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Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights #10
Jedi Bounty
Jacen and Jaina, along with other young Jedi knights, must rescue Lowbacca from the planet Ryloth, controlled by the hostile government of Nolaa Tarkona, before he is forced to join her Diversity Alliance or is executed for resisting.
240 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1997
6 people are currently reading
1135 people want to read
About the author
Kevin J. Anderson
1,038 books3,106 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 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 28, 2025
JACEN AND TENEL KA'S SCENES KILLED ME
June 9, 2025
Jacen, Jaina, Tenel Ka, Em-Tee-Dee and Raynar are worried for their friend, Lowbacca, who left with friend, Raaba, and sister, Sirra, to Ryloth to join the Diversity Alliance. They decide to take Tenel Ka's ship, Rock Dragon, to Ryloth to speak with him and make sure he is okay. Meanwhile, Zekk continues to hunt for Bornan Thul and pieces together why Nolaa Tarkona has such a high bounty for him.
I took a long, long hiatus from this series (the last book I finished in January of 2022). A lot has happened since then, personally, which I won't get into because none of you know me and care about that. One thing that did not change, is that I wanted desperately to finish this series, to see if it was as good as I remembered or not and to pass this along to someone else to streamline my collections.
To recap: the first 6 books were solid (Dark Jedi plotline), the next two books of Diversity Alliance plotline were wobbly and the last book (Delusions of Grandeur) was showing promise. I am happy to report, this book is one of the ones continuing the good outlook of Delusions.
One of the things YJK books have done well, despite the books being geared towards tweens, is have characters that grow and develop. We saw this most famously with Tenel Ka in the DJ plotline; in this plotline, I am happy to see that Lowbacca gets some much deserved attention. His people have been abused and enslaved for decades or more; he wants nothing more than to be taken seriously and work on computers. So when his friend, Raaba, reappears in his life, it is tempting for him to court the Diversity Alliance. And they seem to have it going on - there, he is not an anomaly, the only alien amongst humans. Here he joins other non-human species, but he can just tell things aren't right.
Before I got much further, I feel compelled to stop here and talk about my feelings about Diversity Alliance itself. Previously, I felt that it was a bit uncomfortable, that people could too easily draw connections between aliens and blacks or POC in general, and well, that's an awkward look, and feels like something one might find on Fox News. So despite this easy connection, I started thinking of the Diversity Alliance differently - say like Nazi Germany. Imagine that Adolf Hitler = Nolaa Tarkonara. She often gives rhetoric about how humans have done awful things to them in the past, so it's totally okay to obliterate them. While the analogy (like all analogies) isn't 1:1, I think it goes to say more about how a person can use legitimate talking points and come to a faulty conclusion *cough*Trump*cough*. And I feel THAT is a better conversation than being afraid of aliens daring to ask for rights.
Anyway, the overall story and message is pretty good - but that doesn't mean goofiness doesn't ensue. For this portion, I will reserve my complaints into two boxes: the 15-year olds continuing to be allowed to gallivant across the galaxy in their own spaceship and the undermining of Boba Fett and Dengar (and the fanservice they represent).
Previous books, I was askance that Tenel Ka was given her own ship (and a friend mentioned, there was no pilot, no engineer, no head of security, no entourage befitting a princess, nothing) to go wherever she pleased. I get the feeling the authors 1) were feeling trapped by having their teenagers stuck on Yavin 4 and 2) tried to convince themselves that this was like giving your teenagers the keys to the van. However, once again, the gang get themselves into SERIOUS trouble - maybe even worse than all the past incidents, as they actually are enslaved for a time and then subjected to extreme heat and cold.
Sidenote: okay, I can't let it go, no matter how hard I try - I'm supposed to believe that Tenel Ka/Jacen walk for hours in freezing cold and don't die from hypothermia? That Jaina and Raynar can exist in blistering, never-ending heat and just duck into an alcove they carved themselves and be totes ok? And before you say, no they do not use the Force to preserve their heat or cold, because Jacen suggests it towards the end of their journey.
Okay, back to your regularly scheduled programming.
I just cannot understand how after the incidents of the last 3 books (where they were chased by bounty hunters), their parents were just all okay with the continued flying all over the place.
