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[b:Dark Tide II: Ruin|320357|Dark Tide II Ruin (Star Wars The New Jedi Order, #3)|Michael A. Stackpole|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1331429816l/320357.SY75.jpg|1134103] brings us the direct continuation of the events that occurred in the first volume of the Dark Tide duology. [a:Michael A. Stackpole|17739|Michael A. Stackpole|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1207602690p2/17739.jpg] manages to keep the pace of the narrative steady, but intense.

In this book we have two new interesting points to be added to the political tension present in the first volume. Firstly, we have a growing distension within the Jedi, largely motivated not by divergent philosophical or religious thoughts, but by ego and naivety. Kyp Durron leads a more individualistic and short-sighted faction of the Jedi, while Luke takes a more moderate and cautious stance.

One of Durron's followers, Daeshara'cor, ends up being motivated by revenge against the Vong, threatening to build a powerful weapon like the Death Star to put an end to the alien invasion. For those who know the reckless Kyp Durron from [a:Kevin J. Anderson|4845|Kevin J. Anderson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1215310030p2/4845.jpg]'s Jedi Academy trilogy, the only and best thing I can say is: "like master, like apprentice".

I would like to say that "for the first time our heroes have some secret or McGuffin capable of defeating the Vong", but that is the constant of each book in the series. Our heroes always manage to contain (at least for now) the invasion, but the costs are extremely high. However, how they do in this book gives us a great sense of satisfaction.

The ending, which in turn involves Senator Elegos A'Kla, is quite tragic and, perhaps, one of the darkest moments in Star Wars so far, perhaps comparable to what happens with Chewbacca in [b:Vector Prime|192214|Vector Prime (Star Wars The New Jedi Order, #1)|R.A. Salvatore|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1412181316l/192214.SX50.jpg|2799032] (in my honest opinion, what happens to A'Kla is even worse).

I don't need to say that this is a duology and it only makes sense to read both books to have a better reading and entertainment experience. [a:Michael A. Stackpole|17739|Michael A. Stackpole|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1207602690p2/17739.jpg] doesn't disappoint and I guarantee it's hours of frantic fun.

I just finished rereading Star Wars – The New Jedi Order: Onslaught. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve read this book several times in the past, but it definitely brings a warmth in the heart. I really like the way [a:Michael Stackpole|19077986|Michael Stackpole|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] writes and makes us feel at home. I really like the way he approaches the main characters and makes the reader feel connected with the Solo brothers.

It is worth saying that, despite being a small book, a lot happens! There are several scenes and adventures and all equally important. [a:Michael Stackpole|19077986|Michael Stackpole|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] has always known how to balance and tell the narrative in an agile way. It's no surprise that he's one of the big names in the Expanded Universe, mainly due to the books in the X-Wing series.

One of the main points of the book is about the political tension involving the New Republic. Despite having lived alongside the great heroes of the Rebel Alliance, the current politicians presented in this story seem much more concerned with personal agendas than with the political stability and security of the new government. Apparently, pettiness and smallness still haunt the world enough for people to forget the atrocities done by the Empire (it's a very current issue in our real world, considering I'm writing this in the beginning of the XXI century).

I really liked Luke Skywalker's initiative in creating reconnaissance missions led by cells of Jedi Knights. Each group has its own adventures and series of difficulties, but gathering information that will be important in the end. Of these, I really like Luke's trip with Jacen Solo to Belkadan, when they really begin to realize the size of the problem and the threat that the Vong are. Bioengineering was one of the major themes of Science Fiction in the 1990s and is very well represented here.

It is a book that has no philosophical depth. Despite touching on sensitive topics (environmental issues, our current relationship with technology, recurring family issues, etc.), it does not promote any deeper discussion about any of it. That is not and has never been the goal of any Star Wars movie/comic/book, but it is a fun book after all.

I’ve been struggling with Star Wars High Republic, to say the least. I’ve been trying to read [b:Light of the Jedi|51637946|Light of the Jedi (Star Wars The High Republic)|Charles Soule|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1582619576l/51637946.SY75.jpg|76212411] since 2022, but to no avail. I don’t know what happens, but I must say I don’t enjoy Charles Soule writing (comic books included). Instead, I moved to “the old, but gold” New Jedi Order and I’ve just finished Vector Prime, by [a:R.A. Salvatore|1023510|R.A. Salvatore|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1671730815p2/1023510.jpg]. I also have my problems with Salvatore, but this book is so much more compelling.

One of the best things of going back do the old Star Wars Expanded Universe is… going back to the Expanded Universe! I really like that idea of Han and Leia having children, and the marriage of Luke Skywalker (and a kid also), that was interesting. It showed us that Star Wars was growing old with its readers in a respectful manner. Sometimes I think the new Disney cannon patronizes its readers because the writing is a little bit lazy.

I have read several books and comics of the new canon and for several times I have had the impression of being treated like a kid. It seems clear to me that the new editorial policy of Disney Publishing is aimed solely at YA. Whether by the way these books and comics are being written, or by the absurdly childish plots. Star Wars has never been the supreme of literature, but it also does not mean that its readers are dumb.

Of the new books, some writers are really great. I really like Claudia Gray’s writings and Alexander Freed’s Alphabet Squadron series. However, two writers are not enough to sustain a whole new canon. The old Expanded Universe ends up being more solid and consolidated than much that has been published in the new canon.

The first book in the New Jedi Order series has some flaws. Still, Vector Prime is an excellent opening for this series of 19 books. The series itself presents the Star Wars characters aimed at an adult audience that has already established their families and has to deal with the hardships of everyday life.

In this book something happens that marked the history of Star Wars as a whole. A great character in the franchise ends up dying, showing in fact that the characters are not immortal. The scene itself was shocking and impactful. However, my favorite parts are those where we have Luke and Mara Jade. I was really scared when they end up making a great and terrible discovery: their first meeting with the Vong. The way this chapter was written was really interesting and effective.

Another very good point of this book is that it already presents the dimension of the great threat in a clear way. Both the characters and the readers already learn from a very early age the severity of the situation and in a very real way. The characters and the readers are not dumb! This is very different from the construction of the “Great Accident” from the book [b:Light of the Jedi|51637946|Light of the Jedi (Star Wars The High Republic)|Charles Soule|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1582619576l/51637946.SY75.jpg|76212411], which develops the plot in a too nebulous way.