Legacy of the Force: Sacrifice

Sacrifice is the fifth book in the Legacy of the Force series. It is a hardcover by Karen Traviss. It was confirmed by the official website that Jacen Solo will receive his 'official' Sith name in this book, after the name has been chosen from the Darth Who Contest. According to Sue Rostoni, Sacrifice begins "a day or two after EXILE ends and covers 30 to 40 days."

It was previously said to be due out in June 2007 (6th June according to the advertisement on page 401 of Bloodlines), and was later listed on the Random House website as being due for release on May 29, 2007.

The webpage also says that the book will be 400 pages long. The front cover features a youthful-looking Mara Jade Skywalker, while the back cover displays an older Luke Skywalker. The image of Mara, who at the time of Sacrifice would be 58 years old, has proved controversial among fans who believe that it depicts her inaccurately.



Summary
''To bring peace and order to a galaxy at war, Jacen Solo will sacrifice anything -- or anyone. Now the moment of choice is at hand. Civil War rages as the Galactic Alliance- led by Cal Omas and the Jedi forces of Luke Skywalker- battles a confederation of breakaway planets that rally to the side of rebellious Corellia. Suspected of involvement in an assassination plot against Queen Mother Tenel Ka of the Hapes Consortium, Han and Leia Solo are on the run, hunted by their own son, Jacen, whose increasingly authoritarian tactics as head of GA security have led Luke and Mara Skywalker to fear that their nephew may be treading perilously close to the dark side. But all Jacen wants is safety and stability for all- and he's prepared to do whatever it takes to achieve that goal.''

''But as his family sees in Jacen the chilling legacy of his Sith grandfather, Darth Vader, many of the frontline troops adore him, and countless citizens see him as a savior. The galaxy has been torn apart by too many wars. All Jacen wants is safety and stability for all–and he’s prepared to do whatever it takes to achieve that goal.''

''To end the bloodshed and suffering, what sacrifice would be too great? That is the question tormenting Jacen. Already he has sacrificed much, embracing the pitiless teachings of Lumiya, the Dark Lady of the Sith, who has taught him that a strong will and noble purpose can hold the evil excesses of the dark side at bay, bringing peace and order to the galaxy–but at a price.''

''For there is one final test that Jacen must pass before he can gain the awesome power of a true Sith Lord: He must bring about the death of someone he values dearly. What troubles Jacen isn’t whether he has the strength to commit murder. He has steeled himself for that, and worse if necessary. No, the question that troubles Jacen is who the sacrifice should be.''

As the strands of destiny draw ever more tightly together in a galaxy-spanning web, the shocking conclusion will shatter two families...and cast a grim shadow over the future.

Dramatis Personae

 * Ben Skywalker, Junior GAG officer (human male)
 * Boba Fett; Mandalore and semi-retired bounty hunter (human male)
 * Cal Omas; Chief of State, Galactic Alliance (human male)
 * Cha Niathal; admiral, Galactic Alliance (Mon Calamari female)
 * Dinua Jeban; Mandalorian soldier (human female)
 * Dur Gejjen; Prime Minister, Corellia (human male)
 * Ghes Orade; Mandalorian soldier (human male)
 * Goran Beviin; Mandalorian soldier (human male)
 * Jacen Solo; Jedi Knight (human male)
 * Jaina Solo; Jedi Knight (human female)
 * Jori Lekauf; GAG corporal (human male)
 * Leia Organa Solo; Jedi Knight, copilot, Millennium Falcon (human female)
 * Lon Shevu; GAG captain (human male)
 * Luke Skywalker; Jedi Grand Master (human male)
 * Lumiya, Dark Lady of the Sith (human female)
 * Mara Jade Skywalker; Jedi Master (human female)
 * Medrit Beviin; Mandalorian soldier (human male)
 * Mirta Gev; bounty hunter, Boba Fett's granddaughter (human female)
 * Novoc Vevut; Mandalorian soldier (human male)

Other characters

 * Ailyn Vel
 * Alema Rar
 * Allana
 * Cilghal
 * Corran Horn
 * G'vli G'Sil
 * Han Solo
 * Heol Girdun
 * Jaing
 * Jango Fett
 * Kyle Katarn
 * Kyp Durron
 * Rezodar
 * Saba Sebatyne
 * Sintas Vel
 * Tenel Ka
 * Unnamed Kiffar man
 * Wirut

Locations

 * Bador
 * Contruum
 * Corellia
 * Coruscant
 * Jedi Temple
 * Senate Building
 * Drall
 * Hapes
 * Hesperidium
 * Kavan
 * Kuat
 * Mandalore
 * Keldabe
 * Murkhana
 * Phaeda
 * Roche
 * Terephon
 * Vulpter
 * Ziost