The second part is more about the fanservice, which while not as bad as previous books, still undermines Boba Fett and Dengar as bounty hunters. Zekk is able to trace Bornan Thul's signal faster (!), disables Dengar's ship (!!) and eludes both Boba Fett and Dengar (!!!) while putting a trace on Thul's ship. Zekk is a 15 maybe 16 year old who has had one bounty by this point - but he can go toe-to-toe with experienced bounty hunters?! I'm sorry, the fact that these kids continually outwit these bounty hunters make no sense and just make me wonder how these guys managed to get anything done.
I lied...one last quibble. The beginning action sequence? Where an animal attacks Raynar? Unnecessary - we have enough action in this book (some of it very good), we don't need manufactured events at the beginning.
Okay, NOW I can wrap up.
I am happy to get back to this series, to finish it and to see that it is pretty darn good for what it is. No, this isn't the best written, most clever book out there, but it's a lot smarter than I think people give it credit for. How many other series would dare to ask questions about xenophobia or joining a cause and then realizing it is an evil cause?
"She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid."
I took a long, long hiatus from this series (the last book I finished in January of 2022). A lot has happened since then, personally, which I won't get into because none of you know me and care about that. One thing that did not change, is that I wanted desperately to finish this series, to see if it was as good as I remembered or not and to pass this along to someone else to streamline my collections.
To recap: the first 6 books were solid (Dark Jedi plotline), the next two books of Diversity Alliance plotline were wobbly and the last book (Delusions of Grandeur) was showing promise. I am happy to report, this book is one of the ones continuing the good outlook of Delusions.
One of the things YJK books have done well, despite the books being geared towards tweens, is have characters that grow and develop. We saw this most famously with Tenel Ka in the DJ plotline; in this plotline, I am happy to see that Lowbacca gets some much deserved attention. His people have been abused and enslaved for decades or more; he wants nothing more than to be taken seriously and work on computers. So when his friend, Raaba, reappears in his life, it is tempting for him to court the Diversity Alliance. And they seem to have it going on - there, he is not an anomaly, the only alien amongst humans. Here he joins other non-human species, but he can just tell things aren't right.
Before I got much further, I feel compelled to stop here and talk about my feelings about Diversity Alliance itself. Previously, I felt that it was a bit uncomfortable, that people could too easily draw connections between aliens and blacks or POC in general, and well, that's an awkward look, and feels like something one might find on Fox News. So despite this easy connection, I started thinking of the Diversity Alliance differently - say like Nazi Germany. Imagine that Adolf Hitler = Nolaa Tarkonara. She often gives rhetoric about how humans have done awful things to them in the past, so it's totally okay to obliterate them. While the analogy (like all analogies) isn't 1:1, I think it goes to say more about how a person can use legitimate talking points and come to a faulty conclusion *cough*Trump*cough*. And I feel THAT is a better conversation than being afraid of aliens daring to ask for rights.
Anyway, the overall story and message is pretty good - but that doesn't mean goofiness doesn't ensue. For this portion, I will reserve my complaints into two boxes: the 15-year olds continuing to be allowed to gallivant across the galaxy in their own spaceship and the undermining of Boba Fett and Dengar (and the fanservice they represent).
Previous books, I was askance that Tenel Ka was given her own ship (and a friend mentioned, there was no pilot, no engineer, no head of security, no entourage befitting a princess, nothing) to go wherever she pleased. I get the feeling the authors 1) were feeling trapped by having their teenagers stuck on Yavin 4 and 2) tried to convince themselves that this was like giving your teenagers the keys to the van. However, once again, the gang get themselves into SERIOUS trouble - maybe even worse than all the past incidents, as they actually are enslaved for a time and then subjected to extreme heat and cold.
Sidenote: okay, I can't let it go, no matter how hard I try - I'm supposed to believe that Tenel Ka/Jacen walk for hours in freezing cold and don't die from hypothermia? That Jaina and Raynar can exist in blistering, never-ending heat and just duck into an alcove they carved themselves and be totes ok? And before you say, no they do not use the Force to preserve their heat or cold, because Jacen suggests it towards the end of their journey.
Okay, back to your regularly scheduled programming.
I just cannot understand how after the incidents of the last 3 books (where they were chased by bounty hunters), their parents were just all okay with the continued flying all over the place.
