Dark Apprentice ( novel ) Dark Apprentice is the second novel of " " , written by Kevin J . Anderson and published by Bantam Spectra in July 1994 . Publisher ' s summary . As the New Republic takes devastating losses in the ongoing war with the scattered remnants of the Empire , the galaxy ' s future depends on three small children – among them the Jedi twins — born to incredible powers and perils , as an extraordinary new " Star Wars " saga unfolds … " While the New Republic struggles to decide what to do with the deadly Sun Crusher — a new doomsday weapon stolen from the Empire by Han Solo — the renegade Imperial Admiral Daala uses her fleet of Star Destroyers to conduct guerrilla warfare on peaceful planets . And now she threatens the watery homeworld of Admiral Gial Ackbar . " " But as the battle for a planet rages , an even greater danger arises at Luke Skywalker ' s Jedi academy . A brilliant student delves dangerously into the dark side of the Force and unleashes the spirit of an ancient master of the evil order that warped Darth Vader himself . Working together , they may become an enemy greater than any the New Republic has ever fought … more powerful than even a Jedi Master can face . " Plot summary . While the New Republic struggles to decide what to do with the deadly Sun Crusher — a new doomsday weapon stolen from the Empire by Han Solo — the renegade Imperial Admiral Daala uses her fleet of Star Destroyers to conduct guerrilla warfare on peaceful planets . And now she threatens Mon Calamari , the watery homeworld of Admiral Ackbar and important shipyard for the New Republic . But as the battle for a planet rages , an even greater danger emerges at Luke Skywalker ' s Jedi academy on Yavin 4 . A strong but untrained student named Gantoris delves dangerously into the dark side of the Force and unleashes the spirit of the ancient dark - side master Exar Kun , who instructs him in the creation of a unique , three - crystal lightsaber that can be focused to extend beyond the normal length to that of a spear . The spirit of Exar Kun also tries , with disastrous consequences , to entice him toward the dark side . Although unsuccessful , this sets the stage for another of Luke ' s students , Kyp Durron , to face the same choice as Gantoris . Working together , they may become an enemy greater than any the New Republic has ever fought . . . more powerful than even a Jedi Master can face . Kyp Durron begins his Jedi training with Luke Skywalker during this story , but first , he is being treated to the time of his life by Han Solo . Han felt that because Kyp had been in the mines most of his entire life , that he deserved to have a little fun . When he does get to the Jedi Praxeum , he starts learning the ways of the light side of the Force , astonishing all the other students with his extraordinary talent and his aptitude for Force - training ; unfortunately , he also starts learning of the dark side of the Force after Gantoris ' death . ( Gantoris had been corrupted by the spirit of Exar Kun , but turned against him ; in revenge , Exar Kun burned Gantoris alive . ) Exar Kun ' s spirit begins tempting Kyp . Kyp ' s power increases considerably , and he is tainted by the dark side and the lies Kun tells him of the history of the Jedi Order . After a violent disagreement with Tionne over ancient history ( involving the fall of Exar Kun ) , Kyp assaults Skywalker ; with the dark aid of Kun , Kyp rips Luke ' s soul from his body , placing him in a coma . With his strength in the Force , Kyp reaches out and guides the Sun Crusher from the heart of the gas giant , Yavin , and sets out on a mission of vengeance against Admiral Daala and the Imperial Remnant . He knows that his brother , Zeth Durron , is still part of the Empire and he sets course for Carida , intending to rescue him by force if need be . Cover gallery . This is a gallery of the different cover variations of " Dark Apprentice " .