Entertainment Earth
[TF.N Main] [Contact Us]
[Books - Main]
[Books -  More]
[Star Wars Book Reviews]

[Star Wars Book Release Schedule]

[Foreign Covers]

[EU Roundtable]


Latest Releases...
[Lost Tribe of the Sith: Secrets]

Lost Tribe of the Sith: Secrets [EB]

[Episode I: The Phantom Menace]

Episode I: The Phantom Menace [PB]

[Millennium Falcon Owner's Workshop Manual]

Millennium Falcon Owner's Workshop Manual [HC]

[Darth Plagueis]

Darth Plagueis [HC]

[The Wrath of Darth Maul]

The Wrath of Darth Maul [YR]

[Shadow Hunter]

Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter [PB]

[Shadow Games]

Shadow Games [PB]

[The Old Republic: Revan]

The Old Republic: Revan [HC]

[Riptide]

Riptide [PB]

[The Complete Vader]

The Complete Vader [HC]

[Star Wars Art: Comics]

Star Wars Art: Comics [HC]

[Heir to the Empire]

Heir to the Empire: The 20th Anniversary Edition [HC]

[Fate of the Jedi: Ascension]

Fate of the Jedi: Ascension [HC]

[Popular Stories]
CEII: Jabba's Palace Reunion - Massive Guest Announcements

Star Wars Night With The Tampa Bay Storm Reminder

Stephen Hayford Star Wars Weekends Exclusive Art

ForceCast #251: To Spoil or Not to Spoil

New Timothy Zahn Audio Books Coming

Star Wars Celebration VII In Orlando?

May The FETT Be With You

Mimoco: New Mimobot Coming May 4th

[Jedi Council Forums]
Troy Denning's Dark Nest trilogy (spoilers allowed)

The Official Alpha, the ARC Troopers and the Commandos Thread

The EU and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith- Spoilers Allowed

Secrets of the Jedi

Most powerful person in the galaxy

The Ages of EU Characters
[Poll]
There are no polls
currently operating
in this sector.
Please check
back soon.

View Poll Archives


Jedi Apprentice #2 - The Dark Rival
by Jude Watson

Published by Scholastic


Scott's Rating:   4 out of 4


This is the second book in the Jedi Apprentice series. Picking up right where the first book left off, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan arrive on Bandomeer. Qui-Gon still does not want Obi-Wan as a Padawan learner, mainly because his last student turned to the Dark Side. (I assume it is possible to turn to the dark side without being a Sith cult member.) That student was Xanatos, and as Qui-Gon arrives, he receives a note from the former student. It was he who called Qui-Gon to mediate in the mining dispute, not the locals. Turns out he is working for one of the factions, but in what way? Meanwhile, Obi-Wan goes off to his farming duties.

Qui-Gon soon learns that Xanatos is in an evil partnership with the mining faction and he works to stop him. Xanatos eventually kidnaps Obi-Wan (assuming he's Qui-Gon's new Padawan) and puts him to work on an offshore mining platform. There, Obi-Wan meets a funny character named Guerra who helps him survive. Qui-Gon rescues Obi-Wan and then the dynamic duo face Xanatos in a deadly showdown in a deep mine.

Before the story concludes, we learn that earlier Qui-Gon treated Xanatos like a son, and also ignored all the signs that he was heading to the dark side. Compelled more by his family's wealth than doing good with the Jedi, Xanatos leaves Qui-Gon and helps his father take over their home planet. Qui-Gon helps the people there stop them, but he kills Xanatos' father in the process, slashing him and slicing his wedding band. Xanatos picks up his father's ring and brands his face with the broken circle. The broken circle becomes a symbol throughout the novel.

Of course, by the end of the book, Qui-Gon takes on Obi-Wan as his Padawan learner.



Scott:

    This continued the great story started in the first book. You really see the bond form between the two Jedi and it seems like the logical origins of the characters we see in the film. And don't be fooled by the packaging, this book is not just for young readers. It is INTENSE. I mean the lightsaber action in here is as fast paced and gory as that in Episode I. Plus, the origins of Xanatos are so dark and grim that you'd expect it in some adult novel. Heavy duty stuff.

Watson also created an awful character in Guerra. Not so! I lie! (That's a running gag of the character in the novel. Check it out!) I liked this character and hope to see him again. I was glad to see them come up with two original, memorable characters in both Guerra and Xanatos and not simply relying on the movie characters. I also liked the setting on the offshore platform. It's a truly great environment that is rarely used in any fiction. Plus, designing them is what I do for a living, so it was a neat touch I appreciated. :) Anyway, I highly recommend you pick up this series and I look forward to more of these books.



Scott:

    I didn't care for the paper quality, but that's a minor gripe. It kept the price down which helped. The cover art is good, but the picture of Qui-Gon is distinctly recognizable. It's on all the current Lucasfilm promo pics right now, so it kind of distracts. But you can't fault the cover artist that, cause even Drew Struzan uses the Lucasfilm archives for all his references.



Scott:

    In this novel we see Obi-Wan sever a hand with his lightsaber for the first time. Cool. :)


Entertainment Earth
[All Posters]
Mace Windu - Episode II - Stand Up
AllPosters.com
Search For Posters, Cardboard Stand-Ups & T-Shirts!
[Rebelscum.com - Star Wars Collecting]
[TheForce.Net - FanFilms]
[TheForce.Net - FanForce] [TheForce.Net - Fan Art]
TheForce.Net - Your Daily Dose of Star Wars Entertainment Earth
THEFORCE.NET IS NOT ENDORSED BY LUCASFILM, LTD. PLEASE READ OUR DISCLAIMER. © 2024 COPYRIGHT TF.N, LLC
The Galaxy is Listening
Entertainment Earth
[TF.N Main] [TF.N FAQ] [Contact Us]