The second part is more about the fanservice, which while not as bad as previous books, still undermines Boba Fett and Dengar as bounty hunters. Zekk is able to trace Bornan Thul's signal faster (!), disables Dengar's ship (!!) and eludes both Boba Fett and Dengar (!!!) while putting a trace on Thul's ship. Zekk is a 15 maybe 16 year old who has had one bounty by this point - but he can go toe-to-toe with experienced bounty hunters?! I'm sorry, the fact that these kids continually outwit these bounty hunters make no sense and just make me wonder how these guys managed to get anything done.
I lied...one last quibble. The beginning action sequence? Where an animal attacks Raynar? Unnecessary - we have enough action in this book (some of it very good), we don't need manufactured events at the beginning.
Okay, NOW I can wrap up.
I am happy to get back to this series, to finish it and to see that it is pretty darn good for what it is. No, this isn't the best written, most clever book out there, but it's a lot smarter than I think people give it credit for. How many other series would dare to ask questions about xenophobia or joining a cause and then realizing it is an evil cause?
"She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid."
September 12, 2020
Not a bad plot at its core and sprinkled with good moments, it is an overstretched outing which in turn exposes some of the flaws and tropes of the writer's hand in a more glaring light. There's not really a need to remind us that Raaba's fur is chocolate colored, verbatim, almost every time she appears. 2 1/2 stars
April 3, 2023
Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta know how to deliver the right kind of Star Wars story for the right audience. This book builds off of the previous books, and takes the reader deep into the territory of the fearsome enemy: The Diversity Alliance.
What I was shocked by was how dark the book gets. There is discussion of some aliens EATING and MURDERING other aliens. I was surprised this got through in this kids book. I think most kids can handle it, but its still quite a lot!
The action is very fast paced, and the characters never spend too much time at one place. Every chapter includes the plot moving forward, as well as the characters moving forward as well. In this way, it is a very effective and efficient book.
The book doesn't have as much humor as the other books, but it also has a much darker tone overall so it makes sense that the natural humor isn't as much here.
There are some great character moments between Jacen and Tenel Ka, Jaina and Raynar, Raynar and Lusa, and Lowbacca and Rabba and Sirra. I thought that they were all handled well, and had some decent development.
Where this book shines is the way it handles the themes about the Diversity Alliance. There are not only parallels to the Nazis, but other evil organizations. The cover alone evokes the evil Nazi flags and the symbolism also is present in the way racial stereotypes are used between species. The book also explores the themes of a downtrodden race/races exacting revenge and desiring reparations in some fashion, and how that isn't necessarily a good idea. It explores how a backlash to injustice might produce an injustice of its own.
The book also shows some political machinations, and shows how Nolaa Tarkona is able to effectively play this machiavellian leader for the Diversity Alliance.
If I have one major complaint, by this point the children of the leader of the New Republic, the child of the leaders of the Hapes Consortium, and the child of a major billionare merchant shoudl be much better guarded/watched on Yavin 4. Just saying....
Overall, a very enjoyable novel. Certainly, the darkest book in the series, but worthwhile nonetheless. I can't wait to read the final book in this arc. I think this is solidified as my favorite Middle Grade series. 9 out of 10!
What I was shocked by was how dark the book gets. There is discussion of some aliens EATING and MURDERING other aliens. I was surprised this got through in this kids book. I think most kids can handle it, but its still quite a lot!
The action is very fast paced, and the characters never spend too much time at one place. Every chapter includes the plot moving forward, as well as the characters moving forward as well. In this way, it is a very effective and efficient book.
The book doesn't have as much humor as the other books, but it also has a much darker tone overall so it makes sense that the natural humor isn't as much here.
There are some great character moments between Jacen and Tenel Ka, Jaina and Raynar, Raynar and Lusa, and Lowbacca and Rabba and Sirra. I thought that they were all handled well, and had some decent development.
Where this book shines is the way it handles the themes about the Diversity Alliance. There are not only parallels to the Nazis, but other evil organizations. The cover alone evokes the evil Nazi flags and the symbolism also is present in the way racial stereotypes are used between species. The book also explores the themes of a downtrodden race/races exacting revenge and desiring reparations in some fashion, and how that isn't necessarily a good idea. It explores how a backlash to injustice might produce an injustice of its own.
The book also shows some political machinations, and shows how Nolaa Tarkona is able to effectively play this machiavellian leader for the Diversity Alliance.
