Dark Apprentice (Star Wars: The Jedi Academy Trilogy, Vol. 2)

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: 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: Anderson Regains His Footing!!!!
Review: After Anderson's Atrocious beginning to this trilogy I was half expecting this novel to continue in form, I was pleasantly surprised. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy Dark Apprentice, but it is the best Star Wars Novel I have been pleasured to read (See my Listmania List). Although Anderson continues with the whole "Sun Crusher/Super-Weapon" ordeal he cleverly incorporates it into the plot. I eagerly look forward to the next book in the trilogy.

Rating:
Summary: Anderson Regains His Footing!!!!
Review: After Anderson's Atrocious beginning to this trilogy I was half expecting this novel to continue in form, I was pleasantly surprised. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy Dark Apprentice, but it is the best Star Wars Novel I have been pleasured to read (See my Listmania List). Although Anderson continues with the whole "Sun Crusher/Super-Weapon" ordeal he cleverly incorporates it into the plot. I eagerly look forward to the next book in the trilogy.

Rating:
Summary: What Happens To The Fish-Head?!?!
Review: After reading the first book, I was on an edge to find out what happened to my favourite character, Admiral Ackbar. I enjoyed the book so much I read it in 8 hours, almost non-stop. An excellent read, KJA is a an in-valuable part of the star wars writing team with an apparent talent to write very informative, fast paced books. The whole Trilogy is an in-valuable source of information pivotal to the SW book range.

Rating:
Summary: Yet Another Amazing Book: READ IT!
Review: After you read Jedi Search you can't and won't want to stop. This book continues the exciting trilogy. I think it's even better than the last. It is exciting, fast- paced, and there's no way you'll ever be able to put it down. And when you do you'll be mad if you don't have #3 in the Trilogy right next to you because you finished the book and you need to know what happens next... fast

Rating:
Summary: May the force be with you, cause this book has plenty of it
Review: Anderson delivers a one-two puch with this great action thriller and good story. The only real problem that I have is Qwi and Wedge. True, they may have been a good couple, but if I were Wedge I'd get really annoyed with that high voice of hers. Iella Wissiri is a way better match, if you don't believe me, just keep on reading the books and see what happens. Kyp is an awesome character, and even though he gets tempted and falls to the dark side, he becomes a great jedi knight. (Sorry if I gave away a bit of the book) In fact, when I get older, I think I'm gonna write a couple of Star Wars books myself with Kyp as a large character. This book is a great read, and it's a load of fun.

Rating:
Summary: ANOTHER ANDERSON GREAT!
Review: Anderson has a remarkable way of bringing the the power of the Force to us. In this masterpiece he brings an evil dark lord back from the grave to take control of the newly founded Jedi Academy and uses Luke's own pupils to strike down thier Jedi Master.

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: Typical Middle Story of a Trilogy
Review: Back when I was a kid, I remember watching The Empire Strikes Back and not really liking it too much. I was naive, and now have a greater appreciation for the story. Now with Dark Apprentice, I feel the same way as I did when I was young. However, it does a good job in leading up to the 3rd book of the trilogy. I'm almost done with Champions of the Force, and like I felt about Return of the Jedi, it's full of action. Basically you need this book to enjoy the third of the trilogy, and watch-out, all three books reference the original Star Wars way too much.