The Unifying Force
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| Author | James Luceno |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Era | New Jedi Order |
| Series | The New Jedi Order |
| Galactic Year | 28 ABY |
| Subject(s) | Star Wars |
| Genre(s) | Science Fiction |
| Publisher | Del Rey |
| Released | Hardcover: 1 November 2003 Paperback: 3 August 2004 |
| Media Type | Hardcover & Paperback |
| Pages | Hardcover: 544 Paperback: 576 |
| Size and Weight | Hardcover: 9.6 x 9.6 x 1.9 inches 1.9 pounds Paperback: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.0 inches 9.6 ounces |
| ISBN | Hardcover: ISBN 0-345-42852-8 Paperback: ISBN 0-345-42853-6 |
| Preceded by | The Final Prophecy |
| Followed by | The Joiner King |
The Unifying Force is the final chapter of the New Jedi Order series of books in the fictional Star Wars Expanded Universe written by James Luceno.
In this book, the fate of the war between the Yuuzhan Vong and the Galactic Alliance is finally revealed, as is the final cost of the war. Over 365 trillion individuals died in the war, a death toll equivalent to 66,000 Earth-type worlds with populations of 6 billion each.
Hardcover editions of the book included a CD with the first book of the series, Vector Prime, a round robin interview with some of the people involved with the series, and the Yuuzhan Vong 'bible'- a collection of source material on the Yuuzhan Vong created and used by the authors. The round robin interview was printed in some versions of the paperback release.
[edit] Publisher's Description
At long last, the New York Times bestselling series that launched the Star Wars saga into the next generation and into thrilling new territory reaches its spectacular finale. Side by side, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Leia Organa Solo, their children, and their comrades in the Galactic Alliance rally for their last stand against the enemy that threatens not only the galaxy, but the Force itself.
The Galactic Alliance’s hard-won success in countering the Yuuzhan Vong onslaught has proven all too brief—and the tide has turned once more to the invaders’ advantage. Having overcome the sabotage strategies of the Jedi and their allies, the marauding aliens have pushed deeper into the galaxy and subjugated more worlds in their ruthless quest for domination. Coruscant has been remade into a Yuuzhan Vong stronghold. The remnants of the resistance are struggling to form a united front. Luke, Mara, and Jacen are missing in action. Clearly the stage is set for endgame.
Now, as Han and Leia receive the chilling news that hundreds of high-ranking Galactic Alliance prisoners face slaughter in a sacrifice to the enemy’s bloodthirsty gods, Luke and his team try desperately to convince the living world of Zonama Sekot to join the Jedi’s final campaign against the Yuuzhan Vong. Yet even as they speak, a lone space station is all that stands between Alliance headquarters on Mon Calamari . . . and wave after wave of ferocious enemy forces waging their most decisive assault.
At the same time, the Jedi’s alliances throughout the galaxy are being tested—and the chances of victory jeopardized—by rogue factions determined to deploy the lethal weapon that will exterminate the Yuuzhan Vong . . . and perhaps countless other species. And among the Yuuzhan Vong themselves, the threat of revolt has reached a boiling point—as the oppressed underclass and powerful officials alike fear their Supreme Overlord’s mad actions will provoke the wrath of the gods.
Ultimately, for both the forces of invasion and resistance, too much has been sacrificed —and too much is at stake—to ever turn back. And now, nothing can stand in the way of seizing victory . . . or facing annihilation.
[edit] Plot
The Ryn Syndicate uncovers a plan to ship many prisoners for a sacrifice. A Galactic Alliance rescue at Selvaris frees many prisoners. The Millennium Falcon is attacked and forced to jump to Caluula, which is under heavy siege by the Yuuzhan Vong. When Caluula falls, the toxin Alpha Red is released, with the intent of killing the Yuuzhan Vong. The purpose of the sacrifice is revealed, to ensure victory by the Yuuzhan Vong Armada at the Battle of Mon Calamari. The Yuuzhan Vong Armada attacks, only to be withdrawn by an order from the Supreme Overlord Shimrra when reports come from the Yuuzhan Vong capital (formerly Coruscant) that a living world, Zonama Sekot, has jumped to the capital system and is destabilizing the capital. The Galactic Alliance attempt to retake Corulag succeeds, and the Alliance attacks the Vong capital from there. Warmaster Nas Choka engages the Alliance at the capital, Muscave, and Zonama Sekot, where he tries to crash a vessel poisoned with Alpha Red into Zonama Sekot, in the hopes of poisoning and destroying it. When puppet Supreme Overlord Shimrra and the real Supreme Overlord Onimi are killed, some of Nas Choka's fleet collide with Alliance ships, while others surrender. The end of the war and the series results with a broader view of the Force for the new generation of Jedi, who under Luke Skywalker, have established a new Jedi Council, consisting of Jedi and non-Force sensitive officials.
