Now this was a rather interesting story in the Star Wars universe, which chronicles the joint efforts of Obi Wan Kenobi and his fellow Jedi Master, Kit Fisto. FYI: Kit Fisto is the green Jedi, with the tentacles hanging from the back of his head, in the new movies who also has big black eyes but is ultimately killed by Emperor Palpatine in Revenge of the Sith. The plot of this book is centered around the fact that the planet Cestus is a production center (with an emphasis on battle droids) and is basically undecided as to who they will form an alliance with…the Separatists or the Republic. The people of this planet also have developed a droid (I believe it’s called the JC Unit) whicj is powered by a small inhabitant of this planet called a Dashta Eel. The Dashta Eel turns out to be somewhat of a force sensitive type creature. Eventually the reader learns that these interesting little guys are inherently good creatures who are natural healers and not killers. The Jedi are sent to this Cestus to make sure that production of this droid stops and that an alliance with the Separatist never takes place.
The two Jedi have a handpicked squadron of elite clone troopers to help them with their mission. One clone in particular is an Arc Trooper, who later changes his name to Jangotat (which means brother of Jango) as homage to Jango Fett himself. This Arc Trooper encounters emotions and feelings that no other clone has felt before as he appears to fall in love with one of the Jedi’s local contacts, Sheeka Tull. Sheeka Tull wants this trooper to see that he isn’t simply a number and that all the clone troopers have unique personalities all their own. Interestingly enough, the reader finds out that Sheeka Tull has had a past with Jango Fett and that perhaps she was even in love with him. So perhaps Sheeka’s motives were good, but then again maybe she just wanted another chance with Jango and thought she could have that chance with Jangotat. This was essentially a great side story that really reveals that clone troopers may be more vital and more human than once was thought by anyone in the Republic or otherwise.
Obi Wan and Kit Fisto (with the help of the planet’s rebel group, called Desert Wind) constantly seem to have their plans fall through and can never figure out why until it’s almost too late. The Separatists commander, Assaaj Ventress, a bald headed, pale skinned, tattooed, Sith wannabe is there to spoil the party. Ventress seems to be intoxicated by the fact that she wants nothing more than to kill Obi Wan, although Count Dooku has ordered that he be taken alive. Ventress really does seem to be a serious threat and a test for any Jedi. Ventress wields two curved red light sabers and her mere presence in a room commands respect.
The Jedi win in the end with help from the Arc Trooper, Jangotat, who sacrifices himself and essentially becomes the first clone that we know of to violate a direct order from command. This violation perhaps proved that there may be hope for these clones after all. In the end we also find that Sheeka Tull is pregnant with Jangotat’s child. This is also a first that we know in the Star wars universe. Obi Wan and Ventress still despise each other and Kit Fisto is still destined to die by the hand of Emperor Palpatine. Oh, and Jangotat finds a flaw in the JC Droid. The flaw was that since the Dashta Eel is a natural healer, it’s then not in its nature to kill.
Storyline Importance: 8.4
I’d say the importance here is more centered around what these Clone Troopers are truly capable of…meaning are they mindless killing machines or can they be more than that? Other than that, nothing really stands out here that would dramatically affect the Star Wars saga.
Excitement Factor: 9.7
Oh yeah! This book definitely had excitement. I think the author’s ability to incorporate some short chapters into the book made for a better, more enjoyable read. Good fight sequences, good dramatic scenes, and some great writing equals a book with not many dull moments.
Character Importance: 8.8
Well…the Arc Trooper we meet who changes his name to Jangotat adds some very interesting information that may or may not be vital to the Star Wars storyline later on. Assaj Ventress is an incredibly interesting character with great potential for future storylines. And let’s not forget that we do learn a little bit more about Obi Wan and the enigmatic Kit Fisto. However, my lasting impression of Kit Fisto (even though I love his Form I style of light saber fighting) is that of a Jedi who may be a bit too overconfident or perhaps to blinded by the Jedi Order to really be able to thrive in the ever changing Star Wars universe.
Favorite Moment(s):
When Ventress took on both Jedi by herself and nearly succeeded in destroying both of them. That was some really great suff and some great writing! I enjoyed the scenes when Kit Fisto taught some of the clone troopers some Jedi techniques and later when Obi Wan instructed them even further (especially Jangotat). The reader would see late in the story a fight scene involving Jangogtat where one can truly see how closely this clone was to grasping the force! Once again, we see a small, but scary, inkling of just what these troopers are truly capable of!
Overall Score: 9.0