Trying to Understand Jaina

Jaina Solo





Please Jaina, you're our only hope!







No, she's not crazy:



Forget the whole mess with the Killiks, Jaina was just trying to do her objective Jedi duty and got a little carried away.

And no, I don't think she'll ever get together with Kyp, but I'd like to see them act like friends and not strangers. Will it be Zekk or Jag? I don't know.

I think I am beginning to understand Jaina now. She tries to be detached from the situation, but she is really an emotional and passionate woman. She is more hot than cold. She has strong convictions and she will stand up for what she believes. She is what Leia had not yet grown into during the rebellion. Strong in many outward ways, whereas Leia is stronger internally.
Like Jacen, Jaina is detached, like Anakin she is fiery.

And how can we forget: This woman is an awesome pilot!!!! In fact she is now listed as better than Luke! (likely it's her younger reflexes..but is she better than Kyp now too?)

And I am reminded that my father’s death anniversary is coming. And I hate to observe those things. It makes me wonder then. Thinking about Jaina’s behavior after Anakin died I wonder: Am I like Jaina? I kept thinking I was more like Jacen (ugh, the truth hurts). Even though Kyp is the bomb, I am not as much like him. I find they all are confident in their ideals and I would agree that I am too. So I am like Jaina in that I think the whole pilot...kick ass thing is cool, she is powerful, passionate, and stands up for what she believes in.

Alpha Males

I think Kyp is an alpha male. He is definitely a leader and someone who people look up to and are willing to follow. He easily puts together squadrons of non-Jedi, which I think shows he is in touch with the common people. Remember in Rebirth, after destroying the world ship, his squadron cheered and looked at him “as some master of old” as Jaina put it sarcastically. He also has many followers among the Jedi. At least half the order was ready to follow him and possibly even leave the order if he pushed it (at least that’s how a few novels seemed to state it). Didn’t even Denning state “those who supported Kyp on one side of the room” giving me the impression that even after the war he had at least half a room of supporters. Although he respects Luke, he definitely sees himself as Luke’s equal, however he does not plan on usurping that role.

I couldn’t agree more that Luke is not an alpha, but has been forced to assume that role. I worry that he has set himself up as a dictator now. I am thinking perhaps this has been written that way on purpose, and perhaps that will cause conflict later in the series. In Betrayal you get the feeling Luke is the only Jedi who attends meetings with Omas and that what is discussed is classified. This is a big change over the NJO and even over how things were done in the Old Order.

Troy Denning's Glimpse of LOTF

What we learned from Troy Denning (in the Dark Nest Trilogy) that will likely play out in LOTF.

Jacen was so powerful no one could control him. “Even we can’t control Jacen.” Raynar Thul

The Myrkr survivors (including Jaina) were so weak minded they could be persuaded to do anything.

Luke was the Boss. No one could match his skills such as cloaking the ship, creating an illusionary ships, and breaking free from Lomi’s Force Net.

Luke and Mara will cross the line when pressed in battle. Mara fires Force lightening and Luke nearly Force chokes Raynar.

All the other Jedi Masters are useless, dithering, arguing fools who can’t get half of what Luke accomplishes done. They are shown as less important and unable to agree. Corran is sanctimonious, Kenth is the government, Kyp is impatient and contemptuous, even Cilghal realizes there is chaos. Without Luke, the Order falls apart. [this could prove to be a key point]

Leia and Han must be involved in every battle. They must save the day and be the heroes.

Leia proves she is ruthless when protecting her family when she shoots down Jag Fel.

Ben trusts Jacen.

Tenel Ka is willing to use someone to get what she needs.

The authors and Kyp

Kid looks like this, and he hasn't been slashed yet! Pouty Little Jedi Boy! Weird. I forgot where this is from, but I think the artist was trying to show Kyp when he escaped the Maw by posing as a stormtrooper. He looks pretty pissed off if you ask me.

