How odd that a comic series aimed at adults lacks the maturity and character development of the YA books it drew inspiration from. This was obviously intended to continue with some sort of "Qui-Gon on a quest" arc, but I'm grateful to Disney for stopping it in its tracks. Jedi Apprentice (1999-2002) Back in 1999, I would venture into the "Teen" section at Borders (few stores had such a clear distinction between kids books and older books - YA as a label did exist, but didn't seem to be widely used) and imagine my delight when I discovered the Jedi Apprentice series. Thanks to these books, I feel like I grew up with Obi-Wan. I will always love them. And I will always remember how shocking it was back then, to discover that Obi-Wan's future as a Jedi was in jeopardy
Even now, I am impressed at how perfectly paced this book is, and how well the characters and their motivations are introduced, despite its length. That ending in the afterword is simply brilliant. Sure, I would have preferred it to be longer...but the days of meatier YA tales were still to come.
This remains one of my favourite books. (PS: Yes, I did use my ancient cardboard JA bookmark while reading it...)
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Darth Plagueis (Star Wars Legends) |
 | Spiral (Lost Tribe of the Sith) Ah. The Lost Tribe of the Sith. My guilty pleasure. I'm glad there was one last piece of their history left to read - and of course I enjoyed it. Sure, we've had secret starships and secret inhabitants on the planet in other stories already... but this was undeniably fun (if a bit bonkers). Hilts was a fave of mine in the Lost Tribe print collection so I was pleased to see him. Too bad there's no more. I'd have happily read more of these. |
| Aflame (Knight Errant Vol 1) Kerra Holt is given the correct medium this time (the novel did her and her storyline no favours) and she is able to truly shine in the comics. It's by no means a blinding shine, more of a dull gleam, but it's there. Kerra does get on my nerves a bit... I am hoping that some character development occurs. Alas, there aren't many TPBs in the series, so I suspect not. |  |
 | Deluge (Knight Errant Vol 2) I wish I could say this was an improvement, but at least it wasn't a step backwards. I'm rather bemused that John Jackson Miller, who is responsible for my favourite Star Wars comics (KOTOR), managed to create this lacklustre series. I do think it was a good decision to show Kerra's homeworld. The interactions she had there helped to add...at least one dimension to her character lol |
| Escape (Knight Errant Vol 3) I suspected that Kerra Holt would enjoy no character development in this series and I was right. This is a disappointing volume in general and extremely disappointing as a conclusion (given the timing, it's obvious that the sale to Disney is the reason the series ended - a mercy killing, really). I felt underwhelmed by a storyline that should have done Big Things for Kerra...but didn't. We are left with the same old ending. More people to save. On repeat. Ad nauseum. |  |
 | Jedi vs. Sith I vaguely recall reading this a long time ago... back then it was considered a key piece of Legends canon. It isn't worthy of its prior status. Cartoonish in both art style and storyline, it impressed me when I was a younger, but now I see that it's somewhat nonsensical and there is no solid connection to the galaxy at large. It just seems strange that all this action would be limited to one world. But I still enjoyed this TPB, flaws and all. Perhaps nostalgia is to blame! |
Knight Errant (Star Wars Legends)
by John Jackson Miller
Kerra Holt is a Jedi stranded deep in Sith space with no way out - she doesn't even have the coordinates she needs to get home. But she is not aimless. She continues to do what she can to free the beings under Sith rule and that includes making strange, untrustworthy allies. Forget lightsabers and explosions - Sith politics may be the greatest challenge she has ever faced.
This story should not have been presented in the format of a novel. I realise it was meant to complement a comics line, but it was segmented in a way that doesn't really work in prose. It would have made far more sense to be published as part of the comics (that way it's divided suggests that it was the equivalent of three TPBs). The pace was negatively impacted by this and I struggled to get into the story - so many days and so many attempts. Kerra is at times a fun character (mostly she seems a bit flat), but this was not the right vehicle for her.
