Apocalypse: Star Wars Legends (Fate of the Jedi)

A little over a decade ago the folks responsible for overseeing the Star Wars Expanded Universe decided to embrace sprawling multi-author epics as the center of the adult fiction line. While there have been various standalones and short series since the late 1990s, much of Del Rey's focus has been on multi-year publishing events. This trend started with the New Jedi Order's nineteen books, continued with the nine volumes of Legacy of the Force, and now possibly concludes with the nine entries in Fate of the Jedi. While there are plenty of good stories and side plots contained within these thirty-seven novels, none of the three epics has offered a substantial enough storyline to warrant being spread across so many books. I've been reading the entire Expanded Universe using the in-universe chronology and getting to Apocalypse feels like a weight lifting.The great news for Fate of the Jedi is despite its being stretched thin over too many books, the three authors have presented a highly consistent and generally very interesting tale. With Apocalypse, Troy Denning does indulge himself with some of his pet Star Wars creations: the insectile Killiks are wedged into the story and the not-very-relevant saga of the Barabels and their eggs comes to an end. But overall he follows right along with what the eight preceding volumes have established. Unlike his conclusion to Legacy of the Force, this book does not feel rushed and the length is warranted as he brings various plots to a close.Summarizing Apocalypse seems a tad pointless: I would hope no one will pick it up without having read the rest of Fate of the Jedi and anyone who is already following along with the series will certainly finish with this final volume. But I'll mention a few things that were of particular interest to me. The book's pacing is solid: Mr. Denning does an admirable job of building multiple cascading action sequences as Abeloth's various avatars are dealt with. There's a real tension to the events on Coruscant as the Jedi infiltrate the Sith-run government and position themselves for the final conflict. Boba Fett swings into action with highly unlikely ally Tahiri in a gripping assault on Imperial labs.One surprise in Apocalypse ties directly into one of the more cryptic story arcs of the Clone Wars television series. As a fan of that show, I was absolutely delighted at how the open-ended nature of the episodes in question dovetailed so neatly into the mystery of Abeloth. This cross-pollination of Star Wars stories is something I welcome for the heightened consistency and air of reality it gives to the galaxy far, far away. Mr. Denning uses the foundation those episodes offered and also utilizes the mysteries of the Maw and Centerpoint Station to give Abeloth quite a bit of interest. Her entire arc has a fantastical air about it considering her ancient lineage, her generically named locales (the Pool of Knowledge, for instance), and her seemingly almost limitless abilities. However, the authors have tied her sufficiently to key elements of the Star Wars universe for her to feel a true and reasonably grounded part of it.I found Vestara Khai's arc somewhat disappointing when evaluating the series as a whole. The obvious paths were for her to either stay a Sith or be "redeemed:" in Apocalypse, one of these two options comes true and there's not much surprise about it. Her relationship with Ben Skywalker does seem to be fertile ground for future novels to play off of: whether that's the case remains to be seen, since at this point no one outside of the people making the movies knows whether the movie Episode VII will be set after these books and whether it will take anything in the Expanded Universe into consideration. Vestara did have some good sparring with Ben and their relationship matured him further as a Jedi: I simply would have liked to see a little more surprise in her ending. Perhaps that is yet to come.The book also features a very nice nod to the Legacy comics in the form of an unexpected ally for Luke in his final battle. Like the Clone Wars tie-in, it's welcome to see the novels embracing other forms of Star Wars storytelling and making the sprawling universe more unified. There is still substantial mystery around Allana Solo's future and the various competing visions for who will sit on a throne overseeing the galaxy, but Fate of the Jedi does set some of the stage for the Legacy comics and also leaves plenty of room for yet more stories set in the intervening years. While not at the height of his Star Wars masterpiece Star by Star, Mr. Denning delivers a very solid conclusion to Fate of the Jedi with Apocalypse.