I wouldn't necessarily say his "father" KJA made him pissed. He felt wronged. He was bitter to have had the Empire take so much from him. But mostly he was on a vendetta. He felt self rightous, he was right and he was justified to use an means neccessary to destroy the Empire. He felt omnipotent. And who wouldn't if you just learned to utilize magic powers and had the greatest superweapon at your disposal? KJA gave us impatient Kyp, eager, intrepid, thoughtful, free thinking, over confident, proud, zealous and after he knew he was wrong....contrite, proud, a little afraid of himself, but still all of the above. Even when taken by the darkside he wasn't crazy or manically mean. He was on a mission and fueled by the darkside's power more than anything.

Then we have Simple Tricks. Kyp's had a little time to think about what happened. Probably had a lot of time while recovering in the hospital with all those broken bones (and don't tell me it was the lightside that saved his skinny ass...he tapped the dark to stay alive and mend himself). But I do digress. So in ST, Kyp is a bit passively suicidal. He is quiet, remorseful, and he longs for society to just forgive him and let him do the good he longs to do as a Jedi. He is strong, skilled, helpful, non-judgemental, full of the Force in a good way, and true to himself. He respects life and tries his best to protect all. Mostly he craves acceotance. He's still young and even carries an air of innocence to himself.

In Darksaber, KJA continues his personality. Impatient and impetous...and again in Leviathan more of the same. We also see some empathy going on

Now we jump forward to Vector Prime and the NJO, let's see if I can abbriviate:

VP: arrogant, daring, flirty, powerful, resilient, protector, active, agressive, independent

Dark Tide: Sithly...sneaky, snarky, spoke strangely to Luke (As you wish it, my Master), organized council of war, still indpendent and big advocate of aggression, hinted it would be better to use the darkside than do nothing...calls Luke, "greatest among equals"

Agent: helpful, much more back to VP style, Rescue is our mandate

Edge of victory: more agressive at those Jedi meetings, went against Luke, but had many followers, Luke worried about the darkside and tracked him. got really snarky & manipulative with Jaina, lied, but only to get the job done. Doesn't do anything for his own glory, but he does think what he does matters and that others should emulate him.

SBS: so independent nearly was no longer a jedi, impatient and wanted to rescue kids, arrogant, sneaky, full of his skills. Denning wanted to kill him, but could not so he tried to put him down by creating "Crusty Kyp":
Crusty Kyp was truly funny. I had forgotten how Denning hated Kyp and wanted to kill him. So Denning wrote about the dirty stinkiness to “get back” at the character. That of course is why he turns up all hygiene impaired in DNT. It’s really quite funny when you think about it. We all know Kyp is the handsomest Jedi in the order!!!

DJ: arrogant, good intentions, powerful, compasionate , patient with Jaina helpful, ready to pay his debt, a little dark, learns about self

RD and RS: team player! compassionate, reflective, patient

Destiny's way: leader, has squadron again, joins council, honest, forthright, suddenly he is the same person, but accepted!

TUF: too weak to beat the enhanced warior's !!! HUH? 5 seed partners, compassionate, worried about Alpha Red, gentle, forgiving of Corran, peaceful

DNT: can't go there at the moment, he lapsed some! Denning was not paying attention!

LOTF: better show up or I'll loose it!

Meet Jagged Fel

This is Jagged Fel, the Corellian by blood, Chiss by disposition, pilot extrordiaire who just may win the heart of Jaina Solo someday.

Or perhaps he has turned to evil after being shot down by Jaina's mother One can specualte. He has not yet been returned to the books in LOTF. I'm sure he will.

Fictional Future Kyp

This was a piece of a story about Ben Skywalker becoming an Emporer. I chose it because I very well can see Kyp attempting to save the Jedi Order such as in this story.

The strange craft floated amongst the rubble formerly known as Alderaan. "Chu'unthor II" had been constructed by the Galactic Alliance shortly after the liberation of Coruscant. A gesture of thanks to the Jedi Order which had played such an integral role in the entire conflict. The ship was intended to be used to help train new classes of Jedi, and to act as a roving embassy for the order. But the decline of the Jedi during the Five Year War had left the ship unable to fulfill its primary functions, and due to recent events, its caretaker had begun refitting it to serve a new purpose.

