"How am I to know what the Jedi would or would not do?"A year has passed since our Star Wars heroes have found the Killiks and relocated them to the planet, Woteba. But now, it seems a substance is destroying their world, and the Killiks once again are advancing into Chiss space. Han, Luke, Leia, and Mara believe that this is the work of the Dark Nest and must figure out how to destroy this Nest, led by Alema Rar and Lomi Plo, once and for all. As if that isn't enough to keep our heroes on their toes, the whole Killik situation has made the Jedi take sides on whether or not they serve the government or the Force, with President Omas stuck helplessly in the middle.I Liked:Last book, there was quite a bit of navel-gazing, leading to a rather dull novel with a really interesting and highly unexplored concept (Hive Minds? It does make one think!). This book is nothing like that. There is a little time spent on what the Jedi's role in the government should be and how far "to the Dark side" they should go, but it is nothing like the discussions in "The Joiner King". I love intense philisophical discussions, but I think Denning is a better action writer than a concept writer.Characters continue to be interesting and to develop nicely. Han definitely rings true, as does Luke. In fact, their adventures on the planet Woteba and with Juun and Tarfang (the Sullustan/Ewok smugglers from last book) are some of the most fun, the best written, and the most interesting of all the scenes in the book. Saba Sebatyne is a most fascinating character (I love some of the confusions that arise from her misunderstanding of the "Basic" language), and I continue to be impressed with her inhuman personification and her Jedi acumen. In fact, I love how Denning draws a lot of the Jedi together, from Corran Horn to Kenth Hamner to Kyle Katarn to Kyp Durron. Nice to see there is more than one Jedi (Luke). But, by far, one of the most interesting character developments arises in Jacen. I love how he becomes a father (about time that these characters started having love lives and families!), and I like his subtle decline into the Dark Side. The way he memory-wiped Ben is particularly creepy, but really shows how badly he wants to protect his daughter.I Didn't Like:I absolutely hated how Leia was portrayed. From manipulating a Jedi Master to get her own way to whining about not being address as "Princess", Leia's characterization throughout the novel made me want to spear her with a multitude of shiny objects. I love her being a Jedi, but does she have to have such a bad case of Protagonist Centered Morality? Can't she see that if SHE were the President, how SHE would be upset if someone hid the fact that a Jedi Master was being held captive? Wouldn't she arrest someone who broke HER governmental blockade? Wouldn't SHE get her panties in a knot if someone tried to manipulate her into not divulging information?I really hope that Jaina and Zekk are fixed because they are quickly becoming The Annoying, Doofus Twins. I hate how they answer each others' sentences, how they are still basically Joiners but EVERYONE ignores that because...well, because Jaina is a Solo and Leia's daughter, how they click and clack and rub arms and are basically ANNOYING. If I have to read much more of them, I will choke on my bookmark.Another thing that bothered me was the Jedi Order. I couldn't believe how Luke just left the Order so disorganized...didn't he EVER plan for a second-in-command, even if he did want his Jedi to be "independent"? Shoddy planning, seems to me (though with Luke's characterization in earlier books as an idiot, it makes sense...). Not to mention, how are the Jedi so easily able to justify taking the Alliance's money withOUT being attached and aiding them in need? I understand WHY the Jedi want to be independent, but you don't go around borrowing or taking money from someone and then spout how independent you are! In my opinion, the only Jedi Masters with any sense and my sympathy were Kenth Hamner and Corran Horn.And who else started imagining Kyp Durron like this?[image error]
This was, in many aspects, better than the previous book in the trilogy, The Joiner King. The pacing of the book was a bit faster and didn't drag so much in places (like the first book tended to). While it was the second book of the trilogy, it held its own and offered up an intriguing plot that both advanced the Star Wars timeline and kept the reader entertained. Spoilers follow. A year has passed since The Joiner King and although it seemed as if peace was achieved (at least temporarily), the Dark Nest has emerged again and, as usual, the Solos and the Skywalkers head for the Utegeta Nebula to investigate the Killik problem. A plot by the Dark Nest to strike against the Galactic Alliance is discovered and it is up to our heroes to thwart it. Meanwhile, Jacen and Ben travel to Hapes, where Jacen receives some shocking news from the Queen Mother. Personal battles are fought, characters evolve, and the finale leaves the reader eager to pick up the next book. Overall, the plot was solid. It was, obviously, the plot of a middle book and didn't really tie up any loose ends in regards to the big story as a whole, but it offered up an intriguing story that was interesting to read both as part of the trilogy and as a stand alone book. I, for one, was glad to see Leia get some respect and focus as a Jedi. She seems to be very under-appreciated in the New Jedi Order. The relationship between her and her master, Saba, is quite dynamic and amusing. Denning writes the quirky Barabel well, and her interactions with the strong-willed Princess never fail to entertain. Under Saba's devoted tutelage, Leia is fast on her way to becoming a Jedi Knight, the title she has long deserved. Luke learned the important lesson of doubt, which I personally found to be an interesting and fresh idea. His opponent, this unseen queen, uses his doubts (no matter how small and insignificant they may be) to mask her presence and carry out her dark deeds unnoticed. The Jedi Master also faces the tough possibility