This story should not have been presented in the format of a novel. I realise it was meant to complement a comics line, but it was segmented in a way that doesn't really work in prose. It would have made far more sense to be published as part of the comics (that way it's divided suggests that it was the equivalent of three TPBs). The pace was negatively impacted by this and I struggled to get into the story - so many days and so many attempts. Kerra is at times a fun character (mostly she seems a bit flat), but this was not the right vehicle for her.
Path of Deceit (Star Wars: The High Republic)
by Tessa Gatton & Justina Ireland
Padawan Kevmo Zink arrives on Dalna as part of an investigation into missing artefacts and quickly encounters the Path of the Open Hand, which is definitely not as chill and peaceful as they appear. Marda is a devout follower of the Path and her beliefs bring her into instant conflict with Kevmo. She likes him...but how can she befriend a Jedi who abuses the Force?
The most important aspect of this book is the introduction of the Leveler. It is also the only interesting aspect. I was not interested in meeting Marchion Ro's relatives and I'm finding that I'm just not interested in seeing how the whole shebang began. Most of Path of Deceit is an unimportant snorefest. The delightfully dark ending...was a brief glimpse into this book's potential. Alas, it was a potential that was not lived up to.
The most important aspect of this book is the introduction of the Leveler. It is also the only interesting aspect. I was not interested in meeting Marchion Ro's relatives and I'm finding that I'm just not interested in seeing how the whole shebang began. Most of Path of Deceit is an unimportant snorefest. The delightfully dark ending...was a brief glimpse into this book's potential. Alas, it was a potential that was not lived up to.
Annihilation (Star Wars Legends)
by Drew Karpyshyn
Theron Shan is one of the best loose cannons working for the SIS and that makes him the best candidate for a daring mission into Sith territory in an attempt to destroy a deadly starship. His past and background will either help or hinder him - especially when decisions must be made by those in far more senior positions. Trust goes both ways...or it should!
Hmm. I did enjoy aspects of this book. Theron Shan is a great protagonist and he's Force blind despite his pedigree, which makes him very interesting. I appreciated that the story continued on from the comics and dealt with the outcome, but it was slow going at times and I felt jarred by the overly obvious 20th-century influences present in the novel. Including the less-than-stellar use of female characters (which was also a failing of Karpyshyn's other Old Republic entry, Revan).
Hmm. I did enjoy aspects of this book. Theron Shan is a great protagonist and he's Force blind despite his pedigree, which makes him very interesting. I appreciated that the story continued on from the comics and dealt with the outcome, but it was slow going at times and I felt jarred by the overly obvious 20th-century influences present in the novel. Including the less-than-stellar use of female characters (which was also a failing of Karpyshyn's other Old Republic entry, Revan).
Fatal Alliance (Star Wars Legends)
by Sean Williams
A Hutt is keeping a prize of galactic importance in her digs and everyone wants a chance at buying - or stealing - it. Jedi, Sith, Republic, Imperial and even Mandalorian interests are all at play here, but in order to find the true prize they can't compete with each other. They'll have to play along and forge... a fatal alliance (ba dum tsh). No one will come out of this team-up unscathed.
Up until this point, the Old Republic novels have felt less like stories and more like...ghosts of stories. Attempts to carefully follow or avoid the games, attempts that have left me wanting. But this one finally yielded a decent adventure. I found that the more generous length worked in the book's favour - it drew me in and made the characters feel like old friends by the end. An excellent entry.
Up until this point, the Old Republic novels have felt less like stories and more like...ghosts of stories. Attempts to carefully follow or avoid the games, attempts that have left me wanting. But this one finally yielded a decent adventure. I found that the more generous length worked in the book's favour - it drew me in and made the characters feel like old friends by the end. An excellent entry.
About
Alyce Caswell, when she isn't buried in a book or drinking her way through a giant pot of tea, is a keen writer of science fiction and romance. She has published two novels and four novellas in her space opera family saga, The Galactic Pantheon Series.
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