"This is the legacy of the Empire. Old, New, there is nothing that truly differentiates this one from the last." Kyp Durron looked across the wide empty room and the assembled masses inside. The design schematics for this ship had this room listed as a gymnasium originally, but it was the only space big enough for these sort of assemblies. "Some of you might be asking if the man who destroyed Carida should even begin to lecture on the Empire's history of devastating worlds and butchering the inhabitants. I am here right now to tell you, that there is no one better at this time. Our galaxy has been in a downward spiral of suffering ever since the Clone Wars began, because of the cycle of violence formed by the founders of the Empire. While I make no excuses for my actions in participating in Carida's destruction, I remind all of you, it was an Imperial weapon that was used, it was the result of my brother's Imperial conscription that I was driven to madness, it was the result of my enslavement by the Empire in Kessel that I did not receive the proper training to resist the temptations of vengeance."

Kyp sighed, no longer did the pain of these memories affect him as they used to. The thought of becoming impervious to atrocities such as Carida was sickening. But he couldn't let that show, today he was here to inspire, not to grieve. "I stand before you today on this ship, which was one heralded as a new beacon of hope for us all, to ask for your help." Kyp turned on his lightsaber, a new one fashioned only recently, from the combined parts of fallen comrades. The blade burned with a birght orange light as if a flame bent itself to Kyp's whim. "The light of the Jedi will always shine, no Sith, no Vong, no one can ever extinguish it. But the light alone has never been enough to gain freedom, for there is an even more powerful feeling that exists within the hearts of all good beings no matter their affinity for the Force. It is the sense of justice and liberty that powers the hearts of sentient beings. When the hearts of the righteous are joined as one they create an unstoppable flow that glows brighter than any shadow, even the depths of space itself. If we are to restore the nation that was stolen from us then we must join together! Not for the name of a Republic, and not for the people who would lead it, but for the freedom of all living things! For all species! To fight a true and just cause that will not be beaten! Will you join me?"

Kyp's audience roared with applause, much to his surprise. Many of these men had served opposing factions during the Five Year War, now the joined in unison as one cause united them. Outside of the ship, many more ships joined to listen to Kyp's message, which was being broadcast over local channels via the holonet. In time the Empire would hear of this and move to stop the meeting, but by then there would be nothing left but the Graveyard. Dozens of small to large size capital ships flooded the area. Although there were tensions as Bothan Assault Cruisers and Mon Calamari Cruisers entered from opposing vectors, those soon broke as Kyp gave his speech from his command ship.

"Fellow comrades of all species, I welcome you to the Rebel Alliance." And as he spoke he could feel the Force flow through him like a great river, connecting him to the universe as a whole.

Some drabble from Another site

Should Kyp be with Jaina...or should he be with someone else?

I had to really think on this….I think Kyp needs someone who is his equal. That means someone very strong emotionally, intelligent, confident, with a strong sense of who he/she was. That could be Jaina, but she keeps getting written like an adolescent although she is 31! I do agree that she was too young at 18 or 19 and they just weren’t in the same place at that time. My favorite Kyp thought from Allston: “He could make her happy.“ (RD, p. 278). Poor Kyp, she chooses Jag and Kyp is so tolerant of it...he saves the guy’s life and then has to go rest while Jaina and Jag probably had sex! Ahhh poor Kyp! His behavior during that time was so noble despite it being a fairly uncomfortable triangle.

Kyp sort of got stiffed from the get go. He was only a teen while at the Jedi Academy, but since the Academy had just started there wasn’t anyone else his age. Kyp was sort of shut out of the love loop by being too young and then later too old as a Jedi. There were no Jedi in his age range when he was younger for any silly academy crushes like Jaina shared with Zekk. So then Kyp probably would have turned to non-Force sensitives who would either like him for his “bad boy” reputation or be frightened to death by him. Either way, that’s not how to build a lasting relationship. And while in his 20’s Kyp would still probably be learning about himself and not as mature as needed for something lasting. So by the time he is ready to “settle down” in NJO, Jaina is at the stage he had just grown out of! So perhaps their ages are a factor. Now at 31 and 45, maybe not anymore. But I certainly don’t think he is a virgin or a goodie goodie. I am sure he gets what he needs! But I bet Kyp would love a “normal” life and a “legacy” of his own.

