The New Jedi Order

The New Jedi Order, also known as New Jedi Order, or by its acronym, NJO, is a series of 27 science fiction stories set in the Star Wars Expanded Universe galaxy 25-30 years ABY. The plotline revolves around the invasion of the galaxy by the Yuuzhan Vong and its proceeding after effects, along with showing the changing lives of the characters on both sides in the conflict. The series was followed by The Dark Nest Trilogy in 2005 by Troy Denning, who also wrote several novels for the original series.

Plot synopsis

The series begins 21 years after the Rebel Alliance destroyed the second Death Star. The New Republic is facing internal conflict while trying to maintain peace. A new, unknown enemy, known as the Yuuzhan Vong, emerges from the outer galaxy, beginning what will be known as the Yuuzhan Vong invasion. The Jedi, along with the New Republic, struggle to resist this new alien race while it steadily pushes forward, annihilating or occupying different parts of the galaxy.

Character arcs

As the longest continuous series of novels in the EU, the NJO was able to establish several long-term character arcs. Many new or previously underused characters were put into the spotlight and were developed extensively over the course of the series. Among the most prominent character arcs:

Ganner Rhysode: Rhysode began the series as an arrogant young Jedi, a trait best shown when, on assignment with Corran Horn, he mocked Horn's inability to use telekinesis, claiming that this made him a lesser Jedi. Rhysode gradually became more humble over the course of the series, especially after watching many of his friends die on the mission to Myrkr. After Jacen Solo was captured during this mission, Rhysode went searching for him, even though, in Jacen's words, "we weren't even friends"; Rhysode died fighting thousands of Yuuzhan Vong warriors so that Jacen and Vergere could escape.
Tahiri Veila: Not fully developed in her original role- Anakin's friend from Junior Jedi Knights- Tahiri was pushed to a starring role in the NJO. When the Yuuzhan Vong captured Yavin 4, she was taken prisoner and subjected to experiments designed to create a Vong-human hybrid. Anakin eventually rescued her, which stirred the romantic feelings they had had for years; when Anakin died above Myrkr, Tahiri was devastated. At this time, the Yuuzhan Vong personality implanted in her began to periodically take control, and Tahiri would wrestle with this for the duration of the series. Unlike most of the other Jedi, she had a peculiar empathy with the Yuuzhan Vong; at the end of the series, she chose to stay on Zonoma Sekot in order to continue learning about the Yuuzhan Vong and to help them build a better society.
Jacen Solo: Jacen underwent perhaps the most complete and controversial arc of the NJO. He began the series as someone who actively questioned whether it was right to use the Force as a weapon. Many fans were frustrated by what they saw as his inaction; in some fannish circles, he received the nickname "Jacen Prufrock". After being captured by the Yuuzhan Vong he withstood weeks of torture at the hands of Vergere, an Old Republic Jedi and Vong familiar. He emerged with a new view of the Force, including a willingness to use it offensively. During the battle to retake Coruscant, Jacen achieved a state of oneness with the Force that aged him five years. At the end of the series, he was one of the most powerful Jedi in the galaxy.

The New Order vs. the Old Order

The Order itself is philosophically distinct from the Jedi Order of the Old Republic (thus the Old Jedi Order) by a new Jedi Code and broadened view of the Force. The Order's titular head is Luke Skywalker, but other senior Jedi such as Kyle Katarn, Mara Jade and Kyp Durron have significant say in the Order's activities. The Order during the Yuuzhan Vong incursion polarizes into two major factions: that of Luke Skywalker, who feels that the Force should be used peacefully, like the Old Republic-era Jedi; and the faction of Kyp Durron, who holds that the Jedi should take a proactive, aggressive stance against enemies, hoping that in that way to live up to the Jedi's roles as "protectors" of the galaxy.

Character deaths

Many major characters die within the New Jedi Order series, an unusual departure from typical Star Wars stories. In a number of New Jedi Order books the characters who die seemed to be of key importance in the novels. The books also revealed the death of some major characters in the Star Wars universe that were not even introduced in the series.

It should be noted that while Mon Mothma did not die as stated in the New Jedi Order series, she died directly prior to Vector Prime; her death was first revealed in the series.

Similarly, while Nom Anor is indicated to have died during the events of The Unifying Force, many fans believe he is still alive as his off-screen death allows for uncertainty as to whether he did in fact die.

Deaths of major characters introduced in the series

Character	Introduction	Death
Shimrra Jamaane	Rebirth	The Unifying Force
Tsavong Lah	Ruin	Destiny's Way
Onimi	Rebirth	The Unifying Force
Nen Yim	Conquest	The Final Prophecy

Deaths of pre-existing characters

Character	Introduction	Death
Ackbar	Return of the Jedi	The Unifying Force
Elegos A'Kla	I, Jedi	Ruin
Nom Anor	Council of Blood	The Unifying Force
Chewbacca	A New Hope	Vector Prime
Molierre Cundertol	Shield of Lies	Refugee
Teneniel Djo	The Courtship of Princess Leia	Dark Journey
Dorsk 82	Darksaber	Conquest
Eelysa	The New Rebellion	Star by Star
Borsk Fey'lya	Heir to the Empire	Star by Star
Blaine Harris	The Truce at Bakura	Refugee
Ikrit	The Golden Globe	Conquest
Irek Ismaren	Children of the Jedi	Rebel Stand
Roganda Ismaren	Children of the Jedi	Rebel Stand
Lusa	The Crystal Star	Star by Star
Lyric	Lyric's World	Star by Star
Ganner Rhysode	Union	Traitor
Wurth Skidder	Union	Jedi Eclipse
Anakin Solo	Dark Empire	Star by Star
Vergere	Rogue Planet	Destiny's Way

Criticism and reaction

Fan reaction to the series was sharply divided. Some applauded the moral ambiguity and dark nature of the books, while others claimed that the Yuuzhan Vong were a poorly-designed Star Trek rip-off and that the series ended with a deus ex machina. One of the most persistent claims is that the view of the Force propogated by Vergere and Jacen is dangerous and contradicted canon.

Media

Television commercial

In 1999, Mark Hamill reprised his role as Luke Skywalker in a brief speaking role for the series. Hamill spoke as Luke in a TV commercial for the first novel in the series, Vector Prime. In the commercial, Luke recalls the state that the galaxy is in at the present, compared to the times of the Empire.

The animated project

A project by a group of fans is underway to create an animated show based on the series. The link to this project can be found here.