I’ll go ahead and fess up before we even start this. I like these books. Actually, I love these books. In fact, these books have a very special place in my heart because they are the reason why I tumbled head first into the Expanded Universe. Dark Apprentice is the first Star Wars book I stumbled upon after my grandmother bought me two random Young Jedi Knights books. The YJK had already made me fall in love with the Solo twins, Tenel Ka, and Lowbacca and when nine-year-old Bria picked up Dark Apprentice for the first time, there was no turning back. I do recognize that these books certainly have their faults but I could never hate them. Instead, I am forever grateful to Kevin J. Anderson for writing books that were my gateway drug. Therefore you have been warned of my nostalgia for this trilogy. Onward!
Jedi Search
In retrospect, it’s possible that this trilogy is what started my “Han and Leia are the worst parents ever” way of thinking. I do, however, make this comment with love for the Solo family to my friends. But seriously: why would you ever let these two raise your daughter? (I’m looking at you, Tenel Ka.) Somewhere out there about ohhhh 30 years farther into the time line, Winter is shaking her head and saying “It’s not my fault” for what happened with the Solo children.
Okay, I shall stop ragging on the Solo’s questionable parenting skills. For now.
The subtitle of this book should probably be “Han Solo Has A Series Of Really Bad Days”. Honestly, it takes some serious talent to go from getting tossed into the spice mines of Kessel to stumbling into a secret Imperial research facility and being subjected to interrogation. On the other hand, he does manage to escape intact and with a new sidekick. Shut up, I love Kyp Durron. He gets the long con character development over the course of the EU and I love it so freaking much.
As for Luke, it’s about darn time he decided to try and rebuild the Jedi Order! I get that he’s worried about having a new Vader on his hands but I would’ve thought that Luke would’ve gotten over his worries there earlier. But then again, I’m always surprised when Leia isn’t more trained in the Jedi arts than she is.
The blob races, on the other hand, make me laugh because of how ridiculous they are. Really? Blobs? You didn’t even try on that one, KJA. Aside from that though, I find the book to still be an enjoyable read.