Does Kyp like men? Would Kessel have traumatized his sexuality? I won’t venture an opinion here. I just don’t know. Would men find him attractive? I’d say yes, especially when he was younger because I do picture him having a beautiful face and a hot body (not he-man muscled, but toned). So if Han can get slashed (never read any slash, but now I am curious) why not Kyp? I would think Kyp with either Luke or Jacen would make sense. Why? Because Luke was his “teacher” and they were both single during the JAT days. Jacen is just the homosexual version of the Jaina ship. I can see Kyp being his master etc…

Has anyone written J/J/K as a threesome based on that whole partners thing in the Allston books? That would be one lucky Jaina!

The Happy Family of LOTF

The Unfortunate Skywalker Family

Luke: "Once you start down the dark path.... "

Mara: Remember: Hell Hath No Fury Like A Dark Side Mother

Ben: Saviour of the Galaxy

The Tempest Snippet

And here is the backcover of "TEMPEST" (by Troy Denning)

As civil war threatens the unity of the Galactic Alliance, Han and Leia Solo have enraged their families and the Jedi by joining the Corellian insurgents. But the Solos draw the line when they discover the rebels' plot to make the Hapan Consortium an ally--which rests upon Hapan nobles murdering their pro-Alliance queen and her daughter. Yet the Solos' selfless determination to save the queen cannot dispel the inescapable consequences of their actions that will pit mother against son and brother against sister in the battles ahead. For as Jacen Solo's dark powers grow stronger under the Dark Jedi Lumiya, and his influence over Ben Skywalker becomes more insidious, Luke's concern for his nephew forces him into a life-and-death struggle against his fiercest foe, and Han and Leia Solo find themselves at the mercy of their deadliest enemy... their son.

I'm telling you...no holding back on this baby. the Sith is going to hit the fan. Tenel Ka may find herself wishing she never fucked hot Jedi boy!!!

Poor Han and Leia, to loose one son to death and the other to the darkside. Ouch!!!! Please Jaina, save the day!!!!

And Luke's fierest foe? Hummm will that be Lumiya or his own dark side? I'm hedging his dark side. We shall see!!!!

Meet Jedi Zekk

Zekk is such an under used and poorly written guy...it's almost as bad as poor Kyppie, but at least Zekk has had some screen time in LOTF.

I found this picture while looking for one of Anakin Solo.

Who is Baret Saiy ?

Well he is a corellian male according to the DP for Bloodlines. All the other characters get more of a description and let me tell yuou last time they were this vague Brishya Syo turned out to be Lumiya. My point is this unknown male is probably either a cloned Anakin Solo or Jag Fel.

Why?
Bloodlines features Lama Su the Kimonian cloner. Maybe....
Jag Fel's mom is Corellian and he dishonored himself among the Chiss, so perhaps he is living under a fake name in Corellia

This new series isn't holding back at all. It is moving at hyperspeed. I thought they would draw out Jacen's turn, but he went right away. So I don't expect anything to go slowly.

This is from the book jacket:


Jacen, now a complete master of the Force, has his own plans to bring order to the galaxy. Guided by his Sith mentor, Lumiya, and with Luke’s young son Ben at his side, Jacen embarks on the same path that his grandfather Darth Vader once did. And while Han and Leia watch their only son become a stranger, a secret assassin entangles the couple with a dreaded name from Han’s past: Boba Fett. In the new galactic order, friends and enemies are no longer what they seem. . . .

And there is the line about:

mother versus son and sister versus brother as Luke faces his deepest fears.

okay so we know whose facing who...but Luke's greatest fear to me is the Darkside. Does this mean he feels he has to tap inot it to beat Jacen?

Luke...you poor deluded master

"You don't know my students. You don't know how impulsive and reckless they are. Don't judge them all by Jacen. Kyp Durron killed millions. And this was your responsibility. The situation was complex. I was paralyzed, and Kyp was under the control of...."

"- You mean to say that it was not your responsibility. "

"I could have been more aware of the situation. There's so much I could have done"

"- So it is your responsibility."

" The next time it will be! The next time one of my students is swept away on a dark whirlwind and catastrophe results, it will be my fault!"

