This second book in the Enemy Lines mini-arc was better than the first. It had more action, was more straightforward than its predecessor, and was even funny at times. Without trying to spoil the ending, I really enjoyed the final sequence when the Yuuzhan Vong make their last ditch effort to take Borleias, and Wedge Antilles and his small but determined band of soldiers & pilots fight back. I also started to really get a sense for Warmasters Tzulkang Lah and his son, Tsavong Lah. Both could be considered great leaders for their determination and desire to win, but the whole diabolically evil trait, Tsavong in particular, they display makes them both perfect foils for our heroes.
Now, where I think this whole novel goes wrong is the Lord Nyax story. It is just that, a story; a short story surrounded by the bits and pieces of a good tale from the Yuuhan Vong Invasion. It begins and ends within the 300+ pages of this book, and seemingly has nothing to do with the Yuuzhan Vong or their attempt to eradicate the "infidels" of this galaxy. I guess Aaron Allston, the author, needed to give Luke Skywalker something to do while the rest of the crew fought the Vong. Even Han & Leia's subplot line flls a bit flat, but it is at least loosely tied to the fight against the extraordinary foe they are facing. Another case of a good Star Wars novel being divided into a two book mini-series that drags on a bit too long.

Star Wars: Rebel Stand by Aaron Allston is a Legends EU novel, and the 13th Entry intro the long running New Jedi Order Series. Aaron Allston is best known for his Wraith Squadron novels, but his two “New Jedi Order” novels – the “Enemy Lines” duology – are sneaky good, too. They don’t make as strong of an impression as other his “Star Wars” novels because they lack a main character or even group of characters. Indeed, “Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand” (2002) is a bit all over the place even when compared to “Rebel Dream” – which centered on a battle at Borleias – but it still offers some great little subplots.

My favorite is Han and Leia’s undercover mission to set up resistance cells. As established in “Rebel Dream,” people who want to fight back against the Yuuzhan Vong are going to have to do so outside the structure of the New Republic, as the Advisory Council has sold out the military. Meanwhile, many planetary governments have adopted policies of appeasement with the Vong or their proxies, the Peace Brigade. While some military veterans – bringing some materiel with them – are fighting at Borleias, any long-term success will require resistance cells.

Intriguingly, this means Han and Leia must rig an election on the planet Vannix. The Solos see that the people are favoring the appeasement candidate, Addath, but also that she doesn’t truly favor appeasement, only power.

Addath was no fool. She could analyze the Yuuzhan Vong’s relationship with ‘allied’ worlds as well as anyone else. Addath simply could not give up the reins of power, and would hold them in clenched hands, whatever the cost. Since military opposition to the Yuuzhan Vong meant handing too much power to others, she was willing to steer this world into eventual oblivion … just so long as she was in control until that final moment.

Both the New Republic and Vannix specifically have systems where the political class and the military class are somewhat separate, a contrast to the modern U.S., where they are inextricably linked. Both systems are problematic, but it in the “NJO,” the slight separation between the classes allows for the military to break free and fight for just causes rather than being a pawn of politicians. It’s an interesting alternative approach, if nothing else.

The second most intriguing element of “Rebel Stand” is a good old fashioned mystery on Coruscant. I had feared the journey through the Vongformed capital planet by Luke, Mara, Tahiri, Danni and wisecracking Wraiths Face and Kell would be a bleak survival yarn. But it is spiced up by the introduction of “Lord Nyax,” named after a children’s horror monster in the “Star Wars” universe. As it turns out, this powerful Dark Jedi who is terrorizing Coruscanti survivors and Vong alike is Irek Ismaren, last seen in “Children of the Jedi.” In a secret former Imperial lab, Roganda Ismaren had used mad science to enhance her son’s Force abilities and turn him into this monster. Although I had completely forgotten about this character, it’s a cool callback by Allston, and a prime example of the fun of the massive EU continuity.

Allston also held my attention with more of the Jag-Jaina romance; some surprising humanizing of R2-D2 as we actually see the droid “speak” in Basic via Leia’s datapad; some more exploits for Tam Elgrin, the unsung holocam operator who unfortunately bows out of the saga here; and the conclusion of the arc of turncoat Viqi Shesh, who provides a human POV to the Vong’s actions on Coruscant, and ultimately commits suicide rather than let either side kill her.

