Time period: 18 (?) years after Return of the Jedi. [Editor's note: This is an educated guess, based on the twins being 14 years old, and Leia and Han not getting together until 4 years after Return of the Jedi, as shown in The Courtship of Princess Leia.]

Back cover text: JACEN and JAINA. When the Empire died, they were born -- a new hope for a New Republic. The young twins of Han Solo and Princess Leia are now fourteen, and enrolled at Luke Skywalker's Jedi academy on Yavin 4. Together with friends both old and new, the future heroes of an already legendary saga begin their training.

During a break in training, Jacen and Jaina are reunited with their old friend Zekk, an orphan living in the streets on their home planet of Coruscant. Young, wild, and free, Zekkhas never had a care in the world...until now. He sees the changes in his friends. Jacen and Jaina have learned so much, have grown in so many ways. Compared to them, he is only a lost little boy.

However, a powerful being has seen his potential. Someone who knows about shame and jealousy -- and how to make use of them. Someone who knows that the dark side of the Force is especially attractive when you've got nothing to lose....