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48 of 51 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I have read them all and this is impressive, most impressive, May 2, 2000
It has been 1 year since the movie but 3 years have passed when this book's tale takes place. The story and the writing are outstanding. This book reads with the same familiarity that the middle trilogy and the writings that surround those characters posses. I do not include the "Vector Prime" series, which has been jarring to say the least. Mr. Bear is faithful to all that is appealing in this Universe of long ago, and he certainly has his own style. Unlike many other Authors he brings his talents to bear without trampling over the "feel" of Star Wars, he does not impose himself on the ongoing saga he relates it beautifully. This adventure has to be read as it is filled with events that will need to be known before the next movie is released. Like Phantom Menace this story centers around Anakin, and expands on what we know about him from the movie. I was curious how they were going to fill a 10 year gap between the story of Episode 1 and 2, but this books demonstrates how, and even includes a slick Coda at the end that makes the reader wish there were an additional 341 pages. A young man who we all know from the Deathstar is introduced, and other familiar characters we know from the middle trilogy appear here. The book opens with a type of race that is every bit as good, or better than the Pod Race, Anakin's flying skills are tested with an incredible ship. And throughout it all, Obi-Wan keeps up. He knows like we do, that Anakin is not one to be competed with. "The Chosen One" and what he is and will become are beginning to show in this volume. I hope Mr. Bear will write many more installments. I kid you not, he's that good!
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26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Right up there with Vision of the Future!, June 17, 2000
By A Customer
I just finished the book, and it was wonderful! To those of you who disagree, let's get one thing straight: this book wasnt intended to outline a huge adventure and turning point in the star wars timeline--that's what episode 2 is for--it was written to further character personalities and relationships. And further this it did beautifully! First, I really liked that we see the Jedi Masters, Mace especially, as people. I enjoyed very much the look at Obi-Wan and Anakin's relationship as master/apprentice and friend/friend alike. I also loved the personal struggles that we see each one go through--it shows they're very alive and very real, such as Obi-Wan's love for Anakin and his lonliness for Qui-gon, and Anakin's battle with himself and the voice he hears and the dreams he dreams. It's also interesting to observe the great power that he cannot yet control. The appearance of Tarkin was very interesting as well. It is nice to see him as a young man, but he is little changed from when we see him in A New Hope. I thought it ironic that he makes the same mistake of underestimating his enemy, only this time it did not lead him to death. I thought it was a little confusing in the book when it says he came up with the initial idea for the death star, but if you remember, so did the scientists in the maw installation. This book also does some major foreshadowing and linking. It hints, or more like shouts, that the world of Zonama Sekot has been attacked by the Yuuzhan Vong. From this, and the second Dark Tide novel, we gather that the Vong have been planning to attack for decades...I wonder what would have happened if they had striked the Old Republic, or the Empire... And speaking of the Empire, Tarkin constantly hints that a great change in power and ways of the government are about to take place in the future. He also hints at what we know as the Empire's ways, telling Sienar that humans are the race of the future and so on. In my opinion, the book also links Anakin Skywalker with his grandson, Anakin Solo. Notice how they both are incredibly strong in the Force, have a knack for dealing with machines, and want adventure and excitement. Overall, this was a wonderful book that bridged the gap between the first two episodes of the Star Wars prequels perfectly, and provides exactly what Episode 1 lacked the most--character developement.
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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An interesting, well written bridge...., May 5, 2000
I plowed through ROGUE PLANET fairly quickly. Greg Bear's story has adventure of course, but for the most part is a fantastic character study of Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi individually and within their relationship. The set-up for certain events of Episode II (and beyond) is clearly here, so I assume Lucas had an outline for this part of the story, decided it could not be told in the films, and left it to an author to "flesh out." Some ideas from THE PHANTOM MENACE (particularly the Terry Brooks novel version) are expanded upon in terms of Anakin's character. In Brooks' novel, as opposed to the movie, much more of Anakin's potential in the Force, as well as darkness, was explored. Here, at age 12, Anakin is beginning to show a few more signs of what will come later. I particularly enjoyed "inner thoughts" that Bear uses at one point which create a parallel between what happens on the 'rogue planet' and a crucial moment of Anakin's future. Another terrific element is that which involves Tarkin (from A NEW HOPE) and Raith Seinar, the designer of the Empire's Star Destroyers, among other ships, according to various CD-ROM and book sources. The approaching future of the galaxy is laid out in generalities through the interactions of these two characters. I have a feeling Seinar is the role Christopher Walken will play in Episode II if rumors of his being cast turn out to be true. Excellent and interesting writing. Anyone who finds themselves wanting to know more before 2002 will definitely get it.
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