The Clone Wars are fully engaged, tearing apart planets and people in clashes unseen in the galaxy in eons. But a secret message is sent to the Jedi Council that could change everything - Count Dooku wants to talk of peace.
Sure that it is a trap, but equally sure that it can't be ignored Yoda and a small band of Jedi set out to meet with Dooku on the poisoned planet of Vjun, a world torn apart by a plague years earlier (Fan-note: later, this would be the homebase of Darth Vader). But his party is by necessity rag-tag - including two padawans venturing forth with the deadly Asajj Ventress on their tail. If the Jedi can escape their pursuer, the unknown disposition of Dooku remains to be seen. Is it for real, or have the visions of one of the padawans become more imminent as they head toward a trap that might remove the Jedi Master from the war for good?
[ • better, THIS BOOK IS • ]
The Clone Wars are a tragic time for the Republic - and unfortunately most of the novels have been, if not tragic, at least disappointing for fans. The story lines aren't necessarily bad, but the stories themselves have been consistently written like mass-market paperback rather than true novels for the fans. For example, The Cestus Deception was about 33% too long, while the MedStar Duology was written in a purely novelization style that reeked of pandering to fans instead of being for them.
But Dark Rendezvous manages to break the trend. In many ways, it continues the Clone Wars novel tradition of introducing new central characters, as well as delving further into some more familiar ones. Here, we get to learn more about two opposites in the Force - Dooku and Yoda, their relationship and why they are the leaders of their respective factions. Unlike the writing of Reeves and Perry in the Medstar books, author Sean Stewart takes these characters and gives a history that not only explains many things but actually makes characters like Dooku seem realistic instead of the villain out of a 50's serial.
The story also delves into the human toll that the Jedi are facing. Losing many of their teachers - both through the call of duty and through loss of life - has left the Jedi temple a quiet and somber place. We are allowed to see some of the inner workings of the temple, but also how those who can't directly get involved but are nonetheless affected deal with the Clone Wars. The padawans and the younger children are aware of what is happening, and their frustration is as palpable as the danger they face. From this comes two young padawans who accompany Yoda and their Jedi teachers on his journey. Scout is the headstrong but less talented padawan, a female Anakin without the ability to be as dangerous. Whie is much stronger, but is torn by doubt and haunted by dreams - dreams that seem to be coming closer to reality as they travel to the haunted planet of Vjun. To make matters worse, Asajj Ventress seems to be trying to kill them all - but not before sowing the seeds of dissent in the mind of young Whie.
All of the characters are well-formed and fit with what we know. Yoda begins to give us glimpses of why he is probably the greatest Jedi ever seen, and yet is just as fallible as any living being. His hope - a hope that feeds his power - makes him go to the ends of the galaxy to try to make things right with his Padawan, even though he knows that it is probably a lost cause. Being able to show his strength, his wisdom and his vulnerability all at once is what Stewart does best here, and how he forms up ALL of the characters in this book.
Obi-Wan and Anakin are also here, but they are mere filler, a requirement to the story line without much substance, and as such, Stewart paints them with a brush used many times before. Yet it works - they aren't SUPPOSED to be the focus, but instead a means to an end; creating them as such two-dimensional characters removes their intrusion into the heart of the story.
In the end, the story offers up a very large glimpse of what we can expect leading up to the final film. Labyrinth of Evil will be the last stop before Episode III, and Dark Rendezvous helps set up those final storylines. But this book is a great read in and of itself.
[ • a closing, I FEEL IS COMING • ]
So far, this is my favorite of the Clone Wars novels. It doesn't have all of the action that some of the others do, but it seems to be the most real of them, and the most compelling. To be honest, I have to wonder if maybe Sean Stewart shouldn't have been writing the dialog for Episode III, because we all know that Lucas' is wooden and odd. But I digress ... in the world of the Star Wars novels, Stewart represents the best of the novels since Timothy Zahn's last entry. If you have been following the series - or just like Star Wars - this is a great book to pick up.
[ • other clone wars novels, YOU SHOULD READ • ]
MedStar I: Battle Surgeons »
The Republic Mobile Surgical Hospital and its doctors try to save lives in one of the most vicious battles of the Clone Wars.
MedStar II: Jedi Healer »
Our galactic M*A*S*H* unit continues to fight against the Separationists and a threat from within.
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