Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
fast paced and gave depth to Maul and the Sith, 20 Aug 2004
"Shadow Hunter" is a prequel novel set in the Star Wars universe. The setting is on Coruscant just days before the event of "The Phantom Menace". Whereas "Cloak of Deception" was a novel set on a grander scale and told of the origins of Darth Sidious's plan for the Naboo trade blockade and dealt with political intrigue, "Shadow Hunter" is a fairly straight-forward action ride of a novel. One of the Neimoidians who was instrumental in setting up the Naboo blockade has gone missing. Nate Gunray suspects that Hath Monchar is betraying the other Neimoidians and Darth Sidious knows that there is a betrayal even though Gunray has said nothing about this. To track down Monchar, Darth Sidious has sent his apprentice Darth Maul to find Monchar, kill him and kill anybody Monchar has spoken to about the upcoming blockade. Monchar has contacted a criminal named Lorn Pavan about selling this information. With Pavan we meet his droid, I-Five. While this is going on Jedi Padawan Darsha Assant is sent on her final test before becoming a Jedi. She must escort someone back to the Jedi Temple, but while her mission initially seems unrelated to the other storyline in the novel the mission becomes complicated and eventually intertwines with the lives of Darth Maul and Lorn Pavan. This is a very fast paced novel, and one in which we get to see a different side of the Star Wars universe: namely, the Sith. Darth Maul becomes a more interesting character as we learn a little bit more about his background and that of the Sith and part of a reason why there are only two Sith at a time. After the exposition, "Shadow Hunter" is non-stop and everything is constantly moving, driving the story forward. I was pleasantly surprised with this Star Wars novel. It was a well told story (as far as Star Wars goes) with lots of action, some light saber action and a deeper look at the Sith. It was good enough that it made me want to continue on with the Star Wars novels. This isn't a great book, but I found it entertaining and I finished it in a couple of days. -Joe Sherry
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Sadly disappointing, 14 Oct 2006
Star Wars books hold something of a niche market, because those that are into them tend to be REALLY into them, and are big collectors of the 'expanded universe' novels.
When they are good, they really are good as books such as Steve Perry's 'Shadows of the Empire' and James Luceno's 'Labyrinth of Evil' are becoming cult classics amongst Star Wars fans.
Sadly, this effort from Michael Reeves falls far short of such high standards. Set 6 months before the Phantom Menace, the story is centered around the unlikely duo of Jedi Padawan Darsha Assant and down-on-his-luck spacer Lorn Pavan. A rogue Nemoidian is trying to sell a holocron containing a full expose of Darth Sidious' identity and plans. Assant and Pavan come to aquire this holocron, and Darth Maul is sent after them by Sidious to destroy the holocron at all costs. Communications being somewhat good in the Star Wars universe, it seems Reeves has had to put a real effort into finding a way to keep the pair somewhat isolated. Consequently, almost the entire book is a chase set in the basements of Coruscant's metropolis which tends to create a somewhat dull atmosphere. The real problem however is that Darth Maul is constantly outwitted by Assant and Pavan. Darth Maul, the epitome of Sith darkness is time and again outwitted and left cursing in rage as the pair slip through his fingers time and time again. Without giving away too many details, he ultimately has nothing to do with the eventual dooming of Pavan's treasure, as little more than bad luck eventually causes the holocron to be destroyed. Sadly this is a somewhat lacklusture story in which a supposedly unstoppable villain is made to look rather foolish as failure strikes him again and again.
better luck next time Mr Reeves, if indeed there is a next time.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dark but excellent., 1 May 2001
By A Customer
This beautifully savage study of the dangers of excess in the Star Wars universe delivers by all accounts. A gripping, if harrowingly evocative piece of literature.
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by James Luceno
by Greg Bear
by Terry Brooks