“Rebel Stand” misfires in a few areas, so I have to rank it a bit below the previous entry, and the big problem is the continuing military action around Borleias. The X-wing-versus-coralskipper dogfights start to drag a bit, especially since they are just a way to tread water until the conclusion. Allston makes it clear that the Vong will take Borleias back – it’s just a matter of time – so it’s not entirely clear why our heroes are still hanging around. It’s also odd that the Millennium Falcon can go off on a mission and then safely return to Borleias – which has now started to feel like home to Leia – yet at the same time we’re told that the planet is not safe: the Vong bombard the rebel base from the air and are poised to conquer it.

I felt like the fake-out of Operation Starlancer (a multipronged super energy weapon, a working version of which was seen in “The Force Awakens”) was revealed in the last book, but it’s still a plot point here for some reason. And there’s a big, conclusive bit of trickery with the Super Star Destroyer Lusankya that didn’t quite make sense to me or hold my attention. Our heroes are slowly scuttling the ship before using it as a massive ramming weapon, but how would the Vong not notice all the personnel and weaponry moving off of it?

Overall, while there is arguably too much going on in this 366-page paperback, the majority of it is fun to read, and it’s not nearly as dark as most of the “NJO” — or should I say, the reputation of the “NJO.” But for now, Allston reminds us that the fun and light part of “Star Wars” is still alive and well. While Rebel Stand is the weaker entry into the NJO: Enemy Lines Trilogy I would definitely recommend giving it a read, for any fellow Star Wars fan.

Rebel Stand concludes the action-packed duology Enemy Lines within the New Jedi Order series in an exciting and mostly suspenseful way. While I enjoyed this duology, for me it nevertheless is among the weaker stories of the series, especially compared to the installments directly preceding it. Personally, the problem I have with these two books is that they are so filled with action scenes that they lack in other respects. There is hardly any room for the characters to have any meaningful interactions that go beyond instructions on a battlefield.

Out of the two books I liked Rebel Stand Better. It started off great and for the first half or so I was sure I would end up giving it at least a four-star rating.
Here, a small group of characters, led by Luke, returns to Coruscant. The galaxy’s former capital has been ravaged by its invaders and we are presented with a fascinating account of the rather inhospitable environment the planet, formerly bustling with life, has become.
To make things even more interesting Allston throws in a mysterious dark presence in the Force. Slowly more and more details about the individual emanating the dark energy are revealed and I personally loved how Lord Nyax ties in with the wider context of the EU. Unfortunately, with the revelation of Nyax’ identity the suspension evaporates and what follows is one action scene after the other. Each of those is thrilling, some are a bit gory, but the outcome is always quite predictable and there are no more true surprises making the conclusion of this plot line a little underwhelming.

The same is true for the situation on Broleais, which is also wrapped up in this novel. There is an air of impending doom around all action taken by the forces left on this ill-fated outpost. For the bigger portion of the novel it is unclear what exactly the remaining forces’ objective is making it easy to stay invested in the story. Eventually, however, the plan is revealed and from that point onward all that is left is one giant, seemingly endless, space battle. While there is nothing wrong with a well-written space battle, this one just feels excessively long to the point that it drags.

On a positive note, this novel also includes some light banter between Han and Leia, which is something we have been deprived of for a while (for good reason). While this is always appreciated on my part, I cannot help but feel that lightening up the mood is their sole purpose in this novel as I cannot seem to recall what exactly they contributed to either of the two lines of action.

Overall, Rebel Stand is a solid Star Wars novel, which lacks a little in comparison to the other installments of the New Jedi Order series. It neatly wraps up the courses of action set up in Rebel Dream and is definitely not one to skip.

R2 and 3PO helping Leia and Han escape prison was a high point in this book. Lord Nyax being a caricature of Deadpool from the 2009 Wolverine movie was a low point. 3 of 5 stars. The Jaina as a goddess plot line is tiresome and I’m ready for that to wrap up too. Also, Viqi Sesh - good riddance.

