Children of the Jedi (novel)

Children of the Jedi is a 1995 bestselling novel written by Barbara Hambly and published by Bantam Spectra. The novel is set several months after the Jedi Academy Trilogy in the Star Wars Expanded Universe timeline. Moreover, it serves as book one in a three book cycle involving Callista Ming, an ex-Jedi Knight. The next book in the cycle is Darksaber by Kevin J. Anderson. Hambly also wrote the final novel in the cycle, Planet of Twilight. Narration of the audio version was performed by Anthony Heald.

Editions

 * ISBN 0553089307 and ISBN 0615007287; Bantam Spectra, May 1995, 345-page hardcover
 * ISBN 0553471953; Random House Audio, May 1995, Abridged cassette
 * ISBN 0553745662; Random House Audio, May 1995, Cassette
 * ISBN 0553572938 and ISBN 0553840088; Bantam Spectra, June 1996, 409-page paperback
 * ISBN 060611887X; Sagebrush Corporation, June 1996, School/Library binding
 * ISBN 0553471953; Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, 1995, two cassettes

Hardcover
''Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Chewbacca set out on a mission vital to the survival of the fragile New Republic. They are searching for the long-lost children of the Jedi, a quest that takes them to the once vibrant stronghold of Belsavis&mdash;a nearly forgotten frozen world. Leia has heard tales of a Jedi exodus from the dark crypts below the planet's surface. She has also heard that since the time of the exodus no one entering the crypts has returned alive.''

''Halfway across the galaxy, Luke Skywalker has undertaken an equally dangerous expedition that, if it fails, could have fatal consequences for Leia, Han, and Chewbacca. Haunted by ominous dreams and guided by a force he cannot identify, Luke journeys to a remote asteroid field over the planet Pzob. There he discovers the automated Dreadnaught Eye of Palpatine&mdash;from the days of all-out war.''

Camouflaged deep within a nebulous gas cloud and dormant for thirty years, Eye of Palpatine'' is governed by a super-sophisticated artificial intelligence system known as the Will. Taken aboard the Dreadnaught, Luke is counseled by the spirit of Callista, a Jedi Knight who gave her life to stop the ship once before. Now Luke must learn from her how to destroy it once and for all. The Will has awakened. The Eye of Palpatine is on the move. Its mission: the total annihilation of Belsavis.''

The mystery of the crypts, the invincible power of the Will, the lost Jedi, and the burgeoning passion between Luke and Callista come together in the stunning climax of Children of the Jedi&mdash;the latest chapter in the magnificent Star Wars saga.

Paperback
The chronicle of the dazzling universe of George Lucas's blockbuster Star Wars films soars to new heights as the Republic faces its greatest challenge yet in&hellip;

Children of the Jedi

''Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Chewbacca set out on a mission vital to the survival of the fragile New Republic. They are searching for the long-lost children of the Jedi on the frozen world of Belsavis, from whose dark crypts no one has returned alive. Halfway across the galaxy, Luke Skywalker is on an equally dangerous mission. Taken aboard the enemy Dreadnaught Eye of Palpatine, Luke must find a way to destroy the automated ship before it completes the mission encoded into its super-sophisticated artificial intelligence system: the total annihilation of Belsavis. To succeed, Luke will need the help of the spirit of the Jedi Knight Callista, who gave her life to stop the ship once before. The mystery of the crypts, the invincible power of the Dreadnaught, the lost Jedi, and the burgeoning passion between Luke and Callista come together in a stunning climax worthy of the magnificent Star Wars saga.''

Background
During the peak of the Galactic Empire's power, an automated Dreadnaught, the Eye of Palpatine, was sent on a mission to destroy a stronghold of Jedi children. This plot was halted by Callista, a Jedi. Consequentially, Callista was forced to sacrifice herself and insert her life force into the Eye of Palpatine's system.

Summary
While Han Solo and Princess Leia learn of the Jedi planet of Belsavis from Drub McKumb, Luke Skywalker encounters Callista aboard the Eye of Palpatine. The two quickly develop a close relationship, despite the fact that Callista is stranded inside the ship's databanks. Plus, the issue with the enigmatic Jedi children is still at large, and Luke, with the help of his students and the rest of the New Republic, works toward fixing that issue.

In the end, Callista is revived as a Human, though she is forced to take the body of Luke's former student, Cray. Luke and Callista develop a close relationship that carries over into the next novel, Darksaber.

Continuity issues
There is conflicting information on when the story takes place; according to various statements within the text, it is set in 11, 12, and 13 ABY. However, it is officially set at 12 ABY. There is also an issue with the dating of the Clone Wars, which (along with a comment in Darksaber) are stated as ended prior to the Jedi Purge. It is also implied the Purge may not have started until after Palpatine became Galactic Emperor. Additionally, Leia's age is stated as 'not quite thirty' and later as 'twenty-six', although in 12 ABY, she would be thirty-one years old.

Additionally, Dannik Jerriko is spelled "Danik Jericho," SoroSuub is spelled as "Sorosub," and "Seinar Corporation" was likely intended to be Santhe/Sienar Technologies. Thrawn is also stated as having been a High Admiral, and the X-34 landspeeder is referred to as a T-70. Furthermore it's wrongly stated Luke Skywalker destroyed Sun Crusher when in fact it was Kyp Durron, who destroyed it. Still more it's wrongly stated Luke felt Destruction of Carida through The Force, where in Champions of the Force that time he was unconscious after he was defeated by Kyp Durron.

The character of Triv Pothman and the other stormtroopers scheduled to be deployed aboard the Eye of Palpatine comes into conflict with the later clone troopers of the prequel trilogy; however, it is possible they are early non-clone recruits or GeNode clones.

Finally, there are issues with the description of the members of the Old Jedi Order as depicted here, specifically their decentralized structure and acceptance of family and relationship ties. Other than brief statements that Plett and Djinn Altis belonged to a "rogue" sect as mentioned in Callista's entry in The New Essential Guide to Characters, this issue has been retconned in Karen Traviss' Clone Wars: No Prisoners, which details this rogue sect in full.

Cover gallery
This is a gallery of the different cover variations of Children of the Jedi.

Notes and references

 * Children of the Jedi, 1st edition paperback, 1996. Barbara Hambly. ISBN 0-553-57293-8
 * Blindreaders: Star Wars. URL accessed on January 4, 2006.
 * Books.EchoStation.com URL accessed on May 23, 2006.