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Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights #14
Crisis at Crystal Reef
When their former enemy, Anja Gallandro, becomes incapacitated by an addiction to spices, the young Jedi Knights, Jacen and Jaina--twins of Han Solo and Princess Leia--begin to realize they are all pawns in an evil design. Original.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 1998
7 people are currently reading
1074 people want to read
About the author
Kevin J. Anderson
1,038 books3,110 followersYes, I have a lot of books, and if this is your first visit to my amazon author page, it can be a little overwhelming. If you are new to my work, let me recommend a few titles as good places to start. I love my Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. series, humorous horror/mysteries, which begin with DEATH WARMED OVER. My steampunk fantasy adventures, CLOCKWORK ANGELS and CLOCKWORK LIVES, written with Neil Peart, legendary drummer from Rush, are two of my very favorite novels ever. And my magnum opus, the science fiction epic The Saga of Seven Suns, begins with HIDDEN EMPIRE. After you've tried those, I hope you'll check out some of my other series.
I have written spin-off novels for Star Wars, StarCraft, Titan A.E., and The X-Files, and I'm the co-author of the Dune prequels. My original works include the Saga of Seven Suns series and the Nebula Award-nominated Assemblers of Infinity. I have also written several comic books including the Dark Horse Star Wars collection Tales of the Jedi written in collaboration with Tom Veitch, Predator titles (also for Dark Horse), and X-Files titles for Topps.
I serve as a judge in the Writers of the Future contest.
My wife is author Rebecca Moesta. We currently reside near Monument, Colorado.
I have written spin-off novels for Star Wars, StarCraft, Titan A.E., and The X-Files, and I'm the co-author of the Dune prequels. My original works include the Saga of Seven Suns series and the Nebula Award-nominated Assemblers of Infinity. I have also written several comic books including the Dark Horse Star Wars collection Tales of the Jedi written in collaboration with Tom Veitch, Predator titles (also for Dark Horse), and X-Files titles for Topps.
I serve as a judge in the Writers of the Future contest.
My wife is author Rebecca Moesta. We currently reside near Monument, Colorado.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 28, 2018
At long last, I have reached the end of the Young Jedi Knights series; again.
And I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Were these stories quite as thrilling and engrossing as they were when I was a child? Of course not. I’m not the same person I was then. I’ve grown and experienced more of life. I’ve read and enjoyed (or disliked) new things, and my tastes have matured and changed. Even so, these books will always hold a special place in my heart. These books opened up the worlds of science fiction and fantasy for me. They showed me unflinchingly that girls could be heroes as well as boys (and Wookies ;) ) and even young people were capable of making great changes and undergoing terrible trials and surviving. I will always be thankful for that. So to Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta, thank you for your writing!
Some may complain that these books are written too simply and no longer follow the ‘canon’ storyline. I still argue these books are wonderful for young readers and you should definitely share them with the young people in your life. As for it being non-canonical, I choose to think of the so called extended universe as an alternate timeline. In the world of cinema, the Jedi Academy failed. In this universe however, it succeeded, and many of our favorite characters had a much happier ending. As far as I am concerned, both are excellent stories and I am glad they were told.
Happy Reading! And may the Force be with you, always.
And I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Were these stories quite as thrilling and engrossing as they were when I was a child? Of course not. I’m not the same person I was then. I’ve grown and experienced more of life. I’ve read and enjoyed (or disliked) new things, and my tastes have matured and changed. Even so, these books will always hold a special place in my heart. These books opened up the worlds of science fiction and fantasy for me. They showed me unflinchingly that girls could be heroes as well as boys (and Wookies ;) ) and even young people were capable of making great changes and undergoing terrible trials and surviving. I will always be thankful for that. So to Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta, thank you for your writing!
