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October 21, 2005
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 One year after the events of The Joiner King, Jaina Solo and Zekk are dispatched by the Jedi Order to investigate Tibanna gas thievery on Bespin. The Jedi pursue their suspects deep into the planet's Dead Eye region, where they uncover an abandoned processing facility infested with black membrosia; shocking evidence that the Dark Nest survived eradication on Kr.
In the Woteba system, all is not well. After a year of colonization on a series of planets given to them by the Solos, the Killik population suffers under an affliction known only as 'The Fizz'. Growing restless on a 'poisoned' world, the Joiner King demands answers for what has become of his kind.
On Hapes, Jacen Solo and his new apprentice, Ben Skywalker, make their clandestine return to answer the subtle summons of Tenel Ka. Away from prying eyes, the Queen Mother reveals a secret to the Jedi Knight that will change their lives forever and ultimately force Jacen to confront her wicked grandmother, Ta'a Chume.
Troy Denning creates a page turner with the rapid events of The Unseen Queen. Readers will enjoy witnessing Princess Leia as a powerful Jedi apprentice to Master Sebatyne. Having to 'unlearn what she has learned', Leia comes to accept her new role as an obedient Jedi student, where before she had been the respected authority figure. Her path culminates in a brilliant, aggressive lightsaber duel in the sub-climax of the story, and serves as one of the jewels of the novel.
Jacen Solo's character is briefly, but impressively explored, and will keep your eyes glued to the pages as this Jedi Knight emerges as a powerful, if not dangerous man, changed by the events of the Yuuzhan Vong War and his five year pilgrimage into the mysteries of the Force. Your only complaint will be in the damage done to your copy of The Unseen Queen as you drool over the pages featuring Jacen Solo.
Denning surprises us with a vibrant, new character in the form of Admiral Bwua'tu. Lauded for his triumphs over the Thrawn Simulator, Bwua'tu has earned the command of the prestigious Fifth Fleet, and the flagship seat of the Victory-class Star Destroyer Admiral Ackbar. Meticulous and stringent, Bwua'tu debuts as an antagonistic commander doing his best to stymie the unorthodox efforts of the heroes. But as the pages turn, and the story evolves, the Admiral's methodical ways pay off in the form of a cunning, crisp commander reminiscent of a heroic version of Grand Admiral Thrawn.
As much as The Unseen Queen has its treasures, it is not without its flaws. The story is littered with unnecessary characters who exist as scene stand-ins with one line of dialogue as an excuse to chronicle their involvement in the Star Wars timeline, when they serve no true purpose to the plot or events. Many fans will be disappointed to see cult characters, such as Kyle Katarn, shallowly used in this way.
It is continuingly painful to witness Jaina Solo mindmelded to Zekk's almost non-persona. Flaws continue with Ben Skywalker, a character with incredible potential and a mystique all his own, portrayed through his dialogue as a 'Gee whiz' 1950's suburban boy from the golden age of TV Land. The criticism on Ben Skywalker is harsh, and deservingly so. My six year old shows more seriousness and maturity than Troy Denning's depiction of a nine year old Ben Skywalker. A character that important should not be mishandled, especially during the character's debut.
The climax of The Unseen Queen, a duel between Luke Skywalker and the mysterious mind behind the Dark Nest, is beset on all sides by flaws that make the finale painful to read. An overabundance of characters (no less than four) clumsily attempt to assist Luke in battling the Unseen Queen, in a poor excuse to involve them verses the lesser crime of letting them sit on the sidelines. Matters are made worse by the un-picturesque and awkward setting of the duel, culminating in an ungraceful and almost bungling finale.
The Unseen Queen is a page turner, with as many pros as it has cons. While the good parts are very gratifying and enjoyable to read, the suffering of this book's flaws neutralize the good, warranting three sabers from me.
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