Dark Apprentice, penned by Kevin J. Anderson, is a Star Wars Legends novel. Serving as the second installment in Star Wars: The Jedi Academy Trilogy, it comes after Jedi Search and before Champions of the Force. Bantam Spectra initially released it as a paperback in June of 1994.
The fate of the galaxy hangs in the balance, as the New Republic suffers significant setbacks in its ongoing conflict with the scattered remnants of the Empire. The future rests on the shoulders of three young children—including the Jedi twins—who possess incredible abilities and face immense dangers, in a compelling new Star Wars narrative…
As the New Republic grapples with the dilemma of the deadly Sun Crusher—a devastating weapon stolen from the Empire by Han Solo—the rogue Imperial Admiral Daala employs her Star Destroyer fleet to wage guerrilla warfare against peaceful worlds. Her latest target is the aquatic homeworld of Admiral Ackbar. However, amidst this planetary battle, a far greater threat emerges at Luke Skywalker's Jedi academy. A promising student delves too deeply into the dark side of the Force, awakening the spirit of an ancient master of evil, the same order that corrupted Darth Vader. Together, they may pose an even greater challenge than the New Republic has ever encountered… surpassing the power of even a Jedi Master.
Leia Organa Solo and Admiral Ackbar barely survive a crash-landing on Vortex, the result of a failed assassination attempt orchestrated by Imperial loyalist Furgan. The disaster claims the lives of hundreds of innocents, leading Ackbar to resign in shame, blaming himself for the catastrophe.
Upon his arrival at the Jedi Praxeum, Kyp Durron begins his training in the ways of the light side of the Force, impressing his fellow students with his remarkable talent and aptitude for Force training. However, following the death of Gantoris, he also begins to explore the dark side of the Force. (Gantoris, previously corrupted by the spirit of Exar Kun, had turned against him; in retaliation, Exar Kun killed Gantoris.) Exar Kun's spirit starts to seduce Durron. As Durron's power grows, he becomes corrupted by the dark side and Kun's deceptive accounts of the Jedi Order's history. Following a heated argument with Tionne Solusar regarding ancient history and the fall of Exar Kun, Durron attacks Skywalker. Empowered by Kun's dark influence, Durron separates Luke's soul from his body, rendering him comatose. Harnessing his enhanced Force abilities, Durron retrieves the Sun Crusher from the core of the gas giant Yavin and embarks on a quest for revenge against Admiral Daala and the Imperial Remnant. Aware that his brother, Zeth Durron, remains within the Empire, he sets a course for Carida, intending to forcefully liberate him if necessary.
- ISBN 9780553297997 ; June 1994 ; Bantam Spectra ; US paperback [1]
- ISBN 9780307796127 ; June 28 , 2011 ; Bantam Spectra; US eBook [3]