Some may complain that these books are written too simply and no longer follow the ‘canon’ storyline. I still argue these books are wonderful for young readers and you should definitely share them with the young people in your life. As for it being non-canonical, I choose to think of the so called extended universe as an alternate timeline. In the world of cinema, the Jedi Academy failed. In this universe however, it succeeded, and many of our favorite characters had a much happier ending. As far as I am concerned, both are excellent stories and I am glad they were told.
Happy Reading! And may the Force be with you, always.
August 1, 2021
A great ending to the series...though, as any Star Wars Expanded Universe fan knows, the adventures of the Solo kids don't stop here!
November 10, 2024
Very good for a younger readers novel. Surprisingly, they stuck the landing of the final book. Enjoyable, and the characters were really well developed and likeable. One of my only gripes is it's too adult for a young readers book (drugs, death, war, love, jealousy) and a little too childish for an older audience at times (i believe in this book they're around 14-15 and have all the innocence of small children, which ends up as a small oddity when they act much older in NJO (at least that's my assumption based off vector prime and what I know already) the author cant be blamed for NJO when it hadnt happened yet but they can be blamed for making them childish through their teens)
July 18, 2023
So endeth the final Young Jedi Knights Book. It has been a 14 book journey to get here, but the magnificent middle grade series by Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta comes to a fantastic close.
With this book, it is obvious that the writers and editors knew this was the end for them, so they focused on tying up the overall series. Because of this the last 20 pages (or 2 chapters) feels more like a series epilogue than necessarily an epilogue to this specific book. But I loved it. Really rewards readers who have stuck with it this whole time!
This book did some great things for the relationships of the Young Jedi Knights. I've always shipped Zekk and Jaina, and this book made it the most obvious of all the books thus far. I'm really disappointed in how it is handled in later books. We also get a little bit more of the Jacen and Tenel Ka dynamic, which has been one of the best parts of this series.
This book is really divided into two plotlines. There is the story on Kessel where Jaina and Lowbacca are trying to stop Czethros from taking over the spice mines and setting up a Black Sun empire. To be honest, of the major climactic finale books in this series, this is both the smallest scale and the smallest stakes. I never felt it was truly a major threat, and the ease with which the two Jedi pupils thwart Czethros makes it even less impactful.
The other storyline, however, was fantastic. The rest of the Young Jedi Knights (Zekk, Jacen, Tenel Ka) all go after Anja on Mon Calamari to stop her from getting more Spice that she is addicted to. For being a Middle Grade series that is pushing the boundries towards YA, I was impressed with the way that Anderson and Moesta handle drug addiction in this book (and the previous one as well). They tell an excellent story of why drug addiction is bad and also make us really care for Anja. Impressive writing.
The themes in the book work really well, particularly the themes of forgiveness and second chances. This has always been a strong theme in the YJK books, but its particularly strong here.
Overall, this is a very good book, and an excellent conclusion not only to this trilogy but to the whole Young Jedi Knights Series. I still think this little trilogy wasn't the wisest idea, as "The Emperor's Plague" was an epic conclusion, but this book ties up the character journey's so strongly that it actually makes the add on worth it! I'll give it an 8.5 out of 10!
With this book, it is obvious that the writers and editors knew this was the end for them, so they focused on tying up the overall series. Because of this the last 20 pages (or 2 chapters) feels more like a series epilogue than necessarily an epilogue to this specific book. But I loved it. Really rewards readers who have stuck with it this whole time!
This book did some great things for the relationships of the Young Jedi Knights. I've always shipped Zekk and Jaina, and this book made it the most obvious of all the books thus far. I'm really disappointed in how it is handled in later books. We also get a little bit more of the Jacen and Tenel Ka dynamic, which has been one of the best parts of this series.
This book is really divided into two plotlines. There is the story on Kessel where Jaina and Lowbacca are trying to stop Czethros from taking over the spice mines and setting up a Black Sun empire. To be honest, of the major climactic finale books in this series, this is both the smallest scale and the smallest stakes. I never felt it was truly a major threat, and the ease with which the two Jedi pupils thwart Czethros makes it even less impactful.
