The book Jedi Search is a novel within the Star Wars Legends continuity, penned by Kevin J. Anderson. This novel marks the beginning of the Star Wars: The Jedi Academy Trilogy, initially released as a paperback by Bantam Spectra during February of 1994. The subsequent book, Dark Apprentice, saw publication later in that same year.
As the conflict rages on between the Republic and what remains of the Empire, two young individuals, the Jedi twins, will discover their capabilities amidst a galaxy undergoing significant transformations and trials. In this era characterized by chaos and discovery, a remarkable new Star Wars story commences.
While Luke Skywalker embarks on the initial phase of establishing an academy with the goal of instructing a fresh generation of Jedi Knights, Han Solo and Chewbacca find themselves captured on Kessel. There, they are compelled to toil in the seemingly endless depths of a spice mine. However, upon successfully escaping, Han and Chewie desperately seek refuge in a clandestine Imperial research facility encircled by an array of black holes, thereby transitioning from one peril to an even greater one.
On Kessel, Luke uncovers the whereabouts of his two companions, only to confront a weapon of immense power, capable of obliterating an entire solar system. This weapon is a deadly ship referred to as the Sun Crusher, conceived by a secluded genius and piloted by none other than Han himself.
Han Solo, alongside Chewbacca, journey to Kessel representing the New Republic, but they face an assault and subsequent imprisonment by the disorganized forces under Moruth Doole's command. Doole had battled for and secured control over the spice mining planet and its associated penal institutions following the collapse of the Galactic Empire, harboring a long-standing resentment towards Solo stemming from their past smuggling ventures. Han and Chewbacca are then compelled to extract the radiant glitterstim within the subterranean darkness where it thrives.
On Coruscant, Luke Skywalker receives authorization and resources from the government to locate individuals possessing sensitivity to the Force dispersed throughout the galaxy, with the intention of founding a new Jedi academy. Ultimately, he locates Gantoris on Eol Sha and Streen on Bespin. Lando Calrissian's pursuit of a different lead on Umgul proves fruitless, yet it culminates in an unanticipated and much-needed financial gain.
Leia Organa Solo endeavors to reconcile her official responsibilities with the homecoming of her two elder offspring, the young Jaina Solo and Jacen Solo, who had been in protective custody. The vanishing of Han weighs heavily on her thoughts, despite the fact that he and Chewbacca successfully break free alongside fellow captive Kyp Durron, only to inadvertently stumble upon Maw Installation, a top-secret, concealed Imperial military research and development complex that houses a Death Star prototype. Its occupants are patiently awaiting Grand Moff Tarkin's commands to deploy the devastating Sun Crusher.
Han manages to persuade scientist Qwi Xux regarding the malevolent purposes to which her creations are being applied, prompting her to assist in the theft of the Sun Crusher and to defect alongside the liberated prisoners. Kyp employs his dormant Force abilities to navigate the vessel through a labyrinth of black holes, where they encounter the recaptured Millennium Falcon, piloted by Luke and Lando. The pursuing fleets from Kessel and Maw Installation are left to engage in combat with each other.
In the meantime, Leia and Mon Mothma designate the moon Yavin 4 as the site for a new Jedi academy. Luke expresses his satisfaction with this decision and extends an invitation to Kyp Durron to participate in future training endeavors.
Within the narrative, Luke reflects upon his duel against Darth Vader on Bespin, recalling Vader's declaration, "Luke, I am your father!" However, in Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, where the duel is depicted, Darth Vader's actual statement is, "No, I am your father."
According to The Essential Reader's Companion (2012), the occurrences in Jedi Search are chronologically placed in 11 ABY, positioning them after the comic book miniseries Star Wars: Empire's End (1995) and preceding Dark Apprentice (1994).
Han informs Kyp about his and Leia's encounter with Vima-Da-Boda on Nal Hutta. Nevertheless, in Dark Empire, their meeting with her transpires on Nal Hutta's moon, Nar Shaddaa.
During Leia's examination of a planetary database in her endeavor to assist Luke in identifying a suitable location for a new Jedi Academy, she briefly considered Dagobah as a potential site, recalling that the swamps had concealed Yoda for centuries, when in reality Yoda had only taken up residence on Dagobah since 19BBY.
Despite Daala holding the rank of Admiral, the cover illustration erroneously portrays her with the rank plaque indicative of a Grand Moff.
- ISBN 9780553297980 ; February 1994 ; Bantam Spectra ; US paperback [1]
- ISBN 9780307796110 ; June 28 , 2011 ; Bantam Spectra; US eBook [5]