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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A more epic Clone Wars novel, but flawed., 20 Nov 2004
THE STORY:
Two and a half years after 'Attack of the Clones', the important world of Praesitlyn falls into Separatist hands and only a small independent army, the Freedom's Sons and Daughters, are fighting back. The Republic sends a small force to recapture Praesitlyn, led by Jedi Master Nejaa Halcyon and Anakin Skywalker, desperately seeking advancement to Knighthood.WHAT'S GOOD:
This book deals with much larger-scale events than the other Clone Wars books so far, going some length to recapturing the epic scope of the films (and earlier novels) that has been largely lacking in recent Star Wars fiction. The authors, having military backgrounds, manage very well to convey the tactics, logistics and horrors of large-scale ground combat, giving a definite air of realism to the story. There's also a few familiar cameo faces (something else sadly lacking in the Clone Wars novels) ranging from Asajj Ventress (from the comics, cartoons and 'The Cestus Deception') to Armand Isard (the father of the X-Wing series villain Ysanne Isard). WHAT'S BAD:
I can't exactly quantify it, but there's an overwhelming feeling of shallowness to this book. No time or space is dedicated to describing the subtleties of the politics involved, the details of Praesitlyn itself, or even many of the main characters. The events are presented at such a rapid pace that it feels as though they're aren't important (particularly the actual invasion by the Separatists and the space battle at the end). Also, Zozridor Slayke is a thoroughly unlikable character who, obviously outnumbered and outgunned, heroically throws away the lives of most of his force and is then presented by the authors as some kind of tactical genius! Finally, I felt more could have been done with the character of Nejaa Halcyon, the fact that he has a wife like Anakin is only mentioned two or three times and no mention whatsoever is made of his work with CorSec or his limited ability to use Jedi telekinesis (both established by the character's creator Michael A. Stackpole in 'I, Jedi').
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