For eight books, the "Fate of the Jedi" series has told of the battles between the Sith and Jedi. Now, in "Apocalypse", the series has reached its thrilling conclusion. This time, Coruscant is the battlefield. Abeloth, the destructive force being who has menaced Luke Skywalker for most of the series, has entrenched herself in the Jedi temple. Now, the Jedi must fight their way though thousands of Sith to reclaim their temple.But, victory is not guaranteed, for Abeloth has the ability to take on more than one persona at a time. Therefore, in order to completely kill her, Luke and the other Jedi must kill every manifestation of Abeloth. Plus, Abeloth has her sights set on Ben and Vestara, hoping to lure them in to restore balance to the Force. But is Vestara really over her Sith background, or will she betray Ben and Luke and return to her former ways? And what of Luke? will he be able to kill Abeloth before it's too late?I've been a fan of this series since the beginning, and I have been eagerly awaiting the release of "Apocalypse". It was worth the wait. Troy Denning has written perhaps the best book of the series. The action is fast-paced right from the beginning, and he does an excellent job of bringing all of the outstanding story lines together. I've been particularly interested in Ben and Vestara's story from the beginning, and Denning does a good job of bringing their story to a conclusion. Suffice it to say that sometimes love isn't enough.I enjoyed this book very much and I'm sad to see this series come to an end. However, I believe that there could be a future series with the same characters that expands on the ending of this one. I certainly hope so. Highly recommended.

As a somewhat obsessed Star Wars fan, I try to keep up with all of the Star Wars book releases. Some of course are better than others. Reading through the New Jedi Order, I would read a book in a couple days and couldn't wait to get my hands on the next book. The Legacy of the Force series of books would take me a few days to read, and I would pick up the new volumes within a month of their release. The Fate of the Jedi books often took me weeks to read, and sometimes it took me a few months to even pick up the newest addition to the series.It's not that I didn't like the FOTJ series. It simply didn't capture my attention like the NJO had, or less-so the Legacy of the Force series. Most of the books were ok, full of lots of filler with little bits of actual plot thrown in every once in a while. This series almost ruined Sith for me as they are no longer menacing but a bunch of bumbling idiots, but I always found the Abeloth character interesting though it took far too long to learn anything about the mysterious creature.This book fixed a lot of those problems for me. I've always been a fan of Troy Denning. A lot of fans strongly dislike his works because they are often darker than other Star Wars authors, and of course he is the one who killed Anakin Solo in his excellent book "Star by Star." This book, more than any others in the FOTJ series, contains a coherent, and exciting plot. Denning portrays the Sith in a much more threatening manner than did the previous novels. The Jedi actually seemed threatened by them, and some Jedi are killed. Vestara's reversion to the dark side is handled much better than in the previous novel, and her continual care for Ben allows her to remain a sympathetic character through out most of the book.Finally the origin and nature of Abeloth is revealed. I was pleased with the explanation and Abeloth is a much more interesting character than I had previously thought. Though I do think that if the nature of Abeloth were known earlier her character would have been more intriguing than the continual mystery played off in earlier books. I loved the Mortis series in the Clone Wars, as I see it as one of the most creative and intriguing works in the Star Wars universe. Thus, the tie in here with Clone Wars came much to my delight. It's great that Star Wars authors are concerned with Clone Wars continuity. Unfortunately, the Clone Wars writers aren't as concerned with EU continuity.The mysterious sith figure revealed to Luke did seem a little out of place in the novel and seemed to come out of nowhere. However, it does leave one wondering about the nature of this figure for future novels. So long as this plot is kept in future series, this may be a necessary inclusion. The assumption of many is that this figure is Krayt from the Legacy comics. If this is the case, I am eager to see how it all plays out.The best part of this book is the ending Jaina and Jag are finally married! Fans have been waiting for this for a long time, and I for one am glad that Jaina did not end up with Zek. As much as I enjoyed the Dark Nest series, it made Zek's character nearly unbearable. No more worries about Jaina's love life, the two are finally together, and I think in a well written and clever manner, Jag is no longer the ruling figure of the Empire.If you are sick of the FOTJ series, don't give up on it, but give this book a chance. It may give you a new found hope for the future of the Legacy era novels.

