Conviction (Star Wars novel)

Conviction is a Star Wars novel written by Aaron Allston and published on May 24, 2011.

Plot summary

The Jedi finally overthrow Natasi Daala as Chief of State of the Galactic Alliance. In her stead is a new triumvirate led by GA Senator Haydnat Treen, GA General Merratt Jaxton, and Jedi Master Saba Sebatyne. As for Daala, she is arrested for the crimes she committed on behalf of the government. However, she is later broken out by Boba Fett, and Tahiri Veila, who had been convicted guilty of killing Imperial Grand Admiral Gilad Pellaeon during the Second Galactic Civil War, uses the ensuing chaos to escape. She and Daala both become wanted fugitives.

Meanwhile, the Skywalkers, with turncoat Sith apprentice Vestara Khai, continue their hunt for the malignant Force entity known as Abeloth, who has been able to grow stronger and has sustained her Force psychosis on the thawed-out Valin and Jysella Horn. The Skywalkers' trek leads them and Vestara to the world of Nam Chorios, where Luke learns from the Theran Listeners the technique of mnemotherapy, which takes away memories from an individual. When Luke once again confronts Abeloth, he performs mnemotherapy on her to take away all of the life forces she took over the years, including Callista Ming. Abeloth is severely weakened as a result, but escapes for the Skywalkers and Vestara to continue their trek in tracking down and killing her and Ship. In order to attain vengeance against Luke for what he did to her, Abeloth makes a pact with the Lost Tribe of the Sith.

The Solos become part of the Galactic Alliance's mission in installing formerly-enslaved worlds into the GA as Senatorial members. They visit the first world to cast out the chains of slavery, Klatooine, but the negotiations prompt Hapan Queen Mother Tenel Ka Djo to get involved in resolving the disputes. On her heels are a separate fleet of the Lost Tribe of the Sith, who followed up on the late High Lord Sarasu Taalon's prophecy of a Jedi queen; since Tenel Ka is a queen who was once a Jedi, she is a likely suspect that the Sith wish to target. However, their plans are foiled by Allana Solo and her grandmother, Leia, as the latter kills their leader in combat.

Reception

Conviction reached 3 on the New York Times bestseller list on June 12, 2011.^[1]

References