Catalyst! Universe

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The original Catalyst! stories were written in the early to mid 1980s.

Hennig envisioned a sprawling universe of her own, that included some canon characters, but were also heavily populated by her own original characters.

The author admitted it was a bit like a soap opera, but preferred the term, mini-series. From the author in Far Realms #7:

The 'Catalyst!' series has often been referred to as the 'soap opera' of SWars fanfic. (I don't know whether to be ecstatic or upset. I think I'll settle for a pleased grin. But I still prefer the term 'miniseries') At any rate, it does seem to go on and on.

The stories take place during the first two movies, but ignore and diverge from the third, Return of the Jedi.

Most of the stories were written by Jeanine Hennig, some by Violet Nordstrom, and some by the two together. See more about this collaboration, and then divergence.

For other similar series, see Early Star Wars Original Female Characters.

Catalyst! Story Summaries from the Author

From the art portfolio in Far Realms #7:

The whole bloody thing started one day when I was on horseback and decided to put my horse into a SW story. So, in a way, you could say that the shaundar Sky started it all! Blame it on him...

'Catalyst!', true to its name, is a story of reactions and paradoxes — love within hate, truth within falsehood, dark within light — and the lessons faced when learning the real concepts and purpose of being. Dealing mainly with the Jedi, the series encompasses A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, taking off in an alternate from there and not coinciding with the events in Return of the Jedi. The Jedi have been destroyed, yet a few of the Jedi children have been cherished and protected to carry on the legacy and found a new Order, with a master to teach them whom everyone, including Vader, thinks dead. And not all the Children are aware of their heritage...

From "Catalyst! Collected":

A riveting alternate Star Wars universe of Truth within Falsehood, Love within Hate, Light within Dark, and friendship that transgresses yet is divided by war. Containing the first stories in the series (many which are now long out of print), all extensively rewritten and re-illoed, along with totally new material.

The year is 3000. The Jedi have fallen. Rebekah Nightrider-Skywalker is pregnant with the child of a rape - a child whose father destroyed her whole race... A child who can bring the galaxy to the greatest of glories, or the greatest of despair.

Characters

• Luke Skywalker
• Leia Organa
• Han Solo
• Wedge Antilles
• Jessami Kenobi (original character, a Jedi and Obi-Wan's granddaughter, becomes Luke's wife)
• Rebekah Nightrider-Skywalker (original character, Luke's mother)
• Tamlin Skywalker (original character)
• Dr. Tiare Falrynne (original character)
• Jared Organa (original character)
• Jessami's unicorn/horse, Sky (original character)
• Rhevyn Kenobi (original character)
• Marikah (original character, Luke's daughter)
• Bran (original character, Han's son)

• 

  from the art portfolio in Far Realms #7, the artist is Dani Lane

• 

  from the art portfolio in Far Realms #7, "key"

• 

  Dani Lane portrays a cast of characters, from Eclipse (1987)

Later Rewritten and Collected

In 1984, Hennig wrote:

I will also be pulling a 'Marion Zimmer-Bradley' in that I've gone back over the older stories and TOTALLY revamped them, using that worthy author's excuse that 'I was a different person when I wrote them, and much younger'. Maybe not in years, but in mileage, huh?

This project was completed in 1986 for the zine, Catalyst! Collected.

Sample Art

• 

  from Far Realms #1, artist is Jenni Hennig (1981)

• 

  from Far Realms #1, artist is Jenni Hennig (1981)

• 

  from Far Realms #1, artist is Jenni Hennig (1981)

• 

  from Far Realms #1, artist is Jenni Hennig (1981)

• 

  from Far Realms #2, artist is Jeanine Hennig (1981)

• 

  from Far Realms #2, artist is Jeanine Hennig (1981)

• 

  from Far Realms #2, artist is Jeanine Hennig (1981)

• 

  from Far Realms #2, artist is Jeanine Hennig (1981)

• 

  from Far Realms #2, artist is Jeanine Hennig (1981)

• 

  from Far Realms #2, artist is Jeanine Hennig -- A fan wrote: "Finally I remembered why — it's dangerously close to Joni Wagner's opening illo for 'Foreshadows' in SKYWALKER 4 and the. I hope the resemblance is accidental. ((It just means that Joni Wagner had the same book on 'Dynamic Light and Shade' that I did, which shows the technique. I guess the lotus is common among Jedi ...))" (1981)

• 

  from Far Realms #3, artist is Jeanine Hennig (1982)

• 

  from Eclipse, artist is Dani Lane (1987)

• 

  from Eclipse, artist is Dani Lane (1987)

Somewhat Inspired by "The Blue Lagoon" and Real Life

from Far Realms #3, artist is Jeanine Hennig, who wrote: "Yes, I actually *gasp!* loved 'The Blue Lagoon'! I went to see it after I'd finished an umpteenth rewrite on 'Catalyst!, cried then giggled over some of the similarities ... then went to see it five more times!! It's a very special movie to me - I dunno, you'd think I've got a thing for the premise of two kids being stranded on a desert island or something..."

Hennig wrote in Far Realms #3 (1982):

Yes, I actually *gasp!* loved 'The Blue Lagoon'! I went to see it after I'd finished an umpteenth rewrite on 'Catalyst!, cried then giggled over some of the similarities ... then went to see it five more times!! It's a very special movie to me - I dunno, you'd think I've got a thing for the premise of two kids being stranded on a desert island or something...

Hennig wrote in Far Realms #4/5 (1983):

...in my series, Tamlin Skywalker is my husband's Mari Su - and Sky is my horse's Whinni Su.

Other Prominent Early Star Wars Fan-Created Universes

• Brightstar Universe by Christine Jeffords
• Catalyst! Universe by Jeanine Hennig
• Collected Circle of Fire by Anne Elizabeth Zeek
• The Cori Beckett Series by Judi L. Hendricks and Paula Block
• The Executor Cycle by Barbara T and Sylvia Stevens
• Maeve Solo Universe by Chris Callahan and L.C. Wells
• New Order Series by Pat Stanley
• ThousandWorlds by Maggie Nowakowska and Dyane Kirkland
• First Steps Universe by Samia Martz

The Proposed Zine: "Remigrations"

Some of the early stories in this universe were written with Violet Nordstrom. Stories that don't have her name on them were also in collaboration with Jeanine Hennig.

In 1987, Nordstrom included a flyer in Shadowstar #24 about a proposed zine that would continue this series as it diverged from "Catalyst! Series."

From that flyer:

In March of 1981, I agreed to merge my "Safehouse" tale with Jeanine Hennig's "Catalyst" adventure. Over the ensuing months, we built a framework of history, personal characteristics, and further circumstances interweaving my major characters. Dr. Tiare Falrynne and Jared Organa with her Jessani Kenobi. We spent much time on this project; I still retain the 20 some-odd 60- and 90-minute tapes from that period. Our joint endeavors inducted the following:

the flyer in Shadowstar #24

"Safehouse" (FAR REALMS 2) was written by both of us.

"Catalyst—parts 2 & 3 (FAR REALMS 2 & 3) adjusted by Jeanine to accommodate new informational input and characters that grew out of our collaboration.

"Lady in the Woods" (FAR REALMS 3) was written by me and edited by Jeanine, and utilized taped dialogue and plot lines developed by both of us, and therefore we are both credited.

"Legacy" (A TREMOR IN THE FORCE 1) has only Jeanine's name, but she incorporated some situations, characters, and elements established by the two of us. The same holds true for subsequent stories in later issues of FAR REALMS and others.

When it became evident that further compromise on vital basic structure was impossible, Jeanine and I agreed to part company in August of 1982, and that each of us would complete the epic as she wished. In order to allow Jeanine first turn at publication and to give myself time to work around family responsibilities, I made the decision to present my version later and all at once. Illness and assorted aggravations have added to the delay, but I can now announce the forthcoming publication of my stories.

REMIGRATIONS begins with history concurrent with "Star Wars: A New Hope," then picks up after "Lady in the Woods." It chronicles the sorrows, hopes, fears, and growth of Luke, Jessami, Rebekah, Tiare, Wedge, Han, Leia, Lando, Chewbacca, and the rest. The puzzle-pieces are interlocked, the Jedi reborn, and the Alliance is reordered.

REMIGRATIONS contains nine major chapters:

1. A Matter of Priorities

2. Means to an End

3. Reckoning

4. Demise

5. Death Knell for a Jedi

6. Relocation

7. Spies

8. Resolutions

9. New Beginnings

The Catalyst! Fanworks

The fanworks are by Hennig unless noted.

• Ties of Life -- and Death (Shadowstar #17)
• Eclipse (standalone novel)
• Like Father, Like Son (filk to the tune of "Like Father, Like Son" by Rick Springfield (Echo Seven)
• filks (StarQuest)
  • The Vision (To "The Prophet" by Queen)
  • Tamlin's Question Song (Music and unchanged words from "Lord Voll" by Leslie Fish, as performed on "A Wolfrider's Reflections")
  • Rebekah's Song
  • The Farthalan Jedi (Music and unchanged words from "The Tribe," by Cynthia McQuillen as recorded on "A Wolfrider's Reflections")
• Introspection: Emergence (by Violet Nordstrom (Far Realms #2)
• Paradox, poem (Far Realms #2)
• Interlude: Dreams & Settlements (Far Realms #2)
• Interlude: Fear (Far Realms #3)
• Catalyst part one (Far Realms #1)
• Safe House (Far Realms #2)
• Catalyst part two (Far Realms #2)
• Catalyst part three (Far Realms #2)
• Introspection: Emergence" (by Violet Nordstrom) (Far Realms #2)
• Interlude: Dreams & Settlements" (Far Realms #2)
• Interlude: Fear" (Far Realms #3)
• Lady of the Woods (Far Realms #3)
• Catalyst 3 (Far Realms #3)
• Seeds of Destruction, part one (Far Realms #4/5)
• Seeds of Destruction: Jihad (Far Realms #6)
• Luke’s Song for Jessami by Carolyn Kinkead, filk to the tune of “Eternal Loser” by Leslie Fish (Far Realms #7)
• Dark Musings, filk by Carolyn Kinkead and Sue Smalley, to the tune of “Iron Mistress” by Leslie Fish (Far Realms #7)
• The Ballad of Rebekah Nightrider, filk by Carolyn Kinkead, to the tune of Mary Hamilton (Far Realms #7)
• Seeds of Destruction: Renaissance (Far Realms #7)
• My Inheritance on Set, or How I Spent My Summer Vacation (Far Realms #8)

Fan Comments

1981

I like the 'Catalyst!' story, and I'm looking forward to more. However, I don't subscribe to the theory that Darth Vader is Luke's father. No way ...

Catalyst!' has a childlike innocence,' probably too much at times. It hurts it.

I especially found 'Catalyst!' a good story and I can't wait to read the continuation. Jeanine Hennig's style of inserting the thoughts of her characters is awfully effective.

The action moves along fairly well and I like all the thinking that the reader is let in on, but the sheer improbability of Jessami's position makes the story actually difficult to read. It just seems too impossible for Obi-Wan to have a last surviving relative, and that Luke happens to stumble on her and that they are apparently a perfect match. It doesn't seem possible to me. Perhaps if some of Jessami's differences from Luke were emphasized along with her similarities, the character might gain more believably.

1982

I turned to 'Catalyst!' first, because I enjoyed the installation in FAR REALMS 1 so much. I especially liked the way you handled Luke and Jessami's night together in the old house. You gave plenty of description to go along with the dialogue, so that the reader felt empathy for both character's feelings. The love they shared was totally natural, without pretense, and this scene was written especially well. The ending culminating with the dream coming true was downright spooky; really left me tense. I do have some questions about the story, however. Why didn't Luke and Jessami realize from the first that he was the Jedi that was to be her life-mate? It just seemed so obvious to me. Also, how could Luke feel so dejected about himself and his worth to the Alliance, when it was he that almost single-handedly destroyed the Death Star and saved the Rebels?

'Catalyst I' was far and away the most striking story in the zine. For once, a story that centers around characters, and does it well! Luke, of course, is my favorite, and as you obviously feel the same, I don't need to rave on about him. But, what I found so wonderful about your zine, was all the SWs stories had well-balanced character portrayals. My hat is off to both you and Violet for an excellent adventure in 'Safe-House', as well!

You and Violet should both be pleased with 'Safe-House'. Tiare is an unusual character as a woman who has dedicated her life to working against the Empire, without being romantically involved with one of the main Swars characters, (or should I say, at least for now, since I don't know what will happen next.) I enjoyed the animosity between her and Luke, because it shows that the rebels are just human, after all. They don't automatically like or trust one another.

I'm enjoying the 'Catalyst!' series; however, I would have enjoyed 'Safe-House more without the constant fighting. It's difficult for me to envision Luke ducking his problems and responsibilities and giving himself over to petty feelings of jealousy. I just got the impression at the end of Empire, that he had himself pretty much together. I very much liked 'Patience' and will be interested to see where it goes from here. By the way, what about Han?!

...yes, 'Catalyst!' reads much better this time, the' I'm still a little uneasy about Jessami - she's still a little naive. She needs to see the galaxy, maybe become a little more worldly.

Love your turn of phrasing - I could read your stuff all day. I like the dialogue and the naturalness of the behavior of the characters. You make them into people, and not characters, if that makes sense. It is so good to read snappy dialogue; I noticed that both Luke and Jess in 'Catalyst!' managed this, and yet were not trying to hurt each other. Any hurting that they did do was a result of their confusion and not deliberate. I like your handling of Luke, as I am very tired of the dippy portrayal that most writers show. Han and Leia don't suffer, either, and are their usual selves; but best of all, "your own characters are neither extra-dominant or wishy-washy non entities. A very good balance is maintained. Your slipping from dialogue to action to thoughts is also very effective and realistic. I'm glad that you show everyone's thoughts and not Just one character's. It allows the reader to participate in all the action and still get inside everyone's head. I always want to know WHY people do things and you satisfy my curiosity:. Thanks.

The 'Catalyst!' series is interesting, though I still think that ROTJ is going to end with Luke staggering off in his noble, self-sacrificing, (ie - pigheaded), lovable way into the desert, to be come Obi-Wan Skywalker, true blue Jedi. (Rather Dune-ish!). But I prefer the 'Catalyst!'!

The relationship between Luke and Jess is unreal — it's overly emotional but at the same time very shallow — all the feeling is on the surface; basically it strikes me as very adolescent, which may be appropriate on Jess' side, but not on Luke's. ((I think it's all a matter of what you see in each character and characterizations)) The idea of a child living alone with an animal friend, remaining childish through lack of human contact is a cliche; so is the close rapport between a teenage girl and horse/unicorn (which has also considerable Freudian overtones — did you intend that?) As for her surviving at a fairly high standard of living on her own, this seems to me most unlikely, given the lack of physical support from any society. (food, clothing, medical attention).

In pt. 2, Luke's reaction to Jess' long hair is rather childish, esp. for someone his age. ((Frankly, then, all men must be childish — I have long hair and most of them have a similar reaction ...)) So is his apparent total trust in her, when he tells her about Leia. Jess' question about love is unlikely. Her whole reaction to Luke seems to be very adolescent in the teen magazine sense, which doesn't seem right, given her total lack of contact with humans all these years — such a way of seeing people is learned behavior. Innocence in the general as well as sexual sense is one thing, but Jess comes across not as innocent but a combination of confused and calculating. Making Luke and Sky rivals for Jess strikes me as tabloid-level Freudianism, even if it wasn't meant that way; the impression is strengthened by the fact that Sky has never mated and seems to identify so heavily with Jess in spite of the species difference. Luke's total lack of concern about possible conception in the love scene seems rather unlikely to me, tho' perhaps it does fit in with the general immaturity of the relationship. I naturally wouldn't expect Jess to think about it. One thing bothers me about this scene quite aside from all this — it reminds me of the idea in 'Elfquest' of 'recognition', the spiritual identification that has to be present for conception and which, when present, almost assures conception. ((I feel that this needs to be straightened out — the idea of 'spiritual unification' is not a new one, even in 'Elfquest'. I've had this comment from few people, and while this is the only one that is a bit aggressive, Jedi Bonding and Recognition are NOT the same! Recognition is lust, pure and simple, according to the Finis, a drive that demands notice whether the people involved like it or not. If you MUST compare Bonding to something, compare it to the 'Impression' of dragons to dragonriders in the McCaffrey books. The feeling is like a total melding of desires and both parties like it! Also, as you'll read in this chapter of 'SOD:Jihad', Luke and Jess don't even truly know what this Bonding is ... you are right in one thing Chris, their relationship was the one of two scared adolescents ... Sorry, back to you!))

[...]

Luke's constantly calling her 'little girl' doesn't fit the Luke of SW and TESB — it's condescending, and he's not that sort of person. Han might call her that, with the intention of gently (?) teasing, but even he wouldn't do it constantly.

Is Jess' relationship with Sky supposed to be symbolic of her emotional and social immaturity?

It's hard to believe that Luke at least doesn't even suspect the significance of Jess getting 'fat' after over 3 months of lovemaking without contraception. And if these humans are basically like Terrans, Jess should have noticed the lack of menstruation by now and at least thought it odd even if she hadn't gotten any information while her parents were alive.

1983

Story-wise, 'Lady' is nice; Rebekah is a powerful character, and very real. I particularly liked her using arguments she didn't believe in to convince Tiare. There were points that were a bit confusing. I didn't understand the necessity of the scene with Aimee - it may be important in the series, but the import in the story was lost to me. I also found Rebekah to be a bit forgiving of Tamlin. Maybe if you're a Jedi it's different, but if my bond-mate had been able to speak to me for 24 years, and hadn't, it'd take more than a few minutes of dialogue to get rid of my anger. Which brings me to another point. I hope that somewhere, somewhen, you will explain why all your characters have to be tested over and over again. Just wondering ... One last thing: Tiare's wedding seemed very disjointed to me, and ended too rapidly. After all the build-up, I expected a bit more, but that's minor. Basically, I liked 'Lady', and hope to see lots more of 'Bekah in the future.

'Catalyst!' is a wonderful, dreamy story. I've loved it ever since I first read it, almost two years ago, and I love it even more with the changes you've made in it. Nice touch, having Luke go back to Tatooine at the end. I think that it is, really, the only place that Luke will begin to find the answers he needs. 'Paradise Lost' is nice, and that illo ... *SIGH* WOW! Your artwork gets better and better. I am a true Jenni fan! 'The Lady in the Woods' was interesting; can't wait to see the family reunions coming up - also, it's going to be neat seeing the new generation of Jedi in action! Rebekah is going to have her hands full! Wonder what Luke's life is gonna be like with Rebekah's (and Tarn's?) input.

I must say that I'm surprised at the change in the portrayal of Tiare in 'Lady in the Woods'. In 'Safe-House', she came across as being the one in control, but it appears here that learning about her true heritage as a Jedi knocked her off her feet so completely that she quite literally fulfills Rebekah's prophetic announcement, "sleep, child ... for child you are, living without knowing who or what you are." I miss her calm strength in this continuation. Just a minor complaint about the governor's death, I thought it was a little too simple and convenient. I'm not asking for blood and guts, but something a little more believable. By the way, am I right in assuming that Rebekeh was somehow responsible for that?

Next, concerning the acquaintance of Gea and Rebekah - first you say that Gea lets Rebekah in to watch over Tiare because Gea "knows if her, knows she's a friend", but later, Rebekah tells Tiare that Gea has visited her before. Little incongruities such as these can be distracting. I loved the symbolism of the garden in Rebekah's urging Tiare to get out and experience the whole universe instead of growing in one secluded corner. Very nice! I assume that Rebekah has known all along that Darth would find Luke and pursue him, but it appears that this knowledge and her job of rounding up and informing the children suddenly overwhelms her - or is she often plagued by such doubts? After all, it is serious enough to draw Tamlin out of his 24 year absence to give her encouragement. I can't help but think of him as some kind of saint. I mean, how can you not like the guy after he tells 'Bekah to give the child his own name and saber - somebody hand me the kleenex!

I like the description of Darth, (pp. 33), which explains in brief terms how Rebekah could ever have gotten involved with him in the first place. Jeanine's hypo thesis of this whole 'affair' is beautifully orchestrated in a yet-to-be-published story called 'Legacy'.

If you want the juicy details of what went on between Darth, Rebekah and Tamlin, you must read this one. On the whole, 'Lady' was a good way of providing a lot of necessary information and characterizations for the Catalyst! universe. Your characters are developing and showing as yet unseen sides of their personalities.

The scene near the beginning when Vader approaches the kids playing on the beach and says, "How charming" made my skin crawl. It sets the mood for the whole piece. I personally need to get some thoughts clarified about Jessami's confrontation with Darth and the Dark Side. At some point where Vader has already struck Luke down, Jess tells him that she won't let him hurt Luke anymore. Her aggression seems to have a positive bent as you explain, "this was an older/wiser/harder Jess talking." But when Luke regains consciousness and sees her saber upraised over Vader, you say he sees his worst fears coming to pass. Surely you don't mean the possibility of killing Vader. Do you mean because she is letting her anger rule, or for a brief instant she is succumbing/flirting with the Dark Side?... A question for all SWars fen -- when a Jedi is overcome by the negative emotions (fear-hate-anger), is this the same as experiencing the Dark Side? This is an interesting concept to me as a student of psychology. Jedi are only human, after all. If this statement is true, I'd expect that they'd suffer a lot of ulcers and show other stress symptoms. Anyway, back to Catalyst!. I like the bit where Ben explains to Luke that it is Jess's decision to make about how she is to live, and how Luke realizes that he is in greater danger from her, his lover, than he'd ever be from Vader, because if she turned to the Dark Side, he'd find it hard not to go after her. What a dilemma!!

Immediately after this scene, when Jess comes to her senses, you say she was ashamed at the wanting, the power-lust thoughts she'd had in those moments. What thoughts? You never let us know what she was thinking at that time. Was she really contemplating crossing that line into darkness?

I don't see Leia being quite so blind or narrow-visioned as to not realize that Luke was the father of Jess's baby, especially after the animal-like protectiveness he exhibited over her when they first ran into the rebels on Farthala. At the end of the story, I didn't want Luke to go off, because I just know there's trouble out there waiting for him. But the ending with the shaundar, Sky, and his mate, with the tear running down his face, was just perfect. It sums up the theme very well; that we all must grow up sometime, accept change, and live with our losses.

'The Lady in the Woods' - well, this is the example that my first paragraph refers to [in which this fan explains she hasn't read any previous stories in the series]. I briefed through it, realized that there was no character here with which I was familiar with, so I skipped it. Having then read the rest of the zine, I settled down to 'Catalyst!', since it had Luke, and totally enjoyed the story. I then read 'Lady' and found that I was glad I did; it's an excellent work of its own.

It took less than a page to feel that I knew these characters. They lived with out the superficial need for the Rebellion, and what scant traces we have of contact with the 'big three' of SW weren't necessary for the story to live. Rebekah lives alone, with strength and a regal power that the reader is frequently reminded of by the woman's words alone. I didn't much like Tiare; maybe because her childishness re minds me too much of myself at times. But not liking her doesn't mean that I didn't like the way the character was developed. She is strong and again stands well as a three-dimensional person. I didn't doubt that she could live as stated, and found very few instances where I doubted that she wouldn't have responded just as she did in a situation.

What we are shown of the Jedi and their past glories brings more to life this in situation of people than I've read in any other SW stories. I could believe the Jedi like this; I could understand them. Here we are shown a group of people who aren't super perfect. We are given a group of people who can, and do, make mistakes. People serving for the good will of others, but not without the ability to fail. Even the final failure, the failure of pride, was very human.

Rebekah as Luke's mom, well, she's stronger than he. But then, she is older and well-trained in the Jedi ways. I like her as his mom, and in a way I can even see his future in her, the taming of his anger and frustration to make him a Jedi like her. Tamlin I believe easier. Tamlin is the Luke 'I' know, already grown.

If I have a favorite scene in the story, it would be the meeting between Tam and Rebekah. Here we are shown a love that can outlast death. We're shown that it can be beautiful without being maudlin. The tightest writing and some of the best characterizations are in these pages.

My only minor complaint is the character of Aimee. She is dropped into the story, and while I felt there was probably some history for her in another story, it wasn't here.

I loved the story, and the foreshadowing it gave to 'Catalyst!' was well done also. I am looking forward to reading more of these stories in the future.

1984

Catalyst!' I loved. Well and away my very favorite piece of the zine. I find that editors tend to put their pieces last and underplay them; I suppose they have to. And of course, 'Catalyst!' logically should follow 'Lady', but I liked it better. Of course, it has Luke in it, and a Luke I can love well. I would have liked to have read the story before it to read of the developing love but I didn't have to have the previous story to like this one, and that was a pleasant change. I've praised Jeanine already in 'Lady' for her ability to combine and create characters, now she proves that she can do it standing alone. I cried many times in this story, and held my breath that both Luke and Jessami would survive unscathed. That Luke was touched here by Tamlin is obvious after you read 'Lady', but you wouldn't have needed to read the first to understand the second. There is such drama and underlying tension here that action wouldn't have been necessary. The conflicts, the fights between Luke and Vader, then Jessami and Vader are handled without resorting to portraying either character as lacking intelligence or skill. Well done...

1985

Jeanine Hennig in her "Catalyst" series (Far Realms) also handles joint themes of growth and commitment. Luke runs from his responsibilities only to find his true Jedi mate and bring Vader down upon them. He learns at great cost his potential for Darkness while Han admits his love for Leia and his commitment to her and to the Alliance. Leia's attempt to use Luke as solace in Han's absence precipitates his flight, and her later jealousy over Luke's bond partner forces her to examine her true feelings. With Han's rescue Leia makes her commitment public Jeanine Hennig in her "Catalyst" series (Far Realms) also handles these joint themes of growth and commitment. Luke runs from his responsibilities only to find his true Jedi mate and bring Vader down upon them. He learns at great cost his potential for Darkness while Han admits his love for Leia and his commitment to her and to the Alliance. Leia's attempt to use Luke as solace in Han's absence precipitates his flight, and her later jealousy over Luke's bond partner forces her to examine her true feelings. With Han's rescue Leia makes her commitment.

1986

Jeanine Hennig's "Catalyst" series has sprawled through any number of zines besides Far Realms, and those who discovered it late have been hard pressed to find all the stories. This first volume includes all the material up to the trilogy, "Seeds of Destruction," that appeared in Far Realms 4/5, 6 and 7. Jeanine has re-written much of the material; as she explains it, "The kids grew up, and can tell their story better now." A time line and chronology are added at the end of the volume and are much appreciated, since "Catalyst" has an intricate plotline and a horde of characters.

1987

Jeanine Hennig's "Catalyst!" series consists of two volumes of stories from various zines, compiled in Catalyst! Collected, Volumes I & 2. Her series splits from Lucas's version: Luke is bonded with Jessami Kenobi, Ben's granddaughter, and linked in a triad of power to Wedge Antilles. Leia is not his sister, and his mother is an integral character. The series has an incredibly complicated plotline, and it is recommended that readers new to Jeanine's world start off with the compilations, or they may have a hard time fitting the characters in place in her newest novel. Eclipse.

The events of this story are set seventeen years after the destruction of the Emperor and Vader. Luke has separated the Jedi from the Alliance military, and from the Jedi Homeworld he has trained a new generation of Force-users. But not everything has gone well for Luke. Wedge has left them five years before and lives on the fringes of his power, drowning his pain in alcohol. His daughter is bonded to a new student, rejecting Han and Leia's son. And two survivors from the past threaten the Alliance's future, casting Luke into living in the World Outside Time.

Well, I'm no critic and don't know how to review, but I do know a durn good story when I see it and I can't recommend too strongly J. Hennig's "Eclipse". Really a terrific novel with near-perfect plotting, mystery, characterization and anything else you care to name. The storyline itself is marvelous and the intracacies involved in bringing all the sub-plots together were nothing short of brilliant! Usually, I tend to look askance at new characters and they have to be really good for me to accept them, but Jenni's people in this story are who they are supposed to be (does anyone understand that last bit? Told you I was no reviewer!), both old and new characters. as you know, I've had trouble a time or two with your characterization of Luke, saying, "Uh-uh, the Luke I know wouldn't behave that way," but the Luke in "Eclipse" is perfect -- just the man the Luke I've known and loved for ten years would become. Bravo, Jenni!