Star Wars Jedi Apprentice: The Dark Rival (Paperback)

Don't be fooled by the fact that these novels are published by Scholastic and marketed as children's books. The first two Jedi Apprentice novels are well written and are entertaining and informative for adult readers as well. If you were curious about Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon's past, and about life as a Jedi, you'll love this book!

This book is essentially Part Two of a cohesive story formed by the Jedi Apprentice novel #1 'The Rising Force' and #2 'The Dark Rival'. It doesn't matter that these are published as two separate books with two different authors, they function as one coherent novel. Book #1 ends suddenly, and #2 takes off right where the first one ends. I suspect they broke them up so they wouldn't be too large or intimidating for young readers, but essentially they form one long novel, dealing with one week in time when Obi-Wan Kenobi is 12 years old and is nearing his 13th birthday. If a student at the Jedi academy is not picked as an apprentice by their 13th birthday (presumably this refers only to human life spans) they are sent away from the academy, destined not to become Jedi but to either become healers or join the Agricultural Corps and use their Force talents to grow crops.

Obi-Wan is sent by Yoda to help the Agri-Corps on a world called Bandomeer. This is a disappointment for Obi-Wan, since he thinks it means the instructors at the academy have already decided he will not be trained as a Jedi. The Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn is also travelling to Bandomeer in a diplomatic capacity, and Obi-Wan desperately tries to impress the famous Jedi, hoping that he can convince him to take him on as his Padawan. Qui-Gon is determined to never take another Padawan, since his last apprentice turned to the Dark Side and betrayed him. However, it seems Yoda, who foresaw their future together, is right, for Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, though having only just met and not Master and Padawan, have an immediate bond form between them.

These novels should be REQUIRED READING for all Qui-Gon or Obi-Wan fans. It really sets up their relationship and history in an interesting way. It adds interesting backstory to the characters in the movie. Also, this history is referred to in the Patricia C. Wrede novelization of 'The Phantom Menace'.

Another thing that really impressed me about these books was the insight into the Jedi Temple, the Jedi Academy, and the way Jedi are trained. We get many wonderful Jedi sayings ("We are not saints, but seekers") and a detailed look at life in the Jedi Temple and the training of a Jedi. Yoda gets some great lines. I only hope the next books in this series are this good!

I'd give this book SIX STARS if I could!

WHAT'S GOOD:
Jude Watson improves on Dave Wolverton's writing of 'The Rising Force' ten fold, completely dispensing with any illusions that this story is just for kids. There is action, character development and personal interaction galore here and the dynamic between Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan and Xanatos makes for compelling reading. I also loved the way that short flashbacks throughout the book slowly reveal the history between Qui-Gon and Xanatos and show how the latter went from being a promising Jedi student to the Dark Jedi head of a ruthless corporation. Without a doubt, this is the best book of the Jedi Apprentice series (because, let's face it, alot of the others are pants) and an essential read for any true fan of the Star Wars mythos.

WHAT'S BAD:
I would have liked to have seen this and book one made into full-length adult novels, but other than that I don't really have anything bad to say. Oh, I suppose I could criticise the fact that the story starts by trying to be ambiguous about Xanatos intentions, but it's clear from the cover illustration that he's evil!