Star Wars - The New Jedi Order: Balance Point (Star Wars New Jedi Order) [Paperback]

Kathy Tyers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2001 | Series: Star Wars New Jedi Order (Book 15)

HAN SOLO and LEIA ORGANA-SOLO work - unwittingly - at cross-purposes to help refugees flooding in to the planet Duro from the Rim worlds where the dreaded Yuuzhan Vong aliens have invaded. The Yuuzhan Vong choose Duro as their next target - one they intend to use to deliver a horrifying message to the people of the New Republic. And JACEN SOLO, working at his father's side, finds himself torn: how to reconcile using the Force as a tool for Good, yet still fight the evil invaders. If he doesn't make the right choice, the future of his family - and possibly of the New Republic itself - hangs in the balance...

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Vector Prime, the New York Times bestselling first novel in The New Jedi Order series, boldly ventured into uncharted Star Wars territory, bringing an element of dark tragedy and suspense into the adventures of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Leia Organa Solo, and the other legendary figures of that galaxy far, far away. With the passing of Chewbacca, the Republic mourned the loss of one of its greatest heroes. Now veteran Star Wars author Kathy Tyers continues the epic struggle between good and evil as the New Republic, led by the battered but still unbroken Jedi, braces for the next onslaught of its merciless alien foe.

Poisoned by centuries of technological excess, the planet Duro is an unlivable hell, long abandoned by its own inhabitants, who dwell above their polluted world in orbital habitats. But there is no place else to channel the flood of refugees fleeing the murderous Yuuzhan Vong. So a deal is struck: In exchange for a new home, the refugees will work to restore the planet to health, under the watchful eye of Leia Organa Solo.

As tempers begin to flare between the Duros and the New Republic, and between groups of refugees, Han Solo, his son, Jacen, and the Ryn called Droma arrive to keep the peace. They are unaware that Leia is on Duro . . . and that Luke, Mara, and Anakin are on their way, searching for a missing Jedi apprentice. And none realize that the Yuuzhan Vong have chosen this embattled planet as the next target in their brutal coreward thrust.

The unrest only strengthens Jacen Solo's growing belief that a true Jedi should not fight, but should lead others to peace through a deeper understanding of the Force. Now, as the fragile stability on Duro threatens to collapse into violence, Jacen Solo must face his greatest dilemma: At what point does the use of power become aggression? Whatever he decides, his next step could tip the galaxy's destiny toward the light or toward darknessówith the life of someone he loves hanging in the balance . . . --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Kathy Tyers is a New York Times bestselling novelist and has contributed several novels to the STAR WARS series in the past. She is also the author of the Firebird series. She is married and has one son.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Arrow/Children S (a Division of Random House (July 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 009941029X
• ISBN-13: 978-0099410294
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (102 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,722,048 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kathy Tyers (née Moore) was born and raised in Long Beach, California. She obtained a degree in microbiology from Montana State University, where she met her future husband Mark Tyers.

Tyers sold her first novel Firebird to Bantam Spectra in 1986. She subsequently sold Fusion Fire (1988; a sequel to Firebird), Crystal Witness (1989) and Shivering World (1991). During this period she also authored a nonfiction travel book and, with her husband, released two CDs of folk music, Leave Her, Johnny and The Very Best Dreams on which she played flute and Irish harp. In 1991, while working on another speculative fiction novel, she was approached with an opportunity to write a novel in the Star Wars Expanded Universe. Her novel The Truce at Bakura (1993) reached the New York Times bestseller list.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A different direction, to be sure, but a welcome one..., November 1, 2000

By 

Nathan (Wilmington, DE United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Balance Point (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 6) (Hardcover)

While the first five books in the New Jedi Order cycle have their emphasis on galactic events, and essentially serve as an introduction to the means and methods of the invading Yuuzhan Vong, this book focusses a lot more on character development. All of the previous entries in this series have pretty much had the characters spread out all over space, only to almost coincidentally end up in the same area at the end for the huge battle finale, this book refreshingly takes place almost exclusively on the planet Duro, where the Solo clan is helping refugees settle in.

This is definitely a welcome change in pace. In most of the previous books, the emphasis on action often lead to unsatisfactory character development, often with key characters being left out of a story entirely. Here, however, each character has ample "screen time," and Kathy Tyers obviously knows every one of them very well.

