An Unrevised Exploration of Star Wars Expanded Universe
Jedi families were at one time a common thing but later they became a contradiction in terms. The Jedi Order were supposed to be guardians of peace and justice in the universe. To do this, they had to be unbiased and use the Force for knowledge of what a situation truly is, not what they … Read more
by James Luceno This is kind of an adventure crossed with a political thriller and a mystery that, if you’ve seen the movies, you do know the answer to. But you don’t know how it got that way! It’s a solid story if you like intrigue, or if you want more Qui-Gon. Cloak of Deception … Read more
Story by Kevin J. Anderson, original cover art was by John Alvin. It was released in 1996. This is an amazing piece of galaxy building and I can’t overestimate it’s importance to the mythos of Star Wars. This was the book that starts the massive multimedia project, where game, comic and novels would tie together … Read more
I,Jedi is by Michael Stackpole and he is the primary author of most stories (but not all) stories involving Corran Horn and his family. Warning going in: this book I,Jedi contains a few spoilers for the X-Wing Rogue Squadron Book Series. It also has spoilers for the Jedi Academy series. This book does stand alone … Read more
This story has it’s grindy moments, as I kept wanting to get back to the actual Jedi, Anakin and Nejaa in Jedi Trial. I kind of wish there had been more moments with the two of them. But it was overall a good read. Right up until the end I had no idea how or … Read more
While the Jedi Code was first laid out in the Expanded Universe, it is based entirely on what we see of the Jedi in the movies. Only the Original Trilogy was out when it was written, but the prequels only clarified that information, didn’t contradict. George Lucas did give guidelines on the Jedi to the … Read more
This Young Jedi Knights story arc, about the Diversity Alliance, hits harder in 2022 than when it was released in the late 1990s. It’s the second arc in the series, so you might want to read that first if you are worried about spoilers. It picks up right where the other left off. Warning: review … Read more
This story by Dave Wolverton features Han and Leia and the reasons for their long delayed marriage in spite of what seems an overlong courtship. General Solo has been off battling Warlord Zsinj while Leia has been on the home front running diplomatic missions. On return he finds that one of those missions has led … Read more
People often seem to assume the Expanded Universe’s early works contradict the movies and use it as an excuse to say they are not canon. However, we can demonstrate how the movies themselves prove they do not contradict. The movies are a window to the galaxy. In the prequels that window is centered at a … Read more
Medstar 2 picks up the pace from the first book. Barriss makes a startling discovery about the Bota that brings her to face the real, subtle temptations of the Dark Side. Her questioning is a serious question on what one should do for the greater good. It also gives a great arc for Jos Vondar. … Read more
Tales of the Jedi is one of the biggest tie-ins to the Expanded Universe. The Dark Horse Comics story was later subtitled ‘Tales of the Jedi: Knights of the Old Republic’ and was followed three sequels arcs: Dark Lords of the Sith, The Sith War and Redemption. It also had a prequel, Golden Age of … Read more
Leia Organa Solo After the heroism of the Rebellion, Leia found the talents in diplomacy inherited from her mother, Padme Amidala Skywalker and her adoptive father, Bail Organa, in high demand. It was Leia who brought the aid of the Hapans to the New Republic as well as helping free Dathomir from Nightsisters and Warlord … Read more
The Jedi Academy Game is a tie in that goes in all directions. By this I mean previous games, comics and books, as well as those that come after. For that alone I would love it. I also find it most helpful in that I had previously been stuck on Jedi Outcast. After playing this … Read more
Medstar, Battle Surgeons is not an adventure in the sense where the heroes are running from or blasting bad guys. These are the kind of heroes who fight to save lives with medical supplies. This is the Star Wars version of M*A*S*H with a mystery twist set during the Clone Wars. Barriss Offee is sent … Read more
If one has seen Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and realizes where Darth Maul: Shadowhunter lies in the timeline, one might assume one knows how it ends. If Darth Maul gets halved by Obi-Wan there, he clearly doesn’t die here. But sometimes the journey is more important than the destination. Sometimes, things don’t turn out … Read more
The Jedi Academy trilogy by Kevin J. Anderson is the new beginning of the Jedi Order. At the time of writing, the Jedi philosophy of the prequels the specifics of Jedi training were unknown, including the rules of no attachments (families), one master to one apprentice and that usually they began as infants. Even if … Read more
Asajj Ventress grew up on Rattataki. When the man who raised her was killed in war, a Jedi Master named Ky Narec found and began training her. The two went on to become heroes, fighting unknown to the Jedi Council for peace. They became heroes. But their enemies struck back, killing Narec and orphaning Ventress … Read more
Quinlan Vos led a tumultuous life. His early years were spent training under Master Tholme on Kiffar, an unusual move as it meant growing up with his biological family. But when his parents were brutally murdered, the Sheyf, his grandmother, encouraged him to use his rare skill to ‘read’ an object and see how they … Read more
Qui-Gon Jinn is a Jedi considered a bit of a maverick by the Jedi council because he doesn’t always follow the Code. He focused more on the Living Force than on the Unifying Force. He was secretly learning how to be able to allow himself in the living Force after death. Qui Gon Jinn was … Read more
The New Jedi Order series drove some fans right out the door. But it had a reason. When you know beyond a doubt that your heroes always survive an win, the story doesn’t seem quite so cutting, you know that eventually you turn the page and find them escaping and defeating the foe. The New … Read more
Leia grew up the Princess of Alderaan. She preferred being more rough and tumble than a traditional regal Princess. She was strong willed and trained to resist interrogation. In spite of her planet’s pacifist stance, she was taught self defense techniques. Leia had no idea that her biological parents were as famous as her adoptive … Read more
“The Jedi were not the only users of the Force in the galaxy; from Hapes to Haruun Kal, from Kiffu to Dathomir, powerful Force-capable humans and near humans had long reused to surrent their children to lifelong bound servitude in the Jedi Order. They would not so refuse the Sith Army. They would not have … Read more
Era: Pre Ruusan Old Republic Nomi Sunrider was a Jedi who trained under Master Thon on Ambria, in ancient days. She was the widow of Andur Sunrider, also a Jedi, and mother of Vima Sunrider. Her most famous skill was in battle meditation. Her maiden name was Da Boda. She began training late in life, … Read more
Era: After the Battle of Endor. Tahiri hails from Tatooine, where she was raised by the tusken raider tribe led by Sliven after her parents death. At age nine she was discovered by Luke Skywalker and Tionne and brought to the Jedi Academy. Her best friend is Anakin Solo. Tahiri prefers to go barefoot and … Read more
Era: New Republic/Galactic Alliance Anakin Solo’s Relationships Besides his parents, Han Solo and Leia Organa, Anakin Solo has older twin siblings, Jacen and Jaina. His Uncle is Luke Skywalker. He is the grandson of Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala, and great grandson of Shmi. His best friend is a bit younger, a girl named Tahiri … Read more
