Ok, first off, I was pretty annoyed that I paid so much for such a short hardcover. Wasn't the best way to start my relationship with Christie Golden. And also, the two years ago, back to the present, two years ago thing was unecessary. They could've done that several different ways. Now enough of my complaints.

They jammed a lotta good stuff in this short short book! The political use of the press and Daala's demands to the Jedi were really interesting actually (tis about darn time Star Wars politics became interesting again) and of course the engagement of Jaina and Jagged Fel was the major bomb for me (finally, the Fel Dynasty in Legacy comics can begin!). Overall, it was a good read. I'm really happy I bought it and am looking forward to Abyss (it comes out right after my birthday so I think I'll be using my annual Barnes and Noble gift card on it ) Plus, Ben Flow-Walking was a really painful moment. And the whole him and Luke growing closer in the wake of Mara's death thing is really working out well.

Well, the Mind Drinkers in the Maw thing pretty much explains the mental illness the Jedi have been experiencing. I'm trying to remember who all of the old Jedi were in that installation during the Second Civil War and the Vong War. I actually think Baby Ben was in there for awhile, which means his mental breakdown is coming soon. I'm guessing that's what BACKLASH means, but I can't be sure. Trying to piece it all together without all the facts haha. Anyways, good read, way too short, but it'll hold me for now. Caedus has spoken.

I like the Sith and Vestara. It's kind of neat hearing little details about their philosophy and heirarchy. I think it would have worked better if they didn't jump around 2 years back and forth. They could have split the book in two and started with the Sith and knocked out those flashbacks at the beginning then jumped forward. I think they tried too hard to keep the rhythm that most of the books take which is having different characters in different areas and switching around to them. Instead they should have done like Karpyshyn did with the Bane novels and tackled the thing in sequential order.

Also I think they shouldn't have skimped on the Sith ventures into gathering their little fleet. That would have been prime page filler packed with action and fun Sith battles. I feel that was an opportunity wasted and it felt rushed as well.

For the other characters, the whole crazy Jedi and Daala worked well enough with my grievances aside. I don't much care for this crazy Jedi disease, but that's mostly because I don't know what's causing it, and until I do, it just seems to outlandishly silly. Ben and Luke's adventure with the Aing-Tii was alright. We got to see them, but their rainbow view of the Force was kept mysterious and vague. I have a feeling Stover would have been all over that. I liked that Ben gave up on the idea of flow-walking, and the mysterious treasures was cool, but now this Codex thing has me wondering. I liked to hear some more about that, sadly we probably won't.

So that leaves Han, Leia, and Allana. I actually liked their expedition to the Livestock exchange, even though it was predictable that something was going to go wrong. Yet it was still fun. Golden did a good job with Han too. In fact all the characters seemed true to their parts.