the engagement was off

Overall this was very entertaining, along with Abyss its probably my favorite book of the series.

My biggest problem with the the series - idle Jedi. Corran, Kyp, Seha, Katarn - doing nothing? Look I understand the need to build up the tension, but I find all these Jedi sitting on their hands while Luke saves the day hard to swallow. Its such a waste of these great characters. Do they need to solve everything? Stop the Mandos? No. But do something - I mean sending notes on rodents? Is this the Corran that I read in the X-wing series or I, Jedi. Its so far out of character I want them to be 'impostors'. They could have done something, just have Daala anticipate or something.

The siege aside I am liking this stuff. Ben and Ves, I am surprisingly interested in this budding relationship. Ben is not letting it put a wedge between him and Luke, unlike his relationship with Jacen. At the same time he is not blindly following his father and is making his own decision about her.

Jaina's drama is not doin' it for me, but its not that bad - in her element she is kickin' butt so I can handle it for now. Still if they don't resolve things between her and Jag by the end of the series I will be disappointed.

I think Daala had the admiral killed - looking back that dinner kinda feels like a last meal sorta thing. She needs a martyr for her cause and he is a good one for certain.

I also think the Mando's being sent to the mining world to put down the slaves is really going to back fire. I am guessing Han and Leia will pursue this part of the story since Luke is going to be pretty busy.

Does anyone else think there will be a split in the order? I have wondered if Jaina may take off to the empire with Jag and take some Jedi with her that could ultimately become the imperial knights from the comics.

1. Abeloth. I thought the fight was very good, but like most everyone else, it seemed slightly too easy. I greatly enjoyed it, and although I was unsurprised about the Callista reveal, I thought it was done really well. Again, though, it was too easy. I was glad that Abeloth wasn't completely Callista, that Callista had just been consumed by her, and I was very happy Callista was dead, but I have to agree with Padme that I didn't like all the mushy lovey-doveyness that was portrayed between Luke and "Callie". *gag* Luke was all Mara's. He shouldn't still be agonizing over an extremely old and almost adolescent relationship! Bleh.

2. Ben and Vestara. I actually haven't minded it much at all, and am enjoying it for the most part! I was very happy that Ben loathed her there in the end, and am almost expecting her to die in the end to save him. Or something romantically and Star Warsily cliche.

3. The Mando siege and Kani's death! I find this to be slightly negative. I'm more than surprised that the public is supposedly tolerating this so well. Maybe not the siege so much, but the death of Kani! I was expecting that to be a backfire and the end of Daala's already thin thread of public approval. However, while I was sad that Kani was killed, I was proud of Star Wars for getting so gritty. It's been awhile.

4. Jaina and Jag. *sigh* I've decided that I'm not interested in this relationship anymore. I used to dance and sing its praises, but they've dragged me along now for far too long. Perhaps this was Del Rey's plan to get fans to want to wash their hands and be done with the situation. And, I'm sorry to say, it's working. I'm sick of all the back and forth rollercoastering. And I'm not taking this out characterwise on Jaina. I'm actually directing my aggravation at Jag. I'm ready for him to be out of the picture. If they can have him come to Jaina on his knees, begging for forgiveness, apologizing for his stupidly political headedness, perhaps I'll forgive him. But as it stands, I'm glad she dumped him. Besides, she had a much more interesting part in the series once she took off the engagement ring! It's about time.

5. The Lost Tribe. Everyone other than Khai, Vestara, and Taalon are totally uninteresting to me. I have trouble remembering there's an entire Tribe, as it seems to me that only those three exist. As someone else put it, they don't act much like a Tribe that's coexisted for millennia, and I think that's why I don't like them. The Lost Tribe of the Sith eBooks have been pretty interesting to me. The Tribe's part in Omen was interesting to me. Other than that, though, I haven't been impressed.

6. The Wintrium. What in the world was that all about? I understand that the main purpose was to start the revolt on Klatooine, but I found the whole attack on the Fountain and the following capture, trial, and sentencing of the Sith rather...stupid and pointless. Jaina and Lando's verdict seemed to have no influence whatsoever against the revolts, and I suppose I just found that part a bit...pointless, for lack of a better word. Or at least I think it could have been handled better.

