Dark Disciple: Star Wars (Star Wars)

by Christie Golden

Katie Lucas (Foreword)

Based on unproduced episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, this thrilling novel features Asajj Ventress, former Sith apprentice turned bounty hunter and one of the great antiheroes in the Star Wars galaxy.

The only way to bring down the Sith’s most dangerous warrior may be to join forces with the dark side.

In the war for control of the galaxy between the armies of the dark side and the Republic, former Jedi Master turned ruthless Sith Lord Count Dooku has grown ever more brutal in his tactics. Despite the powers of the Jedi and the military prowess of their clone army, the sheer number of fatalities is taking a terrible toll. And when Dooku orders the massacre of a flotilla of helpless refugees, the Jedi Council feels it has no choice but to take drastic action: targeting the man responsible for so many war atrocities, Count Dooku himself.
 
But the ever-elusive Dooku is dangerous prey for even the most skilled hunter. So the Council makes the bold decision to bring both sides of the Force’s power to bear—pairing brash Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos with infamous one-time Sith acolyte Asajj Ventress. Though Jedi distrust for the cunning killer who once served at Dooku’s side still runs deep, Ventress’s hatred for her former master runs deeper. She’s more than willing to lend her copious talents as a bounty hunter—and assassin—to Vos’s quest.
 
Together, Ventress and Vos are the best hope for eliminating Dooku—as long as the emerging feelings between them don’t compromise their mission. But Ventress is determined to have her retribution and finally let go of her dark Sith past. Balancing the complicated emotions she feels for Vos with the fury of her warrior’s spirit, she resolves to claim victory on all fronts—a vow that will be mercilessly tested by her deadly enemy . . . and her own doubt.

• ISBN10: 1101884959
• ISBN13: 9781101884959
• Publish Date: 1 March 2016 (first published 5 November 2009)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Random House Worlds
• Format: Paperback (US Tall Rack)
• Pages: 400
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9781101884959

Reviews

[ladygrey]

I enjoyed the beginning of this book. The fleet pacing and the cynical mirth of the characters worked.

Then the balance really shifted in the second act and it wasn't my favorite. Ventress dominated and Vos went from confident - I can handle anything charm to Padawan looking for direction. It wasn't a great shift.. Plus I didn't like where it was going. Or where it went. I would have liked it with a little more details. Like the whole knife's edge - how and why. And how. But it was bearable because there was still hope the characters would be able to step back from this precipice of tragedy.

Or not. The third act seemed rushed and lacking in the depth of the earlier chapters. I understand why -because you can't look too closely at the emotions and thoughts of a man lying to himself without tipping your hand. But it was less fun to read.

Partly, because just as it was turning to the third act, I remembered the movies and how things did (and did not) play out. So, I was curious where it was going to go - since I knew where it wasn't going to end up. If that makes sense.

I will say that it did a very good job of showing a Jedi's descent to the dark side - the allure of power and the reasoning and the slide into darkness. Much better than Revenge of the Sith.

And there was an element of tragedy in a fun character being destroyed by the dark side. Because even after he found his way back, he wasn't the same. Which was sad.

One thing it made me think, apart from the book but just about Star Wars lore is why are there only two options? The stories insist that turning away from being a Jedi (with all the rules and sacrifice) leads to anger and hate? Ventress pushes him to the dark side. Because of the whole Dooku mission. But without that - what would have been so terrible about letting the Jedi restrictions go and falling in love and wielding the light side of the Force? Why couldn't you just be a person who wields the light side of the Force and also falls in love and has a family and enjoys life?

[inlibrisveritas]

Dark Disciple is set in between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, and starts as the animated tv show, Clone Wars, ends. Both Asajj Ventress and Quinlain Vos are characters seen in the tv show, though Vos only appears once or twice while Ventress plays a larger role. I was sure how to approach the novel at first because the thought of Ventress actually forming an attachment to someone sounds…odd, but I’m glad I decided to give it a chance because it turned out to be quite a fun read!

The storyline itself is one that brings a lot of surprises, like the Jedi approved assassination attempt of Dooku comes into play. Jedi don’t do assassinations, it sort of goes against who they are as a whole. And I can say that it definitely threw me for a loop at times as characters changed and became better people…and in some cases worse. We get to see sides of characters we didn’t know were there, and I kind of like it. This book not only gives depth to two characters I never thought about being together in any form, but also explores what it means to be Sith, Jedi, and someone who finds a way to walk a line between one or the other.

Asajj Ventress is a former Sith, who after being betrayed by her master turned away from that lifestyle and began forging her own path as a bounty hunter. She’s a no nonsense warrior, who knows her skills and how to use them…and she’s one of my favorite female badasses from the universe. If I had to describe Asajj in four words it would be intelligent, lithe, sexy, and terrifying. I’ve always seen her as a self confident character and it was actually really nice to get inside her head and see what her insecurities were, and how even in her most tender moments (though rare) she never loses who she is and where she’s been. Quinlain Vos is a Jedi with a largely unique sense of personality and humor, and considered somewhat of a renegade when it comes to how he approaches his missions which are largely undercover. He walks a fine line but it’s still a surprise as to how well he meshes with Asajj, it’s a duo I never truly expected…and I liked that their story is not a typical one at all.

Overall I think it’s another excellent addition to the new extended universe, and I really wish they had been renewed for another season of Clone Wars because I would have loved to see how this book would have translated into that format. If you enjoy your sci-fi with plenty of action, lots of character development, twists and turns, and a little bit of romance then this is definitely one to check out!