Luke Skywalker and his wife, Mara, get a strange message from the Chiss: Come and get the remains of the mysterious Outbound Flight Project. But there is more than meets the eye to this unexpected gift, as the newlyweds come face to face with the past!

Marriage has not changed Han and Leia much - they still bicker and banter with each other, but now they have something new to disagree on: whether to have children. Han wouldn't mind being a father, but Leia is terrified that whatever turned her own father into Darth Vader might be genetic, and she can't risk giving birth to a monster.

Seven years after their daring assault deep inside enemy territory (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order: Star by Star), Jaina Solo and her fellow survivors answer a mysterious call for help and vanish into the Unknown Regions. Soon, the Jedi Council learns that the group has undertaken a mission that will drive a wedge between the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances and its skittish ally, the Chiss ..

Poisoned by centuries of technological excess, the planet Duro is an unlivable hell, long abandoned by its own inhabitants. But there is no other place to channel the flood of refugees fleeing the murderous Yuuzhan Vong. Jacen Solo, working at his father's side, finds himself torn.

With the New Alliance firmly established, Princess Leia Organa has taken a strong leading role in government, but even now safety and security are not assured. As Luke Skywalker and Han Solo take advantage of the stability of the new order, Leia's and Han's children are kidnapped.

Episode 1 of a new STAR WARS trilogy, the saga that captured the imaginations of millions, turns back in time to reveal its cloaked origins, the story of a legend, a tale of good & evil, of myth & magic, of innocence & power. Based on the screenplay by Lucas this novel provides rich detail and insight into the minds & motives of the characters.