They probably didn't know it at the time but Apocalypse was chronologically the last major EU novel (Mercy Kill being more of an add-on). As such, it effectively has the tough task of wrapping up a 100+ book series. So does it deliver?On the action front, yes. Hell, yes. It pretty much doesn't let up for 500-odd compelling pages so there's little complaint there. For the actual experience of reading it, the novel pushes for five stars.And then the ending draws near and you realise that it's not going to have a proper ending. As with every series since the New Jedi Order, this series has had one eye on the future and this is no exception: it doesn't wrap anything up, it just sets up the next series... a series that we now know isn't going to happen.After nine books, you would hope for some sort of closure. After 100+ books and of course, the movies, those of us who have followed the EU can feel justified in demanding some sort of closure. Unless you're willing to skip ahead a hundred years to the (somewhat detached) Legacy graphic novels, you're not going to get it. Instead, you get a bleak prophecy of endless war between the Jedi and the Sith - no happy ending after all this but unending toil and misery - and that's a bitter pill to swallow.This isn't the fault of Apocalypse. The EU needed to grow beyond the consequence-free books of the nineties but in the effort to "grow up", the EU lost the purity of good versus evil and got mired in a load of balls about "balance". The problems with Apocalypse are a symptom of this over-ambition.Individual gripes I have include the reveal of Abeloth's origins. This is tied closely to the Mortis storyline in the canon-trampling Clone Wars TV series; a series which pretty much forgot the war and went off on tangents with questionable merit. The Mortis episodes saw Anakin and friends visit a clumsy manifestation of this "balance" mumbo jumbo where the Father (Balance) presides over the Son (Darkness) and the Daughter (Light). If you liked those episodes, you'll be fine with this but for others it's a clumsy attempt at the metaphysical that has no place in Star Wars.Also, there is yet another band of undiscovered Sith. The Lost Tribe fizzles out disappointing to be replaced by yet another band waiting in the wings. At least Abeloth was a different sort of enemy.On it's own merits, the book succeeds but the more importance you put in its conclusion - or lack thereof - the less satisfying it becomes.

I really enjoyed this book. It is very very fast passed. With a battle going on in every chapter. I think there is more action going on in this book then the other 8 books of the series put together. Unlike another reviewer, I love the continuity in Star Wars, the fact the main stream book refer to things in the clone wars TV series as well as other book and in some cases even comics.The story. A month has passed since the last book. The Jedi have made their plans to infiltrate and liberate Coruscant from Lost Tribe of the Sith. Once everyone is in place the action does not stop. However can even the Jedi, the GA marines, and the Empire defeat the Lost Tribe numbering in the thousands and Aboloth?Aboloth's origin and purpose are explained. Tying to an arc from Clone wars season 3. We also finally get the answer as to what exactly Jason Solo saw that he was will to become Darth Caedus. The Dark man being hinted at since the last since the previous series (legacy of the force) finally makes his appearance. Then many questions are left unanswered for the next series. The sign of a good book if you are hungry for more as soon as it finishes despite being 445 pages.The only thing I did not like was that authors seem to forget high level Jedi masters like Luke who have passed through the Dark side are more than capable of using force-lightning (their projection of it usually is green, but just as deadly) as well as the Sith they are also capable of blocking it the way Yoda did and Luke has in the pasted. They do not just use force projections to push people back. Also all the powers and new force abilities Luke added to his repertoire were not used again. Maybe they are saving that for next time. All in all a great ending to the series, and start of something new.

THE STORY:(43 ABY) The ninth and final book of the 'Fate of the Jedi' series. The Sith have seized control of Coruscant and the dark entity Abeloth has seized control of the Sith. The Jedi, led by Luke Skywalker, launch an all-out assault against their ancient enemies in an attempt to destroy them once and for all. Meanwhile, they must also investigate Abeloth's origins in an attempt to find a way to destroy her before she can ascend to godhood as the Bringer of Chaos.WHAT'S GOOD:This book is orders of magnitude better than most of this series, being the broad action-packed epic that a Star Wars novel should be. It opens strongly, with the Jedi assault on the Sith being one of those moments that you just think 'Cool!', like you did the first time you saw a lightsaber duel on screen. The story then broadens into a wider conflict before coming back together in the form of the Jedi's multi-pronged attack against Abeloth. I enjoyed the links to 'The Clone Wars' TV series (the Mortis episodes were among my favourite) and enjoyed the fact that Luke and Ben are faced with a similar choice to Anakin in regard to the Balance of the Force. Also fans of the EU who have read the 'Legacy' comics will probably be intrigued by the actions of a certain tattooed Sith who makes a mysterious appearance here. We also get some resolution to plotlines that have been dangling since 'Legacy of the Force' (or even earlier); in particular Tahiri's fate, Jaina and Jag's relationship and just what it was that pushed Jacen Solo to the dark side.WHAT'S BAD:Overall, 'Fate of the Jedi' has been repetitive and uneventful. Sure, there have been some great moments, but not enough to justify a nine book series and 'Apocalypse' suffers from being the product of that over-extension of plotlines. Abeloth's repeated defeats and escapes have made those events in this book seem like more of the same, rather than the endgame of the conflict. Also her origins in relation to the Ones seems like a last minute idea to cover the fact that the author's didn't know what to make of Abeloth once they came up with her. Similarly, the Lost Tribe lose a lot of their threat and potency as this book goes on. We're to believe that these are different from your average dark siders because they're Sith, but not one of them comes close to being as menacing as the likes of Darth Maul, let alone the great Darth Vader. Also, as with the 'Legacy of the Force' series, the ending wraps up a bit too quickly, being sure to leave enough space for a potential continuance. I would rather have seen a bit more of a wind-down, with more exposition about the aftermath of the conflict (like does poor old Raynar Thul ever catch a break!).OVERALL:A really enjoyable Star Wars book but weighed down by the inadequacies of the series as a whole.