The other storyline, however, was fantastic. The rest of the Young Jedi Knights (Zekk, Jacen, Tenel Ka) all go after Anja on Mon Calamari to stop her from getting more Spice that she is addicted to. For being a Middle Grade series that is pushing the boundries towards YA, I was impressed with the way that Anderson and Moesta handle drug addiction in this book (and the previous one as well). They tell an excellent story of why drug addiction is bad and also make us really care for Anja. Impressive writing.
The themes in the book work really well, particularly the themes of forgiveness and second chances. This has always been a strong theme in the YJK books, but its particularly strong here.
Overall, this is a very good book, and an excellent conclusion not only to this trilogy but to the whole Young Jedi Knights Series. I still think this little trilogy wasn't the wisest idea, as "The Emperor's Plague" was an epic conclusion, but this book ties up the character journey's so strongly that it actually makes the add on worth it! I'll give it an 8.5 out of 10!
June 4, 2009
I find the Solo twins disturbingly invincible, but overall this was a pretty good book. Also, it had possibly the best Jacen/Tenel Ka line ever: Tenel Ka says he has good eyes; he says she has pretty eyes.
December 7, 2025
Ending this long series on a low note. The main conflict of this 3 book arc is solved halfway through this instalment when two characters of our ensemble use their little robot to do a horrifying terror operation (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bat_bomb). Meanwhile, the character we've been building the arc for this entire trilogy is learning the power of friendship in an unrelated, unimportant, and uninteresting conflict with the rest of the cast far from anything that matters.
After this we have a big party like the end of an animated movie where we bring in everyone ever mentioned to do a dance (Tahiri name drop, 👈👈 👀 look it's character you know from other book).
Can't wait to read 70 more Star Wars books and then turn to dust.
After this we have a big party like the end of an animated movie where we bring in everyone ever mentioned to do a dance (Tahiri name drop, 👈👈 👀 look it's character you know from other book).
Can't wait to read 70 more Star Wars books and then turn to dust.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2011
I loved these books when I was a teen - as they are a teen series. I wouldn't recommend them for anyone over 18. For me, reading them now is more of a nostalgic experience than anything.
May 28, 2020
ça y est, plus de 20 ans après avoir commencé cette série, j'ai enfin tout relu et terminé la série !
Soyons honnête, je ne la conseillerais pas forcément à grand monde même si j'ai globalement beaucoup apprécié cette relecture.
Clairement la série se destine à un public très jeune, les intrigues sont simple voir simpliste, bourrées de grosses ficelles et de facilités. Mais les personnages sont attachant et ils progressent et évoluent réellement au cours de ces 14 tomes et pour le coup tout cela est bien rendu, on les voit grandir.
La nostalgie à bien sûr fortement contribué à ce que j'apprécie cette relecture/lecture, c'était un plaisir de retrouver Jacen, Jaina, Tenel Ka et Lowie pour des aventures légères où le bien triomphe aisément et où tout fini bien? car bientôt c'est l'heure du Nouvel Ordre Jedi et des premiers drames, avant la terrible descente aux enfers de l'Héritage de la Force...
Soyons honnête, je ne la conseillerais pas forcément à grand monde même si j'ai globalement beaucoup apprécié cette relecture.
Clairement la série se destine à un public très jeune, les intrigues sont simple voir simpliste, bourrées de grosses ficelles et de facilités. Mais les personnages sont attachant et ils progressent et évoluent réellement au cours de ces 14 tomes et pour le coup tout cela est bien rendu, on les voit grandir.
La nostalgie à bien sûr fortement contribué à ce que j'apprécie cette relecture/lecture, c'était un plaisir de retrouver Jacen, Jaina, Tenel Ka et Lowie pour des aventures légères où le bien triomphe aisément et où tout fini bien? car bientôt c'est l'heure du Nouvel Ordre Jedi et des premiers drames, avant la terrible descente aux enfers de l'Héritage de la Force...
