Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Apocalypse
by Troy Denning (read by Marc Thompson)
Random House (audiobook)
It's April Fool's Day, so I thought I would choose a title few would believe. Not only is Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Apocalypse as real as George Lucas, it requires two colons to explain. A confession: I had no idea this addition to George Lucas' sci-fi classic even existed: Apocalypse is the final episode of a nine-part epic that began with Outcast ; an acquaintance with the previous eight books might have helped. Some characters ring bells. Luke Skywalker is present, with a son called Ben. Han Solo married Princess Leia, which is fair enough, though I wonder who does the hoovering. Other names baffle. Lowbacca (in fact, a nephew of uncle Chew). Or the Killik, a race of giant insects. Still, it's good to hear that the dark Sith Lords are still up to no good: while Luke battles Ruku Myal, the Jedis invade a planet called Coruscant to fight an especially brutal Sith tribe. Marc Thompson reads with the sincerity of a convert, his fevered tones competing with a host of special effects, including light sabres, the Millennium Falcon and that theme tune. Absurdly enjoyable, even if it's as silly as an Ewok playing the trombone.