7. Daala and Bwua'tu. I honestly thought that Bwua'tu had killed Daala when he walked out of the apartment. I don't know why, but I was pretty darn sure. The only thing that stopped me was that I was fairly sure Daala wasn't going anywhere so early in the series. Once Bwua'tu was attacked, however, I was immediately sure they were imposters, and that Daala had sent them. I suppose we'll find out for sure eventually, but I'm not totally sure he's dead. I got the impression he was unconcious. But...who knows.

8. Tahiri's trial. Beautiful. I really enjoyed it, but unfortunately I'm expecting her to die. I don't know that I ever really wanted her to go free. It didn't seem right. Too many Jedi get off for unspeakable crimes by simply being termed, "Temporarily Mentally Insane as Influenced by the Dark Side." I didn't want her to die, but I thought she needed to be sentenced as guilty. So I was pleased, though saddened, by this latest turn of events.

9. Temple-Dwelling Jedi. Boring and disappointing as usual! I'm sick of everyone in that Temple other than Cilghal. They do absolutely nothing. The only book they were any good in was Abyss, when they stormed in to see Valin and Jysella. And Jaina headed that up, for crying out loud! *sigh*

Overall, excellent book. I'm kind of hoping Abeloth's not dead, but as the crazy Jedi aren't crazy anymore, what is Daala going to do now? She has nothing to demand, no crazy Jedi to collect. I suppose, as with everything, we'll see.

So I see, Mara, that you think Jag needs to apologize to Jaina. I find that interesting because I see it the other way around. Jaina was the one asking for something that I felt was rather childish, and not getting her wish, broke off their relationship. How does everyone else feel on this? Is Jaina in the wrong or Jag?

Ah, ha-ha. You got me, Skuldren. To be completely honest and fair, I think they're both wrong. But I have a bias toward Jaina, so...you know. But in all fairness, I do believe they're both wrong. I didn't think Jaina's request was childish. Perhaps what she was hoping for was childish, but I found the request was not so much. What kind of fiance is Jag if you can't ever ask him for help in dire times of need? You know Leia or Mara would have done the same thing, though I think it usually happened in the opposite direction, with Han or Luke doing the requesting.

However, I think Jaina's expectations were too high. I was hoping that Jag would contact someone that could help her. The boy knows a gazillion people! Good grief, he could have called the Chiss down from on high, I don't know. But I just felt that he was a completely open and shut case. "No, I can't help you. I won't even think of alternatives, just no." I realize he couldn't necessarily put the Empire on the line. Major political mess there. But he could have at least contacted someone! That's my take on it, anyway.

Jaina, though, does act like a spoiled child when she doesn't get what she wants. And in that I think she's wrong. She expects too much of Jag, and doesn't show him enough respect. My personal opinion.

So I think they should both go to each other and apologize. Start this relationship anew, with some revamped policies on requests, expectations, and aiding each other in hard times!

And darn it, Skuldren, now you've got me hoping they'll get back together! *sigh* I hate this roller coaster of emotions. Grrr...

I think Jaina was asking him to put the relationship in front of duty and she knew which side he would choose - I remember some part during the exchange she admits that to herself. She put him in an impossible position - making him choose on the spot. Personally that makes me look at Jaina and say why even go to him? Its not like she ask him to start a war so she can get what she wants. I guess its so Jag can shock us all and swoop in and save the day?

Well the fact that Jaina reflected on it afterwards and saw where she was in the wrong is actually something I liked. It shows she's growing some as an adult. Plus the split wasn't because Jag said "No" but more like in real life where things have built up to a point and then 'an event' springs things into motion, or sends them crumbling down, whatever. In this case that's how I see it. Earlier in the book Jag reflects on how their relationship has been frayed around the edges by things. They'll probably get back together, but maybe this break up will give the authors a chance to mature both characters and fully prep them for a real relationship.

and fitting. Careers are a big source of conflict in relationships. It definitely helps make their relationship feel a bit more 'real'