Ascension

July 1, 2011

As Luke Skywalker; his Jedi son, Ben; and the Sith apprentice Vestara Khai travel the galaxy in search of the dark Force-wielding entity known as Aboleth, they explore the abandoned planets of the Lost Tribe of the Sith, bringing Vestara to a decision that will change her life forever. On Coruscant, the power vacuum left by the deposal of Natasi Daala once again awakens the old mistrust of the Jedi and exposes a conspiracy that shatters the foundations of the Galactic Alliance. Golden's latest novel, the eighth installment in a nine-volume saga that takes place 40 years after the events of the Star Wars(R) trilogy, brings many plot threads to the point of no return. Characters grow stronger through their successes and failures, with hints of yet another generation born attuned to the Force. VERDICT Golden's excellent storytelling captures the essence of the beloved space opera and should leave series followers eagerly anticipating the story's conclusion.

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2011
An accomplished creator of media-related fiction addresses the new rivalry between old rivals, the Jedi and the Sith. It arises from the fact that a long-lost band of Sith has returned to the center of galactic affairs, while the Jedi have fallen into such disrepute that too many people are overlooking the new potential menace. As grand master of the Jedi (by default), Luke Skywalker is at the heart of the crisis. Furthermore, all his old friends are in as much danger as he is, and he suspects that Ben, his son by Mara Jade, is attracted to their nominal ally and partner, a young woman from the ranks of Sith allies. She is certainly immensely powerful with the Force, but where will those powers take her and anybody who trusts her?(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)