Dark Apprentice by Kevin J. Anderson
Book 11 0f 100 - I know, I'm so far behind
Continuing my foray into the Expanded Universe - now Legends - this is book 11, the second in the Jedi Academy trilogy.
As the New Republic takes devastating losses in the ongoing war with the scattered remnants of the Empire, the galaxy's future depends on three small children—among them the Jedi twins—born to incredible powers and perils, as an extraordinary new Star Wars saga unfolds….
While the New Republic struggles to decide what to do with the deadly Sun Crusher—a new doomsday weapon stolen from the Empire by Han Solo—the renegade Imperial Admiral Daala uses her fleet of Star Destroyers to conduct guerrilla warfare on peaceful planets. And now she threatens the watery homeworld of Admiral Ackbar.
But as the battle for a planet rages, an even greater danger emerges at Luke Skywalker's Jedi academy. A brilliant student delves dangerously into the dark side of the Force and unleashes the spirit of an ancient master of the evil order that warped Darth Vader himself. Working together, they may become an enemy greater than any the New Republic has ever fought… more powerful than even a Jedi Master can face.Summary from Goodreads
My Review
What’s interesting about rereading these novels as an adult is my sheer intolerance for bullshit, and Kyp’s planet-ending crash out is bullshit.
I’m not saying that there isn’t narrative background to support his reaction and emotional state, but I am saying that narratively speaking, Kyp Durron blowing up a couple of suns out of revenge comes off as if he blew up a couple of suns because his life was hard.
Which doesn’t mean I didn’t find the plot interesting. The implications of Exar Kun’s influence is fascinating, and the glimpse into the depth of power that could potentially be found within the Force, or more accurately, the dark side of the Force, is tantalizing. It’s not hard to imagine that someone already struggling with feelings of revenge and anger would be tempted to use the Force to bring vengeance on the people who ruined your life. In that sense, Kyp’s character arc in this trilogy is logical.
I’m still irked over the lack of mental health care in the Star Wars universe. I’m reading I, Jedi currently, and had not realized until then that Kyp was training at the academy for all of a week before he stole the Sun Crusher. That is not a long time, especially for someone who has recently left a prison planet where they spent most of their life.
I understand Kyp, within the context of the story. It’s the context and the pacing of it that irks me, I think.
What I really found interesting about this book was the glimpse into how entrenched the Empire is still within the New Republic and the dormant spies and brainwasher operatives that lie in wait. I think that is a cool little detail, and I can’t help but wonder how many of these operatives were never activated and were just intertwined with New Republic operations for years, maybe even past the Yuuzhan Vong War (obviously I’m thinking of the Legends timeline, not canon).
For a second book in a trilogy, Dark Apprentice is a fun, interesting read, and the beginning of a journey for a character I always found fascinating.
If you’ve read this trilogy, what are your thoughts? Do you like Kyp Durron as a character? Let me know in the comments!