This week, I finish off Anderson’s Jedi Academy Trilogy, which I haven’t read since it came out, thirty years ago!! WOW! And yet I remember picking it up on the day of release, I remember throwing on some John Williams, and diving into the story to see how the author wrapped up his tale.

Luke Skywalker is still comatose on Yavin 4, but his Force-spirit can be seen by the young Solo twins, Jacen and Jaina, who arrive with their mom, Leia. With their help, and from the Jedi trainees (can you believe padawan wasn’t a thing yet?) Luke will have to confront the Sith spirit of Exar Kun, who has already caused the downfall of some of Luke’s trainees, and has turned Kyp Durron to the darkside.

Han Solo, Lando Calrissian and Mara Jade head over to Kessel to help set up Lando’s new mining outfit, but they are going to run into all manner of trouble. The Imperial Maw Installation is nearby, and while Kyp stole the Sun Crusher, and is now using it to hunt down Imperial forces, there are still secrets trapped within.

Like a Death Star prototype.

And Admiral Daala is still out there!

Wedge leads a team to the Maw Installation, Chewbacca goes with him, in an attempt to release Wookie slaves and destroy/claim Imperial tech and secrets.

Kyp turns from the dark side, and with Luke’s help begins to make amends, and has a final plan to redeem himself.

Mon Mothma is ill, dying, and Leia is going to become Chief of State of the New Republic. Ackbar returns to service, and it seems like he and the Solo children’s nanny, Winter, may have something for each other.

And despite a number of story threads, they are all going to end up converging on the Maw and Kessel space!

The story races by as fast as you would expect from a Star Wars adventure, and you can hear the strains of John Williams’ magnificent score throughout. There are some familiar lines, some great moments, and while the committee of scientists running the Death Star prototype seem a little moronic, most of the tale works like gangbusters!

Everyone gets a moment to shine, even Threepio. Though on reflection, Artoo does get a bit of a short shrift in this series.

I do like how Anderson plays in the Star Wars universe, he’s got a solid handle on the characters, and his new ones fit into the tapestry nicely. He also incorporates the newer characters like Winter, and Mara easily, while name-dropping other familiar characters introduced in the Zahn Trilogy, and the Dark Empire comics.

Lucasfilm gave the okay on every plot line for the novels before they were released, the Expanded Universe was thought-out, planned, and unfortunately, reduced to Legends in April 2014 when the new trilogy of films was announced.

I know there were countless upset fans, Mara Jade has a dedicated fandom, and she’s a great character. It’d be nice if she could make the jump over to the new Canon, Thrawn did.

I really enjoyed re-visiting this story, I like how Anderson tells his story, you can almost feel the screen wipes, and score as you dive into this tale. And the Star Wars adventures will continue, the next one up is The Crystal Star by Vonda n. McIntyre.

Until then, May the Force be with you.