December 3, 2021
Given that this book concludes not just an internal trilogy in a larger series, but also an entire fourteen-book series, I was expecting more from it. It ends on the notes you would expect (happy endings, reformed enemies, renewed friendships, etc.), but it doesn't feel as significant, possibly because the threat from this trilogy feels weak compared to the other stories in the series. The ending of book six felt more like a proper ending, which makes sense -- the authors were only originally contracted for six books, so it was self-contained.
I do like the total series, and I think the character arcs are well done. I just feel like when you're bringing a series this long to a close, things should feel more important.
I do like the total series, and I think the character arcs are well done. I just feel like when you're bringing a series this long to a close, things should feel more important.
August 13, 2023
Crisis at Crystal Reef by Kevin J. Anderson. This is #14 in the 14 book Young Jedi Knights middle grade series.
This story does a good job of recapping all the previous main storylines from the previous books in this series. It wraps up the storyline of the last trilogy including a rather weighty storyline regarding Anja. This was another solid book.
I highly recommend it and gave it 4 stars.
Note: Overall, I really enjoyed this book series. I would highly recommend it to anyone that is interested in reading a good solid Legends series of books.
My Rating System:
* not worth finishing;
** ok, but...would not recommend;
*** liked it, would recommend;
**** really liked it, would highly recommend;
***** loved it, have/would read again.
This story does a good job of recapping all the previous main storylines from the previous books in this series. It wraps up the storyline of the last trilogy including a rather weighty storyline regarding Anja. This was another solid book.
I highly recommend it and gave it 4 stars.
Note: Overall, I really enjoyed this book series. I would highly recommend it to anyone that is interested in reading a good solid Legends series of books.
My Rating System:
* not worth finishing;
** ok, but...would not recommend;
*** liked it, would recommend;
**** really liked it, would highly recommend;
***** loved it, have/would read again.
August 21, 2024
Not bad, per se, but it doesn't have the feeling of the finale of a fourteen-book series. Yes, it ends that way, but that's sort of hamfisted into the last 20 pages. But there are some interesting themes around this, especially Anja's struggle with andris addiction coming to a head.
Not the last we hear from our main set of characters, of course, although it's bitterly disappointing that some of the supporting cast are never followed up on later - but you can't blame Anderson and Moesta for that! Very excited to be at NJO now!
Not the last we hear from our main set of characters, of course, although it's bitterly disappointing that some of the supporting cast are never followed up on later - but you can't blame Anderson and Moesta for that! Very excited to be at NJO now!
September 2, 2025
When I was a kid I loved the Shadow Academy arc of this series, and I really enjoyed rereading it as an adult too. The Diversity Alliance had its moments, but this last one centering around Black Sun was...not great. As the young Jedi get older, it makes the writing, plots, and interactions just seem more and more childish. I wanted to like Anja and I think her growing relationship with the others could've been really interesting, but it all kind of falls flat.
Still love the series, if only for nostalgia.
Still love the series, if only for nostalgia.
June 24, 2021
A good ending for the series.
I really liked the action in this one. It was varied and flowed well. The inclusion of drug use and addiction seems interesting, because even though these books I think are technically, or were originally categorized as young adult books, The characters feel a bit younger than that to me. So drug use is acceptable and common in the world of young adult lit, but feels like a heavy topic for these books.
I really liked the action in this one. It was varied and flowed well. The inclusion of drug use and addiction seems interesting, because even though these books I think are technically, or were originally categorized as young adult books, The characters feel a bit younger than that to me. So drug use is acceptable and common in the world of young adult lit, but feels like a heavy topic for these books.
Read
December 14, 2023this is a good conclusion to the series. overall, a really fun time, but definitely written for younger readers. I think that the adventures in these stories are fantastic and have all the elements of Star Wars that we all love but on a much smaller scale. Super easy to read and would recommend.