Balance Point is a "Jacen book." Finally, the kid seems to be coming into his own, and coming to terms with himself. Unlike in previous novels where he's just seemed like a whiny brat, I could actually sympathize with him here. And the author also took a little time to explain why his character is so different in the NJO series than in the Young Jedi Knights line.

Also in this book we have the best Luke/Mara interactions I've yet seen. Unlike the "witty repartee" we saw in Mike Stackpole's books and the somewhat forced dialogue from Jim Luceno's, Kathy Tyers hits their relationship right on the nose, and gives it a surprise twist. Jaina and Anakin also continue to grow believable as characters, and Han and Leia finally spend some time together again. And, for I think the first time ever, I actually felt sorry for a Hutt.

This volume also expands the Yuuzhan Vong culture, making it more understandable, and brings back Nom Anor and Warmaster Tsavong Lah with a vengeance. It was especially refreshing to see how Mara reacted to Nom Anor's presence. The author also tied up some loose ends from earlier in NJO and the SW saga as a whole, most notably concerning Lando, and she had obligatory plethora of cameos.

Don't let all my talk of character discourage you, though...this novel also has plenty of action. Lightsaber fights, ship battles, dogfights, evacuations-under-fire, undercover Jedi, and all kinds of cool stuff.

I guess my only complain about this book is that Danni Quee is still nowhere to be seen. But now that the first year "introduction" to the New Jedi Order has ended, the series is really taking shape, and this book is easily the best one yet. I very definitely recommend picking this one up. Thank you, Kathy, for a great read.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Will Like This One, November 1, 2000

By 

taking a rest - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Balance Point (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 6) (Hardcover)

Kathy Tyers wrote her last book for The Star Wars Galaxy in January of 1994, when she penned "The Truce At Bakura". In the intervening six and one half years she clearly has developed both as an Author, and placed herself among the top writers for Star Wars fans, with her new book "Balance Point".

This is the 8th book in this new series, and while subtle shifts are beginning to take place, or at least hinted at, The New Republic does not fair any better this time around, and the group that should be beyond reproach is threatened with persecution. The threat is particularly sordid and indicative of how badly the traditional alliances have become blurred, because the threat is delivered by a member, and in a place, that such an action has previously been unthinkable.

The theme of this book is not vastly different from the previous installments. However fans should enjoy that, instead of being spread across the galaxy, the members of the Solo Family, and the Skywalker pair of Luke and Mara are fighting together this time. Han is again prominent in the story, and the action sequences, whether individual combat, or large-scale invasion are very well done.

The Solo Kids are no longer Kids, they have all come into their own albeit it different ways. Even Jacen seems to have sorted out what direction he will take in his relationship with the Force. The mood is still dark, and the friends we have followed into a third decade, while not fragile, are now sporting some gray hair, except for those...but that would be a spoiler and a humorous one at that.

There are few light moments, but one will become a classic. Again I cannot spoil the scene, but Anakin is no longer a child, and the view from a 16 years old perspective, is...different. There are also some gestures/sacrifices that come from the least likely of players, and it was instances like these, that give the slightest bit of hope, that the end of this series will not end all we have come to know and enjoy.

There is a long way to go in this story line, and this particular installment ends as dramatically as any of the previous seven, and perhaps even more so.

Kathy Tyler has delivered a great book, enjoy!

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing, December 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Balance Point (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 6) (Hardcover)

Another good New Jedi Order read! I had stayed aways from the Star Wars books for awhile but i got caught up once again with the New Jedi Order Series. The portrayal of Luke and Mara in this book is great. Reminds the reader of Han and Leia a long time ago. It was also great to see Han and Leia caring for eachtother was again since Chewie's death. The situation with Jacen is kinda frudstrating but towards the end he uses his power again and gets back to being a jedi. The portrayals of Anakin and Jaina are great! Kathy Tyers brings the old Star Wars charachters back to their original selves, just like in The Truce at Bakura ( another great read) I love this realationship between Luke (my fav) and Mara....and there wonderful news in this book! I can't wait till the whole family knows! ONly one hope for the future of the New Jedi Order books, I would like to see more of Luke and his feelings and thoughts, He's been pushed aside with the development of Mara and the kids. But A definite must read!