Shield of Lies by Michael P. Kube-McDowell

Nothing like dipping back into Star Wars as someone who read the Expanded Universe novels voraciously as a teen.

In the second book in the The Black Fleet Crisis we see things come to a head, making way for the final book in the trilogy.

As Leia must deal with a new threat to the fragile alliance that binds the New Republic, Lando becomes a prisoner aboard a runaway spacecraft of unknown origin. The ship is following an unstoppable path to its homeworld, destroyed by Imperial forces. Luke continues his quest to learn more about his mother among the Fallanassi, where his every belief about the use of the Force is about to be challenged. And while Leia ponders a diplomatic solution to the aggression of the fierce Yevetha race, Han pilots a spy ship into the heart of Yevethan space and finds himself a hostage on one of the vast fleet of warships under the command of a ruthless leader.

Features a bonus section following the novel that includes a primer on the Star Wars expanded universe, and over half a dozen excerpts from some of the most popular Star Wars books of the last thirty years!

Summary via Goodreads

I forgot how creepy the Yevetha are written, and how oddly similar they are to a future antagonist in the Expanded Universe/Legends series, the Yuuzhan Vong. They give off ‘similar vibes’ though a lot of the Vong characters, if memory serves, seemed more nuanced.

Which isn’t to say that the Yevetha, and their leader Nil Spaar, aren’t great characters. They’re a great group of villains, though they may fall under the interesting problem sometimes brought up in Star Wars, where an entire species is categorized as one-type of person, in this case violent, xenophobic fanatics.

Similar to how Gamorreans are portrayed as small-brained brutes or Hutts are always conniving crime lords, the Yevetha do not have much diversity in thought or desires. Their main focus is keeping their surroundings ‘pure’ from vermin, while also giving themselves to the ‘All’. Which makes for some pretty narrow-minded and focused antagonists whose only goals are total annihilation of all enemies.

Which is why the ending cliffhanger is so hair-raising: because how is [insert beloved character here; no spoilers] going to survive being a hostage of enemies like that?!

Meanwhile, Borsk Fey’la, one of the most hated and interesting characters in the Expanded Universe, starts to show his true colors in opposition to Leia, who is coming up against political — well, bullshit — all the while entire planets are being invaded by the Yevetha. But nevermind that — did you know that Vader’s daughter is in charge of the New Republic?

Every time a character tries to bring this up regarding Luke or Leia, it makes me laugh, because in comparison, they are nothing alike, while also being very similar. The New Republic wouldn’t have even been able to handle Anakin Skywalker.

I forgot how much Luke’s storyline irritated me. Not because of anything Luke does (accept tell this other character off for being insulting) but because I know this one character is a lying liar and Luke is sometimes surprisingly naive. With all that I know is canon from the Prequel trilogy and before, and therefore certain skills and aspect of the Jedi Luke doesn’t, I sometimes forget how much he doesn’t know. And how much he learns throughout the Expanded Universe.

Also, I love to hate an annoying pacifist. I don’t have anything against pacifism as a concept, except for the pacifism that involves not defending yourself or others or constantly harping on those who do. While the Jedi Order, and Luke New Jedi Order, continuously try to stand in for those who can’t protect themselves, the Fallanassi have done what with their Force abilities? Hide?

Can you tell I have a bone to pick? Ugh.

Lando’s foray into unexpected archaeology (which is, weirdly, a trope that happens more often than not in Star Wars) is a super interesting part of the story and I can’t wait to see how it ties in with the Yevetha. In Star Wars, the stories always tie together somehow.

I really enjoyed this entry into the Expanded Universe, and I’m excited to read the final book in the trilogy: Tyrant’s Test.