" Of course it would not be your fault. You are a Jedi Master, not a nursemaid! "

-Luke Skywalker, Jedi Master of the New Republic, and Vergere, Jedi Knight of the Old Republic

Those Tassels and Their Meaning!!!

Let's interpret the tassels:

He will remake himself

Jacen has already done this in a sence by going on his Force journey

He will ruin those who deny justice

Ben even says that's what Jedi do. Jacen will ruin those who stand in the way of what he considers justice

He will choose the fate of the weak

Vergere told him to be the gardener and choose the weds and the flowers.

He will be drawn from peace into conflict or his life will be balanced between peace and conflict

This was the Sith specific tassel that only Jacen could read. I prefer the balanced level of this as I think Jacen's Sithliness might be a little different from what we expect...


He will choose how he will be loved

Meaning he will have a messed up relationship with his family, possibly Tenel Ka (if she doesn't die) and definately Allana

He will win and break his chains

OK, pretty much this has happened. He doesn't follow the dogmatic view of the Force

He will shed his skin and choose a new skin

This will be when he is "outed" ???

He will strengthen himself through sacrifice

Hmmmm...perhaps in "Sacrifice"

He will crawl through his cloak

He will slowly emerge as a public Sith

He will know brotherhood

Others will join him. No more rule of two. A new Order? Who would support him? I really don't know.

He will make a pet

He will create something? Is that what Yoda was...a Sith creation? LOL!


He will strengthen himself through pain

Already happened!!!

I found this and it's funny...I did not write it...I just like it...

Strange Meeting

They were in some state that wasn't quite southern and wasn't quite midwest, probably northern Kentucky or southern West Virginia by this time, just passing through. But at the full-service gas station a toothless attendant had started telling Sam all about a meteorite crash and the poltergeist (he said "powddargahst," but by now Sam was an expert in translating yokel) that had taken up residence in the area. Apparently things had been just rising up and floating away for a week or more, and people who tried to follow the objects tended to forget what they were doing very quickly.

And so they were still here, two nights later, in a crappy little town in northern Kentucky (or southern West Virginia) with one barely decent bar. And Sam had decided that it was a good time to go powddargahst-hunting. Telekinesis reminded him of Max, of his own newfound skill at mentally rearranging the furniture. Maybe they'd find something of importance out here.

They headed out to inspect the meteor crash site. The woods were so quiet that birdsong echoed. Dean crept up next to Sam and informed him that if they heard so much as a note of "Dueling Banjos," he was going to kill him. Or just trip him and leave him for the rednecks.

They'd been walking for more than an hour when they came upon a long patch of downed trees; further ahead, it turned into a jumbled mess of trees and plowed earth, like a giant had been skipping stones over dry land. In a clearing to the right, there was a glimmer of firelight.

Sam nodded his head in the direction of the thickest underbrush and the two of them took cover behind it, guns held ready. They cut a wide circle through the woods, bringing them much closer to the firelight. They stopped in a crouch only a few yards away from what looked like a makeshift campsite. There was a dark shape sitting beside it, facing away from them.

And abruptly, the shape spoke. "Why don't you gentlemen come out?"

Sam and Dean exchanged surprised glances, then shrugged and stood up, guns aimed in the direction of the voice. The shape unfolded into a lanky figure, then turned around slowly.

He was completely human, wearing a black jumpsuit that looked kind of like a fighter-pilot outfit. Dean was pleased to note that he was himself a couple of inches taller than the guy in front of them. He was even more pleased to note that the guy appeared to be unarmed. "You the one controlling this poltergeist?" he demanded, shifting his aim.

"I beg your pardon?" He looked maddeningly relaxed, considering two larger men had two very well-cared-for guns pointed in his face.

"There's a poltergeist hanging around the town, making things move, knocking out lights. Is it you?" Sam asked.

The man flicked his eyes from one man to the other. "I don't know what a poltergeist is, but I'm not one, nor am I controlling one, and if you two don't get those pop-guns out of my face right now, you're going to find them in your mouths."

Dean cocked his shotgun; the noise rang loud in the silent clearing. "That's not really convincing."

