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Amazon.co.uk Review
It's an unexpected combination: Greg Bear, author of so many ambitiously complex SF novels, writing about the colourful simplicities of the Star Wars universe. He carries it off well enough, with a mix of action-adventure and thoughtful world-building that entertains while keeping to the spirit of Lucas's saga.
A few years after the events of The Phantom Menace, young Anakin Skywalker is getting restless--sneaking away from Jedi Temple training to gamble his life in a flying game that's much more bizarre and dangerous than the movie's podracing (even before an alien "Blood Carver" assassin intervenes). Anakin's character is taking shape now:
But above all, he loved winning.To turn his frustrated energy to useful ends, the Jedi Council has Obi-Wan Kenobi take Anakin to investigate the remote, enigmatic world Zonama Sekot, whose organic technologies produce magnificent spacecraft and where a Jedi apprentice has vanished without trace. Secretly pursuing them is a battle squadron captained by the weapons designer who has already blueprinted the Death Star and is being double-crossed by his employer Commander Tarkin.
Rogue Planet's action climaxes as the Jedis learn to grow their own spaceship: the Blood Carver strikes and two heavily armed fleets converge on helpless-seeming Zonama Sekot. Every faction has secret cards up its sleeve--and Anakin's is a very dangerous wild card indeed. There's final victory and heartbreak but also loose ends (including even stranger, deadlier aliens) that suggest sequels to follow. Bear does a solidly workman-like job. --David Langford --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Product Description
Rogue Planet is an unforgettable journey stretching from the farthest reaches of known space to the battlefield of a young boy's heart, where a secret struggle is being waged that will decide the fate of billions. That boy is twelve-year-old Anakin Skywalker. The Force is strong in Anakin so strong that the Jedi Council, despite misgivings, entrusted the young Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi with the mission of training him to become a Jedi Knight. Obi-Wan - like his slain Master, Qui-Gon - believes Anakin may be the chosen one, the Jedi destined to bring balance to the Force. But first Obi-Wan must help his undisciplined, idealistic apprentice, who still bears the scars of slavery, find his own balance. Dispatched to the mysterious planet Zonama Sekot, source of the fastest ships in the galaxy, Obi-Wan and Anakin are swept up in a swirl of deadly intrigue and betrayal. For there are others who covet the power such superfast ships could bring. Raith Siener, a brilliant but unscrupulous weapons and ship designer, has the brains to decipher the Zonama Sekot ship design. Commander Wilhuff Tarkin has at his disposal the forces of the mighty Trader Federation with which to extract the secret. Together, they make a formidable foe, one a small and undeveloped planet can hardly hope to stand against. But as Tarkin's fleet strikes with all its brutal power, Obi-Wan and Anakin sense a dist
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If Episodes I and II lacked in character development and emotional depth, this book goes a long way towards making up for it. Obi-Wan and Anakin head out on their first real mission together, a trip intended to channel Anakin's energy and pain, getting him away from the rocky path he's been walking during his first three years at the Temple. Although perhaps not the most original plot, this mystery and adventure story is gripping enough, sowing the seeds of both the Empire and the men that Anakin and Obi-Wan will become. Most importantly this book allows the characters to stop and reflect; on Qui-Gon Jinn, gone but not forgotten; on the choices they've made and on the sacrifices and trials yet to come. Obi-Wan struggles to be the Master Anakin needs, while Anakin struggles with himself. The author has brought a sensitivity and depth of characterisation to the Star Wars novel-universe that so often gets lost in a hammer-and-tongs plot. A balanced, absorbing and satisfying read.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
THE STORY:
Set three years after Episode I, the Jedi Council assigns Obi-Wan and Anakin a mission in the hopes of curbing the youth's thrill-seeking nature. The mission takes them to the mysterious world of Zonama Sekot where they must investigate the disappearance of a Jedi Knight and discover the secret of the planet's way of life. Meanwhile, two clever and power-hungry men are also en route to Zonama Sekot.
Set three years after Episode I, the Jedi Council assigns Obi-Wan and Anakin a mission in the hopes of curbing the youth's thrill-seeking nature. The mission takes them to the mysterious world of Zonama Sekot where they must investigate the disappearance of a Jedi Knight and discover the secret of the planet's way of life. Meanwhile, two clever and power-hungry men are also en route to Zonama Sekot.