of his wife being involved in his mother's death, the main source of his doubt. His realizations, emotions, and experiences in the book all lead to an explosive fight with the illusive Lomi Plo (though, I can't help but wonder why the Galactic Alliance doesn't do something to upgrade their vac suits, as the concern of dying while wearing them seems to be a common problem in the Galaxy Far Far Away). While all this is occurring, Jacen discovers that his "meeting" with Tenel Ka a year previous yielded bigger results than he probably imagined. While the baby herself played only a very small part, it opens the door to many possibilities both with the child and her parents. As for Jacen himself, I do wonder if he'll be the next Anakin Skywalker and if the cycle of "chosen ones" turning dark is forever doomed to repeat itself. The hero of the New Jedi Order is definitely becoming a lot darker in his thoughts and tendencies (and for a lot of the same reasons Anakin did). I'm interested to see where this will go. As a brief side note, I really enjoyed the character of Bwua'tu. Minor characters sometimes come out a bit flat and unmemorable, but Denning did a great job with the Bothan admiral. Bwuat'tu's attitude in general and the way he interacted with others were truly enjoyable to read about. Denning also handles Cal Omas well, taking him from a cardboard cutout type politician and making him into a leader genuinely concerned about his people and willing to take whatever measure necessary to protect them. The only thing that did get a bit annoying was the bond between Jaina and Zekk. I've never been a fan of them together, so those parts of the book were a bit difficult to stomach. Honestly, this bond between them doesn't seem to really do anything for either character except make them really annoying when they're together. Otherwise, I have no complaints. The Unseen Queen was a great follow up to The Joiner King and is definitely worth taking the time to read. This review is also posted on Amazon.com
What do You think about The Unseen Queen (2005)?
The sub-plot with R2-D2 still bothers me and makes no sense, despite Denning's attempts to justify it and make it make sense. UnuThul is still obnoxious. Making a character that can't see reason and has a flexible idea of truth is just obnoxious, especially if they can forget something five seconds after it happens. By the end of the book it had become tedious and nothing in Denning's fight scenes make me want to pay attention. Mostly I want them over with so I can continue the story.
—Brendan
This takes place a year after The Joiner King, and it's amazing what changes in a year.No one trusts the Killiks, except those already influenced by them.Sullustan funerals are interesting. People talking of the deceased can only give a comment of exactly as many words as the dead had lived. Giving an account of their life is an affront to others, implying the mourners hadn't known the deceased. (p 52-53). We find out that the Dark Nest was REALLY created by two people who ran from and hate Mara, which is why she was attacked first. They've completely corrupted Alema Rar and can still influence Ben.Ben is such an annoying child. When Tenel Ka and Jacen tell him that Allana is a secret, he seems upset that he can't tell people…to where Jacen knows he'll spill the beans. Right after that, the Killiks come, which was completely random, even if it was Ta'a Chume behind it.It's so easy to see how Jacen's fall is in progress, with his mind wipes and the little care he has about Ben's injuries. He's just like Anakin (only with a slightly less one-track mind): he only wants to save his lover and their child. His mind-rubbing will only become more irritating and just worse in general.Luke understands how dangerous the current Jedi mind was - that there IS no light/dark side, but how you approach things and use the Force. He knows that using/doing whatever is necessary to keep the Order & GA safe is an approach that damages more than it heals. Obviously, Jacen disagrees…as does Kyp. Nope, they believe the end justifies the mean, and Jaina/Zekk will go along with him if it means they can see Unu-Thuul again.I truly enjoy Saba as Leia's Master. I love the odd Barabel humour and just HOW Saba trains Leia.With the Killiks, it's just extremely weird and eerie how the unconscious mind controls the conscious so much that Alema kisses Raynar and he has no clue at all. It's worse than the Joiner situation, I think. Add that to the bugs inside the replicas and there's just a whole mess that is creepy.Leia is the perfect political Jedi. She isn't trusted because of her Force skills but they also help turn Bwua'tu to accept how she truly wants to help.Han and Luke working to expose the Dark Nest is quite frightening. At this point in the EU, anyone was fair game. I know I was a bit worried the first read-through.If Han Solo is getting nervous from how the Killiks work and build ships, then that's something to be worried about. At the end, Bwua'tu says it'll be an interesting war.My butt.The Alliance shouldn't go with the Killiks. Those bugs be crazy.The Chiss already think the Alliance is against them (and from what I remember, the 3rd book has all hell breaking loose on the Chiss side, and Fel being highly confused and betrayed by Jaina). I think the bugs need to be wiped out…but not how Jacen's approaching it.
—Jaime
Yes, I'm reading a Star Wars book. In other words: I'm back, and the Force is with me. And what a ride it was. Serialized fiction, a tradtion at least as old as the 19th century (and perhaps older, but I really don't know) finds its home in many places these days, but none better than that galaxy far, far away. Excellent characterization of the Big Three, and well-done perspectives of them as well. Also: battle scenes that are actually exciting, rather than confusing! Combine that with a cliffhanger ending and you have a piece that does exactly what it sets out to do: return to that place of the Force and Jedi and X-Wings, of Han and Luke and Leia, one more time. Fun, indeed.
—Aaron
