What Greg Bear has done here is introduce us to classic science fiction story telling. The aliens are quite different than most `bi-pedal' creatures we are so familiar with. Mr. Bear also goes far in detailing different environments, culture's, and philosophies, making us realize that we have been reading so many over-hashed similar stories that we forget how to use our imagination. Not here, we rediscover strange new worlds!

Call it Phantom Menace 1.5, this novel takes place 3 years after Episode I. The focus of this novel is around Anakin and Obi-Wan, and not just in their traditional Master/Padawan role, but as friends and mutual respect for each other. Obi-Wan, more than ever before senses the un-measurable power within young Anakin and takes great pride in molding him in his adolescent life to being a Jedi. He often reflects on the teachings of his former Master Qui-Gon and see much of his former self in young Anakin and thus learns to appreciate the teachings of patience and understanding of all things alien. Obi-Wan, for all intents becomes a father figure.

Anakin is a different story. We clearly see how far this boy has progressed over the last few years. It is amazing on what we as the reader can see just below the surface of this boys psyche and can understand on how one day he will become Dark Lord of the Sith. He skills develop daily, as does his aggressiveness. He still has the wonderment of a child, all the questions, but his yearning for adventure and his lack of patience `will' be his eventual un-doing.

A surprise character takes on a semi-major roll here. We are introduced to a young W. Tarkin as we know one day will become the 1st Grand Moff from `A New Hope'. There is great insight to his character here as we learn about his youth at the Republic Academy, how he has made some `political changes' as of late and strives for a New Order, one in which Human's will dominate the galaxy. These all lend to the ideas of Chancellor Palpatine here and how this young Officer wants to make an impression on the political regime that is slowly forming.

We see all see characters such as Mace Windu, (briefly), but in a more `human' role, and other events taking place in the galaxy that lend to the development at Star Wars as we know it, and how things are shaping up in the future. (note: look at new weapons, the replacement of the battle droids, other political references and you'll see what I'm talking about).

Finally, Greg Bear hints at another force outside of the known galaxy. There is described a powerful race who uses organic technology and organic ships that one of the Jedi had taken upon herself to follow. This is mentioned in sparse sentences throughout the novel and all clues indicate that this force will become known as the Yuuzhan Vong that will menace the New Republic many years after the Empire has fallen.


Quit making faces at me!   May 5, 2000
 10 out of 37 found this review helpful

I have acquired toll booths and plant sacks. If it is plausable, cancel my bread donation kitchen nasal passages. When discovering meat fables, involuntary spazm nodes may occur. Sausage arm and my cookie hurts. I made a poop log, thank you


ROGUISHLY RAVE REVIEWS FOR LATEST STAR WARS ADVENTURE   September 24, 2000
 8 out of 9 found this review helpful

For the millions of people who saw Episode I: The Phantom Menace, and who eagerly await the completion and release of Episode II, comes a new novel that will give the reader a taste of things to come. In fact, not only does this book wet the appetite of the average fan, but also drenches the reader with every fantastic aspect of the epic that truly is Star Wars.

Set three years following the events of Episode I, Rogue Planet is centered on young Jedi Apprentice Anakin Skywalker. Twelve-year-old Anakin excels in training with his master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, but finds himself becoming more and more reckless as he seeks out ways to indulge his thirst for danger and excitement. At the same time a new threat to the Republic slowly begins to influence the Senate, causing its deterioration and rumblings of corruption. A key player in this developing dark new order is middle-aged Commander Tarkin, whose connections with Chandler Palpatine enable him to gather more and more political power. With orders from an unknown official, Tarkin enlists the aid of evil ship designer Raith Seinar, so to lead a fleet of ships in an attack and conquest of a legendary planet known as Zonoma Sekot. The Jedi Council, wanting to calm Anakin's wild nature, decides to give him a mission in order to tame his restlessness. The Council assigns Obi-Wan and his apprentice to investigate Zonoma Sekot, and look into the disappearance of another Jedi Knight, who was sent to the same mythical planet a year before. Facing mystery and unknown dangers from the planet and outside forces, Obi-Wan and Anakin must find a way to solve the conundrum that is Zonoma Sekot. To do so they must become more than teacher and student, and more than Master and Apprentice, instead they have to trust each other and the Force as they've never been able to before.

One of the great aspects of this novel is that it delves deeply into the character of Anakin Skywalker. It gives the reader insight into the mind of a young boy who has to face his responsibility to the Jedi, the Galaxy, and to himself, while at the same time control his emotions and rash decisions. The reader is able to sympathize with him and his feelings of doubt, loneliness, anger and frustration, as well as, ponder the question of how such a child could eventually become one of the Galaxy's greatest enemies? Unlike the Episode I movie, and even the novel based on the film, this book lets the reader get to know each character on a very personal level, while simultaneously providing adventure that will make the reader eager to turn each page.

The novel's creator, and multiple Hugo and Nebula Award winning author, Greg Bear, envisions a tale full of fantasy, imagination, emotion and mystery. Bear writes with such expertise that it is easy to forget that one is reading a novel and not watching a motion picture. This book pulls the reader in right from the start and takes him on a journey through a strange new world, the politics of evil, and the psyche of one boy whose destiny is shrouded in darkness. If for no other reason, this book is definitely worth taking a look at because of its great variety of characters, whose ambitions and internal conflicts make them much more than legends of American pop culture and science fiction, it makes them almost tangible.


AN AVERAGE OUTING FOR THESE JEDI   May 13, 2001
 8 out of 9 found this review helpful

The basic problem with Star Wars: Rogue Planet is that it is just a so-so adventure for Obi-Wan and Anakin. Now, in defense of author Greg Bear, it is a well written novel with some very creative and original concepts. Mr. Bear does what he can to introduce new aliens and to incorporate some characters and conepts that we (as Star Wars fans) love. The chapters dealing with General Tarkin were the strongest in the book (here is a character who can be quite fascinating). But let's be honest until Episode 2 comes out...the characters of Anakin and Obi-Wan aren't going to come across anything "life changing".

So, if you're going through withdrawl from the Galaxy Far, Far Away...then pick this book up and read it. But, if you're reading to be moved by something "grand and huge and exploding with excitement"...well there are plenty of other sci-fi books ....