I think I will try to find the more adult novels that include these characters and give them a go. I hope that will help curb my resentment of the lack of character growth in this series.
I think I will try to find the more adult novels that include these characters and give them a go. I hope that will help curb my resentment of the lack of character growth in this series.
December 15, 2023
Wow! Tis is how you finish a saga. This is the best YA series I read. I did not care these books are no longer ‘canon’. I love these Characters and I hope they come back again. I know I am a late bloomer when comes to The young Jedi knights. I love them no less. The two storylines were really good. My favorite was the battle with the Diversity Alliance! Jains Solo rocked in each book!
I am so grateful I discovered these books. May the force be with you!
I am so grateful I discovered these books. May the force be with you!
January 26, 2022
The best of the three but this trilogy just seemed like an add on because the series was so popular. The entire thing wasn’t great and was unnecessary it didn’t really advance anybody’s character and Anja was completely unlikeable.
December 5, 2023
This was a good conclusion to the series. It was good to see the kids grow up over the course of the series. The character of Anja really didn't add anything to the last three books, so I'm not really sure why she's there.
September 27, 2025
i'm sorry but they really didn't try with this third arc. the other 2 were way better to me. it felt like so much random stuff was crammed in
but still great for the characters and a fun read, i just proffered the first 11 books
but still great for the characters and a fun read, i just proffered the first 11 books
March 24, 2018
Even though these books are written for kids, I've still enjoyed them. I'm hoping that Jaina and Jacen and Tenel Ka and the others show up in other Star Wars books in the future.
August 6, 2021
It was really just an okay story and it helped to pass the time.
Really I’m just glad to be done with this series and am ready to move on to a new group of books.
Really I’m just glad to be done with this series and am ready to move on to a new group of books.
November 4, 2021
Im highly convinced that im doing sometung wrong in life... HOW THE HELL DO I GET MYSELF A BOYFRIEND
July 5, 2024
The villain and threat in this arc was pretty weak and it definitely should've ended with the diversity alliance arc, but overall this was a fine ending
October 27, 2024
On its own, this wasn't the strongest of the YJK series in terms of plot, but as an ending for the series it really excelled.
November 9, 2024
Absolutely fantastic book!!
September 8, 2019
I was the perfect age for these novels in the mid-ninties. I am now re-reading them and i still find them enjoyable. Finished the whole series for a "sci-fi summer". Looked forward to reading "darryl Dobbs" reviews because his opinions pretty much mirrored my own.
August 21, 2017
As with the previous book, this has a great cover (though Luke being on it is a little odd). The twins are drawn so well!
Zekk and Jaina's flirting and desire to tell each other their feelings is awkward and perfect. The build up is quite believable.
It bothers me that everyone is offering Zekk help on building his lightsaber, when none of them had help and all worked on their own. That was a strange addition.
Anja is determined to bring down Czethros, and steals the Lightning Rod to do so. It doesn't help that her addiction is strong. Anderson and Moesta show the horrors of addiction extremely well, and how addicts take desperate actions (and lie to themselves).
Peckham is definitely written better in this series than in the "Junior Jedi Knights." I know he's been in other YJK books, but it's something I felt the need to point out here.
It makes me smile to know that Nien Nunb runs the Kessel mines and has fought for legality of the work, good treatment of workers, and a better work environment.
Too bad Czethros wants to take over.
It's a little strange that Nunb's full name is always used, but other than using solely his surname, it works well! To me, it's similar to "Mon Mothma" - where 'Mon' just sounds odd
Crystal Reef is a wealthy vacation resort (with a casino) in the northern part of Mon Calamari. Black Sun stores spice in the ice caps. Other than that, the Reef sounds beautiful.
More than halfway through, I realized that Em Teedee annoys me a lot less in this book than in previous ones.
He, Jaina, and Lowie messing with Kessel's refresher units is hilarious.
