Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Allies

The story of Allies picks up where the previous book, Backlash, left off. The Jedi Order is still reeling from the events of the previous book, which saw the death of one of their own and the revelation that the Sith are once again active in the galaxy. The Jedi are also dealing with the fallout from their involvement in the events of the previous book, which has caused a rift between them and the Galactic Alliance.

The book follows several different storylines, each of which is connected to the larger plot of the series. One of the main storylines follows Jedi Knight Jaina Solo as she investigates a mysterious illness that is affecting the Jedi. The illness is causing Jedi to lose their connection to the Force, which is a major problem for the Order. Jaina’s investigation takes her to the planet Dathomir, where she discovers that the illness is being caused by a group of witches who are using dark magic to attack the Jedi.

Another storyline follows Jedi Grand Master Luke Skywalker as he tries to track down his son, Ben, who has gone missing. Luke is worried about Ben’s safety, as he knows that the Sith are still active in the galaxy and could be targeting his son. Luke’s search takes him to the planet Nam Chorios, where he discovers that Ben has been taken captive by a group of aliens who are using him as a bargaining chip in their negotiations with the Galactic Alliance.

The third major storyline in the book follows Galactic Alliance Chief of State Natasi Daala as she tries to deal with the fallout from the events of the previous book. Daala is facing criticism from both the Jedi and the public for her handling of the situation, and she is struggling to maintain control of the Alliance. Daala’s storyline also introduces a new character, a journalist named Den Dhur, who is investigating the events of the previous book and uncovering some uncomfortable truths about the Galactic Alliance.

As the book progresses, these storylines begin to converge, and the characters find themselves working together to uncover a larger conspiracy that threatens the entire galaxy. The Sith are revealed to be behind the illness affecting the Jedi, and they are also revealed to be working with the aliens who have taken Ben captive. The conspiracy also involves a group of rogue Jedi who are working with the Sith and trying to overthrow the Jedi Order.

One of the strengths of Allies is its characterization. The book does an excellent job of exploring the motivations and personalities of its large cast of characters. Jaina Solo, in particular, is given a lot of development in this book, as she struggles with her role in the Jedi Order and her relationship with her family. Luke Skywalker is also given some great moments, as he grapples with the possibility that his son may have turned to the dark side.

The book also does a good job of exploring the larger themes of the series. The Fate of the Jedi series is all about the idea of balance in the Force, and Allies continues to explore this theme. The book also touches on the idea of redemption, as several characters are given the opportunity to make amends for their past mistakes.

The audiobook narration by Marc Thompson is also excellent. Thompson is a veteran Star Wars narrator, and he does a great job of bringing the characters to life. He is particularly good at capturing the voices of the different alien species in the book, giving each one a distinct and memorable voice.

One of the weaknesses of the book, however, is its pacing. The book is quite long, and at times it can feel like it is dragging. There are also several subplots that feel unnecessary and could have been cut to streamline the story.

Overall, Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Allies is a solid entry in the series. It does a good job of continuing the larger story while also exploring its characters and themes. The audiobook narration by Marc Thompson is also excellent, making it a great choice for fans of the series who prefer to listen to their books.