Rebel Stand by Aaron Allston
Enemy Lines 2
Star Wars The New Jedi Order 12


In this book of The New Jedi Order series, the mission to stop the Yuuzhan Vong’s attempt to overthrow the New Republic was barely successful. Meanwhile Han and Leia are stuck on a backwater planet about to give up the Jedi there to the Yuuzhan Vong. Thankfully, Luke and his Jedi allies have discovered something important about the Vong but before they can use it to advantage they are found out and now battle large hordes of the Yuuzhan Vong. Will Luke and his friends escape with the new information that can save the galaxy? Or will they fail along with the New Republic’s last hope.

To find out what happens in this novel, pick up a copy today!

For more information on the author, go to this site:
http://www.aaronallston.com/

Reviewed by Wyatt Rutherford, TAB@DBPL Reader Advisor since 2012.

One of, if not the best, duology of "The New Jedi Order" (NJO)series. The NJO is known for it's heavy plot and ambitious storyline previously unseen in the Star Wars universe. The seriousness of the storyline (with several main character deaths) sometimes felt oppressive as a reader, but then! The Enemy Lines duology and Aaron Allston arrives injecting more humor and levity than any of the other NJO authors had. Some may be familiar with Mr. Allston's Wraith squadron from the X-Wing novels --they're back in full force and a pleasure to see again. Mr. Allston was a wonderful choice to author NJO books and it was great to laugh out loud when reading a NJO book (something I never thought I'd do after the death of  ice blue eyes ... )

I love reading Aaron Alston’s Star Wars books. We always get time with our normal heroes, but he always has someone else in the background that is just or even more important. This book was no different.

They have known that Borelais was gone. They would have to stop defending and make a run for it. But could they make it with a large Yuuzhan Vong fleet in their way. A fleet being managed by an older Vong warrior, something that doesn’t happen often (aging as a warrior). They generally die in battle for the glory of the gods.

However, he is up against a hero of the rebellion, Wedge Antilles. Can Wedge, out maneuver the Vong. This will be a desperate campaign. At least he has the Rogues, Wraiths, Solos and Skywalkers backing him.

The two books in this series were so much fun. Such great characters. Tons of adventure and surprises on every page. I would recommend these books to other fans, but I’m not sure they would easily stand alone since there are overarching stories lines that would be confusing, like Tarc’s.

Couldn't get a physical copy of this so decided to try the audiobook. It was pretty good. Narrator was great, sound effects and music solid and great atmospheric sounds. Overall a well produced audiobook.

Plot was enjoyable, very much mostly a side story starring Luke and some resolvement of other plotlines from book 1. Also find it funny Han and Leia are on the cover but they don’t appear at all in the audiobook. Overall the duology was ok but I think it will go in the mostly forgettable pile of the series.
I give it a 3.5

Thoughts/Review on Twitter

(Spoilers)

https://twitter.com/serswjm/status/12...

This duology has been a major step up from the earliest entries in the NJO series. Long gone are the clunky dialogue and the dry, almost robotic prose that plagued the first several books.

In 'Enemy Lines', Aaron Allston proves to be one of the most lively Star Wars authors I've had the pleasure of reading. I can't remember the last time dialogue felt so fluid and natural. It truly was as if these characters were real people with decades of companionship bonding them.

This is also most definitely the most hilarious section of the old EU that I've come across. I'm half convinced that Allston could make my corpse laugh at my own funeral.

Passable enough Star Wars novel and an enjoyable read. The Yuuzhan Vong are still not my favorite Star Wars villains. They seem to have no redeeming qualities; I like villains to be a little more gray. Decent, if not spectacular, action sequences. Recommended for readers who have read the rest of the New Jedi Order series.

2.5/5

There are parts of this book that I really enjoyed. Everything with Han and Leia and most of the stuff with Luke and Mara (though I was losing interest by the last quarter of the book.) I like the dynamic with Jaina and Jag Fel and I am glad the writer let something happy happen to Jaina, she's been through the ringer over the last few entries.

My big issue with this book, and it's been a problem with the entire New Jedi Order series, is that it's so unfocused. There are too many plotlines, too many characters who are focused on. It makes for an uneven reading journey and it's frankly frustrating. The quality of the stories and writing in this swings so wildly, it's becoming more of a chore to finish this series (which I will do).