Sam, ever the diplomat--he really would have made a good lawyer--took a less offensive stand. "So if it's not a poltergeist, what is it?" he asked. "Are you a telekinetic?"

"I'm a Jedi," he snapped.

Dean chuckled and adjusted his aim. "Yeah, right. 'S that a lightsaber in your pocket, or are you just happy to see--"

Suddenly their guns were yanked out of their hands. There was a crackling, hissing sound, and then there was a beam of purple light pointing at Dean's chin.

"Holy shit," Dean said.

Sam stood gaping, apparently stunned, but the guy--the Jedi--shot him a sharp glance. "Don't even think about it, Sammy," he said.

Sam started. "How did you--"

"Jedi," he repeated impatiently.

"Right, right."

Dean was still staring warily at the tip of the lightsaber blade. It was very close to his face, which made him go slightly cross-eyed. "Uh, hey, college boy? Why don't you give me a hand with some of that weaselly lawyer-speak you were learning. Defuse the situation? Get the lightsaber out of my face?"

"Yeah, um...dude? Jedi Master...sir? Please don't kill my brother. We're not...bounty hunters or Sith Lords or anything. We swear."

Dean rolled his eyes. "Thanks, man, that was brilliant."

The Jedi eyed them both one more time, then shut down the lightsaber and returned it to his belt. "If you were dangerous, I'd have sensed it. You're remarkably difficult to distract, though; I've been keeping the locals away for a week." He paused for a second, apparently sizing them up, then held out his hand. "Jedi Master Kyp Durron."

"Nice to meet you. We're--"

"Sam and Dean Winchester."

Dean rolled his eyes again. "Yeah," he sighed, but his handshake was more or less friendly. "So no offense, but what the hell are you doing here?"

"I crashed. Got winged by a gravitic anomaly and lost all my nav systems. I sent a message back to base and they've dispatched a cruiser to pick me up." He sighed. "Jaina's never going to let me live this down."

"So you've been stealing supplies using telek--using the Force," Sam finished. "Right?"

Kyp shrugged. "Man has to eat. I ran out of rations a few days ago, and had to turn to the, uh, kindness of strangers. My turn. What are you two doing out here?"

"We thought--" Sam began. "We thought you could help us. But I--we were expecting something else."

"Sorry, the guru-stuff is Skywalker's business. And I'm not looking for an apprentice."
Sam just stared at him at the mention of Skywalker--God, what a nerd--so Dean picked up the slack. "Hey, maybe you're a Jedi, Sammy," Dean smirked. "But if we find out that Hayden Christiansen is your dad, I'm totally killing you."

"If Hayden Christiansen is my father? I'll totally let you."

Dean turned back to Kyp. "Hey, speaking of killing people, can we have our guns back?"

"Will you keep them out of my face?"

"Yeah," Dean admitted grudgingly.

Kyp gestured with his hand, and the two guns floated gently off the ground and into their hands. They took them with a nod of thanks.

"Well," Dean said. "Sorry about the whole ambush thing. No hard feelings?"

"I'm not going to stab you when you turn your backs," Kyp promised with a lopsided grin. "That wouldn't be sporting."

Not quite reassured by this, they turned to go. It was getting cold, and a clammy fog was rolling up from the valley. Dean hesitated, then turned back. "It's damn cold out here. Want to go for a drink?"

Kyp grinned, dousing the fire with another sharp hand gesture. "Find us a nice, weak-minded barkeep and I'll keep us in drinks all night."

Dean grinned back and almost slung an arm over the Jedi Master's shoulder. "I think I know just the place."

Some quiz said MY lightsaber color was purple!

Kind of silly since the two most prominent Jedi with purple lightbabers are the most likely TO be fighting in the conflict.

Crazed Speculation

This one is crazy:

What if Nelani was Kyp Durron's daughter? I mean she just came from no where and was recently knighted. So she'd be around 20.

Perhaps Kyp only recently discovered she belonged to him. Now he finds out she is killed.

What will he do?

This would work in Bloodlines, might drive his character motivations some and certainly fits in with the "he was meant to suffer theme...."

