Good news and bad news: “X-wing” author Michael Stackpole returns to “Star Wars” for the second book of the “New Jedi Order” series, “Dark Tide I: Onslaught” (2000). But it’s not an “X-wing” book on the sly; it’s very much part of the invasion genre as established by R.A. Salvatore in the first entry, “Vector Prime.”
Stackpole’s strengths as a character writer are present, but I get a sense that he’s being a bit handcuffed here. Rogue Squadron returns to the “Star Wars” fold, but whereas in the “X-wing” books we learned about all 12 members of the squadron, here the information is sketchy. Set 16 years after “Isard’s Revenge” (the last full-on Rogues and Wraiths novel), Gavin Darklighter is the squadron leader, Inyri Forge is a flight leader and Jaina Solo is a new member. Those are the only familiar names. The other flight leader is named Alinn Varth, and Jaina’s wingmate is named Anni Capstan, but neither gets any characterization. None of the other Rogues are named.
Somewhere off-page, during the relatively peaceful years, Gavin started a new family, as he believes his Bothan girlfriend, Asyr Sei’lar, is dead. We readers know from the “X-wing” novels that she is not; however, Asyr is for some reason never revisited, even though Gavin and New Republic Chief of State Borsk Fey’lya – a Bothan who encouraged Asyr to disappear from Gavin’s life – regularly clash. Granted, “Onslaught” wasn’t pitched as an “X-wing” novel, but it’s still disappointing when intriguing threads are dropped.
I briefly got the sense that the editors asked Stackpole to minimize references to older works; however, a detailed reference to Keyan Farlander of the “X-wing” games universe during Leia’s speech to the people of Agamar puts a lie to that. The author also peppers in a reference to the senate bombing in “The New Rebellion,” a novel that really should never be referenced if only because it posits instantaneous, galaxy-wide communications. The lack of easy communication between the Outer Rim and Coruscant is central to the tension of these early “NJO” books.
Although this is an invasion novel, we don’t get any point-of-view of the invading Yuuzhan Vong until the final pages. This gives “Onslaught” an ominous feeling; the aliens are suddenly on several Outer Rim planets, growing coralskippers, villips and other organic technology. The disturbing, gross-out nature of the Vong is very much present, though. We learn that they use slaves of other species, breaking them with the Embrace of Pain (basically a torture rack) and controlling them with coral growths. We also learn that the Yuuzhan Vong treat dead bodies reverentially; this is part of why Commander Shedao Shai vows revenge on Corran Horn, who barely escapes a Vong prison camp on Bimmiel after killing a pair of Vong (who turn out to be Shai’s sons).
Han Solo is benched for this duology (however, he’ll be the main character in James Luceno’s duology that comes next). We’re told he’s inspecting the cantinas of Coruscant, although Anakin (correctly) fears he’s inspecting the bottom of glasses as he processes Chewie’s death. All the other main characters are featured, though, as Luke sends his most trusted Jedi on various missions.
The Jacen-Danni romance is set aside, as Danni cites the age difference (she’s 21 and he’s 16). “Onslaught” firmly establishes Jacen and Anakin as proven swordsmen in the battlefield and Jaina as a top-notch pilot. The Jedi Knight Ganner Rhysode is the book’s major new character; somewhere in age between 40-something Corran and the teenagers, he’s a bit of a know-it-all but comes through when it counts. As Mara continues to fight her disease and Luke makes no decision on whether to organize the Jedi into a formal order, “Onslaught” might feel to a cynical reader like it’s treading water.
It’s cool that the final battle takes place on the grassy plains of Dantooine, one of the most well-known “Star Wars” planets that’s not actually in the films (although, of course, it is referenced, as Leia tells Tarkin the Rebel base is on Dantooine).
There’s a vague sense that the artifacts (since stolen by unknown thieves, apparently believing them to be Jedi artifacts) the Imperial scientists are digging up on Bimmiel will play an important role in the war, as that remote planet also includes a Vong corpse among the ruins. It’s neat to see Mirax Horn assigned by Luke to investigate the thefts, but the whole thread is a little too vague at this point. I know this is only book two of 19, but more hints about the nature of the artifacts would’ve been nice.
And I can’t deny the backgrounding of the “X-wing” characters stings a bit, considering that Stackpole is the author. The retired Wedge and Tycho do visit Gavin’s office in the final pages, providing a window of hope that they’ll factor into later books. At the same time, the deliberately paced world-building of the “NJO” epic has a certain appeal.