I think the Young Jedi Knight series was all right on its own (when I read it I hadn't read much SW literature other than the Thrawn Trilogy) but when put in the context of all the SW books out there, it was just more of the same (Imperials, dark jedi, turn someone back to the light side) with a different cast, although I will admit that having different stars was still refreshing, and for the younger audience I think they did just fine.
Most of the SW books just leave me wondering how many Jedi can go rogue, turn to the darkside, then turn back and face no consequences for their actions (which was at least brought up in the Fate of the Jedi series, but never really addressed by the Jedi Order), not to mention how many lone, forgotten Dark Jedi/Sith Masters there can be in the galaxy.