WHAT'S GOOD:
This book is an excellent read for fans of the New Jedi Order series as features a planet recovering from the Yuuzhan Vong's early incursions and reveals some of the past of the enigmatic Vergere. The story stands well alone two, beginning with a fast paced and energetic garbage pit race, continuing with the gradual exploration of Zonama Sekot's unique ecosystems and ending with a spectacular space battle. We get to see some of Obi-Wan's development as a teacher and discover that Anakin's fall towards the dark side is due in part to his inability to contain the great power within himself. There's a few interesting cameos, including Raith Seinar (maker of the Empire's TIE-Fighters) and Wilhuff Tarkin (aka Peter Cushing in 'A New Hope'). It's in the Seinar/Tarkin scenes that this book really excels, as each man attempts to gain strategic victories against the other. There's also a great moment when Seinar tells Tarkin about his idea for a moon-sized battlestation, later reinforced by Tarkin's fascination with a planet capable of hyperspace travel (can you say 'Death Star'?).
WHAT'S BAD:
The story does slow down to a snail's pace at times on Zonama Sekot and you get sick to death of hearing about boras before long. Also, because it was written before Episode II, the scope of events that Bear is allowed to play with is a bit limited.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
'Rogue Planet' starts of in the first third as the best Star Wars novel that I have read. Set three years or so after 'The Phantom Menace' Anakin is currently being taught the ways of the Jedi by Obi-Wan. When not studying, Anakin is sneaking off to join illegal street races. With his sense of adventure becoming too strong the Jedi's decide to send Obi-Wan and Anakin on a mission to investigate the disappearance of a missing Jedi on a far away planet. Can they discover the missing knight and do they know that they are being followed by a mysterious assassin?
There are many elements of this book that work really well. It's just unfortunate that they are all in the first third. The action at the start is better than the last three films and the characters of Obi-Wan and Anakin are interestingly explored. Add to this an interesting insight into the politics of the New Republic and you have a well written and thoughtful sci fi book.
However, things fall completely apart once they reach the mysterious planet as the book descends into a snorefest. The middle third is as poorly written and slow a narrative that I have read in a long time. The third section does pick up a little, but is confused and you may not care by then. I think this book is 2 stars and not 3 because I am really disappointed that Bear threw away some really good ideas.
There are many elements of this book that work really well. It's just unfortunate that they are all in the first third. The action at the start is better than the last three films and the characters of Obi-Wan and Anakin are interestingly explored. Add to this an interesting insight into the politics of the New Republic and you have a well written and thoughtful sci fi book.
However, things fall completely apart once they reach the mysterious planet as the book descends into a snorefest. The middle third is as poorly written and slow a narrative that I have read in a long time. The third section does pick up a little, but is confused and you may not care by then. I think this book is 2 stars and not 3 because I am really disappointed that Bear threw away some really good ideas.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
very poor and uninteresting im afraid
As star wars books go this is a pretty big let down - strange because Greg Bear is such a talent outside Star Wars. Read more
Published on 17 Dec 2007 by Toby Andersen
A Great Read!
I have just finished this book and it is one of the best i have read so far. It has some great characters eg Raith Sienar(the maker of the TIE Fighter) and also gives you a view... Read more
Published on 25 July 2003 by "bladeuk694u2000"
A nice idea and well attempted
Greg Bears deserves credit. He has obivously put a lot of work into this book, however the result is so-so. Read more
Published on 7 May 2001
Hopefully the first of many Episode 1 era novels.
Rogue planet is the first novel in which obi-wan and his apprentice anakin get into their own adventures and what a way to start. Read more
Published on 5 May 2001
AN AMAZING MIX OF VARIOUS INTRIGUES OLD AND NEW
A good book and unmissable for anyone confused about how sweet little Anakin becomes Vader.
Things to look out for: 1) Tarkin coming across the idea of the Death Star 2) Anakin... Read more
Published on 9 Aug 2000
Excellent!
Buying this book is really a no brainer for fans of Star Wars literature - the first original novel featuring (some) of the characters of The Phantom Menace. Does it deliver? Read more
Published on 21 Jun 2000 by David Mather
This book is brilliant!
This is one of the best star wars books I have ever read and considering that I read the book in one day without putting it down says just how much I liked it . Read more
Published on 30 May 2000
Surprisingly Good
I have read other books by the famous Sci-Fi writer Greg Bear and enjoyed them immensely. I was quite surprised to see he had written a Star Wars book as he mainly concentrates on... Read more
Published on 29 May 2000 by hallben2000@hotmail.com
Entertaining Read
I enjoyed reading this book. I read it in one day so that speaks for itself. It did give me an some problems though. Read more
Published on 7 May 2000 by Elaine Nicol
The best book ever
This book is sooooooooo good. I've just finished reading it. Anyone who likes Star wars will like this. its about anakin skywalker facing his first trial as a padawan. Read more
Published on 5 May 2000
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