OMG I just re-read my dream. I forgot that I had said in the dream..".you could give him someone and then kill them off!" That fits with Nelani.

I just stumbled over someone's musings, but they made sense and finally allowed me to understand why Corran does not like Kyp:

Corran believes essentially that the Dark Side is just like any other criminal mindset. It effects only those who are already messed up in the head to some degree. As a police officer, there are just "good" and "bad people" to a certain extent.

So he would think that Kyp had a criminal mind which caused him to desire vengence and would make him always be corruptable.

Review of Betrayal

Aaron Allston wirtes books you can enjoy. He does not write literature, nor will reading his books increase your vocabualary. However, you will laugh and you will have moments of extreme joy while reading Betrayal. This book satisfies on many levels.

Our basic plot is the disillusionment of Corellia with the GA. Corellia prepares to defect from the alliance and the alliance offers a counter strike. At the brink of war, families are suddenly forced to decide their own personal alliances. Of course this is a problem for Wedge, whose daughter is in the GA military. Han, whose family is Jedi and somehow sworn to the GA. Corran, who previously was practically married to the GA, now has a huge decision ahead of him also.

Allston moves fluidly through the story. There aren't many characters or locations and that keeps things easy to follow. Of course Jacen and Ben travel to Lorrd where they meet with Brisha Syo (who is Lumiya). Lumiya has a nice chat with Jacen and he fully accepts what he already was becoming...a Sith. If we go through the stages...we have denial before we have acceotance. Jacen's motivations will compel readers to follow the series through to the end.

Characterizations are interesting: The strongest is Han. He reflects on his choices, his duty, his family. He has fabulous inteactions with others, both humor and sadness. I think we are poised to have some really sad interaction with Jacen down the line. You get the feeling that Han was just starting to get Jacen and then the kid turns Sithly. Poor guy...surrounded by Force-sensitives, father-in-law was a Sith; now his son.

Ben has been written very cool, strong, precocious, but still 13. Ben Skywalker may slowly but surely become the same character Anakin Solo was in the first couple NJO books. He watches Jacen and feels for him in the Force. I can't wait to see how he discovers what Jacen is up to. I thnk he'll follow a dark path for awhile and then escape (hopefully to Sekot) and return a Scion of light.

Luke was most annoying. He is the GRANDMASTER DICTAOR. He meets with Omas, no other Jedi. No other masters are mentioned. He tells everyone what to do. He clears the missions. There are a few scenes where is strength is awesome and I like them, but too often he was boss man. Jaina wants to run who investigates the tassel by Luke and Jacen responds: "Let's not. He's been second guessing a lot of my instincts lately...even though he keeps telling me to trust them. " Jaina lets it go, but that is the essence of Jacen.

Jacen our dark and lovely who can stop blaster fire with his bare hand, who sees the future (so he thinks), who is all cold inside (according to Ben).

Satisfaction level: 9/10 Writing ability: 8/10 (humor and references save it)

Just a dumb rant

I am reading all the forums on the Betrayal book. while most of the comments are sensible the dumbest ones have to do with how absolutely infantile some people see the issues. I think a lot of people suffer from Yoda Syndrome. I absolutely hate the sanctamoneous green troll! He (read: Lucas) tried to make the complications of life into a few simple words. Well life isn't simple or black and white and that is what makes the new book a cut above. And yes what makes people say: "It lost the spirit of the moview". Well yeah and it should. Lucas is a twit. He once said he madethe movies for the "kiddies". Well that expalins Jar Jar Binks and all the other stupid shit he layers in.

I want the story of choices, family, redemption, sacrifice, love, honor. I want the thoughts of people and I want action that drives the plot, not just there to be eye candy. And I want Jacen to be a Sith and not come back to the light and dammit! Yes, it is possible to be stronger than Luke Skywalker!

More Musings on Evil

WWJD ? What Will Jacen Do?

He doesn't want to kill Luke. He wants power to keep peace and thinks power will not corrupt him. He is much like Exar Kun seeking knowledge in all directions.

In response to a question regarding his strength versus Luke's :

"No just educated in different directions."

Jacen rests after killing Jedi Nelani, which if he believed in the darkside, would have been his turning point.