Star Wars:
Rogue Planet

This was a very interesting and somewhat underated book in the long line Star Wars literature.  Why is this so interesting?  Well first, this book gives the reader a vivid look at the apprenticeship of a young twelve year old Anakin Skywalker.  You essemtially get a closer look into the mind of Anakin and you also begin to see what actually makes this future Dark Lord of the Sith tick.  Secondly; you get to see another side of ObiWan Kenobi.  Kenobi seems to struggle with the idea of having Anakin as a Padawan while at the same time you will see the true bond that has formed between this master and student.  Kenobi is truly the closest thing to a father that Anakin has ever had...and while Anakin doesn't seem to mind this concept; Kenobi recognizes the danger of such an attachment. 

The book also centers on Kenobi and Skywalker going to a planet to investigate a missing Jedi and rumors of "excellent" ships being custom made for the right price.  Thie planet is unique in that it seems to be a "living planet".  Hidden from the Republic and seemingly all other worlds, the planet seems to exist in an almost "too perfect" type of environment.   

Well, do you know why this book is somewhat intersting?  And why is this book a bit underated?  The missing Jedi is Verge and the planet is Senoma Zekot.  So, why is that so important?  This book was written well before the first New Jedi Order book was released and yet this novel is a perfect forshadowing of things to come in those very books.  If anything, "Rogue Planet" is a perfect illustration of how Lucas seemingly maintains order within the Star Wars universe.  No one book seems to contradict another and in the case of this story...sometimes a book seems to foreshadow another.  

Some other interesting side plots involve the future Grand Admiral Tarkin, who also seeks to obtain one of these ships.  Tarkin, interesting enough, already seems to be aware of a future uprising against the Republic even though that has yet to happen.  We also see Tarkin obtaining an early blue print of perhaps the initial death star battlestation.  Translation...really great stuff!

Excitement Factor: 5.5
Let's just say that at times I felt like breaking out into a chant of "Booooorrring!"

Character Importance: 6.4
You know I should probably give this a higher score because technically we do learn alot about Anakin's behavior and his temper.  However, I just keep going back to that "Booooorrring!" chant and I can't help but give this book a lower score.  Tarkin's character plot to help out this score a bit.

Favorite Moments: 
Let's see...Anakin's encounters in this story with the "Bloodcarver" character was somewhat exciting.  And when we first meet this Bloodcarver, you can't help but hate the guy.  He seemed like a hired assassins sent to kill Anakin at the beginning of the story.  However, once you get to know more about this character, you almost feel sorry for him.  In a fashion almost similar to that of a Wookie trying to repay a blood debt, this Bloodcarver seems to be trying to gain some measure of honor back in his life.  I'd say my favorite encounter between Anakin and the Bloodcarver when the young Padawan feels his first brush with the dark side near the end of the novel and kills the Bloodcarver in a violent rush of the Force...the Darkside of the Force!  Basically I think that most readers will identify their favorite moments as those where one can truly see Anakin having some difficulty in the future as a legitimate Jedi Knight.  Meaning...can the reader buy this child one day becoming the Dark Lord of the Sith...Oh yeah!  I think so...  But once again if you're just looking for some very interesting stuff to read then you will probably love the Tarkin stuff in this book.  When one sees how truly vicious and intelligent this young Tarkin is then you can truly begin to see how he lives to become such a vital part in the Empire. 

Overall Score: 6.9
I wish I could give it a higher score but I really need to see some more fight scenes...I was somewhat disappointed.