Book 9 is the final story of the `Fate of The Jedi' series.(Review has no spoilers)Review Summary: What a great book to finish on - it's one of the best of the series and creates a satisfying conclusion.This is an action packed book that avoids the slow political manoeuvrings and court rooms of the previous releases and focuses on the destruction of Abeloth. Standing in the way of that goal, is The Lost Tribe of Sith and unearthing how to rid the Galaxy of Abeloth.On two fronts Troy Denning is superb:-First he links this book into the greater context of the Expanded Universe (more revealed below).-Secondly the conclusions of the various subplots, are written in such a way to satisfy the reader's appetite but also leaving enough room for further spin offs.To expand on the first point; you not only learn what Abeloth is and how to destroy her, Denning also manages to link Abeloth's story to an adventure Anakin Skywalker and Obo Wan Kenobi embarked on some 60 years previously. That adventure is actually screened in an episode of The Clone Wars Animated series (season 3, episodes 15-17), which I found was narratively very clever.Denning also pens a cameo appearance of a member of the One Sith towards the end of the book.(The One Sith are an important group of Sith that make their first appearance in the book series Legacy Of The Force set 2-3 years before and who are the main antagonists in the Legacy Graphic Novels with Cade Skywalker set 80 years after the Fate of the Jedi)When I realised who it was I found this brief cameo mind blowing as it explains a lot of what happens in the Universe afterwards. (I can't say anymore without spoiling this book, or the Legacy series, but if you want more information feel free to message me).Negatives:Abeloth's powers seem slightly dumbed down in this book compared to the rest of the series, but the last Chapter helps rectify this very slightly.If you haven't read any of the Fate of the Jedi series, I fully recommend them. Some of the books in the middle of the series drag at points (especially the court room and mind walker scenes) but it's a great series and by the time you finish this one you'll wish it didn't end.5 stars out of 5

Where to begin. This review is more about all nine books rather than just this final book. The Story had a slow start however that was to be expected as it was a 9 book story. Book 1 2 and 3 were an up hill climb setting in place the story and all the Characters. By the time book 4 started things were in motion and the story had got going and was very gripping. One of the best things I liked about this story was how many other stories it touched. Tales of the Jedi, There was The Lost Tribe of the Sith, The Clone Wars Season 3, Courtship of Princess Leia, Children of the Jedi, Darksaber, Planet of Twilight, The New Jedi Order series, The Dark Nest Trilogy, and finally The Legacy of the Force series. I felt the story handled the Sith really well and also reminded us of The Sith History, it showed us how a Sith society might work and how ultimately they a flawed by their own ego. I liked Vestara and I hope the way is open to deal with her character more in the future. Abeloth was a truly terrifying creature and the ending was amazing, how they deal with her is great and the outcome is... well I can't say because of 'Spoilers Sweetie', but I liked it. It was good to go to the Astral planes again, Star Wars hasn't gone there since the Jedi Academy Trilogy, it was good because it wasn't just a story about some tangible Evil fighting the Good. It put into play an Evil that was beyond the Norm. Overall an excellent storey that had a few bumps on the way. I just hope that we don't have to read a Trilogy or a Mega series to read about our favourite Characters and I also hope that the new characters are in future book and have a story soon, and we don't have to wait years and years to find out what happened to them like we did with Callista. 5 stars for this story and 5 stars for this book.