The Rise of the Shadow Academy

Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights #1-6

by Kevin J. Anderson, Rebecca Moesta

Collects:

YOUNG JEDI KNIGHTS

#1 HEIRS OF THE FORCE
#2 SHADOW ACADEMY
#3 THE LOST ONES
#4 LIGHTSABERS
#5 DARKEST KNIGHT
#6 JEDI UNDER SIEGE

Genres: Star Wars, Science Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult

710 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 1996

About the author

Yes, 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.

Reviews

[Jim C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating is 3.5 stars.

This is part of a galaxy far, far away but is not considered canon anymore. This book is meant for the younger audience. This book contains several smaller books in this series. In this one we visit Leia and Han's kids as they train at Luke's Jedi Academy. This book is basically this galaxy's version of Hogwarts. We see the twins in adventures with their friends as they battle an evil version of their academy.

I liked this book. It was a nice look into the next generation of heroes and their training as they become heroes. And it was a nice look into Luke being a Jedi master and training those heroes as one can see the influence of Ben and Yoda on him. The adventures were a little over the top but since these books were meant for younger children that can be forgiven. This book was far from perfect though. There are plenty of plot holes and jumps in the plot line. Some of these jumps were in the training of the younglings but once again it can be forgiven as it is a younger children book. The one thing I did enjoy is that each book builds up on the previous book. This made it feel like one big adventure. Every story was likeable and there really wasn't a bad one it. There was one that was absolutely terrific as it went a little dark and I was surprised by this. And during all the stories we get plenty of visits from established characters that just adds to the fun of the story.

This isn't the best book I have read from this universe but it isn't the worst. It was enjoyable and it does what it is suppose to do. I believe younger children will eat this up as they will love our litle group of heroes. Adults will notice some mistakes but they are not nearly enough to detract enjoyment from this book.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this quite a lot. Different feel from prequel era and hello, Luke, training lightsabers? But I really liked it and I’m annoyed that it was making me not hate Jacen Solo. Legacy of the Force is just gonna be that much more heartbreaking. Jaina’s still my favorite Solo kid though. And I’ve decided I like Tenel Ka. Wasn’t really sure from Fate of the Jedi, but I like her. And Em Teedee. *shakes head* Good job with that one, Threepio. 😂

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read this several times, two or three times as a teen and once or twice as an adult. I really enjoy it, far more than the new trilogy of Star Wars films. Why they had to go “ original,” just a retelling of episodes 4-6 beat by beat, when there’s an endless pool of actual original novels is beyond me.

If you love Star Wars you won’t be disappointed in these, though they’re clearly young adult stories. They’re fun, the characters have depth, Luke, Han, and Leah are prominent characters as well.

[Ashton Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall a fairly decent story showing how the Solo twins start their path to becoming Jedi. The new characters were also pretty good especially Tenel Ka who I thought was my favorite. The twist was pretty good at the end of the 6th book but I saw it coming from the moment they named the leader explicitly. Qorl was an interesting character to look at the empire through and it was fun to see how his morality clashes with his training.

[Jason Fett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series when I was a kid and so glad it holds up as an adult.

[Avaer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really care for this book. I didn't feel like the chapters were connected, and found that the characters were introduced too abruptly. Although, I did like the author's analogies and character development throughout the book. My main goal in reading this book was focusing on the symbolism. I found that the dark side or the shadow academy symbolizes, how our fear and ambition can over power us if we aren't careful. (Like when Zekk turned to the dark side.) One must stick to their values or alway be built upon solid ground. If Zekk was more sure of himself:He wouldn't have fallen.

[Charlie Thacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was awesome! My faverte chapter was jedi under seige. I don't get the shadow academy's cloaking device. What are E-wings? Exactely how much dose Lando's gem mineing station mine into Yaven. I don't get Zekk.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Luke Skywalker has turned the abandoned base into a training academy for young Jedi candidates two decades after the destruction of the Death Star. Now some of the youngsters have to defend the New Republic against a new threat.

[Lou Rocama · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these as a kid. They were the only Star Wars books I kept as an adult (though I did replace the related Junior Jedi Knights series later on). As I refuse to reread for fear of ruining fond memories my continued possession is silly, but I'm a sentimental creature.

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everybody loves lightsabers. Amusing addition to the Star Wars storyline. Not for me though.. I am picky with the sci-fi I keep in my permanent collection. =)

[Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books were a big part of my youth. They inspired me to become a reader and a writer. I recommend them to any young person who considers himself or herself a fan of Star Wars.

[Kameron Ballentine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read these books as a teenager and really enjoyed them. I thought I would try them again. They are still enjoyable reads.

[Taran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a big hit to my Star Wars reading. It was very exciting, had a great storyline, and tied straight in with the other books by other authors. A must-read if you like Star Wars!

[Larry Koester]

enjoyed