I LOVE that Anja trula has no care about names or status, and that they don't matter to her. Her shock at how the others treat her Jedi friends and Cilghal makes me smile, because her obliviousness to such statuses is genuine.
Chapter 13, a Luke interlude, is completely pointless.
FINALLY AT THE END TAHIRI IS MENTIONED AND IT'S STATED SHE'S ANAKIN'S BEST FRIEND. Why was that so darned difficult in the previous 13 books!?
The end itself is pretty fantastic and makes me smile.
Zekk and Jaina's flirting and desire to tell each other their feelings is awkward and perfect. The build up is quite believable.
It bothers me that everyone is offering Zekk help on building his lightsaber, when none of them had help and all worked on their own. That was a strange addition.
Anja is determined to bring down Czethros, and steals the Lightning Rod to do so. It doesn't help that her addiction is strong. Anderson and Moesta show the horrors of addiction extremely well, and how addicts take desperate actions (and lie to themselves).
Peckham is definitely written better in this series than in the "Junior Jedi Knights." I know he's been in other YJK books, but it's something I felt the need to point out here.
It makes me smile to know that Nien Nunb runs the Kessel mines and has fought for legality of the work, good treatment of workers, and a better work environment.
Too bad Czethros wants to take over.
It's a little strange that Nunb's full name is always used, but other than using solely his surname, it works well! To me, it's similar to "Mon Mothma" - where 'Mon' just sounds odd
Crystal Reef is a wealthy vacation resort (with a casino) in the northern part of Mon Calamari. Black Sun stores spice in the ice caps. Other than that, the Reef sounds beautiful.
More than halfway through, I realized that Em Teedee annoys me a lot less in this book than in previous ones.
He, Jaina, and Lowie messing with Kessel's refresher units is hilarious.
I LOVE that Anja trula has no care about names or status, and that they don't matter to her. Her shock at how the others treat her Jedi friends and Cilghal makes me smile, because her obliviousness to such statuses is genuine.
Chapter 13, a Luke interlude, is completely pointless.
FINALLY AT THE END TAHIRI IS MENTIONED AND IT'S STATED SHE'S ANAKIN'S BEST FRIEND. Why was that so darned difficult in the previous 13 books!?
The end itself is pretty fantastic and makes me smile.
November 20, 2013
I am a little behind with the Black Sun story arc. So far I have read the last novel in the three part series, but I still enjoyed it immensely! The twins and theirs friends make a great cast of characters and I am glad that most of them make appearances in other EU novels. It is interesting f to see the teens dealing with issues such as addiction, something one never really sees in Star Wars. Anja is quite the enigmatic young woman and I can see why Jacen is somewhat smitten with her. I enjoyed the two different arcs that the plot follows. The time spent on Mon Calimari was fun, I loved the live game of cat and mouse the Jedi have with the lucky giant sea creature. Their adventures in Kessel were a little more action packed and I loved Lowie's and Em Teedee's ingenuity with the mine's systems. I only have a few complaints about the story. I felt that Anja got over her spice addiction to quickly and that the Anderson's had too many convenient plot devices to help the Jedi along, bit what can one say it is a young adult book. Overall a fun read.
March 19, 2009
I read this whole series several times when I was a kid. These were a lot of fun and easy to read. They really helped me along my way to enjoy reading and becoming obessed with Star Wars. We meet alot of charaters that became close frinds to the reader. I feel Anderson was able to identify what a young adult would be lookig for in characters and hit it bullseye. Kudos for a great series.
December 29, 2014
Kevin J. Anderson stole the ending from A New Hope, but at least it actually makes sense this time. Overall, the whole series was a fun read despite its flaws. Zekk and Tenel Ka are great additions to the "Legends" universe.
December 31, 2015
A much stronger finish to the series than the previous two books suggested. Everything was wrapped up neatly and satisfyingly, and it makes me a little sad that none of this storyline will ever make it into the films.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews