The Crystal Star

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The Crystal Star is an oddity in the Star Wars Expanded Universe. Released in The Nineties during the indecisive seeming period before the release of The Phantom Menace, this book was the work of science-fiction author Vonda McIntyre. She had previously written a number of books set in the Star Trek Expanded Universe, and the influence certainly shows.

In a Star Wars galaxy now populated by centaurs, "wyrwulfs" and strange creatures from other universes, The Crystal Star involves Luke and Han investigating a bizarre cult while Leia searches for her and Han's kidnapped children. There's also something about anti-Force, Han's ex-girlfriend and Imperial revivalists.

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Tropes used in The Crystal Star include:

• Anti-Magic: Substitute magic for the Force, and you've got the general gist of it.
• Cool Ship: Leia's starship, and Hethrir's mobile planet.
• Covers Always Lie: Luke is not at the center of the galaxy.
• Eldritch Abomination: Waru.

"Hethrir's scientists breached the walls between dimensions and brought into existence a massive slab of meat covered with shining golden scales. Though this entity, Waru, lacked discernible sensory organs, it was highly intelligent and could communicate in a deep resonating voice."

• Heroic Sacrifice: For all the criticism the book gets, it is often praised for its characterisation of Han at the very end of the Hethrir plot; Luke and Leia have been consumed by Waru and Han realises he has to go in after them after asking Chewie to look after his family.
• Hoist by His Own Petard: Hethrir was the one who summoned Waru, so it's only fitting that in the end Waru eats him.
• Mama Bear: Leia. As noted in Abel G. Pena's blog, McIntyre's characterisation of Leia as a mother is one of the better examples in the EU.
• Meaningful Name: Hethrir sounds a lot like "Hitler"; Waru is apparently Japanese for "bad".
• Path of Inspiration: Waru's religion.
• Series Continuity Error: Luke's lightsaber is blue in this book. He lost said blue lightsaber in The Empire Strikes Back and built a green one in Return of the Jedi; although he got the blue one back in The Thrawn Trilogy, he gave it to Mara Jade.
• Starfish Alien: Waru.