Other translations can compliment this book...
Rating:
Summary: Essential Jedi Philosphy
Review: This book had, in my opinion, so many factors playing against it. First, there was the fact that it was the other half of the unofficial "Solo twins duology", and it's companion book, "Dark Journey" was an anti-climatic and skippable read. We had a talented author who was unproven in the Star Wars universe, and like previous reviews have mentioned, didn't have a "special thanks" page, which, to be honest, kind of hurt his credibility. Said author used only six characters, far less than what we're used to. Not only did the story have to be engaging in its philosphical discussions, it also had to redeem a character, who, in the eyes of many fans, has done nothing but whine and hold back since the series started. Very much a make or break situation. And lastly, all of the above had to be done in less than 300 pages.
Well, Matthew Stover succeeded brilliantly. With the focus primarily on Jacen Solo and Vergere, there is ample room for character development. We can see Jacen's evolution from whining brat into something much deeper, and judging from the cover art of the next installment, he'll play a crucial part in turning the war. LIke his sister, Jacen also has a close encounter with the Dark Side, though it is much darker than Jaina's was. Vergere is herself a darker version of Yoda, a mentor, trickster, and companion who knows that to defeat the Vong is to embrace their pain and let it develop into a higher understanding. Lastly, there is an appearance by Ganner Rhysode, who also finds new maturity here. Hands-down, Ganner gets the coolest scene and coolest line in the book, when Stover borrows a classic scene from a certain 1st installment of everyone's favourite fantasy movie trilogy. Of course, the bulk of this book is dedicated to philosphy and force-related discussion. While none of this stuff is completely new (what makes a flower different from a weed, what makes it okay to kill, etc), it actually serves a purpose instead of endlessly going around in circles for its own sake, which would have been a cheap way out. Each new thought puzzle brings Jacen to a higher level of understanding, and I can only imagine the task Stover and Lucasfilm had of mapping these parts out. The force is redefined here as a whole that is neither light nor dark, and it's interesting to think of the long way we've come, and where this will ultimately lead. Finally, Stover gives us a taste of how Lucasfilm eventually plans to link the prequel era to the New Jedi Order. I won't spoil it, but it'll definitely leave you begging for more. Unlike past novels that featured important plot points in the series (death of Chewie, death of Anakin, etc.), "Traitor" is in itself a huge, cleverly disguised plot point. It is from this that future interpertations of the force will be defined, making it an essential read.
Rating: 
Summary: My thoughts on the NJO.
Review: Well not entirely impressed with the series but I continue to read it. The plots not the greatest besides the all of the authors greatest attempts. (By the way, all of the overall plots, who was going to die and all of that was sorta decided before. I'm not sure about how much was decided but I do know that no one knows who is going to stay dead.) The authors have tried hard and I have even forgiven R. A. Salvatore after realizing it wasn't his fault that Chewie died. What's wrong with the series is that the plots are all really mundane. The stories have only had intense moments when people die or when Coruscant was taken but then immediately die back down. It's trying to be dragged out over a long time but the story is getting old and needs to be put down. At least when the ever-repetitive older novels (which I still preferred even when this new series was...well new) started they stopped after a while. But don't think I hate the NJO, I don't. I think it needs some improvements, sure, but I don't hate it with every fiber of my being. It startled people out of their complacency and got the SW EU going again. Even though Chewie died and I was sad I didn't particularly hate R. A. (The people I was mad at were the authors before NJO who faded Chewie out of the books. Look for it, it's there.) The NJO have their good moments (IE Star by Star) and their bad (IE Traitor.) BOTTOM LINE
The NJO has some bad points: It's stuck in a rut, just like the old novels. But it's got some good points: Hey! At least it's a new rut!
Rating:
Summary: worst of the series
Review: I have read almost all of the books in the Star Wars universe, all the way up to NJO Traitor. This by far was the worst book in the Star Wars universe. There were so many questions answered with more questions that it actually gave me a headache. It was a very slow read and just not as exciteing as the other 12 books. I thought about not finishing the book but decided to finish so I don't get lost in the series. I just hope that the rest of the books do not go down this road.
Rating:
Summary: A very emotional and very different Star Wars novel
Review: Jacen Solo, brother to twin Jaina and younger Anakin.....long thought dead to the New Republic and an underestimated Jedi makes a strong comeback in this 13th installment of the New Jedi Order series. However, this book is slightly different from the 12 that preceded it. I'd say about 85% of this novel takes a direct focus on Jacen and the enigmatic Vergere. It seems that the Vong have had special plans for Jacen all along, not only as a twin to Jaina, but to help capture her as well. Nom Anor and Vergere concoct a plan to turn Jacen...turn him to the Vong cause. Everything Jacen has ever learned as a Jedi is now put to question as Vergere takes the roll of teacher. She challenges Jacen to rethink his role in the universe and his destiny....a destiny without the use or link of the Force. Jacen soon discovers that there is more to the force than just the light and dark sides. He begins to retrain himself, not necessarily as a Jedi, but something else...something bigger than the Force as he learned it from Master Skywalker. Jacen's abilities and sensitivity to telepathic and empathetic thoughts soon exceed even Nom Anor's and Verge's wildest dreams. Jacen becomes something new, and Nom Anor revels in the fact that Jaina Solo will soon be his with the aide of his newest Vong prodigy. But nothing ever ends up the way things are planned in a good Star Wars novel. Jedi Ganner Rhysode has heard the rumors....Rumors that Jacen lives and has returned to the core worlds. His mission is his own, rescue Jacen and bring hope to the losing New Republic and crush the Vong spirits. But Ganner stumbles upon a man once known as Jacen, but someone much different and much more powerful. Soon, Ganner must make a choice and perhaps place his trust in a much darker and powerful Jacen. I can't say enough good things about this novel. Though there is plenty of action and background information given on the Vong, the trial and tribulations of Jacen under the thumb of Nom Anor and Vergere are very powerful for the reader. While there is plenty of action for the reader, author Matthew Stover really gets the reader sucked into the psyche of Jacen. Soon you really are emotionally attached to Jacen's character and feel his confusion and doubt of everything he though he believed. The role of Vergere in this book was pivotal, and even though the reader may find her musings and teaching maddening at times (she speaks a lot in riddles and never gives a straight answer), but does a wonderful job in actually making the reader question everything we have read about the Jedi order and the Force. Is it possible that there in more to the Force than just the light and dark sides? This book will surely make you ponder. Excellent job.
Rating: 
Summary: tiresome space opera deconstructionism
Review: How many times can you ask, "what is truth?" and think the question interesting? The book is slow, and characterizations are poor. It occasionally shifts to an irritating dramatic present tense ("Jacen Solo hangs in the white...") which is distracting, and the author dilutes what little action there is by relegating it to flashback: we too often see first that Jacen has survived and then learn how. Standard Star Wars-isms "I have a bad feeling about this..." are woefully out of place.
On the plus side, it moves the New Jedi Order story along somewhat and it is possible that a more lighthearted author will be able to make the previously unpleasant Jacen more appealing in future episodes in the series. First Anakin and now Jacen have found a way to touch the Yuuzhan Vong's world with the force.
Worth reading once, but not a book you will want to savor again and again.
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