Star Wars: Dark Nest, Volume 1: The Joiner King

The Dark Nest, Book One

By: Troy Denning

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

Length: 5 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

After triumphing in Star Wars: The Unifying Force, the heroes of the New Jedi Order return in a dazzling new adventure!

Luke Skywalker is worried: A handful of Jedi Knights, including his nephew and niece, Jaina and Jacen Solo, have disappeared into the Unknown Regions in response to a strange cry for help that only they could hear. Now the alien Chiss have angrily lodged a formal complaint, accusing the missing Jedi of meddling in a border dispute between the Chiss and an unidentified aggressor.

Luke has no choice but to head to the Unknown Regions for serious damage control. Han and Leia follow, intent on protecting their children from what could be grave danger. But none of them are prepared for what they find when they reach their destination.

A colony of mysterious aliens is expanding toward the edge of Chiss space. The leader of the alien nest is resolute. Adept in the Force, he is drawing old friends to his side, compelling them to join the colony and meld their Force-abilities with his - even if it leads to all-out war....

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©2005 Lucasfilm Ltd. and TM. (P)2005 Lucasfilm Ltd. and TM. Random House Audio, a division of Random House Inc.

Critic reviews

"Davis's range is astounding. He captures numerous well-known voices - those of Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Princess Leia, Han Solo, the robots, Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious - with perfection....These are magnificent productions." (AudioFile)

Bad Abridgment, Good Novel

I read the book in paperback alongside the audio version, and a lot was cut out which really shouldn’t have been. This is a strong novel with good characterization and a well-planned out plot, and it’s unfortunately a bit hard to tell if you only listen to the audio version. The worst example of this happened early on in the book, where 3 or 4 paragraphs were cut out of a space battle chapter. Almost the entire battle is in the audio version EXCEPT the few paragraphs explaining why the battle was happening and who the combatants were. Seriously… all context was “abridged” in the audio version. This is done at multiple points, cutting out important explanations, plot points, moments of character development, etc. In the end you get an audio version which, while impeccably narrated, has had much of the actual substance of the novel stripped away.

I liked it.

it was a good listen so now I have to listen to the other books.

Star wars extended universe

This is a story of interesting tales in the extended universe. It's post-fall of the empire. The three parts Ark and it sets up other things. So check it out when you get a chance.

Good book but abridged

I liked the book but I am sad that it is abridged. The book itself is quite long so I understand why they could not include everything.

Ben Skywalker is the biggest...

Disappointment in all of Legends. I can’t stand his character. I’ve listened to the LotF series already based on availability to previous material. So I already formed a very negative opinion of his character. This book is more of the same. For being the child of two powerful, skilled, and smart force users, Ben Skywalker is basically the opposite of his parents.

**Slight spoilers**
I understand they write him to have the typical kid attitude to their parents. Resist their input, think they are being too protective, and are trying to limit his fun. But his straight line stubbornness is annoying. And goes against what his character should be. His mom is fighting his “best friend” who is trying to remove Mara’s head from her body. But Ben doesn’t care, he just doesn’t want his mom to hurt his friend. Mara gets stabbed and is bleeding but Ben says “aren’t Jedi supposed to be able to take damage and be fine.”

**Spoilers**

And as LotF progresses his blindness to the dark side and his strict obedience to the GAG code is ridiculous. And his constant undermining of his parents. I find myself constantly hoping he will meet his demise. He’s a turd. They wrote so far to one side of the spectrum that his character is ruined. Could be the greatest Star Wars being or character in all of Legends. But instead is a whiny, little ginger turd that needs to be flushed ASAP.

would be great if it was full book

hate abridge versions. wish it was full. They left out to much details and started randomly

Kevin Thompson is a Sith

You have destroyed the balance sir. MIA is content. KIA are the characters. The universe is still expanding... Despite your best efforts to abridge it.
I call for a vote of no confidence in your producing!
Audible: please elect a new producer who can bring balance to the force.

Great story

loved this story, it has some good plot twist to keep the story going strong.

Kind of bland

Davis keep reverting to his southern accent making everyone sound like Lando. Really hard to stay immersed after listening to Marc thompsons narrations.

hard to follow.

not sure if from being abridged, but it seemed there holes in the story that made it hard to follow.