If I have one major complaint, by this point the children of the leader of the New Republic, the child of the leaders of the Hapes Consortium, and the child of a major billionare merchant shoudl be much better guarded/watched on Yavin 4. Just saying....
Overall, a very enjoyable novel. Certainly, the darkest book in the series, but worthwhile nonetheless. I can't wait to read the final book in this arc. I think this is solidified as my favorite Middle Grade series. 9 out of 10!
August 14, 2017
This is one of the best YJK books.
The back blurb is true...yet it's also a bit misleading. I like it.
The front cover is beautiful and very appropriate.
Low is caught up with the Diversity Alliance and is quite wary. His friends plan a break-in, in a show of TRUE friendship, unlike what Raaba said in the previous book.
I really like seeing Lusa's growth, especially towards Raynar. Sometimes, it takes a cute boy to change one's mind.
But I've always liked Lusa.
It's very frustrating that her story didn't ring alarm bells with the Bothan. Hello, young Knights, moles can be anywhere!
Leaving Lusa alone on Yavin 4 is a super bad omen.
Ta'a Chume is more interesting than she usually is, and I like seeing her and Tenel Ka interact. Her discovery of the Diversity Alliance's political intrigue - and their conspiracies and source of funding - are chilling.
Only now am I wondering why Dengar is still a bounty hunter. I'd have thought he would enjoy life with Manaroo. Even Wookieepedia is mum on the reasoning:
"After his partnership with Fett, Dengar settled down to married life with Manaroo. However, he resurfaced from time to time for unknown reasons."
Zekk's moral reasoning is awesome, and such a great change from what he thought he was feeling with the Shadow Academy.
Bornan Thul becomes extremely paranoid (with reason), but his utter lack of trust is annoying.
When the twins, Raynar, and Tenel Ka are captured, I was very confused as to why they didn't just call to Lowie mentally!
I DON'T CARE IF THEY'RE 14; I WANT JACEN AND TK TO KISS.
The back blurb is true...yet it's also a bit misleading. I like it.
The front cover is beautiful and very appropriate.
Low is caught up with the Diversity Alliance and is quite wary. His friends plan a break-in, in a show of TRUE friendship, unlike what Raaba said in the previous book.
I really like seeing Lusa's growth, especially towards Raynar. Sometimes, it takes a cute boy to change one's mind.
But I've always liked Lusa.
It's very frustrating that her story didn't ring alarm bells with the Bothan. Hello, young Knights, moles can be anywhere!
Leaving Lusa alone on Yavin 4 is a super bad omen.
Ta'a Chume is more interesting than she usually is, and I like seeing her and Tenel Ka interact. Her discovery of the Diversity Alliance's political intrigue - and their conspiracies and source of funding - are chilling.
Only now am I wondering why Dengar is still a bounty hunter. I'd have thought he would enjoy life with Manaroo. Even Wookieepedia is mum on the reasoning:
"After his partnership with Fett, Dengar settled down to married life with Manaroo. However, he resurfaced from time to time for unknown reasons."
Zekk's moral reasoning is awesome, and such a great change from what he thought he was feeling with the Shadow Academy.
Bornan Thul becomes extremely paranoid (with reason), but his utter lack of trust is annoying.
When the twins, Raynar, and Tenel Ka are captured, I was very confused as to why they didn't just call to Lowie mentally!
I DON'T CARE IF THEY'RE 14; I WANT JACEN AND TK TO KISS.
September 2, 2024
I think the worst part about these books is just how slowly they're paced. We know exactly where a lot of these plot points are going, but they take an entire book or 3 to get there. Honestly there's no reason for it either. If these stories were more focused and condensed on the actual plot they'd be really interesting.
On the other hand, the best part about these books is the characters and their development. They're very well written, despite some childish additions that make you remember these are technically young readers. Which also brings up the point, there are several adult themes throughout, yet the writing occasionally dips down into levels of grade school books. I wish it had been more of a consistent middle
On the other hand, the best part about these books is the characters and their development. They're very well written, despite some childish additions that make you remember these are technically young readers. Which also brings up the point, there are several adult themes throughout, yet the writing occasionally dips down into levels of grade school books. I wish it had been more of a consistent middle
June 9, 2021
I'm so excited to get the diversity alliance over and done with soon. It's quite problematic.
Other than that I enjoyed the story it was quite interesting and thrilling.
