Star Wars: Legacy of the Force #1: Betrayal

By: Aaron Allston

Narrated by: Marc Thompson

Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

This is the era of Luke Skywalker’s legacy: The Jedi Master has unified the order into a cohesive group of powerful Jedi Knights. But as the new era begins, planetary interests threaten to disrupt this time of relative peace, and Luke is plagued with visions of an approaching darkness. Evil is rising again - out of the best intentions - and it looks as if the legacy of the Skywalkers may come full circle. Honor and duty will collide with friendship and blood ties as the Skywalker and Solo clans find themselves on opposing sides of an explosive conflict with potentially devastating repercussions for both families, for the Jedi order, and for the entire galaxy.

When a mission to uncover an illegal missile factory on the planet Adumar ends in a violent ambush - from which Jedi Knight Jacen Solo and his protégé and cousin, Ben Skywalker, narrowly escape with their lives - it’s the most alarming evidence yet that sparks of political unrest are threatening to ignite into total rebellion. The governments of numerous worlds are chafing under the strict regulations of the Galactic Alliance, and diplomatic efforts to enforce compliance are failing. Fearing the worst, the Alliance readies a preemptive display of military might in a bid to bring the rogue worlds in line before an uprising erupts. The designated target of this exercise: planet Corellia - renowned for the brash independence and renegade spirit that have made its favorite son, Han Solo, a legend.

Something of a rogue himself, Jacen is nevertheless duty bound as a Jedi to stand with his uncle, Jedi Master Luke Skywalker, on the side of the Galactic Alliance. But when the wary Corellians launch a counterstrike, the Alliance’s show of force - and a secret mission to disable Corellia’s crucial Centerpoint Station - give way to an armed skirmish.

Once the smoke clears, the battle lines are drawn. Now, the specter of full-scale war looms between a growing cadre of defiant planets and the Galactic Alliance that some fear is becoming a new Empire. And even as both sides struggle to find a diplomatic solution, mysterious acts of treachery and sabotage threaten peace efforts at every turn.

Determined to root out those behind the mayhem, Jacen follows a trail of cryptic clues to a dark rendezvous with the most shocking of revelations...while Luke grapples with something even more troubling: dream visions of a shadowy figure whose Force power and ruthlessness remind him of Darth Vader - a lethal enemy who strikes like a dark spirit on a mission of doom. An agent of evil who, if Luke’s visions come to pass, will bring untold pain to the Jedi Master...and to the entire galaxy.

More in the Legacy of the Force series we have. And download all of our Star Wars titles you can!

©2006 Lucasfilm Ltd. and TM. (P)2006 Lucasfilm Ltd. and TM.

Critic reviews

"Fans of the Star Wars universe will be impressed by Allston's deft handling of the complicated issues raised in the novel, particularly how yesterday's rebels fill their roles as leaders. The novel boasts a shocking ending, one guaranteed to hook readers for the duration of the series." (Booklist)

Very Abridged

This was the first Star Wars book I ever read many years ago. I still remembered many points in the story that I enjoyed, whether they were character development, relationship building/defining between the characters, various events that fleshed out the story, or even insights into the mind of the "villan" and how they created the end result they desired. To my disappointment, most of the things I remembered having an impact on me were removed from this story.

If you're looking for (or can be satisfied with) a bare-bones plot version of a spectacular book, this is for you. But, if you want to understand not just how things happened but why, if you want to understand the characters, their motivations, and their emotions behind the things they do and the struggles they have, you'll have to read the book.

I thought the abridge was fine

being someone who has never read the un-abridged version of this book, I was shocked to see reviews of people saying the book was butchered. I have to say I have had minimal issues keeping up with what's happening. Marc Thompson did an excellent job and there are even things about this series I'm liking more then the thrawn trilogy.

Glad I got the story.

I started reading the book and ran out of time to finish due to work. I got the story, but wished it was unabridged. The story was still good.

Needs an unabridged version

A lot of the little details were cut out. Story seemed to jump too much without explanation.

Okay, not great

Just okay. It was hard to finish. The whole premise of the war is rather stupid. Jacin Solo was probably the easiest Jedi to convert to a Sith in the history of the universe - he would have been an easy target for telemarketers.

very intriguing ending

started slow but picked up in the middle and I loved the ending! good job

release the full story

it's would be great for a full audio book. besides that, great story. Marc is rock star.

BOOK 1- BETRAYAL

Marc Thompson was absolutely amazing, as per usual. Story was somewhat lacking… idk intelligence? Just wasn’t written at the same level as Zahn or James Luceno. Not bad interested to see where this series goes.

Great star wars book!

Tells the tail after return of the jedi, awsome storyline!! A++++ Book will listen to it again!

Marc Thompson was great as always

good story, terrible abridged version. the cuts from chapter to chapter and abrupt ends to scenes was very jarring and kind of took me out of it sometimes, but aside from that it was a perfectly enjoyable book to listen to, and Marc was great as always.