The Crystal Star is a novel within the Star Wars Legends continuity, penned by Vonda N. McIntyre. Bantam Spectra initially released it as a hardcover in December of 1994. The narrative unfolds in 14 ABY, positioned after the events of Planet of Twilight but before those of Before the Storm.
On the planet Munto Codro, Hethrir abducts Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin. Leia Organa Solo, their mother, immediately launches a mission to rescue them. Simultaneously, Han Solo, Leia's husband, and Luke Skywalker, her brother, embark on what is supposed to be a "vacation" to Crseih Station, where they uncover a clandestine cult influencing the Crystal Star, posing a potential threat to the entire galaxy.
When Princess Leia's three children—Anakin and the twins Jaina and Jacen—are taken, she is devastated. Although her advisers suggest awaiting a ransom demand, a mother's instinct makes waiting unbearable, especially when she realizes she's unable to sense her children through the Force.
Ultimately, the princess is left with no other option. Accompanied by Chewbacca and Artoo-Detoo, she sets out to track the kidnappers, eventually finding their way to a crippled refugee vessel. Here, Rillao, a mysterious fugitive, provides answers that only lead to more questions. The refugees' children have also disappeared, and Rillao believes she knows the culprit: Hethrir, a powerful Imperial officer with his own warped ambitions to restore the Empire.
In the meantime, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker are on a separate assignment to the planet Crseih, tasked with investigating reports of a lost Jedi group. Crseih is plagued by bizarre quantum anomalies resulting from the death of a nearby star, which is gradually transforming into a uniquely flawless crystal. This crystal star disrupts the Force, diminishing Luke's abilities and severing the Millennium Falcon's connection with Leia and their home base.
On this planet, Han and Luke discover something even stranger than a crystallizing sun: Waru, a charismatic alien who has amassed a following of devoted fanatics through his miraculous healing powers. Is Waru a benevolent being, or does his healing prowess mask a more sinister agenda? As Leia, Chewbacca, and Rillao pursue Hethrir's treacherous path across the cosmos, Luke and Han move closer to uncovering the truth behind Waru's ominous cult. Ultimately, they will confront a cataclysmic showdown that could determine not only their own destinies and the fate of the New Republic but also the very survival of the universe.
On the world of Munto Codru, Hethrir carries out the kidnapping of Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin. Their mother, Leia Organa Solo, responds by immediately launching a rescue mission. Concurrently, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker travel to Crseih Station where they discover a hidden cult centered around Waru, a being originating from another dimension, which is influencing the crystal star.
The Essential Reader's Companion (2012) establishes the events of The Crystal Star as occurring in 14 ABY, situating it between the novels Planet of Twilight (1997) and Before the Storm (1996). This book marked the initial development of the Solo children's characters.
On page 114, a scene depicts Luke activating his lightsaber, which is described as emitting a blue light. However, after the conclusion of The Last Command, he gifted his first blue lightsaber to Mara Jade, and thereafter wielded his own green lightsaber.
The novel portrays Han Solo with a beard, a detail that contrasts with his clean-shaven appearance on the book's cover.
- ISBN 9780553089295 ; [3] November 1994 ; Bantam Spectra ; US hardcover [1]
- ISBN 9780553571745 ; November 1995 ; Bantam Spectra; US paperback [4]
- ISBN 9780307796295 ; June 28 , 2011 ; Del Rey ; US eBook [5]