From my point of view some of the events on Ryloth are probably not that scientifically accurate, but I'm not an astronomer or geologist, and it is fiction so it doesn't really need to be. Still it did hold up my suspension of disbelief just a little.
Other than that I enjoyed the story it was quite interesting and thrilling.
From my point of view some of the events on Ryloth are probably not that scientifically accurate, but I'm not an astronomer or geologist, and it is fiction so it doesn't really need to be. Still it did hold up my suspension of disbelief just a little.
June 17, 2024
I guess someone, somewhere realized this entire Diversity Alliance idea was an uncomfortable metaphor and decided they were a bit too sympathetic because now according to the front cover they use suspiciously Nazi symbols and Tarkona is a masculine Twilek. In a desperate attempt to solve a problematic plot point they just made things worse.
The story itself is fine, but the cover is probably the most interesting part
The story itself is fine, but the cover is probably the most interesting part
November 3, 2019
This book was just kinda boring. It didn’t feel like I was reading a Star Wars book. It was more like a random sci-fi story.
The reason this book gets two stars instead of one is that the descriptions of the freezing and burning sides of Ryloth were very well done and I enjoyed them a lot.
I just felt this wasn’t very good.
The reason this book gets two stars instead of one is that the descriptions of the freezing and burning sides of Ryloth were very well done and I enjoyed them a lot.
I just felt this wasn’t very good.
August 10, 2024
Badly named again, but the plot has picked up a bit. They go a bit off the deep end with the genocidal intentions this book, even if the reader already knows about it beforehand. Some great Jaina action moments, think her relationship with Zekk is still a little too forced though - but Jacen/Tenel Ka have a much more enjoyable development going on.
I'm about ready to finish off this arc, though. 5 volumes is far too many.
I'm about ready to finish off this arc, though. 5 volumes is far too many.
April 14, 2021
The Jedi crew go to Ryloth to rescue Lowie from the Diversity alliance. Someone close to Lowie betrays them and gets them sent to the mines. Will Lowie come to his senses and save his friends? On to the next installment of those meddling kids Star Wars style :)
July 8, 2018
Lite långsökt och riskabelt...
July 30, 2021
2.5 stars. Some good moments to be sure but really stretched out and not paced well
November 17, 2021
It's fine. Not bad, not great ... just fine. I expect the next book, which wraps up this story arc, might be a little bit better.
December 31, 2023
I wanted to end my year of reading again with a book I knew I would love.
June 5, 2024
My favorite of the series so far. I love this version of Ryloth, I loved the plot, and I loved Lowie wrestling with difficult political ethics.
May 26, 2022
More of the same here - good action, good adventure. Continuing to enjoy the various perspectives, I feel like it's really working for this story. Love a rescue mission! I still wish it was longer, these are just a bit too choppy. However, still fun and really enjoying them for what they are. Expect this to lead to a fabulous, action packed conclusion.
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.
June 3, 2009
This book adds to the continuing development of Zekk, which is great to see. Also, the revelations that occur are not small ones by any means. The plot presented doesn't just affect this book, which is nice to see, considering the audience.
July 26, 2015
Lots of action and mini-eucatastrophes in this installment. A little grittier than previous books, with lots of great character interactions. I'm just loving revisiting this series. Perfect simple fun for summer.
July 24, 2007
I'm totally in love with the Young Jedi Knights books. They're so silly, but they were a big part of my childhood, from about age 10-13. I wanted to be Jaina Solo so badly. XD
November 27, 2008
Good book, all in all, but lacking something. Not sure what it is, but oh well.
August 2, 2011
I think this one was my favorite in the series when I was younger. I liked to read about the bonds that were formed during the adversity.
August 6, 2011
One of the better installments in the series. Well worth a read.
September 8, 2023
This was a good story. The overall story arc moved forward and you can feel the build up to the conclusion. I enjoyed the description of both pairs experiences of the two sides of Ryloth's surface.
February 7, 2015
The best of the Young Jedi Knight series so far. Surprisingly suspenseful for a youth novel.
March 28, 2017
Great book to recommend to pre-teens, a little too simplistic for adults. Kids, even teenagers, deciding for themselves to infiltrate a hostile planet, is a silly premise that you have to overlook. But a quick, easy read and it continues to develop great characters such as Zekk and Tenel Ka
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews